September 17-23, 2014 Vol. 16 Iss. 16 www.smokymountainnews.com
Western North Carolina’s Source for Weekly News, Entertainment, Arts, and Outdoor Information
N.C. 50 candidates Davis, Hipps talk shop Page 6 An interview with David Holt Page 26
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September 17-23, 2014
Smoky Mountain News
3
CONTENTS
STAFF
On the Cover: Downtown Cullowhee has been on a downhill slide ever since N.C. 107 was expanded to four lanes, allowing traffic to bypass the town en route to Western Carolina University. But a group of Cullowhee residents calling themselves CuRvE is working to make plans for a river park in the middle of town a reality. A new economic impact analysis estimates such a park would bring $1.2 million to Cullowhee every year, and CuRvE now has artist renderings of the finished park and a consultant working on coming up with a design and estimated price tag for the project. With those tools in hand, they’re ready to move forward. (Page 34)
News N.C. Senate 50 candidates discuss money, political advertising . . . . . . . . . . 6 Jackson may be softening on communications tower ordinance . . . . . . . . . . 7 Cullowhee’s fracking hearing draws crowd, opposition voiced to MEC. . . . . 8 Swain anticipates possible PILT problem if formula changes . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Lake Junaluska’s new playground takes a terrain-centric approach . . . . . . . 12 Macon vandals repeatedly steal communications equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Haywood becomes latest county to embrace a fracking resolution . . . . . . . 16 Jackson pans fracking discussion, may dive into October debate . . . . . . . 16 With hospital sold, how much money will Haywood get? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 NCCAT continues training teachers, minus funding crisis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
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Musician, storyteller David Holt reminisces from the rabbit hole . . . . . . . . . 26
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Mountain Senate race once more in the state political spotlight BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER wo candidates battling for the state Senate seat representing the seven western counties are heading into the homestretch of what could be a close and hardfought race. The race between N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, RFranklin, and challenger Jane Hipps, DWaynesville, could be one of the few toss-up senate races in the state this year. While Davis won by a large margin Jim Davis two years ago, the race is far from a shoe-in this time, with Hipps’ campaign citing internal polling that shows it’s neck and neck. Davis, a two-term senator, said he is also treating the race as a competitive one. Jane Hipps “The Democrats have a credible candidate and she is working hard, so I am not taking anything for granted,” Davis said. Hipps has been on the campaign trail fulltime for several months already while Davis has spent most of the spring and summer stuck in Raleigh attending legislative sessions, not to mention he is a practicing orthodontist while Hipps is retired. “I can’t match her pace because I have a job and a practice still, in addition to my legislative responsibilities,” Davis said.
September 17-23, 2014
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OUTSIDE MONEY INSIDE THE DISTRICT
Smoky Mountain News
Davis’ campaign topped $1 million two years ago, thanks to an influx of state party money and outside spending. The campaign tactics used on Davis’ behalf — centered on a slew of negative flyers and commercials — drew widespread criticism two years ago. Hipps said she is bracing for a similar onslaught of “inflammatory” attack ads this go around, and is preemptively crying foul should the campaign take that turn. “If the past races for this Senate seat have been any indication, false advertising is a question of not if but when,” Hipps said. “It’s a shame that some candidates cannot run on the facts alone but instead use advertising with grave distortions.” Davis has countered that he has no control over campaign advertising that was — or will be — done on his behalf by outside groups or the party. “I have no control over that. That is out of 6 my control and what they say and how they
rapists and murders like this man would be set free if Davis’ opponent was elected. The reference was to the Racial Justice Act, a new state law allowing death row inmates claiming racial bias in their sentences to have their cases reviewed. The picture of a dangerous criminal chosen for the ad was deeply flawed in hindsight, however. The man, Henry McCollum, turned out to be innocent. McCollum — a black teenager in the recently desegregated South with an IQ in the 60s, classifying him as mentally disabled — landed on death row in 1984 at the hands of cops who forced a false confession from him. Despite declaring his innocence, he stayed there for 30 years until just two weeks ago when DNA evidence and the confession by the actual killer and rapist came out. McCollum was used as a poster child for keeping bad criminals on death row — but instead was a poster child for the Racial Justice Act itself. McCollum was freed thanks to a case review undertaken by the North Carolina Innocence Commission, tasked with reviewing potentially race-motivated convictions. Henry Lee McCollum, featured in this 2012 NCGOP ad put out on Jim Davis’ behalf, Hipps equated the attack ad was recently released after being found innocent. two years ago to “race baiting.” Hipps said her heart goes out to McCollum, an innocent man say it is not up to me,” Davis said. whose face was “plastered across the state” as Hipps not only criticized the nature of “The race there in 2012 part of last-minute partisan propaganda by campaign ads and flyers put out on Davis’ the Republican Party. behalf two years ago, but also questioned the is the classic example But Ray Martin, political director at N.C. sheer volume of money spent in Davis’ race. of what can be done Republican Senate Caucus, defended the ad. “Over a million dollars bought this Senate “It wasn’t wrong. To say Snow (Davis’ seat, and the millionaires, large corporations with large amounts of opponent) voted for the Racial Justice Act, and special-interest groups have been rewardwhich was basically a backdoor moratorium ed with tax breaks,” Hipps said. outside money.” on the death penalty, isn’t wrong,” Martin “The race there in 2012 is the classic — Rob Schofield, Director of said. “There are hundreds of other people example of what can be done with large Research and Policy, convicted of first-degree murder and rape amounts of outside money,” added Rob NC Policy Watch who could have potentially been set free.” Schofield, director of Research and Policy at Davis, however, agreed with Hipps that the left-leaning NC Policy Watch. Hipps doesn’t know how much financial the choice of death row inmates for the flyer help she will get from the state Democratic was unfortunate. “I have no control over “I am glad it turned out that his innocence Party either. was proven beyond a doubt and I expect him “I am not counting on them for any that. That is out of my to be pardoned,” Davis said. money,” Hipps said. But he added that it wasn’t the N.C. For his part, Davis does not intend to control and what they spend at the same level as he has the past two Republican Party’s fault and they had no way say and how they say it of knowing the convicted death row inmate campaigns. chosen for the ad was actually innocent. “People know what they are getting with is not up to me.” “I expect most people on there profess me. I have been there for two terms and run — Jim Davis, on advertising done two campaigns, so it is not so important to their innocence. This man being convicted on his behalf by outside groups wrongly had nothing to do with the try to educate the electorate,” Davis said. Campaign finance reports for the third Republican Party. It had to do with law quarter — when fundraising and spending enforcement officers not doing their job,”v Davis said he doesn’t know how much cranked into high gear — won’t be available Davis said. No matter how the mountain Senate race campaign support to expect from the state until early October. shakes out, it won’t have a huge bearing on party, or if the flyer campaign will be the ruling party in Raleigh. Republicans have launched again this time. N OOPSY AD 33 seats in the N.C. Senate, currently com“I have no idea what is happening with regards to that,” Davis said. One of the attack-ad flyers put out by the pared to only 17 held by Democrats. The campaign coordinator for the state GOP on Davis’ behalf two years ago has Democrats have no hope of unseating Republican Senate caucus also wouldn’t backfired. The flyer showed the picture of an enough Republicans to gain majority consay, on grounds it would divulge campaign African-American male flanked by prison trol, according to political observers on both strategy. wire and jail bars, warning voters that child sides of the aisle.
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Fly Fishing the South
Smoky Mountain News
it,” Lipkin said. “The answer is ‘as tall as they can get,’” The concealment aspect is referenced sev- Green said. “I say, ‘how about 120?’ They say, eral times in the draft ordinance. The board ‘130 would be better.’ I’m sure if I said ‘130,’ has previously discussed how using estab- they’d say ‘140.’” lished concealment techniques — instead of Graham suggested that the height limia standard monopole design the structure is tation be left at 120 feet. She contended disguised as a tree — could make towers less capping the height at that limit — a limit obtrusive. the company could attempt to bypass if Planning board member Sarah Graham need be — would serve as a safeguard for pushed for keeping the concealment refer- the county. ence in the section of the ordinance pertain“If they’re going to want to build the maxing to visibility issues. She contended the imum amount possible, the higher our towmention that “all new wireless telecommuni- ers are going to be,” Graham said, explaining cations facilities shall utilize concealment that it would be better to have a lower limit as techniques to the maximum extent possible” the base for starting height negotiations. “It could be left intact. just gives us that protection, instead of auto“It doesn’t really hurt to have it in,” matically having a higher tower.” Graham said. The board also discussed portions of the “I think it does hurt to have it in,” Lipkin ordinance addressing the work performed countered. “What I object to is ‘the maximum prior to actually constructing a communicaextent possible.’ That’s so open ended.” tions tower. Specifically, members debated The board directwhich method ed Green to rework should be used to “It may work better to such wording. The provide some visual “shall utilize” phrasmeasurement of a encourage and provide ing is being changed proposed tower. incentives rather than to to something more Currently the akin to “encouraged draft ordinance mandate.” to use concealment requires both a baltechniques when fealoon test — during — Gerald Green, planning director sible.” which a balloon is Board members floated at the height also questioned limiting tower heights to 120 of a proposed tower — and a photo simulafeet. That height — lower than towers cur- tion. Board members differed on their prerently existing in the county — was settled on ferred visualization methods. during previous ordinance revision sessions. “A balloon test doesn’t look anything like “We had this discussion and we agreed on a tower, obviously,” said board member Tom 120. Why?” asked Graham. Rodgers, making a case for the technological“Good question,” said Lipkin. “I’ve always ly advanced computer-generated photo simuthought 120 feet was too small.” lation. “They can take the Eifel Tower and put Earlier in the summer, the planning board it in downtown Sylva … they can zoom down had decided upon a 120-foot height limit for on top of it, you can walk around it.” towers because they felt the towers could still Chairman Lipkin said he was more comblend in with the average tree canopy height. fortable with the tangibility of a balloon test. Exemptions would be allowed if the provider “I’d rather see a balloon than a virtual demonstrated a need to go higher. tower,” he said. “Maybe a more relevant question is not “My recommendation,” Green advised, how high above the canopy but ‘is it high “would be stay on the safe side and require enough to be an eyesore?’” Lipkin suggested. balloon and computer simulations.” The chairman suggested that the county The planning board will continue its ordireach out to cell phone companies and inquire nance revision discussions after its recent how high they would like to see the towers. input is incorporated into the draft. The Green said he had already had such discussions. board will meet next on Oct. 9.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
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Members of the Jackson County Planning Board during a July meeting. Jeremy Morrison photo
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September 17-23, 2014
BY J EREMY MORRISON N EWS E DITOR ireless communications companies could ultimately find Jackson County’s revised cell phone tower ordinance considerably more palatable than the stricter version that appeared to be shaping up this summer. The county planning board seems to be shying away from its previously discussed direction, questioning aspects of the ordinance detailing height and camouflage requirements for towers. “I think the more we ask of these companies, the less likely we are to get towers in places that need them,” said Jackson County Planning Board Chairman Clark Limpkin. The planning board is currently revising the county’s tower ordinance outlining the rules associated with communication towers. Over the summer — with the planning board leaning toward a height limitation of 120 feet and requirement that towers be concealed by camoflauging techniques — Verizon Wireless scuttled plans to build a tower near Whiteside Cove in Cashiers, pointing specifically to limitations presented by the specter of having to employ a camouflage design. When reviewing a draft of the revised ordinance recently, planning board members indicated they would prefer to tweak certain aspects, effectively softening and relaxing the proposed rules. They suggested downgrading some aspects of the regulations to suggestions, not requirements. “It may work better to encourage and provide incentives rather than to mandate,” said Planning Director Gerald Green, noting the board’s directions on his copy of the draft. The height and camouflage aspect of the tower ordinance received the greatest attention during the planning board’s recent discussion of the proposed revisions. Lipkin, particularly, seemed intent to sidestep the concealment requirement. “In my opinion, we should not ask them to conceal it unless there’s a reason to conceal
news
Jackson’s cell tower ordinance revision softens up
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news
Fracking opponents sweep public hearing Eighty speakers at hearing express unanimous disapproval of oil and gas rules BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER t didn’t take but a glance around the lawn of the Liston B. Ramsey Center at Western Carolina University to see that Sept. 12 was going to be an eventful evening. Half an hour before North Carolina’s fourth and final hearing on the state Mining and Energy Commission’s proposed oil and gas rules, the parking lot was filling up and a sign-bearing crowd huddled around a white tent. There, a lineup of speakers from organizations opposing fracking gave their two cents about what makes North Carolina beautiful, how fracking threatens that and what the MEC needed to hear from Western North Carolina’s speakers. The people there to hear them sported jeans, suits, dreadlocks, pixie cuts and all modes of dress between. Some were old, some young, some middle aged. A diverse group, but a single mindset — there should be no fracking in WNC. “One of the things I want to talk about is, what happens to our small towns when these things come in?” Susan Leading Fox of the Swain County Coalition Against Fracking said, tearing up. Her husband Greg followed her up to close out the pre-hearing festivities with a Ponca Indian prayer song, accompanying himself on a handheld drum. “It’s basically asking for help for those that are in need of it,” Greg Leading Fox explained after the gathering closed. “To me, it is a healing song that back home [in Oklahoma] they
Smoky Mountain News
September 17-23, 2014
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Left: Harry Baughn, mayor of Hayesville, speaks at a pre-hearing anti-fracking rally organized by a coalition of environmental groups. Right: A pair of tracking opponents follow the comments from the midst of well-filled audience seating. Holly Kays photos. use a lot for people that ask for help.” Closer to the Ramsey Center entrance, a small group of men wearing blue shirts bearing the words “Shale Yes!” stood alone in the parking lot. The recently disbanded group of fracking opponents, along with a crowd now pouring in, walked past them into the arena. Some made claim to one of the folding chairs set out on the concrete floor, while others signed up to speak. Though, at 10 minutes before start time, 92 people had already put their names down to give a 3-minute spiel, more already than the four-hour hearing would be able to accommodate. At exactly five o’clock, State Geologist Kenneth Taylor opened the hearing, sharing the stage with MEC members Jim Womack and Amy Pickle. He instructed attendees to
“We want unannounced reviews and inspections by DENR. It’s like a drug test. You tell them they’re going to be drug tested? They’re clean. So we want unannounced inspections, number one. We want records kept for a minimum of 50 years, not 5 years. We want no wide-range variances on regulations. We don’t want favors given out to criminals that are fracking our land.”
WHAT THEY SAID:
stick to their three minutes, to submit written comments if 9 o’clock came before their turn to speak and to sit toward the back of the room if displaying signs. He gave those instructions to the largest crowd of any of the four oil and gas hearings held throughout the state. The Department of Environment and Natural Resource’s estimate, based on a sign-in sheet on a table at the entrance to the auditorium that likely did not capture every attendee, was 564 people, with 107 signing up to speak. The next most wellattended hearing was the one in Sanford, which drew 517 people. The Raleigh hearing brought in 454 people, and 379 came to the one in Wentworth, according to DENR’s estimate.
S EE OPPONENTS, PAGE 10
please when you go home tonight, think about the families and neighbors who you’ll potentially be putting in harm’s way. I strongly encourage you to put the best laws we can have in place, in place.” — Timothy Sedler
“You’re basically saying after six months if there’s not elevated levels [of contaminants] they can stop testing on the full parameters. That definitely won’t stop slow-moving contaminants.” — Valerie Blandnette
— Louise Heath, Cherokee tribal member
“What’s the point of giving a person a job only to ultimately poison the community that person lives in?” — Nick Breedlove, mayor of Webster
— Susan Leading Fox, Bryson City
“This is not right for our state. This is not the kind
The hearing is over, but the Mining and Energy Commission will accept written comments on the proposed oil and gas rules through Sept. 30. Comment online at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mining-andenergy-commission/public-comment-meetings or send a hard copy to DENR-Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources, Attn: Oil and Gas Program, 1612 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1612. The proposed rules are available at the website listed above.
$10,000 fine going to mean to them? We have to at least set it up so if they violate a law, the fine is at least 10 times as much as the money they would save by violating that law.”
— Bettie Ashby, Dillsboro
“The closer that you live to a fracking well, the more dangerous it is for you. That’s why the 650-foot setback from buildings is woefully insufficient.”
— Amy Adams, North Carolina campaign coordinator
for Appalachian Voices
“The rules do not address eminent domain, forced pooling, split estates, how landowners are going to be compensated due to decreased property value.”
8 of jobs we want to see here in North Carolina. And
Let your voice be heard
“If they can save themselves a half a million dollars by reinjecting toxic fluids into that well, what’s your
“You need to broaden your definition of fracking to include acquisition of sourcewater, well construction, well saturation and wastewater disposal. Your rules need to stipulate that they regulate both the exploration and the production.” — Donna Dupree, Jackson County
— Sarah Kellogg, Jackson County
distance should be at least 1 mile.” — Jim McGlinn
“The real problem here is not at the state level. It’s at the federal level.” — Tom Hill, candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, referencing the group of exemptions called
“Water that can never be rendered clean. Water that can poison everything felt and seen. Leaving future generations a wasteland to call home. And with nowhere left to roam.”
the Halliburton loophole
“There is a future, and it’s spelled S-O-L-A-R.” — David Wheeler
— Thomas Crowe of Tuckasegee, reading for Dillsboro poet Michael Revere
“Inspections must be done by the North Carolina DENR and they must be unannounced to the fracking companies. Expecting the companies to self-regulate would be like expecting my students not to cheat if I left the room and told them to be honest.” — Sara Martin, environmental biology teacher at Haywood Community College
— Cathy Holt
“We were told [at the Sept. 2 forum hosted by N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, RFranklin] that bananas also have radiation. In reference to a question about earthquakes, we were told that seismic activities can be caused by us walking across a stage. In reference to a question about methane gas, we were told that cows produce just as much methane. I feel that we were being mocked. You don’t have to convince me that the energy companies are just as flatulent as our bovine friends. — Soloman Erfan, Macon County
— Sally Morgan, Clean Water for North Carolina
“The setback distance of only 650 feet from occupied homes and high-occupancy buildings is much too short based on the finding of the study by the Harvard researchers. The minimum setback
— Cody Elder, political science major at WCU
BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ttendees at Cullowhee’s hearing on the proposed oil and gas rules Sept. 12 were overwhelmingly anti-fracking, but a small contingent of men showed up on a bus from Winstom-Salem — provided by the N.C. Energy Forum — wearing sky blue t-shirts bearing the words “Shale Yes.” Except, fracking opponents are saying, the men weren’t exactly informed proponents of the fossil fuel extraction practice. “It was really clear that these people they brought in had no knowledge of fracking at all. They just put them in blue Tshirts and blue hats to make it look like they had support, and they didn’t,” said Bettie Ashby of the Jackson County Coalition Against Fracking. Ashby appears in a video from the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, posted on YouTube, questioning a group of three men outside before the hearing began. One had the shirt on backwards, a second had it draped around his shoulders and the third wore a black T-shirt with a marijuana leaf and the words “Keep off the grass.” A fourth, wearing the T-shirt, matching ball cap and a nametag, stood off to the side. “We’re just pretty much out here supporting the needs of energy and jobs,” one of the men says in the video. “Right, right, good work,” says the man beside him. “I’m here to learn, understand and enhance my learning about all this stuff,” a third says later in the video. “Come on guys, let’s go,” the man with the nametag says when Ashby continues to question the group. The other three follow him inside, one of them making a comment about legalizing marijuana as he leaves. In the video, the men say they came from Winston-Salem. In a separate interview with a different group of blue-shirted men that was not videotaped, Ashby said, one of the men said he had come from a homeless shelter in Winston-Salem. “One said, ‘I just came here for the — ‘ and he rubbed his fingers together like you do if you’re talking about money,” Ashby said. According to Albert Eckel, executive director of the NCEF, Ashby’s account doesn’t tell the real story. “We had a group of supporters who came in from Winston-Salem. Some were better educated on the issue than others,” he said. “It was brought to our attention that someone who was homeless and was uneducated on the issue was part of the group that came, and when we heard about
that we identified the gentleman and we asked him to not sit in the hearing.” Eckel said that both sides include people with different levels of education on fracking and that the choice of some people with little knowledge about fracking to don the blue T-shirts and ride the bus is therefore unremarkable.
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One of the fracking supporters that Bettie Ashby claims is a plant talks to Ashby while being taped by the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League. Donated photo. Ashby, however, says that the bus of blue-shirted people was a blatant attempt by the American Petroleum Institute, which sponsors the NCEF, to drum up the illusion of support out of thin air. “This is a professional organization that’s designed to make it look like there’s support in communities where there isn’t any,” Ashby said. Of the 80 speakers who took the mic at the fracking hearing, not one commented in favor of the rules or of the practice. Eckel, however, said that doesn’t necessarily mean that nobody is in favor of it. “Most of the people didn’t want to speak because of the fact that they felt threatened in there,” Eckel said. “I was threatened on multiple occasions by several individuals personally. The same thing happen in Raleigh, the same thing happened in Sanford.” Eckel said one man actually got on the bus and threatened him when asked to leave. “I asked the police officer to address him and when he continued to come up to me at the hearing, I said ‘This is the gentleman. Please make sure I get to my car safely.” The BREDL video showing Ashby’s interview with the blue-shirted men is online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ciiXx1ACtI.
Smoky Mountain News
Stalwart attendees applaud a point made toward the end of the four-hour hearing. Holly Kays photo
“The next generation of Americans, my generation, we already have a crippling national debt to put up with, so frankly I don’t want to have to put up with an ecological disaster as well.”
Critics claim some ‘supporters’ paid, bused in from homeless shelters
September 17-23, 2014
“Bonds are supposed to provide a guarantee to landowners, to local governments, to the public, but the rules allow for a wide range of financial instruments such as letters of standby credit or assignments from savings accounts that simply do not assure the state that sufficient resources will be there in case of accidents or damage.”
“The current draft rules fail to address these huge risks to our health and the environment. I’m talking about air and water. I believe that the wells would have to be 10 miles from any [water] well, either public or private.”
Fracking opponents question show of fracking support at hearing
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“I urge you to please revise the rules so it bans surface discharge of treated fracking wastewater. North Carolina has no framework to deal with those chemicals and no treatment facilities.”
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“Remember, you’re humans, we’re humans. We’re one people. We need you to stand with us.”
“I no longer recognize the state in which I was born.” — George Rector, Cullowhee
— Russell Johnson, political talk show
— Barbara Hart, biology teacher at
“I can’t find anywhere in your proposed rules any mention of compensation or assistance for people displaced by fracking. They must compensate the affected residents at a minimum of $8,000 to $10,000 if you have to move your trailer, because that is expensive to do.”
Southwestern Community College
— Garrett Lagen, Jackson County
host in Asheville
“Industry representatives claim these studies are invalid because there is no baseline data to show that the water was not contaminated prior to fracking. This is a misunderstanding about how science works, but it does make an important point about the need for baseline data before fracking begins.”
WHAT THEY SAID:
Greg Leading Fox beats a drum while singing a Ponca Indian prayer song, a song he calls “a healing song.” Holly Kays photo
social worker
“You don’t even know where the landslide risks are, let alone how to establish protections that can deal with the specific problems. That’s because these regulations aren’t addressed to Western North Carolina.” — Peter Robbins, Madison County
“Clean water is not a partisan value. Clean water is a Western North Carolina value. I support reinstating the moratorium on fracking.”
Smoky Mountain News
September 17-23, 2014
— Jane Hipps, candidate for state Senate
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“The commission should request that the Environmental Management Commission adopt state air toxic standards and permitting requirements for pollutant not currently regulated by the state’s air toxic’s program and address air toxics related to diesel as well. In addition, continuous ambient air monitoring for fracking wells near occupied buildings must be required.” — Katie Hicks, Clean Water for North Carolina
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OPPONENTS, CONTINUED FROM 8 Along with the force in numbers came the force in opinion. Of the 80 people who had a turn at the mic, not one spoke in favor of the rules. All expressed serious concerns about the proposed regulations and nearly all said they did not believe North Carolina should allow fracking at all. “If it is true that the permits for fracking cannot be given out until the proposed rules are approved, then it could be also true that this commission has the power to throw the brakes on the fracking industry
for this state,” Shawna Gilmore told the MEC representatives as applause broke out through the room. “Instead, what if you tell the legislators what you’ve heard from the public as you’ve sat through these many hours and listened to these hundreds of passionate speeches and fielded the anger that should have gone toward them?” Gilmore’s speech wasn’t the only one that garnered applause. Speakers covered a range of ground and represented a range of backgrounds — scientists, teachers, local government officials, parents, business owners, emergency rescue workers and college students.
