A&E

Cabell Tice, co-owner of Steamline Coffee Co. alone and enter this kind of relaxed space, where I have music playing and I’m focused on the quality of our product.” in Waynesville. As a tribute to his mother, Maria, who (photos: Luke Sutton Photo) remains a beloved fixture behind the counter

and Orchard Coffee is bustling. There are those entering and waiting patiently for strong coffee and freshly baked goods, those exiting with full hands and big smiles.

It’s a familiar sight for the popular familyrun business, the operation itself now coming up on a year and a half since it opened the doors. And yet, for co-owner Cabell Tice, all he can think of lately is what’s down the road — literally and figuratively.

“It’s all been part of the plan. I’ve been passionate about roasting for a number of years,” Tice said. “I’ve worked for some roasters. And I’ve roasted coffee in competitions, where we did really well, too.”

The “part of the plan” Tice is referring to is Steamline Coffee Co. A full-scale roastery just a few buildings down the hill from Orchard on Depot Street, Steamline was recently launched by Tice and his family, which includes his mother, siblings, wife and children.

“I wanted the roasting brand to be different than Orchard, because I feel that Orchard really embodies the spirit of farming, which is a big part of the heritage of this area,” Tice said. “With Steamline, it’s celebrating the train and railroad lines that connected and expanded this country, ultimately bringing growth to Waynesville, Haywood County and Western North Carolina.”

Although Steamline initially planned to start roasting in January, the pandemic and eventual economic shutdown stalled those plans, where all focus and energy went into ensuring the financial stability of Orchard.

“Steamline had to go on pause for a while, where that capital to start the roastery was put to the side in case we needed it going forward with Orchard,” Tice said. “Thankfully, after a few months of being open and still able to sell coffee and goods at Orchard, we knew we could put Steamline into high gear to start roasting.”

Tice noted that, as of now, Steamline will not do any online sales. All of its roasted coffee will only be sold onsite at Orchard. Heading down to Steamline once a week, Tice estimates the company produces about 150 pounds of coffee in that single roasting session, all of which gone and sold within days.

“Once you’ve built your flavor profiles and your curves, it’s kind of anti-climactic because you’re just replicating the process and simply paying attention to ensuring that the machinery works properly,” Tice chuckled. “But, for me, what I love about it is being able to work at Orchard, Tice has been experimenting with and producing roasted coffee from her native Mexico.

“I wanted to be able to highlight coffee from Mexico. So, most recently, I’ve been able to source a Mexican coffee that we love from Chiapas,” Tice said. “And in doing that first Chiapas roast, it felt so much more important to me within the roasting process. It wasn’t just making beans, it felt like part of who I am, and it means so much to serve that coffee alongside my mom at Orchard.”

With Steamline, Tice looks at the new venture as a way to ensure the quality of ingredients and brand awareness radiating from up the hill at Orchard.

“By offering our own beans, we can put something out we’re fully proud of — we’re not taking a break on the pursuit of excellence.”

From bean to table

Steamline Coffee Co. opens in Waynesville

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER

Friday morning in downtown Waynesville

— Cabell Tice, Steamline Coffee Co.

“For us, we know we’re using the best ingredients, where everything has a good balance of flavor and we have control over all the facets of the bean,” Tice said. “By offering our own beans, we can put something out we’re fully proud of — we’re not taking a break on the pursuit of excellence.”

Aside from the ever-evolving nature of his businesses, Tice & Co. will also be expanding the food menu at Orchard. The current breakfast options will soon include lunch dishes, with dining hours also extending throughout most of the day.

“We have big dreams as a small shop,” Tice said. “Our goal is to do the best job here, to really serve our community. We love Haywood County, so our focus is to keep ingraining ourselves in this awesome place.”

When asked about how 2020 and the shutdown affected his business and family, Tice paused for a moment, seemingly remembering all of those faces (from near and far) who still showed up at the front door — standing six feet apart down the hill and around the corner — in search of a cup o’joe.

“When the pandemic hit, you really could see that people were voting with their dollar. They were saying they care about our business and that they want us to stay here — that really kept us going,” Tice said. “When we opened, we took a chance on Waynesville and Waynesville took a chance on us. We showed up here and didn’t know anybody. This community has fully embraced our business and who we are as people.”

