SMN 11 22 17

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Western North Carolina’s Source for Weekly News, Entertainment, Arts, and Outdoor Information

November 22-28, 2017 Vol. 19 Iss. 26

GIFT GUIDE: INSIDE

From Our Family To Yours,

CONTENTS

STAFF

On the Cover: In the first 10 years together, Balsam Range has gone from an up-and-coming band to perennial favorites at the International Bluegrass Music Association awards, the highest honors in the genre. To celebrate its 10-year anniversary, Balsam Range is once again holding the “Art of Music Festival” Dec. 1-2 at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. (Page 28)

Gift guide Save Saturday shopping for small businesses ..........................................................4 Sheriff’s Office offers shopping safety tips ................................................................5 Gifts for pups a popular holiday choice ......................................................................6 Park invites public to get outside this weekend ........................................................7

News Haywood approves chamber partnership, incentive policy ................................11 Early intervention can change a child’s life trajectory ............................................12 WCU seeks waiver on tower regulations ..................................................................14 Jackson Brunch Bill decision will wait until spring ..................................................15 Waynesville wastewater woes warrant study redo ................................................17 New plan for Walnut Street met with satisfaction ..................................................18 Brunch Bill languishing in Maggie Valley ..................................................................18 Jackson to merge health and social services departments ................................20 Health news ........................................................................................................................23

Opinion

EDITOR/PUBLISHER: ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: ART DIRECTOR: DESIGN & WEBSITE: DESIGN & PRODUCTION: ADVERTISING SALES:

CLASSIFIEDS: NEWS EDITOR: WRITING:

ACCOUNTING & OFFICE MANAGER: DISTRIBUTION: CONTRIBUTING:

Scott McLeod. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . info@smokymountainnews.com Greg Boothroyd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . greg@smokymountainnews.com Micah McClure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . micah@smokymountainnews.com Travis Bumgardner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . travis@smokymountainnews.com Chloe Collins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . chloe.c@smokymountainnews.com Robin Arramae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . robin.a@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Bradley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jc-ads@smokymountainnews.com Hylah Birenbaum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hylah@smliv.com Scott Collier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Jessi Stone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jessi@smokymountainnews.com Holly Kays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . holly@smokymountainnews.com Cory Vaillancourt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cory@smokymountainnews.com Garret K. Woodward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . garret@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Singletary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . smnbooks@smokymountainnews.com Scott Collier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Jeff Minick (writing), Chris Cox (writing), George Ellison (writing), Gary Carden (writing), Don Hendershot (writing), Susanna Barbee (writing).

CONTACT WAYNESVILLE | 144 Montgomery, Waynesville, NC 28786 P: 828.452.4251 | F: 828.452.3585 SYLVA | 629 West Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779 P: 828.631.4829 | F: 828.631.0789 INFO & BILLING | P.O. Box 629, Waynesville, NC 28786 Copyright 2017 by The Smoky Mountain News.™ Advertising copyright 2017 by The Smoky Mountain News.™ All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The Smoky Mountain News is available for free in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain and parts of Buncombe counties. Limit one copy per person.

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Smoky Mountain News

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Gift Guide

Save Saturday shopping for small businesses

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR t seems the holiday shopping season comes sooner and sooner every year.

Before the turkey has even cooled people are lined up outside the big box retailers waiting for their chance to snag the best deals of the season.

While Black Friday might be dedicated to the large retailers in town, the local business community has banded together once again to encourage residents to set some of their holiday spending aside for Shop Local Saturday. Western North Carolina is fortunate to have bustling downtowns with and array of mom-and-pop shops offering gift ideas for everyone on your shopping list.

In Haywood County, the Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center is partnering with the Haywood County Arts Council to Hold Small Business Saturday Pop-Up Shop. The Pop-Up Shop Saturday, Nov. 25, will highlight the vibrant local small business climate and the talent of local artists and makers.

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n As much as 80 percent of all consumers surveyed say at least some of their holiday shopping will be done at small, independently-owned retailers or restaurants n Three-quarters (75 percent) of all consumers surveyed are planning on going to one or more small businesses as part of their holiday shopping n 90 percent of all consumers surveyed agree it is important for them to support independently-owned restaurants and bars n Of consumers who are aware of Small Business Saturday, 89 percent agree that the day encourages them to shop small all year long, not just during the holiday season n For those who are aware and who plan to shop on Small Business Saturday, 44 percent plan to spend more this year compared to last year.

Smoky Mountain News

November 22-28, 2017

Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey found:

live at the Haywood County Arts Council The Pop-Up Shop, which will be held at located at 86 North Main Street, the art council’s gallery in downtown Waynesville from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Waynesville, will feature jewelry by No The towns of Maggie Valley and Canton Ordinary Women and Glory Beads by Deb also have several new merchants offering an Parmele and custom accessories and home goods by Lola Mae Designs.

Visitors can also enjoy the Haywood County Arts Council’s “Small Works” exhibition currently on display. The event is a great way to support local small businesses and buy unique handcrafted products all while keeping money in our local community.

“We are thrilled to partner with the HCC Small Business Center for a special Small Business Saturday artist pop-up in our gallery.

Though some people don’t immediately think of artists as small business owners, Blackrock Outdoor Company they absolutely are,” said is just one of many locally Lindsey Solomon, executive owned shops in downtown director of the arts council.

Sylva where customers can “Supporting small, local support Small Business businesses boosts our local Saturday Nov. 25. economy and supporting artists specifically in their array of local gift ideas. Maggie Valley will be small businesses helps us live into our misholding a Santa Strut and Lighting up of sion as the Haywood County Arts Council.”

Maggie Valley Winter event from 3 to 6 p.m.

HCC’s Small Business Center is a neighborhood champion for Shop Small on Small Saturday, Nov. 25, at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

Business Saturday, an initiative that’s been The event will feature a Santa Strut — a building momentum since it started with an Santa costume contest — and an ugly American Express campaign in 2010. The sweater contest. Christian recording artist effort has grown in popularity as communiLaura Hawthorne will lead the crowd in ties realize how spending locally helps boast singing Christmas Carols and Voices in the the local economy.

Laurel will also perform. For the finale, “Supporting small businesses is critical everyone will walk over to the festival to the health and livelihood of our national grounds waterfall to Light Up The Valley. economy and local communities,” said Donations of non-perishable food items Juanita Duggan, CEO of National Federation will also be collected to support local food of Independent Businesses. “We are proud pantries, monetary gifts will benefit the to partner with American Express to bring Friends of Haywood County Animal Shelter, attention to the importance of small busiand winter coats for a coat drive. ness and look forward to another successful Local businesses and the Maggie Valley Small Business Saturday.”

Chamber of Commerce worked to put the HCC’s Small Business Center will host a event together in hopes of attracting more Small Business Saturday® Welcome Station

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shoppers to the community to show them what the town has to offer while getting into the Christmas spirit.

“Maggie Valley is primarily made up of small businesses — from our restaurants to

our retail shops, even our service industry partners. That’s what makes Maggie Valley so attractive to our visitors,” said Maggie Valley Chamber Director Teresa Smith. “It’s the one-on-one service that a small business owner can give. It’s getting to know the business owners on a personal basis that keeps customers returning time and time again.

Southern hospitality is felt throughout our business community and that is what has kept us vibrant and strong for more than 50 years.”

Dillsboro will be celebrating Small Business Saturday by offering live entertainment at several of the shops. The Maggie Valley Band will play from noon to 3 p.m. at Tunnel Mountain Crafts; Twelfth Fret from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Monkey Toes; Ron Smith from noon to 2 p.m. at Dogwood Crafters and Alma Russ from noon to 2 p.m. at the Christmas Shop.

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he holiday season is upon us and shoppers are crowding malls and discount stores to buy the latest gadgets and find the best deals.

But shoppers should not be neglecting their safety. This time of year attracts more shopping-related criminal activity because of the larger crowds and the extended store hours. These factors, and the usual distraction of shopping, create a more favorable environment for petty thieves and other offenders.

“This time of year, busy holiday shoppers become vulnerable to other crimes as well such as credit card fraud and gift card fraud. However, taking a few preventive measures can help,” said Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher.

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sure the web page where you enter your credit card information is secure through SSL (Secure Socket Layer). You can tell if the web page is secure by looking for the gold lock or key icon at the bottom corner of your browser window.

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Gift Guide

Sheriff’s Office offers shopping safety tips

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Shopping safety:

n Keep a close watch on your credit card every time you use it, and make sure you get it back as quickly as possible. n Never write your PIN number on your credit card. n Never leave your credit cards or receipts lying around. n Shield your credit card number so that others around you can’t copy it or capture it on a mobile telephone or other camera. n Only carry credit cards that you absolutely need. n Shred anything with your credit card number written on it. n If you’re planning to purchase online, make

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n If you’re not comfortable submitting your information through the internet, call the seller and give them your information over the telephone. Never send your credit card information via email. n Check the company out. Only do business with companies that provide a physical address and telephone number. n Keep good records. Always print out a copy of any online products or services you purchase.

Gift card fraud: n Never buy gift cards from online auction sites. This is a large source of gift card fraud.

Many of the gift cards are stolen, counterfeit or used. n Only buy gift cards directly from the store issuing the gift card or from a secure retailer’s website. n Don’t buy gift cards off of publicly displayed racks in retail stores. Only purchase gift cards at the sales terminal from the cashier. n Always carefully examine both the front and back of a gift card before you buy it. If you see a PIN number, ask for a different card. If the card looks like it has been tampered with in any way, put it back. n Always ask the store cashier to scan the gift card in front of you. This will guarantee that your card is valid when you buy it and that it reflects the balance you just charged it with. n Always keep your receipt as a proof of purchase as long as there is money stored on the gift card. n If possible, register your gift card at the store’s website. n Never give your Social Security number, date of birth or any other unneeded private information when purchasing a gift card. No reputable company will ask for this information.

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n A single shopper is the best target for theft.

Always shop with a friend or relative. n When going shopping, tell someone where you are going and what time to expect you to return.

Make sure they know what you are wearing, as well as the type of vehicle you are driving. n Shop during daylight hours. If you shop at night, park your vehicle in a well-lit area. n Dress casually and comfortably and avoid wearing expensive jewelry. If carrying cash, keep it in your front pocket rather than in a purse or wallet. This makes it much more difficult for a pickpocket to remove. Also store car keys in a pants or jacket pocket. If your purse is stolen, you will still be able to drive home. n Pay careful attention to your surroundings and avoid overloading yourself with packages.

It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps. n When returning to your vehicle, check around it and in the back seat. Be aware of strangers approaching you for any reason. Have your car keys in your hand to avoid spending unnecessary time unprotected from the security of your vehicle. n If you feel uneasy returning to your vehicle alone, find a security guard and ask them to walk you to your car.

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Gift Guide

Barkin’ around the Christmas tree Gifts for pups a popular holiday choice

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ogs don’t require much to fulfill their material needs — food, water, a comfy napping spot and regular outdoor excursions, and they’re good to go.

But the happy excitement of a pup about to receive a special treat or brand new toy is its own reward, and Christmas is the perfect time to treat a favorite canine companion or give a friend, neighbor or relative the gift of witnessing doggy ecstasy.

“One of the most interesting things that I’ve seen since I bought the store a couple years ago is the number of people who come in and buy a gift for the neighbor’s dog or the child’s dog or the friend’s dog or cat as opposed to buying something for the friend or the relative,” said Julie Moriarty, owner of the Smoky Mountain Dog Bakery in Waynesville.

It makes sense, she said.

“The dog or cat isn’t going to want to return the gift. I would much rather have something for my dogs than for me — I don’t need anything,” she said.

As far as what to get, the choices are many. Dog treats, of course, are always a favorite. Moriarty’s store offers a variety of

handmade treats, including specially decorated goodies made to look like hot dogs, frogs, fire hydrants and more. For a longerlasting goody, chews are another way to go.

“We have all sorts of odd chews like

however. Tough toys that are hard to chew up are quite popular, Moriarty said, with a number of variations that allow for treats to be secured inside, ensuring that the dog remains interested.

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Julie Moriarty, owner of the Smoky Mountain Dog Bakery in Waynesville, keeps a store stocked with items guaranteed to entice all sorts of canines.

Holly Kays photo

November 22-28, 2017

chicken feet and duck feet, cod skin, pig ears, sausages,” she said.

Some people want to get a gift that will last longer than a couple snaps of the jaw,

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Other toys are designed more to get a laugh than to withstand heavy chewing.

Moriarty carries a few that are shaped like lips or mustaches, with the idea that the dog

will bite on a squeaky piece that extends behind the shape to make the dog look like it’s wearing a mustache or sporting giant lips.

Dogs aren’t exempt from fashion-conscious gifts, either. This time of year especially, lots of people are looking over the selection of dog coats.

“A lot of people come here from Florida and other places, and they get up here and the dog is freezing because they’re just not used to it,” Moriarty said.

Pets with outdoorsy humans can also be outfitted with raincoats, life vests and hiking packs, and smaller dogs can fit into fabric pet carriers that allow them to relax on their human’s chest while hiking.

Themed outfits can also elicit a smile — some pet owners take joy in dressing up their pets for Halloween, Christmas or just because, and Moriarty’s store keeps doggy “wedding gear” on hand, with versions made to look like a tux or a white dress.

There are also specialty collars, including red and green ones made special for Christmas.

“My husband jokes that there’s not a thing in this store that anybody needs, which is probably true,” Moriarty said.

But there are definitely plenty of things that people — and their dogs — want, and the dogs that wander into the store, wagging their tails and pointing their noses into the corners they deem most interesting, have taught Moriarty what those things are.

“You learn a lot,” Moriarty said, “just from the dogs.”

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Gift Guide

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Volunteers help clean up a campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. NPS photo

Park invites public to get outside T

The 4.2-mile round-trip hike on the Mingus Creek Trail is rated moderate but does have several steep sections near the cemeteries. The trail parallels Mingus Creek with several log foot bridges along the way.

The ranger leading the hike will share some of the burial traditions and customs represented in the cemeteries of the Smokies to discover the beliefs and values that defined

9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 24 — Cucumber Gap near Elkmont

Meet at the Little River trailhead at 9:00 a.m., 7 miles west of Sugarlands Visitor Center in Elkmont. For more information, call Sugarlands Visitor Center at 865.436.1291.

9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25 — #OptOutside with Service

Help clean fire pits and perform other maintenance tasks around the Elkmont Campground to help care for one of the park’s busiest campgrounds. It is particuHikers explore Old larly important to Settlers Trail. NPS photo keep the area free of trash and food scraps to help protect wildlife. Expect three hours total for the service project and then stay for an optional hike to Huskey Branch Falls.

Bring a sack lunch for a hike along the nearby Little River Trail to the falls and enjoy the beautiful scenery while eating. The hike is a moderate 4.3 miles roundtrip and is expected to take three hours. Meet at the Elkmont Campground Office at 9:00 a.m., 7 miles west of Sugarlands Visitor Center in Elkmont. For more information, call the Volunteer Office at 865.436.12665.

This easy, 4.8-mile round-trip hike follows the river through a beautiful, cove hardwood forest. Participants will learn about the rich history of the area including the logging operations of the Little River Lumber Company. Expect 3-4 hours total for the hike. One river crossing will be required.

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10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 24 — Mingus Creek Cemetery Hike

this Southern Appalachian community as we visit two historic cemeteries. The guided portion of the hike will end after 2.1 miles at the Mingus Creek Cemetery. Participants can return to their cars at their own pace, further explore the area or enjoy a picnic lunch near the cemetery. Meet in the Mingus Mill parking area, less than a mile north of the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, along Newfound Gap Road. For more information, call the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at 828.497.1904.

November 22-28, 2017

he Great Smoky Mountains National Park invites visitors to join a park ranger for a guided hike on Friday, Nov. 24 or a service opportunity on Saturday, Nov. 25. Hikes will be offered near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Elkmont Campground, providing an outstanding opportunity for people of all ages to #OptOutside and enjoy the park.

Rangers and park volunteers will help visitors discover special cultural and natural resources along the hikes. Visitors may also choose to hike on their own and can come to any of the park’s visitor centers throughout the Thanksgiving holiday weekend to receive information about hiking options, including several short nature trails that are perfect for children.

“The park offers incredible places to enjoy a hike or a scenic drive with friends and family over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend,” said Acting Superintendent Clay Jordan. “We encourage you to join us in exploring the park and creating new memories over the holiday.”

The park has over 800 miles of trails to explore throughout the year with every season offering its own special rewards. During late fall and winter, the absence of deciduous leaves opens new vistas revealing stone walls, chimneys and foundations. These reminders of past communities allow hikers to discover a glimpse of history along park trails.

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What to bring: Weather in the Smoky Mountains can be unpredictable, especially in the fall. Rangers recommend participants dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes and bring rain gear.

Participants should also bring a bag lunch, snacks and plenty of water.

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Gift Guide

Giving to charities for the holidays

Operation Christmas Child is an initiative through Samaritan’s Purse to provide essentials to children all over the world. A small shoebox can make all the difference in the life of a child.

Samaritan’s Purse photo

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR f battling the crowds on Black Friday doesn’t appeal to you, or if you just can’t seem to find the perfect gift for the family members who already have everything, consider making a donation to a local charity.

There are so many worthy causes and organizations around the region making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate — why not make a donation in honor of a loved one? A $100 donation to a homeless shelter or a foster care group home is likely to have a much larger impact than spending $100 on a gadget that will be obsolete by next year.

The internet is also making it much easier to give to charities, whether local or international. If you plan to shop Cyber Monday deals online, consider doing so through smile.amazon.com. Once on the website, you’ll be prompted to choose a charity, and then a percentage of your purchases will benefit that organization.

Wildlife organizations like World Wildlife allow people to symbolically adopt an endangered species as a holiday gift, which could be perfect for a child who has a soft spot for pandas, penguins or polar bears. An adoption kit costs $55 and includes a plush version of the animal, a photo of the animal, an adoption certificate, and a special gift bag.

Sponsoring a child in need is another great way to make a huge impact on someone’s life. Make an ongoing monthly donation to St. Jude’s Hospital in honor of a loved one or sponsor a child in poverty for $39 a month through World Vision or other international charities working to end hunger.

A donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation allows the organization to make the final wishes of children with a terminal

Smoky Mountain News

November 22-28, 2017

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illness a reality. After making a gift to MakeA-Wish, they will dedicate a specific wish to you and you will receive a child’s wish story and photo to demonstrate how your generosity helped a wish come true.

On a local level, there are many needs right in your own community. Find a cause you’re passionate about and contact an organization taking on that cause. Even if you can’t make a monetary donation, consider volunteering your time by serving food at The Open Door or Haywood Pathways Center, building a house for Habitat for Humanity, being a companion for a Hospice patient or even donating gently used clothing to a resale shop like Within REACH, Haywood Christian Ministry or the Salvation Army.

Operation Christmas Child is also a wonderful program done locally and a great way to get your entire family involved in the gift of giving to others. Shoeboxes are filled with school supplies, hygiene items and small toys and are then mailed to children around the world. Many local churches and schools get involved in this community-wide project.

Local organizations like Broyhill Children’s Home in Clyde, KARE and county departments of social services often allow people to adopt a child to Christmas shop for so children in foster care will have presents on Christmas morning.

To find the right charity for you, visit www.charitywatch.org for more information on how their money is spent. Groups included on the CharityWatch Top-Rated list generally spend 75 percent or more of their budgets on programs, spend $25 or less to raise $100 in public support, do not hold excessive assets in reserve, have met CharityWatch's governance benchmarks, and receive "openbook" status for disclosure of basic financial information and documents.

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Gift Guide

Sweet Potato Cranberry Salad SHOPPING LIST • 4 Medium Sweet Potatoes; diced • ½ c Maple Syrup • ¼ c Balsamic Vinegar • 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil • ½ Tsp. Cinnamon • Salt & Pepper to taste • 1 Bunch Green Onion; Diced • Dried Cranberries • Pumpkinseeds

Smoky Mountain News

November 22-28, 2017

Meet Ingles Chef Lu

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A coal miner’s daughter knows the meaning of hard work. Nothing came easy for young Lisa Ronan growing up in rural western Pennsylvania. She knew from an early age that getting ahead meant pushing herself beyond the limits of satisfactory effort. Lisa’s grandmother set the example and played a huge role in Lisa’s love of preparing food for others by giving Lisa an opportunity to work and learn in their family’s catering business.

Chef Lu oversees a team she built.

Twenty workers, whom under her direction, work with respect and support for each other to create the harmonious environment required to perform the volume of work they do on a daily basis. Following Chef Lu’s impressive example, her team is responsible for keeping happy more than a thousand warehouse and corporate employees with breakfast, lunch and dinner five days a week, while at the same time catering sporting events, weddings, business meetings, church functions, and more. It’s a job that would exhaust most people, but not Chef Lu. She loves what she does and cares If you’re one of the people who have seen Chef Lu in action or have enjoyed the fruits of her considerable efforts, consider yourself lucky. It’s not often, if ever, that you’ll come across a star that shines this bright.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Combine syrup, vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper & cinnamon in small bowl.

2. Wisk and pour over diced sweet potatoes.

3. Coat potatoes and spread evenly over greased sheet pan.

4. Place in 400º oven and roast for 3040 minutes.

5. Remove from oven and add green onion, cranberries & pumpkin seeds.

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The consulting agreement would in essence outsource some of the Haywood Chamber’s economic development functions — primarily business attraction and recruitment — to the Asheville Chamber.

The county-owned Jonathan Creek site could soon become more attractive to potential developers.

Haywod GIS map

appropriate amount of time to evaluate the efficacy of the agreement. Rogers then joined the board — minus Commissioner Bill Upton, who was out sick — in unanimously approving the MOU. The cost — $100,000 per year — brings with it several obligations from the Asheville Chamber, like advising Haywood on requests for proposals, sharing project leads with Haywood, marketing Haywood as an economic development destination, involving Haywood in four to six site visits a year, and including Haywood properties in its portfolio.

One of those properties is a 22-acre site along Jonathan Creek near Maggie Valley that’s languished for over a decade.

In 2007, it was thought an ideal location for a recreational park or a sports complex; the county engaged in a heated bidding war

against a private developer, driving the price of the plot up to more than $1.1 million.

But then the Great Recession happened, mothballing the project; since then, neighboring counties have constructed sports and recreational complexes of the type envisioned by county officials before the recession, making Haywood’s original purpose for the property a ship that’s long since sailed.

“It’s almost like we got behind, maybe we should have done it earlier, but we’ve put it off and waited and now we’ve waited to a time where that won’t benefit us as much,” said Rogers during a Nov. 6 meeting.

“I want to address that too,” Sorrells replied, adding that he serves on the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority Board. “A few years ago, we attempted to increase the occupancy tax for a

The board, however, did on Nov. 6 agree to stop leasing the Jonathan Creek land to farmers and start accepting more than 25,000 cubic yards of unneeded dirt from the new Publix grocery store being constructed on Russ Avenue.

On Nov. 20, the board authorized a contract for engineering and surveying services at the site, where the dirt will elevate eight acres from three feet below to one foot above the flood plain, in essence making the site more shovel-ready than it currently is.

In theory, the Haywood-Asheville Chamber agreement could result in an interested party learning of the soon-to-be shovelready site and its existing sewer/water infrastructure, and then asking for economic development incentives; commissioners also approved an update to the county’s 2004 incentive policy that makes it easier for small businesses to qualify for grants based on the size of their investments in the county.

Smoky Mountain News

FREE Oil Change & Service for Every Teacher in Macon County Just Our Way of Saying Thanks

November 22-28, 2017

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER hree complementary actions taken by the Haywood County Board of County Commissioners Nov. 20 show that despite changing conditions in the economic development landscape, Haywood County is serious about moving forward with business attraction, expansion and retention.

“I think it’s been a good night,” said Commission Chairman Kirk Kirkpatrick, who pointed out that the commission had taken steps to approve an economic development incentive policy, improve a vacant parcel and advance an economic development partnership.

Commissioners unanimously approved the alteration of a 2014 memorandum of understanding that allows the Greater Haywood County Chamber of Commerce to enter into a consulting agreement with the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, pending expected approval of the Haywood Chamber’s board. That consulting agreement would in essence outsource some of the Haywood Chamber’s economic development functions — primarily business attraction and recruitment — to the Asheville Chamber.

Haywood Chamber President CeCe Hipps said news of the proposal had attracted a lot of attention statewide in economic development circles.

The partnership is unique in that a small, rural county like Haywood is able to leverage the resources of the much larger Asheville Chamber, which has several employees dedicated to economic development alone and a hard-earned reputation as a progressive, successful community surrounded by natural beauty in a state with relatively low taxes.

During deliberations, the board’s two Republican commissioners — Brandon Rogers and Kevin Ensley — balked at the length of the proposed agreement, which would run from Jan. 1, 2018 through Dec. 31, 2020.

Ensley, however, said he’d thought it through and felt that three years was an

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Trio of Haywood efforts to bolster economic development

development fund to where we could do something like that, and we got completely killed on that … so this is what happens — you have the vision to do something and then you can’t get it out of the chute, and then by the time you could, you’re behind, you’re already too late.”

Sorrells’ reply seemed to be a veiled barb at Rogers, who during his 2016 campaign supported the most recent effort to increase the TDA’s room occupancy tax, but then became one of only two elected officials countywide to vote against it when the issue came up. The TDA’s request was ultimately scuttled yet again by Rep. Michele Presnell, RBurnsville, who is adamantly opposed to increasing taxes of any kind.

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Setting them up for success Early intervention can change a child’s life trajectory (Editor’s note: This is the second of an ongoing series about the problems facing the mental health system in North Carolina. Part 2 examines the treatment services available for children and their families in Western North Carolina through Meridian Behavioral Health Services.)

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR wo years ago, David was a different person than he is today. At 14 years old, his moods rapidly bounced around from extreme feelings of anger to unbridled energy. He couldn’t concentrate at school and didn’t understand why he couldn’t control his emotions.

“I didn’t understand what was happening and why I had such intense feelings and wasn’t able to take control over my emotions,” he said. “I had a tendency to get angry really quickly.”

David’s mother Donita (the family’s last name was not used at their request to protect their privacy) was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when she was 18. Donita began to recognize some of her son’s behaviors and didn’t want him to go untreated into adulthood the way she had. She took him to Meridian Behavioral Health Services in Jackson County a year ago to get help.

He began receiving medication management services as well as therapy sessions with a clinician. His social workers have helped him understand why he’s experiencing these emotions and teaching him how to cope and react to them in a more productive way.

David is happy to report that he has much more control over his own life now.

“I’ve realized I don’t have so much anger that swells up now,” he said. “I’m able to keep a better inventory of what I’m doing — able to stay more down to earth.”

He’s also doing much better in school — making mostly A’s and a couple of B’s while participating in after-school activities like performing arts. He’s also discovered a love for photography, cinematography and graphic design. Now he knows his future can be full of possibilities and not dictated by mental illness.

“He’s doing amazingly well now,” Donita said.

Donita said the Meridian clinicians also work with the family as a whole because they know the child’s long-term success will depend on the stability of life at home and school.

“Our therapist has been amazing. She’s helped with communication in our family,” she said. “She’s got David to a point where he feels conformable in his own skin. She helps us deal with whatever comes up school or with friendships and family.”

Meridian’s social workers can also be 12 advocates for their clients when it comes to

Smoky Mountain News

November 22-28, 2017

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dealing with insurance and Medicaid requirements. Even though Donita has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which can be hereditary, she said David’s therapists understand the importance of not labeling him with bipolar at 16 years old because there could be negative implications.

“They’ve educated me as far as what it (his mental health condition) needs to look like on paper,” Donita said. “A diagnosis of bipolar can be a lasting diagnosis, one that also comes with a lot of stigma. But a diagnosis with depression is not a label that has to stick with him for life — it’s something we could move past. That’s something I’d never think about.”

