Smoky Mountain News | November 20, 2019 by Smoky Mountain News

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November 20-26, 2019 Vol. 21 Iss. 25

TWSA fees covered for road relocatees, DOT says Page 11 Cherokee group aims for 2021 constitution vote Page 15

CONTENTS

STAFF

On the Cover: An eye-opening report recently issued by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services shows that thousands of children in Western North Carolina are living in poverty, in unstable housing situations and don’t have enough to eat. (Page 6)

News Coin flip decides Sylva election ......................................................................................3 Mau to challenge Queen in 2020 ..................................................................................3 VRBO changes the way it remits taxes ......................................................................4 Commercial kitchen could benefit food entrepreneurs ............................................9 New jail, justice center top needs in Macon ............................................................10 TWSA fees covered for road relocatees, DOT says ............................................11 State proposes five-year charter renewal for SRCA ............................................12 Waynesville waste treatment vote postponed ........................................................14 Cherokee group aims for 2021 constitution referendum ....................................15 Education News ................................................................................................................17

Opinion It’s all about the journey ..................................................................................................18

Finding the beauty within: Green Orchid Soap ......................................................22

Outdoors

November 20-26, 2019

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Coin flip decides Sylva election

Jackson County Board of Elections Chairman Kirk Stephens throws a silver dollar for the coin flip used to break a tie in the Sylva town board race. Cory Vaillancourt photo

Following a final canvass of votes held on Friday, Nov. 15, every candidate for Sylva town board picked up a few votes, though those changes did not cause any shift in ranking. Italics indicate winners.

• • • • • • • •

David Nestler, 160 Greg McPherson, 111 Ben Guiney, 108 Carrie McBane, 108 Luther Jones, 72 Danny Allen, 68 Natalie Newman (write-in), 41 Charlie Beam (write-in) 36

Day totals. This created a potential six-vote swing. By the end of the process, Nestler and McPherson had held onto their first- and second-place finishes, but McBane and Guiney remained tied for third, this time at 108 votes. A coin flip, best out of three, was used to break the tie. While McBane called tails to win the first round, her next two calls of the silver dollar thrown by Jackson County Board of Elections Chairman Kirk Stephens were incorrect, causing the seat to go to Guiney. Guiney was not present for the coin flip. “I’m really looking forward to working with the other board members to keep the momentum of Sylva moving the way it has been,” said Guiney.

Guiney will replace longtime Commissioner Harold Hensley, who decided not to run for another term. N.C. 107, also endeavored to rally voters, urging its supporters to cast their votes for candidates who would oppose the road plans. Of the six names on the ballot, McBane was the only one who fit that description, though the group also supported two write-in candidates who drew a combined 77 votes, according to official totals. “It was interesting they couldn’t rally more folks,” said Guiney. “It was really that upswell of not wanting to redo the road, and in the town of Sylva I would have expected a higher turnout than that.” With Nestler and McPherson returning to second terms, Guiney will be the only new face on the board. He will replace longtime Commissioner Harold Hensley, who decided not to run for another term. Guiney is an emergency room doctor and a member of the town’s planning board, though he will give up that seat upon taking office. This year’s winners will be sworn in during the town’s regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Sylva Town Hall.

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ackson County Commissioner Ron Mau hopes to unseat Rep. Joe Sam Queen in the 2020 election, announcing before a gathering at the Jackson County Republican Party headquarters Nov. 18 that he will run on the Republican ticket for District 119 of the N.C. House of Representatives. “Having served at the municipal and county levels, I understand the unique needs of our mountain communities,” he said. “I am excited to represent you in Raleigh and ensure WNC remains a great place to live and work.” Before he can face Waynesville Democrat Queen, Mau must first win a primary contest against Bryson City Republican Mike Ron Mau Clampitt, who held the seat from 2016 to 2018 and has already announced his intention to run again. The 2020 election will be the fifth time in a row that Clampitt and Queen both ran for the seat. “For 10 years, we’ve had the choice of two people,” said Mau. “It’s time for a new choice and new ideas in District 119.” Queen and Clampitt both have significant name recognition throughout Western North Carolina, due both to their longtime presence on the ballot and to family roots in the region going back centuries. “Name recognition is a big issue in any campaign,” Mau said. “We will work hard to improve my name recognition, particularly in Swain and Haywood County.” Mau has served as a Jackson County Commissioner since 2016 and sat on the Village of Forest Hills Town Council before that. In 2018 he sought the chairman’s seat on the county commission but lost to incumbent Brian McMahan. Mau sits on the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority as well as the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority Board. He and his wife, Rochelle, a retired math teacher at Fairview Elementary and Smoky Mountain High School, live in Cullowhee with their dog. Their two adult children, Ronnie and Rusty, are both graduates of Smoky Mountain High. Because his term on the Jackson County Board of Commissioners ends in 2020, Mau’s announcement means that there will be at least one new face on the commission next year. The seat currently held by Commissioner Mickey Luker will also be up for election that year. Luker’s continued absence from county meetings in recent months has led to calls for his resignation from both Republican and Democratic voters. Filing for 2020 races does not officially begin until Dec. 2. Mau said that he is not currently endorsing anybody to fill his vacated seat next year. 3

Smoky Mountain News

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER or the second time in three election cycles, a coin flip decided the outcome of a Sylva town board race. After tying for third place with Carrie McBane, Ben Guiney took the last of three available seats on the board after winning a best-of-three coin flip against McBane. There were three town board seats up for election in this year’s race, with unofficial totals showing Commissioner David Nestler coming in first with 155 votes. However, the second through fourth-place finishers were much closer together, with Commissioner Greg McPherson drawing 110 votes and challengers McBane and Guiney tying with 106 votes, according to Election Day totals. That tally meant that Nestler was the only one guaranteed a seat on the board as of election night. The count excluded some votes, such as provisional ballots, and the two remaining seats could easily have gone to McPherson, Guiney or McBane. The Board of Elections met Friday, Nov. 15, to conduct a final count, approving three of the eight provisional ballots cast in Sylva and also finding that two curbside ballots cast during early voting and one absentee vote had not been included in the Election

Final results

Mau to challenge Queen in 2020

November 20-26, 2019

Guiney to join town board with incumbents Nestler, McPherson

While she didn’t win a seat on the board, McBane said she plans to say involved in local politics. “What’s next is that I get to go back to the work that I love, being a community organizer,” she said. “What’s next is that I continue or actually step up even more and check the processes that our local and county boards are doing. I make sure I show up at the meetings, and if it’s something I don’t understand or something I disagree with, then I need to make sure that I’m asking questions.” It’s not the first time in recent history a Sylva town board race has been decided by calling heads or tails. McPherson won his seat in 2015 after a coin toss broke his tie with Charlie Schmidt. To Guiney, that’s evidence that more Sylva residents need to get to the polls. Just 16.9 percent of Sylva’s registered voters cast a ballot this year, with a countywide turnout of 16.57 percent in 2015 — Sylva-specific turnout numbers for that year are not available. “I would love to see more turnout, and I don’t know if there’s anything the Sylva town board can do to get people more engaged and out there,” said Guiney. “Folks are busy, but their local town board has a bigger impact on their life than national politics for sure.” The lackluster turnout came despite concerted efforts to the contrary. The well-funded group Down Home North Carolina endorsed three candidates in the race — Nestler, McPherson and McBane — spending money on advertising and door-to-door canvassers. Say No To The Road, a group organized around opposition to the N.C. Department of Transportation’s plans for

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VRBO changes the way it remits taxes WNC counties stand to collect more tourism-related revenue BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR he explosion of online vacation rental booking options like VRBO and Airbnb has completely changed the tourism industry, and while it’s been beneficial for Western North Carolina communities, it has also presented a challenge for counties trying to collect occupancy and sales taxes from overnight visitors. “We’ve seen Airbnb rentals grow tremendously — the first year from Airbnb we received $13,000 in taxes, in 2017-18 we got $75,000,” said Nick Breedlove, executive director of the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority. “We’re seeing month over month growth. In the tourism world we consider them a disruptor, but it’s not a negative connotation — it’s the same thing Netflix did to DVD rentals or Uber did to the taxi industry.” One of the biggest challenges for county tourism directors has been trying to make sure all vacation rental owners utilizing these online booking services are paying their fair share of sales and occupancy taxes. “Everyone who owns an accommodation has to pay room tax to the county if the stay is under 90 days. Before there was VRBO or Airbnb, the owner would register with the state and get a number from the county so they could manually file the taxes themselves and some still do that,” Breedlove said. But now owners can just register with one of the online booking companies, which is all fine and good, but the problem is that counties aren’t able to truly know if everyone is paying their taxes because VRBO’s process was to remit the tax revenue to the property owner. “With VRBO, there had been an issue with the lodging and sales tax being collected by VRBO, and then remitted directly to the property owner to pay to the proper government authority,” said Mary Ann Baker

Smoky Mountain News

November 20-26, 2019

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pancy tax on accommodations. Haywood, Jackson and Swain counties have a 4 percent rate while Macon County has a 3 percent rate. That tax revenue is then used to promote and grow the tourism industry in those counties. County government coffers also benefit from the sales tax revenue that results from overnight stays, food sales, retail purchases, etc. “Prior to this change, TDAs have been looking at ways to close the gap on who was not remitting. It’s been a consistent challenge for every destination countrywide,” Breedlove said. “Entire firms exist with the

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sole purpose of finding people not remitting, but that’s a lengthy expensive project because VRBO doesn’t list addresses for the properties so you can’t compare apples to apples and there’s no way to match it up from the tax listings.” Breedlove said the Jackson County TDA Board of Directors had been in discussions about doing an audit of all its vacation rental properties, but it was going to cost $16,000. The last audit was done in 2012 when the TDA was first established. “The cost was prohibitive in my estimation because I don’t believe we would have recouped the cost in the increased collec-

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sales tax and remitting it directly to the state. It was a relief to hear considering many TDAs have been struggling to find a way to ensure everyone is paying their fair share into the system. “This policy helps the Swain County TDA in a couple of ways. It brings an equality and fairness to the local lodging industry in that vacation rental owners are compliant in remitting the tax in the same way that the local hotels, motels, resorts, and B&Bs are,” Baker said. “Secondly, it will bring additional income to the TDA to be used for marketing and infrastructure.” TDAs in each county leverage an occu-

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with the Swain County Tourism Development Authority. “The Swain County TDA had some concerns as to the compliance of property owners in remitting the tax that they received from VRBO and other similar listing sites.” Baker said the Swain TDA talked with Host Compliance — a national company that tracks lodging tax compliance — in April of this year and their data indicated that on a national basis only about 20 percent of property owners remit the tax that they have received from booking listing sites. On the other hand, Breedlove and Baker said Airbnb’s process for collecting taxes has been much better from the very beginning. Airbnb started in 2007 and almost immediately struck a deal with the North Carolina Department of Revenue — the company agreed to collect the taxes on a rental upon a customer’s check out and send one check to the state to be distributed to the county in which it was collected. “That was a great move for us because before that we were relying on the homeowner to remit that money and while it’s likely that a majority of our accommodations did remit the taxes, there’s also a good possibility that some of them were not remitting,” Breedlove said. “That really helped level the playing field. Now it’s an automatic process when people check out and the people listing the properties didn’t have to deal with all the reporting required — Airnbnb took all that over.” VRBO, after several mergers and buyouts, was the dominant powerhouse for vacation rentals before Airbnb took off. VRBO was really one of the first online platforms to be able to manage the tax process for owners. The company started in the early 2000s and was then purchased by Homeaway in 2006. Now Expedia owns Homeaway. Tourism leaders recently learned that VRBO would soon begin a similar process as Airbnb by collecting the occupancy and

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tions,” he said. “You want to be fair to those who remit and pay their taxes but it’s hard to justify $16,000 for an audit.” With the new VRBO remitting changes, Jackson and other counties won’t have to worry about whether they’re missing potential tax revenue from the most popular online booking sites. There are over 120 of these types of booking sites and still potential for people to circumvent the system, but Breedlove said VRBO’s change will help the TDA capture the “lion’s share” of tax revenues. “We feel like it’s a great thing

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November 20-26, 2019

ular destination. The plethora of outdoor recreation opportunities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Nantahala National Forest, The Blue Ridge Parkway and Fontana Lake, along with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad originating in downtown Bryson City, means that visitors will continue to seek lodging in Swain County,” she said. “Our marketing plan is specifically designed to reach out to visitors seeking these types of features in their destination selection.” Linda Harbuck, executive director of the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, said the Macon County Tourism Development Commission hasn’t had any discussions about what the VRBO policy change could mean to the county’s bottomline. “From what I know, it would be a good thing because Airbnb has come forth and is submitting monthly checks and if VRBO and others in the business would follow suit it would be a tremendous benefit,” she said. “But we don’t have any projections or anything like that.” The popularity of the online “Prior to this change, TDAs have been booking servichas also looking at ways to close the gap on who was es spurred bed and not remitting. It’s been a consistent challenge breakfasts to begin listing for every destination countrywide.” some of their rooms on the — Nick Breedlove sites to increase their exposure to potential visitors looking for somewhere tions,” she said. to stay. If the number of Airbnb rentals in “These sites are very attractive tools and Haywood is any indication, it’s likely they’ve become household names. Even if Haywood will be seeing more revenue someone is not necessarily seeking out that through VRBO as well. According to certain experience, they’re going on those AirDNA.com, Haywood’s Airbnb rentals sites to search and the B&Bs are seeing suchave increased from 49 in October of 2014 cess with more bookings,” Breedlove said. to 1,234 in October 2019. While the additional tax revenues comJackson County’s tourism dollars are on ing in from vacation rentals is beneficial to an upward trend — occupancy tax colleccounty coffers and the advancement of the tions were at $1 million for 2018-19, and tourism industry, one downside is the Breedlove is projecting $1.2 million for increasing number of owners turning their 2019-20 fiscal year. Projections might be long-term rentals into short-term rentals. higher, but the High Hampton Inn — a It’s easy to understand why they do it — large occupancy tax collector — is closed vacation rentals can bring in $1,000 a week for renovations and could impact final compared to $1,000 a month for property numbers. Vacation rentals in general are owners and vacation rentals tend to have making up a larger piece of the tourism pie less wear and tear than long-term residenfor Jackson. From July 2018 to June 2019, tial rentals. vacation rentals accounted for 29.75 perHowever, the trend is exacerbating the cent of all occupancy tax in the county housing shortage in the region. while hotels make up 37 percent and cabins “We’ve seen a great increase in the numand cottages make up about 15.6 percent. ber of listings year over year and the numJust comparing July collections from Airbnb ber of accounts has increased dramatically,” in 2015-16 to 2019-20, there’s 3136 percent Breedlove said. “If somebody can rent their growth, Breedlove pointed out. home on Airbnb or VRBO and make more Swain County has also seen a growth in than renting it out to the general public — the number of vacation rentals as well as an making $1,000 a month versus maybe increase in its room tax revenue, breaking $1,600 a month off Airbnb, then it’s more the $1 million mark in 2018-19 for the first enticing to do that, but it does take houses time ever. The county uses AirDNA.com to out of inventory.” track vacation rental data, and Baker said There’s also a concern that these online the data indicates that there are 791 active services are taking visitors away from the vacation rentals (on Airbnb and hotel market, but Breedlove estimates that VRBO/HomeAway) in Swain County with a much of the growth the county is seeing is 15 percent quarterly growth since June new demand and new visitors to the area — 2017. especially younger visitors — looking for a “We think that our visitors continue to different experience from a hotel. see Bryson City and Swain County as a popfor compliance and ensuring it’s a level playing field,” he said. “It’s hard to estimate the impact it will have and we won’t know until mid-December (when October occupancy reports come in). We expect to see a boost, but how much remains to be seen.” Baker said Swain County is still compiling those projections. “An ROI (return on investment) indicator provided by Host Compliance shows that Swain County TDA could see a conservative $92,000 increase annually if all online booking listing sites were compliant in collecting and remitting the lodging tax,” she said. Lynn Collins, executive director of Haywood County Tourism Development Authority, said she didn’t have any projections of what kind of increase Haywood could expect from the VRBO policy change, but she’s hopeful about an increase. “I already spend a lot of time on compliance, probably more than many others, but we’re taking a wait and see approach, but I’m hopeful we’ll see an increase in collec-

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Western North Carolina’s children are increasingly poor and hungry

Smoky Mountain News

November 20-26, 2019

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER or most, childhood is a time of growth, learning and stability nurtured by fertile environmental and economic conditions that ultimately prepare young people to become the leaders of tomorrow. In much of North Carolina, the future’s not nearly that bright. An eye-opening report recently issued by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services shows that thousands of children in Western North Carolina are living in poverty, in unstable housing situations and without enough to eat. “We have this group called Great by Eight that is in its beginning stages,” said Patrick Johnson, Haywood County’s public health director. “We’ve only had a few meetings so far and we have school people, mental health people, early childhood people and health people on this committee that are looking at the action plan as a whole. We’re looking at the whole and we’re using this as our guide to try to look at a child from birth through age 8.” The report, called the Early Childhood Action Plan, seeks to improve outcomes for children by tracking more than 50 measurable stats across 10 goals, including childhood poverty rates, food security and housing security. Deficiencies in those areas can hamper childhood development, but the consequences last a lifetime and present significant challenges to public health officials. And according to demographic trends pre6 sented in the report, it’s only going to get worse.

POVERTY The United States Census Bureau uses a set of income benchmarks to delineate whom, exactly, is considered to be in poverty. The benchmarks are the same across the country and are updated for inflation each year, but only consider money income, not capital gains, entitlements, public housing, Medicaid or supplemental nutrition assistance. The Census Bureau counts all related family members who live together, adding up their incomes. If that family unit falls below the threshold, all are considered to be living in poverty — even children, who add to household expenses but don’t generally produce any income of their own. In 2019, the poverty level for a family of four is $25,750 in pre-tax earnings. For families larger than four, add $4,420 for each related family member to determine the family poverty threshold. For families smaller than four, subtract $4,420 per person. As an example, the dividing line for a couple with three children is a yearly gross income of $30,170. Those under it are considered to be in poverty. Those above it are not. The federal minimum wage, which has not increased since 2009, is $7.25 an hour. At that rate, if both parents worked 40 hours a week, every week of the year without missing a single day, together they’d gross $30,160. Although child poverty was much higher in the early 1960s — upwards of 27 percent — the National Conference of State Legislatures reports that the national childhood poverty rate declined steadily until

beginning a slow, steady climb from about 19 percent in 1989 to almost 21 percent in 1990. From there, it climbed each year until peaking at 22.7 percent in 1994. Over the next five years, the rate declined to a low of 16.2 percent in 2000, and remained below 18 percent until the Great Recession took hold in 2008. That year, the national childhood poverty rate rose to nearly 19 percent. The next year, 2009, it rose again to nearly 21 percent, and North Carolina saw a jump from 19.5 percent in prerecession 2007 to 22.5 percent in 2009. The national rate peaked at 23.7 percent with the recession in 2013, but then declined through 2018 to 17.2 percent. A 2018 report from the N.C. Justice Center says that North Carolina’s statewide childhood poverty rate lagged behind that at 21.2 percent, but some North Carolina counties would be envious of a “mere” 21 percent childhood poverty rate. The worst counties in the state for childhood poverty are gathered into two geographic regions — the northeast, up near the Virginia line, and the south, down near the South Carolina line. The northeastern region is home to Halifax, Northampton and Washington counties, all with rates above 40 percent, but surrounding counties also show rates in the upper 30s. The southern region is home to the highest rate in the state — Robeson County’s 44.4 percent. Although Western North Carolina has fared far better than those regions, most area counties are above current state and national

rates. Buncombe and Henderson counties aren’t — they both show rates around 17.5 percent, per the DHHS report. The rest, like Madison, Haywood, Transylvania, Jackson and Swain are all in the low- to mid-20s. “The challenges for parents in poverty are extreme,” Johnson said. Those challenges involve everything from finding work to finding dental care for children, but also include essential accessories that can be difficult to afford. “If a parent doesn’t have a pack and play for their child, we give them one, no questions asked. If a pregnant mom on Medicaid goes to her obstetrician eight times during her pregnancy, she qualifies for a car seat,” said Johnson. “We can help them if they come to us.” Cherokee County, at the far western tip of the state, reports a 28.8 percent rate, trailed closely by Graham County’s 28 percent. Clay County is slightly lower at 27.4 percent, and Macon County is just below that, at 26.5 percent.

FOOD INSECURITY Poverty is closely related to food insecurity, which is defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as “a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.” The USDA also points out that there is a difference between “hunger” and “food insecurity.” Hunger is a temporary personal feeling of discomfort, but food insecurity is a regular deficit of the financial resources needed to feed a household.

HOUSING INSECURITY Poverty is also closely tied to housing insecurity, but poverty is not the only factor at

play when it comes to keeping a roof over one’s head. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines housing insecurity in part as the result of “high housing costs relative to income.” That definition in turn gives birth to another one, “housing cost burden.” The U.S. Census Bureau defines it as spending more than 30 percent of a household’s pre-tax income on housing costs. For renters, housing costs include utilities, but for homeowners, housing costs also include things like mortgage interest, taxes and maintenance. Going back to that couple with three children and a yearly gross income of $30,160 — above the poverty line by $10 — if they’re renting they should spend no more than $754 a month on rent and utilities combined. Although the Fair Housing Act generally protects families with children from discrimination in housing, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s current policy is that landlords can generally exclude families seeking to cram more than two persons in each bedroom, so this particular family should occupy a three-bedroom. Conservatively estimating electric and water service at $150 a month, that means that couple would need to find a three- to five-bedroom home for less than $600 a month in rent. According to a search performed on ApartmentGuide.com on Nov. 16, if they live in Haywood County, the only thing even close to that $600 target is a one-bedroom in Waynesville for $695. A similar search performed on Apartments.com showed not a single unit available for less than $800. Another search on Trulia.com shows a rustic one-bedroom cabin available at $700 per month. At least 32 percent of children under age 9 in North Carolina are part of a family that is currently experiencing housing cost burden, according to the DHHS report.

S EE I NSECURITY, PAGE 8

NUMBER OF CHILDREN UNDER AGE 9 1990 2017 Change Buncombe ........19,544.....23,609 .....20.8% Cherokee ...........2,041.......2,256 ......10.5% Clay.....................702..........889........26.6% Graham...............774..........782.........1.0% Haywood............4,726.......5,336 ......12.9% Henderson .........7,230......10,483 .....45.0% Jackson..............2,525.......3,631 ......43.8% Macon................2,266.......3,131 ......38.2% Madison ............1,685.......1,869 ......10.9% Swain ................1,360.......1,654 ......21.6% Transylvania......2,655.......2,547.......-4.1% Total: ................47,508.....58,204 .....22.5%

POVERTY AND FOOD INSECURITY RATES OF CHILDREN UNDER AGE Poverty

CHILDREN UNDER AGE WHO ARE WHITE

1990 2017 Buncombe ...............86.9% .............74.3% Cherokee .................95.4% .............86.3% Clay .........................99.0% .............83.2% Graham ...................88.8% .............78.7% Haywood..................96.7% .............87.0% Henderson ...............90.5% .............71.0% Jackson ...................79.6% .............66.7% Macon .....................96.7% .............77.0% Madison ..................98.9% .............93.6% Swain ......................53.6% .............46.1% State average.........68.2% .............52.8% Transylvania............91.8% .............82.5%

PERCENTAGE OF 18

Food insecurity Buncombe ...............17.6% .............19.6% Cherokee .................28.8% .............24.1% Clay .........................27.4% .............22.6% Graham ...................28.0% .............24.6% Haywood..................22.5% .............23.1% Henderson ...............17.5% .............19.0% Jackson ...................22.5% .............24.6% Macon .....................26.5% .............24.2% Madison ..................24.3% .............21.8% Swain ......................24.0% .............27.6% Transylvania............24.3% .............23.4% Source: NCDHHS

PERCENTAGE OF

CHILDREN UNDER AGE WHO ARE HISPANIC

1990 2017 Buncombe ................1.3% ..............14.0% Cherokee ..................1.7% ...............7.6% Clay ..........................0.6% ..............13.3% Graham ....................0.4% ...............5.8% Haywood...................1.2% ...............8.6% Henderson ................2.8% ..............21.3% Jackson ....................1.2% ..............13.9% Macon ......................1.4% ..............19.2% Madison ...................0.8% ...............3.6% Swain .......................1.1% ..............12.8% State Average..........1.8% ..............17.6% Transylvania.............0.8% ...............8.8%

The dividing line for a couple with three children is a yearly gross income of $30,170. Those under it are considered to be in poverty. Those above it are not.

