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The votes are in, and The Smoky Mountain News has broken down the results of Cherokee’s 2023 elections, including the races for chief and vice chief, several seats on Council and multiple referenda that will dictate how the future will look on the boundary. (Page 4, 8, 17) Holly Kays photo
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• Cheese sticks or cubes
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In a decision that received national attention, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum question endorsing legalized recreational marijuana on the Qualla Boundary for adults 21 and older. The referendum received more participation than anything else on the ballot — including the race for principal chief, the tribe’s top executive — with 70% of voters in favor.
“To those of you who supported the Cannabis project, thank you for educating yourselves and voting!” Big Cove Rep. Teresa McCoy, who submitted the resolution Tribal Council passed to put the question on the ballot, wrote in a Facebook post after election results were released Sept. 7. “You listened, paid attention and you are ready for change in our own town!”
The Sept. 7 vote (see full results on page 8) does not immediately legalize cannabis use on tribal land, but rather sets the process in motion. The question tribal members voted on was: “Do you support legalizing the possession and use of cannabis for persons who are at least twenty-one (21) years old, and require the EBCI Tribal Council to develop legislation to regulate the market?” After election results are certified in October, the Tribal Council seated following the election will have to change the law to align with the expressed will of the people.
If, that is, the referendum meets the 30% voter turnout threshold required for the results to be valid. The EBCI Board of Elections has not yet released voter turnout data, but the numbers look promising. A referendum vote in 2021 drew just under 2,900 votes, good for a turnout exceeding 40% — this year’s cannabis referendum received 3,521 votes for or against.
The cannabis referendum was the culmination of an effort that’s been underway for years. Back in 2015, a group calling itself Common Sense Cannabis convinced Tribal Council to approve funding for a feasibility study examining the possibly of legalized cannabis. That measure was vetoed, but the next year Tribal Council approved a resolution instructing the tribe’s attorney general to draft legislation for legalizing medical marijuana, but not recreational. A new feasibility study was approved in 2019, and in 2021 tribal government legalized medical marijuana and decriminalized possession of small amounts of the drug.
Following these decisions, a tribally owned business called Qualla Enterprises LLC was established to produce and sell cannabis. The business has been off to a slower than anticipated start due to disputes in Council chambers about start-up funding and accountability measures, but during those meetings
General Manager Forrest Parker has expressed enthusiasm for the enterprise’s potential. He has also been blunt in his assessment that legalizing recreational use would multiply the business’s potential for profit. If distributed according to the per capita model used by the tribe’s casinos, he claimed during a July 13 meeting, such profit “would potentially far exceed year one through five of anything that we’ve ever seen before.”
On the Qualla Boundary, excitement about the burgeoning cannabis industry is high. But an Aug. 17 letter from U.S. Rep Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson), which was published in The Cherokee One Feather, elicited widespread anger ahead of Election Day.
“I proudly consider the tribe my friends, and I respect their tribal sovereignty,” he wrote. “But there are times when friends disagree, and I must do so regarding this question of legalizing recreational marijuana. The tribe’s rights should not infringe on the overall laws of our nation. Congress cannot prevent the EBCI from proceeding with this harmful referendum. But I am appealing to tribal members to vote against it.”
to introduce legislation called the Stop Pot Act, which, were it to pass, could prove “very costly” should the tribe vote to legalize cannabis.
“The Stop Pot Act will defund governments that ignore federal law,” he said. “I plan to move forward with this legislation regardless of the results of the tribal vote.”
Waves of backlash followed Edwards’ letter.
On Aug. 29, the Democratic Party chairs of Jackson, Swain, Cherokee and Transylvania counties sent a letter to local media outlets decrying Edwards’ “attempt to coerce the people of the EBCI into making the decision he wants them to make,” saying that, as a sovereign nation, the tribe has the right to govern itself “without federal or state interference.”
The next day, Principal Chief Richard Sneed responded with a letter thanking the party for its words of support. Both letters were published in The Smoky Mountain News.
“In my estimation, Rep. Edwards has overstepped his authority and has made a major political blunder as a federal Representative; a non-Indian, elected official telling a sovereign tribal nation how they ought to handle their business,” Sneed wrote.
In comments to Tribal Council during its meeting Thursday, Sept. 7, which was also Election Day, Big Cove Rep. Teresa McCoy went a step further. She said Edwards’ words “pointing out one particular race of people” made him a racist and charged that his words were tantamount to election interference. Tribal Council should consider banishing him from tribal lands, she said.
Based on Election Day interviews with voters stopping at Cherokee’s only grocery store, Edwards’ threat has not dampened enthusiasm for the measure. One woman, who said she was in too much of a hurry to stop for an interview, nevertheless shouted, “I voted for recreational,” giving a thumbs up as she slid into her car.
Of eight voters interviewed by The Smoky Mountain News, only one said they would vote against the referendum.
“I probably would be for it for medical, but recreational I’m not too big,” said a 60-year-old Wolfetown man. “We’ve already got people walking around here kind of aimless.”
Two people expressed support for the cannabis referendum despite opposing a separate measure that would allow hotels and restaurants to sell mixed drinks.
“The cannabis is gonna help our people,” said a 55-year-old Wolfetown voter. “And the mixed drink thing is not gonna help our people.”
It remains to be seen how the tribe will choose to implement the decision its citizens expressed Sept. 7, or what that timeline may look like. David Wijewickrama, chair of the EBCI Cannabis Control Board, said the ball is in Tribal Council’s court now. The chapter establishing the board he leads is specifically titled “Medical Marijuana.”
“The tribe is going to have to rewrite the regulation, and they’re going to have to tell us what the scope of our work is,” he said. “We don’t get to tell them, ‘This is what we want to do.’ They tell us, ‘This is what your job is going to be.’”
Another variable is what the state may decide regarding legalization of cannabis, and how that could impact logistics of the tribal operation. Qualla Enterprises’ farm is located on the Cooper’s Creek property, which is on tribal trust land but requires traveling a short distance through Swain County land to drive to the main Qualla Boundary. This makes the logistics of distribution challenging for the fledgling company.
Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran acknowledges the tribe’s right, as a sovereign nation, to legalize cannabis if it wishes. But at the same time, he said, “I took an oath to uphold the laws in the state of North Carolina.”
Calling cannabis a “common gateway drug,” Edwards cited the Centers for Disease Control and New England Journal of Medicine as saying that it can result in addiction, altered brain development and chronic psychosis disorders. If the measure were to pass, tribal lands would be the only place in North Carolina to legally purchase recreational marijuana, he wrote, likely resulting in people driving high as they leave the Qualla Boundary and spurring “drug tourism,” which would increase availability of “illicit, hard drugs for sale, and the criminal activity that would inevitably follow.” This could strain law enforcement resources “to a breaking point,” especially if dispensaries opened on outlying tribal lands in addition to the current facility in Cherokee, Edwards wrote.
Edwards warned the tribe that he planned
“I think that he is not a friend to this tribe, and I think that the tribe needs to make that clear,” she said.
It remains unclear how the Stop Pot Act, which Edwards introduced Sept. 1 as H.R. 5323, would impact the tribe if enacted. The bill text states that 10% of funds apportioned to any state that has legalized the “purchase or public possession of marijuana for recreational purposes” should be withheld, but it makes no mention of tribes.
Currently, the bill has only one cosponsor — Rep. Gregory Murphy (R-NC) — and awaits action from the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, within the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Neither Edwards nor his office returned requests for comment.
That includes laws making marijuana an illegal substance.
Cody White, associate counsel for the EBCI Attorney General’s Office representing the Cherokee Indian Police Department, said the tribe is still working out how best to transport the product.
“We are going to ensure that we are not violating any laws in what we’re about to do,” he said.
As to exactly what it is the tribe is about to do, White said, that decision is “a work in progress.”
“We told the sheriff that I would be in constant contact with him to update him on those things,” White said.
Qualla Enterprises did not return multiple requests for comment on this story, nor has it granted requests dating back to March for a tour of its facilities.
BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF W RITER
For the third year running, freshman enrollment has increased at Western Carolina University, a metric that university leaders hope will signal an end to multiple years of falling enrollment in the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic.
The 2,082 first-time, fulltime freshman the school welcomed as of Sept. 1, the university’s Census Day, marked an 8.8% increase over last year and formed the thirdlargest freshman class in the school’s history. Total enrollment of 11,628 came in just seven students lower than fall 2022. Data will be finalized by the University of North Carolina System at a later date.
“Having enrollment essentially flat this year is actually a huge win when you consider that we graduated our largest classes in the last two years and had two small COVID classes still in the pipeline,” Chancellor Kelli R. Brown said during the Sept. 8 WCU Board of Trustees meeting.
In “one of the most encouraging indictors” from this semester’s enrollment report, retention is up significantly. Of last year’s freshmen, 75.5% returned for the 2023-2024 school year, up from 71.3% last year, which was the lowest retention figure the school had logged in more than a decade.
Additionally, WCU saw a small increase in new undergraduate transfer students — 12 more than in fall 2022 — and growing interest from out-of-state students. Out-ofstate enrollment was up 10.3% over last year to 1,909 students, representing 16.4% of the student body. The increase came after the
Last week, a Swain County jury convicted Daniel Ryan Sutton, 39, of first-degree murder.
Sutton will spend the remainder of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.
On May 10, 2019, Sutton – wielding a crudely fashioned, metal-weighted bat –repeatedly struck Jackie Carl Thomasson, 69, on his head as many as five times, in an argument about a truck title.
Sutton assaulted Thomasson in the driveway of Thomasson’s residence on McCracken Road in the Galbraith community.
Emergency workers flew Thomasson to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. He died on May 14, 2019.
Co-defendant Jeremy Dwight Solomon, 41, is awaiting trial. He is charged with firstdegree murder.
University of North Carolina Board of Governors voted in January to boost WCU’s cap on out-of-state enrollment from 18% of new students up to 25%.
Buncombe County is home for 971 of WCU’s in-state students, more than any other county. Next is Wake County with 573 students and Mecklenburg with 560. Jackson County, where WCU is located, comes in fourth place with 454 and neighboring Haywood is fifth with 393.
“The overall enrollment picture this year is one of momentum,” Brown said. However, there is one demographic that appears to be having difficulty tapping into that momentum — male students. While female student enrollment increased by 54 compared to last fall, male enrollment fell by 61. Last year’s female freshmen were retained at a rate of 76.2%, but male retention was 74.5%. Overall, only 40.7% of WCU’s student body is male, the lowest proportion in the school’s recent history. These figures are part of a nationwide trend of lackluster performance and engagement in academics for boys and men enrolled in K-12, universities and colleges.
But, Brown said, there’s a new energy on campus as the university community moves past the pandemic fears and restrictions that have loomed large since 2020 to reclaim the rhythms of college life.
“Things on campus already feel different from the last three years,” she said. “It feels like we’ve turned a corner and the hesitancy that lingered post-pandemic isn’t as prevalent. Students, faculty and staff are excited for the year ahead, and so am I.”
Initially, Swain County Sheriff’s Det. Charlie Robinson handled the case. Det. Andrew Bryant later became lead investigator.
Assistant district attorneys John Hindsman, Jr. and Joseph Scoggins prosecuted the case. Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Bill Coward presided.
BY C ORY VAILLANCOURT P OLITICS E DITOR
Luke Klein’s life in North Carolina hasn’t been much different than that of any other pre-teen boy. An all-star pitcher on the Watauga County Parks and Rec baseball team and obsessed with sports, Luke dreams of perhaps becoming a sports reporter one day, if not a professional athlete.
But Luke’s life has been different at least one way. He was assigned female at birth.
“I guess once I started kindergarten,” Luke said, “I always, like, watched the boys playing and I was like, ‘I want to be like that and not like, a girl.’”
In retrospect, Luke’s parents, Joe and Holly, had known that Luke wasn’t like their older children, and have since come to terms with Luke’s identity. Now, they’re plotting a path forward after Luke’s home state worked diligently to pass laws that would make his dreams that much more difficult to achieve.
Luke, Joe and Holly Klein agreed to speak with The Smoky Mountain News despite transgender people and their allies being increasingly targeted — some-
times with violence, and sometimes with the pen.
“I think I want my story to be known, because, like, it can inspire other people,” said Luke, who will turn 11 in the coming days.
Luke’s dad, Joe, is an associate professor in the speech language pathology department at Appalachian State University in Boone who completed his PhD at the University of South Alabama where he met Holly, a speech language pathologist who has a master’s degree from the University South Alabama and worked for Watauga County Schools for 13 years.
“I think this is a chance to humanize the story,” Holly said. “I think it’s a chance to see that we’re just real people. We want to get rid of, number one, the perception that for people who are trans it’s a choice, and number two, that this is some agenda we have. It certainly is not the easiest road to take.”
Joe and Holly first thought Luke was just going through a tomboy phase, playing with his little brother and eventually borrowing his clothes.
“Even before that, I feel like doing his
hair was always an issue, and then dresses,” Joe said. “We didn’t know he was trans, but he just hated anything ‘girly.’ It was just not anything he was interested in.”
During kindergarten, Luke was given a Steph Curry jersey that Holly had to wash every day because Luke refused to wear anything else to school.
They didn’t know it at the time, but the Charlotte native, Davidson College alum and NBA MVP Curry had spoken out against North Carolina’s controversial HB2, the so-called bathroom bill that in 2016 cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars in corporate investment and ended up being scrapped a year after it was passed.
The next Christmas, while hanging decorative lights with older sister Greta, Luke came out to her, saying he wanted to be a brother and not a sister. He said he thought she would be a good person to tell.
“He went to each of us, individually and systematically, to talk about it,” said Holly, who was last to learn.
Joe was accepting, but initially thought it might still just be a phase.
“I took him out and we got a haircut. He’d always wanted short haircuts, but they
were like a girl with short haircut,” Joe said. “So this time we went out and we got him a boy’s short haircut. It wasn’t that huge to me, but over time, you start to realize that this is probably going to be who he is, and this is going to keep going. I didn’t really ever have a lot of emotionality around it. And then just kind of thinking about who he was, he always was a boy.”
Before Luke was born, Holly had seen the film “Raising Ryland,” a short documentary about parenting a trans boy. The film had unknowingly prepared Holly for what Luke ultimately told her, but she still had some trouble processing Luke’s feelings.
She remembers spending time that holiday season curled up in bed with Greta, grieving.
“I remember thinking, ‘I just lost my daughter.’ It was almost like losing all the things that a mother wants to do with a daughter like wedding dresses and all those things. But it was all my vision of what should be, and never who Luke actually was,” Holly said. “I had this whole invention for her, but she was never there. It was always Luke. So I didn’t lose anybody. I just came to accept exactly who he is.”
At first, Luke was comfortable in his identity at home, but by February 2020, when he was 7, he decided to live authentically at school as well.
“Yeah, I was a little bit nervous, um, but after I finally did it my friends were like, ‘Okay, you’re a boy now,’” Luke said, adding that he wasn’t bullied by his peers over the change. “I was really happy.”
Part of the reason for that, Holly explained, was because a social worker at Luke’s school came in and gave a presentation to his first-grade class using the book, “Red: A Crayon’s Story.” Written in 2015, the book centers on a blue crayon with a red label. Everyone calls him “Red,” and expects him to write in red, but he simply can’t.
The social worker then introduced Luke to the class, much as a teacher might introduce a new student. The girls in class were somewhat perplexed, Holly said, but the boys couldn’t have cared less and were happy to have another player to join them in their football games.
“His peers were amazing, and I think that was the glory of having a kiddo come out at such a young age,” Holly said.
A month after Luke’s introduction at school, COVID-19 prompted nationwide shutdowns, including at schools. When Luke went back to in-person learning in second grade, it was almost as if he’d always been blue and never was red at all.
But by the end of Luke’s time in second grade, legislators in several states began actively working to suppress the acknowledgement of people like Luke, leaving Joe — and especially Holly — with some serious soul-searching to do.
“We were thinking we wanted to stay and work our 30 years in the state and pull a state pension and then figure out what to do after that,” she said. “But the writing was on the wall.”
As the state budget talks continue to stall in Raleigh, healthcare advocates are growing nervous over the delay in Medicaid expansion.
These advocates, along with many policymakers across the state, believe that every month without Medicaid is another month the state loses out on hundreds of millions of dollars with no strings attached — and another month some without access to healthcare may lose their lives.
Jackie Kiger has been with Pisgah Legal Services for 13 years and has worked on Medicaid policy and advocacy that whole
In March 2022, Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the “Parental Rights in Education” bill, which detractors have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. It effectively prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity.
A spate of states followed suit, according to Education Week, and by February 2023, there had been more than 40 copycat bills introduced in 22 states.
North Carolina was not one of them.
“We always held on to the fact that, hey, we’ve got a governor that we know would veto this. It’s OK. Checks and balances are in place. We’re fine,” Holly said. “And then the supermajority thing happened with that woman who switched parties and then it got really real for me.”
Charlotte-area Democrat Tricia Cotham announced she’d change her party affiliation to Republican on April 5 — the same day three anti-trans bills were filed in the General Assembly. Although Republicans held a substantial majority in both chambers, they were exactly one vote short of a mathematical supermajority that would allow the legislature to override any veto by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, as long as all Republicans were present to vote.
Veto overrides aren’t always voted strictly on party lines, but Cotham’s move gave Republicans an even greater chance of success in making laws over the governor’s objection.
And that’s exactly what happened. Cooper vetoed the bills, one of which prohibits transgender women and girls from playing on girls’ sports teams, but doesn’t prohibit transgender men and boys, like Luke, from playing on boys’ sports teams. The other two restrict the discussion of gender identity in schools and ban genderaffirming care for minors.
