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October 22-28, 2014 Vol. 16 Iss. 21 Western North Carolina’s Source for Weekly News, Entertainment, Arts, and Outdoor Information www.smokymountainnews.com

Gay marriage get green light in North Carolina Page 7 Halloween: where to go, what to do Page 34

DA 30th Judicial District Jim Moore/Ashley Welch

N.C. House District 119 Mike Clampitt/Joe Sam Queen

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CONTENTS

STAFF

On the Cover: In this issue we take a look at state issues and races. Who will be heading to Raleigh? And what do they plan on doing when they get there?

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Legislative actions in Raleigh draw a defining dividing line . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 The debate over state tax reform hints at class warfare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Are you down with the GOP’s changes? Take the quiz and find out . . . 10 Rep. Joe Sam Queen and challenger Mike Clampitt go another round . 12 House candidate Jane Hipps works the campaign trail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Rep. Jim Davis awaits assumes victory on Election Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Rep. Michele Presnell guards seat against Dean Hicks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

News Swain magistrate unable to square gay marriage with religious beliefs . . . . . 6 Same-sex couples in WNC exercise right to get hitched . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Taxes may be owed on Franklin’s old town hall and new brewery. . . . . . . . . 21 Waynesville Middle School finally gets a new roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Hospice House of WNC gets its grant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Get to know DA candidate Ashley Welch and Jim Moore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

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Opinion No, school board race is not about our children’s ‘souls’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

A&E Find something spooky to do this Halloween season. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

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SUBSCRIPTIONS

Outdoors Haywood mapmaker combines art and geography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

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Same-sex marriages cause Swain magistrate to resign

Smoky Mountain News

October 22-28, 2014

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the 14th amendment, which says that states cannot deny any of their citizens “the equal protection of the laws.”

Just like a magistrate refusing to wed an interracial couple or a store preventing people of a certain race or gender from entering, a magistrate’s refusal to wed a same-sex couple is discrimination and able to be prosecuted as such, the memo says.

Gay and lesbian advocates agree.

“While we respect a person’s religious freedom and views, same-sex couples seeking non-religious ceremonies in taxpayer-funded state buildings by state officials who receive salaries from our tax dollars should not be put in the position to be refused by anyone working for the state of North Carolina,” said Chris Sgro, executive director of Equality NC, in a press release.

Richard Walker, district court judge for the seven western counties, didn’t talk much about discrimination when explaining why all magistrates are required to perform the marriages. He spoke more of job duties and of the inappropriateness of a person’s personal view of the world interfering with their performance as a public servant.

“People’s religious convictions are personal matters that I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to comment on,” Walker said. “If a magistrate is not able to perform the functions that are assigned, then they can’t be a magistrate. It’s just that simple.”

A quick call around to register of deeds and magistrates’ offices in the western counties brought up a bevy of similar opinions.

“They all understand this is the state law now,” said Diana Kirkland, register of deeds for Swain County. “We just do our job and treat it like we would anything else.”

“It’s our duty to follow the law and not to judge,” agreed Erin Moorman, magistrate judge in Macon County.

“It’s just another marriage as far as we’re concerned,” said Joe Hamilton, register of deeds in Jackson County.

But, Breedlove said, that’s not a job duty he can perform.

“I cannot perform that job duty because

F

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER n the short walk from the doors of the Swain County Courthouse to the steps outside it, a couple of people stopped Gilbert Breedlove to shake his hand, ask him if it was true he was resigning his post as magistrate judge and express support. After holding the job for nearly 24 years, this was the last day that Breedlove would spend his working hours in the courthouse.

Breedlove tendered his resignation Oct. 20, just 10 days after a federal judge in North Carolina struck down the state’s ban on marriages for same-sex couples but before he’d been asked to perform one himself. He’d been thinking about resigning, ever since the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a similar law in Virginia, setting the stage for similar rulings nationwide.

The reason?

“Based on religious objection,” Breedlove said. “I don’t believe that I can do that from a Biblical standpoint, marry a man and a man and a woman and a woman.”

When he’s not at the courthouse, Breedlove is the pastor of a Baptist congregation, and has been for 17 years. With a strong belief in the Bible as the word of God, Breedlove’s faith holds that homosexual practice is a sin.

“I have to either choose to compromise and go ahead and do it or not compromise and stand on my faith, and that’s what I’ve chosen to do,” Breedlove said.

As a magistrate, one of Breedlove’s job duties is to perform courthouse weddings.

His is one of two positions that handles weddings — the register of deeds issues and files marriage license applications. After the ruling on same-sex marriage, the North Carolina Court System sent out a memo making it clear that magistrates would not be able to opt out of officiating marriage ceremonies between same-sex couples.

“Under the ruling now binding upon the State of North Carolina, to refuse to do so violates the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution,” the memo reads, referencing

candidate for register of deeds in Clay County, tried to withdraw her candidacy after the Oct. 10 ruling.

“It would be against my Christian beliefs to sign and issue a marriage license for same sex individuals,” Parker Burch wrote in an email to The Smoky Mountain News. “This is not about me judging anyone.

But, more about me worrying about how God would judge me. His Word is the Judge and Jury for all of us. I will not compromise the Word of God and I don’t want anything or any job to come between me and God.” Because ballots had already been printed when the ruling came down, Parker Burch was unable to withdraw from the election.

But if elected, she plans to resign.

Breedlove called the move to begin issuing marGilbert Breedlove resigned from his job of 24 years when the riage licenses to same-sex legalization of same-sex marriage would have required him to couples following the court officiate the weddings. Holly Kays photo ruling a “mad rush” and believes the change should of my religious beliefs,” he said. “Because of have been implemented a little more slowly, that conflict, my instinct is to go with the with some allowance given magistrates with overriding factor of faith rather than the law religious objections. of the land.”

“I believe that the state could have made Breedlove doesn’t see himself as judging. preparations and could have set up a proceHe’s helped gay and lesbian people in other dure to allow someone that religiously objectaspects of his job, such as in handling small ed to step aside and let another magistrate claims cases or assaults, and says he’s always perform the service,” Breedlove said. been able to “hear that case in fairness.”

But Sgro doesn’t agree that’s something What his decision is about, he said, is that’s needed. refusing to condone something that he Many electeds for equality were forced for believes is wrong. years by law and duty to issue licenses to only “I just want people to know that I don’t some couples and not others, contrary to hate people and I don’t preach hatred,” he their consciences. Where was [Tami] said. “I do preach against sin in all its forms Fitzgerald [of the NC Values Coalition]’s call — not just homosexuality but lying, stealing, for a state employee’s freedom to choose cheating, rape, murder.” then?” Sgro asked.

He’s not the only member of the Western Fitzgerald has issued a memo supporting North Carolina legal system to have registers of deeds’ freedom to refuse to issue expressed a similar view or made a similar marriage licenses for same-sex couples. decision. Tom Holland, a magistrate judge in In some counties, that could have caused Graham County, resigned for similar reasons. quite an inconvenience. In And Shonia Parker Burch, the Republican Buncombe County, for example,

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line, filling them out is optional.

“Even if it’s male and female [applicants], they’re not always filling that out,” Rogers said.

At 57, Breedlove is taking a hit financially by applying for early retirement, but he still has a church to pastor and plans to spend more time working on a Bible translation project he’s been at for years. The pastor of a Cherokee church and the husband of a Native American woman, he’s trying to create Bibles with English translations on one side of the page and translations in Native American languages on the other. He’s finished one in Choctaw and is working on one in Cherokee.

“Basically we’re going where the Lord leads,” he said.

Same-sex couples in WNC embrace new legal landscape

Smoky Mountain News

125 same-sex couples applied for marriage licenses in the first week after the ruling, accounting for more than 50 percent of the 214 total marriage licenses applied for in that time period.

But further west, the counts are much smaller. As of Oct. 20, only two licenses had been issued to same-sex couples in Jackson County, three in Swain County, eight in Macon and more than ten in Haywood. It’s hard to tell for sure, said Sherri Rogers, register of deeds in Haywood County, because the genders of the applicants aren’t always clear.

The new marriage license forms have spaces for “Applicant 1” and “Applicant 2” rather than for “Bride” and “Groom,” and while there are checkboxes for gender beside each

They do, too

October 22-28, 2014

BY J EREMY MORRISON N EWS E DITOR Jamie Kemper knew it’d happen. She just didn’t think it’d happen this quickly.

“We thought it’d be a few years,” Kemper said.

But now that gay marriage is legal in North Carolina, she and her partner are jumping at the chance to wed. Of course, like a lot of weddings, their jump is a monthslong, methodical, planning-oriented leap.

“We are planning on it,” said Kemper, who lives in Haywood County. “We decided to wait, we’re actually in the midst of putting a wedding together this spring.”

The two women — lesbians — have been partners for seven years. But now they will be afforded the same ritual as the rest of society.

That’s a big change for the couple — “It’s easier with taxes, but it goes deeper, with kids and stuff ” — and a fairly sizeable societal shift. Gay married couples can now enjoy the same legal standing as their heterosexual counterparts.

“Seven years ago you couldn’t really walk

into a Wal-Mart without someone giving you the look,” Kemper reflected.

But now, the couple is looking forward to a June ceremony at Castle Lady Hawk near Cullowhee.

“It’s actually very beautiful,” Kemper said. “Most people have never heard of it.”

Haywood resident Jeanne Nader was also surprised by the timing of the recent legal shift. Like Kemper, she was optimistic but prepared to wait.

“I thought it’d eventually happen in North Carolina,” Naber said, “just not this fast.”

Not that Naber was holding out for her home state to catch up. She married her partner years ago.

“We’ve already been married nine years,” Naber noted.

In 2005, the couple was on a business trip to Vancouver, Canada. While in a land with more favorable laws, they decided to go for it.

“We thought it’d be kinda cool, to go ahead and do that,” Naber recalled. “We weren’t going to tell anybody, it was just for us.”

The idea emerged in the kitchen.

“We were up in Canada,” Naber said.

“We were sitting across the kitchen table and I said, ‘Maybe we should get married.’ And she said, ‘Is that a proposal?’ And I said, “I guess it is.’”

For years the couple has felt like a bona fide married couple. With or without validation in North Carolina.

“I think there are people that will never accept it,” Naber said. “They’ve fought and they’ve fought. And that’s fine if that’s what they believe, but they have to realize I have feelings too.”

Naber recognizes that just because there has been a change in legalities, that doesn’t mean that society en masse is on board.

Especially in the areas of the country such as the South — North Carolina is not California, it’s not Canada.

“I think in some areas of the country society has pushed the law, but in other places the law has pushed society,” she said.

Kemper agrees. But she’s also hoping the legalities will light a fire within society. She feels it’s time and the country is ready.

“I think that society has progressed, but I think the legality of it changing, that will propel everything forward,” Kemper said.

“I think that it’s something that’s growing,” Naber said. “Look how far we’ve come just in the last few years.”

Naber points out that this country has overcome other obstacles, has broken down other walls that once seemed formidable but do not appear surreal in hindsight.

“There’s people around here that say, ‘Oh no, I’m not gonna believe. They said the same things about blacks and slavery and women voting,” Naber said. “I hope in my lifetime we see that, as a society, that we can accept everybody for who they are.”

She’s confident that’ll happen soon enough.

“How can you not believe in love?” Naber asked.

news

Whitney Burton and Crystal Hart were married at the Haywood County Courthouse on Oct. 17.

They were the third same-sex couple married in the courtroom that day. Garret K. Woodward photo

“We knew at the time,” Naber said, “somewhere in the world, we are legally married.”

But now it’s different. Now the couple’s relationship will be legally recognized in their home state. And that’s a good feeling.

“It’s wonderful that North Carolina recognizes it,” Naber said. “It’s just a really awesome feeling to know that in my home state that no matter what anybody else thinks, it’s the law now. It’s just wonderful to have that.

What an empowering feeling.”

But in a way, the home turf validation is just a bonus. The couple already felt connected, already felt married.

“This is everyday life for me already,” Naber said, adding that she recognized the shift in the legal landscape is a historical cultural moment.

Still, she’s taking it in stride. The couple has “never been the kind of people that go to parades and say, ‘Hey, I’m gay, this is me.”

“It’s a big deal, it’s wonderful,” Naber stressed, “but I’m not gonna go blow my horn, or howl at the moon like I do on New Year’s Eve.” One day soon, she hopes, everyone will feel as comfortable and casual about samesex relationships. She looks forward to a time when sexual orientation isn’t such a focal point.

“Let’s get on with it,” Naber laughed.

“I’ve got my life to live.”

For some in society it may take a while to “get on with it.” Some individuals, often citing religious reservations, remain opposed to the concept of same-sex marriage.

7

news

The GOP’s new normal in Raleigh — Are you for it or against it?

U.S. Senate candidate and North Carolina’s GOP posterboy Thom Tillis addresses the party in June at the Republican’s state convention in Cherokee. Jeremy Morrison photo

March to the polls The Moral Monday movement that formed in opposition of the conservative policies reshaping North Carolina are organizing a “march to the polls” during early voting.

Check the political category in the calendar at the back of the paper for these and other political events.

“I don’t think any conservative legislator would say we are finished and done.”

— Jim Tynen, Civitas Institute

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER orth Carolina has rarely seen an election where the candidates matter so little, but who wins matters so much.

This year it’s not about the names on the ballot. Those are mere window dressing.

Their alma matter, their church, their IQ, their gender, their profession, their hometown — things voters might have cared about in the past — have fallen by the wayside, too.

Even the last-minute, slick campaign ads will likely be futile in budging voters to their side of the fence.

Instead, state races for the next General Assembly are about one thing: are you for or against the changes made by a new conservative brand of Republicans now in power in Raleigh?

It’s what state political expert Chris Cooper calls “macroforces,” things outside a candidate’s control that influence voting.

“The vast majority of voters made up their minds before they even knew who the candidates were. They had what we call ‘standing commitments,’” said Cooper, the head of Western Carolina University’s Political Science Department.

They either liked or didn’t like the direction in Raleigh, and knew long before election season whether they would vote to continue the course.

“I think people are activated and thinking about state politics on both sides in a way they haven’t been before,” Cooper said.

To progressives, the changes of the past two years came fast and furious, like a whirlwind of destruction that wasn’t fully realized until the dust settled. They claim the changes dismantled the core values and tenets that set North Carolina apart in the South as a state of progress, vision and prosperity.

“They were doing so much so fast, in most

Smoky Mountain News

October 22-28, 2014

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8

cases without any public notice or public input.

It was impossible I think for legislators themselves to keep up, much less the public or reporters,” said Chris Fitzsimon, the director of the liberal NC Policy Watch. “They were being drafted in secret and then inserted in the budget, things that nobody knew were in there until after it passed. I think people are beginning to realize all the damage that was done to successful programs that made North Carolina a good place to live and work and raise a family.”

But to conservatives, the changes were long overdue. Lawmakers were simply making up for lost time, with much to set right after a century-long Democratic reign. They claim the changes finally brought fairness for the over-taxed and over-regulated, and tightened the belt on overly generous spending.

“We have made incredible progress in turning the state around,” said Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin. “This election will determine whether we stay the course or return to failed policies of the past. I believe we have made remarkable progress. I am very proud of what we are doing with North Carolina.

We are moving forward.”

To some, the Republican leadership is just getting warmed up and needs more time to complete the reform they envision for the state.

“I don’t think any conservative legislator would say we are finished and done,” said Jim Tynen with the conservative Civitas Institute.

To voters like Kathrine Bartel in Waynesville, that’s a scary thought. Bartel said the policies in Raleigh benefited the wealthy and special interests, consolidating money and power while sacrificing the greater good.

“As advocates for working people, for poor people, for the disenfranchised and the underrepresented, we object to the power shift,” Bartel said. “It is very clear the wealthy were winners.”

But Tynen said a correction was needed to roll back the unfair burden foisted on the business sector and higher earners under liberal policies of the past.

“The system had gotten way out of whack, and we are trying to make it fairer and less burdensome,” Tynen said.

North Carolina has also been in the national media spotlight the past two years, with the Washington Post and New York Times covering the state’s political upheaval in an unprecedented way, Cooper said.

“The whole country is watching what is happening in North Carolina,” Cooper said.

“I don’t know of another time North Carolina state politics has been this important nationally.”

On page 10, a quiz should help you decipher which camp you fall in, and, if you decide the candidates themselves do in fact matter, you’ll find stories on them inside this week’s issue as well.

Class warfare looms in debate over state tax reform

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A BETTER BUSINESS CLIMATE? In the name of reform, tax incentives for certain industries were also eliminated.

Developers of historic properties or affordable housing projects will no longer get special tax credits that others don’t. The movie industry will no longer get economic incentives that others don’t.

“There were loopholes everywhere for this special group or that special group,” Cordato said.

But once again, in exchange for closing loopholes, the corporate tax rate as a whole was lowered. The reforms made taxes “a little lower and also fairer,” Tynen said.

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Smoky Mountain News

Queen said the claim is a farce, however, because for many in the middle class, the loss of tax credits and exemptions will mean they pay more taxes at the end of the day.

“It is hitting the middle class the most while taxes have been cut substantially for the wealthy,” Queen said. “You have to cut through the deception and distortion. You are paying more taxes even though your rate is lower.”

Further, sales tax is now tacked on to things that used to be exempt, from mobile homes to oil changes to college meal plans.

There’s no more sales tax holiday for back to school supplies, and sales tax is now tacked onto museums, concert tickets and sporting events.

“They’ve added more sales taxes than they’ve cut,” Queen said.

Tynen pointed out those purchases are optional, however.

“If you feel the sale tax on your movie ticket is too exorbitant, you don’t have to buy it,” Tynen said.

October 22-28, 2014

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER ax reform was one of the top issues tackled by the new Republican majority in Raleigh last year, but voters hitting the fpolls this election season don’t yet know whether they’ve come out ahead or behind, since the changes don’t come into play until next April’s tax returns.

The debate over tax reform has hues of class warfare. Democrats claim the tax cuts helped the rich and hurt the poor.

Republicans claim the old tax structure was punitive for higher-earners, and lower taxes will improve the overall business and economic climate, in turn helping all.

The single biggest change is a flat income tax rate for all — instead of the old graduated scale where the rich paid a higher tax rate than the poor and middle class. The income tax rate is now the same 5.75 percent for everyone.

“We think it is an important step in North Carolina history,” said Jim Tynen with the Civitas Institute, a conservative think tank in Raleigh. “When you are taxing income you are penalizing people for producing and making more money. And that hurts overall productivity.”

N.C. Rep. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, has been a vocal critic of the tax cuts, chalking them up to political kickbacks for millionaire campaign donors.

“The more money you make the bigger your tax cut was,” Queen said.

The rich saw their income tax rate come down 2 percent, the middle class by 1.25 percent, and the poor by only 0.25 percent.

But Tynen disagrees that the rich are winners and the middle class are losers in the new tax code.

“By cutting taxes we believe there will be an economic boom. The people who need jobs most are the lower and middle class. If taxes are less burdensome, and you get rid of punitive regulations, that will mean more jobs and better paying jobs overall for people in the lower middle class,” Tynen said. “I think our critics are jumping to a conclusion. These rates have just gone into effect. Time will tell.”

Roy Cordato with the John Locke Foundation, also a conservative think tank based in Raleigh, said state legislators took a bold and needed step to eliminate a litany of tax loopholes and breaks for special interests.

“From an economics perspective, what was done was exactly right,” Cordato said.

Tax loopholes, even popular ones, were closed. Yes, people will no longer get tax credits for college savings plans, for senior medical expenses, for childcare costs or for educational expenses like college tuition.

But in exchange, the income tax rate for everyone came down.

“What the legislature did was reduce all our tax rates,” Cordato said.

cuts, all told, will take $700 million out of the state budget this year, and a projected $5 billion over the next five years as more scheduled tax cuts hit the books, according to state budget officers.

And that means less to spend on things like education.

“They’re giving millionaires tax breaks and cutting education,” said Queen.

Doug Jackson, a spokesperson for the pro-education advocacy group Aim Higher Now NC, said it doesn’t make sense to take a bite out of the state budget when schools are struggling.

“The cuts to education could be easily ameliorated if they did away with these tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy,” Jackson said.

But Tynen disagrees.

Protesters greet “There is a lot of debate Republicans during over the necessities of keeping tax rates as low as feasible and the N.C. GOP’s balancing a budget that had state convention. gotten out of whack considerJeremy Morrison photo ably,” Tynen said.

Republican legislators also N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, said the laud the elimination of the estate tax, but changes were all about improving the state’s Queen again chalks that up as a “privileged business and jobs outlook. tax cut for the super rich only.” The estate “It is more business friendly now. Our tax only applied to individual assets of over actions have moved North Carolina from the $10 million. bottom to 17th best in the business tax cli“There wasn’t a single citizen we could mate,” Davis said. find in my district who was wealthy enough Haywood County’s Economic to pay the estate tax,” Queen said.

Development Director Mark Clasby said that should help the jobs outlook.

OING THE DISTANCE “From a business standpoint trying to be attractive, lowering the corporate income tax Davis said cutting taxes was only part of was a benefit from a recruitment standthe equation to make the state more busipoint,” Clasby said. “That it is helpful ness friendly. Republicans have also slimmed because it is a very competitive world out down the regulatory environment. there right now.”

“We had regulations that were stifling government, industry and individuals,” Davis said.

“You have to cut through Rep. Michell Presnell, R-Burnsville, also the deception and supports overhauls to environmental regulations. distortion. You are paying “We eliminated and changed over 100 regulations to remove the regulatory burden more taxes even though on businesses,” Presnell said in a written your rate is lower.” statement.

But Julie Mayfield, the director of WNC — N.C. Rep. Joe Sam Queen, Alliance environmental advocacy group, said Waynesville weaker regulations will come at the expense of natural resources.

But Democrats claim the corporate Public enemy number one for the enviincome tax cut primarily helped the most ronmental community is “regulatory profitable companies at the expense of the reform,” which calls for a systematic rewrite state as a whole. of each and every environmental rule that “It went wildly disproportionately to industry considers a thorn. If a rewrite isn’t the top,” Queen said. The top 200 corporasettled on, the regulation automatically tions got an average tax cut of $1 million expires. Mayfield called it a “disaster.” each, he said.

“The environmental community thinks Meanwhile, the corporate tax cuts took this entire process was set up to eliminate money out of the state budget, which in turn rules industry doesn’t like by making it so meant cutting vital state programs. The tax 9 difficult to readopt them,” Mayfield said.

news

Will tax cuts spur the economy, or line the pockets of the rich?

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POLITICAL LITMUS TEST

BY B ECKY JOHNSON • STAFF WRITER

low-income, or a charter school.

• Public education dollars were increasingly diverted away from traditional public schools and siphoned to a growing number of charter schools and private schools through vouchers.

• The state university system saw a budget cut of $100 million across the 17 campuses over the past two years.

• Teachers saw a raise of 7 percent on average, bringing the state up from 46th in the nation to 35th in teacher salaries.

• Raises for lower-paid teachers entering the profession were bigger than those with more longevity, aimed at bringing up the salaries of those on the lower-end of the pay scale where there was greater disparity. Teachers with five years experience saw a raise of 18 percent compared to much smaller raises for those with 20 years or more experience.

• State funding for driver’s education for high school students was cut, saving the state $26 million.

• Funding for school buses was cut by $4.6 million statewide, about 1 percent of the school transportation budget.

• The per pupil funding for textbooks has been cut from $76 per student to $15 per student since 2010.

• Funding for teacher assistant positions has been reduced by nearly 25 percent over two years.

• To cover $282 million in teacher’s raises, other areas of the state education budget were cut.

JOBS & ECONOMY

• The corporate income tax rate was reduced from 6.9 percent to 6 percent in 2014 and 5 percent starting in 2015, a move aimed at attracting business.

• A reduction in the corporate income tax rate improved the state’s business tax climate, from 7th worst in the nation to the 17th best in the nation, and from one of the worst in the Southeast to the average.

• Tax credits for the movie and film industry, which had been among the best film industry incentives in the country, were eliminated and replaced with a far less lucrative grant program. Opponents to the tax credit say it was unfair to give one industry sweetheart tax breaks, but supporters say eliminating the credit will cost jobs as movie companies go elsewhere.

• The tax rate for small businesses structured as sole proprietorships — meaning they file their business income under their individual

income tax return — will pay less thanks to lower personal income tax rate.

The $50,000 small business income deduction was eliminated.

Unemployment benefits were cut, reducing the maximum payment from $535 a to $350 and shortening the length of time the unemployed can get benefits.

The state has paid off most of the $2.5 billion borrowed from the federal government to pay unemployment benefits racked up during the recession, without raising taxes to do so.

A federal extension of unemployment benefits was lost as a result of the unemployment benefit changes. The six-month extension would have netted $600 million in federal dollars for unemployed in the state last year, but the state became ineligible for the funds when it chose to scale back benefits.

• The Mountain Resources Commission, a state-appointed task force that studied the intersection of the economy and natural resources in the region, was abolished.

• The state began systematically rewriting environmental rules considered overly burdensome for industry and unfriendly to business and development.

• The process known as “rules review” will give industry a bigger seat at table during a systematic and comprehensive rewrite of the state’s environmental regulations that started this year and are projected to take several years.

• Budget cuts and reorganization of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has led to the loss of 131 positions within the

Smoky Mountain News

October 22-28, 2014

EDUCATION

• State funding for K-12 education was increased from $7.08 billion to $8.1 billion since 2010.

• State funding for K-12 education is $300 to $400 million short of the level state budget officers calculated as necessary to maintain the status quo given the growth in student population and inflated costs of doing business.

• There are fewer teachers and teacher assistants funded in the state budget now than two years ago, despite growth in student numbers.

• Education funding historically got automatic budget increases to keep pace with student growth, but this formula was eliminated. The baseline for each year’s education budget will no longer factor in year-over-year enrollment increases or inflation.

• The Teaching Fellows program, which offered up to $6,500 a year in college tuition aid in exchange for teaching in a state public school upon graduating, was eliminated. Recipients were required to teach one year for each year of assistance they received, and had to pay back the aid if the obligation was not met.

• A new voucher program allows low-income students to get public state education dollars to help offset the tuition cost of private schools, including religious-based schools.

• Educational choice was expanded by allowing families to opt out of their assigned public school and tap the state’s per pupil funding allocation for their child to attend a private school, if they qualify as

ENVIRONMENT

The new Republican majority in Raleigh has enacted far-reaching, sweeping changes after more than a century of Democratic dominance. Are the changes made during the past two years moving the state in a positive direction? Or are they turning back the clock?

Take the quiz to see where you fall on the state’s political spectrum. Decide whether you support or don’t support each measure listed on these two pages.

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• • • •

state environmental agency over the past two years.

• The tax credit was eliminated for private land owners who donate property for conservation.

• Regulations were loosened on energy exploration and development in the state in hopes of increasing energy independence and promoting job growth.

• The state legislature lifted a ban on fracking with little notice, before regulations to govern frocking had been created and publicly vetted.

• The N.C. Arboretum in Asheville saw a budget cut of $400,000 over the past two years, on top of $800,000 over the previous two years, causing an increase in gate admission from $8 per vehicle to $12.

Support Oppose

TAXES SOCIAL ISSUES

• The state turned down federal assistance to expand the number served by Medicaid to include the marginally poor instead of just the very poor. The federal government pledged to pay the full tab for three years, with the state picking up a 10 percent cost share after that.

• A photo ID will be required to vote starting in 2016.

• The number of early voting days was reduced to 10 days, but the counties were required to offer the same number of hours that early voting was available, resulting in extended morning and evening hours but over fewer total days.

• Sweeping voting reforms were enacted, including an end to sameday voter registration, an end to straight-party voting, and a host of obscure changes, like the candidate of the same party as the governor (Republican) appearing at the top of the ballot as opposed to the former ballot order that placed the party with the most registered voters in the state (Democrat) at the top.

• The state spent $1.2 million on outside legal costs to defend a bevy of federal lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of new state

laws, including a ban on same-sex marriage, vouchers for private schools and voting changes.

The composition of state boards and commissions, populated with appointees put in place by previous Democratic governors, was dramatically altered, with a mass cleansing of seats to make way for new appointments by the Republican leadership.

The law was clarified on prayers held by public elected boards, such as county commissioners. Previously, prayers could reference God in a general sense. Now, prayer can be denomination specific and reference Jesus Christ directly.

The state cut the Medicaid reimbursement rate for hospitals and doctors, which is intended to cover the cost incurred by health care providers to treat patients on Medicaid.

Applicants for welfare assistance must take a drug test if social workers suspect drug use, carrying an estimated price tag of half a million dollars to pay for the lab tests. If testing positive, applicants can’t apply again for a year unless they agree to go through substance abuse counseling.

•

•

• •

• If you answered “support it” on 50 or more questions, you want to keep the Republicans in power.

• If you answered “oppose it” on 50 or more questions, you want to give the state back to the Democrats.

• If you are somewhere between the two, it’s time to hit the books. You’ve got two weeks to decide where you stand on the two years’ worth of state issues.

TOTAL:

Smoky Mountain News

NOW, TALLY IT UP.

October 22-28, 2014

• The most wealthy got a larger income tax reduction while the poorest got only a slight income tax reduction.

• Eliminated the estate tax, which only applied to inheritances of over $10 million in assets.

• The income tax deduction for money invested in a college savings plan was eliminated.

• Limits itemized deductions originating from mortgage interest and property taxes combined to $20,000. All charitable contributions allowed by federal law can still be deducted.

• Republicans argue the tax changes – projected to result in $524 million less in combined revenue through mid-2015 compared to if no tax changes were made – will help accelerate the state’s economic recovery.

• Cutting income taxes means more money in people’s pocket, which in turn means more money circulating in the economy, thus spurring job creation, and ultimately growing the tax base and state revenue.

• Cutting income taxes has taken money out of the state budget, resulting in cuts to education, public health, the environment and other state services.

• Itemized deductions on personal income taxes for mortgage interest and charitable contributions are capped at $20,000.

• Electric car owners now pay a $100 annual registration fee to make up for not paying the gasoline tax, which goes toward highway funding.

• The childcare tax credit for working parents was eliminated.

• Households making more than $100,000 will no longer received the child tax credit of $100 per child. It was increased to $125 for households making under $40,000.

• Tax credits for educational expenses, like college tuition, were eliminated.