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WNC counties could lose out if formula is altered
Swain belongs higher in the PILT pecking order because its public land is a result of the federal government removing residents from the area to pave the way for Fontana Lake and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. “That’s why we have to stand and fight, for what it cost us,” he told his fellow commissioners. “It was so much greater.” “It sucks what they’re trying to do,” Monteith said later. “These people out West are just trying to get more for themselves. We’re going to have to do the same thing.” U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan’s (D-NC) office reported that legislaDavid Monteith tion to reauthorize PILT is currently being drafted and said the senator would be eyeing the language to ensure that North Carolina communities are not disadvantaged. U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) said he didn’t expect his constituents to suffer due to any formula changes. “Really, at this point, I don’t see the formula being changed drastically, if at all,” Meadows said. “Really, at this point, the PILT numbers and the monies that the counties have to count on should stay in the same numbers.” Meadows did say that Western states do
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BY J EREMY MORRISON N EWS E DITOR It’s about that time. Time to worry about PILT money. After seeing the federal payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) program receive a one-year extension early this year, local leaders are now looking out for more than the program’s continuance going forward. “The problem,” Swain County Manager Kevin King recently gave his commissioners a heads-up, “is that they want to change the formula.” The PILT program is meant to address the shortfall of private property tax revenue in areas that boast an abundance of public land. The program allocates money to county governments based on the amount of federally owned land that falls within their borders. Swain, along with Macon, Haywood, Cherokee and Jackson represent five of the six North Carolina counties that receive the largest PILT allowances. King told his commissioners that there was talk of Western states pushing to change the formula by which PILT funds are divided. The formula — which ties PILT payments to an area’s population — was possibly at risk of being changed to benefit the West, with its bounty of public land and sometimes sparse populations. “There’s only one pot of money,” King said, explaining “We didn’t ask for all this federal that more money for other areas land, it was forced upon us. We meant less money for places like Swain. didn’t volunteer give this. A lot of Eighty-seven percent of Western counties, that land was Swain County’s land is federally owned. Because of that, a connot lived on.” siderable amount of PILT money hits the area. In 2013, the county — David Monteith, Swain commissioner received $577,000, or 4.5 percent of its total budget. periodically try to tilt PILT their direction. Anytime you’re in front of Mark But he doesn’t see such a movement gaining Meadows, King said to the commissioners, traction. “one thing you want to keep saying is …” “Some of the Western states lobby from “ … keep that PILT coming,” time to time and try to get it changed,” Commissioner Chairman Phil Carson comMeadows said. “I do not see that as somepleted the thought. thing that is a clear and present danger to Later, Commissioner Steve Moon was next year’s formula.” quick and blunt. Monkeying with the curMeadows said that he didn’t expect to rent PILT formula could throw Swain for a see anything on the PILT front any time real loop. soon — “the debate on that probably won’t “That’s going to hurt us, that will really be a blow to Swain County, it will be a blow,” come up until December” — but noted the Moon said. “Let’s hope and pray that doesn’t program would likely be addressed earlier than it was during the previous budget happen.” Commissioner David Monteith estimated cycle, when PILT’s fate was left dangling uncertain until February of this year. Plus, that altering the formula could drop Swain’s its very existence probably isn’t on the line PILT money to around $150,000. He this year. described that prospect as “a disgrace.” “Last year it was very, very different, “Because we didn’t ask for all this federal because we were running up against the land, it was forced upon us,” Monteith said. potential for losing PILT,” Meadows said. “I “We didn’t volunteer give this. A lot of Western counties, that land was not lived on.” do not see at the current point that danger being real right now, but it is something to It’s a thread Monteith had begun earlier keep on top of.” during the meeting. He contends that
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Fretting the PILT jilt
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Calling all kids New playground will round out Lake Junaluska’s family appeal BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER new park and playground under construction at Lake Junaluska carries a price tag of more than $200,000. It was funded entirely by private donations thanks to the Junaluska Associates, which has funded more than $3.5 million in amenities and improvement projects on lake grounds over the past 40 years. The new playground is a small but important part of a grand master plan for Lake Junaluska’s campus. “The strategic vision of Lake Junaluska involves a focus on children and youth. This is clearly a project that fits that focus very well,” said Jack Ewing, executive director of the conference and retreat center. Attracting families to vacation at Lake Junaluska is a huge push for the retreat center. An obvious target is the spouses and kids of conference attendees. Families that tag along have a full slate of kid-friendly fare — swimming, mini golf, paddling, fishing, tennis, a greenway around the lake, a waterfall, a nature trail, and even a drop-in summer day camp for child care. The new playground will make a highprofile statement that Lake Junaluska is a family-oriented destination. “One of our great strengths as a destina-
September 17-23, 2014
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“A critical part of the history of Lake Junaluska is that children and youth have always been attracted to and enjoyed the grounds of Lake Junaluska.” — Jack Ewing, executive director, Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center
tion is an appeal to families looking for a wholesome environment. A family can easily come here and find a week’s worth of activities at Lake Junaluska,” said Ken Howle, the director of advancement for Lake Junaluska. But Lake Junaluska hopes to build a following among families beyond the church retreat or conference goer. It could be families renting vacation cottages for a week, making annual sojourns for family reunions, or simply coming to the lake
Out with the monkey bars, in with the boulders: Lake Junaluska rolls out terrain-rich playground
Lake Junaluska’s old playground has been torn out to make way for a new one, a nostalgic farewell given the many milestones thousands of parents have witnessed here — the glee of their toddler’s first trip down the slide, their elation when they finally learned to pump their legs on the swing, their triumph the first time they reached the top of the fire pole. It was a better-than-average playground by conventional standards, but conventional nonetheless. These days, swings, slides and climbing domes — once the bastions of playgrounds everywhere — are fading from center stage. The equipment itself is more interactive today, more like an obstacle course to be navigated with a chose-your-own adventure feel. But rather than a standalone jungle gym plunked down as a kid magnet in an otherwise mundane landscape, the new paradigm in playground design has a more terrain-centric approach. “On a modern playground, the equipment and terrain go hand in hand. In this design, the terrain is one of the biggest 12 features of the playground,” said Ken Howle, the director of
Smoky Mountain News
Lake Junaluska Director Jack Ewing and Contractor Mackie McKay discuss the vision for a new playground under construction. Becky Johnson photo for a long weekend. Lake Junaluska faces a conundrum shared by the travel industry across the mountains: the aging demographic of its tourists. Travel and tourism bureaus throughout the region are trying to cater to the next generation, hoping to build a new following of loyal travelers that will pass on the family tradition of a mountain vacation. “It is like any organization that doesn’t focus on replacing its core,” Ewing said. “A
critical part of the history of Lake Junaluska is that children and youth have always been attracted to and enjoyed the grounds of Lake Junaluska.” The playground project is not merely geared toward Lake Junaluska’s tourist appeal, however. The playground is highly popular with local families. “The sweet spot about this project is that it will serve all the different populations that come and use Lake Junaluska,” Howle said.
peak and popular hiking destination along the Appalachian Trail. The design is the work of Asheville-based Pearson Russell Landscape Architecture, who recreated the once flat field into the meandering, rolling terrain. The firm has worked with J Lake Junaluska on other projects over the past two years aimed at improving the landscape and human environment on the campus, with a focus on lake shore restoration. The vision for the site is being brought to life by Mackie McKay of RCF Construction based in Haywood County. “It reminds me of building a golf course,” McKay said, while surveying the job site recently. “It’s complicated, with all the humps and The new $200,000 playground at Lake Junaluska is not just about the bumps and features.” equipment, but also boasts terrain features and a natural park setting. The playground should be finished by the Design by Pearson Russell Landscape Architecture. end of fall. “We have tried to create a playground that advancement at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. is very fun for kids. It is going to be fabulous,” said Jack A more park-like setting with knolls, dips and gentle hills Ewing, executive director of the Lake Junaluska Conference will create an inviting environment for kids to play and parents and Retreat Center. to loiter. Kids can scramble, climb and clamber across zigzagEwing said he can’t wait to see his own grandchildren climbging logs, over large boulders and along a dry creek bed. ing on the boulders, jumping off again and rolling down the It will also reflect a local sense of place. A small knob built into grassy hill — in fact, he thinks he might just join them. the park has been dubbed Little Max Patch in honor of the nearby — By Becky Johnson
Sewage standoff lands offender in jail
Approximately one year ago, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners appointed members to the Cullowhee Community Planning Advisory Committee. The Committee was charged with recommending boundaries for a proposed community planning area for Cullowhee and with preparing draft development standards to guide growth and development within the proposed planning area. With the tasks assigned to the committee completed, public input — particularly from property owners — is being sought on the proposed planning area boundaries and the proposed development standards. As proposed, the recommended planning area boundaries would encompass a large area around Western Carolina University. The proposed development standards drafted by the committee would establish standards for residential and commercial development within the proposed planning area. The draft map divides the proposed planning area into districts, or zones, with land uses in each district limited to those identified in the development standards. The recommended planning area district designations and the proposed development standards are on the Jackson County Planning Department website (www.jacksonnc.org/planning.html). The Cullowhee advisory committee has scheduled two community meetings to gather input. The meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 7 and 23 in the Hospitality Room of the Ramsey Center at WCU. Those that are unable to attend the public meetings may mail or email comments to the Jackson County Planning Department. Mail to 401 Grindstaff Cove Rd., Sylva, N.C. 28779 or email geraldgreen@jacksonnc.org.
SCC class to host debate series
The mere mention of words like “political debate” may cause some college students’ eyes to glaze over. That’s not the case with members of Dr. Bucky Dann’s Social Problems
WCU to host Silent No More Week on campus Western Carolina University will host Silent No More Week to encourage community members to speak up against sexual violence and help individuals realize personal responsibilities to end sexual violence. The week is part of WCU’s Red Zone campaign and is hosted in cooperation with the WCU Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. The “red zone” refers to the period of time when students are most at risk of unwanted sexual experiences, and the WCU Department of Intercultural Affairs is coordinating Red Zone activities sponsored by associated departments and organizations across campus. During Silent No More Week, scheduled for Sept. 22-26, students will be encouraged to discuss “red flags” or signs of unhealthy relationships, the cycle of violence, the effects of victimization and the power and importance of speaking out against sexual violence. On Sept. 22, the film “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” will be screened on the lawn of A.K. Hinds University and followed by a discussion. The rain site will be the lounge of the Department of Intercultural Affairs on the third floor of the University Center. On Tuesday, Sept. 23, a panel discussion centered on the effects of victimization and sexual violence will be held in the University Center’s Multipurpose Room at 6:30 p.m. Panelists include Karen Arias, a bilingual victim advocate and outreach coordinator for the 30th Judicial District Domestic ViolenceSexual Assault Alliance; Mickey Randolph, professor of psychology; Cyndy Hughes, assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice; Marilyn Chamberlin, associate professor of anthropology and sociology; and Rebecca Lasher, assistant professor of social work. Events continue on Wednesday, Sept. 24, with the screening of “Brave Miss World,” the first film in a series called V.I.E.W.S., which stands for Voicing Injustices Experienced Without Shame, at 7 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room.
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Public Cullowhee planning meeting
class at Southwestern Community College. Since the start of the fall semester, students enrolled in Dr. Bucky Dann’s Social Problems class at Southwestern Community College have been studying up on regional and statewide issues in preparation for a series of debates that will be hosted in the Burrell Building conference center at SCC’s Jackson Campus over the next few weeks. Dr. Dann’s students will select and ask all questions of candidates at each event. “A lot of times, debates are for older people,” said Gabrielle Beam, a 19-year-old Bryson City resident who’s pursuing an Associate of Arts degree at SCC. “I don’t think many people expect a teenager to care, much less know about these kinds of issues. So it’s cool to have this opportunity.” The first debate, set for 7 p.m. Sept. 25, will feature the six candidates (Jack Debnam Unaffiliated; Republicans Doug Cody and Charles Elders; and Democrats Boyce Deitz, Brian McMahan and Joe Ward) who are vying for three seats on the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. On Oct. 9, Democratic N.C. Rep. Joe Sam Queen (D-Waynesville) will debate Republican challenger Mike Clampitt (R-Bryson City). And on Oct. 30, N.C. Senator Jim Davis (R-Franklin) will face challenger Jane Hipps (D-Waynesville). The public is invited to attend all three, and WRGC radio (540 AM) of Sylva plans to broadcast each one live. “It’s really important to be unbiased,” Beam said. “The great thing is that our classmates are really diverse. We all come from different backgrounds, and we’re all going to have input into which questions are asked. I think it’ll be fun. Another of Dr. Dann’s students, 16-yearold Early College student Kendra Graham, said she and her classmates are taking seriously the responsibility of being granted such significant roles at the debates. “I’m a little nervous to be honest,” said Graham, who lives in Cullowhee. “But it’ll be nice to surprise people who may not think 16or 17-year-olds are engaged in the political process.” “We want to style our questions so that each candidate can answer from a neutral zone and know that they’re not being picked on,” Graham added.
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has not applied for a permit to repair the faulty septic system, further signaling his lack of intention to fix the problem, Valentine said. Superior Court Judge Bill Coward ordered that Blaylock be locked up immediately and not let out until the issue is rectified. “The defendant has means to comply but has willfully defied to comply with the terms,” Coward said in court. “The court therefore orders he be incarcerated until such time he complies with the judgment.” Blaylock did not attend the court hearing. The order was still being drafted as of press time Tuesday. Law enforcement will act on the order once it is filed and signed by Coward sometime this week.
September 17-23, 2014
When Blaylock refused to budge in the sewage saga, the county filed a lawsuit in hopes of compelling action. “We tried to do it voluntarily and couldn’t get it done so we had to go to the courts to force compliance,” said Haywood County Attorney Chip Killian. A court order was entered in February commanding Blaylock to fix the issue, but still to no avail. Despite the court order, the trailer continues to be occupied by renters, and raw sewage is still spilling on to the ground, according to Valentine. Valentine said he visited the trailer as recently as last week and witnessed people living in the trailer, including children. Blaylock
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BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER he owner of a rental trailer in the Cruso community of Haywood County will be locked up until he complies with a court order to stop spilling raw sewage onto the ground. Denver Blaylock, who owns a mobile home with a faulty septic system, has been warned several times by county environmental health officers over the past year to either fix the septic tank or evacuate his renters from the trailer. “We asked him if was willing to remove the tenants and he said no he was not,” Steve Valentine, the county environmental health director, testified in court this week.
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Coats for Kids warm up for winter The 6th Annual Coats for Kids of Jackson County is currently conducting the 2014 coat drive. This local mission project helps to ensure local children stay warm this winter season. Coats for Kids of Jackson County is sponsored by Cullowhee United Methodist Church. The project is seeking new or gently used donations of kids coats, warm clothing, hats, gloves, and shoes; donations can be dropped of at Cullowhee United Methodist Church, Sylva Habitat for Humanity Re-Sale Store or Sylva WalMart (inside the store) until Sept. 30. Along with warm clothing items, Coats for Kids will offer additional help to families who attend the Saturday, Oct. 4, distribution event with food assistance through Ingles Gift Certificates (will state “food only”). Donations for food assistance or warm clothing can be mailed to Cullowhee United Methodist Church, c/o Coats for Kids, P.O. Box 1267, Cullowhee N.C. 28723 until Sept 30. Please be sure to specify on memo line: Coats for Kids; Warm Clothing; or Ingles Cards. Distribution Day will be from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 4 at First Presbyterian Church of Sylva for local families with children. Children should be present with an adult to receive items. This will be a first come first serve event. This local mission project helping local children is made possible through donations from the community, area churches and businesses, and volunteers. If you would like to volunteer or have questions, please email Coats for Kids of Jackson County Director Christy Rowe at coats4kidsjc@frontier.com.
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Haywood Schools to end cheap childcare incentives for teachers BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER n innovative tool to help recruit the best and brightest teachers to Haywood County has become too costly for the school system to continue in light of education budget cuts in recent years. Haywood County Schools plans to end a program that offered discounted childcare for school teachers. The program has been in place for 14 years. The annual overhead costs and ongoing maintenance of the building that houses the childcare center is no longer affordable, according to Assistant Superintendent Dr. Bill Nolte. “To maintain that facility is more than we feel like we can invest with ongoing budget cuts,” Nolte said. The school system has lost $6 million in annual funding since 2008, largely due to state cuts. Haywood County Commissioner Mark Swanger lamented the end of the program. Swanger was on the school board when it was conceived and remembered one young teacher with twins who took a job in Haywood County because of the affordable child care. “That was the deciding factor for her,” Swanger said. Nolte agreed it was an excellent incentive, but is one the school system can no longer justify. “We had more teachers at that time and had a significantly larger budget at that time,” Nolte said. The number of teachers using the discounted childcare program has declined over the past decade. At its high-water mark, it served nearly 60 children of school system employees. That number is now around 35.
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“We have had a pretty significant decrease in the number of teachers who use that program,” Nolte said. It’s not surprising, given the loss of more than 100 teaching positions overall in Haywood County due to budget cuts over the past seven years. But there’s other factors that have led to fewer teachers taking advantage of the child care incentive. Fewer total teaching positions mean fewer job openings — and that means fewer young teachers being hired, who were more likely to have small children. Also, job losses during the recession led to lower demand for childcare overall. In households with two working parents, if one lost their job, they didn’t need daycare anymore for their kids. It also became easier to tap outof-work relatives to help with childcare.
A WIN-WIN, FOR A WHILE The childcare incentive for teachers relies on a unique arrangement between the school system and the Southwestern Child Development Commission. Southwestern runs the childcare program, and the school system provides a facility at no cost. In exchange for a free building from the school system to house the childcare center, Southwestern would give discounted rates to school employees. It is housed on the campus of the former Hazelwood Elementary School. When a new school was built, a portion of the old school — namely the kindergarten building — was turned into the childcare center, known as the Hazelwood Early Care and Education Center. It’s not just for teachers’ kids. Around 95 children from birth to age 5 are enrolled at
the childcare center, but only about 35 are the children of school employees receiving the discounted rate. In addition to the annual cost of insurance, utilities and upkeep for the building, the school system was facing two big-ticket repairs that proved the tipping point. “The air conditioning needs a major upgrade and the roof needs replacing, so those are the major costs,” said School Board Attorney Pat Smathers. “It has been declining, but there are no funds or capital to keep the building up.” So the school system has decided to divest itself of the building. The school system had to give the county first right of refusal on the building. School officials came to the county commissioners meeting this week and asked the county if they wanted it, but the county commissioners said the county has no use for the building.
“To maintain that facility is more than we feel like we can invest with ongoing budget cuts.” — Dr. Bill Nolte, assistant superintendent
That clears the way for the school system to unload it. Nolte said he hopes Southwestern will make a bid for the building and continue to operate a childcare center there. It is one of 11 childcare sites run by the Southwestern Child Development Commission in the seven western counties. If Southwestern takes over the building, it is unclear how the added cost of overhead and maintenance would impact families who go there — namely whether the cost would go up and whether it would continue to give discounts to school system employees.
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September 17-23, 2014
BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER The U.S. Forest Service is planning to install a gate on Wine Spring Road near Franklin after communications equipment housed less than a mile up the road at Wine Spring Gap was repeatedly stolen and vandalized. Damage has totaled $20,000 in losses, and one of the victims, Macon County Emergency Services, requested that the Forest Service do something about it. “Our folks go at least once a month to check those sites, but we’re not there every day and things can happen very quickly,” said Warren Cabe, the county’s emergency management director. Cabe’s department uses the site to store some of its communications equipment and associated backup generators, which come on in case of a power outage. “We had someone steal the battery from an emergency backup generator that’s up there on the mountain,” Cabe said. Meanwhile, the N.C. State Highway Patrol lost a generator battery, and another bettery was stolen as well. The Forest Service’s solution calls for a gate near Wine Spring Road’s intersection with Wayah Road, according to a scoping notice. The gate will be closed and locked year-round, but a small parking lot will allow forest users to leave their vehicles and access the site on foot. “It won’t solve everything, but it would certainly help,” Cabe said. Cabe has a similar problem at Cowee Bald, another place where his department stores emergency backup generators. Two weeks ago, there was a power outage in the Green’s Creek area of Jackson County that cut power to Cowee Bald. “The generator didn’t fire there and when we got up there someone had got into our LP [liquid propane] gas generator and cut the gas off,” Cabe said. And Cowee Bald has a gate. Much of the problem, Cabe said, stems from the fact that the Cowee and Wine Springs sites have the most equipment of any emergency services communications site in Macon County, and they’re fairly remote so therefore difficult to monitor. “Our third largest one is at Highlands, but it’s actually inside the city limits,” Cabe said. “There’s more visibility there than there are at other places.” But for the more remote sites, Macon is hoping that the gate solution — making it harder for thieves to get in and out, while still allowing foot access for legitimate forest users — will suffice.
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Theft, vandalism spur Forest Service to build gate
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Jackson dodges fracking, sans resolution Jackson County officials were recently set to discuss the possibility of joining other local governments in the region and consider an anti-fracking resolution. At least that’s what Commissioner Vicki Greene thought. But when Greene got a look at the board’s Sept. 15 agenda there were no items related to fracking listed. “Chuck, help me with that,” Greene asked County Manager Chuck Wooten, referring to the absence as the board settled into its afternoon work session. Wooten told the commissioner that he didn’t think such a conversation was needed in light of the recent decision by the N.C. Department of Energy and Natural Resources to scuttle the geological testing that would serve as a precursor to any hydraulic fracturing activity in Western North Carolina. “My understanding was that that relieved the concern of putting that on the agenda,” Wooten said, explaining that the issue had been scrapped from the agenda. “To back him up,” interjected Commissioners Chairman Jack Debnam, “he called me and I told him to.” Greene appeared unsatisfied with the response. She said that DENR’s actions only impacted “picking up the rocks,” and that Western North Carolina should not consider itself free from the fracking debate. “I don’t think that’s something that is going to be off the table during this next election,” Greene said. Wooten said that the board could potentially plow into fracking during its Oct. 20 work session. “I plan to discuss this issue with Jack and Vicki to determine our next steps,” Wooten said. “I suspect that if Vicki wants to discuss fracking then I will work with her to develop a resolution.” — By Jeremy Morrison
Haywood leaders weigh in on fracking fray
aywood County commissioners erty,” Ensley said. The resolution claims have joined the growing ranks Commissioners also took issue of local elected leaders to take a with the state’s top-down stance that the state has moved stand on fracking. prevents individual counties from Commissioners unanimously passing their own fracking rules. too swiftly to open the passed a resolution this week calling “Local governments should have door to fracking without the authority to make decisions on the state to reinstate a fracking ban until the environmental conseregarding environmental health and first ensuring rules and quences could be adequately studied. should have the right to pass legislaThe resolution claims the state tion restricting fracking in our counpolicies are in place to has moved too swiftly to open the ty should we so chose,” the resoluprotect the environment tion states. door to fracking without first ensuring rules and policies are in Before voting, commissioners and public health. place to protect the environment heard a brief presentation on the sciand public health. ence of fracking and Southern Commissioner Kevin Ensley said he isn’t against frack- Appalachian geological formations from Marc Pruett, the ing on principle, but said he wants the state to “step back county’s erosion officer who is a geologist by training. and take a good look at the environmental hazards,” espeGiven the unique fractured rock geology of the mouncially potential impacts to the groundwater table and tains, Pruett said it would be wise to proceed with caution drinking wells. in the fracking arena. “If someone can’t drill a well, they can’t use their prop— By Becky Johnson
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Town of Sylva makes history The Sylva Downtown Historic District was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register is administered by the National Park Service and is the country’s official list of United States historic sites considered worthy of preservation. Being selected is a recognition of the downtown district and its importance to the community, Jackson County, the state and the nation.
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Hospital sale over, but when can we get our money?
“I think it is a marriage of unique talents and qualifications,” County Commissioner Chairman Mark Swanger said of the team. A county-appointed Haywood Health Authority will look over their shoulder, an entity comprised in large part by members of the former hospital board. But, separate and apart from the wind-up fund, $12 million in sale proceeds was placed into an escrow account. Although the details of how that figure was arrived at aren’t being shared, someone, somewhere, at some point along the line, had to decide how much to put in that escrow account.
BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER lthough the ink is dry on the sale of Haywood Regional Medical Center, how much the county will get for the hospital remains a moving target. It could be years, in fact, before anyone knows for sure. And although no one is officially making predictions, a clue has emerged in recent weeks: $12 million from sale proceeds have been funneled into an escrow account with the county’s name on it. The sale price of Haywood Regional Medical Center The sale price itself was nearcame in $3 million higher than the baseline offer listed ly 2.5 times that — around $29 in Duke LifePoint’s proposal last fall. million. But that figure is someInstead of $26 million — the oft-cited figure from what meaningless. the sale proposal — the hospital and related operaThe real question is what’s tions fetched $29.1 million. Why? Because the hospital left after all the loans, debts, did better financially over the past year. bills and lingering liabilities are The sale price was always contingent on $1.5 milpaid off. lion in working cash on hand when Duke LifePoint took Around $10 million was over. If there was less than that, it would get deducted taken off the top of the $28 milfrom the sale price. And if there was more, it got added lion sale to pay outstanding to the sale price. loans and lines of credit. Thanks to a good year, the bank balance was well Another $1 million was paid to over the $1.5 million threshold, and the county walked WestCare, stemming from a with a larger sale price than hoped. gentlemen’s agreement intended to mollify the medical community in Jackson so they wouldn’t throw a County commissioners wrench in the sale negotiations. And then came the payoff of equipment have publicly signaled leases, utility bills for the prior month, and their intention to place invoices for medical supplies. Haywood, not Duke LifePoint, is responsible for any costs the final proceeds of the incurred before the changing of the guard — sale into a trust fund from cafeteria food to surgery instruments. Settling up all those invoices and bills earmarked for health and could take a year or more, and will continue to whittle away at what’s left over from the wellness initiatives. sale price. A special account has been set up to manage these payments. It likely reflects someone’s best guess of “There was several million set aside to do the wind-up business,” explained Haywood how much could be left over at the end of the day. It will remain encumbered for up to County Manager Ira Dove. County commissioners this week voted to six years, however, and isn’t untouchable. It hire an accounting firm and hospital finance could get tapped in the event of a malpracconsultant to handle the account. tice lawsuit, employee grievance, billing “Someone needs to oversee the receipts and error or other issue that predates the hospital’s sale. expenditure of funds,” Dove said. Aside from the several million dollar Dove said the county has a “vested interest” in how the account is managed, since account set up to handle the windup busiwhatever is left over is what the county ulti- ness, and aside from the $12 million in escrow, there’s yet another pot of money set mately gets. The county chose Dixon Hughes aside — $2 million that’s in a purgatory of Goodman as its financial services firm and sorts. It will provide a cushion if the amount consultant Rick Hudson, a former hospital in the windup account isn’t enough, without CEO from Wilson in eastern North Carolina. having to go through the legal maneuvers of Hudson handled the so-called “windup” tapping the larger escrow. County commissioners have publicly sigaffairs of the hospital there following its sale, and thus knows the ins-and-outs of a truing naled their intention to place the final proup the balance sheet of a hospital that’s ceeds of the sale into a trust fund earmarked for health and wellness initiatives. changed hands.
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Last but not least
Hospital sale nets more than expected
September 17-23, 2014 Smoky Mountain News 17
NCCAT leaders breathing easier news
Cullowhee teaching center to get recurring funding
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teacher explained. “But you only have 140 characters to say what you want to say.” South Macon Elementary School firstgrade teacher Melissa Faetz attended NCCAT’s teacher leadership institute earlier this summer during a time when lawmakers were mired in budgetary wrangling and the center’s funding and future remained unclear. Even against such a backdrop, she described the time as an “amazing experience.” “The time spent at NCCAT afforded us an opportunity to not only learn new strategies, but it is also provided us with time for reflection and rejuvenation,” Faetz explained. “During a time when there is so much negativity surrounding schools and teaching, NCCAT brought teacher leaders together from across the state and treated us as professionals.”
BY J EREMY MORRISON N EWS E DITOR r. Richard Thompson is breathing a bit easier this semester. He’s not worrying about funding. Not wondering if the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching will slip into the abyss. It was a breath-holding summer for Thompson and his staff in Cullowhee. But since the General Assembly decided during its short session to include money in the state budget to continue funding the teaching center, its executive director is all smiles. “We’re really excited about that,” Thompson said. “And it was recurring, which is a really, really big issue.” A couple of years ago, the “They saw the quality of our work, NCCAT’s funding was kicked to and I think we were able to make non-recurring status. As the state budgets settled out this our case with legislators. I think year, the center was eyeing the we were able to demonstrate that prospect of getting no funds and having to close its doors. what we do makes a difference.” With its funding restored to recurring status — meaning — Dr. Richard Thompson, each fiscal year doesn’t bring NCCAT executive director on new crisis moment — the center can continue to offer professional development opportunities to Faetz, a Region 8 Teacher of the Year, North Carolina teachers. paints the teaching center as a bright spot in “This adds some stability,” said an otherwise bleak landscape. She credits it Thompson. with continuing to serve the state’s teachers This stability is important for educators at a time when other such opportunities are like Mallory Nickel, who teaches at Lee Early diminishing. College High in Sanford. At a time when the “With continuous budget cuts througheducation community has dished out plenty out the past few years there is very little of criticism in response to education funding funding left for teachers to receive profesdecisions made by state lawmakers, she consional development, which is vital in not siders the decision to fund the teaching cenonly training teachers, but in reinvigorating ter on an ongoing basis to be a positive sign teachers as well,” Faetz said. “NCCAT proout of Raleigh. It affords teachers like herself vides one of the few high-quality professionthe opportunity to continue pursuing profes- al development programs that we as teachers sional development. have in North Carolina.” “Having something like NCCAT is actualThat’s not news to Dr. Thompson. And he ly really refreshing,” said Nickel. “It’s like, believes that such a notion is no longer foroh, the state does value you.” eign to state legislators either — the center’s Nickel has been through the center’s director spent a good bit of time this summer Success from the Start: How to Survive and in Raleigh stressing NCCAT’s importance. Thrive Your First Three Years in the “They saw the quality of our work, and I Classroom program. As the name implies, think we were able to make our case with the course is designed for teachers at the legislators,” Thompson said. “I think we onset of their career. were able to demonstrate that what we do “I love it,” Nickel said, explaining that makes a difference.” she has been trying to put the knowledge With recurring funding in place, the cengained at the teaching center into use in her ter can now concentrate fully on its primary classroom. “I’ve already drastically changed mission: to further the professional developthe how I teach.” ment of North Carolina teachers. Through her involvement with the teach“Teachers are the key. The quality of the ing center, Nickel also got involved with a teacher is the most important thing to a project that aims to help teachers connect child’s education,” Thompson said. “Our with one another. The project is twitter mission hasn’t changed. We just hope that based and is called #nccatchat. now with some stability and the support of “It’s kind of like sending a mass text to state legislators over time we can really make people who have the same interest,” the a greater impact.”