“It’s not right, because there’s other people out there that want this stuff,” Luke said. “Even if you found, like, two people that like have done it and regretted it, there’s way
time. Kiger, who is now the organization’s COO, said that although Medicaid expansion has already been passed in North Carolina, it needs to be implemented through the passage of the budget before communities can begin seeing the benefits.
“Implementation is the most crucial piece,” she said.
Any more delay is unconscionable, she added.
“Some people are giving up on ever being able to get healthcare coverage, and some of them frankly are dying,” she said.
In May, the coronavirus emergency declaration ended, and along with that, access to medical care some people were entitled to. Many of those people don’t even know that they’ve lost or will lose access to healthcare, and Kiger fears that some will only find out once a medical emergency forces them to go see a doctor.
“There’s going to be a gap, and there’s
more people out there that need this care.”
After veto overrides, all three bills became law, with Cotham’s support.
“That lesson that Luke’s guidance counselor gave when Luke transitioned, that lesson wouldn’t be able to happen today,” Holly said. “It would be illegal for that social worker to go in and do that lesson for another student who may be transitioning. It would be illegal for Luke to ask for literature and things like that, that represent who he is.”
going to be more people who are struggling again, especially for folks who are currently
University that I was really interested in. From there, we just kind of started looking at Spokane and looking at Washington State and realizing that this would be a great place to be. And then really quickly, we decided that even if I wasn’t going to work here as a professor, that we’re just going to move here no matter what.”
In April, the State of Washington became the sixth to pass a “shield law” that protects access to gender-affirming health care.
“It’s one of the few that already has legislation in place that protects LGBTQ youth, and particularly trans youth and their right to live their authentic lives and their right to get services and gender affirming care, which matches what the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends,” Holly said.
Holly found an attractive job opening, threw together an application in two days, had an interview a week later and was offered the job four days after that.
It pays double what someone in North Carolina could expect to earn; the state has struggled with teacher pay for decades, is experiencing an “unprecedented” teacher shortage and ranks 36th in the nation in average pay — more than $12,000 below the national average, according to the National Education Association. Washington State ranks fifth.
left out uncovered struggling to meet healthcare needs,” she said. “Then for people who had coverage, had a family practitioner, or were maybe taking insulin routinely, this can be a shocker and can disrupt the continuity of care.”
Kiger recommended that anyone who has lost coverage and thinks they may be eligible for Medicaid enrollment, or even those who aren’t sure where they stand, reach out to Pisgah Legal to get the ball rolling. She noted that Pisgah Legal has been preparing for quite some time so that the staff can get people healthcare as soon as Medicaid is implemented.
“Pisgah Legal Services stands ready to enroll people the moment we can,” she said. “We want to help educate and do outreach and support everybody in the community.
For more information, visit pisgahlegal.org or call 800.489.6144.
Now, the family looks forward to a reunion in Spokane, where Luke won’t have to navigate the pitfalls of being born in North Carolina as a member of a marginalized community that often has trouble being heard — especially in government circles.
“The word ‘trailblazer’ is a word we use a lot. Luke has been so brave and so true to himself,” Holly said. “I think if we seek anonymity, we seek to hide. And I think the more people feel like they have to hide, the more we give the perception that this is something shameful, and it is absolutely not shameful to be who you are. And to love who you love.”
Meanwhile, Luke is happily settling into his new home, looking forward to playing basketball this fall at his new school. The name of his school team is the Trailblazers.
It also gave Holly, an educator for nearly 20 years, cause for concern in her own right.
“If a middle schooler were to come and try to ask questions about this, I wouldn’t be able to respond without jeopardizing my career,” she said. “I couldn’t live with that.”
Near the end of June, as the anti-trans bills were set to pass, the Kleins began to explore their options.
“I just thought, ‘Well, I’ll start looking at jobs and see what’s out there,” Joe said.
“There usually aren’t a lot of academic jobs open over the summer, but there was a job that opened at Eastern Washington
“I mean, that’s a whole ‘nother plug for, ‘pay your educators,’” Holly said. “But with the pay increase It was something we realized that if we had to, we could make something work there, and even if the university job didn’t come through [for Joe] that we would be OK.”
Holly packed up the car with kids and cats and dogs and headed west a few weeks ago. Joe is still teaching at Appalachian State until he hears back on his application. Holly said that their community and their colleagues were incredibly supportive of the family’s decision to stand by their son.
“Everybody knows why we’re making this move,” Holly said.
“I think if we seek anonymity, we seek to hide. And I think the more people feel like they have to hide, the more we give the perception that this is something shameful, and it is absolutely not shameful to be who you are. And to love who you love.”
— Holly Klein
Cherokee looked back for its future in the Sept. 7 General Election, with an overwhelming majority of Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians voters electing to oust incumbent Principal Chief Richard Sneed and bring former Chief Michell Hicks back for a fourth term, according to unofficial results. On Tribal Council, voters brought change by replacing four incumbent, multi-term former Council members.
“Our people have spoke, and we have a lot to work on,” Hicks said in a Sept. 8 interview. “I have a significant amount of experience serving those three prior terms, and prior CFO, prior auditor. Just a lot of experience to lean on.”
Hicks, who was the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians principal chief 2003-2015 and afterward founded the financial consulting firm Chief Strategy Group, received 65% of the vote, commanding a double-digit lead over Sneed in each of the tribe’s six townships. He did the best in Big Cove, where he drew 71% of 314 votes cast, and worst in Snowbird/Cherokee County, where he received 56% of 369 votes.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for your overwhelming support for the office of Principal Chief,” Hicks wrote in a Facebook post published the day after the election. “Our tribe has a rich history and a promising future, and I am committed to working with the Vice Chief and Tribal Council to uphold our traditions, promote unity and address the challenges we face together. I believe in the power of our community, and I promise to serve with integrity, transparency and dedication.”
Election Day dawned cool and foggy on the Qualla Boundary, but as the sun rose so did the heat. Temperatures surged to the mid-80s as candidates hurried to make the most of the campaign’s final hours, while voters made time between the everyday responsibilities of work and family to visit the polls.
Many of them made a pitstop afterward at the town’s only grocery store. The Smoky Mountain News spent an hour in the Food Lion parking lot talking to voters about what was on their mind as they approached the ballot box.
By and large, their answers confirmed Hicks’ assessment that, “without question, there’s some budgetary things that need a higher level of attention, and I think that was a motivator for the community.”
“I like Richie Sneed; I think he’s an honest man, but I’m really going for the accountability with the money and staying on top of basically not letting the tribe get too far in debt is the big thing with me,” said a 60year-old Wolfetown man who cast his vote for Hicks. “Everybody I talk too, everybody’s worried about getting too far in debt.”
“I voted for Michell, not Richie,” said a 43-year-old Birdtown woman. “I feel like he done better things for our tribe.”
Other voters cited Hicks’ visibility in the community.
“Even now he goes to people’s house and tries to talk to people, see what the issue is,” said a 40-year-old Wolfetown voter.
Of the nine people SMN interviewed, eight said they planned to vote — and of those eight, seven mentioned tribal finances
multiple LLCs charged with pursuing a variety of business ventures to safeguard the tribe’s long-term financial future. But these investments have proven expensive, and Sneed has received harsh criticism for the toll they’ve taken on tribal coffers. Tribal finance sat at the center of the 2023 campaign.
But Hicks has a record to defend as well, and that legacy left some voters wary of giving him another term.
It appears other voters may have felt the same way. Despite Tribal Council vastly expanding access to absentee ballots this year, the 2023 principal chief race drew 401 fewer votes than the 2019 race, and at least 55 of those who did cast a ballot decided not to vote for chief. Across the Qualla Boundary, 3,521 people voted either yes or no on a referendum question about legalizing recreational marijuana (see story on page 4), but only 3,466 voted for principal
as a deciding factor in their choice for chief.
“The fact that I’m hearing there’s gonna be some budget cuts, and yet they continually grant admin leave for every little thing,” said a 53-year-old Birdtown woman, when asked what factors informed her decision. “And you know, I’m just wondering how much that costs the tribe every time they do that. I think those days should go first, before they start cutting budgets for education and health care. So that was on my mind.”
This election year was a pivotal one for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, whose longstanding monopoly on the region’s casino market is beginning to crumble. Competitors have emerged in Bristol, Virginia, and in Kings Mountain near Charlotte, with more new casinos likely in the future as multiple states continue conversations about expanded gambling. Sneed made economic diversification a hallmark of his administration, setting up
A 21-year-old Wolfetown man said Sneed had been one his teachers in high school and that he trusted him to lead the tribe over Hicks. He viewed Hicks with suspicion over his administration’s allegedly liberal use of tribal credit cards and the steep decline in value of the Minor’s Trust Fund, which holds per capita distributions for young tribal members until they come of age, that followed the stock market crash of 2008. A lawsuit filed in tribal court at the time claimed that 138 youth lost about $22,000 apiece because their earnings were invested in risky, unapproved ventures. But according to past reporting from The Cherokee One Feather, it was eventually dismissed when the court found that defendants — of whom Hicks was one — had not waived their sovereign immunity or public officer immunity and therefore could not be sued.
“He don’t need to be in office,” the man said. “You know, that’s my opinion.”
Other voters interviewed said they weren’t excited about either candidate. One 30-year-old Wolfetown woman said she supported Patrick Lambert in 2015 but was left disillusioned about the power of her vote when Tribal Council removed him in a controversial 2017 impeachment.
“I’m not a voter. I don’t believe in them,” she said of the current candidates.
“Not a fan of either one,” agreed the 53-year-old Birdtown voter, though she said she did end up voting for Hicks. “It’s kind of like the lesser of the two evils to me.”
Principal Chief Michell Hicks†65% (2,254 votes) Richard Sneed*35% (1,212)
Vice Chief Alan “B” Ensley*74.2% (2,608) Teresa McCoy25.8% (908)
Referendum concerning recreational cannabis Yes 70% (2,464) No30% (1,057)
Referendum concerning mixed drinks Yes 68.3% (2,398) No 31.7% (1,113)
Birdtown Jim Owle†32.2% (509) Boyd Owle*31.5% (496)
Albert Rose*19% (299) Cyndi Lambert17.2% (271)
Wolfetown/Big Y
Bo Crowe†34.5% (582)
Mike Parker*27.5% (464)
Andrew Oocumma*22.8% (385)
Peanut Crowe15.1% (255)
Painttown
Sean “Michael” Stamper*40.4% (335)
Dike Sneed*25.5% (211)
Jeff Thompson23.6% (196)
Carolyn West10.5% (87)
Yellowhill
David Wolfe*33.3% (260)
Tom Wahnetah†28.7% (224)
T.W. Saunooke* 20.8% (162)
Stephanie Saunooke French17.2% (134)
Big Cove
Perry Shell†40.4% (238)
Richard French*32.1% (189)
Venita Wolfe27.5% (162)
Snowbird/Cherokee County
Adam Wachacha*35.6% (262)
Bucky Brown*34.9% (257)
Janell Rattler29.6% (218)
Big Y School Board
Samantha Crowe Hernandez 30.1% (56)
Tara Reed-Cooper*69.9% (130)
Painttown School Board
Regina Ledford Rosario*33.9% (150)
Micah Swimmer66.1% (292)
* incumbent
† held this office previously
“Without question, there’s some budgetary things that need a higher level of attention, and I think that was a motivator for the community.”
— Chief Michell HicksThe 2023 General Election was held Sept. 7. Holly Kays photo
chief. The EBCI Election Board has not released voter turnout data as of press time.
In an election night interview, Sneed said that he remains proud of the work he and his team have done over the last six years but accepts the results of the vote.
“It’s the will of the people, and I respect that,” he said. “I wish Michell Hicks the best of luck in everything that he does going forward.”
McCoy’s bid for vice chief left a vacancy that will be filled by nine-term former Council member Perry Shell, with Chairman Richard French keeping his seat. Also returning are Sean “Michael” Stamper and Dike Sneed in Painttown, and Adam Wachacha and Bucky Brown in Snowbird/Cherokee County.
On the Cherokee Central Schools Board, incumbent Tara Reed-Cooper will retain her seat while Micah Swimmer was successful in
His administration has accomplished “a lot in a very short period of time,” Sneed said, and the election results were “a bit of a gut punch.” He blamed “lies and untrue rhetoric from Teresa McCoy” for his loss. McCoy has been critical of Sneed since his swearingin, which occurred following Lambert’s impeachment, and the two have frequently engaged in verbal sparring matches over various issues in Tribal Council.
McCoy declined to run for re-election to her seat representing Big Cove on Tribal Council, instead making a bid for the vice chief’s seat, but incumbent Alan “B” Ensley easily held onto his office. He received 74.1% of the vote overall and, like Hicks, commanded a double-digit lead in each township. His worst showing, in Birdtown, still resulted in a 72% majority.
One-third of the Tribal Council Hicks and Ensley will work with for the first half of their term will be different than the body in office now. Vice Chairman Albert Rose lost his seat to former Council member Jim Owle, who was the first-place vote-getter despite being removed as chairman of the Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise by Tribal Council in 2020. Jim Owle’s brother Boyd Owle, who came in only 13 votes behind him, will continue to occupy the second Birdtown seat.
In Wolfetown, Rep. Andrew Oocumma, who won his seat in a December 2022 special election, will leave the horseshoe, because Bo Crowe, who resigned in January after charges were filed against him in tribal court, came back strong to finish first. Mike Parker, who won the March special election caused by Crowe’s resignation, will remain in office after finishing second, edging Oocumma by 79 votes.
Tom Wahnetah, who represented Yellowhill on Tribal Council 2017-2021, will rejoin the body after coming in second to incumbent David Wolfe and outrunning incumbent T.W. Saunooke. In Big Cove,
his challenge against incumbent Regina Ledford Rosario.
Barring any unresolved formal election protests, Tribal Council will certify the election results on Monday, Oct. 2. As of press time, no such protest had been submitted. After certification, the winners of this year’s elections can be sworn in. Tribal Council members serve two-year terms, while chiefs and school board members serve four-year terms.
Hicks said he has his work cut out for him over the weeks ahead. Ahead of inauguration, it’s imperative to put together a “great team” of secretary and chief’s staff positions and to study up on the current state of tribal affairs.
The specific road map is still to come, but in general, Hicks said, he wants to respond to what he sees as a community desire for increased attention to financial matters, improved community access to the chief’s office and more information and reporting from the government about the state of tribal affairs and investments.
“Getting up to date in regards to the financial status of the tribe, the financial status of the external LLCs, including tribal gaming and non-tribal gaming, so that’s going to take a minute to get caught up on that,” Hicks said. “And then of course, where do we stand with our state relations and our federal relations? So there’ll be a lot of time spent there, talking to folks, just identifying kind of what that current state is and figuring out where we need to go.”
There’s a lot to do, but Hicks said he feels well qualified to do it.
“One of the things that I’ve done over the last eight years with my Chief Strategy company is, we do a significant amount of organizational assessment, so I’m really accustomed to doing this work as a profession,” he said. “I think we can move pretty quickly through a lot of this.”
An election protest filed at the Haywood County Board of Elections has initiated proceedings by which candidate Eve Barrett would be removed from the November ballot if the allegations are substantiated.
“Mrs. Barrett has blatantly lied about her residency,” writes Maggie Valley resident Jeff Lee in the protest he filed Sept. 8.
The protest comes after The Smoky Mountain News first reported on the allegations of a neighbor who back in August claimed that Barrett doesn’t live at the address she provided when she submitted her campaign paperwork.
“Unless they’re on vacation or we’re on vacation, I see them every day,” neighbor Pete Doyle told SMN at the time. “In order to leave the mountain, they have to drive right by me, and I see them every day when I walk my dog.”
Barrett filed to run for one of two Maggie Valley aldermanic seats using an address inside town limits, on Bridle Drive, in July. But Barrett and her husband James also own a home outside of town limits, above Doyle on Grandview Cliff Heights.
Candidates for any municipal office must live within the corporate limits of the municipality in which they wish to run.
An investigation by SMN showed that the Bridle Drive home was listed on Facebook and several major websites as a short-term vacation rental called “Vast Valley Views.” Barrett admitted as much to SMN but said she lives there between rentals.
Statutes don’t say that a person has to have the same residence as their spouse.
Barrett said she isn’t sure why people are making an issue out of it.
“I already called the Board of Elections,” she said at the time. “When I registered, they vetted me.”
Robert Inman, director of the HCBOE, said that “vetting” is a strong word and that the BOE doesn’t investigate voter registrations, per se — they only register voters who can provide the proper documents.
But there’s more to establishing residency than just having the proper documents. For the purposes of voting, statutes define residence as a place “… in which that person’s habitation is fixed, and to which, whenever that person is absent, that person has the intention of returning.”
A membership directory of the Maggie Valley Country Club Estates Property Owners Association for 2022-23 lists both Barretts as residents of the Grandview Cliff Heights address.
The Barretts also own a home in Pinellas County, Florida, and claimed a homestead exemption on it from 1996 through 2022. Part of the exemption application process requires applicants to affirm that they are permanent residents of Pinellas County “to the exclusion of any other permanent residence in any jurisdiction, state or country.”
According to public records, on July 31, 2021, Barrett applied to become a member of the Maggie Valley Zoning Board of Adjustment, using the Bridle Drive address, and was appointed as an alternate on Nov. 18, 2021.
In April 2022, she registered to vote at the Bridle Drive address. It’s not known where Barrett was registered to vote when she was appointed to the ZBA. Barrett voted from the
Bridle Drive address in May 2022, as well as in November 2022 and became a full member of the ZBA in February of this year.
Inman received Lee’s protest and forwarded it to the North Carolina State Board of Elections for review, saying he would follow “all guidance from the State Board and do it in as timely and transparent a manner as possible.”
That process got off to a quick start after HCBOE members Elizabeth Norris, June Ray, Trudy Schmidt, Howard Sorrells and Chairman Danny Davis voted unanimously
to schedule a preliminary hearing for Friday, Sept. 15.