• To help offset the loss of so many income tax credits and deductions that could result in larger overall income taxes for the middle class despite a drop in the tax rate, the standard exemption was increased. It went from $6,000 to $15,000 for married couples, from $4,400 to $12,000 for ‘Head of Household’ filers, and from $3,000 to $7,000 for individuals.

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• Sweeping tax cuts will result in a loss of $700 million in state revenue this year, and will climb in future years as further tax cuts hit the books.

• The one-day sales tax holiday on school supplies before school starts back in August was eliminated.

• Sales tax is now more uniformly applied.

• More than 40 income tax breaks, credits, exemptions and deductions were eliminated in an effort to close loopholes.

• Sales tax is now tacked on to college student meal plans.

• Full state sales tax is now tacked on to the purchase of mobile homes.

They had previously been taxed at a 2 percent rate with a maximum cap of $300, but are now subject to the full state sales tax with no cap, adding $2,250 to the purchase of a $50,000 mobile home.

• A sales tax break on yachts and private planes was kept in place, with a cap of no more than $1,500 in sales tax on boat and jet purchase, which is similar to the sales tax cap on vehicle purchases.

• Small farmers that make less than $10,000 in farm income are no longer are exempt from paying sales tax on farm-related supplies, like fertilizer and feed.

• Historic preservation tax credits were eliminated, seen by some as a tool for spurring redevelopment of historic business districts but by others as a loophole that had to go in the name of reform and equality in the tax code.

• Sales tax now applies to entertainment, like concerts, theater tickets, museums, amusement attractions, sporting events and movies.

• Sales tax now applies to automotive services like oil changes and other maintenance and repair service contracts on tangible property.

• The earned income tax credit for low-wage workers was eliminated.

• Income tax was reduced for the poor, from 6 percent to 5.75 percent.

• Income tax rate was reduced for the middle class, from 7 percent to 5.75 percent.

• Income tax was reduced for the rich, from 7.75 percent to 5.75 percent.

• The income tax rate is now the same for everyone — the rich pay the same income tax rate as the poor and middle class.

11

news

Rematch flashback Queen, Clampitt battle it out again

BY J EREMY MORRISON N EWS E DITOR lection season is winding down to the finish line and both candidates in the N.C. House’s 119th District race are eyeing Raleigh. Challenger Mike Clampitt and incumbent Rep. Joe Sam Queen, DWaynesville, have been here before. They went up against each other in 2012 and both are back for more.

The campaign season — even these last frenzied weeks — suit Queen just fine. He loves the ballgames, homecomings and festivals.

“I’m a happy warrior,” the incumbent said. “I like campaigning and pressing the flesh and getting out with my constituents. I actually like the season.”

Clampitt, too, seems to be enjoying himself. He’s been crisscrossing the district, hitting events and going door-to-door.

“You may have seen me on a billboard somewhere,” Clampitt reenacts his pitch. “I am that guy, I really do exist.”

E

THE BARBECUE, BUDGET

Smoky Mountain News

October 22-28, 2014

AND OFFICE DECOR On the table before Clampitt is a plate of barbecue and some political mailers. One of the mailers in particular has caught the candidate’s attention. It features him, with arm draped over Gov. Pat McCrory, and describes the Republican pair as creating “one big, enormous, fracking mess.”

“That’s gonna backfire, it’s going to be taken negatively by most people I know up here,” Clampitt said. “That’s over the line.

Most folks are going to know what they mean by that word.”

Besides, fracking’s a dead issue anyway.

A distraction that shouldn’t play into the election, Clampitt said.

“The resources, if they’re found, will be back east, not in the west,” Clampitt stressed. “This is an emotional issue more than it is a real issue, if you want to call it that.”

The candidate is tired of the fracking debate. Clampitt would much rather discuss other issues facing North Carolina. For that matter, he’d rather discuss the state budget.

In detail.

“You wanna see the budget? I got a copy,” Clampitt said. “No, no, sit right here, I’ve got a copy, I’ll be right back.”

The candidate got his copy of the budget at the capital in Raleigh. It’s a thick read, with enormous staples binding it together.

“That’s about as authentic as you can get right there,” Clampitt said, holding up the tome. “It’s interesting reading. It’s dry reading.”

Clampitt enjoys using the state budget to illustrate differences between he and his opponent. He defends Republican-led efforts on issues like education funding, health care and government regulations and paints his opponent as being wellmeaning but on the wrong side of each debate.

“It’s not an us-versus-them thing,” Clampitt explained. “I don’t see it as an usversus-them, because I think both sides have the interest of everyone at heart, but there is a decisive difference in how to achieve their goals.”

Clampitt hopes to join these debates in Raleigh. He’ll be on the “pro-life, pro-gun, friend of small business” side of the aisle.

The majority side.

He won’t be there to make everyone

“I’m a happy warrior,” the incumbent said. “I like campaigning and pressing the flesh and getting out with my constituents. I actually like the season.”

— Joe Sam Queen

happy. Especially not people who’ve “got their hand out.”

“If you’re gonna wait for me to tell you what you’re wanting to hear you’re gonna have a long wait — there’s only so many ways you say ‘no,’” Clampitt said. “If you want more money spent tell me how you want to raise that money.”

Clampitt also has some ideas on how to improve things. He’d like to launch a multicounty consortium within his districts, inviting local governments, schools and chambers of commerce to the table to together tackle issues facing the region — “strength in numbers.”

“I call it IRS for issues, resources and solutions,” Clampitt said. “The best ideas come from the local and county governments.”

The candidate looks back down at the “big, enormous fracking mess” mailer on the table. The hand draped over McCrory’s shoulder — “that ain’t my fingers” — is superimposed. Still,

F

“If you want more money spent tell me how you want to raise that money.”

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— Mike Clampitt

Mike Clampitt, 59, Republican Mike Clampitt was born and raised in Swain County. He graduated from Swain High School, then obtained a degree in Fire Science.

The candidate spent his career years — 28 of them — in Charlotte, where he served as a fire captain with the City of Charlotte’s fire department. He retired in 2004 on Christmas Day. After retiring, Clampitt headed home — “I’m traditionally a mountaineer and I’ve always wanted to come home” — to Bryson City.

“I inherited my grandparents’ farm,” he said.

“The house is 93 years old.”

Clampitt ran initially in 2012 but did not win election. More recently the candidate has spent some time in Raleigh serving as an Assistant Sargent of Arms for the General Assembly.

“I had an opportunity to observe the legislature and I thought it might help me in my next election,” Clampitt said.

The time in Raleigh served to energize the candidate. It’s that energy he’s taken out on the campaign trail.

“After listening to some of the left, liberal comments on the House floor,” Clampitt explained, “it gave me the determination and drive to push for the conservative ethics, morals and principals of the people of Western North Carolina.”

■ On not expanding Medicaid: “There’s no such thing as a free ride and no such thing as free money.”

■ On gay marriage: “Striking down the marriage amendment goes against the will of the people of North Carolina. The will of the people has been violated by the judicial.”

■ On perspective: “I’m not a professional politician. I had a blue-collar job. I’ve been out there in the workforce and seen a lot of crazy stuff, government regulations and such.”

■ On relaxing: “For the last debate, to get relaxed I mowed my yard.”

Rep. Joe Sam Queen, 64, Democrat Joe Sam Queen’s family has been around these parts for quite a while. He traces his roots back six or seven generations.

“We were here with the first white man,” Queen said.

The incumbent state representative got his political start as a 10-year-old boy. He was assigned a job by his dad, who was managing Terry Sanford’s 1960 gubernatorial bid against Beverly Lake in Haywood County.

“I was given a ladder and my job was not to let a Beverly Lake sign go up in Waynesville,” Queen recalled.

In 2002, Queen ran for a state Senate seat. It was a late-season decision.

“My Senate district didn’t have a Democratic candidate,” he said. “this was Fourth of July in 2002.”

Queen wasn’t suppose to win, but eked out a 49 percent victory. His opponent, he feels, didn’t take the contest seriously.

“He took the race for granted, quite frankly, he thought he had it in the bag,” Queen said.

Queen went on to serve in three terms in the state Senate. Then, in 2012 — following a redrawing of political districts — he decided to try for the 119th District N.C. House seat and won.

Now, he’s up for another round.

“I’m probably as much on fire as I’ve ever been,” Queen said.

■ On not expanding Medicaid: “Cynically speaking, they don’t give a damn and they want healthcare to fail and blame Obamacare.”

■ On the GOP’s budgetary direction: “The way out is common sense, decency. Let’s stop using political rhetoric as economic policy.”

■ On trickle-down theory: “It does not work. George H.W. Bush referred to it as voodoo economics, and he’s exactly right.”

■ On expanding broadband availability: “Our rural children do not have the internet. The digital divide is real, let’s close it.”

iPhone 6. A phone this epic deserves the best plan ever.

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it’s a dandy picture.

Recently, Clampitt had an opportunity to discuss the doctored photo with the governor. They had a good laugh.

“He pulled that out and he said, ‘My God, Clampitt, that’s a good picture. Why can’t you look that good all the time?’” the candidate recalled.

Clampitt plans on holding on to the mailer as a memento. Plans on turning the negative ad into a positive.

“When I’m elected I’m framing that one,” he said, “and putting it on the wall down in Raleigh.”

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Smoky Mountain News

It’s been rough in Raleigh recently. A tough place for a Democrat, anyway.

“I have been a one-legged man at an asskicking this year,” Queen said. “It has been awful.”

Sitting in his downtown Waynesville office, the incumbent lawmaker tried to stay positive.

“You know, you never give up your fight,” Queen said. “I stand up for my people.”

It’s easy for Queen to get worked up when talking about goings-on in Raleigh. He disagrees with much of what has taken place in the General Assembly as of late.

“McCrory-Tillis is killing our health care, they are killing education,” Queen said.

Queen takes issue with the way Republicans have handled the state’s education funding. He’s outraged they won’t expand Medicaid, arguing that the expansion would bring about 140,000 healthcare jobs to the state, as well as insure the currently uninsured.

Queen is also livid about what he views as tax cuts for the wealthy. He charged that Republicans have adopted a “robber baron” approach to economics.

“We’re backing into a 19th century tax code and these guys have a bunch of 19th century ideas,” Queen said.

The incumbent contrasted the legislature’s decision to repeal the estate tax with its decision to up the tax rate on mobile homes — “I use the Biblical analogy that they squint at a gnat while they swallow a camel.”

“So, if you’re a little guy it costs you $3,500 to take a $55,000 doublewide home,” Queen said.

“Why is the rich man getting richer and the poor man getting poorer? That’s why right there — public policy.”

Queen doesn’t have any delusions of turning the majority tide in Raleigh. He knows the Republicans have conquered the capital for now.

But the incumbent is optimistic about this election.

“My prediction is we will pick up three to four Democratic legislators,” Queen said. “I think we’ll pick up Hicks, John Ager, Brian Turner, and my money is still on Jane Hipps — right now that’s the longest shot, but it’d be the biggest upset, it’d send a message to Raleigh that we get it.”

As for his own race against Clampitt, the candidate has every intention of heading back to the capital for further abuse.

“I doubt very seriously I’ll get beat this year,” Queen said. “If I do I’m not jumping out of any window, but I don’t think I will be beat.”

13

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A day in the life

“If I am in Raleigh, that will be a priority for me as well,” Hipps said.

10:06 A.M.

“We’re back,” Hipps called to Buckner, as she stepped through the sliding door off her patio.

Wheels up was supposed to be 20 minutes ago, and now the prospect of being in downtown Highlands by 11 a.m. was looking slim. Hipps scooted through the house, rounding up her bag, a pile of reading material and a large handmade basket that serves as her campaign catch-all for toting business cards, flyers, stickers and anything else that need corralling on the backseat while in transit.

The belated departure was perfect for a roadside rendezvous with Hipps’ campaign treasurer, however. She was heading to Atlanta to see a Paul Jane Hipps made an impromptu visit to Highlands School, where she took a tour with principal Brian Jetter to McCartney concert and understand the unique needs of a remote K-12 school with a small student body. Becky Johnson photo had a couple checks to pass over before leaving “We either eat too much or too little,” town. Buckner stopped, and the treasurer Hipps said. handed the checks out the window to Buckner before pulling away again.

“What do you mean we are going to be

BY B ECKY JOHNSON late?” Buckner asked, as she headed onto the STAFF WRITER “I’ll have to get these raked up soon,” highway. “We can make it.”

Hipps said, crunching across a dusting of “You don’t get car sick do you?” Hipps leaves from the giant red maples in her yard asked.

Jane Hipps was getting a later-than-nor- — the Latin name is Acer rubrum, Hipps mal start on the campaign trail, unless you pointed out.

Hipps passed through the gate, onto the count the cards she passed out at her crack-ofEDITOR’S NOTE: The Smoky Mountain News dawn dentist appointment. In a proud sidewalk and headed up the street for a quick spent a day with Jane Hipps, a Democratic moment of positive thinking, Hipps had dili- meeting with Haywood County’s economic challenger running for the state Senate gently made her next dentist appointment as development director, Mark Clasby. seat spanning the seven western counties.

The seven-county Senate district makes she left, for 7:30 a.m.

Now back at campaign headquarters — for a lot of ground to cover. And a lot of peonamely the first floor of her stately, brick ple to meet with — including an economic home on a historic residential street in down- development director in each of the seven town Waynesville — Hipps pulled two bis- counties. Hipps had met with five so far. cuits from a McDonald’s bag and handed one Today Haywood would make six, leaving just “Hurry up and finish so you can see how to her campaign manager, Julia Buckner. Clay County to go. pretty it is,” Buckner said. Hipps was prepping It’s the classic challenge of the underdog. for a luncheon with a group of Realtors in They settled into a quick briefing of the day’s People know Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, Highlands. Buckner had printed a position campaign activities.

Eating isn’t always glamorous on the cam- already after four years in Raleigh, but Hipps paper by the N.C. Realtors Association on state paign trail. Sure, some days are a revolving is starting from scratch and has far more bills for Hipps to read during the car ride. door of meals — progressing from a breakfast rounds to make.

But now, Buckner was trying to point out social to lunch meet-and-greet to dinner fall color as the car rounded Lake Glenville. fundraiser.

Hipps was holding her reading material at “How many pounds of barbeque do you arm’s length, level with the dash board — “I think we have consumed this year?” Buckner “Tell me what your needs are going to be have access to glance at the horizon,” she asked inquisitively. in Raleigh,” Hipps said, sitting down at a con- explained — which makes it easier to read Shrimp comes in a close second, Buckner ference room table with Clasby. without getting queasy on curvy roads like added, due almost entirely to Hipps’ attenHipps mostly listened as Clasby recounted the one leading to Cashiers. dance at the Smoky Mountain Shrimp Boil in the challenges facing economic development Usually, Hipps uses her iPad to pull up Franklin. Hipps entered the shrimp eating in the mountains, lamented the lack of state files, but today Buckner printed them out as contest on a whim and ended up taking the incentives offered for job creation, highlighted a safeguard against spotty reception. That Shrimp Queen title, which came with a trophy some success stories in Haywood and finally spotty reception is just another unique chaland sash, after downing 22 jumbo shrimp in zeroed in on his biggest thorn: the sorry state lenge to running a campaign in the seven five minutes, including peeling them herself. of high-speed broadband Internet service. western counties.

But other days are all about drive-thrus “I’d say that is my top priority right now,” “The Senate caucus doesn’t understand Clasby said. why you don’t email them back like this,” 14 and granola bars on the go.

October 22-28, 2014

A political newcomer finds her stride

9:05 A.M.

8:40 A.M.

Smoky Mountain News

10:40 A.M.

9:10 A.M.

Buckner said, snapping her fingers.

Hipps was pleased to find one of her signature campaign issues — education — in the overview of legislative issues on Realtors’ minds.

“A lot of people relocate based on the quality of schools. I think that’s one thing that is going to hurt us on the economic development front. The erosion of our public schools has gotten so much national attention, and people will look at that,” Hipps said.

10:56 A.M.

It was finally time to face the music.

Highlands by 11 wasn’t happening. Buckner called Alan Bryson, the person Hipps was supposed to be meeting, and told him they were running late.

Hipps has put 38,000 miles on her Subaru since announcing her bid for state Senate early this year. The campaign mobile has all the essentials: an ample supply of Beach Boys and similar ‘60s genre pop in the glove box and a half-gallon carton of Whoppers chocolate malt balls on the floorboard of the backseat.

Buckner is a jack-of-all-trades campaign manager.

She speaks on Hipps’ behalf when they have double-booked engagements. She researches the issues Hipps must prep for that day. She manages the campaign schedule.

But perhaps most importantly, she keeps Hipps laughing.

“We like to make up our own lyrics to songs,” Buckner said, queuing up “The Wanderer” by Dion.

“I’m the kind of candidate who likes to roam around. We started our morning in Haywood, we’ll be in Franklin before the sun goes down, I’m a wanderer, yeah I’m a wanderer…,” Buckner sang.

11:30 A.M.

Alan Bryson, a Democratic supporter of Hipps, was waiting in the parking lot of the Highlands library. Bryson had volunteered to take Hipps around town on a meet-and-greet, but didn’t reveal what was up his sleeve until she got there.

“Come on, I wanted to take you over to Highlands School,” Bryson said.

Highlands School is one of the only K-12 schools in the state, Bryson explained. It faces unique budget challenges because the state funding formula — calculated on a per pupil basis — assumes there’s a critical mass of students in each grade, but that’s just not the case in more remote settings.

Hipps, having worked as a science curriculum trainer throughout the region, was familiar with the K-12 school funding conundrum — three of the only K-12 schools in the state are here in the seven western counties.

“Alrighty, let’s go,” Hipps said, climbing back in the car to follow Bryson across town.

11:37 A.M.

“Hello there, Brian, there’s someone I’d like you to meet,” Bryson said from the doorway of the principal’s office.

Principal Brian Jetter warmly invited Hipps in to sit down.

12:15 P.M.

Hipps was now headed across town for a casual meet-and-greet organized by a supporter, Betty Holt, at the real estate office where she worked.

“Do you need cards?” Buckner asked, shoving a fistful toward Hipps as they climbed out of the car.

thanks to hard-working parents and a good education, she went on to college, got double degrees in biology and education, and then a master’s in school counseling. Her worked as a school counselor and then a psychologist after earning a second master’s degree in school psychology. She also worked as state science curriculum coordinator throughout the western region.

Her husband passed away over a decade ago. A widow, retired and with three grown children, Hipps had time on her hands. So she pursued another degree — this time a master’s in nursing from Vanderbilt.

“I would say I had a mid-life crises, but I was too old for that, so I call it a senior crisis,” said Hipps, 69.

As for her latest trajectory as a state Senate candidate?

“Somebody had to do it,” Hipps said.

“This is about trying to get our region and state back on track.”

When Hipps turned the floor over for questions, a free-wheeling discussion took off on everything from the abysmally slow Internet access in Highlands to tax reform, including whether Realtors might see sales

from either party, even if she knows her views might differ from theirs.

“If there is a difference of opinion, if we don’t agree, you talk to people about what those differences are and use that as an opportunity,” Hipps said before the meetand-greet. Hipps said she draws on her training as a school counselor and psychologist to first understand people’s point of view, and then try to connect with them.

She’s an attentive and active listener — maintaining eye contact, nodding frequently, and letting a couple seconds of silence pass after the other person stops talking to make sure they’re done before she starts.

It’s one reason her days on the campaign trail are almost never on time.

“There will be someone I’m supposed to be meeting and I’ll never get there,” Hipps said.

Eventually, there was one issue that brought everyone in the room to the same table: education.

Christal Green, a Republican who works at the real estate firm, said she was concerned that her kids were coming home without their own textbook to use. The new Common Core curriculum is so different from how she was

2:57 P.M.

— Jane Hipps

Once settled into chairs, and the office phone silenced, Hipps gave a two-minute condensed version of her life. She grew up poor, went to school in feed sack dresses, but

tax tacked onto their commissions under sales tax expansion on services.

David Bee, a Republican and a real estate agent, asked Hipps what she would do about the projected budget shortfalls in Raleigh.

“The reason we are seeing this deficit is because of the tax breaks that put money in the pocket of millionaires and billionaires,” Hipps said.

Bee countered that a lower corporate tax rate and income tax rate on small business would spur more hiring — at least theoretically. But Hipps said corporate executives usually pocket the extra profit from tax breaks rather than passing it along to employees.

“I think we have been waiting since the ‘80s for the trickle down,” Hipps replied.

There were less than 10 votes in the room, and it was soon clear most were indeed Republicans, but Hipps explained that she never turns down a chance to meet anyone,

taught, but she can’t figure out how to help her 8-year-old with his homework without a textbook to go by, and resorts to Google to find the Common Core approach to math problems.

Bee said the PTO at his kids’ school is raising money for basic, core needs these days instead of the extras that PTOs traditionally have raised money for.

After quickly scarfing down a chicken salad wrap courtesy of Holt, Hipps and Buckner left her with a box of call lists should she have the chance to do phone canvassing in the evenings.

“I don’t think we are going to be in Franklin by two o’clock,” Buckner said as they walked to the car.

1:50 P.M. After joining back up with Bryson to shake a few hands in downtown Highlands, it

4:18 P.M. Hipps was finally on the road back home to Waynesville. Life has been nonstop since she announced in January that she would run for Senate.

“I didn’t even know we had summer. All of a sudden the leaves are changing,” Hipps said.

Sunday morning and Wednesday evening — her church time — is her only break from campaigning. She’s a long-time member of First United Methodist in Waynesville. But lately, she’s been a visitor at other services, only if invited, however, and never wearing her campaign pin.

Hipps is new to running for office, but she isn’t new to politics. Her husband, Charlie Hipps, served as a state senator for seven years in the 1980s, and then district attorney

Smoky Mountain News

12:43 P.M.

Boots-on-the-ground networking is a primary campaign strategy for Jane Hipps, despite the geographic challenge of the sprawling seven-county district. Here, she meets with a group of Highlands Realtors. Becky Johnson photo

Hipps finally made it to Franklin Town Hall, where she and Mayor Bob Scott reminisced about the days when Scott was a newspaper reporter and Hipps’ husband, Charlie, was in political office.

“Hey Justin, there’s someone I want you to meet,” Scott called to a town employee passing by his door.

“Oh yeah, you came to the fire department … our little pancake breakfast,” said Justin Setser, the town planner and a volunteer firefighter, as he popped in to shake Hipps hand.

“Yeah, I enjoyed it,” Hipps said.

It was then on to more pavement pounding, as Hipps popped in and out of stores on Franklin’s Main Street to once again shake hands and pass out cards.

“If you want to be the voice for the west, you have to hear from the voices of the west,” Hipps said. “I want to find out what’s on their mind and what’s important to them.”

October 22-28, 2014

“If there is a difference of opinion, if we don’t agree, you talk to people about what those differences are and use that as an opportunity.”

“Got some,” Hipps said, who’d just restocked after depleting her stash at the last stop. Bryson took all she had, offering to distribute them for her around town.

“Sometimes I’ll go through 500 a day,” Hipps said.

Inside, a ring of 10 chairs was arranged in a circle of the real estate office lobby. It was potentially going to be a tough crowd. Most Realtors working in the wealthy, high-end Highlands market were probably Republican.

But that was fine by Hipps. It’s what she wanted, in fact. When Holt asked Hipps how she could help the campaign, Hipps said what she needed most was the chance to meet people — as many people and in as many settings as possible.

So Holt invited her friends and fellow Realtors to a drop-in candidate appearance

by Hipps during their lunch hour.

was windshield time again. Hipps called the next person they were meeting, Franklin Mayor Bob Scott, to break the news.

“We’re just now leaving Highlands, I’m sorry. Everything’s tracking late today it seems,” Hipps told him.

Buckner played tour guide again on the descent through the Cullasaja Gorge en route to Franklin. The pale green hue of lichen colonies on rock faces caught her eye, and she turned to Hipps for a science lesson.

“Let me see what lichens are a combination of,” Hipps said pulling out her iPhone to refresh her memory.

Lichen, Hipps explained, are a combination of fungus and algae, a theory studied extensively by Beatrix Potter in the early 1900s. Hipps launched into a short synopsis of the mycological exploits of Beatrix Potter, who was an amateur scientist before becoming children’s author.

As a former science curriculum trainer, it’s hard to tell what Hipps uses her iPhone for more — politics or science trivia.

Hipps, a bird watcher, has an iPhone app that identifies bird calls and another that you can point at the night sky to tell you name of the star you’re seeing.

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Jetter couldn’t be perceived as advocating for Hipps while on the clock as a public employee. But he is allowed to advocate for his school’s needs, whoever the audience of the hour may be, even if it’s a candidate in a hotly contested Senate race three weeks out from Election Day. To be safe, though, Jetter declined to take any of Hipps’ cards. And when showing her around the school, he merely introduced her as: “This is Jane Hipps.” And not: “This is the State Senate candidate Jane Hipps.”

As Jetter walked the halls with Hipps, however, she was an instant rock star. Hipps has staked out a platform as an education champion, and it had apparently resonated with teachers.

“Oh, you are Jane Hipps? It is so good to meet you.”

“You were a teacher weren’t you? I know you’ll support public schools.”

There was even an occasional low whisper, out of students’ earshot, of“You have my vote.”

S EE H IPPS, PAGE 20 15

A day in the life

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tion works with individuals to teach marketable job skills and work habits, and also help them secure employment.

“They’ve dedicated their lives to enriching the lives of these disabled,” Davis said.

A few years ago the senator was successful in helping MARC with a Department of Labor waiver. The waiver allows for disabled individuals to gain employment without requiring that they be paid minimum wage.

“But it keeps them there,” Davis said. “It gives these clients something to do.”

As a result of his relationship with MARC and appreciation for their work, Davis decided he’d invite a couple of the group’s clients down to Raleigh to get an up-close look at state government.

“So we made a position called honorary interns,” Davis explained.

“We’d send’em on errands and make’em productive.

They got to meet the govSen. Jim Davis speaks with constituents at Mountain Federal Credit Union in Waynesville. Jeremy Morrison photo ernor and the lieutenant governor.”

Association awards show last year, and is a bit Displayed in the lobby of the inn is artwork disappointed he didn’t make it this year to see created by MARC clients. During lunch the Balsam bring home their winnings. artists will be given trophies and accolades.

The subject of music makes Davis smile. It “It just does your heart good,” Davis said, seems the discussion has punctured a place of heading into the dining room. pure joy. Not only does the senator enjoy lisDavis sat at a table with businessmen tening to music, he use to enjoy playing it too. who are plugged into MARC’s mission. Also

BY J EREMY MORRISON “Do I still play the trumpet?” Davis at the table was fellow state lawmaker Rep. N EWS E DITOR t’s almost dark and North Carolina Sen. laughs. “I still have a trumpet. I don’t have the Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, as well as a Jim Davis, R-Franklin, is sitting in the lip anymore.” representative from Democratic U.S. Sen. The senator’s smile is daydreaming. Back Kay Hagan’s office.

Ryan’s steakhouse in Sylva. It’s Thursday, another day on the campaign trail with an to his childhood. Back to when he got the King Super 20 S trumpet from his parents. election only weeks away.

“Sterling silver bell with gold lacquer,” “Usually the weekends are a lot busier.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Smoky Mountain News Weekends we’ll be going all day,” Davis says. Davis describes the horn. spent a day on the campaign trail with Sen. That trumpet seems to mean a lot to the “During the week there’s not a lot of stuff Jim Davis, R-Franklin, as he tries to retain senator. Almost as much as the fact that his going on.” his seat in the N.C. General Assembly repreThis is one of the day’s stops. A chance to parents were able to pull the necessary funds senting the seven western counties. put some campaign swag on an info-table together to purchase the instrument.

“They really sacrificed to get that horn for and eat dinner at the Jackson County Tea Party Patriot’s regular Ryan’s engagement. me,” Davis says.

As MARC’s guests dined on pecan and Before this there were two credit-unionpumpkin pies, employers and clients were appreciation-day drop-bys and a luncheon at for their efforts and achieveARMING THE HEART AT LUNCH recognized Lake Junaluska. ments. Awards were also given out to clients Soon, Davis will commence to eating with Sen. Davis rolled into the Lake Junaluska in celebration of their artwork. the Patriots and a few other regional luncheon around noon. He’d hit the One painting featured a house and two Republican candidates. But for now he’s Mountain Federal Credit Union’s Franklin trees. Another piece of art incorporated a being interviewed by a reporter. Answering branch on the way up, and now it was time for Cherokee corn-bead necklace. A large groupquestions about, at the moment, music. the Marketing Association of Rehabilitation project piece was based on Vincent van “I have the most eclectic music taste,” the Centers’ awards luncheon.

Gogh’s “The Starry Night.” senator says.

Client Joyce Turner was awarded for a fin“I really helped them with some legislaDavis explains that he enjoys multiple tion a few years ago and I got to know the ger-print painting of a tree with many-colgenres. Loves bluegrass and “long-haired group, I really stay close to them,” Davis ored leaves. organ music.” He enjoys “Toccata and Fugue explained in the lobby of Lake Unalaska’s “Way to go, Joyce,” Davis congratulated in D Minor.” the woman as she walked by his table.

Lambuth Inn. “I don’t like hard rock and I don’t considThe Association, or MARC, is a 501(c)(3) er rap music,” Davis adds a caveat. nonprofit organization that works with comOLLIPOP INTERLUDE Earlier today, in his car traveling between munity rehabilitation programs across a 23campaign stops, the senator listened to local county region of North Carolina to provide Following the luncheon at Lake Junaluska, hometown heroes Balsam Range. He went to services to individuals with a disability or Sen. Davis hit his second credit union of the International Bluegrass Music socio-economic disadvantages. The organiza- day. Mountain Federal had invited him to 16 the

October 22-28, 2014

Sen. Jim Davis makes the rounds, confident of outcome

I

Smoky Mountain News

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swing by their branches during the day’s customer appreciation events.

“Haven’t run out of food yet?” Davis asked upon entering the credit union.

It’s well past lunch and there’s not much food around. Near the door sits a spread of freebies. There’s a selection of red and orange fanny packs. And a bowl full of Dum-Dums lollipops.

Davis goes for a cherry-flavored lollipop and chews the fat with some of the branch employees. It’s a pretty slow scene at the credit union.

After a few minutes fellow Republican candidate Mike Clampitt walks in. He’s running against Rep. Joe Sam Queen (DWaynesville) for a House seat and is thus also making the credit-union rounds.