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Education UNC board meeting draws governor, congressman to WCU
concern about an issue he said has not been addressed adequately by North Carolina leaders – the long-term maintenance costs of state-owned buildings. Congressman Meadows, who lives in Glenville, noted how important quality education is to North Carolina. “The one thing that continues to come back when I mention that I’m from North Carolina is our university system,” he said. “It is something we must protect.” UNC President Tom Ross and WCU
The University of North Carolina Board of Governors’ three-day visit on the Western Carolina University campus came to a close Sept. 12. The board’s regular monthly meeting included remarks from District 11 U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows and N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory. The Board of Governors makes policy for the entire UNC system but chose to have this month’s meeting at WCU in honor of the university’s 125th anniversary. “I have noticed for the past three days – there is something about this place,” said John Fennebresque, chairman From left, UNC President Tom Ross, N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory of the board. “Everybody and UNC Board of Governors Chairman John Fennebresque seems to have a smile on their address the audience during the Sept. 12 meeting. WCU photo face. It’s unbelievable.” McCrory spoke to the Board of Governors about a wide range of Chancellor David O. Belcher also made preissues involving the state budget and the sentations during the weekend. North Carolina economy. He also expressed “We love Western Carolina University, and
• Mecklenburg County community leader Teresa Williams was reelected to a second term as chair of the Western Carolina University Board of Trustees. The board also reelected by acclamation Asheville resident Ed Broadwell, former chairman and chief executive officer of HomeTrust Bank, as vice chair, and Patricia Kaemmerling, chief financial officer of Access Computers Inc. in Norcross, Ga., as secretary of the board. • Western Carolina University will host Silent No More Week Sept. 22-26 to encourage community members to speak up against sexual violence and help individuals realize personal responsibilities to end sexual violence. All events are free, with a full schedule found at www.wcu.edu. sacarter@wcu.edu.
• The Western Economic Development Organization recently announced $48,000 in grant funding to assist Haywood County residents with money to cover testing fees and vocational training for the High School Equivalency Diploma, formerly known as GED. The grant was obtained through the Office of Economic Opportunity, with funding secured through the Community Services Block Grant. The application is also open to residents in Cherokee, Jackson, Macon, Swain counties and the Qualla Indian Boundary.
• Western Carolina University has received a high national ranking on a list of “The 30 Most Technologically Savvy Online Schools.” The Online Schools Center, based in Lexington, Tenn., ranked WCU at No. 10 on a list of universities “that offer the discerning distance learner the finest education using the most progressive technology.” • Travis Scruggs, who coordinates Southwestern Community College’s fire and rescue training, helped SCC secure eight new Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units, which are worth a total of $40,000 (or $6,000 apiece). SCC’s application was among four to be awarded by Scott Safety Inc. from a pool of 116. • Western Carolina University’s master’s degree program in public affairs has earned accreditation from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration. • The Duke Energy Community College Grant recently awarded Haywood Community College more than $212,000 to design and develop a Reliability Maintenance Program for both continuing education and curriculum students. Through the Duke Energy grant, HCC will work closely with Evergreen Packaging, Sonoco, Consolidated Metco and Haywood Vocational Opportunities to teach students how to prevent costly failures to equipment reliability.
I think it shows,” Belcher said. “For 125 years, WCU has been in the business of changing lives. I assure you, the best is yet to come.”
Mexico native finds help with English, career path at SCC After moving to Western North Carolina with her husband Brian Jennings, learning English proved difficult for central Mexico native Edith Jennings. “It was very difficult for me when we went to the doctor while I was pregnant,” Jennings recalled. “I wanted to say something, and my husband told me: ‘It’s no problem; I’ll translate for you.’ I told him, ‘It is a problem for me!’” So Jennings enrolled in an English as a Second Language classes at Southwestern Community College. She went on to graduate with an associate’s degree in nursing and will start working on a bachelor’s degree this fall at Western Carolina University. While earning her degree, Jennings taught basic computer classes to ESL students at SCC, funded by an El Civics grant. Jennings hopes to work at the Macon
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County Health Department after finishing her degree, having found her bilingual skills especially useful during clinical work there. “I want to find a job where I can use that to help others,” she said. 828.339.4262 or k_wolf@southwesterncc.edu.
WCU hires new dean of students Western Carolina University has a new associate vice chancellor of student affairs and dean of students, and Kevin Koett says WCU students have an energy and communitymindedness that makes him excited to serve. “As associate vice chancellor and dean of students, I will work to challenge students to reach their true potential as students and citizens,” said Koett. Koett is a Wisconsin native with a doctorate in education from Morehead State University in Kentucky and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Syracuse University in New York and Augustana College in South Dakota, respectively. He has 25 years of experience in student affairs, most recently including nine years as assistant vice president and dean of students at MSU.
Youth Art Festival Saturday, Sept. 20
9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Rain or Shine! 258-19
• Edward Wright, a corporate executive with more than 30 years in leadership roles involving multinational experience in the medical device industry, is the new director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Western Carolina University’s College of Business.
• The American Council for Construction Education has awarded renewal of accreditation to Western Carolina University’s undergraduate program in construction management.
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There’s cool ... and then there’s Glenda cool
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Anti-fracking crowd is just wrong To the Editor: Vic Drummond has written several times about the silliness of the anti-fracking group, and I would have to add a few comments to his. We can disregard what the politicians have to say about fracking because they are like hawks and will follow any group hysteria they can find in order to garner votes, most of whom care less about facts, just votes. I would have to ask the question of whether the anti-fracking groups are unpatriotic and simply following orders from the OPEC oil rich countries that are absolutely against America becoming energy self-reliant because it would cut into their ability to raise money for terrorism around the world. Let’s be honest, we all know that a good part of the price we pay for gas and oil goes to fund murderous outfits like ISIS. I frame this as just a question and of course we really don’t know who started the anti-fracking movement or where its roots may lie. We do know, however, OPEC will not be happy if we become energy self-sufficient and the anti-fracking groups just play into their hands. The roots could also be woven into a number of environmental groups who see our
seniors painted their paddles, while others had their victims sign the paddle as if collecting signatures for a petition. But Glenda. One day, just as school was dismissing for the day, Glenda was sitting in the lotus position on a green bench just inside the entrance to the school, surrounded as she usually was by a cluster of friends, though as I approached, the cluster broke apart — one girl headed this way, another girl headed that way — leaving me and Glenda face to face as I prepared to walk past her and out the door, having survived another day. She looked at me directly, kind of Columnist smirking in a way I could not really translate. I had no experience with this particular species of smirk, one that was not really hostile and not really haughty. She straightened just a bit, never breaking eye contact, regardless of how I tried to look away. I had the instinct that she was about to speak, though we had never had even the briefest conversation. I did not think that she even knew who I was. I clutched my armful of books tighter to my chest as if I were brandishing a shield and prepared to push on through whatever was coming, like briars in a berry patch. “You’re name is Chris Cox, isn’t it?” she said. I swallowed hard, trying to find enough saliva in my mouth not to choke. I slowed down, had to in order to acknowledge and answer her question. I had been THIS close to escaping, and now this. “Yeah,” I said, trying to be cool, but not too cool. “That’s what they say.” “You’re in my sister’s class.”
Chris Cox
er name was Glenda. She was a senior and one of the more popular girls in school, a volleyball star and a member of assorted clubs, the kind of girl who shows up in a lot of photos in the yearbook. Her younger sister, a very sweet and charming girl that everybody just naturally liked, was in my freshman biology class and had, over the summer, undergone a radical bodily transformation that was thrilling and perplexing in equal portions. She wore her flannel shirts looser in a mostly futile attempt to deflect this sudden new attention, but one day she accidentally nudged a pencil off the edge of her desk with the bulky biology text, and when she bent over to pick it up, her loose shirt betrayed her. I knew then my life would never be the same. But Glenda. We were just freshmen — awkward, self-conscious, and immature in silly rather than destructive ways — and Glenda was a senior, which put her more or less on the same level as the teachers, as far as we were concerned. Everyone understood and more or less accepted the caste system that defined our high school social scene as if it were natural law, as inevitable as those magical bodily transformations that made some of us utterly irresistible, some of us acneplagued, and some all knees and elbows. The freshman were at the bottom of the social stratum, all of us held in universal contempt except for those precious few who were fortunate enough to be born into families of privilege. Most freshmen, especially the boys, lived in a terrified state of perpetual danger, since the caste system permitted, even encouraged, the ritualized torment of its members by anyone who was not a freshman. If we were caught out alone, we might be stuffed into closets or tied to flag poles or “paddled” with miniature boat oars that featured perfectly round holes that had been very carefully and precisely drilled in shop class. Some
LOOKING FOR OPINIONS The Smoky Mountain News encourages readers to express their opinions through letters to the editor or guest columns. All viewpoints are welcome. Send to Scott McLeod at info@smokymountainnews.com., fax to 828.452.3585, or mail to PO Box 629, Waynesville, NC, 28786. future as riding bicycles to work, (if there is any work) and living on small farms where we grow our own food and don’t need transportation or electricity. I doubt if any of the local hysterical antifracking group has visited a wind farm because they would quickly find that windmills generating electricity put out a noise that is maddening and continues as long as the wind blows. Locally, someone could go insane with a windmill whining in their backyard. Not to mention the millions of birds killed when they collide with the spinning blades, including our national symbol, the bald eagle. In my opinion we should not ignore those who just like to lead a group of hysterical people and hear themselves talk. It is, after all, a huge ego trip for anyone so inclined but we
“Yeah, your sister is cool.” In high school, all things and all people were — and probably still are — divided into two categories. They were either cool, or they sucked. Glenda’s sister was cool. The guy who crawled up behind David Sherburn in the cafeteria during lunch and set his pants on fire with a Bic lighter, he sucked. But Glenda. She looked me right in the eye and smiled, just the slightest trace of a smirk still playing at the corners of her mouth. Students continued to stream past us, the less fortunate toward the busses lined up outside, the more fortunate toward their cars and trucks in the parking lot below. A few milled around in the lobby, probably waiting for band or baseball practice or who knew what? I stood there with Glenda, for the moment at least, oblivious to it all. “Chris Cox, I want to tell you something and I don’t want you to ever forget it,” she said. Oh God. “I want you to know that you are unbelievably cute, and I mean cute,” she said. “And I want you to know that you are going to grow up to be a very handsome man someday. God, how I wish I could be there when you do.” She looked away, wistfully I thought, and then she looked at me again. “Well, that’s it,” she said, shrugging and turning around to grab her books. “See you around.” I hated my freshman year of high school. But Glenda, she was cool. (Chris Cox lives in Haywood County and is the author of two books, Waking Up in a Cornfield and The Way We Say Goodbye, which will be published in October. Contact him at jchriscox@live.com.)
need to put that in context and allow for it. Keep in mind that mass hysteria prevented the further development of nuclear power in the United States and we are so far behind now and construction costs have risen so much that we may never recover. All the while, France gets 80 percent of its power from nuclear and, unlike Germany, is not beholding to Russia for oil. All the bumper sticker slogans anti-fracking groups use when they talk about the “rich big oil” folks is smoke and mirrors when in fact most of the work is done by “wild catters” who do the drilling and who gamble, and often lose, and certainly don’t plan on coming anywhere near our area anyway. It’s all a big wind, folks, just so much simplistic thinking for the benefit of their friends in Saudi Arabia.” Bob Wilson Franklin
right, they fly fore, they fly aft — all the while he keeps trying to prevent the beach ball from dumping him in the sand. He tilts, he bobs, he evades. But he knows he’s about to get tossed. Fracking is as popular in Western North Carolina as leprosy. County and town governments across the district have passed resolutions against it. People write letters to newspapers decrying it. Groups get together to protest it. In spite of this, Jim, our state senator, cosponsored the bill in Raleigh that allows fracking to take place in North Carolina, right here, under our homes, in our mountains. So, Jim, do you feel that beach ball moving under your feet? That’s the voters shifting out from under you, turning to someone who will listen to them. Rick Bryson Bryson City alderman
Sen. Jim Davis dancing on a beach ball
Hipps will help state ban fracking
To the Editor: It seems that state Sen. Jim Davis, RFranklin, has found his beach ball, and it’s called fracking. His feet fly left (well, not willingly), they fly
To the Editor: Jane Hipps wants fracking banned in North Carolina. Her opponent, state Sen. Jim
S EE LETERS, PAGE 22
To the Editor: I read the news that Webster had obtained a planning grant with mixed emotions. Local planning is a good thing. Having served a number of terms on the Jackson County Planning Board I’ve developed a strong appreciation of the value of an ongoing planning process. On the other hand, local planning initiatives come with some caveats. Small local jurisdictions often suffer from an echo chamber effect born of insularity. In many cases a small cadre of people are the ones most interested in the administration of a small town and project their attitudes and desires on the greater population. Webster, in particular, has suffered from this sort of defect. I served the community as postmaster for 14 years, and though I wouldn’t presume to speak for anyone but myself I did find that the folks involved in town government tended to have a view and vision of Webster that was much less universal than they presumed. There are a number of stories and narratives in Webster and they aren’t as consistent as one might gather from listening to board members. I’ve come to love the Webster community, but it’s my belief that town government has often engaged in broad overreach bordering on delusions of grandeur. The town lacks an identifiable town center and this leads to a certain lack of cohesion in the community. It seems to me that a good many folks within the town’s borders are not interested in an active town government. Many folks don’t seem to
LETTERS, CONTINUED FROM 21
Smoky Mountain News
September 17-23, 2014
Davis, R-Franklin, is a little muddy on the issue. Hipps, a Waynesville Democrat challenging Davis to represent Senate District 50 in the N.C. General Assembly, is committed to keeping our mountain water clean and safe from toxic chemicals that are involved in hydraulic fracturing or “fracking,” a process used to extract natural gas from deep in the earth. Davis, however, has provided mixed messages on whether he would want fracking in Western North Carolina. While he cosponsored the bill to lift a moratorium on fracking in North Carolina, he has stated that testing and building a pipeline through our mountains would be too costly. Is Davis softening his stance for election-year politics? Last month, the N.C. Department of Environmental and Natural Resources announced it would back off initial plans to test for fracking sites in Western North Carolina for the 2014-2015 fiscal year and would instead focus on sampling shale gas deposits in the Piedmont region of the state. However, that didn’t stop Davis from leading a public panel discussion Sept. 2 in Franklin to help promote the benefits of fracking and to downplay the dangerous side-effects of water contamination and earthquakes that have plagued other states with fracking industries. Touting jobs and energy independence for North Carolina, Davis said he was proud to have sponsored the bill to bring fracking to the state. However, key questions remain about public safety and adequate regulations for fracking. Numerous “fraccidents” have occurred in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, 22 West Virginia, Texas, Colorado and
want much beyond competent administration of the town’s zoning ordinance. Given the irregularity of the town’s borders, a significant number of properties accessed from the town’s main road feature, Buchanan Loop, are actually outside the corporate limits and don’t pay town taxes, I’ve often thought that the residents of the area would be better served and better represented by a community based zoning district. Town boards in Webster have often lacked basic competence. Often this was less a result of personal failure than a matter of the local government being too small to be truly effective. Mark Jamison The town bought a town hall with no parking using a form of finance that wasn’t statutorily correct. It engaged in a sidewalk project that took three years and left several fire hydrants standing in the middle of the sidewalk. Before executing a local agreement that has Jackson County acting as zoning administrator, zoning was administered haphazardly and inconsistently. There are new faces in town government, although I’m not so sure that much has changed. The town’s action or rather inaction is likely to result in the closure of the post office at its current location. I recently wrote the town government asking them to help me explore ways to keep the
LOOKING FOR OPINIONS The Smoky Mountain News encourages readers to express their opinions through letters to the editor or guest columns. All viewpoints are welcome. Send to Scott McLeod at info@smokymountainnews.com., fax to 828.452.3585, or mail to PO Box 629, Waynesville, NC, 28786. Wyoming where toxic chemicals have leaked into groundwater, soil and major rivers, killing wildlife and poisoning drinking water. Once the chemicals are used with massive amounts of water to get the natural gas, the toxins and the water are stored in wells. These wells have repeated leaked into groundwater and rivers in other states where fracking has occurred. As a state senator representing Western North Carolina, Davis has voted for funding cuts to environmental protections for wetlands and fewer water and air quality monitoring stations in the state. In February, a stormwater pipe burst at a Duke Energy Progress plant near Eden, dumping more than 50,000 tons of coal ash and up to 27 million gallons of wastewater into the Dan River. The disaster highlighted the need for more monitoring of waste sites, including wastewater wells used by fracking industries that could contaminate rivers for decades. Jane Hipps doesn’t want Western North Carolina to face a similar environmental catastrophe from fracking and lax oversight of the oil and gas industry. Let’s keep our water clean in this state. Let’s remember what a precious resource water is. We fish in these rivers. We swim in these rivers. We
post office in its current location (I own the building that houses the post office). Not one of Webster’s town officials thought the matter was important enough to contact me, although I did get a letter from the town’s attorney that largely failed to address my concerns. As a result the current lease will expire without a renewal. The planning issues that face Webster are mostly related to the area on the town’s border where N.C. 116 and N.C. 107 intersect. This is an area that desperately needs attention and that can only be accomplished by cooperation of the several jurisdictions that border the area — Jackson County, Sylva and Webster. Several years ago, Webster annexed Southwestern Community College and adjoining industrial property in an attempt to unilaterally address some of the issues in this area. Unfortunately the annexation left the town more not less vulnerable by bringing problems and responsibilities within the town’s borders without any accompanying tax base. Webster defines itself as a residential community. The town’s actions over the years have contradicted that vision. This new planning initiative may turn out to be a good thing but the simple fact of the matter is that the main residential areas in the town are pretty much fine the way they are. The problems lie on the town’s eastern boundaries and that doesn’t sound like where the focus will be. (Jamison can be reached at markijamison01@gmail.com.)
want to pass on this resource to our children and grandchildren. Let’s not throw it away because of short-sighted economic gains. Don’t let Sen. Davis sweet-talk you into believing that fracking in North Carolina is safe. It’s not. Elect Jane Hipps for N.C. State Senate District 50 and protect the natural resources of Western North Carolina. Michael Beadle Canton
Elect Tom Hill to replace Rep. Meadows To the Editor: I generally find that when I cast a ballot for anyone in a national election, I’ve voting for the lesser evil. It’s sad, but I’m voting against someone as there’s always much that is still wrong about every candidate running for office at that level. That is not true this election. I am voting for Tom Hill for Congress, not just to get rid of U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows, R-Cashiers, but because I actually like everything about Tom Hill. I like where Tom Hill stands on the issues. And even more, I believe he will stand up for what he believes when faced with the powers that be in Washington. Tom Hill is honest and direct. And I don’t think Tom Hill will cave under the pressure to compromise unreasonably. I added the word unreasonably, as I know nothing but stalemate results from the inability to work with others. Many people think their vote doesn’t count, and I do believe things are skewed with the electoral process. But we have the numbers to change things in Washington. If
the common citizen could get over their apathy and get to the polls, we could get our country back by voting for Tom Hill to be our congressman. Connie J. Conklin Dillsboro
Surveys reveal serious climate change issues To the Editor: On Sept. 9 the National Audubon Society released the results of several years’ worth of studies that predict the future ranges of 588 North American bird species, taking into account measurable levels of accelerated global warming (http://climate.audubon.org). The bird census data that was used in these studies came from citizen derived Christmas Bird Counts as well as Breeding Bird Surveys. Both of these bird survey methods have been frequently carried out in communities around our state and across North America. The weather data for the studies came from the National Weather Data Center and from leading climatologists. Very briefly, distribution maps of the various bird species were generated and associated with existing climatic characteristics. Then, subtle predicted changes in precipitation, season onset and temperature were added to the computerized models and new future bird distributions were predicted. The forecasts are remarkable. Some bird species, especially those currently associated with warmer climates, are expected to expand their ranges further north and to what we currently think of as higher, cooler elevations. For example, in
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opinion
What does Webster hope to achieve with planning initiative?
Taste the Mountains is an ever-evolving paid section of places to dine in Western North Carolina. If you would like to be included in the listing please contact our advertising department at 828.452.4251 BLUE ROOSTER SOUTHERN GRILL 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, Lakeside Plaza at the old Wal-Mart. 828.456.1997. Open Monday through Friday. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Fresh-cut salads; slowsimmered soups; flame grilled burgers and steaks, and homemade signature desserts. Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily. Brown bagging is permitted. Private parties, catering, and take-out available. Call-ahead seating available. BOGART’S 303 S. Main St., Waynesville. 828.452.1313. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Carry out available. Located in downtown Waynesville, Bogart’s has been long-time noted for great steaks, soups, and salads. Casual family atmosphere in a rustic old-time setting with a menu noted for its practical value. Live Bluegrass/String Band music every Thursday. Walking distance of Waynesville’s
unique shops and seasonal festival activities and within one mile of Waynesville Country Club. BOURBON BARREL BEEF & ALE 454 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, 828.452.9191. Lunch served 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner nightly from 4 p.m. Closed on Sunday. We specialize in handcut, all natural steaks, fresh fish, and other classic American comfort foods that are made using only the finest local and sustainable ingredients available. We also feature a great selection of craft beers from local artisan brewers, and of course an extensive selection of small batch bourbons and whiskey. The Barrel is a friendly and casual neighborhood dining experience where our guests enjoy a great meal without breaking the bank. BREAKING BREAD CAFÉ 6147 Hwy 276 S. Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station) 828.648.3838 Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday & Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. closed Sunday. Chef owned and operated. Our salads are made in house using local seasonal vegetables. Fresh roasted ham, turkey and Roast Beef used in our hoagies. We hand make our own Eggplant & Chicken Parmesan, Pork Meatballs and Hamburgers. We use 1st quality fresh not pre-prepared products to make sure you get the best food for a reasonable price. We make Vegetarian, Gluten Free and Sugar Free items. Call or go to Facebook (Breaking Bread Café NC) to find
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Live Music
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Smoky Mountain News
To the Editor: Fracking is a contentious and potentially disastrous environmental and social issue heading for North Carolina and possibly even our mountains. The Mining and Energy Commission that has been drafting rules to regulate this industry in our state is run by Chairman Jim Womack (Lee County) and others who have direct financial and political ties to the very corporations that will provide the expertise, technology and even the workers (those already skilled in fracking operations). As North Carolina has not developed a fossil fuel extraction industry, the very few jobs that are associated with the fracking operations will be filled by experienced
tasteTHEmountains
September 17-23, 2014
Say no to those who support fracking
workers with long associations with the fracking industry, therefore not providing jobs for local workers. Additionally, revenues derived from the fracking operations will not be spent locally. A 2012 study shows that less than 36 percent of the investments would be spent in North Carolina. The shale gas market is an economic boon for the 30-odd states that permit fracking. The severance tax states impose on the process adds up. In 2010, it generated more than $11 billion. The flow of that revenue goes straight into state and federal coffers, as does increased corporate income tax revenue from energy companies profiting from fracking. Locally, the fracking process negatively impacts property values, which in turn depresses property tax revenue. Local governments enjoy no benefits. Instead, they get stuck with all the fracking problems: noise from blasting, storage of toxic chemicals, degraded water sources and heavy truck traffic, as well as the rising costs of cleaning up the substantial mess fracking leaves behind. The rules written by the MEC are woefully inadequate and fail to protect our communities and water supplies. Full disclosure of chemicals used on site, without trade secret protections, should be mandatory. Gas and oil development is not like manufacturing that takes place in a closed system — chemicals are stored with minimal protections on site and are deliberately and accidentally released to the subsurface, air and water, all part of the public’s environment. The baseline testing rules are also shamefully weak. Many people in this state get their water from their own private water wells. If fracking comes to your neighborhood, it could contaminate your water. Baseline testing is required in order to prove that the industry is indeed responsible for the contamination. But the draft rules have reduced the area in which baseline testing is required by more than 70 percent since the most recent fracking bill. The wording in the current draft rule puts the burden on the owner of the water well to prove that the gas operator caused contamination. How far should fracking wells be from occupied buildings, including homes and schools? What about drinking water wells? Or our rivers and streams? The rules on “setback distances” are supposed to protect people and resources. But the MEC’s drafted rules on setback distances are far less than science would call for, despite the MEC promising us the “best protections in the country.” We’ve all experienced the consequences of corporate greed over sound science. Health studies have indicated that potential exposure to toxic air emissions can happen over 4,500 feet from gas wells; yet wells can be as close as 650 feet to occupied buildings! Fracking can potentially destroy our wells and drinking water supplies, setback distances should be increased substantially. Proposed setback distances are only 200 feet from surface waters. Longer setbacks are a no-brainer to protect this state’s people and drinking water from accidents and pollution. Ken Brown Sylva
opinion
Highlands, mockingbirds, a bird that is common at slightly lower elevations, have begun appearing in recent Christmas Bird Counts for the first time. Other bird species are predicted to simply shift distributions further north but without net increases or decreases in total area of distribution. And then there are those species that may not have adequate places to “escape” to where climate and accompanying ecologic conditions are favorable for their survival; of the 588 species studied, 126 species are predicted to suffer severe declines by 2050 and another 188 species by 2080; 314 are considered at-risk species! By now you will have guessed that, unless we can reverse or significantly slow the trend in accelerated global warming, our grandchildren will probably not recognize many of the birds that we think of as avian talisman of the Southern Appalachians (e.g., scarlet tanagers, and many of our warbler species … perhaps even our currently plentiful juncos). This study is the most comprehensive analysis that has specifically addressed the future of large numbers of vertebrate species on our continent in the face of unprecedented rates of global warming. While I doubt anyone would claim these to be perfect forecasts, they are the best information we currently have to help focus our attention on the challenges ahead. And clearly, if accelerated climate change continues, other dramatic ecologic changes, in addition to bird species distribution, will follow suit; at least most birds have the ability to fly to possible new habitat, many of our other fellow creatures and plants are not as mobile. National Audubon has provided us with some thought provoking projections that involve familiar bird species. Presumably these projections will be further refined and evaluated. Meanwhile, it is our responsibility to vigorously protect our existing environmental strongholds for bird habitat (starting with our own gardens) and, like it or not, to take action to help slow or reverse the accelerated pace of long-term global warming (see also http://nc.audubon.org and http://highlandsaudubonsociety.org/index.html). Russ Regnery President, Highlands Plateau Audubon Society
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out what our specials are. We are now open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights by customer request, so come join us and find out what all the talk is about. BRYSON CITY CORK & BEAN A MOUNTAIN SOCIAL HOUSE 16 Everett St.,Bryson City. 828.488.1934. Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday brunch 9 a.m. to 3p.m., Full Menu 3 to 9 p.m. Serving fresh and delicious weekday morning lite fare, lunch, dinner, and brunch. Freshly prepared menu offerings range from house-made soups & salads, lite fare & tapas, crepes, specialty sandwiches and burgers. Be sure not to miss the bold flavors and creative combinations that make up the daily Chef Supper Specials starting at 5pm every day. Followed by a tempting selection of desserts prepared daily by our chefs and other local bakers. Enjoy craft beers on tap, as well as our full bar and eclectic wine list. CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley. 828.926.1401. Family-style breakfast seven days a week, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. – with eggs, bacon, sausage, grits and oatmeal, fresh fruit, sometimes French toast or pancakes, and always all-you-can-eat. Lunch every day from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Evening cookouts on the terrace on weekends and Wednesdays (weather permitting), featuring steaks, ribs, chicken, and pork chops, to name a few. Bountiful family-style dinners on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, with entrees that include prime rib, baked ham and herb-baked chicken, complemented by seasonal vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer a fine selection of wine and beer. The evening social hour starts at 6 p.m., and dinner is served starting at 7 p.m. So join us for milehigh mountaintop dining with a spectacular view. Please call for reservations. CHEF’S TABLE 30 Church St., Waynesville. 828.452.6210. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday dinner starting at 5 p.m. “Best of” Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine. Set in a distinguished atmosphere with an exceptional menu. Extensive selection of wine and beer. Reservations honored. CITY BAKERY 18 N. Main St. Waynesville 828.452.3881. Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to
3 p.m. Join us in our historic location for scratch made soups and daily specials. Breakfast is made to order daily: Gourmet cheddar & scallion biscuits served with bacon, sausage and eggs; smoked trout bagel plate; quiche and fresh fruit parfait. We bake a wide variety of breads daily, specializing in traditional french breads. All of our breads are hand shaped. Lunch: Fresh salads, panini sandwiches. Enjoy outdoor dinning on the deck. Private room available for meetings. CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva. 828.587.2233. Open Monday-Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tasty, healthy and quick. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, espresso, beer and wine. Come taste the savory and sweet crepes, grilled paninis, fresh, organic salads, soups and more. Outside patio seating. Free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly. Live music and lots of events. Check the web calendar at citylightscafe.com. THE CLASSIC WINESELLER 20 Church Street, Waynesville. 828.452.6000. Underground retail wine and craft beer shop, restaurant, and intimate live music venue. Kitchen opens at 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday serving freshly prepared small plate and tapas-style fare. Enjoy local, regional, or national talent live each Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. www.classicwineseller.com. Also on facebook and twitter. CORK & CLEAVER 176 Country Club Drive, Waynesville. 828.456.7179. Reservations recommended. 4:30-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Tucked away inside Waynesville Inn, Cork & Cleaver has an approachable menu designed around locally sourced, sustainable, farm-to-table ingredients. Executive Chef Corey Green prepares innovative and unique Southern fare from local, organic vegetables grown in Western North Carolina. Full bar and wine cellar. www.waynesvilleinn.com. FRANKIE’S ITALIAN TRATTORIA 1037 Soco Rd. Maggie Valley. 828.926.6216 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Father and son team Frank and Louis Perrone cook up dinners steeped in Italian tradition. With recipies passed down from generations gone by, the Perrones have brought a bit of Italy to Maggie Valley. frankiestrattoria.com FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St. Downtown Waynesville
828.456.1930 Serving lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; Dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Frogs Leap is a farm to table restaurant focused on local, sustainable, natural and organic products prepared in modern regional dishes. Seasonal menu focuses on Southern comfort foods with upscale flavors. www.frogsleappublichouse.com. HERREN HOUSE 94 East St., Waynesville 828.452.7837. Lunch: Wednesday - Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday Brunch 11 a. m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy fresh local products, created daily. Join us in our beautiful patio garden. We are your local neighborhood host for special events: business party’s, luncheons, weddings, showers and more. Private parties & catering are available 7 days a week by reservation only. J. ARTHUR’S RESTAURANT AT MAGGIE VALLEY U.S. 19 in Maggie Valley. 828.926.1817. Lunch Sunday noon to 2:30 p.m., dinner nightly starting at 4:30 p.m. World-famous prime rib, steaks, fresh seafood, gorgonzola cheese and salads. All ABC permits and open year-round. Children always welcome. Take-out menu. Excellent service and hospitality. Reservations appreciated. JOEY'S PANCAKE HOUSE 4309 Soco Rd Maggie Valley. 828.926.0212. Winter hours; Friday through Sunday and Mondays, 7 a.m. to noon. Joey’s is a family style restaurant that has been serving breakfast to the locals and visitors of Western North Carolina since 1966. Featuring a large variety of tempting pancakes, golden waffles, country style cured ham and seasonal specials spiked with flavor, Joey's is sure to please all appetites. Joey & Brenda O’Keefe invite you to join what has become a tradition in these parts, breakfast at Joey’s. JUKEBOX JUNCTION U.S. 276 and N.C. 110 intersection, Bethel. 828.648.4193. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Serving breakfast, lunch, nd dinner. The restaurant has a 1950s & 60s theme decorated with memorabilia from that era. LOS AMIGOS 366 Russ Ave. in the Bi-Lo Plaza. 828.456.7870. Open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner Monday through Friday and 11:30 a.m. to
Open for Private Parties & Special Events 7 Days/Week
Smoky Mountain News
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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FRIDAY, SEPT. 19
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828-456-1997 24
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— Real Local People, Real Local Food — 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, North Carolina Monday-Friday Open at 11am
SATURDAY, SEPT. 20 Watch college football! 83 Asheville Hwy. Sylva Music Starts @ 9 • 631.0554
258-07
tasteTHEmountains 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy the lunch prices Monday through Sunday, also enjoy our outdoor patio. MAD BATTER FOOD & FILM 617 W. Main Street Downtown Sylva. 828.586.3555. Open Tuesday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Hand-tossed pizza, steak sandwiches, wraps, salads and desserts. All made from scratch. Beer and wine. Free movies with showtimes at 6:30 and 9 p.m. with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Visit madbatterfoodandfilm.com for this week’s shows. MAGGIE VALLEY CLUB 1819 Country Club Dr., Maggie Valley. 828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Fine and casual fireside dining in welcoming atmosphere. Full bar. Reservations accepted. MOUNTAIN PERKS ESPRESSO BAR & CAFÉ 9 Depot St., Bryson City. 828.488.9561. Open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. With music at the Depot. Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Life is too short for bad coffee. We feature wonderful breakfast and lunch selections. Bagels, wraps, soups, sandwiches, salads and quiche with a variety of specialty coffees, teas and smoothies. Various desserts. ORGANIC BEANS COFFEE COMPANY 1110 Soco Road, Maggie Valley. 828.668.2326. Open 7 days a week 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Happily committed to brewing and
serving innovative, uniquely delicious coffees — and making the world a better place. 100% of our coffee is Fair Trade, Shade Grown, and Organic, all slow-roasted to bring out every note of indigenous flavor. Bakery offerings include cakes, muffins, cookies and more. Each one is made from scratch in Asheville using only the freshest, all natural ingredients available. We are proud to offer gluten-free and vegan options. PASQUALE’S 1863 South Main Street, Waynesville. Off exit 98, 828.454.5002. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Classic Italian dishes, exceptional steaks and seafood (available in full and lighter sizes), thin crust pizza, homemade soups, salads hand tossed at your table. Fine wine and beer selection. Casual atmosphere, dine indoor, outside on the patio or at the bar. Reservations appreciated. RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT AND BAR Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center 828.926.0201 Bar open Monday thru Saturday; dining room open Tuesday thru Saturday at 5 p.m. Full service restaurant serving steaks, prime rib, seafood and dinner specials. SMOKY MOUNTAIN SUB SHOP 29 Miller Street Waynesville 828.456.3400. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. A Waynesville tradition, the Smoky Mountain Sub Shop has been serving great food for over 20 years. Come in and enjoy the relaxed, casual atmosphere. Sub breads
are baked fresh every morning in Waynesville. Using only the freshest ingredients in home-made soups, salads and sandwiches. Come in and see for yourself why Smoky Mountain Sub Shop was voted # 1 in Haywood County. Locally owned and operated.
