Smoky Mountain News

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Dec. 4-10, 2013 Vol. 15 Iss. 27

Lake Junaluska merger enters next phase Page 6

Western North Carolina holiday roundup Page 22

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CONTENTS

STAFF

On the Cover: As phones increasingly become the go-to devices for computing needs, the demand for mobile apps is exploding and shows no signs of slowing down.

This reality has led to a huge increase in the number of students learning to create mobile apps and a corresponding hike in the number of classes being offered by colleges, including WCU and SCC. (Pages 8-10) Cover image: Ashley T. Evans

News

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Merger proponents at Lake Junaluska preparing for legislative session . . . . 6 Cherokee bestows “beloved woman” status on Ella Wachacha Bird . . . . . . 7 Determining tax value of hospitals no small feat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Joint effort by Haywood law enforcement leads to multiple busts. . . . . . . . 12 Cullowhee residents offer up ideas for guiding growth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Jury deciding fate of jailer who broke murderer out of jail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Waynesville loosens sign ordinance, but not as much as some wanted. . . 17

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Holiday season? You bet, and we’ve got all the events in the region . . . . . 22

Outdoors

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Those organizing the petition drive hope to show otherwise.

An appeal for petition signatures went out about three weeks ago by mail. The next phase will be calling or visiting those in person who don’t reply initially.

“A canvas initiative will try to ensure contact with 100 percent of all individuals,” LaFontaine said.

The job is a sizeable one.

There are 811 property owners and around 650 registered voters at Lake Junaluska to reach out to.

There is obviously some overlap — those who are both property owners and registered voters — but there are hundreds of property owners who aren’t voters and some voters who aren’t property owners.

So there will be two separate petitions: one for property owners and one for registered voters, allowing for two separate litmus tests of public sentiment.

The Lake Junaluska Assembly Property Owner’s Organization is organizing the petition effort.

LaFontaine said he hoped those who are against the merger will accept the results of the petition as valid and stop trying to block it.

Still, even with the new ammunition of a survey, it won’t be a slam dunk to get it passed in Raleigh.

“There is still a whole slate of complexities in the legislative process that could still stymie it,” LaFontaine said.

But most are out of their control.

“This was the only positive thing we had to do,” LaFontaine said.

TAKE II In some ways, the petition is a do-over of a survey that’s already been done, but wasn’t good enough in critics’ eyes. The mail-in survey

Why the merger talk?

The merger of Lake Junaluska with the town of Waynesville would rescue the financially-burdened neighborhoods — about 765 residential homes — that ring the grounds of the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center.

The community faces mounting street, water and sewer line repairs. If it becomes part of Waynesville, residents would pay town taxes but be rid of the headache of crumbling infrastructure.

But the century-old community, with roots as a summer retreat for affluent Methodists, would lose its autonomy by joining Waynesville.

While Lake Junaluska isn’t a bona fide town, its services are on par with one — it has a security force, trash pick up, yard waste removal, street maintenance, public recreation, water and sewer services.

The cost of providing the services has grown. More problematic, however, are some $10 million in water and sewer line repairs facing the community over the next decade.

The Lake Junaluska Assembly Board of Trustees, the elected Lake Junaluska Community Council, the Lake Junaluska Assembly Property Owners Organization, the Lake Junaluska Future Options Task Force and the town board of Waynesville all voted unanimously or overwhelmingly in favor of the merger.

of property owners was part of a year-long, comprehensive study of Lake Junaluska’s options.

The survey of property owners in February showed 65 percent in favor of merging, 24 percent against, and 11 percent undecided.

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The survey was shot full of holes by opponents, however, in an attempt to discredit the results.

“Some people called into question the issue of the survey — that it wasn’t scientifically done, that it didn’t truly capture the community, that there was no way of validating who was responding,” LaFontaine said.

Even the integrity of those who tabulated the survey responses “was impugned,” LaFontaine said.

The new petition aims to fix all those shortcomings.

A major criticism of the survey was the various shades of gray — it wasn’t a straight “yes or no” vote. The survey listed three different paths for Lake Junaluska — merge with Waynesville, remain as a homeowner’s association or form their own town. Respondents could rank their support or disapproval for each of the three options on a scale of 1 to 5.

A petition is far more black and white, LaFontaine said.

He also hopes for a higher participation rate on the petition than the survey.

The petition had a 60 percent response rate, which is higher than the voter turnout in most elections. But it was still criticized for not having enough critical mass to truly gauge public sentiment.

LaFontaine cautioned that it would be impossible to get 100 percent of property owners to sign. Some properties are held by a trust or a family estate. So simply figuring out who to present the petition to in some cases is a challenge.

It is likewise impossible to get 100 percent of registered voters. The list of registered voters includes those who have either died or moved unbeknownst to the county election office.

Some critics of the merger said the only true test would be a formal

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BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER upporters of the stalled merger of Lake Junaluska with the town of Waynesville hope to get it back on the docket of the N.C. General Assembly in the spring.

The merger was derailed in the state legislature this year — due partly to partisan politics, partly to bureaucratic technicalities and partly to opposition waged by a small number of residents against it.

Now, property owners in support of a merger are redoubling efforts to make their case again when the state legislature reconvenes in March or April.

The key to the renewed appeal: a petition signed by as many of Lake Junaluska’s property owners and registered voters as possible.

“While it is not a balloted vote, this is probably the most refined thing we can do,” said Ed LaFontaine, president of the Lake Junaluska Assembly Property Owners Organization.

The petition will be so striking — revealing a dramatic majority in favor of the merger — that it will be impossible to refute, LaFontaine said.

“What they will be able to definitely see is the significant and disproportionate balance between those that favor annexation and those that do not,” LaFontaine said. “I think that seesaw is very significant.”

Hopefully, it will convince state legislators who were previously hesitant, LaFontaine said.

A bill endorsing the merger sailed through the N.C. Senate back in the spring, with N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, carrying the torch.

But in the House, some Republican legislators had misgivings, fueled by lobbying efforts of property owners who are against the merger. The opponents claimed the merger was being rammed through Raleigh and was an end-run around the wishes of many property owners.

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The Eastern Band of Cherokee Tribal Council named Ella Bird (pictured above) a “beloved woman,” the highest and most honored title a tribal member can receive.

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BY CAITLIN BOWLING STAFF WRITER lla Wachacha Bird has joined the ranks of a small and revered group last week after the Eastern Band of Cherokee Tribal Council named her a “beloved woman.”

“We have a packed house today for a very important reason,” said Council Chairwoman Terri Henry at last month’s Tribal Council meeting.

About 50 people, including students from Robbinsville and her family, came to council that morning to see Bird become a “beloved woman,” the greatest honor any enrolled member of the tribe can receive. The “beloved” title is bestowed on men and women who uphold Cherokee traditions and ideals.

“A person that you can look up to, a person you can respect, a person you can lean your head on and cry, just that type of person. A person who you can really, really follow in her footsteps,” said Adam Wachacha, a Tribal Council representative from Snowbird who is related to Bird.

Wachacha and fellow Snowbird representative Brandon Jones introduced the resolution asking to name Bird a “beloved woman” at council.

“It was something that we felt was imperative,” Jones said. “She [has] lived a clean and godly life. I am very proud to call her my neighbor and friend.”

The resolution passed unanimously.

The “beloved” title is not given out often, but this year has seen two enrolled members named “beloved” — Bird and Jerry Wolfe. Wolfe was the first man to receive the honor since the early 1800s. The last woman to garner the distinction, however, was Myrtle Driver, the Cherokee language translator for Tribal Council and the Kituwah Academy, in 2007.

Bird, a native Cherokee language speaker, was given the accolade for being virtuous, for her volunteer work and for being a pillar of the Snowbird community. She has become known for teaching Cherokee traditions to younger generations through cooking native foods, gardening, language, quilting and canning. Several of the students present at council Thursday brought with them quilts that Bird had taught them how to make.

“I don’t think we could have picked a more humble lady than Miss Ella Bird,” said Principal Chief Michell Hicks. “She is always pleasant. She is always in a good mood; she is always in a helping mood.”

There was not a bad word to be said about Bird as she sat before council and listened to tribal leaders, friends and family share their feelings about her.

“As long as I can remember, since I’ve known Miss Bird, everybody loves her. I have never ever heard anyone say anything bad about her,” said Shirley Oswalt, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band from Snowbird. “She is rare; she is decent; she is nice; she is pure; she is slow to anger.”

Tribal Council Chairwoman Terri Henry said Bird is someone she looks up to — the perfect example of a good Cherokee woman.

“I just want to thank you for being a role model and being who you are,” Henry said.

and certified election at the polls. Lake Junaluska has no power to call such an election, however, since it isn’t a government body.

Besides, more than half of the 765 homes at Lake Junaluska are vacation homes, and thus the property owners are not registered voters locally and wouldn’t be able to participate in an election.

The petition of registered voters will attempt to show what such an election would look like, however.

Meanwhile, the property owner petition

would capture the full spectrum of views with second-home owners included.

In the property owner petition, only one signatory per property is allowed to sign even if the property is owned jointly by more than one person, such as a married couple. Likewise, people who own more than one piece of property only get to sign once, not once for each piece of property they own at the lake.

There are 1,050 parcels of property at Lake Junaluska but only 811 eligible signatories in the property owner petition.

Tribal council names Snowbird resident a ‘beloved woman’

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There’s an app for that If not, a growing number of students are learning to create one

BY S USANNA RODELL MANAGING E DITOR magine you’re a college student in the summer of 2010. One of your professors offers you a job. He has just acquired 30 of the newest android phones. Your assignment? Just fool around with them. See what they can do. Sweet.

That’s what happened to Chris Blades the summer before his senior year at Western Carolina University.

“I spent a large part of the summer just playing with the phone,” Blades remembers.

“It was just about finding out what the phone could do, coming up with half-baked apps, seeing if I could make it work.”

The purpose of this exercise?

Andrew Dalton, a professor in WCU’s Computer Information Systems department, wanted to develop a course that would teach students how to design their own apps for smart phones. Blades was a promising computer science student. Between them, Dalton hoped, they could design a course that would give students the tools they needed to participate as designers, not just as users.

Now in its fourth year, the course has a steady stream of students coming through who are learning how to contribute to this warp-speed world.

In those four years, mobile apps have changed the way many of us live. Smart phones, with their handy size, their mobility and their GPS capability, have created a synthesis that has led to an explosion of possibilities.

What started as a fun diversion — a calculator here, a restaurant finder there — has become a seemingly infinite landscape where users can enhance almost any aspect of their lives.

Dieters can enter any possible edible into their phones and find out not only how many calories it contains, but how many miles they’ll need to run to work it off. Investors

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Smoky Mountain News

Michael Bruce 2nd year assoc.

Hometown: Waynesville Major: Web Technologies App: Class Schedule Organizer

BY JAKE FLANNICK SMN CORRESPONDENT As soon as he learned how to build a mobile application, Michael Bruce put his knowledge to work for his fellow-students.

He started developing an app to enable college students to organize their class schedules based on their major — a kind of digital academic adviser.

“It’s a way to put it in their hands,” he said.

Bruce, who is pursuing his associate’s degree in web technologies at Southwestern 8 Community College, is part of a group of stu-

can track their stocks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers an app to track epidemics. And then, of course, there are all those addictive games.

Many businesses now feel they need not only a web site but an app that suits it up for mobile devices. And for students in business or computer science programs, knowing how to design these mini-programs gives them an edge in the job market. Even if a prospective employer has no need of an app developer, it looks good on a resume if an applicant is conversant with the latest technology.

Another advantage: a new app is relatively easy to market. “There’s a really low barrier to entry in this marketplace,” Blades observes.

“You can develop an app yourself, place it on Google Play Store for $25, publish as many apps as you want. It’s way more accessible for the end user, and much easier to develop.

People know if they install, it will work. You almost don’t have to market it.”

“There’s a really low barrier to entry in this marketplace. You can develop an app yourself, place it on Google Play Store for $25, publish as many apps as you want.

Professor Andrew Scott works with students developing mobile apps at Western Carolina University. Demand is high for app developers. Ashley T. Evans photo

WCU offers two approaches to app development. One, offered by the Computer Science department, deals with “native” apps: the kind that are offered at an app store and downloaded onto a mobile device. These require a different version for each platform: iPhone, Android or tablet.

A second approach teaches students to write mobile web apps, accessed through a mobile device’s internet connection rather than downloaded. They are essentially a mobile-friendly version of a web site, though they can still be

stand-alone, without a web site. That’s what Clapper is teaching at the College of Business.

“A lot of companies are interested in this approach,” Clapper says. “If you use the native approach, you have to write different versions for the iPhone and Android. Mobile web apps are designed to work for the iPhone, the droid, and tablets as well. You don’t have to write separate versions.”

Fun though they are, the courses are not easy.

“These courses require the students to have an in-depth programming background in the Java programming language before the start of the course,” says Mark Holliday, a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at WCU. Blades now works in health care, and although he can see opportunities for using his app-building knowledge, it’s not his primary focus on the job.

“Health care is always a little slow to pick up on new technology,” he notes.

But he’s confident that the time will come.

He’s already thinking about it.

“At a nursing station, for instance, some information comes in about a patient, maybe a change in their meds. If the nurse has just left the station, she misses it. If she has a mobile device, it dings when something comes in.”

Michael Bruce, a student at Southwestern Community College, is developing a mobile app for the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley.

“It’s a huge difference, designing an app compared to a website for a desktop or laptop computer,” said Bruce, a Waynesville resident who’s designing the app for Apple products.

“The physical makeup of the screen is so much smaller. That makes the design more complex. … You have to get the point across quickly and make sure users are able to access what they want very quickly.”

The possibilities, says Blades, are endless.

“Apps are going to be a bigger part of everything. Computers don’t move. The thing in your pocket can do the same thing, and it’s always in your pocket. I can’t imagine an industry in which faster, more immediate, more contextualized wouldn’t be more useful.”

dents and faculty from SCC and Western Carolina University who will give presentations and talks at the Carolina Coding Initiative from Dec. 9-11. Part of a series by the N.C. Center for the Advancement of Teaching, the seminars are meant to spread interest in computer programming.

Bruce hopes to share the difficulties he faced while developing his first mobile app, an inventory of photographs and descriptions of the classic cars and motorcycles at the Wheels Through Time museum in Maggie Valley. He spent more than 200 hours over about six months developing the app.

“It’s a huge time commitment,” Bruce said. Among the technical challenges, he had

to synchronize the images to different versions of the iPhone, whether by readjusting their resolution or size.

Along with two others who helped develop the app, Bruce hopes to release it to Apple for approval. If it appears in the tech company’s app store, he is guaranteed a share of revenue from paid downloads.

In many ways, mobile developers are artists. They give shape to ideas by writing software code, usually involving more technical expertise than designing websites, said Bruce. He has a few web site clients in Waynesville, where he lives, and he has helped to build the site of the Sylva Police Department as part of a class project.

The craft can prove lucrative. Mobile apps generated nearly $10 billion in revenue in 2011, according to an October 2012 study by a wireless industry trade group. It said more

than 500,000 jobs have emerged since Android Market and Apple iTunes, the two major app stores, opened in 2008.

Still, the chances of turning what many consider a side job into a livelihood are small. Given the stiff competition in a mobile app market flooded with developers, Bruce said, “The odds are stacked against you.”

Few developers can hope for an app like Angry Birds, among the top-selling paid mobile apps for the iPhone in the United States and Europe.

Nonetheless, the app market is versatile, Bruce said, as it shifts away from investments in new concepts toward innovations of existing software programs.

Bruce, 23, plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science at Western. He is committed to finding work in the filed he describes as an “intrinsic part of my life.”

— Chris Blades

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Hayden Thomas Senior Hometown: Burnsville Major: Computer Science App: Vehicle-Tracking (Public Transportation)

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER For Hayden Thomas, it’s all about practicality.

“I think my favorite part of the mobile apps course is that the information I’m learning all feels practical,” he said. “When I’m working on an assignment or studying an example, I know I’ll able to use the things I’m learning some other time.”

Thomas and his partner are currently working on a vehicle-tracking app, which takes Google Maps and applies it to the current location of public transportation.

The app allows users to see and figure out how far a specific mode of public transportation may be from their stop. At Western Carolina University, the app would let students know just how far away their commuter bus is, giving them ways to better plan ahead.

“It will also be able to display the vehicle’s routes, stops and current speed,” Thomas explained. “The app is part of a larger project that will also include a website that users without smart phones can access, as well as tools that will help the people who run the buses to collect information about how people

Blake Bowen Senior Hometown: Asheville Major: Computer Information Systems App: Cherokee Language Learning File photo

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER A self-proclaimed technology geek, Blake Bowen has been fascinated with smart phones since their inception.

“I always have to have the latest thing in technology, and right now that’s smart phones,” he said. “A smart phone is only as good as the apps that run on it, so I’m always looking for new and exciting apps.”

Bowen has found his niche in the phone apps course at Western Carolina University. He likes the format of the curriculum and how the academic side blurs the lines with the creative element of the process. And with each new phase of smart phone, comes an array of innovative and useful phone applications, or apps, like GPS, restaurant finders or breaking news, which can use the hardware to its fullest capacity.

“The course is based on real world projects with real clients. Dr. Clapper runs the course like a real development studio would, assigning students to a position that best suits their talents,” Bowen said. “There’s no grading rubric that students must follow. This allows students

to explore and find solutions that would not be possible if the class was run like a typical college course. Our projects don’t have to include ‘X,’ ‘Y’ and ‘Z’ because ‘X,’ ‘Y’ and ‘Z’ isn’t the best solution.”

For his project, Bowen developed the “Talk To Me: A Cherokee Language-Learning App.” The app takes the Cherokee language and makes it into a fun, easy and interactive game design.

Users connect symbols and sounds by listening to audio in four different games modes. They then use the app to process through different levels of the game. Eventually they retain the information on a subconscious level. Bowen developed the app as a collaboration between the Cherokee Studies, Computer Information Systems and Graphic Design departments at WCU. “I think apps, particularly games, are the ultimate expression of creativity,” Bowen said.

“So many of your senses are involved when using apps, and it takes a set of talented developers to be able to package everything into something of value that people will enjoy.”

Bowen will graduate at the end of this semester. He plans to continue work on the Cherokee app, and hopefully pursue other ideas he has ready to spring to life.

“I started my career at WCU as a Computer Science major, which involved writing a bunch of algorithms that I personally hated doing.

However, once Dr. Clapper showed me the types of apps his students were working on, I was immediately sold on picking up programming again,” he said. “It turns out I’m really good at programming, and I definitely found a niche that excites me.”

9

Smoky Mountain News

in groups, each bringing his or her own set of skills and solutions to the challenges at hand.

“It’s my job to guide them in the right direction,” Scott said. That means, he said, “not picking a road to nowhere,” no matter how cool an idea the app may be. “In my old institution, we sold to a lot of entrepreneurial types, people who would come to us with ideas for apps. One gentleman came to us with what he thought was a great idea – the quickest way to school or to work. I said, ‘That’s not a good idea, people will use it once and that’s it.’ Those are the kinds of thoughts you’ve got to present to students.

Can you sell this idea?”

It takes many things to become a successful mobile app developer, diligence chief among them, Scott said. Imagination is high on the list.

“You’ve got to be creative,” he said.

“You’ve got to have good visual skills to be able to produce graphics and buttons with a good sense of design and color. Attention to detail is important. It helps if you’re musical as well, because these apps come with sounds. You’ve got to be a mix of an artsy type and a geeky type. If you’re both, you’ll fit the mold quite well.”

use their services.”

When developing an app idea, Thomas said, one of the biggest obstacles is determining if the idea warrants an app. Some ideas could be just applied to a website, while others could go straight to a smart phone.

“Some of the challenges with implementing the idea are anticipating how people will use the app and making sure that the app is easy to understand and use,” he said. “You can’t always predict how people will use your app, and after spending so much time working on it, you have ideas of how it should work.”

Asked if there is any downside to the increasing popularity of apps, Thomas is optimistic that the end justifies the means. He believes each app can provide helpful resources.

“I think the only real downside to smart phone apps is that sometimes people end up focusing more on their phones than the world around them, but that’s a problem with a lot of modern technologies,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a major problem, though, and I think the usefulness of smart phones really outweighs the downsides.”

With graduation on the horizon, Thomas has enjoyed his time in the phone app course at WCU. Along with providing him with the tools he needs to enter the technological workforce, it also has opened many doors of creativity and analytical thought.

“I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect going into a mobile apps course,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot about working with Android and how to utilize its features, as well as how to make apps easy to understand and use, so that’s something that came as a pleasant surprise.”

December 4-10, 2013

BY PAUL CLARK SMN CORRESPONDENT o, here’s the problem. It’s raining and you need to catch the CAT TRAN, one of the purple vans that shuttle students and staff around Western Carolina University. You know when the van is supposed to arrive, but you don’t want to stand out in the rain hoping you’re right.

Chris Ward has an app for that. A computer science major at Western Carolina and a student in its mobile app class, Ward and classmate Hayden Thomas have built “CAT Track,” an app that lets people know where their van is and how far away it is from their stop. Instead of getting soaked, riders using the app can limit the time they spend outside.

“App development is definitely taking off, as more and more people get smart phones and tablets,” said Ward, a junior computer science major from Morganton.

“This is the future of programming.”

Worldwide, 1.2 billion people were using mobile apps at the end of last year, according to mobiThinking.com. Analysts quoted by the website estimate that 56 billion to 82 billion apps will be downloaded this year alone.

By 2017, there may be as many as 200 billion downloads. In October, Apple announced the number of apps in its app store had reached one million. Google claimed to have reached that milestone in April.

Andrew Scott teaches the mobile app class that Ward and Thomas are taking at Western Carolina. An assistant professor in mathematics and computer science, Scott was hired in August from his job as a research fellow for the Centre of Excellence in Mobile Applications and Services in England. Scott, who has played on a unicycle hockey team, has developed a number of mobile apps in tourism, entertainment and equine management, among other fields.

He was already an accomplished software engineer when he started developing mobile apps in early 2010.