“Did you make it to Sylva and Cherokee?”

Clampitt asked.

“No,” Davis replied, “I made it to Franklin.”

The senator bids a farewell and walks outside. He’s heading home for the afternoon, before meeting the Patriot’s at Ryan’s later on.

In the parking lot, Davis passes a woman walking into the credit union.

“Good afternoon, Senator,” the woman says.

“Hello,” Davis replies. “How you doing?”

“It’s a beautiful day,” she says.

“In the neighborhood,” the senator smiles.

INTO THE SUNSET

Sitting in the backroom of Ryan’s, Davis discusses his campaign scheduling strategy.

He gets a lot of invites and can’t be everywhere. Sometimes the senator will confirm on a “contingent” basis, in case a more pressing engagement pops up.

“You have to make priorities,” Davis says.

“You have to invest your time judiciously.”

There are different types of campaign events. Some amount to cold-calling at a public event, like walking the line at a festival to greet strangers in the hope of convincing a few of them to vote for you. Others entail defending positions to a roomful of critics.

And then there are the events that put a candidate in front of the party faithful, the inthe-bag votes.

Such is the case with the Patriot’s dinner at Ryan’s. The senator needn’t worry about this bunch voting for his Democratic opponent Jane Hipps.

But Davis is at Ryan’s for a reason. The same reason DA candidate Ashley Welch is there and the same reason Jackson County commissioners candidate Doug Cody is there. The same reason Clampitt is there. A lovely dinner and the company of political admirers and true believers.

“Preaching to the choir is something you have to do because you want to keep them energized,” Davis says.

To be honest, Davis says, he’d just as soon be talking to a group of critics. Those engagements help him fortify his philosophy.

“I like to be challenged,” Davis says.

“You’re better grounded if you have to defend your position.”

The senator is no stranger to defending his positions. He regularly takes heat from the left, weathering challenges to his takes on Medicaid expansion, fracking and education funding.

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“You have to be dedicated, you have to be on a mission. It’s not lucrative, it takes time away from people you love. But it allows you to make a difference.”

But the senator will not be encountering such critics this evening. The Patriot room at Ryan’s is a safe place for a Republican, a place where most everyone is on the same page — a fairly fearful place where Ebola, Isis and Obama haunt the future.

And for a conservative state Senate candidate that fear can be good for votes.

“People are nervous, they’re really uncertain,” Davis says, theorizing whether national and international issues will impact local outcomes at the polls. “As a group people are less secure with their own lives and their own government.”

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— Jim Davis

he’ll need any trickle down in his race. He’s got it covered.

“This isn’t my first rodeo,” Davis says coolly.

The senator isn’t sweating Election Day. He has no doubt in his mind that he’ll be sent back to Raleigh. Handedly.

“I expect to win,” Davis says. “I won’t be surprised if we win by double digits.”

The backroom at Ryan’s will close out Davis’ Thursday. Capping off another day on the campaign trail. A short series of appearances within a season of appearances — at luncheons, at festivals, at rallies and debates and forums.

“My wife calls herself a political widow,” Davis jokes.

These days and nights on the trail can wear on a candidate. The senator’s formula for keeping his energy up during campaign season is fairly simple.

“My wife feeds me well, I get a good night sleep,” Davis explains. “But it’ll work on you, it’s not for the faint of heart.”

But it’s worth it. Or at least the prize he’s eyeing — a chance to continue representing his Western North Carolina constituents — makes it worth it.

“You have to be dedicated, you have to be on a mission,” he says. “It’s not lucrative, it takes time away from people you love. But it allows you to make a difference.”

But what if the people of Western North Carolina don’t ask him to keep making a difference in the legislature? What if he loses the race to Hipps?

“Well, I’m 67 years old,” Davis says. “So, it’s time to start slowing down.”

If voters should decide to release the senator from Raleigh, he plans to spend more time with his wife and family. He’ll take her to Banff, Canada, and she’d really like to visit Italy, too.

And then, of course, there’s the “bucket list.”

“I want to ride my bicycle across the U.S.,” Davis says. “And I want to ride my motorcycle to the Arctic Circle.”

The senator rides a BMW GS motorcycle.

It’ll carry him pretty much wherever he wants to go. Regardless of election outcomes.

“It’s a great dual-sport bike,” Davis smiles.

“It works really great on the highway, but it also does well on gravel.”

October 22-28, 2014

Teachers have been particularly critical of Davis. They have vocally disagreed with him along the campaign trail, questioning his support of the current legislature’s direction when it comes to education funding.

“They keep saying that we’re trying to destroy education,” Davis says.

The senator defends his position in regards to education funding, contending that critical educators are “not amenable to facts, logic and reason.” He notes that he has not heard such complaints from other public employees, such as firefighters and law enforcement officers — “you know, they’re state employees and people shoot at’em.”

“That’s why I’m really frustrated by the teachers who complain,” Davis says. “It’s a tough economy out there and we have to deal with reality.”

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Like her opponent, Presnell has also served her community as a Yancey County commissioner. She sat on the board in 2011 and 2012.

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Dean Hicks is still a coach at heart.

“I’m an old coach, I don’t want to be average,” Hicks said. “No coach could settle for average, and I don’t think North Carolina should either.”

For more than 30 years, Hicks coached student athletes in the Yancey County School System — “I’ve coached about every sport there except track” — and taught them in P.E. and health class. Now he works for the Mount Mitchell Golf Course’s pro shop.

Hicks also has some experience in politics.

From 2002 to 2008, he served on the Yancey County Board of Commissioners.

This year, he decided to make the foray into state politics. As he watched how things

on ours. Now that’s just not so.”

The candidate is also concerned that the state is not expanding Medicaid in conjunction with the national Affordable Care Act. He doesn’t understand why lawmakers would refuse to participate in a program that North Carolina citizens are already paying into.

“I think it’s one of the most unfair things to happen to the people of North Carolina,” Hick said. “That’s just wrong. Morally, to me, that’s just wrong.”

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DO I VOTE IN THIS RACE? Republican Rep. Michele Presnell (left) and Democratic challenger Dean Hicks (right) are vying for the 118th District N.C. House seat. If you live in Madison, Yancey or parts of Haywood — specifically Canton, Clyde, Bethel, Cruso, Maggie Valley, Jonathan Creek and Crabtree — then this is your House race. were playing out in Raleigh over the last session, Hicks decided he needed to get involved.

“I decided not to stay on the sidelines,” he said. “I decided to get involved and try to actually make a difference.”

Hicks said he knows if he’s elected and sent to join a Democrat minority in Raleigh, it will be a “struggle.” He’s willing to give it a go — “one more voice is one more voice” — and hopes to make a difference.

“If you have an opportunity to try to make a difference and try to make things better and you don’t take it then you don’t have any right to complain,” Hicks said.

One of the subjects that Hicks has taken a special interest in, not surprisingly given his career, is education. He doesn’t like the trajectory he’s seeing.

“It’s taken a backseat. It’s 51st in the nation, that’s a big issue,” Hicks said. “It wasn’t that long ago that other states came to North Carolina to model their school systems

More recently, the first-term lawmaker decided to follow her husband — who served in the North Carolina Senate in 2005 and 2006 — into state politics.

“I could get more done,” Presnell said of her decision to make the jump.

She also pursued a state seat because she wanted to make some changes.

“I didn’t like the things that were going on in North Carolina,” Presnell said, declining to elaborate.

Presnell said she’s enjoying her first term — “I feel very good about the things we’ve done” — and is looking forward to serving a second.

“Because there’s more for me to do,” she said.

At the very top of Presnell’s priority list is bringing jobs to North Carolina. It’s the overriding plank of her platform.

“That’s the only issue that I really run on,” the incumbent said. “We have to have the jobs.”

Presnell pursued such ends during her first term. She sponsored a bill — one that ultimately failed to gather the needed votes — which sought $20 million in economic development incentives to attract businesses to the state.

“If we had passed it Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker would have had the tools in her toolbox that she needs to bring jobs to North Carolina,” Presnell said.

The representative looks to surrounding states like South Carolina and wonders why her state can’t get on board and “play in the game.”

“We have very little tools to work with,” she said. “When they come to us we don’t have a building on I-40 that we can give them.”

In hindsight, she feels that her bill containing the economic development incentives needed a bit more bite, more teeth and it would have passed.

“What we needed to add to [House Bill] 1224 is called clawbacks,” Presnell said, explaining that a provision should have been included that required businesses to repay any economic development booty to the state if they did not stay in North Carolina a prescribed amount of time creating jobs. “It needed to be tighter.”

Presnell is still confident that Gov. Pat McCrory will call the General Assembly back to Raleigh following the general election to finish the job. She knows he wants those economic development dollars.

“Win or lose, we’ll still be called back after the election,” she said. “And we’ll be asked to give Secretary Decker the ability to bring jobs to North Carolina.”

There are other issues that get Presnell excited, too. Like education. She bristles at critics’ assertions that the Republican majority in the state has damaged public education through funding decisions.

“That is nothing but a bold-faced lie,” Presnell said.

And, just recently, movement in the state on the gay marriage front is pushing her buttons. She’s appalled that the state’s Amendment One — tagging gay marriage as unconstitutional — was recently upended.

“I am for traditional marriage,” Presnell said. “For one rogue judge to come out there and change it is wrong. I will fight that forever.”

To keep up that fight and any other, Presnell will need to survive her election and make it back to Raleigh. She’s feeling good about the prospects. And the feedback she gets on the campaign trail is encouraging.

“I feel good in the district, I feel fine out there,” Presnell said, adding that it seems her constituents have been able to block out any negativity attached to her in the media and campaign-o-sphere. “Most of them are not listening to what they’re putting out there on television. They turn it off, mute it. Because they know it’s lies.”

Plus, the candidate believes her electoral fate rests in a higher power. And there is some peace to be found in that knowledge.

“If the Lord wants me there I will be there,” Presnell said. “If he does not, he has something else planned for me.”

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H IPPS, CONTINUED FROM 15

for 12 years. Charlie died unexpectedly of a heart attack while still in office 11 years ago.

“Charlie told me a few months before he died that it was time for me to get into politics, and I said one person in the family is insanity enough,” Hipps said.

When Hipps announced her candidacy in January, she was Charlie Hipps’ wife. But now, she’s Jane. She no longer needs the borrowed glory of her late husband to preface her introductions.

Still, he’s on her mind often. She’s putting into practice things she learned on the campaign trail with him during his two decades in politics.

“I think I campaigned with a master,” Hipps said. “I learned a lot of wonderful things from him. Good things about how to take care of people and what you can really do in politics. I look at politics as a way to really help people and create a better state and create better opportunities for people.”

With Charlie’s birthday coming up in three days, Hipps reflected on what he would say if he were here to see her now.

“He probably would think ‘What took you so long?’” Hipps said.

On the campaign trail with Jane Hipps, it’s all about face time. Here, she calls on Haywood’s economic development director Mark Clasby, the sixth economic development director she’s met with so far. Becky Johnson photo

Smoky Mountain News

5:10 P.M.

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When Hipps and Buckner pulled into Hipps’ driveway, they were in the homestretch but not yet to the finish line. The evening would be full of catch-up. Buckner had a long list of callbacks for Hipps to make, some “jobs bill stuff ” to read that was already downloaded to Hipps’ iPad, and last but not least some fundraising calls to make.

“It is something I’ve had to get used to, because I had never asked people for money before,” Hipps said.

As the campaign manager, Buckner tracks weekly fundraising goals — but also weekly goals for how many people Hipps meets and how many outreach events she attends.

“We have campaigned 24-7 since the day it started,” Buckner said.

Hipps hopes the boots-on-the-ground campaign strategy, reaching one voter at a time, day after day, will pay off come Nov. 4.

“If the people I met today were the only people who were going to vote, I think I would have won today,” Hipps said.

New roof for Waynesville middle

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Seeing that Haywood County Schools oversees 1.63 million square feet of roof, there was plenty of inventory to consider.

“We look forward to the next few years to see the spending on roofing coming down,” Commission Chairman Mark Swanger said.

“Eight years ago it seemed overwhelming because it was so big, so many dollars.”

The county will pay for 25 percent of the $175,000 project, with the remaining 75 percent coming from state funding that Haywood schools has saved up since that particular funding stream was cut off several years ago.

“It’s been very tight as far as funding for building projects,” Hartgrove said. “We’ve had to squeeze and be creative and get as much as we can out of what we’ve got.”

Hartgrove expects to have contracts for the work signed by Nov. 6 and to see construction start by Nov. 10. The project should be finished by the end of the year.

“We’re at a point right now that the one at Waynesville Middle School is the last big roof,” Hartgrove said. “We’ve still got some smaller issues coming up and we always will have, but out of that original plan, that was the last one we’d identified as needing a replacement.”

Folkmoot gets $25,000 donation

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER hen a property tax bill for the old town hall building showed up in the Town of Franklin’s mail, John Henning, the town’s attorney, was surprised. The bill called for a payment of $2,872.22 on a property that Henning said, as a piece of public “It is taxable because it’s not property, should be exempt from property tax. used for a public usage, and “If they’re right and it is taxthe town has leased it out able, then the town theoretically is responsible to collect taxes against with an option to buy, so it’s its own property, which I have a their surplus property.” hard time making any sense of,” Henning said.

— Richard Lightner, It’s true that public property is Macon County tax director exempt from taxation, but no government offices inhabit the old mined that the building is taxable, the town hall building. And, as of July 1, it’s been under lease to a private business, Lazy town would likely have to levy its own Hiker Brewing Company. The lease requires taxes as well. If aldermen voted to exempt the building after the county had deterthe company to put at least $185,000 in mined it taxable, they could open themimprovements to the building and includes an option to buy the property for $325,000. selves up to legal action.

“If I was a business owner, I would say, “It is taxable because it’s not used for a ‘Look, Mr. Brewery Company has an public usage, and the town has leased it advantage over me because he’s not paying out with an option to buy, so it’s their surcity taxes and I am,’” Lightner said. plus property,” said Richard Lightner, tax But if the building is taxed, the town will director for Macon County.

Lightner brought up numerous examples lose out due to a line in the lease agreement stipulating that no property taxes would be of instances in which properties owned by typically non-taxable entities could be taxed. levied and, if they were, that amount would be taken out of the lease payment.

For instance, a campground in a national “We agreed to [that] because even park operated by a private company, the half of the Veterans of Foreign Wars building that though this property is leased, it is owned serves as a for-profit restaurant or a for-prof- by a unit of North Carolina government and as such is not taxable,” Henning said. it daycare run out of a church.

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October 22-28, 2014

Folkmoot USA got some cash toward its expansion of education programs with a $25,000 donation from Wells Fargo & Company.

Folkmoot is an international folk festival held yearly in Waynesville and surrounding communities since 1984. The two-week event has featured about 200 groups from 100 countries in its 30-year history but is looking to begin offering year-round programming.

“Wells Fargo’s generous gift shows their long-term commitment to diversity through educational arts programming, specifically to the Folkmoot Festival and what it provides to young people and families in rural Western North Carolina communities. We are so thankful for their support,” said Karen Babcock, Folkmoot USA’s executive director.

“The daycare is run by an individual or corporation or something. It’s not a church function,” Lightner said. “Well, that is taxable under the law because it’s not a charitable purpose. It’s not a church purpose.”

But Henning isn’t on board with that conclusion.

“We disagree that it is taxable and we’re going to explore what administrative process there might be to resolve that before taking any further steps,” he said.

As the taxing authority, Lightner’s office has the authority to assess all properties in the county for taxation. If it is deter-

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BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER aynesville Middle School is set to get a new roof, following a vote by Haywood County Commissioners to approve a project that the Haywood County School Board OK’d Sept. 8. The project will finish off a campaign against leaky roofs that Tracy Hartgrove, the school system’s maintenance director, has been championing since he arrived eight years ago.

“This is probably the last one that is in really bad shape. We’ve put a lot of effort into it for the last eight years,” Hartgrove told commissioners about the roof replacement effort. “Every time it rains I’m not dreading to answer my phone because we don’t get those calls like we used to.”

Eight years ago, Hartgrove’s department came up with a prioritized list of all the roofs that needed replacing. Waynesville Middle was the last on that list, a list that included all schools in Haywood County save Hazelwood, Clyde and Central elementary schools. Those schools have metal roofs that are still in good shape.

The school system just finished up Jonathan Valley Elementary, a project whose $200,000 bill came from lottery funds.

Franklin, Macon County debate taxes on old town hall

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County votes ‘yes’ on hospice grant Hospice House of WNC continues fundraising efforts

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ospice House of WNC passed a hurdle in its fundraising effort when the Macon County Board of Commissioners voted to submit a grant application on the organization’s behalf. In a 4-0 vote, the commissioners unanimously agreed to support the hospice house’s bid for the $100,000 Building Reuse Grant from the N.C. Department of Commerce.

“I’ve had a friend to go through — we all have — end-of-life situations that need special care, and I just think it’s a good thing,” said Commissioner Paul Higdon of the project.

October 22-28, 2014

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Of the 59 hospice inpatient facilities in North Carolina, only one is located in Western North Carolina, and that one is in Haywood County — a long drive for many who live further west.

Hospice House of WNC has been working for a decade to get an inpatient hospice facility up and running in Macon, and after purchasing a home in Franklin located on 2.7 acres of property, the organization began its big fundraising push. The goal? To raise $4.3 million to build an addition that will turn the home into a 12-bed hospice house.

After winning a $1 million grant from the State Employee Credit Union, they were well on their way and have to date raised about $1.8 million.

Hospice House of WNC President Michele Alderson feels “confident” about the Department of Commerce grant, but the organization couldn’t apply for the grant on its own. It needed the support of a local government body.

Hospice House of WNC’s fundraising drive is aimed at adding on to the existing house and creating a full-blown inpatient hospice facility.

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In July, the hospice house had approached the Franklin town board with its request for support, but the board voted no in a split 3-2 vote, citing concerns that, should the nonprofit prove unsuccessful, the town could be stuck repaying the state its grant money. So, the hospice house made some slight tweaks to its presentation before approaching the county.

“The conditions [of the grant] mostly have to do with the project not getting completed, so the hospice house offered the county, and indeed they offered the town, an additional provision that those would be the last funds to be used and it would simply stay in the county’s coffers until it was time to use them,” said Orville Coward, attorney for the nonprofit.

It would be a pretty safe bet, Coward added, calling the possibility of the grant conditions going unfulfilled “remote,” and the chance of the state looking to pull back those funds “incredibly attenuated.”

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Give a hand Hospice House of WNC is looking for donations, large or small, to make the facility a reality. Donate online at hhfwnc.org/donateonline or send to P.O. Box 815, Franklin, N.C. 28744. 828.524.6375

Hospice house supporters made a followup presentation to the town with this revised presentation in August, but no action was taken. Instead, the organization took its request to the county. Alderson and Coward said that both boards are supportive of the project — it was more a question of which entity would be best suited to oversee the grant.

“I always believe everything happens at the right time,” Alderson said. “The town is supportive also. It’s just that they didn’t want to do any of the administration of it.

The county is more used to administering these kinds of grants.”

The $100,000, if awarded, will be one more link in the chase to $4.3 million. Plans call for a completed facility with six inpatient suites, six residential suites, a chapel, gardens, a walking trail, a conference room, a sun room and family areas for cooking, dining and hanging out, among other features.

“There is a huge need for this facility, and that’s why we formed the foundation and are pursuing the funds to provide it to the community,” Alderson said, adding that she’s already getting calls from Clay and Cherokee counties, asking if the house is open yet.

The state has already recognized the need, issuing a certificate of need for a hospice house. The facility will give patients a place to live the end of their lives as comfortably as possible, to receive symptom and pain management and to get care while relatives take a rest from their care giving role, perhaps to go on vacation or attend a wedding.

“It’s a great thing,” Higdon said.

JACKSON COUNTY VOTERS: Everyone Deserves a Voice!

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Evergreen negotiations ‘worked out fine’

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Evergreen Packaging has been in talks with its employees since the spring, trying to hammer out a new contract. This month, the company reached a deal with members of the union.

“It worked out fine,” said Brandon Ferguson, president of the United Steelworkers Smoky Mountain Local 507.

“We were able to make some changes, and in the end the vote passed.”

According to Dane Griswold, general manager for Evergreen’s Canton-Waynesville operations, the deal went through on Oct. 15. The new contract covers not only the Canton and Waynesville facilities, but also workers employed at facilities in Athens, Ga., and Olmsted, Ohio.

Approximately 1,300 employees are affected by the contract agreement, including 900 workers in Haywood County.

Evergreen employs 1,200 workers at its two Haywood facilities, but not all of those are part of the union. The contract agreement runs through May 2018.

RE- ELECT NC Senate “Evergreen Packaging is pleased to confirm the ratification of the master economic collective bargaining agreement and local supplemental agreements,” Griswold said in a statement.

According to Ferguson, the contract includes a 9 percent wage increase over four years. Workers also held onto their healthcare cost-share for the life of the agreement.

“I am very proud of our negotiating committee and most of all our union members for supporting us during the negotiations,” Ferguson said in his own statement. “Neither the company or the union got everything they wanted, but having an agreement allows us to move forward. This is good for the future of our company, our members and the community.”

— Jeremy Morrison, News Editor

March to the polls

MISSING CAT

— Jim Davis October 22-28, 2014

With elections nearing, some groups are already making plans for how to cast their ballot.

In Sylva, a group will descend on the polls for the first day of early voting, 10 a.m. Oct. 23.

The gathering is organized by the Jackson County Branch of the NAACP and co-sponsored by a handful of left-leaning organizations. They will meet at the fountain outside the Jackson County Public Library and walk 2 miles to the Board of Elections Office. 828.226.4526 or jacksonnaacp54AB@gmail.com.

In Canton, the Haywood County NAACP will hold a march to the polls, 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. The group will meet at Harris Chapel AME Zion on 26 Prospect St. and walk two blocks to the Canton Public Library. Those who cannot walk can meet at the library at 10:30 a.m. The group will wait at the library while everybody votes and then return to Harris Chapel for a general meeting at noon.

“These mountains have been my home for over 40 years. I am privileged to serve them in the North Carolina Senate and would be honored to have your vote November 4.”

Jim Davis focuses on the needs of Western North Carolina.

Sponsored and championed legislation that helped protect 1,200 jobs for Evergreen Packaging. (SB 3) He was given the “Friend of the Counties” award by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners in 2013.

Co-chair of the Senate State and Local Government Committee ... providing him the unique ability to advance issues of vital importance to Western North Carolina.

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Voted to increase education spending by over $1 billion since 2010, giving teachers an average 7% raise in the last budget alone, all while balancing the budget.

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Sponsored and helped negotiate legislation that allowed the Eastern Band of Cherokee to produce more jobs and create a fund to appropriate gaming revenue for education. (SB 582)

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Meet the candidates for district attorney

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Come sit around our cook stove!

shley Welch realized at a young age that her dream was to be a For more coverage of the district attorney’s race — including prosecutor. candidates’ views on the prosecutor’s role and how they would “I have never waivered approach the job if elected — go to The Smoky Mountain from that. It’s all I’ve ever News’ online voting guide at www.smokymountainnews.com. wanted to do. It’s who I am,” said Welch, 36.

Her epiphany came at 13 during a the district attorney’s office if she could school career project in her hometown of shadow one of the them for the remainder Hendersonville. She had to shadow someof the class project. one in the workforce and chose a defense “Even when the class was over

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Directions: From highway 74, take exit 69 in Bryson City, turn left at Walker Woody Road and follow to Highway 19. Turn right, go over the bridge, then turn right at Darnell Farms.

Darnell Farms is located in Bryson City, where Highway 19 crosses the Tuckaseegee River.

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Two candidates are competing for the job of top legal prosecutor in the seven western counties.

The seat came up for grabs when District Attorney Mike Bonfoey announced his retirement after 11 years in the role. Two assistant prosecutors who work under Bonfoey are vying for the job.

attorney with a murder case heading to court. Welch suddenly found herself sitting in a gruesome trial.

But Welch faced a bigger problem than stomaching the autopsy photos. She felt like she was shadowing the guy on the wrong team.

“I remember asking this attorney ‘Did he do it?’ and he said ‘It doesn’t matter,’” Welch recalled. “I was just horrified.”

Welch was instead drawn to the other side of the courtroom, enamored with the role of the prosecutor trying to convince the jury to lock up the person responsible for the tragedy.

When the trial was over, Welch asked

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Welch’s husband, Brian, is the attorney for the Macon County Sheriff ’s Office.

When they met, Brian was a defense attorney in Henderson County, which shows she doesn’t have anything against defense attorneys even though she would never want to be one herself.

“Some of my dear friends are criminal defense attorneys and I married one, but I would be a terrible criminal defense attorney,” Welch Ashley Welch said.

Brian followed Welch to Macon, where they still live. im Moore is running on his trial experience — nearly 30 years in the courtroom trying every kind of case, and on both sides of the isle.

“Knowing what it takes to protect families and communities, my 28 years of experience in the DA’s office and in the community are invaluable,” Moore said.

Moore doesn’t keep count, but estimated

Meet the Candidate Friday, October 24 • 6-8 p.m.

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around as practices split, merged, morphed and formed.

Moore quickly demonstrated his skill as an attorney, taking on his first murder case in 1989 after just three years of practicing.

During that time, he also worked on a contract basis as prosecutor for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians court system.

“That’s where I first got the bug for being a prosecutor,” said Moore, who’s a Democrat.

So he joined the district attorney’s office in 1991 under then-DA Charlie Hipps. He was the youngest assistant district attorney at the time.

Moore returned to private practice in 1996, needing a more flexible schedule given the needs of his family at the time, starting a joint practice with his wife. Moore, 53, has three children — now ages 16, 25 and 26.

But Moore always hoped to come back to the district attorney’s office one day. That day came in 2003, when his long-time friend Mike Bonfoey was named district attorney after Hipps’ death. Moore’s children were older by then, and the timing was right.

Bonfoey also offered Moore a unique position in the office. Bonfoey wanted Moore to serve as the chief assistant prosecutor, someone who goes where the big cases are, coaching other assistant attorneys when they need help and providing back-up wherever needed — a role he’s now held for the past dozen years.

Moore’s wife, Connie, now works for Legal Services as a civil attorney for victims of domestic violence.

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he’s been involved in 40 murder cases over his career.

Moore has been both a prosecutor and defender — 16 years as an assistant district attorney and 12 years in various private legal practices in Waynesville, including a joint practice at one point with his wife, Connie, who is also an attorney.

Moore is originally from Arkansas.

His mom was a legal secJim Moore retary, and his dad was a deputy sheriff. So Moore was immersed in the world of courts and law enforcement as a child, which led him on a path to law school.

“My mom and dad raised me to always tell the truth and be honest with people and try to help them when you can,” Moore said.

He followed his wife back to Western North Carolina in 1986 after the two met in law school. Moore and his wife began their legal careers in Waynesville at the same practice, but as attorneys tend to do, they drifted

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I would follow them around,” Welch said.

Welch, who’s a Republican, attended law school at UNC-Chapel Hill. Come summer, she made fast tracks back to Hendersonville and volunteered as a non-paid intern in the district attorney’s office.

Proving her dedication, she landed a job as an assistant district attorney in Hendersonville right out of law school in 2003. After two years she got a cold call one day from Mike Bonfoey, the district attorney for the seven western counties, asking her to come meet with him. She didn’t realize at first he was trying to recruit her, but when she showed up, she was offered a job on the spot.

In Henderson County, Welch was a district court prosecutor, and faced years trying the lower-level misdemeanors before working her way up to a superior court prosecutor. Bonfoey offered her a position as the main prosecutor for Macon County — handling both district and superior court calendars — which would put her in charge of higher-level cases.

Welch proved herself as one of the topnotch prosecutors in the region, handling complex and difficult cases with skill.

Bonfoey started to pull her in to assist with big trials that came up in other counties.

“There were some cases that were going to be tried that needed some fineness to them and Mike said ‘I need you to go handle these,’” Welch said. Her role evolved from overseeing the Macon court docket to working whatever cases she was needed on at any given time.

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Opinion

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No, school board race is not about our children’s ‘souls’

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Everyone reads the local free papers To the Editor: I was just thumbing back through recent issues of SMN and read your piece about supporting local newspapers. It reminded me of a conversation I had earlier this year as a group of us planned getting the word out about an event. We brought up putting notices in The Smoky Mountain News and the Macon County News. One person in the group, a retired professional from Atlanta, said of the free papers, “Nobody reads those!” The rest of us were bug-eyed and responded “Everybody reads those!”

I have shared his comments with others because his comment seemed so contrary to what I have observed. Everyone seems to agree with the group. We are so glad to have our local papers. We read them.

I get my national news from the Wall Street Journal and TV news, but my life is here in Macon County, and I want to know what is happening here where I live.

You also mentioned something about not wanting communities to look alike. My husband and I are road-trippers, and we are often struck by how many places now look the same. Pull off the interstate at a busy interchange, and you could be almost anywhere in the U.S. Sad. We’d like to see some indication of the local culture, style, foods, etc., but it’s getting harder to find

‘we are not all terrorists.’ Current events around the world tells us otherwise ….”

The very idea that the 1.6 billion people who are Muslim should all be described as “evil” or “terrorists” is, by any standard, just ludicrous. That’s nearly a fourth of the world’s population. Are there splinter groups of Islam extremists doing terrible things? Of course, and they are horrible, as Davis points out.

But to try and bury our heads in the sand and not let students learn about the culture of, oh, those other 1.599 Editor billion people who live throughout the world and practice this religion in peace will not help as we try to deal with very complicated geopolitical issues. Instead of criticizing the fact that our students are learning about Islam, we should go the opposite direction and make sure they know much more than people my age knew about this religion when I got out of school.

And instead of making this program the focus of a very public letter, how about talking about testing, teacher pay raises or increased supplements, technology in classrooms, how scarce resources are being used, or some of the other fundamentally important issues facing our schools.

We are all entitled to our views, which is the foundation upon which this country rests. Another basic tenet of being an American is to allow different opinions to be aired publicly rather than be squelched, as they might in some other country.

Scott McLeod

etting an education is about reducing ignorance.

Whether it’s in a rural second-grade classroom or at one of this nation’s elite graduate schools, learning is all about gaining a better understanding of the world around us.

That might mean studying the religion of another culture or unraveling the DNA of a sea turtle, but the idea is to seek to understand.