A Destination Restaurant “Fantastic!”
Melissa Watkins
TAP ROOM SPORTS BAR & GRILL 176 Country Club Dr. Waynesville 828.456.5988. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Enjoy soups, sandwiches, salads and hearty appetizers along with a full bar menu in our casual, smoke-free neighborhood grill. THAI SPICE 128 N. Main St., Waynesville. 828.454.5400. Lunch: Tuesday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday noon to 3 p.m. Dinner Tuesday-Saturday 4:30 to 9 p.m. Closed Monday. Thai Spice, an authentic Thai restaurant, warmly welcomes you to experience a superb dinning experience. Don’t be timid, the food comes mild, medium, hot and Thai Hot. You choose. www.thaispicewnc.com VITO’S PIZZA 607 Highlands Rd., Franklin. 828.369.9890. Established here in in 1998. Come to Franklin and enjoy our laid back place, a place you can sit back, relax and enjoy our 62” HDTV. Our Pizza dough, sauce, meatballs, and sausage are all made from scratch by Vito. The recipes have been in the family for 50 years (don't ask for the recipes cuz’ you won't get it!)
General Contractor Balsam, NC
“Mouthwatering!”
Cody Evitt US Marine Canton, NC
T HAI SPICE 128 N. Main St. Waynesville 828.454.5400
www.thaispicewnc.com
Lunch is Back! Vegetarian & Fresh Fish Classic local American options available. comfort foods, craft beers & small batch bourbons Check out our weekly & whiskey. Join us for drink specials. Prime Rib Thursdays. Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. • Dinner Nightly at 4 p.m. • CLOSED ON SUNDAY 454 HAZELWOOD AVENUE • WAYNESVILLE Call 828-452-9191 for reservations
Masters Landing A PREMIER RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY
Sunday Dinner for Two Call in your order Sunday before 1 P.M. and come pick up your complete dinner to go from 4-6 P.M.
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1819 Country Club Drive Maggie Valley, NC
Smoky Mountain News
11:30 A.M.-2:30 P.M. DINNER NIGHTLY AT 4 P.M. MONDAY-SATURDAY
September 17-23, 2014
PIN PINHIGH HIGH
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Smoky Mountain News
Crossing the musical bridge of Appalachia gression of things, for someone who stays with it and always trying to improve and practice and get better, it’s just natural for that to happen. My only regret is that young people today didn’t meet the old timers I met, because those folks were connected more to our pioneer forefathers than to the modern world. People like Tommy Jarrell, Doc Watson and Tommy Bell, where much of their repertoire was made before the days of media. They had their whole repertoire fixed by the time they were 20. It was pretty exciting to see pretty much untouched, unadulterated old-time mountain music. SMN: What is the state of traditional music in 2014? DH: I think it’s in great shape. It has never been a static art form. It has never stopped changing. It has always been going through changes, new things added, like when blues came in, when jazz came in — it ties a lot of tra-
Acclaimed Appalachian musician and storyteller David Holt will hit the stage at Mountain Heritage Day on Sept. 27 at Western Carolina University. www.davidholt.com photo
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER For the better part of the last 45 years, David Holt has ventured down a rabbit hole. Born in Texas, raised and schooled in California, Holt took off after college for the ancient, mystical mountains of Western North Carolina. Fascinated with the traditional oldtime folk and string music echoing from Southern Appalachia, he began an endless journey to find, learn and perpetuate the eternal voices and sounds radiating from back hollers and front porches. Throughout the last four and a half decades, Holt has peeled back innumerable layers of the history of Southern Appalachia. He has traversed down every highway, Main Street, dirt back road and driveway in search of faces, places and spaces that were the cultural roots and essence of a region beloved, yet seemingly fading in the rushed priorities and instant gratification of a modern world. At 67, Holt is a four-time Grammy Award recipient, with his most notable win being for Best Traditional Folk Recording in 2002 for the album “Legacy,” which was a collaboration with the late Doc Watson — a legendary Western North Carolina musician whose face would most definitely be found on the Mount Rushmore of traditional music.
The epitome of a jack-of-all-trades, Holt founded and directed the Appalachian Music Program at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, the only program of its kind in the country. He also has hosted the program “Riverwalk” on public radio, as well as the television shows “Great Scenic Railway Journeys” and “North Carolina Mountain Treasures.” Traveling the world over, he exhales the fresh, pure mountain air in performance and in person, with his blood flowing in excitement like the wild rivers circulating through the bountiful body of Southern Appalachia. Holt will be performing as part of the Mountain Heritage Day celebration on Sept. 27 at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. The Smoky Mountain News recently caught up with Holt as he was preparing to head out to Wyoming for another show. He spoke of the power that resides in traditional music, the legacy of Doc Watson, and how he’s ready and willing to pass the torch to the next generation. Smoky Mountain News: You started as a young picker who played and learned from all of the old-timers. Is it surreal to now have young players look up to you, seek you out and want to learn from you? David Holt: [Laughs] It’s the natural pro-
Want to go? The 40th annual Mountain Heritage Day will kickoff at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.
just excellent players. And then you’ve got the professionals who lead the way and influence so many people, with a great example being the Carolina Chocolate Drops, who just have brought so many folks into the music, to listen to it and to find it. In a modern world, that’s just great. There are so many young folks that want to play it, will play it, and will play it well. It won’t die out.
SMN: Do you ever look back and reflect on your career? DH: I’m 67, but I feel like I’m 40. I look back and think, “Wow, I’ve been doing this for 45 years, out on the road, making a living for my family.” I feel fortunate to be doing it, and I feel the most fortunate to be able to meet and play with all the people I have. You see yourself getting near the end of that tunnel and look back and think, “Man, it has just been a great life.”
SMN: What’s the legacy of Doc Watson? DH: Personally, I think he was America’s greatest folk musician, certainly in the pantheon of Pete Seeger, Leadbelly, Muddy Waters, Earl Scruggs and Bill Monroe. He was right up there, if not the best. He was so musical. His approach to music was so lyrical and melodic and engaging, so when you listened to his music people understood what he was trying to say musically, and that’s a really special thing. His influence will always David Holt is well known for his longstanding musical relabe there. He pretty much invented tionship with the late Doc Watson. From left, Merle flat-picking, which is a huge thing Watson, David Holt and Doc Watson. www.davidholt.com photo right now. Doc had such a noble air about himself. He was a comditions together. And some great things are plex, intelligent, deep and soulful person. happening now. These days there are some of the greatest musicians there’s ever been. SMN: Why is it important to preserve and perpetuate traditional music, to keep it alive SMN: Do you have faith with passing the and vibrant? traditions on to younger generations? DH: ‘Alive’ and ‘vibrant’ are the key words DH: I’m pretty positive about it. There are there. For me, it’s a spiritual thing, a really posso many great acts that are out there and per- itive force in a world with so many negative forming, and leading the way. To have a really forces. Traditional music is incredibly positive strong traditional music scene you’ve got to because it’s bringing forth the people that came have the people that play at home, the back- before us, our ancestors, their music, their porch pickers that don’t get out to play and just thoughts. They encompassed a lot of their feelplay with friends. Then you have the front ings in the music, and that comes down to us. porch pickers, pickers that are the people that Something about that music has such a powerare pretty darn good that could play profes- ful force. If I’m not feeling well one day and pick sional and they don’t, and we have lots of them up my banjo, by the time I’m done playing I’m out there, backwoods musicians who aren’t in feeling better again. The music has such a puriit for the money and just want to play, and are ty that’s pretty hard to match anywhere else.
A true celebration of Southern Appalachia traditions and culture, there will be live mountain music and clogging dancers, and onsite artisan demonstrations. Starting at 10 a.m. on two stages, performers include David Holt, The Queen Family, Crooked Pine Band, Mountain Faith, Jeff Little Trio, The Foxfire Boys, and more.
Other events will include a 5K race, Cherokee stickball games, Christian harmony singing and children’s activities. Admission and parking is free. For a complete schedule of times and events, visit www.mountainheritageday.com.
feel smooth, confident, where you think, “Ok, maybe I can do this.”
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD
MILE FIVE No turning back now. You can see the end, the triumph to your dedication and perseverance. Folks, known and unknown, cheer you in to the finish line. You cross the threshold and turn around to look back to where you just came from. You say to yourself, “Well, that wasn’t so bad, was it? I could’ve at least gone a couple more miles.”
MILE THREE You’re really starting to feel it now. You’re legs are throbbing. Your heart pounding. You start to question if you can even do it anymore, if you’re really as “good” and “promising” as you originally thought. You start to wonder if you can really finish what you started and if you’re good enough to meet the challenge. You feel your grip on what you thought true now slipping.
MILE FOUR Chinquapin Land Company, site of the Cashiers Trail Mix races. www.chinquapinnc.com photo
HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5 O
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You’re already too far in to quit now. Almost there. You realize your limits, physically and emotionally, and accept them to the point where you focus solely on your strengths and willpower. Yes, the hills hurt, but damn does it feel so good
And that, in essence, is life. Your existence is never more than you can handle. The tougher the situation, the tougher you are, or will have to be. Nothing is impossible, and more times than not, you’ll surprise yourself just how far you can go in your endeavors. The trail race, of course, serves as a metaphor for my relationship. That through all the obstacles, all the mud and uphill battles, I never once thought of giving up. Covered in dirt with aching legs and a hungry stomach, I hobbled back to my old pickup truck and grabbed for my phone. I saw the picture of my girlfriend looking back at me when I turned the device on. I thought of her, and how much she means to me. I pressed her phone number and waited for the beep to leave her a message. “Hey gorgeous, I just wanted you to know I’m sorry, I miss you, and I can’t wait to see you soon. Hope all is well, and that you have a great day at work. Talk to you tonight.”
September 17-23, 2014
did it again. It’s 9 a.m. last Saturday at the starting line of the Cashiers Trail Mix fivemile backwoods race. I knew I should have gotten more sleep the night before, should have at The Humps & The Blackouts psychobilly least had something to eat that pirate costume party will be at 9 p.m. Sept. 19 morning. Shouldn’t have at the Water’n Hole Bar & Grill in Waynesville. overindulged in the libations of Spoken word poet Matthew Foley will present Friday night, nor said the things I a workshop at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 26 in the now regretted to my girlfriend. Hunter Library at Western Carolina University. I live in Western North Carolina. She lives in Upstate Funk/rock group The Fritz will perform at 8 New York. That’s 853 miles p.m. Sept. 26 at Nantahala Brewing Company apart, or a 12-plus hour drive in Bryson City. between locations. I’m a full-time Bark in the Park will be from 1 to 5 p.m. writer. She works full-time and Sept. 28 at Mark Watson Park in Sylva. goes to graduate school part time. So, our time together is limited, and it holds great value Roots rocker Joe Buck Yourself will perform and importance to her and I at 9:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at No Name Sports when we do get a chance to push Pub in Sylva. everything aside and just focus on “us.” Being in a long-distance relationship, things get tough. Priorities and obli- rather than being a pick-me-up when she needs it most. I was in the doghouse, and it gations get overwhelming and stressful, but didn’t feel good — not one bit. when you do finally see each other, finally Readying myself at the starting line of the physically hold the hand of the one you love, race, my mind was too cluttered to even conit makes every second apart worth it. Truly. centrate on the grueling five-miles ahead of me. And yet, dumb things happen. We get burned out with life, as most of us do at times, which leads to projecting our wits-end ILE NE frustrations out on the one who will always be there to support and encourage you. Oh, The gun goes off. Loudly, almost jarringthe irony, eh? We always seem to hurt the ly. Soon, you’re moving along before you ones we love the most. Such is life. even know it. Just like life you are thrown So, I put my foot in my mouth again this into the madness of the “race” and you start past weekend. Instead of being a shoulder to off trying to find your pace, trying to clear lean on for her, I end up picking a fight, your head and focus on the task at hand. You
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MILE TWO Your body and legs start to feel their age and ability. Your confidence is dripping off of you like beads of sweat down your forehead. You immediately question, “Why the hell did I sign up for this?” Folks, seemingly bigger and slower than you, pass by you as if you’re standing still. These are the symbols of people getting promotions, getting married, buying a house and having kids, all the while you feel like you’re stuck in the mud of humanity.
arts & entertainment
This must be the place
and rewarding when you hit the top and coast down the trail.
RECREATION CENTER 550 Vance St. • Waynesville • 828.456.2030 www.waynesvillenc.gov
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• Acoustic duo Somebody’s Child and funk/rock group The Fritz will perform at Nantahala Brewing in Bryson City. Somebody’s Child plays Sept. 19, with The Fritz Sept. 26. All shows start at 8 p.m. Free. www.nantahalabrewing.com.
ALSO:
September 17-23, 2014
• An open mic night and folk/roots singersongwriter Linda McRae will perform at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. The open mic is at 7 p.m. Sept. 18, and is free. McRae will play at 7:45 p.m. Sept. 25, with tickets $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 828.283.0079 or www.38main.com.
Asheville Symphony’s Daniel Meyer will conduct a string music performance at WCU on Sept. 23. Donated photo
Acclaimed singer-songwriters to play Franklin
• An open jam session will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. each Thursday through Dec. 18 at Heinzelmannchen Brewery in Sylva. All skill levels and instruments welcome. 828.631.4466 or www.yourgnometownbrewery.com.
Singer-songwriters James Castro, Victoria Banks and Tony Arata will come together for the Home By Dark concert showcase to be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Living in Nashville, Castro has quickly become a three-time winner in the Nashville Songwriters Association songwriting contest and a regular performer at the Bluebird Café and other venues around Music City. His first
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major songwriting cut was in 2006 with “Peace On Earth,” recorded by platinum-selling artist Lila McCann. His soulful pop vocals and percussive style of piano playing has earned him fans across the globe. Banks is a songwriter from Canada. Her songs have been featured in movies and on television and recorded by artists such as Jessica Simpson, Sara Evans, and Terri Clark. She has co-written songs with Gretchen Wilson, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, and Danielle
Peck, and has shared the stage with music professionals such as Pam Tillis, Alabama and Billy Currington. She also released a very successful country music album in Canada in 2009. She earned many awards with the debut album including Album of the Year, Producer of the Year, Single of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Female Artist of the Year and Rising Star. To date, Garth Brooks has recorded seven of Arata’s songs including, “The Dance” and “Same Old Story.” “The Dance” won Song of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards and received both a Country Music Association and a Grammy nomination. Other artists who have recorded Arata’s songs include Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Trisha Yearwood, Don Williams, Reba McEntire, Suzy Bogguss and Hal Ketchum. In 2010, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Tickets are $15 and $30. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.
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Smoky Mountain News
String musicians from the Asheville Symphony Orchestra will join students and faculty members from the Western Carolina University School of Music in a performance at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center in Cullowhee. The program will include “St. Paul’s Suite” by Gustav Holst, “Military Symphony No. 100” by Joseph Haydn and the “Barber of Seville” overture by Gioachino Rossini. P. Bradley Ulrich, WCU professor of trumpet, will be the concert soloist, performing a trumpet concerto by Georg Telemann. The performance marks the start of the third season of a partnership between the School of Music and the Asheville Symphony Orchestra to provide opportunities for the symphony’s musicians and WCU students and faculty members to perform together. Known as the Artist-in-Residence Orchestra, the partnership provides important educational experiences for music students and more employment opportunities for orchestra musicians. The program is supported by proceeds from performances. Artist-in-Residence Orchestra concerts include masterworks of the orchestral repertoire conducted by the Asheville Symphony’s Daniel Meyer. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and children. www.wcu.edu or 828.227.7242.
• Singer-songwriter Daniel Shearin, classic pop-rock pianist Joe Cruz and soul/pop duo Bohemian Jean will perform at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Shearin plays Sept. 19, with Cruz Sept 20 and 27, and Bohemian Jean Sept. 26. Shows begin at 7 p.m. $10 minimum purchase. 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.
• Newgrass/string band Brushfire Stankgrass will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 19 at Innovation Brewing in Sylva. 828.586.9678 or www.innovation-brewing.com.
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Asheville Symphony string musicians to play WCU
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• Caleb Crawford, Liz Nance Trio, Humps & The Blackouts, Riva Rebels, Lorin Walker Madsen Band, Aubryn, Viva Le Vox, Joe Buck Yourself and LOCAL will perform at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva. Crawford plays Sept. 18, with Nance Sept. 19, Humps & The Blackouts Sept. 20, Riva Rebels and Madsen Sept. 22, Aubryn Sept. 25, Viva Le Vox and Joe Buck Yourself Sept. 26, and LOCAL Sept. 27. All shows begin at 9:30 p.m., with Sunday performances from 5 to 8 p.m. Free. 828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.
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On the beat news
JAM registration in Canton The Haywood County Arts Council’s Junior Appalachian Musicians program will hold student registration from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, in the cafeteria at Canton Middle School. JAM offers old-time mountain music instruction to children in 4th grade and above. Participants will be taught banjo, fiddle or guitar in the traditional way mountain music has been taught for generations. Lessons are $120 for the full school year, $40 for siblings. Classes meet from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays beginning Oct. 7 through May 2015. 828.452.2022 or sallyloumackert@gmail.com. • Craig Summers & Lee Kram, Southside of the Tracks and Alarm Clock Conspiracy will perform at Frog Level Brewing Company in Waynesville. Summers & Kram play Sept. 18, with Southside of the Tracks Sept. 20 and Alarm Clock Conspiracy Sept. 25. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free. 828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.
• Bluegrass/gospel group Buncombe Turnpike will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Macon County Heritage Center in the Historic Cowee School in Franklin. $10 per person. 828.349.1945 or www.coweeschool.org.
• The Summer Live Music Series will continue with Rick Rushing & The Blues Strangers and Somebody’s Child at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in the Nantahala Gorge. Rushing plays Sept. 19, with Somebody’s Child Sept. 20. Live music, barbecue and craft beer. All performances are free and begin at 6 p.m. www.greatsmokies.com.
• Singer-songwriter Ashli Rose, rock act Mile High and southern rockers SmokeRise will perform at the Maggie Valley Rendezvous. Rose plays Sept. 19, with Mile High Sept. 20 and SmokeRise Sept. 21 (poolside from 3 to 6 p.m.). All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.926.0201.
ALSO:
• Southern Highlands and the Macon Grass Band will perform as part of the Friday Night Live concert series at Town Square in Highlands. Southern Highlands plays Sept. 19, with Macon Grass Band Sept. 26. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free.
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• The Humps & The Blackouts pirate costume party and Lyric will be at the Water’n Hole Bar & Grill in Waynesville. Humps & The Blackouts play Sept. 19, with Lyric Sept. 26. Each show is $5 and begins at 9 p.m. 828.456.4750.
• The 9th annual Nashville Songwriters’ Round to benefit the Blue Ridge School Education Foundation will be at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Trillium Links & Lake Club in Cashiers. Live music by Rivers Rutherford & Friends. $75 per person. 828.743.5191.
• Southern Appalachian singer/songwriter Angela Faye Martin will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. www.angelafaye.com or www.fontanalib.org.
• Rock act The Remnants and soul/oldies group Paradise 56 will perform as part of Pickin’ on the Square at the gazebo in downtown Franklin. The Remnants play Sept. 20, with Paradise 56 Sept. 27. All shows begin at 6:30 p.m. Free. 828.524.2516 or www.franklin-chamber.com.
• The High Mountain Squares will host their End of Summer Dance from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at the Macon County Community Building in Franklin. Western style square dancing, mainstream, and plus levels. All welcome. 828.371.4946 or 828.342.1560 or www.highmountainsquares.com.
Smoky Mountain News
• A community music jam will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer, or anything unplugged are invited to join. Singers are also welcomed to join in or you can just stop by and listen. The music jams are offered to the public each first and third Thursday of the month – year round. Free. 828.488.3030.
• Elvis impersonator Chris Monteith and acoustic duo Somebody’s Child will perform at the Bryson City Train Depot. Monteith performs Sept. 20, with Somebody’s Child Sept. 27. All shows are free and begin at 6:30 p.m. www.noc.com.
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September 17-23, 2014
• A Funky Dance Party, Mangas Colorado, Grits & Soul and a comedy show will perform at BearWaters Brewing Company in Waynesville. The Funky Dance Party will be at 8 p.m. Sept. 13, with Mangas Colorado at 7 p.m. Sept. 19, Grits & Soul Sept. 26 and the comedy show Sept. 27. www.bwbrewing.com or 828.246.0602.