MEETING THEM WHERE THEY ARE Children are a product of their upbringing, and unfortunately many children in Western North Carolina are being raised in poverty, surrounded by substance abuse, domestic violence and a host of other family dynamics that can create a toxic environment.

A child living under any or all of these conditions can be exposed to a number of traumatic experiences at a young age that make them more vulnerable to behavioral health issues. If that trauma isn’t dealt with it can forever change a child’s attitude, behavior and future.

A recent research paper published by the Association for Psychological Science shows that the rate of depression and suicide among youth ages 13-18 increased between 2010-15.

The research is based on two nationwide surveys and national statistics on suicide deaths.

Between 2009-10 and 2015, 33 percent more adolescents exhibited high levels of depressive symptoms; 12 percent more reported at least one suicide-related outcome, and 31

Is your child suffering from mental illness?

Here are warning signs to look for if you think your child may be dealing with mental illness. If there are signs and symptoms that last weeks or months; and if these issues interfere with the child’s daily life, not only at home but at school and with friends, you should contact a health professional.

Your child or teen might need help if he or she: • Often feels anxious or worried • Has very frequent tantrums or is intensely irritable much of the time • Has frequent stomachaches or headaches with no physical explanation • Is in constant motion, can’t sit quietly for any length of time • Has trouble sleeping, including frequent nightmares • Loses interest in things he or she used to enjoy • Avoids spending time with friends • Has trouble doing well in school, or grades decline • Fears gaining weight; exercises, diets obsessively • Has low or no energy • Spells of intense, inexhaustible activity • Harms herself/himself, such as cutting or burning her/his skin • Engages in risky, destructive behavior • Harms self or others • Smokes, drinks, or uses drugs • Thoughts of suicide • Thinks his or her mind is controlled or out of control, hears voices

SOURCE: National Institute of Mental Health

percent more died by suicide. According to the study, adolescents who spent more time on social media and electronic devices were more likely to report mental health issues.

Luckily, a partnership Jackson-HaywoodMacon Psychological Services formed with the school systems back in 2003 enables clinicians to set up offices inside each school. That partnership carried over when the company merged with Meridian in 2016 to become a comprehensive behavioral health provider.

Steve McRae, director of Jackson County Child and Family Services, said that partnership gives Western North Carolina an advantage over others in the state because they can keep a better eye on struggling students and intervene much sooner.

“It’s a pretty unique and amazing model — one they’re attempting to replicate across the state,” McRae said. “It’s an insightful and engaging way to access a child in their natural environment. The network and system we have in place are just amazing — it’s rare a kid is unknown to someone if they have an issue going on.”

Social workers can also perform suicide risk assessments if students make a threat to hurt themselves and then follow through with a treatment plan if the family is willing to cooperate.

McRae said their main focus is to minimize trauma for students since research shows that an adverse childhood experience can have a long-lasting negative impact on a person’s mental and physical health. Those lifelong issues are also more costly to deal with than early intervention behavioral services.

“The trauma associated with substance abuse, mental illness or abuse has such implications in the long term as far as cost and access to treatment,” McRae said.

CUTS TO SERVICES As funding cuts continue to filter down from the state to Vaya Health and from Vaya Health to providers, Raymond Turpin, clinical director for child and family services at Meridian, said they had to start taking a hard look at how their money could be stretched as far as possible.

“We’ve tried to scatter the cuts across the board so that no one treatment is taking a big cut,” he said.

Meridian offers a day treatment program for elementary and middle school students who can’t be managed by teachers in a mainstream classroom setting. Clinicians work with students on behavioral modifications and work with the family as a whole until they can return to a classroom.

Turpin said half-day treatment programs — an innovative idea started a few years ago allowing students to be in academic classes half a day and then in treatment for three hours — are going away. The program at Hazelwood Elementary is the last to go.

Turpin said his long-term goal is to bring back the program if funding can be found.

“It was meant to keep them from ending up in the full day treatment and it would work if Medicaid had allowed it as a billable service,” Turpin said. “The program at Hazelwood has always been a money loser, but we tried to

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“It’s always a concern when you see a progression of cuts. It’s a big concern when the problem is so evident and you see less resources toward addressing it.”

Besides a lack of funding to meet the growing needs for children, McRae said there were other changes that could make the system more successful in the short term.

“What helps us provide the best service is an element of flexibility,” he said.

For example, Vaya Health, the agency that manages public funds for mental health services in 23 Western North Carolina counties, mandates that its contracted providers like Meridian have “open access” services.

The mandate requires a therapist to be available at all times during office hours — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday — to meet with community members who may come in looking for help. It’s an important service to improve access but it can be challenging in rural communities where clinicians are trying to also be available at the schools.

“If we lived in Raleigh we could support that model easily, but here we don’t have the volume to support that. We get creative to make it happen, but it is a challenge,” McRae said. “It’s always helpful when a management company like Vaya can sit at the table and talk about how to meet that mandate.”

Another challenge is the lack of behavioral health treatment facilities for youth.

Other than a small crisis center in Asheville, youth experiencing a mental health crisis have no inpatient facility in the region.

McRae said it’s common for a child to sit in an emergency room for days waiting for a spot to open up, but that available bed could be hours away from home.

“We have to send them to the ER to be evaluated and they’ll sit there for days waiting on a bed to open up,” Turpin said. “I had a 6year-old in Macon County waiting in the ER for six days — a traumatized 6-year-old sitting there with his grandma all alone — until Commissioner Ronnie Beale got involved and started making calls.”

Providers in child and family services hope that burden is eased with the opening of a new youth crisis center in Asheville. The 16bed facility will serve youths ages 6 through 17 who need crisis stabilization services and 24-hour supervision due to a mental health crisis, substance use or withdrawal from drugs or alcohol. It will also provide crisis care to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

The facility will be named the Caiyalynn Burrell Child Crisis Center, in memory of a 12-year-old Asheville girl who died in 2014 after taking a lethal amount of medication.

Her family believes she may have accidentally overdosed in a “cry for help” due to bullying at school and on social media. The center was made possible by a $1 million grant awarded to Vaya Health by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

Food Myths and Misunderstanding...

True or False?

“Processed foods are bad” – Not Necessarily - Processing means taking a food from an inedible state and changing it to something that’s edible.

Certain processing methods may also make vitamins and minerals more available or help preserve an item so it’s safe to eat.

Technically cooking oats to make oatmeal and roasting coffee beans to make coffee are all examples of processing. You “process” food when you make meals at home as you boil, steam, bake, roast or otherwise transform raw ingredients to a form that you can eat. Food companies may process foods by canning, freezing, roasting or grinding to remove an inedible hull or coating. There are many processed foods and beverages made or supplied by companies and manufacturers that are healthy and nutritious for us to consume like Greek yogurt, frozen fruits and vegetables, canned fruits and vegetables, hummus, rice, and milk.

When food items are highly processed and sugars, fats and salts are added (sometimes in large amounts) they may well foods we shouldn’t be eating on a regular basis, for example candy, French fries, sodas, and potato chips.

Bottom Line: Don’t be so quick to dismiss “processed” foods …they may be good choice depending on the product.

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Smoky Mountain News

therapist or psychiatrist. Sometimes the best Meridian staff can do is to get them in to see their pediatrician if the child is dealing with something like ADD or ADHD. Turpin said advances in tele-medicine services could help remedy that problem in the coming years.

“I think you’ll see more of that in the future due to demand and a lack of resources, but bandwidth is still an issue,” he said.

While the school partnership model works well, McRae said the continuing cuts coming from the state were worrisome for those in his field who see the growing need.

“It’s always a concern when you see a progression of cuts. It’s a big concern when the problem is so evident and you see less resources toward addressing it,” he said. “There are longterm implications — it doesn’t play out well.”

Through his interactions with the student population and their families, McRae said he’s already aware that adults have less access to mental health services, and it impacts their children — it’s a vicious generational cycle.

“We’re trying to provide stability for the children in the home,” he said.

With additional state funding for mental health fading away, Turpin said the only children they can get in-home or day treatment services approved for have to either qualify for Medicaid or Health Choice. Children covered by private insurance — even if the health plan doesn’t cover behavioral services —

CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

November 22-28, 2017

— Steve McRae, Jackson County Child and Family Services director

often fall through the cracks unless Meridian offers pro-bono services for them.

“Everything goes to peer review, so some kids are being denied for services because of cuts in funding from the state level,” Turpin said. “It’s a lot harder to get authorization for enhanced services. It’s frustrating because you know what a kid needs and you’re not sure you’re going to get it.”

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absorb the cost as long as we could. We had to close all half day programs because the funding we use keeps disappearing.”

Meridian also offers an intensive in-home therapy program for students who aren’t benefitting from outpatient treatment and are running the risk of being placed outside their home. Those children are given a team of three — a therapist, a skill-builder and a case manager — that spends six months working to stabilize the home life. If the family and the child are cooperative and willing to make changes, the success rate of that program is 90 percent.

“If a kid is yanked out of their home and placed somewhere else they do tend to do better because they have structure, but if they go back to the home and nothing has changed, then they go back to the same situation,” Turpin said.

Lastly, Meridian offers medication management services for youth, another program Turpin said is a perpetual money loser and there never seems to be enough providers in the region to meet the needs of the children who need it. They’ve seen their adolescent clients have to wait months to be able to see a

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WCU seeks waiver on tower regulations Broadcasting tower could expand Cullowhee EMS, communications infrastructure

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER hat began as an effort to give Western Carolina University’s campus radio station broader coverage could end with construction of a 185-foot tower capable of expanding coverage for emergency communications, broadband and cell service in the Cullowhee area.

“I guess the best way to describe why I’m here is to tell you a story,” Mike Byers, WCU’s vice chancellor for administration and finance, told Jackson County commissioners when he explained the situation in a Nov. 14 work session.

More than a decade ago, Byers said, WCU applied with the Federal Communications Commission to change the frequency of the campus radio station from 90.5 FM to the broader-ranging 98.3.

“Years elapsed, and over that time the folks who started that process got gone, and about this time last year we got notice from the FCC that your request has been granted,” Byers said. “And the first thing was, what request?”

November 22-28, 2017

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A GREATER GOOD

Smoky Mountain News

University leadership began to look into what it would take to change the frequency, and the university’s board of trustees voted in September 2016 to lease 9 acres of university property on Brown Mountain to the WCU Endowment Fund, with the goal of building a transmitting tower there.

But it soon became apparent that building a tower would be a costly undertaking.

WCU won’t have a firm estimated cost for the project until design is complete, but Byers expects that the whole endeavor will cost north of $500,000.

“That was the first time that I said, ‘We’re not doing this,’” Byers said. “We’re just going to stop with this tower idea.”

WCU did later take the step of submitting preliminary designs to the county planning department, which is when it discovered that the tower would be subject to the county’s protected ridge ordinance, yet another finding to solidify the decision to axe construction plans.

But then, WCU started hearing from organizations that were disappointed that plans for tower construction had stopped.

The site is located in a dark area for emergency services, and for WLOS broadcast.

14 There’s need for cell coverage in that area,

and for broadband internet — all issues that could be addressed by services co-locating on the tower.

“The greater good of this tower might outweigh the other issues that come with this tower,” Byers said. “I’m here today to present to you the notion that it might be in all of our best interests to consider a waiver on the tower height at Brown Mountain so we can take care of that dark area.”

REQUESTS FOR WAIVER Commissioners seemed amenable to the request, even though construction plans call for a tower significantly taller than what would normally be allowed under the ridgetop development ordinance. The tower will be 180 feet tall with a 5-foot lightning rod; the ridgetop development ordinance allows a maximum height of 20 feet above the average canopy tree height, which would put the limit in the neighborhood of 100 feet, depending on exact measurements at the site.

Be heard A public hearing at 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27 in room A201 of the Jackson County Justice Center will take public comment on Western Carolina University’s request to waive requirements in the county’s Wireless Communications Ordinance so that the WCU Endowment Fund can build a 185-foot communications tower.

The tower’s primary purpose would be to broadcast WCU’s campus radio station, but EMS, cell phone and broadband services could also co-locate there.

Anybody is able to come and speak on the issue for three minutes or less. A special-called meeting will follow the public hearing, during which commissioners will vote on WCU’s request.

A letter from the university to the county listing the items requested to be waived is online at http://bit.ly/2zUPgwM. The ridgetop ordinance also requires that towers not be visible from a public road within 0.5 miles of the site and that towers use a monopole construction. The proposed tower would likely be visible from the road and would use a lattice structure, not a monopole, Planning Director Michael Poston told commissioners.

Byers asked commissioners to waive these requirements, as well as the $5,000 application fee and the conditional use process that would typically apply.

In a follow-up interview Byers said that the university could have planned for a smaller tower that would fit within the parameters of the ridgetop ordinance, but such a tower

WCU Broadcast instructor Don Connolly works with a student at the university’s radio station.

WCU photo

would have a smaller coverage area and wouldn’t allow for other uses, like EMS and cell service. And because WCU had already decided that expanded FM coverage alone wasn’t worth the cost of tower construction, it would choose to cancel the project before building a smaller tower.

County Manager Don Adams pointed out that, were the tower intended for EMS alone, it would be automatically exempt from the ordinance. Similarly, if WCU had applied for the tower through the state rather than running the project through the nonprofit Western Carolina University Endowment Fund, which is subject to county jurisdiction, no conditional use process would be necessary, though the tower would still have to meet the standards found in county ordinance.

Commissioners expressed their support for the project, citing the need for communications infrastructure in that area and echoing the “greater good” argument in Byers’ remarks.

“There is a big concern safety-wise in that part of the county with emergency services having very limited communication abilities, so that would be a big plus,” Commissioner Ron Mau said in a follow-up interview.

“There’s some greater good that could come out of a tower at that location.”

“Radio is like any other kind of news media,” added Chairman Brian McMahan, also in a follow-up interview. “It’s a broadcast which informs citizens and sends out emergency warnings. If the tower could also accommodate emergency communication equipment for our local EMS departments and make access to communication easier all the way around, I think it’s a win for everybody and it’s worth considering.”

DEADLINE LOOMING But the clock is ticking for WCU. It’s taken time to research options and chart the path

forward to take advantage of the opportunity.

Now, the deadline to begin broadcasting — or lose the frequency — is approaching.

WCU is required to start using the frequency by the end of May 2018.

“My facilities guy is freaking out right now, just thinking about having that thing done by May 28 broadcasting,” Byers said.

“We don’t have a lot of time to make a decision.”

Commissioners aren’t required to hold a public hearing in order to waive the CUP process or any of the conditions in the ordinance. However, they have scheduled one for 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, at the Jackson County Justice Center.

Because it couldn’t be advertised until Thursday, Nov. 16, the Nov. 27 date doesn’t comply with the 10-day notice requirement that applies to all mandated public hearings. However, because the hearing itself isn’t required, the 10-day notice period isn’t either.

“In this case I think one week is sufficient,” McMahan said Nov. 14.

Commissioners assured Byers that they are in favor of the project and didn’t want to set back the timeline too much by waiting on a public hearing to take a vote, with McMahan suggesting that WCU move forward with the project in the meantime.

“It’s not saying that it’s a slam dunk done deal no matter what the public says, but unless there’s something out there that I don’t know about that would put the brakes on it, I think it’s wise to say go ahead,” he said in a follow-up interview.

Byers seemed agreeable to that plan, saying that construction of the access road would come before that of the tower itself.

“If something happens and we can’t get the tower built in time, at least we have a road in there and somebody else might have the opportunity,” he said. “If we don’t have a tower maybe we can allow someone else to do it.”

port for the Brunch Bill Oct. 16, but she made it clear to commissioners that she wasn’t alone in her stance. A quick two-day survey of chamber members had yielded 168 responses, with 96.4 percent in favor of passage.

The Cashiers area is where commissioners’ decision on the Brunch Bill will have the biggest impact. Sylva has already approved Sunday morning alcohol sales within its city limits, but Cashiers is an unincorporated community where tourism-focused businesses like restaurants and hotels figure large into the local economy. Commissioners’ decision will impact businesses located outside the limits of any Jackson County municipality, and Cashiers is where the largest concentration of those businesses exists.

Edwards told commissioners that those two morning hours have a very real impact on businesses’ ability to keep tourists coming for a full weekend stay. Many people

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November 22-28, 2017 Smoky Mountain News

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER final decision on whether to allow Sunday morning alcohol sales in Jackson County won’t come for several months following a request from Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce Director Stephanie Edwards that the public hearing wait until springtime.

“I think it just gives all of the folks that have made it through the slam of the high season the opportunity to take their own vacations and kind of recoup,” Edwards said.

“Spring just seems kind of a natural time when folks are back and preparing for the visitor season again.”

Commissioners had originally aimed to decide the issue during an Oct. 16 meeting that drew a full house of county residents who were overwhelmingly opposed to alcohol. Seeing the crowd, Commissioner Ron Mau had asked that the board take the A Jackson County resident emphasizes his opposition to issue off the agenda for a vote Sunday morning alcohol sales to commissioners as public that day and delay the decicomment wraps up Oct. 16. Holly Kays photo sion until a formal public hearing could be held.

Sunday morning alcohol sales are now an looking for a weekend getaway want to have a leisurely brunch with a mimosa or bloody option for counties and municipalities to Mary, and with the communities surroundapprove following a decision of the state leging Cashiers having already approved islature dubbed the Brunch Bill. Local govSunday morning sales, she said, it will be ernments can decide on an individual basis easy for potential visitors to decide to spend whether to allow alcohol sales beginning at their time in Highlands or Sylva instead 10 a.m. on Sundays as opposed to the noon — unless commissioners vote yes. start time now in effect. Sylva, Highlands, However, nobody except Edwards was Canton, Waynesville and Franklin have all approved the measure, with Bryson City vot- there to lay out that point of view Oct. 16.

“The meeting they held in October was at ing no and Maggie Valley still undecided. No the height of our leaf season, and underpublic hearing is required prior to voting, standably at that time our businesses were but many municipalities have opted to hold slammed serving folks and working 12-hour one anyway. days,” she said.

“I have seen what alcohol does to famiEdwards has requested that, in addition lies. My father was an alcoholic for 50 years,” said Robert Matthews, one of 15 peo- to waiting until spring to schedule a public hearing, commissioners hold said hearing in ple to voice their opposition to the Brunch Cashiers, which sits about 45 minutes up a Bill before commissioners Oct. 16. “I seen a windy mountain road from the county seat family split apart, devastated because of the in Sylva. alcoholism. My wife’s father was an alcoCommissioners expressed their willingholic. I’ve seen the devastation it did to a ness to grant this request during a work sesmother and seven children. I have lived it. I have seen it. I have seen how it destroys fam- sion Nov. 14, with Commission Chairman Brian McMahan adding that he’d like to ilies, and in my mind I can’t see how two have a public hearing in Sylva as well prior hours can make a real economic impact for to the vote. the businesses.”

No dates have been set beyond a general Those opposed to the Brunch Bill pointagreement to revisit the issue in the springed to alcoholism’s destructive effects and time. However, when the vote eventually is widespread impact in the county as reasons held it will likely be split, and based on comto vote no, with religious conviction that ments commissioners have made during alcohol consumption of any sort is a sin to be discouraged — not an economic opportu- public discussions of the issue thus far it seems possible the measure could fail to get nity to be encouraged — another key point. the three “yes” votes it will need to pass.

Edwards was the only one to voice sup-

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Jackson Brunch Bill decision will wait until spring

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Jackson NAACP takes stance on monuments The Jackson County NAACP has taken a position regarding the existence of monuments that glorify the cause of the Confederacy, white supremacy and the soldiers who fought in the Civil War. “While we accept these monuments as a partial representation of the history of that era, they embody only one point of view. To tell the whole story, monuments to other historical experiences of that period and today must be created,” the NAACP stated in a press release. “All those who fought deserve our respect for the sacrifices they made, whether they volunteered or were drafted, regardless of which side they joined during the Civil War.” The NAACP stated that historical monuments in public places, other than in museums, should not include symbols of racial hatred such as Confederate flags, as they represent white supremacy, slavery, racial oppression, and secession from the United States.

November 22-28, 2017

Confirmed Pertussis case at Pisgah High A Pisgah High School student has been diagnosed with Pertussis (whooping cough).

There is no evidence that indicates other schools are involved. Students identified as having close contact to this student were notified by phone by Haywood County Health and Human Services.

Hundreds of cases of pertussis are reported each year in North Carolina. Pertussis is an infection that affects the airways and is easily spread from person to person by coughing or sneezing. It causes a severe cough that can last for weeks or months, sometimes leading to coughing fits or vomiting.

Pair of public hearings set for Waynesville Nov. 28 At the Waynesville Board of Aldermen’s last meeting, public hearings were set for two important issues facing the town.

The first is in regard to new standards for manufactured housing; stipulations on foundations, setbacks and size have been proposed for mobile homes both within and without mobile home parks.

The second concerns a new zoning classification for skillbased games of chance like those offered at Nudge City on Dellwood City Road, and further defines where such businesses may open in the future.

The school system had a similar experience with whooping cough in 2010. For precautionary and informational purposes, Health and Human Services officials asked school officials to disseminate information on the Pertussis vaccine and how to prevent the infection.

For more information, call the Haywood Health & Human Services Public Health Division at 828.356.2235 or 828.356.2253; or the school nurse at 828.646.3440.

Haywood woman splits $223,832 jackpot Janna Jenkins of Canton had luck on her side when she won half of a $223,832 Cash 5 jackpot.

Jenkins bought the $1 Quick Pick ticket at George’s Mini Market on Old County Home

Diane E. Sherrill, Attorney

Is a Will Enough?

Smoky Mountain News

FREE LUNCHEON SEMINAR

The Green Energy Park in Dillsboro will accept any closed containers of used vegetable oil, such as fryer oil from those Thanksgiving turkeys. Oil donations can be dropped off at the GEP any time Monday through Saturday.

The GEP filters the used oil, then uses it as clean, renewable fuel to fire pottery kilns. Staff is also working on using veggie oil in glassblowing and blacksmithing shops as well.

Pouring used oil down your drain can ruin your septic system. And dumping it on the ground can lead to serious health problems if eaten by pets or other animals.

828.631.0271.

• Time: 6:30 p.m.

• Date: Tuesday, Nov. 28 • Location: Town Hall, 9 South Main St., Waynesville

HCA Charity Ball benefits Pathways Center

Road in Asheville. She beat odds of one in 749,398 to win Friday’s jackpot. She claimed her prize Monday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. Her half of the jackpot is $111,916.

After required state and federal tax withholdings, she took home $77,783.

James Darlington of Mint Hill claimed the other half of the Cash 5 jackpot.

Maggie Valley sets holiday hours Maggie Valley Town Hall will be closed Thursday, Nov. 23, and Friday, Nov. 24, for Thanksgiving.

During Christmas the trash trucks will be running on Tuesday, Dec. 26, and recycling will be picked up Wednesday, Dec. 27. Have your trash and recycling out by 7 a.m.

Thanks to the ticket sales for the 11th Annual Haywood Christian Academy Charity Ball, and contributions of students and community members, Haywood Pathways Center is now closer to meeting its goal of building a unit for homeless women and children.

On Saturday, Nov. 18, students along with distinguished guests such as Pathways Board Member and Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher, Pathways Vice-Chair Jimmy Haynes, Pathways Director Mandy Haithcox, District Court Judge Donna Forga, Regional Vice-President of Marketing with Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Leeann Bridges, and many others, came together to make the ball a great success — 100 percent of ticket sales went to the Student Council chosen charity, and that, along with some student art pieces that were auctioned off, raised a total of $1,500 for the center.

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BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER f you don’t like what you hear, get a second opinion — at least, that’s what the Waynesville Board of Alderman is doing with a report on the town’s aging wastewater treatment plant.

“Looking at a $19 million wastewater reconstruction price tag, I suggested they get a second opinion from another firm,” said Waynesville Town Manager Rob Hites.

McGill and Associates has agreed to conduct a study on the town’s wastewater treatment system. That study will in essence offer another opinion on a study recently conducted by Asheboro-based firm Utility Technology Engineers-Consultants that revealed some urgent needs and a huge price tag.

Built in 1965, Waynesville’s wastewater treatment plant has an outdated electrical system utilizing parts that can no longer be easily replaced, a dearth of modern monitoring equipment and a deteriorating physical plant.

The price tag — $4.6 million for a fiveyear Band-Aid or nearly $19 million for a brand new, state-of-the-art facility with a 50-year lifespan — is significant, considering the town’s $30-something million yearly budget.

“It’s an ongoing process,” said Waynesville Mayor Gavin Brown. “It’s a plant, and plants wear out.”

Hites says the project is still years off.

“We’re a long way from spending real dollars,” he said, explaining that it would probably take two years just to get through the permitting process and that the earliest groundbreaking could occur would be around four years from now.

The only costs associated with the project, for now, are likely to be in engineering reports and studies like those conducted by UTEC and McGill; the UTEC study cost $98,000 and the McGill study $15,000.

Brown said when the decisions have been made and the project is ready, the real dollars required will likely be available.

“Probably the biggest option is to get a low-interest loan from the state’s revolving water fund,” Brown said. “We could probably get 1.5 to 2 percent interest.”

The McGill study is expected to be presented to Waynesville aldermen in about three months, at which time they’ll be able to compare options and the pricing thereof before attempting to determine the features and design of the facility, a necessary step before the permitting process can begin.

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Waynesville wastewater woes warrant study redux

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Brunch Bill languishes in Maggie Valley Factions line up for possible vote

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER unday morning mimosas aren’t yet on the table in Maggie Valley because a proposed ordinance that would allow the sales of alcohol before noon on Sundays is.

After an Oct. 9 public hearing showed strong sentiments on both sides of the issue, the Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen tabled the proposed Brunch Bill ordinance during a Nov. 14 meeting.

When reached for comment, Alderman Dr. Janet Banks explained that Mayor Saralyn Price wanted Alderman Clayton Davis, who had taken ill the day before and was therefore absent, to have the opportunity to vote along with the rest of the board.

Long-time residents of Maggie Valley as well as members of a local church had spoken out against the measure, which would allow sales and service of alcohol to begin two hours earlier on Sundays, at the Oct. 9 hearing.

Not so for distillery owner Dave Angel, operator of Maggie Valley’s Elevated Mountain and tireless advocate for the proposal, who said Oct. 9 that it sends a signal to businesses that might be looking to locate in the Valley, which is currently home to about a dozen vacant restaurants and hotels.

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New plan for Walnut Street met with satisfaction

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER fter a series of contentious public hearings almost a year ago resulted in outcry from nearly all quarters of Waynesville, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has officially backed off designs that would have changed the character of one of the town’s most historic and aesthetically significant streets.

“This is the new, responsive NCDOT,” said Waynesville Mayor Gavin Brown. “I’ve worked with them for a number of years, and it appears the DOT has a heart and soul now.”

A public hearing held by the DOT Nov. 14 to discuss the new plans for Russ Avenue and Walnut Street for the first time confirmed verbal assertions made earlier this year that the wishes of property owners, preservationists and town officials would be given no small amount of consideration.

Brown said that only in the last 10 to 15 years has the DOT been more responsive to community input of the kind received when he took the uncommon step of calling for a period of public comment at a Dec. 13

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Teresa Smith of the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce echoed Angel’s business case on Oct. 9, and was the only person to speak on the proposal at the Nov. 14 meeting, citing the overwhelming public support she’d received and an anecdote she’d heard from a local convenience store.

Some customers, she said, were planning a Sunday morning picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and had gathered up some snacks and a bottle of wine; when told they couldn’t purchase the wine because it was before noon, they put everything back and left for Waynesville.

But Smith’s anecdote came before Mayor Price tabled the vote during the meeting without explanation.