That said, I want those who would be our educational leaders to embrace this concept, that of helping students broaden their understanding of the world in which we live.

Unfortunately, at least one candidate running for school board in Haywood County displays such a depth of misunderstanding that by my estimation he is not qualified to serve on the school board.

I’ve never met Jeremy Davis, who is running as the candidate from the Bethel district, but here is what he wrote in a letter to The Mountaineer newspaper concerning a program hosted by the Center for Diversity in Education where sixth-graders learned about Islam: “Programs that advocate religions of hate should not be allowed to continue in our schools …. We have a situation in this country and the world where this evil religion is taking hold and we cannot allow this to continue in our own communities.”

Later in the same letter, Davis brought his feelings about Islam into the school board race: “Our children’s very souls are up for grabs in this school board election and this type of religious deception cannot be allowed to continue.”

And finally, this: “The Center for Diversity in Education has pictures on their website of Muslims holding up signs that say

LETTERS such when traveling.

Valerie Niskanen Otto

District attorney hopeful needs an answer To the Editor: Two weekends ago I went to the district attorney debate in Canton at the Colonial Theater. The debate was between Democrat incumbent assistant district attorney Jim Moore and Republican challenger assistant district attorney Ashley Welch.

At the door I was told that I could ask a question to either candidate. I wrote a very serious question for DA Moore. Although the debate ended about an hour early and most of the questions were not very revealing, my question was never asked.

My question to Moore was as follows: In a recent liberal newspaper, Moore was criticized for “forgetting” a warrant in a capital crime case for two months during his term as ADA. Why Moore did you allow this error, and if re-elected what would you do to prevent it from happening again? I would be very happy if Moore could answer this question.

A.J. Braswell Franklin

I don’t disrespect Davis’ opinions, but I think he is wrong.

And I also think someone who believes that all Muslims are evil and who would say that, because of those beliefs, “our children’s very souls are up for grabs in this school board election,” should not be on the board of education for a public school system. The schoolhouse is not where we save souls.

••• We make it a habit of not endorsing candidates. It’s just something we have not done over the years that this newspaper has been in existence.

But sometimes, as in the case above, you find someone who by their actions or their views is not a good choice for a particular office. I would say that about Mike Matthews, who is running for tax collector in Haywood County.

First things first. I’m a personal friend of David Francis, the current tax collector. I covered his first attempt for political office when I was editor of The Mountaineer in the 1990s, and have known him since then.

The problem with Matthews wanting to earn someone’s vote for tax collector, however, is that he is currently delinquent on his personal property taxes. That just doesn’t seem a good idea to put someone in charge of tax collections who has been delinquent on his taxes since he filed for office.

Even though it’s highly unusual that the tax collector is an elected position, that doesn’t downplay its significance.

Matthews is not the person for the job.

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

No, Mr. Clampitt, fracking is an issue To the Editor: Suppose we turn history upside down, we might have heard the following from famous and infamous people: Noah: “It’s not going to rain.”

French King Louis XVI: “They’ll never get the guillotine to work.”

George Armstrong Custer: “There aren’t any Indians out there.”

In modern times, some equally preposterous lies have been said, but these are real: Chicago Tribune (after the 1948 election for president): “Dewey Wins!”

Lyndon Johnson (1964): “We are not about to send American boys nine or ten thousand miles away from home to do what Asian boys ought to be doing for themselves.”

George Bush (2005): “Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of yellowcake uranium from Africa.”

Now, in this current election, a local politician running for the N.C. House was heard to say something equally strange and out of touch.

Mike Clampitt: “Fracking is not an issue in this election.”

Seriously. He said that. That statement might be true if Clampitt were running for a House seat on Mars, but not the 119th District in the N.C. Legislature. It could easily be argued that fracking is the dominant issue in

the November election. Look at the signs on the side of road. Listen to the political debates. Read the letters in the newspapers.

Watch the public protests. Check out all the communities — seven and counting in the 119th District — that have voted their objection to fracking our mountains.

If Clampitt can say that fracking is not an issue here, he can say anything. Don’t be surprised if he does.

Rick Bryson Bryson City

Sen. Davis votes against will of people To the Editor: “Tis a puzzlement.” How can any elected representative currently in office perpetually insist on being proud while consistently voting against the needs and wishes of the people represented? Who can be proud of a vote to contaminate the very ground, air and water that benefits all of our state? At best these views display incompetence or perhaps a desire to convey willful misinformation.

I’d like to believe that our representative to the General Assembly, Sen. Jim Davis, RFranklin, is more altruistic than evidenced. I’d also like to think that racial bias, misogyny, or any other demeaning attitude toward our people, does not enter into votes that affect our

S EE LETTERS, N EXT PAGE

To the Editor: hat kind of country is ours? That’s more than an idle question to a foreign-born gentleman who is studying with my help for his citizenship test.

The textbook he was issued calls the United States a “democratic republic.” That’s what I thought too, and have been coaching him to say. But what if it’s not true? Are we becoming — or are we already — an oligarchy?

Webster’s defines that as “government by the few,” and also as one “in which a small group exercises control ... for corrupt and selfish purposes.” There’s disturbing evidence to that effect — and it consists of more than just hunches and anecdotes.

A groundbreaking study published this spring in a journal of the American Political Science Association compared public opinion polls on nearly 2,000 policy issues with how events played out in Washington.

The findings: • When the results favor what ordinary citizens want, it’s only because “those policies happen also to be preferred by the economically elite citizens who wield the actual influence.”

• When wealthy people and organized interest groups wish otherwise, “the preferences of the average American appear to have only a minuscule, near-zero, statistically nonsignificant impact upon public policy ... When a majority of citizens disagrees with economic elites or with organized interests, they generally lose.”

W

October 22-28, 2014

LETTERS, FROM PREVIOUS PAGE land, our people or our children’s future (whose education is a whole other subject). I would like to.

However, the repetitiously stated pride in these votes does not support that hope.

I’ve too often seen the supercilious attitude displayed that gives lie to the verbal statements of proud, moral, religion and patriotism. Somehow, I think these overt displays of insensitivity and outright hypocrisy will leave our legislator to be eternally “knock, knock, knockin’ on Heaven’s door!”

Shirl Ches Franklin

Cullowhee planning will take away rights Smoky Mountain News

To the Editor: On Tuesday night, Oct. 7, I along with

The study cites tax and trade restrictions as general examples. Some specifics come easily to mind: the trade agreements and tax loopholes that export jobs and taxable profits overseas.

The authors, professors Martin Gilens of Princeton University and Benjamin Page of Northwestern, didn’t apply any particular word to the system their statistics describe.

But the only common word that fits is, indeed, oligarchy.

“In the United States,” they conclude, “our findings indicate, the majority does not rule ... If policymaking is dominated by powerful business organizations and a small number of affluent Americans, then America’s claims to being a democratic society are seriously threatened.”

Such oligarchies work their will through compliant politicians.

They bagged a bunch of them when they took over the North Carolina General Assembly in a low-turnout election four years ago. The consequences have fulfilled chief oligarch Art Pope’s nastiest wishes, such as enormous tax cuts for rich people like him, tax increases for nearly everyone else, rejection of Medicaid money to treat 400,000 people and create more than 20,000 jobs, fast-track fracking for the petrochemical lobbies, and the savaging of nearly every agency and regulation protecting the health of the people and the environment of North Carolina.

House Speaker Rep. Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, was up to his chin in every bit of it. It’s obvious why the national oligarchy wants him in Washington — and why that would be

LETTERS many property owners attended the presentation of the “Cullowhee Plan” for restricting our property use. There were concerns voiced and questions asked. The main point that emerged was that, because the county has already allowed mega apartment complexes to be built without restrictions, to remedy this they will restrict individual homeowners and landowners.

Although it seems to me they are punishing the majority for the actions of a few, the most disturbing fact that emerged was that the home and landowners will not be allowed to vote for this issue, but the planning board (whose members are not elected) would recommend and the county commissioners would approve.

Although I believe this is fundamentally wrong, we do have the opportunity to vote for some of the county commissioners in November. I am asking The Smoky

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a tragedy.

The current campaign face of the oligarchy is that of Crossroads GPS, the secretly financed PAC run by the notorious Republican hit man Karl Rove. It’s bombarding North Carolina 24-7 with mailers, TV spots and incessant robocalls attacking Sen. Kay Hagan for having voted to consider capand-trade legislation.

Rove’s propaganda claims this “could” have cost North Carolina a certain number of jobs, but that’s based on highly suspect data supplied by the National Association of Manufacturers and the National Council for Capital Formation, two of the oligarchy’s most arrogant lobbies. And Rove conveniently overlooks the fact that Republican senators Lindsey Graham from neighboring South Carolina and John McCain of Arizona also supported the legislation as a preferable alternative to a straight tax on carbon emissions.

It doesn’t matter to the oligarchy that clean energy would generate net gains in employment or that failure to manage carbon emissions would surely cost trillions of dollars in harm to health and the environment.

The oligarchs care for nothing but increasing their wealth, and they want it now.

But it does matter to the people. If our voices and opinions are ever to hold their own against the oligarchs in Washington, we need to send Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., back to the Senate and keep Thom Tillis out.

Martin A. Dyckman Waynesville

Mountain News and The Sylva Herald to interview the commissioner candidates as to their stance on these restrictions to our property and publish the results so we may have a chance to vote for them based on their reply.

Mary Jo Jones Cullowhee

Jane Hipps is the right choice for Senate To the Editor: From many perspectives, North Carolina is in big trouble.

Rather than governing to provide the best direction for all citizens, as our legislators are charged, some of our elected officials appear to be pursuing personal agendas aimed at serving a few rather than acting to benefit the majority.

A good dose of common sense, coupled

with an honest and sincere desire to address the needs of all, fairly and equitably, is a prescription that could begin the healing process for our ailing economy, our critically ill education system, and mend the faltering health system. Concerns for the environment, particularly in the proposed fracking debate, could benefit, as well.

Jane Hipps, Democratic candidate for the North Carolina Senate District 50, knows right from wrong and isn’t afraid to support her convictions. She speaks with volume, conviction and decisiveness, based on indepth research and questioning before she speaks. She can be tough when she needs to be.

Jane holds n indebtedness to special interest groups. She is accountable only to her constituents and will fiercely guard and protect Western North Carolina.

Well-equipped with knowledge and

S EE LETTERS, N EXT PAGE

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opinion

Leaders steer U.S. ever closer to becoming an oligarchy

LETTERS, FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Elect Republicans, keep Rep. Mark Meadows needs to go state moving forward

Let’s send GOP leaders home this election To the Editor: The Republican Party in North Carolina has repeated, time after time, that the public schools were broken. Since they have taken over the Legislature they have tried to make this come true.

They have not succeeded. Franklin High School has been rated in the top 30 percent of high schools in the nation. This honor can be attributed to Macon County

JACKSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Republicans Doug Cody Charles Elders and Independent Jack Debnam The team that put Jackson County back on track!

Up-To-Date School Amenities

A Growing Economy & Lower Unemployment

New & Improved Recreational Facilities

Financial Reform

Solid Business Development

Agency & Department Re-Organization

Keep these proven leaders!

Re-Elect Commissioners Cody, Elders and Debnam.

RE-ELECT

MARK MEADOWS

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Our Strong Conservative Voice in the U.S Congress

RE-ELECT SENATOR JIM DAVIS N.C. SENATE, DISTRICT 50 Continue Education Reform, Balanced Budgets, Job Creation, Lower Taxes for All

ELECT MIKE CLAMPITT, N.C HOUSE, DISTRICT 119 ASHLEY WELCH CURTIS LAMBERT DISTRICT ATTORNEY

SHERIFF

CONSERVATIVE JUDGES Mark Martin

Bill Southern

Supreme Court Chief Justice

Court of Appeals

Bob Hunter

Paul Holcombe

Supreme Court Associate Justice

Court of Appeals

Eric Levinson

Christina Earwood

Supreme Court Associate Justice

District Court

Mike Robinson

Donna Forga

Supreme Court Associate Justice

District Court

Smoky Mountain News

To the Editor: I am no Paul Revere, but like him I am providing warning that we are threatened.

The real and present danger is disguised as our congressman. It is imperative that our present congressman, Republican Rep. Mark Meadows, be voted out of office.

This past year he teamed with other congressmen to shut down the federal government. He could not have cared less who got hurt. What was most important to him was making a political statement. His pay never stopped, but thousands were not allowed to go to work as long as the government was shutdown.

Virtually all of the other misguided and self-centered members of Congress who shut the government down came to their senses after they saw the devastating effect of their political grandstanding, but not our congressman. He voted to keep the government shut down. His weapon was fear, and his motive was to injure enough people so that the masses would become afraid enough to adopt his program.

That makes him more dangerous than a terrorist because a terrorist can hurt or injure a limited number of people. Our congressman is willing to injure the entire nation. He is a danger and must be defeated.

This nation depends on it.

Steven E. Philo Franklin

RE-ELECT

October 22-28, 2014

To the Editor: Beam me up Scotty if you have heard of any big oil or gas companies prowling the western part of North Carolina trying to get people signed up to allow drilling for oil or gas on their property.

With all of the letters on the dangers of fracking you would think that the oil rigs had already been put down and were ready to start drilling. Notice, there is no shale rock in our area and there are no guys running around trying to entice people to allow drilling in the western part of our state. If there was oil in these hills the wells would have been here long ago.

This year our teachers got raises and they will get more raises as the state’s economy improves and more people find jobs. The North Carolina economy is slowly recovering. Asheville has such low unemployment that the Feds are coming to Asheville to find out why things are so good. WCU will soon be getting an engineering college added to its Asheville campus. That is a gigantic addition to the college. You can thank Sen. Tom Apodoca. R-Hendersonville, and the local Republican elected officials as well as Gov. McCrory for that new addition. Gov. McCrory is spending a lot of time in Western N.C. helping out with a lot of things including fixing up Interstate mess on I-26 in Asheville. The Governor also spends time in Cullowhee at WCU trying to help out there at the colleges as well as Southwestern Community College.

This election is about improving the economy in our state. Saving the Evergreen paper mill in Canton was a big deal for the 1,000-plus people who work there. We now have an abundant supply of cheap natural gas in the United States which can replace all of the old coal-fired furnaces in America like the ones at the Evergreen Plant. Converting the coal furnaces at the plant will employ a lot of people in the area and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 50 percent. You can thank Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, and other Republicans for keeping this issue alive for the people in the Canton area who work at

MORE OF THE SAME! IT IS A GOOD THING!

opinion

experience to treat North Carolina’s ills, she was employed, before retirement, in public education for 38 years as a teacher, counselor and curriculum advisor. She earned three master’s degrees during her educational journey: school psychology from Western Carolina University; master of science in nursing from Vanderbilt University (earned after retirement from education); and school counseling from UNC-Chapel Hill. An experienced business owner, she currently manages a farm.

My support is unconditionally for Jane Hipps, a former colleague. Let’s not let others speak for us. We need to flood the polls in November and elect a mountain girl for mountain people.

Edie Burnette Canton

the plant.

On Nov. 4 we must elect people who can focus on running a cost-efficient government and making sure the local and state government officials are doing their best to serve the people in North Carolina. Under Gov. McCrory the number of unemployed people in our state is down to about 300,000. In just two years the Republicans have made a lot of progress in restoring the economy in Western North Carolina. Welfare and food stamps must be replaced with good jobs for all of those willing to work. North Carolina can again become the number one state in the South.

Remember we must reelect our Republican officials in November if we want to keep North Carolina moving forward into 2015.

Jim Mueller Glenville

John Tyson Court of Appeals

PAID FOR BY THE JACKSON COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY www.jacksoncountygop.com; jacksonctygop@yahoo.com

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Smoky Mountain News

October 22-28, 2014

opinion

LETTERS, FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

30

Commissioners and the board of education.

The school administration, all the teachers from kindergarten through the high school who have provided the education, and the parents, who have expected the students to get a good education, have made it happen.

In the last four years the North Carolina Legislature has cut $500 million from the education budget. They have cut teachers, teacher assistants, funds for higher education, funds for classroom supplies, textbooks and school transportation. Even worse, they have shown contempt for the schools and school employees.

This year they have given some teachers a raise. Some of the best teachers got very little or nothing. Last year, when money was available for a raise, the legislature chose to cut taxes for the millionaires and corporations.

This year, the Legislature set aside $10 million for school vouchers. Even after Judge Hobgood had declared the law unconstitutional, they went ahead and have distributed $1.1 million to private schools so far.

Practically all of these schools are religious but not all are Christian. Many of the vouchers went to Islamic schools who are teaching the Koran, some in Arabic.

We will be voting for members of the Legislature on Nov. 4. We need to make sure those who supported and voted for these measures can stay home and think about their mistakes.

Clayton Ramsey Franklin

Letter writer had it wrong about GOP To the Editor: The letter on Oct. 15 from my friend in Franklin titled, “Why doesn’t the GOP protect our property rights?” is a bit ludicrous in that the GOP has stood over the years for the right of citizens to own, use and accumulate property to support their families and insure the payment of college expenses for dependents.

My friend is like many who have developed an affinity for the word fracking without researching this topic with any objectivity.

No person or governmental entity can require any private landowner to submit to fracking, drilling, mining or any disturbance of the land. Where my friend gets this idea is alien to me. This concept of extracting gas from the shale has been in these United States for more than 40 years and there have only been a very few incidents below ground and these were remedied by the requirement that the responsible party pursuant to a large posted guaranteed bond make whole the contracted landowner.

Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, lives among us and is as concerned about our environment as the letter write. I suggest that my friend quit yelling fire in the theater and work to unsure the inclusion of a large bond in all such drilling contracts. And need I

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. remind the Franklin alarmist that Western North Carolina, according to geological reports, has no or a pittance of shale. I tell Mr. Stenger to check the facts before frightening a populace that just might believe a bit of his spilled ink.

K.G. Watson Maggie Valley

Jim Moore is best choice for DA ÏTo the Editor: I am writing to you on behalf of my good friend and mentor, Jim Moore. He is running for district attorney here in the 30th District and I would like to tell you why I believe that he is the best candidate for the job. Jim is an excellent and experienced prosecutor who truly cares about the people of this district.

He spends countless hours talking to citizens all across the district and listening to their concerns.

After having worked with him for over a year and a half, I can say without reservation that he is the person this district needs at the helm of its criminal prosecutions. Jim’s prosecuting philosophy is firm but fair, and he has a strong grasp of the changing needs of this district. With that in mind, I hope that on Nov. 4 everyone will make the best choice for the 30th District and vote Jim Moore for district attorney.

Jennifer N. Stevens Boone (Former domestic violence prosecutor in 30th Judicial District)

Haywood incumbents should be reelected To the Editor: How fortunate we are in Haywood County to have three county commissioners running for reelection, commissioners who through the years have demonstrated such firm and forward-looking commitment to our county — Kirk Kirkpatrick, Mike Sorrells, and Bill Upton.

The most Denny King, perpetual candidate and combatant, can find to fault then for is not paying off our construction loans fast enough. True, such action would lessen the interest we pay, but what citizens accelerate their mortgage payments if that means no money left for their children’s college tuition, their school clothes, or even the utili-

ties. Furthermore, King’s use of per capita figures supplied by the John Locke Society, a puppet of the Koch brothers, reflects a carelessness of judgment as these figures omit the taxes paid by out-of-state/county secondhome owners.

Would we want as a county commissioner someone who embraces statistics whose validity he admits he is unsure of? The answer is a categorical no.

Lynda Self Waynesville

Vote for change, get GOP out of Raleigh To the Editor: Overall quality of life in North Carolina has drastically deteriorated during the past four years due to Republican driven legislative policies.

Our public education system is struggling to meet the needs of our children in overcrowded classrooms, with too few and outdated textbooks.Our Republican governor and state legislature rejected Medicare, denying coverage to 500,000 North Carolinians.

Hospitals are strapped financially and burdened trying to care for uninsured sick people.

Our tax burden has shifted to average citizens. One example is the increased tax on admission to all forms of entertainment. The number of days allowed for early voting has been reduced. Other measures have been enacted restricting citizens’ democratic voting rights.

State and local government offices are operating with greatly reduced staffs. The Macon County staff issuing drivers licenses has dropped from five to two workers. All this is happening while the population of Macon County continues to grow.

Republican controlled state government has passed legislation declaring local environmental ordinances null and void. State law, co-sponsored by Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, allows fracking for gas anywhere in North Carolina.

Considering what Republicans have done in the last four years, can North Carolina’s citizens afford to suffer under another two years of Republican dominated government? Do we really want big government using our tax dollars supporting unaccredited, religious schools, increasing taxes for average citizens while giving tax breaks to the wealthy, overriding local environmental ordinances and restricting our democratic voting rights?

The list goes on and on. We the people still have a voice and a choice. Exercise your constitutional right in our democracy. Go to the polls and cast your vote for change.

Margery Abel Franklin

EMS crew provided fantastic service To the Editor: When someone you love has a sudden onset of an acute illness, there are numerous

fears to deal with. On Friday, Oct. 10, my husband required transport to Mission Hospital.

There is no need to recount the long hours of wait before it became obvious this was the course to take. We left late at night arriving at Mission just before midnight.

I cannot say enough about Haywood County EMS and the care David Roberts and Mark Bleckly gave my husband and the gentle assurances they gave me. They were professional and imparted the right degree of lightheartedness to me when I’m sure they could see I was close to tears. I don’t often drive at night, particularly at “ambulance speed” down I-40. I stayed right behind them with every confidence they would get us all there safely. I’m sure all the EMS crews are as good, but these were my guys. My husband is home now and will be fine in the very near future.

In the past week I’ve had lots of time to think. We have lived in Haywood County for more than 30 years and are year-round residents who have been actively involved all that time. This is our home. We know what a struggle it is come budget time for people to agree on spending money in vital areas such as the safety and wellbeing of our citizens. We hear every year about the fear of raising taxes. Department heads should not have to beg for the resources they need to allow their staffs to do the difficult and vital work that is so important for excellent quality of life.

Again, our heartfelt thanks to EMS Director Jim Pressley and my guys, David Roberts and Mark Bleckley. We love you.

Sarah Sherman Bethel

Obama wasting energy on climate change talk

To the Editor: Speaking at the U.N. Climate Change Summit last month, our esteemed president made the following statement. Climate change is an issue “that will define the contours of this century more dramatically than any other.”

Being a flat-earther, I don’t really understand exactly what that means but I do know this. If he said it, I don’t believe it. Since they were not represented at the summit, apparently Russia, India and Canada don’t care what he meant. They have learned these meetings are useless and the UN is toothless.

While we continue to wait for the catastrophes promised to have occurred by now, perhaps Mr. President might consider other issues that might define the contours of this century. Like radical Islam. Like uncontrolled deadly viruses. Like the economic armageddon staring us in the face. Like the fact that his own Secret Service can’t keep evildoers out of the corridors of his home.

When he convinces Russia, China, India and all the other counties that are busy growing their economies to take climate change seriously, that will be when hell freezes over.

Don Swanson Franklin

t

l

tasteTHEmountains 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 A TASTE OF NEW ORLEANS 67 Branner Ave., Waynesville, 828.246.0885. 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week. Curtis Henry opened A Taste of New Orleans to cater to the locals and become the place that’s always open that you can rely on for different, flavorful dishes every day. Serving Cajun, French and Creole Cuisine in a lovingly restored space, Curtis looks forward to serving you up a delicious dish soon.

AMMONS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANT & DAIRY BAR 1451 Dellwwod Rd., Waynesville.

828.926.0734. Open 7 days a week 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Celebrating over 25 years.

Enjoy world famous hot dogs as well as burgers, seafood, hushpuppies, hot wings and chicken. Be sure to save room for dessert. The cobbler, pie and cake selections are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

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.

BREAKING BREAD CAFÉ 6147 Hwy 276 S. Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station) 828.648.3838 Monday-Saturday 8

-Local beers now on draft-

BRYSON CITY BAKERY AND PASTRY SHOPPE 191 Everett St., Bryson City.

828.488.5390 Offering a full line of fresh baked goods like Grandma used to make.

Large variety to choose from including cakes, pies, donuts, breads, cinn-buns and much more. Also serving Hershey Ice Cream. Open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

117 Main Street, Canton NC

Live Music

SID’S

More than just an Italian restaurant, we offer an excellent dining experience from Prime Rib, Steaks, Seafood, Pasta, Pizza & so much more!

——————————————————

ON MAIN

828.492.0618 • SidsOnMain.com Serving Lunch & Dinner

(828) 926-6126

2769 SOCO RD. • MAGGIE VALLEY

236-50 263-128

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 mile-high 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.

LUNCH DAILY 11:30 A.M.-2:30 P.M. DINNER NIGHTLY AT 4 P.M. MONDAY-SATURDAY Classic local American comfort foods, craft beers & small batch bourbons & whiskey. Join us for Prime Rib Thursdays.

Vegetarian options available

Voted Best Steak in Waynesville

Smoky Mountain News

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.

a.m. to 5 p.m. 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 out what our specials are.

October 22-28, 2014

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.

Burgers to Salads Southern Favorites & Classics

263-181

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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 263-20

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tasteTHEmountains 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.

4 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays (in October) 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Locals always know best, and this is one place they know well. From the highquality hot pressed sandwiches and the huge portions of hand-cut fries to the specialty frozen sandwiches and homemade Southern desserts, you will not leave this top-rated deli hungry.

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.

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

October 22-28, 2014

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.

VOTED BEST REGIONAL: COFFEE HOUSE BREAKFAST RESTAURANT SWEETS/ DESSERT PLACE OPEN DAILY 828.452.3881

MAIN ST. • WAYNESVILLE 237-71

Smoky Mountain News

WWW.CITYBAKERY.NET

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.

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

828.926.1820 Open Daily 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., closed Tuesday. Family Style at Country Vittles is not a buffet. Instead our waitresses will bring your food piping hot from the kitchen right to your table and as many refills as you want. So if you have a big appetite, but sure to ask your waitress about our family style service.

FILLING STATION DELI 145 Everett St., Bryson City, 828.488.1919.

Open Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to

For palatable results!

Advertise here.

Smoky Mountain News 828.452.4251 www.smokymountainnews.com

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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.

GUADALUPE CAFÉ 606 W. Main Street, Sylva. 828.586.9877.

Open 7 days a week at 5 p.m. Located in the historic Hooper’s Drugstore, Guadalupe Café is a chef-owned and operated restaurant serving Caribbean inspired fare complimented by a quirky selection of wines and microbrews. Supporting local farmers of organic produce, livestock, hand-crafted cheese, and using sustainably harvested seafood.

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 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

Cabins in the Sky

At 5,000 feet in the Great Smoky Mountains 263-187

For reservations, please call 828.926.0430 • TheSwag.com • Waynesville, NC

Café

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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.

PATIO BISTRO 30 Church Street, Waynesville.

828.454.0070. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Breakfast bagels and sandwiches, gourmet coffee, deli sandwiches for lunch with homemade soups, quiches, and desserts. Wide selection of wine and beer. Outdoor and indoor dining.

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.

SOUL INFUSION TEA HOUSE & BISTRO 628 E. Main St. (between Sylva Tire & UPS). 828.586.1717. Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday noon -until.

Scrumptious, natural, fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps and desserts. 60+ teas served hot or cold, black, chai, herbal.

Seasonal and rotating draft beers, good selection of wine. Home-Grown Music Network Venue with live music most weekends. Pet friendly and kid ready.

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

Open seven days a week. Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 3 p.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Family-owned for 30 years. Serving hand-tossed pizza made to order, pasta, subs, gourmet salads, calzones and seafood. Also serving excellent prime rib on Thursdays. Dine in or take out available.

Located across from the Fire Station.

TAP ROOM 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!) Each Pizza is hand tossed and made with TLC.

(828) 586-9441

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Full Bar • Creekside Dining Specialty Sandwiches Crafted Beer & Moonshine

ERIC HENDRIX & FRIENDS at City Lights

SATURDAY OCT. 25 • 9 A.M.-3 P.M.

TUES. NIGHTS 5-7: AYCE Crab Legs WED. ALL DAY: AYCE Fish & Shrimp THURS. ALL DAY: Low Country Boil

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DOWNTOWN SYLVA • NC

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Mon.-Fri. 7-4 Sat. 8-4

Exit 85 to Skyland Dr., two blocks from McDonalds

WELCOME BACK, WCU ALUMNI

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Smoky Mountain News

MountainEats.com

170 East Sylva ShoppingCenter

October 22-28, 2014

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.

Deli & So Much More

Using only the freshest ingredients in homemade 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.

263-173

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.

263-145

Call to Book Your Family or Company Holiday Party Today!

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: 866.452.2251

94 East Street • Waynesville • 828-452-7837 68585

An online dining directory for Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee

www.herrenhouse.com • Lunch, Wed-Fri. 11:30-2 • Sunday Brunch 11-2

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A&E

Smoky Mountain News

• The Deals Farm Corn Maze is now open. A hayride takes you around the farm to the entrance of the corn maze. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. To visit on Monday through Thursday or from 6 to 9 p.m. on weekend nights, call ahead to make an appointment. $5 for ages 6 and older, ages 5 and younger free. 828.524.5151 or www.dealfarms.com.

SYLVA

As the leaves change and the air becomes crisp, the mountains of Western North Carolina transform into a landscape of mystery and mischief. In the spirit of ghouls, ghosts and everything creepy and crawling, communities around Southern Appalachia will celebrate Halloween with an array of local and regional events, for kids and parents alike.

BETHEL

• The Cold Mountain Corn Maze is now open. Bethel. Hayrides, concessions, bonfire and pint-sized maze for toddlers. Corn maze becomes haunted after dark. Open 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $8 for ages 4 and older, ages 3 and younger free.

BRYSON CITY

• Downtown Trick or Treat will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30. Local merchants will provide candy for trick-or-treaters. www.greatsmokies.com.

• Spooky Storytelling will be held at 8 p.m. Oct. 24-25 and 31 in The Storytelling Center at 22 Fry Street. Tim Hall spins the tales of the spirits that live in the mountains — haints, boogers, and the witches of the Southern Highlands.

• The PEANUTS Pumpkin Patch Express is now running daily from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot in Bryson City.

Charlie Brown and friends will be on-hand for the festivities, which also include a narration of “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” Halloween family activities and more. For ticket information, click on www.gsmr.com or 800.872.4681.

• A Masquerade Dinner Train will hit the tracks at 9 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot. Evening of Halloween costumers, live music, dinner and cash bar.