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Smoky Mountain News
September 17-23, 2014
arts & entertainment
On the wall Small Works Show in Waynesville The Haywood County Arts Council is seeking artists for its seventh annual small works show “It’s a Small, Small Work” to be held Nov. 19 to Dec. 27 at Gallery 86 in Waynesville. The show provides a unique opportunity for budding artists to exhibit their work, as well as the opportunity for more seasoned artists to test their boundaries. The nonjuried show is open to all artists with a permanent address in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, which includes the Qualla Boundary or any of the following counties: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin and Yancey. All pieces submitted must be exactly 12” or smaller in every dimension, including base, matting, and frame. Each artist is required to submit original work (photographers submit prints) to include a minimum of three pieces and a maximum of five pieces. Each artist entering the show will pay a flat fee of $20 for handling and publicity. All work must be for sale, priced at $300 or less, and must have been created in the last two years. All mediums are welcome. Artwork can be mailed Oct. 13 through Nov. 1 or hand delivered to the arts council Nov. 3-8. This project is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources. For a show application and information on how to submit your artwork, download an application at www.haywoodarts.org, email info@haywoodarts.org or call 828.452.0593.
• A workshop titled Human/Animal Hybrids: Sculpting with Solid Forms In Clay will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 27-28 at The Bascom in Highlands. The workshop will encourage students to try new narrative forms, consisting of personal iconography and animal characteristics. $250 for members, $285 for non-members. www.thebascom.org. • The Western North Carolina Carvers will hold their monthly meeting from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Harvest House located at 205 Kenilworth Rd. in Asheville. It is a free presentation and activity for beginner carvers. Bring your tools and carve while meeting new friends and hobbyists. 828.665.8273.
ALSO:
• A bust sculpture of Al Balestiere will be unveiled and dedicated at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at The Village Green in Cashiers. Balestiere was an key figure in the purchase of The Village Green 12.5-acre property and transforming it into the beloved artistic landscape it is today. www.villagegreencashiersnc.com. • The Groovy Movie Club will show the film “Belle” at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at Buffy Queen’s home in Dellwood. A mostly-organic potluck dinner will precede the screening at 6:15 p.m. A discussion on the film will follow the screening. The event is free, with films shown the second or third Friday of the month. 828.926.3508 or 828.454.5949. • The films “X-Men: Days of Future Past” and “The Fault in Our Stars” will be shown at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. “X-Men:
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Stitch artist to be showcased at WCU
Days of Future Past” will run Sept. 19-21, with “The Fault in Our Stars” Sept. 26-28. Screenings are at 7:45 p.m. on Fridays; 2, 5 and 7:45 p.m. on Saturdays; and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $6 per person, $4 for children. Saturday morning cartoons will also be shown at 11 a.m. 828.283.0079 or www.38main.com. • A landscape-painting workshop for beginners with Jon Houglum will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 19-20 at the Historic Cowee School in Franklin. Cost of workshop is $200. 828.369.7274 or houglumfineart2@frontier.com. • The Come Paint with Charles Kidz Program will be at 5 p.m. Sept. 18-19, 23 and 25 at the Charles Heath Gallery in Bryson City. $18 per child. Materials and snacks included. 828.538.2054. • The Endless Possibilities of Surface Decoration Using Porcelain Slip workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 2224 at The Bascom in Highlands. Students will explore surface decoration on white stoneware, focusing on wheel-thrown forms each day, discussing and altering techniques. Cost is $275 for Bascom members, $310 for non-members. www.thebascom.org or 828.526.4949. • A painting on glass class will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office in Sylva. Longtime Dogwood Crafts member Patricia Cowen will be teaching the class, which has a limited number of spots available. Class is free and open to the public. To register, call 828.586.4009.
www.smokymountainnews.com
The work of stitch artist Rebecca Ringquist will be shown at WCU through Nov. 7. Donated photo An exhibit featuring stitch drawing artist Rebecca Ringquist will be held through Nov. 7 at the Fine Art Museum at Western Carolina University. Switching between the slow, gentle rhythm of hand embroidery to the more aggressive speed of the machine stitching, Ringquist creates unique personal and universal narratives informed by modern life infected by a feminist sensibility. Snippets of text in varying styles, riots of textured color, almost stream of consciousness image making and laying, crowd these misshapen and upstretched fabrics. www.wcu.edu.
Calligraphy workshop in Dillsboro A calligraphy workshop, the art of beautiful handwriting that dates back to the Middle Ages, will be held from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 23 and 30 at the Masonic Lodge in Dillsboro. Participants will learn the basics of writing in this graceful and elegant style. Cheryl Thompson, a member of Dogwood
Spanish Civil War film in Sylva City Lights Bookstore and the Jackson County Public Library will host a screening of the film “War Is Beautiful: A Journey into the Spanish Civil War” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at the library in Sylva. In November 1937, James Neugass, a young American poet and published writer from New Orleans sailed for Spain along with 3,000 American volunteers to fight the fascist dictatorships of Franco and armies of
Crafters Cooperative since 1978, will be the instructor. She became a calligrapher in the 1960s and then went on to other forms of art such as stained glass and jewelry. Only in recent years has she picked up her pens again, working out of her home studio where she enjoys incorporating bits of nature in some of her work. Class is $10 and those interested must register by Sept. 19. 828.586.2435 or junettapell@hotmail.com.
Hitler and Mussolini. War is Beautiful: An American Ambulance Driver in the Spanish Civil War is a stunning and tragic memoir of wartime life and chronicles Neugass’s wartime experiences. In July 2012, the author’s son traveled to Spain to follow in his father’s footsteps and visited many of the historical places his father wrote about in War is Beautiful. The author’s son, Jim Neugass, will share his insights of the trip, of the father he never knew and selected readings of the book. Free.
On the street arts & entertainment
Scarecrow Festival returns to Bryson City The Scarecrow Festival will be held Sept. 27 through Oct. 10 in Bryson City. Businesses, churches, schools and residents are invited to create a scarecrow and enter the contest. Applications are $25 and all proceeds will go to the Swain County Public School Foundation, which awards scholarships to Swain County High School students and provides funds for teacher grants. Applications can be picked up at the Swain County Chamber of Commerce. Application due date is Sept. 22. Make checks out to the Swain County Public Schools Foundation for the Swain County Chamber of Commerce. Winners will be announced at the Swain County High School football game on Oct. 10. 770.315.8950.
The annual Scarecrow Festival will return to Bryson City on Sept. 27. Donated photo
An open house by the Southern Vintage Trailer Friends will be on Sept. 27 in Waynesville. Donated photo
Vintage trailer open house
The Southern Vintage Trailer Friends, members of the national group the Tin Can Tourists, will be hosting their annual fall rally from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Pride Resort located at 4393 Jonathan Creek Rd. in Waynesville. There will be over 30 restored and period-decorated vintage trailers open to the public for viewing. The group likes to give something back to the communities where they camp, and will be holding an open house for the restored campers. Admission to view the trailers is $5 for adults and $3 for children over the age of 2. All proceeds will benefit the Haywood County Water Association Kids In The Creek educational program. The second fundraiser will be a pancake breakfast complete with sausages, eggs and pancakes for $5. Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit Boy Scout Troop 318.
ALSO:
• Bark in the Park will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at Mark Watson Park in
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Sylva. Dog activities include sheep herding, agility demonstrations, costume contest, games, vendors, canine massages, raffles, an Ask the Vet booth, nail trims, pet photographer, and more. There will also be a pet food drive to help “Animeals.” The Canine Good Citizen testing will begin at 10:30 a.m., with attendees having to preregister at 845.548.6420 or carickey1@gmail.com. Sponsored by the Western Carolina Dog Fanciers Association and the Jackson County Parks & Recreation Department. www.wcdfa.org.
September 17-23, 2014
• Western Carolina University has created a new series called LIFE@Western Carolina. Are you over 50 and interested in joining a community of learners? A presentation on the series will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at the Waynesville Public Library. Topics covered will be politics, media, music and more.
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arts & entertainment
On the stage Spoken word poet Matthew Foley will be at WCU on Sept. 26. Donated photo
Part progressive bluegrass, part traditional folk, at the crossroads of country, pop and pure Americana, the music of Claire Lynch is, in the words of critic John Taylor, “an enchanting musical hybrid that’s difficult to pigeonhole but delightful to listen to.” This is an artist who continues to blaze her own trail – a trail that has led her to two Grammy nominations and her crowning as IBMA 2013 Female Vocalist of the Year. Join us for a memorable night of music, food and fun on Sunday, October 5 at 6:00 pm, with music beginning at 7:30. Tickets for dinner and the show are $60, and reservations are required. Just give us a call at (828) 926-1401 for more information.
Cataloochee Ranch
September 17-23, 2014
119 Ranch Drive, Maggie Valley, NC 28751ĿĿƓĿĿwww.CataloocheeRanch.comĿĿƓĿĿ(828) 926-1401
JOIN US FOR ARTS EVENTS AT WCU SEPT. 20 | SAT. 9AM–3PM | JACKSON CO. GREEN ENERGY PARK/ DILLSBORO
Event: Youth Arts Festival
SEPT. 23 | TUE. 7:30PM | BARDO ARTS CENTER | $
Music: Artist in Residence Orchestra Concert #1 OCT. 1-4 | WED.–SAT. 7:30PM, SAT 3PM | HOEY THEATRE | $
Smoky Mountain News
Theatre: Elemeno Pea
AUG. 21-NOV. 7 | FINE ART MUSEUM
Exhibit: Rebecca Ringquist: Abstract Autobiography for a Fractured Narrative
Spoken word poet and teacher Matthew Foley will present a spoken-word workshop on Friday, Sept. 26, in the Hunter Library at Western Carolina University. The workshop will be centered on mixing humor and lightheartedness with serious topics and social commentary. The event begins at 2:30 p.m. and will be followed by a reception and performances by Foley and the WCU Truthwriters at 4:15 p.m. Foley has performed poetry before open mic crowds, poetry slam audiences and students throughout South Carolina, and has a reputation for having an energetic perform-
ance style and ability to convert people who think they don’t like poetry. He is also the co-host of The Unspoken Word poetry series in downtown Charleston and the founder of the Holy City Youth Slam, which offers writing workshops and poetry slams for Charleston-area youth. He published his first book of poetry We Could be Oceans in January. This event is co-sponsored by Hunter Library and the WCU Department of Intercultural affairs. The workshop, reception and performances are free and open to the public. bmcdono@wcu.edu or 828.227.3423.
‘Urinetown’ to hit HART stage
all public facilities — “So if you wanna go, you gotta pay.” Revolution ensues. In the style of Kurt Weil’s “Three Penny Opera”, this hilarious musical was a smash hit on Broadway and on tour. There’s no offensive language, but the show is probably best suited for teens and up. Tickets are $24 for adults, $20 for seniors and $12 for students. A special $8 discount ticket will be available for students on Sundays. www.harttheater.org or 828.456.6322.
The acclaimed Broadway musical “Urinetown” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26-27, Oct. 3-4, 10-11 and at 3 p.m. Sept. 28 and Oct. 5, 12 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. The Tony award-winning production is about the ultimate corporate takeover, where a water shortage forces the tight regulation of
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FOR MORE INFO – 828.227.7028 | ARTS.WCU.EDU 32
WCU to host spoken word event
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Books
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33
Collective guilt permeates novel’s characters little over one year ago, Mark Powell published The Dark Corner, a novel that was set in the northwest part of Georgia and dealt with the intrigue and corruption attending the current development of “the river culture” that has sprung up along the Chattooga River. It is a remarkable novel (that reads like a sequel to James Dickey’s Deliverance) and prompted author Ron Rash to call Powell “the best Appalachian novelist of his generation.” As the awards and accolades rolled in, there was considerable speculation about Powell’s future work. Many of the critics assumed that Writer Powell would continue to plumb the corrupted waters and the darkness attending the overly-medicated residents of Lake Keowee. Ah, but no! The new novel, The Sheltering (with a forward by Pat Conroy) is out and the critics (as well as this bewildered reviewer) are nervously qualifying their expectations. Powell has abandoned Appalachia (at least for the present) and expanded his scope to coast to coast with emphasis on Iraq, Afghanistan, Florida and the Midwest. At times, Powell’s point of view rises to 10,000 feet where a Reaper drone hovers. That is where one of the protagonists — Luther Redding — sits like God with his finger on a button. Luther can instantly annihilate a target (a man named Kareem Saman) a thousand miles away and be home in time for dinner. It is a terrifying image. Part of Powell’s purpose is to discuss the consequences of that power. What are the consequences of being God? Of hovering above the earth like Divine Vengeance? At
Gary Carden
A
aire, but one of his discoveries is the whimsical nature of wealth. His daughters, Lucy and Katie, are intelligent and talented ... but Katie has been cutting herself (symmetrical little scars on her arms) and Lucy is obsessed with religion .... and everyone seems to be guilt-ridden. Why? Is it a “collective guilt” — the kind that can be experienced by an entire nation? Perhaps Lucy says it best when she notes that everything that is happening to America seems to be happening to her family. What Luther does in the Reaper drone (rendering destruction in a blinding flash of light) seems to be reflected in the collapse of his marriage. But then, Luther Redding vanishes from the story — like the drone, he seems The Sheltering by Mark Powell. The University of South Carolina Press, to be hovering some2014. 303 pages. where nearby — and the reader is suddenly first, Luther Redding seems to be among the with two brothers who are both veterans and blessed on this earth. He has a wife, survivors of a nightmarish experiences. Pamela, and two daughters. The Reddings Bobbie Rosen has been in Iraq and returns have grown rich due to the real estate boom in home to a broken marriage. He is also guilty Florida. For a short time, Luther is a millionof what can only be a “wartime atrocity” that
Owenby to present Blue Ridge stories Author Roy Owenby will share stories from his new book Blue Ridge Mountain Heritage — A Caricature of Southern Appalachian Life at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. In this book of short stories, published by Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, Owenby takes you down the highways and byways of the Appalachian Mountains. With insight stemming from a man who has traveled thousands of miles throughout the South, collecting stories and committing them to paper. A Navy veteran, Owenby graduated from Appalachian State University at age 40. After 30 years in various supervisory and management positions, he is now retired. He writes for the Burningtown News, an online newspaper. He has written more than 300 articles and short stories covering a variety of subjects. www.fontanalib.org.
Hoover presents new work Franklin author Emily Joanne Hoover will sign her new book Hold on to Your Panties and Have Fun at noon Saturday, Sept. 20, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. Hoover has enjoyed success as a stand-up comedian, teacher and interior decorator. She is known for her quick wit, quick retort, and for finding fun with strangers in everyday places. 828.586.9499.
Macon teen releases sci-fi book Otto teenager Sarah Y. Westmoreland has released her newest science fiction work Najee: A Glimmer of Hope. The book is the first in a series about an orphan girl named Akinia, whose unassuming life is turned upside-down when two Najee warriors bring her from the orphanage to an abandoned planet for training. She finds herself suddenly thrust into the middle of a galactic war that has been raging since before her birth. Akinia’s
will haunt him for the rest of his life (the death of a child which seems to be reflected in his own family). Donny, Bobbie’s brother, is “unstable” and a drug addict, and when Bobbie returns home, he finds his brother in prison. Reunited, the two brothers set out on an ill-fated drug run. Like Lucy Redding, Donnie Rosen senses that they are the victims of terrorism. “The war’s seeped into the ground water,” he says. “It is in our DNA.” Although there is no discernible link between the Redding daughters, Lucy and Katie and the Rosen brothers, Bobbie and Donnie, their lives seem to be linked. Located in different geographic areas, they move toward some kind of convergence. To what end? At times, this “coming together” seems “destined.” In other words, nothing can stop it, but it may be meaningless. Some of the critical comments regarding The Sheltering identify this novel’s genre as “thriller,” which, as a literary characteristic, is normally associated with crime or detective fiction. However, this may be an apt term since The Sheltering definitely has a menacing atmosphere, a kind of foreboding that increases toward the end of the novel. For me, the most tragic character in the book is Luther Redding and in the end, it is his “humanity” renders him a victim. Is that the message of The Sheltering? Are we a nation and a culture that is doomed because of our innate ability to feel guilt? If we were more indifferent to the cruelty that we inflict on others, would we be more deserving of survival? Although The Sheltering is a fast-paced, scary ride into a dark tunnel, I am hoping that Mark Powell will emerge from this journey prepared to come home to north Georgia, ready to chronicle the noble and tragic folk who need his help in making their lives meaningful in a world full of invisible drones.
adventures will spark your imagination as you follow her journeys into multiple star systems within her galaxy. Westmoreland has been writing since her notebook mostly covered her legs. She began outlining the Najee Series at 13, the same time that she began writing Najee: A Glimmer of Hope. Having graduated high school at 16, she devotes a part of each day to her writing. With college starting this month, Westmoreland, now 18, hopes to have a double major in Library Science and Fine Arts (with a focus in creative writing). 828.349.4187 or najeeseries@gmail.com.
Coffee with the Poet returns The Coffee with the Poet series continues with Teresa Robbins at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. Robbins will present her collection God Speaks. With her book, she hopes her poetry will penetrate the hearts of those who read them, causing them to fall deeper in love with the true scribe. 828.586.9499.
34
Outdoors
Smoky Mountain News
Ahead of the CuRvE D Cullowhee group look to river park for downtown revitalization
BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER owntown Cullowhee doesn’t look much like the thriving little town Rick Bennett found when he first moved to Jackson County in 1966. In the golden era of the 1970s, he reminisces, the little town boasted 17 restaurants, four gas stations, three grocery stores. A far cry from the struggling crossroads in existence now, where cheap student housing fills buildings once inhabited by small businesses that just couldn’t make it and abandoned buildings punctuate the space between the few that have managed to stay open. The decline stems back to the construction of four-lane N.C. 107, which allowed traffic en route to Western Carolina University to bypass Cullowhee. “Businesses couldn’t operate eight months out of the year or with traffic cut down to 3,000 cars a day,” Bennett said. “So businesses have steadily declined.” Bennett’s just one member of a committed band of volunteers calling itself CuRvE, short for Cullowhee Revitalization Endeavor, working to reverse that decline. They’re hinging their hopes on one big project. “We think it could be revitalized down there. But it needs an attraction,” said Maurice Phipps, parks and recreation professor at WCU and one of the forces behind CuRvE. “And a river park connected to the greenway would be a significant attraction.”
IMPACT IN DOLLARS It’s nothing new that CuRvE would like to see the banks of the Tuckasegee River An artist rendering shows a river park through Cullowhee as a way to bring vibrancy to downtown, making it easier to enjoy the river and connect through Cullowhee turn into a hangout place with community centers such as Cullowhee Community Gardens. (above) CuRvE image As it stands now, much of the Tuck’s route through Cullowhee is for families and river access for paddlers. flanked by overgrowth and abandoned or aging buildings. Holly Kays photo They’ve been working in that direction for more than five years. What is new is that their collective vision is now being translated onto paper. The mental images CuRvE members have been holding close are now being transformed into visual renderings and descriptions laced with dollars and cents. “They’ve [Jackson County has] known for years that we have this idea,” said Anna Farriello, grant writer for CuRvE. “What we’re providing them with is some hard numbers to show that this will be economically good for the CuRvE started out as an organization loosely organized around the concept of beautification and county.” economic development in Cullowhee, but now its main focus is the river park project. CuRvE would A $17,500 grant from like to see the section of the Tuckasegee River around the Old Cullowhee Road bridge transformed the Blue Ridge Natural into a small park with picnic tables, a walking path, and access to the river. Heritage Partners last year The Lena Davis put-in just above the Cullowhee Dam coupled with the new put-in at Locust Creek gave CuRvE the money to would give paddlers a 3.5-mile stretch of river to enjoy, and once the Jackson County Greenway commission an economic reaches its full planned length — something that will likely take a good many years, given that it impact study for the projinvolves negotiating with private property owners — it would connect to the river park path. The path ect, as well as hire an intern would also reach the nearby Cullowhee Community Garden. and install some improved CuRvE sees the park as a way to give locals and college students a place to hang out and a way signage when the project to give businesses a boost by drawing traffic to a languishing downtown. has moved a little further along. The numbers from the economic impact study have just come back, and the CuRvE
The project in a nutshell
F
— Tim Newell, Cullowhee River Club
ward. The drawings by Rachel Clegg of Clegg LA+Design, show couples strolling, joggers running, bikers pedaling and people walking their dogs on a concrete path winding alongside the river as picnickers eat at intermittent tables and paddlers put in on the bank. The river’s been worked on to provide paths for paddlers and boulders for picnickers to sit on, and there’s plenty of flatwater for people floating along in inner tubes. “We hope we can then start to show people what it will actually look like,” Fariello said.
REC IN THE BACKYARD If surveys are any indication, people will like what they see when CuRvE’s renderings become reality. The economic impact study
BOATS, BRIDGES AND BEAUTIFICATION That opportunity isn’t quite reality yet, and it likely won’t be for quite a while. There’s money to be raised — CuRvE is still working on coming up with a price tag for
THE BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE Though the land for the park will likely come as a byproduct of the state construction activity, more than anything else, some people say they would like to see more courting of and buy-in from area property owners before the more serious phases of planning and development begin. “I’ve been to several of the CuRvE meet-
Smoky Mountain News
It’s pretty hard to picnic — or do much else, really — on that section of the Tuck right now. A guardrail separates Wayahutta — locally pronounced “Worry Hut”— Road from the river, and though some of the bank is grassy, much of it is overgrown with grass or poison ivy. “Some people put their kayaks and canoes in there, but you have to climb over the guardrail, throw your kayak down there,” Fariello said. “You have to scramble down this hill.” Looking at the overgrown bank, the aging concrete bridge, the abandoned buildings, it’s difficult to envision the idyllic park scene that CuRvE’s been carrying in its collective mind for the past several years. That’s why they went for the $10,000 Toolbox grant from the Southwestern Commission to get a park design going and to produce some artistic renderings of what the finished product might look like. The design component is still in progress, but the renderings are done, giving CuRvE yet another springboard to move the project for-
“Any park in the community certainly is an amenity, and it’s a good thing. We view it as a possibility and another thing to talk about when you talk about Cullowhee.”
the project — property owners to collaborate with and a land footprint to be worked out. For that last part, CuRvE is pinning its hopes on a bridge construction project that the N.C. Department of Transportation is gearing up to tackle. “We started negotiating with DOT first for just a sidewalk on a bridge,” Fariello said. “That was all we wanted, but they agreed and then we started having a relationship with them and showing them that the community was really interested.” The bridge will replace the 1940s-era structure now spanning the Tuckasegee River where Old Cullowhee Road hits it. The project will include a re-routing of Monteith and Wayehutta roads, and the whole thing will require the state to acquire some privately-owned property as right-of-way. In the DOT project, CuRvE saw an opportunity to capture the land it would need to create the longed-for river park. “When DOT builds this bridge, they’re going to acquire land around the bridge,” Fariello explained. “They have to because they need a certain clearance around the bridge. When they have that land they don’t care what happens to it. It just becomes public land.” The $4.6-million project will involve pieces of about 25 properties, a total of about 7 acres according to Teddy Green, DOT Right-of-Way Division agent. “We’re getting one place where a person was living but they have since passed away,” Green said. “There’s one building we’ve got that’s got five or six renters in it. It’s mostly college students, I think. Three businesses that’s being acquired.” The acquisitions are all part of a DOT project that would have occurred anyway, river park or no river park. However, CuRvE has been working with the DOT to make the final product more amenable to the park its members envision. “The bridge is part of a pilot project for aesthetic enhancement so it will have some enhancements to it,” said Brian Burch, DOT engineer. Rockform liner will make the bridge look like it’s built of rock, and the railing will have a rustic, brown color to it. The beams will be stained for a natural brown appearance, and the abutment holding the bridge up will be situated so as to allow for a 15foot path on either side. “One of them is allowed because of Jackson County’s greenway plan,” Burch said of the two path allowances. “The other one on the river park side was allowed because of the hydraulic opening that was required for this bridge.”
September 17-23, 2014
VISUALIZING AN OUTCOME
CuRvE member Maurice Phipps stands on the soon-to-be-replaced bridge with WCU’s Base Camp Cullowhee coordinator Josh Whitmore, who has also been involved with CuRvE in the past. Holly Kays photo
was based partially off a survey by WCU professor Todd Collins of the Public Policy Institute, polling people in Cullowhee on how often they engage in outdoor recreation, how often they travel outside of the county to follow those pursuits and how their habits might change if a park were built. “The main thrust of it was do you frequent either the businesses or the river in Cullowhee now, and mostly people said no,” Fariello said, “and the question posed to them was if these were to improve and be revitalized in any way would you frequent them and everyone was like, ‘Sure, yes.’ It was dramatic.” According to the survey, 53.5 percent of respondents said they go outside of Jackson County more than four times per year to fish, tube, kayak or boat, while 35.5 percent said they’ve gone outside the county more than four times in the last year to bike, jog or walk. When asked how that would change if a river park were created in Cullowhee, 61.6 percent of respondents said they would stay in Jackson County to participate in water sports, and 44.9 percent said they’d stay in-county for the land-based recreation. “My wife and I go to the Franklin greenway, which is great,” said Bennett, for whom Franklin is a 20-25-minute trip each way. “It’s a great greenway, but hopefully now we’ll be able to go two minutes and use the Jackson County greenway.” For students at almost adjacent Western Carolina, driving 20 minutes to take a walk isn’t always an option. Which is another reason CuRvE is enthusiastic about the river park idea. The park would give students an easy way to escape to the outdoors and make the school’s physical connection to the town more fluid. “As a resource for the university in general and for the [Base Camp] program in particular, the potential is huge,” said Josh Whitmore, director of Base Camp Cullowhee at WCU, after pausing for a moment on his lunchtime bike ride to do an interview. “The accessibility of being able to do programs right on campus or adjacent to campus is an amazing opportunity that’s needed.”
outdoors
folks are already showing them off to county commissioners and the county’s economic development board. According to the study, done by Tom Tveidt of Asheville-based Syneva Economics, the river park would bring $1.2 million in new spending to Jackson County every year. That money would support 16 jobs, add $375,000 in income and generate $145,000 in annual tax revenues. The extra cash would come from capturing part of the estimated $4.1 million spent each year on out-of-county outdoor recreation activities and attracting nonresidents to events and river-related recreation in Cullowhee. “I suspect if the thing develops and gets some full steam, it would be a greater impact than that,” said County Manager Chuck Wooten. “And I think another impact would be to get some more development there in the old Cullowhee section.” The CuRvE folks think so too. They see the park as a catalyst to transform Cullowhee into something more resembling a vibrant college town, a place full of unique hole-in-the-wall shops, outdoor seating — and people. “With sustained traffic like a river park or a greenway or a community garden or all those activities, a sense of entrepreneurship will develop because there’s traffic. That’s what brings business,” Bennett said. “Can’t you imagine a nice café on the river where you look out and see people picnicking on the river and stuff like that?” Rich Price, director of economic development for the county, agrees. “There are a lot of instances around the country where the river parks, et cetera, have been established and growth in the area just flourished,” Price said, citing Greenville, S.C. as an example. “We certainly understand from an economic impact standpoint here in Jackson County that the Tuckasegee River is one of our most appealing assets, so we want to work to leverage that river.”
S EE CU RVE, PAGE 36 35
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CU RVE, CONTINUED FROM 35 ings and when I look around there’s only one or two property owners there and I’m one of them, so it’s kind of hard — if they’re not getting the property owners excited about it I don’t know how they think the park is going to happen,” said Jack Debnam, chairman of the Jackson County Commissioners. But like the grant dollars, a lot of the community buy-in efforts are just beginning. Rachael Rodatz, owner of Tuck’s Tap & Grill, has only known about the project for a few weeks, learning about it from an ad in the newspaper. She’s never been to one of the CuRvE meetings Debnam referenced or seen the earlier stages of the plans, but she’s all for CuRvE’s grand vision. “It sounds wonderful,” she said. “It sounds like it would be a place for people to
point that they sell like hotcakes. But he certainly sees the plan as a perk. “It is on the checklist that you look for when you look for a place to do economic development, but really it’s another amenity to add to the list,” he said.