November 20-26, 2019

According to a 2018 USDA study, an estimated 1 in 9 Americans were food insecure, or about 37 million people. North Carolina’s DHHS says that here, that number is closer to 1 in 5, or about 21 percent, nearly double the national average, for children under the age of 18. “They can have dental problems, and all sorts of other problems,” Johnson said. The report’s goal is to get that number down from 20.9 percent to 17.5 percent by 2025, but a DHHS map shows there’s a long, long way to go. Similar to the childhood poverty map, the worst areas for food insecurity are also in those two regions, northeast along the coast and in the south along the S.C. border. The map singles out the usual suspects, Halifax, Northampton, Washington and Roberson counties, where a quarter to a third of all children aren’t getting enough to eat. Along those same lines, the only two far western counties that outperform the state average are Buncombe and Henderson, but in travelling west from there, the problem only gets worse. Madison County is within one point of the state average. Clay, Haywood and Transylvania counties are within two points, Cherokee, Graham, Jackson and Macon counties are within four points, and Swain County is highest, at 27.6 percent. “If a parent is having food insecurity, and 23 percent of children in Haywood County have food insecurity problems, we want them to come through WIC [Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children],” Johnson said. Johnson’s also gathered information on available food resources in Haywood County and put that into a spreadsheet that’s been distilled into an easy-to-follow handout.

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Macon celebrates Rural Health Day Macon County Public Health and Macon County Public Library will be hosting a documentary screening and discussion with educators, providers and community stakeholders about the changing landscape of healthcare in rural areas at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at Macon County Public Library. The Health Department and Library are hosting this event ahead of National Rural Health day on Nov. 21, a day focused on the challenges and opportunities providers face in rural areas like Western North Carolina. The event is free to the public. For more information, call Emily Ritter at 828.349.2437.

November 20-26, 2019

Donate blankets in Jackson County Jackson Neighbors in Need is once again bringing four local organizations together for an Annual Blanket Drive. The Jackson County Public Library, The Department on Aging, The Department of Social Services, and Mountain Projects are collecting new blankets for people in need. New hats, scarves, and gloves can also be donated. The locations for dropping off these items are the Jackson County Public Library’s Circulation desk, the Sylva Mountain Projects Office, Jackson County Department on Aging’s front desk and the front desk of The Department of Social Services. Items

I NSECURITY, CONTINUED FROM 6

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In 2015, more than 26,000 North Carolina children under 6 had experienced homelessness at some point. Almost 10,000 public school students in kindergarten through third grade experienced homelessness at some point last year. “The more we’ve learned about ACEs [adverse childhood experiences], if a child is moving around frequently, it’s probably going to have an impact on that person long term,” Johnson said. “Say a child moves every six months or year or so. It’s gotta be because of economic reasons, and then what type of a home are they moving from place to place to place?” County-by-county numbers aren’t available in the DHHS report, but the region’s well-documented affordable housing crisis — in addition to its poverty levels — suggests that Western North Carolina’s problem with housing insecurity is probably worse than in much of the state. A Nov. 19 press release from Canopy MLS said that within the Asheville metro area, the median home sales price in October rose to $267,500, a gain of 4.9 percent year-over-year, and the average sales price of $329,340 repre8 sents a gain of 4.1 percent over October 2018.

should be new and in their packaging. Donations will be collected through the month of December. For more information, call the library at 828.586.2016.

Charles Taylor to host holiday dinner The 27th annual Charles Taylor Holiday Dinner will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Expo Center at the Crowne Plaza Resort in Asheville. The popular dinner is one of the largest and longest-running political dinners in North Carolina. The dinner celebrates Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the last two holidays at the end of the year. Charles Taylor, the longest serving Republican congressman in Western North Carolina history, and his family have been hosting the holiday dinner for almost three decades. The dinner helps WNC residents to hear from national speakers, as well as see and meet federal, state and local candidates. The dinner also presents an American Eagle award to individuals and businesses that have contributed leadership to improve the district. Past speakers have included vice presidents, speakers of the house, Republican presidential nominees and many other state and nationally known individuals. Tickets for the dinner are $65 per person. Checks should be made out to “Charles Taylor Holiday Dinner” and mailed to: Charles Taylor, P.O. Box 7587, Asheville, NC 28802. For more information, contact Trish Smothers at 828.243.2187 or tasmothers@yahoo.com.

The stated goal of the report is to reduce the number of children under 6 experiencing homelessness from 26,198 to 23,578 and the number of K-3 homeless from 9,970 to 8,973, all by 2025.

DEMOGRAPHICS All told, the report paints a bleak picture for the next generation of Western North Carolina natives. On average, if you see 10 children in a school bus, or on a playground, or at a WalMart anywhere west of Asheville, at least two of them don’t know when they’ll eat again. At least two of them are in poverty. At least three of them don’t know where they’ll be living next week, or next month. Sometimes those are all different children, but often they’re not. Even if the DHHS can report in 2025 that it has achieved all of its goals, there will still be more than 23,000 children under age 6 and almost 9,000 K-3 students experiencing homelessness in North Carolina, and more than 17.5 percent of children under 18 experiencing food insecurity. Meeting those goals could be far more difficult due to a demographic trend suggesting that over the next 30 years, vulnerable popula-

Regional honors to Haywood communities Haywood County took home top three honors and prestigious Calico Cat award for 2019. The WNC Honors Awards is built on a 70-year tradition of recognizing rural community development clubs for their innovative ideas and grassroots solutions. The 65 communities participating in this year’s program made a $6 million investment of time, talent, money and effort in Western North Carolina communities. Their fundraising efforts brought in $950,000 with more than 5,5000 volunteers investing an impressive 195,500 hours of their time in outreach programs dedicated to conservation, education, beautification, health, wellness, and economic development. The Fines Creek Community Association, the Pigeon Multicultural Development Center, and the Bethel Rural Community Organization were all recognized as Communities of Distinction, the highest honor awarded, and they each received a cash award of $2,000. These communities were chosen because of their overall ability of

working together to assess, develop, and implement strategies to address community issues, as well as having numerous, diverse programs to benefit community members. Communities of Promise receive a cash award of $1,000 and are chosen because of the initiatives implemented by the community that show promise and can be replicated around the region. The Beaverdam Community Development Association received this recognition. Engaged Communities receive a cash award of $500 and are involved in numerous programs impacting their residents. The North Hominy Community Center received this honor. The Pigeon Multicultural Development Center received the Calico Cat award for their significant volunteer efforts toward the improvement and upkeep of their existing community center over the past year. Additionally, BRCO received the President’s Award for 25 years of participating in the WNC Honors Awards.

tions will become larger, and harder to serve. In 2018, there were 1.1 million children under the age of 9 in North Carolina. DHHS says that number has declined since 2009, but in Western North Carolina, it’s risen dramatically — double-digit percentage increases in the number of children under 9 in WNC Counties are the norm from 1990 through 2017. The largest increase over that period was noted in Henderson County. In 1990, there were 7,200 children under 9; today, there are more than 10,000, good for a 45 percent increase. Right behind Henderson is Jackson County, at 43.8 percent growth. Macon County’s not far off at 38 percent, but other counties reported growth on the order of 10 to 25 percent. Only Graham County (1 percent growth) and Transylvania County (-4.4 percent) saw flat or negative growth. At the same time these populations are booming across WNC, they’re becoming increasingly diverse, racially. That matters in the context of poverty, because non-white populations suffer disparate impact when seeking out or utilizing social service resources, for a variety of reasons. A 2017 report from the National Center for Education Statistics says that white children experienced far less poverty than chil-

dren of every other race. Asians were a close second to whites, but still worse off; African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and mixed race children were far worse — often experiencing poverty at least double and sometimes triple the rate of white children. North Carolina’s African American population has been relatively stable for some time now, and is relatively small in WNC, but the percentage of children under the age of 9 who are Hispanic is rising rapidly across the state and across western counties. In 1990, just 1.8 percent of North Carolinians identified themselves as Hispanic. Today, that’s up to 17.6 percent. Henderson County has the largest share in WNC, with 21.3 percent, followed by Macon, Buncombe and Jackson counties. The Hispanic community often faces a number of obstacles in identifying and accessing services, including language barriers, social stigma and concerns that their citizenship status might lead to arrest or deportation. “For one, we have a full time translator. There’s no barrier for us,” said Johnson. “We want as many customers as we can get in our dental clinic, in any clinic, from a public health standpoint. We want to help as many people as we can get.”

Commercial kitchen could be boon for Haywood entrepreneurs

Take the survey If you or someone you know could benefit from a low-cost commercial kitchen to engage in food preparation — anything from catering to canning — filling out the survey below will help Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministries determine if one is needed in Haywood County, and what type of equipment it might contain. The survey is designed for both current and prospective food entrepreneurs and businesses. www.surveymonkey.com/r/haywoodkitchen.

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ment, and for a commercial kitchen, that’s a pretty big number.” Since the $338,000 parcel has been donated to ABCCM, the commercial kitchen venture wouldn’t have to come up with the money for that, and the parcel already has water, sewer and electricity, making the barrier to entry lower than usual. Still, facilities like this don’t come cheap. “I would say it could be as small as 1,000 or 1,500 square feet, but it could be larger than that,” said Rice, who added that such a facility would probably cost anywhere from $115 up to $175 per square foot. Rice helped get USDA grants for two of the commercial kitchens he previously consulted on, and said that long-term lowinterest loans or even private donations could help fund construction costs. Judging by the reception Rice received at the meeting, such a facility is not only warranted, but would be welcomed. “I’m not looking to go commercial, but if it took off, great,” said Linda Clark, who owns a small apple orchard in Worley Cove, near Canton. “The culls, the ones that are imperfect, I usually have to find someone to take those. I make a lot of apple butter, but right now I can’t sell that apple butter because I don’t have a commercial kitchen.” Canning is especially difficult for small producers because of strict regulations on where and how it can be done. “You go through the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and they come out and inspect your kitchen, they check

November 20-26, 2019

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER recent property donation to the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministries could help create jobs, add value to agricultural products and feed the hungry in Haywood County, if local agricultural and food service sectors can demonstrate there’s a need. “The idea is to have something on that property that would be a benefit to the community,” said Dr. Alan Rice, a consultant for ABCCM, of the 4.8-acre parcel located on the northwest corner of Jones Cove Road and Recycle Road. On Nov. 18, Rice met with almost three dozen farmers, bakers and other food entrepreneurs to discuss the possibility of constructing a commercial kitchen on the parcel that would allow for more sophisticated, large-scale food production. “It would be a place where you could go and have the kitchen for an hour or two or three and have access to the equipment,” he said, opining that a $20 or $25 an hour charge for facility rental would be likely. As the executive director of a nonprofit called Rural Faith Development, Rice said he’s been involved with three similar facilities, one in Warren County, one in Wilkes County and another in Buncombe County. “The primary costs would be the land and the soft costs including surveying, engineering, architecture, consulting and then the cost of the facility,” said Rice. “On top of that is FFE — furniture, fixtures and equip-

your water supply, you can’t have any pets in the house. There’s some pretty rigorous details that you have to meet,” Clark said. “If we had a place where we could go do that at one time, it would be great.” Jim Geenan, also in attendance, said that his group would benefit from the ability to preserve foods. “There are a lot of problems with the nutrition in this community,” said Geenan. “Haywood Gleaners collects about 30,000 pounds of produce during the gleaning season. We glean but a few months a year and we’re looking forward to doing some food

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Haywood Chamber president CeCe Hipps (center) talks to a group of local food producers Nov. 18. Cory Vaillancourt photo

preservation more seriously than we have in the past so folks have access to healthy food, year round, and this entity would be good for that, I think. We don’t have a facility per se to do canning and freezing.” Debi Hall, owner of Just Simply Delicious, is a baker who isn’t necessarily interested in canning, but is interested in being able to mass produce some of her products. “We do a host of turnovers and hand pies now. They’re fruit filled and we’re hoping to get into meat filled hand pies in the future,” she said, noting her pies have become quite popular. “We have a facility on Branner Avenue, but our kitchen is small compared to what we want to do. We want to expand into the frozen market so people can take them home and bake them.” A survey available online seeks to learn what sorts of equipment would be essential in such a facility to ensure it can meet the needs of both commercial and nonprofit enterprises, large and small. Those fixtures could include utensils, bakeware, broilers, convection ovens, dehydrators, fryers, griddles, grills, microwaves, and more. The survey results will also indicate if there are any ancillary needs, like storage, meeting space and administrative services that might be helpful as well. Rice said that the immediate goal of the commercial kitchen project is to have a good idea of what such a facility might look like by February, so plans can move forward quickly if the facility is warranted.

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New jail, justice center top needs in Macon BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR n an effort to prioritize its long list of infrastructure needs, Macon County Board of Commissioners approved spending up to $300,000 last November to hire Moseley Architects to conduct a space needs analysis of county buildings. This November, the consultants came back to the board presenting a list of top priorities totaling more than $125 million in needed infrastructure projects. A massive project to consolidate the courthouse, sheriff ’s department and the detention center operations into a new justice center complex would cost the county an estimated $77.3 million with construction costs expected to rise in the coming years. Right now the detention center and sheriff ’s office are located in the Law Enforcement Center off Lakeside Drive while the courthouse is located in downtown Franklin, which creates an increased cost to personnel needed to transport inmates for court appearances. The current 75-bed jail also is not big enough to meet the demand in Macon County. The detention center is regularly at capacity, and the county is shelling out more than $500,000 a year to house its inmates in other county jails. With most of the jails in Western North Carolina facing the same overflow problems, Sheriff Robbie Holland said he was having to explore the idea of housing Macon inmates as far as Mecklenburg County as well. Dan Mace with Moseley Architects emphasized the importance of getting a handle on the overcrowded jail situation. “There’s no other county building that takes the kind of abuse as a detention center does,” he said. “It’s never closed and its occupants are trying to tear it up.” While capacity is 75 inmates, the 20-yearold jail had an average daily population of 105 in 2018. The jail also only has 12 beds available for female inmates. Mace pointed out that jails have a rated capacity and then there’s what’s considered a safe operational capacity, which Macon’s facility is way over. According to the National Institute of Corrections, jails should operate at 80 percent of its rated capacity. “That’s where you can typically safely operate a detention facility because you can’t put a male in a female unit or vice versa, so this will continue to get worse if not addressed,” he said. “It’s a critical issue and the reason we prioritized the justice center because if you don’t have the space to adjudicate those people in a timely manner, the number of people in jail will continue to rise.” The proposed 240-bed detention center piece of the project is estimated to cost $37.5 million. The county does not currently need 240 beds, but Mace said it would accommodate the county’s needs looking 20 years ahead. In the meantime, he suggested extra beds could be used to help other counties house their overflow and help Macon bring in additional revenue. Moseley estimated the 10 new sheriff ’s office would cost about $9 mil-

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November 20-26, 2019

lion and the courthouse component would cost another $31 million. Macon County would see a savings in transportation, utilities and personnel costs by combining all these services into one complex, similar to what Jackson County did years ago. Bryan Payne, project manager with Moseley Architects, said the project could be broken up into separate phases as funds become available. Commissioner Ronnie Beale asked if the current jail could be renovated or would need to be completely rebuilt. Mace said the current facility couldn’t be renovated to meet the future needs because the detention center doesn’t have a commercial kitchen or enough room to accommodate a 240-bed plan. However, he said Moseley’s complete analysis would have recommendations for using the current law enforcement center instead of bulldozing it. “Remember the uproar when we built the jail? They said we’d never need that much space and here we are,” Beale said.

The Macon County detention center is regularly at capacity, and the county is shelling out more than $500,000 a year to house its inmates in other county jails. Once a new justice center complex is completed, the county could move to the second priority project, which would be repurposing the current courthouse building and renovating the annex facilities in downtown. Renovating the courthouse would cost an estimated $17.3 million, the county courthouse annex would cost about $2.3 million and renovating the current Southwestern Community College annex would cost another $2 million. With all the court functions moved to the new justice center, Moseley recommends using the courthouse building to consolidate the other county services — IT and future expansion space on the basement floor and register of deeds, board of election and others on the first floor. The next priority would be to renovate the current National Guard Armory building and relocate the county’s housing department from its Old Murphy Road location. The county could then sell that property. Moseley also recommended moving the SCC classrooms to the armory building, which would also have future room for SCC’s new public safety training center that’s in the works. Future projects that are included but are not as pressing include renovating the Department of Health and Human Services building to address the projected growth needs and to accommodate the dental clinic, which is currently located at a separate

Macon County Sheriff Robbie Holland is exploring the option of transporting inmates as far as Mecklenburg County to combat the overcrowded detention center on Lakeside Drive. File photo

facility the county is leasing. The project would cost $7.6 million. Moseley recommended a new emergency management headquarters as well — an $11.3 million project. “Those folks are very cramped right now,” Payne said. “And we could create a new 911 facility that meets modern day codes.” Two other projects that have been discussed at length by the county commissioners and residents did not make the top of the priority list — the senior center and the Nantahala Community Center, which also houses the community library resources. Payne said most of the issues at the senior center — issues with a lack of parking and ADA accessibility — could be handled with a minor renovation project at this point. Such a project would cost about $4.1 million. The Nantahala community has been pushing for a replacement building for its small and antiquated community center and library, which is housed in a deteriorating modular unit, but the county lacks the property needed to build a new facility. Moseley estimates replacing the building would cost about $4 million. Mace said commissioners would be given a complete space needs analysis document in

the coming months with full details about each building that was examined and the recommendations made for each one’s future use. Mace said they assessed every building’s electrical and plumbing, each department’s operations and machinery, and assessed its current condition and usability for the next 20 years. “We also met with representatives from each department to identify their priorities and needs in the future,” he said. Commissioner Gary Shields asked why the report didn’t include anything about a future replacement of Franklin High School. Mace said K-12 education facilities were not included in the study. County Manager Derek Roland said the complete analysis would help the county moving into the next budget year as well as into the future as the commissioners plan on infrastructure needs. While the cost is high looking at the big picture, Roland said the replacement and renovation projects would also help the county save money in the future by alleviating some of the growth concerns within the departments and consolidating services and staff. Now the board will use the analysis report from Moseley to further develop the county’s Capital Improvement Plan before next year’s budget process.

Roadwork on N.C. 107 will begin on West Main Street just past Speedy’s and continue east past Ingles. Holly Kays photo

board deciding to hold off on any policy changes until it could gain a better understanding of DOT’s policies for compensating businesses and property owners — hence, Day’s Nov. 12 appearance. A core component of TWSA’s discussions has been the issue of system development fees, which until last year were known as impact fees. Users pay them when adding or expanding water and sewer capacity at a given location in order to offset the cost of replacing the system capacity they are now using.

For businesses that need large amounts of water and sewer capacity to run, such as restaurants, they can be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Additionally, allocation stays with the property rather than following the property’s occupant or owner. If a business paid, for example, $20,000 in system development fees at a location but then moved to a new location that did not have existing water and sewer allocation, that $20,000 investment would not transfer to the new store — it would stay with the old location. That set of facts had some TWSA members nervous that displaced businesses on

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Since fall 2018, TWSA has been discussing what, if anything, it should do to make the process easier for its customers and to encourage displaced businesses to remain in Sylva.

November 20-26, 2019

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he N.C. Department of Transportation will pay water and sewer hookup fees for businesses displaced by the N.C. 107 project, but it will be up to business and property owners to ask for reimbursement, right-of-way agent Jake Day told the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority board last week. “If DOT is causing the tenant to move, their policy is to try to put them back in a place that is equal to better than where they’re at,” Day told the board. “If there is a fee associated with that move, whether they stay for a week or 10 years, DOT will reimburse the relocatee.” Day attended the Nov. 12 TWSA work session to answer board members’ questions as the beginning of right-of-way acquisition, slated for January, gets ever nearer. Aiming to improve traffic flow and safety on Sylva’s busy N.C. 107 corridor, the project area stretches from the fire department on West Main Street all the way out past Ingles, also including a one-third-mile section of the Old Asheville Highway from McDonald’s to the N.C. 107 intersection. The plans have spurred widespread opposition in the community due to the hefty impact they’re likely to have on Sylva’s business community. The 65 percent complete plans listed 55 businesses that are expected to incur impacts sufficient to qualify for relocation funding, with an estimated f 186 properties expected to see some level of impact. Since fall 2018, TWSA has been discussing what, if anything, it should do to make the process easier for its customers and to encourage displaced businesses to remain in Sylva. The most recent such discussion occurred in September, with the

won’t be left holding the bag for a system development fee that comes in over a limit set by the DOT, Day said. However, there is a caveat. While TWSA fees are reimbursable under DOT policy, the DOT won’t necessarily be beating the bushes to get business owners to request those reimbursements. “We guide them through as much as we can, but each replacement site is different,” said Day. Right-of-way agents will talk with business owners and go through the relocation brochure with them, but ultimately, said Day, “it is their responsibility to find out what is required for their new replacement site.” According to estimates released in July, right-of-way acquisition for the project is expected to cost $49.7 million, and construction will cost an additional $40 million. With most projects coming in 10 to 15 percent over the estimated cost, the actual construction cost will likely be closer to $50 million, Division Engineer Brian Burch said this summer. While the DOT has already started acquiring some properties associated with the project, right-of-way acquisition is set to begin in earnest in January, with construction starting in early 2023. Final road plans are expected early in 2020, said Day. They’ll be complete once Duke Energy submits its utility plans. New utility lines will be installed above-ground, not below-ground as discussed earlier on — below-ground lines would cost an estimated $7 million per mile.