The university’s mobile apps class started in 2010 and is hugely popular. All 25 seats were occupied on the first day of the semester (two students have since dropped out), Scott said. The class could be bigger if the university could accommodate everyone who wanted to take it, he said.

All the students are computer science majors who have had at least one year of Java, the language the class programs in. The students are on a track to get a degree that will help them become software developers.

And they likely hold our future in their hands, largely because of how ubiquitous and powerful smart phones and tablets have become. As the world broadens and flattens, apps are increasingly regulating our lives (for better or worse, Scott noted), controlling how we communicate with people in our lives and the appliances in our homes.

Though 60 percent of mobile apps in

Apple’s store have never been downloaded – a statement about their quality and/or uniqueness, Scott said – demand is high for app developers. There’s an acute shortage of them, actually. The job Scott left in England still hasn’t been filled because the person with the right skills hasn’t come along, Scott said. “I’ve heard companies say it takes them a year and a half to fill a position,” he said.

Hence the app class at Western Carolina. It’s hard, and it moves fast.

“There’s so much to cover in a short amount of time,” Scott said, but “this is one of the classes where students know they are learning something interesting.”

Ward and Thomas, from Burnsville, are talking to the university about its adopting the CAT Track app. Whether that happens or not depends on whether Western Carolina will support it after the two students graduate. Ward would love to see that happen, but he’ll be off to bigger things.

The mobile apps class will help him get a job with a software development company in Charlotte, he believes.

Generally the students work individually on their own apps, but as the complexity of the work ratchets up, they’ve begun working

news

At WCU, an app to keep students out of the rain

news

Coding for the rest of us

BY SCOTT MCLEOD E DITOR If the very thought of trying your hand at computer programming or writing software code is intimidating, Dr. Jonathan Wade has got an event for you.

The Carolina Coding Initiative will launch next week with two free beginner programming classes aimed at novices. The CCI launch is from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching at Western Carolina University. The public is welcome, and children age 9 and up may attend with an adult.

The two beginner programming courses start at 4:30 p.m. and will be followed by a reception at 5:30 p.m. that will provide a glimpse into the work of Western Carolina

Carolina Coding Initiative Launch Event at NCCAT WHERE: North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching in Cullowhee WHEN: Dec. 9, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

HOW MUCH: Free classes on Dec. 9 (Monday)

I’m concerned that we relegate programming to computer technology curriculums, as opposed to using it in other classes.”

December 4-10, 2013

— Dr. Jonathan Wade

• Progranimate – 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at NCCAT Computer Lab. An introduction for beginners to a basic coding platform that can be used by coders at all levels.

• Scratch and Python – 4:30 5:30 p.m. at NCCAT Room 132. A simple introduction to two different languages: Scratch and Python.

• Reception and Technology Demos – 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at NCCAT. Demonstrations of the latest technology created by WCU and SCC students, along with free food.

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University and Southwestern Community College students who have been taking Open to the public. Children age 9-15 programming courses. are welcome when accompanied by an “We want to try and convince people adult. Spaces are limited in the classes, so that we all need a certain level of coding pre-register at: http://bit.ly/1881CJF. literacy. Something is happening underNCCAT will also host Computer Science neath that graphic interface that we can Student Expositions from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on try to understand,” Wade said.

Dec. 10-11.

Wade is the director of programs at Training for teachers is available on NCCAT and has a background in the code.org, and NCCAT is offering three humanities. He came up with the idea for training sessions from Dec. 2-4. Teachers CCI after following code.org, a national can register at: http://bit.ly/1fkrXcp. initiative to introduce 10 million For more information about any of American students to coding. these events, please contact Dr. Jonathan “I’m a parent of an elementary and a Wade at 828.293.5202. high school student, and I’m concerned that we relegate programming to computer technology curriculums, as opposed to using it in other classes,” said Wade. “I like this idea of letting humans interact with computers, where they write the majority of the code.”

Wade encouraged those who may be interested in attending CCI to visit www.code.org and try their hand at the site’s version of the popular “Angry Birds” game, which allows users to use a “drag and drop” program to write their own code for the game.

The Monday launch is also tied to the new mission of NCCAT, said Wade. The teacher education center has been revamped, and one of its directives is to help educators improve their technical skills so that they can pass on that knowledge to students. In addition to the CCI launch, there are other classes and seminars geared toward educators.

“We’re also encouraging teachers to take an hour during the week of Dec. 9 to 15 to teach their students about coding,” Wade said.

Wade said he hopes CCI attendees have two takeaways from the event.

“One, you’ll get to see what’s being done in our region by people who are putting their energies into programming. And two, I hope people walk away saying, ‘Oh, it’s 10 not that huge monster I’ve always feared,’” said Wade.

Diedre Massingale Graduate Hometown: Balsam Grove Major: Web Technologies App: Balsam Grove Cookbook

BY JAKE FLANNICK SMN CORRESPONDENT Diedre Massingale wanted to share the recipes of the Transylvania County hamlet where she lives with her family.

So she turned to her technical expertise, developing a mobile application containing dozens of pages of ingredients, some of them family staples passed down from generation to generation.

It was an idea that took shape over many early mornings and evenings on her way to work or after family dinners. At 34, she has two kids, aged 11 and 14.

“If you’ve got it in your mind, you can do anything with it,” she said. Massingale earned a certificate in mobile app programming from Southwestern Community College in the spring.

“Anybody can do anything” through computer programming, she said.

That is one of the messages she is seeking to share at a series of seminars, called the “Carolina Coding Initiative,” from Dec. 9-11. Students and faculty from Southwestern and Western Carolina University will give presentations and talks about computer programming as a way to spread interest in what has emerged as a major industry.

Massingale hopes to share the process of developing her cookbook app, which she fin-

Todd Michael Senior Hometown: Burlington Major: Computer Information Systems App: Orientation (WCU campus tours)

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER Todd Michael knew from an early age that he wanted to pursue a career in phone apps.

“My interest in developing apps started when I was in high school and I got my first cell phone,” he said. “I had been learning very basic coding techniques and thought it’d be cool to develop apps as a career.

Once I heard Dr. Clapper was going to be teaching a course in mobile web apps, I immediately wanted to sign up.”

Teaming up with the Western North Carolina Orientation Department, Michael and his partners are currently developing a mobile app that would give tours to freshmen and incoming transfer students. The app provides the user with a map and marker to pinpoint where they are and where they need to go using Google Maps.

“It’s how they can get from point A to point B on our campus,” Michael said. “This way, the users will not be confused as to where they are

ished a couple of weeks ago. At around the same time she finished another app, for a spa in Brevard, which allows users to view prices and arrange appointments.

She hopes her digital cookbook, which consists of instructions for two dozen recipes that are part of an existing community cookbook in Balsam Grove, will draw recognition not only around the region, but across the country and beyond.

“There’s a lot of people who want small community,” said Massingale, who plans to offer it as a free download in the mobile app market in the near future. She expects to spend the next year developing a paid version, containing more than 300 total recipes in the cookbook, for the Android Market store.

Massingale began studying computer programming in the mid-2000s. Since then, she has earned two online associate’s degrees — computer information technology and web technologies — also from Southwestern.

“It took me a while,” she said, balancing her main job as a teacher’s assistant at Davidson River School in Brevard. She helps maintain the school’s Chrome Books, donated through a grant from Google.

Massingale, who grew up in the Little Canada community in Jackson County, has faced some challenges earning her degrees. After ruling out the possibility of making the one-hour drive to the closest Southwestern campus in Jackson, she sought grants to study online. She plans eventually to pursue a bachelor’s degree in teaching, for computer programming.

Perhaps her strongest motivation comes from her role as a mother.

“I wanted to do something for my family,” said Massingale.

For more information about the seminars, visit www.nccat.org.

on campus. It will be completed and pushed out at the end of this semester.”

In bringing the idea to light, Thomas takes great pride in working patiently in a team to reach the completion of an idea. He believes he has gained teamwork skills that will make the transition from student to employee that much easier.

“I enjoy the fact that we are working in a team in order to achieve a goal,” he said. “Outside of school, new employees are going to be faced with challenges, such as working with people you’re unfamiliar with. In this capstone course, we must work with clients and interact with one another in order to develop our apps and their features.”

Looking into the future, Thomas sees the potential of new computers that don’t require a hard drive, where software is directly downloaded over the Internet.

“I believe there will come a time where mobile devices will reach a stage similar to this, where all the internal mobile software is loaded from a source outside the device,” he said.

Thomas points to the personal and professional skills he has acquired through the phone app course as key to his success in future career pursuits. It’s about developing technology, but not losing sight of the original component: humanity.

“One of the most difficult challenges with developing a feature or idea for an app is making sure the client or user likes the new features of the idea,” he said. “As a developer, we may have great ideas, but ultimately it is the user who decides if those ideas are worth adding or not.”

Counties have to figure hospitals’ values before collecting tax revenues

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What will each county get?

When the hospitals in Haywood, Jackson and Swain change from non-profit to forprofit ownership, they will start paying local property taxes.

This chart shows the current tax rate of each county, the appraised value of hospital holdings, and what the county would get in taxes annually.

The appraised value listed includes all the related medical offices, facilities and equipment currently listed under the hospitals’ names, which will be transferred as part of the sale.

These are only rough estimates at this point and will be refined in coming months.

Haywood ■ Value of Haywood Regional and related property: $56.95 million ■ Tax rate: 54 cents per $100 value ■ Estimated property tax bill: $300,000 ■ Additional taxes on medical equipment and devices, estimated: $65,000 Jackson ■ Value of Harris Regional and related property: $73.8 million ■ Tax rate: 28 cents per $100 value ■ Estimated tax bill: $206,000 ■ No data on equipment and devices that would also be taxable Swain ■ Value of Swain Medical and related property: $4.85 million ■ Tax rate: 36 cents per $100 value ■ Estimated tax bill: $17,500 ■ No data on equipment and devices that would also be taxable

taxes on their medical equipment. But those that have been bought by the hospital come under the nonprofit status.

Equipment that used to be on the tax rolls of private practices has come off the tax rolls as the hospitals have bought up physician practices, Francis said.

Now, the county has to move that equipment back onto the tax rolls again.

“They don’t want any cloudy issues and “We have historwe certainly don’t want any cloudy issues.” ical data that we can jump start from — Bobby McMahan, Jackson County Tax Administrator by asking, ‘Do you still have this piece?’ and ‘Have you bought something since you came ment inside Swain Medical Center because under the hospital and if so what is that there is no point since it is all tax free. worth?’ ” Francis said.

There’s also equipment in the satellite The counties won’t waste any time colmedical offices to be accounted for. lecting their first year’s windfall.

In Haywood, that includes two urgent The sale is slated to go through by spring. care centers, an outpatient surgery center, a If it does, LifePoint will be on the hook for hospice center — even the exercise equipproperty taxes for all of 2014 — as long as ment in the health and fitness center. the property deeds and titles are transferred The equipment inventory would extend

by July 1, according to state statute. to doctors’ offices that have been bought “They can be held accountable for the out by the hospitals in recent years. entire year’s tax bill,” McMahan said.

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Incidentally, the hospitals are selling for less than the market value on the county tax rolls. So either LifePoint is getting a good deal or the counties have them appraised too high.

But it can be tough to gauge what a hospital is worth.

“A hospital is an odd bird anyway. You can’t just go down the street and get a comp sale,” McMahan said.

At some point, LifePoint could protest the appraised value assigned by the county, but LifePoint can’t use its own purchase price as justification.

“You can’t use your own sale price as a comp. They would have to come in with evidence,” Francis said. “There is a formula out there for what a hospital is worth based on the number of beds.”

For comprehensive and ongoing coverage of the hospital sales, go to www.smokymountainnews.com and look under “WNC hospitals search for a lifeline.”

December 4-10, 2013

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER he sale of the hospitals in Haywood, Jackson and Swain counties to Duke LifePoint next year will bring an unexpected windfall for local coffers come tax time.

The hospitals now are non-profits, so they don’t pay property taxes. But the buyer, LifePoint, is a for-profit hospital system.

Once the hospitals come under LifePoint ownership, they will be subject to property taxes, reaping a tidy sum for Haywood, Jackson and Swain counties.

In addition to the hospitals themselves, the urgent care centers, medical office buildings and medical equipment owned by the hospitals will also become taxable — those assets are all included in the sale to Duke LifePoint.

But sorting out the exact tax value of all the hospital holdings will take some work.

At this stage, rough estimates were the best that the tax administrators of each county could come up with (see chart).

“Right now, it is too early to tell,” said Haywood Tax Administrator David Francis.

One complication is simply figuring out what parcels and buildings will in fact change hands to LifePoint, and that won’t be known until after the sale goes through and the new property deeds are recorded.

In Jackson, it’s challenging enough to figure out exactly what property is in the hospital’s name currently.

There’s property listed under Harris, Harris Regional, MedWest-Harris and even CJ Harris going way back.

“It’s just a smorgasbord of names and ownerships,” said Bobby McMahan, Jackson Tax Administrator. “We’ve got all these little giblets over the last 50 years that were bought from all the neighbors there and pieced together.”

McMahan said the county tax office will closely monitor the sale to make sure all the assets that change hands are indeed recorded under LifePoint’s name. If something is dropped in the shuffle, the county would inadvertently leave property tax dollars on the table.

“They don’t want any cloudy issues and we certainly don’t want any cloudy issues,” McMahan said.

Ultimately, how much LifePoint will owe in property taxes depends on the market value of the land and buildings — determined by a real estate appraisal.

Even though the hospitals are currently exempt from property taxes, the county still goes through the motions of appraising them every few years and assigning them a dollar value on the property tax rolls.

On the web: news

A taxing proposition

Then throw in square footage, construction quality, building condition, land values in the area. “All those factors are computed to come up with the value of the hospital,” Francis said.

Francis said the real trick, however, will be calculating the value of all the medical equipment, devices and machinery that go along with sale. None of the counties keep a good inventory of the hospitals’ equipment right now.

“They know it is exempt, and we know it is exempt, so how much effort are we going to put on something we all know is exempt?” McMahan said.

Swain County Manager Kevin King said his county doesn’t even ask for a list of equip-

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H O U R S 11

Undercover bust targets dealers in every corner of the county Lawmen in Haywood County sent a message to drug dealers last month in a roundup that netted more than two dozen arrests.

Haywood Sheriff Greg Christopher (podium) discusses the operation as (from left) Waynesville Police Chief Bill Hollingsed, Canton Police Chief Bryan Whitner, Chief Deputy Jeff Haynes and Maggie Valley Police Chief Scott Sutton stood in solidarity.

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those who choose to deal drugs,” Haywood Sheriff Greg Christopher announced in a press conference the day the bust went down.

The drug bust didn’t target one big ring of drug dealers. But many ran in the same circles, and were what officers called “wellknown” drug dealers.

“Our goal was to go after the people actually dealing drugs,” said Waynesville Police Chief Bill Hollingsed.

“It is a whole lot more efficient,”

Christopher added.

The large number of suspects arrested will take a huge bite out of the county’s drug supply chain, and hopefully make it harder for drug users to get drugs, Christopher said.

Law enforcement also hope the bust will have a chilling effect on the illicit drug trade in the county.

“Let this be a message to drug dealers in Haywood County. You are not welcome here,” Christopher said. “We intend to make it so difficult for drug dealers to do business in Haywood County they will either stop or be forced to go elsewhere.”

The charges read like a supermarket shopping list of illegal drugs, from marijuana to crack cocaine. But meth and prescription narcotics were the most commonly trafficked drugs, according to the

scription pain narcotics.

“People just don’t realize how dangerous it is,” Wooten said.

Overdoses have also caused debilitating paralysis, organ failure, nervous system impairment and brain damage. It also While Parris reviles dealers, she has sympathy for drug users whose lives are ruined by their addiction, however.

“The users are not bad people. The users are sick people and we want to get them help,” Parris said. “We feel like they don’t need to be in jail but in extensive rehab.”

But for families who know a loved one is using drugs, reporting them to the police is really the only option to get them help, unless the user can be convinced to go to rehab of their own accord and there’s money to pay for it.

Parris realizes it’s hard to report someone you love to the police, but offers families this advice.

“If they are in jail, they are safe. They are not dead,” Parris said. “The safest place for them to be is in jail, but it is a hard decision.”

Parris said the recent undercover investigation that brought down 31 suspected drug dealers in Haywood County was a positive move in the fight.

“I am so proud of these guys,” Parris said of the police and sheriff ’s officers that

carried out the operation. “They care about our community and what is going on with our youth.”

Parris, 74, has been pushing the message of illegal prescription drug abuse through a program called Drugs in Our Midst. She has the tenacity of a bulldog, compassion of a mother hen and stamina of a race horse.

She’s given 170 talks and programs in Haywood County over the past two years for churches, community clubs, school groups, law enforcement, civic leaders, local government boards and anyone who is willing to listen.

Along with the talks, she’s organized benefit concerts, support groups, marches, vigils — anything to get the word out that drug abuse, particularly prescription drug abuse, is a deadly epidemic. Parris has amassed a team of volunteers to help sound the alarm, including pastors and family who have lost loved one to drug overdose.

Raising awareness for drug abuse is a fulltime mission for Parris, although she does it purely as a volunteer.

“We are proactively educating the communities about the epidemic of drug abuse in the county. The whole family is torn apart. Their heartbreak is unbelievable,” Parris said, blinking back tears of her own.

“I’ve been doing this for two years and I still cry about it.”

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December 4-10, 2013

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BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER n undercover investigation in Haywood County targeting alleged drug dealers culminated in a sweeping roundup last month, netting 31 suspects with 114 charges in all.

“Today we see the results of many months of hard work by officers across this county striving toward one common goal: to rid our communities and our county of illegal drugs and

A

On a mission to fight drug abuse, help families

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER To Jean Parris, the drug bust in Haywood County last month wasn’t just a matter of locking up suspected drug dealers.

It was about saving lives.

“They are causing death,” Parris said of the drug dealers arrested in the undercover drug operation.

Fatal, accidental drugs overdoses have reached epidemic proportions in the past few years. The main culprits are prescription drugs obtained fraudulently and then resold on the street.

Illegal use of potent and addictive prescription pills have pushed substance abuse to the top of the list of health concerns in Haywood County’s latest community health assessment conducted annually.

That’s up from third place in 2008.

Over the past two years, one in five deaths investigated by the Haywood County Medical Examiner are attributed to overdoses from drug abuse, according to Gary Wooten, the county medical examiner. And the vast majority of those are pre-

F

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217-63

When: Saturday, December 14, 2013 10AM till 12PM

To read a list of the suspects and their charges, go to www.smokymountainnews.com and click on this story. rant for their arrest and deciding to turn themselves in. Some were picked up by officers who kept tabs on the places the suspects were known to frequent.

As of press time Tuesday (Dec. 3), 28 of the total 31 suspects targeted in the roundup had been arrested. The suspects are almost all men and range in age from 17 to 64.

Maggie Police Chief Scott Sutton said that shows there is no one demographic that applies to dealers.

“It goes everywhere,” Sutton said.

PULLING TOGETHER At a press conference announcing the results of the bust, the police chiefs of Waynesville, Canton and Maggie Valley stood shoulder to shoulder with the Haywood sheriff and his chief deputy.

“It is important to note the different uniforms and patches here,” Hollingsed said.

“Drug dealers don’t distinguish between jurisdictions. It affects all of us the same so it is important to see us working together as a partnership to rid our county of drugs.”

To drive home the team effort behind the drug op, officers carrying out the early morn-

Fly Fishing the South

Reception for Jackson Librarian Dottie Brunette Jackson County Librarian Dottie Brunette will retire at the end of the year, and the public is invited to a reception in her honor from 2 to 4 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

Brunette has been Jackson County Librarian since May 2007.

Dottie Brunette Previously, she was branch librarian at the Albert CarltonCashiers Community Library in Cashiers, and before that worked at the Macon County Public Library and also at WCU’s Hunter Library.

A native of Sylva, Brunette graduated from Western Carolina University and received her Master of Library Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Brunette oversaw the library’s 2011 move from its previous location on Main Street to its new home on the site of the Old Courthouse. All together, Brunette has served the Fontana Regional Library system for 17 years.

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ing roundup were intentionally paired with officers from other agencies.

“It wasn’t Waynesville going after Waynesville’s people, or Canton going after Canton’s people,” said Deputy Heidi Warren, who serves as a public information officer for the sheriff ’s office. “It was interagency, even in the roundup process.”

The law enforcement leaders made such a point of emphasizing their cooperation with each other, it begs the question: Had they been territorial in the past?

While that’s not really the case — turf battles aren’t much of an issue with the police departments and the sheriff ’s office in Haywood — they simply hadn’t been as united as they could have been. The vital link in cooperation is usually the sheriff ’s office, since it’s the law enforcement arm that spans the whole county.

Christopher was named sheriff less than a year ago after the former sheriff retired midpost. When vying for the appointment, Christopher pledged to increase collaboration and teamwork with other agencies.

To that end, he tapped a top ranking officer at the Waynesville Police Department to serve as chief deputy at the sheriff ’s office, bringing the two departments closer.

Christopher also pledged to be more aggressive and proactive in fighting drugs, making it his top priority and dedicating more officers to it.

“By combining our resources we have been able to generate quality work and strong cases aimed at making our communities safer,” Christopher said.

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charges.

The undercover investigation took seven months. In drug roundups like this, timing is critical in the home stretch.

Arrests need to happen in rapid succession — nearly simultaneously — to keep word from spreading among suspects that the cops are coming.

Once drug agents have amassed evidence to bring charges, the bust is planned for the early morning hours when suspects are mostly likely to be home and in bed instead of out and about.

A team of 30 cops and deputies carried out the actual roundup, but the rank-and-file officers didn’t know something was afoot until the afternoon beforehand, and even then they were simply told to report at 4 a.m. the next morning.

That’s when were they briefed on Operation Dry Erase, divided into half a dozen teams and given their hit lists of suspects to round up before fanning out across the county.