GETTING THERE
But it’s not added yet. Before any park can go in, the bridge has to be completed, for one thing. Burch expects it to be let to contract in June 2015 and from there take one-and-a-half to two years. Construction time is lengthy because it will be built one half at a time so traffic can continue to cross the river on one lane while the other is being constructed. And once the project’s done, CuRvE will have to have some funding behind it before the park materializes. Walking paths, picnic tables, restrooms, parking, signage, instream flow modifications — it will all cost some money. How much, the organization will know pending the outcome of a report from three-time Olympic slalom kayaker and owner of A rendering from the N.C. DOT gives a Colorado-based preliminary idea of what the new bridge might look like with CuRvE’s requests S20 Designs incorporated into the design. DOT image Scott Shipley, expected by the end of October. go to and relax and enjoy Cullowhee for That’s when the fundraising will begin. what it used to be.” “We’ll take those pieces and start to look And, maybe, stick around for a while for some serious money,” Fariello said. “We and get hungry enough for a meal at Tuck’s. have to get buy-in by the community.” Rodatz says the park project has been part “The combination of Rachel [Clegg]’s of the conversation between area business drawing and the real plan, we can say this is owners, and the response is overwhelmingly exactly what we’re doing so we can then go positive. and fundraise based on an accurate figure,” “I think they’re all for it. There’s a lot of added Phipps. the businesses that it would just bring more As a nonprofit group of interested citipeople on that side,” she said. zens, CuRvE doesn’t have any money of its Chris Pressley, owner of Cullowhee Auto own. The group hopes to fund the project Service and several adjacent buildings, isn’t through a hodgepodge of grants, sponsorquite so gung-ho. ships and partnerships from area business“My family’s been here for 67-plus years, es and organizations as well as funding and we’re still here,” he said of his business. from county and municipal government. “It would definitely bring more traffic. “Just like anything else, it starts with an Whether that would be a good thing or not, idea and grows and people see the potential I don’t know.” benefit,” Bennett said. “It’s going to take Meanwhile, Tim Newell’s thinking partnerships for design. It’s going to take about the park in conjunction with partnerships for funding.” Cullowhee River Club, a 282-unit developAnd, at the end of the day, result in a ment he’s building with entrances on revitalized downtown that gives families a Wayehutta and Old Cullowhee roads. place to go enjoy the river, Cullowhee a “Any park in the community certainly is more college-town kind of feel and jobs for an amenity, and it’s a good thing,” Newell people who work in the coffee shops, bousaid. “We view it as a possibility and anothtiques and kayak rental stores that CuRvE er thing to talk about when you talk about envisions springing up when fertilized by Cullowhee.” the increased traffic generated by the park. He’s cautious about lauding the not-yet“The river is just an amazing asset, and existent park as something that will boost we want to take advantage of it, but we the values of the homes he’s just now startwant to take advantage of it in a sustainable ing to build or increase desirability to the way,” Fariello said.
NOC says thanks with weekend of fun The Guest Appreciation Festival at Nantahala Outdoor Center Sept. 26-28 will feature an array of activities and attractions for outdoors lovers around the region. The weekend will include a used gear marketplace where anyone with used outdoor gear can set up to sell and swap. There will also be whitewater rafting, zip-lining, gear demos, paddling and competitions, as well as games, kids activities, crafters and live music. The GAF Bike Trials on Sept. 27 will be another highlight of the weekend, beginning 11:30 a.m. and open to all ages for a $20 entrance fee. Spectators will get to watch competitors in categories beginner through pro navigate natural and man-made obstacles in the bicycle agility course. There are also special whitewater releases on the upper Nantahala from the Duke Energy dam at Nantahala Lake, providing steep creekboating opportunities for skilled paddlers. Shuttles will be offered to the upper Nantahala sections. There will be a 300 cubic feet per second release 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 27 on the upper Nantahala, a 425 cfs release 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 28, and a 250 cfs release 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 28. Releases on the lower Nantahala are scheduled 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 27, and 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 28. A full schedule is online at www.noc.com/events/guest-appreciation-festival-gaf. 828.785.5082
Jackson County residents having problems with nuisance beavers can get help through the N.C. Beaver Management Assistance Program, locally administrated by Jackson County Extension. Though beavers can be helpful by building ponds that control erosion and sedimentation, recharge groundwater and provide wildlife habitat, their dams can also cause flooding and they can destroy timber by chewing through tree trunks. Beavers become more active as cooler weather arrives and they start preparing for winter, so the N.C. BMAP allows residents to get assistance in exchange for a small costshare fee. Participants pay $20 for each visit to their property and $125 for dam removal with no charge for travel time or for the initial assessment. On average, resolving a beaver problem takes about 10 visits over a 30-day period. Costs increase after 15 visits in a one-year period, but landowners wishing to do the work themselves can get individualized training at no cost. Requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to situations threatening public health and safety. A major goal of the program is to educate the public and participating landowners in the best strategies for managing beaver damage. Robert Hawk, Jackson County extension director, 828.586.4009 or Robert_hawk@ncsu.edu.
September 17-23, 2014
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opinion
Stream volunteers wanted
The bluegrass quintet Buncombe Turnpike plays a variety of tunes ranging from traditional and contemporary bluegrass to gospel and hand-crafted originals. In 2014, Buncombe Turnpike performed at MerleFest, and through the years has developed a reputation for high quality bluegrass. The band takes its name from the historic thoroughfare that ran through the mountains of western North Carolina from Greeneville, TN to Greenville, SC in the 1800s. Lead singer and bass player, Tom Godleski was born and raised in Asheville, and is also a writer, woodcarver, and storyteller. Joining Godleski is Evan Swink of Greensboro playing guitar, Joe Trimbach on mandolin, John Duncan of Charlotte on fiddle, and Seth Rhinehart on banjo.
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2014 Concert Series
BUNCOMBE TURNPIKE
SATURDAY SEPT. 20 • 7 P.M.
Adults: $10 Children 6–16: Half Price • Under 6: Free Tickets are available at
www.CoweeSchool.org/music.html or at the Franklin Chamber of Commerce. Pending availability, tickets may be purchased the night of the show.
Smoky Mountain News
September 17-23, 2014
Directions to the Cowee School can be found at the website.
This year’s concert series is sponsored in part by:
V
H F
Hidden Valley Farms The Leshaw Family
Volunteers are needed to help monitor stream quality in Haywood County, and a training program 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, will give adult volunteers the knowledge they need to get started. Participants will learn to identify aquatic insects, why those insects are important to healthy waterways, and how to test for water quality. Volunteers should commit to attending the training, joining a collection team and sampling at least two sites in the spring and fall. The sampling results are fed into a statewide database and used to help track changes in water quality that could be a sign of pollution. Data is also used to help target streams for restora-
tion projects. RSVP to Christine O’Brien, christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com or 828.476.4667. www.environmentalqualityinstitute.org /smie-stream-monitoring-informationexchange.php
Big Sweep sweeps Haywood Haywood Waterways Association is looking for volunteers to help with the Big Sweep on Sept. 20, a statewide annual event intended to get people into the streams to clean them up. Volunteers should RSVP by Sept. 18 to pitch in for one hour at one of Waynesville’s streams beginning at 10:45 a.m. Gloves, bags, trash grabbers and light snacks will be provided, though volunteers should have an old pair of jeans and close-toed shoes. christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com or 828.476.4667.
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opinion September 17-23, 2014
Log on. Plan a getaway. Let yourself unplug.
Smoky Mountain News
a website to take you to places where there are no websites.
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outdoors
Families connect with outdoors activities at Pisgah Center A celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. One of several events across the state, hands-on activities are designed to connect with nature while improving outdoor skills. Explore archery, BB gun shooting range, tree stand safety, fly tying and casting, tracking, outdoor cooking, and much more. Sponsored by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Located on U.S. 276 in the Pisgah National Forest in Transylvania County. 828.877.4423.
Waynesville offers trip to Fontana
Smoky Mountain News
September 17-23, 2014
The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department will offer a kayaking trip to Lake Fontana leaving 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, from the Waynesville Recreation Center. Kayaks will be provided, though participants should bring a snack to enjoy on the water for a light picnic on one of the islands. $20 Waynesville Recreation Center members; $25 non-members; Register at 828.456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.
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Web app aids leaf peepers A new web application from the U.S. Forest Service will help national forest visitors plan their fall adventures around the best autumn color shows in the region. NCtrails.org offers details on three popular trail systems in Western North Carolina — the Tsali Recreation Area near Bryson City, Jackrabbit Recreation Area in Clay County and the Appalachian Trail through Nantahala National Forest.
Waynesville Rec to explore Whiteside Mountain A short loop hike to the top of Whiteside Mountain will give Waynesvillians a chance to check out the mountains near Highlands with a Sept. 30 trip offered through the Waynesville Recreation Center. With spectacular 700-foot cliff walls and impressive views, the 2.5-mile hike gains 600 feet and is considered moderately difficult. $3 Recreation Center members; $5 nonmembers. Space is limited. Register by calling 828.456.2030.
Elk rut spells caution for Smokies visitors Male elk. Jim Bennett photo
Assistance volunteer programs, provide onsite information and assist in traffic management at both Cataloochee and Oconaluftee during the rut season. Funds to
support these programs are provided by Friends of the Smokies. www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/wildl ifeviewing.htm.
An upcoming Cradle of Forestry program will cover the magic of monarch migrations — and the threats to it — at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, in the Forest Discovery Center. Ina Warren, a noted naturalist and educator, will present a multimedia program with master gardener Joyce Pearsall. The Charles Johnson photo presentation will cover basic monarch biology and life cycle, the importance of their larvae’s sole food, which is milkweed, as well as the threats butterflies face while wintering in central Mexico and during summer breeding in the United States. Discussions about monarch tagging, ideas for raising the insects at home and how to grow native milkweeds to serve as Monarch Waystations will also be part of the event, and participants will have a chance to tour the Cradle’s Monarch Waystation after the program. $5 adult Cradle of Forestry admission; free for children under 16; free for America the Beautiful and Golden Age passholders. Located on U.S. 276 in the Pisgah National Forest, four miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway. 828.877.3130 or www.cradleofforestry.org.
outdoors
It’s breeding season for elk, and that means that fields in the Cataloochee and Oconaluftee areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are closed to use until Oct. 30, when this season, known as the rut, ends. Even when elk are not present, people are not allowed to walk into the fields, which are the prime elk herd habitat. During the rut, male elk make bugling calls to challenge other bulls and attract cows. Dominant bulls use the fields to gather and breed with harems of up to 20 cows. Bull elk actively defend their territory by charging and sparring with competitors, using their antlers to intimidate and spar with other males. Coming too close may lead a bull to perceive you or your vehicle as a threat, causing them to charge. “Bull elk, which can weigh nearly 1,000 pounds, are wild animals with unpredictable behavior,” said Park Wildlife Biologist Bill Stiver. “To help ensure your own safety, make sure you have parked in a safe location and remain close to your vehicle so that you can get inside if an elk approaches.” Visitors should use binoculars, spotting scopes or cameras with telephoto lenses to get up-close views of elk. It’s illegal to get any closer than 50 yards to park wildlife. If approached by an elk, visitors should slowly back away to keep distance between them. Park volunteers, through the Elk Bugle Corp, Oconaluftee Rover and Roadside
Monarch migration explained
Smoky Mountain News
258-29
September 17-23, 2014
CONVENIENT CHEROKEE LOCATION Across from the casino (open 24 hours)
828.554.0431 West Asheville: 1186 Patton Ave. • East Asheville: 736 Tunnel Rd.
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Climate change, the Appalachians and a native perspective The theme of climate change will headline the annual symposium “Rooted in the Mountains: Valuing Our Common Ground,” held Thursday and Friday, Sept. 25-26, at Western Carolina University. The symposium focuses on the stewardship of resources in Appalachia and how it relates to health, language, environment and indigenous issues. Presentations will highlight climate change through the lens of Cherokee and native peoples — such as the importance of native languages in understanding the environment and climate change presentations by Cherokee elementary students — and what is being done locally to prepare for environmental changes. Keynote speakers are: ■ A talk on climate change, how it has been recorded and understood by the Cherokee for many years, and how individuals can adapt to a changing climate by Pat Moss, a Cherokee traditionalist from Oklahoma, at 2 p.m. on Sept. 25, ■ A talk on the recently released “National Climate Assessment” and the impact of climate change in the mountains by Amy Adams, a representative of the environmental advocacy group Appalachian Voices, at 9 a.m. Sept. 26. rootedinthemtns.wcu.edu or 828.227.7397.
Audubon director tells how to save the songs The golden-winged warbler is one of the local species that the report says is at risk. Donated photo
Audubon study analyzes expected impact of climate change A National Audubon Society study of bird species in the continental United States and Canada released last week shows that global warming threatens more than half of the bird species in that geographic area, including North Carolina species such as
the golden-winged warbler, brown-headed nuthatch and American oystercatcher. “The results of this study are our wakeup call; we know with certainty that our birds are in trouble and not all of them will be able to survive in a changing climate without our help,” said Audubon North Carolina Executive Director Heather Hahn. Of the 588 continental United States and Canadian bird species examined in the seven- year study, 314 species are at risk. Of those, about 1 in 5 — 126 species — are at
A program on the Audubon Society’s latest research quantifying the risk climate change poses to North American birds will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at the Highlands Civic Center. Heather Hahn, Executive Director of Audubon North Carolina, will give a presentation titled “Save the Songs: Climate Change and Birds.” It will detail which birds are most threatened by climate change, and where. She’ll also present some actions that North Carolinians can take to protect their birds. Refreshments will be served at 7 p.m., followed by a brief Highlands Audubon Society membership meeting and the program at 7:30 p.m. Free. 828.743.9670.
Happy Fall,Y’All
September 17-23, 2014
outdoors
risk of severe declines by 2050, and a further 188 species face the same fate by 2080, with numerous extinctions possible if global warming is allowed to erase the havens birds occupy today, the study says. The study included an analysis of more than 40 years of historical North American climate data and millions of historical bird records from the U.S. Geological Survey’s North American Breeding Bird Survey and the Audubon Christmas Bird Count to understand the links between where birds live and the climatic conditions that support them. The study is available at climate.audubon.org.
Home Decor, Coffee, Books & More!
September
Smoky Mountain News
20 & 21, 1-6 pm
1 PASS 2 DAYS 37 FARMS Lake Junaluska Bookstore and Cafe 710 North Lakeshore Dr. 828-454-6777
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Eastern newt, red eft stage. Donated photo
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outdoors
Haywood Waterways hike to hit salamander capital of the world
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828-243-9318 thebugladyofwnc@gmail.com thebugladyofwnc.com
WNC's Largest Selection of Granite & Quartz. at 5,086 feet, is known to have 30 salamander species and is the subject of an ongoing NPS salamander monitoring study. Participants will get a chance to assist with that study. The group will meet at the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob at 10 a.m., and the program will conclude by 1 p.m. Bring lunch, water, hiking shoes and clothes for changeable weather. Light refreshments provided. Free, but space is limited. RSVP by Sept. 24 to Christine O’Brien, christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com or 828.476.4667.
Solid Surface Specialists
62 Communications Dr, Waynesville • NC • 28786 • (828) 452-4747
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Traditions Concert: “Homegrown In Haywood” BALSAM RANGE Winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s
Parkway hike talks water A guided ranger hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 10 a.m. Sept. 19 will focus on water resources and human influence on the Parkway environment. The hike will begin at Looking Glass Rock Overlook on mile 417 in the Haywood County section of the Blue Ridge Parkway near the junction with U.S. 276. The Bridges Camp Gap trail is a 2.5mile route through hardwood forest down to the East Fork of the Pigeon River. 828.298.5330, ext. 304.
“Album of the Year”
Tuesday, September 30, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Colonial Theatre, 53 Park Street, Canton, NC 28716
Nantahala Hiking Club photo
To purchase purchase tickets: tickets: Call Call Amy Amy Hollifield Hollifield Tickets: $20 Towith with the the Blue Blue Ridge Ridge National National Heritage Heritage Area Area
Smoky Mountain News
Weeds be gone A volunteer takes a weedwacker to Burnington Gap in Nantahala National Forest to keep trail signs visible to hikers. Nantahala Hiking Club sent four members out Aug. 30 to maintain 2 miles of the Appalachian Trail, with tasks including painting Cold Spring Shelter, clearing water bars and blown-down trees, clearing overgrown trail and installing a new sign directing campers to a designated campsite.
September 17-23, 2014
A hike to the salamander capital of the world will come bundled with highland views and explanation from a National Park Service salamander expert, 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Appalachian Highland Science Learning Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Haywood Waterways Association is sponsoring the hike to Purchase Knob along with GSMNP in the next installment of HWA’s “Get to Know Your Watershed” series of lectures and outings to explore Haywood County’s watershed. The Purchase Knob area, which tops out
828-298-5330 x 303 • amy@blueridgeheritage.com Or purchase online at www.blueridgeheritage.com
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WNC Calendar
Smoky Mountain News
Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: ■ Complete listings of local music scene ■ Regional festivals ■ Art gallery events and openings ■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers ■ Civic and social club gatherings
COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • The Western Carolina University Public Policy Institute will host a panel discussion, “Are Two Better than One? Comparing our Rights under the North Carolina and the United States Constitutions”, 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center, room 130, Cullowhee. 828.227.3898. • Western Carolina University’s life-long learning series for people over 50, called LIFE@Western Carolina, will feature lectures and learning field trips, with topics ranging from cultural heritage, politics, media, music and more. A presentation on the series will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at the Waynesville Public Library. • The Village Green will install and dedicate a sculpture of Al Balestire, to celebrate his contributions as a contributor to Cashiers, 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, Gazebo at Highway 64 entrance to The Village Green. 828.743.3434. • The Canton Fall Clean-Up Day will be from 8 a.m.- 1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26. Participation by local businesses and members of the community are encouraged. Lunch will be provided to all participating volunteers. 828.648.2363 or www.cantonnc.com. Bark in the Park will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at Mark Watson Park in Sylva. Sheep herding, agility demonstrations, costume contest, games, vendors, canine massages, “Ask the Vet” booth, pet photographer, and more. Canine Good Citizen testing at 10:30 a.m. Preregister at 845.548.6420 or carickey1@gmail.com. www.wcdfa.org. • The Community Kitchen in Canton is in need of volunteers. Opportunities range from planning a meal updating their webpage. 828.648.0014.
BUSINESS & EDUCATION • Highlands Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business After Hours, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, Highlands Cove Realty. Please RSVP. 828.526.2112. • “Diversity University” is an interactive program held during Western Carolina University’s Diversity Week, 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, A.K. Hinds University Center Grandroom, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee. 828.227.2276. • Western Carolina University will hold its Open House to prospective students and families, 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, WCU’s Ramsey Regional Activity Center, Cullowhee. 877.928.4968. Main Street Café and Bakery will hold its Customer Appreciation Day, 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, Franklin Underground Event Center. Free food and music by CSquare. Event will raise money for Shop with a Cop. 828.524.3161. • Haywood Community College Small Business Center will offer a free seminarl, “Business Start-Up Issues AZ,” 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, Student Center, first floor. 828.627.4512.
• Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center will offer a free seminar for entrepreneurs, “What you need to know about insurance as a business owner,” 8 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, Jackson County Public Library. 828.339.4211.
FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • The Smoky Mountain Roller Girls and their Lil’Nemesisters will hold a rummage sale from 8 a.m.1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept 20, at the Swain County Recreation Center in Bryson City. The sale will benefit the Hawthorne Heights Teen Center and the Cherokee Children’s Home. • Canada Volunteer Fire Dept. will hold its annual BBQ Fundraiser, 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, Tuckasegee. Ellb3@frontier.com. • The Cullowhee Valley School Parents/Teachers Association will host its annual Fall Festival, 4:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, Cullowhee Valley School to raise money for the PTA. 828.331.8590. • “Coats for Kids of Jackson County” is seeking new or gently used kids coats, warm clothing, hats, gloves and shoes. Donations can be dropped off at Cullowhee United Methodist Church, Sylva. Distribution Day is from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Oct. 4, at First Presbyterian Church, Sylva. Children should be present. Coats4kidsjc@frontier.com.
HEALTH MATTERS • Look Good…Feel Better will hold its next class, 2-4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, Angel Medical Center, Cancer Infusion Center, 834 Depot St., Franklin. 828.349.6900. • Digestive Health Seminar, 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Jackson County library in Sylva. 828.586.2016. • A wellness seminar “Medication Precautions” will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, by the Jackson County Senior Center, 100 County Services Park, Sylva. 828.586.4944. • The screening of an educational film, “Dementia Care for America’s Heroes,” will be held at 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, Haywood County Senior Resource Center, Waynesville. Covers personal stories of families caring for a loved-one with dementia and strategies. 336.532.7207. • A new peer support group for people living with depression or bipolar disorder will meet Monday September 22, St. Andrews on the Hill, Canton. Mindsonthemend@gmail.com. • Haywood Regional Medical Center will hold three tired leg and varicose vein educational programs at 4, 5 and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, Medical Center’s Outpatient Care Center, 581 Leroy George Dr., Clyde. 828.452.8346. • Ladies Night Out will hold a program about Asthma and Allergies, 4 and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, Angel Medical Center cafeteria, Franklin. 828.349.2426. • Hoop Fitness classes at the Jackson County Rec. Center for all ages and abilities. Saturdays at 11:15 a.m. - Hoops provided. $5 for non-members.
KIDS & FAMILIES • Explorer’s Club for kids will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Held monthly. Intended for all ages, with a special emphasis on cultural learning for children. Each Explorer’s Club will feature special guests, snacks, and crafts that all are pertinent to the theme for that month. 828.586.2016.
All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted. • Parents as Teachers will hold their first Roll and Read, 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19, Waynesville Recreation Center greeway trail. Parents and children can walk, bike, skate, push a stroller or pull a wagon from the Waynesville Recreation Center parking lot to the Waynesville Recreation Park, as well as enjoy select children’s stories at points along the way. 828.456.8995 or www.karehouse.org. • The Macon County Public Library will hold their Game Day, 1-3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, Macon County Public Library, 149 Siler Farm Rd, Franklin. Board games, card games and puzzles. 828.524.3600. • Youth Arts Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. Hands-on cafts for children, watch artists at work, listen to local music, and get their hands dirty with art projects. JCGEP.org or 631.0271. • Marianna Black Library Storytimes will hold its new “Baby and Me” Lapsit Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Second and fourth Tuesdays every month. www.fontanalib.org or 828.488.3030. • Smoky Mountain Model Railroaders holds public viewing session from 2 to 4 p.m. the second Sunday of the month, 130 Frazier St., in the Industrial Park near Bearwaters Brewery, Waynesville. The group runs Lioneltype 3rail O gauge trains. http://smokymountainmodelrailroaders.wordpress.com. • Free Saturday morning cartoons shown at the Strand theater in downtown Waynesville from 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cereal, milk, o.j. and continental breakfast (plus coffee, LOTS of coffee) at the concession stand. PJs welcome.
POLITICAL EVENTS
THE SPIRITUAL SIDE • Hazelwood Presbyterian Church will hold its “Cultivating Contentment in a Covetous World,” a workshop for women of all ages, 9 a.m.- noon. Saturday, Sept. 27, 368 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville. Lisa.a.womack@gmail.com.
A&E FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS • The Macon County Fair will take place from Sept. 1720. 828.349.2050. • The Great Smoky Mountains National Park will hold its annual Mountain Life Festival, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. Old-timey demonstrations including hearth cooking, apple butter making, sorghum syrup making, blacksmithing, lye soap making, food preservation, and chair bottoming, plus old-time mountain music. Held at Mountain Farm Museum on U.S. 441 at entrance to the park outside Cherokee. 828.497.1904. • Matthew Foley, spoken word poet, will present a spoken-word workshop, 2:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, Hunter Library, Western Carolina University. 828.227.3423. • Mountain Heritage Day, 40th Anniversary, Saturday, Sept. 27, Western Carolina University campus. Mountain Heritage Day contests, whisker-growing, old-fashioned costumes, home-canned goods; chainsaw competition, antique auto show and Mountain Heritage Day 5K. www.mountainheritageday.com or 227.7129. The High Mountain Squares will host their “End of Summer Dance” at 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, Macon County Community Building, Franklin. 828.371.4946.
• A reception for candidate Joe Sam Queen, 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, home of Ginger Gaither, 680 Blackhill Rd., Bryson City. 828.452.1688.
Haywood Dancers will hold their monthly dance, 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, Angies Dance Academy, 115 Glance St., Clyde. $10 admission. 828.734.8726.
• A debate with candidates for the N.C. House of Representatives seat 119 (representing Jackson, Swain and part of Haywood counties) will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, in Room 204 of the Health and Human Sciences Building on WCU’s West Campus. Featuring N.C. Rep. Joe Sam Queen (D-Haywood) and challenger Mike Clampitt (R-Swain). Part of the WCU Political Debate Series. 828.227.3898.
• Fifth annual Taste of Sylva culinary tour, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, downtown Sylva. 226.0181 or www.mainstreetsylva.org.
• A forum with Jackson County commissioner candidates will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, in the Burrell Building at Southwestern Community College in Sylva. • Haywood chapter of the NAACP meets at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church on Mt. Olive Rd. in Waynesville. 828.400.5475. • A forum between District Attorney candidates Jim Moore and Ashley Welch will be helf from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Colonial Theater in Canton.
ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • The Macon County Public Library will present music by Angela Faye Martin, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, Macon County library in Franklin. 828.524.3600. • A tribute concert to Carroll Best, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska. Free to the public. 865.436.7318. • The Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts will present Phillips, Craig and Dean, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. 866.273.4615. Bret Michaels will perform at 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center. 800.745.3000.
• Jackson County branch of the NAACP meets at 10 a.m. on the Saturday following the second Thursday of every month at Liberty Baptist Church in Sylva. kdecano@yahoo.com.
• Gaither Homecoming Tour, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, Western Carolina University’s Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center. 227.7677. 227.7722 or visit the Ramsey Activity Center box office.
• A debate with candidates for NC Senate seat 50 (representing the seven western counties) will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, in Room 204 of the Health and Human Sciences Building. Featuring N.C. Sen. Jim Davis (R-Macon) and challenger Jane Hipps (DHaywood). Part of the WCU Political Debate Series. 828.227.3898.
• The 9th annual Nashville Songwriters’ Round to benefit the Blue Ridge School Education Foundation will be at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Trillium Links & Lake Club in Cashiers. Live music by Rivers Rutherford & Friends. $75 per person. 828.743.5191. • Bluegrass/gospel group Buncombe Turnpike will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Macon County
• Newgrass/string band Brushfire Stankgrass will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 19 at Innovation Brewing in Sylva. 828.586.9678 or www.innovation-brewing.com.
• The Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts will present James Castro, Victoria Banks and Tony Arata in “Home By Dark”, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, 1028 Georgia Rd., Franklin. $15 per person. 866.273.4615 or GreatMountainMusic.com.
• Live music at Nantahala Outdoor Center. Upcoming bands include Rushing Sept. 19 and Somebody’s Child Sept. 20. Live music, barbecue and craft beer. All performances are free and begin at 6 p.m.
• String musicians from the Asheville Symphony Orchestra will perform with WCU School of Music, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center, Western Carolina University. $10 for adults, $5 for students and children. 828.227.7242. • Folk/roots singer-songwriter Linda McRae will perform at 7:45 p.m. Sept. 25 at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 828.283.0079 or www.38main.com.
NIGHTLIFE • Frog Level Brewing Company in Waynesville will have live music by Summers & Kram on Sept. 18 and Southside of the Tracks Sept. 20. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free. 828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com. • A free open mic night will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. 828.283.0079 or www.38main.com. • Caleb Crawford will perform at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva, 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18. Free. 828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com. • Live music coming to The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Singer-songwriter Daniel Shearin Sept. 19, classic pop-rock pianist Joe Cruz and soul/pop duo Sept 20 and 27, and Bohemian Jean Sept. 26. All shows begin at 7 p.m. $10 minimum purchase. 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.