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TWSA fees covered for road relocatees, DOT says

N.C. 107 could be left facing steep fees to relocate within Sylva. For that reason, Board Member David Nestler advocated for a complete fee waiver for businesses affected by the 107 project. Other board members wanted to wait and gather more information on DOT’s reimbursement policies before changing TWSA’s rules. Day’s responses seemed to satisfy board members that DOT would, in fact, pay the TWSA fees as part of its reimbursement for moving expenses. “So DOT’s official statement on this question is it will cover system development fees for everybody who’s relocated, even if you’re a renter?” asked Nestler. “If that’s what y’all require, yes,” Day replied. “Tap fees too, bigger meter, all that?” asked Board Member Ron Mau. “It’s all handled under moving expenses, and if it’s something incurred to the relocatee, then the DOT reimburses them back,” said Day. “You’ve used the word ‘reimbursement’ several times,” said Board Member Mike Byers. “Does that mean the cost has to be incurred by the tenant and then they’re reimbursed?” “If the tenant doesn’t have the means to pay that up front, we can pay TWSA directly,” said Day. While there is a $25,000 cap on reimbursements for re-establishment expenses, he added, there is no cap on moving expenses, which is the category under which system development fees would fall. Relocatees

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Shining Rock charter renewal ignores transparency concerns BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER consultant with the North Carolina Office of Charter Schools recommended that Shining Rock Classical Academy’s charter should be renewed for five years despite ongoing concerns about the school’s lack of transparency, and the state’s director of charter schools has refused to answer why. As a taxpayer-funded public charter school, Shining Rock Classical Academy’s permission to operate in Haywood County is subject to periodic renewal, based on a rubric that’s available online and clearly outlines how those determinations are to be made. The maximum renewal period is 10 years, and based on the rubric schools must have no current significant compliance issues, financially sound audits for the last three years and academic outcomes comparable to local school administrative units. A seven-year renewal requires no significant compliance issues for the past two years, financially sound audits for the last two years, and academic outcomes comparable to local school administrative units in two of the last three years. Shining Rock clearly doesn’t qualify for either of those, based solely on the school’s prior history of poor academic performance. Perplexingly, the rubric (www.ncpublicschools.org/charterschools/renewals/framework) doesn’t even include guidelines for a five-year renewal. The next lowest category says a three-year renewal is appropriate for schools with “Compliance issues more than 1 year, creating a pattern, financially sound audits for at least 1 year of the last three, and academic outcomes have comparable to the local school administrative unit at least 1 year of

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November 20-26, 2019

the last 3 years or met growth 2 of 3 years.” That might be appropriate for Shining Rock given the school’s unexpected boost in academic scores last year, and also given the lack of complaints over the school’s finances — except that the school has demonstrated a current and persistent pattern of non-compliance with sunshine laws and public records statutes since before it even opened its doors in 2015. In fact, the rubric suggests “no renewal” is the appropriate course for schools with a current and persistent pattern of compliance issues. Back in August, The Smoky Mountain news contacted Shaunda Cooper, a consultant with the N.C. Department of Education’s Charter School office. When informed of Shining Rock’s consistent pattern of law breaking and asked if that would count toward the school’s renewal application, she

said, “Everything counts. It really comes down to, has a law been violated or anything that is supposed to happen by statute or by law or rule?” In 2015, the school violated closed-session laws pertaining to property acquisition before it even opened to students. In 2017, the school violated public meeting notice requirements by sending out notice of a special called meeting less than 48 hours prior to the meeting’s commencement, in violation of state law. During that hastilycalled Sunday night meeting, founding Head of School Ben Butler resigned. Earlier this year, in June, the school again violated public meeting notice requirements by not sending out the required notice of an upcoming meeting at which board’s grievance committee dismissed multiple allegations of improper disciplinary procedures by the school’s then-interim head, Joshua Morgan.

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The school’s attorney, David Hostetler, later admitted to the violation but the parents who filed the grievances weren’t informed of the meeting until after it was over. This past August, the school held an illegal closed session for a purpose not recognized by N.C. law. That same month, Head of School Joshua Morgan met with publishers of Haywood County’s two largest newspapers to discuss Shining Rock’s repeated violations of state law and to ask for a “reset” in relations while also revealing that the board would “suspend” operations until they could receive transparency training from the same attorney who was supposed to keep the school out of trouble in the first place. A month later, the board held another illegal meeting for which proper notice wasn’t sent out — remarkable only for the fact that the meeting was intended to serve as an educational seminar on following transparency laws. Only about half of the board showed up for the meeting. “I think an illegal meeting is serious too,” Cooper told SMN back in August. “Let’s not undercut the severity of that because part of being a charter is having the trust of your community and to hear of things like that happening, that has an underlying current as well because you have to have the trust of your community for your school to flourish. That’s kind of how charters work. It does matter if meetings are being held when they shouldn’t be or if they’re not being held properly so that the public has an adequate opportunity. That’s an issue.” Cooper was asked on Aug. 28 how, exactly, evidence of Shining Rock’s illegal activities would be presented within the charter school renewal application. She didn’t respond, so a follow-up email was sent Sept. 5. She didn’t respond to follow-up emails sent on Sept. 5, Sept. 12 and Oct. 8. Finally, on Oct. 11, Director of the Office of Charter Schools Dave Machado responded with a one-line reply that didn’t answer the question but did echo what Cooper told SMN back in August

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— “All aspects of a charter school are taken into consideration during the renewal process.” That same day, SMN reiterated the question of how, exactly, evidence of Shining Rock’s law breaking would be presented within its charter renewal application. Machado didn’t respond, so a follow-up email was sent Nov. 1. “I answered you [sic] question concerning Shinning [sic] Rock,” Machado wrote three days later. “The recommendation about the length of school renewals is made by the Charter School Advisory Board (CSAB) to the State board of Education (SBE). The ultimate decision is made by the SBE.” That same day, SMN again asked Machado for tangible proof that Shining Rock’s history of law breaking would be presented within its charter renewal application. Machado didn’t respond, so a follow-up email was sent Nov. 18. As of press time no response had been received. A story in The Mountaineer last week, however, shows a onepage document presented by Shining Rock to the Charter School Advisory Board listing its accomplishments. Under “Board train-

“You have to have the trust of your community for your school to flourish. That’s kind of how charters work. It does matter if meetings are being held when they shouldn’t be or if they’re not being held properly so that the public has an adequate opportunity. That’s an issue.” — Shaunda Cooper, consultant with the N.C. Department of Education’s Charter School office

November 20-26, 2019 Smoky Mountain News

ing and public transparency” it says the school “became aware of stakeholder concerns involving transparency; immediately an improvement plan was developed and implemented.” It also states that the board participated in the three-hour transparency training held during that illegal meeting in September, but fails to mention that half of the board did not attend. The document also fails to mention an ongoing dispute over the release of public records by the school; at least a dozen public records requests made by SMN relating to how Shining Rock spends taxpayer money have gone unanswered for more than three months now. After months of foot-dragging on the requests, Shining Rock then sent SMN a bill for more than $1,500 in fees before any work would commence on the public records requests. The problem? Those fees are far in excess of what state law permits. Mike Tadych, an attorney who works with the North Carolina Press Association, called Shining Rock’s illegal fee policy “moronic” and school officials “intractable,” and recommended filing a lawsuit to obtain the records. Open government expert Frayda Bluestein, the David M. Lawrence Distinguished Professor of Public Law and Government at the University of North Carolina’s School of Government, also pointed out major problems with Shining Rock’s attempt to block the release of the records. Even after the release by SMN of a story outlining the illegality of the proposed fees, Shining Rock has refused subsequent requests for the documents. No mention of the illegal fees or of the potential lawsuit made it into the document Shining Rock presented to the Charter School Advisory Board. Shining Rock Head of School Joshua Morgan refused to comment on the renewal application or how the school’s multiple violations of state law may or may not have been included in the schools’ charter renewal application. The State Board of Education still has to approve the consultant’s five-year charter renewal recommendation before it’s finalized, probably in January.

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Waynesville waste treatment vote postponed BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER aynesville’s new mayor and aldermen haven’t even been sworn in yet, but based on how the board’s most recent regular meeting transpired, a new dynamic in how town government will operate in the future appears to be taking shape. On Nov. 5, voters overwhelmingly chose Alderman Gary Caldwell over incumbent Gavin Brown to be the town’s next mayor; they also ushered Planning Board Vice Chairman Anthony Sutton and local attorney Chuck Dickson into aldermanic seats. At the Nov. 12 board meeting — the Gary Caldwell first since the election — the current board consisting of Mayor Brown, Aldermen Caldwell, Julia Freeman and Jon Feichter along with soon-to-depart Alderman LeRoy Roberson, progressed through the town’s agenda with little fanfare. Near the end of the meeting, though, the board was to consider approving the contract for design, permitting, bidding and construction of the long-awaited waste treatment plant. The board had shepherded the town through the process for more than a year, with the contract approval seemingly a formality. Before the contract was considered, Brown said that he’d heard from incoming Alderman-elect Sutton, who wanted to postpone the vote until the new board could consider it. The new board is due to be sworn in Dec. 10, and the town’s second meeting in December falls on Christmas Eve, so it’ll be cancelled and town business likely won’t be conducted until January.

November 20-26, 2019

“I’m going to turn this over to Gary to lead the discussion, mainly because I’m opposed to [postponement],” said Brown. “Rather than putting my heavy hand on it, I’m going to let Mr. Caldwell see how the board feels about this.” Caldwell said that there was no reason the issue should pass over to the new board, and opined that there were some time-sensitive deadlines that necessitated action. “I think this board right here should make that call,” he said. Keith Webb, project manager from McGill and Associates, was on hand to tell the board that there really weren’t any timeline issues. “From the overall Chuck Dickson schedule, we would like to have [the contract] awarded,” Webb said, “but if you all decide it’s in the town’s best interest to wait until January, we can certainly do that.” Roberson said he didn’t really mind Anthony Sutton either way, as did Feichter, but after hearing from Webb, Feichter said he’d be fine postponing the vote. “In the grand scheme, we’re talking about two months,” said Feichter. Freeman, who will have the most seniority among aldermen once the new board is constituted, made her view clear. “My comment would be, you just mentioned the date of 2023. You’ve got two new board members coming on the board and

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“Whatever decision we make here tonight will affect two new board members that have just been elected by the citizens of Waynesville. Their input to me, moving forward, is important.” — Julia Freeman, Waynesville alderman

they’re going to be faced with dealing with this for the next four years, so whatever decision we make here tonight will affect two new board members that have just been elected by the citizens of Waynesville,” she said. “Their input to me, moving forward, is important. Our legacy is that we’ve been dealing with this for some time, so as Jon said, it’s a double-edged sword. We can go both ways, but the new board members are going to have to deal with this in the future

and they’re going to have to answer to the citizens, however this process falls out over the next four years.” Despite his opposition to postponing the vote, Brown asked for a motion to table the matter. Freeman moved to table it, Feichter seconded her motion, and Caldwell was the only vote against tabling. Brown, who as mayor votes only in case of a tie, asked that the record reflect his opposition as well.

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Cherokee group aims for 2021 constitution referendum

That’s been the biggest issue.” Since June, the group has expanded to include about 10 people, and its members are taking a hiatus from tweaking and changing the document. Instead, they’re focusing their efforts on attending community club meetings and trying to get more consecutive four-year terms rather than people involved with the process. serving unlimited consecutive two-year “Hopefully in a few months we’ll get terms, and only six of the 12 council seats enough people who are interested and want would be up for election in any one year. to actively participate, and we’ll go back to Salaries for elected officials would be deterworking on the constitution and fine-tuning mined as a percentage of the average salary it to something that would be more preBY HOLLY KAYS of full-time tribal employees, and a third sentable,” Arneach said. STAFF WRITER branch of government — the judicial The group is doing that outreach work n effort to adopt a constitution for the branch — would be established. Tribal with the help of $70,000 allocated through Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Council would have authority only over a unanimous vote of Tribal Council during through a referendum question failed unassigned lands, not over possessory holdan Oct. 17 Annual Council session. Previous to come to fruition this year, but the grassings. The 27-page document contains many to that vote, the group had not received any roots group Citizens for a Constitution isn’t other provisions as well. tribal funding at all, with members volungiving up, now setting its sights on a referAfter being introduced in February, the teering their time and money to cover any endum question in 2021. proposed constitution was withdrawn in expenses associated with the effort. “Right now we’re in a phase of educaJune at the request of councilmembers “It’s time now that we have some assistion, outreach and generating interest, so unwilling to pass it as-is. The document still tance,” group member Carmelita Monteith when we go back to working on revising the needed work, they said, and more input told Tribal Council. document we have more input, more from tribal members outside the five-memThe money will be used to do mailings, thoughts and an inclusion of the larger ber Citizens for a Constitution group. publications and posters, as well as to fund community,” said Lloyd Arneach, facilitator For Arneach, drumming up participaexpenses associated with conducting for Citizens for a Constitution. tion has been the hardest part of the constiforums and other events aiming to drum up The group has been working on the contution effort. interest and input. stitution effort “None of it’s being used to pay anysince 2017 and body,” said Arneach. “We’re all volunteer. in February preFor me, anyway, it changes the perspective sented a draft to if the members are paid to be on this.” Tribal Council, Increased participation will be vital requesting that not just to finalize the document but also the body finalto enact it. Rather than asking Tribal ize the docuCouncil to adopt the referendum quesment’s text and tion, this time around Citizens for a approve a referConstitution hopes to go through a petiendum question tion-based process. Tribal law requires sigfor the natures from 25 percent of registered votSeptember 2019 ers for a referendum pertaining to a proelection. If sucposed ordinance or action of elected officessful, the refcials or from 33 percent of registered voterendum vote ers for a referendum pertaining to a prowould establish posed change to the charter and governthe constitution ing document. Once the signatures are as the tribe’s gathered and certified by the Board of Citizens for a Constitution members Carmelita Monteith (right) and Peggy overarching Elections, action from Tribal Council is Hill address Tribal Council on Oct. 17. EBCI photo required to place the question on the ballegal authority, replacing the lot. charter and governing document currently “One of the complaints we heard several “It (2021) is two years away, but if you in place. times was the lack of input we had from the start rolling back the different milestones Charters, like the 1986 document curcommunity, and I expressed to them that that need to be accomplished before that rently used by the EBCI, are meant to govwe’ve been to every community club at least vote, it’s not that far away,” said Arneach. ern organizations and corporations, while once, if not twice, to get that public input Any referendum question would have to constitutions represent a contract between and to promote and educate the communibe finalized 90 days before the Sept. 3 electhe people and their government. Over the ty at large as to what’s going on,” he said. tion, and approval from Tribal Council is years, various shortcomings have been “How do we make people participate? required beforehand, which would take at found in the tribe’s current charter. It doesleast another month. Add in the time needn’t even mention the judicial branch of goved to collect and validate signatures, and ernment, for example, and it doesn’t spell the timeline winds back into 2020. Arneach out the rights of the people, instead offering hopes to have the proposed constitution’s broad brushstrokes describing the governlanguage finalized by October 2020 to proCitizens for a Constitution is looking for ment’s basic setup. vide plenty of time to complete the rest of tribal members interested in helping to draft “It doesn’t include a mechanism to the process. and gather input on a proposed constitution amend the charter, and the first sentence is “We still need to have it in that final verfor the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. ‘enacted by Council,’ not by the people,” sion and then print it, publish it and get it Upcoming meetings, news coverage and said Arneach. “It is not a document by the sent to all the registered voters so that they the draft constitution are available at people. It is a document by Tribal Council.” have a chance to read it,” he said. “This www.sgadugi.org. The group also has a The current constitution draft contains goes back to our tagline — read, think, Facebook page titled “EBCI Constitution.” For a variety of provisions that would represent decide, vote. Read for yourself, think for more information, contact Arneach at a change from the status quo. yourself, decide for yourself, vote for yourlloyd.arneach@gmail.com. Councilmembers would be limited to two self.”

Tribal Council allocates $70,000 for publicity expenses

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Sylva street to become one-way

November 20-26, 2019

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BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER Railroad Avenue in Sylva will soon be converted to a one-way street following a unanimous vote from the town board Nov. 14. The road parallels Mill Street to run in front of Bridge Park between Allen Street and Grindstaff Cove Road. Following the opening of Nantahala Brewing on the opposite side of Grindstaff Cove, the N.C. Department of Transportation approached the town about possibly converting Railroad to a one-way street, Town Manager Paige Dowling told the board. Nantahala doesn’t have its own parking, so most customers park in the public lot next to Bridge Park, potentially increasing the number of cars exiting the lot and attempting to make a difficult left-hand turn onto Grindstaff Cove. The DOT performed a traffic count, and while the results showed that the number of vehicles using Railroad Avenue had not increased all that much, town staff still recommended that the board designate the road as a one-way eastbound street, running from Grindstaff Cove to Allen Street. “Turning left (on Grindstaff Cove) is not a good idea with Mill Street being one-way,” said Dowling. “Cars from time to time will zigzag that, but that’s not a good move. If they’re turning right they’re looking to their left and would be turning into a crosswalk.” Despite the tricky turn, accident records

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don’t show the intersection to be problematic. “I was asking today and we couldn’t even remember one (accident) in recent memory at all that actually happened there,” said Police Chief Chris Hatton. “It’s not a place we have a lot of accidents, but we all know what we all know. When we get there, we know this is a really weird intersection.” Given recent discussions about pedestrian safety and crosswalks, the discussion seemed an important one to have before an accident occurred, said Public Works Director Jake Scott. The change would not be a difficult or expensive one, requiring only signs and some road paint to pull off. “I think if it’s not a huge expense to try it out and see how it goes, that we go ahead and do it,” said Commissioner David Nestler. “It can always get changed back if we see there’s a major problem,” said Mayor Lynda Sossamon. Commissioner Harold Hensley, however, thought the board should hold off on making a decision. “I think there ought to be some real thought go into this,” he said. “Because you have a lot of stuff going on at Bridge Park. People approach it in both directions. So to me it would be a flash decision.” Nevertheless, Hensley voted with the rest of the board in favor of changing Railroad Avenue to a one-way street.

Education

Smoky Mountain News

acteristics including caring leadership, passionate commitment, and a desire to serve and empower others. For the second year, the Steve Jones Servant Leadership Award was also given to an outstanding student. Blue Ridge Early College senior Kaitlyn Stewart received the award after being nominated for her history of dependable leadership, community involvement, and encouragement of fellow students to take ownership of school events.

HCC folds successful gala The Haywood Community College Foundation held its fourth Shine & Dine Gala at the Laurel Ridge Country Club recently. This year’s event, with Haywood Regional Medical Center as presenting sponsor, netted about $23,000 for the college’s advanced manufacturing and automotive programs.These programs produce skilled graduates who are in high demand. Jobs in these industries offer competitive wages and advancement opportunities for HCC students. “The students, faculty and staff of HCC are grateful for the wonderful support from our community for the advanced manufacturing and automotive programs,” said HCC President Dr. Barbara Parker. “We are appreciative of the generous people that surround us! With the help of our donors, the College is able to enhance the education these students receive.” For more information about HCC’s Foundation, call 828.627.4544. For more information about the College’s programs of study, call 828.627.2821.

WCU to host open house Western Carolina University is inviting prospective students and their families and friends to visit the campus during Open House on Saturday, Nov. 23. Open House gives visitors a chance to tour the campus, learn about the university’s wide array of award-winning academic programs, and find out the important details of topics such as financial aid. The day’s activities will begin with an information fair from 8:15 to 10 a.m. on the concourse of WCU’s Ramsey Regional Activity Center. Register at openhouse.wcu.edu or by calling 877.928.4968.

HCC to host open house Haywood Community College will hold an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the Regional Business Advancement Center, 144 Industrial Park Dr., Waynesville. This informal networking event will highlight the resources available at the center, including the Project AMI Makerspace, an open lab fitted with machining and welding equipment and 3D printers. The open house will also allow attendees to preview incubation opportunities and co-working spaces that will soon be available. Participants will also learn about the Continuing Education and Small Business Center resources that are available.

SCC offering robotics camp At Southwestern Community College, students are prepared for the next generation of technology and economic development, which is why SCC is offering a PARI Robotics Camp from Dec. 6-8 at The Learning Center at PARI in Rosman. This camp will serve as an introduction to robotics, computational thinking and programming. Middle and high school students in Cherokee,

Jackson, Macon and Swain counties are eligible to participate in this overnight camp. A $50 deposit is required, but two nights of lodging and all meals will be provided by the Smoky Mountain STEM Collaborative grant. Participants are responsible for their own transportation. Interested students, or adults who would like to chaperone, should contact Randi Neff, STEM Collaborative Project Coordinator, at r_neff@southwesterncc.edu or 828.339.4357.

WCU band to appear at Macy’s parade The 93rd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is just around the corner, and Haywood and Jackson counties will be well-represented when Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band makes its second appearance in the parade in five years, and as one of only two collegiate bands invited to participate. The parade is set for Thursday, Nov. 28, and will be broadcast live on NBC. The band will leave Cullowhee on Saturday, Nov. 23, and return Saturday, Nov. 30. Of the 535 members of the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band, 21 are from Haywood and Jackson counties. The trip’s big three expenses – hotel, food and travel – will cost close to $400,000, with another $350,000 in additional expenses for events and other experiential learning activities during the band’s six days in New York. Neither the band nor Western Carolina University makes money from appearing in the parade. For more information on how to support WCU’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band, visit givemacys.wcu.edu.

Macon student wins SCC contest Avery McGaha, a Macon Early College student, recently won first place in Southwestern Community College’s Veterans Club Essay Contest. In “What Veterans Day Means to Me,” McGaha

Alternative school changes name

credits her respect for all veterans to her great grandfather, who served in the U.S. Army for more than 30 years, and her grandfather, who served in the Army as well. McGaha, who lives in Franklin, is pursuing an associate in arts degree at SCC. After graduating, she plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in marketing, with a minor in business. Her goal is to enter the real estate field.

WCU recognized as elite voting campus Western Carolina University has been selected as one of “America’s Best Colleges for Student Voting in 2019” by Washington Monthly, a nonprofit magazine that covers government and political issues. WCU is one of four universities in North Carolina to receive the recognition, based on student voter turnout rates and civic engagement activities, and will be included in “College Guide and Rankings,” a new publication by the magazine that rates colleges and universities on contributions to social mobility, research and public service. WCU also has been designated a “Voter Friendly Campus” for 2019-20 by the Campus Vote Project and Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, a pair of national nonpartisan organizations. It was the second consecutive time the university garnered the designation.

JCPS honors servant leaders Jackson County Public Schools recently recognized outstanding leaders at the annual “Excellence in Leadership” award ceremony held at the Smoky Mountain High School Fine and Performing Arts Center. Dana Tucker was honored with the Steve Jones Servant Leadership Award which is given annually to a JCPS employee who exhibits exceptional char-

A transformation is happening at the Jackson County School of Alternatives — the Jackson County Board of Education recently voted unanimously to change the name of the school to Jackson Community School. Located in the renovated facility that was home to Scotts Creek School for nearly 50 years, the Jackson County School of Alternatives opened to students in August 2001. Unfortunately, the school has struggled with the misperception that most students who attend alternative schools are placed there because of an inability to function in a traditional environment. “We get new kids every week, and most of them, probably 75 percent, are kids who just want to come here. And, we get kids who come maybe through a progression plan, but then they don’t want to go back to their home school,” said Principal Angela Lunsford. As a “school of choice,” enrollment is open to any Jackson County student in grades 3-12.

• Second-year students in Southwestern Community College’s Physical Therapist Assistant program recently traveled across the state to attend the North Carolina Physical Therapy Association Fall Conference. While there, SCC’s PTA students competed in the annual Physical Therapy Student Quiz Bowl, finishing second place out of all competing state teams.

ALSO:

• Registration for the 2020 Region 8 Western Regional Science fair will open on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. The dates for this year’s fair will be Thursday, Feb, 13, 2020 for grades 3-5 and Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 for grades 6-12. The fair will be held at WCU’s Ramsey Regional Activity Center. Students, volunteers and exhibitors must register through STEM Wizard, and all registration information can be found at sciencefair.wcu.edu. • Coach JT Postell has stepped down as Tuscola High School’s head football coach, effective immediately. Postell has been the Mountaineer head football coach for the past two seasons. He will continue his teaching responsibilities at Tuscola and an extensive search for a new head football coach will begin.