800.872.4681 or www.gsmr.com.

• The Darnell Farms Corn Maze is now open. Maze, hayrides and working family farm in a picturesque setting along the Tuckasegee River. The maze becomes haunted on weekend nights. A produce stand on site sells farm goods of all sorts, including apples, jam and fall decorations like gourds and dried corn. Open daily, with hayrides Friday and Saturday. $5 for ages 4 and up, ages 3 and younger free. 828.488.3167.

• The fall production of Bram Stoker’s classic “Dracula” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24-25 and 27 and at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 19 and 26 at the Smoky Mountain Community Theatre. The stage adaptation is closely based on the original, presenting the frightening story that made this a horror classic. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students ages 6 to18, and those under age 6 are admitted free. 828.488.8227.

CASHIERS

• Goblins in the Green will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at The Village Green in Cashiers. Costume contest, trick or treating, spooky inflatables, hayrides, and more. Free. 828.743.3434.

CHEROKEE

• “Haunted Cherokee” returns Oct. 25-26, 29-31 and Nov. 1 at

select locations. The Little Dorm of Horrors!, an old boy’s dorm building, will be filled with creatures from your worst nightmares and they’re all waiting to catch you as you enter their habitat. The Mountainside Theatre will transform into Haunted Theatre, with the most terrifying acts taking place behind the scenes. And finally, the Oconaluftee Indian Village will once again host the Myths and Legends Ghost Walk, where many people have encountered spirits that occupy the campus. Tickets are $10 for each haunted attraction, $18 for a combination of any two or if you’d like to visit all three for $25. www.hauntedcherokee.com or www.cherokeeadventure.com. Advance tickets can be purchased online or they can be bought at the box office in the Mountainside Theatre.

• Myths and Legends of Cherokee will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 24 and 31 at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.

The lands of the Cherokee once extended through several states within the southeast and included all of the Great Smoky Mountains. Join a ranger for a talk to explore the culture, history and mythology of the Cherokee through storytelling. www.greatsmokies.com.

• The 6th Annual “Arc”toberfest will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, in the ballroom at Harrah’s Cherokee. The event provides The Arc of Haywood funding to support the residential programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The $50 per person ticket includes music, dancing and heavy hors d’oeuvres.

828.452.1980 or www.arcofhaywood.org.

FONTANA • Hauntober Weekend will be held Oct. 24-25 at Fontana Village Resort. Pumpkin carving contest, costume contest, children’s activities, ghost stories, trips through the Haunted Hollow and Forest of Terror ($5 per person for all ages). www.fontanavillage.com.

FRANKLIN • Trunk or Treat will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Iotla Baptist Church. Parking lot treating in a safe, welcoming environment. www.franklin-chamber.com.

• “Ghostlorist” Randy Russell, author of The Ghost Will See You Now: Haunted Hospitals of the South, will hold a presentation at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

Attendees can share their stories, artifacts, and costumes to join in on the fun. 828.586.9499.

• Trunk or Treat will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at the East Sylva Baptist Church. Trunk or treat, hotdog supper and more.

828.586.2853.

• The Where the Shadows Walk: Local Historical Ghost Stories program will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Gregg Clark will regale the audience with local ghost stories, the history of those stories, and some physical and visual evidence of those stories. He will end the presentation with a Q&A from the audience. A Halloween party will also be held at 6 p.m. in the Storytime Room at the library. Both events are free. 828.586.2016 or www.fontanalib.org.

• Haunted Hill Happenings will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Oct. 31 at the Comfort Inn and Sonic Drive-In parking lot.

Trunk or treat, patio games, food, and more.

828.631.4200 or 828.354.0473 or www.mountainlovers.com.

WAYNESVILLE • Treats of the Street will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31 in downtown. Trick or treating with local merchants. www.downtownwaynesville.com.

• The Zombie Late Skate will roll around from 6 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Smoky Mountain Sk8way. The local roller rink and family fun center is holding its first ever Zombie Late Skate and invites the community to dress in their best decay and join in for tons of fun, games and prizes. Rink will be open all day for a public day skate. Admission is $10, with admission and skate rental $15. Fun Zone is $5.

Tailgating is free. 828.246.9124 or www.smokymountainsk8way.com.

• Mel Brooks’ Halloween classic comedy “Young Frankenstein” and Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller “Psycho” will be screened at The Strand at 38 Main. Show times for “Young Frankenstein” are 7:45 p.m. Oct. 24; 2, 5 and 7:45 p.m. Oct. 25; 2 p.m. Oct. 26; 7 p.m. Oct. 28-29. “Psycho” will be shown at 7:45 and 10:15 p.m. Oct. 31; 2, 5 and 7:45 p.m. Nov. 1; 2 p.m. Nov. 2; 7 p.m. Nov. 4-5. Tickets are $6 per person, $4 for children, $3 for matinee. www.38main.com.

• The SuperWhoLock Halloween Party will be at 5 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Waynesville Public Library. Costume party for fans of Supernatural, Dr. Who and Sherlock. For ages 12 and up. Games and snacks will also be provided.

• “Ghostlorist” Randy Russell, author of The Ghost Will See You Now: Haunted Hospitals of the South, will hold a presentation at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.

Attendees can share their stories, artifacts, and costumes to join in on the fun. 828.456.6000.

year on the road. It’s a true collection of songs in which each tune is a piece of the puzzle, creating a tranquil fluidity from start to finish.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

I

HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5

SMN: How has all the touring and recording impacted you as not only two people who work together, but also as being brothers?

ZD: Every time we jump in the car, we have a clearer understanding of what we need personally to make this perpetually mobile lifestyle sustainable. That awareness has forced us to dig deeper into our communications and in return, evolve as collaborators in music and life. As brothers, we’re tighter than ever before because of all of the shared experiences, both positive and negative on the road, on stage and in the studio.

As writers, we’re focusing more on how the song will sound as a unit and that approach has influenced the arrangements to be one hundred percent in collaboration with each other. We are creating the most developed and refined material to date and it’s solely because we are feeding off of the synergy that is driving the process — it’s a true harmony.

Want to go?

Acclaimed Vermont-based acoustic duo The DuPont Brothers will be holding an album release party and intimate performance at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville.

Refreshments, snacks and craft beer will be available for purchase. Tickets are $10. The show is sponsored by The Smoky Mountain News.

828.283.0079 or www.38main.com or info@38main.com. www.dupontbrothersmusic.com

SMN: Why should people support live music around the corner or around the world?

SD: Live performance is a powerful means of expression and there’s a reason why it’s still so prevalent in the modern digital society. No matter how far technology advances, it will never be able to replicate the collective energy shared between the performers and an audience. Live performance is a world-renowned ritual that has survived centuries of cultural evolution.

MASSAGE • FACIALS PEDICURES • MANICURES WAXING • SPA PARTIES COUPLES ROOM • BOUTIQUE At The Waynesville Inn Golf Resort & Spa •

Smoky Mountain News

SMN: Waynesville has become almost like a second home for The DuPont Brothers.

SD: The first time we ever played Waynesville, I was blown away by the amount of support we were shown. People from all over the town showed up and packed The Classic Wine Seller the past three times we’ve toured through North Carolina. It’s very rare to play a brand new market and have it go so well on every level.

ZD: I love Waynesville. It’s one of those gem spots on the map where we can relax and be comforted by friends and the support of the community. Richard and Kay at The Classic Wine Seller opened their space to our music with warm hearts, filling our bellies with delicious wines and food. We always know we’ll be taken care of in this beautiful mountain town. We’re really looking forward to releasing our new album at The Strand.

October 22-28, 2014

t’s not only a time capsule, but also a window into the future.

With guitars in-hand, The DuPont Brothers are two men, two voices that become a singular melodic force. The Vermontbased siblings are quite possibly the finest acoustic duo out there today, nationally or internationally. Their mesmerizing sound and pure intent perpetuates a long line of powerhouse harmonic acts, bringing names like Simon & Garfunkel and Seals & Crofts to mind.

I call their sound “New England Gothic.” Upon listening to their latest release “Heavy as Lead,” visions long lost but dearly held are easily conjured. I find myself taking the long way home when I throw the disc into my old pickup truck stereo. Every guitar note and songbird word sung drifts into my ears, unlocking dusty boxes in the closet of my mind.

Faces, spaces and places begin Owner of the Sun (Americana) will perform at to appear on my dashboard, 8 p.m. Oct. 24 at Nantahala Brewing in while my foot remains steady on Bryson City. the gas pedal. Faces of old loves dearly missed, spaces destroyed PumpkinFest will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 by the sands of times that only p.m. Oct. 25 in downtown Franklin. remain in memory, places far away that seem within my grasp Mangas Colorado (newgrass) will play at 8 as I dream at night. p.m. Oct. 24 at BearWaters Brewing in I think that is the essence of Waynesville. what The DuPont Brothers are.

When everything is stripped Hiker Jam will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 down, when there is no backup p.m. Oct. 25 at The Village Green in Cashiers. band, where it’s just two guys completely vulnerable to the audiences, The Backstreet Festival will be held all day you as the listener also become vulOct. 25 in downtown Sylva. nerable. It’s also the essence of what stop-you-in-your-tracks music is suppose to do, which is shake the way we have. Needless to say, all the travyou out of your day-to-day life like an old friend els, struggles and rewards have made their who wants you know everything will be ok, in way into our writing. This past year has been time, as long as you never forget to believe in a huge catalyst for growth on a wide specthe endless possibilities of the cosmos. trum, ranging from musical to personal. I The Smoky Mountain News recently strongly believe in the power of intention caught up with The DuPont Brothers on met with hard work. I’m often blown away their current East Coast album release tour. when I think about how all of this started They spoke of the lessons learned over the just a short 18 months ago. last year touring America together, their mindset coming into recording “Heavy as SMN: What was the intent coming into Lead,” and why Waynesville has become a second home every time they head below the the new album?

Zack DuPont: It was made with the intenMason-Dixon Line. tion of keeping a natural consistency between Smoky Mountain News: You have toured our live show and the recording process by embracing the same spontaneity in the studio. almost half the country nonstop for the last We wanted to make a record that folks could year. What has that shown you about your instantly relate to after seeing us perform. On music, philosophy and goals in music?

Sam DuPont: It’s been a beautiful, stress- an artistic level, it is a collection of songs embodying loss, love and hope after our first ful, rewarding and trying experience touring

arts & entertainment

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October 22-28, 2014

arts & entertainment

On the beat

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Smoky Mountain News

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Cashiers Library welcomes banjo champ Two-time banjo champion Mary Z. Cox will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Albert Carlton – Cashiers Community Library Cox, a third generation Floridian from Brevard County, has played banjo since she was 12, and is a two time Florida banjo champion as well as winning last year’s old time banjo contest in Brevard. She has been a recording artist since 1999, and records CDs, plays concerts and festivals, gives workshops, and authors banjo & dulcimer instruction books.

Her music has been played on National Public Radio’s “Thistle & Shamrock” and “All Songs Considered,” Pandora World Music Genome, and the BBC. Free.

828-743-0215.

• Donna Frost, Copious Jones, LOCAL, Urban Pioneers, Opposite Box and Nathan Kalish & The Last Callers will perform at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva. Frost plays Oct. 23, with Copious Jones Oct. 24, LOCAL Oct. 25, Urban Pioneers Oct. 27, Opposite Box Oct. 30 and Kalish Oct. 31. 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.

• Americana/folk group Owner of the Sun and back-porch-andsoul band Soldier’s Heart will perform at Nantahala Brewing in Bryson City. Owner of the Sun plays at 8 p.m.

Oct. 24, with Soldier’s Heart 8:30 p.m. Oct. 31. Both shows are free. www.nantahalabrewing.com

Mary Z. Cox. Donated photo

• Ashli Rose, Stone Crazy and a Halloween Costume Party with Mile High Band will be held at the Rendezvous at the Maggie Valley Inn & Conference Center. Rose plays Oct. 24, with Stone Crazy Oct. 25 and Mile High Band Oct. 31. All shows begin at 9 p.m.

• Singer/songwriter Eric Hendrix will perform during the Cowee Farmer’s Market that will be held from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Old Cowee School in Franklin. www.coweefarmersmarket.com.

ALSO:

• Dave Desmelik, Chris Williams and DJ Shane will perform at Tipping Point Brewing in Waynesville. Desmelik plays at 8 p.m. Oct. 24, with Williams at 9 p.m. Oct. 25 and DJ Shane during the Halloween party and costume contest at 8 p.m. Oct. 31. Free. www.tippingpointtavern.com.

• Singer/songwriter Eric Hendrix & Friends will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at City Lights Café in Sylva. www.citylightscafe.com.

• Southern rockers Jakleg will perform at the Bryson City Train Depot at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25.

Free. www.greatsmokies.com.

• Bluegrass/folk group The Darren Nicholson Band, newgrass act Mangas Colorado, Klee Liles, Dave Stone Comedy Show and a Halloween Party will hit the stage at BearWaters Brewing Company in Waynesville. Nicholson plays at 7 p.m. Oct. 22, with Mangas Colorado at 8 p.m. Oct. 24, Liles 6 p.m. Oct. 25, Stone 9 p.m. Oct. 27 and the Halloween Party 7 p.m. Oct. 31. www.bwbrewing.com or 828.246.0602.

• Craig Summers & Lee Kram, Nitro Dance Experience, Craig Summers (solo) and Flea Bitten Werewolves will perform at Frog Level Brewing Company in Waynesville. Summers & Kram play Oct. 23, with Nitro Dance Experience 7 p.m. Oct. 25, Summers (solo) 5 p.m. Oct. 30 and Flea Bitten Werewolves 7 p.m. Oct. 31. 828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• A bluegrass jam, Amos & The Mixx and Karaoke with Donnie Motown will be at Alley Kats Tavern in Waynesville. The jam will be Oct. 22, with Amos & The Mixx at 9 p.m. Oct. 24 and Donnie Motown at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 25.

• Singer/songwriter Buddy Mondlock will perform at 7:45 p.m. Oct. 23 at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. Mondlock is an acclaimed songwriter, with some of his work recorded by Guy Clark, Nanci Griffith and Janis Ian. Tickets are $15. www.38main.com.

• Macon Grass Band will perform as part of the Friday Night Live concert series at Town Square in Highlands at 6 p.m. Oct. 24.

• Americana outfit Owner of the Sun will play at 9:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Water’n Hole Bar & Grill in Waynesville. 828.456.4750.

On the beat arts & entertainment

Soldier’s Heart, 96.5 House Band to play fireworks fundraiser

Soldier’s Heart (pictured) and the 96.5 House Band will perform in Sylva on Nov. 1. Garret K. Woodward photo

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce will host a fireworks benefit with Soldier’s Heart and the 96.5 House Band from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Bridge Park in Sylva.

An Americana/folk act from Haywood County, Soldier’s Heart is a regionally acclaimed group quickly on the rise in Southern Appalachia. The 96.5 House Band brings together the sounds of Jerry Lee Lewis, KC and the Sunshine Band, Van Morrison, Elvis, The Eagles, Hall & Oates, Wilson Pickett, Dion,

Queen, The Beatles, Otis Redding and lots more.

“We’re excited to not only bring these two amazing bands to Sylva for a fun night of music, but we’re also extremely pleased to be working diligently on bringing fireworks back to the downtown Sylva area next summer,” said Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Julie Spiro. “The community’s support of this event and others this winter will help finance a July 4 fireworks festivity downtown that everyone will be proud of for years to come.”

Citizens and businesses can make donations for fireworks anytime at the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. Volunteer, vendor and sponsorship opportunities are also available.

828.586.2155 or www.mountainlovers.com.

Starship feat. Mickey Thomas to rock Franklin Legendary rock act Starship, featuring Mickey Thomas, will be performing at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Thomas made his mark in 1976 as lead vocalist on the mega-hit “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” with The Elvin Bishop Band. In 1979, Mickey joined Jefferson Starship as lead vocalist, after the departure of Grace Slick and Marty Balin. Backed by the power of Mickey’s vocals, Jefferson Starship immediately scored a #1 hit with “Jane.” With this new sound and powerful new vocals, the group was renamed Starship and continued to record an amazing string of hits including “No Way Out,” “We Built This City,” “Sara,” and an Oscar Nomination for the #1 hit “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us” from the movie “Mannequin.”

Tickets start at $20 each www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

SUNDAY OCT. 26 • 3 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.

Directions to the Cowee School can be found at the website.

This year’s concert series is sponsored in part by:

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Hidden Valley Farms The Leshaw Family

Cast members pictured are (front row, left): Tim Beck as Henry, Sue Hyde as Martha, Kellie Willcox as Lucy Westenra, Samantha Smith as Mina Murray, Toby Allman as Count Dracula, Linda Lambert as Vampire One. Back row: Robert Willcox as Dr. Seward, Jack Hunt as Van Helsing, Stephen Findlay as Charles the Butler, Mitchell Smith as Harker, Donno Layton as Renfield, Scott Bachus as Arthur, Tracy Walker as Helga, and Christine Cutler as Vampire Three. Not pictured is Tammy Mattox as Vampire Two.

Smoky Mountain News

FRANK SOLIVAN & DIRTY KITCHEN

WRITTEN by John Mattera, based on the book by Bram Stoker PRODUCED by special permission from Dramatic Publishing DIRECTED by Toby Allman FRIDAY, OCT. 24 • 7:30 PM SATURDAY, OCT. 25 • 7:30 PM SUNDAY, OCT. 26 • 2:30 PM MONDAY, OCT. 27 • 7:30 PM Adults - $10, Students (ages 6-18) - $5, under age 6 are free Box office opens one hour prior to showtime.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY THEATRE 134 Main Street • Bryson City 828-488-8227 • www.smctheatre.com

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Recipient of the 2014 IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year award Since Frank Solivan left the cold climes of Alaska for the bluegrass hotbed of Washington, D.C., he’s built a reputation as a monster mandolinist — and become a major festival attraction with his band, Dirty Kitchen. Solivan and banjoist Mike Munford (2013 IBMA Banjo Player of the Year), guitarist Chris Luquette (IBMA Instrumentalist of the Year Momentum Award winner) and doghouse bassist Dan Booth simmer a bluegrass/newgrass stew from instrumental, vocal and songwriting skills so hot, they earned a threepeat 2012, 2013 and 2014 Best Bluegrass Band honors from the Washington Area Music Association. These individually brilliant musicians have combined their vocal and songwriting skills to make their new album, Cold Spell, into the perfect progressive album filled with instrumental virtuosity.

“DRACULA”

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Final Show of the 2014 Concert Series

October 22-28, 2014

THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS ITS FALL PRODUCTION

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arts & entertainment

On the street

PumpkinFest rolls into Franklin

Pottery festival fires up in Dillsboro The 10th annual WNC Pottery Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, in downtown Dillsboro.

Featuring 40 potters, the festival recently was recognized as one of the Top 20 Events by the Southeast Tourism Society, an organization representing 12 states. Live demonstrations throughout the day, artisan booths, and more. The Clay Olympics will also be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at Tree House Pottery in Dillsboro. $5.

The Sylva Photography Club will host a photography contest of the WNC Pottery Festival during the event. All photos will be judged by Club members on Nov. 8 at the club’s monthly meeting. Three photos per club member per category in the eight categories will be accepted in digital format. An additional Best of Show category is open to members as well as to non-members. The eight categories are: Human Interest, Crowd Shots of WNC Pottery Festival, Demonstration during Festival (not Olympics), Clay Olympics, Happy Purchasers, Raffle Winners (pottery awarded hourly to attendees), Community Table Booth and Kids at Festival or Clay Olympics. All category winners will receive a nice piece of pottery, and Best of Show will win a special pottery prize, all donated by Treehouse Pottery of Dillsboro. Submission rules will be available at the club’s tent at the festival. www.ncpotteryfestival.com.

October 22-28, 2014

PumpkinFest returns to Franklin on Oct. 25. Donated photo The 18th annual PumpkinFest will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, in downtown Franklin.

During this event you can take part in some traditional and some very non-traditional fall festivities. Bring your pumpkin or purchase one downtown (limited supply) and sign up early for the World Famous Pumpkin Roll. The “roll” takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with signup running from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The winner receives $100 cash. Other highlights of the day include a screaming contest, costume parade/contest, pumpkin pie eating contest, along with arts and crafts, fabulous food, and great entertainment for all ages.

Attendees will be treated to a magic show at 11 a.m. featuring Mark Irish. The star performer of the show is Einstein: The World’s Largest Mind Reading Rabbit. Irish will also being performing street magic throughout the day. Todd Key will also be amazing folks with his skills during a great show at noon, which features balance, juggling and fire. Live music will be provided

by Frogtown, John Hawk and the musical duo of Dave Stewart & Gary Zimmerman.

PumpkinFest is made possible by the Franklin Main Street Program, Town of Franklin, Franklin TDA and Macon County TDC. www.pumpinfestfranklin.com or 828.524.2516.

The WNC Pottery Festival will be Nov. 1 in Dillsboro. Mark Haskett photo

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Smoky Mountain News

FLOORING

On the street arts & entertainment

Music, craft beer converge at Hiker Jam Porch 40 will be one of the numerous performers at the Hiker Jam in Cashiers.

Garret K. Woodward photo

The inaugural Hiker Jam will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at The Village Green in Cashiers.

Two music stages featuring Porch 40, The Corbitt Brothers, Hurricane Creek, Mangus Colorado, SmokeRise, and many more. Over a dozen craft beer vendors will be onsite,

with retail and food vendors and children’s activities also provided.

Proceeds benefit the Greater Cashiers Area Merchants Association.

General admission is $25, with VIP tickets for $100. Rain or shine.

828.526.8232 or www.hikerjam.com.

With new equipment secured from onsite craft brewing, Southwestern Community College will host a brewing program from 5 to 10 p.m. every Thursday from Oct. 23 through Dec. 18 in Sylva.

The brewing program will be led by Taylor Rogers of Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. Students will also gain a base knowledge of beer history and an introduction to the styles of beer. Those who successfully complete the program will be eligible for employment in the industry.

828.339.4426 or www.southwesterncc.edu.

A seven-week course that helps students become professional bartenders will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays starting Oct. 27 in the Balsam Center at Southwestern Community College in Sylva.

Students will learn from lectures, demonstrations and hands-on participation.

Students must be at least 21 years old to enroll. Cost is $125 for the course, which covers topics including drink recipes, mixes, glassware and garnishes.

828.339.4426 or ldowns@southwesterncc.edu.

• A Kid’s Harvest Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Encouraging Word Baptist Church located at the Historic Bethel Presbyterian Church in Waynesville. Come enjoy pony rides, a bouncy house and slide, face painting, cake walk, games, prizes and hot dogs with all the fixins provided by Bethel Rural Community Organization. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the Bethel Middle School Gymnasium.

Southeastern Council of the International Federation of Fly Fishers, designated to the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians, are designed to reach a goal of $50,000. The Southeastern Council, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is accepting donations on behalf of the Museum until it receives its own 501(c)(3) designation.

RSVP by October 24 to info@cherokeesmokies.com or 828.788.0034.

ALSO:

• The Backstreet Festival will be held all day Saturday, Oct. 25 in downtown Sylva.

• A benefit to raise money for a Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians will be held at 5 p.m. Nov. 1, in the Oak Room at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. The event will include dinner, as well as raffles, live and silent auctions. Donations to the

• The 2nd annual Western Carolina University Student Ice Cream Eating Competition will be held at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at Jack the Dipper Ice Cream in Sylva. The competition consists of up to 10 men and 10 ladies (two separate). They will have five minutes to consume as much ice cream as possible.

There will be trophies and prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in men’s and women’s groups.

There will also be children’s activities and a raffle. Ten percent of the proceeds will go to the Reading Rover bookmobile.

THE DUPONT BROTHERS Album Release Concert

Two brothers reunite after years of geographical separation by a fortified collaboration in music. Lush fingerstyle guitar work is complimented by elegant prose and a vocal blend that could only be matched by blood relation.

Blending the contemplative winters of the northeast with the solitary beauty of southwestern desert, Sam and Zack DuPont's sound is Vermont made Folk-Americana.

38 N. Main St. Waynesville y • 828-283-0079 79 For tickets and full u calendar visit 38main.com

Smoky Mountain News

Learn bartending at SCC

October 22-28, 2014

Craft brewing class at SCC

OCT. 25 • 8:30 P.M.

39

On the wall arts & entertainment

Sponsor Sponsored ed By:

Contemporary photo exhibit at WCU More than 600 photographs will be featured in a two-part exhibition titled “David Raymond’s Other People’s Pictures� and “Eric Oglander: Craigslist Mirrors� that will run Oct. 30-Jan. 9 in the Fine Art Museum at Western Carolina University.

The exhibition of photos collected by Raymond and Oglander opens with Eric Baden, a photographer and educator, interviewing the two artists at the FAM at 5 p.m.

Oct. 30, followed by a reception until 7 p.m.

Raymond, an internationally renowned artist, filmmaker, art collector and arts supporter, has collected snapshots for more than 20 years at flea markets and antique stores around the globe. For the FAM exhibit, Raymond said he selected photographs that poignantly reflect his sensitivity and interest in 20th-century modernist and surreal photography, which he continues to collect and share.

Oglander, who recently moved to Brooklyn, began collecting images of mirrors for sale from the classified advertisement website Craigslist several years ago and posted them on a blog located online at www.craigslistmirrors.com. His collection has grown to include several thousand images.

In Partnership with:

with a neighbor in need FFall all brings beautiful colors, but it can also bring anxiety and concern for those who are facing colder wea weather ther and cannot afford hea heating ting for their homes.

Champion Credit Union is taking a stand and challenging others to help. FFor or ever everyy dollar dona donated, ted, Champion Credit Union will ma match tch tha thatt dona donation, tion, up to $10,000! TTogether oogether we can Share the W Warmth armth with residents of Haywood County County.. anyy Champion Credit Union Drop off/mail in to an ofďŹ ce to make your you donation.

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A contemporary photo exhibit will open at WCU on Oct. 30. Donated photo

The FAM is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, with extended hours to 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Museum admission and parking, available on both sides of the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center, are free. djbrown@wcu.edu or 828.227.2553 or www.wcu.edu/museum or 828.227.3591.

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Art education students host activities for children at WCU

Gift Amount October 22-28, 2014

$ DONATE A BLANKET uring our Kick ko offf Evveent on O Octoberr 23rrd d!

Color-mixing experiments are among the activities planned for a children’s art day from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

The art day on campus coincides with a teacher workday in Jackson County, when

Visit our website for mor more re e inf information www www.ChampionCU.com w.ChampionCU.com .Champion .

We’ll MatchYour Donation up to a total of $10,000!

40

newsdesk crafts

Smoky Mountain News

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• A call for artists is underway for the Small Works show, which will run Nov. 19-Dec.27 at Gallery 86 in the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville. Works will be received Nov. 3-8. office@haywoodarts.org or www.haywoodarts.org. • The Art League of Highlands-Cashiers will hold a meeting at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at The Bascom in Highlands.

Meeting includes a professional artist presentation and refreshments. www.artleagueofhighlands.com.

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there is no school for students. The event, titled Color Me Fabulous, will be divided into two groups, one for ages 6 to 8 years old and one for age 9 and older.

In addition to the color work, the students will experiment with watercolor and oil pastels, stained glass with paper and spritz painting on sculptural forms.

Free, but small donations to help offset the cost of materials are appreciated. To add a child’s name to the waiting list, send an email to etapley@wcu.edu.

828.506.5748.

Dillsboro. Classes are 45 minutes. Cost is $50. 929.631.0271 or www.jcgep.org. • Photographers Houa Vang and Tihomir Trichkov will speak about their experiences from 2 to 3 p.m. Oct. 30 in the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University. www.wcu.edu.

ALSO:

• The Come Paint with Charles Kidz Program will be at 5 p.m. Oct. 23, 28 and 30 at the Charles Heath Gallery in Bryson City. $18 per child. Materials and snacks included.

828.538.2054.

• The 2nd annual Fall Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. Costume contest, hayrides, trick or treating, pumpkin decorating contest, face painting, food, music, and more. Lunch $5 per plate. Admission is free.

• The Friends of the Rickman Store will be hosting a tour of local gem mines at 10 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25, starting at the Mason Mountain Mine & Cowee Gift Shop. A selfdrive caravan will allow visitors and residents alike to travel together to three historic mines north of Franklin. The tour will include a presentation by the mine’s operator. A $5 per vehicle donation is requested and car pooling is encouraged. 828.371.7689.

• A pumpkin blown glass class will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in

On the wall

The North Carolina Arts Council will accept applications for the 2014-15 Artist Fellowship awards for songwriters, composers, and writers until Monday, Nov. 3.

The Artist Fellowship program, now in its 34th year, supports creative development and the creation of new work for artists in North Carolina. The Artist Fellowship allows artists to set aside time to work and to buy supplies and equipment. The fellowship award is $10,000. The N.C. Arts Council’s fellowship program is one of the country’s premier programs in total awards with fellowships totaling over $4.5 million awarded to more than 585 artists across disciplines.

Fellowship guidelines can be found at www.ncarts.org.

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Fly Fishing the South arts & entertainment

N.C. Artist Fellowship deadline is Nov. 3

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Cowee Pottery School receives RTCAR grant

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October 22-28, 2014

The Cowee Pottery School at the Macon Heritage Center in Franklin has announced r the nonprofit’s receipt of a grant from the Revitalization of Traditional Cherokee Artisan Resources (RTCAR).

Funded by the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, the RTCAR initiative is committed to preserving, protecting, and teaching the Cherokee artisan heritage. At the core of this heritage is the balance between maintaining and preserving the natural resources such as river cane, white oak and clay, which are abundant in the Cowee Valley. The Cherokees’ history in the Cowee Valley is significant for many cultural and historical reasons including the significant clay trade activities in the early 1800s.

According to the National Registry of Historic Places (March, 1992), “North of Nikwasi where Cowee creek flows into the Little Tennessee River stood another Cherokee town, Kawiyi (Cowee), which is believed to mean, The Place of the Deer Clan. In 1767, Thomas Griffiths, an agent for the English potter Josiah Wedgewood, traveled to Cowee in order to secure white clay for making porcelain from a nearby pit.”

The Cowee Pottery School just recently received approval from the IRS to operate as a nonprofit. Relying on the generosity of contributors, the in-kind support of Macon County, grants such as RTCAR, volunteer instructors, and registration fees are allowing the founders to put together a regular schedule of workshops. coweepotteryschool1@gmail.com.