The board will hold its usual agenda-setting meeting Dec. 5, after which it will be clear as to whether or not the proposed brunch ordinance will be heard at the regular town board meeting scheduled for Dec. 11.

Banks thinks the proposal will appear on that agenda, and plans to vote for it.

“I’m in favor,” Banks said. “I think it’s good for economic development in Maggie Valley.”

More than 30 businesses — not necessarily restaurants or establishments that sell alcohol — wrote letters of support for the proposal, according to Banks, and at least 20 phone calls to town hall expressed similar feelings. Just three communications against the measure had been received.

The proposal, however, still faces an

uncertain fate.

Recently reelected aldermen Davis and Mike Eveland both declined to declare a position on the proposal at an Oct. 18 forum hosted by The Smoky Mountain News, citing their upcoming votes.

Davis, however, joined Alderman Phillip Wight back in September in voting against even calling the Oct. 9 public hearing. Wight felt the proposal wasn’t really relevant to Maggie Valley, where there are admittedly few businesses that would take direct advantage of such a measure. Davis didn’t return a call for comment at the time.

With Banks in favor, and the presumption that Davis and Wight remain opposed, that leaves only Eveland.

Although he hasn’t made his position clear, he also hasn’t expressed opposition, and appears to have taken the matter into thoughtful consideration during the monthslong discussion.

Price’s tabling can be perceived as a goodgovernment gesture to ensure full board representation on a divisive community issue.

Price’s tabling can also be perceived as an attempt to ensure an important no vote could be cast by Davis.

If by chance Eveland supports the proposal, resulting in a two-two tie, Price’s tie-breaking vote could go a long way in determining which perception is reality, and where, exactly, the future of both tourism and economic development in Maggie Valley are headed.

widening of the street.

Plans on placards presented by the DOT Nov. 14 show just that.

“As far as Walnut Street and the [Spread Out] Historic District, I was pleased,” McDarris said. “It looks as though they have listened to the thoughts of the community.”

The only remaining Updated NCDOT plans show no expansion of Walnut Street’s changes to Walnut existing footprint. NCDOT map Street could end up being positive ones; board meeting and then called for a special repaving will take place, and the possibility meeting Jan. 5. of burying the utilities is also on the table.

That meeting saw a room packed with “I support the general concept,” detractors of the plan, which would have McDarris said, noting that the amount of removed a century-old retaining wall on disruption to homeowners — and their Walnut Street and forever altered an imporlawns — still needs to be ascertained. tant access point to downtown Waynesville Brown, too, likes the idea. through the Spread Out Historic District by “That’s fine with me,” he said, adding expanding the width of the street. that he’d heard a lot of support for the new “That was our goal, to retain the existing plan and had already been approached footprint,” said Charles McDarris, who owns about the possibility of installing decorative two historic properties on Walnut Street and street lighting in the area. has been at the forefront of the opposition The Walnut Street corridor is but a small since last December. part of a larger $18 million effort to improve Joined in that opposition with McDarris Waynesvillle’s Russ Avenue from the Great was the Historic Preservation Commission Smoky Mountains Expressway through the as well as the Waynesville Board of town’s busy commercial district. The project Aldermen, who on Jan. 10 by a unanimous is still slated for groundbreaking in 2020 and vote passed a resolution asking DOT to limit completion in 2022.

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November 22-28, 2017 Smoky Mountain News 19

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Jackson to merge health and social services departments Commissioners vote to pursue consolidation in party-line vote

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ackson County will pursue a plan to consolidate its health and social services departments following a special-called commissioners meeting held Thursday, Nov. 16.

“I think most people day-to-day wouldn’t even know the consolidation happened,” said Commissioner Ron Mau, who has been encouraging the board to investigate this option since he was sworn in December 2016.

“I’m really looking more at the upper-level communication with the county manager and the directors. That’s what I’m focused on.”

Mau voted with fellow Republican commissioners Charles Elders and Mickey Luker in favor of consolidation, with Democratic commissioners Boyce Deitz and Chairman Brian McMahan opposed. A public hearing is required before taking further action, with commissioners deciding Nov. 20 to schedule it for 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29.

A state law passed in 2012 gave counties more freedom to consolidate various departments, allowing them to combine the health department with one or more human services departments with an eye to increasing effi-

Smoky Mountain News

November 22-28, 2017

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ciency and communication in county government. So far, 22 counties — including Haywood, Swain and Buncombe — have taken advantage of this option.

COUNTERPOINTS Support for pursuing consolidation in Jackson hasn’t been unanimous.

Last week’s meeting was a follow-up from a joint session held in March during which commissioners and members of the health and social services boards heard what representatives of the University of North Carolina School of Government had to say about options granted under the 2012 law. During that meeting, multiple board members spoke to assert their belief that the departments are run well as they are, also expressing skepticism that the effort of a big reorganization would ultimately yield any real benefit.

“It looks like we’re dealing with a very complex solution looking for a problem, and I guess I’m not sure what it is we’re trying to solve with this complex solution,” Ron Fisher, vice chairman of the health board, said during the March meeting. “Maybe we have the cart before the horse and we should talk about what the problems are we are trying to resolve.”

That’s a perspective that Deitz agreed within his comments Thursday evening.

“These two departments can be better than what they are. These five commissioners

Jennifer Montsinger, a Jackson County resident and retired Department of Social Services employee, tells commissioners why she believes the health and DSS departments should remain separate.

Holly Kays photo

can be better than what we are. We all need to always try every day to look at ourselves, reevaluate ourselves and do better,” he said.

However, he said, things have been going well in the health and social service departments — the commissioners’ examination of the issue over the past year hasn’t turned up any alarming issue in need of fixing.

“I think we would be doing ourselves an injustice to change something after looking this closely and seeing nothing that really calls for that change,” he said.

McMahan also supported keeping the

structure in place.

“Where I work at Balsam (Mountain Preserve), they decided one time they were going to buy all of us a new pair of shoes to wear for work. They wanted everybody to be the same,” he said. “So they ordered a pair of shoes through this one company, and guess what? Some people loved them and some people hated them.”

The point is, he said, sometimes what fits one person — or one county — doesn’t work for another.

“When you look at the full picture and the

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scope of it, I’m proud to say that Jackson County’s done a tremendous job,” McMahan said. “I support keeping it the same.”

At the beginning of the meeting, retired Department of Social Services employee and Jackson County resident Jennifer Montsinger gave public comment to a similar effect.

“I have observed both mediocre and highquality services, and I must tell you that Jackson County health and DSS services far exceed the norm,” she said.

“After a lengthy discussion (in March), each of you expressed the belief that what we had in place was working well for us. You complimented each of the boards for doing their jobs so consistently and for being proactive at identifying problems and finding solutions,” she continued. “Why are we back here tonight?”

WORKING TO STREAMLINE

Holly Kays photo

LOOKING AHEAD Deitz made a motion that commissioners leave the departmental structure unchanged, with he and McMahan voting in favor and Mau, Luker and Elders voting opposed. Mau then made a motion that commissioners pursue restructuring the departments.

He, Luker and Elders voted to pursue this option, with McMahan and Deitz opposed.

During a Nov. 20 meeting the following week, commissioners decided to hold a pub-

lic hearing on the issue at 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, prior to the regular meeting that will start at 6 p.m. It’s possible commissioners could vote on the issue that same night, depending on how work session discussions go between now and then.

“There’s going to have to be some further conversations about the structure and things like that,” County Manager Don Adams told commissioners Nov. 20. “You may be ready depending on the December and January work sessions. We’ll have to work out some details.”

If the plan is approved, the social services and health departments would merge into a single department, with a consolidated health and human services board overseeing them and reporting to the county commissioners. The manager would appoint the department’s director with advice and consent from the board.

However, commissioners will still have plenty of decisions to make as they nail down the particulars of the new department. For instance, Jackson County currently has a director of social services and a director of health — would one of those people be promoted to direct the consolidated department, or would there continue to be a health director and a social services director, with the director of the consolidated department hired as an additional employee?

How would the merging to the existing DSS and health boards be handled, and what measures would need to be taken to ensure that the level of expertise and insight currently present on those boards remains?

And, would the consolidation of these departments bring with it any physical changes? Currently, the DSS building is on the other side of town from the health building. Commissioners are already planning a renovation of the health building, but those plans don’t include any effort to physically combine the DSS and health departments.

Getting the consolidation rolling will take plenty of research and plenty of discussion, but Mau believes that, if approved, it could be implemented by the end of the fiscal year June 30.

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Smoky Mountain News

exploring a consolidated department originated from complaints he’d heard from those in the construction industry. Getting the necessary permits for construction projects requires visits to multiple departments, and with the new security system in place at the Jackson County Justice Center, contractors have found themselves having to empty all the nails, hammers and tools from their pockets every time they need to run inside.

“My perspective on that was we could eliminate and get some of this all under one roof and a cross-trained person to answer questions,” Elders said.

The departments involved in that issue include health, planning and permitting and code enforcement, and commissioners have already decided to design renovation of the health department building so that there will be space for a onestop permitting shop.

Such a one-stop shop would not involve anybody from DSS. “You’ve been a champion for that onepermitting,” Charles Elders stop McMahan replied to Elders. “I appreciate your efforts in leading that, and that’s something that’s a whole separate issue from this.”

“What Mr. Elders is asking for, and he has been for several years, is not going to have anything to do with putting these two boards together,” Deitz agreed.

November 22-28, 2017

Mau stressed that his interest in consolidation didn’t stem from concern about anything currently happening in county government, or in the boards governing the two departments in question.

“It’s not about anything being wrong right now,” he said in a follow-up interview.

“It’s about providing an opportunity for improvements to be made and looking longterm at issues that could come up. Hopefully this change will provide a structure that those issues don’t arise.”

Currently, the directors of health and social services report directly to their governing boards, not to the county manager. Mau believes that creating a consolidated agency with a leader who reports directly to the county manager would create a “cleaner, more accountable and transparent line of communication.”

He also envisions consolidation as yielding efficiencies that could result in a cost savings. Support staff who handle IT, accounting and legal issues for the two entities could be used to support both arms of a consolidated department, Mau said, potentially reducing the number of employee hours needed.

While consolidation can yield budget savRon Mau ings, counties shouldn’t assume that’s what will happen, University of North Carolina School of Government presenters told commissioners in March.

Mau believes that cost savings are likely, however, and he’s also of the opinion that reorganization will, over time, end up improving the services offered.

“Everybody always talks about trying to do things better and improving processes, and I think it removes a constraint,” he said.

Elders, who sits on the health board, told commissioners that his mind is not made up but that he believes the consolidation concept warrants more consideration.

“I have never advocated abolishing any board,” Elders said. “I think we need to research this more for the convenience. The county is growing. I don’t think we’ve done enough homework on it.”

Elders continued to say that his interest in

Boyce Deitz voices his thoughts on the consolidation question to his fellow commissioners.

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November 22-28, 2017

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Health

Smoky Mountain News

Blue Ridge Health expands in Haywood Blue Ridge Health has moved to a new location and is now serving patients at 490 Hospital Drive in Clyde.

The previous location, 34 Sims Circle in Waynesville, is closed. The practice moved to a larger clinical space in order to provide more comprehensive services to the community and to increase capacity. The new location accommodates space for multiple providers and increases functionality in the clinical space, including 11 exam rooms, lab, procedure room, behavioral health counseling room, and a spacious waiting room.

BRH in Haywood County opened June 1, 2016, in collaboration with Haywood Regional Medical Center and the Good Samaritan Clinic. Over the past 17 months, Blue Ridge Health has expanded access to affordable, comprehensive health services, such as family medicine, pediatrics, pregnancy care, behavioral health and nutrition services.

828.246.6372.

Free vein seminar Haywood Regional Medical Center is holding a free tired leg/varicose vein educational program 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Vein Center at Haywood Regional Medical Center on the second floor (enter behind the hospital) led by Dr. Al Mina and Dr. Joshua Rudd.

Call 828.452.VEIN. Space limited.

Blue Ridge Health now offering pediatrics Blue Ridge Health recently hired Dr. Judith Seago as a pediatric medical provider at its Sylva practice.

Having opened a practice in Sylva in April of this year, Blue Ridge Health saw Seago’s previous practice closing and decided the time was right to add pediatric care to services in Jackson County and keep the well-loved provider close to the patients and families that have come to know and love her.

Seago is now accepting new patients at Blue Ridge Health’s newly renovated practice at 293 Hospital Road in Sylva. Call 828.477.4334.

hours each. The only requirement is completion of 40 hours per year.

Call 828.452.8301; stop in at the information desk in the hospital lobby, or send an email to volunteer@haymed.org. If specifically interested in becoming a volunteer, call Allbre Edwards at 828.452.5039 (ext. 4017).

Keener named N.C. Public Health All-star Diane Keener, coordinator of health information for Macon County Public Health was awarded the extreme honor of being recognized as North Carolina’s Public Health All-star.

Through her dedication and extraordinary efforts, Keener is known as the person who holds MCPH’s operations together. She was awarded the honor based on her institutional knowledge of vital records, medical records, HIPAA, billing and collections, electronic health records, customer service, programmatic changes, and all things requiring patient data.

Volunteer at the hospital

WCU receives $1.9 million behavioral health grant

Haywood Regional Medical Center is currently seeking volunteers of all ages for ongoing support at the hospital, outpatient care center and The Homestead.

A few of the areas our volunteers can choose to work include gift shop, information desk, patient escort, library cart, outpatient surgery, hospice and scheduling.

Volunteer as many days of the week as you choose, mornings or afternoons. Most shifts are four

Western Carolina University’s social work program is receiving a federal grant of more than $1.9 million to continue an initiative aimed at increasing the number of social workers qualified to practice in the areas of behavioral health and substance abuse prevention on the Qualla Boundary, home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and in other medically underserved areas in the region.

The Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and

Human Services has awarded the grant for the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program to WCU. The university will receive $479,919 in the first year and a total of $1,919,780 over four years to fund the program.

Mission Health Partners recognized Mission Health Partners, Western North Carolina’s local Accountable Care Organization comprised of more than 555 independent physicians from across the region, was recognized by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for continuing to improve the quality of healthcare for Medicare beneficiaries while also decreasing costs for consumers and taxpayers.

Mission Health Partners earned a Quality Score of over 97 percent and saved Medicare over $11 million beyond its target, despite having one of the lowest spending benchmarks in the nation.

Harris welcomes Ascent Partnership grad The inaugural beneficiary of an educational award program sponsored by Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital is now on the job serving patients at Harris Regional Hospital Urgent Care Center, in the Walmart Plaza in Sylva, after completing the nurse practitioner program at Western Carolina University.

Carrie Saunders is the first graduate of the WCU program to receive financial support for her education through The Ascent Partnership, a cooperative initiative between the two hospitals and the university launched in 21015 — the hospitals cover the total educational costs for selected nurse practitioner students who commit to a minimum of three years of employment by the hospitals after graduation.

Mission Health awards grants Mission Health’s Community Investment Program is awarding over $890,000 in funding to a diverse group of 17 Western North Carolina agencies, in a joint effort to improve the health of those served by Mission Health across the region.

The 2018 focus areas for the grants are behavioral health and substance abuse, chronic disease, social determinants of health interpersonal violence.

The agencies and programs funded by Community Investment grants include All Souls Counseling Center, Asheville Buncombe Institute of Parity Achievement, Bountiful Cities, CARING for Children, Council on Aging of Buncombe County, FEAST Asheville, Haywood Street Congregation, Helpmate, Homeward Bound of Western North Carolina, MANNA FoodBank, MemoryCare, Mountain Child Advocacy Center, PATH (Partners Aligned Toward Health), Pisgah Legal Services, REACH of Macon County, Southern Reconciliation Ministries and YWCA of Asheville and Western North Carolina.

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• Haywood Regional Medical Center, in partnership with the Lung Cancer Alliance, is hosting a Shine a Light on Lung Cancer event from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 28, at the Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center.

• The Jackson County Department of Public Health is partnering with Western Carolina University’s Intercultural Affairs to offer a free HIV and syphilis testing for students from 2 to 6 p.m. Nov. 30, at UC Illusions while the community can take advantage of free HIV or syphilis testing during normal business hours.

828.586.8994.

• Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital will hold a job fair from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30, in the lobby of the new Harris Emergency Department in Sylva.

ALSO:

• A support group for anyone with MS, family and friends meets monthly on the third Tuesday of each month at the conference room of the Jackson County Library in Sylva. Free, sponsored by National MS Society. 828.293.2503.

• Learn about your Affordable Care Health insurance options and meet with a certified navigator to enroll from 1 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Waynesville Library, 678 S. Haywood St. 828.452.1447.

• Harris Regional Hospital will hold a community forum at noon Friday, Dec. 8, at the Jackson County Library in Sylva to share updates on services, expansions of services through the 2018 strategic plan, and results from the hospitals’ quality outcomes.

• Parkinson’s Support in the Mountains meets at 3 p.m. the second Thursday of the month (except December) in the Heritage Room of the Jackson County Department on Aging, 100 County Services Park in Sylva.

• The American Red Cross will be holding blood drives in the following locations: from 1 to 6 p.m. Nov. 25 Swain County Chamber of Commerce, 210 Main St., Bryson City; 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 27, at Lowe’s, 161 Franklin Plaza, U.S. 441, Franklin; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 28 at Macon County Library, 149 Siler Farm Road, Franklin; 2 to 6 p.m. Nov. 27 at Center Pigeon Fire Dept., 2412 Pisgah Drive, Canton and 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Senior Resource Center, 81 Elmwood Way, Waynesville.

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

Come Saturday, remember: local, local, local I

everything I needed to live. It was a fantastic, liberating lifestyle.

And though I had worked at the Fayetteville Observer when in high school, I had no idea what community journalism was all about. Once in Boone, I was awestruck by the popularity of the Watauga Democrat, the community paper that was dropped off at my dorm. Kids from Watauga County and the people in the local businesses I frequented around town devoured its contents. Owned by Rachel Rivers Coffey at the time I was at ASU, the Democrat was a fantastic example of what an oldEditor school local newspaper was all about — celebrating and reporting on the community, with an emphasis on all things local.

Those words, “community” and “local,” are really what this “Shop Small Saturday” is all about. It’s about supporting small businesses that provide the character and the economic backbone of all of our towns here in Western North Carolina. They don’t just provide jobs and put dollars into the local economy.

They do much more.

I’ve been at Haywood Builders Supply a couple of times over

Scott McLeod

don’t like following crowds and have a naturally occurring cynicism of trends. That said, there’s one holiday promotional movement that strikes a real chord with me.

I’m talking about the “Small Business Saturday” or “Shop Small Saturday,” whatever name one chooses as a label. It’s this Saturday (Nov. 27), and the concept is to shop at the privately owned businesses in large and small towns across the nation as a way of supporting all they do to help their local communities.

I didn’t grow up in small towns. The naval bases my father was stationed at were linked to fairly large cities. And then he retired to Fayetteville, which together with Ft. Bragg makes it one of this state’s larger metro areas.

But when I started college at Appalachian State University way back when, what made the most immediate impression upon my 18-year-old brain was how small Boone was and how geographically compact my world suddenly became. I bought coffee, donuts and newspapers at a local drugstore breakfast counter near campus, perused music and bought albums at the locally owned downtown record store, walked to the polling station when I voted in my first presidential election in 1980, and shopped at the local hardware store and the small grocery chain a few blocks from my dorm. That first year in Boone I did not own a car, but I was able to walk and get

the last month to get building materials. In both instances, I witnessed representatives of different community nonprofits search out General Manager Danny Wingate looking for donations for different causes. And, as expected, he helped out.

And that’s what small, privately-owned businesses do.

Whether it’s the local credit union or the art gallery, the restaurant, tire store or the bookshop, these small businesses help make our communities stronger in ways that most customers never see. They and their employees support human service nonprofits, youth organizations, and churches. There is an intricate, strong web of social connections that make small towns special, and the local businesses play a crucial role in building, maintaining and supporting that network.

Also, those businesses sell unique, one-of-a-kind gifts you won’t find at your giant retailers. I mean, really, does your kid need another electronic gadget?

Yes, most of us will shop at big boxes over the holidays and we will pay our respects via credit cards to the online behemoths like Amazon. But spend some of your hard-earned dollars with those small businesses that are part and parcel of the social fabric that makes each of our communities unique. In fact, make it a tradition to support them, not just this Saturday but throughout the year.

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

Tax bill details just who’s pulling the strings

I

Collins didn’t comment on what his nominal constituents — the voters — have been telling him.

There are only two classes of guaranteed winners under either the House-passed bill or the pending Senate version: the wealthiest of all Americans, and large corporations. Older people without children, especially those with larger medical bills, are guaranteed losers.

Teachers would lose their very modest tax deduction for the classroom supplies they need to buy.

Graduate students would be taxed on the value of the free Guest Columnist tuition they get in place of a decent salary for teaching the undergraduates who are beneath the dignity of tenured faculty. But the bill bears a special gift for the owners of private aircraft. Nothing could better expose the Republican Party’s true constituency.

Did I mention that rides on corporate jets are a cherished perk of congressional service?

They pay, of course, but only what a commercial flight would cost. The convenience, the luxury, the bypassing of TSA? Priceless.

And of course’s there’s the repeal (or modification, it’s not clear which) of the estate tax, the one that only very rich people pay, which would save the heirs of the industrialists

Martin Dyckman

n a book on the nature of state legislatures, the journalist Frank Trippett coined the term “true constituency” to explain why so many politicians act as badly as they do.

He wasn’t referring to the voters, who are only the nominal constituents, but to the lawmakers’ own professions and industries, those and other interests that lobby them, and the people who finance their campaigns.

From his post in Florida’s capitol, Trippett remarked on the lavish parties that annually welcomed legislators to Tallahassee and the cascade of floral tributes that made an opening-day session a bad place for people with allergies.

The purposes, unstated but unmistakable, were to impress on the legislators that they were simply guests in the seat of power — obligated far more to their hosts rather than to the citizens who had voted for or against them.

Trippett’s book, The States: United They Fell, was published in 1967 but remains as valid an explanation of American politics as Alexis de Tocqueville’s 1835 classic Democracy in America.

The true constituency explains Congress as well as the usual suspects in the typical state capitals.

A current example is Rep. Chris Collins, RN.Y., who made his case for the tax bill — any tax bill, never mind what it says — in widely quoted remarks earlier this month.

“My donors,” he said, “are basically saying ‘get it done or don’t ever call me again.’”

David and Charles Koch an estimated $38.8 billion.

Meanwhile, the Senate Joint Committee on Taxation estimated that under the Senate bill Americans earning $30,000 a year or less would pay higher taxes starting in 2021.

That’s largely because the bill demolishes Obamacare by repealing the individual insurance mandate. This would tempt many poorer folk to skip buying it and forego the tax subsidies they get now.

The truest of the true constituencies, the corporations, get permanent tax cuts in the Senate bill. But to keep it under the magic threshold for passing it without Democratic votes — with only 51 votes out of 100 — the Senate bill sunsets individual tax cuts at the end of 2025. In that event, every American earning $75,000 a year or less would face hefty tax increases, the committee said.

A recent Quinnipiac poll found 2 to 1 public disapproval of the so-called “reform.”

“In effect, the GOP is giving middle-class Americans a giant middle finger,” writes Paul Krugman, the New York Times economist.

“What’s going on?”

One explanation, he suggests. is that in the Age of Trump the party’s future is so dismal that “it’s all about grabbing as much for their big donors while they still can. Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose; in the GOP’s case, that means the freedom to be the party of, by, and for oligarchs they always wanted to be.”

If the voters catch on, Krugman observes, the ex-lawmaker can find refuge as a K Street lobbyist, a Fox News “expert” or a think tank fixture. He calls it “wingnut welfare.”

The true constituents win. The legal constituents lose.

Another explanation, of course, is the selfperceived immunity of people like Rep. Mark Meadows, R-Asheville, who seems to figure his grotesquely gerrymandered district insulates him from even the wrath of God, let alone from the voters. We’ll see.

Of North Carolina’s 10 GOP House members, Walter Jones was the only one to vote against the House bill. Thank him, and remember the others.

Another way the Republicans are trying to pay for their corporate servitude is to end or limit the ability of citizens to deduct their state and local taxes, a tactic cleverly aimed at hightax states like New York that tend to vote Democratic. All of New York’s House delegation except for two of the nine Republicans voted against the bill. Collins was one of the two.

I wanted to ask him, through the e-mail tab on his House web page, about the donor’s quote. But the link rejects any zip code that’s not in his district. Contact your own congressman, it says.

I’ll bet that when he gets a call from a lobbyist for Big Pharma or Charter Communications, to name two of his major funding sources, it doesn’t matter whether it’s from his district. No courtesy is too good for the true constituency.

(Martin Dyckman is a retired journalist living in Western North Carolina. dyckmanm@bellsouth.net)

A new kind of Thanksgiving

Susanna Barbee

H

so I avoided it. But this year I am making the dressing. It’s my great-grandmother’s recipe and I’ve helped my mom make it since I was a very small girl. I remember sitting on a bar stool in my childhood kitchen, wearing a nightgown, breaking up cornbread in a big bowl and listening to the Asheville Christmas parade on WLOS. I want her dressing to be part of my life and the boys’ lives forever, so after taking one year off, I’ll be sure to make it Columnist this weekend.

I’ve made reservations for my dad and I to eat Thanksgiving dinner at Balsam Mountain Inn. My dad’s never been there. He’s a collector and self-professed historian, so not only will he get a good meal, but we’ll enjoy walking around and looking at the historic structure and relics within.

I also plan on doing a little Black Friday

November 22-28, 2017 Smoky Mountain News

shopping in town. I try hard to stick with local stores for holiday shopping, although I’ll have to utilize Amazon and Target and a few other places to acquire gifts for the boys. I love to shop, so one way or another it will be a good day.

I’ve learned the “most wonderful time of year” doesn’t feel so wonderful to everyone.

I only realized this fact over the past 15 months. Before that, I was too caught up in my own festive hoopla to stop and think how hard this season is for a lot of folks.

Whether it’s death of a loved one, marital separation, estrangement from family, illness or some other reason, this time of year can be very emotional.

But I hope, like me, they can find a silver lining, they can dig deep and not only enjoy some special moments with family and friends but also find solace within.

Tomorrow’s the day, my friends. It’s hard to believe the holidays are already here. If you’re traveling, be safe, and may you and yours have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving.

(Susanna Barbee is a digital media specialist with Mountain South Media and writes for Smoky Mountain News and Smoky Mountain Living. susanna@mtnsouthmedia.com)

To the Editor: Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis stand poised to vote for the current Republican tax bill in Congress. But their past public pronouncements clash with its provisions.

Recently Sen. Burr said that “middleclass Americans can keep more of their hard-earned dollars.” But economic research indicates that proposed elimination of deductions for high mortgages, state and local taxes, and large medical expenses could actually raise taxes for many working families.

Sen. Tillis insists that “one of the greatest threats to the U.S. economy and national security is our national debt.” Yet the GOP plan, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO),

would increase the debt by $1.7 trillion.

NC Policy Watch reported that, “In North Carolina, analysis shows that 50 percent of the federal tax cuts would go to the richest 5 percent of residents and 13 percent of households would face a tax increase, once the bill is fully implemented.”

If this Republican “wealth transfer” plan passes, the CBO also notes that Medicare would be cut by $25 billion.

The Senate bill would also eliminate the Affordable Care Act individual mandate, raising premiums and likely forcing 13 million people off their healthcare insurance.

Current polls indicate less than 25 percent of voters favor this bill. Once again, however, Burr and Tillis talk “tax reform” but support unpopular policies that make their constituents’ lives harder.

Frank L. Fox Asheville

opinion

olidays are all fun and games until death and divorce happen. Then they become an aching headache, if a person lets them. My goal is to ward off that headache by any means possible.