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

Guitar strumming on the new porch. (photo: Garret K. Woodward)

There’s all kinds of f magic, it’s hard to f

believe

So, where am I right now?

Well, physically, I’m sitting in the back of our office, by myself in the conference room near the kitchen and mini-fridge. The blue coffee cup next to my laptop is full of the caffeinated black liquid that gives me the strength to type fast enough to meet those pesky deadlines.

It’s Tuesday morning and whoever is here today helps in proofing the newspaper before it goes to press and hits newsstands on Wednesday. It’s cool and dimly lit back here, which is to my liking, especially when I’m writing or simply trying to ease into the responsibilities at hand.

Emotionally? I’m not really sure where I am these days. Sometimes I feel like I have it all dialed in, within my heart and soul (and current position of life and work), this stable footing of self and of purpose.

Other days, I feel like I’m all over the map, this haphazard existence where decisions are seemingly made in haste in an effort to not fall into some kind of predictable pattern of movement and persona.

I’ll probably have more to say about the gigantic elephant in the room that is 2020 and the question of “Where to from here?” in a month or so when New Year’s Eve rolls around.

A holiday season recap, if you will, of this dumpster fire of a calendar year, where we stand together and gaze around at what’s left to embrace, pondering the hard truths of the age-old saying, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.”

Quick thought: if the ball in Times Square drops and nobody is around to hear or see it, did 2020 really end? Can you imagine ushering in 2021 with an empty Times Square? All those blinking lights and not a soul to stand there in awe of one moment transitioning into the next.

Though I suppose that image of empty and silent New Year’s celebrations is par for the course when it comes to where we stand today, as a society and just as John & Jane Q. Public trying to navigate these choppy and unknown waters, personally and professionally.

Like many of you out there, I’ve been getting “pandemic fatigue,” this seemingly endless motion of modern-day societal interaction (or lack thereof) and noise from the internet, TV, radio or whoever you find yourself next going on and on about the virus. Not to mention the tip of the iceberg that is national politics in 2020, a dangerous beehive I’ll stand clear of for now.

I’m keeping my head up. Always wearing my mask in any public setting. Constantly washing my hands. Standing six feet or so away from another human being at the grocery store, gas station, liquor store, department store, fitness gym, and so on.

But, more importantly, I’ve been keeping tabs on all my beloved friends and family members around the country and across the globe. Even before “all of this,” I’ve always aimed to keep an open line of communication with those I love and adore, even if they’re far away and we might not actually talk as often as we’d like.

And yet, this past Saturday I felt a little isolated. Lonely, perhaps. Where all things loved and familiar seem further and farther away, whether physically or emotionally. It’s been a long year, for all of us. An even longer year for those like myself who live, work and travel alone, too. No regrets. Seek new adventure and friendship, always.

But, on certain days, your heart hangs a little heavy, especially when you unlock your front door and step into a quiet apartment, the only sign of recent movement being your unmade bed and half-empty beer can on the kitchen counter. You shut the door behind you, look at the clock and wonder what to do with the rest of the evening?

Anyhow, I had done some writing at a coffee shop and went for an afternoon run. Lots of thoughts and pondering while trotting along the side streets of downtown Waynesville. Circling back to the humble abode, I felt distant. Very alone.

So, I grabbed my guitar and sat on the wraparound front porch, strumming some tunes and watching the sun fall behind Balsam Gap. Next door is a popular pizza parlor. As I was playing along, this man about my age gets out of his car in the parking lot and approaches the porch.

“Sounds pretty good,” the man said in a friendly tone.

“I’m trying,” I replied modestly.

“Yeah, I tried to learn guitar. Never got far with it, but I can play ‘Smoke on the Water,’” he laughed.

We ended up talking for a little bit about where we’re from, my new porch (and the wild story of how the renovation came to fruition), the impending winter, etc. A truly sincere and kind soul. Just waiting for his pizza to bring home to his family.