@Smoky MtnNews 41

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arts & entertainment

Business of the Month!

Pisgah Inn

The Haywood Chamber October Business of the Month is Pisgah Inn in Waynesville, Bruce Connell accepted the award. The Pisgah Inn has been operated as a family since 1978. They have 95 employees. Their mission is to ensure that every guest, visitor and employee leaves Pisgah Inn with a positive memory or experience. They are leaders in environmental initiatives with an emphasis on leadership and culture building. Pisgah Inn is located on The Blue PRESENTING SPONSOR Ridge Parkway. 828-235-8228. pisgahinn.com.

28 Walnut St. Waynesville | 828.456.3021 | HaywoodChamber.com

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Smoky Mountain News

October 22-28, 2014

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Affairs of the Heart

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Cullowhee Fire Department’s 38th Annual

Eastern Style

Barbecue

‘Macbeth’ to hit HART stage in Waynesville

3-8 p.m. $10/plate Cullowhee Valley School Cafeteria

Smoky Mountain News

SATURDAY, OCT. 25TH

The production of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth� will be held at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24-25, 31 and Nov. 1 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

The play will feature professional actor David Sebren in the title role, Kirsten Daniel as Lady Macbeth and New York actor Adam Kampouris as Macduff. Kampouris is returning to HART after a five-year absence. He was last seen at HART as Hamlet. The production is under the direction of HART Executive Director Steven Lloyd, and is being traditionally staged, set in the 12th century, with elaborate costuming, an original score by David and Sean Bruce, set design by UNC-School of the Arts design student Tony Debernardo and broadsword fight choreography by Kampouris.

Tickets are available online at www.harttheatre.com and from the HART box office at 828.456.6322.

October 22-28, 2014

The outdoor drama “The Legend of Tommy Hodges� will hit the stage at 6:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 9 p.m. Oct. 24-25 at the Cradle of Forestry.

During the performance, visitors will travel to the year 1907 and hear the story of Tommy Hodges, a student of the Biltmore Forest School, who mysteriously disappeared one autumn night. A guide will lead the audience around the paved Biltmore Campus Trail at the Cradle of Forestry to find out what happened. As audience members approach each historic cabin in the forest, they will meet characters who lived in the Pink Beds area at that time. For instance they will meet Mr. Jenny, storekeeper for the Biltmore Forest School’s commissary, students from the forestry school, and even Director of the Biltmore Forest School Dr. Schenck.

Characters are based on Biltmore Forest School student diaries that families donated to the USDA Forest Service for the Cradle of Forestry. Students recorded their experiences in these diaries between the years 1903 and 1907. As the audience Tour the buildings of the meets each group of characBiltmore Forest School during a ters, they will leave with a performance of ‘The Legend of sense of what life was like a Tommy Hodges’. Margaret Hester photo century ago. This is the 18th

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B Smith

year the Cradle has offered the play, with each year presenting a different twist to the tale. The show is one mile long, meaning audience members walk one mile to see the entire play. It is most suitable for ages six and up. Audience members are asked to dress warmly, wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a flashlight.

Admission is $6 for ages 16 and up, $3 for ages 15 and under and holders of America the Beautiful and Golden Age Passports. Hot cider and cookies will be served after each show. Ponchos and other raingear are welcome if the weather is showery, but please leave umbrellas at home.

828.877.3130 or go to www.cradleofforestry.org.

arts & entertainment

‘The Legend of Tommy Hodges’ returns to Cradle of Forestry

Dodson

On the stage

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arts & entertainment

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Books

Smoky Mountain News

45

Being manipulated by a book not all bad one Girl is currently the most popular novel in America and it has been around since 2012; it is also now a major motion picture starring Ben Affleck.

Gillian Flynn’s “thriller” (and it is definitely that!) is a favorite topic on talk shows with America’s favorite critics discussing why this wicked little crime novel has captured this country’s imagination. Well, I am among the enthralled, and I think it all began with O. J. Simpson. As Writer soon as we, the audience, joined that helicopter that followed O.J. down the interstate on the day he was arrested, we became members of a new kind of “instant journalism.”

Gone Girl owes its current popularity to our obsession with “crime as entertainment.”

I am referring to the world of Casey Anthony, Scott Peterson (remember him, charged with murdering his wife and son?) and, of course, that shameless and deranged hussy, Jodi Arias. We know that they are all guilty because Nancy Grace, the Queen of the Harpies, has told us so. All of these “players” have had their lives exposed like dirty laundry while we, the media junkies, (yes, I am one, too) spend much of our time listening to the latest shocking revelation and meditating on each new bit of sordid trash.

(It is almost impossible to discuss this novel without tampering with its primary appeal which is cliff-hanging suspense. If you haven’t read Gone Girl yet, this review might give you a few spoilers, but I will try to avoid them.)

The book’s first-person narration is equally divided between the two protagonists (although protagonist doesn’t seem to be the right descriptive term for these two very unpleasant people.) They are Nick Dunne and Amy Elliott, two very attractive people who have just celebrated their fifth anniversary. As we read their “confessions,” we come to real-

Gary Carden

G

The Wisdom Stone Trilogy conclusion Art Ramsay will present the third book in The Wisdom Stone Trilogy at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

With Illumination of Stones, readers are treated to an enthralling tale as the main characters race a looming global event and face determined adversaries. Hidden at Sacred Sites centuries ago, powerful Wisdom Stones are awaiting discovery to release their energy. Each Stone has a message of

ize that they are vain, arrogant and self-centered, and their marriage is in trouble.

However, that is OK because they are so interesting. They dine out on lobster, socialize with the rich and privileged and, as long as they let us ride along for a few vicarious thrills, we

Amy.” Under the supervision of her parents, Amy (and her parents) became wealthy. It is not surprising that Amy is accustomed to having things her way. Nick is a fledgling journalist and grinds out witty news about celebrities. This “dream couple” live in New York and their daily lives are spent in upscale restaurants, talking to exciting people and shopping, shopping, shopping. Ah, but then, things change.

Since Amy keeps a diary, we learn that she has an unrewarding job writing a kind of etiquette trivia for second-rate women’s magazines. Her articles have titles like “Five Characteristics of a Perfect Marriage.” When she loses her job, Amy assures us that she isn’t distressed since she is resilient like “Amazing Amy” in her books. When Nick’s mother becomes ill, his parents settle into their home in Hannibal, Mo. Since Nick’s father has Alzheimer’s, Nick decides to move to Hannibal to and, using Amy’s money, he opens a bar.

Then, Amy’s parents confess that they “mismanaged” their money, so they appeal to their daughter for emergency funds.

After bailing her parents out, Amy discovers that she and Nick are broke. Now Nick, who has taken a job teaching at a community college, decides to have Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Broadway Books, 2012. 418 pages. an affair with one of his students, a lush little number named Andie (who requires a lot don’t really mind. of attention). The stage is set for disaster and The first major problem that becomes eviit arrives with considerable fanfare. dent is money. Nick and Amy are living on Amy disappears. From this point on, Gone Amy’s money. Bit by bit, we learn that Amy is Girl reads like the Nancy Grace show on something of a child prodigy who wrote a CNN. Of course, instead of Nancy, we have a series of very successful children’s book’s marvelous clone, Ellen Abbott, who resembles about a little girl called “Amazing Nancy in every detail. Ellen is called “an

opportunistic ratings whore” who keeps her audience on Nick’s life.

When the police find evidence of blood splatter in the Dunne apartment, Ellen uses her show to demand, “Where is Amy?” The media arrives and Nick’s daily life becomes a living hell as he rushes to keep appointments with the police, another clandestine meeting with Andie and, eventually, a strategy meeting with his celebrity lawyer, Tanner Bolt or the talk-show host, Sharon Schieber (who dresses and talks like Oprah), and who is sympathetic to Nick’s dilemma ... well, until she heard about Andie, the college student.

Now comes the clincher. In the beginning, readers of this clever and menacing little thriller tend to believe their narrators.

However, at some point, even the most gullible reader experiences a “shadow of a doubt.”

What if one of them is lying? Is it possible that Nick has killed his wife? How else can you account for the excessive blood stains that the police find in the apartment? One of Nick’s laments in his narrative is that he is being framed ... by Amy! Is that possible? Before it is over, everyone decides to abandon Nick, even his twin, Margo (called “Go”) who has remained loyal until she finds evidence that Nick is already spending the insurance money from Amy’s death. Is it credible that a character could be so devious he/she could fabricate their own death?

Well, I will stop at this point and let you find the truth (whatever that is) about Amy’s marvelous “treasure hunts” that she creates for each of the wedding anniversaries ... treasure hunts that send Nick, armed with a clue, on a frustrating search for his present. You are going to discover that you have been artfully controlled by a master writer.

A friend of mine who read Gone Girl when it first appeared called it a “hell of a ride,” and noted that he enjoyed being manipulated. That is the right word. It is a despicable practice when performed by used car salesmen and politicians ... but for a writer like Gillian Flynn, it is an enviable art. Loved this book and I intend to love the movie when Netflix finally acquires it.

planetary significance to reveal, setting into motion spiritual transformation for all of humankind. The first two books in the series are The Seven Stones of Wisdom and The Tibetan Wisdom Code. By creating this fictional series, Ramsay believes that people can be made aware of spiritual principles in a fun and interesting way.

Ramsay’s current practice involves working as a Minister of Peace, a spiritual (peace) coach, and seminar facilitator. He has studied and practiced spiritual principles for twenty years and brings those experiences to his writing. Through his work with people over the years, he found that

p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.

In a story of spirits, memories, and angels unaware, McCrumb revisits her most loved characters, Nora Bonesteel and Sheriff Arrowood, who know there is more to this world than the eye can see, especially at Christmas time.

The book is available now. The first 25 copies of the book to be sold at Blue Ridge Books come with two tickets for reserved seats at the reading.

828.456.6000 (Blue Ridge) or 828.586.9499 (City Lights).

there are certain aspects of the human psyche that brings stress and a great deal of despair to our daily lives.

828.586.9499.

NYT bestseller comes to Western NC New York Times bestselling author Sharyn McCrumb will read from her new novella Nora Bonesteel’s Christmas Past at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva and at 3

46

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

Lead the way Haywood artist releases frame-worthy trail guides

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER en Czarnomski has always loved sketching and writing, but as a department chair for the sustainability and construction management programs at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, his projects consisted mainly of razorstraight lines and technical engineering language. There wasn’t a lot of room for freehand sketches or colorful commentary.

After retiring, Czarnomski began looking around for ways to pick up some of those hobbies he’d left untouched as a working professional. At the same time, he wanted to find a way to give back to his community, Haywood County. So, he started sketching hiking maps.

Well, not right away. First he enrolled in the Blue Ridge Naturalist Certificate Program, offered through the University of North Carolina and taught at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville. The program, which aims to increase participants’ understanding of Western North Carolina’s cultural and natural heritage, includes 240 hours of instruc-

K

tion and a project at the end. For his project, Czarnomski made a hiking map of the Purchase Knob area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“What I wanted to do was concentrate on areas that were accessible to people all seasons,” Czarnomski said. “Whether it was spring, summer, fall, winter, they could head out and find a place and still make a nice day’s walk and still enjoy the day, maybe bring the family and learn something along the way.”

THE HIKER’S CONUNDRUM The Purchase Knob map came out in 2013, and now Czarnomski has released a second, a full-color one-pager of the Sam Knob area of the Shining Rock Wilderness. The maps are scaled, labeled and surrounded by illustrations of the plants, wildlife and features such as rocks and waterfalls that make the areas what they are.

And to sweeten the deal, they’re free, available through the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority and its visi-

tor’s centers.

“A lot of the visitors want to take them home and frame them because they’re so beautiful,” said Jena Sowers, who works at the Waynesville visitor center.

The guides give visitor center staff an easy way to point visitors toward a trail they’ll enjoy, with the information in hand to know where they’re going and what they’re seeing.

The bulk of people coming through the center in a day — that number can range anywhere from 70 to 500, depending on the season and what’s going on around town — are there to ask for hiking directions.

“I would say as high as 80, 85 percent,” said Lynn Collins, executive director of the TDA. Considering that there’s about 2,000 miles of trails within a two-hour drive of Waynesville, locals might find it odd that visitors have such a hard time knowing where to go. But for visitors who don’t have a full collection of maps, aren’t sure how long a 5-mile loop takes or

Czarnomski’s newest map shows the Sam Knob portion of the Shining Rock Wilderness.

aren’t comfortable with local directions along the lines of “turn right on the gravel road after the bridge and drive till it ends,” having a full-service guide that fits on one sheet is a great thing.

“This has been a great partnership for us to work with Ken to do these maps,” Collins said.

To Czarnomski, though, they’re more than just maps. They’re guides, invitations to come to the mountains and fall in love.

“Everybody walks for a different reason,” Czarnomski said. “If I can get people out there, they become real supporters for our national parks and wilderness areas and things like that.”

In fact, that’s exactly why he chose the Sam Knob area of the Shining Rock Wilderness for his most recent map — to celebrate wilderness.

“Shining Rock is a natural because it’s one of the three or so wilderness areas in the whole east coast, and this year being the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, Shining Rock was one of the first wilderness areas in the whole U.S.,” Czarnomski said.

Hikers familiar with the Black Balsam area might find it odd, though, that Czarnomski didn’t include the wellknown Black Balsam Road on his map, instead routing hikers to access the trail from the Mountains-to-Sea Trail where it intersects with N.C. 215.

The reason? The Parkway is often closed in the winter, especially that section — the nearby Devil’s Courthouse tunnel ices up pretty easily — but hikers can access the area through the Mountains-to-Sea Trail during any season. The MST crosses N.C. 215 just below the road’s junction with the Parkway.

Reaching it that way, hikers can do a full-day 9.75-mile loop or get their fill with more immediate landmarks. The back of the map lists the distances between each junction, rating their difficulty and noting any conditions hikers should be aware of.

THE MAKING OF A MAP

Views from Sam Knob and the surrounding area show some spectacular fall color. Holly Kays photo

The route to a complete product was not quite as cut-and-dry as the route hikers can now pull out on the 16-by-12 sheet of paper.

For both the Shining Rock and Purchase Knob maps, Czarnomski used a combination of data from GPS devices, satellite images, a compass, cell phone and U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps to get the distances right.

Identifying himself as an “old nerd” who took a long time to believe that more automatic

F

Park plans prescribed burn in Cataloochee

on weather.

The burns are part of a multi-year project using a series of low-intensity controlled burns to restore fire and drought-tolerant natural communities that are in decline throughout the Southern Appalachians.

These areas boast high native grass, vegeta-

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A quick look at the map might belie the complexity of that process. The free-sweeping strokes of the sketches — a combination of watercolor, colored pencils and marker — and the authoritative discussion of mountain geology and the great fire of 1925 that cleared the bald of trees give the impression of a naturally occurring product rather than of a painstakingly developed representation of remote wilderness.

The backside of the map details Carroll Craig’s memories of the area — he’s a tracker and hunter who knows the area intimately, and he’s also Czarnomski’s neighbor — and depicts the tracks of native wildlife. It lists the must-see features of the trails and tells of the logging history of the area. It lists travel and hiking directions and tells readers where to find a web cam that shows road conditions through the national forest. “[From the time] when I sit down to start the process to when I finish it could

take five months easily because you throw out ideas, you boil things down,” Czarnomski said. “You say, ‘I wrote too much about that.’ You let it sit for a while.

You come back and throw a few more things in it until you finally get to something that’s worthwhile.”

There is a natural element to the map’s development, as well. A lifelong hiker and artist, Czarnomski’s been at it for a long time. And since starting to keep trail journals of his hikes four years ago, he’s got books full of notes and sketches jotted down while in the backcountry.

“What shaped the area?” Czarnomski said of one question his maps attempt to elucidate. “In this particular case it was not only the geology but the historic fires out there, the damage that was done by that.

Each time I do something, I try to do something a little bit different but convey all this information so you have it one simple page.”

In all likelihood, there will be more “simple” pages to come from Ken Czarnomski. Developing the guides is a chance to get outdoors, a chance to create and a chance to loop full circle back to the things that gave him joy as a child.

“I feel pretty lucky I can get back into this area, actually sketching the field again, because it’s a skill I had when I was younger but I sort of set it aside and got away from it for a number of years,” he said. “It’s nice to come back and say, ‘I still have some of those skills and can do this in a way that is interesting to other people and is fun to do.’”

Bill focuses on a holistic approach and specializes in:

October 22-28, 2014

devices could beat his slide rule and compass, Czarnomski still uses a combination of data sources because, “Data develops in different methods and we still need the resources to get a level of accuracy.”

After compiling the data, he had to change the scale to something that made more sense for a hiking guide. The entire hiking loop is but one small corner of the Shining Rock Wilderness, so the area had to be expanded, and to scale.

tive and wildflower diversity and offer valuable forage for elk. This year’s installment could continue intermittently through midNovember. It will be conducted by park staff and partially funded by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

“The prescribed burns in A wildland frefighter Cataloochee are monitors controlled critical for the burn in Great Smoky health of oak and pine woodlands,” Mountains National said National Park Park. NPS photo Service Fire Ecologist Rob Klein. “The restoration of this habitat will help to sustain populations of elk and numerous other plants and animals native to Cataloochee Valley.”

Roads and trails will remain open to the public throughout the burn operations, although Little Cataloochee Trail may be temporarily closed if fire activity warrants. Visitors should expect to see smoke in the area. www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/fireregime.htm

outdoors

Prescribed burns will light up the Canadian Top Knob, Mathews Branch and Noland Mountain areas adjacent to Cataloochee Valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park later this week or early next week. Exact dates are dependent

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outdoors

Photographer presents Blue Ridge vistas guide Photographer and author Tim Barnwell will present his new book, Blue Ridge Parkway Vistas, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

In the book, Barnwell identifies the mountain peaks visible from each overlook, marking the compass heading, distance and elevation.

Major roads, rivers, lakes and towns are also identified. Designed as a driving guide, Blue Ridge Parkway Vistas is also a companion for hikers who wish to identify the names of the peaks viewed from favorite trails.

A noted photographer with more than 30 years of experience, Barnwell’s photography has appeared in numerous publications, including Time and Newsweek. The Asheville resident’s fine art photography can be found in the permanent collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New Orleans Museum of Art and other museums across the country.

City Lights Bookstore, 828.586.9499.

See like a lens Photographer Don McGowan will teach a full-day workshop titled “Seeing Like a Lens,” beginning 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Old Armory Recreation Center in Waynesville. McGowan will give a slide lecture discussion, after which the class will adjourn to a field location for a demonstration by McGowan.

Because the lens is the heart of a camera, the lens the photographer chooses and the way he uses it has a great effect on determining the images produced by the shot. The program will focus on teaching participants how to understand how a lens “sees” the world and, therefore, how to get the best results in each situation.

Cost is $35 for early registration; $45 at the door; 30 percent discount for Lens Luggers members. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended. Price includes refreshments, handouts and a drawing for a Think Tank photo bag. Register with Bob Grytten, bobgry@aol.com or 828.627.0245 or at www.lensluggerworld.com.

McGowan’s work is online at www.earthsongphotography.com.

Water surges through the Middle Pigeon River during autumn.

Don McGowan photo

A tour of Macon County mines will be begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, allowing visitors and residents to see three historic mine sites north of Franklin.

The self-drive caravan tour, hosted by Friends of the Rickman Store, will leave from Mason Mountain Mine and Cowee Gift Shop and include a presentation by the mine’s operator. The caravan will then travel to Rose Creek Mine amd Rock Shop and finish at Rocky Face Gem Mine.

Carpooling is encouraged, and a $5 per vehicle donation is requested. George, 828.371.7689.

Plowing demos at Darnell Farms

Plowing the old-fashioned way. Donated photo

Ruger American .308

The annual Fall Plow Day at Darnell Farms in Bryson City Saturday, Oct. 25, will feature a full day of plowing demonstrations with teams of horses and mules as well as music, contests and food and crafts for sale.

Teamster contests will include team handling and a prize for the teamster that looks the most like the south end of a northbound mule. Musicians are invited to bring their instruments for a jam, and the Tangled Feet Stompers clogging group will perform at 1 p.m. Produce, handmade crafts, Rada knives and fall food such as barbeque, chili and hot apple cider will be for sale.

828.488.2376.

RESIDENTIAL HOUSECLEANING 263-29

October 22-28, 2014

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Smoky Mountain News

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A conference titled “Macon County — Farming the Future by Feeding the Community,” will be held 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at old Cowee School outside of Franklin.

The conference is open to both established and aspiring farmers, as well as anyone who just wants to know more about agriculture in Macon, Swain and Jackson counties.

Information, resources and a chance to talk with other farmers will all be part of the event, as will lunch — slow-cooked pork with all the trimmings.

Macon County’s cultural heritage is rich with agriculture and the businesses that supported it, and today the agricultural economy in Macon County represents $10.8 million in farm to gate value, making it the county’s third leading industry. Agriculture is enjoying a resurgence, and eating local food is not just a trend. Increasingly, it’s how consumers buy their food.

Free. Sponsored by Macon Soil and Water Conservation District; North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and the Farm Services Agency.

RSVP to 828.524.3311, Ext 3.

outdoors

Conference celebrates agriculture

Cooking for dogs (and cats) October 22-28, 2014

A program detailing the benefits of feeding dogs and cats a raw diet, as well as how to safely and easily prepare the food, will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at the Waynesville branch of the Haywood County Public Library.

Kristi King, owner of Green Earth Pet Food in Asheville, will lead the class. She’ll cover basic nutrition information for dogs and cats, ingredients necessary for a complete diet and conclude with a hands-on demonstration of a simple recipe.

Free, but RSVP required. Kathy, 828.356.2507 or kolsen@haywoodnc.net.

Partial solar eclipse coming to the Carolinas Smoky Mountain News

A partial solar eclipse will be visible in the Carolinas on Thursday, Oct. 23.

In Brevard, where Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute is located, the eclipse will start at 5:57 p.m. and reach its maximum at 6:43 p.m. in advance of sunset at 6:46 p.m.

Times will vary slightly depending on distance from Brevard.

Solar eclipses occur when, as the moon orbits Earth, it casts a shadow on Earth when passing between it and the sun. Most times when the moon passes between the two, it passes above or below the line between Earth and sun, and its shadow misses Earth. On Oct. 23, the central part of the moon’s shadow will miss Earth, but the outer partial shadow will cross North America and the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Viewing a solar eclipse directly can cause eye damage. Always use proper eye protection or view a projected image.

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outdoors October 22-28, 2014

Comment open for boater access trails An environmental analysis released by the U.S. Forest Service is proposing five boater access trails in national forests in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia, and the plans are open for comment through Oct. 29.

The proposal is linked to a 2012 decision by the Forest Service to allow boating on the upper segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River.

According to the proposal, hiking trails and boater access sites should be constructed in the following areas.

■ Greens Creek Trail, where 0.28 miles of trail would be constructed at the Greens Creek Trail and Chattooga intersection.

■ County Line Trail, with 1.2 miles of an old roadbed used for access just downstream of Norton Mill Creek.

■ Bullpen Bridge.

■ Burrells Ford Bridge.

■ Lick Log Creek (take-out only).

Other non-motorized recreationists would also be able to use these trails and access locations. Written comments must be mailed to: Chattooga Planning Team, 4931 Broad River Road, Columbia, South Carolina 29212 or emailed to commentssouthern-francismarionsumter@fs.fed.us.

Kayak Lake Junaluska A kayaking program from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Oct. 23 at Lake Junaluska will give paddlers of all skill levels a chance to practice their strokes.

Meet at the Lake Junaluska boat ramp, just past the Lake Junaluska Visitor’s Center. $5 for Waynesville Recreation Center members; $10 non-members. Register with Tim Petrea at the Waynesville Recreation Center, 828.456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

Young paddlers learn the ropes. File photo

Zombie run to liven up Cherokee The fourth annual Screamfest in Cherokee will take place Oct. 25-Nov. 1.

Screamfest kicks off with a 2.5-mile zombie run at noon Saturday, Oct. 25. The route starts at the stage of Unto These Hills, and the zombies will be out as soon as the starting gun sounds.

The first 75 to register will receive a free T-shirt and swag bag. Registration is open online at www.hauntedcherokee.com.

Those who aren’t into running but want

to join in can volunteer as zombies, dressing up in their undead best for a pre-race costume contest for cash prizes. $25 to race or chase. $5 for spectators.

Sponsored by the Cherokee Historical Association. Other Screamfest events listed at www.hauntedcherokee.com.

Color run at WCU Runners will get coated in color as they pass through color stations during the Fun Run 5K beginning 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Western Carolina University.

The event is part of activities associated

with WCU’s 125th anniversary and the university’s annual Love Your Body Week. The race will start near the Alumni Tower at the center of campus.

Cost is $12.50 for WCU faculty, staff, students and alumni; $20 other participants.

The event is open to runners age 10 and older and is limited to the first 250 people.

Participants will receive a free T-shirt at check-in to wear during the race.

Registration online at https://orgsync.com/24496/forms/119256 or on race day beginning at 8 a.m.

Karen Farmer, 828.227.2610 or kmfarmer@wcu.edu.

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When George and Heather Ferrell, of Louisiana, began to hike up Mount LeConte Oct. 18 with their four children, they didn’t expect to become the subject of a search and rescue. The family, whose children are

View from Mount LeConte. NPS photo aged 4, 5, 10, and 12, had planned to hike up on Rainbow Falls Trail and return on Bull Head Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

But as darkness fell they got lost, and at 2:12 a.m. the Pigeon Forge Police Department received a 911 call from the family requesting help. The hikers were underprepared, exhausted and wet in the

cold weather, and unable to determine which way led back to the trailhead. The call dropped before an exact location could be determined, so park rangers responded to both the Rainbow Falls and Bull Head trails.

At 7:18 a.m. Oct. 19, rangers located the family at Bull Head Trail, about 0.7 miles below Mount LeConte. The hikers had remained on the trail, which made them easier to find, and rangers helped them up to the summit. There, LeConte Lodge staff provided the exhausted hikers with food and dry clothes.

Overnight temperatures at the lodge dipped to 28 degrees.

Rangers hiked out with the family later that day as temperatures warmed, emerging at the Rainbow Falls trailhead at 5:30 p.m. Though exhausted, they were uninjured and left in their own car.

“We are grateful the family stayed on the trail allowing us the best chance to find them quickly,” said acting Chief Ranger Steve Kloster. “We take this opportunity to remind everyone to make sure they are prepared before they set out for a hike by understanding the terrain, distance and weather conditions. Your pack should always include water, clothing, food and a flashlight so that you are prepared for the unexpected.” www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/hikingsafety.htm.

outdoors

Rangers rescue family of six

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Smoky Mountain News

Nantahala Outdoor Center’s annual materials to decorate and carve them, and NOCtoberfest event will celebrate leaf season every child will win a prize after presenting in the Smokies from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, at NOC. The event features contests, pumpkin painting, live music and prizes for all ages — as well as the much-anticipated NOC Great Pumpkin Pursuit.

The Pumpkin Pursuit is a free-forall dash through Nantahala Falls in which more than 400 numbered Costumed paddles hurtle down the Nantahala in pursuit of pumpkins. pumpkins are Donated photo tossed throughout the river’s grand finale rapid as 75-plus padthe finished product to a judging panel. A cosdlers frantically dash to collect as many of tume contest will include prizes for kids and the bobbing pumpkins as possible. couples categories, as well as for Most in Registration for the event is noon to 2 Character and Scariest. Games such as a cornp.m. at NOC’s Big Wesser BBQ, and paddlers hole tournament and egg race will be part of start going through the falls at 2:30 p.m. But the event, and live music at Big Wesser BBQ the event takes only minutes to play out, so — as well as a bonfire with s’mores included spectators should get there early.

— will keep NOCtoberfest festive.

NOCtoberfest has plenty more to it, Free. A complete schedule is online at though. NOC will supply pumpkins and noc.com/events/noctoberfest.

October 22-28, 2014

Celebrate Halloween and fall at NOC

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WNC Calendar

Smoky Mountain News

jjicha@wcu.edu.

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 • Peace Corps Community Information Session, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 22, Jackson County Public Library community room. Free to the public. 828.586.2016.

• Community input meeting on proposed Development Standards for Cullowhee community meeting, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 23, Hospitality Room, Ramsey Center, WCU. 828.631.2255 or planning@jacksonnc.org.

• A talk called “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Please Help Guide Us Through it All” will be the featured “Last Lecture” as part of WCU’s homecoming week. Students select a professor to deliver a lecture they would do it it was their last. Lisa Thomas Briggs, WCU associate professor of criminology and criminal justice. 4 p.m. Oct. 23 in the theater of A.K. Hinds University Center.

• Catamount fans will gather for the Spirit Night pep rally at 6 p.m. Oct. 23 in WCU’s Central Plaza. The event will feature a free cookout and appearances by the WCU cheerleaders, dance team, homecoming court, athletics teams and pep band.

• WCU’s Homecoming Parade will begin at 6:15 p.m.

Oct. 24 in downtown Sylva. Floats, Catamount cheerleaders, the homecoming court and the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band march and roll down Main Street.

• Football tailgating will begin at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 25, with Catamount fans will gather at E.J. Whitmire Stadium at 2 p.m. for the homecoming game versus the Citadel Bulldogs. Halftime activities will include recognition of the homecoming award winners and court, plus an announcement of this year’s homecoming king and queen.

• Carolina Public Press will host a workshop about understanding state and federal public records laws, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1:30-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina conference room, Asheville. $35 per person. www.carolinapublicpress.org.

• The Smoky Mountain Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association will meet, noon. Saturday, Oct. 25, Ryan’s Steakhouse, Sylva.

828.456.5251.

• Benefits of feeding raw food to your pets workshop, 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 27, Waynesville Library Auditorium. Free to the public. Registration is required.

356.2507.

• The 2nd annual Western Carolina University Student Ice Cream Eating Competition will be held at 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 1 at Jack the Dipper Ice Cream in Sylva. The competition consists of up to 10 men and 10 ladies (two separate). Fundraiser for the Reading Rover bookmobile.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • Douglass Grimmett, president and founder of Primal Screen, will talk about entertainment branding, 2 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 23, WCU’s John Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center, Room 130. 828.277.3597

• Haywood Chamber Young Professionals Networking Breakfast, 8-9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, City Bakery, downtown Waynesville.