• Frog Level Brewing Company in Waynesville has live music by Alarm Clock Conspiracy Sept. 25. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free. 828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.
• A community music jam will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Held first and third Thursday of the month – year round. Free. 828.488.3030.
• Live music by Lyric at the Water’n Hole Bar & Grill in Waynesville at 9 p.m. Sept. 26. $5. 828.456.4750.
• Cruso Circle Play & Jam, 7 p.m. every Tuesday, Cruso Community Center and Friendship Club in Cruso. www.facebook.com/crusocircleplayjam.
• BearWaters Brewing Company in Waynesville will have live music by Mangas Colorado at 7 p.m. Sept. 19. www.bwbrewing.com or 828.246.0602.
• Funk/rock group The Fritz will perform as part of the Music on Tap series at Nantahala Brewing in Bryson City, 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26. Free. www.nantahalabrewing.com.
• Friday Night Live concert series at Town Square in Highlands will feature Southern Highlands on Sept. 19, with Macon Grass Band Sept. 26. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free.
• Viva Le Vox and Joe Buck Yourself will perform at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva, 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26. Free. 828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.
• The Maggie Valley Rendezvous will feature live music by Singer-songwriter Ashli Rose Sept. 19 and Mile High Sept. 20 at 9 p.m. 828.926.0201.
• LOCAL will perform at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva, 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. Free. 828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.
• The Humps & The Blackouts pirate costume party will be at the Water’n Hole Bar & Grill in Waynesville at 9 p.m. Sept. 19. $5 828.456.4750.
• Soul/oldies group Paradise 56 will perform as part of Pickin’ on the Square at the gazebo in downtown Franklin at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 27. Free. 828.524.2516
• Liz Nance Trio will perform at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva, 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19. Free. 828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.
• Acoustic duo Somebody’s Child will perform at the Bryson City Train Depot at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 27. Free. www.greatsmokies.com.
• Elvis impersonator Chris Monteith will perform at the Bryson City Train Depot at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 20. Free. www.greatsmokies.com.
• The Diamond K Ranch in Maggie Valley has live music Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays are ladies nights. 926.7735.
• Riva Rebels and Lorin Walker Madsen Band will perform at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva, 9:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22. Free. 828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.
• A game day will occur from 2 to 9 p.m. every third Saturday of the month at Papou’s Wine Shop & Bar in Sylva. Bring dice, cards or board games. 828.586.6300.
• The Maggie Valley Rendezvous will have live music by SmokeRise on Sept. 21, poolside from 3 to 6 p.m. 828.926.0201. • Aubryn will perform at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva. Thursday, Sept. 25. Free. 828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.
MUSIC JAMS AND GROUPS • Old-time music jam from 1-3 p.m. the third Saturday of the month at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on U.S. 441 outside Cherokee. 828.452.1068.
• Signature Brew Coffee Company holds Sylva Open Jam nights on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. Shop provides the instruments, you provide the talent. Chris Coopers’ Fusion band hosts.
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Heritage Center in the Historic Cowee School in Franklin. $10 per person. 828.349.1945 or www.coweeschool.org.
• An open jam session is held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. each Thursday at Heinzelmannchen Brewery in Sylva. All skill levels and instruments welcome. 828.631.4466 or www.yourgnometownbrewery.com • Golden Aires singing group meets at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday at the Golden Age Senior Center in Sylva. Secular and religious music. Performances given at area nursing homes. Singers need not be seniors to join. goldenagecenter1@verizon.net. • Haywood Community Band meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday at Grace Episcopal Church. 452.7530. • Karaoke is held at 7 p.m. every other Friday at the American Legion Post 47 in Waynesville. Open to all members and their guests. 456.8691. • Karaoke is held from 8:30 to 12:30 p.m. every Friday at the Tap Room at the Waynesville Inn. 800.627.6250. • Men Macon Music, canella singing, meets at 5:30 p.m. every Monday in the Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 26 Church St., Franklin. Visitors welcome. 524.9692. • Mountain Dulcimer Players Club meets from 2 to 4 p.m. on the first and third Sundays of each month at the Bryson City United Methodist Church. Knowledge of music not required, tablature method used. 488.6697.
September 17-23, 2014
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• Pick and Play Dulcimer Group of Sylva meets at 1:30 p.m. on the first, third and fifth Saturday of every month in the fellowship hall of St. John’s Episcopal Church. 293.0074 • The Franklin Early Music Group meets every Monday at 9 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. 369.5192
• Smoky Mountain Quilt Show will be held Oct. 2-4 at Western Carolina University. www.smokymtnquilters.org or 828.508.7916.
• The Nikwasi Dulcimer Players meet every Thursday afternoon from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Franklin. All are welcome. 524.1040 or 524.2294
• Call to artists to apply for entry in the 6th annual 2014 Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival, Oct. 10-12, Cashiers Valley. www.visitcashiersvalley.com or e-mail info@visitcashiersvalley.com or 743.8428.
CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • A painting on glass class will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office in Sylva. Longtime Dogwood Crafts member Patricia Cowen will be teaching the class, which has a limited number of spots available. Class is free and open to the public. To register, call 828.586.4009. • Fall Leaves in Clay workshop with Carmen Holland and Maria Greene at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19, Cowee Pottery School, Macon County Heritage Center, Cowee Creek Rd., Franklin. 828.524.7690. • Fall Colors Landscape Oil Painting Workshop with Jon Houglum from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 19, Historic Cowee School, 51 Cowee School Rd., Franklin. 828.369.7274. • Kent Stewart will hold a Journal Making Workshop, 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, Blue Ridge Books, 152 S. Main, Waynesville. 828.456.6000 or blueridgebooksnc.com.
September 17-23, 2014
• The Endless Possibilities of Surface Decoration Using Porcelain Slip workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 22-24 at The Bascom in Highlands. Students will explore surface decoration on white stoneware, focusing on wheel-thrown forms each day, discussing and altering techniques. Cost is $275 for Bascom members, $310 for non-members. www.thebascom.org or 828.526.4949. • Dogwood Crafters will hold a Calligraphy Workshop, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, Masonic Lodge, Dillsboro. Register by Sept. 19. $10. 828.586.2435 or junettapell@hotmail.com. • A workshop “Human/Animal Hybrids: Sculpting with Solid Forms In Clay” will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 2728 at The Bascom in Highlands. The workshop will encourage students to try new narrative form, consisting of personal iconography and animal characteristics. $250 for members, $285 for non-members. www.thebascom.org.
Smoky Mountain News
• Drawing Lessons for Adults, by Char Avrunin, 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays and painting lessons from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays. www.iamclasses.webs.com or contact Char at 456.9197, orcharspaintings@msn.com. • Art classes with Dominick DePaolo, 10 a.m. to noon on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the Old Armory Building, 44 Boundary St. in Waynesville and from 1 to 3 p.m. every Friday at Mountain Home Collection at 110 Miller St., Waynesville. Armory classes, 456.9918; Home Collection classes, 456.5441 • Watercolor classes with Dominick DePaolo from 10 a.m. to noon and oil painting classes from 1 to 3 p.m. on Mondays, at Uptown Gallery, Franklin. 349.4607. • The Smoky Mountain Knitting Guild offers free Learn to Knit classes for adults and children at the Waynesville Library on Tuesdays. The adult class meets from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Children (boys and girls ages 8-12) meet from 5 to 6 p.m. Pre-registration required. 246.0789.
ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES 46
Narrative” on display. “Forest/City” will be on display until Oct. 17, “Abstract Autobiography” until Nov. 7. WCU Fine Arts Museum, Cullowhee. 828.227.3591.
• WCU Fine Arts Museum has an exhibit, “Forest/City” and “Abstract Autobiography for a Fractured
BOOKS AND AUTHORS • The Artist and Writer Retreats + Workshops, Sept. 15-21, Lake Logan Retreat Center. Details, www.cullowheemountainarts.org or 342.6913. Tom Kelly will present his book, “Gridiron Diplomat’s Carolina Dacha,” 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. 828.586.9499. Teresa Robbins will present her poetry collection, “God Speaks,” 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. 828.586.9499. • The Canton Book Club will hold its next meeting, 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18. Canton Branch Library, Canton. 828.648.2924. The John Campbell Folk School and NC Writers Network West are sponsoring “The Literary Hour,” an hour of poety and prose reading, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, Keith House on JCFS campus. Poets Janice Moore and Mary Ricketson will be the featured readers. 828.494.2914. Franklin author Emily Joanne Hoover will sign copies of her new book, “Hold on to Your Panties and Have Fun,” noon. Saturday, Sept. 20, City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. 828.586.9499. • A Haywood county non-fiction book club meets the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at various locations. 456.8428.
FILM & SCREEN • City Lights Bookstores and the Jackson County Public Library will show documentary “War is Beautiful” A Journey into the Spanish Civil War”, 6:30. Friday, Sept. 19, Community Room, Jackson County Public Library, Sylva. • The Groovy Movie Club will show the film “Belle” at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at Buffy Queen’s home in Dellwood. A mostly organic potluck dinner will precede the screening at 6:15 p.m. A discussion on the film will follow the screening. 828.926.3508 or 828.454.5949. • “X-Men Days of Future Past” will play at the Strand movie theater in downtown Waynesville. 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 19; 2, 5 and 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 20; and 2 p.m. On Sept. 21. The Marianna Black Library will present Disney’s “The Jungle Book”, 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, Marianna Black Library, Bryson City. 828.488.3030. • “The Fault in Our Stars” will play at the Stand movie theater in downtown Waynesville. 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 26; 2, 5 and 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 27; and 2 p.m. on Sept. 28. • The Mad Batter Food & Film now showing featured films, 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays, downtown Sylva location. Special kids’ matinee at 2 p.m. Saturdays. Free. Movie listings and information, www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com. 586.3555. • Family movie days at Marianna Black Library, Bryson City, are at 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Classic movies at 1 p.m. the second and fourth Friday. Other films also shown. Free movies and popcorn. 488.3030 or www.fontanalib.org/brysoncity. • Movies at the Macon County Library. New movies, documentaries and foreign films every Monday at
3:30, Wednesday at 4:30 and again at 7 p.m., and classic matinees at Fridays at 2 p.m. The movies and popcorn are free, but donations are welcome. 524.3600.
ARTS GROUP MEETINGS • Blue Ridge Mountain Quilt Guild, 6 to 9 p.m. fourth Thursday, January through October, and third Thursday, November and December, 382 Champion Drive, Canton. Community group open to all skill levels and gender. Must be a high school senior or above to join the group. First visit is free. $25 yearly membership fee. Traci Hoglen, 316.1517 or visit us on Facebook at Blue Ridge Mtn. Quilt Guild • The Tuesday Quilters meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church on N.C. 107. Bring your machine and whatever quilt you are working on. • The WNC Fiber Folk Group meets weekly from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursdays in the Star Atrium of the Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at WCU. 227.2553 or ddrury@wcu.edu. • Thursday Painters meet at the Uptown Gallery in Franklin every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring your project and a bag lunch and join us for a day of creativity and fun. All artists are welcome. 349.4607. • Rug Hooking Group, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Jackson County Public Library. Beginners welcome. 631.2561. • Jackson County Arts Council meets at 5:30 p.m. the first Monday of each month at the Jackson County Library Complex conference room. 293.3407.
Outdoors OUTINGS & FIELDTRIPS • Blue Ridge Parkway rangers will hold their “Hike of the Week” to scenic East Fork of the Pigeon River, 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19, Looking Glass Rock Overlook, Milepost 417. Bring water, good hiking shoes and accommodations for change in weather. 828.298.5330 ext. 304. The Nantahala Hiking Club will offer a hike to Andrews Bald in the Smokies, 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, Bi-Lo in Franklin. 828.524.5298. • A fieldtrip to spot migrating hawks along the Blue Ridge Parkway will be held at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, by the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society. Meet at Highlands Town Hall Parking Lot to carpool. 828.526.1939 or 828.787.1387. • Volunteers are needed for the annual Big Sweep waterway clean-up along Richland Creek in Waynesville. Saturday, Sept. 20, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Meet at Bi-Lo’s parking lot off Russ Avenue. 828.627.4592. • Volunteers are needed to help sample local streams for water quality in Haywood County. Attend the training session before joining a collection team. Sunday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 828.550.4869. The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department will offer a kayaking trip to Lake Fontana, 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, Waynesville Recreation Center. Kayaks will be provided. Bring a snack. $20 for members, $25 for non-members. 828.456.2030. Waynesville Parks and Recreation will offer seniors a guided tour to see elk in Cataloochee Valley, 3-9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, Waynesville Recreation Center. Bring your own dinner, camera, binoculars and bug spray. $5 for Rec Center members, $7 for non-members. Space is limited. 828.456.2030. Nantahala Outdoor Center will hold its Guest Appreciation Festival, Sept. 26-28. Events include huge used gear market place, mountain bike trials, whitewater rafting, zip-lining and more.
828.785.5082. Camping 101, an overnight adventure being offered to Jackson middle schoolers for Friday, Sept. 26. Students will learn camping basics. $20 per student. Register by Sept. 19. 828.293.3053 or 828.631.2020. H• aywood Waterways Association and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park will offer a short hike to the Appalachian Highland Science Learning Center, 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, Appalachian Highland Science Learning Center, Purchase Knob. Wear hiking shoes and bring lunch, water, warm clothing and rain gear. RSVP by Sept. 24. 828.476.4667. • Guided chestnut orchard tours, 11 a.m. Wednesdays, Cataloochee Ranch. $15, includes lunch. Reservations, 926.1401.
PROGRAMS & WORKSHOPS • The Cradle of Forestry will hold its “Bring Back the Monarchs” program, 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, Forest Discovery Center, Hwy. 276, Pisgah National Forest. $5 for adults and free to children under 16. 828.877.3130. • Heather Hahn, Executive Director of Audubon North Carolina, will present “Save the Songs: Climate Change and Birds,” 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, Highlands Civic Center/Rec Park. • The annual symposium “Rooted in the Mountains: Valuing Our Common Ground” will be held Thursday and Friday, Sept. 25-26, with a theme of climate change, including lectures and presentations. Health and Human Sciences Building, Western Carolina University. Free to students and WCU staff, $125 for all others. rootedinthemtns.wcu.edu or 828.227.2164. • WMI - Wilderness First Responder Recertification, three-day course, Sept. 19-21, Cullowhee. Landmark Learning, 293.5384 or main@landmarklearning.edu.
FARM & GARDEN • The Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project will hold its annual Farm Tour, 1-6 p.m. Sept. 20 and 21. $25 for advanced passes. 828.236.1282 or asapconnections.org. • Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market will host a special farm fare day, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. Barnyard animals, live music, old farm equipment, tastings. 828.550.4774 birchsprings@msn.com. • Mountain Heritage Day’s “A Gathering In” traditional foods competition, Saturday, Sept. 27, Western Carolina University campus. Also a “Best in the West Sweet Potato Recipe Contest” adult and youth winners. www.mountainheritageday.com/Contests, or contact Peter Koch at pkoch@email.wcu.edu or 227.7129.
HIKING CLUBS • Nantahala Hiking Club based in Macon County holds weekly Saturday hikes in the Nantahala National Forest and beyond. www.nantahalahikingclub.org • High Country Hikers, based out of Hendersonville but hiking throughout Western North Carolina, plans hikes every Monday and Thursday. Schedules, meeting places and more information are available on their website, www.highcountryhikers.org. • Carolina Mountain Club hosts more than 150 hikes a year, including options for full days on weekends, full days on Wednesdays and half days on Sundays. Non-members contact event leaders. www.carolinamountainclub.org • Smoky Mountain Hiking Club, located in East Tennessee, makes weekly hikes in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park as well as surrounding areas. www.smhclub.org. • Benton MacKaye Trail Association incorporates outings for hikes, trail maintenance and other work trips. No experience is necessary to participate. www.bmta.org.
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FARMERS & TAILGATE MARKETS Haywood County • Canton Farmers Market and Heritage Crafts. 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday through Oct. 31, municipal parking lot of downtown Canton. Robin Smith, 734.9071 or michaelrobin07@yahoo.com. • Haywood Historic Farmers Market. 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday and Saturday through mid-December at 250 Pigeon St, Waynesville, parking lot HART Theatre. 280.1381 or haywoodfarmersmarket@gmail.com. • The Original Waynesville Tailgate Market. 8 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays and Saturdays through Oct. 29 at 171 Legion Dr., Waynesville, behind Bogart’s restaurant. 648.6323. www.facebook.com/pages/waynesville-tailgate-market/117024646020.
Jackson County • Cashiers Tailgate Market. 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays May through October. Anglican Church parking lot next to Macon Bank on U.S. Highway 64 East. 226.9988 or blueridgefarmers@gmail.com. • Jackson County Farmers Market. 9 a.m. to noon April to October at Bridge Park in Sylva; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. November to March at Community Table. Family Art at the Market offered at 10 a.m. and story time with City Lights at 11 a.m.; monthly fundraising brunches and occasional music given. 631.3033 or jacksoncountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com.
Macon County • Cowee Farmers Market. 3:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Oct. 28, Old Cowee School, 51 Old Cowee School Dr., Franklin. info@coweefarmersmarket.com or 524.8369.
September 17-23, 2014
• Franklin Farmers Tailgate Market. 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through November on East Palmer Street across from Drake Software. 349.2049 or alan_dur-
den@ncsu.edu, www.facebook.com/franklinncfarmersmarket.
Park retail complexes in Sylva. 743.6491 or jacksonctygop@yahoo.com, www.jacksoncountygop.com.
Swain County
• The North Jackson County GOP monthly meetings are held at 6:30 p.m., the fourth Monday of each month, at the Sylva headquarters, 58 D Sunrise Park, Sylva. Ralph Slaughter, Jackson County GOP Chair at 743.6491 or www.jacksoncountygop.com.
• Swain County Farmers Market. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays through Oct. 31. 210 Main St. at the corner of Main St. and Everett St. in Bryson City. 488.3848 or christine_bredenkamp@ncsu.edu.
POLITICAL CORNER Democratic party • Macon County Democratic Party Headquarters, 251 Sloan Road in Franklin, is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. 369.8561. • Haywood County Democratic executive committee meets at 5 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Democratic Headquarters, 286 Haywood Square, Waynesville. www.haywooddemocrats.org. • Haywood County Democratic Party headquarters, 286 Haywood Square, Waynesville, is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. 452.9607, haywooddemocrats.org. • Jackson County Democratic Party meets the third Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at Democratic Headquarters, 500 Mill St., Sylva. Brian McMahan, 508.1466. • Jackson County Democratic Party executive committee members meet at 6:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Democratic Headquarters, 500 Mill St., Sylva. jacksondems.com. • Jackson County Democratic Women meet at 6 p.m. the third Thursday of every month at Democratic Headquarters 500 Mill St., Sylva. jacksondems.com.
GOP • Jackson County Republican headquarters at Laurel Terrace on U.S. 64 East in Cashiers and at 58 Sunrise
Our 7th Anniversary...
• The South Jackson County GOP monthly meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month at the GOP headquarters office at Laurel Terrace on N.C. 64 east in Cashiers. Ralph Slaughter, Jackson County GOP Chair at 743.6491 or www.jacksoncountygop.com. • The Haywood Republicans meet at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at the GOP headquarters, 303 N. Haywood St., Waynesville. 246.7921. www.haywoodncgop.org.
Other political groups • The Haywood County NAACP meets at various locations the last Sunday of each month. 828.400.5475. • Jackson County branch of the NAACP meets at 10 a.m. on the Saturday following the second Thursday of every month at Liberty Baptist Church in Sylva.
loving area citizens who want Constitutionally-limited government, free market economics and fiscal responsibility are welcome. Box547@aol.com. • The League of Women Voters meets at noon the second Thursday of each month at Tartan Hall in Franklin. Lunch available by reservation. Open to all. $6 for food. 524.5192.
VOLUNTEERING • The Community Kitchen in Canton is in need of volunteers. Opportunities range from planning a meal updating their webpage. 828.648.0014. • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Haywood County is now accepting applications for boys and girls within the Haywood County area between the ages of 6 and 14 who could benefit from an approved adult mentor/role model. No cost to the family. 356.2148. • Gathering Table, 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, at The Community Center, Route 64, Cashiers. Provides fresh, nutritious dinners to all members of the community regardless of ability to pay. Volunteers always needed and donations gratefully accepted. 743.9880. • Haywood County Meals on Wheels needs drivers to deliver hot meals to housebound seniors. 356.2442.
• The Libertarian Party of Haywood County meets at 7 p.m. every second Wednesday of the month at Organic Beans, 3676 Soco Road, Maggie Valley. Open to the public. haywood@lpnc.org.
• Community Care Clinic of Franklin needs volunteers for a variety of tasks including nursing/clinical, clerical and administrative and communications and marketing. 349.2085.
• Occupy/WNC General Assembly meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday in room 220 of the Jackson County Administration and Justice Center in Sylva. 538.1644.
• Catman2 Shelter in Jackson County needs volunteers for morning feeding and general shelter chores. 293.0892 or hsims@catman2.org.
• A TEA Party group meets at 2 p.m. the third Saturday of each month at the 441 Diner in Otto. • The Jackson County Patriots meet at 6 p.m. on the third thursday of each month at Ryan’s Steak House in Sylva, with the meeting start at 6:30 p.m. All liberty-
• The Volunteer Water Inventory Network (VWIN) is looking for people to work one to two hours a month taking water samples from local creeks and streams. Fill up empty bottles, collect water samples, and return full bottles. 926.1308 or www.haywoodwaterways.org.
Old Town Bank is Celebrating with Lots of “Lucky Seven”offers* for YOU! $7 Safe Deposit Box for one full year
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$7.77 First order of any business checks
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JACKPOT BONUS!
Why go to a casino when you can “roll 7s” every time at Old Town Bank! Come on in today.
Better Banking Begins With Us! Member
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*Safe Deposit Box offer applies to a 3” X 5” Box. Current rate on 24 month CD as of 9/10/2014 is 0.75% APY (Annual Percentage Yield), minimum amount to open Certificate of Deposit $1,000.00, early withdrawal penalties will apply. First order of Business Checks promotion is for checks ordered through Old Town Bank. The $7.00 per wire transfer fee applies to domestic outgoing wires only. These offers are valid through October 31, 2014.
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A million miles away is just down the road. visitnc.com
September 17-23, 2014 Smoky Mountain News 49
PRIME REAL ESTATE Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News
ARTS AND CRAFTS
MarketPlace information: The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 every week to over 500 locations across in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties along with the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. For a link to our MarketPlace Web site, which also contains a link to all of our MarketPlace display advertisers’ Web sites, visit www.smokymountainnews.com.
ALLISON CREEK Iron Works & Woodworking. Crafting custom metal & woodwork in rustic, country & lodge designs with reclaimed woods! Design & consultation, Barry Downs 828.524.5763, Franklin NC
LAWN AND GARDEN
Rates: ■Free — Residential yard sale ads, lost or found pet ads. ■Free — Non-business items that sell for less than $150. ■$12 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2. ■$12 — If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type. ■$3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad. ■$50 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold. ■$300 — Statewide classifieds run in 117 participating newspapers with 1.6 million circulation. Up to 25 words. ■All classified ads must be pre-paid.
HEMLOCK HEALERS, INC. Dedicated to Saving Our Hemlocks. Owner/Operator Frank Varvoutis, NC Pesticide Applicator’s License #22864. 48 Spruce St. Maggie Valley, NC 828.734.7819 828.926.7883, Email: hemlockhealers@yahoo.com
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Classified Advertising: Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 | classads@smokymountainnews.com
COWEE FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays from 3:30 - 7:00 p.m. Abundant Local Produce, Mushrooms, Eggs, Honey, Baked Goods, PUMPKINS, Crafts, Natural Skin Products, Live Musical Entertainment - Open Studios Macon County Heritage Center 51 Cowee School Drive, Franklin. coweefarmersmarket.com
WAYNESVILLE TIRE, COO
INC.
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Serving Haywood, Jackson & Surrounding Counties
BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company. SAPA
AUCTION ABSOLUTE AUCTION Tax Seizure & Bank Repo. Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 10am. 103 Locust Ave. Locust, NC. Selling for Wells Fargo & NC Department of Revenue, All Assets from Natalie Jewelry Inc., a Gold Processing/Smelting Company, B&T Pool Supply. Pool Supplies, Parts & Chemicals. Gold Items: ITC 50KW Induction Furnace, 4 SpectroMidex Spectometers, Fischer Spectrometer, (2) 2002 Gold Furnaces, Crucibles, more. 704.791.8825 ncaf5479. www.ClassicAuctions.com
HARPER’S AUCTION COMPANY Friday Sept. 19th @ 6:00 p.m. Join us for a Fun & Entertaining Night! We have Lots of Great Deals; Construction Items, Tools, Stained Glass Panels, Furniture, Lots of Smalls, Meade Telescope and Much More... Remember, If you can not attend we offer online bidding at: harpersauctioncompany.com 47 Macon Center Dr. Franklin, NC 828.369.6999. Debra Harper, NCAL #9659, NCFL #9671.
AUCTION, Live w/ Online Simulcast, Former Operations of Contract Steel Sales Inc., 52.707+/-Acres Divided, Staley, NC in Chatham Co., Sept. 25th at 1pm. Auction at Best Food Cafeteria. Iron Horse Auction Company, Inc. www.ironhorseauction.com. NCAL3936
LIQUIDATION REAL ESTATE Auction: 306 +/- acres - 7 tracts. House, Pond, Road Frontage. September 27, 2014 at 12 noon on site. 467 East Slate Mine Road, Denton, NC. Walker Commercial Services, Inc. William J. Walker, III. Phone 540.344.6160 www.walker-inc.com NCAL 8878 REFIRM C23586
CARWILE AUCTIONS INC. Sat. Sept. 27, 9am. '66 Mustang, Guns, Farm-Construction Equipment, Shop Tools! Prince Edward County, Va. CarwileAuctions.com. VAAR392. 434.547.9100.
ONLINE ONLY AUCTION 50 Choice Lots in Prestigious Ruffin's River Landing Supply, NC. September 19 to September 30 by Rogers Auction Group www.rogersauctiongroup.com. 336.789.2926. NCAL68.
FORECLOSURE AUCTION 18 Unit Apartment Property 315 & 316 Burkhead St. Whiteville, NC. Thurs, Sept. 25th at 10am. www.auctionEbid.com. 770.841.9924. Auction Management Corporation, NCAL#7403
REAL ESTATE & CONTENTS Auction Monroe, NC Real Estate Sells On-Site 9/20 at 12pm. Contents Online 9/9 through 9/19. www.theligoncompany.com 803.366.3535. NCAL8951/SCAL1716. NCRL183864/SCRL17640.
Offering:
MAJOR-BRAND TIRES FOR CARS, LIGHT & MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCKS, AND FARM TIRES.