Eventually, his pizza order was ready. He said goodbye and strolled back across the parking lot to the restaurant. The sun was now long gone, the last of the day’s rays somewhere outside of Nashville. That simple chat erased the sense of loneliness, if but for a moment. So, thanks, Ruben.

Maybe this column is a ramble. Or maybe it’s the thoughts in real time of a fellow human waking up each morning and trying to be a better person than the previous day. I remain optimistic in where we’re headed. I believe in the compassion and camaraderie of the human spirit. Reach out and connect, just don’t forget to wear your mask and keep some distance.

This “new normal” doesn’t mean the end of making new friends and finding yourself in a happenstance interaction that can turn any frown upside down. If anything, 2020 has emphasized the importance of simply saying hello to another and seeing where the conversation takes you.

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

The Main Street Sylva Association (MSSA) is working hard to provide a Covidsafe holiday experience in 2020.

The MSSA has already started its annual Shop Small, Shop Local campaign by distributing flyers and making social media posts about effort. This is in conjunction with the annual American Express campaign, which assists small towns all across the country with marketing materials.

By being Covid safe, the public is encouraged to social distance, wear a mask and frequently sanitize hands.

The MSSA has announced that holiday music will be provided throughout the Home for the Holidays season starting on “Black Friday,” Nov. 27. Downtown shoppers and diners can expect to hear holiday music on Friday nights in downtown Sylva from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Nov. 27, Dec. 4, 11, and 18.

Additionally, on Shop Small Saturday (Nov. 28), holiday music will fill the streets from noon to 4:30 p.m.

For the first time, the Bridge Park Pavilion will be lighted throughout the holiday season as well.

Main Street Sylva Team member Kelly Donaldson said the Jackson County Ale Trail will be extra spirited this season with “Holiday Cheer Beer” as well.

“Our four local breweries in the district will be showcasing their Holiday Cheer Beer, including Innovation Brewing’s Drury Lane Gingerbread Brown Ale, Balsam Falls’ Santa’s Dirty Secret Cream Ale, and Lazy Hiker Brewing’s Winter Nutterland Brown Ale. Nantahala Brewing’s ale will be announced,” he said.

The second annual Holiday Window Decorating Contest is being sponsored again this year by the MSSA and its Sylva Art and Design Committee (SADC).

Businesses should email sylvaartdesign@gmail.com with their business name and contact information to participate. Displays should be finalized by Thanksgiving Day for judging on Friday, Nov. 27. The deadline to enter is 5 p.m. on Nov. 23.

The official annual Town of Sylva Christmas Tree will be beautifully decorated and ready for viewing at the fountain in front of the historic courthouse throughout the Home for the Holidays season, starting on Friday, Nov. 27.

• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host an open mic from 8 to 10 p.m. every Thursday.

Free and open to the public. www.balsamfallsbrewing.com.

• Elevated Mountain Distilling Company will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. www.elevatedmountain.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host

Open Mic Night Nov. 19 and Isaac Corbitt (rock/soul) Nov. 28. All shows begin at 7 p.m. www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host

WoolyBooger Nov. 20. All shows begin at 7 p.m. www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• A drive-in concert series with St. Paul &

The Broken Bones (soul/rock) will be held

Nov. 19 at the Maggie Valley Festival

Grounds. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m.

Gates open at 6 p.m. Hosted by The Grey

Eagle and Worthwhile Sounds, tickets are available at www.thegreyeagle.com.

• Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host semiregular live music on the weekends and

Joey Fortner & The Universal Sound (rock/folk) 6 p.m. Nov. 21. Free and open to the public. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• Waynesville Yoga Center will host

Akitchitay (traditional/indigenous) 3:30 p.m. Nov. 27. $20 per person. www.waynesvilleyogacenter.com. Green in Cashiers. Holiday music, s’mores and more. Visit Santa at the gazebo from 5 to 6 p.m. Free to attend. www.villagegreencashiersnc.com or 828.743.3434.

• “Winter Wonderland Nights” will return at 5 p.m. Nov. 28 in Franklin. Downtown will feature living window displays of the holidays, live sounds of the season outdoors at the gazebo and inside stores, free holiday attractions (weather ALSO: permitting), refreshments, hot cider, great sales from local merchants, and much more. www.franklinchamber.com.