Shortly after dawn, the first batch of handcuffed suspects started rolling in. To handle the volume, a booking line was set up in the sally port of the jail. The suspects shuffled along from one table to the next, stopping to have their rights read, to get frisked, to get mug shots and fingerprints made, and so on.

Not everyone was home when the police went knocking in the early morning hours.

For those not picked up in the initial roundup, officers continued searching.

Some trickled in of their own accord in the days that followed, hearing about the war-

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Cullowhee advocates seek to sharpen vision of community plan

December 4-10, 2013

JAKE FLANNICK SMN CORRESPONDENT Building consensus among the increasing number of residents and business owners in Cullowhee is critical to shaping the identity of the area. Growth is outpacing steps to establish a long-term plan for building and economic development, community planners and advocates here agree.

This was one of several refrains among the two dozen or so community stakeholders who appeared at Cullowhee Valley School for a public input meeting in November. The meeting brought together local officials, longtime residents, business owners and community organizations that spent two hours trying advance what already has proved an extensive community planning process.

Such ideas, of course, are hardly new in an area with few rules dictating what development should look like. But they are particularly relevant given the advent of new student housing complexes close to Western Carolina University and a growing number of student nightlife spots — which have raised the sense of urgency among advocates of managing growth in Cullowhee.

“This is where we live,” said Rick Bennett, a member of a Cullowhee planning task force appointed by Jackson County commissioners. “I’d like to see planning.”

Gathered in small groups at tables no

grant from the Southwestern Commission to arrange the forums, jotted down their suggestions.

They pored over maps of the planning district covering at least 640 acres, using colored markers to highlight A meeting on the future of Cullowhee attracted business lots of ideas for managing future growth in the hubs and college community. Jake Flannick photo residential areas, among other details like flood plains. The exercise was meant to distinguish sections deemed for conservamore than two feet off the floor in the eletion purposes from others considered fertile mentary school library, many at the forum for development. The campus of WCU is not appeared eager to offer suggestions, somesubject to any proposals in the planning distimes raising their hands and leaning fortrict. ward as planning consultants, funded with a Suggestions ranged from building bike

paths and sidewalks to conserving greenways and parks on the Tuckasegee River.

Some called for rebuilding what longtime residents recall as a vibrant downtown Cullowhee decades ago.

“I’d like to see Old Cullowhee revitalized,” said Craig Forrest, a painter who has long lived in Cullowhee. Old Cullowhee, as it’s known, declined after a new highway was built on the opposite side of campus, funneling traffic away from the traditional business district. That stretch has remained a central focus of the community revitalization group CuRvE. Others suggested repairing roads deemed hazardous or building new ones to serve a growing number of motorists. That is particularly true around the university, whose back streets are familiar to Roy Osborn, a longtime resident who lives nearby.

“I don’t mind driving on campus, but it’s just another vehicle that doesn’t need to be there,” he said, adding that building an additional road skirting the university would likely reduce traffic.

Other specific suggestions included establishing standards for the appearance of streetscapes and developing additional parks for recreational use on the Tuckasegee.

It was the second such public forum held in November.

The forums are part of a broad planning process steered by a nine-member task force the county appointed in the spring. The creation of the planning task force came after a year of pressure from people in Cullowhee concerned about the

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discussions among residents, will continue weighing potential land-use rules and other suggestions over the next year. It is expected to submit any proposals to county commissioners for approval by the end of next summer.

Whether such a planning process takes shape, some say, hinges largely on the resolve of its proponents. “It’s not going to happen unless you start saying, ‘You,’� County Planner Gerald Green said in what turned into an impassioned appeal to those at the latest forum.

He noted that the county could consider setting up a fund for improvements to Cullowhee if a plan comes into focus.

For others, it is a matter of capturing the attention of local businesses and organizations as a way to draw investments. “I’ve been to meeting, after meeting, after meeting,� said Myrtle Schrader, a member of the task force who has lived in Cullowhee since the early 1960s. “Who’s going to want to pay for all this?� she added, pointing to the dozens of pieces of paper bearing the ideas of those at the forum that were arranged in columns on part of the library wall. “Whatever plan is designed must be attractive to people who have the means to create the desirable change.�

To submit comments online, visit https://sites.google.com/a/jacksonnc.org/c ullowhee-community-planning-advisorycommittee/home. For more info, call the county planning department at 828.631.2255.

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lack of development regulations amid a steady increase in population.

Between 2000 and 2010, Cullowhee grew to nearly 9,500 residents from about 6,000, according to the latest data by the U.S. Census Bureau, an increase of about 47 percent.

Over the same period, shopping centers and restaurants, among other businesses, have proliferated. Two large student housing complexes have come online, with a third slated to begin construction soon.

Community advocates are careful not to exclude WCU in discussions of plans to shape future development in Cullowhee, acknowledging its presence as the main economic engine here. “We are a college town,� said Bennett, the task force member who also is a longtime resident of Cullowhee.

At the same time, they are seeking involvement from the university — a representative of which appeared at the most recent forum — in their efforts to tailor the setting of the area to the student population partly with the kinds of college-town trappings that beckon elsewhere. “They want to look seven miles down the road, but they don’t want to look seven yards out of their front door,� Bennett said at the latest forum, referring to the university extending support to Dillsboro, where WCU has been engaged in various economic development projects in concert with the town.

The task force, which has started gathering public input in informal surveys and

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Jury deliberating fate of jailer who helped murderer escape

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Catch up For last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stories on the original murder, the jailbreak and trial testimony to date, go to www.smokymountainnews.com

he hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t gone to trial and Vestal probably thought he was innocent, according to her attorney, Chris Siewers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Does it make any sense that he would tell the person he was trying to sweet talk to let him out of jail that he did those murders?

Do you really think he would confess to a jailer at the Swain jail, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Oh yeah I did these murders. I went in there, I took a gun in there with six other people, I did everything.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make any sense,â&#x20AC;? Siewers said.

Prosecutor Jim Moore implored the jury to believe that Vestal must have known, however. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Reason and common sense tells you she knew Mr. Miles was guilty of all those horrible crimes and she was never going to be able to see him again and he was going to prison for the rest of his life and the only thing she could do was to break him out,â&#x20AC;? Moore said.

When Vestal fled to California with Miles, she left behind a large extended family in both Bryson City and Cherokee, including a husband and four children under the age of 10.

She and Miles were caught four weeks later, holed up in a California motel room. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know. I just went crazy,â&#x20AC;? Vestal said in a phone call to her dad that she placed from jail in California after being caught.

See next weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue of The Smoky Mountain News to read about the verdict, and an article exploring how and why Vestal fell for Miles.

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Smoky Mountain News

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER The jury deciding the fate of a former Swain County jailer who helped a murderer escape and then ran away with him to California began deliberating Tuesday morning (Dec. 3).

The evidence and testimony stage of the trial lasted two weeks. The jury had been in deliberations for six hours already as of press time late Tuesday afternoon.

Anita Vestal, 36, admits to masterminding the jailbreak of Jeffrey Miles four years ago, which couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been the reason for the juryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delay.

The jury apparently was torn over a suite of â&#x20AC;&#x153;accessory after the factâ&#x20AC;? charges pinned on Vestal for the crimes that Miles committed.

Miles, from Atlanta, was the ringleader of a violent home invasion on a rural back road in Swain County that ended in two execution-style murders, a third attempted murder and a ransacked home back in 2008.

The question for jurors: Did Vestal know Miles was guilty at the time she helped him escape? If so, that would make her an accessory. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She broke everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trust and formed a relationship with this nightmare,â&#x20AC;? prosecutor Ashley Welch said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She knew good and well what Jeffrey Miles had done. But all she cared about was being together forever with him and she did everything she could to make sure that dream of hers was going to happen.â&#x20AC;?

Miles was one of six people charged in the murders. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison.

But at the time Vestal helped him escape,

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H A N DM A D E FUNCTIONAL EVE RYDAY 217-18

Off-the-beaten path businesses seek signage answers

or the sides of buildings — both of which weren’t allowed before. Changes will also allow more signs papering store windows and an increase in the allowable sign size in some areas of town.

Waynesville’s stricter sign rules dated to the early 2000s. They were aimed at preserving the community’s small-town charm and mountain character.

It won’t be the first so-called compromise in the name of bigger, brighter, flashier signs.

This marks the fourth time in 10 years that the town has loosened its sign rules.

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But likewise, aldermen said they didn’t want businesses off Main Street to fail or be unsuccessful due to a lack of visibility.

“They have got to be able to get the word out,” Roberson said.

Brown questioned whether there was a way to accommodate signage for out-of-theway businesses without the unwanted side effects.

“The issue is the proliferation,” Brown said in an interview before the meeting. “If we can limit the number and size then it is not objectionable.”

An alternative favored by town leaders is a master “wayfinding” sign at key intersections to alert passersby that more businesses are nearby.

These signs could be erected by the town, not individual businesses, thus the town could ensure an attractive and uniform appearance in keeping with the town’s character, said Town Manager Marcy Onieal.

“It would not have to advertise specific businesses. You could have generic messages like ‘shopping, restaurants, brewery,’” Onieal said.

“In particular a brewery,” Freeman agreed.

Indeed, the town leaders saw value in alerting people to unique destinations, like Sandefur’s BearWaters Brewery.

“The concept is trying to work with businesses to have a better economic arena,” Brown said.

December 4-10, 2013 Smoky Mountain News

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER aynesville leaders last week voted to loosen the town’s sign rules at the behest of some business owners, but stopped short of allowing giant, blow-up inflatable characters.

“I don’t think the town of Waynesville is AY FINDING SIGNS ready to go there,” Mayor Gavin Brown said at The issue that prompted the most discusa town meeting last week.

Three other aldermen — LeRoy Roberson, sion at the sign public hearing, and later Wells Greely and Julia Freeman — agreed that among aldermen, is whether businesses just blow-up gorillas and those flapping, nylon fig- off the main drag should be allowed to put their signs along the more trafficked thoroughures piped with air were just too tacky.

Roberson said businesses will always be engaged in a game BearWaters frequently sticks this sign a of one-upmanship when it couple of blocks away on Russ Avenue durcomes to signage, and the town ing business hours. Becky Johnson photo has to draw the line somewhere.

“People say ‘I am not getting the effect I want to so let’s see how gaudy I can make mine,’ and it is a domino effect.

Everyone has to make their sign more attention-getting,” Roberson said in an interview before the meeting.

At a public hearing on the proposed sign changes earlier in the month, a local car dealer offered a qualified endorsement of blow-up gorillas to advertise sales and special deals.

“This big gorilla stuff, if you really want my opinion, my personal opinion, I don’t like them “We have a business that is located … but people that work with me believe that it helps,” said Fred in kind of an obscure location. That Waring, director of business is a constant frustration for us.” development at Waynesville Automotive.

— Kevin Sandefur, owner of BearWaters Brewing Alderman Gary Caldwell was the only town alderman in favor of blow-up inflatable characters. fares to pull customers their way.

Businesses a block or two off Main Street Caldwell said the town should follow the lead of the ad-hoc committee of business owners or down a side street from primary commerand planning board members that spent cial boulevards lobbied for permission to put months rewriting the sign ordinance and ulti- their signs along the main arteries.

“We have a business that is located in kind mately recommended that inflatable characof an obscure location,” said Kevin Sandefur, ters be allowed.

“This would be a slap to the face for them,” owner of BearWaters Brewing, which is on a side street off Russ Avenue. “That is a constant Caldwell said. frustration for us.”

Brown disagreed.

Maleah Pusz, the owner Bosu’s Wine Shop “Ninety-eight percent of it we are going to accept, so I don’t think 2 percent is a slap in the on a side street in downtown Waynesville, echoed that complaint. face,” Brown replied.

“It is very difficult to get people to kind of see “We have moved yards ahead so I feel good,” Freeman added, citing the other Waynesville as being a contiguous whole beyond just that Main Street corridor,” Pusz said. changes the town is going to allow.

If customers don’t know where a business Other changes that did get the blessing of town leaders are folding sandwich boards on is, it can be the kiss of death. Richard Miller, downtown sidewalks, and bouquets of bal- owner of The Classic Wine Seller on Church loons and plastic banners strung from stakes Street, is just around the corner from Main

Street, but getting shoppers to turn that corner is hard if they don’t know something is down there.

Miller suggested allowing businesses within a block of Main Street to have way-finding signs. Pusz agreed, sort of.

“I agree completely with Mr. Miller, except perhaps two blocks down from Main Street would be preferable,” said Pusz, whose business is two blocks off Main.

The town planning board, however, advised against businesses being allowed to put signs up along the nearest main drag.

“Everyone wants a sign on Main Street,” town planner Paul Benson said. “I think it is a very scary ordinance to consider adopting. I think we are getting into very dangerous ground.”

Benson likened it to a Pandora’s Box. Business owners angling for sign visibility would have to find a property owner on the main drag willing to house their sign. That could create an underground industry of property owners along Main Street selling space for what essentially amounts to minibillboards.

Town aldermen were torn over the issue.

“A bevy of signs going up on Russ Avenue and everybody selling little spaces to put a sign — that’s the concern I heard from the planning board, and that’s not the direction we want to go,” Brown said.

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Waynesville says no to blow-up gorillas

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

Righting what’s wrong means making changes

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those deemed at-risk get access to pre-school at an even earlier age.

A few weeks ago, the N.C. Supreme Court ruled that the General Assembly here had resolved a legal challenge by reversing course on its limits to pre-K programs for the poor.

Still, our GOP-led General Assembly has cut access to pre-K. In 2010-11, 32,000 children were enrolled; right now, 26,700 needy children are in pre-K. According to some estimates, 67,000 of the state’s 4-year-olds are eligible for the early childhood intervention, but there’s not enough money allocated to the program to serve all those who need it. It would take an additional $300 million to pay for those extra kids.

North Carolina has cut investment in K-12 schools by 8.6 percent since Editor 2008 when measured by per pupil spending, a deeper cut than 31 other states, according to a report released by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a non-partisan policy research organization based in Washington, D.C. What’s remarkable about Oklahoma is that the merits of early childhood intervention are not ping-ponged back and forth as a political issue.

“This isn’t a liberal issue,” Skip Steele, a Republican on the Tulsa City Council who supports Oklahoma’s initiative, told The New York Times. “This is investing in our kids, in our future. It’s a no-brainer.”

The amount of research on the benefits of early childhood intervention is overwhelming. Helping children at an early age

Scott McLeod

e are now — officially — barreling into the holidays.

Thanksgiving is already a fading, drowsy memory of turkey carcasses and piles of dirty dishes. As we march onward toward Christmas and the new year, my mind always goes into the same pattern, one I can’t shake: I think of blessings and shortcomings, wondering why the things that aren’t right can’t be righted.

And so a couple of recent articles about opportunity in this country and how those who come from wealth are more likely than ever in recent history to remain in the upper income brackets hit home. In order to change this, we need to do more for children, especially those who haven’t reached what we have traditionally deemed “school age.”

Politicians of all stripes argue for equal opportunity. The truth, however, is that until we enact a better system of early childhood care, many low-income and impoverished families won’t get a fair shake.

Here’s the fact of life in America today: gender and race — though still relevant — are less related to a person’s eventual success in society than their family’s economic status. It’s almost as if we’ve created a throwback economic class system at the same time we’ve moved forward on social issues. This may be the land of opportunity, but today there’s a lot more opportunity for those born wealthy. By my estimation, the best way to solve this problem is better early childhood education and care.

A recent article first published in The New York Times and now making the rounds via syndication in other newspapers and websites touted one of the initiatives for which Oklahoma’s citizens are proudest — universal early childhood education. Yep, in this reddest of red states, every single 4-yearold has access to a year of pre-kindergarten education, and

bestows lifelong advantages that are good for all of society.

“Decades of research show that children who attend highquality early learning programs perform better in school, have higher graduation rates, have higher earnings, pay more taxes and are less likely to rely on government assistance,” said Susan Perry-Manning, executive director of the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation.

Those of us who have kids — who have the time, read to them and interact with them — know the reality. We take our kids to the first day of kindergarten already knowing most of what is required of first-graders. The teachers, meanwhile, have to spend a great deal of time catching up those who haven’t had those same opportunities. From day one, those students are playing catch up.

One study discussed in the article suggested that a child of professional parents hears 30 million more words by the age of 4 than a kid on welfare. Imagine the difference in the world inhabited by each of those children.

Look, we’ve created an economic system that relies on two parents working outside the home to pay for the basics. If this had been the case back when the Founding Fathers were doing their thing, I suspect their concept of a free, universal system of public education would have included taking care of very young children.

The government is not responsible for providing cradle-tograve welfare. But if it wants to reduce the amount of money being spent on adults and the elderly — in the form of unemployment benefits, food aid, prisons, welfare payments, etc. — then an investment in the very young is the obvious best answer.

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

WestCare employees excited about changes

To the Editor: Recently, we the employees of WestCare learned of an exciting decision that we are entering into a partnership with Duke LifePoint Healthcare that will provide resources to help our hospitals in Sylva and Bryson City and our outpatient care center in Franklin serve our community. The new relationship will mean that MedWest is dissolved and WestCare will continue to maintain our long-standing clinical relationship with Mission Health.

This decision did not happen overnight. We have to thank our dedicated WestCare Board of Trustees and our representatives on the MedWest Board who have devoted countless hours over the last 18 months trying to find the right partner. The care of our local communities and the best interests of the dedicated WestCare employees and physicians remained their top priority in the decision-making process.

We owe them much gratitude for ensuring that our local hospitals are viable for generations to come. Too many hospitals in the current healthcare environment have had to close their doors, but thanks to our WestCare Board of Trustees and our MedWest Board of Representatives, we have a bright future. This sentiment was echoed by staff at recent

WestCare employee forums with reactions being hope and optimism. We believe that our new collaboration will lead WestCare into an era of improved health services and technology that would not have been financially possible before.

So if the opportunity presents itself, please reach out to the below listed WestCare Board of Trustee members and our representatives on the MedWest Board and let them know that you appreciate their relentless pursuit of healthcare excellence for our communities.

Board members include: Elizabeth “Bunny” Johns, Daniel Allison, Martha Anderson, MD, Lowell Crisp, Cliff Faull, MD, Joe Hurt, MD, Timothy Lewis, Stephanie Treadway, Ann Marie Wright, John Buenting, MD, Heather Baker, David Thomas, MD, Chuck Wooten and Mark Tyson Our MedWest Board of Directors representatives include: Elizabeth “Bunny” Johns, Cliff Faull, MD, Larry Selby, MD, Ed Lewis, MD, Mark Tyson, John Burton and Jerry McKinney.

Submitted on behalf of 288 WestCare employees.

Marian Garrett Sylva Mike Grezlik Waynesville

some artists travel the world for inspiration others

don’t need to.

Fixed to this place like strings to a guitar, our music is as loyal as its fans. It stays near the people and the venues that helped bring it to life. Jazz, country, rock, folk, bluegrass, newgrass and more ~ all live here. They were born in artists who call this state home. And the same places that inspired greats like John Coltrane, Nina Simone, James Taylor and The Avett Brothers ~ may also inspire you.

opinion

Trade up to iPhone® 5s at U.S. Cellular.®

December 4-10, 2013

Trade in your iPhone 5 and get iPhone 5s for a penny.

Upgrade your device to the network that works where and when you need it.

Things we want you to know: A new 2-yr. agmt. (subject to a pro-rated $150 early termination fee for Basic Phones, modems and hotspot devices and a $350 early termination fee for Smartphones and tablets) required. $35 device act. fee and credit approval may apply. Regulatory Cost Recovery Fee applies (currently $1.57/line/month); this is not a tax or gvmt. required charge. Add. fees, taxes and terms apply and vary by svc. and eqmt. Shared Data Plan required. Offer valid in-store only at participating locations and cannot be combined. Valid for limited time only. Trade-in offer: To be eligible, iPhone 5 must power on and cannot be pin locked or iTunes locked. iPhone 5 must be in full functional working condition without any liquid damage or broken components, including, but not limited to, a cracked display or housing. Kansas Customers: In areas in which U.S. Cellular receives support from the Federal Universal Service Fund, all reasonable requests for service must be met. Unresolved questions concerning services availability can be directed to the Kansas Corporation Commission Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 1-800-662-0027. Limited-time offer.

Trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. ©2013 U.S. Cellular

Smoky Mountain News

Visit a store.

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tasteTHEmountains

ARTISAN BREADS & PASTRIES

OUR SANDWICHES

ARE SERVED ON

FRESH BREAD BAKED DAILY! BREAKFAST • LUNCH TAKE-OUT • EAT-IN • CATERING

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Fair Trade Coffee & Espresso

18 North Main Street Waynesville • 452.3881 MON-FRI: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

SAT: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. SUN: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Smoky Mountain News

December 4-10, 2013

ASHEVILLE: 60 Biltmore Ave. 252.4426 & 88 Charlotte St. 254.4289

Now Booking Holiday Parties.

Full Service Catering for 15-500 BBQ to Caviar Bon Appetit Ya’ll!

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

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

Enjoy world famous hot dogs as well as burgers, seafood, hushpuppies, hot wings and chicken. Be sure to save room for dessert.

The cobbler, pie and cake selections are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

BLUE ROOSTER SOUTHERN GRILL 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, Lakeside Plaza at the old Wal-Mart. 828.456.1997. Open Monday through Friday. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Fresh-cut salads; slow-simmered soups; flame grilled burgers and steaks, and homemade signature desserts.

Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily.

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

BOURBON BARREL BEEF & ALE 454 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, 828.452.9191. Dinner nightly from 4 p.m.

Closed on Sunday. We specialize in hand-cut, all natural steaks, fresh fish, and other classic American comfort foods that are made using only the finest local and sustainable ingredients available. We also feature a great selection of craft beers from local artisan brewers, and of course an extensive selection of small batch bourbons and whiskey. The Barrel is a friendly and casual neighborhood dining experience where our guests enjoy a great meal without breaking the bank.