I’ve been throwing around ideas for this column over the past week. Thanksgiving is the obvious choice. It’s impossible to write about this day in the same manner as two or three years ago. I remember writing a column back then titled “Surviving Thanksgiving.” It was a light, humorous piece suggesting activities to entertain kids while the adults cooked, drank wine, watched football and conversed about holiday shopping.

I read that column this morning and it felt like another woman wrote it. So much has changed since then. I would love to have a house full of people on Thanksgiving, my mom and sister by my side cooking and laughing over a bottle of Malbec, and little bright-eyed boys scrambling around my apron strings. Even just to experience that for a fleeting moment would be amazing.

But that was then, and this is now, and I can no longer compare the two. As they say, comparison is the thief of joy. I think I’m finally transitioning from lamenting the old to embracing the new, and it feels good to be moving forward.

People always have a choice in these types of situations. We can either find joy somehow, someway or we can waller in our sorrows indefinitely. I’ve always been an optimist, so I’m choosing joy. I may have to scratch, cry and claw my way there, but I’ll find it.

After processing and accepting the fact this Thanksgiving will be very different, I began making plans for the week. While I’m a fan of spontaneity, I also enjoy planning. A plan gives me something to look forward to.

This is the first holiday season since separating from my husband, and my two boys will be with him on Thanksgiving Day. He has a large, talkative, loving family and the boys enjoy being with them. They’ll eat a lot of food, watch football, play and do a puzzle. Even though I’ll miss them terribly, knowing they will be in a happy, loving place gives me peace. They’ll be back in town Friday.

My sister and her family arrive Friday as well, so it will just be my dad and me on Thanksgiving. At first, I thought about making an entire dinner for the two of us, but that seemed a bit obnoxious. We’ve got the turkey and all the items to make a full spread, but we’re going to wait until the weekend when everyone’s here before cooking the big meal.

We worked at The Open Door last Thanksgiving, so I didn’t make my mom’s dressing. Doing anything “traditional” so close after her death felt like being stabbed,

Winners and losers in the tax bill

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tasteTHEmountains Taste the Mountains is an ever-evolving paid section of places to dine in Western North Carolina. If you would like to be included in the listing please contact our advertising department at 828.452.4251 BLOSSOM ON MAIN 128 N. Main Street, Waynesville.

828.454.5400. Open for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Mild, medium, to hot and spicy, our food is cooked to your like-able temperature.

Forget the myth that all Thai food is spicy.

Traditional Thai food is known to be quite healthy, making use of natural and fresh ingredients, paired with lots of spices, herbs, and vegetables. Vegetarians and health conscious individuals will not be disappointed as fresh vegetables and tofu are available in most of our menu as well as wines and saki chosen to compliment the unique flavors of Thai cuisine.

November 22-28, 2017

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 bag-

ging is permitted. Private parties, catering, and take-out available. Call-ahead seating available.

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 hand-cut, 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.

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. Family-style breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m. – with eggs, bacon, sausage, grits and oatmeal, fresh fruit, sometimes French toast or pancakes, and always all-youcan-eat. Lunch menu from 12 to 2 p.m. with fresh salads, homemade soups and sandwiches. In the evening, social hour begins at 6 p.m.; dinner is served at 7 p.m., with entrees such as seared salmon, oven-roasted chicken and cast-iron skillet pork chops, complemented by locally-sourced vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer fine wines and local craft beer. Please call for reservations and join us for mile-high mountaintop dining with a spectacular view.

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.

128 N. Main St., Waynesville

Smoky Mountain News

APPÉTIT Y’AL N L BO

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BlossomOnMain.com

FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St., Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; Dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. 5 to

An Authentic Italian Pizzeria & Restaurant from New York to the Blue Ridge.

Just to serve you!

243 Paragon Parkway | Clyde

NAME THAT SONG TRIVIA!

(828) 454-5400

FRANKIE’S ITALIAN TRATTORIA 1037 Soco Rd. Maggie Valley.

828.926.6216 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Monday-Saturday. Father and son team Frank and Louis Perrone cook up dinners steeped in Italian tradition. With recipies passed down from generations gone by, the Perrones have brought a bit of Italy to Maggie Valley. frankiestrattoria.com

Dine-In ~ Take Out ~ Delivery

Gluten-Free, Vegan & Vegetarian options

Hours:11:30-9:00

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.

Real New Yorkers.

Real Italians. Real Pizza.

WINE • BEER • SAKE

November 28th 6:30 - 8PM Songs from the 60’s, 70’s, & 80’s!

CALL FOR RESERVATIONS

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.

Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Open Sundays Noon to 8p.m.

828-476-5058 NEW LOCATION OPEN!

Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m • Closed Sundays

207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde

828-456-1997 blueroostersoutherngrill.com Monday-Friday Open at 11am

499 Champion Drive | Canton

Real Local Families, Real Local Farms, Real Local Food

Present this coupon and recieve:

10%

OFF ENTIRE MEAL

tasteTHEmountains 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Frogs Leap is a farm to table restaurant focused on local, sustainable, natural and organic products prepared in modern regional dishes. Seasonal menu focuses on Southern comfort foods with upscale flavors. www.frogsleappublichouse.com.

J. ARTHUR’S RESTAURANT AT MAGGIE VALLEY U.S. 19 in Maggie Valley. 828.926.1817.

Open for dinner at 4:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesday 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.

JUKEBOX JUNCTION U.S. 276 and N.C. 110 intersection, Bethel. 828.648.4193. 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday through Saturday; Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Serving breakfast, lunch, nd dinner. The restaurant has a 1950s & 60s theme decorated with memorabilia from that era.

MAD BATTER FOOD & FILM 617 W. Main Street Downtown Sylva.

828.586.3555. Open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sunday brunch 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Handtossed pizza, steak sandwiches, wraps, salads and desserts. All made from scratch.

Beer and wine. Free movies Thursday trought Saturday. Visit madbatterfoodfilm.com for this week’s shows.

MOUNTAIN PERKS ESPRESSO BAR & CAFÉ 9 Depot St., Bryson City. 828.488.9561.

Open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. With music at the Depot. Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Life is too short for bad coffee. We feature wonderful breakfast and lunch selections.

Bagels, wraps, soups, sandwiches, salads and quiche with a variety of specialty coffees, teas and smoothies. Various desserts.

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.

VITO’S PIZZA 607 Highlands Rd., Franklin.

828.369.9890. Established here in in 1998. Come to Franklin and enjoy our laid back place, a place you can sit back, relax and enjoy our 62” HDTV. Our Pizza dough, sauce, meatballs, and sausage are all made from scratch by Vito.

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.

Meat Pies

Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Saturday 12 p.m.-10 p.m.

Closed Tues.

Sun. 12-9 p.m.

Haggis Pockets

Sausage Rolls Bridies

Sandwiches • Burgers • Wraps

And of course our famous, award winning Short Bread!

32 Felmet Street

We Ship For The Holidays

(828) 246-0927

WAYNESVILLE’S BEST BURGERS

MON.-SAT. 11 A.M.-8 P.M.

34 CHURCH ST. WAYNESVILLE 828.246.6505 Mtwitter.com/ChurchStDepot C facebook.com/ChurchStreetDepot

LUNCH DAILY 11:30 A.M.-2:30 P.M. DINNER NIGHTLY AT 5 P.M. TUESDAY-SATURDAY Voted Best Steak in Waynesville

Wine Down Wednesday's 1/2 off bottle of wine

Classic local American comfort foods, craft beers, along with small batch bourbons & whiskey.

Vegetarian options available AT BEARWATERS BREWING

101 PARK ST. CANTON 828.492.1422 PIGEONRIVERGRILLE.COM MON-THUR 3-8 • FRI, SAT, SUN 12-8

Smoky Mountain News

SUNDAY BRUNCH

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.

St. Andrews Square Scottish Flair!

November 22-28, 2017

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.

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

Closed Sunday & Monday 454 Hazelwood Ave • Waynesville Call 828.452.9191 for reservations 27

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An early promotional photo of Balsam Range.

Mountain Home Records photo

FIVE GOING ON 10 A decade in, Balsam Range stands atop WNC music

’ve lived in Haywood County 1,931 days.

It’s also the exact number of days I’ve known Balsam Range.

Within the first hour of my first day in these mountains, I befriended the members of this Western North Carolina bluegrass act.

The engine of my truck was still hot due to a nonstop 16-hour/1,000-mile overnight drive from my native Upstate New York to my new gig as the arts and entertainment editor of The Smoky Mountain News in Waynesville.

That first day — Aug. 10, 2012 — the back of my pickup remained jam-packed with my belongings as I ventured into the Colonial Theater in Canton for the band’s “Papertown” album release party. I didn’t even have an apartment yet: I slept under my desk in the newsroom that first week of work. But, what I did have was a deep thirst for great stories and unforgettable people.

And I immediately felt welcomed by Balsam Range, which is something I think

I

A&E

Smoky Mountain News

And the award goes to…

In the first 10 years together, Balsam Range has gone from an up-and-coming band to perennial favorites at the International Bluegrass Music Association awards, the highest honors in the genre. Balsam Range has won the following IBMA accolades: • 2017: Album of the Year (“Mountain Voodoo”) • 2015: Vocal Group of the Year, Song of the Year (“Moon Over Memphis”), Bass Player of the Year (Tim Surrett) • 2014: Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year (Buddy Melton), Mentor of the Year (Tim Surrett) • 2013: Album of the Year (“Papertown”) • 2011: Song of the Year (“Trains I Missed”)

any (and all) of us can attest to when asked about the sincere character and pure nature of the quintet, onstage and off.

There’s something so timeless and familiar — yet so innovative and singular — about Balsam Range. The sound and tone within their music harkens to the physical and spiritual heart of the ancient Great Smoky

and Blue Ridge mountain ranges, pushing ever upward, ultimately falling on jovial ears across the country and around the world.

The acclaimed act is currently celebrating 10 years together, and we here at The Smoky Mountain News would like to share excerpts and photographs from the numerous articles, features and cover stories we’ve published about the band over the last five years.

I’ve spent countless hours and days following this legendary bluegrass group around Southern Appalachia. And in that time, I’ve witnessed one of the great stories in the history of bluegrass music, one filled with as many awards won as humble acknowledgments by Balsam Range to the fine folks of Western North Carolina that have had the band’s back since day one.

Congratulations on 10 years, fellas. Tip of the cap to the next 10.

— Garret K. Woodward, arts and entertainment editor

Pulling the strings of bluegrass, brotherhood and backwoods tradition Aug. 15, 2012 The strings of tradition and progress echoed from the back alley.

Upon further inspection (and a lone door cracked open), the harmonic tone was radiating from the mandolin of Darren Nicholson.

Readying himself for a performance that evening at the Colonial Theater in downtown Canton, Nicholson is part of renowned bluegrass ensemble Balsam Range.

As tall as a grizzly bear, with a persona that is the epitome of southern hospitality, he

and playing. It’s been like that around here for hundreds of years.”

Recorded at Crossroads Studios in Arden this spring, the album contains original cuts amid a plethora of material from songwriter Milan Miller (a Waynesville native now residing in Nashville) and The Allman Brothers Band (“One Way Out”), among others.

“It’s got a good blend of stuff and represents us well with a variety of sounds,” said fiddler Buddy Melton. “We mulled over a bunch of songs, picking around 30 or so to choose from, then narrowed it down to 13 for the album. It’s the same process for us with each album. The title cut ‘Papertown’ talks about Canton, where we’re from and the paper mill. It’s a very positive outlook on this great community we live in.”

“To me, the word ‘Papertown’ is a positive thing. Maybe if I lived in Eastern Tennessee it

Garret K. Woodward photo

“We grew up here and we played ball here. We live here and we think it smells just fine here.”

— Tim Surrett, bassist/dobro

ALL FRIENDS WERE STRANGERS AT ONE TIME Balsam Range teams up with Zac Brown Band co-founder Jan. 16, 2013 might not be seen that way,” guitarist Caleb Smith chuckled. “Both my grandfathers worked in the mill. I had uncles and cousins work there and I have reaped the benefits of that by living here. There would be no town without it.”

Entering their fifth year together, the group came to fruition in a roundabout way of old friends and new, sitting down and pickin’ for the sake of pickin’.

John Driskell Hopkins was driving in his truck when it struck him.

It was a song. Radiating from his satellite radio, it sounded like a fond memory he once knew. The voices and melody were familiar, but he hadn’t ever heard it before, and had no idea who wrote it. He looked at the radio. A band name appeared in the digital display: Balsam Range.

“It was the song ‘Blue Mountain’,” he said. “It was really fabulous and beautiful. I

BALSAM RANGE: A DECADE IN Besides his specialized bass playing, he also is an accomplished singer-songwriter.

When Hopkins recently found himself with several melodies of his own sitting on the shelf, he decided it was time to go into the recording studio and he knew exactly what group he wanted to back him.

He called the fiddler with Balsam Range, Buddy Melton.

“I asked them if they wanted to listen to some songs and put together a record. So, I came up here to Canton, played some gigs with them, then scheduled some recording time,” Hopkins said.

Most of the album, “Daylight,” was recorded last February at Crossroads Studio in Arden, where Balsam Range records regularly. Vocals were captured at The Crow’s Next in Atlanta (Hopkins home studio), while final mixing was done at Southern Ground Studios in Nashville — a facility owned by Zac Brown.

The final product, coming to fruition this past September, also included appearances by Zac Brown, Levi Lowrey, Joey + Rory, Jerry Douglas and Tony Trischka.

Not only was it high profile, Balsam Range grew musically from the experience as well.

“Everyone in this band had their head opened up about different ways of recording things,” said Balsam Range mandolinist Darren Nicholson. “John does a lot of big production recording and had a lot of crazy ideas that worked wonderfully, ideas that we would have probably never thought to try or had the nerve to.”

The musical cross-pollination between Balsam Range and Hopkins was embraced by the audiences of a recent sold-out performance at the Colonial Theatre in Canton this month.

Backstage at the theatre, the group ran through a couple of selections, fine-tuning an already stellar live act. There are hearty laughs around the room. Conversation is lively. The crowd in the building is jubilant. Loud cheers echo down the hallway. It’s show time.

“We don’t ever want to stop collaborating

Smoky Mountain News

walked across the stage and extended a handshake the size of baseball glove.

“Welcome,” he smiled.

On the heels of its latest release, “Papertown,” Balsam Range held court at the historic theater last Friday night, Aug. 10. The sold-out album-release party attracted around 250 patrons. The concert was a celebration of not only a new record, but also a homecoming and “thank you” to all in Haywood County — all of those who are a part of “Balsam Nation”— for their continued support of a band that is realizing more and more each day that the sky’s the limit with its potential.

“I grew up in the mountains and music was part of our heritage. My dad played and about everybody in my family played. We’d play every evening, especially on Friday nights when other musicians would come by and sit on the porch,” Nicholson said. “As long as people have been living here, music has been here. Music and dance are a big part of mountain culture. It’s just a way of life.

Sitting down with your family after dinner

noticed right away something was different about them.”

Hopkins was immediately impressed with the intricate harmonies and musicianship broadcast from the renowned Haywood County bluegrass ensemble.

“They don’t have a cookie-cutter sound, not like typical sound in most bluegrass setups,” he said. “They have a lot of musical influences from all over. It was different, and I was really attracted to that.”

No stranger to the music industry himself, Hopkins is a founding member and bassist for the Zac Brown Band, a renowned multi-platinum country group who has garnered numerous awards and sold-out arenas around the world. In his downtime between tours, Hopkins is a jack-of-all-trades musician, one who will pick up and learn any instrument he comes across.

November 22-28, 2017

Onstage at the ‘Papertown’ release party in Canton.

“Originally, we just got together to jam. A couple of the guys had put out solo records and some of us played on those records,” said bassist/dobroist Tim Surrett. “We had so much fun and ended up picking together. By the second time or so we picked, we got asked to play a show and then we just had to look for a name.”

Sitting down for a barbecue dinner, the musicians line the tables, always sharing stories, always taking a moment to say hello to whatever relative, friend or fan stops by to wish them luck or tell them “how much they enjoy ‘Papertown.’” A handful of children scatter around the room. Family is the name of the game for Balsam Range and it should be, taking into account the tradition and values of bluegrass music.

“I grew up in Canton. This is where I was raised and this is where my family is and the pull of that is very strong,” Surrett said. “I lived in Tennessee for a number of years, but here is my home and coming back here musically is the best thing I’ve ever been involved in. I came back to this community and I found myself seeing the same people I saw as a kid. The music scene was so vibrant. This has turned into a real big thing for us.”

With the final moments before going onstage slipping away, Balsam Range lines up and shakes out the last nervous thoughts they may have. Laughter and smiles fill the air.

Even before they face the audience to share their musical stories, they’re telling tall tales and matter-of-fact statements that ricochet endlessly between the group. It’s a brotherhood, forged by the well-earned sweat and honor of being a bluegrass musician.

“You’ve got to give back to the community. You can’t lose sight of that,” Nicholson said. “When you’re not in a mainstream genre of music, you become very accessible and close to other bluegrass musicians. With more people at a bluegrass show, it’s just a bigger porch.”

Stepping up to the microphone, Surrett saluted the crowd amid raucous cheers and applause. Outside, the tall steam stacks of the paper mill signal that there’s a lot more work left to do and tomorrow is a new day.

“We grew up here and we played ball here,” he said. “We live here and we think it smells just fine here.”

arts & entertainment

AN EVENING WITH BALSAM RANGE

S EE DECADE, PAGE 30 29

arts & entertainment

Backstage at the Colonial Theater with John Driskell Hopkins (far left) in 2013.

Garret K. Woodward photo

“They don’t have a cookie-cutter sound, not like typical sound in most bluegrass setups. They have a lot of musical influences from all over. It was different, and I was really attracted to that.”

— John Driskell Hopkins

November 22-28, 2017

or being around John. He’s like a brother or a sixth man after spending so much time recording, touring and being in his home,” Nicholson said. “This friendship and these windows to collaborate will probably go on for years to come.”

ALL FOR ONE, ONE FOR ALL Behind the curtain of Balsam Range June 25, 2014

Smoky Mountain News

Marc Pruett has won a Grammy and played the Grand Ole Opry stage, but his biggest concern on this day is sinkholes.

“Where is it? Canton?,” he asked a coworker.

Director of erosion control for Haywood County, Pruett sits at his desk, which is covered in paper, maps and books. After a heavy midday rain, two sinkholes have emerged in downtown Canton. Pruett puts a plan into motion, workers head for the door.

“Sinkholes, mud, sediment and landslides,” he lists off his specialties. “This position keeps me grounded, no pun intended. I enjoy what I do for Haywood County. I enjoy environmental protection, and I think I’m on the frontlines of protecting the resources our community offers.”

This is a far cry from Pruett’s other occupation — banjoist for nationally acclaimed bluegrass group Balsam Range. On the heels of winning the International Bluegrass Music Association award for “Album of the Year” for their record “Papertown” last year (the biggest honor in the industry), the quintet just released the follow-up, “Five.”

“When you’re doing what I have to do at the level I have to do it, you have to be on 30 point,” Pruett said. “If I get to the stage,

dressed well, do my performance well, banjo in tune, good songs, and if all the pieces fit together correctly, that’s where I get the satisfaction. It’s not just fun for me, but it must be fun for the crowd, where we leave them with a warm, Appalachian smile.”

Alongside Pruett in Balsam Range are Buddy Melton (fiddle/vocals), Darren Nicholson (mandolin/vocals), Tim Surrett (bass/dobro/vocals) and Caleb Smith (guitar/vocals). Since their inception in 2007, the group has rapidly risen into the stratosphere of 21st century bluegrass. Amid their numerous number-one singles, accolades and Grand Ole Opry appearances, they also won the 2011 IBMA “Song of the Year” award for “Trains I Missed.”

BALSAM RANGE: A DECADE IN And though Balsam Range continues to flourish and push further out into the world, the boys always have one foot firmly planted in Western North Carolina, firmly in the ancient mountains of their forefathers, where nothing replaces hard work and nobody is too good for their hometown. It’s those traits deeply instilled in the band being radiated from the stage and making a connection with people on the other side of the microphone.

“Music is a very powerful thing, it speaks to people, it’s the universal language, and there’s a responsibility with that when you get to the level we’re at,” Melton said. “People connect to your music and they tell you their life story, and it brings awareness to what we’re doing. We’re impacting people’s lives and they’re impacting ours — that’s a pretty special thing.”

Heading into the Crossroads Studios in

Arden this past winter, Balsam Range aimed to top the quality and precision of “Papertown.” While some groups would enter the recording studio apprehensive about how to follow up such a successful album, Balsam Range looked at it as just another day on the job in their musical careers, where the goal is to better yourselves as musicians and not worry about critics, label expectations and their own voices in their heads. “[With winning ‘Album of the Year’] nothing really changed, though we did sit with this record a little longer than in the past,” Surrett said. “We’ve always done just the best we can and do the best songs possible. We’ve had some high-profile reviews on it already, and so far it has been very positive. Now we just have to sit back and see what happens.”

The album, “Five,” is the group’s fifth record in almost eight years together. Five albums completed, five members in the band or five strings on a banjo, however you interpret it, the record name seems to fit wherever its placed. Whatever the case, the 13-song album (with original selections and others from songwriters like Milan Miller, Mark Bumgarner and Mark Winchester) is filled with bluegrass, gospel and folk melodies.

There’s barn-burning pickin’ and four-part vocal harmonies (as well as an a cappella number), poignant hard-working lyrics and tear-jerking ballads. It’s the sights and sounds of Southern Appalachia, its history and its people — it’s the epitome of Balsam Range.

“Each one of these guys is a top-tier vocalist and musician. They have diverse musical tastes and backgrounds and aren’t afraid to step out of the box a bit,” said Scott Barnett, recording engineer at Crossroads. “I believe it’s their ability to tastefully and intuitively blend gospel, jazz, country and other genres with traditional bluegrass that makes them such a powerful group.”

HOMETOWN HEROES Balsam Range wins big in Raleigh Oct. 8, 2014 Caleb Smith had no idea.

“I didn’t hear them announce it,” he chuckled. “I was backstage talking to Del McCoury about a guitar and he says to me, ‘Son, I think they just called your name.’”

“They” as in the International Bluegrass Music Association, and what was called turned out to be Balsam Range winning “Entertainer of the Year” at the annual award show Oct. 2 in Raleigh. For Smith, the guitarist in the Haywood County group, taking home the biggest honor in the bluegrass industry was both shocking and very humbling.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” he said at the band’s celebratory after-party. “It’s humbling to even be nominated for this award by your peers and your heroes, and to win it and take it home, well, it was a milestone moment we’ll never forget — we hit the top of the mountain.”

Alongside Smith, Buddy Melton (fiddle), Darren Nicholson (mandolin), Tim Surrett (bass/dobro) and Marc Pruett (banjo) took the grand stage at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium to accept the award. It was the band’s third win in an evening that also garnered them “Vocal Group of the Year” and “Male Vocalist of the Year,” which was bestowed upon Melton.

“My mind was just racing. There were a lot of nominees in that category who were people that are the reason I got into singing in the first place,” Melton said. “To be included with that caliber of performers is amazing, and to win it just put it over the top.”

Surrett also won the “Momentum Award for Mentor” the previous night.

“It’s amazing to look at our band and see that it’s still the same five guys it has been since day one. It makes people believe in you and in what you’re doing.”

— Caleb Smith, guitar

LINES IN THE SAND Balsam Range looks ahead Nov. 29, 2016 The eternal struggle of bluegrass is being able to balance evolution with tradition.

How does one adhere to the pickin’ and grinnin’ ways of the old days, but also be able to stretch the boundaries into new and innovative realms? That dilemma currently lies at the feet on the bluegrass world. And yet, as that

Smoky Mountain News: And now the band is entering their 10th year, which is wild for a bluegrass act to have that much success, over that length of time, and yet all still be the same members…

Darren Nicholson: Yeah, for bluegrass, for five guys to still be together after 10 years, that’s pretty unheard of. It’s one of those things you’re constantly working on, those relationships onstage and off. And yet, there’s a comfort that comes with playing and singing with the same folks for that many years.

SMN: The band was a second career for everyone involved. With all the obligations and accolades, where to now?

DN: It does put a certain amount of pressure. We’re all from the Haywood County and we want to represent Western North Carolina the best we can. There’s a lot more pressure on the business and travel side of things. I think we’re finally more comfortable onstage, we’re hitting this stride. The challenge at this point is keeping it going, to find that place of true comfort. When it comes to the stage, we all still have that fire and excitement in our bellies to entertain people.

Smoky Mountain News

of community. For every time they’ve played The Grand Ole Opry or headlined a national festival, they’ve also played off-the-beatenpath fundraisers for the Balsam-Willet Volunteer Fire Department or an intimate back porch set at the Fines Creek Bluegrass Jam. For every IBMA win or hit single, there are days (too many to count) where they still get up on Monday morning and head to work for the county, the state, at the record studio, in the workshop building guitars or playing in other groups on days off to supplement income. It’s about hard work and pride in what you do, not getting too big for your britches, always remembering where you came from, the people that know you the best and love you the most.

Simply put, Balsam Range has earned a reputation as hometown heroes and cultural ambassadors of Western North Carolina and Southern Appalachia.

“Music is a very powerful thing, it speaks to people, it’s the universal language, and there’s a responsibility with that when you get to the level we’re at,” Melton said. “People connect to your music and they tell you their life story, and it brings awareness to what we’re doing. We’re impacting people’s lives and they’re impacting ours — that’s a pretty special thing.”

As nominees for “Entertainer of the Year,” Balsam Range was seated in the front row of the enormous auditorium. Before they even had a chance to get their seats warm, they had won the first award of the night — “Vocal Group of the Year.” That excitement only snowballed when the award envelope was ripped open and Melton was announced as

November 22-28, 2017

“I’ve had a lot of fun over the last few years producing other people’s records and being able to help bring up a lot of these younger players,” he said. “And for Balsam Range, it means so much to us that folks really do like what we’re trying to do.”

Since their inception in 2007, Balsam Range has rapidly risen into the stratosphere of 21st century bluegrass. Amid their numerous number-one singles, accolades and Grand Ole Opry appearances, they also won the 2011 IBMA “Song of the Year” award for “Trains I Missed.”

And on the heels of winning “Album of the Year” in 2013 for “Papertown,” the quintet released the follow-up “Five” in June. The new record and its singles have spent most of this past summer burning up the bluegrass charts — a convincing sign that the group will most likely be nominated for “Album of the Year” in 2015 and perhaps for “Song of the Year” for “Moon Over Memphis.”

“It’s exciting. It’s hard to believe looking back at where we started and to see it materialize in the way it has,” Melton said in June. “‘Papertown’ was a benchmark as to where we’re at. We’re really proud of this new album and what the future holds.”

Coming into 2014, Balsam Range was nominated by the IBMAs for “Entertainer of the Year,” “Vocal Group of the Year,” “Instrumental Group of the Year,” “Male Vocalist of the Year,” and “Momentum Award for Mentor.” It was a huge honor to the band to be named as contenders in so many prestigious categories. It’s also a testament to the mere fact it’s the same lineup of musicians pushing ahead and reaching for their dreams together.

“It’s amazing to look at our band and see that it’s still the same five guys it has been since day one. It makes people believe in you and in what you’re doing,” Smith said this summer. “Last year, when we’re nominated at the IBMA’s for ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘Entertainer of the Year’ and ‘Song of the Year,’ it was surreal to be nominated and surrounded by your heroes. It’s crazy to think how far we’ve come. I mean, when we first played a show together we didn’t even have a name.”

But, besides all the accolades and critical acclaim, what matters most to Balsam Range is simple — family, friends and a keen sense

question remains, so does the internal drive by all of the genre’s musicians to ensure the preservation and perpetuation of this melodic force at the foundation of this country.