• Business After Hours meeting for Highlands Chamber of Commerce, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust. HCLT will unveil their new logo for Ravenel Park. RSVP. 828.526.2112 or visitor@highlandschamber.org.

• Business After Hours Chili Cook-Off for Cashiers Chamber of Commerce, 5-7 p.m. Thursday Oct. 23, Landmark Realty Group, Frank Allen Rd. RSVP. 828.743.5191.

• SCC will offer a craft brewing program, 5-10 p.m.

Oct. 23 through Dec. 18, SCC’s Jackson Campus. Call to enroll. 828.339.4426.

• Southwestern Community College will offer a bartending class, 6-9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, starting Oct. 27, SCC Jackson Campus, Balsam Center. $125 for course. Students must be at least 21 years old.

828.339.4426.

• Basic Facebook Computer Class at JCPL, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 29, Jackson County Public Library computer lab. Limited to 16 people. Call to register.

586.2016.

• Free GED classes offered by Southwestern Community College, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, SCC Swain Center, Room 101. 366.2000.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • SCC Foundation will host a BBQ luncheon from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the SCC Jackson Campus. Meal is $5 and all proceeds will benefit SCC’s new Student Emergency Fund. 828.339.4227 or k_posey@southwesterncc.edu.

• Catman2, the largest cats-only no-kill cage-free shelter, will host their annual Cat’s Meow Auction, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 24, Lifeway Community Church, Sylva. $10 per person. 828.293.0892 or www.catman2.org.

• The Salvation Army in Waynesville is taking applications for Christmas assistance, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 24, 27, 28 and 30, 290 Pigeon St., Waynesville.

828.456.7111 ext. 7.

• Annual Turkey dinner at Rockwood United Methodist Church, 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, 288 Crabtree Mountain Rd., Crabtree. $8 for adults, $4 for children.

Carryout available. 648.6870.

• Writing pens, made by the foster home boys, will be available for purchase at the Bolivian Mission Lunch, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, Highlands United Methodist Church. 828.526.3606.

• Mast General Store Feed the Children, through Oct. 30. Main Street in downtown Waynesville. For each pair of Merrell Shoes sold, Merrell will donate a Backpack of Food for Kids in Haywood. 828.452.2101.

• The 17th annual Turkey Drive by the Maggie Valley Area Lodging Association. Donations benefit Haywood County’s disadvantaged residents. Every $25 will deliver a full meal to a family. www.visitmaggie.com.

• The Jackson County Family Resource Center is in need of slightly used blankets for their Blanket Drive.

Accepting blankets until Dec. 1. Deliver to the Jackson County Family Resource Center, 1528 Webster Rd., Webster. 828.354.0109.

• $10 Fall Fix: get unfixed pets for spay/neuter and rabies vaccination for only $10 through Nov. 30, through Haywood Spay/Neuter. Pet owner must live in Haywood County and sign their pets up at the Haywood Spay/Neuter office, noon to 6 p.m. open Tuesday

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted. through Friday. 452.1329.

• P.A.W.S. Adoption Days first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the front lawn at Charleston Station, Bryson City.

HEALTH MATTERS • Highlands-Cashiers Hospital will hold its complimentary influenza vaccination drive-thru clinic, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Friday, Oct 24, Jane Woodruff Building. Pre-registration is required. 828.526.1498.

Town Hall parking lot and walk to the early voting site.

Led by Macon Chapter of NC Association of Educators.

• A “Moral March” to the polls will be held by the Haywood County chapter NAACP at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25. Meet at the A.M.E. Zion Church in Canton and walk one block to the early voting site at the Canton library. Followed by NAACP meeting at noon.

828.545.9490.

• Jackson County Republican Meeting in Qualla, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 23, Qualla Community Building, 1891 Shoal Creek Loop, Whittier. Food will be catered by Granny’s Kitchen. 828.743.6491.

• The Macon GOP will hold a pancake breakfast, 7-10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, Fatz in Franklin. Elected officials and candidates will be serving. 828.369.6997.

• Breast Cancer Awareness with the Ladies Night Out Program, 4 and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, Angel Medical Center cafeteria. 828.349.2426.

• North Jackson County Republican meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 27, Sylva Republican Headquarters, 56 Sunrise Park. 828.743.6491.

• A diabetes awareness program including blood glucose screening will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva. Part of the monthly Tuesdays to Thrive focusing on different health topics the first Tuesday evening of each month.

Sponsoed by WestCare Wellness and Jackson County Department. www.westcarehealth.org or 828.586.7734.

• N.C. Senator Jim Davis, R-Franklin, will face challenger Jane Hipps, D-Waynesville, for a debate at 7 p.m.

Oct. 30 in the Burrell Building at SCC’s Jackson Campus. 828.339.4000.

• A program on prescription drug abuse and Project Lazarus will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva. Part of the monthly Tuesdays to Thrive focusing on different health topics the first Tuesday evening of each month. Sponsored by WestCare Wellness and Jackson County Department. www.westcarehealth.org or 828.586.7734.

KIDS & FAMILIES • A drop-in information session about a new charter school planning to open in Haywood County, Shining Rock Classical Academy, will be held at 6 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Old Armory on Boundary Street in Waynesville. Another session will be held Nov. 20. bbutler@srca.teamcfa.org.

• Seasonal stories, crafts, games and snacks for the family at Haywood County Public Library in Waynesville at 4 p.m. Oct. 28, Nov. 19, and Dec. 10. 828.356.2511.

• SciGirls program for ages 9-14, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute. The activity is “3D Design,” which will teach the girls how to design and construct 3D models. Register online. www.pari.edu or 919.848.1153.

• A Kid’s Harvest Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Historic Bethel Presbyterian Church in Bethel. Pony rides, a bouncy house and slide, face painting, cake walk, games, prizes and hot dogs with all the fixins provided by Bethel Rural Community Organization. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the Bethel Middle School Gymnasium.

• Saturday morning cartoons play for free at 11 a.m. at the Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. 828.283.0079 or www.38main.com.

POLITICAL EVENTS • A Macon school board candidate forum will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at Franklin High School’s Fine Art Center.

Sponsored by the local chapter of the N.C. Assocition of Educators. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

• Jackson County NAACP Moral March to the Polls, 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, Old Courthouse Fountain, Sylva.

828.743.9747.

• March to the Polls for Public Education, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct 25, in Franklin. Meet at the Franklin

A&E FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS • The annual Pumpkin Fest will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 24 at the East Franklin Shopping Center and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25 in downtown Franklin.

Hayrides, after-school treats and more on Oct. 24, with a street festival featuring the Famous Pumpkin Roll, crafters, vendors and other activities on Oct. 25. www.pumpkinfestfranklin.com.

• Haywood County Artists will open their studio for a self-guided tour, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and noon- 5 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25 and Sunday, Oct. 26, Haywood Art Studio, Waynesville. 828.734.5586 or www.haywoodarts.org.

• Hiker Jam Octoberfest at The Village Green, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, The Village Green, Cashiers.

Sample free beer, listen to featured music groups and eat food. $25 for general admission. 828.526.8232.

• The Backstreet Festival will be held all day Saturday, Oct. 25 in downtown Sylva.

• NOCtoberfest in the Smoky Mountains, noon – 5 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25, Nantahala Outdoor Center. Free to the public. Noc.com/events/noctoberfest.

• The Ammons Sisters of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia will do storytelling at the annual Celebration of the Arts, 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, Swain County Center for the Arts, Bryson City. 828.488.7843 or www.swain.k12.nc.us/cfta.

• The Sylva Photography Club will host a photography contest of the WNC Pottery Festival. Oct. 31 in Dillsboro and Nov. 1 at the Clay Olympics. All photos will be judged by club members on Nov. 8. Entries may be emailed by Friday, Nov. 7, 6 p.m. sylvaphotoclub@gmail.com or 828.293.9820.

• The 6th Annual “Arc”toberfest will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, in the ballroom at Harrah’s Cherokee. The event provides The Arc of Haywood funding to support programs and services for people with developmental disabilities. Community businesses and organizations can also sponsor the event. 828.452.1980 or www.arcofhaywood.org.

HALLOWEEN EVENTS

• The Cold Mountain Corn Maze in Bethel has hayrides, concessions, bonfire and pint-sized maze for toddlers. Corn maze becomes haunted after dark.

Open 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $8 for ages 4 and older, ages 3 and younger free.

• The Deals Farm Corn Maze in Macon County is now open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday or by special appointment. $5 for ages 6 and older, ages 5 and younger free. 828.524.5151 or www.dealfarms.com.

• Haints, Boogers and Witches of the Southern Highlands will be at 8 p.m. Oct. 24-25 at The Storytelling Center in Bryson City. Spooky mountain storytelling. 828.488.5705.

• Mel Brooks’ Halloween classic comedy “Young Frankenstein” and Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller “Psycho” will be screened at The Strand at 38 Main.

Show times for “Young Frankenstein” are 7:45 p.m.

Oct. 24; 2, 5 and 7:45 p.m. Oct. 25; 2 p.m. Oct. 26; 7 p.m. Oct. 28-29. “Psycho” will be shown at 7:45 and 10:15 p.m. Oct. 31; 2, 5 and 7:45 p.m. Nov. 1; 2 p.m.

Nov. 2; 7 p.m. Nov. 4-5. Tickets are $6 per person, $4 for children, $3 for matinee. www.38main.com.

• Goblins in the Green at The Village Green, 6 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 24, The Village Green. Event includes a costume contest and Trick or Treat trail. 828.743.3434 or www.villagegreencashieranc.com.

• Little Dorm of Horrors, a tour through an old boy’s dorm building, Oct. 25-Nov. 1. Tickets are $10. Put on by the Cherokee Historical Association. 828.497.2111 or www.hauntedcherokee.com.

• Spooky Storytelling will be held at 8 p.m. Oct. 24-25 and 31 in The Storytelling Center in Bryson City. Tim Hall spins the tales of the spirits that live in the mountains — haints, boogers, and the witches of the Southern Highlands.

• The Little Dorm of Horrors!, an old boy’s dorm building, will be filled with creatures from your worst nightmares, at the Mountainside Theatre in Cherokee, Oct. 25-26, 29-31 and Nov. 1. www.hauntedcherokee.com or www.cherokeeadventure.com.

• Myths and Legends Ghost Walk at Oconaluftee Indian Village, Oct. 25-Nov.1. Tickets are $10. Put on by the Cherokee Historical Association. 828.497.2111 or www.hauntedcherokee.com.

• The Zombie Late Skate will roll around from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Smoky Mountain Sk8way. Best Dressed Zombie Contest, a No Legged race, a game or two of Red Light/Dead Night and even a candy scramble. Tailgating in the parking lot before and during the event. Admission is $10, with admission and skate rental $15. Fun Zone is $5.

828.246.9124 or www.smokymountainsk8way.com.

• Hauntober Weekend will be held Oct. 24-25 at Fontana Village Resort. Pumpkin carving contest, costume contest, children’s activities, ghost stories, trips

• Trunk or Treat will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Iotla Baptist Church. Parking lot treating in a safe, welcoming environment. www.franklin-chamber.com.

• Downtown Trick or Treat will be from 4 to 6 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 30, Everett St., Bryson City. Local merchants will provide candy for trick-or-treaters. www.greatsmokies.com.

• Halloween Party at Jackson County library in Sylva, 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30. 586.2016.

• The Where the Shadows Walk: Local Historical Ghost Stories program will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

828.586.2016 or www.fontanalib.org.

• Halloween “Enchanted Forest” Nature Trail at the Highlands Nature Center, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, Highlands Nature Center. Group tours leave every 15 minutes. $1 per person. 828.526.2623.

• Haunted Hill Happenings will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Comfort Inn and Sonic DriveIn parking lot in Sylva. Trunk or treat, patio games, food, and more. 828.631.4200 or 828.354.0473 or www.mountainlovers.com.

• Downtown trick or treating on Main Street in Waynesville, 5-7 p.m., Oct. 31. Sponsored by the downtown Waynesville Association.

• Trunk or Treat will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at the East Sylva Baptist Church. Trunk or treat, hotdog supper and more. 828.586.2853.

• A Masquerade Dinner Train will hit the tracks at 9 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot. Evening of Halloween costumers, live music, dinner and cash bar. 800.872.4681 or www.gsmr.com.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • “Dracula” will play at The Smoky Mountain Community Theatre in Bryson City. Oct. 24-25 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 26 at 2:30 p.m. $5-10.

828.488.8227.

• Singer/songwriter Buddy Mondlock will perform at 7:45 p.m. Oct. 23 at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. An acclaimed songwriter, with some of his work recorded by Guy Clark, Nanci Griffith and Janis Ian. Tickets are $15. www.38main.com.

• Award-winning banjo player, Mary Z. Cox will perform at the Cashiers Community Library, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 23, Cashiers. 828.743.0215.

• Air Supply will perform at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24. 800.745.3000.

• “Broadway’s Next Hit Musical” at WCU, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 24, John Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center, $16-21 per person. 828.227.2479.

• HART theatre will present “Macbeth” for two weeks.

Oct. 24, 25, 31 and Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 at 3 p.m. Tickets are available online.

828.456.6322 or www.harttheatre.com.

Smoky Mountain News

• The Haunted Theatre, with the most terrifying acts taking place behind the scenes, at the Mountainside Theatre in Cherokee, Oct. 25-26, 29-31 and Nov. 1. www.hauntedcherokee.com or www.cherokeeadventure.com.

• “Ghostlorist” Randy Russell, author of The Ghost Will See You Now: Haunted Hospitals of the South, will hold a presentation at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. Attendees can share their stories, artifacts, and costumes to join in on the fun. 828.586.9499.

October 22-28, 2014

• The SuperWhoLock Halloween Party will be at 5 p.m.

Oct. 24 at the Waynesville Public Library. Costume party for fans of Supernatural, Dr. Who and Sherlock.

For ages 12 and up. Games and snacks will also be provided.

• The annual Fall Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. Costume contest, hayrides, trick or treating, pumpkin decorating contest, face painting, food, music, and more. Lunch $5 per plate. Admission is free.

wnc calendar

• Darnell Farms Corn Maze, Hayrides and Pumpkin Patch. Friday-Sunday, U.S. 19 at the Tuckasegee River Bridge, Bryson City. Special Haunted Corn Maze on weekend nights. A produce stand on site sells farm goods of all sorts, including apples, jam and fall decorations like gourds and dried corn. Open daily, with hayrides Friday and Saturday. $5 for ages 4 and up, ages 3 and younger free. 828.488.3167.

through the Haunted Hollow and Forest of Terror. www.fontanavillage.com.

• Starship, featuring Mickey Thomas, will perform, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. $20 each. 866.273.4615.

• A concert featuring ska punk band Reel Big Fish

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wnc calendar

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and rapper ACE Hood at 8 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Ramsey Center. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ramseycenter.wcu.edu or at the Ramsey Center from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For ticket information, call 828.227.7722.

• A concert by WCU’s Inspirational Choir will be at 3 p.m. Oct. 26 in the University Center Grandroom.

• The Western Carolina University Wind Ensemble will present its first concert of the fall semester, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 28, John Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center. Admission is free. 828.227.7242.

• “Beautiful Offerings Tour” featuring Big Daddy Weave, Chris August, Dara Maclean and Group 1 Crew, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. $15 each. 866.273.4615.

NIGHTLIFE • Singer/songwriter Eric Hendrix & Friends will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at City Lights Café in Sylva. www.citylightscafe.com.

• The Dupont Brothers will celebrate their CD release with a concert, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, The Strand, downtown Waynesville. $10 per person.

828.283.0079 or 38main.com.

• Americana outfit Owner of the Sun will play at 9:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Water’n Hole Bar & Grill in Waynesville. 828.456.4750.

• Singer/songwriter Eric Hendrix will perform during the Cowee Farmer’s Market that will be held from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Old Cowee School in Franklin. www.coweefarmersmarket.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.

• 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.

DANCE • The Haywood Dancers will hold a monthly dance at 8 p.m. at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at Angie’s Dance Academy in Clyde. Evening of dancing to recorded ballroom music. Refreshments. $10. 828.734.8726.

• The Second Sunday Community Dance, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 19, Jackson County Library Complex, Community Room on the second floor. Dinner will follow the dance at 5 p.m. Bring a covered dish.

828.586.5478 or ronandcathy71@frontier.com.

• The High Mountain Squares will reschedule their Oct. 17 dance for Oct. 31, 6:30- 9 p.m. Macon County Community Building, Georgia Rd., Franklin.

828.371.4946 or www.highmountainsquare.com.

Smoky Mountain News

BOOKS & AUTHORS

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• Chris Cox will present his new book, “The Way We Say Goodbye,” 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, Haywood Community College’s Library. 828.627.4679 or www.chriscoxbooks.com.

CHA Haunted Adventures.

October 25-November 1 (closed Oct. 27-28). Nightly at 7 p.m.

Happening at Cherokee’s Mountainside Theatre. Start with the Haunted Theatre and discover the death scenes behind the scenes. Then prepare for the Little Dorm of Horrors and see if you can survive the ultimate game of hide-and-seek. Finally, brace yourself for our Village Ghost Walk, offering a terrifying journey through Cherokee’s legends.

Visit HauntedCherokee.com for more.

• “An Evening with Ron Rash,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the WCU Coulter Building recital hall. Rash will read from ‘Serena’ and sign books. 828.227.2786 or ghensley@wcu.edu.

• Seniors from Amy Garza’s “Writing from the Heart” creative writing class will read from some of their writings, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, The Senior Center, 217 Frank Allen Rd., Cashiers. Program is free to the public. RVSP. 828.745.6856.

• The Jackson County Friends of the Library Used Book Store has a surplus of romance novels. Wednesday, Oct. 23, purchase a bag of books for $1. All proceeds go to benefit the Jackson County Library.

• New York Times Bestselling author, Sharyn McCrumb, will present her new novella, “Nora

in the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University. www.wcu.edu.

• New York Times bestselling author and Appalachian writer Sharyn McCrumb will present her new book, “Nora Bonesteel’s Christmas Past: A Ballad Novella,” 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville. 210.315.9664 or www.noralsback.com.

• Oil, Watercolor, Acrylics and Drawing classes by Dominick DePaolo, 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, Frog Level’s Mahogany House Fine Art Gallery and Studios. 828.246.0818.

• Art Ramsay will present his new novel, “Illumination of the Stones,” 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. 828.683.8661.

• A Haywood county non-fiction book club meets the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at various locations. 456.8428.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • Fiber day at Cowee Textiles, 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, Cowee Textiles in Macon County. 828.349.3878 or bouchonnet@coweetextiles.com.

• The Jackson County Cooperative Extension will offer Scherenschnitte, a German Folk Art Tradition of Paper Cutting, 1-4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, JCCE, Sylva. $5 per person. 586.4009.

• Glassblowing Pumpkin sets with Daniel Sherman, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, Jackson County Green Energy Park, Dillsboro. Call to sign up.

828.631.0271 or JCGEP.org.

• The Art League of Highlands-Cashiers will hold a meeting at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at The Bascom in Highlands. Meeting includes a professional artist presentation and refreshments. www.artleagueofhighlands.com.

• HCC will offer a class on Felted Hats, 6-8 p.m. Oct. 30 and Nov. 6, Haywood Community College Creative Arts Building. Call to reserve. 828.565.4240.

• Photographers Houa Vang and Tihomir Trichkov will speak about their experiences from 2 to 3 p.m. Oct. 30

• The Bascom in Highlands is offering classes this month in Fall Photography, The Art of the Teapot, Landscape in Watercolor and a Multi-Media Art Sampler. www.thebascom.org.

• 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.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES • Two-part exhibition titled “David Raymond’s Other People’s Pictures” and “Eric Oglander: Craigslist Mirrors” will feature more than 600 photographs.

Starting, Thursday, Oct. 30, Fine Art Museum at Western Carolina University. 828.227.2553.

• A call for artists is underway for the Small Works show, which will run Nov. 19-Dec.27 at Gallery 86 in the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville. Works will be received Nov. 3-8. office@haywoodarts.org or www.haywoodarts.org.

• WCU Fine Arts Museum has an exhibit, “Abstract Autobiography for a Fractured Narrative” on display until Nov. 7. WCU Fine Arts Museum, Cullowhee.

828.227.3591.

October. A ranger will take questions about elk and dish on the best places to see them in the park. 11:30 a.m., Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. 828.497.1904.

• Kara Chambers will be the featured artist for October at City Lights Café in Sylva. www.citylightcafe.com

• A benefit to raise money for a Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians will be held at 5 p.m. Nov. 1, in the Oak Room at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. RSVP by Oct. 24 to info@cherokeesmokies.com or 828.788.0034.

• The Appalachian Pastel Society Juried National Exhibition will be held through Jan. 4 at The Bascom in Highlands. www.thebascom.org

FILM & SCREEN • 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.

Outdoors OUTINGS & FIELDTRIPS • Smoky Mountain Elk talk, every Saturday through

wnc calendar

Bonesteel’s Christmas Past,” 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. 828.586.9499.

• Welcome Back to the Smokies! Join a ranger to hear the stories of reintroduced species within the park, including peregrine falcons, river otters and elk. 1 p.m., Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch. Every Monday.

• Do You Have Power? Join a Ranger to learn how to leave a light carbon footprint and help protect the park and planet for future generations. 1 p.m., Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch. Every Tuesday.

• Forecasting the Future with Mother Nature. Nuts were fair, berries late, with several morning fogs and moon rings in August. Join a ranger to learn what this might mean for the upcoming winter and how people in the past used nature to forecast the seasons. 11 a.m., Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Every Wednesday.

• Black Bears: Big, Smelly and Smart. Discover the wondrous ways black bears adapt to their environment and how they prepare for winter. 1 p.m., Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Every Thursday.

• Myths and Legends of the Cherokee. The lands of the Cherokee once extended through several states within the southeast and included all of the Great Smoky Mountains. Join a ranger to explore the culture, history and mythology of the Cherokee through storytelling. 1 p.m. Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Every Friday.

• The American Legion will hold a turkey shoot every Saturday, 9 a.m. Every Saturday from Oct. 25 to April 2015, Post 47, Waynesville. 828.456.8691.

• Bird walk along the Greenway, 8 a.m. Wednesday,

October 22-28, 2014

MountainEats.com Let your smartphone be your guide!

Smoky Mountain News

• Find restaurants nearby • Read descriptions and explore menus • View photos and interactive maps It’s that simple!

An online dining directory for Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: 866.452.2251

55

wnc calendar

Oct. 29, Macon County Public Library parking lot.

828.524.5234.

PROGRAMS & WORKSHOPS • Waynesville Parks and Rec will offer a kayaking program, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, Lake Junaluska boat ramp past the Lake Junaluska Visitors Center. $5 for members, $10 for non-members. Call to register. 456.2030.

• Jim Costa, Professor of Biology at Western Carolina University, will present his talk, “If You Want to Feed the Birds, First Feed the Bugs: Toward an Ecological Appreciation of Insects in Your Garden,” 6 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 23, Macon County Public Library.

828.524.3600 or www.fontanalib.org.

• The Friends of the Rickman Store will host a tour of local gem mines at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, starting at the Mason Mountain Mine & Cowee Gift Shop.

A self-drive caravan will allow visitors and residents alike to travel together to three historic mines north of Franklin. The tour will include a presentation by the mine’s operator. A $5 per vehicle donation is requested and car pooling is encouraged.

828.371.7689.

• Darnell Farms Annual Fall Plow Day on Saturday, Oct. 25. Wagon and buggy rides will be available.

Food will include Shriner’s BBQ, Chili and Frybread, pinto beans, boiled peanuts, hot apple cider and seasonal produce. 828.488.2376.

• A Youth Swim Refresher Course will be offered by Western Carolina University’s Office of Continuing and Professional Education, 6:25-7:15 p.m.

Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Oct. 27-29 and Nov. 3-5, Reid Gymnasium. $59 per person.

828.227.7397.

COMPETITIVE EDGE • Eagle 5K at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, Miller St., downtown Waynesville. Raise scholarships for the SOAR outdoo adventure camp that serves youth with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders. www.active.com or 828.456.3435.

• The 2nd Annual Zombie Run by the Cherokee Historical Association, noon. Saturday, Oct. 25.

Registration fee required. Call to register and for location. 828.497.2111 or www.iamathlete.com.

• Runners to get coated in color at WCU Fun Run 5K, 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, Alumni Tower at WCU. $12.50-20 per person. 828.227.2610.

FARM & GARDEN • Farmer outreach conference at Cowee School, 8:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 24, Cowee School, Franklin. Lunch will be provided. Call to reserve. 828.524.3311 ext. 3.

HIKING CLUBS • The Nantahala Hiking Club will hike on St. Cyprians Trail, 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, St. Cyprians Church, 216 Roller Mill Rd., Franklin. Call to reserve.

828.524.2280.

• The Lens Luggers of WNC will present “Seeing Like a Lens” by Don McGowan, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, Old Armory Rec Center, 44 Boundary St., Waynesville. $45 at the door. 828.627.0245 or bobgry@aol.com.

• The Waynesville Parks and Rec will offer a hike to the Waynesville Watershed for home school students ages 7-16, 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31, Waynesville Rec Center. $3 for members, $5 for non-members.

October 22-28, 2014

• Photographer and author Tim Barnwell will present his new book, “Blue Ridge Parkway Vistas,” 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25, City Lights Bookstore, 3 E. Jackson St., Sylva. 828.586.9499.

456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

• 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 • Mountain High Hikers, based in Young Harris, Ga., leads several hikes per week. Guests should contact hike leader. www.mountainhighhikers.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.

• Diamond Brand’s Women’s Hiking Group meets on the third Saturday of every month. For more information, e-mail awilliams@diamondbrand.com or call 684.6262.

BIKE RIDES • A weekly bike ride in Waynesville meets Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. at Rolls Rite Bicycles on the Old Asheville Highway. Beginner to intermediate rides led by Bicycle Haywood advocacy group. Eight- to 12-mile rides.

276.6080 or gr8smokieszeke@gmail.com.

• A weekly bike ride meets in Bryson City on Wednesdays around 6 p.m. Depart from the East Swain Elementary school in Whittier on U.S.19 off exit 69 from U.S. 23-74. All levels. 800.232.7238.

• A weekly bike ride in Sylva meets Tuesday at 6 p.m., departing from Motion Makers bike shop for a tough 25-mile ride up to the Balsam Post office via back roads and back into Sylva. 586.6925.

• A weekly bike ride in Franklin meets Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., departing from Smoky Mountain Bicycles at 179 Highlands Road. Geared for all levels. 369.2881 or www.maconcountycycling.blogspot.com.

• A weekly bike ride in Franklin meets Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. at Macon Middle School on Wells Grove Road.

Ladies and beginners’ ride. 369.2881 or www.maconcountycycling.blogspot.com.

• A weekly bike ride in Franklin meets Saturdays at 8 a.m., departing from South Macon Elementary School.

369.2881, www.maconcountycycling.blogspot.com.

• A weekly bike ride in Franklin meets Sundays at 9:30 a.m., departing from the Franklin Health and Fitness Center. 369.2881, www.maconcountycycling.blogspot.com.

• The Cherokee Riders holds weekly group rides. Hugh Lambert 554.6810 or hughlamb@nc-cherokee.com.

MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDES • Weekly mountain bike ride at Tsali, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesdays. Hosted by Nantahala Area SORBA. Social ride, so all skill levels are welcome and encouraged to come. Meet in the Tsali parking lot. www.facebook.com/nantahalaareasorba. Andy, 488.1988.

• Monthly “Girlz Ride” at Tsali, last Friday of every month. Sponsored by Nantahala Area SORBA. Meet at 6:30 p.m. in Tsali parking lot. All skill levels welcome.

A

bi-monthly magazine that covers the southern Appalachian mountains and celebrates the area’s environmental riches, its people, culture, music, art, crafts and special places. Each issue relies on regional writers and photographers to bring the Appalachians to life.

Smoky Mountain News

In this issue:

Excluded: history is not so kind to some Dirt track racing’s daring lineage Hunting a connection to the spirit world What creeps and crawls within the woods?

PLUS ADVENTURE, CUISINE, READING, MUSIC, ARTS & MORE

SUBSCRIBE: www.smliv.com OR

56

866.452.2251

Social and snacks provided after the ride. 506.115, www.facebook.com/nantahalaareasorba.

• 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, 399.0290, or jacksoncountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

• The Jackson County Farmers Market will be indoors at the Community Table, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Every Saturday, starting Nov. 1, Community Table, over the Bridge and through the playground from Central St. 828.399.0290.

We’re having fun — Come join us! wnc calendar

FARMERS & TAILGATE MKETS Haywood County

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

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.

• Franklin Farmers Tailgate Market. 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through November on East Palmer Street across from Drake Software. 349.2049 or alan_durden@ncsu.edu, www.facebook.com/franklinncfarmersmarket.

Swain County • 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. www.facebook.com/pages/Swain-County-FarmersMarket/104853346226504.

SWIM LESSONS AVAILABLE—CALL FOR DETAILS

WAYNESVILLE

RECREATION CENTER 550 Vance St. • Waynesville • 828.456.2030

www.townofwaynesville.org

OCT. 24 | FRI. 7:30PM | BARDO ARTS CENTER | $ Theatre: Broadway’s Next HIT Musical OCT. 28 | TUE. 7:30PM | BARDO ARTS CENTER | FREE

October 22-28, 2014

JOIN US FOR ARTS EVENTS AT WCU

Music: Wind Ensemble Concert

OCT. 30 | THU. 7:30PM | COULTER | FREE

Music: Choral Concert

visitnc.com

OCT. 30 | THU. 5-7PM | FINE ARTS MUSEUM | FREE

ArtTalk/Reception: David Raymond/Eric Oglander SAVE THE DATE: NOV. 13-16 | THU.–SAT. 7:30PM, SUN. 3PM | BARDO ARTS CENTER | $

THEATRE: 42ND STREET

Smoky Mountain News

A million miles away is just down the road.

VISIT THE FINE ART MUSEUM FOR ONGOING EXHIBITS | FINEARTMUSEUM.WCU.EDU

EVENTS ARE BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE COLLEGE OF FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS AT WCU. JOIN FRIENDS OF THE ARTS TODAY!