Service truck available for on-site repairs LEE & PATTY ENSLEY, OWNERS
MON-FRI 7:30-5:00 • WAYNESVILLE PLAZA
828-456-5387
258-73
AUCTION
7654321604/6.-43367 .-43365,+2*36)(')('&%$ #"*!4 6 60 3!4 6)64 6(6%'6 "14 2"* 6 % 6 , " 6 6 4* -2* 6 . 21, 6 %$) .4--6 ' ( '$( &%$6 "6 ,+23 , 6 " .-4336 2--6 -3"6 ,6 42-4 -,62*6 - 4 4 2*+6)(')(%$ 6#"* 6 60 3 602 , 605 .4--6 ' ( ( % )6 " 6#" ,6 * " 4 2"*
TAX SEIZURE AUCTION Wednesday, September 24 at 10am. 196 Crawford Rd. Statesville, NC. Selling Seized Restaurants & Bar for NC Department of Revenue due to Unpaid Taxes. Lots of Seating, (3) 60Qt. Hobarts, Refrigeration, Bar Equipment, Pizza Ovens. 704.791.8825. ncaf5479. www.ClassicAuctions.com LIVE AUCTION W/ Online Simulcast, Wake County Development Tracts Divided, Sept. 18th at 3pm. Auction at Wingate By Windham Raleigh South, Iron Horse Auction Co. 800.997.2248. NCAL3936. www.ironhorseauction.com
R
BUILDING MATERIALS
CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING ALL THINGS BASEMENTY! Basement Systems Inc. Call us for all of your basement needs! Waterproofing, Finishing, Structural Repairs, Humidity and Mold Control. FREE ESTIMATES! Call 1.800.698.9217 DAVE’S CUSTOM HOMES OF WNC, INC Free Estimates & Competitive rates. References avail. upon request. Specializing in: Log Homes, remodeling, decks, new construction, repairs & additions. Owner/Builder: Dave Donaldson. Licensed/Insured. 828.631.0747 or 828.508.0316 SULLIVAN HARDWOOD FLOORS Installation- Finish - Refinish 828.399.1847.
PAINTING
DONATE YOUR CAR, Truck or Boat to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 800.337.9038. TOP CASH FOR CARS, Call Now For An Instant Offer. Top Dollar Paid, Any Car/Truck, Any Condition. Running or Not. Free Pick-up/Tow. 1.800.761.9396 SAPA
CAMPERS 25’ TRAVEL TRAILER - EXCELLENT With new awning and carpet, central heating and cooling. Queen bedroom. Everything in top condition. Sleeps 6. $9,400, Call 813.753.9626.
MOTORCYCLES ‘02 YAMAHA V-STAR 650 Vance & Hines Pipes, Saddle Bags. 12k Miles & Mechanic Owned! Like to Trade for a small pickup or boat. For more information call 828.246.0480.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES GREAT MONEY FROM HOME With Our Free Mailer Program. Live Operators On Duty Now! 1.800.707.1810 EXT 901 or visit WWW.PACIFICBROCHURES.COM SAPA NEW PAY-FOR-EXPERIENCE Program pays up to $0.41/mile. Class A Professional Drivers. Call 866.291.2631 for more details or visit SuperServiceLLC.com
"CAN YOU DIG IT"? Heavy Equipment Operator Training! 3 Week Program. Bulldozers, Backhoes, Excavators. Lifetime Job Placement Assistance with National Certifications. VA Benefits Eligible! 910.227.3999. $1,000 SIGN-ON BONUS! Dedicated Positions Available Close to Home. Great Percentage Pay, Miles, Benefits, Paid Orientation & Home Time Guarantee! Call now 800.441.4271, www.drivehornady.com. AIRLINE CAREERS BEGIN HERE Get FAA Approved Maintenance Training Financial Aid For Qualified Students. Job Placement Assistance. Call Aviation Institute Of Maintenance 1.866.724.5403 WWW.FIXJETS.COM. SAPA ATTN: DRIVERS $$Recent Pay Increase $$ 4 cpm Raise for Every Driver + Bonuses. 401k + Insurance. Paid Training/Orientation. CDL-A Req. 877.258.8782. www.addrivers.com AVERITT EXPRESS New Pay Increase For Regional Drivers! 40 to 46 CPM + Fuel Bonus! Also, Post-Training Pay Increase for Students! (Depending on Domicile) Get Home EVERY Week + Excellent Benefits. CDL-A req. 888.602.7440 Apply @ AverittCareers.com Equal Opportunity Employer - Females, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
JAMISON CUSTOM PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING Interior, exterior, all your pressure washing needs and more. Specialize in Removal of Carpenter Bees - Cedar or Log Homes or Painted or Siding! Call or Text Now for a Free Estimate at 828.508.9727
1 MAUSOLEUM CRYPT Inside Chapel on Floor Level. Located at Garrett Hillcrest. $2,700/OBO, some financing available. Call for more info 828.452.2729.
AUTO PARTS BLOWN HEAD GASKET Cracked Heads/Block. State of the art 2-part Carbon Composite Repair! All Vehicles Foreign or Domestic including Northstars! 100% guaranteed. Call Now: 1.866.780.9038 SAPA
DANA ONE OF 4 ADORABLE LITTERMATES. SHE WOULD BE SO HAPPY IF YOU WOULD ADOPT HER A SIBLING TOGETHER. THROUGH OCT. 31, IF YOU ADOPT ONE KITTEN YOU CAN GET THE SECOND FOR HALF PRICE!
LOUIE A TINY LITTLE ADORABLE SENIOR CHIHUAHUA WHO IS SWEET AS SUGAR AND DEEPLY ATTACHES TO HIS PERSON. HE IS A YOUNG-AT-HEART 14 YEARS OLD, AND DID WE MENTION HOW SWEET HE IS?
HIGHLANDS-CASHIERS HOSPITAL Positions now available: ER Registered Nurses, MDS Coordinator, Annual Gift Officer, Major Gift Officer, Medical Supply Tech, Accounting Clerk/ Executive Administrative Assistant, and Patient Access Coordinator. Benefits available the first of the month following 60 days of full-time employment. PreEmployment screening required. Call Human Resources. 828.526.1376, or apply online at: www.highlandscashiershospital. org
YOUR AD COULD REACH 1.6 MILLION HOMES ACROSS NC! Your classified ad could be reaching over 1.6 Million Homes across North Carolina! Place your ad with The Smoky Mountain News on the NC Statewide Classified Ad Network- 118 NC newspapers for a low cost of $330 for 25-word ad to appear in each paper! Additional words are $10 each. The whole state at your fingertips! It's a smart advertising buy! Call Scott Collier at 828.452.4251 or for more information visit the N.C. Press Association's website at www.ncpress.com
EMPLOYMENT TAYLOR FORD OF WAYNESVILLE Is conducting a search for a Parts Department stock room clerk. This associate will be responsible for shipping out, and receiving in parts orders and shipments. Associate will stock and organize shelves and special orders. Will assist front counter with Customers when needed. Applicants must have good customer service and communication skills. Must work well with a team, but be a selfstarter as well. Must have a highschool diploma and valid DL. Must be reliable, with strong organizational skills, a good attitude, & knowledge of basic computer skills. This opportunity provides unlimited opportunity and great benefits, as well as 401K and Insurance! Pay will be salary plus commission, and based on exp. All applicants should apply in person, and ask for Kirk Stump, or Bo Enloe GOODWILL PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER TRAINING Ready to go places? Get your Class-A CDL in only 4 weeks. Costs 40-50% less than other local classes. Financial assistance available. Call 828.464.8001
EMPLOYMENT AVIATION MANUFACTURING Careers - Get started by training as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance. 877.300.9494. DRIVER TRAINEES NEEDED! Become a driver for Stevens Transport! No Experience Needed! New drivers earn $800+ per week! PAID CDL TRAINING Stevens covers all costs! 1.888.748.4137 drive4stevens.com FTCC Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following positions: Dean of Arts. Dean of Sciences. Computer Programming Instructor. For detailed information and to apply, please visit our employment portal at: https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.com. Human Resources Office. Phone: 910.678.8378. Internet: http://www.faytechcc.edu. An Equal Opportunity Employer. DRIVERS: CDL-A. Average $52,000 per yr. plus Excellent Home Time + Weekends. Monthly Bonuses up to $650. 5,000w APU’s for your comfort & ELogs. Excellent Benefits. 100% No Touch. 877.704.3773.
smokymountainnews.com
CEMETERY PLOTS
EMPLOYMENT
September 17-23, 2014
WHERE PRIDE & WORKMANSHIP STILL EXIST! Painting By Fred Hoffman Over 40 yrs. Exp. Ineterior & Exterior Painting. Located in Haywood County. For more info & - Free Estimates 561.420.9334
EMPLOYMENT
WNC MarketPlace
HAYWOOD BUILDERS Garage Doors, New Installations Service & Repairs, 828.456.6051 100 Charles St. Waynesville Employee Owned.
CARS -
51
WNC MarketPlace
EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT
NEED MEDICAL BILLLING TRAINEES Doctors & Hospitals need Medical Office Staff! No Experienced Needed! Online Training gets you job ready! HS Diploma/GED & Computer needed. Careertechnical.edu/nc. 1.888.512.7122
FINANCIAL
UNDER EMPLOYED... Want A New Career? Become A Truck Driver! Must Have Good Driving Record No Drug or Criminal Past 5 years Earn $45,000+ In 4 Short Weeks. Carrier Sponsored Training. Call Now for more info 888.691.4423.
NEW PAY-FOR-EXPERIENCE Program pays up to $0.41/mile. Class A Professional Drivers. Call 866.291.2631 for more details or visit: SuperServiceLLC.com
PETS HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329
ATTN: DRIVERS. Be a Name, Not a Number $$$ Up to 50cpm + Bonuses $$$ 401K + Family Friendly. CDL-A Required 1.888.592.4752. SAPA POSITION AVAILABLE: Would you volunteer your talents and make a difference in someone living with a physical or intellectual disability? Volunteer at Pathways Thrift Store, 828.631.5533 or Disability Partners, 828.631.1167. Our non-profit, welcomes your partnership. Please bring a friend. There is strength in numbers.
Prevent Unwanted Litters! The Heat Is On! Spay/Neuter For Haywood Pets As Low As $10. Operation Pit is in Effect! Free Spay/Neuter, Microchip & Vaccines For Haywood Pitbull Types & Mixes!
ATTENTION: Drivers Be a Name, Not a Number. $$$ Up to 50 cpm Plus Bonuses $$$ 401k + Family Friendly. CDL-A Req. 877.258.8782. www.ad-drivers.com
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 12 Noon - 6 pm 182 Richland Street, Waynesville, NC.
September 17-23, 2014
NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS Offering 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $400 Section 8 Accepted - Handicapped Accessible Units When Available
Phone# 1.828.586.3346 TDD# 1.800.725.2962
www.smokymountainnews.com
Equal Housing Opportunity
FIX BAD CREDIT SCORES FAST! Start raising your credit score almost overnight-Results Guaranteed! A+ BBB Rating Call Now to learn how we do it 855.831.9712. SAPA INJURED? IN A LAWSUIT? Need Cash Now? We Can Help! No Monthly Payments to Make. No Credit Check. Fast Service and Low Rates. Call Now 1.866.386.3692. www.lawcapital.com (Not available in NC, CO, MD & TN) SAPA
FURNITURE COMPARE QUALITY & PRICE Shop Tupelo’s, 828.926.8778. HAYWOOD BEDDING, INC. The best bedding at the best price! 533 Hazelwood Ave. Waynesville 828.456.4240
HOMES FOR SALE BRUCE MCGOVERN A Full Service Realtor shamrock13@charter.net McGovern Property Management 828.283.2112.
REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
OFFICE HOURS: Tues. & Wed. 10:00am - 5:00pm & Thurs. 10:00am- 12:00pm 168 E. Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779
BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company. SAPA
LEASE TO OWN 1/2 Acre Lots with Mobile Homes & Empty 1/2 Acre + Lots! Located Next to Cherokee Indian Reservation, 2.5 Miles from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. For More Information Please Call 828.506.0578 NC MTNS NEAR ASHEVILLE Owner must sell new log cabin on 1.5ac. Huge porches, vaulted ceiling, 1200sf ready to finish. $74,900, add'l acreage avail. 828.286.2981.
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.
VACATION RENTALS CAVENDER CREEK CABINS Dahlonega, GA. GAS TOO HIGH? Spend your vacation week in the North Georgia Mountains! Ask About Our Weekly FREE NIGHT SPECIAL! Virtual Tour: www.CavenderCreek.com Cozy Hot Tub Cabins! 1.866.373.6307 SAPA FLAGLER BEACH MOTEL & Vacation Rentals ***Trip Advisor*** Certificate of Excellence Furnished Oceanside Studio 1-2-3 Bedrooms, Full Kitchens. FREE WiFi, Direct TV, Pool. Call Now 1.386.517.6700 or visit us at: www.fbvr.net SAPA
STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT BULLFROG STORAGE Convenient Location 19/23 Between Clyde and Canton
5 x 10 = $25 10 x 10 = $40 10 x 20 = $75 • NO CONTRACTS • Nobody Beats Our Rates
828.342.8700 CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE UNITS FOR RENT 1 Month Free with 12 Month Rental. Maggie Valley, Hwy. 19, 1106 Soco Rd. For more information call Torry
828.734.6500, 828.734.6700 maggievalleyselfstorage.com GREAT SMOKIES STORAGE Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction. Available for lease now: 10’x10’ units for $55, 20’x20’ units for $160. Get one month FREE with 12 month contract. Call 828.507.8828 or 828.506.4112 for more info.
MEDICAL ACORN STAIRLIFTS. The Affordable solution to your stairs! **Limited time -$250 Off Your Stairlift Purchase!** Buy Direct & SAVE. Please call 1.800.291.2712 for FREE DVD and brochure. CANADA DRUG CENTER Is your choice for safe and affordable medications. Our licensed Canadian mail order pharmacy will provide you with savings of up to 90 percent on all your medication needs. Call Today 1.800.265.0768 for $25.00 off your first prescription and free shipping. SAPA
MEDICAL MEDICAL GUARDIAN Top-rated medical alarm and 24/7 medical alert monitoring. For a limited time, get free equipment, no activation fees, no commitment, a 2nd waterproof alert button for free and more - only $29.95 per month. 800.983.4906. SAPA SAFE STEP WALK-IN TUB. Alert for Seniors. Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less Than 4 Inch Step-In. Wide Door. Anti-Slip Floors. American Made. Installation Included. Call 800.807.7219 for $750 Off. VIAGRA 100mg and CIALIS 20mg! 40 Pills + 4 FREE for only $99. #1 Male Enhancement, Discreet Shipping. Save $500! Buy The Blue Pill! Now 1.800.491.8751 SAPA
MUSIC LESSONS LEARN GUITAR & BANJO With Leigh Hilger. Many guitar styles. Clawhammer banjo. All skill levels welcome. Fun, relaxed teaching style for kids & adults. Located near Waynesville Library. 828.456.4435
ENTERTAINMENT SCOTTISH TARTANS MUSEUM 86 East Main St., Franklin, Open 10am- 5pm, Mon - Sat. Come & let us find your Scottish Connection! 828.584.7472 or visit us at: www.scottishtartans.org. REDUCE YOUR CABLE BILL!* Get a whole-home Satellite system installed at NO COST and programming starting at $19.99/mo. FREE HD/DVR Upgrade to new callers, SO CALL NOW 1.800.614.5355 DISH TV RETAILER. Starting at $19.99/month (for 12 mos.) & High Speed Internet starting at $14.95/month (where available.) SAVE! Ask About SAME DAY Installation! CALL Now! 1.800.351.0850 SAPA
258-65
Great Smokies Storage 10’x20’
92
$
20’x20’
160
$
ONE MONTH
FREE WITH 12-MONTH CONTRACT
828.506.4112 or 828.507.8828 52
REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT
Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction
Puzzles can be found on page 54. These are only the answers.
FOR SALE
ENJOY 100 PERCENT GUARANTEED, Delivered?to-the-door Omaha Steaks! SAVE 74 percent PLUS 4 FREE Burgers - The Family Value Combo - ONLY $39.99. ORDER Today 1.800.715.2010 Use code 48829AFK or visit us at: www.OmahaSteaks.com/mbfvc46 SAPA COWEE FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays from 3:30 - 7:00 p.m. Abundant Local Produce, Mushrooms, Eggs, Honey, Baked Goods, PUMPKINS, Crafts, Natural Skin Products, Live Musical Entertainment - Open Studios Macon County Heritage Center 51 Cowee School Drive, Franklin. coweefarmersmarket.com
NOTICES
PERSONAL
MAKE A CONNECTION. Real People, Flirty Chat. Meet singles right now! Call LiveLinks. Try it FREE. Call now 1.888.909.9978 18+. SAPA
SCHOOLS/ INSTRUCTION "CAN YOU DIG IT"? Heavy Equipment Operator Training! 3 Week Program. Bulldozers, Backhoes, Excavators. Lifetime Job Placement Assistance with National Certifications. VA Benefits Eligible! 910.227.3999. AIRLINE CAREERS BEGIN HERE Get FAA Approved Maintenance Training Financial Aid For Qualified Students. Job Placement Assistance. Call Aviation Institute Of Maintenance 1.866.724.5403 WWW.FIXJETS.COM. SAPA DRIVER TRAINEES NEEDED! Become a driver for Stevens Transport! No Experience Needed! New drivers earn $800+ per week! PAID CDL TRAINING Stevens covers all costs! 1.888.748.4137 drive4stevens.com EARN YOUR High School Diploma at home in a few short weeks. Work at your own pace. First Coast Academy. Nationally accredited. Call for free brochure. 1.800.658.1180, extension 82. www.fcahighschool.org SAPA
home where he is the only dog. 586.5186 ABIGAIL - A sweet, female terrier. She is 1 year old & weighs 28 lbs. She is white with brindle on her face. She gets along well with other dogs, and she loves to be petted. She is kennel trained & making lots of progress on being house trained. She is spayed & up to date on her vaccines. Call 586.5186 ARF’S next low-cost dog and cat spay/neuter trip is in October 6th. Register in advance at ARF’s adoption site in Sylva 1-3 on Saturdays. Spaces are limited, so don’t wait until the last minute to register. You should not bring your animal to registration. Do bring address documentation and income documentation if you wish to apply for free Cullowhee dog or Sylva cat spay/neuters or other low-income discounts. For more information, call 877.273.5262.
ARF (HUMANE SOCIETY OF JACKSON COUNTY) Holds rescued pet adoptions Saturdays from 1:00 - 3:00 (weather permitting) at 50 Railroad Avenue in Sylva. Animals are spayed/neutered and current on shots. Most cats $60, most dogs $70. Preview available pets at www.a-r-f.org, or call foster home. JIMMI - Domestic Shorthair cat – gray & white, I am about 3 years old, and I am a sweet, calm girl (despite my name). I like to be around people and household activity, and I don’t mind being picked up or snuggled. Sometimes I will “chirp� at you to get your attention. I’m an allaround great cat who would adjust easily to a new home, and I get along well with other cats. Adoption fees vary; if you’re interested in me, please contact: adoptions@ashevillehumane.org. SHADOW - Labrador Retriever/Husky Mix dog – golden/tan, I am about 9 years
old, and I’m a sweet, friendly boy. I like all kinds of toys, and even though I’m not a pup anymore, I’m still very fun, playful, and active. I get along well with children, cats, and other dogs. Adoption fees vary; if you’re interested in me, please contact: adoptions@ashevillehumane.org. DEXTER - Boxer Mix dog – brown & white, I am about 1½ years old and I’m a handsome boy who will keep you on your toes. I have a lot of spunk and energy and will love you forever if you play with me. Adoption fees vary; if you’re interested in me, please contact: adoptions@ashevillehumane.org
ASHEVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY 828.761.2001, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville, NC 28806 We’re located behind Deal Motorcars, off Brevard & Pond Rd.
BEST PRICE EVERYDAY
258-10
10-5 M-SAT. 12-4 SUN.
ON DELLWOOD RD. (HWY. 19) AT 20 SWANGER LANE WAYNESVILLE/MAGGIE VALLEY 828.926.8778 258-56
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69 Carpet cleaners, in brief 73 Seasoned rice dish ACROSS 1 Hank Williams’ “- at the 75 Bible song 76 Singer with the 2009 #1 Moon” hit “Tik Tok” 7 Office tablets 77 Eve’s jubilant cry after 15 Bichon - (dog breed) 20 Capital ESE of Istanbul a hurricane hit Eden? 82 Chorus bit 21 Added for good meas83 Dog variety ure 84 Apia native 22 Gillette razors 23 Barbershop group try- 85 Gas suffix 87 Bygone ruler ing very hard? 89 Govt. rule 25 Oreo’s filling 26 Cher and Madonna, e.g. 90 Flower part 27 “Tell - was dreaming!” 91 Response to the aroma of good food? 28 Actress Davis 97 Poetic “always” 29 Universal donor blood 98 Roman 2,002 type, briefly 99 Pro at transcription 30 Google a synonym for 100 Corrosive alkalis “trembling”? 101 Attorney specializing 35 Musical sign in petty cases? 38 Nepali, e.g. 105 Sitar player Shankar 40 Uncle’s mate 108 Squirrel’s bit 41 Employer of spies: 109 Ripper Ripken Abbr. 42 “Rain Man” star is dor- 110 Talk down to 114 Currently broadcastmant in the summer? ing 47 Pt. of NCAA 115 Yearnings to ride 48 Bozo Ferris wheels, see 49 Tiny power source sideshows, etc.? 50 Saddler’s tool 119 Gymnast-like 51 Try to rip open 120 Obsession 53 Ukraine city 121 Fight against 55 “Kaboom!” 58 The Donald’s first wife, 122 Kel’s TV pal 123 Depressed after being canonized in 124 Diffuse slowly Spain? 61 Church offshoots DOWN 62 Levi’s fabric 1 Lockable fastener 64 Itty-bitty 2 Unfooled by 65 Noted Deco artist 3 Old TV’s “- in 66 Part of a sentence Cincinnati” written in script? PLUS FOURS
4 Pink-slipped 5 “The Empire Strikes Back” director Kershner 6 Easily duped 7 Cosmo and GQ, e.g. 8 Atty.’s title 9 Egyptian - (cat breed) 10 Ardor for Bush’s successor 11 Careful studier 12 Shenanigan 13 Payable now 14 Mach 2 jet 15 Come out of denial 16 Title for high eccl. officials 17 “Fame” star 18 Good - (helpful sort) 19 Suffix with Canton 24 1998 Olympics site 28 Rifle rack 30 Female sib 31 Enjoy dinner 32 Fez, for one 33 Doris Day’s “- Sera, Sera” 34 Ukraine city 35 Opt 36 Dump truck filler 37 Outcome 39 USMC motto 43 Bulk 44 - loss 45 Cars called Bugs, e.g. 46 Pie - mode 47 Ex-admiral, say 52 “- for Evidence” (Grafton novel) 54 She’s not a birth parent 56 Put- - (hoaxes) 57 Rival of PlayStation 3 59 Science journal language 60 Tenure
62 Two-part 63 Series VIP 66 Tribal group member 67 N.C. hours 68 Serious fight 70 In error 71 Tilsit or feta 72 GIs’ drill leaders 74 “When - door ...” 76 “The King and I” costar Deborah 77 Useful quality 78 Span between two calendar spots 79 Café - (where Ilsa says “Play it, Sam”) 80 Rock guitar great Steve 81 Ltr. encloser 83 Small pouch 86 Problem-free existence 88 Slept noisily 92 Feel lousy 93 Like Abner 94 GPS display 95 “- out!” 96 Snobbery 98 2006 Oscar winner Helen 102 “Presto!” 103 Owning much land 104 Declined 106 Old Olds 107 Clamps 110 Felt pity (for) 111 Threesome 112 Minus 113 90 degrees from sur 114 Bucket wood 115 “- for Cookie” 116 Toothpaste box abbr. 117 Coq au 118 Hatchet, e.g.
answers on page 52
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YARD SALES HUGE YARD/MOVING SALE Friday & Saturday, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Located at: 474 Mill Creek Rd. THERE IS SOMEONE NEEDING Your unwanted items. Donate to Pathways Thrift Store and receive a tax donation. Your donation supports all DisAbility Partners’ programs for consumers with physical and intellectual disabilities. Give us a call at 828.631.5533 to schedule a pick up. YARD SALE Friday & Saturday, on the mountain behind Waynesville K-Mart. 1 mile up on Hall Top.
WEEKLY SUDOKU Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine. Answers on Page 52
The naturalist’s corner BY DON H ENDERSHOT
Get out and say goodbye
A
t last! I finally had a birding outing planned last Saturday – the first one since April when I helped lead a trip for the Wildflower Pilgrimage. But, the primary guiding force of my life happens to be Murphy’s Law. My friend Bob Olthoff made it to my house at 6:30 a.m. sharp and we struck out for Ridge Junction Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway at the entrance to Mt. Mitchell State Park. Ridge Junction is a unique fall migrant trap where you can just hang at the overlook and migrants come up the valley from Mt. Mitchell. Many stop momentarily at the Parkway. But about a mile or two past the Folk Art Center, we encountered a huge oak Mr. Murphy had placed across the BRP. OK, Ridge Junction was out of the picture, but what the heck? We were on the Parkway and it was still early so we decided to drive the Parkway back south to Waynesville and see what we could find. The one thing easy to find — and lots of it — was fog. Heavy fog, overcast skies and blowing clouds are not ideal conditions for migra-
tion. And birds were, for the most part still and quiet. But even when birds are hard to come by, there’s something to be said for being out on the Parkway. Maybe it’s the juxtaposition of sliding out deep fog as you round a curve to find yourself looking at blue sky with green mountain peaks protruding through a blanket of dingy white only to be swallowed by the fog again around the next curve. Or, maybe it’s screeching to a stop around one of those curves to check out a silhouette on top of a dead snag and being rewarded with an olive-sided flycatcher. Or getting great up-close views of your FOS (first of the season) fall-plumaged baybreasted warbler, or perhaps the silent, foggy flyby of a Cooper’s hawk. Not to mention the stands of flowering grass-ofParnassus along with gentian and turtle’s head on the large seepage area at Wolf Mountain Overlook. Oh, and don’t forget the butterflies — American lady, great spangled fritillary, buckeye and others. Murphy’s Law – 0
Don & Bob – 1
And with fall migration really settling in I thought I would share some directions and locations for great fall birding:
■ Caesar’s Head State Park — Probably the most prolific raptor migration spot in the region, averaging about 12,000 broad-winged hawks a season. Caesar’s Head State Park is on U.S. 276 in South Carolina just below the North Carolina line. ■ Ridge Junction Overlook — On the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 355 next to the entrance to Mt. Mitchell State Park. ■ Jackson Park — Another great spot for migrating songbirds From Waynesville take Exit 49 B off of I-26 East. Continue on U.S. 64 West toward downtown Hendersonville. Go through the traffic light at end of exit ramp onto Four Seasons Boulevard (U.S. 64) for 1.6 miles, passing four more traffic lights. After a wetland area on the left, turn left at the 5th traffic light (Harris Street). Go 0.2 mile to the stop sign at the end of street. Turn left onto E. 4th Avenue, enter the park and follow road to the Administration Building (red-brick house on left) and parking. ■ Rankin Bottoms Wildlife Management Area and adjoining Dutch Bottoms — Rankin Bottoms and Dutch Bottoms produce many species of migrant shorebirds and waterfowl every year including white
Bay-breasted warbler in fall plumage. Dan Pancamo photo
pelican, tundra swan, upland, whiterumped, pectoral, least and solitary sandpiper, greater and lesser yellowlegs, ruddy turnstone, black tern and more. Rankin Bottoms lies along the confluence of the Nolichucky and French Broad rivers about 2 miles from the mouth of the French Broad. TVA’s Douglas Dam regulates the water level at Rankin Bottoms. Much of the bottoms are accessible by vehicle and by foot during the fall and winter when TVA drops the water levels. From Waynesville, take I-40 west to exit 432 B. That will put you on U.S. 25/70. Follow U.S. 25 East out of Newport to Rankin Hill Road. I would estimate about 5 miles, but I have never measured it. There will be a brown “Watchable Wildlife” sign at Rankin Hill Road. Follow Rankin Hill Road to the railroad crossing. (Don Hendershot is a writer and naturalist. He can be reached a ddihen1@bellsouth.net.)
September 17-23, 2014
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Smoky Mountain News September 17-23, 2014