Opinion

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It’s all about the journey

Scott McLeod

It’s called Blue Ridge Motorcycling Magazine, and it’s become part of our family. Let me explain. At almost 60 years old — damn, I can’t believe that’s true — odds are I’m beyond the midpoint of my life. That means I couldn’t realistically blame a mid-life crisis around three years ago when I became obsessed with buying a motorcycle. I had owned dirt bikes as a teenager and so knew how to ride. I wasn’t one of those old guys who was starting from scratch, figuring out the gears and the clutch and braking and starting on a hill and all the nuances of countersteering and leaning into curves. Once upon a time all that was secondnature. So I spent months combing Editor through newspaper and online ads, visiting local motorcycle shops to talk to salespeople, reading reviews and articles. Finally, my son and I rode to Asheville one day to buy the mid-size BMW after responding to an ad on Craigslist. The 11-year-old bike was in much better shape than the ad described, and so the deal was sealed quickly. I handed the pony-tailed, gray-haired guy who lived in a million-dollar house on Town Mountain Road a roll of bills amounting to the agreed-upon price, we signed the title over and he handed me the keys and a couple of boxes containing service records and extra parts. Just like that, after having been on a motorcycle perhaps three times in the last 30 years, it was time to ride back to Waynesville. It all came back surprisingly fast, my son following me the whole way in our truck as I made my way through downtown Asheville, out Patton Avenue to Old Asheville Highway in Enka and through Canton as I had the thought that avoiding Interstate 40 made the route home safer as I

Budget vote was for my district To the Editor: In response to Kevin Brock’s letter to the editor regarding my vote on the North Carolina budget override veto vote held on September 11, I stand by the vote today as I did then. As I have stated multiple times when asked, frankly I have never experienced more misinformation being spread about a situation. I would like to clarify facts regarding how and why I voted yes on the override of the budget. First and foremost, we did not take the vote while Democrats were attending a 9/11 memorial service. That was falsely reported by a Raleigh newspaper and picked up by all national media before it could be corrected. Gov. Roy Cooper has since confirmed that he witnessed no N.C. legislators at the service in question. Additionally, reporter and columnist Colin Campbell reported that only one legislator was absent due to attending a service in their district. Reports of legislators being at services commemorating the 18th anniversary of September 11 were totally false.

knocked the rust off my skills. We were back home before I knew it and scooting up our dirt driveway. I have bicycled, literally, thousands of miles since the last time I had ridden a motorcycle, and I think the basics of thinking, feeling and balancing on two wheels transferred to riding a motorcyRIDING THE Cherohala cle.Since then, I’ve Skyway enjoyed many hours on that bike, gotten somewhat into the bike scene, and look Distinguished forward to years of Gents riding. RIDING FOR A CAUSE But back to that mid-life crisis. No, buying a motorcycle at this age may not have counted as a mid-life crisis, but starting a newspaper in 1999 when I was 39 and while I had a good job, a wonderful wife and three kids — ages 7, 4, and 11 months — did border on lunacy. Lori and I put every penny we had — and some borrowed from my inlaws — in our hands, shook it around, blew into my fist for good luck and rolled the dice, hoping that hard work, some skill and a bit of luck would see us through. And here we are 20 years later. We have survived thanks to a word you hear often in today’s media world — diversity. The Smoky Mountain News is our flagship and always will be. Early on, though, we used my skills in the editorial/news realm and Greg Boothroyd’s skills in advertising/marketing to THE BEST RIDES IN THE BLUE RIDGE REGION

JOHNSON CITY TENNESSEE HENDERSON CO. WINERIES LESSONS FROM ROAD ATLANTA

Secondly, Speaker Tim Moore’s office has published an excellent piece giving the overall facts and dispels all the rumors of things that just didn’t happen. If you are interested in what happened, this will be a nice 10-minute read that will give you all the facts. I stand by everything said here. All the post discussion is Monday morning quarterbacking when all info and opinions are in. Here is my real time reality of how the vote occurred on that Wednesday. I walked into the chamber at 8:30 a.m. sharp. We had no information that the veto override motion was going to be made. I am Deputy Majority Whip and I would have been one of the first notified. I was not. Remember, we are in real time now. After the opening prayer and pledge Rep. Jason Saine, R-Lincolnton, made the motion to override the budget. The Speaker asked the clerk to “open the vote.” As with all votes, we are given 15 seconds to vote “yes” or “no.” Simple as that. I

FALL 2019

start producing special sections. Those early annual reports for Kids Advocacy Resource Effort and Mountain Mediation Services led to magazines for the likes of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and our own WNC Travel Guide. Now, revenues from our niche publishing ventures — along with our ever-evolving digital marketing division we call Mountain South Media — are key to our survival as we navigate the fast-changing media landscape. In addition to a dozen or so once-a-year magazines, we also have Smoky Mountain Living, a six-time-a-year lifestyle magazine covering the region from West Virginia and southwest Virginia to North Georgia. And, as mentioned in the first sentence of this piece, we have Blue Ridge Motorcycling Magazine. It’s a quarterly started by Jeff and Carla Myron of Asheville. When they decided to get out of publishing, they searched for a company that could keep their baby in print and thriving. Hopefully that is just what we will do. When it comes down to it, I’m an old news guy who loves these mountains and this region. We have diversified over the years so we can use those other revenue streams to continue to invest in quality local journalism. Our newspaper and our website are top-notch, and they will continue to be a vital part of the Western North Carolina media landscape. That’s a promise I’ll make to our readers with no hesitation. It’s my life. Smoky Mountain Living and Blue Ridge Motorcycling are fantastic lifestyle magazines that are models of quality magazine journalism, both in print and online. Check them out when you have a few minutes, and subscribe if you find them interesting. Meanwhile, I’m looking forward to winter and all its fun while still yearning for those unseasonably warm days when I’ll be able to roll the old BMW out of storage, crank the engine and cruise along the open road for a few hours, remembering that it’s the journey that holds the real meaning, not the destination. And so the journey continues. (Scott McLeod can be reached at info@smokymountainnews.com)

voted yes because I know the budget is great for my district. The truth is I had two months to make that decision. I was going to vote yes for the veto override whenever it came up. We did not vote on procedures, did not have time to think about who was on the floor and who was not, did not know Democrats thought there were no votes, we had 15 seconds to vote yes or no. I voted yes as I have planned since the veto came down to us. I’m not crazy about the controversy or that the Democrats mistakenly thought there were

no votes. The Speaker is the only one that can call for the vote. The announcement was made twice the night before that we would have votes. That is in the record and not debatable. The Democrats not being there was because their Minority Leader told them that there would “no votes.” He based that on a private conversation with the rules chair about whether two bills that were added to the calendar would be held from the 8:30 a.m. voting session so Dems could caucus before. The Rules Chair said he agreed and the votes on those two bills would not be held at 8:30 a.m. I suppose he took it that there would be no votes. Again, we knew none of this. All we knew was the override was on the floor with a motion made. Finally, we could vote yes or no. A no for me would’ve been a vote against my district, my schools, state employee raises in my district including teachers and law enforcement and state retirees. I voted yes on the budget, not on the procedure. I didn’t have that choice, nor did I know it was coming. I will always vote for my district first and party or procedure last. Kevin Corbin NC House of Representatives Candidate for N.C. Senate

Susanna Shetley

it, he didn’t want any of that “recipe or crafting crap.” He wanted someone who could be real and honest. And so ensued a relationship with this newspaper and its sister magazine, Smoky Mountain Living. Scott, Jessi Stone and Jonathan Austin have further nurtured my writing skills. If these amazing, talented people had never taken a chance on me, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to write and publish my recent children’s book. God offered a whisper one morning while sitting in car line at my boys’ elementary school. We’d just listened to an NPR piece on the Paris Climate Agreement when my youngest son said, “If the earth gets too heavy with trash, could she fall from the sky?” The three of us sat there in the quiet thinking about that possibility. It made me realize even the youngest among us are worried about the future of our planet. That day, I went home and wrote the initial draft of The Jolt Felt Around the World. It’s a story about Mother Earth being sick and dirty. She’s so laden with

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Smoky Mountain News

trash she starts falling from the sky and has to rely on the rest of the galaxy to save her and all earthlings. But with the desire for rescue comes fear, misunderstanding and ultimately, forgiveness. I want this book to serve as a conversation starter between adults and children. It should be a collective goal to raise future generations who are kind toward our planet and one another. I’m fervent about being a good person. All the angst, cynicism and deceit get us nowhere. Where’s the compassion, tolerance and altruism? My life story hasn’t been a straight plot line from A to B, but it’s mine and I own it. Though I may not have control over every twist or turn, I can do my best to create a story that makes my boys and me proud. And through my writing, whether it is a column, book or otherwise, I hope to inspire others to do the same. More information about The Jolt Felt Around the World can be found at www.susannashetleyauthor.com. The book can be purchased through Susanna’s website, at local bookstores or Amazon. An author meet and greet event will be held at Blue Ridge Books at 3 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 14.

November 20-26, 2019

attoos often follow times of darkness or transition. When my mom’s cancer got to a point of no return, I realized how brief and fleeting life could be. Why was this happening to us? She was too young. I was too young. Woven into my grief and anger was an epiphany, a heightened sense of what it means to fully live. Around this time, I had “One Life, One Story” tattooed on the inside of my left Columnist forearm. It’s a constant reminder. We’re offered a single chance to craft the narrative of our lives, and we’re not always in control of the ending. As a young girl, I fantasized about being a writer when I grew up. I didn’t know what kind of writer I wanted to be; I just knew I loved putting pen to paper. My parents’ friends owned a diner in Asheville. I remember writing poems on the white place setting napkins as I waited for the adults to finish cleaning and chatting. My essays frequently won contests in elementary school, and as a secondary student, I never shied away from complicated writing assignments. Yet, in college and graduate school, I majored in education and psychology, as opposed to journalism or creative writing. Perhaps it’s my interest in the human mind and heart that emboldens my writing ability. After two careers, first as a school psychologist then as a middle school language arts teacher, I felt empty and restless. I went back to school to obtain an add-on degree in journalism studies. While taking classes, I emailed Katie Wadington, editor at Asheville-Citizen Times and WNC Parent. I had no bylines or published work other than a few blog posts on my fledgling mom blog. Maybe she’s a risk taker or maybe she could hear the determination in my voice. Either way, Katie hired me to write for WNC Parent. Her guidance and knowledge was paramount in the early days of my writing career. A couple years later, Vicki Hyatt at the Mountaineer took me on as a family columnist. Topics included birthday party planning, holiday crafting and fostering early literacy skills. When I started to feel my marriage struggling, I pulled out of that column. It felt hypocritical to write singsong articles when my real life was rocky. Soon thereafter I ran into Scott McLeod, owner and editor of The Smoky Mountain News. Over a beer at the Frog’s Leap bar, we talked about me writing for him. He’d been looking for a female columnist but as he put

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Taste the Mountains is an ever-evolving paid section of places to dine in Western North Carolina. If you would like to be included in the listing please contact our advertising department at 828.452.4251 BLUE ROOSTER SOUTHERN GRILL 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, Lakeside Plaza at the old Wal-Mart. 828.456.1997. Open Monday through Friday. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Fresh-cut salads; slow-simmered soups; flame grilled burgers and steaks, and homemade signature desserts. Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily. Brown bagging is permitted. Private parties, catering, and take-out available. Call-ahead seating available. BOGART’S 303 S. Main St., Waynesville. 828.452.1313. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Carry out available. Located in downtown Waynesville, Bogart’s has been long-time noted for great steaks, soups, and salads. Casual family atmosphere in a rustic old-time setting with a menu noted for its practical value. Live Bluegrass/String Band music every Thursday. BOOJUM BREWING COMPANY 50 N Main Street, Waynesville. 828.246.0350. Taproom Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday & Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Gem Bar Open Tuesday through Sunday 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Enjoy lunch, dinner or drinks at Boojum’s Downtown Waynesville restaurant & bar. Choose from 16 taps of our fresh, delicious & ever rotating Boojum Beer plus cider, wine & craft cocktails. The taproom features seasonal pub faire including tasty burgers, sandwiches, shareables and daily specials that pair perfectly with our beer. Cozy up inside or take in the mountain air on our back deck.” BOURBON BARREL BEEF & ALE 454 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, 828.452.9191. Lunch daily 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; dinner nightly at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday and

Monday. Wine Down Wednesday’s: ½ off wine by the bottle. We specialize in handcut, all natural steaks from local farms, incredible burgers, and other classic american comfort foods that are made using only the finest local and sustainable ingredients available. CHEF’S TABLE 30 Church St., Waynesville. 828.452.6210. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday dinner starting at 5 p.m. “Best of” Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine. Set in a distinguished atmosphere with an exceptional menu. Extensive selection of wine and beer. Reservations honored. CHURCH STREET DEPOT 34 Church Street, downtown Waynesville. 828.246.6505. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Mouthwatering all beef burgers and dogs, hand-dipped, hand-spun real ice cream shakes and floats, fresh handcut fries. Locally sourced beef. Indoor and outdoor dining. facebook.com/ChurchStreetDepot, twitter.com/ChurchStDepot. CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva. 828.587.2233. Open Monday-Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tasty, healthy and quick. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, espresso, beer and wine. Come taste the savory and sweet crepes, grilled paninis, fresh, organic salads, soups and more. Outside patio seating. Free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly. Live music and lots of events. Check the web calendar at citylightscafe.com. THE CLASSIC WINESELLER 20 Church Street, Waynesville. 828.452.6000. Underground retail wine and craft beer shop, restaurant, and intimate live music venue. Kitchen opens at 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday serving freshly prepared small plates, tapas, charcuterie, desserts. Enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday night at 7pm. www.classicwineseller.com. Also on facebook and twitter. COUNTRY VITTLES: FAMILY STYLE RESTAURANT 3589 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley. 828.926.1820 Winter hours: Wednesday through Sunday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Family Style at Country Vittles is not a buffet. Instead our waitresses will bring your food piping hot from the kitchen right to your table and as many refills as you want. So if

you have a big appetite, but sure to ask your waitress about our family style service. FERRARA PIZZA & PASTA 243 Paragon Parkway, Clyde. 828.476.5058. Open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 12 to 8 p.m. Real New Yorkers. Real Italians. Real Pizza. A full service authentic Italian pizzeria and restaurant from New York to the Blue Ridge. Dine in, take out, and delivery. Check out our daily lunch specials plus customer appreciation nights on Monday and Tuesday 5 to 9 p.m. with large cheese pizzas for $9.95. FIREFLY TAPS & GRILL 128 N. Main St., Waynesville 828.454.5400. Simple, delicious food. A must experience in WNC. Located in downtown Waynesville with an atmosphere that will warm your heart and your belly! Local and regional beers on tap. Full bar, vegetarian options, kids menu, and more. Reservations accepted. Daily specials. Live music every Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. Open Mon.-Sat. 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St., Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. 5 to 9:30 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. HARMON’S DEN BISTRO 250 Pigeon St., Waynesville 828.456.6322. Harmon’s Den is located in the Fangmeyer Theater at HART. Open 5:309 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday (Bistro closes at 7:30 p.m. on nights when there is a show in the Fangmeyer Theater) with Sunday brunch at 11 a.m. that includes breakfast and lunch items. Harmon’s Den offers a complete menu with cocktails, wine list, and area beers on tap. Enjoy casual dining with the guarantee of making it to the performance in time, then rub shoulders with the cast afterward with post-show food and beverage service. Reservations recommended. www.harmonsden.harttheatre.org HAZELWOOD FARMACY & SODA FOUNTAIN 429 Hazelwood Avenue, Waynesville. 828.246.6996. Open six days a week,

Smoky Mountain News

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tasteTHE mountains closed Wednesday. 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday brunch 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Breakfast until noon, oldfashioned luncheonette and diner comfort food. Historic full service soda fountain. J. ARTHUR’S RESTAURANT AT MAGGIE VALLEY U.S. 19 in Maggie Valley. 828.926.1817. Open for dinner at 4:30 Tuesday through Sunday. 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. Open seven days a week! 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Joey’s is a family-friendly restaurant that has been serving breakfast to locals and visitors of Western North Carolina for decades. 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. Join us for what has become a tradition in these parts, breakfast at Joey’s.

MAD BATTER FOOD & FILM 617 W. Main Street Downtown Sylva. 828.586.3555. Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with Sunday Brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hand-tossed pizza, house-ground burgers, steak sandwiches & fresh salmon all from scratch. Casual family friendly atmosphere. Craft beer and interesting wine. Free movies Thursday through Saturday. Visit madbatterfoodfilm.com for this week’s shows & events.

MAGGIE VALLEY RESTAURANT 2804 Soco Road, Maggie Valley. 828.926.0425. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Daily specials including soups, sandwiches and southern dishes along with featured dishes such as fresh fried chicken, rainbow trout, country ham, pork chops and more. Breakfast all day including omelets, pancakes, biscuits & gravy. facebook.com/carversmvr; instagram @carvers_mvr. 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

RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT AND BAR Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center 70 Soco Road, Maggie Valley 828.926.0201 Home of the Maggie Valley Pizzeria. We deliver after 4 p.m. daily to all of Maggie Valley, J-Creek area, and Lake Junaluska. Monday through Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. country buffet and salad bar from 5 to 9 p.m. $11.95 with Steve Whiddon on piano. Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 11:30 to 8 p.m. 11:30 to 3 p.m. family style, fried chicken, ham, fried fish, salad bar, along with all the fixings, $11.95. Check out our events and menu at rendezvousmaggievalley.com SAGEBRUSH STEAKHOUSE 1941 Champion Drive, Canton 828.646.3750 895 Russ Ave., Waynesville 828.452.5822. Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Carry out available. Sagebrush features hand carved steaks, chicken and award winning BBQ ribs. We have fresh salads, seasonal vegetables and scrumptious deserts. 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. TAP ROOM BAR & GRILL 176 Country Club Drive, Waynesville. 828.456.3551. Open seven days a week serving lunch and dinner. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tucked away inside Waynesville Inn, the Tap Room Bar & Grill has an approachable menu designed around locally sourced, sustainable, farm-to-table ingredients. Full bar and wine cellar. www.thewaynesvilleinn.com. WAYNESVILLE PIZZA COMPANY 32 Felmet Street, Waynesville. 828.246.0927. Open Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday noon to 9 p.m.; closed Tuesdays. Opened in May 2016, The Waynesville Pizza Company has earned a reputation for having the best hand-tossed pizza in the area. Featuring a custom bar with more than 20 beers and a rustic, family friendly dining room. Menu includes salads, burgers, wraps, hot and cold sandwiches, gourmet pizza, homemade desserts, and a loaded salad bar. The Cuban sandwich is considered by most to be the best in town.

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MAGGIE VALLEY CLUB 1819 Country Club Dr., Maggie Valley. 828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine. Open seasonally for lunch and dinner. Fine and casual fireside dining in welcoming atmosphere. Full bar. Reservations accepted.

PIGEON RIVER GRILLE 101 Park St., Canton. 828.492.1422. Open Tuesday through Thursday 3 to 8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday noon to 9 p.m.; Sunday noon to 6 p.m. Southern-inspired restaurant serving simply prepared, fresh food sourced from top purveyors. Located riverside at Bearwaters Brewing, enjoy daily specials, sandwiches, wings, fish and chips, flatbreads, soups, salads, and more. Be sure to save room for a slice of the delicious house made cake. Relaxing inside/outside dining and spacious gathering areas for large groups.

November 20-26, 2019

KANINI’S 1196 N. Main St., Waynesville. 828.452.5187. Lunch Monday-Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., eat in or carry out. Closed Sunday. A made-from-scratch kitchen using fresh ingredients. Offering a variety of meals to go from frozen meals to be stored and cooked later to “Dinners to Go” that are made fresh and ready to enjoyed that day. We also specialize in catering any event from from corporate lunches to weddings. kaninis.com

at the Depot. Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Life is too short for bad coffee. We feature wonderful breakfast and lunch selections.

1819 Country Club Drive Maggie Valley, NC

M AG G I E VA LLE Y C LU B . CO M 21

A&E

Smoky Mountain News

Finding the beauty within: Green Orchid Soap

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER ucked in the depths of Wall Street in Waynesville, the Green Orchid Soap Co. is meant to be found by chance or happenstance — this cozy spot just off Main Street, right down a side alley away from the bustle of downtown. “Healthy skin is so important. If you’re itchy and miserable, it affects everything else in your life,” said Babs Szczepanski, owner of Green Orchid. “The skin you have is all you got, so why not use products that best suit what your skin needs to flourish?” Sitting behind her desk at Green Orchid, Szczepanski is surrounded by dozens of orders in boxes ready to shipped and ideas for new products. Opened this past April, Szczepanski is now at the helm of a steadily growing company that’s becoming more and more in-demand. “Our bodies absorb 80 percent of what we put on it in about 20 seconds. And a lot of these mainstream products still use questionable ingredients,” she said. “There has to be something better for your skin and there has to be a reason these handmade soap company are popping up — people want quality, they want to know exactly what they’re putting on their bodies.” A paralegal by trade, Szczepanski found her way into the small business world with her original store, Ellie’s Fine Resale, a consignment boutique on Main Street. After selling the business, she looked for a new endeavor, with soap and skin products a constant idea floating around in her mind. “This was in 2014, a time when my mother

was terminally ill and I was helping her pass peacefully. And while I was going through that, I found myself with some extra time and started dabbling in making soap to keep my mind off of things,” Szczepanski said. “Making soap became a kind of healing mechanism for me. I just started tinkering around with recipes and techniques, mainly learning by doing and by watching ‘how to’ videos on YouTube.” Szczepanki noted her long-time, sincere love of making things with her hands as an ode to her upbringing and late mother. “We were poor and my mother made everything from toys to clothes — whatever we needed,” Szczepanski said. “She tried to make it as best as she could without having to spend a lot of money.” From humble beginnings of trial and error with her soaps, Szczepanski started to sell her wares. First soaps, then pushing into seemingly every avenue of skin products. So much so, she now works with another person in creating and manufacturing the products. For Szczepanski, it’s about a liberation of the soul through your skin. “I’m 50 and I’m part of a generation that grew up in the 1980s. We had big hair and we were told we were fat,” she said. “So, I’m trying to reach for this category of women who are coming into their own. They’re not dying their hair anymore, they’re just kind of figuring out who they are — and there’s a lot of pride in that.” But, it’s one thing to offer a product of value to the consumer, and it’s another thing to place that product in a welcoming environment that is the store itself. “Every store that I’ve ever owned, I’ve want-

“Life can get so busy and crazy, that sometimes the only space in the day you have to yourself is in the shower. So, why not make the most of that and turn it into a meditative moment?” — Babs Szczepanski, owner, Green Orchid

ed it to be a space where you could come in and just decompress,” Szczepanski said. “And I can see that when people walk in. They take a deep breath and they’re relaxed — it’s a great feeling to witness that.” When just taking into account handmade soap purchased within the last year, Szczepanski estimated Green Orchid has sold north of 500 bars since its April launch. Offering gift bundles, Szczepanski likes to layer the bars with her handmade lotions, scrubs and candles. “Life can get so busy and crazy, that sometimes the only space in the day you have to yourself is in the shower,” she said. “So, why not make the most of that and turn it into a meditative moment? Breathe in, breathe out.” Walking around the shop, Szczepanski pointed out each product and its uses, where one could simply go on a “pick your own scent” kind of adventure, with the variety of aromas as unique as the products themselves. “In my products, I use a lot of classic ingredients — shea butter, olive oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil. There’s a reason these ingredients have been around so long — they work,” Szczepanski said. “It’s crazy how many chemicals and detergents a lot of these mainstream products use. We want to change that with real ingredients that won’t irritate your skin.” Now that Green Orchid is off and running, and seemingly at a faster pace with each new order and new idea implemented, Szczepanski is readying a men’s line of soaps, lotions, shave butters and beard oils. “If you feel good on the outside and you’re not worried about that, then maybe you can start on the inside,” she said.