If during the preliminary hearing the board finds probable cause to suspect that a violation of state law has occurred, it will then hold a quasi-judicial proceeding akin to a trial with board members serving as judges and voting on the outcome.
Davis said the proceeding would likely be scheduled for Sept. 22, if needed.
The challenge throws a kink into election procedure — at the Sept. 12 meeting, the HCBOE also postponed ballot proofing, a coding review and machine testing for a later date.
Unless she’s removed, Barrett will be one of four candidates seeking two aldermanic seats in November. Longtime incumbent Phillip Wight is seeking reelection and is being challenged by Tim Wise, Barrett and former ZBA member Allen Alsbrooks.
“It is completely unfair that a majority of the business owners in Maggie Valley are not eligible to vote in Maggie Valley elections because they do not live within the town limits,” Alsbrooks said. “However, Mrs. Barrett is skirting that issue by claiming to live at her business, and based on public information, she is clearly not living at her business address.”
Alsbrooks is listed in the protest as one of the people who assisted in its preparation, along with Wight. Lee lists Alsbrooks, Wight and Doyle as possible witnesses.
Lee, who was a candidate in the Maggie Valley mayoral election until he pulled out earlier this week due to health concerns, says in the protest that he wants Barrett removed from the ballot and for voter fraud charges to be considered.
“There’s a few reasons, one being I am a third-generation business owner in the town of Maggie Valley and I’ve been able to vote because I am lucky enough to live in this town,” said Lee, who cited voter integrity as his highest concern in bringing the protest.
Eve Barrett did not respond to multiple requests for comment on this story.
Haywood Regional Medical Center announced that Dr. Brandon B. Herndon has joined its staff and will be offering services in family medicine to patients throughout Haywood County and beyond. Herndon attended the University of Florida for his undergraduate education, where he studied Biology. He then went on to the University of Florida College of Medicine. Herndon completed his residency in Community Health & Family Medicine Residency at the University of Florida. His clinical interests include preventative healthcare, contraceptive counseling, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and more.
“My family and I fell in love with the mountains and the wonderful people here, and I am now thrilled to have the opportunity to work closely with this community,” Herndon said. “As a family medicine physician, I get to do a bit of everything. I stand by my holistic patient approach where I strive to meet patients where they are, understand their perspectives and be their healthcare advocate.” Herndon will be seeing patients at his offices at Haywood Family Practice – Canton beginning in October. Appointments may be made by calling 828.235.3023.
Ruby Dixon, a third-year student in Western Carolina University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, considers the entire state of North Carolina her home, having lived in different parts of the state throughout her life.
Dixon recently got to represent the Old North State and experience the legislative part of the physical therapy field with other U.S. representatives by volunteering as the assistant to the vice speaker at the American Physical Therapy Association House of Delegates in Washington, D.C.
“The APTA is the organization that officially represents physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and students,” Dixon said. “They guide the ship so to speak; the House of Delegates release statements supporting certain ideas such as addressing pay inequity or support how to recognize when patients are in abusive households and incorporating those policies on how to handle these types of situations.”
The delegates are a group of people elected to represent the individual physical therapist and physical therapist assistants by bringing the concerns of those practicing clinicians to the house.
“The delegates from the elected people will put together pieces of legislation called motions and they bring that to the House of Delegates and discuss it or have a debate and then vote on whether or not to pass it,” Dixon said. “In my role, I kept track of the speaker queue and time because each speaker had a three-minute limit. If you are still speaking when the time limit is up, a loud, giant bell will ring.”
Dixon was thrilled to be in the same room with like-minded clinicians who shared the same passion for patient advocacy.
“It’s a huge group of physical therapists from across the country and a lot of brain power in one room,” Dixon said. “You can feel the energy and passion. In particular, this past delegation that we had there was a representative from Hawaii who had her whole heart in the legislation and really advocated for increased access in rural
communities.”
One of the motions that came to the floor was to allow each of the physical therapy sections to have one physical therapy assistant representative on their delegation and give those clinicians a voice.
“This used to be the case for years but then it was dissolved for a variety of reasons and delegates have been trying to get it back,” Dixon said. “It was really special to be on stage for that vote because from where I was sitting, I could see the votes coming in before they were displayed on the screen, so I knew it had passed before the rest of the room. You are not technically allowed to clap, but it was so fun to see the faces light up and hear the applause. It was a big change that people have been fighting to get for quite a while now and I am personally glad it passed because I don’t really know how an organization can represent all the individuals in that profession if they do not have a seat at the table.”
Physical therapy assistants are educated through a two-year associate’s degree and a physical therapist goes through a three-year doctorate program.
At one point during the debate, the floor was opened for people to speak about other topics.
“One of the topics was how to improve the profession for those practicing in 2030, so students that are in high school now,” Dixon said. “I loved that as a whole, the House of Delegates made time and space for that; we heard a lot of wonderful ideas that turned into longer conversations later than evening.”
Dixon finished her time by attending a gathering afterwards on the rooftop of the APTA headquarters which overlooks Reagan International Airport.
“Looking out over the runway, I felt extremely grateful for the experience and being with the other representatives from all over our country,” Dixon said. “I was most especially looking forward to bringing back what I had learned to my home state and back to WCU.”
Jackson residents and members of the LGBTQ+ community are calling on County Commissioner John Smith to apologize following comments he made regarding the Mx. Sylva Pride Pageant and the queer community in general.
“In light of these events, both the executive board of Sylva Pride, as well as Sylva Belles Drag, calls on Jackson County Commissioner John W. Smith to issue a formal apology to the Sylva Pride community, as well as to refrain from using his title to manipulate public policy at the whim of his personal views,” said Burgin Mackey during the Sept. 5 Jackson Commissioners Meeting, representing both Sylva Pride and Sylva Belles Drag. “As a representative for all the tax-paying citizens of Jackson County, it is not acceptable to discriminate against an entire community.”
Commissioners did not respond to comments during the Sept. 5 meeting, which is typical protocol during public meetings.
Commissioner Smith also did not respond to a separate request for comment from The Smoky Mountain News.
Smith did take to the Jackson County Unity Coalition Facebook page later in the week to comment on the issue.
“I just wanted to say Thank You to all of you who have reached out this morning via text, email and phone calls in support of my position after the BoCC meeting last night,”
the Sept. 6 post read. “If you weren’t there or haven’t watched it, whether you agree with my position or not, I encourage you to do so. I would also reiterate, that the public has a right to make comments during Commissioner meetings and the Commissioners are obligated to listen to them, regardless of their opinions of the comments. As always, I appreciate your outreach and support.”
The Mx. Sylva Pride Pageant took place Sunday, Aug. 13, at the Jackson County Public Library, after hours, when the library was closed to the public. Sylva Pride, a Sylva-based nonprofit organization, had rented space in the library for the event, which was open to people 21 and older.
In the days leading up to the event, organizers saw comments on social media from community members who did not want the event to take place. Some of those comments included threats and called out individuals by name, leading organizers to reach out to law enforcement prior to the pageant to ensure the safety of attendees.
Commissioner John Smith was one of those people making comments about the Mx. Sylva Pride Pageant, which was the primary concern of residents speaking during public comment at the Sept. 5 meeting.
In comments on the Jackson County Unity Coalition Facebook page regarding the pageant, Smith said “as a Commissioner I want to say I am not happy this was scheduled on
County property. Sheriff Farmer has been made aware of the event, the stairs to the court house will be cordoned off and Deputies present to make sure everyone minds their manners. Seems there is little I can do about this at this point, without naming names, I’ve spoken to some of the other commissioners and they are also not happy about this being put together on County property.”
Smith also referred to the LGBTQ+ community as the “perverted one percent” in his comments.
More than 40 people showed up to the Sept. 5 meeting, and seven people spoke during public comment to denounce Commissioner Smith’s comments.
on the LGBTQ community, Commissioner Smith’s comments were irresponsible, reckless and potentially dangerous.”
Smith’s comments and the demand for an apology come in the wake of debate over the placement of LGBTQ+ literature in the Macon County Library and calls for changes to the Fontana Regional Library system as a result; debate in Waynesville over trans people and use of public restrooms after claims of indecent behavior involving a transgender person at the Waynesville Recreation Center proved to be false; legislation introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly this year that would make it unlawful to perform drag entertainment on public property; legislation passed by the General Assembly that inhibits genderaffirming medical treatments and LGBTQ+ instruction in the classroom, and requires middle and high school athletes to compete on the team of their sex assignment at birth, rather than the gender they have transitioned to or identify as.
“Mr. Smith’s attempt to use his public position to advance his personal views and to attempt also to speak for other commissioners while doing so, was a complete misuse and abuse of his office,” said Nathan Mann. “Given recent increases in threats of violence and actual violence against LGBTQ people as well as current legislative attacks
The third annual Sylva Pride celebration took place over the weekend and organizers directly addressed several of these issues.
“We are here to tell you gender-affirming care is health care, point blank,” said drag show host Beulah Land. “Preventing trans youth and affirming households from getting the healthcare they need to survive and live their best lives is an attack on our right to healthcare.”
“Commissioner Smith’s comments were irresponsible, reckless and potentially dangerous.”—
Nathan Mann
BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER
In April, Sylva received the results of an in-depth botanical survey of Pinnacle Park, and now the town is in the process of creating a master plan for the property. As part of the master planning process, the town is conducting a recreational needs survey to include public input in the final design.
“This is the chance to have your voice heard in planning the future of this unique site,” the survey introduction reads. “Your responses to this survey will guide the decision-making process to create a comprehensive Master Plan for Pinnacle Park and also help the park secure funding for improvements. We want to know about your experiences at the park if you’ve visited before or what you would like to see added to the park to enhance your visiting experience, even if you have not visited yet.”
Pinnacle Park is an almost 1800-acre public park owned and maintained by the Town of Sylva and bordered by other conserved lands. It is made up of the Fisher Creek Tract, placed under a conservation easement in 2007, the Blackrock Tract, which came under a conservation easement in 2019, and the Dills Creek Tract, transferred to the town this year.
In 2021, the Pinnacle Park Foundation released a request for proposals to conduct a botanical survey of the park prior to building any additional trails and amenities. The Asheville-based consulting, planning and design firm Equinox Environmental com-
pleted the botanical survey and is now also conducting the master plan.
The results of the botanical survey showed Pinnacle Park contains at least 25 different natural community types, some of which are very specific to certain topographic or elevational areas. The park contains over 19 miles of streams and seeps with excellent water quality and bio classification ratings and several rare species of vascular plants.
The master plan, which is estimated to cost $150,000, is being paid for by the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority, Jackson County and the Town of Sylva, each of which have allocated $50,000.
The survey first asks participants about their history visiting and using Pinnacle Park. Then it asks people to rank which activities they would like to see in the park in the future. Choices include activities like hiking, walking, trail running, mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing, camping, horseback riding and educational opportunities. It also asks for input on universal accessibility of the property, amenities and improvements to the park, as well as what might prevent participants from using the park.
The survey is open to both residents of Sylva and Jackson County, as well as those visiting the county from surrounding areas. It will be open for responses through mid-October.
“We want to take these survey results and do a recreational survey of citizens that use this park and determine the best path forward and best future for this park and how to preserve it and how to balance preservation of the park with recreational opportunities for people,” Mayor David Nestler said of the botanical survey and recreational needs survey. “It will help us identify what we need to fix in the park and get funding sources for that as well.”
This master plan is distinct from a separate master planning process to sketch out trails and amenities for the Blackrock Tract. In 2021, the town voted to partner with the EBCI on that planning process. Both governments appropriated $20,000 for the effort.
Graffiti has appeared on properties along the N.C. 107 corridor for several months.
The graffiti has been seen almost exclusively on properties in the process of being torn down by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to make way for the upcoming road project. This graffiti was not authorized by the NCDOT. The suspect in these incidents used the tag name “lover” on these structures.
On Aug. 31, 2023, the Sylva Police Department received several phone calls from
concerned citizens regarding someone spray painting a wall near the Dunkin Donuts. Officers with the Sylva Police Department responded and spoke with the man painting the wall. He was identified as Samual Christopher Wilson.
Mr. Wilson gave officers a story that he had permission by the property owners to paint on the structures, because they were about to be destroyed. He also claimed to be commissioned by the Jackson County Arts Counsel. That turned out to be untrue.
Sylva Police investigated the various dates and locations of property that had been vandalized. There were six areas that were identified to have been vandalized by Mr. Wilson. Five of the properties belonged to the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the sixth property belonged to a private citizen.
On Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, Wilson was arrested and charged with six counts of misdemeanor injury to property.
While Western North Carolina sheriffs didn’t turn out for an event hosted by the controversial Constitutional Sheriff and Peace Officers Association, at least the host sheriff, Cherokee County’s Dustin Smith, as well as the region’s congressional representative, offered their unwavering support.
The event included speeches from both Richard Mack, the group’s leader, and Dar Leaf, a Michigan sheriff who has proven a staunch ally. At one point, Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) showed his adherence to their beliefs when a field representative called Mack’s group “trailblazers” and presented Mack with a citation.
As reported by The Smoky Mountain News before the event, CSPOA is a law enforcement association that operates on the tenet that the sheriff is the highest authority in any county and has the right, even the duty, to reject any perceived intrusion by federal entities. This has recently manifested in the group’s strong election denial and belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories; at the event, several speakers and attendees swore noncompliance with any future mask or vaccine mandates and expressed total distrust of all public health organizations.
CSPOA traces its ideological roots to the anti-government Posse Comitatus movement of several decades ago, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center — the phrase “Posse Comitatus” would be said several times at the event in Murphy.
In 1994, Mack gained instant popularity among far-right activists when he initiated a suit that would ultimately lead the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a provision in the Brady Handgun Violence Act of 1993, named after President Ronald Reagan’s Press Secretary James Brady, who was severely wounded in an attempt on Reagan’s life in 1981.
The provision required sheriffs like Mack to conduct background checks on firearms purchasers until the NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) could be implemented, and Mack stood his ground when federal authorities sought to enforce it in his Arizona county.
Present for last weekend’s event were 90 people scattered across 20 or so tables inside the fellowship hall of Murphy’s First Baptist Church. Along with four sheriffs — all but one were from out of state — there were 17 members of law enforcement, including six from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Also present were members of local conservative groups, including
Citizens for a Better America, which had a hand in planning the event; Restoration 1776 Movement; Cherokee Jural Assembly; and Convention of States.
Along with a sign-in table and another featuring a huge spread of breakfast and lunch options, there was a table that had a large donation jar, as well as some of Mack’s books and freeze-dried survival food for sale.
“Trump was our salvation,” Norton said. People came from seven other states to attend the event. Among them were Amy Selmak and Kevin Margo, who came all the way from the Pittsburgh area. Although not law enforcement officers, they said they were compelled the make the journey to Western North Carolina to hear Mack and Leaf speak because they believe so strongly in their message.
mately led to an unarmed man, hands raised high in the air, getting shot in his own doorway. Later, he issued a statement saying he was not on scene, but that has since been proven false.
When introducing the speakers, Smith thanked everyone for coming to the event and noted that he knew it wasn’t necessarily easy for law enforcement to show up to such things due to the public perception around the fringe movement. He also seemed to air grievances against other elected officials in his own county.
“This is something that’s needed in today’s times, and we need to make sure we stand together,” Smith said. “We weren’t elected by the commissioners, and we aren’t controlled by the commissioners.”
Although Smith said at the event that he would speak on the record with SMN the following Monday, he failed to return multiple phone calls.
Among the excited attendees was Max Norton, host of a local talk radio show on WCNP who had interviewed Mack a couple of times before the event. Norton strongly supported Mack’s message and tied it into current events.
“Joe Biden is walking on the Constitution every day that we are alive, and it’s ridiculous,” he said. “A sitting president should not be abusing the Constitution.”
While Norton said he had issues with plenty of politicians on both sides of the aisle, he is a staunch supporter of one man — the one who found his way into the Oval Office by launching a nonstop barrage of criticism at the so-called establishment.
“I think it’s just important to be informed and to know what’s going on around you, because I was one of those people who kind of just stayed in the background and just kind of watched. But now I’m starting to become more involved,” Selmak said.
Before Mack and Leaf spoke, Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith offered some words. Notably, as he defended the sheriff’s role as “chief law enforcement officer” in any county and talked about the importance of adhering to the Constitution, he is currently embroiled in a whole world of legal trouble, after his deputies, in December of last year, set into a motion a series of events that ulti-
Leaf spoke before his good friend Mack. Leaf is the sheriff of Barry County, Michigan, and has been embroiled in his own controversy. In 2020, Leaf refused to enforce Michigan Gov. Gretchen Widmer’s stay-athome orders. That same year, when 13 men were arrested for a plot to kidnap Widmer and stage a sham trial, he averred that the whole thing may have been a lawful attempt at citizen’s arrest. During his speech, he said he believed the feds entrapped them by infiltrating their militia and that there was prosecutorial misconduct since their text messages were leaked to the press.
Leaf specifically aired grievances regarding COVID mandates and perceived election interference he alleges prevented former President Donald Trump from winning reelection in 2020. He said that since taking public stands on all these things, he and his family have faced a torrent of threats.
“I’m not kidding,” he said. “I’d get probably three calls a minute F
“This is something that’s needed in today’s times, and we need to make sure we stand together. We weren’t elected by the commissioners, and we aren’t controlled by the commissioners.”
— Dustin Smith, Cherokee County SheriffCherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith. File photo
with death threats, and if a woman answered the phone, they’d say the dirtiest nastiest things they could.”
Mack began his by speaking in detail about his Supreme Court victory, citing the majority opinion written by the late justice Antonin Scalia. He specifically highlighted the moments that Scalia argued that the authority of the sheriff in a county supersedes federal authority. Basically, it all revolved around who has jurisdiction at the county level.