BREAKING BREAD CAFÉ 6147 Hwy 276 S. Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station) 828.648.3838 Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (takeout only 5 to 6 p.m.) Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Serving Mediterranean style foods; join us for weekly specials. We roast our own ham, turkey and roast beef just like you get on Thanksgiving to use in our sandwiches. Try our chicken,

at the

217-42

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. Family-style breakfast seven days a week, from 8 to 9:30 am – with eggs, bacon, sausage, grits and oatmeal, fresh fruit, sometimes French toast or pancakes, and always all-you-can-eat. Lunch every day from 11:30 till 2. Evening cookouts on the terrace on weekends and Wednesdays (weather permitting), featuring steaks, ribs, chicken, and pork chops, to name a few. Bountiful family-style dinners on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, with entrees that include prime rib, baked ham and herbbaked chicken, complemented by seasonal vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer a fine selection of wine and beer. The evening social hour starts at 6pm, and dinner is served starting at 7pm. So join us for mile-high mountaintop dining with a spectacular view. Please call for reservations.

BRYSON CITY CORK & BEAN A MOUNTAIN SOCIAL HOUSE 16 Everett St.,Bryson City. 828.488.1934.

Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday brunch 9 a.m. to 3p.m., Full Menu 3 to 9 p.m. Serving fresh and delicious weekday morning lite fare, lunch, dinner, and brunch. Freshly prepared menu offerings range from house-made soups & salads, lite fare & tapas, crepes, specialty sandwiches and burgers. Be sure not to miss the bold flavors and creative combinations that make up the daily Chef Supper Specials starting at 5pm every day.

Followed by a tempting selection of desserts prepared daily by our chefs and other local bakers. Enjoy craft beers on tap, as well as our full bar and eclectic wine list.

CHEF’S TABLE 30 Church St., Waynesville. 828.452.6210.

From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday dinner starting at 5 p.m. “Best of” Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine. Set in a distinguished atmosphere with an exceptional menu. Extensive selection of wine and beer. Reservations honored.

CITY BAKERY 18 N. Main St. Waynesville 828.452.3881.

Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join us in our historic location for scratch made soups and daily specials. Breakfast is made to order daily: Gourmet cheddar & scallion biscuits served with bacon, sausage and eggs; smoked trout bagel plate; quiche and fresh fruit parfait. We bake a wide variety of breads daily, specializing in traditional french breads. All of our breads are hand shaped. Lunch: Fresh salads, panini sandwiches. Enjoy outdoor dinning on the deck.

Private room available for meetings.

CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

828.587.2233. Open Monday-Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tasty, healthy and quick. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, espresso, beer and wine. Come taste the savory and sweet crepes, grilled paninis,

CORK & CLEAVER 176 Country Club Drive, Waynesville.

828.456.7179. Reservations recommended.

4:30-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Tucked away inside Waynesville Inn, Cork & Cleaver has an approachable menu designed around locally sourced, sustainable, farm-to-table ingredients. Executive Chef Corey Green prepares innovative and unique Southern fare from local, organic vegetables grown in Western North Carolina. Full bar and wine cellar. www.waynesvilleinn.com.

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

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

Tuesday-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 FRYDAY’S & SUNDAES 24 & 26 Fry St., Bryson City (Next To The Train Depot). 828.488.5379. Frydays is open; but closed on Wednesdays. Sundaes is open 7 days a week. Fryday’s is known for its Traditional English Beer Battered Fish & Chips, but also has burgers, deep fried dogs, gyro, shrimp, bangers, Chip Butty, chicken, sandwiches & a great kids menu. Price friendly, $3-$10, Everything available to go or call ahead takeout. Sundaes has 24 rotating flavors of Hershey's Ice Cream making them into floats, splits, sundaes,

HOLIDAY GIFT BASKETS AVAILABLE!

Book your family or company holiday party now!

94 EAST ST. • WAYNESVILLE

828-452-7837

Details & menus: www.herrenhouse.com Serving Lunch Wed-Fri 11:30-2 & Sunday Brunch 11

217-04

Book Your Holiday Catering or Private Party Today!

Call 828.587.2233

Bed & Breakfast and Restaurant

68585

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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.

217-23

8-40 people • 7 days a week

828.456.1997 207 Paragon Parkway Clyde, NC

tuna, egg and pasta salads made with gluten free mayo. Enjoy our variety of baked goods made daily: muffins, donuts, cinnamon buns and desserts.

S PRING S TREET, D OWNTOWN S YLVA CREPES, PANINIS, SOUPS, SALADS, GOURMET PASTAS WINE & BEER

CityLightsCafe.com

217-67

ITALIAN

MEDITERRANEAN

STEAKS • PIZZA CHICKEN • SEAFOOD SANDWICHES OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER 7 DAYS A WEEK 1863 S. MAIN ST. WAYNESVILLE 828.454.5002 HWY. 19/23 EXIT 98

tasteTHEmountains shakes. Private seating inside & out for both locations right across from the train station & pet friendly.

FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St. Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Sunday lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed Mondays. 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. Come for the restaurant’s 4 @ 4 when you can choose a center and three sides at special prices.

Offered Wed- Fri. from 4 to 6. frogsleappublichouse.org.

HERREN HOUSE 94 East St., Waynesville 828.452.7837.

Lunch: Wednesday - Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday Brunch 11 a. m. to 2 p.m.

Enjoy fresh local products, created daily. Join us in our beautiful patio garden. We are your local neighborhood host for special events: business party’s, luncheons, weddings, showers and more. Private parties & catering are available 7 days a week by reservation only.

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

Lunch Sunday noon to 2:30 p.m., dinner nightly starting at 4:30 p.m. World-famous prime rib, steaks, fresh seafood, gorgonzola cheese and salads. All ABC permits and open year-round. Children always welcome.

Take-out menu. Excellent service and hospitality. Reservations appreciated.

MAD BATTER BAKERY & CAFÉ Located on the WCU Campus in Cullowhee.

828.293.3096. Open Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Earth-friendly foods at people-friendly prices.

Daily specials, wraps, salads, pastries, breads, soups and more. Unique fare, friendly service, casual atmosphere and wireless Internet. Organic ingredients, local produce, gourmet fair trade and organic coffees.

MOONSHINE GRILL 2550 Soco Road, Maggie Valley loacted in the Smoky Falls Lodge. 828.926.7440.

Open Thursday through Sunday, 4:30 to 9 p.m. Cooking up mouth-watering, wood-fired Angus steaks, prime rib and scrumptious fresh seafood dishes. The wood-fired grill gives amazing flavor to every meal that comes off of it. Enjoy creative dishes made using moonshine. Stop by and simmer for a while and soak up the atmosphere. The best kept secret in Maggie Valley. themoonshinegrill.com 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.

NEWFOUND LODGE RESTAURANT 1303 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee (Located on 441 North at entrance to GSMNP).

828.497.4590. Open 7 a.m. daily.

Established in 1946 and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Family style dining for adults and children.

PASQUALE’S 1863 South Main Street, Waynesville. Off exit 98, 828.454.5002. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Classic Italian dishes, exceptional steaks and seafood (available in full and lighter sizes), thin crust pizza, homemade soups, salads hand tossed at your table. Fine wine and beer selection. Casual atmosphere, dine indoor, outside on the patio or at the bar. Reservations appreciated.

PASQUALINO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT 25 Everett Street, Bryson City.

828.488.9555. Open for lunch and dinner everyday 11:30 a.m.-late. A taste of Italy in beautiful Bryson City. Exceptional pasta, pizza, homemade soups, salads. Fine wine, mixed drinks and beer selection. Casual atmosphere, reservations appreciated.

PATIO BISTRO 30 Church Street, Waynesville.

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

Outdoor and indoor dining.

RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT AND BAR Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center 828.926.0201 Bar open Monday thru Saturday; dining room open Tuesday thru Saturday at 5 p.m. Full service restaurant serving steaks, prime rib, seafood and dinner specials.

SOUL INFUSION TEA HOUSE & BISTRO 628 E. Main St. (between Sylva Tire & UPS).

828.586.1717. Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday noon -until. Scrumptious, natural, fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps and desserts. 60+ teas served hot or cold, black, chai, herbal. Seasonal and rotating draft beers, good selection of wine.

Home-Grown Music Network Venue with live music most weekends. Pet friendly and kid ready.

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

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

Located across from the Fire Station.

Café

Mediterranean Style Foods Gift certificates available New Winter hours: Closed Sunday & Monday Catering or Party Platters Available

217-24

6147 Highway 276 S. Bethel, North Carolina (at the Mobil Gas Station)

bbcafenc.com 828.648.3838 Tu-F 8-6 (takeout only 5-6) • Sat 8-3

TAP ROOM SPORTS BAR & GRILL 176 Country Club Dr. Waynesville 828.456.5988. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Enjoy soups, sandwiches, salads and hearty appetizers along with a full bar menu in our casual, smoke-free neighborhood grill.

VITO’S PIZZA 607 Highlands Rd., Franklin.

828.369.9890. Established here in in 1998. Come to Franklin and enjoy our laid back place, a place you can sit back, relax and enjoy our 62” HDTV. Our Pizza dough, sauce, meatballs, and sausage are all made from scratch by Vito. The recipes have been in the family for 50 years (don't ask for the recipes cuz’ you won't get it!) Each Pizza is hand tossed and made with TLC. You're welcome to watch your pizza being created.

Burgers to Salads Southern Favorites & Classics -Local beers now on draft-

Live Music on the Patio Tues.-Fri.

December 4-10, 2013

JUKEBOX JUNCTION U.S. 276 and N.C. 110 intersection, Bethel.

828.648.4193. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Serving breakfast, lunch, nd dinner. The restaurant has a 1950s & 60s theme decorated with memorabilia from that era.

MAGGIE VALLEY CLUB 1819 Country Club Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Fine and casual fireside dining in welcoming atmosphere. Full bar. Reservations accepted.

Call to see who’s playing.

117 Main Street, Canton NC 828.492.0618 • SidsOnMain.com Serving Lunch & Dinner

MON.-THURS. 11 A.M.-9 P.M. • FRI. & SAT. 11 A.M.-10 P.M. SUNDAY BRUNCH 11 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M. 217-33

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are available at our award-winning inn for mountaintop dining and overnight stays.

2300 SWAG ROAD WAYNESVILLE

828.926.0430 • TheSwag.com OFF OF JONATHAN CREEK RD./HWY. 276 AND HEMPHILL ROAD

Smoky Mountain News

UPCOMING EVENTS

Call us to complete your Christmas Shopping

828-926-0430 217-14

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A&E

Smoky Mountain News

Christmas comes to Appalachia

s the temperatures drop in Western North Carolina, the fun only heats up. The holiday season here is filled with events and activities aimed at celebrating the best way we know how — with friends, family and visitors alike.

Families can partake in wagon rides, iceless skating, craft sales and art demonstrations, all the while enjoying authentic mountain music, clogging and parades throughout several downtowns. These are just some of the activities happening around the region, with each and every date, time and place found within this section.

From the Dillboro “Lights and Luminaries” to “A Christmas Carol” in Waynesville, “A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas” hitting the stage in Bryson City to special performances in Franklin, each community around the region is opening its arms to share in the winter festivities.

It’s a winter wonderland out there, and it’s yours for the taking.

‘A Christmas Carol’ in Waynesville

The classic “A Christmas Carol” will stage at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 67, 13-14 and at 3 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15, at the Haywood Arts Regional Theater in Waynesville.

HART commissioned an original script and score in 2011 from Director Mark Jones and Music Director Ann Rhymer Schwabland.

In HART’s production, Jacob Marley appears like a floating octopus of chains and money boxes, the ghost of Christmas past appears clothed in twinkling lights, a Christmas present leads a “A Christmas mass of carolers from scene to scene, and the ghost of Christmas Carol” will be peryet to come emerges over nine feet tall to fill the entire stage. formed on select Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and $8 for students. dates. Donated photo Discounted tickets to matinees are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and $6 for students. Reservations can be made by calling the HART Box Office, 828.456.6322, from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. www.harttheatre.com.

CHRISTMAS PARADES AROUND WNC

BRYSON CITY The Bryson City Christmas Parade will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in downtown, featuring floats, marching bands, homecoming queens and more. 800.867.9246 or www.greatsmokies.com.

CANTON With the theme “Candy Cane Christmas,” the Canton Christmas Parade will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, in downtown.

828.235.2760.

“Lights and Luminaries” is one of the region’s longest-running holiday celebrations. Donated photo

‘Dillsboro Lights and Luminaries’ celebrates 3O years The Dillsboro “Lights and Luminaries” festival will celebrate its 30th year in shimmering style from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6-7, 13-14.

Adorned in more than 2,500 luminaries and white lights, Dillsboro will glow with excitement as it offers festival-goers four nights of extended holiday shopping hours, musicians, singers, activities and lots of refreshments.

Started in 1983 by merchants as a way to thank its customers, the “Lights and Luminaries” festival is now one of the region’s longest-running holiday celebrations.

The festival opens with Western Carolina University Night from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, during which time a one-day-only iceless ice-skating rink will be open to visitors free of charge; skates will be provided. The rink is sponsored by WCU’s A.K. Hinds University Center and will be in front of Dogwood Wellness.

The WCU Holiday Dancers will kick off the entertainment portion of the festival that night at 5:30 p.m. with a performance at Front Street. The dancers are led by Karyn Tomczak, a former

CASHIERS Cashiers Christmas Parade, “A Storybook Christmas,” will be from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Village Green. As an incentive to make imaginative parade floats, The Christmas Star Award winner for the overall best entry will receive an award-winning barbecue dinner for 20 people, compliments of event benefactor Tom Crawford. www.cashiersareachamber.com.

CHEROKEE The Cherokee Christmas Parade will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in downtown. 828.554.6491 or www.visitcherokeeevents.com.

HIGHLANDS The Highlands Christmas Parade will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in downtown. 828.526.2112. www.highlandschamber.org.

Radio City Music Hall Rockette and director of WCU’s dance program.

Entertainment for WCU Night also will include Voices in the Laurel at 6 p.m., a nonprofit youth choir, which will carol at Dillsboro businesses on Front Street; a “SingA-Long with Susan Belcher” and Cullowhee Valley elementary students at 6:30 p.m.; the Broadway Cat Singers at 7 p.m. performing Christmas songs in a classical musical theater style; and the WCU Horn Choir at 7:30 p.m.

All shows will be performed at the Front Street Courtyard.

The Trantham Family Band will perform that evening at 8 p.m. at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot, followed by the WCU Inspirational Choir at 8:30 p.m.

And Claymates will offer visitors a chance to paint their own ornaments from 6 to 8 p.m.

Other events include the Pick and Play Dulcimer Group performing holiday music from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 13, at Riverwood Shops, Santa and Mrs. Claus at Town hall each day of the festival, horse and buggy rides and other Southern Appalachian activities.

The festival will end with fireworks at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 14, provided by the Jackson County Parks and Recreation.

Free festival parking will be available at Monteith Park. The Cullowhee United Methodist Church will provide a free shuttle from Monteith Park to downtown Dillsboro opening night, Dec. 6. www.visitdillsboro.org or www.facebook.com/dillsboroluminaries

SYLVA “Memories of a Hometown Christmas,” Sylva’s Christmas Parade, will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, in downtown. Parade applications are available at Sylva Town Hall, the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, or at www.mainstreetsylva.org. Photos with Santa will be taken at City Lights Café from 1 to 3 p.m.

Pictures are $10, with proceeds to benefit the Main Street Sylva Association. 828.586.2719 or proberson@townofsylva.org.

WAYNESVILLE With a theme of “Shine The Light,” the Waynesville Christmas Parade will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, in downtown. www.downtownwaynesville.com.

arts & entertainment

‘A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas’ comes to Bryson City “A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas” runs on select dates in Bryson City.

Donated photo

Mark O’Conner.

Mark O’Conner & Friends: An Appalachian Christmas, Robert Ray’s “Home for the Holidays,” and The Nutcracker Ballet will perform at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Mark O’Conner & Friends: An Appalachian Christmas will perform at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6. O’Connor is a multi-Grammy winning musician and composer, most known for his million-selling composition “Appalachia Waltz.” For “An Appalachian Christmas” O’Connor features some of his favorite musicians and songs from the country/bluegrass, pop, classical and jazz worlds of his musical journey. Tickets are $21 and $26.

Robert Ray’s “Home for the Holidays” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14. The production is an eclectic mix of the world’s best-loved Christmas music, presented in both familiar and imaginary ways. Tickets are $10.

The Nutcracker Ballet will be Dec. 20-21.

On a very special Christmas Eve, a young girl named Natasha receives a gift in the form of a nutcracker. Through dreams and magic, Natasha is rescued from the evil Rat King by the nutcracker and taken on an exciting adventure to the Snowflake Forest and Land of Sweets. Set to the music of Tchaikovsky, this holiday classic is perfect for the entire family.

Tickets are $7 for students, $11 for adults.

866.273.4615 or www.greatmountainmusic.com.

Holiday Networking Event Frog Level Brewing Co. Thursday • Dec. 12th • 6-8 p.m.

• Celebrate the Holidays & network with fellow young professionals.

• Appetizers provided.

• Samples & pints of Frog Level Brewing’s frothy creations available for cash purchase.

Sponsored by:

RSVP to haywoodchamber.com or 456.3021 217-09

Smoky Mountain News

O’Conner, Ray and The Nutcracker Ballet in Franklin

as a companion to read to her in the afternoons, Laura is overjoyed to be invited into such a fine house. But when she overhears Mrs. Starr offer to adopt Laura as her own daughter to ease Ma and Pa’s burden of so many children, Laura is certain that her parents will give her up. As Christmas morning approaches, Laura is faced with a decision: Will she choose what she believes is best for the family or will she find a way to stay with Pa, Ma, Mary and Carrie?

Ticket are $8 for adults, $5 for students ages 6 to 18 and free to those under age six.

Tickets can be purchased at the box office before each show.

828.488.8227 or 828.488.8103 or www.smctheatre.com.

December 4-10, 2013

“A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas” will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 6-7, 9, 13-14 and at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15, at the Smoky Mountain Community Theatre in Bryson City.

The original play presents the poignant story of the missing two years in the life of the Ingalls family — the only substantial period that Laura chose not to write about in her Little House books. In their poorest winter, when the crops have been devastated by locusts and the family must deal with the death of baby Freddie, the Ingalls family backtracks to Iowa to take over the running of a hotel. And if things weren’t bad enough, Ma tells Laura that she must be nice to Johnny Steadman, the worst boy in Iowa.

When wealthy Mrs. Starr asks for Laura

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arts & entertainment

This must be the place

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

The Darren Nicholson Band at the Fines Creek Bluegrass Jam, 2013.

Smoky Mountain News

December 4-10, 2013

Garret K. Woodward photo

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 walks across the stage and extends a handshake the size of baseball glove.

“Welcome,” he smiled. hose words above became the introduction of my first article for The Smoky Mountain News. Nicholson was literally the first person I ever interviewed in Western North Carolina. And, that seems kind of poignant, in hindsight.

Beyond his prized work with Balsam Range, he also fronts a solo group, the Darren Nicholson Band — a group that’s a little bit classic county, a little bit old-time mountain music. The side project plays as an outlet for Nicholson from his hefty schedule for his day job. Both bands provide a fulfilling musical existence for the mandolinist, who has a heart as big as his sound.

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“I love a good story and song, and that has motivated me to get more into the songwriting process.”

— Darren Nicholson

The Smoky Mountain News recently caught up with Nicholson. He spoke of his success with Balsam Range (2013 International Bluegrass Music Association winners for “Album of the Year”), his new solo album “Things Left Undone,” and why there’s no greater feeling than being onstage.

The Smoky Mountain News: 2013 was a big year for you.

Darren Nicholson: It has been a huge year. Balsam Range getting “Album of the Year,” I mean that’s really at the pinnacle for what you’d hope for as a recording artist. I was on a collaborative album that won “Album of the Year” in 2006, but I have to say this one meant a whole lot more obviously being more involved in it from the ground up. And I’m really glad to see us get a band award, which has been the concept from the get-go. And to be working on the solo proj-

ect, this is been an amazing year.

SMN: What’s the intent with the solo project?

DN: Well obviously Balsam Range is my main focus, but the Darren Nicholson Band is basically an outlet for a bunch of old friends to get together to make music when Balsam Range takes time off. And just like the solo record, it gives me an outlet to do something different creatively to keep music fresh for me and it is just a different sound.

that they love the most. It’s no secret, I’m a classic country fan and I just love music with a more organic approach, and I really feel like this album reflects a lot of different styles of music that I enjoy playing. But, I also take a lot of pride in producing it to where I hope it sounds very professional. I did this record for the same reason a lot of people do a solo record, and that’s to showcase what I do best.

SMN: What does 2014 hold for you?

SMN: What does the title “Things Left DN: The sky is the limit. I get to work Undone” signify? with some of the greatest musicians in the DN: The title represents a lot of us and world. I’m excited about what’s on the horihow we feel about life in general, and how I think we all sometimes have to stop, reflect and want to be better people. I’m a sucker for a good song. Whenever I’m Balsam Range kicks off their “Winter Concert putting music together, the Series” at the Colonial Theatre in Canton on Dec. 7 most important thing in the with The Jeff Little Trio, Steve Lewis and Josh Scott. music is the singing, and everything will fall into The “Winter Wonderland” will be Dec. 6 and 13 in place around good material. downtown Franklin.

SMN: When you write songs, is it lyrics then The “Lights and Luminaries” festival will be Dec. 6melody, or vice versa?

7, 13-14 in downtown Dillsboro.

DN: The songwriting process for me is an evolving thing, but it’s usually “A Christmas Carol” will play select dates in lyrics first with music and December at the Haywood Arts Regional Theater vocals later. I love a good in Waynesville. story and song, and that has motivated me to get Mandolinist Darren Nicholson (Balsam Range) will more into the songwriting host a solo album release party on Dec. 11 at process because I’m such a Smoky Mountain Roasters in Waynesville. fan of great songwriters.

HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5

SMN: Onstage, when the band is firing on all cylinders, what goes through your head?

DN: When I’m onstage, that’s when I’m having the most fun, and I’m the most relaxed because it’s absolutely what I love to do. If I think about anything, it’s the fact that I’m trying to entertain and hope the audience can relate to how much fun I’m having.