Specializing in an array of specialized skin remedies, Green Orchid’s flagship product is its wide-array of homemade soaps. (photos: Garret K. Woodward)

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5

Roots/jam group The Get Right Band will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, in The Gem downstairs taproom at Boojum Brewing in Waynesville. The Petra Ballet Company will kickoff the holiday season at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

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Smoky Mountain News

hen I was a kid, my parents would talk to ”Kids at HART,” the youth drama group at the anybody. Literally Haywood Arts Regional Theatre (HART), will anybody. Though my little sispresent “Seussical the musical Jr.” at 2 p.m. ter was somewhat embarNov. 23-24 at the theatre in Waynesville. rassed by it, I was completely fascinated. The 10th annual Handmade Holiday Sale will be Thus, that even as a held from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, in youngster, I’d randomly strike the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina up a chat with a complete University. stranger, whether in a diner at The 32th annual “Hard Candy Christmas” arts breakfast with my father or and crafts show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 on some adventure with my p.m. Nov. 29-30 inside the Ramsey Center at mother. Western Carolina University. And I still am that way. I’m a honed antenna, this just and bountiful life, but to spend it interforce of energy, a continually broadcasted frequency of camaraderie always in search of acting with other souls of joyous and harmonious vibration? Heck, Paul McCartney said a receiver to open up the channels of comit best in The Beatles song “The End” when munication with. he sang, “And in the end, the love you take, is With that, there’s one key rule that I live equal to the love you make.” by every single day: start (at least) one conAnd one must realize that most (if not versation each day with a stranger. It doesn’t matter if it’s waiting in line, sitting in a park, all) folks will engage and be off into some deep conversation with you in mere sipping a beer at a bar or just somebody moments because you gave them the most behind the counter at some business — one important thing in life — the time of day. In conversation. Start the daily practice yourself and you’ll a modern era of social media and instant digital gratification, face-to-face conversabe surprised at what you learn not only tion is a lost art, sadly. about what lies within you, but also within So, let’s change that. Bring back friendly others around you. Open up and explore the banter. Bring back peaceful debate, introuniverse sitting at your fingertips. Nobody who has ever had a life worth liv- spective thought, critical thinking, the sharing was an island unto themselves. What is a ing of ideas and experiences between two

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people or a group. If anything, you’d be surprised how far just “How are you doing today?” can go. Case in point: I went for a solo meal on Sunday evening at Curate, a scrumptious Spanish tapas restaurant in downtown Asheville. Iconic spot. Makes every worldwide list for “Best of ” and so on. I like eating alone, especially if it’s with a good book or just the opportunity to spark a conversation with someone next to me. So, amid the organized chaos of a popular restaurant during the dinner rush, I was seated on the far end of the bar counter. It was a packed house. Dishes of savory food slung in every direction. Endless glasses of wine poured. Within my vicinity on that end of the bar counter was an older gentleman (also by himself ) and a couple. Seeing an opportunity to maybe make a new acquaintance, I began talking to the older gentleman, sparked by him gazing over the huge menu. “The butternut squash soup was great, so was the shrimp and garlic bowl,” I suggested. We began to chat. He was from Washington State, way up on the Canadian Border. Retired firefighter, age 57. Currently driving solo around America (first time in Asheville), he was just taking it all in, immersing himself in spots he might want to call home someday. Our banter soon spilled over into the couple. They’re in their late 40s from Fort Worth, Texas. They come to Asheville a couple times a year. Love it here. The husband runs a nonprofit that goes around teaching the youth of Texas about classic and ancient literature, with trips to Europe to see and live the words first-hand. The couple met as teenagers in Fort Worth, happily married 27 years. The four of us ended up in a genuinely meaningful conversation about life, love, travel, and what it all means in the grand scheme of things. We shared tales of our separate pasts, of happiness and sadness. The firefighter spoke of being one of those emergency responders who drove to Ground Zero (from Washington State) to help clean up debris and gather the remains of those perished in 9/11. You could see the sadness in his eyes as we listened intently. He then told us other serendipitous moments he had come across on this recent trek, interactions that filled his heart with that love and compassion we all seek. The couple spoke of their two kids, one a brush pilot in Alaska, the other moving to Germany to start a new life. They told stories of running around the country and overseas as a young family, and how “life has always been experiences and moments shared with loved ones, never about material wealth or status.” We dove deep into an ocean of thought, only to resurface with new friendships. The conversation was over an hour long, the wine poured with gusto. Eventually, it was time to move on. We said goodbyes and exchanged emails. Such is life, eh? The absurdity and splendor of it all, and all started with: “The butternut squash soup was great, so was the shrimp and garlic bowl.” Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.

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On the beat WCU ‘Sounds of the Season’ concert The annual “Sounds of the Season” concert will be presented by Western Carolina University’s School of Music on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center in Cullowhee. The holiday musical tradition begins at 3 p.m. and will include performances by WCU’s Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, University Chorus, Concert Choir and Civic Orchestra, along with Balsam Brass and the Cullowhee Wind Quintet. The family friendly concert concludes

November 20-26, 2019

Rock, soul act returns to Boojum

with a holiday sing-along and an appearance by Santa Claus. “The performance is enjoyable for everyone and is always one of the most popular events on the calendar,” said Lyn Ellen Burkett, WCU assistant professor of music and an event organizer. “The holiday spirit just comes alive through the songs by ensembles, large and small, and magic fills the air.” A ticketed event, proceeds benefit the School of Music Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for WCU faculty and staff, and those 60 and older, while students and kids are $5. Group rates are available for advance purchase only. 828.227.2479 or visit arts.wcu.edu/sos.

The Get Right Band.

Ashevillebased roots/jam group The Get Right Band will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, in The Gem downstairs taproom at Boojum Brewing in Waynesville. Led by singer/guitarist Silas Durocher, the ensemble also includes Jesse Gentry (bass) and drummer J.C. Mears (drums). What stands out about this band is the mere fact that nobody around this region sounds like them. And it’s that “all” factor which puts The Get Right Band into a league of their own. It’s surprising when you stand there watching them perform, where you’re trying to figure out just how they’re able to get that much sound from a power trio. Admission is $5 at the door. For more information, visit www.thegetrightband.com.

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Bluegrass Boogie at Boojum The second annual “Bluegrass Boogie” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, in The Gem downstairs taproom at Boojum Brewing in Waynesville. Hosted by The Smoky Mountain News, live music will be provided by J Rex & His High Mountain Pals, a rollicking bluegrass/string act, which features members of Ol’ Dirty Bathtub alongside special guests throughout the evening. Steeped in that “high, lonesome sound” of Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys, J Rex & His High Mountain Pals also have thick threads of John Hartford, Jimmy Martin and Old & In The Way running through its tone. This will be an unofficial kickoff event for the Balsam Range Art of Music Festival. The event is free and open to the public.

On the beat

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host an acoustic jam with Main St. NoTones from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 21 and 28. Free and open to the public. www.blueridgebeerhub.com. • Boojum Brewing Company (Waynesville) will host a bluegrass open mic every Wednesday, an all-genres open mic every Thursday, The Get Right Band Nov. 23 ($5 cover at door) and DJ Point 5 Nov. 30. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.boojumbrewing.com. • Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Nikky Talley Duo Nov. 22, The Mixx Nov. 23 and Hope Griffin Nov. 29. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. www.froglevelbrewing.com. • Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night Nov. 20 and 27, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo Nov. 21 and 28. All events are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Legends Sports Grill (Maggie Valley) will host music semi-regularly on weekends. 828.926.9464 or www.facebook.com/legendssportsgrillmaggievalley.

• Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host Brett Bass & Melted Plectrum (Americana) Nov. 22, Hustle Souls 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23 and Sugar Lime Nov. 30. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

ALSO:

• Pub 319 (Waynesville) will host an open mic night from 8 to 11 p.m. every Wednesday. Free and open to the public. www.pub319socialhouse.com. • Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host Twelfth Fret Nov. 22, Shawn Gibson & Lance Parker Nov. 23, A. Lee Edwards Nov. 29 and Sweet Charity Nov. 30. Shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. www.rathskellerfranklin.com. • Salty Dog’s (Maggie Valley) will have Karaoke with Jason Wyatt at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, Mile High (classic rock) 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, and a Trivia w/Kelsey Jo 8 p.m. Thursdays. • Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands) will host “Hoppy Hour” and an open mic at 6 p.m. on Thursdays and live music on Friday evenings. 828.482.9794 or www.satulahmountainbrewing.com.

@SmokyMtnNews 32nd Annual

Hard Candy Christmas Arts & Crafts Show

A Mountain Christmas Tradition

• The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic” night from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays. 828.283.0079 or www.38main.com. • The Ugly Dog Pub (Cashiers) will host Bluegrass Thursdays w/Benny Queen at 6:30 p.m. • The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host Bluegrass w/Nitrograss Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and STIG 9:30 p.m. Nov. 22. • The Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic Night” on Mondays, karaoke on Thursdays and semi-regular music on Fridays and Saturdays. All events at 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.456.4750. • Whiteside Brewing (Cashiers) will host Doug Ramsay Nov. 22. Shows are at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.743.6000 or www.whitesidebrewing.com.

November 29-30, 2019

Smoky Mountain News

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host an open mic night at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday, Heidi Holton (blues/folk) Nov. 22, The Upbeats Nov. 23, Darren & The Buttered Toast (soul/funk) Nov. 29 and Tea 4 Three Nov. 30. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host the “Stone Soup” open mic night every Tuesday, Shayler’s Kitchen Nov. 22, Somebody’s Child (Americana) Nov. 23, Scott James Stambaugh Nov. 29 and Frank & Allie Lee (folk/Americana) Nov. 30. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

November 20-26, 2019

• Isis Music Hall (West Asheville) will host Sylvia Rose Novak (rock) 7 p.m. Nov. 20, Maya de Vitry & Anna Tivel (Americana/storyteller) 7 p.m. Nov. 21, Michelle Malone Band (Americana) 8:30 p.m Nov. 21, Karavan Sarai (world) 7 p.m. Nov. 22, Amy Speace w/Lyn Koonce (Americana) 9 p.m. Nov. 22, Joshua Davis & Luke Winslow-King (Americana/blues) 7 p.m. Nov. 23, NewSong Music & Songwriting Competition Finals 8:30 p.m. Nov. 23, Joe Crookston (Americana/folk) 6 p.m. Nov. 24, Julia Sanders & Megan Cronin (Americana/country) 7:30 p.m. Nov. 24, Tuesday Bluegrass Sessions w/Darren Nicholson Band 7:30p.m. Nov. 26 and The Lost Chord (Moody Blues tribute) 7 p.m. Nov. 27. For more information about the performances and/or to purchase tickets, click on www.isisasheville.com.

• Mad Anthony’s Taproom & Restaurant (Waynesville) will host Bona Fide 7 p.m. Nov. 22. All shows are free and open to the public. 828.246.9249.

arts & entertainment

• Andrews Brewing Company (Andrews) will host the “Lounge Series” at its Calaboose location with Scott Stambaugh Nov. 22, Donnie & The Dry Heavers Nov. 23, Wollybooger 4 p.m. Nov. 24, Heidi Holton Nov. 29 and Heatherly Nov. 30. All shows are free and begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

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arts & entertainment

On the street Sylva Garden Club fundraiser The Sylva Garden Club will be hosting a fundraiser “Christmas Tea & Crafts” from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the First Presbyterian Church of Sylva. Suggested donation is $15 per ticket. Tickets are available from SGC members and at the door. In addition to tasty treats and fellowship, pecans and Christmas décor will be available for purchase. All proceeds go directly to fund SGC beautification projects. nballiot@gmail.com.

‘Christmas in Sylva’

Smoky Mountain News

November 20-26, 2019

The annual “Christmas in Sylva” holiday will take place Nov. 29-Dec. 1 in downtown. The events are as follows: • 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29: Tree lighting. Gathering place is at the fountain by the Historic Courthouse steps. Concert by Summer & Bray of Mountain Faith. • Saturday, Nov. 30: Photos with Santa from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sundog Building on Main Street. Winter Market

‘Unearthing Our Forgotten Past’ The exhibition “Unearthing Our Forgotten Past: Fort San Juan” will run through Dec. 20 in the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University. On loan from Exploring Joara Foundation, the exhibit is the first formal museum exhibit showcasing Fort San Juan and Joara, a large Native American town in the late 16th century. It was developed as part of the cele-

will also occur during the day within downtown Sylva businesses. • Sunday, Dec. 1: Christmas Parade at 3 p.m. Parade will start at the Historic Courthouse and go down Main Street. 828.586.2719.

Franklin Christmas Parade

• The “Spirit of Christmas” will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, in downtown Bryson City. Join friends and neighbors for caroling at the lighting of the 50-foot-tall town Christmas tree at the corner of Main and Everett. In the true Spirit of Christmas, bring a canned good to donate to the food pantry or a new unwrapped gift for the local toy drive.

ALSO:

• “Santa at the Museum” will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 23 and from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 30 on the second floor of the Swain County Heritage Museum in Bryson City. Warm cocoa and cookies, and letter writing to Santa downstairs. • The “Polar Express” will depart on select times through Dec. 31 from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot. For more information on departures or to purchase tickets, visit www.gsmr.com.

bration of the 450th Anniversary of the Juan Pardo Expeditions, during the 1560s, and tells the story of Spanish exploration and the founding of a fort in what is present-day Burke County. Archaeologists identified the site near Morganton as the location of Joara, one of the largest Native American towns in what is today western North Carolina. The town was occupied from approximately A.D. 1400 to A.D. 1600. Hernando de Soto and Juan Pardo, Spanish explorers, visited the town in the 1560’s. In 2013, archaeologists confirmed that the town was also the site of Fort San Juan, established by Juan Pardo in 1567, nearly 20 years before the English settlement at Roanoke on the coast of North Carolina and 40 years before the English settlement at Jamestown in Virginia. The discovery of the fort, the earliest European settlement in the interior of what is now the United States, has changed history books. The exhibit is free and open to the public. www.wcu.edu.

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce is putting the finishing touches on the 2019 Christmas Parade in anticipation of another great event that, along with Winter Wonderland, will officially ring in the holiday season. The parade will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. Entries will line up along Church Street beside First Baptist Church. The parade route will begin by pulling out on the top of Town Hill beside Town Hall. The route will proceed down Main Street turning left at the Lazy Hiker Brewing Company onto Porter Street. Then turn left onto Palmer Street disbanding at Highlands Road. Each entry can choose their own location to disband. “The Magic of Christmas” will be this year’s theme. Remember no Santas are allowed on any float other than the traditional Santa float that signals the end of the parade. The Suminski Family will be this year’s Grand Marshall. The Ugly Holiday Sweater Dash will also return this year. This is a benefit for Macon County Care Network and will be hosted

before the start of the Christmas Parade. The dash starts at 2:45 p.m. Registration is now available at the Franklin Chamber of Commerce or at 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Franklin Town Hall. Entry fee for the dash is five canned goods per “Dasher.” Finishers of the dash will receive a completion certificate. Pets are invited to take part in the dash but must be on a leash at all times. Pet owners are encouraged to dress up their pets in an ugly sweater. Due to safety concerns, candy will be passed out by folks walking alongside their float entry. The Parade Committee reserves the right to remove any entry it deems inappropriate or unsafe. Float entry forms can be picked up and returned at the chamber office located at 98 Hyatt Road. The entry fee is $25 for all entries. Deadline for entry is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27. Please note the Chamber will be closed for Thanksgiving on Nov. 28-29. For additional information, contact the Franklin Chamber of Commerce by calling 828.524.3161.

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Bosu’s tastings, small plates

ALSO:

• A free wine tasting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 21 and 28, and 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 23 and 30 at The Wine Bar & Cellar in Sylva. 828.631.3075. • Free cooking demonstrations will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturdays at Country Traditions in Dillsboro. Watch the demonstrations, eat samples and taste house wines for $3 a glass. All recipes posted online. www.countrytraditionsnc.com.

Smoky Mountain News

• “Cheers to bubbles” will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Bryson City Wine Market. From Champagne to Prosecco and Cremant to Cava. Raise a glass, as we explore the many styles and tastes of sparkling wine. To RSVP, email bcwinemarket@gmail.com.

November 20-26, 2019

Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville will host an array of wine tastings and small plates throughout the week. • Mondays: Free tastings and discounts on select styles of wine that changes weekly. • Thursdays: Five for $5 wine tasting, with small plates available for purchase from Chef Bryan’s gourmet cuisine in The Secret Wine Bar. • Wednesday-Saturday: The Secret Wine Bar will be open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. • Fridays: The Secret Wine Bar will be open for drinks and small plates from 5 to 9 p.m. • Saturdays: Champagne cocktails from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Secret Wine Bar will be open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will also be a free wine tasting from 1 to 5 p.m. Dog friendly patio and front garden open, weather permitting. For more information and/or to RSVP for ticketed events, call 828.452.0120 or email info@waynesvillewine.com.

arts & entertainment

On the wall Waynesville Art School class, exhibition There will be a handful of upcoming classes offered at the Waynesville Art School. • Kids’ Night Out (ages 6-14): From 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22. Anything can be made from cardboard. With the help of templates and scissors, glue, some collage materials and paints, students will create a unicorn by first separately drawing and cutting its body, legs, ears and a horn out of a cardboard, then decorating all the parts, and finally connecting them all together. Cost is $25. Registration is required. • End of Semester Exhibition: From noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. Join Waynesville Art School students as they showcase their artwork created in the last three months and help them to celebrate their accomplishments. See the school, get to know the faculty, ask questions, and register for the second semester. Face painting, art stations and light refreshments. Free admission. For more information and/or to register, visit www.waynesvillartschool.com or call 828.246.9869.

Smoky Mountain News

November 20-26, 2019

‘Hard Candy’ holiday craft show

The 32th annual “Hard Candy Christmas” arts and crafts show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 29-30 inside the Ramsey Center at Western Carolina University. This mountain tradition started in 1987 in Franklin with eight local artists. It has grown to more than 100 original artisans

who sell their work at great prices. Expect a dazzling display of fine hand crafted creations such as Father Christmas dolls, fresh mountain greenery, and folk dolls. The ornament collectors always find new additions for the tree. Admission is $5 for a two-day pass. Children under 12 are free. Parking is also free. For more information, call 828.524.3405 or visit www.mountainartisans.net.

Handmade Holiday Sale celebrates 10 years

‘It’s a Small, Small Work’ exhibit The Haywood County Arts Council annual show, “It’s a Small, Small Work,” will be held through Jan. 4 in HCAC Gallery & Gifts in Waynesville. The 2019 exhibit will feature 60 artists and almost 240 individual works of art for sale. The show provides a unique opportunity for budding artists to exhibit their work, as well as the opportunity for more seasoned artists to test their boundaries. All pieces submitted are exactly 12” or smaller in every dimension, including base, matting, and frame. All artwork is for sale, priced at $300 or less, and must have been created in the last two years. Commission will be the gallery’s usual 60 percent (artist) to 40 percent (HCAC) split. The Haywood County Arts Council’s small work show was launched in 2008 to demonstrate that original artwork is affordable and fun. Most businesses, homes and apartments can accommodate smaller works of art — and the show promotes buying local and regional work to help support artists in Western North Carolina. For more information, www.haywoodarts.org or 828.452.0593.

The 10th annual Handmade Holiday Sale will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, in the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University. The event features high-quality, handmade gifts created by students, staff, and alumni. Items for sale include artwork, ceramics, sculpture, wearable accessories, and a variety of other handmade craft items. This event is presented by the WCU Fine Art Museum at Bardo Arts Center. There is no entry fee to this event and there is free

parking available on site. Vendors appreciate payment via cash or check, but many take cards as well. The event will also offer a variety of snacks throughout the day and a catered reception from 5 to 7 p.m.. For more information, visit arts.wcu.edu/handmade. The WCU Fine Art Museum will be open during the entire event, offering guests the opportunity to explore the current exhibitions, which feature both professional and student artwork.

On the wall

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• Greens at Iron Tree- Walking neighborhood, play ground, grilling area. $40,000 to $66,000 • Hyder Mtn. Acres- Tanglewood lane 1.04 acres,

Drive-About Tour showcases studios The annual “Stecoah Arts & Crafts Drive About Tour” will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 29-30 in Bryson City, Stecoah and Robbinsville. With their studios open to the public, the self-guided driving tour highlights artisans who have built a livelihood with their creative talents. Media include pottery, beeswax lanterns and pillar candles, original paintings

and drawings, fiber, quilts, photography, artisan cheeses and more. The tour includes: Nantahala School for the Arts (Southwestern Community College), Sawmill Creek Pottery, Gallery Zella, Stecoah Artisans Gallery, Yellow Branch Pottery & Cheese, Taylor’s Greenhouse, Wehrloom Honey & Essentials, and Junk ‘n’ Style. The Schoolhouse Café at Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center will be open during both days of the Artisans Drive About. www.stecoahvalleycenter.com

great view $45,000 • Smoky Mtn Retreat at Eagles Nest- Large range of views and prices. • Smoky Mtn. Retreat at Ridgewood Estates- Larger Home sites. • Smoky Mtn Retreat at Laurel Heights- Above Maggie Valley CC • Forest Highlands/Ascot Club- Fantastic Restaurant w/ view, Indoor Lap Pool $95,000 Home site is prices to sell. • Crystal Tree- Neighborhood of High end Homes $55,000 • Sweetwater Farms- almost 5 acres with driveway and level building pad $87,900

• Haywood Community College professional crafts fiber student Miranda Heidler and graduates Mitsu Shimabukuro and Hannah Watson currently work in the “Of Threads, On Place” exhibition at the Asheville Area Arts Council. This selection of historical and contemporary textiles will run through Nov. 29 and is located at The Refinery Creator Space at 207 Coxe Avenue in Asheville. The event is open to the public and free of charge. www.ashevillearts.com.

• The Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at Bardo Arts Center is pleased to

• The Weekly Open Studio art classes will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville. Instructor will be Betina Morgan. Open to all artists, at any stage of development, and in the medium of your choice. Cost is $25 per class. There will also be a Youth Art Class from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. Cost is $15 per class. Contact Morgan at 828.550.6190 or email bmk.morgan@yahoo.com.

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• The Museum of the Cherokee Indian’s exhibit, “People of the Clay: Contemporary Cherokee Potters,” features more than 60 potters from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Cherokee Nation, and more than one hundred works from 1900 to the present. The exhibit will run through April. • A “Beginner Step-By-Step” adult painting class will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. There is also a class at 6:30 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month at Balsam Fall Brewing in Sylva. Cost is $25 with all supplies provided. For more information or to RSVP, contact Robin Arramae at 828.400.9560 or wncpaintevents@gmail.com.