• The annual “Polar Express” train ride is now departing from the Great Smoky

Mountains Railroad depot in downtown

Bryson City. 800.872.4681 or www.gsmr.com.

• There will be a holiday wreath-making class from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 28 at

Ray’s Florist & Greenhouse in Sylva. Cost is $59.95, which includes supplies and light refreshments. A $10 deposit will reserve your spot. www.greatbluefarms.com.

• The comedy improv show “A Night of

Laughs with Brett & Tim” will hit the stage at 7 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Smoky Mountain

Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Tickets are $10 per person. For tickets, click on www.greatmountainmusic.com or call 828.524.1598.

Do you know the Universal Sound?

Joey Fortner & The Universal Sound.

Americana/indie act Joey Fortner & The Universal Sound will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Nantahala Brewing Outpost in Sylva.

Formerly of Soldier’s Heart and Through the Hills, singer/guitarist Joey Fortner is striking it out on his own with this rollicking new formation, one of rock melodies and poignant ballads.

The show is free and open to the public. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

Maggie Valley welcomes soul act

Renowned rock/soul sensation St. Paul & The Broken Bones will perform on Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. Social distancing and safety protocols will be enforced.

Based out of Alabama, the group formed in 2012, releasing their debut album “Half the City” in 2014 and its follow up, 2016’s “Sea of Noise,” to much worldwide acclaim.

Hosted by The Grey Eagle and Worthwhile Sounds, tickets are available at www.thegreyeagle.com.

Americana, indie at Grey Eagle

The Maggie Valley Band will perform a special patio show at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at The Grey Eagle in Asheville.

The show will be a celebration of the band’s latest EP, “Something New Vol. 1.” A blend of old-time mountain, Americana and psychedelic folk music, the Haywood County group is fronted by siblings Whitney and Caroline Miller.

The duo has gone through several changes since they first set out on their melodic adventure several years ago. But, what remains is the unbreakable bond of sisterhood, something that’s become a stronghold — and strong suit — in what it will take to break into the next level of their promising careers.

The Maggie Valley Band.

Helpful, innocent, sweet, informative: four reads

As I write this book review, the presiden- “Practice,” “Mindful Tip,” and “Reflection.” for older readers seeking some gentle tial election is one day away. Like many The first three parts give advice and assign- amusement. of my readers, I have followed the ments to the reader, while “Reflection” asks Written by a Catholic nun, Sister Mary online news regarding this race — the polls, specific questions and leaves space for par- Faith, Candy Cane Lane’s Story (iUniverse, the rallies, the daily barrage of commen- ticipants to record their thoughts. 2019, 18 pages) sounds like a Christmas taries on who Everyday book, which it is in a sense, but really it is a deserves our votes. Mindfulness sweet — there’s that word again — look at a In the next few days, is an excel- mother and father, the birth of their baby, these weighty and lent work- and the beauty and love they share with her. acrimonious con- book for With its excellent photographs and simple flicts will, I hope, be those who story line, Candy Cane Lane’s Story is a fine resolved. The rest of the news is eaten up by stories about coronavirus — if I never Jeff Minick Writer find themselves in a rut or are so stressed by life that they book for the little folk in your life. Finally, I have read most of Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World (Penguin, 2020, 284 pages). Newport explains how the hear that word feel over- tech companies aim and succeed at making again, I will be among the happiest of men whelmed. so many of us addicts to social media, the — and riots in American cities. The 108 dangers of that addiction — less engage-

Grim, eh? practices are ment with the physical world, stress, a feel-

Of course, many of us have ways of reminders to reconnect to the moment and ing of inferiority for some, hours wasted — escape from this deluge of fear mongering, to the world. and how to “declutter” our tech lives and finger pointing, and at times, sheer hysteria. Lorri Moulton’s Spell Bound (Lavender spend our time in more meaningful ways. We turn off our electronic devices, pour a Lass Books, 2020, 139 pages) is a fairytale Though we usually associate addiction beer, call a friend, spend some time working novella for everyone from adolescents to with drugs or alcohol, Newport includes this on the yard, exercising, and so on, and often adults. Having lost three jobs in as many definition of the word from psychologists: find rest and recovery in these activities. months, Felicia feels at the end of her rope “Addiction is a condition in which a person