“The feds are not the highest authority in my county, just like I have no authority in Washington, D.C.,” Mack said.
He elaborated on his point by saying federal authorities had no right to arrest those who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, attempted insurrection in their own homes.
“How many times that the FBI go into other jurisdictions other than Washington, D.C., and grab people and not go through the extradition process? Every single one … they just don’t have to follow the rules for some reason, and that is the problem.”
Mack also used other examples of injustice to paint all federal agencies with a broad brush of corruption, from the Trail of Tears to the Plessy v. Ferguson ruling that established the “separate but equal” doctrine.
He also made an effort to debunk claims — like those noted in last week’s SMN story — that Mack and CSPOA had ties to white supremacist groups. He said he finds the notion that people think he’s racist to be “particularly offensive,” adding that his mother would never have raised him that way. Everyone was welcome in his childhood home, he said, including minorities on his basketball team.
“I brought the team home to play in my backyard … All of them were welcome. She brought them all lemonade. We had Hispanics, Blacks, Mormons, and my mom loved them. And for somebody to call me racist is as bad as me or you calling someone else the N-word. I don’t deserve it, I don’t like it, and it’s a big fat lie. But if you support the Constitution, next thing you know, you’re being labeled a racist.”
Throughout his speech, Mack, a compelling speaker, hit many of the beats the audience had hoped for — complaints about COVID mandates, election denial, fears of government overreach, scrutiny of perceived elitism in Washington, D.C. — and the crowd roared with applause each time.
As the excitement built, he pleaded for more support, both financially and from other sheriffs.
“This is gonna take some coming together … there’s dozens of [other sheriffs], but there’s not enough,” he said. “It’s not even close; we need 1,000. That would be one-third of the sheriffs, and there will be no stopping — I repeat — no stopping us.”
At the meeting, Lake Silver, a field representative for Rep. Edwards got in front of the crowd and said Edwards wanted to be present but couldn’t attend because he was in another state on other official business. While most folks initially weren’t quite sure why Silver was there other than to maybe speak with constituents, he presented Mack with a citation on behalf of his boss.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed hearing from an
amazing patriot and someone who’s fought for our rights for a long time. Unfortunately, the fight keeps going. I’m amazed by your presentation and everything you covered,” Silver said, citing Mack’s ability to hit many common talking points in conservative circles, from COVID mandates and IRS corruption all the way down to regulating gas stoves.
Silver read the citation to Mack and the crowd.
“The Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, or CSPOA, have been trailblazers for law enforcement officers across the country,” he read. “It is the work of constitutional law enforcement officers like yourself and so many others that allow us all to sleep easier every night. We know that when those who seek to destroy our country rise, you act as a strong line of defense for the soul of our nation. I honor you as a defender of our constitutionally protected rights.”
Silver cited Mack’s landmark case.
“As a former FFL dealer, thank you for fighting for my rights and the rights of the Western North Carolina communities. Unfortunately, the liberties your fought for in 1997 are still under attack today by every day in Congress.”
After reading the citation, Silver presented Mack with a challenge coin.
“He does not give these out, honestly, to anyone but ... law enforcement officers, so it’s the highest honor and we really appreciate you,” Silver said.
Edwards declined a follow-up interview request.
A couple of days after the event in Murphy, Mack and Leaf spoke by phone with SMN. Mack said that although a congressman once turned up at one of his events and offered praise in front of the crowd, this was the first time he could recall receiving an actual written citation and something like a challenge coin.
“I found it gratifying that he knew the case and acknowledged its impact,” Mack said. “I was really proud of that.”
Mack and Leaf both said they were happy with the crowd’s enthusiasm. Leaf said that
no matter where he goes — and he often joins Mack at such events — he feels like the crowd is ready for the message since he believes the same problem exists nationwide.
“Everybody’s fed up, period,” he said. “We’re having the same problems in Michigan that they’re having in Cherokee County, North Carolina.”
Leaf acknowledged that sheriffs who turn up at these events have often faced some heat within their communities, but he said the
important part is for those sheriffs to explain to the public and their colleagues in law enforcement what’s at the heart of CSPOA’s message.
“I always tell them that the heat will be there until you tell them what you actually learned,” he said.
While Mack said he felt the energy was great, he was a bit disappointed more sheriffs weren’t present. Of the four sheriffs present, none were from the state’s western seven counties. While there were name badges for the Clay County Sheriff and his chief deputy, they remained on the sign-in table all day.
“There are a lot of sheriffs out there who have shown up to these, but we need more,” he said.
Mack admitted that some sheriffs who may agree with ideology won’t turn out for his events because they don’t want to be labeled as extremists in their own communities.
“I believe that if it’s negative association, it’s because of the press they’re trying to scare sheriffs away,” he said.
However, like during his speech when he talked about the importance of acting in the interest of morals and justice by citing Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter From Birmingham Jail, he again spoke of the civil rights hero’s determination.
“Martin Luther King didn’t shy away from controversy. He stood strong. He endured over 30 arrests,” Mack said. “I think we can stand for freedom a little bit and say, ‘I’m going to stand strong like Martin Luther King and our founding fathers.’”
What was once an extremely contentious issue in Cherokee now appears to be fairly noncontroversial, as a referendum vote seeking approval for issuing mixed drink permits on the Qualla Boundary sailed through with 68.3% approval Sept. 7.
In total, 3,511 people voted on the question: “Do you support allowing the Tribal ABC Commission to issue mixed beverage permits for the sale of mixed beverages on tribal lands to qualified establishments including but not limited to restaurants, hotels, convention centers and non-profit organizations?”
The referendum drew 45 more voters than the number participating in the principal chief’s election but slightly fewer than the number voting in the cannabis referendum or for vice chief.
The 68.3% passage set a new high-water mark for tribal members’ endorsement of loosened alcohol restrictions. For decades, any attempt to allow alcohol sales failed completely — Harrah’s Cherokee Casino was dry for the first 12 years of its existence. In 2009, voters gave approval for alcohol sales on casino grounds, but not anywhere else on the Qualla Boundary. Referenda in 2012 and 2018 seeking to expand availability failed. But by 2021 public opinion had shifted. Three measures on the ballot that year — allowing beer and wine sales by the glass, retail beer sales and an ABC package store — all received majority support, with approval rates ranging from 57.6% to 62.7%.
“I voted for the alcohol by the drink,” said a 53-year-old Birdtown woman interviewed by The Smoky Mountain News on Election Day. “Hopefully maybe we’ll get some better restaurants in here.”
However, of eight voters SMN interviewed in the parking lot of Cherokee’s only grocery store, three said they were against the mixed drink referendum — of those, two said they would still support legalizing cannabis.
“At the end of the day, I remember my grannies, my aunties all been talking, you know, saying we don’t need alcohol in this reservation,” said a 21-year-old Wolfetown man. “They said cannabis was a different story.”
Another Wolfetown voter, age 60, said he wouldn’t support either referendum, though he seemed to expect the alcohol measure to pass.
“I don’t like the alcoholism — the Native peoples always fought with alcoholism,” he said. “But it’s here. You can get it right over there. We’re selling hard liquor right now. So mixed drinks, you know, I don’t know — maybe it’ll bring in some better restaurants. A lot of people don’t want to go eat at the casino.”
While the measure passed overwhelmingly, it requires a 30% voter turnout to be valid.
The EBCI Board of Elections has not yet released voter turnout data, but the referendum likely met that threshold. The 2021 alcohol referendum drew just under 2,900 votes, good for a turnout exceeding 40% — an additional 600 people voted in this year’s alcohol referendum.
According to tribal law, if a referendum vote has met the voter turnout requirement, the outcome “shall” be certified by the Board of Elections and “shall be deemed a binding action or law duly passed and ratified by the Principal Chief.” Election results will be presented to Tribal Council for certification on Monday, Oct. 2.
Last week, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction released performance and growth data for the 2022-23 school year, and none of the four school districts in the Smoky Mountain News coverage area received a low-performing state designation.
Both Haywood and Swain counties had no low-performing schools, Macon County had one low-performing school and Jackson County had four.
The accountability report for the 2022-23 school year is only the second such report since the 2018-19 school year to feature all elements of the state’s accountability framework, including the calculator of growth designations and performance grades, due to the disruptions to teaching and learning caused by the pandemic.
“It’s hard to overstate the impact of the pandemic,” State Superintendent Catherine Truitt said in a press release, “but teachers across North Carolina are working harder than ever to help students recover, and more importantly, advance in their learning. We owe them our gratitude for meeting this challenge to improve outcomes for students.”
For the first time since the pandemic, over 50% of elementary and middle school students in North Carolina achieved grade level proficiency in reading and math.
The data gives every individual school a letter grade, A through F, based on each school’s achievement score from assessments such as end-of-grade and end-ofcourse tests, English language assessments, ACT scores, four-year graduation rates and students’ academic growth. The assessments account for 80% of the letter grade and growth accounts for 20%.
“The A-F school performance grades that schools received for 2021-22 and in 2022-23 were affected by the formula used to determine those grades because student performance on the state tests far outweighs the credit schools earn for the progress students make on the same tests from one year to the next,” said Truitt. “Eighty percent of the grade is for the percentage of tests earning a score of at least grade-level proficient; 20% is for growth, measured by a statistical model that compares each student’s predicted test score, based on past performance, against his or her actual result.”
Haywood County Schools remains seventh in the state among 115 school systems in academic performance. The school system rose to this ranking after accountability data was released for the 2021-22 school year.
Prior to that, the system was ranked 10th.
Among 14 counties in the western region of North Carolina, Pisgah is the highest performing high school, Haywood Early College is the highest performing early college, Bethel Middle is the highest performing middle school and Riverbend Elementary is the highest performing elementary school.
“We are extremely proud of our kids, teachers and staff,” said Superintendent Trevor Putnam. “Resiliency and commitment to academic excellence continue to be a part of our daily instruction. A ranking is far more than a number. It is a clear indication of the level of commitment each staff member has to our kids and student readiness for success beyond school. Our kids are better prepared than 108 other school districts across the state. We have the best kids and staff anywhere.”
and communities have weathered many traumatic events over the past several years. These academic standings prove we are a school system dedicated to the educational advancement of all students, regardless of our circumstances.”
Haywood County Schools’ composite performance shows 64.6% of its students were proficient on state exams during the 2022-23 school year, well above the state average of 53.6%, and slightly higher than its composite performance during the 2021-22 school year of 63.4%. It also had a 90.7% graduation rate, well above the state average of 86.4%.
In Jackson County, eight out of nine schools met or exceeded expected academic growth for the second year in a row. Last year was the first time this many schools met growth standards since 2013.
Blue Ridge School exceeded growth; Blue Ridge Early College, Cullowhee Valley School, Jackson Community, Jackson County Early College, Scotts Creek, Smokey
formance shows 47.7% of its students were proficient on state exams during the 2022-23 school year, down from 48% the previous year and below the current state average.
In Macon County, all schools except for Mountain View Intermediate and Union Academy met growth standards.
Highlands School and Macon Early College received B performance grades. Cartoogechaye Elementary, East Franklin Elementary, Franklin High School, Iotla Valley Elementary, Macon Middle School and South Macon Elementary all received C performance grades. Mountain View Intermediate and Nantahala School received a D, and Macon Virtual Academy received the lone F.
Macon County Schools maintained a graduation rate of 92.7%. Its composite performance shows 51.9% of its students were proficient on state exams during the 2022-23 school year, below the state average of 53.6% and slightly below Macon’s proficiency rate last year of 52.5%.
A majority of schools in the district received a C letter grade. Bethel Elementary, Bethel Middle and Pisgah and Tuscola High Schools all received B grades. Haywood Early College received the lone A grade. Haywood County Schools has never had a school receive a D or F grade.
Clyde Elementary, Junaluska Elementary, North Canton Elementary and Waynesville Middle were the only schools that did not meet growth standards, up from just three schools that did not meet growth standards in the previous school year.
“We are proud of our continued academic progress in Haywood County,” said Jill Barker, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. “Our students, staff
Mountain Elementary and Smoky Mountain High all met growth standards. Fairview did not meet growth status for the 2022-23 school year.
Three Jackson County Schools received a school performance grade D — Blue Ridge Early College, Cullowhee Valley and Scotts Creek. Three schools received a C — Blue Ridge School, Fairview and Smoky Mountain High School — and Jackson County Early College received an A. Smokey Mountain Elementary School received an F.
The school system maintained a graduation rate of 87.8%, ranking 50th out of 115 districts in this area, and just above the state graduation rate of 86.4%.
Jackson County Schools composite per-
In Swain County, Swain County High School was the only institution that did not meet growth standards. Swain County Middle School exceeded growth standards and both elementary schools, East and West, met growth standards. All four schools received C performance grades. Swain County Schools maintained a graduation rate of 87.7%; above the state average. Its composite performance shows that 48.9% of students were proficient on state exams during the 2022-23 school year, below the state average, but slightly higher than last year’s rate of 48.2%.
When the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians overwhelmingly approved a measure to get into the recreational marijuana business last week, it set up a showdown of sorts with Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) that could have far-reaching negative ramifications for the tribe.
Edwards, a few weeks prior to when the referendum was held in Cherokee, published a piece in the Carolina Journal — a well-respected conservative media organization — in which he criticized the actions of the tribe:
“Here in our beloved mountains, we are already facing unprecedented crime, drug addiction, and mental illness. I can’t stand by and condone even greater access to drugs to poison more folks in WNC, not to mention having even more impaired drivers on our roads,” Edwards wrote.
So, Edwards, quite obviously, doesn’t condone the use of cannabis. But this fight has already been lost. Recreational pot is legal is more than 26 states and more are expected to approve such measures over the next few years. There are many medical and mental health professionals who do not agree with Edwards’ views on recreational and medical use of cannabis.
To the Editor:
We are celebrating one year into the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). What do we have to show for it, what can we expect and how will it affect our pocketbooks? Here are four examples of how the IRA is powering progress and affecting North Carolinians directly.
Decreasing medical costs: We finally have the ability to negotiate some prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients. This has produced a cap on co-pay of $35 per month for insulin and benefitted almost 57,000 North Carolinians at a savings of $449 per year per enrollee. And, 13 million people in North Carolina are saving an average of $800 a year on health care premiums.
Bringing clean energy jobs: By generating our own renewable and reliable energy in the U.S., we can stabilize the market, increase affordability and create good paying jobs in N.C. The Clean Energy Plan has already supported over 190 new projects nationally and created more than 3,640 new jobs by March 2023 in North Carolina. In Chatham County, the largest investment in North Carolina’s history — by the company Wolfspeed — is investing $5 billion in a semi-conductor materials plant expected to create 1,800 jobs that pay $77,000 by 2030.
Cutting home energy costs: Homeowners can get tax credits for energy saving home upgrades — $2,000 for heat pumps, $1,200 to weatherize, and others that will reduce our taxes dollar for dollar, plus future bills should be lower. There are also rebates for energy saving appliances that reduce the cost of heaters, air conditioners, and clothes dryers.
Infrastructure: Government funded proj-
But the problem isn’t what Edwards thinks about cannabis. The issue for Western North Carolina and the tribe is that he wants to punish those who hold views different from him. Edwards took the initiative to introduce the “Stop Pot Act,” which would withhold 10% of federal highway funds from states and tribes that approve recreational marijuana use. Really? Basically, Edwards has taken it upon himself to introduce and try to garner support for a measure that would punish other states and the Native Americans in his own district.
At the time Edwards was promoting his bill — right before the referendum — then Chief Richard Sneed called out the representative: “In my estimation, Rep. Edwards has overstepped his authority and has made a major political blunder as a federal Representative; a non-Indian, elected official telling a sovereign tribal nation how they ought to handle their business.”
ects to construct and repair infrastructure put people to work and help our communities build climate resiliency with reliable roads, ports, bridges, and buildings. In North Carolina, the Department of Transportation was awarded $110 million to replace the Alligator River Bridge on US Highway 64 with a modern high-rise fixed span bridge. This seems to be happening behind the scenes, but we should shout this progress from the rooftops. Each month, it is getting better and better. New projects are coming online virtually every day. And this is just in North Carolina. It is happening in all of the states across the United States. In a time when the government is getting bad press, isn’t it time to recognize something going right? It gives us hope for the future.
E.Bronk Highlands K. Hawk Highlands C. Neely Scaly MountainTo the Editor:
I must say, in light of recent events (read: July incidents at the Rec Center and subsequent town official meetings, Town Council Candidate Peggy Hannah’s display of disdain towards the LGBTQ+ community by ripping up and stomping on a queer-identifying town councilman’s photo at a Team Waynesville event held at Furman’s Burger Bar on Aug. 19, etc.), it has become quite clear that those within a minority group are being targeted. What’s more interesting is the fact that
I agree with Sneed. There is a long history of non-Natives holding a kind of paternalistic moral superiority toward Native American tribes. For the most part on a whole slew of issues, that did not work out very well for tribal members. Edwards should butt out and let the tribe run its businesses the way it sees fit.
Would it surprise Edwards to know that many ECBI members don’t approve of gambling but see it as a means to a higher end, using those profits to preserve their language, to improve educational outcomes, to improve housing conditions for members, to provide better health care?
Many don’t want to work in the casinos but would consider a job growing cannabis and working in an agricultural setting a much more enriching career. This enterprise is going to create as many as 500 good jobs in Cherokee. That’s an economic benefit that will do good things for the tribe and will also have spillover benefits for all of Western North Carolina.
Let’s hope Edwards’ Stop Pot Act falls flat and that in the future he looks for ways to support the EBCI.
(Scott McLeod can be reached at info@smokymountainnews.com.)
Waynesville is allowing one Stephanie Sutton to run for a town council seat while she has made it clear where she stands on marginalized groups and the voices of her opponents. This is in reference to her participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, march and insurrection on the Capitol.