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• Stonehouse Pottery (Waynesville) will be doing an Open Studio Tour and Sale the first Sunday of each month to help support our local nonprofits. Each month highlights a different artist and that artists chooses his or her nonprofit. Stonehouse Pottery and the artist then give a portion of the proceeds as a donation to that nonprofit. For the month of November, artist David Stone has chosen Memory Care, Haywood Clinic, as his nonprofit. Stone has early onset Alzheimer’s and has shown significant improvement in his disease through the rehabilitation process of working in clay.

present, “Resounding Change: Sonic Art and the Environment.” This exhibition will be on display through Dec. 6. It features soundbased artwork that encourages visitors to listen more closely to the natural world and to think about how sound is being used in a time of environmental crisis. To learn more, visit bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

November 20-26, 2019

• The annual “Fireside Sale” will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown. Stroll through the beautifully decorated Keith House and shop for holiday gifts made by local and regional artists. More treasures await in the Music Studio, and don’t miss the Craft Shop’s annual sale. Free admission. Call 800.FOLK.SCH for more information or visit www.folkschool.org.

On the stage arts & entertainment

‘Seussical the Musical Jr.’ at HART

HPAC screening of ‘Akhnaten’

Smoky Mountain News

November 20-26, 2019

There will be a special screening of the MET Opera’s production of “Akhnaten” by Phillip Glass at 12:55 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Highlands Performing Arts Center. Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo headlines American composer Philip Glass’s transcendent contemporary creation, with Karen Kamensek conducting. Phelim McDermott’s stunning production employs a virtuosic company of acrobats and jugglers to conjure a mystical reimagining of ancient Egypt. Tickets are $22 for MET and PAC members, $26 for non-members. Tickets are available online at www.highlandspac.org, www.highlandsperformingarts.com or at the door.

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“Kids at HART,” the youth drama group at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre (HART), will present “Seussical the musical Jr.” at 2 p.m. Nov. 23-24 at the theatre in Waynesville. The show features a large cast under the direction of Shelia Sumpter. “Seussical” is a sung-through musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, based on the children’s stories of Dr. Seuss, with most of its plot being based on Horton Hears a Who! while incorporating many other stories. Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in “Seussical JR.,” a fantastical musical.

Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos. Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, and he must also guard an abandoned egg that’s been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant. To make reservations, visit www.harttheatre.org or call 828.456.6322.

Petra Ballet Company in Franklin

With a strong background in classical ballet technique, Petra Ballet Company has a contemporary flare and uses all forms of dance in their performances. Their mission is to exalt the name of Jesus through dance, revive hearts through worship, and make Him known through excellence in the arts. Adult tickets are $14 and student tickets are $10 each. To purchase tickets, visit www.greatmountainmusic.com or call 828.273.4615.

The holiday show season will kickoff with the Petra Ballet Company at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. The group will present their signature Christmas dance piece, “Reborn,” which tells The Christmas Story from Mary’s perspective through the dramatic presentation of dance. Petra Ballet Company is a professional nonprofit Christian ballet company from Springfield, Missouri. All dancers are professionally trained and have a desire to use their gift of dance to bring glory to the Lord. They are taught from a Christian perspective in a wholesome and safe environment to learn, be challenged, and grow. Instructors strive to provide technical excellence and teaching styles, as well as impart a passion for worship to the students.

• There is free comedy improv class from 7 to 9 p.m. every Thursday at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. No experience necessary, just come to watch or join in the fun. Improv teacher Wayne Porter studied at Sak Comedy Lab in Orlando, Florida, and performed improvisation with several groups. Join Improv WNC on Facebook or call 828.316.8761.

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Books

Smoky Mountain News

Passionate about print: a review of A Literate South F writers. As Schweiger demonstrates, the reading material available to these young women was extensive. “Schoolbooks, Bibles, testaments,

Jeff Minick

or many years, most of us who read histories and biographies about America between 1800 and 1865 assumed the seat of literacy and learning was in New England. The plantation and professional classes of the Antebellum South were of course readers, and in some cases writers, relatively wealthy men and women who enjoyed the luxury of newspapers or the novels of Sir Walter Scott. Few Writer would have thought the yeoman farmers and townspeople of that age and place might be equally passionate about print and literature. Apparently, that impression was about as wrong-headed as possible. In A Literate South: Reading Before Emancipation (Yale University Press, 2019, 258 pages), Beth Barton Schweiger demolishes this perception. Author of The Gospel Working Up and editor of Religion in the American South, Schweiger brings a lifelong interest in the South and detective skills worthy of a Sherlock Holmes to the subject of Southern literacy and writing. Although she uses scores of people to make her case, Schweiger focuses most of her attention on two pairs of sisters: Amanda Cooley and her younger sister Betsy of Southwestern Virginia, and Jennie and Ann Speer of Piedmont North Carolina. All four women were typical in some respects of rural America at mid-century, with their days filled with household chores, sewing, cooking, and taking care of the infirm. These women were of the same class, were all devout in one or another in their religious faith, and felt a strong attachment to their families. The two families did differ one respect: slavery. The Cooleys owned a few slaves while the Speers were adamantly anti-slavery. But both Cooleys and Speers, especially these four young women, were readers and

hymnbooks, songsters, tracts, newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, broadsides, and almanacs poured into post offices and general stores and out of peddlers’ packs,” and found their way into the hands of readers. This thriving technology of print and a growing efficiency of distribution revolutionized the lives of hundreds of thousands of Southerners. From Amanda Cooley’s journal, we have accounts of the entire family reading, including the slave Jincy, either aloud or separately, from magazines, tracts, and other material.

Folk School ‘Literary Hour’ The John C. Campbell Folk School and NC Writers’ Network-West (NCWN-West) will sponsor “The Literary Hour,” which will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Keith House’s Community Room on the JCCFS campus in Brasstown. This event is typically held on the third Thursday of the month. It is free of charge and open to the public. This month’s featured readers will be Linda Grayson Jones, Meagan Lucas, and Janice Townley Moore. • Jones, a poetry devotee since childhood, has a B.S. in Biology from Stetson University, an M.A. in biology and a Ph.D. in pathology from Vanderbilt University. In 2009, she returned to her first love — teaching.

Amanda had studied spelling and grammar, and writes mostly of her daily life: the fabrics she weaves, church meetings, funerals, pigs slaughtered. Her journal proved especially valuable to Schweiger because Amanda also records what the family read: “English novels, newspapers from Virginia, Philadelphia, and Missouri, Maine humorists, the Bible, biographies…advice literature, and several national magazines.” Like the Cooleys, Jennie and Ann Speer studied spelling and grammar, but they advanced forward into rhetoric, the art of forming sentences and paragraphs into effective and moving prose. Both young women attended Greensboro Female College, and Jennie then spent a year at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in Massachusetts, the first woman from North Carolina to have done so. This advanced education in composition led to a marked difference between the writing produced by the Speer sisters and the more mundane journal entries of Amanda Cooley. Whereas Amanda recorded daily life, Jennie and Ann tended to address topics of faith, love, and death in their writing, following the rhetorical models they had studied. A Literate South offers more than just account of Southern readership and print technology. Schweiger describes the effects of literacy on slavery and why some Southern states forbade the teaching of reading and writing to slaves. She devotes a chapter to the impact of hymnals and religious works on slave and free alike; she examines the rampant consumption (tuberculosis) that took so many lives at that time, including those of Jennie, Ann, and Amanda at a relatively young age; she shows us that slavery was an often debated and divisive subject among Southerners.

Jones is currently an associate professor of biology and dean of math and science at Young Harris College. She remains a reader and writer of poetry. • Moore is an associate professor emerita of English at Young Harris College. Her poems have appeared in numerous journals including The Georgia Review, Prairie Schooner, Connecticut Review, Southern Poetry Review, Poetry East, and The Journal of the American Medical Association. Moore is coordinator of the NCWN-West’s poetry critique group and is on the poetry editorial board of The Pharos, publication of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. • Lucas teaches English at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and is the Fiction Editor at Barren Magazine. Meagan has a BA in history from Wilfrid Laurier University, an M.Ed in

What impressed me most about A Literate South was the care with which so many of those cited in this study approached the English language. Whether taught at home or in private academies, students received rigorous training in composition. They climbed the ladder recommended from the time of Ancient Greece to today’s classical schools: grammar, logic, and rhetoric. They appreciated good writing in those magazines and books they were reading, and wanted to duplicate that sense of grace and style in their own letters, journals, and essays. At the end of A Literate South, Beth Schweiger concludes: The only surviving physical traces of the Cooleys, Jincy, and the Speers are some carved tombstones, fragile manuscripts, tintypes, and a few lines of sterile descriptions in public records and newspapers. Handwriting, not print, preserved their stories. We remember these women because of the memories and work of their descendants. The story of readers in the Blue Ridge, then, warns us against the banality of technological determinism. Culture is made by human memories, human voices, and human hands. No machine can reproduce this richness. Allen Speer, long a professor at LeesMcRae College and now retired, is one of those descendants. In Sisters of Providence: The Search for God in the Frontier South 1843-1858 (The Overmountain Press, 2000, 290 pages) which he edited along with his wife Janet, Speer honors Jennie and Ann Speer by bringing their writing into print. Here we have excellent insights into the hearts and minds of two women who regarded slavery as wicked, who advocated for women’s rights, and who abided by the tenets of a deeply held faith. Beth Schweiger credits the Speers and the Cooley family for having “lovingly preserved their family history.” Both Sisters of Providence and A Literate South shine a new light on our American past. Highly recommended. (Jeff Minick is a writer and teacher. minick0301@gmail.com.)

curriculum and instruction from Ferris State University, and an MA in English and creative writing from Southern New Hampshire University. Lucas’ story “Voluntary Action” was nominated by Still: The Journal for a 2019 Pushcart Prize. Her first novel, Songbirds and Stray Dogs, was published by Main Street Rag Publishing Company in August 2019.

• Monthly Poetry Reading at Panacea Coffeehouse in Waynesville. Last Saturdays every month at 2 p.m. Bring your poetry, essays and writings to share. Be sure to order drinks and snacks and tip the staff of Panacea. For more information, contact Morella Poe at poevampyre@gmail.com.

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Smoky Mountain News

Tremont’s timeline • 1859: Will and Nancy Walker settle in the valley. • 1924: Railroad tracks laid by Little River Lumber Company. Logging begins. • 1925-1959: Girls Scout Camp Margaret Townsend operates. • 1926: Tremont logging town officially established. • 1934: Great Smoky Mountains National Park established. • 1938: Walker Valley supplies the last load of logs removed from the national park. • 1940: President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicates the park. • 1964-1969: Job Corp facility is constructed and in operation. • 1969-1979: Maryville College operates the Tremont Environmental Education Center in cooperation with the National Park Service, with Lloyd Foster as its first director. • 1978-1980: Old dormitories are removed, the entrance bridge repaired, a vocational building converted to a dormitory and classrooms added to the gym’s upstairs. • 1980: Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association reopens Tremont. • 1982: Center and roads closed to rebuild Tremont entry road bridges. • 1984: Tremont reopens. Ken Voorhis is hired as director. • 1986: Center is renamed to Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. • 1994: Following flood, portions of Tremont’s road close for nearly two years. • 2001: Tremont becomes an independent nonprofit. • 2014: Voorhis retires, with Jennifer Jones hired as president and CEO. • 2018: Catey Terry replaces Jones as president and CEO. • 2019: Tremont turns 50 and purchases 194 acres for a second campus. Source: www.gsmit.org/mission-and-history.

A group of Tennessee fifth-graders walks through the woods. David Bryant photo

Learning in the real world Smokies outdoor education center turns 50, plans expansion BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER s it nears the end of its 50th anniversary year, the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont has its eyes set on the half-century to come. Within five years, the nonprofit aims to build out a second campus to supplement its existing facilities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Walker Valley. “It’s a big project and we don’t want to rush it,” said Caleb Carlton, development manager at Tremont. “We are focused on doing this in a way that really reflects our organization, our mission,

and we want to be as inclusive as possible in engaging the communities we serve and making sure this campus is in line with their needs and values.” The nonprofit recently purchased 194 acres in Townsend, Tennessee, and has completed an initial master plan for the site, which is adjacent to the park. The project is preliminary, with no cost estimate or target timeline as of yet — but there is a vision for what it might one day become. Tremont’s existing campus is mostly used for youth programming — the dormitory setup isn’t conducive to adult-centric events — but the new campus will be better equipped to handle adult groups. The buildings will be adaptive, too, with smaller dormitory units that can work as singleunit housing options or open up to serve larger groups. “We have a very aspirational vision for that

Participants in one of Tremont’s adult programs, the Southern Appalachian Naturalist Course, investigate the park’s plant life. David Bryant photo

campus,” said Carlton. “We are looking to develop the entire campus to the standards of the Living Building Challenge.” Billed as the world’s most rigorous proven performance standard for buildings, the Living Building Challenge’s requirements include that a site produce more power than it uses, that wastewater be treated on site with as much recycling and reuse as possible, that the project design be inspired by nature and that no toxic chemicals or building materials be used. “We’re starting out by saying, ‘We want to walk the walk of our mission,’” said Carlton.

THE TREMONT STORY That mission goes all the way back to 1969, when Tremont’s campus welcomed its first groups of schoolchildren. The campus was originally built as the Tremont Job Corps Conservation Center, part of a Johnson-era effort to help at-risk young people get the education and job training they would need to succeed as adults. It didn’t operate long in that capacity — the Job Corps Center opened in December 1965 and closed in 1969 after President Richard Nixon closed nearly 60 such centers nationwide. “You basically had this campus that was all of a sudden empty in the national park, so very restricted uses for what it could become,” said Carlton. “Maryville College was the first group to take on this site and create the Tremont Environmental Education Center.” That center opened in 1969, immediately beginning to host school groups in the dorms and use the kitchen to cook full-service meals. The program ran through 1979, when major infrastructure needs prompted the college to halt operations. The campus reopened in 1980 under the auspices of the Great Smoky Mountains Association, then called the Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association. Another

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up with a research question, gather data and give a presentation on what they’ve learned. “It’s all experiential. It’s all hands-on,” said Carlton. “We’re out in the park, on the trails, in the streams, studying ecology and biology and other subjects in that hands-on manner.” Students walk away with more than an enlivened appreciation for science, however. The extended time with classmates and teachers, immersed As it celebrates its 50th year and gears up to develop a in a shared experience, is a powerful second campus, the Great Smoky Mountains Institute outcome. at Tremont hopes to see strong financial support during By the end of the week, students this year’s Giving Tuesday, slated for Dec. 3. Donate or see their teachers as real people with learn more at www.gsmit.org/givingtuesday. genuine passions and interests. They see them struggle — and persevere — to conquer an 8-mile hike, and as the week progresses the While monarch tagging is one of Tremont’s group’s collective sense of trust biggest citizen science projects, participants expands. Classroom teachers report often get up close with other butterfly and that the bond continues through the moth species as well, such as this fritillary. rest of the school year, Carlton said. Stephanie Bowling photo “The long term goal that we have for every participant is just to show them that learning is something deeply personal — at least it can be — and we want everyone to feel like they have the tools and the skills to be a lifelong learner and explore the world around them,” said Carlton. Since 1969, Tremont has served an estimated 250,000 program participants who have spent about 1 million days in the park. Currently, the nonprofit hosts about 6,000 participants per year from more than 10 states. In 2018, 4,600 of those participants were students representing 90 schools, and the remaining guests were adults. Last year was an outlier in the number of states represented, with 38. While much of its focus is on youth programs for fifth- through 12th -grade school groups, other programs rely on adult participation. Tremont has its own research portfolio included its 2001 shift to a private nonprofthat investigates various topics related to it, independent of the GSMA or any other the biology and ecology of the national park entity. Tremont’s current director is Catey land where it’s located. For the past five to Terry, who has been on the job since 10 years, that research portfolio has focused September 2018. on citizen science — or, as Tremont terms it, ‘community science’ — which is a volunUTDOOR FOCUSED LEARNING teer-driven form of research. “We see it as a great way for local com“In some ways it hasn’t changed,” munities to get engaged and involved in Carlton said of Tremont. “In some ways genuine scientific research and data collecwhat we do is the exact same thing that we tion here in the park,” said Carlton. did 50 years ago, in that what we do is bring Tremont’s citizen science volunteers people to the park for residential experimake regular trips to the park to gather ences. Whereas the Park Service has the data on everything from salamander popucapacity to do half-day and whole-day edulations to bloom dates for trees. Many of cation programs in the park, they rely on us the projects their data supports will ultito bring people deeper into the experience.” mately span decades, creating valuable Most of Tremont’s school programming databases for scientists to draw from. lasts between three and five days, with As Tremont turns its eye to the next 50 some adult and summer camp programs years of science education and research, and lasting up to 10 days. For the duration of to the upcoming development of its second the program, participants live and learn in campus, it hopes to see all ages and educapark boundaries, away from cell phone sigtional levels continue to benefit from the nal and other modern distractions. In service it provides. recent years, Tremont has moved to an “It’s a very, very exciting moment in open investigative model in which small Tremont’s history,” said Carlton. groups of students work together to come closure between 1982 and 1984 allowed for further infrastructure repairs and upgrades, and in 1984 the center opened once more, with Ken Voorhis hired as its director. It received its current name, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, in 1986. Voorhis remained in the executive director position through 2014, seeing the organization through decades of change that

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MountainTrue is recognizing six people for their work to preserve Western North Carolina’s natural heritage through its annual awards. n Katie Breckheimer received the Esther Cunningham Award, MountainTrue’s most prestigious award. Breckheimer founded the Western North Carolina Alliance and was crucial to the success of the 2015 merger between the Environmental and Conservation Organization, WNCA and the Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance that created MountainTrue. Soon after the merger she served a term as MountainTrue’s board chair. n Charlie Swor has been named Volunteer of the Year for the western region. As the former secretary of the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition’s board of directors, Swor worked on the complex merger between HRWC and MountainTrue that occurred this past summer. He also participates in MountainTrue’s volunteer water quality monitoring program and spearheaded a partnership between Young Harris College and HRWC to manage the Corn Creek riparian corridor. n Erin Gregory was named Volunteer of the Year for the central region. She has been a key volunteer with the French Broad Riverkeeper program for the past two years, spending hours each week collecting water samples that have led to the team finding three major sewer issues. Gregory also created a French Broad River Festival and prompted Asheville Yoga Center to designate MountainTrue as its Charity of the Month. n Chris Souhrada was named Volunteer of the Year for the High Country region for his work in Banner Elk as a water quality volunteer with the Volunteer Water Information Network. n Kay Shurtleff and Lucy Butler were named Volunteers of the Year for the southern region. They have participated in water quality monitoring programs for over a decade, together coordinating more than 30 water testing sites by collecting samples from volunteers and transporting them to the lab each month. They have been instrumental in a variety of other initiatives as well. MountainTrue engages in policy advocacy and environmental restoration projects in 29 counties, with offices in Boone, Murphy, Asheville and Hendersonville.

Waynesville represented in state cattle contest Two Haywood County youth were included on the final list of cattle show winners at this year’s N.C. State Fair. In the Junior Beef Heifer-Angus category, Cole Williams of Waynesville was named the grand champion, with Logan Ball — also of Waynesville — the reserve grand champion.

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Lifetime achievement award honors former HCC instructor Retired Haywood Community College forestry instructor John Palmer has been

honored with a Lifetime Achievement award in the annual EcoForesters’ Root

Cause Awards. “EcoForesters is committed to tell the story of how past management has degraded our forests and made them more susceptible to the stressors of climate change, invasive species and development,” said a press release announcing the award. “While our efforts are making a difference, how we teach our future foresters stands the chance to have an even greater impact. So, when an educator of the likes of John Palmer retires after 30 years, it is important to honor him.” During his time as a forestry management instructor at HCC, Palmer taught students about the importance of sustainable forestry while emerging as a leader in the field. He began the Intercollegiate Woodsmen’s Meet that now bears his name and is held every October at the Cradle of Forestry in America in the Pisgah National Forest. Former students recall how he would take them on field trips to see specific trees, also leading a study tour to the Everglades so students could appreciate ecosystems other than those found in Appalachia. Additional Root Cause winners this year were Aimee Tomcho of the Audubon Society, who won the Sustainable Use of Forest Products award for leading the Forestry for Birds program that aims to increase the amount and quality of bird habitat, and Linda and Ellis Fincher, who received the EcoForester of the Year Award for demonstrating ecologically beneficial forestry on their land in Polk County.

A one-day conference for food, beverage and agriculture-based businesses will be offered 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, at Southwestern Community College. The day will include eight sessions, with topics including food manufacturing safety and law, how to launch a new food business, bookkeeping and tax basics, agricultural marketing and agritourism. The conference is free and offered through the SCC Small Business Center with co-sponsors N.C. State Cooperative Extension, emPOWERing Mountain Food Systems and Blue Ridge Food Ventures. Lunch provided, with prospective and existing agricultural business owners encouraged to attend. Registration required at bit.ly/agribusinesssummit.

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Retired Haywood Community College forestry instructor John Palmer (right) received the 2019 EcoForesters Root Cause Lifetime Achievement Award, with Aimee Tomcho of the Audubon Society (left) winning the Sustainable Use of Forest Products Award and landowners Linda and Ellis Fincher receiving the EcoForester of the Year Award.

Space camp programs announced

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Smoky Mountain News

The recently released summer camp schedule for The Learning Center at PARI includes two residential camp programs, each offering the chance to learn through hands-on science, technology and astronomy-themed workshops. Camp Above and Beyond is an in-depth experience for sixth through 12th-graders that incorporates space science and research with two-week and three-week versions. Camp Operation NEBULA is a simulated space mission that teaches leadership, teamwork and STEM topics to sixth through 12th-grade students. Separate sessions are offered for boys and girls, with each camp offered as a two-week or threeweek experience. Camps are hosted at the Learning Center’s 200-acre campus in the Pisgah National Forest, with recreational opportu-

The sky deck is a prime spot for night sky viewing. PARI photo nities like hiking and kayaking offered as well. Scholarship opportunities are avail-

able. Learn more at www.pari.edu or call 828.862.5554.

828.452.4251 jeff@mtnsouthmedia.com

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Panthertown Valley is located within the Nantahala National Forest near Cashiers. File photo

Sometimes it's a little better to travel than to arrive

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A guided Black Friday hike taking in the magnificent views of Panthertown Valley will be offered beginning at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 29, from the Salt Rock Gap Trailhead. Friends of Panthertown volunteer Mike Kettles will lead this 6-mile hike to Blackrock Mountain Overlook and back,

Learn to fish An intro to fly fishing program for kids will be offered 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education near Brevard. Participants will learn about equipment, knots, casting techniques and aquatic entomology, with all equipment and materials provided. Anglers-in-training should bring a lunch and waders if they have them. Free, with registration required at www.ncwildlife.org/learning/education-centers/pisgah.

Get on the trail in November

Smoky Mountain News

The Nantahala Hiking Club will offer a pair of hikes over the coming weekend. n A moderate 4-mile hike to Rabun Bald will embark on Saturday, Nov. 23, leaving from Otto at 10 a.m. to carpool 20 miles to the trailhead at Beegum Gap. The hike includes an elevation change of 700 feet, walking the Georgia Bartram Trail to ascend Rabun Bald. A platform atop a stone

tower gives 360-degree views of the surrounding country. RSVP to hike leader Gail Lehman, 828.524.5298. n An easy 3-mile hike around Gibson Bottom in Macon County will be offered on Sunday, Nov. 24, leaving at 2 p.m. from Franklin for a 6-mile carpool. Gibson Bottom is a new Mainspring Conservation Trust acquisition along the Little Tennessee River. RSVP to hike leader Jean Hunnicutt, 828.524.5234. For a full NHC hike schedule, visit www.nantahalahikingclub.org.