SMN: Why is it important to have that solo outlet?

DN: It’s very important to have a solo outlet. All the guys in Balsam Range have different musical tastes and stylistic things

zon for Balsam Range and the Darren Nicholson Band. I just hope people will give this album a listen and come support live music in any form. I love it with all my heart.

Editor’s Note: The Darren Nicholson Band will host an album release party for “Things Left Undone” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at Smoky Mountain Coffee Roasters in Waynesville. As well, Balsam Range kicks off their “Winter Concert Series” with special guests The Jeff Little Trio, Steve Lewis and Josh Scott at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Colonial Theatre in Canton. www.balsamrange.com.

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On the beat

• A “Blue Ridge Christmas” with Sheila Kay Adams and Michael Reno Harrell will be at 7:45 p.m. Dec. 12, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. Adams is a National Heritage Fellowship winner, while Harrell is a renowned, platinumselling artist. Both encompass the history, culture and music of Appalachia. $12. 828.283.0079 or www.38main.com.

ALSO:

Brasstown Ringers will present “A Brasstown Christmas” at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the First United Methodist Church in Franklin.

“A Brasstown Christmas” has a unique mixture of music based on well-loved holiday favorites for this year’s program. There are poignant pieces such as “White Christmas, “Home for the Holidays” and “The First Noel.” A few toe-tapping selections were chosen for the program including “St. Nick Boogie” and “Christmas Toys on Parade.”

Free.

828.837.8822.

Balsam Range ‘Winter Concert Series’ returns to Canton Renowned bluegrass/gospel group Balsam Range 4th annual “Winter Concert Series” will return to the Colonial Theatre in Canton.

Guest artists for each of the five concerts include The Jeff Little Trio with Steve Lewis and Josh Scott on Dec. 7; multi-award winner and founding member of the Zac Brown Band, John Driskell Hopkins, Jan. 4;

Vancouver Island Music Award winner, The Sweet Lowdown, Feb. 1; premier studio musicians Jeff Collins, David Johnson and Tony Creasman, March 1; and country and bluegrass masters Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson and Jerry Salley, April 5. Balsam Range, winner of the 2013 IBMA Album of the Year for PAPERTOWN, will also perform at each show.

Patrons can enjoy the added benefit of dinner with the members of Balsam Range before the concerts. Tickets for each concert are $20 at The Colonial Theatre box office or by calling 828.235.2760. www.balsamrange.com.

Voices in the Laurel plans auction, concert

The Haywood Community Chorus will present a Christmas program at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 5, at the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville.

The program, “Nowell! An English Christmas,” will include many spirited and beautiful carols and compositions by prolific and internationally renowned composers, such as Benjamin Britten, Gustav Holst, R. Vaughan Williams, Sir David Willcocks, William Mathias and other British composers.

The 70-member group will be under the direction of guest conductor Lanier Bayliss, and guest accompanist Kathy Geyer McNeil.

The group will be joined by the Signature Winds, as well as soloists and vocal ensembles. The chorus is sponsored in part by the Junaluskans and a Grassroots Grant from the N.C. Arts Council, an agency funded by the state of North Carolina and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Free.

The Voices in the Laurel’s “Winter Silent Auction” will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Harrell Center at Lake Junaluska.

Attendees can bid on a variety of local and national items, art, pottery, gift baskets, jewelry, salon/massage services, restaurant gift certificates, getaways and tickets to theme parks.

This auction is on the same day as the Junaluska Christmas Craft Show, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Harrell Center. Both events are in conjunction with the Appalachian Christmas Weekend at Lake Junaluska and the Voices in the Laurel Holiday Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, in the Lake Junaluska chapel.

Voices in the Laurel is a non-profit choir for young people in first grade through 12th grade from Haywood, Buncombe, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties. www.voicesinthelaurel.org or 828.734.9163.

A community holiday music jam will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer, anything unplugged, is invited to join. Singers are also welcomed to join in or visitors can just stop by and listen. The jam is facilitated by Larry Barnett of Grandpa’s Music in Bryson City. Normally, Larry starts by calling out a tune and its key signature and the group plays it together. Then, everyone in the circle gets a chance to choose a song for the group to play together.

The community jams offer a chance for musicians of all ages and levels of ability to share music they have learned over the years or to learn old-time mountain songs. The music jams are offered to the public each first and third Thursday of the month year round.

Free.

828.488.3030.

• The second anniversary party with The Mixx, Joey Fortner, and the Bohemian Duo tap into Frog Level Brewing Company in Waynesville. The Mixx play Dec. 6, with Fortner, Dec. 7 and the Bohemian Duo, Dec. 13. All shows are free and begin at 6:30 p.m. 828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Build Me A Boat and Tina & Her Pony will play City Lights Café in Sylva. Build Me A Boat performs Dec. 13, with Tina & Her Pony, Dec. 14. Both shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. 828.587.2233 or www.citylightscafe.com.

• Jazz/pop artist James Hammel, pianist Joe Cruz, and the Jingle Bell Bash featuring Gypsy Bandwagon will perform at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville.

Hammel will play Dec. 6, with Cruz Dec. 7 and 14, and the Jingle Bell Bash Dec. 13. All shows begin at 7 p.m. $10 minimum food, drink or merchandise purchase. 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• The “Come Messiah King” choral presentation will be at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at the East Sylva Baptist Church.

828.586.2853.

• The Song O’Sky and Land of the Sky choruses will celebrate “A Season For Harmony” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7, at the Terrace Auditorium at Lake Junaluska and 3 p.m. Dec. 8, at the Colonial Theater in Canton. The groups perform barbershop-like harmonies. Tickets for the Lake Junaluska performance are $12.50 and $15 and free for students.

The Canton show is free. www.songosky.org or 866.824.9547.

Smoky Mountain News

Haywood chorus brings Bryson City holiday Christmas to Waynesville community jam

• Mountain Faith will perform a “Home for Christmas” special from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 7, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Items will be collected for the Operation Christmas Box. Refreshments served at 6:30 p.m. Free. www.mountainlovers.com.

December 4-10, 2013

The School of Music at Western Carolina University will present its annual “Sounds of the Season” holiday concert, a performance featuring faculty and students in small chamber groups and larger ensembles, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center in Cullowhee.

This year’s program will include performances by the University Chorus and Concert Choir, accompanied by members of the Western Carolina Civic Orchestra and student and faculty musicians playing sections from Antonia Vivaldi’s “Gloria.”

The WCU Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band and Jazz Guitar Sextet, Percussion Ensemble, Smoky Mountain Brass Quintet, Saxophonic Quartet, Gamelan Angklung, Trombone Ensemble, Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble and Early Music Ensemble also will perform. The Jackson County Children’s Choir, a group made up of 50 students from Fairview, Cullowhee Valley, Scotts Creek, Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountain elementary schools, also will take part in the show. Santa will visit and lead everyone in a sing-a-long to close the program.

Reserved seat tickets are on sale now.

Prices are $15 for adults, $10 for WCU faculty, staff and those aged 60 and older, and $5 for students and children. All proceeds benefit the School of Music Scholarship Fund. www.bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or 828.227.2479.

Ringing in Christmas in Franklin

arts & entertainment

‘Sounds of the Season’ at WCU

• Chuck Spencer, The Love Medicated, Darren Curtis & the Buttered Toast, Brandon Reeves, Dustin Martin & The Ramblers, and Cutthroat Shamrock will perform at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva this month. Spencer plays Dec. 5, The Love Mediated, Dec. 6; Curtis, Dec. 7; Reeves, Dec. 12; Martin, Dec. 13, and Cutthroat Shamrock, Dec. 14. All shows are free and begin at 9 p.m. 828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

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arts & entertainment December 4-10, 2013 Smoky Mountain News

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On the wall

Elementary school-age children and their families are invited to Holiday ARTSaturday crafts and music workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec.7, at the Cowee Heritage Center.

All materials for make-and-take projects are provided by the Macon County Arts Council or donated by the community. This year’s projects include evergreen swags, bisque fired ornaments, recycled holiday card baskets, paper poinsettias and garlands, Christmas cookies to decorate, and more. There’s no pre-registration; children should wear play clothes and come for any part of the session. Adults stay with their young children.

Concurrent with the free ARTSaturday session, pottery and weaving workshops for ages 10 to adult will be offered in Heritage Center studios. Pottery projects include a holiday village and a jingle mug, at $10 each. The weaving studio has a variety of $5 holiday weaving projects. To pre-register contact Claire Suminski at 828.369.5417 or claire@dometrics.com.

828.524.7683 or www.artscouncilofmacon.org.

Luminary display at Angel Medical

• The Junaluska Christmas Craft Show will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Harrell Center in Lake Junaluska.

• Haywood Studio’s annual Holiday Craft Sale will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 6 in the Creative Arts Building at Haywood Community College.

HCC Continuing Education students will sell their work from such mediums as quilting and upholstery. Haywood Studios is the craft club organization for students in the Professional Crafts programs at HCC. Programs are clay, fiber, jewelry and wood.

ALSO:

ALL GOOD THINGS COME IN THREES

See how landfill methane is being reused in creative ways at the Green Energy Park. Ashley T. Evans photo

Sale, demos and classes at Green Energy Park A holiday sale and demonstrations of glassblowing and blacksmithing will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro.

Patrons may watch artists create pieces of art, using renewable landfill gas as fuel for their equipment. The GEP will also be offering its popular “Kids Mosaic Glass” class, with sessions at 1 and 3 p.m. There will be spaces for four kids in each session, on a firstcome first-served basis. The cost for the class is $25.

828.631.0271 or www.jcgep.org.

• The films “Holiday Inn” and “A Christmas Story” will be screened at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. “Holiday Inn” will be Dec. 6-7, with “A Christmas Story,” Dec. 1314. All shows begin at 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for students.

828.283.0079 or www.38main.com.

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• The Canton Christmas Craft Fair will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Canton Armory. 828.648.0101.

• The Stecoah Christmas Arts & Crafts Show will be Dec. 14 at the Stecoah Valley Center in Robbinsville. www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.

Smoky Mountain News

• Learn how to make lip balm, bath salts and foot scrub during a “Natural Body Care Products” class at 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, at Canton Library. The class will be led by Ashley English, local author of several books on a variety of small-scale homesteading topics. All supplies for the class will be provided.

Registration is required. Free. 828.648.2924.

INDULGE IN T HREE SERVICES T HAT ARE G O O D F O R T H E M I N D, B O DY A N D S P I R I T.

December 4-10, 2013

Angel Medical Center is putting together a special luminary display, Dec. 6-13, during Franklin’s Winter Wonderland Event.

The cancer ribbon-shaped luminary display will be on the front yard of the hospital on those two evenings. The cancer ribbon Luminarios will be available for purchase for

$10 a night. The bags will be inscribed with the name of the loved one being honored or remembered.

The proceeds from the Luminario Display will benefit the new AMC Cancer Center. To purchase a bag, contact Don Capaforte at 828.349.6887 or pick up a form at the reception desk at Angel Medical Center in Franklin.

arts & entertainment

Kids holiday workshop, classes at Cowee

• The Franklin Chamber of Commerce “Gingerbread House Competition” will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6-13 at Town Hall.

Cash prizes awarded to winning entries.

Spectators may vote on their favorite gingerbread house for the “People’s Choice” award.

828.524.3161.

• The Jackson County Senior Center will host its annual craft festival from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Department on Aging building in Sylva. Children are invited to enjoy Breakfast With Santa that same morning from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $5 for adults, free for children 10 and under. 828.586.4944.

27

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arts & entertainment

On the streets Living Nativity, service in Canton The 3rd Generation Barn Loft is sponsoring its eighth annual Living Nativity Scene from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday Dec. 7, just outside of Canton. A “Christmas Service in a Stable” will also be held at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8.

Torpy and Wirt Skinner are offering a handicap-accessible, short walk-through Nativity, which will include live animals and cast, plus music and scripture. Visitors may bring a non-perishable food item to place at the manger for The Community Kitchen.

The 3rd Generation Barn Loft is located at 84 Frank Mann Road, near Exit 33 on I40. Turn toward Leicester on Newfound Road, then fork left onto N. Hominy Road.

Take the first right to the big barn.

Free.

Christmas music, readings in Highlands

December 4-10, 2013

The Highlands Cashiers Community Players 18th annual program of readings and music “Christmas Around the World” will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Highlands Performing Arts Center.

Participants will present first-hand

accounts of experiencing Christmas in Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Latvia, Mexico and Viet Nam. The history of Santa Claus and the United States’ own tradition of decorating for Christmas with poinsettias will be included.

The stories will be interspersed with music. Malinda Womack will provide a violin prelude. Guitarist Les Scott will give the history of “Silent Night,” and the original version sung in German. A new composition, “Merry Christmas to the World” by Betty Holt, will be sung by Vangie Rich and Wayne Coleman.

Refreshments will be served during the performance.

Free.

Hospital to host arts and crafts fair The 4th annual “Community Arts & Craft Fair” will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7, in the Health & Fitness Center at MedWest Haywood in Clyde.

The event will feature jewelry, pottery, wood working, Christmas decorations, soap, lotions, herbs and spices, hair accessories and more. This is an opportunity for the community to learn about local artists as well as the Health & Fitness Center.

828.452.8080 or www.medwesthealth.org.

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Smoky Mountain News

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Model train set open house, Dec. 7-8

This holiday season pull the kids away from their headsets and video games and show them another version of an electronic toy. The Smoky Mountain Model Rail Road Club is hosting an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8, at 130 Frazier St., Suite 13 (behind Sagebrush Restaurant and near BearWaters Brewery) in Waynesville. The club’s new home is a showcase for its 50 feet by 30 feet operating layout, where model trains wind their way through incredibly detailed miniature mountains, villages and farms.

In addition to the operating layout, the club also has a Christmas layout, a winter

layout and a wooden Thomas the Tank layout for small children.

The club will have a modified Fastrack layout set up Dec. 13-15 in the lobby of the Beverly-Hanks building at 74 N. Main St., in downtown Waynesville.

Club members will meet at 5 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 12 at their Frazier Street building to transport the layout to BeverlyHanks. The public is welcome to help. Also, the public is welcome to visit the club from 2 to 4 p.m. the second Sunday of each month to see the trains. Club members meet every Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. for regular work sessions.

• The Haywood County Chamber of Commerce “Holiday Cheer Party” will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 11, at Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville. Live and silent auctions, chef stations and local craft beer. 828.456.3021.

After Dark flags denote participating galleries. www.downtownwaynesville.com.

• The annual “Breakfast with Santa” will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Canton Armory. Alongside an appearance by Santa will be a gingerbread house contest. $5 for adults, $3 for children, free for ages 4 and under. Proceeds benefit the Share The Warmth program. www.focusofcanton.com.

ALSO:

• A Christmas dance party for adults will be from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Music will be provided by Paul Indelicato. Bring a finger food dish of your choice. $5. 828.456.2030 or recprograms@townofwaynesville.org.

• The Madrigal Christmas Dinner will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the A.K. Hinds University Center at Western Carolina University. $25. 828.227.7206 or www.wcu.edu.

• Art After Dark is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 6, in downtown Waynesville.

Stroll through working studios and galleries on Main Street and Depot Street. Festive Art

• The “Community Christmas Cheer Breakfast” will be from 8 to 11 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7, at the First Presbyterian Church in Waynesville. Event includes pictures with Santa and Christmas carols.

• “Breakfast with Santa” will be from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville. Free hearing and vision screenings, followed by a visit with Santa and pancake breakfast.

828.456.8995 (ext. 204).

• “Christmas On the Green” will run through Jan. 6 at the Village Green in Cashiers. The park will be brighter than ever with thousands of twinkling lights and mirthful decorations. While strolling the park pathways, guests can enjoy a Festival of Trees. www.villagegreencashiersnc.com.

• The “Hometown Christmas Variety Show” will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Tuscola High School Auditorium. Doors open at 3 p.m. to shop for arts, crafts and baked goods. Proceeds go toward a mission trip.

Event presented by the Cornerstone Fellowship Church.

828.452.1433.

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BY B ECKY JOHNSON

• The “Children/Youth Christmas Play/Musical” will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 15, at the East Sylva Baptist Church. 828.586.2853.

• The P.A.W.S. Benefit “Holiday Wine and Cake Tasting” will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at The Cottage Craftsman in Bryson City.

The benefit is to support P.A.W.S., which helps Swain County’s homeless dogs and cats. $5.

828.488.6207 or www.greatsmokies.com.

• The “Winter Wonderland” will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6 and 13 in downtown Franklin.

Live music, holiday decorations, wagon rides and more. 828.524.2516 or www.franklinchamber.com.

• “A Night Before Christmas” will be Saturday, Dec. 14, in downtown Waynesville. Businesses will stay open later for the last week before Christmas. Santa, luminaries, local musicians, storytellers and carolers will line the streets. Horse-drawn wagon rides will also be available. www.downtownwaynesville.com.

• “Breakfast with Santa” will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 14 at the Stecoah Valley Center in Robbinsville. $5. 828.497.3364 or www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.

• The “Toys for Tots Dance” with the High Mountain Squares will be from 2 to 5 p.m.

Dec. 8, at the Macon County Community Building in Franklin. 828.332.0001 or www.franklin-chamber.com.

Smoky Mountain News

L

As Christmas morning approaches, Laura is faced with a decision: Will she choose what she believes is best for the family or will she find a way to stay with Pa, Ma, Mary and Carrie?

The production runs Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-15, with shows at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, with an extra show at 7 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 9. $8 adults, $5 ages 6-18, free under 6. www.smctheatre.com.

• “The Nutcracker Ballet” will be at the Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts in Franklin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21.

A full, two-act ballet following the dreams of a young girl named Natasha, including her run-in with the evil Rat King, and her exciting adventure to the Snowflake Forest and Land of Sweets. Presented by A Family of Friends Productions in conjunction with Betsy’s School of Dance. $11 Adults, $7 kids. www.greatmountainmusic.com/.

• “A Christmas Carol” will come to the Haywood Arts Regional Theater in Waynesville the next two weekends.

The Charles Dickens classic comes to life with a knock-out production. A huge cast, including village carolers, a live orchestra, a lavish set and period costumes, transports the audience back to the days of Charles Dickens.

HART’s Executive Director Steve Lloyd plays Scrooge, a role alone worth seeing.

The show will run Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 1215, with Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. $20 for adults; $17 for seniors; $6 for kids. Sunday matinee is $16 for adults. www.harttheatre.com.

December 4-10, 2013

ast weekend, I sat down with a calendar and began sifting through all the fabulous Christmas-related events happening this month.

As I plotted out which ones we could try to squeeze in — Christmas parades, Christmas concerts, Christmas plays, live nativity scenes, town tree lightings, Santa visits, and nighttime holiday festivities in our downtowns — I had a flashback to last year’s Disney preparations.

But unlike the strategic scheduling that goes in to a day at the Magic Kingdom, there was no app to help me with this one.

Luckily, our Arts and Entertainment section this week gives you the play-by-play of Christmas happenings to take in. A fan of the performing arts, I’ll take a moment to plug some kid-friendly theater productions with a Christmas theme this month.

• “A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas” is coming to the Smoky Mountain Community Theatre in Bryson City the next two weekends.

The play presents the poignant story of the missing two years in the life of the Ingalls family — the only substantial period that Laura chose not to write about in her Little House books.

In their poorest winter ever, when the crops have been devastated by locusts and the family must deal with the death of baby Freddie, the Ingalls backtrack to Iowa to take over the running of a hotel.

When wealthy Mrs. Starr asks for Laura as a companion to read to her in the afternoons, Laura is overjoyed to be invited into such a fine house. But when she overhears Mrs. Starr offer to adopt Laura as her own daughter to ease Ma and Pa’s burden of so many children, Laura is certain her parents will give her up.

arts & entertainment

Mountain momma

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Books

Smoky Mountain News

‘Green’ text more relevant today than ever lthough this book was published over a decade ago, A Fierce Green Fire has grown steadily in popularity and is currently receiving maximum exposure, both as a required text in environmental courses in universities and as a provocative film which is now available on the internet.

Essentially, this is a “no holds barred” survey of our tragic history in what most authorities now call a “comprehensive account of how we “befouled our own nest” to the extent that it may be too late to save this planet.

Beginning with America’s first explorers and settlers, Shabecoff records the early response to “the new world.” Initially, America was called “the garden,” and historians became accustomed to noting that mankind would now have “a second chance.” We could live in Eden where we could experience an abundance that was almost inconceivable.

The waters teemed with fish, the flight of birds darkened the Writer sky and the forests appeared to be boundless. As a consequence, our early settlers ravaged and slaughtered with abandon.

Most pioneers believed that the birds, wild life and timber would never diminish.

A Fierce Green Fire focuses on the last 50 years of growing alarm and divides the current crisis in five categories (conservation, pollution, alternative ecology, the death of the rain forests and climate change).

Beginning with the first efforts to “conserve” a portion of the rapidly vanishing forests, Shabecoff identifies the beginning of organizations that struggled against overwhelming odds to stop the building of dams in national parks. Especially noteworthy is David Brower and the Sierra Club, who fought to save the Grand Canyon. The Sierra Club’s battle was only partially successful, but Brower managed to establish a hard core of resistance that survives to this day. Eventually, an

Gary Carden

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antagonistic government forced Brower to resign; however, he found a place in other environmental groups and continued the fight.

From the beginning, the greatest resistance to conservation has proved to be the government which is controlled by the major exploiters of America’s natural resources:

A Fierce Green Fire by Philip Shabecoff.

Island Press, 2003. 343 pages. business and industry. With the exception of a few leaders like Teddy Roosevelt, there was considerable confusion about what “nature” was. Two of the most influential spokesmen for conserving the natural world had opposing reasons. Theodore Pinchot, the first chief of the U. S. Forest Service, perceived nature’s purpose to be to serve mankind, thus he advocated conserving nature so that we might better enjoy its resources. However, the naturalist and mystic John Muir felt that the natural

world had its own reason for existing apart from mankind. Pinchot’s philosophy prevailed, of course. Muir died, a defeated man, but many of his ideas have become a vital part of modern environmental movements.