Stephanie has stated in the comments of a Facebook post on Sept. 6, 2023, that “presence doesn’t equal participation,” but if that were true, someone who was simply on the same street as a Pride event would be assumed to be a part of the event. Even if she was several hundred yards away from the Capitol, like she claims, participating in the march itself implicates her in other possible participation in the insurrection. It means that she stands behind the lies that have been perpetuated by far-right media: that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump, and that she has no faith in democracy.
If she chose to partake in such a dark part of our nation’s recent history, what will happen when she loses this election? What trouble will she and her supporters stir up for those elected? These are questions that run through my mind daily, as I fear the worst for those in the marginalized communities of Waynesville and broader Haywood County.
Howard B. Phineas ClydeTo the Editor:
A historic constitutional battle is brewing. (Google Trump and the Fourteenth Amendment to read the opinions of Constitutional scholars.) Two of them are J. Michael Luttig (Republican) and Laurence Tribe (Democrat) who have joined forces.
They are advocating the use of the Fourteenth Amendment to prevent Donald Trump from being a candidate for president. The Amendment states “… shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid and comfort to the enemies thereof.” The “same” and “enemies thereof” refer to the Constitution. Read the Fourteenth Amendment, Section Three.
An obvious argument against that reasoning is that Trump has not been convicted of involvement in an insurrection. Yet, he clearly was involved. He was the acting President of the United States, sworn to uphold the Constitution. He failed in his sworn duties by refusing to stop the rioters who had invaded the Capitol. Stopping the riot was one of his duties. His inaction is well-documented. It lasted for over three hours, preventing the Constitutional mandate to certify the 2020 presidential election. Trump had no Constitutional duty to stop the electoral count. His duty was to see that it was carried out as required by the Constitution. His involvement is further proven by the fact that when he asked/ordered the rioters to leave the Capitol their response was almost immediate.
In Biblical terms there are sins of commission and sins of omission. Failing/refusing to minimize the damage caused by the Capitol rioters falls into the category of omission. He failed to protect the right to vote. He failed to facilitate the Constitutionally mandated electoral vote count. He must be held accountable.
This cannot be merely an emotional issue. Nor a political party issue. It is a Constitutional issue. It must be resolved by applying the Constitution. The Constitution must be protected. No one is above the Constitution.
Dave Waldrop WebsterI’ve never doubted I’m an old soul, so maybe my attachment to herbal remedies and plant-based eating is connected to another lifetime when nature and humans functioned more synergistically. Herbal and homeopathic medicines have always worked well for me, but it wasn’t until the birth of my second son when they became part of my everyday existence.
Shortly after my youngest son was born, I was inflicted with incessant ear infections, which was strange for a person my age. I also got my first migraine. It was so painful that I almost passed out and had to lie down in the dark until it eased. It gave me an entirely new respect and level of compassion for individuals who combat migraines on a routine basis. Around this same time, I became terribly allergic to pet dander, grass and dust mites. The allergies were so severe, I was giving myself weekly allergy shots. I was lethargic, sick and depleted.
Simultaneously, I was writing web content for a woman who sold essential oils. I attended one of her classes and began learning about the multitude of uses for herbs, flowers, saps and other plants. I took a deep dive into the study of herbs and have never resurfaced. It’s an ongoing love affair that will continue forever.
From the class, I learned that a number of oils help with allergies, headaches and some of the other ailments I was dealing with. During this learning process, I also discovered that many of the chemicals and fragrances included in household cleaners, detergents, fabric softeners, scented candles, perfumes, soaps and other items are toxic to every system and organ in the body.
With nothing to lose and everything to gain, I decided to do an experiment. I went through the house and tossed anything with a fake scent or laden with chemicals. I purchased all the main essential oils. My goal was to detox from the toxicity that was all around me.
Since that time, there have been no ear infections or migraines. I stopped taking allergy shots many years ago. Not only did I stop putting awful stuff in and on my body, but I became a bonafide believer in the power of plants. The combination made a world of difference. It saved my health and sanity.
A couple of years ago, my attachment to oils heightened further when I interviewed Maia Toll for a Smoky Mountain Living Magazine article. She’s the author of a book called The Illustrated Herbiary and the owner of The Herbiary, a holistic store in
downtown Asheville. My interaction with her work affected me deeply.
Like me, Toll was sick. Medical practitioners could not figure out what was going on, so she went to Ireland and immersed herself in the world of herbalism and traditional healing. She says this in her book, “Connection with the plant world may seem like a small thing, but once you step into it you’ll realize it is profound and playful, granular and encompassing.”
The oils do wonders for my body, but they also support my mind and spirit. They’re an integral part of my daily quiet time. When meditating or journaling, I inhale an oil such as vetiver, frankincense, copaiba, or a lavender/peppermint blend. Before bed each night, I diffuse oils to help with peaceful sleep.
With four kids in our home, I’m always finding ways to use herbs and essential oils. Whether it’s putting lavender on a burn or using peppermint to stave off a headache or tea tree for athlete’s foot or using a drop of lime in homemade guacamole or crushing fresh basil for a pasta sauce, there is never a shortage of reasons to use oils. We also enjoy making soaps, salves, laundry detergent, cleaners, candles and other items, but just remember if you’re using oils on or in your body, ensure they are of the highest grade and purity. Stay away from the cheap versions sold at the grocery store or on Amazon.
Additionally, it’s been a little over a year since I began eating 95% plant-based. The only non-vegan food I eat is fish and that’s primarily to get the required B12 the human body needs. I’m hopeful that I’m modeling behaviors and giving my children knowledge that will not only support their health but also our fragile planet.
This summer, I was routinely reminded that when life feels overwhelming or the world seems chaotic, the best remedy is to get still and return to mother nature. This can look different for everyone, but the birds and the flowers and the water and the herbs never disappoint. They know what our bodies and souls need.
We’re at a crossroads in human history where we’re fighting and taxing the planet instead of working in harmony with it. Doing this is detrimental to us and the planet. As they say, we need the earth more than she needs us, so we need to be more careful and gentler with her. As summer wraps up and fall begins to arrive, I feel grateful for the bounty of nature, for seasonal foods and fragrant herbs. I’ll miss the herbs and vegetables and flowers that bloom in the warmer months but look forward to the plants and seasonal foods that dance with the autumn winds.
(Susanna Shetley is a writer, editor and digital media specialist with The Smoky Mountain News, Smoky Mountain Living and Mountain South Media.)
With a motto of “Your Taste is Our Desire,” Absolutely Yummy Catering has been a longtime mainstay in the Haywood County and greater Western North Carolina culinary scene.
“Being a chef was in my blood and catering is my other passion,” said Michelle Briggs. “It’s so cool to sit with folks and create a menu together for their special event. I could show you a hundred menus and you might not like any of them — so, let’s create what you want.”
Executive chef and owner of AYC, Briggs is a familiar, beloved face in these mountains and has been since she first came to these parts in the 1980s from her native Great Britain. For Briggs, it’s all about conjuring pure enjoyment through the intricate, sacred art of cooking.
“That’s what makes a chef — we aim to please,” Briggs said.
Briggs’ culinary journey began as a young kid. Initially, she had thought of becoming a hairdresser, but those aspirations quickly dissipated once she found immense joy coming up with recipes and dishes in her mother’s kitchen — the cooking bug bit hard.
“[Cooking] is what I chose at 14 years old in England,” Briggs said. “And it will always be my passion wherever I shall dwell — it feels good to see people smile when they eat your food.”
By the 1980s, Briggs entered Thanet College in Broadstairs, England, ultimately receiving her culinary degree. From there, she found herself at the former Regent Palace Hotel in London. The iconic property was home to 1,000 rooms, which meant Briggs hit the ground running to feed the multitudes of guests
As part of Absolutely Yummy Catering, the St. Andrews Square 30th anniversary party will be held from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at 294 North Haywood St. in Waynesville.
Hosted by owners Michelle & Phil Briggs and founders Joan & Alex Robb, the event will feature authentic Scottish food, drink and culture.
There will also be bagpipe music by Michael Waters from 2-4 p.m. and representatives of the Scottish Society of Franklin. Wear your kilt.
For more information on Absolutely Yummy Catering and to book an event, contact Michelle Briggs at 828.246.9815 or email her at michy_e_007@yahoo.com.
and events onsite.
In the mid-1980s, Briggs headed for the United States where she became a baker at Camp America in Hendersonville. Her experience and expertise at the Regent Palace provided Briggs the wherewithal to meet the needs of hundreds of people — breakfast, lunch and dinner.
“[And] Western North Carolina [became] my home,” Briggs said. “It is where I made a good life, have had many good opportunities, have built my career and reputation.”
To note, beyond her own endeavors within AYC, another arm of the company, St. Andrews Square, will celebrate 30 years in business at a special community event on Sept. 16 in Waynesville.
Originally launched by Joan and Alex Robb in 1993, SAS was (and remains) an authentic Scottish catering outfit. The company gained notoriety in the annual Apple Harvest Festival in Waynesville and other popular Scottish gatherings around the Southeast, including the Loch Norman Highland Games in Huntersville.
“I first met the Robbs at [the former] Bele Chere [Festival] in Asheville in the mid-1990s,” Briggs recalled. “[At that time, SAS was] the only Scottish food business in the Southeast.”
For Briggs, when she first came across the SAS, she was
happily surprised to find culinary treats she missed from back home “across the pond” — meat pies, haggis pockets, sausage rolls, bridies and so forth.
“What a treat for me being from Great Britain and seeing such authentic food from my homeland [here in Western North Carolina],” Briggs noted.
And although AYC was rising to the occasion and thriving in its own right, when the opportunity presented itself in 2015 to purchase and take over SAS, Briggs jumped at the chance.
“It took [the Robbs] a while to sell it to me. They wanted the right person to carry on the tradition — I felt so honored,” Briggs said. “When SAS fell into my lap, it is another avenue of culinary that I choose to learn and perfect — it’s a niche and we all need a niche in business.”
With the SAS anniversary right around the corner and AYC now a steadfast business right here in our backyard, Briggs is taking a moment here and there lately to reflect on her respective path in life.
“I would have never thought this would be where I am now,” Briggs said “I see myself doing [this for] the next 20 years and handing it off to another person who is as passionate as the Robbs and myself are — it is good to educate and share with people on different cultures of food.”
• 1st Place Winner of Select Registry Breakfast Cook-off – $10,000 Grand Prize 2006
• 2nd Place Winner of NC Best Dish Competition
– Award Presented by Bobby Flay 2007
• 2nd Place Winner of NC Best Dish Competition
– Award Presented by Bobby Flay 2008
• Trip Advisor’s Award of Excellence 2011-2015
• 1st Place Winner of Peoples Choice Award of Best Bed & Breakfast in Haywood County 2012
• 2nd Place Winner of Taste of Chocolate Competition 2012
• Recipes Published in NC Bed and Breakfast Association
Cookbook 2012
• 1st Place Winner of Peoples Choice Award of Best Bed & Breakfast in Haywood County 2013
• 1st Place Winner of Taste of Chocolate Competition 2013
• Recipes Published in NC Bed & Breakfast Association
Cookbook 2013
It’s 11 a.m. Monday. Currently sitting in the rec room of my aunt’s high-end apartment complex on the outskirts of Charlotte. Halfway between the city and Statesville near Lake Norman.
And less than 24 hours ago I was sitting in an airport bar in Salt Lake City, Utah. A cold Coors Light draft in the fleeting minutes before a nonstop flight back east. Two time zones behind. Onward to my Haywood County home, my girlfriend waiting at CLT to pick me up.
The beer soothes pre-flight nerves that usually arise amid other existential thoughts constantly brimming under the surface of my daily existence and social interactions. Finish up the beverage. Pull up the flight ticket on the Delta app on the smart phone. Wait in line. Find your seat. Store the travel bag in the overhead bin. Await departure.
This cross-country go-round Rolling Stone assignment landed me at the Park City Song Summit. The gathering focuses on health/wellness in the often-self-destructive music industry. Numerous symposiums, panels and live performances by musical greats like Bob Weir, Eric Krasno, Ivan Neville, Chuck D and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels.
And there I was, somewhere between 7,000-9,000 feet in elevation, running around conducting interviews, taking in artist talks, soaking in live shows and, well, simply trying to, once again, make sense of “it all.” Record quick quotes. Scribble down even faster notes. Shake hands. Kick around ideas for future articles on new albums and projects.
A couple times throughout the weekend jaunt, I was able to disappear in the depths of Mother Nature surrounding the Canyons Village complex and greater Park City just down the road. Lace up the dusty old trail running shoes and exit the uber-fancy Hyatt Centric hotel. Wander down the sidewalk into the heart of the slick Canyons Village.
Porsche, Range Rovers, Rivian and Tesla vehicles parked in seemingly every direction. High-end boutique shops for outdoor enthusiasts in search of $300 windbreakers. Steakhouses where you can buy yourself a nice slice of beef for around $120 (before tax and tip and without a side salad included). Pricey liquor and wine. You know, the good life.
All good indeed, but give me a lonely dirt trail meandering up a quiet mountain and that’s the good life for me, eh? At the end of the commercial corridor of the Canyons Village, I walked past the silent ski lifts and gondolas, each patiently awaiting the winter weather and impending crowds
hitting the slopes.
At the trailhead, I found myself alone, save a small group of golfers teeing off further down the mountain. Even at high elevation, my breathing felt rhythmic and at ease. So, too, my legs and calf muscles on the steep trek uphill to the trail. Start trotting and just let the run unfold into itself as per usual. Let it all hang out and go with the flow.
About a half-mile in, my body was chugging along. But, I definitely felt more like my current 38 years than that spry college athlete who used to bound up mountainsides like some western ram. Hell, I’ll take any ability to meander up a mountain at a steady pace at any age moving forward, come hell or high water.
I may not be the 18 or 28-year-old runner of yore, but I feel pretty good out there, at
least in the grand scheme of things. And, most important, running (especially trail running) still provides me with much-needed mental clarity and a euphoric sense of self and of the universe while in constant motion.
Half-hour later, I found myself at the end of the trail (well, that portion of it) as it filtered out on this empty dirt service road used for by the ski resort. Before turning around and heading back to the Canyons Village, I simply stood in the middle of the dirt road and just listened, left alone with my restless thoughts in the abyss of ancient rock, dirt and trees.
Gazing around my spot, I could see all the endless ski slopes covering the numerous peaks. Green grass soon to be inundated with snowflakes. I wondered if there were any bears hiding in the tree lines nearby. I wondered what else was lurking just over the horizon. No fear, just appreciation and respect for the wildlife that call this place home.
The mind started to drift back to the moment at-hand. On assignment in Park City. Interviews with musicians I adore. Interactions with people, places and things
The Highlands-Cashiers Center for Life Enrichment (CLE) will host its annual Highlands Porchfest Music Festival from 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, in Highlands.
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Asheville funk/rock act Hustle Souls will perform at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at The Lineside, the new indoor music venue at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville.
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A production of the beloved Monty Python comedy “Spamalot” will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14-16 and 2 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.
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The annual “Youth Arts Festival” will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro.
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Regional rock/blues act J.J. Hipps & The Hideaway will hit the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at The Scotsman in Waynesville.
that captivate the heart and soul. It’s all I’ve ever wanted, personally and professionally, and here it is for the taking. Be grateful. Be studious. Be free to be you and me, right?
I also realized that it had been some 14 years since I last was in Utah. In 2009, heading back to Jackson, Wyoming, from the Burning Man festival out in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. So much in the news as of the late about the gathering and the disastrous exodus due to unusual rainstorms.
My Burning Man experiences throughout the 2008 and 2009 installments was one of joy and connectivity (more about that in some other column). Though I don’t even plan to ever attend again, I do, however, continue to honestly live and promote its mission/ethos of fellowship, creativity and compassion.
And I vividly remember that last Utah traverse. Sleeping in a beat up 1998 Dodge Ram at rest area along Interstate 80. My friends passed out in the camper trailer hooked up to the truck. Thousands of miles from home. I was 24. Hungry and dirty, but ready for the next adventure — whatever and wherever it may be.
I even wrote a poem about being at that rest area that very day in September 2009. The truck still covered in dust from the Black Rock Desert. Words and emotions long-held and deeply-felt, more so today as I think of this woman who has miraculously come into my road-weary field-of-view this past year.
Here’s part of it: “Where were you when I was in the cold / Motel room in Gallup / Cramped loveseat in Deadwood / Damp tent in Newport / Musty backseat in Salt Lake City / Dusty sleeping bag in Reno / Hurried rest area in Worcester / Silent guestroom in Chattanooga? / I relent with a smile, and turn to you / Your eyes I now call home.”
Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.
‘I don’t know, don’t really care, let there be songs to fill the air’Holly’s Trail is in Park City, Utah. Garret K. Woodward photo
The Highlands-Cashiers Center for Life Enrichment (CLE) will host its annual Highlands Porchfest Music Festival from 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, in Highlands.
Over 40 musicians of various styles and genres will perform across 14 venues in the heart of downtown Highlands.
One new and notable performance included in this year’s lineup is soul and funk artist Lamont Landers. An Alabama native, Landers became an overnight YouTube sensation and went viral following his performances on the popular reality tv contest “America’s Got Talent.” He has since performed twice on Steve Harvey’s “Showtime at the Apollo.”
Also returning this year is American Idol finalist and R&B singer Jerius Duncan, local legend Zorki and Asheville singer-songwriter Lindsay McCargar. The festival’s entire musician lineup can be found online at highlandsporchfest.com.
New venues this year will include Fern of Highlands,
Renowned Americana act The Jeff Little Trio will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center in Franklin.
The piano rarely plays a prominent part in Appalachian or Americana music and is seldom the lead instrument. Jeff Little is an exception — and a remarkable one.