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returning around 1:30 p.m. The hike is free for Friends of Panthertown members, with non-members asked to join the organization or make a donation. Join Friends of Panthertown at www.panthertown.org/join, and sign up for the hike by emailing friends@panthertown.org.

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Smokies volunteer earns regional recognition

Jim Goddard, a volunteer in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, has received the National Park Service Southeast Regional Hartzog Award for Enduring Service, recognizing him for the skills, talent and time he has shared with

the park for well over two decades. “Jim has provided a tremendous service to the visitors of the Smokies,” said Superintendent Cassius Cash. “He has been instrumental in ensuring that visitors are able to safely navigate the park trail system

Haywood Waterways to wrap up 2019 Haywood Waterways Association will hold its annual membership meeting and dinner at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the Lambuth Inn at Lake Junaluska. The evening will include a holiday buffet dinner, 2019 year in review, silent auction and awards ceremony. Auction item donations are being sought, and potential donors should contact Caitlin Worsham at caitlinw.hwa.@gmail.com or 828.476.4667, ext. 12. Dinner is $15 per person, with cash or check collected at the door. RSVP to Christine O’Brien by Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 828.476.4667, ext. 11, or christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com.

outdoors

Jim Goddard (center) is presented with a plaque recognizing his accomplishments from Park Superintendent Cassius Cash and Backcountry Specialist Christine Hoyer. NPS photo

and in the preservation of the park’s cultural history. His legacy will live on for generations to come and it is an honor to recognize him for his contributions.” Goddard has served continuously as a Volunteer-In-Park for more than 23 years, during that time creating trail signs, performing trail maintenance and helping to restore and preserve fragile cultural resources. Goddard has used his craftsmanship to create one-of-a-kind replicas of church benches, school desks and tub mills, also building everything from custom shelving to display cases. He has also donated his time to plan, coordinate and facilitate popular special events. This year, the park is also recognizing campground hosts Clyde and Deborah Whitaker and herbarium assistant Janie Bitner for their outstanding contributions as Volunteers-in-Parks. The park has well over 2,800 volunteers who provide many hours of service to the national park every year. www.nps.gov/grsm/getinvolved/volunteer.htm.

Sign up for Tremont summer programs Summer and adult programs for 2020 have been announced for the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, located near Townsend, Tennessee, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The 2020 program schedule features summer camps for kids and young adults, family camp, professional development for teachers, photography workshops, hiking and backpacking weeks, naturalist programs, wilderness emergency medical courses and more. Participants typically stay on Tremont’s campus for three to 10 days. See the full schedule at gsmit.org/program/calendar.

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WNC Calendar

Smoky Mountain News

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • The Waynesville Parks & Recreation Department will host a Volunteer Appreciation Event at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 21 at the Waynesville Inn & Country Club. Info: 456.2030 or teptrea@waynesvillenc.gov. • Western Carolina University will host an Open House for prospective students and their families starting at 8:15 a.m. on Nov. 23 in Cullowhee. Preregistration: 227.7317, 877.928.4968 or openhouse.wcu.edu. Info: visit.wcu.edu. • Cat adoption hours are from noon-5 p.m. on Fridays and noon-4 p.m. on Saturdays at 453 Jones Cove Road in Clyde. Adoption fee: $10 for cats one-year and older. Check out available cats at www.petharbor.com. 452.1329 or 550.3662.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center will offer a series of seminars for existing and aspiring business owners in November at the Jackson Campus in Sylva and the Franklin Chamber of Commerce. Registration required. Full listing, details and sign-ups: http://bit.ly/2ncPnyf. • Registration is underway for the spring semester at Haywood Community College in Clyde. www.haywood.edu, hcc-advising@haywood.edu or 627.2821. • NAACP North Carolina President, Dr. Anthony Spearman, will speak at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 20, at the Folkmoot Center Auditorium in Waynesville. Topic is “Why We Can’t Be Ahistorical.” Following his talk, multiple workshops will be offered on topics like culturally responsive teaching, unpacking implicit bias, nonviolent communication and more. 400.5475. • The Small Business Center at Haywood Community College will offer a webinar on “Working with Angry Customer Behaviors in Your Small Business” from 9-10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Info and reservations: SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512. • Registration is underway for a workshop focusing on “Building Cultural Competency and Diversity within Nonprofits” that will be offered through Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, at WCU Biltmore Park in Asheville. Can be taken as a standalone or as part of the Certified Nonprofit Professional Program. Registration: $89 for the workshop or $300 for the CNP course fee. pdp.wcu.edu, jcthompson@wcu.edu or 227.3070. • Registration is underway for Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment’s workshop entitled: “Proactive Strategies for Preventing Employee Hiccups During the Holidays,” which will be offered from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, at WCU Biltmore Park in Asheville. Instructor is Jon Yarbrough of Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLC. Early-bird registration is $85 by Nov. 30. After, it’s $99. For info and to register: pdp.wcu.edu or 227.7397. • Registration is underway for a “Better Communication Through Creative Play for Marketing and Sales Professionals” workshop offered by Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, at WCU’s Biltmore Park location in Asheville. $99. Info or to register: pdp.wcu.edu or 227.7397.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • Stonehouse Pottery (Waynesville) will be doing an Open Studio Tour and Sale the first Sunday of each

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted. month to help support our local nonprofits. Each month highlights a different artist and that artists chooses his or her nonprofit. Stonehouse Pottery and the artist then give a portion of the proceeds as a donation to that nonprofit. For the month of November, artist David Stone has chosen Memory Care, Haywood Clinic, as his nonprofit. Stone has early onset Alzheimer’s and has shown significant improvement in his disease through the rehabilitation process of working in clay. • Tickets are on sale now for the Festival of Trees, which is set for 5:30-9 p.m. on Nov. 21, at Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville. Presented by Kids Advocacy Resource Effort. Tickets are $75 per person or $550 for a table of eight. Tickets available at www.KareHouse.org or 456.8995. • The 14th annual Brook and Beast Feast is set for 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Haywood County Fairgrounds in Waynesville. Formerly known as the Wild Game Dinner, it’s a fundraiser for the HCC fish and wildlife management technology students. Pulled pork, fried fish and more. Drawings, silent auction and live music. Tickets: $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Advance tickets: 400.1704 or drop by the HCC Natural Resources Office. Info: 627.4560 or srabby@haywood.edu. • Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society is seeking items for its annual Holiday Shopping Auction that is scheduled for Dec. 5. Handmade crafts, artwork, subscriptions, sports equipment, tickets to area attractions, gift baskets, gift cards and more accepted. Proceeds will upgrade equipment and resources in the genealogy library. Items accepted until 4 p.m. on Dec. 3 in the Heritage Museum, 200 Main Street, next to the Fly Fishing Museum on the square in Bryson City. • The Sylva Garden Club will be hosting a fundraiser “Christmas Tea & Crafts” from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the First Presbyterian Church of Sylva. Suggested donation is $15 per ticket. Tickets are available from SGC members and at the door. In addition to tasty treats and fellowship, pecans and Christmas décor will be available for purchase. All proceeds go directly to fund SGC beautification projects. Please email nballiot@gmail.com for further information.

HEALTH MATTERS • New Moon Breathwork for Women is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25, at Sylva Yoga. Breathwork is a guided meditation for transformation and healing. • Thursday evening Restorative Yoga with Reiki energy healing is set for 6 p.m. on Dec. 5 at Sylva Yoga. • Al-Anon, a confidential support group for friends and family members of alcoholics, meets at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays at Grace Episcopal Church in Waynesville. 440.724.5994. • Haywood County Health & Human Services Agency will hold a monthly night clinic from 4:30-6 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at 157 Paragon Parkway in Clyde next to Tractor Supply. Annual exams, birth control, child health, lab testing, immunizations, STI/STD exams and counseling. Appointments: 452.6675. • Southwestern Community College will host “Your Body, Your Mind” - a campus-wide mental health and sexual wellness event - from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, in the Burrell Building on the Jackson Campus in Sylva. Presentations, education, testing and more. www.southwesterncc.edu.

• Co-Dependents Anonymous, a support group for those wishing to create more fulfilling relationships with themselves and others, will meet from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Fridays at the Friendship House, 566 S. Haywood St., in Waynesville. http://coda.org. • The Haywood Chapter of Survivors of Suicide Loss meets from 6:30-8 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at the Fellowship Hall of Hazelwood Presbyterian Church in Waynesville. Info: 910.528.0169. • The WNC Ostomy Support Group will meet from 6-7 p.m. every second Monday at the Jackson County Center Cooperative Extension’s Meeting Room, 876 Skyland Dr., Suite 6, in Sylva. Group is for people living with a urostomy, ileostomy, colostomy or a continent diversion. Facilitated by Certified Ostomy Nurses. • An Essential Oil class will be offered at Lazy Hiker/Mad Batter Kitchen in Sylva at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 11. Lacking sleep, digestive issues, mood imbalance, in pain. Call or text Wende Goode at 246.2256 to reserve your space at class and receive a free trial sample of oil tailored to your personalized health need. Limit of 12 participants. Call even if you are unable to attend class but still interested in learning more and receiving a sample. • The International Essential Tremor Foundation support group meets at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Jackson County Senior Center, Room 135, in Sylva. Learn coping skills and available products to help. Info: 736.3165 or teddyk1942@gmail.com. • Gentle Yoga for Cancer is offered from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Fridays at the Haywood Breast Center in Waynesville. Info: MyHaywoodRegional.com/YogaforCancer or 452.8691. • On the third weekend of each month, Maggie Valley Wellness Center hosts donation-based acupuncture appointments. $35-55. 944.0288 or maggievalleywellness.com. • “Nourishing You” – an introductory “Yoga for Cancer” class, is offered from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Fridays at the Haywood Breast Center in Waynesville. Taught by Kim Mulholland, Mindful Yoga for Cancer Duke Integrative Medicine Trainer. Info: 452.8691 or MyHaywoodRegional.com/YogaforCancer.

RECREATION AND FITNESS • Yoga for Back Care will be offered from noon-1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Waynesville Yoga Center. Cost: $15. Info and registration: 246.6570 or WaynesvilleYogaCenter.com. • Waynesville Yoga Center will offer Post-Thanksgiving Slow Flow + Yin from 9-10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 29. Cost: $15. Info and reservations: 246.6570 or WaynesvilleYogaCenter.com. • Waynesville Yoga Center will host a PostThanksgiving Buti Burn from 10:30 a.m.-noon on Friday, Nov. 29. Cost: $15. Info and reservations: 246.6570 or WaynesvilleYogaCenter.com. • Rumba and line dance lessons will be offered this fall through the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department. Rumba classes are from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Line dancing is offered from 2-3 p.m. on Wednesdays. For more info and date ranges, call 356.7060 or 550.3170. • An hour yoga class is offered at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays at the Maggie Valley Wellness Center. $15 for a single class, or $55 for a package of four classes. 944.0288 or maggievalleywellness.com. • Dance Tonight Haywood offers weekly evening classes Foxtrot or Tango (Mondays 6) and Carolina Shag (Mondays 7), Salsa (Tuesdays, Beginners 7 p.m. & Advance 8 to 10 p.m.), Swing (Wednesdays, Beginners 7

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 p.m. & Advance 8 p.m.) and Waltz (Thursdays, Beginners 7 p.m. & Advance 8 p.m.), Open Ballroom (Fridays, 7 p.m. & practice dance from 8 to 9:30 p.m.), and Argentine Tango Practica/Tea Dance (Sundays, 2 to 5 p.m) at 61 ½ Main Street in Canton. For times, prices and to RSVP, call 316.1344. • Tai Chi & QiGong classes are being offered at 7 p.m. on Mondays at Angie’s Dance Academy in Clyde. 450.3741 or paul@pcasper.net.

SPIRITUAL • Registration is underway for an Interfaith Peace Conference that will be held Nov. 21-24 at Lake Junaluska. Theme is “The Arts of Peace” featuring an exploration of the arts of the Abrahamic faiths. Syrian violinist Mariela Shaker, Jonathan Homrighausen, Laurie Wohl and others will guide the conversations. Lakejunaluska.com/peace or 800.222.4930.

POLITICAL • Jackson County Planning Board: 6 p.m. on Nov. 21 in the Jackson County Public Library Community Room. 631.2261. • Jackson County Commissioners will hold a regular meeting at 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25, at the Justice Center in Sylva. • The Swain County Democratic Party Whittier-Cherokee Precinct Potluck Supper is at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Tsali Manor Senior Citizens Center, 145 Tsali Manor St. in Cherokee. Meet candidates running for district and county offices. 497.9498. • Tickets are on sale now for the 27th annual Charles Taylor Holiday Dinner, which will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Expo Center at the Crowne Plaza Resort in Asheville. Hosted by Charles Taylor and family. Taylor is the longest-serving Republican Congressman in Western North Carolina history. Hear from national speakers and meet federal, state and local candidates. Tickets: $65 per person. 243.2187 or tasmothers@yahoo.com. Send checks to Taylor, P.O. Box 7587, Asheville, NC 28802. • The Jackson County NAACP meets at 10 a.m. on the third Saturday each month at Liberty Baptist Church in Sylva. • Down Home Haywood holds its monthly community meetings at 2:30 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month at Canton Presbyterian Church. Tackling issues like healthcare, wages, housing and more. chelsea@downhomenc.org.

AUTHORS AND BOOKS • Courtney Lix will share stories of the women featured in her book “No Place for the Weary Kind: Women of the Smokies” at 6 p.m. on Nov. 21, at Folkmoot, 112 Virginia Ave., in Waynesville. Part of the Southern Storytellers Series. Hear about women who possessed the tenacity and perseverance to survive in the remote

Smokies of days past. Tickets: $18 in advance. Folkmoot.org or 452.2997.

• The North Carolina Writers’ Network-West will sponsor The Literary Hour at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month. at the Keith House on the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown. This reading is free of charge and open to the public.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES • The Mexican Train Dominoes Group seeks new players to join games at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800. • Book Club is held at 2 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800 • A Hand & Foot card game is held at 1 p.m. on Thursdays at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800. • Senior Sale Day is on the third Friday of every month at the Friends of the Library Used Bookstore. Patrons 60 and older get 20 percent off all purchases. Proceeds benefit the Sylva Library. • Pinochle game is played at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800. • Mah Jongg is played at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800. • A Canasta card game is set for 1 p.m. on Mondays at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

KIDS & FAMILIES • A Knee-High Naturalists program will be offered to ages 3-5 from 10-11 a.m. on Fridays, through Nov. 22, at the Highlands Nature Center. Led by Paige Engelbrektsson, the nature center’s education specialist. Stories, walks and activities. Location is at 930 Horse Cove Road in Highlands. 526.2623. • A “Kids’ Intro to Fly-Fishing” program will be offered for ages 12-up from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Nov. 23 at the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard. Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/y53o5ddq.

• Registration is underway for a pair of basketball camps that will be offered this winter at Waynesville Recreation Center. led by former Appalachian State head coach Kevin Cantwell. Camps are held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Dec. 30-31 and Jan. 2-3. $100 per camper, or attend both camps for $175. Applications available at Waynesville Recreation Center; make checks payable to Cantwell. Info: academy7@live.com or www.kevincantwellbasketball.com. • The “Polar Express” will depart on select times through Dec. 31 from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot. www.gsmr.com.

KIDS FILMS • “Frozen II”, is showing Nov. 21-28 at Smoky Mountain Cinema in Waynesville Plaza. Visit www.fandango.com or http://smokymountaincinema.com/ for showtimes, pricing & tickets. Info. on Facebook or 246.0588. • “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”, will be showing on Dec. 6-19 at The Strand on Main through Nov. 21 in Waynesville. 38main.com. • “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”, will be showing Dec. 19-26 at Smoky Mountain Cinema in Waynesville Plaza. Visit www.fandango.com or http://smokymountaincinema.com/ for showtimes, pricing & tickets. Info. on Facebook or 246.0588. • “Frozen II”, will be showing on Dec. 20-26 at The Strand on Main in Waynesville. 38main.com. • The Highlands Biological Foundation will offer a series of nature-themed films and documentaries shown at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of March in Highlands. For info on each show, call 526.2221. • A family movie will be shown at 10:30 a.m. every Friday at Hudson Library in Highlands.

A&E HOLIDAY • Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week is through Nov. 25. Residents can drop off their shoebox gifts at First Baptist Church in Waynesville, Bethel Baptist Church in Canton, First United Methodist Church in Sylva, Holly Springs Baptist Church in Franklin, First Baptist Church in Highlands and First Baptist Church in Bryson City. Samaritanspurse.org/occ. • The 10th annual Handmade Holiday Sale will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, in the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University. Vendors appreciate payment via cash or check, but many take cards as well. The event will also offer a variety of snacks throughout the day and a catered reception from 5 to 7 p.m.. For a full listing of vendors: arts.wcu.edu/handmade. • Winter Lights open at the N.C. Arboretum on Friday, Nov. 22, in Asheville. Open from 6-10 p.m. through Jan. 4. Tickets must be purchased in advance: $18 ages 12-up; $12 ages 5-11 and free for ages 4-under. Arboretum members receive a $2 discount. www.ncarboretum.org/winter-lights. • First Presbyterian Church will hold a community

• The 32th annual “Hard Candy Christmas” arts and crafts show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 29-30 inside the Ramsey Center at Western Carolina University. • The annual “Fireside Sale” will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown. Stroll through the beautifully decorated Keith House and shop for holiday gifts made by local and regional artists. More treasures await in the Music Studio, and don’t miss the Craft Shop’s annual sale. Free admission. Call 800.FOLK.SCH or www.folkschool.org. • The “Spirit of Christmas” will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, in downtown Bryson City. Join friends and neighbors for caroling at the lighting of the 50-foot-tall town Christmas tree at the corner of Main and Everett. In the true Spirit of Christmas, bring a canned good to donate to the food pantry or a new unwrapped gift for the local toy drive. • “Santa at the Museum” will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 23 and from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 30 on the second floor of the Swain County Heritage Museum in Bryson City. Warm cocoa and cookies, and letter writing to Santa downstairs. • The annual “Christmas in Sylva” holiday will take place Nov. 29-Dec. 1 in downtown. Tree lighting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29 with a concert by Summer & Bray of Mountain Faith. Winter Market will be held at the farmers market on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 11 am to 3 pm with photos with Santa being offered. Activities will conclude with the Christmas Prade being held at 3 pm on Sunday, Dec. 1. 586.2719. • The Franklin 2019 Christmas Parade will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. The Ugly Holiday Sweater Dash will also return this year. This is a benefit for Macon County Care Network and will be hosted before the start of the Christmas Parade. The dash starts at 2:45 p.m. Registration is now available at the Franklin Chamber of Commerce or at 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Franklin Town Hall. Entry fee for the dash is five canned goods per “Dasher.” Float entry forms ($25) can be picked up and returned at the chamber office located at 98 Hyatt Road by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27. 524.3161. • The 15th annual Christmas Worship in a Stable will be held from 5:30-6:10 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the 3rd Generation Barn Loft Farm at 84 Frank Mann Road, outside of Canton. In Casual service, Christmas carols, scripture readings, storyteller, special music and lighting. • Chimney Rock State Park will host family friendly, Christmas-themed events on Dec. 7 and Dec. 14. Photos with Santa, and local poet Eddie Cabbage will type out kids’ Christmas wish lists on his vintage typewriter and parchment paper. ChimneyRockPark.com. • The annual “Sounds of the Season” concert will be presented by Western Carolina University’s School of Music on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center in Cullowhee. The holiday musical tradition begins at 3 p.m. and will include performances by WCU’s Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, University Chorus, Concert Choir and Civic Orchestra, along with Balsam Brass and the Cullowhee Wind Quintet. The family friendly concert concludes with a holiday sing-along and an appearance by Santa Claus. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for WCU faculty and staff, and those 60 and older, while students and kids remain at $5.

• Reservations are being accepted for “Appalachian Christmas,” which is Dec. 12-15 at Lake Junaluska. Festivities include Handel’s Messiah, featuring the Lake Junaluska Singers, other musical entertainment and a craft show. Lakejunaluska.com/Christmas or 800.222.4930.

FOOD & DRINK • “Cheers to Bubbles” is from 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, at Bryson City Wine Market, 1161 Main Street in Bryson City. 538.0420. Explore the many styles and tastes of sparkling wines. RSVP to bcwinemarket@gmail.com and save $5. Classes are $30 per person at the door. Finger foods provided by McKinley Edwards Inn. • The “Uncorked: Wine & Rail Pairing Experience” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec 31 at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. Full service all-adult first-class car. Wine pairings with a meal and more. 800.872.4681 or www.gsmr.com. • Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville is offering lunch on Saturdays, “Lunch with us” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring fresh seasonal menu with outdoor seating weather preminting. 452.0120 or www.waynesvillewine.com. • Bryson City Wine Market offers flights from 4-7 p.m. on Fridays and from 2-5 p.m. on Saturdays. Flight of four wines for $5. • Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville will host five for $5 Wine Tasting from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays. Come taste five magnificent wines and dine on Chef Bryan’s gourmet cuisine. 452.0120 or www.waynesvillewine.com. • Secret Wine Bar is hosted by Bosu’s in Waynesville on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Contact for more information and make reservations. 452.1020. • A free wine tasting will be held from 1-5 p.m. on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Bosu Wine Shop in Waynesville. 452.0120 or www.waynesvillewine.com. Bosu’s will host a Cocktails & Lunch on Saturday’s. Serving house-made champagne cocktails from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. www.waynesvillewine.com • A free wine tasting will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Saturdays at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. www.papouswineshop.com or 631.3075. • “Brown Bag at the Depot” – an opportunity to gather with neighbors – is at noon every Friday at Sylva’s newest park at the corner of Spring and Mill Street along Railroad Ave. For info, contact Paige Dowling at townmanager@townofsylva.org. • Graceann’s Amazing Breakfast is 8-10 a.m. every Tuesday in the Sapphire Room at the Sapphire Valley Community Center. $8.50 for adults; $5 for children. Includes coffee and orange juice. 743.7663. • Free cooking demonstrations will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Saturdays at Country Traditions in Dillsboro. Watch the demonstrations, eat samples and taste house wines for $3 a glass. All recipes posted online. www.countrytraditionsnc.com. • A game day will occur from 2-9 p.m. every third Saturday of the month at Papou’s Wine Shop & Bar in Sylva. Bring dice, cards or board games. 586.6300. • A wine tasting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Free with dinner ($15 minimum). 452.6000.

Smoky Mountain News

• Southwestern Community College is offering a PARI Robotics Camp from Dec. 6-8 at the Learning Center at PARI in Rosman. Open to middle school and high school students in Jackson, Macon, Swain Counties as well as the Qualla Boundary. Learn about electronics and sensors, how to program instructions and think through problems to find solutions within the capabilities of a robot. $50 deposit required. $50 deposit; Smoky Mountain STEM Collaborative grant covers two nights of lodging and all meals. R_neff@southwesterncc.edu or 339.4357.

• Mountain Wildlife offers wildlife education programs for schools and organizations in Western North Carolina, free of charge. If you are interested in having them visit your group contact them at blackbears66@gmail.com, 743.9648 or visit the website at www.mountainwildlifedays.com.

• Reservations are being accepted for a Thanksgiving meal at Lake Junaluska. Thanksgiving at Lake Junaluska is Nov. 27-29. Lakejunaluska.com/thanksgiving or 800.22.4930.