For Haywood County’s own Balsam Range, the bluegrass quintet has spent the better part of the last decade riding this fine line between tending to their roots, but also finding the freedom to take flight when the feeling is right. What Marc Pruett (banjo), Tim Surrett (bass/dobro), Caleb Smith (guitar), Buddy Melton (fiddle) and Darren Nicholson (mandolin) have created is an entity that holds tight to its heritage, but aims to address their true potential as an award-winning act that has found cross-over success after years of hitting the road and getting up onstage every night.

In their latest album, “Mountain Voodoo,” the ensemble seemingly puts aside supposed expectations that come with being the International Bluegrass Music Association “Entertainer of the Year” (2014), and instead put forth a record as flexible as it is personal statement of just where the group is. They’re at the forefront of the modern bluegrass movement, one that champions its history, and also harnesses a curiosity only found in those ready to pioneer and not follow the well-worn paths of the past.

arts & entertainment

On the red carpet at the 2014 IBMA award show in Raleigh. Garret K. Woodward photo

“Male Vocalist of the Year.” During his acceptance speech, Melton was overcome with emotion, reflecting on his long road of recovery from his near-death farming accident two years ago, to now holding in his hand the biggest individual honor in bluegrass.

“You surround yourself with good people, great things will happen,” he said afterwards.

“Life is so funny, you just never know what’s coming. Sometimes it’s challenging, sometimes it’s rewarding. It just shows you to push forward and keep believing that good things are going to happen.”

Before the final award for “Entertainer of the Year” was presented, Balsam Range took the stage to play their hit song “Moon Over Memphis.” The melody took the roof off the building, as the audience roared in applause following its completion. The band had yet to return to their front row seats when it was announced they had won “Entertainer of the Year.” The auditorium shook with cheers and a standing ovation when they emerged from backstage to receive their trophy. The group waved to the crowd, only to look down with smiles from ear-to-ear at their ecstatic wives clapping from the front row.

It was a moment they’d never forget, a moment of pride that will go down as one of the finest in the long and storied musical history of Western North Carolina.

Tucked away in the warehouse district of downtown Raleigh, Balsam Range arrived at their after-party within the cozy Five Star Restaurant. It was filled with their closest friends, family members and business partners, all there to celebrate the well-earned achievements made by the group.

Standing to the side of the excitement, Surrett took a moment to collect himself. He seemed in a sort of dreamlike state, in awe of what had just happened, where being told he and his band just won the award for “Entertainer of the Year” was something he made up in his mind — a long held wish now turned reality.

“I haven’t felt this proud since Pisgah High School won the state football championship in 1976,” he chuckled. “I mean, just to be in that room tonight with all our peers and heroes was just incredible. We’re named in the same breath as someone like Del McCoury, and that seems just crazy to us.”

Surrett’s gaze scans across the after-party, almost as if to truly never forget this moment.

“We’ve not done anything differently since we started playing together,” he said.

“We just keep doing what we’re doing, and it just seems to get out there to more people — we keep pushing forward.”

S EE DECADE, PAGE 32 31

arts & entertainment

DECADE, CONTINUED FROM 31

TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN Balsam Range celebrates 10 years Nov. 15, 2017 Sipping a cup of coffee at Panacea in the Frog Level District of Waynesville one recent morning, Buddy Melton takes a moment to reflect on the last decade.

“It’s been an incredible 10 years. I don’t think any of us in Balsam Range would have said the first year we played, that all five would still be together after 10 years — because that just doesn’t happen in bands, particularly in bluegrass,” the lead singer/fiddler said.

November 22-28, 2017

BALSAM RANGE: A DECADE IN “You can look historically at any genre of music and 10 years in the business is a huge feat, much more with the same five members,” added guitarist/vocalist Caleb Smith.

“It's a testament of dedication and reward.

Balsam Range has accomplished more than I would've ever imagined possible due to dedication — dedication to presenting the greatest music we can create to the world.”

For the beloved Haywood County quintet, Melton points to family and friends when asked about the wide-ranging successes of the band.

“We all had similar needs, wants, and desires. All of us had young families, kids in school. And behind the scenes, the individual families are just as important in a band as the band itself,” he said. “All of our families have been incredibly supportive of it. The kids have grown up together. We saw several of them born in this 10-year period. It has just really been a family thing.”

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— Buddy Melton, fiddle/vocals

Seemingly winning every accolade handed out at the International Bluegrass Music Association award show over the last few years, Balsam Range has never taken for granted their talents, and also admiration from musical peers and fans alike.

“It's a great honor to be nominated yearafter-year. It says to me that we continue to do something right,” Smith said. “We strive to find great lyrics to set our music apart in the genre in that when someone hears our music on the air waves there is no doubt that they know it's Balsam Range.”

“It’s funny to sit there [at IBMAs], particularly to walk up on the stage,” Melton reminisced. “I can remember going to the IBMA awards before I could even play music, just thinking, ‘Man, could you imagine being up on that stage?’ It tells me anything is possible.”

And though bluegrass remains at the core of Balsam Range, the band sees itself as more of a moving target, one where the genre lines get blurred the further they push into the numerous realms of string music.

“We will continue to strive to create great music and reach new ears at any level possible,” Smith said. “All music evolves and grows with each new generation. It keeps the tradition healthy. There needs to be more awards

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The Balsam Range “Art of Music Festival” will be held Dec. 1-2 at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center.

The weekend celebration will include two days of live music, onstage collaborations and master level musician workshops. Stage acts include two nights of Balsam Range, Flatt Lonesome, Bryan Sutton, Darrell Scott, and many more.

For a full schedule of events, ticket and lodging information, click on www.balsamrangeartofmusicfestival.com. geared toward the newer generation of bluegrass — newgrass, jamband, jazzgrass. I know a lot of traditional minded bluegrass fans would never adhere to it, but I believe it would strengthen the genre and make it more healthy and solid.”

“Music in general is supposed to always grow. No matter what genre it is, it’s always changing. If it’s not, it gets sterile,” Melton added. “Every year there is some new thing that comes out and excites people. And that’s part of our responsibility [as bluegrass musi-

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32

“Music in general is supposed to always grow. No matter what genre it is, it’s always changing.

If it’s not, it gets sterile.”

Balsam Range, 2017. David Simchock photo

www.mountainrangewnc.com

274 S. MAIN ST WAYNESVILLE, NC 828.246.6570

cians] is to help it grow.”

Melton noted that the key to Balsam Range’s past 10 years of positive growth is due to the fact the group is always moving, always seeking out the next step in whatever it is they ultimately want to do, whether it be collaborations, bigger venues or simply to make sure everyone in their camp is taken care of.

“Every year brings new challenges. As it does grow, we tend to be going farther and farther away. We have to make wise decisions in what we do. I’m a firm believer in surrounding yourself with great people. A lot of that is having great management and people that look out for your best interest,” Melton said. “To achieve goals you’ve got to first have goals. We always try to sit down every year and say what do we want to achieve this year?

Let’s do something different. Let’s win over some new fans. Let’s meet some new people.”

With their first decade down, Melton and his bandmates feel like they’re just getting started as the second decade of this bountiful endeavor kicks off.

“There’s always something else out there.

When you think you’ve reached the top, you’re only half-way there,” he smiled.

“There’s always something greater to do — that in itself is the motivating factor.”

NOVEMBER SCHEDULE Monday 9-10 AM: Slow Flow Yoga w/ Sara • 10:30-11:30: Gentle Yin Yoga w/ Sara • 4:30-5:15: Pilates + Yoga Fusion w/ Sarah B. 5:45-6:45: Mixed Level Flow Yoga w/ Candra 6-7: Yoga Basics w/ Shelby • 7-8: Buti Yoga* w/ Judy Tuesday 9-10 AM: Restorative Yoga w/ Jay•10:30-11:30: Mixed Level Flow w/ Jay•1: 30-2:30: Tai Chi* w/ Paul•5:30-6:15: Barre Above* w/ Jay 6:30-7:30: Fluid Unwind w/ Shelby Wednesday 9-10 AM: Flow + Deep Stretch w/ Sara • 10:30-11:30: Gentle Yin Yoga w/ Sara • 5:45-6:45: Mixed Level Flow Yoga w/ Kendall 7-8: Intro to Flow + Restorative w/ Maura Thursday 6-7AM: Sunrise Flow w/ Michael • 9-10: Restorative (Chair) Yoga w/ Jay •10:30-11:30: Mixed Level Flow w/ Jay • 12-1: Yoga Basics w/ Leigh-Ann • 1:30-2:30: Qi gong w/ Bill • 5:30-6:15: Barre Above* w/ Jay • 6:30-7:30 PM: Power Core Yoga w/ Kendall Friday 9-10: Gentle Restorative w/ Amber • 12-12:45: Barre + Balance w/ Jay • 4-5:15: Flow and Sweat w/ Shelby Saturday: 9-10: Mixed Level Flow Yoga w/ Michael or Amber • 10:30-11:30: Beginner Flow Yoga w/ Maura

Sunday: 11:30-12:30: Mixed Level Flow Yoga w/ Kendall

Call or register online at WaynesvilleYogaCenter.com

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

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That slow walk from the car.

When I was 16 years old, I Heidi Holton (blues/folk) will perform at 8 p.m. entered the American workforce.

Nov. 24 at Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) and I was the breakfast and lunch 6 p.m. Nov. 25 at Andrews Brewing Company. cook for McDonald’s in Champlain, New York. And it The annual “Lights & Luminaries” will return was that slow walk from my to the streets of downtown Dillsboro Dec. 1-2 rusted out 1989 Toyota Camry and 8-9. to the side entrance under the The annual “Christmas On the Green” bright yellow arches, into anothcelebration will kick off Nov. 24 at The Village er morning and early afternoon Green in Cashiers. amid the chaos of the fast food world.

The rapid-fire tap dancing squad Rhythmic The reason I bring up this Circus will perform a special holiday show juncture of my teen years is the “Red and Green” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at the mere fact that exact McDonald’s Bardo Arts Center in Cullowhee. back in my hometown had a “grand reopening” recently. up the radio, honking at whoever and whatWhat’s new? You can order from the touch ever we drove by. And, since he didn’t have a of a button at the self-service kiosks, dine-in table service, and a two-lane drive-thru — all car of his own, I’d drive him to work at McDonald’s. He was a year older than me, to maximize your experience with Ronald & and had been working at McDonald’s since The Gang. he turned 16. He was head of the drive-thru, In February 2001, I turned 16. And, as and was damn good at it, as myself and quickly as I blew out the candles on my other friends would roll up and harass him birthday cake, two things happened — I for extra napkins and ketchup packets. wanted my driver’s license, and my parents And during one of those “high rides” wanted me to get a job. Soon, I had purwith my best buddy, he turned to me and chased the old Camry for $300. It had over said, “Want a job?” Huh? Where? “With me 200,000 miles on it and you could smell at McDonald’s, it’d be sick. You and me. gasoline if the tank was over half-full.

Hanging out. Pay is good, too.”

Once I was driving, I’d pick up my best So, he got me an interview. I was nervfriend two towns over. We’d cruise around, ous, never having sat down for a job intersmoking cigarettes, smoking joints, turning

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November 22-28, 2017

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arts & entertainment

This must be the place

view before. The manager looked over my resume and me in about the same amount of time — quickly from lack of appearance and experience. She said I’d need to trim my muttonchops (sideburns), cut off my goatee, and get rid of my large hemp necklace. After that? I had the job. Minimum wage, make my own hours each week, and side-by-side with my buddy. Heck yeah.

That first day, I got thrown into the grill, cracking hundreds of eggs for breakfast sandwiches and flipping just as many burgers for Big Macs and Quarter Pounders. It was hot back there, and also a tad awkward seeing as the guy doing the same tasks next to me was three times my age, and also my bus driver before I got my license. Awkward not in who he was and what we were doing, but in that he now looked at me as an adult, a co-worker, an equal, whereas I’d never been viewed that way before.

At 16, I didn’t have any bills, per say. I was years out from the unbearable debt that is college loans. This was before I owned a cell phone, let alone any kind of real responsibilities that would require money. At that time, my parents just wanted me to have my own income, which I spent on gas, weed, and whatever it would cost for my older friend to buy my buddy and I two six-packs of Labatt Blue.

That McDonald’s was located right on the Canadian border. It was really the only fast food spot for dozens of miles in any direction. It was the first stop for tour buses going from Montreal to New York City, and the last stop for tour buses heading into Canada. So, you could imagine the look of fear in my coworkers eyes when two of these buses would appear out-of-nowhere, at the same time, filled with unruly senior citizens in search of double cheeseburgers and milkshakes.

Once work was done, I’d clock out and bolt for the door. During that walk across the large parking lot to my car, I could still smell the burgers and fries on my uniform. But, I didn’t care. It was Saturday afternoon and I had nothing to do and nowhere to go, and all was right in the world, in my eyes, at least.

I’d hop into that crappy Camry and pull to the exit. To the left and right, nothing but cornfields in the distance. Straight ahead was a truck stop filled with anonymous faces piloting these massive machines of cargo to destinations unknown, in and out of international boundaries. Behind me was my teenage employer. Next to me was my best friend, just as eager to get out of there, out of that town, as I was.

I’m 32 now, which means I worked at that McDonald’s half-a-lifetime ago. That place, and that person I was, seems so distant and foreign to me. But, I do remember how that experience kick started whatever it was I felt within me that I wanted to do. I wasn’t sure what that “thing” was, but I knew it wasn’t there, or in that town, that someday I’d track down my ultimate path.

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

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ISISASHEVILLE.COM 828.575.2737

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Christmas with Mountain Faith Summer McMahan & Mountain Faith Band will premiere their new Christmas DVD and perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, at the Highlands Performing Arts Center.

The band will also hit the stage at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

The performance was recorded live at the SMCPA late last year. The group will offer a pre-show concert before the premiere presentation.

Mountain Faith Band is an award-winning bluegrass and gospel group with a unique style that speaks to music fans of all genres. This family band from Sylva represented Western North Carolina very well during their journey to the semi-finals on Season 10 of ABC’s “America’s Got Talent.”

They average 148 concerts per year and have performed with legends such as Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, and Loretta Lynn.

They have also performed at the Grand Ole Opry and at sporting events for the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Braves,

and San Francisco 49ers. They were also honored to be chosen to participate in the Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival at Dollywood.

They have celebrated multiple number one songs throughout their career and released four albums. Their most recent album, “That Which Matters,” debuted at number one on Billboard Americana-Roots

Charts. Mountain Faith was named “Emerging Artist of the Year” by the International Bluegrass Music Association and lead singer Summer McMahan was named “Momentum Vocalist of the Year.”

Tickets for Highlands start at $35. To purchase tickets, visit www.highlandspac.org or call 828.526.9047. Tickets for Franklin are $10. Visit www.greatmountainmusic.com or call 866.273.4615.

Wind Ensemble to premiere new symphony The Western Carolina University Wind Ensemble will present a special concert Tuesday, Nov. 28, featuring the premiere of a new symphony by contemporary American composer and conductor Dan Welcher that draws inspirations from three national

parks, including the local Great Smoky Mountains.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center on campus.

It is free and open to the public.

Welcher’s “Symphony #6, Three Places in the East” was inspired by the Everglades, Acadia and Smokies national parks, and incorporates regional songs such as the Cherokee morning song and “Rocky Top.” WCU is a part of a consortium that commissioned the work. The performance also will feature Charles Ives’ “Variations on America” and Percy Grainger’s “Lincolnshire Posy,” as well as student soloist Daniel Myers performing “Concerto for Marimba and Wind Orchestra” by Emmanuel Sejourne.

The WCU Wind Ensemble is an auditioned group of musicians performing a challenging repertory that includes premieres of commissioned works. For more information, contact the School of Music at 828.227.7242.

November 22-28, 2017

arts & entertainment

On the beat

Smoky Mountain News

The ever-popular ‘Sounds of the Season’ concert will be presented Dec. 3. Eldred Spell photo

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'Sounds of the Season’ concert The annual “Sounds of the Season” concert will be presented by Western Carolina University’s School of Music at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center.

The holiday favorite will begin with performances by large and small ensembles onstage, in the balcony and even among the audience, creating a unique, “surround sound” experience.

WCU’s Wind Ensemble, Concert and Chamber choirs, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble and instrumental chamber groups will be joined by the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band and the Jackson County Youth Honors Chorus. The family-friendly concert concludes with a holiday sing-along and an appearance by Santa Claus.

Advance tickets are on sale now, with purchase before Monday, Nov. 27 set at $15 for adults and $10 for WCU faculty and staff and those 60 and older. General admission tickets at the door are $20 for adults; $15 for WCU faculty and staff and those 60 and older; and $5 for students and children.

Proceeds benefit the School of Music Scholarship Fund. For tickets, visit bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or call 828.227.2479.

On the beat Directed by Kathy Geyer McNeil, the Haywood Community Chorus kicks off the holiday season with its annual Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Sunday Dec. 3, at the Waynesville First United Methodist Church.

The 93-member chorus will perform a variety of seasonal music, featuring John Rutter’s “Magnificat.”

The “Magnificat” is a poetic outpouring of praise, joy, and trust in God, ascribed by Luke to the Virgin Mary on learning that she was to give birth to Christ. Rutter’s “Magnificat” is a musical setting of the biblical canticle, first performed by Rutter at Carnegie Hall in May of 1990.

In addition, the chorus will perform traditional, spiritual, and contemporary music of the Christmas season, including “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” first

recorded in 1963 by Andy Williams, and Craig Courtney’s “Silent Night,” highlighting an exquisite piano introduction.

Director Kathy Geyer McNeil will be joined by guest accompanist Kyle Ritter of All Souls Cathedral in Asheville. The two multi-talented musicians will perform together at intermission, and in addition, the chorus will be accompanied by an ensemble of instrumentalists including stings, oboe, flute, harp, percussion and trumpet.

Founded in 1997 with a goal to help preserve an appreciation for the greet classical music of the past, as well as the present, the community chorus is sponsored in part by The Junaluskans and the Haywood Arts Council, and its Chorus Angels.

Admission is free; a love offering will be taken.

• Andrews Brewing Company (Andrews) will host Bill Vespasian (singer-songwriter) Nov. 24, Heidi Holton (blues/folk) Nov. 25 and Liz Nance (singer-songwriter) Dec. 2.

All shows are free and begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

and David Ramirez 7 p.m. Dec. 6. For more information about the performances and/or to purchase tickets, visit www.isisasheville.com.

ALSO:

• Derailed Bar & Lounge (Bryson City) will have music at 7 p.m. on Saturdays.

828.488.8898.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night Nov. 22 and 29, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo Nov. 23 and 30. All events are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Isis Music Hall (Asheville) will host Cullen Wade & The Waters 7 p.m. Nov. 22, ‘80s Dance Party 8:30 p.m. Nov. 22, Dave Curley & Andrew Finn Magill 7 p.m. Nov. 24, The Kruger Brothers (bluegrass/Americana) 8:30 p.m. Nov. 24-25, Tall Tales 5:30 p.m. Nov. 26, “Italian Night” with Mike Guggino (of Steep Canyon Rangers) and Barrett Smith 8 p.m. Nov. 30, Victor & Penny 7 p.m. Dec. 1

(828) 452-4747 WWW.SSS-TOPS.COM

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host Heidi Holton (blues/folk) Nov. 24 and Tea 4 Three (Americana) Nov. 25. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host Twelfth Fret (singer-songwriter) Nov. 25 and Frank Lee & Allie Burbrink (Americana/bluegrass) Dec. 2. All shows are free and are from 6 to 9 p.m. www.mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

• Pub 319 (Waynesville) will host an open mic night from 8 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday with Mike Farrington of Post Hole Diggers. Free and open to the public.

• 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 an Open Jam with Rick 8 p.m. Thursdays.

• Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands) will host “Hoppy Hour” and an open mic with Susan at 6 p.m. on Thursdays and live music on Friday evenings. 828.482.9794 or www.satulahmountainbrewing.com.

• Sneak E Squirrel Brewing (Sylva) will host line dancing every Friday at 7 p.m. and contra dancing every other Friday at 8 p.m.

828.586.6440.

• 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 Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host The Whiskey River Band Nov. 24. All shows begin at 10 p.m.

Workshops, jamming and more!

Dec.1-2,2017 Dec.1-2,2017 Lake Junaluska, NC

Tickets on sale NOW

featuring: Darrell Scott Bryan Sutton and an All Star Band Flatt Lonesome Balsam Range The Atlanta Pops Mini-Orchestra Mike Snyder White Water Bluegrass Co. Lodging Packages available · www.balsamrangeartofmusicfestival.com

Smoky Mountain News

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Marc Keller (singer-songwriter) 2 p.m. Nov. 24, Todd Hoke (acoustic) Nov. 24, The Mixx (Motown) Nov. 25, Mindframe Dec. 2 and Hunter Grigg (singer-songwriter) Dec. 8. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. There will also be a Community Rhythm Circle every Tuesday at 7 p.m. with free drum circle lessons at 6:30 p.m. www.froglevelbrewing.com.

Granite, Quartz & Marble

62 Communications Dr., Waynesville • Hours By Appointment

November 22-28, 2017

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Joe Cruz (piano/pop) Nov. 24-25 and Dec. 2, and James Hammel (singer-songwriter) Dec. 1. All shows are free (unless otherwise noted) and begin at 7 p.m.

828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

arts & entertainment

Community Chorus celebrates the season

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arts & entertainment

On the street Christmas comes to Cowee The old-fashioned “Christmas at Cowee School” will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 2, at the school in Franklin.

There will be an arts and crafts show, live holiday music, face painting, children’s activities, and much more. The studios at Cowee School, Arts and Heritage Center will be open with special activities throughout the day. Admission and parking are both free.

Visit “Grandpa’s Woodshop,” located this year right in front of the school, in a tent provided by Carey Patton of Tent Masters NC, and make a wooden hand crafted item, suitable for gift giving. Then visit “Grandma’s Kitchen,” sponsored by Cowee Community Development Organization and decorate a home baked cookie to eat or take home.

The Women’s History Trail will have freshly gathered decorative sprigs of Mistletoe, delicious sweets, hot coffee and tea for sale. The 4-H Sewing club will be selling items they have sewn, in “Grandma’s Kitchen,” too.

Smoky Mountain News

November 22-28, 2017

• The Sylva Christmas Parade will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in downtown. 828.586.2719 or visit www.mainstreetsylva.org.

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• “Breakfast with Santa” will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Rescue Squad Building in Bryson City. Pancake breakfast ($5). Bring your own camera.

828.488.3681.

• The Swain County Genealogical & Historical Society will host its holiday party and silent auction at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Swain County Business Education Center. To donate items, drop them off at the SCGHS library.

ALSO:

• There will be a community potluck, live music and an outdoor movie from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at Darnell Farms in Bryson City. Dinner indoors with live music.

Bring a side dish or donation. Outdoor screening of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” after the meal. Please bring your own chairs.

• The “Polar Express” will depart Nov. 22, 2426 and Dec. 6-24 from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot in Bryson City. For more information on departures or to purchase tickets, visit www.gsmr.com.

• “Letters to Santa” will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Dec. 23 at the Swain County Heritage Museum in Bryson City. Drop a line for Santa. Materials provided. Call the museum for Santa appearances: 800.867.9246.

For more information, please contact Claire Suminksi at 828.369.5417, email claire@dometrics.com or visit the Cowee School website at www.coweeschool.org.

‘Christmas on the Green’ The annual “Christmas On the Green” celebration will kick off Friday, Nov. 24, at The Village Green in Cashiers.

The 13-acre park in the heart of Cashiers will feature thousands of twinkling lights from Thanksgiving weekend until New Year’s Day. On Nov. 24, come share your Christmas wishes with Santa Claus from 2 to 5 p.m.

Gather around the fire pit for “S’Mores and More.” Listen to holiday music and strolling carolers beginning at 5:30 p.m. that evening for the Cashiers Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. The highlight of the day will be when the switch is turned on to illuminate the 60-foot spruce in the center of the village of Cashiers.

For more information, visit www.villagegreencashiersnc.com.

• “Lighting Up Maggie Valley” will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Tree lighting, Santa strut contest, pictures with Santa, live music, food and coat donations, ugly sweater contest, and much more.

• “Laughing Balsam Sangha,” a meeting for Mindfullness in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, meets will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays at 318 Skyland Drive in Sylva. Included are sitting and walking meditation, and Dharma discussion. Free admission. For more information, call 828.335.8210, and “Like” them on Facebook.

• Sneak E Squirrel Brewing (Sylva) will host the Jackson County Corn Hole Association on Monday evenings ($5 buy in, 100 percent payout), Karaoke with Captain Moose from 7 to 11 p.m. on Tuesdays, Trivia at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and a Guitar Hero Tournament at 7 p.m. on Thursdays. 828.586.6440.

• There will be a free wine tasting from 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 at Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville. www.waynesvillewine.com or 828.452.0120.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. www.papouswineshop.com or 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.

On the street

The annual “Lights & Luminaries” will return to the streets of downtown Dillsboro Dec. 12 and 8-9.

Experience the magic as the entire town is transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, candles, laughter and song. Over 2,500 luminaries light your way to shops and studios. Horse and buggy rides available each night. Shopkeepers provide live music and serve holiday treats with hot cider and cocoa. Carolers sing and children visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Live Nativity at Jarrett Memorial Baptist Church.

Free shuttle service from Monteith Park. www.visitdillsboro.org.

The “Spirit of Christmas” will be celebrated from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, in downtown Bryson City. The 43rd annual Christmas Parade will also be held at 2 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 2, in downtown.

Carol with Santa from the caboose at Everett Street to the town square for the town Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Afterward step across the street to the Visitor Center for hot cocoa and cookies, letter writing to Santa, and a visit with St. Nick himself. Bring a canned good to donate to the food pantry or a new unwrapped gift for the local toy drive.

800.867.9246 or www.greatsmokies.com.

The 2017 Waynesville Christmas Parade will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, on Main Street.

The parade is sponsored by the Town of Waynesville, Waynesville Kiwanis Club, and organized by the Downtown Waynesville Association. This year’s parade theme is “Christmas Smokies Style.”

Enjoy this annual community tradition as over 120 illuminated entries, dance academies, costumed characters, and local high school bands parade down historic Main

The 13th annual “Christmas Worship in a Stable” will be held from 5:30 to 6:10 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 2, at the 3rd Generation Barn Loft Farm outside of Canton.

Admission is free. The event will take place in the historic barn. You may also bring one canned food item to place at the Manger for The Community Kitchen in Canton.

Casual service includes singing of Christmas carols interspersed during Scripture readings; sitting on hay bales; a Christmas-related story; live animals and special music and lighting.

Dress warmly. Parking is at the barn and event is handicapped accessible.

The 3rd Generation Barn Loft is located at 84 Frank Mann Road: Exit 33/I-40, turn towards Leicester (sign) on Newfound Road continuing for about three-quarters of a mile. Fork left onto North Hominy Road, then take very first right onto Frank Mann Road.

Franklin’s ‘Winter Wonderland Nights’ With the theme “Winter Wonderland Nights,” there will be a special holiday celebration at 5 p.m. Nov. 25 and Dec 2 in downtown Franklin.

The showcase will feature living window displays, free wagon rides, tree lighting ceremony, live music, and much more.

The Franklin Christmas Parade will also be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, on Main Street. The parade floats will line up on Church Street entering Main Street through Town Hall’s parking lot. The parade will continue down Main Street, turning left onto Porter Street at the Lazy Hiker. Turning left again onto Palmer Street at the red light continuing to the Depot Street Intersection. Turn right on Depot Street to disband parade.

For more information, contact the Franklin Chamber of Commerce at 828.524.3161 or www.franklin-chamber.com

Smoky Mountain News

Waynesville Christmas Parade

Street celebrating the spirit of the holidays.