His distinctive two-handed style, much
• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host an open mic from 8-10 p.m. every Thursday. Free and open to the public. 828.631.1987 or balsamfallsbrewing.com.
• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host a semi-regular acoustic jam with the Main Street NoTones from 7-9 p.m. every first and third Thursday of the month. Free and open to the public. For more information, go to blueridgebeerhub.com.
• Blue Stage (Andrews) will host The Hollerin’ Frogs 8 p.m. Sept. 23. 828.361.2534 or gm@thebluestage.com.
• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host music bingo 7 p.m. Mondays, karaoke at 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, trivia at 7 p.m., Sun Dogs Sept. 16 and Smashing Mouth Sept. 23. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.246.0350 or boojumbrewing.com.
• Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center (Franklin) will host The Jeff Little Trio (Americana) 6 p.m. Sept. 16. Tickets are $15 for adults, $7.50 for kids ages 16 and under. For more information and/or to purchase tick-
influenced by the mountain flat-picked guitar tradition, is breathtaking in its speed, precision and clarity. In 2014, Little was inducted
ets, go to coweeschool.org/music.
• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host “Music Bingo” 7 p.m. Thursdays and Hunter Blaylock (singer-songwriter) Sept. 16. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.634.0078 or curraheebrew.com.
Mountain Life Properties, High Country Wine & Provisions, Art Highlands Gallery and Stubborn Seeds. Confirmed repeat venues this year include KelseyHutchinson Founders Park, Satulah Brewing Company, The Ugly Dog Public House, The High Dive, Town Square, The Bascom, Highlands Wine Shoppe, Highlands Smokehouse and First Presbyterian Church.
Highlands Porchfest is organized and presented by local nonprofit organization, Highlands-Cashiers Center for Life Enrichment, which has served the community with lifeenrichment opportunities for over 30 years.
“Live music is a powerful force and a gift of displayed talents, storytelling of experiences and expression of emotions,” said CLE Executive Director and Porchfest Festival Director Fallon Hovis. “It is our honor to present this experience to our community so that everyone, of all ages, can experience the impact that live music can have on the mind and soul.”
Highlands Porchfest is free to attend. This is made possible by the generous contributions of sponsors and volunteers. For more information about Highlands Porchfest, visit highlandsporchfest.com, call 828.526.8811 or email info@highlandsporchfest.com.
into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame. Tickets are $15 for adults, $7.50 for kids ages 16 and under. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to coweeschool.org/music.
A community jam will be held from 67:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer or anything unplugged is
Circuit (indie/rock) at The Lineside ($10 cover) 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15, Simple Folk Quartet 5:30 p.m. Sept. 21 and Syrrup 3 p.m. Sept. 24. Free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. 828.454.5664 or froglevelbrewing.com.
invited to join. Singers are also welcomed to join in or you can just stop by and listen. The jam is facilitated by Larry Barnett of the Sawmill Creek Porch Band. The community jams offer a chance for musicians of all ages and levels of ability to share music they have learned over the years or learn old-time mountain songs. The music jams are offered to the public each first and third Thursday of the month — spring, summer, fall.
This program received support from the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment of the Arts. 828.488.3030.
Open Mic Night every Wednesday, “10th Anniversary Party” noon Sept. 16 and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com.
• Farm At Old Edwards (Highlands) will host the “Orchard Sessions” featuring Olivia DaPonte (singer-songwriter) Sept. 14. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $25 per person. For tickets, go to oldedwardshospitality.com/orchardsessions.
• Friday Night Live (Highlands) will host Curtis Blackwell Band Sept. 15 and Crisp Brown Aulisio Sept. 22 at Town Square on Main Street. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. highlandschamber.org.
• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host its weekly “Tuesday Jazz Series” at 5:30 p.m., Chris Wilhelm (singer-songwriter) 5:30 p.m. Sept. 14, Different Light 5:30 p.m. Sept. 15, Hustle Souls (Americana/indie) w/Cloud
• Happ’s Place (Glenville) will host Blue Jazz Band Sept. 15, Rock Holler Sept. 16 and Blake Ellege (rock/soul) Sept. 22. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. happsplace.com or 828.742.5700.
• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee) will present Loverboy & Night Ranger (classic rock) 8:30 p.m. Sept. 29. For a full schedule of events and/or to buy tickets, caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee.
• Highlander Mountain House (Highlands) will host a Sunday Bluegrass Residency noon to 2:30 p.m. and the “Salon Series” with Hurray For The Riff Raff (Americana/indie) Sept. 21. Tickets are $35 per person. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to highlandermountainhouse.com.
• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host “Trivia Night with Kirk” from 7-9 p.m. every Monday,
• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host “Music Bingo” on Wednesdays, Oktoberfest Celebration noon Sept. 23 and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All events begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com.
• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host “Music Bingo” 6 p.m. Tuesdays, trivia 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Open Mic 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.
• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host trivia 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and an Old Time Jam 6:30 p.m. Thursdays. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.
• Lineside at Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville)
Presented by Adamas Entertainment, Asheville funk/rock group Hustle Souls will perform at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at The Lineside, the new indoor music venue at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville.
Hustle Souls is a genre-jumping mashup of new school funk and old school vintage soul, with nods to the jamband and roots worlds. While the grooves and riffs the band creates blend these elements together with precision, the songs all have a casual vibe that flows almost effortlessly.
Asheville-based indie/rock outfit Cloud Circuit will open the show. Admission is $10 in advance, $12 at the door (cash/card accepted). For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to froglevelbrewing.com.
Popular regional rock/blues act J.J. Hipps & The Hideaway will hit the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at The Scotsman in Waynesville.
Hailing from Lenoir, the power rock trio explores the endless depths of the blues, where a typical whirlwind set touches upon the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, The Allman Brothers Band and much more.
Free and open to the public. 828.246.6292 or scotsmanpublic.com.
will host Hustle Souls (Americana/indie) with Cloud Circuit (indie/rock) 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15.
Admission is $10 in advance, $12 at the door. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to froglevelbrewing.com.
• Meadowlark Motel (Maggie Valley) will host Trivia Thursdays 6:30 p.m., Asheville Junction
Duo (Americana/folk) Sept. 15, Life Like Water (Americana/indie) Sept. 16, Martin Vee (singer-songwriter) Sept. 22 and Kevin Dolan & Paul Koptak (Americana/folk) Sept. 23. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to meadowlarkmotel.com or 828.926.1717.
• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host an “Open Mic with Frank Lee” Wednesdays, Zip Robertson (singer-songwriter) Sept. 15, Frank Lee (Americana/folk) Sept. 16, Terry Haughton (singer-songwriter) Sept. 17, Woolybooger (folk/blues) Sept. 22, Granny’s Mason Jar (Americana) Sept. 23 and Heidi Holton (folk/blues) 5 p.m. Sept. 24. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 or mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.
Regional blues/folk singer-songwriter Heidi Holton will perform at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, at Mountain Layers Brewing in Bryson City.
Holton is turning heads with her unique take on one of America’s oldest popular musical traditions: the blues. She began young, leaving Murphy to play in rock bands in Athens, Georgia, and New Orleans, before the blues called and she answered.
She studied under the great Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna) and then disappeared to Alaska’s arctic interior to perfect her craft. She has then moved back to Murphy and is touring around the country.
The show is free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 or mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.
• Nantahala Brewing Outpost (Sylva) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.641.9797 or nantahalabrewing.com.
• Pickin’ On The Square (Franklin) will host Darren Nicholson (Americana/bluegrass) Sept. 23. All shows begin at 6 p.m. at the Gazebo in downtown. Free and open to the public. franklinnc.com/pickin-on-the-square.
• Quirky Birds Treehouse & Bistro (Dillsboro) will host Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.586.1717 or facebook.com/quirkybirdstreehouse.
• Salty Dog’s Seafood & Grill (Maggie Valley) will host “Karaoke with Russell” every Monday and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.926.9105.
• Saturdays On Pine (Highlands) will host McIntosh & The Lionhearts Sept. 16 and Holiday Sept. 22 at Kelsey-Hutchinson Park on Pine Street. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. highlandschamber.org.
• The Scotsman (Waynesville) will host a “Celtic Jam” 2-5 p.m. Sundays, Ryan Furstenburg (Americana/country) Sept. 14, Celtic Road Jam 4 p.m. Sept. 16, J.J. Hipps & The Hideaway (rock/blues) Sept. 16, Jessey Adams (singer-songwriter) Sept. 21 and Keil Nathan Smith & The Sudden Change (country/rock) Sept. 23. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.6292 or scotsmanpublic.com.
• SlopeSide Tavern (Sapphire) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.743.8655 or slopesidetavern.com.
• Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to smokymountainarts.com or 828.524.1598.
• Stecoah Valley Center (Robbinsville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise
noted. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, call 828.479.3364 or go to stecoahvalleycenter.com.
• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host “Bluegrass Wednesday” at 6:30 p.m. each week. 828.526.8364 or theuglydogpub.com.
• Unplugged Pub (Bryson City) will host Karaoke with Lori McDonald Sept. 13, Tricia Ann (singer-songwriter) Sept. 14, Topper ($5 cover) Sept. 15, Wayne Buckner ($5 cover) Sept. 16, TNT Sept. 20, Blackjack Country Sept. 21, Johnnie Blackwell Band ($5 cover) Sept. 22 and Whiskey Mountain ($5 cover) Sept. 23. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.538.2488.
• Whiteside Brewing (Cashiers) will host Spare Parts Trio (Americana) 1 p.m. Sept. 17 and Shane Meade (indie/soul) 1 p.m. Sept. 24. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.743.6000 or whitesidebrewing.com.
• Yonder Community Market (Franklin) will host Dalton Mills (singer-songwriter) 4 p.m. Sept. 24. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to eatrealfoodinc.com.
The exhibition “Spark of the Eagle Dancer: The Collecting Legacy of Lambert Wilson” will be showcased through Dec. 8 in the Fine Art Museum at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.
The exhibit features over 140 works of contemporary Native American art from the collection of one of Western North Carolina’s most notable art enthusiasts, the late Lambert Wilson.
He devoted his life to supporting and encouraging Native artists, amassed an extensive collection of over 6,000 objects during his lifetime, focusing primarily on artists of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee Nation and sovereign nations of the Southwest.
This exhibition brings together a selection of baskets, pottery, carving, painting, photography, and more that tell the story of the relationships Wilson built and the impact
The annual “Youth Arts Festival” will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro.
Children’s activities, live artisan demonstrations and much more. Food will be available for purchase. Only satellite parking will be available at Monteith Park and the Jackson County Justice Center with a free shuttle to and from the park.
The event is free and open to the public. For information, call 828.631.0271 or go to jcgep.org.
that he made by dedicating himself to this remarkable collection.
“Spark of the Eagle Dancer” gives visitors a glimpse into this vast collection built over 47 years and features work by 83 artists of various tribal affiliations.
To learn more about the exhibition and reception, please go to arts.wcu.edu/spark. The Fine Art Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.
• “What’s New?” exhibit will showcase new works by members of the Haywood County Arts Council through Nov. 13 at the HCAC in Waynesville. The presentation will focus on new techniques, materials and themes from local and regional artisans. Free and open to the public. haywoodarts.org.
Facebook: Waynesville Photography Club.
• Summer Artisans Market will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month through September at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Artisan vendors and more. For more information, go to noc.com.
• “Art After Dark” will take place from 69 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, in downtown Waynesville. Each first Friday of the month (May-December), Main Street transforms into an evening of art, live music, finger foods, beverages and shopping as artisan studios and galleries keep their doors open later for local residents and visitors alike. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, go to downtownwaynesville.com.
• Gallery Zella (Bryson City) will be hosting an array of artist receptions, exhibits and showcases. The gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, go to galleryzella.com or call 517.881.0959.
• “Summer Artisan Market” will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month through September at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) in Nantahala Gorge. Free and open to the public. noc.com/events.
• Waynesville Photography Club meets at 7 p.m. every third Monday each month on the second floor of the Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center in Clyde. The club is a nonprofit organization that exists for the enjoyment of photography and the improvement of one’s skills. They welcome photographers of all skill levels to share ideas and images at the monthly meetings. For more information, email waynesvillephotoclub@charter.net or follow them on
• Farmer’s Market (with artisans) will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through October at 117 Island St. in Bryson City. Stop by the old barn by the river for local, homegrown produce, as well as baked goods, jellies and preserves, authentic crafts and more. Food truck, picnic tables and live music. Leashed pets are welcome. Outdoor event. 828.488.7857.
• Haywood County Arts Council (Waynesville) will offer a wide range of classes, events and activities for artisans, locals and visitors. The HCAC gallery is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. For more information and a full schedule, go to haywoodarts.org.
• Jackson County Green Energy Park (Dillsboro) will be offering a slew of classes, events and activities for artisans, locals and visitors. For more information and a full schedule, go to jcgep.org.
• Southwestern Community College Swain Arts Center (Bryson City) will host an array of workshops for adults and kids. For more information on the upcoming classes and/or to sign-up, go to southwesterncc.edu/scclocations/swain-center.
• Dogwood Crafters in Dillsboro will offer a selection of upcoming art classes and workshops. For more information and a full schedule of activities, go to dogwoodcrafters.com/classes.html or call 828.586.2248.
‘Spamalot’ will be at HART on select dates through mid-September.
A production of the beloved Monty Python comedy “Spamalot” will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14-16 and 2 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.
The 2005 Tony Award-winner for “Best Musical,” Monty Python’s “Spamalot” is a musical comedy frequently quoted as being “lovingly ripped off” from the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” which tells the legendary tale of King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail.
As you’d expect from Eric Idle of Monty Python fame, the musical diverts from more traditional versions of the legend, offering a highly irreverent parody of the legend of King Arthur. We can never have too much laughter and this goofy, high-
• “Flights & Bites” will be held starting at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in downtown Waynesville. For more information on upcoming events, wine tastings and special dinners, go to waynesvillewine.com.
energy musical offers up more laughs than ever.
The show features now-famous songs including “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “The Song That Goes Like This” and “Find Your Grail.”
At the start, the show begins with a miscommunication between the actors and the narrator, leading into a song about Finland instead of England. From there the show introduces a myriad of characters you’d expect to be in the legendary tale, but with many twists — from modern to absurd.
To make reservations, call the HART Box Office at 828.456.6322 or go to harttheatre.org to make reservations online. HART Box Office hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
all-adult first class car. Wine pairings with a meal and more. There will also be a special “Beer Train” on select dates. For more information and/or to register, call 800.872.4681 or go to gsmr.com.
• “Take A Flight” with four new wines every Friday and Saturdays at the Bryson City Wine Market. Select from a gourmet selection of charcuterie to enjoy with your wines. Educational classes and other events are also available. For more information, call 828.538.0420.
• “Uncorked: Wine & Rail Pairing Experience” will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on select dates at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. Full service
The Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling will be held from 7-9 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays through Oct. 31 at the Oconaluftee Islands Park in Cherokee.
The annual corn maze and pumpkin patch will return through Oct. 31 at Darnell Farms in Bryson City. Visit the farm for some old-fashioned fun. Walk through the corn maze ($12 admission), enjoy a hayride ($18 admission) and visit the huge six-acre pumpkin patch, where you and your family choose your perfect Jack O’ Lantern. Prices vary by size. There will also be food trucks, farm stand, apples and fall decor onsite. For more information, go to darnellfarms.com.
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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.
For more information, call 800.438.1601 or go to visitcherokeenc.com.
Afriend offered me a book recently, one that I found mildly intriguing. It was non-fiction, a political book, and I intended to check out the introduction at least, but political books are never a top choice for me.
What a surprise to discover that I enjoyed reading and indeed became cheered by a book with the title “Transforming a Federal Agency” (Wiley, 2022, 352 pages). My enjoyment was, in part, a testament to the care that went into making the writing interesting, but the story is a good one.
Author Irving L. Dennis was nearing retirement as a senior partner in the global accounting firm Ernst & Young when an email from the personnel office of the White House asked if he might be interested in serving as chief financial officer for Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Dennis’ accounting firm had required early retirement, so he had plenty of time and energy left to “give back,” as was his desire. But did he want to invest this much?
Curious, he accepted the interview offer, flew to Washington, and sat at a round table in a wood-paneled room “from the 1960s” with three young HUD senior staff members. “I sensed they were a little intimidated by my experience, so I was conscious to keep everyone at ease.” That is one of the early clues that Irving is a fine man, and the evidence accumulates. He says of the interview that he got his “first glimpse of the young, talented, mission-driven employees in government.” This dedication and caliber of talent surprised him.
Then, certainly because his resume and interview impressed the staff, he met with then HUD Secretary Ben Carson. Carson was the retired pediatric neurosurgeon with an interest in social challenges who accepted President Trump’s offer to become the cabinet level secretary. Dennis knew of his intelligence, based on his career, and was pleased to meet and talk with “a gentle soul, filled with a humble compassion for those in need.” These initial assessments never changed, though Dennis at first refused the job that was offered. He didn’t think he wanted such a large challenge.
He began teaching accounting and serving on boards. Every few weeks, Carson or his chief of staff would call and politely ask him to reconsider. Three months later, enough boredom had set in that he was ready.
Dennis and Carson were Republicans, both eager to serve Trump. I am not a Republican and did not vote for Trump. Yet it is crucial for my well-being, and I am not kidding, that I be willing to recognize that
“wise and good” people, as Alexander Hamilton put it, are to be found on both sides of any important issue. Hamilton believed that such humility was a requirement for democracy.
What follows Dennis’ acceptance is a stunning display of work ethic and leadership, beginning with feeling the responsibility of his position. “HUD is helping struggling families who need safe and affordable
Dennis was often asked, “Why spend money on infrastructure when it could go to the many problems with housing?” His answer was always that a more efficient process gets more money where it needs to go, and people who need the help do not need a frustrating procedure. One of his many goals was to improve customer satisfaction with the call system. Anyone can relate to that.
housing,” he writes after the swearing-in ceremony. “I began to feel the momentousness of the situation.”