Proceeds benefit the School of Music Scholarship Fund. 227.2479 or arts.wcu.edu/sos.

November 20-26, 2019

• A Parkinson’s Support Group is held at 2 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

• Waynesville Art School offers the Young Artist Program in the afternoons for 5-6 year old, 7-8 year old, 9-12 year old. Intro to Printmaking and Evening studies in arts is offered for 13-19 year old. Waynesville Art School is located at 303 N. Haywood Street. Info: 246.9869, info@waynesvilleartschool.com or visit WaynesvilleArtSchool.com for schedule and to register.

Thanksgiving service at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24, in downtown Sylva. Reverends and pastors from First Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church and First United Methodist Church will conduct the service. Reception with food, fellowship will follow the service.

wnc calendar

• A poetry reading is held at 2 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month at Panacea in Waynesville. Bring poetry, essays and writings. poevampyre@gmail.com.

• Mother Goose On the Loose early childhood curriculum will be featured in a Reading Adventures Storytime program that’s offered at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Blends rhyming with movement, storytelling, simple songs, music and sensory play. 488.3030.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • Asheville-based roots/jam group The Get Right Band will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, in The Gem downstairs taproom at Boojum Brewing in Waynesville. Admission is $5 at the door. www.thegetrightband.com. 39

wnc calendar

• The Petra Ballet Company will kickoff the holiday season at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. • “Kids at HART,” the youth drama group at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre (HART), will present “Seussical the musical Jr.” at 2 p.m. Nov. 23-24 at the theatre in Waynesville. • Special screening of the MET Opera’s production of “Akhnaten” by Phillip Glass at 12:55 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Highlands Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $22 for MET and PAC members, $26 for non-members. Tickets online www.highlandspac.org, www.highlandsperformingarts.com or at the door. • The Western Carolina Community Chorus will present a fall concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24, in the First Baptist Church of Sylva. Conducted by Robert Holquist, accompanied by Barbara Dooley (piano) and Lorie Meservey (organ). Entitled “Singers’ Choice.” Info: 506.5951. • Tickets are available now for a performance of “A Christmas Carol,” which will be on stage at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, in the University Center Theater at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Tickets: $5 for WCU students, $10 for non-WCU students and WCU faculty and staff and $15 for general admission. Available at bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or 227.2479. • Tickets are available now for Holidays at the University Center, which will be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 4-5, in the University Center at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Tickets: $5 for WCU students, $10 for non-WCU students and WCU faculty and staff and $15 for general admission. Available at bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or 227.2479.

November 20-26, 2019

• The second annual “Bluegrass Boogie” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, in The Gem downstairs taproom at Boojum Brewing in Waynesville. This will be an unofficial kickoff event for the Balsam Range Art of Music Festival. The event is free and open to the public. • Tickets are on sale now for the Balsam Range Art of Music Festival, which is Dec. 6-8 at Lake Junaluska. The award-winning bluegrass group will perform alongside other top bluegrass and acoustic musicians. Lakejunaluska.com/balsamrange or 800.222.4930. • Tickets are on sale now for the second session of the Mountain Memories Performance Series: “A Mountain Christmas,” set for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Queen Auditorium at Folkmoot in Waynesville. Storytelling, music and dance. Tickets: $20; available at Folkmoot.org.

Smoky Mountain News

• Tickets are available now for a performance by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, which is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, in the University Center at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Tickets: $5 for WCU students, $10 for non-WCU students and WCU faculty

and staff and $15 for general admission. Available at bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or 227.2479. • Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host an open mic night at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday. www.lazyhikerbrewing.com. • Pub 319 (Waynesville) will host an open mic night from 8-11 p.m. every Wednesday. Free and open to the public. www.pub319socialhouse.com. • Salty Dog’s (Maggie Valley) will have Karaoke with Jason Wyatt at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, Mile High (classic rock) 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, and a Trivia w/Kelsey Jo 8 p.m. Thursdays. • Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands) will host “Hoppy Hour” and an open mic at 6 p.m. on Thursdays and live music on Friday evenings. 482.9794 or www.satulahmountainbrewing.com. • Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host an open mic night every Thursday. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com. • Boojum Brewing Company (Waynesville) will host a bluegrass open mic every Wednesday and an all-genres open mic every Thursday. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.boojumbrewing.com. • The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic” night from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays. 283.0079 or www.38main.com. • The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host live music on Fridays and Saturdays. All shows are free and begin at 7:15 p.m. 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com. • Boojum Brewing Company (Waynesville) will host a bluegrass open mic every Wednesday and an all-genres open mic every Thursday. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.boojumbrewing.com. • The Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic Night” on Mondays and karaoke on Thursdays. All events at 10 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.456.4750. • Haywood Arts Regional Theatre is opened up its bistro Harmons’ Den for karaoke performance on Saturday nights. It is also open mic night at 8 p.m.. On nights when there’s a theater performance in the Fangmeyer Theater, karaoke begins after the show is over. www.harttheatre.org. • Guadalupe Café (Sylva) will host Folks’ Songs (world/fusion) from 7 to 9 p.m. on Fridays. • Open Mic Night is from 7-9 p.m. on Saturdays at The Strand on 38 Main in Waynesville. 283.0079 or www.38main.com.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • The annual “Stecoah Arts & Crafts Drive About

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Tour” will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 29-30 in Bryson City, Stecoah and Robbinsville. Studios will be open to the public, the self-guided driving tour highlights artisans who have built a livelihood with their creative talents. www.stecoahvalleycenter.com • Western North Carolina Cribbage Club meets at 6:30 p.m. every Monday. Info: 926.3978. • The Weekly Open Studio art classes will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville, Instructor will be Betina Morgan. Open to all artists, at any stage of development, and in the medium of your choice. Cost is $25 per class. There will also be a Youth Art Class from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. Cost is $15 per class. Contact Morgan at 550.6190 or email bmk.morgan@yahoo.com. • Reservations are being accepted for the annual Master Gardener Wreath-Making Event, which is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Cooperative Extension Office, 589 Raccoon Road, Suite 118, in Waynesville. Sessions are from 9:30 a.m.-noon and 13:30 p.m. Cost: $25 for one 16-inch wreath (materials included). Additional wreaths are $20 each. To reserve your spot, send a $25 check to Extension-Wreath Workshop, 589 Raccoon Road, Suite 118, Waynesville, NC 28786. Questions: mgarticles@charter.net or 456.3575. • Friends of the Canton Area Historical Museum will meet at 11 a.m. every third Tuesday at the museum, 36 Park Street in Canton. • Encouraging art classes for beginning through advanced adults are offered by the Inspired Art Ministry at the following times and dates: Drawing classes from 1-4 p.m. on Mondays; painting classes from 1-4 p.m. on Tuesdays. Info: 456.9197, charspaintings@msn.com or www.iamclasses.wbs.com. • Waynesville Art School offers “The Joy of Drawing”, Still Life in Color: Acrylic & Pastel and “Relief Printmaking” classes for adults at 303 N. Haywood Street. Info: 246.9869, info@waynesvilleartschool.com or WaynesvilleArtSchool.com. • Uptown Gallery will offer free open studio times from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursdays at 30 E. Main Street in Franklin. 349.4607, franklinuptowngallery@gmail.com or www.franklinuptowngallery.com. required: 631.0271. Info: www.JCGEP.org. • Open Studio Wednesdays are from 6-10 p.m. at Waynesville Art School, 303 N. Haywood Street. $15 per session. Embrace your creativity while making art alongside other artists. Registration required: 246.9869 or WaynesvilleArtSchool.com. • Indoor Flea Market is set for 7 a.m.-2 p.m. every third Saturday at the Old Armory in Waynesville. 456.9207. • Jackson County Public Library in Sylva is hosting craft therapy. This get-together will be the first

Tuesday of each month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. It will take place in the Atrium at the library. Craft therapy is an evening of up-cycle crafting at the library. Drop in for the whole session or as long as you would like. Each month will have a different theme the library will supply tools and materials that you may need to create something within that theme. If you have anything craft/art related to donate, please bring it by the library or call them at 586.2016, dduffy@fontanalib.org and www.fontanalib.org. • A variety of dance classes ranging from foxtrot and waltz to rumba and cha cha – as well as East Coast Swing and Salsa – are taught at multiple times and days weekly at Folkmoot Center and Waynesville Wellness. $10 per activity per person. No partner or experience necessary. For dates and times, and to RSVP, 316.1344 or dancetonightwaynesville@gmail.com. • Watercolor classes are set for 1:30 p.m. every third Saturday at the Creative Thought Center on Pigeon Street in Waynesville. Cost: $25 or $20 if you bring your own equipment. theHouseArtist@gmail.com. • The Dave Drake Studio Barn offers a variety of ceramic and raku classes by appointment as well as weekly drawing, writers and community knitters groups. Info: 787.2865. • Second Saturday Markets take place from 6-8 p.m. at Folkmoot in Waynesville. A gathering place for friends of all ages, markets feature vendors, live music, ballroom dance lessons for $5, and a homemade meal for $10. Beer and wine are available for purchase and tables will be set up for participants to play board and card games that they bring from home. Info: 452.2997 or info@folkmoot.org. • The Haywood County Public Library is offering online lifelong learning courses in over 30 subject areas, many of which offer continuing education units, through Universal Class. Free for library cardholders. www.haywoodlibrary.org or 452.5169. • A “Beginner Step-By-Step” painting class will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursdays at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. Cost is $25 with all supplies provided. For more information on paint dates and/or to RSVP, contact Robin Arramae at 400.9560 or paintnitewaynesville@gmail.com. • A comedy improvisation class will be offered from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesdays at Frog Level Brewing in Haywood County. Led by improv teacher Wayne Porter, who studied at Sak Comedy Lab in Orlando and performed improv with several groups. To RSVP and get directions, call 316.8761. • Western North Carolina Woodturners Club will meet at 10 a.m. on the second Saturday every month at the Bascom in Highlands. • The Old Armory will host an indoor flea market from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on every third Saturday. Booths are $10 each for selling items. 456.9207.

Puzzles can be found on page 45 These are only the answers.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES

• The Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at Bardo Arts Center is pleased to present, “Resounding Change: Sonic Art and the Environment.” This exhibition will be on display through Dec. 6. • The next SADC pop-up gallery, titled “The Blending of Tradition and Modernity in Culture Groups,” will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at Viva Arts Studio in Sylva. The exhibition will feature artists of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, who offer perspectives on the blending of tradition, culture and modernity from a wide variety of contexts and experiences. • Acrylic and watercolor painter Linda Blount and acrylic painter Jason Woodard will have their works showing in the auditorium of the Waynesville branch library through January 2020. The showcase is provided by the Haywood County Arts Council/Haywood County Public Library through the collaborative “Art Works @ The Library” program. • Cherokee Indian Hospital is issuing a “Call to Artists” for the new Analenisgi Inpatient Unit. The mission is to create community pride and ownership using a variety of culturally significant, healing art mediums. Enrolled EBCI members will be given preference. Mediums can include, but are not limited to, paintings (oil, acrylic, pastels, watercolor) photography, fiber arts, metal, mixed media and sculpture. Please email legendweaverstudios@gmail.com if you want the formal “Call to Artists” application and information.

• Applications are being accepted for artists who want their work included in monthly gallery exhibits or retail spaces through the Haywood County Arts Council. HaywoodArts.org or GalleryGifts@HaywoodArts.org. • New artist and medium will be featured every month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

FILM & SCREEN

• “Last Christmas”, is showing through Nov. 21 at Smoky Mountain Cinema in Waynesville Plaza. Visit www.fandango.com or http://smokymountaincinema.com/ for showtimes, pricing & tickets. Info. on Facebook or 246.0588. • “Doctor Sleep”, is showing at The Strand on Main through Nov. 21 in Waynesville. 38main.com. • “Ford v Ferrari”, is showing through Nov. 28 at Smoky Mountain Cinema in Waynesville Plaza. Visit www.fandango.com or http://smokymountaincinema.com/ for showtimes, pricing & tickets. Info. on Facebook or 246.0588. • “ILIVEINOBLIVION”, is showing at The Strand on Main at 6 p.m. on Nov. 21 in Waynesville. 38main.com.

Outdoors

• Sons of the American Legion will present a Turkey Shoot at 9 a.m. every Saturday through April at 171 Legion Dr. in Waynesville. $2 per round; refreshments provided. Weather permitting. 456.8691.

• RSVPs are being accepted for the Haywood Waterways Association annual membership meeting, which is set for 6-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at Lambuth Inn, 55 Lambuth Dr., in Lake Junaluska. Holiday buffet dinner is $15 per person, collected at the door. RSVP deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 26: Christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com or 476.4667. • The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Hatchery Supported Trout Waters is open from 7 a.m. until onehalf-hour after sunset until last day of February. Info: https://tinyurl.com/yae8ffqn.

COMPETITIVE EDGE • The “Gobble on the Green” 5K turkey trot and onemile kids fun run is set for 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., respectively, on Thursday, Nov. 28, at the Village Green Commons in Cashiers. Cost: $30. Pre-race packet pick-up is from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, also at the Village Green. www.villagegreencashiersnc.com, 743.3434 or director@cashiersgreen.com.

HIKING CLUBS • The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a moderate four-mile hike on Saturday, Nov. 23, to Rabun Bald. Elevation change of 700 feet. Info and reservations: 524.5298. • The Nantahala Hiking club will take an easy threemile hike with a 300-foot elevation gain on Sunday, Nov. 24, around Gibson Bottom. Info and reservations: 524.5234. • A guided Black Friday hike to take in views of Panthertown Valley will start at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, from the Salt Rock Gap Trailhead. Six miles. Led by Friends of Panthertown volunteer Mike Kettles. Free for members; nonmembers are asked to join or make a donation. Join: www.panthertown.org/join. Sign up for the hike: friends@panthertown.org. • The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a moderate-tostrenuous 3.5-mile hike with a 940-foot elevation change on Saturday, Nov. 30, up Shortoff Mountain near Highlands. Info and reservations: 743.1079. • The Nantahala Hiking Club will take an easy threemile hike with an elevation change of 300 feet on Saturday, Nov. 30, to Jones Knob on the NC Bartram Trail. Info and reservations: 526.6480.

OUTDOOR CLUBS • The Jackson County Poultry Club will hold its regular meeting on the third Thursday of each month at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office. The club is for adults and children and includes a monthly meeting with a program and a support network for those raising birds. For info, call 586.4009 or write heather_gordon@ncsu.edu. • The Jackson-Swain Master Gardeners’ Association meets at 9:30 a.m. every second Wednesday at the Jackson Community Services Building on Scotts Creek Road in Sylva. Mike Glover at 736.2768

mobile technology to help you get a lot less mobile.

Log on. Plan a trip. And start kicking back.

Smoky Mountain News

• “Doctor Sleep”, is showing through Nov. 21 at Smoky Mountain Cinema in Waynesville Plaza. Visit www.fandango.com or http://smokymountaincinema.com/ for showtimes, pricing & tickets. Info. on Facebook or 246.0588.

• The Second Tuesday Movie Group meets at 2 p.m. in the Waynesville Library Auditorium. For info, including movie title: 452.5169.

November 20-26, 2019

• The Haywood County Arts Council annual show, “It’s a Small, Small Work,” will be held through Jan. 4 in HCAC Gallery & Gifts in Waynesville. The 2019 exhibit will feature 60 artists and almost 240 individual works of art for sale. www.haywoodarts.org or 452.0593.

• “JoJo Rabbit”, is showing at The Strand on Main Nov 29-Dec. 5 in Waynesville. 38main.com.

wnc calendar

• “Harriet”, is showing at The Strand on Main Nov. 22-28 in Waynesville. 38main.com.

PRIME REAL ESTATE Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

LEGAL NOTICES

MarketPlace information: The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 every week to over 500 locations across in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties along with the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. For a link to our MarketPlace Web site, which also contains a link to all of our MarketPlace display advertisers’ Web sites, visit www.smokymountainnews.com.

Rates:

■ Free — Lost or found pet ads. ■ $5 — Residential yard sale ads, ■ $5 — Non-business items that sell for less than $150. ■ $15 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2. If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type. ■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad or colored background. ■ $50 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold. ■ $375 — Statewide classifieds run in 170 participating newspapers with 1.1+ million circulation. Up to 25 words. ■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

Classified Advertising: Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 classads@smokymountainnews.com

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74 North Main Street Waynesville, NC 28786

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices/Great Smokys Realty - www.4Smokys.com Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate- Heritage • Carolyn Lauter - carolyn@bhgheritage.com Beverly Hanks & Associates- beverly-hanks.com • Ann Eavenson - anneavenson@beverly-hanks.com • Billie Green - bgreen@beverly-hanks.com • Michelle McElroy- michellemcelroy@beverly-hanks.com • Steve Mauldin - smauldin@beverly-hanks.com • Brian K. Noland - brianknoland.com • Anne Page - apage@beverly-hanks.com • Brooke Parrott - bparrott@beverly-hanks.com • Jerry Powell - jpowell@beverly-hanks.com • Catherine Proben - cproben@beverly-hanks.com • Ellen Sither - ellensither@beverly-hanks.com • Mike Stamey - mikestamey@beverly-hanks.com • Karen Hollingsed- khollingsed@beverly-hanks.com • Billy Case- billycase@beverly-hanks.com • Laura Thomas - lthomas@beverly-hanks.com • John Keith - jkeith@beverly-hanks.com

828.452.5809

KAREN HOLLINGSED BROKER ASSOCIATE

KHOLLINGSED@BEVERLY-HANKS.COM

74 N. Main St. Waynesville, NC

828.452.5809

ERA Sunburst Realty - sunburstrealty.com

Climate Control

• • • •

Storage

Amy Spivey - amyspivey.com Rick Border - sunburstrealty.com

Pam James - pjames@sunburstrealty.com Marsha Block - marsha@weichertunlimited.com

November 20-26, 2019

Jerry Lee Mountain Realty Jerry Lee Hatley- jerryhatley@bellsouth.net Keller Williams Realty - kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • Scott Easler - seasler@kw.com • The Morris Team - www.themorristeamnc.com • Julie Lapkoff - julielapkoff@kw.com

www.smokymountainnews.com

Climate Controlled

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McGovern Real Estate & Property Management • Bruce McGovern - shamrock13.com RE/MAX Executive - remax-waynesvillenc.com remax-maggievalleync.com • Holly Fletcher - hollyfletcher1975@gmail.com • The Real Team - TheRealTeamNC.com • Ron Breese - ronbreese.com • Landen Stevenson- Landen@landenstevenson.com • Dan Womack - womackdan@aol.com • Mary & Roger Hansen - mwhansen@charter.net • Judy Meyers - jameyers@charter.net • David Rogers - davidr@remax-waynesvillenc.com • Juli Rogers - julimeaserogers@gmail.com Rob Roland Realty - robrolandrealty.com

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The Smoky Mountain Retreat at Eagles Nest • Tom Johnson - tomsj7@gmail.com • Sherell Johnson - sherellwj@aol.com WNC Real Estate Store • Jeff Baldwin - jeff@WNCforMe.com

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 44

48 SECURITY CAMERAS AND MANAGEMENT ON SITE

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Lakeshore Realty

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(828) 734-8478 lthomas@beverly-hanks.com

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ANSWERS ON PAGE 40

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Horse Cove is worth a visit Editor’s note: This column first appeared in a November 2003 edition of The Smoky Mountain News.

Smoky Mountain News

November 20-26, 2019

George Ellison

orse Cove is one of the prettiest settings here in the southern mountains. It’s a highland valley surrounded by the Black Rock, Fodderstack, and Chestnut and Rich mountains, and drained by Big Creek, one of the numerous headwater streams of the Chattooga River system situated on the eastern flank of the Eastern Continental Divide. To get there you simply drive east on Main Street in Highlands past the Columnist town library and Nature Center. A mile or so farther along, you’ll drop rather dramatically off of the Highlands Plateau for almost a thousand feet along a tightly winding roadway. When the road finally levels out, you’re in Horse Cove. A nice Sunday afternoon loop drive can be made by continuing through Horse Cove for several miles until you come to the “Y” intersection with the Bull Pen and Whiteside Cove roads. Take a left on Whiteside Cove

BACK THEN Road and enjoy the spectacular views of the Whiteside Mountain cliff faces. After some miles you’ll come to a “T” intersection with N.C. 107 near the entrance to High Hampton Inn. A right turn will carry you into South Carolina. A left will take you to Cashiers, where another left on U.S. 64 will take you back to Highlands. I conduct a number of natural history workshops each year in the Highlands area and almost always wind up in Horse Cove to visit the huge tulip poplar tree that grows there or to identify wildflowers, birds, and ferns. Place names have always interested me. And Horse Cove is certainly a pleasant, evocative place name. But I’ve never been able to pin down its origin. For the record, here’s some of what I found about the name. Numerous sources indicate that it simply commemorates a site so lush that horses pastured there were not tempted to wander elsewhere. On the other hand, Journey McCall, who lived on Bull Pen Road, told T.W. Reynolds, author of High Lands (1964), that “Horse Cove was so-named because the settlers could always find their horses there.” This seems to indicate that it was a refuge for lost horses rather than deliberately pastured horses. Or maybe the

lost horses were seeking the company of pastured horses? Wilbur G. Zeigler and Ben S. Grosscup, those intrepid 19th century travelers and scribblers, recorded in The Heart of the Alleghanies (1883) that the name “is applied to this charming valley landscape for no other reason than that a man’s horse was once lost in it.” So do we have just one lost horse or a lot of lost horses lost in Horse Cove? Zeigler and Grosscup also infer that the valley’s old Cherokee name was “sequilla.” I’m not sure what “sequilla” might mean, but the Cherokee word for horse is “sogwili.” Maybe they spelled it wrong? The horses of a famous general and an infamous renegade are also associated with Horse Cove. Reynolds recorded anecdotal testimony inferring “that General Andrew Pickens of Revolutionary days brought his horses all the way to Horse Cove just to pasture them there; so, the place was called Pickens Horse Cove, but shortened to Horse Cove when the post office was established.” I can’t find the source now, but some years ago I read an account that asserted the name arose because George W. Kirk and his band of renegades sequestered stolen horses in Horse Cove during the Civil War. According to that account, Kirk would steal horses from the Confederates and sell then

to the Unionists. Then he would steal the same horses from the Unionists and sell them back to the Confederates. I don’t know if this is factual, but Horse Cove would have made an excellent hideaway for stolen horses. Where are we? Not much closer to knowing why Horse Cove is called Horse Cove. I can live with that. But I did find out what Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924, 28th president of the United States, 1913-21) was familiar with Horse Cove. After graduating from college in 1879, the future president spent the summer at a lodging house on Walkingstick Road in Horse Cove with his “mother, younger sister and her two little ones.” The stage ride from South Carolina to Horse Cove had been over rutted, muddy roads that Wilson described in a letter to a friend as “simply terrible.” The summer of 1879 was — as is normal in the Highlands area — rainy. “The clouds are always just above me,” Wilson lamented. For him, Horse Cove was “North Carolina’s jumping off place.” We can rightfully conclude, I think, that Woodrow Wilson, whatever his skills as a politician or future Nobel Prize winner, was no judge of mountain scenery. George Ellison is a writer and naturalist who lives in Bryson City. info@georgeellison.com

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TheTubStore.com November 20-26, 2019 Smoky Mountain News 47

Smoky Mountain News November 20-26, 2019