The growing threat of pollution finally exploded into national attention with the Love Canal episode (1978). However, in the face of mounting evidence, government agencies continued to deny the request of an outraged community to be relocated. Over half of the children born on Love Canal had birth defects, many died as a direct result of air and water pollution. Government agencies actually claimed that the excessive number of deaths and defective births was due to “random groups of people who choose to live in the target area who had defective genes. Other flash points, such as the murder of Chico Mendes in Brazil, indicated that the environment was becoming an international issue. Mendes fought to stop the spread of cattle ranching since it replaced the rainforest (and the rubber trees which provided the natives with a means of survival). Despite heroic efforts, this devastation continues and predictions indicate that most of Brazil’s rain forests will be reduced to sterile desert within the next 30 years.

Despite the blatant resistance of government agencies, the environmental movement scored one major victory. The first Earth Day (1970) immediately demonstrated that there was a rising tide of concern — and in some instances, outrage — about the worst environmental abuses: Three Mile Island, the Exxon-Valdez disaster, the dangers of lead paint, the burying of radioactive waste (frequently on Native American land), the shocking exposures of whale and dolphin “harvests,” acid rain, the steady increase of endangered species, strip mining and the ozone layer.

All of this bore evidence that America was in the midst of an orgy of devastation. In retrospect, it now appears that the Reagan and Bush administrations are largely responsible for the most arrogant and self-serving decisions. Certainly, the appointment of James

Watt as Secretary of Interior immediately indicated that Watt was perceived as a “leader of a counter revolution.” Watt managed to reverse the environmental movement. A nearcomical figure, Watt attributed many of his decisions as doing “what God wants.” He readily transferred millions of acres of forest to the control of private business. An antiWatt movement, supported by Friends of the Earth and the Sierra Club, gathered millions of signatures demanding his removal. In time, his outrages began to make even the Reagan Administration nervous, and this eventually led to his dismissal.

However, through two decades of turmoil, Earth Day continued to grow. It is especially heartening to note that the growing awareness of the public led to a kind of grassroots activism which quickly demonstrated that many of the most destructive environmental abuses were buried under activities that now appear to be covert and premeditated. (A daunting example of a “secret” plan to bury toxic waste was revealed in Robeson County, N.C. Upon learning of this plan, the Lumbee Indians immediately launched a movement to oppose a toxic waste plant.

It also appears that the Robeson County incident is just the tip of the iceberg. For example, a study conducted by the United Church of Christ for Racial Justice revealed that “African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Native Americans disproportionately lived in communities with a dangerous concentration of hazardous waste sites. Ninety percent of African Americans live in areas with uncontrolled waste sites.” What does this mean? It means that this is no accident. It is calculated and intentional. It is environmental racism.

If you have not encountered either this book or the film, A Fierce Green Fire, let me urge you to do so. As one of the Greenpeace activists noted regarding the plight of the polar bear, “When you watch that distraught bear, standing perplexed and frightened on his diminishing iceberg, you should be aware that you are on the ice floe with him. You may well share his fate.”

Books spotlight naturalist who co-discovered ‘natural selection’ Western Carolina University biology professor James T. Costa’s two forthcoming books offer an in-depth look at the work of Alfred Russel Wallace, a naturalist who some historians contend deserves more credit for helping co-discover the principle of natural selection.

The first book, On the Organic Law of Change: A Facsimile Edition and Annotated Transcription of Alfred Russel Wallace’s “Species Notebook” of 1855-1859, will be the first-ever publication of the most important field notebook Wallace kept during his Southeast Asian explorations of the 1850s.

Costa’s second book, Wallace, Darwin, and the Origin of Species, will be published next spring. In the book, Costa offers an analysis of the contents of Wallace’s species notebook and examines the parallels in Wallace’s and Darwin’s thinking, their relationship and the controversy over Darwin’s receipt and subsequent publication of Wallace’s paper about natural selection.

In addition to the two forthcoming books, Costa authored Hamiltonian Inclusive Fitness: A Fitter Fitness Concept, which was recently published in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters. He also is the author of The Annotated Origin: A Facsimile of the First Edition of On the Origin of Species and The Other Insect Societies, both of which were published by Harvard University Press. costa@wcu.edu or 828.227.3811.

books

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WCU will digitize historic Smokies photos estern Carolina University’s Hunter Library will produce a new digital collection of 2,000 items focused on the history of Great Smoky Mountains National Park with support from a $93,000 grant from the North Carolina State Library.

“The park certainly has an amazing and well-cared-for archive, but it’s locked away,” said Anne Fariello, associate professor of digital initiatives with Hunter Library. “We will be digitally preserving and increasing access to material that is important, not only to the development of the park, but also to the region.”

This digital collection and interpretive website will include documents and photographs that relate to the initial idea and construction of a national park in the eastern United States, said Fariello.

The materials will focus on a group of North Carolinians who promoted the idea of a park as early as 1899, the efforts of private individuals such as Horace Kephart, whose papers contain many never-before-seen materials that promote a park, and people involved in federal programs, such as the Civilian Conservation Corps, who actually built the park.

Highlights will include journals Horace Kephart assembled in preparation for his book, Camping and Woodcraft, images of the park’s construction and photographs of life in the Civilian Conservation Corps, and Appalachian National Park Association records.

Grant funding will support staff of the library’s digital production team and will enable the purchase of a new scanner that has the capacity to digitize items up to 2 feet by 3 feet and items currently too fragile to scan.

Fariello applied for the grant for the project after learning that a comprehensive history of the park had not been published online and that the park had historical items that are not exhibited.

Fariello said interest in the park has grown with the recent celebration of its 75th anniversary and the success of Ken Burns’ “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” documentary film series.

Fariello said the library collaborated with the park on a recent digitization project, “Picturing Appalachia,” (see story below) and gained a better understanding of the park and its history.

The project is made possible through formal partnerships Hunter Library has entered with Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the state Office of Archives and History, which each house items that will be included in the collection.

For more information, contact Fariello at 828.227.2499 or fariello@wcu.edu.

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Archive focuses on early 20th century Appalachia Western Carolina University joined forces with Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the latest addition to its digital collections, housed at Hunter Library.

“Picturing Appalachia” is a collection of more than 1,000 early 20th century photographs that provides a glimpse into the life, culture and natural landscape of the Southern Appalachian mountains in and around Western North Carolina.

The collection includes images by popular Great Smoky Mountains National Park photographer James E. Thompson, whose work is housed at park headquarters in Sugarlands, Tenn. A memorandum of understanding between the university and the park allowed Hunter Library to digitize the historic photographs.

“It just makes them a lot more accessible to people around the world,” said John McDade, museum curator at the park. Not only can people access the images more easily, but it also protects the images from handling, McDade said.

(top) This 1920s photograph depicts men at LeConte Lodge. The lodge still serves visitors today on the third highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. GSMNP and Hunter Library Digital Collections photo (above) The parking lot at Clingmans Dome, the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, was bustling on the day this photograph was taken in the 1930s. Hunter Library Special Collections and Hunter Library Digital Collections photo

Thompson and his brother, Robin (whose work also is in the new collection), ran the Thompson Brothers Commercial Photography business in Knoxville, Tenn., making images for park supporters and various other regional tourism and business interests.

WCU staff also selected groups of pictures from Hunter Library’s own special collections, including work by George Masa, who photographed and documented the Mount Mitchell Motor Road, giving tourists a glimpse of America’s highest peak east of the Mississippi. Masa is well known for working with Horace Kephart, an authority on the cultural and natural history of the region, to build support for establishment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The collection also comprises the work of other, lesser-known photographers, including A.L. Ensley, a Jackson County farmer who photographed families in formal portraits at his home studio.

“It is these pictures — along with the growth of the railroad and the publication of various travel brochures — that have made Western North Carolina a popular travel destination,” said Anna Fariello, associate research professor at Hunter Library who coordinates digital archiving efforts.

Users can search “Picturing Appalachia” by photographer,

source institution or by topic, which includes botanicals, cities and towns, portraits, industry, landscapes, transportation, and travel and tourism. Descriptions included in each entry include biographical information about the photographer and other facts.

Images from other photographers, including R.A. Romanes, who documented communities and towns in WNC and counties in north Georgia and east Tennessee, are planned for addition. To complete the collection, the library’s digital production team also will scan and upload a number of 19th-century travel brochures.

Picturing Appalachia” takes its place along with the library’s other digital collections, including ones for the craft revival, Cherokee traditions and Kephart, as well as the sound collection “Stories of Mountain Folk,” all of which can be accessed from www.wcu.edu/library/digitalcollections/.

“As a regional public institution and through collaboration with cultural partners, Hunter Library is committed to building regionally oriented, historically significant digital collections of broad research interest,” said Dana Sally, dean of library services.

For more information, contact Fariello at 828.227.2499 or fariello@wcu.edu.

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Experts taking wildlife education to area schools Mountain Wildlife Days has created a wildlife education speakers bureau of sorts to share its pool of wildlife experts with area schools and other organizations in the area, a spokesman for the new Mountain Wildlife Outreach said. Mountain Wildlife Outreach was organized to showcase educational opportunities of its highly trained experts in black bears, birds of prey and wolves, said John Edwards, coordinator of Mountain Wildlife Outreach and director of the annual Mountain Wildlife Days in Cashiers. The group provides a “variety of close up, unique educational programs, designed by outstanding experienced presenters to meet the learning and attention level of the audience,” Edwards said. Some of the presenters include Bill Lea, black bear photographer; wildlife naturalist Michael Skinner; reptile and amphibian expert Steve O’Neil; “wolf man” Rob Gudger; story teller Freeman Owle, who shares his passion for the Cherokee’s value of wildlife; and Pete Kipp, peregrine falcon expert. To find out more, contact John Edwards at 828.743.9648 or blackbears66@gmail.com.

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Smoky Mountain News

follow the Hunter by about an hour or so.

Venus will also cozy up to the new moon for the next couple of days, making its brightest evening star appearance. We may not be so lucky when it comes time for the Geminids, (December’s premier meteor shower) as the waxing moon will light up the night sky. The nights of Dec. 12 and 13 are forecast to be peak for the Geminids this year and the best viewing will likely be just before dawn. The moon should set around 4 a.m. on the morning of Dec. 13 and around 5 a.m. on Dec. 14, leaving a few hours before sunrise for a little meteor gazing.

(Don Hendershot is a writer and naturalist. He can be reached a ddihen1@bellsouth.net.)

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December 4-10, 2013

Orion the Hunter has taken to the late autumn skies. One of the loveliest and most easily recognized constellations will be stalking the heavens until he slides into the daytime sky early next spring. Astronomers believe the Hunter, in his present form, is more than a million years old and think he will continue to stalk the heavens for another couple million years.

Look for Orion to start climbing above the south-southwestern horizon between 8 and 9 p.m. Orion’s belt — three relatively bright stars in a straight line — is pretty easy to pick out. The Hunter appears on his side, facing us, the belt pointing upwards from the horizon. Two bright stars to the north — Betelgeuse marks Orion’s left shoulder and Bellatrix, the right. Below the belt (to the southwest) is the brightest star in the constellation, Rigel, which marks Orion’s left foot.

These two stars are both supergiants — largest of stars. Betelgeuse is a red supergiant and Rigel is a blue supergiant. Both of these stars are much larger than our sun (perhaps 20 times more massive) and put out about 100,000 times as much heat and energy. Betelgeuse and Rigel are about 640 and 800 light years from earth, respectively.

Extending south from Orion’s belt is a smaller, fainter line of stars that create the Hunter’s sword. One of the glowing orbs in this sword isn’t truly a star at all. It is M42 — the Orion Nebula. A nebula is a giant complex of interstellar gas and dust. This gas and dust is continuously collapsing and creating new stars. Images from the Hubble Space Telescope have revealed as many as 3,000 stars in M42 and many of them youngsters, less than 10,000 years old.

The huge supergiants, Betelgeuse and Rigel, have to defer to the Dog Star (Sirius) when it comes to brightness. Sirius will share the night sky with Orion all winter — and you can use Orion to find the Dog Star.

If you draw an imaginary line through Orion’s belt downward (to the east) it will point to Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, called the Dog Star because it is located in the constellation Canis Major.

Although Sirius is only about 30 times brighter than the sun, it is only about nine light years away, making it brighter than the two supergiants. Canis Major and Sirius will

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outdoors December 4-10, 2013 Smoky Mountain News 34

WCU athletic training majors help young high school sports teams Western Carolina Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s athletic training major is giving hands-on experience to its students while helping area high school athletic departments, as part of the curriculum. The programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 42 students traveled to 12 schools in five counties for clinical experiences in athletic training for football, basketball, soccer and volleyball.

The four-year program prepares students for state licensing and national certification and has a strong emphasis on experiential learning and service. As soon as they become sophomores, students accepted in the program begin clinical work at designated sites and learn first-hand what a professional career in the field is like.

Four days each week, Tuesdays through Fridays, for seven weeks the students teamed up and traveled in pairs to the schools, where they practiced under the tutelage of certified athletic trainers. They helped the athletic trainers address health concerns of the student-athletes during practices after school, stayed on for night games, and occasionally traveled with the teams to away games, devoting about 150 hours to the experience. In the spring of 2014, they will be assigned to different schools for an additional 200 hours of clinical experience.

In North Carolina, athletic trainers must pass a national exam to be certified and obtain a license. All 14 graduates of the WCU program in the past year passed the test on their first attempt, even though historically, at the national level, fewer than 60 percent do so. manners@wcu.edu or 828.227.3509.

Find us at: facebook.com/ smnews

servation organizations who guided them in their research. This year’s students worked with staff from Coweeta Hydrologic Lab, the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, Highlands Nature Center, the Land Trust for the Little

Tennessee, Mississippi State University, United States Forest Service, and The Wilderness Society. As a group, the students also conducted a “Capstone” research project under the guidance of Steve Foster from Watershed Science Inc. in Franklin, studying the ecology and health of Caney Fork, a tributary to the Tuckasegee River. www.highlandsbiological.org or 828.526.2602

Moss Knob shooting range to reopen in 2014 The Moss Knob Shooting Range, located in the Nantahala Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest, will reopen in spring 2014 following improvements to the area, such as a new access road to the shooting range from behind the shooting line and building a new earthen backstop for each shooting line. The work also will include drain work, as well as filling and leveling along the firing line. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the National Rifle Association are partners in the project. Repairs were scheduled to be completed this fall, but logistical challenges with the project delayed the range’s opening. For more information on the closing and improvements, contact Thomas Saylors, recreation staff officer of the Nantahala Ranger District, at 828.524.6441 (ext. 424).

A new family-centered educational program will be available next year at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.

Designed primarily for home educators, the new three-day program provides hands-on experiences to learn about nature and science. “What better way to study the intricacies of nature and the process of science than to go outside, where you can observe what’s right under your nose?” said Tiffany Beachy, Tremont’s citizen science coordinator. Throughout the year, families visit regu-

larly to participate in Tremont’s citizen science programs – catching butterflies and salamanders, banding birds, or monitoring the changing of seasons, Beachy said. This program goes one step further and provides an in-depth residential experience specifically designed for families with children age 6 and older.

The program is scheduled for Monday through Wednesday, Jan. 20-22 at GSMI at Tremont. Participants will stay in Caylor Lodge, Tremont’s dormitory. The program allows family units to have their own section of bunks in the dorm, deepening the family experience. The cost is $400 for a family of four plus $90 for each additional person. All meals, coffee, tea and snacks are included.

865.448.6709 or Julie@gsmit.org.

Smoky Mountain News

New residential home educator program offered for January

December 4-10, 2013

College students who spent the past semester doing research at the Highlands Biological Station will present their findings at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, in the seminar room of the Coker Laboratory, 265 N. Sixth St., Highlands.

The public is invited to this closing ceremony to hear what the students have discovered during their participation in the Highlands Field Site program offered by the UNC-CH Institute for the Environment.

Eleven students from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and one from North Carolina State University participated in the semester-in-residence program that provided hands-on research opportunities in the area. The coursework included mountain biodiversity, landscape analysis (GIS), conservation biology, southern Appalachian culture, and research.

Each student conducted an internship project with a mentor from other local con-

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Hear research presentations at the Highlands Biological Station

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outdoors

WNC residents urge Duke Energy to move away from coal Western North Carolina residents are asking Duke Energy to rethink its use of fossil fuels in the region.

Community leaders delivered to Duke Energy representatives more than 5,500 petitions from area residents urging the company to move from burning coal at its Asheville coal plant to investing in homegrown clean energy solutions, the Western North Carolina Alliance said in a press release.

Pollution from the plant is leaking into the French Broad River, says Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson, who helped deliver the petitions.

“Duke’s toxic coal ash problem is another reason why Asheville needs this plant replaced with clean energy solutions,” Carson said.

Asheville City Council passed a resolution in late October calling on Duke Energy to partner with the city in moving from fossil fuels to clean energy, the press release stated.

“North Carolina is now fourth in the country for installed solar capacity,” said Erika Schneider, director of communications at Sundance Power Systems. “Our state is a leader and our region can be a leader, too.

Duke Energy only has to look around to find companies and people ready to power our homes and business with clean, local energy made right here.”

Find unique gifts at the farmers market bazaar The Jackson County Farmers Market will hold its annual Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 and 14 at The Community Table in Sylva. The Bazaar is a good place to buy holiday gifts, said Jenny McPherson, market manager. The Bazaar will also feature music by Kjelsty Hanson and Glenn Kastrinos of Whimzik, who perform traditional world music on the bodhran, Irish flute and guitar. A kids’ craft table will be available for children to make and take home an ornament. Other items for purchase will be fresh holiday baking spices, gingerbread cookies (decorate your own), scented candles, snowflake shaped soap and more. Available produce includes sweet potatoes, greens, radishes and other vegetables for holiday cooking. New this year for purchase are gift certificates to the market. The Market is open every Saturday from 10 -1 at the Community Table in downtown Sylva near Poteet Park and accepts SNAP benefits. Contact Jenny McPherson for more information at 631.3033 or visit www.jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org.

Parks and recreation department to offer snow trips to Cataloochee The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department will offer a trip for all ages to Maggie Valley during January and February. Skiing and snowboarding at Cataloochee Ski Area will take place every Tuesday and tubing at Tube World every Thursday. Each trip will leave the Waynesville Recreation Center at 4 p.m. and return at 8:15 p.m. Transportation is provided by the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department. Space is limited. Participants will need to register at least 24 hours in advance. For pricing and more information, call the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department at 828.456.2030 or recprogramspecialist@townofwaynesville.org.

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December 4-10, 2013

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Kjelsty Hanson and Glenn Kastrinos of Whimzik will play traditional world music at the Jackson County Farmer's Market Holiday Bazaar on Dec 7 and Dec. 14.

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Thank You

Friendships make for great partnerships Thank you to all the exceptional local businesses and nonproďŹ ts that partnered with us in 2013. One of the reasons why WNC is such a wonderful place to live is the sense of entrepreneurship and spirit of cooperation.

These businesses participated in our Client Connect program this year, allowing us to share how to best

December 4-10, 2013

HauntedAsheville.com

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CARL SANDBURG National Historic Site

beverly-hanks.com/clientconnect

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WNC Calendar

Smoky Mountain News

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • Affordable Care Act Community Educational Sessions, with Cynthia Solesbee, certified health care navigator for Macon County, 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, Meeting Room, Macon County Public Library, Franklin.

524.3600.

• Smoky Mountain Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association meeting, noon Saturday, Dec. 7, Lambuth Inn, North Lakeshore Drive, Lake Junaluska. Ed Fox, 456.5251; Betty Brintnall, 586.9292; Luci Swanson, 369.8922.

• Western Carolina Civil War Round Table meeting, Christmas dinner and program, 6:15 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, Sylva Inn, U.S. Highway 74 East. Reservations by noon Friday, Dec. 6. $25. Send check, payable to WNCCWRT, to Chuck Beemer, 13 Greenview Drive, Waynesville, NC 28786 or to Chris Behre, P. O. Box 3709, Cullowhee, NC 28723. 293.9314 or 456.4212.

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted. p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 or 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, Cashiers Community Library Meeting Room, Cashiers Community Library. www.mountainprojects.org, 800.627.1548.

• Carolina Coding Initiative Launch Event, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching in Cullowhee, to introduce new users to coding. Free. Space limited. Children age 9 to 15 accompanied by an adult welcomed. Preregister at http://bit.ly/1881CJF or call Dr. Jonathan Wade, 293.5202.

• Haywood Chamber Holiday Cheer, 5 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 11, Laurel Ridge Country Club, Waynesville. Tickets, $30 per person. Chef stations and locally brewed beers. Live and silent auctions.

• American Legion Post 104 meeting and annual Christmas party, 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, Dillsboro Masonic Lodge, 223 Wilkes Crescent Drive, Sylva. Bring a covered side dish to share. Bingo players bring a wrapped inexpensive gift. Membership Chair Clyde Bumgarner, 586.6676.

• Haywood County Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Holiday Networking After Hours, 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, Frog Level Brewing, Waynesville.

• Jackson County Genealogical Society annual meeting and awards dinner, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec.12, East Sylva Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 5th Ave, Dillardtown community. Bring a covered dish for the potluck meal. 631.2646.

• Tuesday, Dec. 10 is the deadline to donate gently used coats to the Macon County Public Library children’s area for the East Hickory Knoll Methodist Church coat drive.

• A special showing of “Elf,” for people with autism, 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, Asheville Pizza and Brewing Co., 675 Merrimon Ave., North Asheville. Tickets, $3; ticket sales and donations to benefit Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) in Western North Carolina. Simone Seitz, 236.1547.

• “Understanding our Past, Shaping our Future” through Dec. 20, Cherokee Central Schools, Cherokee.

The touring exhibit focuses on Cherokee language and culture, using sound recordings as the basis for presenting a coherent story in words and text.