No stranger to challenges, he writes of growing up blue collar and entering the white collar world of global accounting, of the need to escape his comfort zones while always maintaining respect for everyone. “Every job is important,” his hard-working father taught him.
It was this attitude of respect that impressed me most. Making sense of the complex budget and structure of HUD was an enormous task, the first of many. He did his homework and then held meetings with key staff, one-on-one initially, in “listen-only mode.” The problems were many. There had not been a clean audit for years, there were dysfunctional relationships with other key government agencies, and the technology used was way behind the times. All of this interfered with HUD’s mission.
In his three years as head of finance at HUD, Dennis accomplished so much, but he was most proud of the change in employee satisfaction. Ranked the lowest of all HUD departments when he arrived, employee satisfaction in the financial department was the highest of all the departments when he finished. And these are his thoughts about his coworkers: “I’m embarrassed to say that when I entered the world of Washington inside the Beltway, I never expected the quality and depth of talent in government that I found. There are many brilliant mission-driven people within HUD.”
He continues. “Also, citizens have no idea how hard government people work to improve the lives of the American people. It was enlightening to observe this from the inside… We can all, and should, debate the efficiency and extent of governmental involvement in our daily lives. We can also debate policy decisions. But make no mistake, to maintain our republic we need some level of government to secure our liberty and safety.”
And finally, “I’ve come to learn that public service is a noble cause everyone should experience. It’s hard to comprehend just how much good the government does for the citizens to keep our country and its communities safe and protected.”
These thoughts were the icing on the cake for me. Here is an American hero.
BY F RANCES F IGART C ONTRIBUTING W RITER
As we prepare for the arrival of fall, we can also be on the lookout for a breathtaking wildlife spectacle that is a part of life here in the Southern Appalachian Mountains: the migration of the broad-winged hawk.
Small forest-dwelling birds of prey, broad-winged hawks migrate annually to South and Central America from their breeding grounds in North America’s temperate forests. Residents of Western North Carolina and East Tennessee have the opportunity to see hundreds of birds at a time moving south along the Blue Ridge Mountains.
“This migration occurs throughout September and early October with peak numbers usually occurring between September 19 and 26,” says Jeffrey Hunter, Southern Appalachian director for the National Parks Conservation Association. “Last year I saw over 3,000 birds in two hours at the Mount Pisgah Hawk Watch at Mills River Overlook, mile marker 404.5 along the Blue Ridge Parkway.”
Hunter says another great place to see migrating broad-winged hawks is Grandfather Mountain. These regional high-elevation lookout points also offer the chance to see bald eagles, peregrine falcons, northern harriers and Cooper’s hawks, among others.
Not surprisingly, the best areas in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to watch for fall flights of the broad-winged hawk are also vantage points in the higher elevations including Newfound Gap, Indian Gap and Clingmans Dome (known to the Cherokee as Kuwohi, “Mulberry Place”), according to the Great Smoky Mountains Association’s field guide “Birds of the Smokies.”
Look Rock fire tower on the Foothills Parkway provides a sweeping 360-degree panoramic view of the stunning Smoky Mountain landscape from which to watch these hawks and
other species in migration. Kristine Johnson, volunteer curatorial assistant with the Smokies, says the Knoxville chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society sometimes performs “hawkwatch” counts at Look Rock.
“I like the fact that one can’t pin an exact date on when hawks might show up in large numbers since part of their departure is based on when cold fronts move through and whatever else the hawks know that we don’t,” she says. “I’ve seen big numbers on House Mountain in Knox County as they follow north-to-south mountain ranges.”
“Birds of the Smokies” author Fred Alsop says Buteo platypterus is a fairly common summer resident of the park that can be seen at all elevations. “This is a bird of the deciduous woodlands that often hunts from low perches … The broadly banded dark and white tail is characteristic, with the white bands being about equal in width to the dark ones. During its summer stay with us, I have often been aware of the broad-winged hawk’s presence by its thin, shrill pee-weeeeee whistled call.”
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s first naturalist, Arthur Stupka, collected phenological information about birds and other wildlife from 1935 to 1960. In his “Notes on the Birds of Great Smoky Mountains National Park,” he recorded that “from April, when the Broad-wings arrive, through August, the numbers of this hawk in the park are approximately the same as the numbers of Red-tails. For the 20-year period beginning in 1934, the migrant Broad-wings observed here during that five-month period totaled 223; the permanent resident Red-tails, 249. In September, however, the passage of migrating Broad-wings over the park results in a striking change, their numbers exceeding those of their larger cousins by 10 to 1 (451 to 45) during that month.”
Smokies Science Coordinator Paul E. Super says, “Broadwinged hawks are noteworthy in that they all seem to migrate in just a few days, and one sees big ‘kettles’ of them wheeling around to get into a better air current.” He mentioned that last September several National Park Service staff and visitors were treated to the awesome display on National Public Lands Day, September 24, 2022.
“We had NPS Director Chuck Sams and some other VIPs from the NPS and Health and Human Services visiting the park,” remembers Education Branch Coordinator Susan Sachs. “After leaving Oconaluftee, the group came up to Purchase Knob to meet with a group of Cherokee High School students, some cultural experts from the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, and some staff from the Tribal Historic Preservation Office.”
From the porch of the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at The Purchase, Sachs started noticing that large kettles of broad-winged hawks were catching the thermals above the assembled humans.
“They would fly in from the north, get to where we were, climb higher and then continue their path to the south,” she recalls. “I estimate that each kettle had about 25 to 50 hawks in it — and at least one group had a bald eagle. I saw about five kettles come through, but I know they probably were coming through before and after I noticed them.”
Hesitant to interrupt the VIP’s discussion, Sachs eventually pointed out the birds to the participants. Everyone grabbed binoculars, and the natural event took center stage for a while.
“I was up there again the next day and didn’t see even one broad-winged hawk,” Sachs says. “Timing is everything.”
If you would like to get prepared to spot hawks migrating this fall, a great online resource is the Hawk Migration Association of North America’s Raptor Migration Database at hmana.org. It allows you to select your “hawkwatch” location and then track and upload your sightings.
“Depending on the weather, it can be hit or miss,” Hunter says, “but when timing is right, you can be rewarded with hundreds or even thousands of birds.”
(Frances Figart (rhymes with “tiger”) is the editor of “Smokies Life” and the Creative Services Director for the 29,000-member Great Smoky Mountains Association, an educational nonprofit partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This piece was written as part of GSMA’s “Word from the Smokies” series of columns on the natural and cultural wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Reach Figart at frances@gsmassoc.org.)
From mid to late September, hundredsof broad-winged hawks pass over Western North
Carolinaand East Tennessee in large groups called “kettles,” circling higher and higher into the air currents and moving south along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Richard Crossly photo The broad-winged hawk is a fairly common summer resident in the Smokies, and can be seen hunting from low perches in deciduous woodlands. Aitor Gonzalo photo
“I like the fact that one can’t pin an exact date on when hawks might show up in large numbers since part of their departure is based on when cold fronts move through and whatever else the hawks know that we don’t.”
— Kristine Johnson, volunteer curatorial assistant, GSMNP
Celebrate the millions of acres of public lands covering Western North Carolina during National Public Lands Day Saturday, Sept. 23. This will be a fee-free day when parking tags are not required in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and there will be multiple opportunities to participate in volunteer projects giving back to some of the region’s most beloved trails.
• A workday at Max Patch in the Pisgah National Forest will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., organized by Carolina Mountain Club. No experience is necessary, with tools and hardhats provided along with guidance from experienced CMC trail maintainers. Volunteers should bring work gloves, lunch, water, sturdy shoes and long pants. A carpool opportunity will meet at 8 a.m. in Canton. Once the workday is over, everyone is invited for a 3 p.m. celebration at BearWaters in Canton. RSVP to Paul Curtin at pmcurtin@hotmail.com.
• Help Friends of Panthertown and Environmental Educators of North Carolina remove invasive species on Deep Gap Trail near Granny Burrell’s homesite, within the Panthertown Valley Backcounty Recreation Area in the Nantahala National Forest, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The excursion will include plant talks, geological features and waterfalls, with all tools and safety equipment included. Participants should wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and closed-toe shoes, and bring lunch, snacks, water, sunscreen and weather-appropriate clothing. Sign up at eenc.org/event5394571.
• Help maintain a 3-mile section of the Fonta Flora Trail near Old Fort, known as the Copper Ridge Trail, during an event 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will meet at Hillman Brewery and carpool five minutes to the trailhead. From there they will split into smaller groups to tackle a variety of tasks — parking lot beautification, trimming the trail corridor, improving tread, weed-eating, brush-cutting and removing fallen trees. Tools, safety equipment and training will be provided, along with water and light snacks. Volunteers should bring a daypack to carry water and tools and wear closed-toed shoes and long pants. Sign up at foothillsconservancy.org/volunteer.
• Enjoy an afterhours sunset hike 7-8 p.m. on the Outcropping Trails in Chimney Rock State Park. The Outcropping Trails is a newly designated section of Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail. A local steward will place the first designated Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail marker at the trailhead, and selected volunteers will place additional trail markers along the way, with a state park official placing the final marker near the top of the chimney. Registration is required at chimneyrockpark.com/event/nationalpublic-lands-day-sunset-hike.
To view all the National Public Lands Day Events scheduled nationwide, visit neefusa.org/npldevent-search.
After a monthlong closure enacted when a bear scratched a park visitor, Rich Mountain Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has reopened.
During the first weekend in August, a visitor who was inside a vehicle at the time received minor scratches from a bear who had become habituated to people and vehicles. Park officials then closed the road so that bears could eat and forage undisturbed. In August, berry season is mostly done and fall acorns have not yet ripened, making it difficult for bears to fill up on natural food.
Too often, park visitors and area residents feed bears human or dog food, which causes bears to become conditioned to unnatural food as well as people and vehicles. Over time, food-conditioned bears may become bold and aggressive in their attempts to obtain human food. To prevent food conditioning, always gives bears plenty of physical space, never intentionally feed bears or leave out food and trash they can find, lock car doors, avoid stopping along roadways where bears are present, remain at least 50 yards away from bears and use a telephoto lens for photography.
Report bear incidents or unusual bear activity in the park to 865.436.1230. For more information about coexisting with bears, visit bearwise.org.
In a 2022 photo, bears eat dog food a person intentionally placed on the ground to attract them, a behavior that causes danger to both humans and bears.
Adults
Help plan the future of Pinnacle Park, a 1,500-acre natural area in Sylva, by participating in a survey now open online.
Survey responses will guide the decisionmaking process in creating a comprehensive master plan for the park and will also help
the park secure funding for improvements. Share your experiences in the park, how often you use it, and what you would like to see added.
Pinnacle Park is owned and maintained by the Town of Sylva. Together, the town, Jackson County and the Pinnacle Park Foundation have started the master planning process. Access the survey at townofsylva.org/notices/pinnacle-park.
Midway rides not included in gate admission
Audubon North Carolina is urging residents to help keep the skies dark this fall to help birds as they migrate south. Light pollution can have negative impacts on birds year-round, but especially during migration. Many birds make their long migrations south at night, using the moon and starts to navigate. Bright lights can attract birds, disorienting them and causing them to collide with buildings or collapse from exhaustion. According to the Smithsonian Migratory Birds Center, an estimated 300 million to 1 billion birds are killed each year due to fatal building collisions. In Chicago, research by Field Museum staff demonstrated an 80% reduction in collisions when building lights were turned out.
Between Sept. 10 and Nov. 30, Audubon
is asking people to turn off excess lighting at night. As an essential stopover state for millions of migrating birds, North Carolina has been a leader in the lights out movement for over a decade. Five cities, including Asheville, adopted Lights Out programs since fall 2021.
“No matter where you are, you can help birds this fall by turning off lights at night and encouraging others to do the same, including your employer or building manager,” said Audubon N.C. Interim Executive Director Curtis Smalling.
Actions that can help migrating birds include turning off exterior decorative lighting, pot lights and flood lights; substituting strobe lighting, reducing atrium lighting and interior lighting — especially on high stories — wherever possible; closing blinds and curtains, downshielding exterior lighting, installing automatic sensors and controls, and avoiding overlighting with new, bright technology.
The Mountain Monarch Festival will return to Gorges State Park in Transylvania County for its second year 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, celebrating the monarch butterfly during its migration season.
Taking place at the park’s visitor center, the event will bring attention to the species’ declining number. It will include educational programs and exhibits, including monarch-themed children’s crafts, live music, food trucks, a live photo board, face painting, local art for sale and a monarch migration passport to lead families through monarchthemed activities.
Heyward Douglas, an entomologist who has worked as a park naturalist, visited the monarch’s wintering area in Mexico and served on the Foothills Trail Conservancy’s board of directors since 1989, will be the featured speaker.
Gorges lies along the monarch’s migratory route, and each year in late September the butterflies fly over the park’s visitor center on their way south to high-elevation fir forests in Mexico’s Neovolcanic Mountains, where they stay until spring returns. Monarchs have two sets of deep orange and black wings, and a wingspan of 3-4 inches. Males have two
• Sunday - Wednesday 11am - 5pm
Bar open until 6pm
• Thursday - Saturday 11am - 8pm
Dinner Menu begins at 5:00 pm
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.
The migratory subspecies of the monarch was recently added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s “red list” of the most threatened species on earth and is now listed as endangered. People are encouraged to plant locally native milkweed and nectar flowers in their yards and reduce pesticide use to help monarch populations rebound.
Sponsored by Friends of Gorges State Park and organized in partnership with Monarch Watch, N.C. Cooperative Extension Service and N.C. Department of Commerce. Free, though advance registration is requested by emailing “Monarch Festival Registration” and the number of people in your party to gorges@ncparks.gov. Held rain or shine. For more details, visit ncparks.gov/events-and-programs.
Join in for the sixth annual Pollinator Field Day 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River. The day will include presentations discussing native habitat installation, bumble bees and monarch butterflies, along with guided tram tours of the research station, a butterfly puddling demonstration and tables hosted by a variety of organizations and nonprofits. Free, with participants given light refreshments and a free native plant to take home. Learn more or register at eventbrite.com/e/ncpca-pollinator-field-day-tickets707575877497.
A weekend of riverside games, whitewater rafting, adventure films and gear deals will liven up the fall Sept. 22-24 at Nantahala Outdoor Center in Swain County.
NOC’s Guest Appreciation Festival will kick off with a used gear, Outfitter’s Store and Artisan Village sale at 8 a.m. Sept. 23, with live music from Wyatt Espalin Music 5-8 p.m. Shopping opportunities will return at 8 a.m. both subsequent days, with Saturday featuring kids’ activities such as face painting, magicians and henna noon to 3 p.m. Christina Chandler Trio will play 36 p.m. and The Get Right Band will play 7-10 p.m.
Special whitewater releases Saturday and Sunday will be a highlight of the weekend. An Upper Nantahala/Cascades release at 300 cubic feet per second is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 23, and on Sept. 24 there will be a 425 cfs release 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 250 cfs release 3-5 p.m. The Nantahala Racing Club will host a slalom race noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 23, consisting of 18-20 slalom gates. Racers are encouraged to use slalom-specific or plastic half-slice boats and possess at least Class 2 river running skills. Same-day registration available.
Free, with a full schedule of events online at noc.com/events/gaf. NOC is located along U.S. 19 in the Nantahala Gorge, about 12 miles from Bryson City.
The fair offers a variety of categories for people to show off their domestic skills.
The Haywood County Fair is coming up Sept. 28-Oct. 1, and the Home Economics Division is looking for volunteers to help handle the more than 350 entries expected for contests in preserved foods, home furnishings and more.
Volunteers are needed 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, to help with tagging, recording and organizing entries on take-in day; 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 27, to assist judges and 2-5 p.m. to arrange exhibits; and 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, to help with tagging, recording, photographing, slicing and serving judges in the baking contest.
To sign up, call 828.456.3575 or visit bit.ly/3r8cbS8.
Take a 4.6-mile hike to a spectacular view along the Bartram Trail near Highlands 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23.
This lightly trafficked section of trail includes Jones Knob and Whiterock Mountain, a pair of peaks that lie along this rather tame stretch of the Bartram Trail.
Both are well below 5,000 feet in elevation, and what sets them apart is that they are plutons — mountains comprised of erosionresistant rock sporting massive, open cliff faces.
The trail is rated moderate, with 940 feet of elevation change. Leashed dogs are welcome. Organized by MountainTrue and free with registration at mountaintrue.org/event.
A public meeting 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, in Candler will give the public the chance to help shape the forthcoming master plan for the new Pisgah View State Park, with an online survey also offering an opportunity for input.
The plan will govern development and management of the 1,600-acre park for the next 20 years. Formerly known as Pisgah View Ranch, the property spans the Buncombe-Haywood county line within the Spring Mountain Range and Southern Appalachian Escarpment. It currently contains about 15 miles of horse trails and ranges from 2,600 to 4,600 feet in elevation, holding five tributaries to Hominy Creek. Pisgah View is the 35th park to be added to the N.C. State Parks System and the 10th park located in the state’s mountain region.
Equinox Environmental is working with the N.C. State Parks Division and the public to develop the master plan. The first step is to identify recreational, educational and conservation needs for the park. Amenities that may be considered include guided educational programs, visitor gathering and event spaces, restaurant, wedding venue, cabin rentals/retreat facilities, picnic shelters, day use areas, tent campground areas, equestrian camping, equestrian trails, hiking and mountain biking trails, and interpretation/education areas. The long-range goal is to connect the Pisgah View State Park to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest and the Mountainsto-Sea State Trail.