As for me, the next couple of hours will when she learns of a position in the large, engages in the use of a substance or in a be given over to the frivolity of writing a mysterious house of Mr. Oliver Bertrand. behavior for which the rewarding effects review of books having absolutely nothing Felicia expects to be hired as a housekeeper, provide a compelling incentive to repeatedly to do with politics, the pandemic, and the but instead serves as Bertrand’s apprentice pursue the behavior despite detrimental madness that has gripped our country for — a sorcerer’s apprentice, as it were, consequences.” most of this year. because Bertrand is a wizard of sorts. Keeping that definition in mind, here’s

First up is Everyday Mindfulness: 108 As she becomes accustomed to the eccen- what Sean Parker, the founding president of Practices to Empower Yourself and tricities of Bertrand, the household staff, Facebook, had to say in 2017: Transform Your Life (TCK Publishing, 2020, and even the pets, Nora the cat and Hob the 244 pages). Melissa Steginus, who lives on parrot, Felicia begins exploring the house, “The thought process that went into building Canada’s West Coast, is a life coach and well- goes to the cellar, finds an old book, and these applications, Facebook being the first of ness expert with years of experience in her with Nora the cat watchfully eyeing her, them … was all about: ‘How do we consume as field, and in Everyday Mindfulness she reads what turns out to be an old spell. much of your time and conscious attention as shares her knowledge with readers. When she wakens, Felicia discovers that possible?’ And that means we need to sort of

In her introduction Steginus writes, “You Nora and Hob have returned to their natural give you a dopamine hit every once in a while, can use your daily tasks and routines to state. They are pixies and are eager to return because someone liked or commented on a photo immerse yourself in the present moment home to the magical realm in which they or a post or whatever.” and appreciate the wonder of your existence and otherworldly creatures live. — if you pay attention.” The 108 practices In this strange, new world, Felicia finds Though I am rarely on social media, do include paying attention to activities like herself caught up in a power struggle featur- Digital Minimalism made me more aware of sleep, cooking, and shopping, but also ing pixies, elves, fairies, and trolls, court the time I waste daily online “mindlessly foladdress such areas as the spiritual, the care intrigue, and an attempted coup. She also lowing trails of links, skipping from one of the emotions, work, and relationships. In falls deeply in love with Hob, and they must headline to another.” “Chapter Three: Rational,” for instance, decide whether to live as humans or as pixies. Time for me to try and do better in that Steginus offers sections on such topics as Billed as a “Clean/Sweet Fairytale,” Spell department. “Start With What’s Important,” “Write Your Bound fulfills that promise. Because the fic- (Jeff Minick reviews books and has written four Priorities,” and “Assess Your Worries. tion I usually review is rarely clean or sweet, of his own: two novels, Amanda Bell and Dust

Especially agreeable to many readers will this innocent and romantic tale took me On Their Wings, and two works of nonfiction, be the short lessons. Each one is only two back to books I read in my boyhood. Learning As I Go and Movies Make the Man. pages long and is divided into “Purpose,” A fine gift to a younger reader and one minick0301@gmail.com)

Ponder releases second novel

The Appalachian Cowboy is a new paperback novel written by Anthony E. Ponder. He is a Madison County native and author.

This story begins in 1879 in the fictional West Texas town of Los Villas. Junior Justus is the main character. He is searching for his newspaper reporter brother, Josh. They are from Madison County, although the county name does not appear in the story.

“Finding an authentic backdrop for a gunfight posed a problem,” Ponder said. “There are not many places in our area with an old west setting. Ghost Town in the Sky in Maggie Valley was the perfect and perhaps only location. Ms. Alaska Presley graciously permitted me and YAV Publisher, Christopher Yavelow, to gain access to this gated property. On Christmas Eve 2019, the book cover photos were taken in gorgeous 72 degree weather.”

His books may be purchased online from Amazon, Walmart, or ordered from your favorite bookstore. The Appalachian Cowboy is also available through Kindle ebooks.

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