Santa Claus makes a special appearance as the guest of honor.

Parade starts at First Presbyterian Church and proceeds down Main Street to Bogart's Restaurant. All entries are required to use lights.

The nonprofit float contest awards are $175 for first place, $125 for second place, and $75 for third place. Commercial winners will receive a commemorative engraved plaque.

‘Christmas Worship in a Stable’

November 22-28, 2017

Christmas in Bryson City

Those looking for a good place to do holiday shopping — plus have the gifts wrapped — will be happy that Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation is doing its annual gift-wrapping project for shoppers at Mast General Store on Main Street in Waynesville.

Sarge’s will be wrapping holiday gifts during regular store hours Dec. 2-24.

Organizers are in need of donated wrapping materials and volunteers to work three-hour shifts at Mast.

Mast General Store shoppers can bring their purchases to the gift-wrapping table in the store lobby and volunteers will box and wrap the holiday gifts for a donation to Sarge’s.

To sign up, visit www.signupgenius.com/go/508094DA8A 72BA7FB6-gift. The volunteers are in need of donations of white tissue paper, bows and dispenser Scotch tape rolls.

To help with this project, please drop off wrapping materials donations to Sarge’s Adoption Center (256 Industrial Park Drive, Waynesville) from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday or from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, or at Mast General Store after Dec. 2.

Sarge’s mission is to save healthy homeless dogs and cats in Haywood County.

Since Sarge’s beginning in 2006, the group has saved more than 8,000 animals. Visit www.sargeanimals.org.

arts & entertainment

Lights & Luminaries in Dillsboro

Gift-wrapping for a good cause

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arts & entertainment

On the wall ‘Hard Candy’ holiday craft show

79 WAYNESVILLE PLAZA WAYNESVILLE

828 - 456 - 3216

The 30th annual “Hard Candy Christmas” arts and crafts show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 24-25 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, www.mountainartisans.net.

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November 22-28, 2017

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Pincu Pottery.

Artisan drive-about tour Celebrating the numerous local artisans in our backyard, the Graham County Artisan Drive-About Tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 24-25.

A free self-guided driving tour of the galleries and working studios of Graham and Swain County. On the tour, you will meet some of the artists that make Western North Carolina famous for our handcrafted arts and crafts.

Brochures that include the map and information for the driving tour are available at all studios on the tour. The Schoolhouse Café at the Stecoah Valley Center will be open for light snacks both days of the tour.

For more details and complete list of participating studios, visit www.stecoahvalleycenter.com/artisans.

Want to make a glass ornament?

Holiday wreath-making class

There will be glass ornament workshops held Nov. 30 and Dec. 2, 5 and 7 at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in Sylva.

With the assistance of one of our resident artists, participants will work with molten glass to create a unique and beautiful piece of glass art.

The glass blowing sessions last 30 minutes. In each session, you’ll learn the basics of working with glass, some of the history of glass blowing, and important safety guidelines.

Ages 13-18 may participate with parent present. Dress in cotton clothing (no polyester); wear closed shoes and long pants.

Glass artwork available for pickup 48 hours after class.

Walk-in's are welcome, but space is limited. Payment due at registration.

Time slots are a half-hour. Each slot is $30 per person. For more information on the class schedules and to register, call 828.631.0271 or visit www.jcgep.org.

The Haywood County “Master Gardener Wreath-Making Event” will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Cooperative Extension Office in Waynesville.

They will provide an incredible selection of fresh greenery, natural embellishments, and knowledgeable Master Gardeners to show you the ropes.

Sessions are from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. at the Cooperative Extension Office at 589 Raccoon Road. Cost is $20 for one wreath, including all materials. The only things participants need to bring are pruners and gloves (nitrile gloves will also be for sale for $5.)

Space is limited to 40 people per session.

To reserve your spot, send a check for $20 (not refundable) payable to “EMGVA” to: Andre’ Haas, P.O. Box 116, Maggie Valley, N.C. 28751 by Monday, Nov. 27. Include your name, phone and email address.

If you have any questions, contact Andre’ Haas at ajhaas1958@gmail.com or

The eighth annual Balsam Arts & Craft Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 25, at the Balsam Fire Department.

Local handmade arts and crafts will be available including baskets, chair caning, crocheted and hand-sewn items, handstitched and stamped greeting cards, oil paintings and prints, small hand painted tiles and wooden spoons, matted/framed photos and prints, jewelry, candles, glazed pecans, pottery, fudge and baked goods, among many other items.

A portion of the entry fees will benefit the fire department.

828.593.0862. Proceeds from this WreathMaking Event fund horticultural projects and grants in Haywood County.

Waynesville’s ‘Art After Dark’

The final “Art After Dark” of the year will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, in downtown Waynesville.

Each first Friday of the month (MayDecember), Main Street transforms into an evening of art, music, finger foods, beverages and shopping as artisan studios and galleries keep their doors open later for local residents and visitors.

Participants include Haywood County Arts Council Gallery, Burr Studio, Earthworks Gallery, The Jeweler’s Workbench, Twigs & Leaves Gallery, TPennington Art Gallery, Cedar Hill Studios, JoRidge Kelley/Earthstar Studios, Moose Crossing Burl Wood Gallery, and the Village Framer.

“Art After Dark” is free to attend. www.waynesvillegalleryassociation.com.

On the wall

A recent work

by Joe Meigs.

• The “Fireside Sale” will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown.

Holiday gifts made by local and regional artisans. Free admission. 800.FOLK.SCH. • Wire artist Lawrie Williams will host a “Holiday Ornament Wire Art” class from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office in Sylva. The project this month will focus on colored wire Christmas ornaments. Make your own unique free form ornaments as well. Great gift idea. Call the Jackson Extension Office at 828.586.4009 to reserve your spot. The cost is only $10 and all supplies are included.

ALSO:

Just in time for holiday shopping, Gallery 1 in Sylva is featuring small works of art for sale by its artist members. The exhibit will run through Nov. 30.

The list of art included in this special exhibit is as follows: photography, blown glass, alcohol inks, block prints, acrylic, pastel, watercolor, oil paintings, encaustic, metalwork, stained glass, fused glass, quilt collage and mixed media.

Featured artists in the small works exhibit are Terry Barnes, Frederick J. Bauknecht, Beth

Bowser, Ken Bowser, Wanda Browne, Curtis Browne, Tracey Chapple, Cynde Copple, Jonathan Lee Dills, Fitzallen Eldridge, Ashley Hacksaw, Amos Earl, Pamela Haddock, Isabella Jackov, Joe Klerlein, Tim Lewis, Joe Meigs, Judy McManus, John Meile, Jim Smythe, Teri Leigh Teed, Phil Watford, and Gayle Woody.

Opening hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, visit www.gallery1sylva.com, www.facebook.com/artinthemountains and www.instagram.com/gallery1_sylva.

• The new folk art exhibit, “Cornbread,” is now showing at Urban Orchard Cider Company in West Asheville.

• Mad Batter Food & Film (Sylva) will host a free movie night at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For the full

schedule of screenings, visit www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com.

• The Waynesville Fiber Friends will meet from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday of the month at the Panacea Coffee House in Waynesville. All crafters and beginners interested in learning are invited. You can keep up with them through their Facebook group or by calling 828.276.6226 for more information.

arts & entertainment

Sylva holiday art sale

• The “Christmas in the Mountains” indoor arts and crafts show will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Stecoah Valley Center. www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.

• “Paint Nite Waynesville” will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursdays (Nov. 30) at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. Sign up for either event on the Paint Night Waynesville Facebook page or call Robin Arramae at 828.400.9560. paintnitewaynesville@gmail.com.

• There will be a “Thursday Painters Open Studio” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at the Franklin Uptown Gallery. Bring a bag lunch, project and supplies. Free.

Membership not required. 828.349.4607.

• A “Youth Art Class” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday at the Appalachian Art Farm on 22 Morris Street in Sylva. All ages welcome. $10 includes instruction, materials and snack. Email appalachianartfarm@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.

November 22-28, 2017 Smoky Mountain News 39

WISHING arts & entertainment

YOU A FESTIVE HOLIDAY SEASON. COME CELEBRATE WITH US !

On the stage

Do you like rapid-fire tap dancing?

Join Us for

ART AFTER DARK: December 1 6-9 P.M. Artist Margaret Roberts

“WHERE ART DANCES WITH NATURE” 98 NORTH MAIN ST. • WAYNESVILLE, NC • 828.456.1940

Smoky Mountain News

November 22-28, 2017

MON.-SAT.10-5:30 • SUN.1-4 • WWW.TWIGSANDLEAVES.COM

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Rhythmic Circus.

The rapid-fire tap dancing squad Rhythmic Circus will perform a special holiday show “Red and Green” at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Bardo Arts Center in Cullowhee.

As part of the 2017-2018 WCU PRESENTS Performance Series, this performance is a co-production with WCU Arts & Cultural Events (ACE).

The four world-renowned hoofers of Rhythmic Circus who brought you “Feet Don't Fail Me Now” with their seven-piece band, fuse their signature style of rapid-fire tap into holiday classics with a twist to bring you “Red and Green” — a song and dance filled celebration of the holiday season the entire family can enjoy together.

“Red and Green” captures the spirit of the holiday with a beatboxing rendition of "The Grinch,” a full-cast performance of "Linus and Lucy" (A Charlie Brown Christmas), five new originals, and a bright mash-up medley titled "Toy Soldier March.”

This march is a highlight of the show as dancers and musicians adorned in colorful

soldier attire, perform a syncopated percussive dance sequence at eye-popping speeds.

Along with the group's festive display in this performance, Heat Box, the human beat box, presents his own version of "Mr. Grinch.”

The song originates from the book and television special of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas!” and adds the perfect twist to complete this upbeat, holiday show.

Tickets to the performance are $25 for the general public, $20 for WCU/SCC faculty and staff, and $5 for WCU/SCC students.

For tickets and further information, visit arts.wcu.edu/tribe or call 828.227.ARTS. This performance is a co-production with the WCU Arts & Cultural Events Committee; a collective of students, faculty, and staff here at Western Carolina University that exists to create opportunities for students to encounter the arts here at Western, around the region, and beyond. Special thanks to The Ascent Partnership between Harris Regional and Swain Community Hospitals and Western Carolina University for their continued support.

WCU ‘Fall Dance Showcase’

cast and create their own choreography for the showcase, with Velez and Warren collaborating on their work. The three pieces will feature student costume designers Erynn Vickery, Kyla Little and Megan Shaw, along with student lighting designer Reed Simiele.

The showcase also includes one dance work choreographed by dance instructor Patricia Renshaw that will feature eight student dancers and two faculty dancers. The student stage manager for the showcase is Kacey Shepherd.

Admission is $1 cash at the door, with donations of higher amounts accepted. For more information, contact Wasmund at 828.227.3672 or amwasmund@wcu.edu.

Nine dance works that have been included in the Western Carolina University Dance Program’s studio courses this semester will be featured as students and faculty present the Fall Dance Showcase at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, in Hoey Auditorium.

The nine dance pieces will reflect material covered in the courses and fulfill a final performance requirement for dance students, said Ashlee Wasmund, assistant professor and coordinator of the university’s programs in musical theater and dance.

Also on the agenda are three works choreographed by students, with themes ranging from immigration to female empowerment.

After going through a selection process that included the development of a written proposal, four students — Darius “D.J.” Williams, Rebecca Chisholm, Marthaluz Velez and Caleb Warren — were chosen to

• Isis Music Hall (Asheville) will host a live WVL Radio broadcast of “It’s A Wonderful Life” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26. For more information about the performance or to purchase tickets, visit www.isisasheville.com.

ALSO:

Books

Smoky Mountain News

41

Thanks to the librarian who ordered this book cally stand in the presence of China’s Great Wall or Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus,” most of us would find it impossible to see, much less touch, the remaining great manuscripts of the

the Duc de Berry.”

Because the general public can’t join the paleographers allowed to examine these manuscripts first hand, De Hamel brings the man-

Middle Ages. To protect these fragile treasures, museums and libraries have erected near-impenetrable bureaucratic barricades.

“It is easier,” writes De Hamel, “to meet the Pope or the President of the United States than it is to touch the Tres Riches Heures of

uscripts to us. Using several hundred pictures and his vast knowledge of these works of art and literature, De Hamel relates their history and his own adventures in gaining access to them in a style as warm and genial as if we were sitting across from him in pub.

Jeff Minick

How did this happen?

I treasure my local public library for its friendly staff, its vibrant programs for my grandchildren, its many spacious tables, its twin carrels for study and privacy, its sun-lit vestibule where patrons may eat lunch and drink coffee while reading, typing on their laptops, or visiting with friends. The collection of books is unremarkable, but adequate. All in all, I would judge this library a cut above many comparable Writer institutions. The congenial atmosphere is conducive to work, and I come here several afternoons a week to escape my apartment, to work, write, and read, and to browse the stacks when I need a break.

Still, as I say, the collection is nothing special. So how, I wondered this past week, or better yet, why did the library acquire Christopher De Hamel’s Meetings With Remarkable Manuscripts: Twelve Journeys into the Medieval World (Penguin Press, 2017, 632 pages)?

Why had a library with unpretentious holdings selected such a work for purchase? I had never heard of De Hamel or of Meetings With Remarkable Manuscripts, but there the impressive tome sat, hefty and formidable, a battleship among rowboats, dominating by its title, girth, and scholarship the other new books and best-sellers, the biographies of pop stars, the cookbooks, religious tomes, and those self-help paperbacks whose hold on readers is generally as ephemeral as autumn leaves.

Who on earth in our community would read Meetings With Remarkable Manuscripts? And more to the point, what member of the acquisitions staff would order so costly a volume?

Visiting the book for a quarter hour or so shot down these first impressions. Meetings With Remarkable Manuscripts, I decided, might well appeal not only to the select few with an interest in the Middle Ages or illuminated manuscripts, but also to anyone else who might enjoy spending time with an author whose words make history and art come alive.

In his “Introduction,” De Hamel, a cataloguer of medieval manuscripts for Sotheby’s, the premier British auction house, as well as a fellow and former librarian at Cambridge University, explains that while we can physi-

In his discussion of the Carmina Burana, for example, De Hamel opens with a memory of a teacher in his sixth form Latin who brought to class the recording of Carl Orff ’s Carmina. In my own Latin II and III classes, I also used Orff ’s Carmina, and with the same excellent results. The wild music — think of the soundtrack to “Lord of the Rings” — coupled with the lyrics about love, drinking, and the wheel of fortune are ambrosia and honey to students who have endured months of subjunctive verb forms and the various meanings of “cum”.

De Hamel then whisks us off from his student days into the present, when the staff of Munich’s Bayerische Staatsbibliotek, one of the grand libraries in Europe, allows him access to the manuscript. De Hamel dons the library’s requisite white gloves, opens the book, and escorts us through its pages, sharing some the Latin and its English translation, and adding fascinating personal comments during his tour, such as how the gloves became filthy from touching 800 years of accumulated dust, the relationship between Carl Orff ’s Carmina Burana and Nazism, and the number of online hits the Carmina Burana has received vis-à-vis other such manuscripts.

(Probably because of Orff ’s music, the Carmina Burana wins hands down.)

Meetings With Remarkable Manuscripts is a dipper book, a gleaming pool of words and illustrations into which we can plunge where and when we wish. Reading it through cover-to-cover might prove too daunting an undertaking for most of us, but I am certain I shall visit and revisit its pages, finding in the illustrations and fine prose the same delight the book has brought this past week.

A final note: I considered tracking down the librarian who had ordered Meetings With Remarkable Manuscripts to offer congratulations on selecting such a pearl of a book. After some consideration, I changed my mind, fearful that my inquiry and felicitations might inhibit rather than offer encouragement. I therefore offer my appreciation here.

Kudos to you, whoever you are, the perspicacious librarian who brought this wonderful book into the library.

You hit it out of the park with this one, baby.

And to any readers of this review: the holidays are fast upon us. If you have a loved one or friend who likes books, art, history, or any combination of these, Meetings With Remarkable Manuscripts may be just the gift from you.

(Jeff Minick is a writer and teacher.

Minick0301@gmail.com.)

• Jay Watson, the Howry Professor of Faulkner Studies at the University of Mississippi, will be giving a talk at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, in Coulter 304 on the Western Carolina University campus. His title is “William Faulkner’s Great War Modernism: ‘New Death’ in Soldiers’ Pay.” The talk is open to the public. Please contact Mae Miller Claxton atmclaxton@email.wcu.edu with questions.

42

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

BRYSON GETS FISHY The fly fishing museum’s new building will be located just across the street from this fishing pier on Island Street. Holly Kays photos

Fly-fishing museum prepares for expansion

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER n its two years of existence, the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians has shown a willingness to travel.

First, from the mind of fly fishing enthusiast Alen Baker to the wood-paneled space of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce. Then to the sunny Swain County Chamber of Commerce building in downtown Bryson City. And, soon, to a new building on Bryson City’s Island Street, just across the road from the trout-stocked waters of the Tuckasegee River.

To be clear, the existing museum exhibits will remain at the Chamber of Commerce. But the new building will house aquariums and

I

learning centers in addition to new exhibits that take the experience to a whole new level.

“It doubles the capacity of the museum,” Baker said.

The expansion will allow the museum to do what Baker had dreamed it would since he first conceptualized the project in 2012 and opened its doors in Cherokee in 2015.

“When we were in Cherokee, from day one the vision was that we would have aquariums as part of the museum,” he said. “Part of the reason being that people need to see the fish you can go fly fishing for in the Southern Appalachians.”

There was even a room set aside to one day house the aquariums in Cherokee, but when the tribal government abruptly decided

Fish sculptures have arrived Bryson City is making its fish-friendliness known with the installation of three fiberglass fish sculptures throughout town.

Located in front of the Swain County Chamber of Commerce building, at the town square and by the railroad depot, these jumping trout are brightly painted to represent the fish species swimming through Western North Carolina streams — brook, brown and rainbow trout.

The sculptures cost $6,000, including painting and installation, and were paid for by the Swain County Tourism Development Authority using a $1,200 donation from the Tuckaseegee Fly Shop. The sculptures were bought from Minnesota-based Fiber Stock and painted by Ed Ciociolla and Phil Watford. Plaques identifying the type of fish and offering a brief description of the species will be installed this week.

to cancel the lease that allowed the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce — and, by extension, the fly fishing museum — to occupy the space, the fly-fishing museum moved next door to Bryson City, where it was welcomed into the Swain County Chamber of Commerce building. However, that location has no space for aquariums.

Now, county government and the Swain County Tourism Development Authority are teaming up to give the fly-fishing museum the space it’s been dreaming of. The 1,000-squarefoot building is currently under construction a stone’s throw from the heritage barn on Island Drive, where the Swain County Farmers Market is held during the warmer months. Walls are up with a roof soon to come — Baker hopes to hold a soft opening in June, to align with the date that the museum originally opened in Cherokee in 2015, but it’s

Donate to the cause The Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians relies on donations and volunteer support to run, and with the upcoming expansion those contributions will be more vital than ever before.

Information about becoming a member of the museum or making a donation is available at www.flyfishingmuseum.org/join.html.

828.488.3681 or info@flyfishingmuseum.org.

and these projects are a wonderful example of how well partnerships can work with private, public and governmental entities.”

Baker’s hopes are high. There’s currently an expert working on designs for an aquarium system that will feature about five tanks of 300 gallons or more, five smaller tanks of 125-200 gallons and an indoor stream flowing through three smaller tanks, home to all kinds of trout. However, trout won’t be the only native fish swimming through the aquariums. The museum will also display The museum’s existing musky, sunfish, bass, exhibits currently occupying sicklefin redhorse, and the Swain County Chamber of possibly even a hellbender salamander.

Commerce building will “We’re not talking remain in place. about exotic species like tropical fish or anything,” Baker said. “We’re talking about possible the museum won’t be ready until species of the Southern Appalachians that are later in the summer. pretty much available to us.”

Regardless of the exact opening date, Even so, many people who live in or often Swain County Chamber of Commerce visit the area have never seen a live trout or a Director Karen Wilmot is excited about the mess of sunfish. The museum will soon make upcoming expansion.

“We are looking forward to the next phase those experiences easier to come by, and the trout filling the tanks will be the same trout of the fly fishing museum expansion with the that swim in the river just outside the museaquarium and learning center opening next um. The museum board has been collaboratyear,” Wilmot said. “Swain County, with its ing with the N.C. Wildlife Resources miles of streams, rivers and lakes, is the perCommission and the Tennessee Wildlife fect location for the museum and aquarium, Resources Agency to secure the permits necessary to collect and release fish in the wild.

This trout sculpture is Learning will be a heavy emphasis for the located in the center of new space, which will include a classroom town, just across from with wireless internet and a regional center the Swain County for Trout in the Classroom. A program of Heritage Museum.

Trout Unlimited, Trout in the Classroom allows teachers to obtain trout eggs from the state fish hatchery and raise them into small fish over the course of the school year, involving students in the experience throughout the way.

The program teaches aquatic ecology, fish life cycles, water chemistry, math skills and more, but it requires commitment from already overworked teachers and money to get the setup going. The center to be housed at the expanded fly fishing museum will help teachers successfully manage these projects, and Baker also

outdoors

Snowmaking machines prepare Cataloochee Ski Area for the winter.

Donated photo

Cataloochee Ski Area opens After 18 hours of snowmaking, Cataloochee Ski Area opened for the winter on Monday, Nov. 20.

Skiing and riding are now available on two slopes, Easy Way and Rabbit Hill, operated on the Easy Way Triple Chairlift. More slopes will operate as snowmaking progresses and cold weather persists.

Cataloochee typically opens in the first or second week of November each year, making

this year’s Nov. 20 opening slightly later than average. Opening day is dependent on colder temperatures suitable for snowmaking. The ski area plans to remain open through closing day Sunday, March 26, 2018.

The ski area is open daily 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. with an earlier 8:30 a.m. opening on weekends and holidays. It is located at the top of Fie Top Road in Maggie Valley. www.cataloochee.com.

Marilynn Obrig, GRI | 828-550-2810 mobrig@beverly-hanks.com

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Swap out your ski gear

74 N. Main St. | Waynesville

Mills said. “If we already have people wanting to come here and coming here, if we can increase a good experience, that’s good. On this one we cover a lot of bases. We’re covering science, we’re covering nature, people understanding what it takes to live in a balance. There’s a lot going for that.”

The remainder of the funds will come from the Swain County TDA, with Baker and the rest of the museum board working to raise some of the money from donations and fundraising events. Due to increased operational cost at the new building, the museum will begin charging a small admission fee as well, likely $5 or less. TDA money comes from a tax visitors pay when they book a hotel room in the county, so the idea is that if the museum causes more people to travel to Bryson City or entices those already planning trips to extend their stay, the investment could eventually pay for itself.

“I don’t really see things going anywhere but better,” Baker said, “because with the new building there will be probably more interest in the aquariums than in some cases the museum items.”

SENIOR TRIP TO DOLLYWOOD December 11

Depart: 10 a.m. • Return: 10:30 p.m. $

10 for members of the WRC | $12 for non-members

Smoky Mountain News

hopes to provide small grants for teachers wanting to participate.

“That’s a struggle in all schools, to find the money to set it up,” he said. “We’ll do that one way or another. We may have loaner equipment or we’ll do grants to help them buy equipment.”

None of this — the building, the aquariums, staff to run them — comes free, but the community of Swain County and Bryson City has wrapped its arms around the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians, with multiple entities coming together to ensure its success.

Overall, the expansion is expected to cost about $100,000, with Swain County government covering the construction and maintenance of the building, about $20,000 to $25,000. They’re looking for grants to cover as much of that as possible, said Economic Development Director Ken Mills, but will cover it one way or another. It’s hard to argue with the fact that the museum will be nothing but good for Bryson City, Mills said.

“The best phrase is it’s value added,”

November 22-28, 2017

The Cataloochee Ski and Snowboard Swap Shop will return Dec. 2-3 to Cataloochee Ski Area, offering opportunity to ski bums looking for a bargain and gearheads looking to unload excess equipment.

New and slightly used clothing and gear for adults and kids will be offered for sale 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, with vendors able to register and drop off items as early as 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1.

The Swap Shop benefits the Cataloochee Ski Patrol, whose members volunteer their time to conduct the event in exchange for a 25 percent commission on sale proceeds. Unclaimed items are donated to a local charity to further benefit the community. www.cataloochee.com

(plus cost of tickets and food)

WAYNESVILLE

PARKS AND RECREATION 828.456.2030

43

outdoors

Parkside conservation purchase will protect the Smokies Conservation of 147 acres at Stevens Creek, a quiet cove on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Haywood County, will provide further protection for the nation’s most visited national park and the wildlife that calls it home.

November 22-28, 2017

The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy has purchased the property with funds donated by Brad and Shelli Stanbeck, permanently protecting important habitat and water resources near the

remote Cataloochee Valley area of the park.

“Wrapped on three sides by publicly owned land, this pocket of prime forest and open pasture habitat will remain undeveloped for future generations,” said Carl Silverstein, SAHC’s executive director. “The acquisition presents a wonderful opportunity for SAHC to deepen our connection to America’s most visited national park.”

The land shares more than 7,000 feet of its boundary with the national park and serves as a key wildlife corridor for rare and threatened species, including keystone species such as the The Stevens Creek recently property includes reintroboth pasture and forduced elk. est habitat. Donated photo The property also contains nearly 3 miles of streams, including headwater tributaries of Stevens Creek, which drains directly into Waterville Lake and is part of the Pigeon River watershed.

Serve the Smokies The Smokies Service Days A volunteer helps remove program launched this year has invasive English ivy. NPS photo been extended into December, with new opportunities to enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains National Park while also helping maintain its beauty.

The schedule includes a cleanup of the picnic area and campground in the Deep Creek area near Bryson City, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2.

Other dates are a Nov. 25 campground cleanup and a Dec. 9 vegetation management day, both in Elkmont on the Tennessee side of the park.

All service days will begin at 9 a.m. and last through noon, followed by an optional enrichment adventure to immerse participants in the abundant natushoes, as well as providing their own water ral and cultural resources of the park. Each and food. project includes tasks suitable for a wide Sign up at least three days before the range of ages, from children through adults. scheduled event with Logan Boldon, Tools and safety gear will be provided, 865.436.1278 or with participants required to wear longlogan_boldon@partner.nps.gov. sleeve shirts, long pants and closed-toe

Hear the tale of two timber sales Forest ecology experts will lead a hike displaying the after-effects of a sale during an all-day outing Saturday, Dec. 2, in the Pisgah National Forest in Transylvania County.

MountainTrue ecologists will take the group along a U.S. Forest Service road that leads to the first of two timber sales resulting from the Courthouse Project. Topics will include the results of logging in the Southern Appalachians regarding wildlife, soil, water, recreation and scenery. If time allows, the group will also visit Courthouse Falls and Colney Creek Falls.

Moderately difficult. A carpool will meet in Pisgah Forest at 9 a.m. and return by 3:30 p.m. All participants should bring sturdy footwear, water, lunch and weather-appropriate clothing. $10 for MountainTrue members; $30 for nonmembers. Sign up at mountaintrue.org/event/atale-of-two-timber-sales-hike-at-the-panther-branch-at-courthouse-creek.

Work begins to rebuild the roof at Wayah Tower

Smoky Mountain News

Reconstruction has begun to replace the wooden roof of the historic Wayah Bald Fire Tower, which burned up in the Camp Branch Fire during last year’s prolific wildfire season.

Built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the tower is a staple of

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the Nantahala Ranger District, on clear days offering views north to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Tennessee and south to the hills of Georgia.

Depending on weather, the work should be complete in a matter of weeks.

Crews begin work on the new roof substructure. Donated photo

Aquarium grants now available for schools

Smoky Mountain News

The new Aquarium Scholars program is offering students in Title I schools across North Carolina access to aquarium-based education opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math.