The meeting will be held at Upper Hominy Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, 1795 Pisgah Highway in Candler, in a drop-in format. Attendees can expect to spend 20-30 minutes reviewing the project and weighing in on their preferred recreation amenities. An online survey is available at ncparks.gov/pisgahview-state-park/future-development.
Before Becky and I retired up Moses Creek, I made my living as a backpack and canoe guide here in the Blue Ridge and in other parts of the country. My Slickrock Expeditions clients came mostly from the southeastern cities, and some of them — first-timers especially — arrived feeling nervous about the wilds.
It was the nervousness that lies in our word “wilderness” itself — a yoked-together term from ancient days that means “wild” (untamed) “deor” (animal). “Wil-deor-ness” is where wild beasts roam, uncheckedleashed-fenced by the human hand. It was the nervousness I heard in the audience’s gasp whenever I showed slides at REI, and up came the picture of the snake.
I think of the client who called me months before his trip in Panthertown Valley, here in the Nantahala National Forest. He asked, somewhat sheepishly, “Are yellow jackets going to be a problem?” He’d been stung in the yard, he explained, first time, and though there’d been just redness at the site, he was worried that if stung again — the first one being the cocking of the gun — he’d go into anaphylactic shock. We were at opposite ends of North Carolina, but through the miles of wire between us I could hear fingers of fear tightening around his throat.
I tried to reassure him with the fact that only 5% of people are deathly allergic to bee stings.
“Yellow jackets get me a half-dozen times a year,” I said. “It’s never more than mild.”
I told him EpiPens would be in my firstaid kit, just in case, and I’d been trained to use them — though it had never come to that. Trying to inject a little humor into the conversation, I noted that statistically he was more likely to die on the drive to the trailhead than from a sting once he got there. When he mentioned his trip dates, I said, “Relax! That late in the fall, you probably won’t see any yellow jackets. The bears and raccoons will have destroyed every nest to eat the larvae inside.”
“Whoa! Wait a minute! Stop! Forget about yellow jackets!” I heard him shout, fear ringing through the wire. “Tell me about these BEARS!”
Yesterday on my morning hike up the ridge, I felt something sting my hand — a yellow jacket. I slapped it off, then, turning to look, was surprised to see a large ground nest. I’d walked past the spot for days unmolested. But an animal had tried to dig into the nest overnight, and now the creatures were boiling out so hot their yellow was red with rage.
I knew to make tracks. If you put distance between yourself and a nest after the first sting, that’s probably the only one
you’ll get. But if you wait until you’re stung a second time, you’ll be so marked with the insect’s alarm pheromone that the whole colony will attack. My inclination to stop and look was my doom.
A second sting brought me to my senses, and I started down the trail. Too late! Another yellow jacket got me, behind the knee this time, then another, on the elbow. Speeding up, I broke a leafy branch and waved it around me to keep other stingers off. A quarter of a mile away, I slowed down — that’s when I got a fifth sting. So I waved the branch again and trotted home, putting the nest half a mile behind me.
If you put distance between yourself and a yellow jacket nest after the first sting, that’s probably the only one you’ll get. Fred Coyle photo
I was taking my boots off at the door when yellow jacket number six latched onto my ankle and plunged its stinger in to the hilt.
Later in the day, to take my mind off the itchy welts, I looked back through my business records to see how many wilderness trips I’d guided. The total came to more than 450 in 30 years, involving around 4,000 people. Put another way, I’d lived outdoors with clients for over five years, including some 2,000 nights of camping. And if I added to that the many personal treks I’ve made with friends and kin, starting in my teens, the numbers would go up by another third.
But — and here’s the point — during all this time, from Panthertown and the Okefenokee to the Tetons, the Blackfoot and the Rio Grande, there’d been no lunging snakes, no ravenous wolves, no “Night of the Grizzly.” In hundreds of trips, not a single person had been bitten, clawed, butted, mauled, gored, gouged, stuck or struck by anything that swims or runs, slithers, creeps, crawls or flies except mosquitoes — and, yes, yellow jackets!
(Burt and Becky Kornegay live in Jackson County.)
• The Black Generational Wealth Committee of Haywood County will hold a resource fair 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Pigeon Community Multicultural Center in Waynesville. There will be food, door prizes and expert information on investments, acquiring a home, building credit and wills and estate planning.
• REACH of Haywood County invites the public to a free event, Creating a Trauma Informed Community Response to Domestic Violence, to be held 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 5, at Charles M. Beall Auditorium in Cylde, with onsite registration 8-8:40 a.m. Visit reachofhaywood.org or call 828.456.7898 for more information.
• Sarge’s 18th Annual Downtown Dog Walk will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, in Waynesville. Preregistration for walkers and their dogs will take place noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 21, at Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation. On-site registration will take place at the courthouse before the parade kickoff. Registration is $25 for adults, $!5 for children. For more information visit sarges.org.
• Mountain Area pregnancy Services and the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor work together to provide a casual support group for prenatal and breastfeeding individuals from 1-2 p.m. on Tuesdays at Mountain Area Pregnancy Services, 177 N Main St. Waynesville, NC. All are welcome, registration is recommended. For more information, please call 828.558.4550.
• The Western Carolina Cribbage Club meets every Monday at 6 p.m. An eclectic group of young and old, male and female. The group supplies boards, cards, pegs and are always willing to help those still learning the finer points of the game. Contact kei3ph@bellsouth.net for more information.
• Knit Night takes place at 5:30-7:30 p.m. every second Tuesday of the month at The Stecoah Valley Center. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP is recommended: 828.479.3364 or amber@stecoahvalleycenter.com.
• Sylva Writers Group meets Wednesday mornings at City Lights Books. If interested contact sylvawriters@gmail.com.
• Writers Susan Underwood, Linda Parsons and Catherine Pritchard Childress will visit City Lights Bookstore on at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. To reserve copies, call City Lights Bookstore in Sylva at 828.586.9499.
• Thomas Rain Crowe will read from his new book of poetry “Painting from the Palette of Love: The Mystical Poetry of Kabir” during an event 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville. For more information visit blueridgebooksnc.com or call 828.456.6000.
• Ron Rash will speak on his new book “The Caretaker” during an event at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, in the Fangmeyer at Hart theater in Waynesville. Hosted by Blue Ridge Books, tickets are $10. Profits will be donated to the Pigeon Center.
n All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.
n To have your item listed email to calendar@smokymountainnews.com
• The Arts Council of Macon County and the Macon County Library are partnering to offer Traditional Mountain and County Dance with Tom Tyre at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, at the Macon County Library. For more information call 828.524.3600 or visit fontanalib.org.
• The Youth Arts Festival will take place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Green Energy Park in Jackson County. Admission is free. Activities include ceramics, chalk art, sewing, wire wrapped jewelry and more. There will be demonstrations on glassblowing, blacksmithing, flame working and raku. For more information visit jcgep.org or call 828.631.0271.
• The Arts Council of Macon County and the Macon County Library are partnering to offer Traditional Mountain Clogging with Cheryl Renfro at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Macon County Library. For more information call 828.524.3600 or visit fontanalib.org.
• The Arts Council of Macon County and the Macon County Library are partnering to offer Cherokee Dance with Bill Dyar at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Macon County Library. For more information call 828.524.3600 or visit fontanalib.org.
• The Jackson County Public Library in Sylva will host a kids’ program about moon exploration on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. Randi Neff will lead these activities focused on NASA’s Artemis program, with aims to one day establish a base on the Moon. Co-sponsored by Friends of the Jackson County Public Library. For more information call 828.586.2016.
• The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center will hold an open house 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at 121 Schoolhouse Road, in Stecoah, to celebrate the completion of its new textile studio. For more information visit stecoahvalleycenter.com or call 828.479.3364.
• Highlands Porchfest will take place 1-6 p.m. Sept. 17 in downtown Highlands. There will be free live music from 45 musicians hosted at 14 venues. For more information visit highlandsporchfest.com.
• A car show will be hosted at 10 a.m. Sept. 23, at East Sylva Baptist Church. All makes and models are welcome. Contact the church office by phone at 828.586.2853 to enter a car. Spectator admission is free.
• “ColorFest,” Dillsboro’s 15th annual Fine Arts & Crafts Fair will hit the streets 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, in historic Dillsboro. There will be local artisans and vendors, clogging, live music, food and more. For more information call Brenda Anders at Dogwood Crafters at 828.506.8331.
• Trivia Night is hosted 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Thursday evening at the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley. For more information visit meadowlarkmotel.com.
• Paint and Sip at Waynesville Art School will be held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7-9:30 p.m. To learn more and register call 828.246.9869 or visit PaintAndSipWaynesville.com/upcoming-events. Registration is required, $45.
• Mountain Makers Craft Market will be held from noon to 4 p.m. the first Sunday of each month at 308 North Haywood St. in downtown Waynesville. Over two dozen artisans selling handmade and vintage goods. Special events will be held when scheduled. mountainmakersmarket.com.
• Smoky Mountain Event Center presents Bingo Night with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. and games starting at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday and fourth Monday of the month. For information visit smokymountaineventcenter.com.
• “Flights & Bites” will be held starting at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in downtown Waynesville. For more information on upcoming events, wine tastings and special dinners, click on waynesvillewine.com.
• A free wine tasting will be held from 6-8 p.m. every Thursday and 2-5 p.m. every Saturday at The Wine Bar & Cellar in Sylva. 828.631.3075.
• Take a trip around the world with four different wines every Friday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Bryson City Wine Market. Pick from artisan Charcuterie Foods to enjoy with wines. 828.538.0420
• Cooking classes take place at the McKinley Edwards Inn from 6-8:30 p.m. on Thursday nights. To reserve your spot call 828.488.9626.
• Chess 101 takes place from 3:30-4:30 p.m. every Friday in the Canton Branch of the Haywood County Public Library. No registration required, for more information call 828.648.2924.
• Wired Wednesday, one-on-one technology help is available at 3-5 p.m. every Wednesday at the Canton Branch of the Haywood County Library. For more information or to register, call 828.648.2924.
• Uptown Gallery, 30 East Main St. Franklin, will be offering Children’s Art Classes Wednesdays afternoons. Adult workshops in watercolor, acrylic paint pouring, encaustic and glass fusing are also offered. Free painting is available 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday in the classroom. A membership meeting takes place on the second Sunday of the month at 3 p.m. All are welcome. Call 828.349.4607 for more information.
• “Thursday Painters” group will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays at The Uptown Gallery in Franklin. Free and open to the public. All skill levels and mediums are welcome. Participants are responsible for their own project and a bag lunch. 828.349.4607 or pm14034@yahoo.com.
• Join the the Hemlock Restoration Initiative 10-11:30 a.m. Sept. 13 for a walk around the Corneille Bryan Native Garden at Lake Junaluska to learn about the efforts to protect hemlocks from Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. Sign up before the event by contacting the HRI office at 828.252.4783 or info@savehemlocksnc.org.
• Spend time with beekeepers during the next meeting of the Smoky Mountain Beekeepers Association at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, at the Swain County Business Education Center in Bryson City. For more information, contact smokymtnbeekeeper@gmail.com.
Visit www.smokymountainnews.com
click on Calendar for:
n Complete listings of local music scene
n Regional festivals
n Art gallery events and openings
n Complete listings of recreational offerings at health and fitness centers
n Civic and social club gatherings
• Adult pickup futsal games will be held starting 6:30 p.m. Thursdays beginning Sept. 14 at the Cullowhee Recreation Center gymnasium. Futsal, a type of indoor soccer, is played indoors on a smaller court than traditional outdoor soccer. Cost is $3 per player, with no registration required. Contact Andrew Sherling with questions at 828.293.3053, ext. 6, or andrewsherling@jacksonnc.org.
• A biking skills program will meet after school at Meadowbrook Elementary School in Canton on Thursdays Sept. 14 through Oct. 5. Instructors from Kids Cycle Club will lead the program, open to kids ages 7-10 and taking place 2:30-5 p.m. each session. Bikes and helmets are provided, with a maximum participation of 12. Sign up for the free program at bit.ly/haywoodrec.
• The inaugural Dahlia Ridge Trail Run will take place Saturday, Sept. 16, at Haywood Community. College. This 5k is a family-friendly walk/run event open to all levels of runners, walkers and hikers. All proceeds will benefit the Haywood Strong Scholarship for displaced mill employees. Online registration is open through Sept. 13. For more information about the race, or to register, search for Dahlia Ridge Trail Run on eventbrite.com.
• ArborEvenings at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville take place 5:30-8 p.m. every Thursday and Friday evening through Sept. 22. Visitors can stroll through the gardens, purchase food and beverages, and listen to live music. Free with standard $20 parking fee, and free for Arboretum Society members. For more information visit www.ncarboretum.org.
• A weekend of riverside games, whitewater rafting, adventure films and gear deals will liven up the fall Friday, Sept. 22, through Sunday, Sept. 24 at Nantahala Outdoor Center in Swain County. Free, with a full schedule of events online at www.noc.com/events/gaf .
• Take a 4.6-mile hike to a spectacular view along the Bartram Trail near Highlands 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23. The trail is rated moderate, with 940 feet of elevation change. Leashed dogs are welcome. Organized by MountainTrue and free with registration at mountaintrue.org/event.
• Join in for the sixth annual Pollinator Field Day 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River. Free, with participants given light refreshments and a free native plant to take home. Learn more or register at eventbrite.com/e/ncpca-pollinator-fieldday-tickets-707575877497.
• The annual Mountain Monarch Festival will take place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Gorges State Park in Sapphire. The event celebrates the monarch butterfly during its migration and bring attention to the species declining numbers. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is suggested. For event details, visit friendofgorges.org.
• The 16th annual Power of Pink 5K Run/Walk/Dog Walk will raise money for early breast cancer detection on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Frog Level in Waynesville. Registration fee is $35 for adults $15 for youth 17 and under, $25 for a 5K team and $30 for virtual participation. Hosted by Glory Hound Events. Sign up at www.gloryhoundevents.com/event/power-of-pink-5k.
The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 copies across 500 locations in Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, including the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. Visit www.wncmarketplace.com to place your ad!
Rates:
• $15 — Classified ads that are 25 words, 25¢ per word after.
• Free — Lost or found pet ads.
• $6 — Residential yard sale ads.*
• $1 — Yard Sale Rain Insurance
Yard sale rained out? Call us by 10a.m. Monday for your ad to run again FREE
• $375 — Statewide classifieds run in 170 participating newspapers with 1.1+ million circulation. (Limit 25 words or less)
• Boost Online — Have your ad featured at top of category online $4
• Boost in Print
• Add Photo $6
• Bold ad $2
• Yellow, Green, Pink or Blue Highlight $4
• Border $4
Note: Highlighted ads automatically generate a border so if you’re placing an ad online and select a highlight color, the “add border” feature will not be available on the screen.
Note: Yard sale ads require an address. This location will be displayed on a map on www.wncmarketplace.com
p: 828.452.4251 · f:828.452.3585
classads@smokymountainnews.com www.wncmarketplace.com
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
Case No.2023 E 000575 Rachel N Ray, having
Billy Ray Gevedon Dec 13 2023 Administrator 11 Meadow Dr Horse Shoe, NC 28742
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
Case No.2023 E 000497
Katherine Ann Kelley Dec 13 2023 Administrator 590 Auburn Rd Waynesville, NC 28786
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
Case No.2023E 000555
Sue Queen Hall Dec 13 2023
Automobiles
HELP WANTED AMICI’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT
authorized by the Laws
assets belonging to the estate.
192 Pickle Springs Rd
1993 CADILLAC DEVILLE Immaculate interior, new brake booster, new starter, 122k miles, more images on wncmarketplace.com. Text is best. PRICED TO SELL – MUST GO (828) 989-4545
NEW AUTHORS WANTED!
• Billie Green - bgreen@allentate.com
• Brian K. Noland - bknoland@allentate.com
• Anne Page - apage@allentate.com
• Jerry Powell - jpowell@allentate.com
• Catherine Proben - cproben@allentate.com
• Ellen Sither - esither@allentate.com
• Karen Hollingsed- khollingsed@allentate.com
• John Keith - jkeith@allentate.com
• Randall Rogers - rrogers@allentate.com
• Susan Hooper - shooper@allentate.com
• Hunter Wyman - hwyman@allentate.com
•Julie Lapkoff - julie.lapkoff@allentate.com
•Darrin Graves - darrin.graves@allentate.com
ERA Sunburst Realty - sunburstrealty.com
•Rick Border - sunburstrealty.com
• Randy Flanigan - 706-207-9436
Keller Williams Realty - kellerwilliamswaynesville.com
•The Morris Team - www.themorristeamnc.com
• Ron Breese - ronbreese.com
• Landen Stevenson- landen@landenkstevenson.com
Lakeshore Realty
• Phyllis Robinson - lakeshore@lakejunaluska.com
Mountain Dreams Realty- maggievalleyhomesales.com
• Lyndia Massey- buyfromlyndia@yahoo.com
Mountain Creek Real Estate
• Ron Rosendahl - 828-593-8700
McGovern Real Estate & Property Management
• Bruce McGovern - shamrock13.com
RE/MAX Executive - remax-waynesvillenc.com remax-maggievalleync.com
• The Real Team - TheRealTeamNC.com
• Dan Womack - womackdan@aol.com
•Mary Hansen - mwhansen@charter.net
• Billy Case- billyncase@gmail.com
Rob Roland Realty
• Rob Roland - 828-400-1923
Smoky Mountain Retreat Realty
• Tom Johnson - tomsj7@gmail.com
• Sherell Johnson - Sherellwj@aol.com
SAVE BIG ON HOME INSURANCE!
WATER DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME?
BEHIND ON YOUR MORTGAGE PAYMENTS?
Legal, Financial and Tax
$10K+ IN DEBT?
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