FOR MORE INFO – 828.227.7028 | ARTS.WCU.EDU 57

PRIME REAL ESTATE Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MarketPlace information:

REACH READERS Across North Carolina for only $375. Run your 25-word classified line ad in 99 newspapers with one call to this newspaper 452.4251, or call NCPS at 919.516.8009.

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.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

Rates:

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

■ 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.

AUCTION ACCELERATED SALE

By Sealed Bid- Former Arby's Restaurant. 3,322± SF, 1.24±AC, Includes Equipment. 1237 North Road St., Elizabeth City, NC. Bids Due Thurs., 10/30 @ 3pm. motleys.com. 1.877.MOTLEYS. VA16 EOH

Classified Advertising: Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 | classads@smokymountainnews.com

AUCTION Construction Equipment & Trucks, October 28th, 9am, Chesapeake, VA. Excavators, Dozers, Dumps & More. Accepting Items Daily thru 10/28. Motley's Asset Disposition Group, 804.232.3300x4, www.motleys.com/industrial, VAAL#16.

WAYNESVILLE TIRE, COO

INC.

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sC Ov E R E

ATR

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Serving Haywood, Jackson & Surrounding Counties

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

263-18

FARM EQUIPMENT AUCTION Saturday, November 1 at 9am.

5102 E. Dixon Blvd., Kings Mountain, NC. Kubota M-7040 4WD, Mahindra 4025 with Loader, 68 Kaiser, (2) Skid Steers & Attachments, 1997 Ford Dump, (40+) 3pt Implements. 704.791.8825. ncaf5479. www.ClassicAuctions.com SURPLUS BUILDING MATERIALS Auction- Saturday, October 25 @ 10am. 201 S. Central Ave. Locust, NC. Surplus Inventory from Window & Door Manufacturer, Cabinet Shop & Specialty Lumber Yard.

Veneer Particle Board Rough Sawn Lumber, Kitchen Cabinets & Accessories. 704.507.1449. ncaf5479. www.ClassicAuctions.com

AUCTION ABSOLUTE AUCTION Nice House - 30+/- Acres Divided Pond - 2612 Brogden Road, Creedmoor, Granville County, NC. Saturday October 25, 11am. Damon Shortt Auction Group.

877.669.4005. NCAL7358. www.damonshorttproperties.com

HARPER’S AUCTION COMPANY Friday Oct. 24th @ 6:00 p.m.

Join Us For A Fun Night: Furniture, Novelty Lamps, Collectibles, Patio Set, Heaters, Glass And Lots More!

47 Macon Center Dr. Franklin,NC 828.369.6999. harpersauctioncompany.com Debra Harper, NCAL #9659, NCFL #9671.

INVENTORY LIQUIDATION AUCTION Ends Oct. 24: NOON. 90,000+ Items in this Auction! Featuring New In Box Keepers, Collectibles and More! 336.789.2926 or RogersAuctionGroup.com.

NCAL#685 LAND AUCTION, Halifax County, NC, October 28th at 10am. 1,367 acres offered in 13 tracts, timberland and farm land, Little Fishing Creek frontage, deer, turkey and quail! Auction information sessions October 9 from 9 am to 1 pm and October 18 from noon to 4 pm on-site. For more information, contact Murray Wise Associates, LLC 800.607.6888. www.murraywiseassociates.com or Woltz & Associates, Inc., Real Estate Brokers & Auctions (NCAL#7560) Call for more info 1.800.551.3588 or visit us at: www.woltz.com

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

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING 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.

BUILDING MATERIALS HAYWOOD BUILDERS Garage Doors, New Installations Service & Repairs, 828.456.6051 100 Charles St. Waynesville Employee Owned.

PAINTING 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 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

AUTOMOBILE 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

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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.

CARS *CASH TODAY* We’ll Buy Any Car (Any Condition) + Free Same-Day Removal. Best Cash Offer Guaranteed! Call For FREE Quote: 888.472.2113 SAPA 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

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

MAKE 250K AND UP! CDL OTR Drivers needed. Make Great Money- Owner Operators, Reefers, Step Decks, Flats, POWER ONLY ACCEPTED! Call Frank Now! 478.951.9123 & Start Making Money Today! SAPA

EMPLOYMENT

ATTN: DRIVERS $$ Recent Pay Increase $$ 4 CPM Raise for Every Driver + Bonuses.

401k + Insurance. Paid Training/Orientation. CDL-A Req 877. 258.8782. meltontruck.com/drivers ATTN: DRIVERS. New Kenworth Trucks! APU equipped. Earn up to 50/cpm Plus Bonuses! Full Benefits + Rider/Pet Program. CDL-A Required. Call 1.888.592.4752, or visit us at: www.ad-drivers.com SAPA

B.H. GRANING LANDSCAPES, INC Winter Is Coming But We Are Not Slowing Down! Now Hiring Licensed CDL Driver. Competitive Pay, Health Insurance, & Retirement Plan Available.

Please Call Office Phone# 828.586.8303 Ask to Speak With Pam. CAN YOU DIG IT? Heavy Equipment Operator Training! 3 Week Program. Bulldozers, Backhoes, Excavators. Lifetime Job Placement Assistance with National Certifications. VA Benefits Eligible! 866.288.6896.

DIGITAL & CLASSIFIED Advertising Manager for Reflector.com and The Daily Reflector in Greenville, NC. Excellent organizational skills and management experience in sales/advertising. Must have focus on innovative ways to drive revenue and deliver client satisfaction. Send resume to David Singleton, Advertising Director, The Daily Reflector, 1150 Sugg Parkway, Greenville, NC 27834 or email: dsingleton@reflector.com.

No phone calls please.

EOE. 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

GORDON TRUCKING, INC. Solo & Team Positions CDL-A Driving Jobs for: OTR * Regional * Dedicated * Home Weekend Opportunities. Big Sign-On Bonus & Pay! No Northeast. EOE. Call 7 days/wk!

866.646.1969.

GordonTrucking.com HIGHLANDS-CASHIERS HOSPITAL Positions now available: ER and Acute Registered Nurses, MDS Coordinator, Annual Gift Officer, Major Gift Officer, Unit Clerk, Certified Nursing Assistant, Pharmacy Tech and Administrative Assistant.

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

EMPLOYMENT

DRIVER TRAINER, Must have training experience.

RELAY DRIVERS (loads to VA, SC & GA) & OTR DRIVERS (up & down the East Coast) Dedicated Freight.

New Pay Scale with benefits & safety bonuses. Limited Availability. Contact Corney Transportation, 1.800.354.9111 ext.6 or Judy ext.226 WANT TO DRIVE A TRUCK...

No Experience. Company sponsored CDL training. In 3 Weeks Learn to Drive a Truck & Earn $45,000+.

Full Benefits. 1.888.691.4423 FOREMEN TO LEAD Utility field crews. Outdoor physical work, many positions, paid training, $20/hr. plus weekly performance bonuses after promotion, living allowance when traveling, company truck and benefits. Must have strong leadership skills, good driving history, and be able to travel in the Carolina's and east coast States. Email resume to: Recruiter4@osmose.com or apply online at www.OsmoseUtilities.com EOE M/F/D/V

JOIN OUR TEAM! Guaranteed pay for Class A CDL Flatbed Drivers! Regional and OTR. Great pay/benefits/401k match.

CALL TODAY 864.299.9645. www.jgr-inc.com NEW OTR ROUTES Company Driver and Owner Operations; Solos or Teams wanted. Newer equipment, GPS and benefits. Call 855.894.7779 or pamjobs.com NEW PAY & WEEKLY HOME TIME For SE Regional Drivers! Earn up to $0.42/mile PLUS up to $0.03 per mile in bonus pay! Call 866.291.2631 or SuperServiceLLC.com

LAWN & GARDEN 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 SAWMILLS FROM ONLY $4397.00 Make & Save Money with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship.

FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com. 1.800.578.1363 Ext.300N

PETS HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329

Prevent Unwanted Litters!

The Heat Is On! Spay/Neuter For Haywood Pets As Low As $10.

Operation Pit is in Effect!

Free Spay/Neuter, Microchip & Vaccines For Haywood Pitbull Types & Mixes!

Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 12 Noon - 6 pm 182 Richland Street, Waynesville, North Carolina.

FOUND White female boxer and white female Jack mix. Both girls have brown on ears and a brown spot between their ears. Found on the Lake Glenville Dam in the road.

They have collars but no chips or ID. Please call or txt if you know them, Denisa 828.808.0080 or Tony 828.421.7718.

DRIVERS: Owner Operators and experienced OTR drivers needed for expanding fleet. Call USA Truck today.

866.545.0078 DRIVERS: Do you want more than $1,000 per week? Excellent Monthly Bonus Program/Benefits. Weekend Hometime you Deserve! Electronic Logs/ Rider Program. 877.704.3773.

a website to take you to places where there are no websites.

smokymountainnews.com

AIRLINE MECHANIC CAREERS Start 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

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.

FT ADMIN, ASST. NEEDED Individual with friendly outgoing personality needed to greet visitors and answer office phones.

Must have strong clerical skills using Microsoft Office Suite, Word, Excel, Publisher, email, and other database entry. Good communication skills, oral and written, ability to work under pressure in a fast paced nonprofit organization. Must be accurate, dependable, and organized to meet specified time frames. Experience in an office environment a must. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applications available at DisAbility Partners, 525 Mineral Springs Drive, Sylva or call Gale at 828.631.1167 for more information. You can also apply through the Employment Security Commission.

EMPLOYMENT NEED MEDICAL BILLING 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

October 22-28, 2014

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

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.

EMPLOYMENT

WNC MarketPlace

1977 32’ HOLIDAY RAMBLER Good Condition. New Tires, 2014.

New Furnace, stove/oven. Much Storage Space. $2,800. See at Fallin’s RV on Hwy 74 near Flea Market.

EMPLOYMENT

Log on. Plan a getaway. Let yourself unplug.

59

WNC MarketPlace

FINANCIAL

FURNITURE COMPARE QUALITY & PRICE Shop Tupelo’s, 828.926.8778.

BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company.

SAPA

HAYWOOD BEDDING, INC. The best bedding at the best price!

533 Hazelwood Ave. Waynesville 828.456.4240 FURNITURE: 3 Piece set: small desk, table, waste basket. Professionally hand painted white with yellow & green.

Like new, very nice. In Franklin $40 239.691.1100.

FIX BAD CREDIT In Just 30-Days! Delete Judgments, Collections, Charge offs, Repo’s, Medical Bills, BK’s etc. Deletions Guaranteed! Free to Start!

Call Now! 855.831.9712 SAPA

MICROWAVE CART ON WHEELS Shelf and lower cabinet, medium wood color. In Franklin, $25.

239.691.1100

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

HOMES FOR SALE BRUCE MCGOVERN A Full Service Realtor shamrock13@charter.net McGovern Property Management 828.283.2112.

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT 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.

BANNER ELK, NC 10 acre tract adjoining National Forest, huge panoramic views of Grandfather Mountain & access to 2 lakes & 9 parks! Taking a loss, $49,900. 877.717.5263, ext691.

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT ABSOLUTE AUCTION Nice House - 30+/- Acres Divided Pond - 2612 Brogden Road, Creedmoor, Granville County, NC. Saturday October 25, 11am. Damon Shortt Auction Group.

877.669.4005. NCAL7358. www.damonshorttproperties.com LAND AUCTION, Halifax County, NC, October 28th at 10am. 1,367 acres offered in 13 tracts, timberland and farm land, Little Fishing Creek frontage, deer, turkey and quail! Auction information sessions October 9 from 9 am to 1 pm and October 18 from noon to 4 pm on-site. For more information, contact Murray Wise Associates, LLC 800.607.6888. www.murraywiseassociates.com or Woltz & Associates, Inc., Real Estate Brokers & Auctions (NCAL#7560) Call for more information 1.800.551.3588 or visit us at: www.woltz.com 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.

October 22-28, 2014

NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS CUTIE PIE A SUPER AFFECTIONATE GIRL WHO LOVES BELLY RUBS AND GIVING KISSES. SHE IS GREAT WITH CHILDREN, OTHER DOGS AND EVEN CATS.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

CAVENDER CREEK CABINS Dahlonega, North Georgia Mountains. **Winter Special: Buy 2 Nights, 3rd FREE** 1,2,& 3 Bedroom Cabins with HOT TUBS! Virtual Tour: www.CavendarCreek.com Call Us Now Toll Free At: 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 1.386.517.6700 or www.fbvr.net SAPA NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS! Fall or winter vacations! Cabins, Condos, Homes. Pets welcome.

Nightly, Weekly & Monthly rentals.

Best rates. Boone, Banner Elk, Blowing Rock. Foscoe Rentals 1.800.723.7341 www.foscoerentals.com. 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

Section 8 Accepted - Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

828.342.8700

OFFICE HOURS: Tues. & Wed. 10:00am - 5:00pm & Thurs. 10:00am- 12:00pm 168 E. Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779

HANEY ONE OF 4 ADORABLE KITTENS FROM THE SAME LITTER. THROUGH OCT. 31, IF YOU ADOPT ONE KITTEN YOU CAN GET THE SECOND FOR HALF PRICE!

Equal Housing Opportunity

www.smokymountainnews.com

STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT

Offering 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $400

Phone# 1.828.586.3346 TDD# 1.800.725.2962

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.

ATTENTION VIAGRA USERS: Viagra 100MG and Cialis 20 MG! 40 pills + 4 Free, Only $99. No prescription needed! Satisfaction Guaranteed! 1.800.491.8751 SAPA 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 IF YOU USED The Blood Thinner Xarelto and suffered internal bleeding, hemorrhaging, required hospitalization or a loved one died while taking Xarelto between 2011 and the present time, you may be entitled to compensation. Call Attorney Charles H. Johnson 1.800.535.5727.

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

263-09

Great Smokies Storage 10’x20’

92

$

20’x20’

160

$

ONE MONTH

FREE WITH 12-MONTH CONTRACT

828.506.4112 or 828.507.8828 60

VACATION RENTALS

Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction

Puzzles can be found on page 62.

These are only the answers.

MEDICAL

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.

ENTERTAINMENT

COMPUTER CERTIFICATION Classes! Get the skills needed to become a certified Help Desk Professional! No Experience Needed!

Call CTI for details at 888.734.6712 or visit AskCTI.com.

Training Grant Available!

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

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.

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA From Home. 6-8 weeks. Accredited, Get a future. FREE Brochure. Call NOW:1.800.264.8330 Benjamin Franklin High School www.diplomafromhome.com SAPA

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

NEED MEDICAL BILLING 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

BEST PRICE EVERYDAY

263-22

10-5 M-SAT. 12-4 SUN.

ON DELLWOOD RD. (HWY. 19) AT 20 SWANGER LANE WAYNESVILLE/MAGGIE VALLEY 828.926.8778

Beverly Hanks & Associates beverly-hanks.com

263-15

• • • •

MOUNTAIN REALTY

Mieko

Thomson

ERA Sunburst Realty — sunburstrealty.com

Cell (828) 226-2298 Cell

Haywood Properties — haywoodproperties.com

mthomson@remax-waynesvillenc.com mthomson@remax-waynesvillenc.com www.ncsmokies.com www.ncsmokies.com

• Steve Cox — info@haywoodproperties.com

2177 Russ Avenue Waynesville NC 28786

Keller Williams Realty kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • Ron Kwiatkowski — ronk.kwrealty.com

Mountain Home Properties — mountaindream.com

doggie door. Barnum is very laid back, but will definitely let you know if someone is at the door.

Call 828.586.5186.

SMOKY - A two-year-old brindle Aussie mix. He is lively and friendly. Call 877.273.5262.

VIOLET - A 1-2 year old, purebred Black and tan hound.

She is very affectionate.

877.273.5262.

LOOMIS - A 3 year old male terrier mix. He is black with some white and brown. He weighs 24 lbs. He is energetic and likes to play. He is also affectionate and likes to be petted. He might do best in a home where he is the only dog.

828.586.5186

ARF’S NEXT LOW-COST

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.

Main Street Realty — mainstreetrealty.net McGovern Real Estate & Property Management • Bruce McGovern — shamrock13.com

Emerson Group

Main Street Realty

101 South Main St. Waynesville, NC 28786

(828) 452-2227 • (800) 467-7144 (828) 456-6836 FAX

|

info@mainstreetrealty.net

mainstreetrealty.net

• George Escaravage — gke333@gmail.com

Prudential Lifestyle Realty — vistasofwestfield.com Realty World Heritage Realty realtyworldheritage.com • Carolyn Lauter realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7766 • Martha Sawyer realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7769 • Linda Wester realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7771

263-13

RE/MAX — Mountain Realty 263-05

Full Service Property Management 828-456-6111 www.selecthomeswnc.com Residential and Commercial Long-Term Rentals

• • • • • • •

remax-waynesvillenc.com | remax-maggievalleync.com Brian K. Noland — brianknoland.com Mieko Thomson — ncsmokies.com The Morris Team — maggievalleyproperty.com The Real Team — the-real-team.com Ron Breese — ronbreese.com Dan Womack — womackdan@aol.com Catherine Proben — cp@catherineproben.com

smokymountainnews.com

dog and cat spay/neuter trip is in November 3rd. 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 income documentation if you wish to apply for free or other low-income discounts.

877.273.5262.

• Sammie Powell — smokiesproperty.com

October 22-28, 2014

Shepherd mix. He weighs 20 pounds, is friendly, and very handsome. He gets along with other dogs and is working on crate training, but isn’t fully housebroken due to his young age. Newman could be adopted now, but can’t go to his new home until he is neutered. ARF is scheduling this surgery for as soon as possible. 828.508.1301.

CANDY GIRL - A five month old, female Lab mix. She is black and white, very sweet, and presently about 40 pounds. She is going to be a big girl. She could also be adopted now, but is awaiting her spay surgery and can’t go to her new home until after the surgery. 877.273.5262.

BANDIT - An adolescent, neutered, black cat. He tries to answer the telephone. He is litter box trained. 828.586.5647.

SIR JOSEPH - A white with tan markings Jack Russell. He is 2 years old and weighs 15 lbs.

Call 877.273.5262.

BARNUM - A purebred, 3 year old, male, 28 lb. Beagle. He is sweet, good on a leash, working on house training, and uses a

Michelle McElroy — beverly-hanks.com Marilynn Obrig — beverly-hanks.com Mike Stamey — beverly-hanks.com Ellen Sither — esither@beverly-hanks.com

ROKER/R /REALTOR EALTOR®® BBROKER

Pet Adoption NEWMAN - A four month old

Haywood County Real Estate Agents

WNC MarketPlace

OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR InogenOne Regain Independence & Enjoy Greater Mobility. 100% Portable! Long Lasting Battery. Try It Risk Free Call 1.800.619.5300 ***For Cash Purchase Only*** SAPA

Your Local Big Green Egg Dealer

SCHOOLS/ INSTRUCTION

The Seller’s Agency — listwithphil.com • Phil Ferguson — philferguson@bellsouth.net 263-23

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com 61

www.smokymountainnews.com

October 22-28, 2014

WNC MarketPlace

Super

62

CROSSWORD

73 Have new lab work done on a dog?

78 Hershey’s toffee ACROSS 1 Daughter in “Hamlet” candy bar 80 Biochem strand 8 Admittance 81 Pipe openings 14 Jay-Z, e.g.

82 Boo-boo 20 Before a marathon, 84 Bro relative say 86 Concise summary 21 Swimming gold 87 Dogs living in medalist Ian Katmandu?

22 Capital of Canada 93 Banks of “America’s 23 Essential part of a Next Top Model” dog’s diet?

94 “I Love Lucy” actor 25 Bellyached Arnaz 26 Less restricted 95 Abacus part 27 Café additive 96 All used up 28 City on the Ruhr 97 Casey of radio countRiver 30 Wallach of Hollywood downs 100 Tire patterns 31 ISP giant 103 Port in Israel 32 Morales in movies 104 Most sordid dog?

34 Eyelike spots on a 108 Awarded dog’s coat?

110 Football player 37 Mournful cry Tebow 39 Placid 111 Rage 41 Under siege 112 Is without 42 Pal of Andy 113 Abraded 43 “You wouldn’t -!”

115 Made less severe 44 Poking tools 117 Fanatic 46 Sword hilt 119 One taking a dog 50 Dog eventually? out of service?

54 Naval builder 123 Total 56 Dandy type 124 Scarf down 57 Religious offshoots 125 In a coarse way 58 Less cloudy 126 Had a bite of 59 Weep audibly 127 Confined, with “up” 62 Bone in the arm 65 Dog curled up in the 128 Slander shape of a circle?

DOWN 67 Gabfest 1 Antithesis: Abbr.

69 Shocking swimmers 2 As a matter of polite71 Alternative to a ness punch 3 Handed-down family 72 Luau mementos MIXED BREEDS

treasure 4 Marine eagle 5 Triangle-shaped sail 6 Ones who frost cakes 7 - Lingus 8 Gillette razor name 9 Option 10 T-shirt fabric 11 ‘Fore 12 Patter 13 In a rational manner 14 Male lovers 15 This instant 16 Educational org.

17 Contest-judging group 18 Epsom and -, England 19 Diameter halves 24 Gripping tool 29 Meets with 31 “What -!” (“Groovy!”)

33 “What - commentary” 35 Bring on 36 Fuel additive 38 Starting from 40 Old Olds cars 43 Uses up 45 Stinging insects 47 Lived 48 “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ -” 49 Beneficent “Mother” 51 “- tell me!”

52 Tormé or Ott 53 Prefix with conscious 54 Alleged 55 Brian who produced U2 58 Pierre’s state: Abbr.

59 Handwriting 60 Writer known for irony

61 Cake mix 63 Loch - Monster 64 British brew 66 2012 British Open winner Ernie 68 Scone alternative 70 Stairs 74 Race a Super G, e.g.

75 Genetic inheritances 76 Suffix with northwest 77 King, in Brest 79 - -roaring 83 Musical McEntire 85 Long, drawn-out story 87 Relating to meaning in language 88 Accountant’s book 89 Acronym on a shuttle 90 One just hanging around 91 Nonbelievers 92 Dress line 94 Society girls 98 Toward the beach 99 Uttered 101 Put a new bandage on 102 Star ballerina 103 Warm, as leftovers 104 “Carmen” composer 105 Action venue 106 Barstools, for example 107 Office dictation taker 109 Turns aside 114 Marsh grass 116 Slaw or fries 118 Enkindled 120 Letter after pi 121 Big TV maker 122 Dark bread

answers on page 60

PERSONAL A CHILDLESS HAPPILY MARRIED Couple seeks to adopt. Will be hands on parents. Financial security. Expenses paid. Let’s help each other. Call/Text Adam and Andres.

1.800.790.5260.

(FL Bar #0150789) SAPA ARE YOU PREGNANT? A childless young married couple seeks to adopt. Hands-on mom/ de-voted dad. Financial security.

Expenses PAID. Call Maria & John 1.888.988.5028 (FLBar#0150789) SAPA MAKE A CONNECTION. Real People, Flirty Chat. Meet singles right now! Call LiveLinks.

Try it FREE. Call now 1.888.909.9978, 18 yrs.+.

SAPA 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

SERVICES *REDUCE YOUR CABLE BILL* Get a 4-Room All-Digital Satellite system installed for FREE! Programming starting at $19.99/MO. FREE HD/DVR upgrade for new callers. CALL NOW 1.800.795.1315 SAPA BUNDLE & SAVE On your TV, Internet, Phone!!! Call Bundle Deals NOW. Compare all companies, Packages and Prices!

Call 1.855.549.3156 TODAY. SAPA DIRECTV Starting at $24.95/mo. Free 3Months of HBO, Starz, Showtime & Cinemax Free Receiver Upgrade!

2014 NFL Sunday Ticket Included with Select Packages. Some exclusions apply - Call for details 1.800.849.3514 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. 800.615.3868 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 www.OmahaSteaks.com/mbfvc46 SAPA

SERVICES KP PAVING Over 50 Years Experience.

Specialize in BST (Tar & Chat) 40% Cheaper than Asphalt. We also do Grading, Blacktop Seal Coating, Private Driveways & Roadways. Free Estimates at 828.246.0510 or 828.400.5489 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! 1.800.405.5081

HEAVY EQUIPMENT SAWMILLS FROM ONLY $4397.00 Make & Save Money with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship.

FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com. 1.800.578.1363 Ext.300N FARM EQUIPMENT AUCTION Saturday, November 1 at 9am.

5102 E. Dixon Blvd., Kings Mountain, NC. Kubota M-7040 4WD, Mahindra 4025 with Loader, 68 Kaiser, (2) Skid Steers & Attachments, 1997 Ford Dump, (40+) 3pt Implements. 704.791.8825. ncaf5479. www.ClassicAuctions.com

YARD SALES GARAGE SALE: Saturday 25th 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. only.

We have a little bit of everything.

32 Bage Street (Town & Country) Waynesville.

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 60

Ancient hunters had some mammoth prey Editor’s note: George Ellison is on a medical leave of absence. This article first appeared in the SMN in October 2006.

N

George Ellison

ames of places throughout the Blue Ridge country pay tribute to the familiar wildlife of the region: Bear Wallow Stand Ridge, Beaverdam Creek, Buck Knob, Fox Gap, Wild Boar Creek, Coon Branch, Wildcat Cliffs, Possum Hollow, Polecat Ridge, Raven Columnist Rocks, Buzzard Roost, Eagle Heights, Rattlesnake Mountain, and so on.

Numerous place names also certify the past presence of an animal that many swear can still be found here: Painter Den, Panther Spring Gap, Panther Flat Top, etc. After the early years of the 20th century, panthers were no longer found in the Blue Ridge. But reputed sightings in recent years by farmers, park rangers, naturalists, and other folks who know what they’re seeing indicates, in my opinion, the return of at least a few of these magnificent animals, possibly as releases by private individuals.

Two place names commemorate animals that were extirpated from the southern

BACK THEN mountains within the historical period — Buffalo Cove and Wolf Laurel Basin — while others like Otter Creek, Elk Fork, and Pigeon Ledge (for the peregrine falcon) bear the names of animals that have recently been reintroduced into the region.

It’s highly unlikely that anyone will ever attempt to bring back the formidable timber wolf, which was last observed in the wild here almost a century ago. But the red wolf was, of course, unsuccessfully reintroduced into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Never a true resident of the southern mountains, it should have never been “reintroduced” in the first place. Recent releases thrive, however, in the low country areas along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts that they originally populated.

There’s no longer sufficient “elbow room” for the eastern bison (apparently an environmental variant of the prairie buffalo) to roam our valleys and hills as they did up until about 1800. When the early settlers penetrated the Cherokee lands, there were no roads save those made by the buffaloes.

In Daniel Boone’s time it was recorded that, “Three or four men, with dogs, can kill from ten to twenty buffaloes a day.”

An up close and personal observation of a bull elk standing four feet at the shoulder, and weighing in at more than a 1,000

pounds in Cataloochee Valley can be breathtaking to say the least. But such an encounter would have been considered small potatoes 10,000 or more years ago when the earliest human inhabitants penetrated this region. At the end of the last Ice Age interval (which reached its peak about 18,000 years ago during the Wisconsin Epoch) the upland piedmont and mountain region provided a home for Jefferson’s ground sloth (a rhinoceros- sized, long-armed sloth first scientifically described by Thomas Jefferson), forest oxen, and an extinct elephant called the woolly mammoth.

The extent to which the early Indian hunters of the Blue Ridge would have encountered those creatures is debatable, but it seems certain that they hunted the mastodon, an elephant relative of the woolly mammoth that was the commonest Ice Age mammal known from eastern North America. Mastodons were huge creatures that stood more than eight feet at the shoulder and had tusks seven feet long.

These animals were hunted with thrusting spears. The lance-shaped spearheads (known as “Clovis points” because they were first diagnostically-excavated and dated at a site near Clovis, New Mexico)

were beautifully crafted from flint and chert. They were fluted on the sides and joined smoothly to a short, detachable, bone or wooden shaft that was inserted into

the socket of a longer, harpoon-like shaft.

Each hunter could thereby “reload” with another detachable shaft after thrusting one into the animal. Such a weapon would not have been effective for hunting deer and other swift game animals, but it was perfect for sloth, bison, and mastodon. One can imagine the tall tales swapped around campfires thousands of years ago after a successful mastodon hunt.

Readers can contact Ellison at P.O. Box 1262, Bryson City, N.C., 28713, or at info@georgeellison.com.

October 22-28, 2014

NOW AT SMOKY MOUNTAIN STEEL HORSES 82 LOCUST DR, WAYNESVILLE, NC 28786

828-452-7276 • WWW.SMSH.CO

Smoky Mountain News

SMOKY MOUNTAIN INDIAN MOTORCYCLE

63

"Assistant District Attorney Ashley Welch is a committed public servant with a heart for the people of Western North Carolina. In her role as Assistant District Attorney, she has shown her commitment to bringing justice to those who have been victims and accountability to those who choose to break our laws.

Ashley Welch is universally respected by her peers and local law enforcement. She will make a great DA for our community and has my whole-hearted support."

Congressman Mark Meadows

October 22-28, 2014

represents the 11th District of North Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“I have had the privilege of working with Ashley Welch for nearly ten years. I am supporting Ashley not because of her party affiliation but because of her work ethic and because of her record as our Prosecutor. She has always been an advocate for victims including the youngest of our community. I have seen her make tough decisions even when they were not the most popular decisions. Ashely does not and will not allow politics to interfere with the judicial process or in the decisions that she makes. I have confidence that Ashley Welch will be a District Attorney we can count on no matter what your party affiliation and a District Attorney who will make the right decisions in the best interest of our community and while following the law.”

Sheriff Robert L. Holland

Smoky Mountain News

Macon County Sheriff, 2002- Present

“I have had the honor and privilege to know Ashley Hornsby Welch and her family for over thirty years. Ashley started her prosecution career in 2003 in the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office. She was admired and respected by law enforcement and attorneys. Her no nonsense approach to prosecuting those that victimize citizens and break laws while seeking justice for victims was and is highly respected by her peers and appreciated by all.

Thomas Jefferson said, “An equal application of law to every condition of man is fundamental.” Ashley epitomizes what Jefferson was saying. That irregardless of one’s stature or standing, everyone should be treated equally under the law.

This belief that Ashley holds, will serve the citizens in the 30th Judicial District well.”

Sheriff George H. Erwin, Jr. (Retired) Henderson County

AshleyWelchForDistrictAttorney.com 64

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Ashley Welch for District Attorney.