• The Compassionate Friends group, 7 to 8:30 p.m. the first Thursday of the month, Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Waynesville. For anyone who has experienced the death of a child in the family. Run by those who have lost a loved one. John Chapman, 400.6480.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • Virginia Postrel, an author, columnist and speaker, will discuss her book, “The Power of Glamour: Longing and the Art of Visual Persuasion,” 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, Wells Fargo Business Center, Forsyth Building, Western Carolina University. 227.3383 or ejlopez@wcu.edu.

• Computer Class: Basic Microsoft Word, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 4, Jackson County Public Library.

586.2016.

• Franklin Chamber of Commerce Alive After Five and Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts’ Open House, 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, 1028 Georgia Road, Franklin. Tours, giveaways, local restaurant showcase, and a concert by My Highway. 2014 schedule will be announced.

• Open house, new Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Center at Harris Regional Hospital, 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, 37 Medical Park Loop, Suite 103, Sylva.

586.7910.

• Affordable Care Act Presentation: Understanding the North Carolina Health Insurance Marketplace, 6 to 7:30

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS

• Friends of the Greenway, Inc. (FROGS) Headquarters Gift Shop, 573 E. Main St., Franklin, special 25 percent off all merchandise through Dec. 5, to benefit support local artists/crafters and the Franklin Greenway.

369.8488.

BLOOD DRIVES Jackson • Sylva Community Blood Drive, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 13, 100 County Services Park, Jackson Senior Center. 800.733.2767 or www.redcrossblood.org, keyword: Sylva.

Swain • Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church Blood Drive, 3:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, Robinson Gap Road, Bryson City. Nancy Wiggins, 488.6880.

HEALTH MATTERS

7, Blue Ridge Books, 152 S. Main St., Waynesville.

Browning will sign copies of her book, Tanner Turbeyfill and the Moon Rocks. 456.6000, blueridgebooksnc.com, www.anna-browning.com.

• Holiday ARTSaturday, free crafts and music workshop, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 7, Cowee Heritage Center (former Cowee Elementary School). For elementary school-age children and their families. No registration required. Also, pottery and weaving workshops for ages 10 to adult at Heritage Center studios. Pottery projects, $10 each. Weaving projects, $5 each. Space limited; details and to register, Claire Suminski, 369.5417 or claire@dometrics.com.

• Breakfast With Santa, plus free hearing and vision screening, 8 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, First United Methodist Church, 566 Haywood St., Waynesville. Free.

• Story time with Mrs. Claus and a special visit from Santa. 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, The Strand, 38 Main, Waynesville.

• “How Great Our Joy” Young Children’s Choirs, 4 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 8, First Baptist Church, Waynesville. • Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 14, Canton Armory, 71 Penland St, Canton. $5, adults, $3 children 5-12 years old, and free for children under 4. Proceeds to benefit the local program Share The Warmth. www.focusofcanton.com.

• Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department Winter Day Camp, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 23, 26, 27, 30 and 31, Waynesville Recreation Center, for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade. Geocaching, snow tubing, field trips, swimming, movies and more. Price varies. Space limited. Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department, 456.2030 or email recprogramspecialist@townofwaynesville.org.

• Registration open for Jackson County Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) classes. Semester II classes will run January through May 2014, Thursdays at Cullowhee Valley School. $100 per student. Dusk Weaver, JAM director, 497.4964 or weaverdusk@gmail.com or Heather Gordon, 4-H Agent, at 586.4009 or heather_gordon@ncsu.edu.

• 21st annual Charles Taylor Holiday Dinner, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7, Crowne Plaza Resort, Asheville.

Tickets, $50 per person for dinner only, $125 for dinner and private reception. Reservations required. Make checks to Charles Taylor Christmas Dinner and mail to Charles Taylor, PO Box 66, Brevard, NC 28712. Trish Smothers, 243.2187 or tasmothers@yahoo.com.

Others • Joint Skype session with Asheville Move to Amend, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, Jackson County Justice Center — Room 246, Sylva.

A&E FESTIVALS, SPECIAL & SEASONAL EVENTS

• Mountain Dulcimer Winter Weekend, Jan. 9-12, Lambuth Inn, Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. Registration open through Friday, Dec. 13; space is limited. Details at dulcimeru.wcu.edu or call the Office of Continuing and Professional Education, 227.7397.

• Dr. James Moore, lecture on Darwin’s Sacred Cause, 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, Highlands Biological Station, Coker Laboratory, 265 N. Sixth St., Highlands. www.highlandsbiological.org or 526.2221.

Literary (children)

• Special Lunch and Learn with orthopedic surgeon Douglas Gates, M.D. noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, Harris Regional Hospital board room, Sylva.

Reservations required. 586.7677.

• Children’s Story time: Cookie Crumbs, 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6, Jackson County Public Library, Sylva. 586.2016.

KIDS & FAMILIES

GOP

Science & Nature

• Ladies Night Out, 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10, Angel Medical Center, Franklin. Topic is Stress and Depression. Dawn Wilde Burgess, 349.2426.

• Local author Anna Browning, 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec.

POLITICAL GROUP EVENTS & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

• Free natural body care products class at 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, at Canton branch of the Haywood County Public Library. All supplies for the class will be provided. 648.2924.

• Student research presentations, 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, Coker Laboratory, Highlands Biological Station, 265 N. Sixth St., Highlands. Free. www.highlandsbiological.org or 526.2221.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

• Write On!: Children’s Creative Writing Program, 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, Jackson County Public Library, Sylva. 586.2016.

• Cool Kids Do Science Club, 5:30 p.m. second Thursday of the month, Canton Branch Library. Fun science experiments for elementary- and middle-school-aged kids.

648.2924.

• Community CPR/First Aid Training, 6 to 9 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 5, Jackson County Recreation Center, Cullowhee. $40 per participant. Limited to 20 participants. 293.3053, rec.jacksonnc.org.

• Holiday Nutrition seminar, 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, Room 137, Department of aging, 100 County Services Park, Sylva. Free. 586.4944 to RSVP. Hosted by Jackson County Senior Center.

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

• Family Night: Deck The Stacks 6 p.m. Thursday Dec. 5, Jackson County Public Library, Sylva. 586.2016.

• Children’s Story time: Gingerbread Man, 3:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 6, Jackson County Public Library, Sylva.

586.2016.

• Children’s Story time: Rotary Readers, 11 a.m.

Monday, Dec. 9, Jackson County Public Library, Sylva.

586.2016.

• Children’s Story time: The Legend of the Candy Cane, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, Jackson County Public Library, Sylva. 586.2016.

• Lego Club, 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, Jackson County Public Library, Sylva. 586.2016.

HOLIDAY EVENTS Christmas parades • Canton Christmas Parade, 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5.

235.2760.

• Highlands Olde Mountain Christmas Parade, 11 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7, downtown Highlands.

• Bryson City Christmas Parade, 2 p.m. Dec. 7, downtown, featuring floats, marching bands, homecoming queens and more. 800.867.9246 or www.greatsmokies.com.

• Cherokee Christmas Parade, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, downtown. 554.6491 or www.visitcherokeeevents.com.

• Waynesville Christmas Parade, 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, Main St., downtown Waynesville.

• 39th annual Cashiers Christmas Parade, noon Saturday, Dec. 14, Cashiers. cashiersareachamber.com.

• Sylva Christmas Parade, 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, Sylva. 586.2719.

Musicals, concerts and performances • “The Gift,” a Christmas musical drama, Dec. 4-7, presented by Calvary Road Baptist Church at Haywood County Fairgrounds, 758 Crabtree Road, Waynesville.

926.0506, www.crbcnc.org.

to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 6, Creative Arts Building at Haywood Community College, Clyde. All work created by HCC students.

• Love Lights A Tree ceremony, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, Franklin Town Square. Personalized ornaments for $10 to support Relay for Life of Franklin. Snowflakes, Christmas trees or stockings that can be personalized with a name and date in honor or memory of your loved one.

• Community Chorus Christmas Concert, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 5, First United Methodist Church, Waynesville.

• Dillsboro Luminaries, 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7 and 13-14, downtown Dillsboro.

Coffee, cider, hot chocolate, baked goodies, horse and buggy rides and Santa Claus. Iceless ice skating, Dec. 6, and grand finale fireworks, Dec. 14.

• Nowell! An English Christmas presented by the Haywood Community Chorus, 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, sanctuary, First United Methodist Church, 566 S. Haywood St., Waynesville. Free.

• Luminarios Display, Dec. 6 and 13, Angel Medical Center. Purchase a cancer ribbon-shaped luminary for $10 and the name of loved one to be honored or remembered will be inscribed on the bag.

• “A Brasstown Christmas,” featuring the Brasstown Ringers, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, United Methodist Church, Harrison Ave., Franklin. Free, but a goodwill offering taken at the end.

• Christmas dance party for adults, 7 to 8:45 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7, Waynesville Recreation Center, Waynesville. Music by Paul Indelicato. $5 per person.

Bring a finger food dish. 456.2030 or email recprograms@townofwaynesville.org.

• “A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas,” 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 and 13, and Saturday, Dec. 7 and14; 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 8 and 15; and at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, Smoky Mountain Community Theater, 134 Main St., Bryson City. 488.8227 or 488.8103, or visit www.smctheatre.com. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for students ages 6 to 18 and free for children age 6 and under. Available at the box office before each show.

• Free Christmas concert by Mountain Faith, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7, Community Room of the Jackson County Public Library Complex in Sylva. Admission, item to fill Christmas boxes for the homebound elderly of Jackson County.

• “All Through the Town” Saturday, Dec. 7, downtown Waynesville: 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., Story Time with Santa, The Strand, 38 Main St.; noon to 3 p.m.

Musicians on the Street; 3 to 4 p.m. “Cookies, Coffee & Christmas,” Mountain Favors, 98 N. Main St., lower level Twigs & Leaves; 5 to 7 p.m. Santa on the Street; 7 p.m. musician Joe Cruz, Classic WineSeller, 20 Church St. • 4th annual Community Arts & Craft Fair, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, Health & Fitness Center at MedWest Haywood, Clyde. 452.8080.

• Jackson County Senior Center annual Craft Festival, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, Heritage Room, Department on Aging building, 100 County Services Park, Sylva. Children’s Breakfast with Santa, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., free for children 10 and under; $5 for adults and children 11 and older. 586.4944.

• “Sounds of the Season” holiday concert, featuring WCU’s School of Music faculty and students in small chamber groups and larger ensembles, 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center, WCU. Reserved seating is$15 for adults; $10 for WCU faculty, staff and those aged 60 and older; and $5 for students and children. Benefits School of Music Scholarship Fund. 227.2479 or bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

• Christmas in the Valley, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, Maggie Valley Pavilion. Hosted by the Maggie Valley community for needy Haywood County families.

926.1686, www.maggievalley.org.

• “Hometown Christmas” Variety Show, 4 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 8, Tuscola High School Auditorium, Waynesville. Free admission. Presented by Cornerstone Fellowship Church. Doors open at 3 p.m.

Arts and crafts, bakery. Proceeds support a mission trip. 452.1433.

• Holly Days, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, downtown Waynesville. Story time with Santa, live music, healthy cooking demonstrations, author events, cookies and coffee, movies and more. 456.3517.

• 9th annual Christmas Service in a Stable, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 8, 3rd Generation Barn Loft, 84 Frank Mann Road, Canton. Free, handicap accessible.

• A Christmas Carol,7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-7 and 3 p.m.

Dec. 13-14, HART Theatre, 250 Pigeon St., Waynesville. $20, adults; $17, seniors; $8, students.

Discounted matinee tickets are $16, adults; $14 seniors, and $6 students. Reservations, 456.6322,from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, or visit www.harttheatre.com.

Other Christmas activities • Reduced prices on Christmas books for adults and children Thanksgiving through December at The Friends of the Library Used Book Store in Sylva.

Proceeds support the Jackson County Public Library.

• Christmas on the Green, through Jan. 6, The Village Green, Cashiers.

• Haywood Studio’s annual Holiday Craft Sale, 10 a.m.

• Community Christmas Cheer Breakfast, 8 to 11 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7, Waynesville First Presbyterian Church, downtown Waynesville. Breakfast, family pictures with Santa, live music and Christmas carols, and more. Donations accepted. 926.3678.

• 3rd Generation Barn Loft’s 8th annual Living Nativity (Jesus’ birth), 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7, 84 Frank Mann Road, Canton. Take exit 33 of I-40, turn toward Leicester on Newfound Road, fork left onto N. Hominy Road, first right. Bring a non-perishable food item for The Community Kitchen.

• Jackson County Green Energy Park Holiday Sale and demonstrations by Energy Park artisans, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, one half mile past the Huddle House in Dillsboro, off Haywood Rd. Also, Kids Mosaic Glass class, 1 and 3 p.m. Space for four kids. $25.

631.0271 or www.jcgep.org.

• Smoky Mountain Model Railroad Club Christmasthemed train layout, 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 7-8, front lobby of Beverly-Hanks & Association, 74 N. Main St., downtown Waynesville.

CALL NOW!

Authorized Agents Floyd & Susan Rogers

828-452-2243 susanr@haywoodins.com

Smoky Mountain News

• “A King is Coming to Town,” 11 a.m. Sunday Dec. 8, Clyde First Baptist Church.

December 4-10, 2013

• Sylva FUMC Chancel Choir will present Joel Raney’s “Sing With the Angels! A Christmas Musical” 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, sanctuary of the church. Includes Sylva Community Handbell Choir, vocal solos and a special organ/piano duet.

217-47

wnc calendar

• Haywood County Rescue Squad will accept non-perishable food items from parade goers at each Haywood County parade this holiday season to donate to Haywood Christian Ministries food pantry.

Spectators can stick a bag or can of soup or beans in their coat pocket to bring to the parade for the rescue squad to collect at the end of the parades.

• Herren House Open House, caroling and eggnog 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, 94 East St., downtown Waynesville.

• “A Night Before Christmas,” 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, downtown Waynesville.

39

217-54

wnc calendar

The Real Team

JOLENE HOCOTT • LYN DONLEY MARLYN DICKINSON

Real Experience.

Real Service. Real Results.

828.452.3727

• Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 14, Canton Armory, 71 Penland St, Canton. $5, adults, $3 children 5-12 years old, and free for children under 4. Proceeds to benefit the local program Share The Warmth. www.focusofcanton.com.

• Haywood County Public Library is collecting food through Dec. 18 for local residents.

452.5169.

• Polar Express, through Dec. 29, the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad train depot in Bryson City. 800.872.4681 or www.gsmr.com.

www.The-Real-Team.com

MOUNTAIN REALTY 1904 S. Main St. • Waynesville

LITERARY (ADULTS)

Michelle McElroy RESIDENTIAL BROKER ASSOCIATE E-PRO, CNHS, RCC, SFR

74 North Main St. • Waynesville 828.452.5809

217-56

217-57

mstamey@beverly-hanks.com

828-508-9607

December 4-10, 2013

• Dana Wild smith presents her Christmas chapbook, Christmas in Bethlehem, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 6, City Lights Bookstore, Sylva.

586.9499.

•Jingle Bell Bash featuring Gypsy Bandwagon, with Lance and Carrisa Moore, and James and Karin Lyle performing Celtic, Gypsy, Western, Pop, and lots of Christmas and holiday favorites on fiddle, vocals, guitar, and drums.

• Author event, Jeff Minick, 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, Blue Ridge Books, 152 S. Main St., Waynesville.

Minick will discuss his new book, Learning As I Go, a collection of essays and reviews.

456.6000, Blueridgebooksnc.com.

Mike Stamey

• Author event, Karla Wood, 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, Blue Ridge Books, 152 S. Main St., Waynesville. Riley’s Mission is a tooth fairy tale that answers the questions most children have about the tooth fairy. 456.6000, Blueridgebooksnc.com.

74 NORTH MAIN ST. • WAYNESVILLE, NC

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT

www.beverly-hanks.com

217-50

• Multiple Grammy-award winning violinist Mark O’Connor, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin. Tickets start at $21.

GreatMountainMusic.com or 866.273.4615.

Smoky Mountain News

• Balsam Range 4th annual “Winter Concert Series” 7:30 p.m. The Colonial Theatre, Canton, featuring guest artists: The Jeff Little Trio with Steve Lewis and Josh Scott, Dec. 7.

Tickets, $20 for each concert, available at The Colonial Theatre box office or 235.2760. www.balsamrange.com.

40

• A Blue Ridge Christmas with Sheila Kay Adams and Michael Reno Harrell, 7:45 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 12, The Strand, 38 Main, Waynesville.

• James Lyle, mix of Holiday tunes, 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 6, Classic WineSeller, downtown Waynesville.

• Author event with Anna Browning, 3 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7, Blue Ridge Books, 152 S. Main St., Waynesville. Browning will sign her children’s picture book, Tanner Turbeyfill and the Moon Rocks. Blueridgebooksnc.com, 456.6000.

michelle@beverly-hanks.com

NIGHT LIFE • Open mic night, 6 p.m. sign up, 7 p.m. music starts, Thursday, Dec. 5, The Strand, 38 Main, Waynesville.

• Half-price sale on all craft books and cookbooks, Dec. 5-8, Jackson County Friends of the Library Used Book Store, Sylva.

• ABC Yoga, 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, City Lights Bookstore, Sylva. 586.9499.

828.400.9463 Cell

p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, Maggie Valley Opry House, 3605 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, with Raymond Fairchild and Band with the Stone Mountain Travelers. $15. 648.7941 or visit http://www.raymondfairchild.com.

• A Season for Harmony, barbershop quartet concert featuring Song O’ Sky Chorus (Sweet Adelines International) and Land of the Sky together at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, Terrace Auditorium, Terrace Hotel, 91 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Junaluska. Tickets, $15, $12.50 and students free. www.ashevillebarbershop.com, www.songosky.org.

• Song O’ Sky Chorus (Sweet Adelines International) in an afternoon of old and new favorites sung in sweet barbershop-style harmony, 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, Colonial Theater, Canton. Free. Sponsored by Crawford Ray Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens as a holiday gift to the community. www.songosky.org, 866.824.9547.

• International Bluegrass Music Museum legend Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” from television’s “In the Heat of the Night,” 8

• Christmas sing along, Joe Cruz, piano, vocals, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, Classic WineSeller, downtown Waynesville.

• Jerry Butler and the Blu-Js, 7:45 p.m.

Thursday, Dec 19, The Strand, 38 Main, Waynesville.

• Live music at Alley Kats in Waynesville.

456.9498 or 734.6249.

open late, artist receptions, music, refreshments.

• Artist’s reception for Cullowhee watercolor artist Craig Forrest, 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, It’s

by Nature gallery, 678 W. Main St., Sylva.

631.3020.

• Green Biennial Invitational Exhibition featuring nine new sculptures, through Dec. 31, the Village Green Commons, Cashiers. www.villagegreencashiersnc.com, 743.3434.

CLASSES, PROGRAMS & DEMONSTRATIONS • Make Your Own Pottery Gift: clay plaques, 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, $30; clay angels, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 7, $30; and mug, 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, $25; 488.0480 or email pincupottery@gmail.com.

FILM & SCREEN • Holiday Inn, 7:45 p.m. Dec. 6-7, The Strand, 38 Main, Waynesville.

• Family holiday movie, 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, Marianna Black Library, Bryson City.

When Mrs. Claus travels to Pineville, playful Santa Pups stow away on her sled. 488.3030.

• Polar Express, 7:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, The Strand, 38 Main, Waynesville. Wear your PJs.

JAMS • Community music jam, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 5, library auditorium, Marianna Black Library, downtown Bryson City.

Holiday favorites. Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer anything unplugged is invited to join. Facilitated by Larry Barnett of Grandpa’s Music in Bryson City. 488.3030.

• First Thursday Old-Time and Bluegrass Jam Series, 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center, H.F. Robinson Administration Building, Cullowhee. Featuring Speaking-In-Tunes. Jam session follows at 8 p.m. 227.7129.

DANCE • Christmas dance party for adults, 7 to 8:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, Waynesville Recreation Center, Waynesville. Music by Paul Indelicato. $5 per person. Bring a finger food dish.

456.2030 or email recprograms@townofwaynesville.org.

• Second Sunday community dance, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 8, second floor of the Jackson County Library Complex, Sylva. Contra dancing. New dancers class, 3:45 p.m. Potluck dinner follows at 5 p.m. ronandcathy71@frontier.com or www.dancewnc.com.

• High Mountain Squares Annual Toys for the Tots Dance, 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, Macon County Community Building, GA Road (441 South), Franklin. Admission is one new unwrapped toy. www.highmountainsquare.org .

• Pisgah Promenaders Christmas Square Dance, 6:45 to 8:45 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, Old Armory Recreation Center, 44 Boundary St., Waynesville. 586.8416, 452.1971.

ART/GALLERY EVENTS & OPENINGS • Art after Dark, 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, downtown Waynesville. Downtown galleries

Outdoors OUTINGS, HIKES & FIELDTRIPS • Christmas Turkey “Card” Shoot, 1 50/50 Shoot, 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 14, 44 Oak Hill Drive, off Mineral Springs Road, Sylva, next to SRC. Prizes include turkeys, hams, meats. Pick up at Harold’s in Sylva. craigforrest@sleepyhollowstudio.com or call Tom, 226.8572. Sponsored by the Jackson County Democratic Men’s Club.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park is moving toward its winter schedule, when several roads will close, some campgrounds and lodges will be shuttered and visitor centers will close or have reduced operating hours.

For details, go to www.npswww.nps.gov/grsm, call 865.436.1200 and follow the prompts, or Twitter at SmokiesRoadsNPS. • Sons of the American Legion turkey shoot, 9 a.m. Saturdays through April, 171 Legion Drive, Waynesville. Cost is $2. Refreshments provided. Bring your own gun; a few house guns are available.

• Local Audubon Society weekly Saturday birding field trips. 7:30 a.m. Highlands Town Hall parking lot near the public restrooms, or at 8 a.m. behind Wendy’s if the walk is in Cashiers. www.highlandsaudubonsociety.org or 743.9670.

• The Gorges State Park is looking for volunteers to assist in maintaining existing trails and campgrounds in the park on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., weather permitting.

Bring gloves, water and tools supplied.

Participants need to be at least 16 years old and in good health. Registration not required.