Teachers from Title I schools can apply for mini-grants to fund a variety of Aquarium Scholars programs, such as live animals for the classroom, distance learning programs delivering real-time experiences and class trips to the Carolina coast. These opportunities give students the chance to meet fantastic aquatic animals and learn about important conservation topics.

The fund supporting this programming was established by the nonprofit N.C. Aquarium Society, in partnership with the three state aquariums, Jennette’s Pier at Nags Head, N.C. public schools, the Friday Institute at N.C. State University and private donors.

The Friday Institute will partner with the aquariums to evaluate the program and develop standard measurements for its success.

Evaluation of the data will be compiled in an annual report, the first of which will be available near the end of 2018.

Grant applications are available at www.ncaquariums.com/aquarium-scholars.

November 22-28, 2017

Ongoing efforts to revitalize the Franklin River District gained momentum this week when Mainspring Conservation Trust purchased a polluted site in the heart of the area.

The 0.67-acre property was once the Simpson Gas and Oil Company and is located at 544 East Main Street, directly across from Mainspring’s Franklin office. An agreement between the conservation trust and the N.C. Division of Environmental Quality states that the former petroleum distribution facility will be redeveloped into a green space that will complement the historic Nikwasi Mound.

“This acquisition has been in the works for more than two years,” said Ben Laseter, Mainspring’s associate director. “After we went through the extensive learning process of working with state and federal agencies on the brownfield property next door to our office, we felt like we could use that knowledge with other contaminated properties that affect significant cultural sites or properties with high conservation values.”

The old Simpson Gas property, which operated from 1951 to the mid-2000s, made perfect sense, as its proximity to the Little Tennessee River and Nikwasi Mound gives it the potential to improve Franklin’s aesthetic at the eastern entrance to downtown.

Hundreds of individual donors, state and federal environmental agencies, and local entities like the Town of Franklin, Macon County and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are vital to the success of projects like this, Laseter said.

Mainspring is currently pursuing grant funding for cleanup of the site, which it hopes to complete in 2019.

outdoors

Mainspring will clean up polluted oil company site

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outdoors

Magic at the arboretum A 40-minute car ride can be incredibly long for a 9-year-old kid, but as soon as we round the corner to the parking lot of the N.C. Arboretum, Emily is enchanted.

It’s the first day of the arboretum’s annual Winter Lights show, and the trees topping the parking lot’s berms are wound with lights in a rainbow of colors, a taste of

Emily, 9, takes in the quilt garden and 50-foot Christmas tree at Winter Lights. Holly Kays photo

Smoky Mountain News

November 22-28, 2017

the wonders to come once we enter the gardens.

Emily, who I’ve got the privilege of hanging out with through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, oohs and ahhs as we explore walking paths lined with lit-up gumdrops and encounter a quilt garden and 50-foot tree whose lights change and

Nature center lands grant for science outreach A $3,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation will help the Highlands Nature Center support its robust school outreach program.

The nature center offers more than 50 STEM Outreach programs to public, private and homeschool students in pre-K through 12th grade in a multi-county region. These programs supplement existing curricula through additional resources providing outdoor, experiential education opportunities. Last year, the outreach program served nearly 7,000 students through more than 200 programs presented at 49 different schools.

Most schools have limited budgets for programs and field trips — the grant will help the nature center expand its offerings to more schools while continuing to provide its wide variety of science outreach programming with minimal or no fees, resulting in a greater number of students served.

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dance in time with Christmas music playing through hidden speakers. She excitedly checks the paper map we received upon entrance to ensure we visit every numbered exhibit recorded there, racing down stone steps to get a closer look at the model train she’s spotted and barely containing her excitement as she gains control of a button that allows her to make the train’s horn blare.

I’ve been an adult for some time now, and at some point along the way, it seems, the magic of colored lights, festive music and frosty air began to fade, though I didn’t quite notice until given the chance to compare my plodding steps with the exuberance that is being 9 years old and outside in a chilly wintertime wonderland.

Luckily, enthusiasm is contagious, and I think I’ve got a case that will last well through Dec. 25.

Winter Lights is open daily from 6 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 31. Tickets are $18 for adults, $12 for kids 5-11 and free for children 4 and under.

Discounts available for groups and arboretum members. Tickets must be reserved ahead of time at www.ncarboretum.org/exhibitsevents/winter-lights.

— By Holly Kays

CleanSweepFireplace.com

Dogs must be leashed at Bent Creek Unleashed dogs have become a safety issue in the Bent Creek Area of the Pisgah National Forest, prompting the U.S. Forest Service to remind forest users that a leash law is in effect there.

“Unleashed dogs greatly increase the potential for accidents, whether in confrontations with other aggressive dogs, jumping on hikers or chasing runners and bicycles,” said Pisgah District Ranger Dave

Casey.

Dogs also may be tempted to chase wild animals, causing them stress or harm.

At Bent Creek — which is located outside of Asheville — dogs must be kept on a leash of 6 feet or less. An educational campaign launched last spring to help recreationalists understand the need for leashes, and signs were posted in the area. While most dog owners complied with the rule once they understood it, about one-third of them have “persistently continued to ignore it,” Casey said.

828.877.3265.

WNC Calendar COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • Brothers in the Wind toy run is Nov. 25 at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds. 736.2780.

• A job fair is scheduled for 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30, in the lobby of the Harris Regional Hospital Emergency Department in Sylva. Presented by Harris and Swain Community Hospital. Clinical and non-clinical positions available. Complete job listing: www.myharrisregional.com, www.myswaincommunity.com or 586.7408.

• Registration is underway to sign up an entry for the 43rd annual Cashiers Christmas Parade, which is at noon on Saturday, Dec. 9. http://tinyurl.com/y94jp8yd.

• The Town of Sylva and the Sylva Public Art Committee invite artists or artist teams to submit qualifications for an artist to develop a mural concept and for installation of mural by artist(s) on the wall of Ward Plumbing & Heating on Mill Street in downtown Sylva.

Deadline for submission is 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15.

Applications and materials must be received by this date and time to be considered. 586.2719 or townmanager@townofsylva.org.

• Folkmoot is organizing a trip to Greece that will depart Dec. 26 and return on Jan. 3. To register or get more info: http://folkmoot.org/Greece or 452.2997.

• Cruise in Maggie Valley event is held from 1-5 p.m. every Sunday at 2771 Soco Road. Vendors: $10 per space. Cruising@MaggieValleyAntiques.com.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • Registration is underway for the spring semester at Haywood Community College. Classes start Monday, Jan. 8. 627.4500 or haywood.edu.

• A Hunter Safety Course will be offered from 6-9:30 p.m. on Dec. 18-19 on the Haywood Community College Campus, Building 3300, Room 3322, in Clyde.

Participants must attend both nights to receive certification from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

Preregistration required: www.ncwildlife.org.

• Jay Watson, the Howry Professor of Faulkner Studies at the University of Mississippi, will give a talk on “William Faulkner’s Great War Modernism: ‘New Death’ in Soldiers’ Pay” at 4 p.m. on Nov. 30 in Coulter Building, Room 304, at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. atmclaxton@email.wcu.edu.

• Concealed Carry Handgun Classes will be offered from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Dec. 2, Jan. 20 and Feb. 17 at Bethel Grocery Hunting & Fishing at 5692 Pigeon Road in Waynesville. 648.5797 or bethelgrocery@gmail.com.

• Registration is underway for an Agribusiness Summit that will be held from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Haywood Community College. Presented by HCC’s Small Business Center and regional agribusiness partners. Two tracks will be offered: “How to Start a Food-Based Business” and “How to Grow a Food-Based Business.” Register or get more info: http://SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• A TED talk discussion on “How to Spot a Liar” will be offered on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Waynesville Library. 15-20 minute talk followed by discussion.

Registration required: 356.2507 or kolsen@haywoodnc.net.

• Small business owners can find materials and services to support business growth at Fontana Regional Library’s locations in Macon, Jackson and Swain Counties. Computer classes and one-on-one assistance also available. 586.2016 or www.fontanalib.org.

• A meeting of current and former employees of the Waynesville plant of Champion/Blue Ridge/Evergreen is

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted. held at 8 a.m. on the first Monday of each month at BoJangles near Lake Junaluska’s entrance.

• One-on-one computer lessons are offered weekly at the Waynesville and Canton branches of the Haywood County Public Library. Lesson slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Canton and from 3-5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Waynesville Library. Sign up at the front desk of either library or call 356.2507 for the Waynesville Library or 648.2924 for the Canton Library.

VOLUNTEERS & VENDORS • Smoky Mountain Rollergirls and Lil’ Nemesisters will skate and collect nonperishable food at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, during the annual Bryson City Christmas Parade. Search Smoky Mountain Roller Girls on Facebook.

• The Swain County Genealogical & Historical Society will have a holiday party and silent auction at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Swain County Business Education Center, which is at 45 East Ridge Drive in Bryson City.

• The Good Samaritan clinic of Haywood County seeks volunteers to help uninsured patients receive medications, vision care and other health and spiritual-related services in Waynesville. Clinic is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday. 454.5287 or crocco@gcshaywood.org.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking volunteers to assist rangers with managing traffic and establishing safe wildlife viewing areas within the Cataloochee Valley area. To register for training or get more info: karl_danforth@nps.gov.

• Haywood Regional Medical Center is seeking volunteers of all ages for ongoing support at the hospital, outpatient care center and the Homestead. For info and to apply: 452.8301, stop by the information desk in the lobby or volunteer@haymed.org. Anyone interested in becoming a hospice volunteer can call 452.5039.

• STAR Rescue Ranch is seeking volunteers to help with horse care, fundraising events, barn maintenance and more at the only equine rescue in Haywood County.

505.274.9199.

• Volunteer Opportunities are available throughout the region, call John at the Haywood Jackson Volunteer Center today and get started sharing your talents. 3562833 • Phone Assurance Volunteers are needed to make daily or weekly wellness check-in calls for the Haywood County Senior Resource Center. 356.2816.

HEALTH MATTERS • The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1-6 p.m. on Nov. 25 at the Swain County Chamber of Commerce in Bryson City. Redcrossblood.org or 800.733.2767.

• HIV and syphilis testing will is offered during normal business hours at Jackson County Department of Public Health in Sylva. 586.8994.

Smoky Mountain News

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Nov. 28 at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Redcrossblood.org or 800.733.2767.

• A Shine a Light on Lung Cancer event will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at the Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center in Waynesville. Lung cancer specialists speak about screening, disease, treatment and support options. www.lungcancerfoundation.org.

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Nov. 29 at the Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. Redcrossblood.org or 800.733.2767.

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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

• The Autism Society of North Carolina will hold an Autism 101 Workshop & Chapter Meeting from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3, at Bethel Church in Franklin. Potluck dinner and workshop. maconchapter@autismsocietync.org or 419.392.7370.

Room at the Jackson County Senior Center in Sylva and at 5:30 p.m. on the second Thursday at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Info: 293.2503.

• A support group for anyone with MS, family & friends meets monthly at 6:45 p.m. on the3rd Tuesday of each month at the conference room of Jackson Co. Library in Sylva. No Fee, sponsored by National MS Society. Local contact: Gordon Gaebel 828-293-2503.

• Free childbirth and breastfeeding classes are available at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva. Classes are offered bimonthly on an ongoing basis. Register or get more info: 586.7907.

• “Laughing Balsam Sangha,” a meeting for Mindfullness in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, meets will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays at 318 Skyland Drive in Sylva. Included are sitting and walking meditation, and Dharma discussion. Free admission.

335.8210, and “Like” them on Facebook.

• A “Walk With A Doc” program is scheduled for 10 a.m. each Saturday at the Lake Junaluska Kern Center or Canton Rec Park.

MyHaywoodRegional.com/WalkwithaDoc. • Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACA) meets at noon on Saturdays at the First United Methodist Church Outreach Center at 171 Main St. in Franklin. 407.758.6433 or adultchildren.org.

• Western Carolina University’s student-run, Mountain Area Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic will be open from 6-8:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. 227.3527.

• The Haywood County Health & Human Services Public Health Services Division is offering a Night Clinic from 4-6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of every month in Waynesville. Services include family planning, immunizations, pregnancy testing, STD testing and treatment. Appointments: 452.6675.

• The Jackson County Department of Public Health will offer a general clinic from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 587.8225.

• A Food Addicts Anonymous Twelve-Step fellowship group meets at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays at Grace Church in the Mountains in Waynesville. www.foodaddictsanonymous.org.

• Big Brother/Big Sister, a one-evening preparation class for children who are about to greet a new baby into their family, is offered for children ages 3-10 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. 452.8440 or MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses.

• Mothers Connection, an ongoing social gathering for mothers and their babies, meets from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Thursdays excluding holidays at Haywood Regional Medical Center. 452.8440 or MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses.

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 2-6 p.m. on Nov. 27 at Center Pigeon Fire Department in Canton. Redcrossblood.org or 800.733.2767.

• A support group meeting for those with Parkinsons Disease and their caregivers will be held at 2 p.m. on the last day Wednesday of the month at the Waynesville Senior Resource Center.

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Nov. 27 at Lowe’s in Franklin.

Redcrossblood.org or 800.733.2767.

• A support group for anyone with Multiple Sclerosis, family and friends meets twice each month: at 2 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month in the Heritage

• Dogwood Insight Center presents health talks at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.

• Angel Medical Center’s diabetes support group meets at 4 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the AMC dining room. 369.4166.

• A free weekly grief support group is open to the public from 12:30-2 p.m. on Thursdays at SECU Hospice House in Franklin. Hosted by Four Seasons Compassion for Life Bereavement Team. 692.6178 or mlee@fourseasonscfl.org.

• A monthly grief processing support group will meet from 4-5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Homestead Hospice and Palliative Care in Clyde.

452.5039.

• A free, weekly grief support group will meet from 12:30-2 p.m. on Thursdays at the SECU Hospice House in Franklin. 692.6178 or mlee@fourseasonscfl.org.

• “ECA on the Move!” – a walking program organized

by Jackson County Extension and Community Association – meets from 9-10 a.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. It’s an effort to meet the American Heart Association’s recommendation of 10,000 steps per day. 586.4009.

• A Tuesday Meditation Group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Franklin.

RECREATION AND FITNESS • Pickleball, a cross between tennis, badminton and ping-pong, will be offered from 9 a.m.-noon on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Old Hazelwood Gym in Waynesville. $3 per visit, or $20 for a 10-visit card.

452.6789 or drtaylor@haywoodnc.net.

• Yoga is being offered at the Fitness Connection in Waynesville. First class is free. Info: 476.0179 or 550.1640.

• ZUMBA! Classes, are offered from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesdays, at the Canton Armory. $5 per class. 648.2363 or parks@cantonnc.com.

• Tai chi is offered from 10:45-11:45 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center. It’s also offered from 1-2 p.m. on Thursdays. Taught by Bill Muerdter. For info about the classes or HRHFC memberships and offerings, call 452.8080 or visit MyHaywoodRegional.com/Fitness.

• Ultimate Frisbee games are held from 5:30-8 p.m. on Mondays at the Cullowhee Recreation Park. Organized

by Jackson County Parks & Recreation. Pick-up style.

293.2053 or www.rec.jacksonnc.org.

• The Wednesday Croquet Group meets from 10 a.m.-

wnc calendar

noon at the Vance Street Park across from the shelter.

For senior players ages 55 or older. 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Pickleball is from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday nights at First Methodist Church in Sylva. $1 each time you play; equipment provided. 293.3053.

• Cardio Lunch class will meet from noon-1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Waynesville Recreation Center. For ages 16 and above. Cost is regular admission fee to the rec center or free for members.

456.2030 or tplowman@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Flexible Fitness class will meet from 4:30-5:15 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Waynesville Recreation Center. For ages 16 and above. Cost is regular admission fee to the rec center or free for members. 456.2030 or tplowman@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Pump It Up class will meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Waynesville Recreation Center. For ages 16 and above. Cost is regular admission fee to the rec center or free for members. 456.2030 or tplowman@waynesvillenc.gov.

• The Canton Armory is open to the public for walking from 7:45-9 a.m. on Monday through Friday unless the facility is booked till spring. 648.2363. parks@cantonnc.com.

• Pickle ball is offered from 8 a.m.-noon on Mondays through Fridays at the Waynesville Recreation Center.

456.2030 or www.waynesvillnc.gov.

SPIRITUAL • Toy Jam Seven featuring Tribe Called Praise and special guest Emily Franklin is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, at Webster Baptist Church. Message, music, refreshments and fellowship. Admission: new, unopened and unwrapped toy.

November 22-28, 2017

POLITICAL • The Jackson County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 3 p.m. on Nov. 27 at the Justice & Administration Building, 401 Grindstaff Cove Road, Room A201 in Sylva to receive public input concerning a request by Western Carolina University to waive requirements of a Wireless Communications Ordinance. Citizens are invited to make written or oral comments.

• The Democratic Women of Macon County will meet from 5:30-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at the home of Sharon Ramsey at 3809 Bryson City Road.

• The Jackson County Republican Party will have a Prayer Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, at Comfort Inn in Sylva. 743.6491.

Smoky Mountain News

• An info session with Phillip Price, who’s running for Congress, is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 at Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub in Franklin. 659.7000 or www.price4wnc.com.

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• Tickets are on sale for the 25th annual Charles Taylor Holiday Dinner, which is Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Crown Plaza Resort in Asheville. Taylor is the longestserving Republican U.S. Representative in WNC history (1991-2007). Tickets: $60. Checks can be mailed to Charles Taylor, P.O. Box 7587, Asheville, NC 28802.

Info: 243.2187 or tasmothers@yahoo.com.

• The Haywood County Libertarian Party is now meeting at Blue Ridge Books on Main Street from 4:30-6 p.m. every second Monday of the month. These meetings will be for discussion on current events, and are open to the public.

• A lunch-and-discussion group will be held by the League of Women Voters at noon on the second Thursday of each month at Tartan Hall of the First Presbyterian Church in Franklin. RSVP for lunch: lwvmacon@wild-dog-mountain.info or 524.8369.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES • A Life @ Western program entitled “Elder Law: What are the protections?” with Richard Kort is scheduled for Nov. 28 at Western Carolina University’s H.F. Robinson Building Auditorium. For people over 50. life@wcu.edu or 227.3022.

• The Mexican Train Dominoes Group seeks new players to join games at 1:30 p.m. each Tuesday at the Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 926.6567.

• Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina – an effort to help area residents commit to a healthier lifestyle, will meet from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville.

• A Silver Sneakers Cardio Fit class will meet from 1011 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Waynesville Recreation Center. For ages 60 and above. Cost is regular admission fee to the rec center or free for members. 456.2030 or tplowman@waynesvillenc.gov.

• 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 • Senior croquet for ages 55 and older is offered from 9-11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Vance Street Park in front of Waynesville Recreation Center.

Free. For info, contact Donald Hummel at 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

• A Hand & Foot card game is held at 1 p.m. on Mondays 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 10 a.m. on Wednesdays at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2813.

• Hearts is played at 12 p.m. on Wednesdays at

Puzzles can be found on page 54.

These are only the answers.

Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville.

356.2813.

• Mah Jongg is played at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville.

356.2813.

• Registration is underway for the Balsam Range Art of Music Fetival, which is Dec. 1-2 at Lake Junaluska.

Featuring some of the top bluegrass and acoustic musicians in the nation. www.lakejunaluska.com.

HOLIDAY KIDS & FAMILIES • A kids’ nature discovery program will be offered to ages 3-5 and kindergarten through third grade through the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department.

Younger ages will meet at 4 p.m. on Wednesday (Dec. 20) at Cullowhee Recreation Center. The older ages meet at 9 a.m. on Wednesday (Dec. 20). $10 per child.

Pre-register: www.rec.jacksonnc.org.

• A “Youth Art Class” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday at the Appalachian Art Farm on 22 Morris Street in Sylva. All ages welcome. $10 includes instruction, materials and snack. For more information, email appalachianartfarm@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.

• Registration is underway for Lake Junaluska’s winter youth retreats, which start Dec. 29. Register or get more info: 800.222.4930 or www.lakejunaluska.com/winteryouth.

KIDS FILMS • “Coco” is playing Nov. 22 at 4:15 p.m. & 7 p.m., Nov. 23 at 4 p.m. & 7 p.m., Nov. 24 - 26 at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m., and Nov. 27-30 at 7 p.m. in Waynesville at the Strand on Main. See website, 38main.cc for prices.

• The annual “Christmas On the Green” celebration will kick off Nov. 24 at The Village Green in Cashiers.

• Waynesville Christmas Parade is at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 4, on Main Street. info@downtownwaynesville.com or 456.3517.

• Registration is underway to sign up an entry for the 43rd annual Cashiers Christmas Parade, which is at noon on Saturday, Dec. 9. http://tinyurl.com/y94jp8yd.

• The 30th annual “Hard Candy Christmas” Arts & Crafts show will be held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 24-25, inside the Ramsey Center at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Displays from local artisans, guitar strumming and carols. $5 for a two-day pass; free for children under 12. www.MountainArtisans.net or djhunter155@gmail.com.

• There will be a community potluck, live music and an outdoor movie from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at Darnell Farms in Bryson City. Dinner indoors with live music. Bring a side dish or donation. Outdoor screening of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” after the meal. Please bring your own chairs.

• The “Spirit of Christmas” will be celebrated from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, in downtown Bryson City.

800.867.9246 or www.greatsmokies.com.

• “Leap” is playing at Mad Batter Food & Film Nov. 24 at 6:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m., Nov. 25 at 7 p.m., and Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. in Sylva. Free. 586.3555.

• Registration is underway for the Franklin Christmas Parade, which is set for 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26. $25 per entry. Deadline is Nov. 23. 524.3161.

• “Despicable Me 3” will be playing at the Mad Batter Food & Film on Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. in Sylva. Free. 586.3555• A family movie will be shown at 10:30 a.m. every Friday at Hudson Library in Highlands.

With the theme “Winter Wonderland Nights,” there will be a special holiday celebration at 5 p.m. Nov. 25 and Dec 2 in downtown Franklin. 524.3161 or www.franklin-chamber.com

A&E FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS • “Art After Dark” will be from 6 to 9 p.m. the first Friday of the month (May-December), in downtown Waynesville. Each Main Street transforms into an evening of art, music, finger foods, beverages and shopping as artisan studios and galleries keep their doors open later for local residents and visitors. www.waynesvillegalleryassociation.com.

•The “Polar Express” will depart though Nov. 22 and Nov. 24-26 from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot in Bryson City. For more information on departures or to purchase tickets, click on www.gsmr.com.

• “Letters to Santa” will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Dec. 23 at the Swain County Heritage Museum in Bryson City. Drop a line for Santa. Materials provided. Call the museum for Santa appearances: 800.867.9246.

• Tickets are on sale for the N.C. Arboretum’s Winter Lights event, which runs through Dec. 31. Tickets: $18 for adults; $12 for children and $15 per person in groups of 20 or more. Members get a $2 discount per ticket. www.ncwinterlights.com.

• “Lighting Up Maggie Valley” will be held from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25, at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Tree lighting, Santa strut contest, pictures with Santa, live music, food and coat donations, ugly sweater contest, and much more.

• An Open Door Meal & Sing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at First United Methodist Church of Sylva. Gospel Christian music provided by Turning Home. 586.2358.

• Luminaries will be placed on the old Jackson County Courthouse steps and down historic Main Street Sylva on the evenings of Dec. 1-2 and Dec. 8-9. Luminaries will be placed by the First Presbyterian Church of Sylva.

• The annual “Lights & Luminaries” will return to the streets of downtown Dillsboro Dec. 1-2 and 8-9. www.visitdillsboro.org.

• Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation will have its annual gift-wrapping project for shoppers during regular stores from Dec. 2-24 at Mast General Store on Main Street in Waynesville. Organizers need wrapping materials and volunteers to work three-hour shifts.

Sign up: http://tinyurl.com/yco6ssdo. www.sargeanimals.org.

• The Brasstown Ringers will present their “Bells of Christmas Past” Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. on Dec. 1 in the First United Methodist Church in Franklin.

• The First Presbyterian Church of Waynesville will hold its fifth annual Christmas Cheer Breakfast from 8-11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2. Donations accepted.

• The 13th annual “Christmas Worship in a Stable” is scheduled for 5:30-6:10 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, at the 3rd Generation Barn Loft Farm outside of Canton.

Donations accepted of canned food items for the Community Kitchen in Canton. Christmas carols, story, live animals and special music and lighting.

• The Sylva Christmas Parade will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in downtown. For more information, call 828.586.2719 or click on www.mainstreetsylva.org.

• The “Christmas in the Mountains” indoor arts and crafts show will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Stecoah Valley Center. www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.

• The “Fireside Sale” will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at the Joh C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown. Holiday gifts made by local and regional artisans. Free admission. 800.FOLK.SCH. • Haywood Community Chorus will have its annual Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3, at the Waynesville First United Methodist Church. Featuring John Rutter’s “Magnificat.”

• The Macon County Public Library and Friends of the Macon County Public Library will co-sponsor a Christmas-themed story time with Christmas caroling at 10 a.m. on Dec. 5 in the library’s living room. Visit from Santa Claus.

• A performance of Handel’s Messiah is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 8 at Lake Junaluska. www.lakejunaluska.com.

• The Appalachian Christmas Craft Show is from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Dec. 8 at Lake Junaluska. Live music, meals and artistry. www.lakejunaluska.com.

• Margaret Roberts and friends will help you make holiday cards during Night Before Christmas from 6-9 p.m. on Dec. 9 at Twigs and Leaves Gallery in Waynesville. http://twigsandleaves.com or 456.1940.

• Cherokee’s Christmas parade is at 2 p.m. on Dec. 9 in Cherokee. 359.6491.

• Cherokee Lights & Legends is Dec. 9-17 at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds. 359.6492.

• A Night Before Christmas is happening Dec. 9 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown Waynesville. Lights, luminaries, wagon rides, music, Santa, shopping and so much more. www.visitncsmokies.com.

• The Brasstown Ringers will present their “Bells of Christmas Past” Christmas Concert at 5 p.m. on Dec. 17 at the First Baptist Church in Robbinsville.

FOOD & DRINK • Registration is underway for the Thanksgiving Buffet at Lake Junaluska. Event is Nov. 23.

Reservations required. www.lakejunaluska.com.

• Tickets are on sale for the Downtown Sylva Wine Walk, which is at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7. Sample food and wines at eight venues. Tickets: $45 or $40 and a donation of a nonperishable food item for the Community Table.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • The Highlands Performing Arts Center will present “A Mountain Faith Christmas” at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24. Featuring Mountain Faith Band. Tickets: highlandspac.org or 526.9047.

• Summer McMahan & Mountain Faith Band will premiere their new Christmas DVD at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Tickets are $10. www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

• Isis Music Hall (Asheville) will host a live WVL Radio broadcast of “It’s A Wonderful Life” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26. For more information about the performance or to purchase tickets, click on www.isisasheville.com.

• The Western Carolina University Wind Ensemble will premiere a new symphony at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center on WCU’s campus in Cullowhee. Symphony is by Dan Welcher and inspired by three national parks, including the Great Smoky Mountains.

227.7242.

• Western Carolina University Dance Program will feature the Fall Dance Showcase at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, in Hoey Auditorium in Cullowhee. Nine dance

Smoky Mountain News

• The old-fashioned “Christmas at Cowee School” will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the school in Franklin. For more information, please contact Claire Suminksi at 828.369.5417, email claire@dometrics.com or visit the Cowee School website at www.coweeschool.org.

• Appalachian Christmas at Lake Junaluska is Dec. 710. Live music, meals and artistry. Includes performance of Handel’s “Messiah,” Lake Junaluska Singers Christmas Concert, Cockman Family performs and Appalachian Christmas Craft Show. www.lakejunaluska.com.

November 22-28, 2017

• The Haywood County “Master Gardener WreathMaking Event” will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Cooperative Extension Office in Waynesville. Sessions are from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. at the Cooperative Extension Office at 589 Raccoon Road.

Cost is $20 for one wreath, including all materials.

Limited to 40 people per session. If you have any questions, contact Andre’ Haas at ajhaas1958@gmail.com or 593.0862. Proceeds from this Wreath-Making Event fund horticultural projects and grants in Haywood County.

• “Breakfast with Santa” will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Rescue Squad Building in Bryson City. Pancake breakfast ($5). Bring your own camera. 828.488.3681.

• The Brasstown Ringers will present their “Bells of Christmas Past” Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. on Dec. 8 at the John C. Campbell Folk School’s Keith House Community Room in Brasstown.

wnc calendar

• Margaret Roberts and friends will help you make holiday cards during Art After Dark from 6-9 p.m. on Dec. 1 at Twigs and Leaves Gallery in Waynesville. http://twigsandleaves.com or 456.1940.

• Very Merry Market, a healthy, handmade holiday pop-up is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7, at Room 190s, South Main Street in Waynesville.

Featuring doTerra Essential Oils, Stonehouse Pottery, drinking glasses by Jennifer Mathis, watercolor prints

by Ami Pruett Art, handcrafted jewelry by Vella Creative, felted wool creations by Erin Boyd and artisan tea gift baskets. Register: http://tinyurl.com/y7zb5jdu.

49

wnc calendar

works, three choreographed by students. Admission: $1 at the door. Donations accepted. 227.3672 or amwasmund@wcu.edu.

• Western Carolina University’s School of Music presents is annual “Sounds of the Season” concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center on WCU’s campus in Cullowhee.

Advance tickets (before Nov. 27): $15 for adults; $10 for WCU, faculty, staff and anyone 60 or older. At the door: $20 for adults; $15 for WCU faculty and staff and anyone over 60; $5 for students and children. Proceeds benefit the School of Music Scholarship Fund.

Bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or 227.2479.

The rapid-fire tap dancing squad Rhythmic Circus will perform a special holiday show “Red and Green” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Bardo Arts Center in Cullowhee.

• The Cockman Family will perform a concert at 2 p.m. on Dec. 9 at Lake Junaluska. www.lakejunaluska.com.

• The Lake Junaluska Singers will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 at Lake Junaluska. www.lakejunaluska.com.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • Three metal-working courses will be offered in November with local metalsmith William Rogers: Blacksmithing basics, hammered copper and mobile wind sculpture. For families, groups of friends, couples and children. Afternoon classes from 3-6 p.m.; evening classes from 5:30-8:30 p.m. For info and to register: RogersMetals@gmail.com or 293.3777.

Smoky Mountain News

November 22-28, 2017

• Celebrating the numerous local artisans in our backyard, the Graham County Artisan Drive-About tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 24-25.

The Schoolhouse Café at the Stecoah Valley Center will be open for light snacks both days of the tour. www.stecoahvalleycenter.com/artisans.

50

• A Small Business Saturday Pop-Up Shop will be offered on Nov. 25 at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville. Jewelry, accessories, home goods and “Small Works” exhibition. SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• The eighth Autumn Balsam Arts and Craft Show is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Nov. 25 at the Balsam Fire Department. Local handmade arts and crafts. A portion of entry fees benefit the fire department.

• A “DIY with the Library” program on homemade frozen yogurt will be offered from 2-3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28. For details and reservations: 356.2800.

• Wire art artist Lawrie Williams will hold a Holiday Ornament Wire Art class from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office in Sylva. Colored wire Christmas ornaments, including a wire angel. $10. Register or get info: 586.4009.

• Cowee Christmas, a “Show and Sell Fine Art and Craft Show” will be presented by Doug and Patti Hubbs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, at Cowee School, Arts & Heritage Center in Franklin. Live music and a “Holiday ArtSaturday Free Arts and Craft for kids” from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 369.5417, Claire@dometrics.com or www.coweeschool.org.

• Glass Ornament classes will be offered on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. $30 per time slot. Each time slot is 30 minutes; slots available from 10 a.m.-4 p.mk. Pre-register: 631.0271. Ages 13-18 may participate with parent present. www.jcgep.org.

• Glass Ornament classes will be offered on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. $30 per time slot. Each time slot is 30 minutes; slots available from noon-2 p.m. Pre-register: 631.0271. Ages 13-18 may participate with parent present. www.jcgep.org.

• Glass Ornament classes will be offered on Thursday, Dec. 7 at Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. $30 per time slot. Each time slot is 30 minutes; slots available from noon-2 p.m. Pre-register: 631.0271. Ages 13-18 may participate with parent present. www.jcgep.org.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES • Linda Dickinson’s display of black-and-white photography is being displayed at the Canton Public Library Meeting Room in Canton. Show is entitled “Waynesville and Environs, a Black & White Perspective.” 648.2924.

• A showcase of artwork from Justin Moe will be on display through the month of November at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. artbyjustinmoe.weebly.com or www.facebook.com/artbyjustinmoe.

• The Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at Bardo Arts Center will host the exhibit “WCU Collects: Recent Acquisitions” through Jan. 26. 227.3591.

• Gallery 1 in Sylva is featuring small works of art for sale by its artist members. The exhibit will run through Nov. 30. Opening hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. www.gallery1sylva.com, www.facebook.com/artinthemountains and www.instagram.com/gallery1_sylva.

• In the WCU Fine Art Museum main gallery through Dec. 8 is the nationally traveling exhibition “Return from Exile: Contemporary Southeastern Indian Art,” curated by Tony A. Tiger, Bobby C. Martin, and Jace Weaver. This exhibition showcases a selection of artworks recently given to the museum and includes a number of artists not previously represented in the collection. www.wcu.edu.

• The Haywood County Arts Council annual show, “It’s a Small, Small Work,” will be held through Dec. 23 in HCAC Gallery & Gifts in Waynesville.www.haywoodarts.org or 452.0593.

• New artist and medium will be featured every month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

• The Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at the Bardo Arts Center is pleased to present the exhibition “WCU Collects: Recent Acquisitions” through Jan. 26 in Cullowhee. go.wcu.edu/wcucollects or call 828.227.3591.

after-effects of a sale during an all-day outing on Saturday, Dec. 2, in the Pisgah National Forest in Transylvania County. Moderately difficult. $10 for MountainTrue members; $30 for nonmembers. Sign up: http://tinyurl.com/ycgbjbv3.

• A Smokies Service Day is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Dec. 2 at Deep Creek. Picnic area and campground clean-up. Volunteer: 865.436.1278 or logan_boldon@partner.nps.gov.

• A Spay/Neuter Clinic is offered from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays at 182 Richland Street in Waynesville. As low as $10. 452.1329.

• A weekly nighttime mountain bike ride is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Mondays from the Ledford Branch Trailhead at Bent Creek in Asheville. Organized by Motion Makers Bicycles. 633.2227.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club holds a Saturday Work Hike on the fourth Saturday of each month. 369.1983.

• A cycling ride leaves at 8 a.m. on Saturdays from South Macon Elementary School. Routes vary with distances typically 15-25 miles. Road bikes only. A no drop ride. Organized by Smoky Mountain Bicycles, 828.369.2881 or info@smokymtnbikes.com.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park is recruiting volunteers to assist the Trails Forever trail crew for a rehabilitation project on the Rainbow Falls Trail from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Sign up or get more info: 497.1949, Adam_Monroe@nps.gov or https://friendsofthesmokies.org/trailsforever/volunteer.

COMPETITIVE EDGE • Registration is underway for the Cold Turkey 5K, which starts at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 23 in Franklin.

The Little Turkeys FUN! Run/Walk for kids will begin at 9 a.m. with the 5K starting at 9:30 a.m. The route goes along the Little Tennessee Greenway. A portion of the funds will go to a nonprofit in Macon County, to be announced at a later date. $25. www.active.com.

FARM AND GARDEN FILM & SCREEN • “Atomic Blonde” is playing at Mad Batter Food & Film on Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. in Sylva. Free. 586.3555.

• “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” will be playing at the Mad Batter Food & Film on Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. in Sylva.

Free. 586.3555.

• “Logan Lucky” will be playing at the Mad Batter Food & Film on Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Sylva. Free. 586.3555.

• “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” will be playing at 7 p.m. on Dec. 14, 7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m. on Dec. 15, 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m., 9:55 p.m., on Dec. 16, 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m., on Dec. 17, and at 7 p.m. on Dec. 18-21 at the Strand on Main in Waynesville. See website for tickets and pricing. www.38main.com.

• Free movies are shown every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva.

Madbatterfoodfilm.com.

• Haywood County Extension is accepting applications for the 2018 Master Gardener class, which will be held Tuesday mornings from Jan. 9-April 24. 456.3575 or sarah_scott@ncsu.edu.

FARMERS MARKET • The Jackson County Farmers Market will have market from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays at The Community Table. Info: 393.5236. jacksoncountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com or website jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org.

• A community tailgate market for local growers is open from 3-7 p.m. every Wednesday at The Village Green Commons in Cashiers. 734.3434, info@villagegreencashiersnc.com or www.villagegreencashiersnc.com.

HIKING CLUBS

Outdoors

• The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking volunteers to help care for Elkmont Campground at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25. 865.436.1265.

• The Cataloochee Ski and Snowboard Swap Shop is Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2-3, at Cataloochee Ski Area. New and slightly used clothing and gear for adults and kids will be offered from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday. www.cataloochee.com.

• Forest ecology experts will lead a hike displaying the

• The Great Smoky Mountains National Park will offer a guided hike with a ranger at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 24, on Mingus Creek Trail. 4.2 miles. Meet in the Mingus Mill parking area, less than a mile north of the Oconaluftee Visitor Center along Newfound Gap Road.

497.1904.

• The Great Smoky Mountains National Park will offer a guided hike with a ranger at 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 24, in Cucumber Gap near Elkmont. Easy, 4.8 miles. Meet at Little River Trailhead, seven miles west of Sugarlands Visitor Center in Elkmont. 865.436.1291.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a moderate 6mile hike with an elevation change of 1,000 feet on Saturday, Dec. 2, on Long Branch Trail. Reservations and info: 369.1983.

• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take an easy 3.5-mile

hike with an elevation change of 500 feet on Dec. 3 on the Wayah Bald Loop. Reservations and info: 524.5298.

• Nantahala Hiking Club holds monthly trail maintenance days from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on every fourth Saturday at 173 Carl Slagle Road in Franklin. Info and to register: 369.1983.

• Hike of the Week is at 10 a.m. every Friday at varying locations along the parkway. Led by National Park Service rangers. www.nps.gov/blri or 298.5330, ext.

304.

• Friends of the Smokies hikes are offered on the second Tuesday of each month. www.friendsofthesmokies.org/hikes.html.

• Nantahala Hiking Club based in Macon County holds weekly Saturday hikes in the Nantahala National Forest and beyond. www.nantahalahikingclub.org • High Country Hikers, based out of Hendersonville but hiking throughout Western North Carolina, plans hikes every Monday and Thursday. Schedules, meeting places and more information are available on their website, www.highcountryhikers.org.

• Carolina Mountain Club hosts more than 150 hikes a year, including options for full days on weekends, full days on Wednesdays and half days on Sundays. Nonmembers contact event leaders. www.carolinamountainclub.org • Mountain High Hikers, based in Young Harris, Ga., leads several hikes per week. Guests should contact hike leader. www.mountainhighhikers.org.

• Smoky Mountain Hiking Club, located in East Tennessee, makes weekly hikes in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park as well as surrounding areas. www.smhclub.org.

• Benton MacKaye Trail Association incorporates outings for hikes, trail maintenance and other work trips.

No experience is necessary to participate. www.bmta.org.

• Diamond Brand’s Women’s Hiking Group meets on the third Saturday of every month. For more information, e-mail awilliams@diamondbrand.com or call 684.6262.

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 North Carolina Catch program, a three-phase conservation education effort focusing on aquatic environments, will be offered through May 15. The program is offered by the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department. Free for members; daily admission for non-members. 456.2030 or tpetrea@waynesvillenc.gov.

• An RV camping club, the Vagabonds, camps one weekend per month from April through November. All ages welcome. No dues or structured activities. For details, write lilnau@aol.com or call 369.6669.

• The Cataloochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited meets the second Tuesday of the month starting with a dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Rendezvous restaurant located on the corner of Jonathan Creek Road and Soco Road in Maggie Valley. 631.5543.

• Cold Mountain Photographic Society is a camera/photography club for amateurs and professionals who want to learn about and share their knowledge of photography with others. Must be 18 or older to join.

Meetings are held at 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month in the conference room of Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center, 262 Leroy George Drive in Clyde. More information at www.cmpsnc.org or info@cmpsnc.org.

PRIME REAL ESTATE Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

■ $300 — Statewide classifieds run in 117 participating newspapers with 1.6 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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AUCTION

BUSINESS LIQUIDATION Auction of Parks & Son, Inc. an Unfinished & Finished Ammunition Wholesaler in Advance, NC, Online Only, Bidding Begins Closing 11/28, 11/29 & 11/30 at 12pm, ironhorseauction.com, 800.997.2248, NCAL 3936 DECEASED ESTATE AUCTION Luxury Watches-Pens-CufflinksKnives-Moravian Antiques-Silver Spoons-Furniture-Books-18KGold Pocket Watches-Gold Jewelry! Saturday Dec. 2 @ 12:00 NOON 9497 NC Hwy 150 Clemmons, NC 27012 LEINBACH AUCTION&REALTY, LLC 336.416.9614 - NCAL #5871 AUCTIONZIP.COM #5969 SOLD! ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION In over 100 newspapers across the state for only $375. Call Wendi Ray at NC Press Services, 919.516.8009

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www.smokymountainnews.com

November 22-28, 2017

WNC MarketPlace

EMPLOYMENT THE JACKSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH Is seeking a Public Health Nurse II whose primary responsibilities will be to work in the clinic, serving as the OB Care Program Manager: All RNs are encouraged to apply. The purpose of this position is to be responsible for the assessment of high risk pregnancies and follows them through the post-partum period.

Applicants must have the ability to be a strong team member with physicians and office staff, excellent communication and organizational skills along with good computer skills. MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERINCE: Graduation from a four-year college or university with a B.S. in Nursing which includes a Public Health Nursing rotation and one year of Public Health Nursing experience: or Master’s in Public Health and graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing and one year of professional nursing experience; or graduation from a school of professional nursing and two years of professional nursing experience including one year of Public Health Nursing experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Possess a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina. Possess and maintain a valid NC Driver’s License.

The starting salary is Grade 26, $43,340.37. To apply, please submit a State application (PD 107) to NC Works Career Center; 26 Ridgeway Street, Suite 2; Sylva NC 28779. A State application for Employment (PD107) can be found on line at: http://www.jacksonnc.org/employment-opportunities.html.

Closing date is: Open until filled.

Jackson County is an Equal Opportunity Employer Pre-employment drug screen and criminal background checks are required.

Jackson County participates in the federal E-Verify program.

EMPLOYMENT

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS RAILROAD IN BRYSON CITY Is currently hiring for THE POLAR EXPRESS! We have vacancies for Event Staff (Polar Express Chefs) to work on Train.

Earn train passes, retail & food discounts, passes to area attractions and more!

Full Job Descriptions and Applications are Available at: www.gsmr.com/jobs You may also get an application from the Bryson City Depot.

- FRONT DESK Full Time or Part Time: Maggie Valley Cabin Resort Seeks a Versatile, Energetic & Experienced Front Desk Employee. Customer Service & Computer Exp. Req. Weekends, Nights & Holidays a Must! Call for more info 828.926.1388 NCCAT AT CULLOWHEE Seeks a Permanent Full-time HOUSEKEEPER Salary Range: $23,332 - $28,870 This position will be responsible for a wide variety of housekeeping responsibilities, trash removal, maintaining an inventory of supplies, conference room setup, maintaining guest information, assisting in transporting groups of participants, and other duties as assigned.

This position is 40 hours per week with benefits.

Applications may be filed online until November 28, 2017, 5PM at https://oshr.nc.gov/work-for-nc Questions about this job? Please call Kathy Wong or Tina Wilson at 828.293.5202 NC State Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

LOCAL DRIVERS WANTED! Be your own boss. Flexible hours.

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Must be 21 with valid U.S. drivers license, insurance & reliable vehicle. Call 855.750.9313

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EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

NCCAT AT CULLOWHEE Seeks Permanent Part-time DISHWASHER Salary Range: $17,499 - $17,762 This position will be responsible for washing dishes, day-to-day sanitation, and other general cleaning duties of the kitchen.

This position is 30 hours per week with benefits.

Applications will be accepted online until November 28, 2017, at 5:00 P.M. EST at: https://www.governmentjobs.co m/careers/northcarolina/jobs/1 780729/dishwasher Please call Ian Talarico at 828.293.5202 if you have questions about this job.

NC State Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINING Get FAA certification to fix planes.

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Financial Aid if qualified. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866.441.6890 SAPA FTCC Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following positions: Security Officer. For detailed information and to apply, please visit our employment portal at: https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.com Human Resources Office Phone: 910.678.7342 Internet: http://www.faytechcc.edu An Equal Opportunity Employer

HOME CARE PARTNERS Is now accepting applications for CNA’s and In-Home Aides in Macon, Jackson and Swain areas. We have competitive wages, paid time off, Holiday Pay, dental, vision and life insurance. For more information call 828.586.1570 or apply in person at 525 Mineral Springs Drive, Sylva, NC 28779.

NUCLEAR POWER TRAINEE Paid Training, great salary, benefits, $ for school. Gain valued skills. No exp needed medical/ dental, vacation. High School grads ages 17-34. Call MondayFriday 800.662.7419 SAPA SEEKING AN INDIVIDUAL To Provide Direct Client Services for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence, to Create and Support a Fundraising Plan for Jackson County Victim Services, and to Develop and Implement Education, Marketing, and Outreach Materials. If Interested, Please Submit a Resume to REACH of Macon County, PO Box 228 Franklin, NC 28744 or Send to: reach@reachofmaconcounty.org GOT CANDIDATES? Find your next hire in over 100 newspapers across the state for only $375. Call Wendi Ray at NC Press Services for more info 919.516.8009.

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FURNITURE COMPARE QUALITY & PRICE Shop Tupelo’s, 828.926.8778.

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828.593.8321 HEMLOCK HEALERS, INC. Dedicated to Saving Our Hemlocks. Owner/Operator Frank Varvoutis, NC Pesticide Applicator’s License #22864. 48 Spruce St. Maggie Valley, NC 828.734.7819 828.926.7883, Email: hemlockhealers@yahoo.com

CAVALIER ARMS APARTMENTS

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT LEASE TO OWN 1/2 Acre Lots with Mobile Homes & Empty 1/2 Acre + Lots!

Located Next to Cherokee Indian Reservation, 2.5 Miles from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.

For More Information Please Call 828.506.0578

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised on equal opportunity basis.

NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Offering 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $420.00

We Are Offering 2 Bedroom Apartments, Starting From $465.00

Section 8 Accepted - Rental Assistance When Available Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

Section 8 Accepted - Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

OFFICE HOURS:

OFFICE HOURS:

Tuesday & Thursday 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

50 Duckett Cove Road, Waynesville, NC 28786

Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm 168E Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779

Phone# 1.828.456.6776 TDD# 1.800.725.2962

Phone# 1.828.586.3346 TDD# 1.800.735.2962

Equal Housing Opportunity

Equal Housing Opportunity

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REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT

SOUTHPORT, N.C. FOR SALE, Waterfront resort hotel condominiums. Pre construction prices.

Amazing views. Private fishing pier. Full kitchens. Waterfront swimming pool. Cooke Realty 910.616.1795 contactcooke@gmail.com HUNT YOUR OWN LAND Or Build Dream Cabin 68 acres on Hwy. 21 Alleghany & Wilkes Co., NC Selling: Sat, Oct. 14 @ 11am NCAL#685 336.789.2926 RogersAuctionGroup.com

HOMES FOR SALE

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54

BOXING CLASSES

CROSSWORD

69 Rouse to action 74 Close kin, for short ACROSS 77 Final deed 1 Racket string material 78 Walks pompously 7 Mornings, in brief 82 Capote, to pals 10 Tip politely, as a cap 83 Distill brine from 14 Foe 84 Put in a juicer 19 Goddess of the arts 88 Fertiliser compound 20 Single guy 89 “Crimewave” director 22 Cartoon art of Japan Sam 23 Flip one’s lid 91 “... bug — feature?”

25 Certain opening for a 92 Wallow, as a pig in bolt mud 26 Proportional relation- 94 Erase from memory ship 96 Crude 27 Millennium ends?

98 Kansas city 28 Bottle plugs 99 In — (testy) 30 Welsh pooch 100 Language of 33 Brit’s baby buggy Chaucer 35 “I think,” to a texter 103 Gershwin’s 37 Former miler “Concerto —” Sebastian 105 Prefix with propyl 38 Rainbow part 106 Suffix with urban 39 Drake’s genre 107 Wormfish lookalike 41 Small, aggressive 108 Focal points fowl 110 Aspiring attys.’

47 24-hr. sources of exams bills 112 Make dingier 49 Sorority letter 116 — roll (hot) 51 Bluto pursued her 118 Mizrahi of fashion 52 Having ill will 120 See 97-Down 53 Free-swimming, 121 Genre for a headstalkless echinoderm banger 56 In addition 127 Carried 58 Big blender brand 128 Motorcycle attach59 “— Was a Lady” ments (Ethel Merman song) 129 Dwell too much (on) 60 Crystal ball user 130 Hog havens 61 Spring or fall 131 Smell 63 Discontinue 132 Vote against 64 Martyr who’s the 133 Word that can folpatron of sailors low seven key words in 66 Made red-faced this puzzle 68 24 hours —

DOWN 1 Half- — (latte order) 2 Ocean east of Ga. 3 Your, old-style 4 Knighted maestro Solti 5 One-sided 6 1909-13 president 7 Detest 8 Risque West 9 Proposed arrangement 10 Mass per unit volume 11 Trite 12 City near Sacramento 13 Worry 14 Pest control option 15 Examines 16 Loathsome 17 Love god 18 “I’m game!”

21 Easter roast 24 Server rewarders 29 Dos + seis 30 Vexes 31 Gulp down more than 32 Renovated 34 Die away 36 Toy dog 40 1861-65 prez 42 Neither fish — fowl 43 Elected 44 Falsified, as a check 45 Kagan on the bench 46 Dweebish 48 Makes quiet 50 Mao — -tung 54 Hot-rod engine 55 PLO leader 57 Island with Interstate H1 61 Philosopher JeanPaul 62 Chances 65 Eye rudely 67 Pen brand

68 Exuberant cry in Mexico 70 Downs a brew, say 71 Ruler of yore 72 Like escapees 73 Sicilian lava spewer 74 Play, as a guitar 75 Shiraz native 76 Put together 79 Edenic place 80 Most factual 81 Fights 83 Sounds after hangups 85 Nobelist Root 86 — -Z (total) 87 Singer Etheridge 90 Doctor’s field 92 1914-18 conflict: Abbr.

93 Galloped 95 Stagger 97 With 120-Across, from square one 101 Sea nymph 102 Tribal illness curer 104 In a sauce of blazing liquor 109 Itsy- — 111 Italian for “pardon me” 112 Smidgens 113 Gershwin’s “— Rhythm” 114 Goa garb 115 Really, really 117 JFK’s home 119 “That’s — blow” 122 Ruckus 123 History topic 124 Subdivision: Abbr.

125 “Kinda” suffix 126 Texas hrs.

answers on page 48

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Answers on Page 48

The naturalist’s corner

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

Missing the point received a few emails after the story of Brent Martin’s departure as Southern Appalachian Regional Director of the Wilderness Society (www.smokymountainnews.com/news/item/21079). I must say that most were supportive of Martin and/or saddened about the circumstances of his departure from the Wilderness Society.

But some wanted to focus on the pros and cons of the MOU (you can see it here (www.mountaintrue.org/text-of-mou/), but that’s missing the point. I personally believe the MOU makes a lot of sense and is just the kind of consensus building that the U.S. Forest Service said was mandated for its Plan Revision. If John Wilson, Fred Stanback and others disagree, that’s certainly their prerogative, and not at all the focus of the story of Martin’s fate.

Others felt I was naïve and suggested I don’t really understand how things are accomplished in environmental/political circles. Well I’ve certainly never been director of any kind of environmental organization; never had to try and marshal support and/or resources to promote or protect wildlands or address policy or practices that are environmentally degrading, but I have

I

had to report on non-profits and for-profits and governmental entities, and legalities, ethics and transparency were always primary concerns. Legalities, to my chagrin, seem to always take precedent when considering the action of for-profit entities.

Legality is, of course, paramount when considering the action of non-profits and/or governmental entities as well, but ethics and transparency are large factors.

Perhaps quixotic would be a better modifier than naïve. I mean most people in today’s society realize that way too much policy and way too many decisions are made behind closed doors. As I mentioned above, we’ve largely come to accept this modus operandi when it comes to for-profit entities.

But when it comes to non-profits and/or governmental entities, we raise the bar — and for good reason. It should be obvious (maybe it’s not) that government at any level is supposed to represent its constituents (that’s you and me.) Non-profits also fall into this purview because non-profits have no owners, only stakeholders — non-profits are organizations that belong to you and me.

And, as I put my armor on (see that windmill over there), I have to divulge that I am decidedly not of the opinion “the end justifies the means.” If we accept this philos-

ophy, there is no justice; there is only who, by whatever means possible, achieved his or her goal, leaving the spoils to the victor and declaring that policy will be whatever those with the greater resources want it to be.

As I mentioned earlier, I have no problem with the fact that John Wilson, Fred Stanback and others opposed the MOU. I have no problem that they contacted Jamie Williams (president) and The Wilderness Society (TWS.) I have a problem with what happened next.

Williams met with Wilson and met with Stanback, in private. After those meetings,

Cold Mountain in the Shining Rock Wilderness. Ken Thomas photo TWS, with no consultation or dialogue with Martin, decided to pull all information regarding the MOU off its website. They asked Martin if he would consider renegotiating the MOU with input from Wilson.

Martin agreed and met with Wilson but noted, “John was clear that it was his way or the highway regarding these two areas [Harper Creek and Lost Cove], and expected me to take his position before going back to the table. I would not, but did let him know that I was starting with a blank slate again with it all. This did not satisfy him, so he

went back to the TWS president, who changed our position without even talking to me about it. This ultimately cost me my job, as I refused to simply switch positions and stab the multiple partners who had worked so hard on this in the back.”

From my naïve quixotic point of view this certainly looks like an instance where influence and money, behind closed doors, dictated policy to a non-profit that is supposed to be accountable to its stakeholders.

I am not the only one that thinks power and money have no place dictating policy when it comes to public policy. One environmental organization points to this kind of collusion in a paragraph titled, The puppet master oil and gas industry. The paragraph reads in part, “Dig into any of the politicians and advocacy groups pushing the public land takeover agenda, and you’ll find oil and gas money financing lobbyists and politicians at the state and federal levels. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a membership organization for state legislators, is funded by Exxon-Mobil and the energy and mining billionaire Koch brothers. They have drafted model legislation that land takeover proponents, such as Montana state Rep. Jennifer Fielder and Idaho state Rep. Judy Boyle, have introduced in state legislatures.”

A pretty strong condemnation of money and influence peddling, don’t you think?

The organization that wrote that paragraph?

The Wilderness Society.

(Don Hendershot is a naturalist and a writer who lives in Haywood County. He can be reached at ddihen1@bellsouth.net)

November 22-28, 2017 Smoky Mountain News 55

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