Meet at 17762 Rosman Highway (US-64) in Sapphire. 966.9099.

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CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR Fri. & Sat. from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

NOT TO BE MISSED!L Antiques, Furniture, Art, Home Decor and so Much More!

We are Frog Pond Downsizing & Estate Sale. Located at 255 Depot St., Waynesville. Look for the Frog on the Side of Building and You’ve Found Treasures & Bargains from the Original Estate Sale Company

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 — Residential yard sale ads, lost or found pet ads.

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■ $12 — If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type.

■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad.

■ $35 — 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.

ARTS & CRAFTS ALLISON CREEK Iron Works & Woodworking. Crafting custom metal & woodwork in rustic, country & lodge designs with reclaimed woods! Design & consultation, Barry Downs 828.524.5763, Franklin NC

Classified Advertising:

AUCTION

Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 | classads@smokymountainnews.com

AUCTION Construction Equipment & Trucks, December 10th, 9am, Richmond, VA. Excavators, Dozers, Dumps & More. Accepting Items Daily thru 12/6. Motley's Auction & Realty Group, 804.232.3300, www.motleys.com, VAAL#16.

WAYNESVILLE TIRE, COO

Serving Haywood, Jackson & Surrounding Counties

R

DI

SC OV ER E

ATR

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INC.

Offering:

MAJOR-BRAND TIRES FOR CARS, LIGHT & MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCKS, AND FARM TIRES.

Service truck available for on-site repairs LEE & PATTY ENSLEY, OWNERS STEVE WOODS, MANAGER

MON-FRI 7:30-5:30 • WAYNESVILLE PLAZA

456-5387

217-65

AUCTION Hefti Automotive, 1463 Concord Pkwy N, Concord, NC 28025. Saturday, Dec. 14 at 10am. Vehicle Lifts, Hunter Align Machine, Rack, Hunter Wheel Balancer, Bosch Tire Changer, Yale 5000 LB Forklift, Dove Tail, 2 Axle Tilt Trailer w/Winch, Brake Lathes, Sandblaster, AC Equipment, Air Compressors, Shop Tools, Office Equipment. www.parkauctionrealty.com, www.auctionzip.com ID#14226.

Listing, Pictures. 336.263.3957.

NCAFL#8834.

EMERGENCY BANKRUPTCY Auction, Case No. 13-31771, Online w/ Bid Center Ending On Site, Cromgard Inventory: Cromgard, Aluminum, Stainless Sheets, Cromgard Tubes & More, Mecklenburg Co., 12/3 at 8am to 12/9 at 2pm. Iron Horse Auction Co., Inc. 800.997.2248, NCAL3936, www.ironhorseauction.com

AUCTION GIGANTIC AUCTION, Friday Dec. 6th @ 4:30 PM. One of the Biggest Auctions of the Year. Over 800 lots to be sold Huge Selection of Furniture, Primitives, Glassware, Rugs, Antiques, Collectables, Artwork, Household, Box Lots & More!!

You don’t want to miss this auction!! Something for Everyone!!

View pictures and more details @ www.boatwrightauction.com. or call 828.524.2499. Boatwright Auction, 34 Tarheel Trail, Franklin, NC. NCAL Firm 9231 HOME IMPROVEMENT & Tools Auction - Saturday, Dec. 14 at 10am, 201 S. Central Ave., Locust, NC. Cabinet Sets, Doors, Carpet, Tile, Hardwood, Bath Vanities, Windows, Lighting, Name Brand Tools. NC Sales Tax applies. www.ClassicAuctions.com 704.507.1449. NCAF5479

BUILDING MATERIALS HAYWOOD BUILDERS Garage Doors, New Installations Service & Repairs, 828.456.6051 100 Charles St. Waynesville Employee Owned.

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING DAVE’S CUSTOM HOMES OF WNC, INC Free Estimates & Competitive rates. References avail. upon request. Specializing in: Log Homes, remodeling, decks, new construction, repairs & additions.

Owner/Builder: Dave Donaldson.

Licensed/Insured. 828.631.0747 or 828.508.0316 SULLIVAN HARDWOOD FLOORS Installation- Finish - Refinish 828.399.1847.

CARS - DOMESTIC DONATE YOUR CAR Fast Free Towing 24 hr. Response Tax Deduction United Breast Cancer Foundation Providing Free Mammograms & Breast Cancer Info 888.759.9782.

SAPA

CARS - DOMESTIC DONATE YOUR CAR Fast Free Towing. 24 hr. Response.

Tax Deduction. United Breast Cancer Foundation, Providing Free Mammograms & Breast Cancer Info 855.733.5472 DONATE YOUR CAR, Truck or Boat to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 800.337.9038.

AUTO PARTS DDI BUMPERS ETC. Quality on the Spot Repair & Painting. Don Hendershot 858.646.0871 cell 828.452.4569 office.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES BE YOUR OWN BOSS! Own a Dollar Store, Dollar Plus, Big Box Dollar, Mailbox, Party, Teen Clothing, Yogurt or Fitness Store.

Worldwide, 100% Financing, OAC. From $55,900 Turnkey!

800.385.2160 www.drss3.com HELP WANTED!!

Make up to $1,000 a week mailing brochures from home! Genuine Opportunity! No experience required.

Start immediately! www.BrochureMailers.com (Void In Arkansas).

SAPA

EMPLOYMENT 1500+ RGN LOADS From Clayton, NC to multiple destinations. Accepting Contractors with their own RGN's or pull Company trailers AT NO COST. 1.800.669.6414 or go to: www.dailyrecruiting.com ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Training Program! Become a Certified Microsoft Office Professional! NO EXPERIENCED NEEDED! Online training gets you job ready!

HS Diploma/GED Program disclosures at careertechnical.edu/nc 1.888.926.6057. $$$ GET LOADED $$$ Exp Pays - up to 50 cpm. New CSA Friendly Equip (KWs) CDL-A Req. 877.258.8782. ad-drivers.com

R

WNC MarketPlace

EMPLOYMENT ARE YOU HIRING? Place your employment ad in 99 North Carolina newspapers for only $330 for a 25-word ad. For more information, contact this newspaper at 828.452.4251 or call 919.789.2083.

CDL-A DRIVERS: Looking for higher pay? New Century is hiring exp. company drivers and owner operators. Both Solo and Teams. Competitive pay package. Sign-On Incentives. Call 888.903.8863 or apply online at www.drivenctrans.com DRIVERS: Start up to $,41/mi., Home Weekly or Bi-Weekly, 90% No-Touch, 70% D&H. CDL-A 1yr. OTR Exp. Req. 877.705.9261.

NEED MEDICAL OFFICE TRAINEES! Train to become a Medical Office Assistant at CTI! No Experienced Needed! Online Training at CTI gets you job ready! HS Diploma/ GED & Computer needed.

Careertechnical.edu/nc.

1.888.512.7122

EMPLOYMENT HIGHLANDS-CASHIERS HOSPITAL Positions now available: ER and Med/Surg Registered Nurses, Medical Labaratory Technologist, Medical Records Manager, CNA I or II, and Dietary Aide.

Benefits available the first of the month following 60 days of full-time employment. PreEmployment screening required.

Call Human Resources.

828.526.1376, or apply online at: www.highlandscashiershospital. org HOMEWORKERS NEEDED!!! $775.35 Weekly Mailing Companies Brochures / DATA ENTRY For Cash, $300-$1000 Daily From Your Home Computer. Genuine!. PT/FT, No Experience Required. Start Immediately!. www.MailingBrochuresForCash.com SAPA NC LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST Needed for established & growing spa in Sylva. Pay based upon experience. Please email for more details: sandra@fusionsspa.com

EMPLOYMENT NEED MANAGER TO RUN Mobile Home Park in Clyde. Must be a Handyman. Free Living.

4/BR Mobile Home for Rent. For more info call Sem 717.898.7845.

TOP 1% PAY & HOME CHRISTMAS! Experience pays - up to 50mcpm.

Full Benefits + Quality Home Time.

CDL-A Required. 1.888.592.4752. www.ad-drivers.com SAPA OWNER-OPERATORS Lease Purchase - run SE-TX- off weekends - 4500.00 weekly, dedicated dry van, miles and money, Paid WEEKLY - NO Holds NO Escrow 1.888.246.2251 SAPA REGIONAL CDL-A DRIVERS Averitt offers fantastic benefits & weekly hometime. 888.362.8608.

Paid training for recent grads w/a CDL-A & drivers with limited experience. Apply online at: AverittCareers.com. Equal Opportunity Employer.

SOLO & TEAM CDL-A DRIVERS! Excellent Home Time & Pay! $3000 to $5000 Sign-on Bonus. BCBS Benefits. Join Super Service!

866.291.2631 DriveforSuperService.com

www.smokymountainnews.com

December 4-10, 2013

Class A Office/Professional space, 1850 sq. ft.

42

Building was a complete renovation and space was first built out for Edward Jones office in 2005. Space was occupied by Haywood Co. Insurance Health Clinic and is in excellent condition. Unit includes 2 restrooms, kitchenette and mechanical room. There is direct access to an outdoor covered patio area on the creek. The building has excellent onsite parking and is located in Waynesville only 3/10 mile North of the courthouse. Lease includes exterior maintenance, taxes, water and lighted sign.

627 N. Main Street, Suite 2, Waynesville.

Shown by appointment only.

Call Jeff Kuhlman at 828-646-0907.

EMPLOYMENT FTCC Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following positions: Esthetics Skincare Instructor.

Natural Hair Care Instructor.

Manicuring & Nail Technology Instructor. Deadline: Dec 9th.

Music Instructor. Deadline: Jan 6.

All applications must be submitted online through our electronic employment portal at https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.com/ by the closing date of the position. Any previous versions of applications will not be accepted.

Human Resources Office, Fayetteville Technical Community College, PO Box 35236, Fayetteville, NC 28303. Phone: 910.678.8378.

Fax: 910.678.0029.

Internet: http://www.faytechcc.edu An Equal Opportunity Employer.

TANKER & FLATBED COMPANY. Drivers/Independent Contractors!

Immediate Placement Available.

Best Opportunities in the Trucking Business. Call Today 800.277.0212 or www.driveforprime.com

FINANCIAL

FINANCIAL

$$$ACCESS LAWSUIT CASH NOW!!

Injury Lawsuit Dragging? Need fast $500-$500,000? Rates as low as 1/2% month. Call Now! 1.800.568.8321. lawcapital.com

BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending money to any loan company. SAPA

FRANK - A VERY HANDSOME BLACK AND TAN TERRIER MIX. HE IS ABOUT 2 YEARS OLD AND IS SIMPLY ADORABLE.

ROYCE - AN ADORABLE BUNDLE OF FLUFFY GRAY FUR WHO LOVES PEOPLE, PLAY, AND PETTING! HE'LL MAKE HIS ADOPTER VERY HAPPY - COULD THAT BE YOU?

Puzzles can be found on page 45.

These are only the answers.

PETS

Prevent Unwanted Litters! $10 Fix All for Dogs and Cats, Puppies & Kittens!

Operation Pit is in Effect!

Free Spay/Neuter, Micro-chip & Vaccines For Haywood Pitbull Types & Mixes!

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 12 Noon - 5pm 182 Richland Street, Waynesville

FURNITURE COMPARE QUALITY & PRICE Shop Tupelo’s, 828.926.8778.

HAYWOOD BEDDING, INC. The best bedding at the best price!

533 Hazelwood Ave. Waynesville 828.456.4240

LAWN & GARDEN HEMLOCK HEALERS, INC. Dedicated to Saving Our Hemlocks. Owner/Operator Frank Varvoutis, NC Pesticide Applicator’s License #22864. 48 Spruce St. Maggie Valley, NC 828.734.7819 828.926.7883, Email: hemlockhealers@yahoo.com

HOMES FOR SALE BRUCE MCGOVERN A Full Service Realtor shamrock13@charter.net McGovern Property Management 828.283.2112.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN Tennessee River Property - BUYERS LAST CHANCE! Seller liquidating all 20 lots by 12-31-13. River property starting at only $19,900.

Call for Map/Price list!

1.877.551.0550 ext. 007 SAPA

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD 800.669.9777

APT. FOR RENT UNFURNISHED CLEAN UNFURNISHED APRTMNT. For rent in Hazelwood area of Waynesville. 2/BR, 1/BA, refrigerator, stove, washer/dryer, carpet, good views. $650 per moth, security deposit required.

No pets. Move In Ready Oct. 15th 828.506.4112 or 828.507.8828.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Offering 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $400 Section 8 Accepted - Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

OFFICE HOURS: Tues. & Wed. 10:00am - 5:00pm & Thurs. 10:00am- 12:00pm 168 E. Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779

Phone# 1.828.586.3346 TDD# 1.800.725.2962 Equal Housing Opportunity

ARF HAS CHIHUAHUAS - Blade is a 14 lb., male, black and tan, 2 years old. Cocoa is a male, 12 lb., tan, one year old.

(828.507.2263) Webster is a male, 8 lb., black and white, one year old. Call 828.293.5629.

HENRY AND HARPER - 11 week old, long-hair Chihuahua mixes.

Each weighs only three pounds.

They are totally socialized with people, dogs, and cats. Call their foster home at 828.508.1301.

REDWALKER - A handsome, one year old, Walker Hound. He is red and white and weighs 48 pounds. He gets along well with other dogs. He is very affectionate with people. He is house trained and knows how to use a doggie door. He is neutered and current on vaccines. He would be a nice companion to someone of any age. 877.273.5262.

MISSY - A lovely, 7 year old Jack Russell mix. She is housebroken, friendly and calm.

877.273.5262.

SAPPHIRE - 3 year old, female Jack Russell mix. Owned by an elderly, disabled lady who had to give her up due to the need to

move into a government subsidized facility that doesn’t allow pets. The adoption price for this 19 lb. sweet dog is negotiable to the right home.

She would probably be best placed with an older individual.

Call the foster home at 828.293.5629.

EMILY - Is a feist, 1-2 years old. She is tan and white, quiet, sweet, and working on housebreaking. 877.ARF.JCNC. ARF HAS SOME - Beautiful, allwhite kittens and some playful tabby kittens for adoption.

877.273.5262.

BLACKIE - A sweet, relaxed, female black and tan hound.

She gets along with people and other dogs. She weighs 40 lbs. and is about six years old. She is spayed and current on her vaccinations. She is house broken and is learning to use a doggie door. She has some special needs that can easily be met in a loving home.

1.877.ARF.JCNC. spay/neuter trip will be early January. Register and pre-pay at ARF’s adoption site on Sat.’s from 1-3. Space is limited!

they also enjoy high-energy play.

Adoption fees vary; if you’re interested in me, please contact Pam at: adoptions@ashevillehumane.org.

MT - Domestic Shorthair cat – black, I was born in fall 2012 and recently relinquished to AHS by my previous owner, who could no longer take care of me. I am a relaxed, friendly cat who enjoys attention, but I’m also able to amuse myself by just hanging out near whatever you’re doing, or gazing out the window. I can be a little shy at first, but once I feel comfortable I enjoy being petted and will sleep on the bed with you. I get along fine with other cats. Adoption fees vary; if you’re interested in me, please contact Pam at: adoptions@ashevillehumane.org.

ASHEVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY 828.761.2001, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville, NC 28806 We’re located behind Deal Motorcars, off Brevard & Pond Rd.

Bad taste & Odors Iron/Rust Sediment/ Silt Bacterias Harmful Chlorine Balance pH

Lease to Own

828.452.3995 | www.americanwatercareinc.com 217-05

ROB ROLAND 828-564-1106

RROLAND33@GMAIL.COM

ARF’S NEXT LOW-COST

ARF (HUMANE SOCIETY OF JACKSON COUNTY) Holds rescued pet adoptions Saturdays from 1:00 - 3:00 (weather permitting) at 50 Railroad Avenue in Sylva. Animals are spayed/neutered and current on shots.

Most cats $60, most dogs $70.

Preview available pets at www.a-r-f.org, or call foster home.

JASPER - Terrier/Pitbull Mix dog – white & black, I am about 3-4 years old and I’m a stocky boy just looking for a fun, active, loving home! I love to play with other dogs and go to the dog park. I would make a good hiking buddy, but when it’s time to wind down I will also crawl into your lap. Adoption fees vary; if you’re interested in me, please contact Pam at: adoptions@ashevillehumane.org.

PEANUT - Hound Mix dog – black, brown, & white, I was born in early 2012 and I’m a girl who likes to explore the world! I already know some basic commands, but being a hound I do like to follow my nose and need to be kept on a leash when out and about. I’m eager to please people, and I get along fine with other dogs, especially if

An EcoWater Water System can remove

Find the home you are looking for at www.robrolandrealty.com

Ann knows real estate!

Ann Eavenson CRS, GRI, E-PRO

ann@mainstreetrealty.net

506-0542 CELL 217-53

101 South Main St. Waynesville

MainStreet Realty

(828) 452-2227 mainstreetrealty.net

smokymountainnews.com

NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS

Pet Adoption

December 4-10, 2013

PLANTS/SHRUBS SPRUCE CHRISTMAS TREES From 4’ to 15’, $12 each - you cut/dig. ALSO Landscaping Plants: Box Woods, Arborvitae, Maple & Kousa Dogwood. Farm located south of Franklin, 441 to Addington Bridge Rd., to Middle Skeenah Rd., to Whispering Meadows Rd. Call Doyle Chambers 828.884.4584 in Brevard for more info.

GEORGIA INVESTMENT PROPERTYLimited Inventory Available! Renovated homes, low taxes & insurance. Low cost of living. Great for homeowners or Investors earn 15% RO! Starting at $29,000. CALL OWNER: 1.706.833.3827 SAPA

Cleaner, Clearer and Healthier water at every tap in your home WNC MarketPlace

HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT

find us at: facebook.com/smnews 43

WNC MarketPlace

LOTS FOR SALE 2.819 ACRE TRACT Building Lot in great location.

Build your 2nd home log cabin here. Large 2-story building near HCC, was a Work Shop. $66,500.

Call 828.627.2342.

Haywood County Real Estate Agents

VACATION RENTALS

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217-06

Full Service Property Management 828-456-6111

ERA Sunburst Realty â&#x20AC;&#x201D; sunburstrealty.com Haywood Properties â&#x20AC;&#x201D; haywoodproperties.com

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â&#x20AC;˘ Steve Cox â&#x20AC;&#x201D; info@haywoodproperties.com

Residential and Commercial Long-Term Rentals

Keller Williams Realty kellerwilliamswaynesville.com â&#x20AC;˘ Rob Roland â&#x20AC;&#x201D; robrolandrealty.com â&#x20AC;˘ Ron Kwiatkowski â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ronk.kwrealty.com

217-62

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Main Street Realty â&#x20AC;&#x201D; mainstreetrealty.net

147 WALNUT ST. â&#x20AC;˘ WAYNESVILLE, NC

McGovern Real Estate & Property Management

828.456.7376 â&#x20AC;˘ 800.627.1210 TOLL FREE

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www.sunburstrealty.com

â&#x20AC;˘ George Escaravage â&#x20AC;&#x201D; gke333@gmail.com

Prudential Lifestyle Realty â&#x20AC;&#x201D; vistasofwestfield.com

Your Local Big Green Egg Dealer

Realty World Heritage Realty realtyworldheritage.com â&#x20AC;˘ Carolyn Lauter realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7766/

â&#x20AC;˘ Thomas & Christine Mallette

BEST PRICE EVERYDAY

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10-5 M-SAT. 12-4 SUN.

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RE/MAX â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Mountain Realty â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘

remax-waynesvillenc.com | remax-maggievalleync.com Brian K. Noland â&#x20AC;&#x201D; brianknoland.com Connie Dennis â&#x20AC;&#x201D; remax-maggievalleync.com Mark Stevens â&#x20AC;&#x201D; remax-waynesvillenc.com Mieko Thomson â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ncsmokies.com The Morris Team â&#x20AC;&#x201D; maggievalleyproperty.com The Real Team â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the-real-team.com Ron Breese â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ronbreese.com Dan Womack â&#x20AC;&#x201D; womackdan@aol.com Catherine Proben â&#x20AC;&#x201D; cp@catherineproben.com

ON DELLWOOD RD. (HWY. 19) AT 20 SWANGER LANE WAYNESVILLE/MAGGIE VALLEY 828.926.8778

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The Sellerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Agency â&#x20AC;&#x201D; listwithphil.com â&#x20AC;˘ Phil Ferguson â&#x20AC;&#x201D; philferguson@bellsouth.net 217-07

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 44

217-11

828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com

NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS Start a family tradition for the Holidays! Cabins, Vacation Homes, Condos. Pets welcome! Boone, Banner Elk, Blowing Rock. Foscoe Rentals 1.800.723.7341 www.foscoerentals.com SAPA

STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT GREAT SMOKIES STORAGE Conveniently located off 19/23

by Thad Woods Auction. Available for lease now: 10â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x10â&#x20AC;&#x2122; units for $55, 20â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x20â&#x20AC;&#x2122; units for $160.

Get one month FREE with 12 month contract. Call 828.507.8828 or 828.506.4112 for more info.

MEDICAL

111 CENTRAL AVE. â&#x20AC;˘ ASHEVILLE, NC

Preferred Properties

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Furnished Studio, 1, 2, & 3 Bedroom, Full Kitchens, FREE WiFi, Direct TV, Heated Pool. Call 1.386.517.6700 or www.fbvr.net SAPA

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MEDICAL MEDICAL GUARDIAN Top-rated medical alarm and 24/7 medical alert monitoring. For a limited time, get free equipment, no activation fees, no commitment, a 2nd waterproof alert button for free and more - only $29.95 per month. 800.983.4906 SAPA

PERSONAL A UNIQUE ADOPTIONS, Let Us Help! Personalized adoption plans. Financial assistance, housing, relocation and more.

Giving the gift of life? You deserve the best. Call us first!

1.888.637.8200. 24 hour HOTLINE. SAPA HAVE FUN AND FIND A genuine connection! The next voice on the other end of the line could be the one. Call Tango 1.800.984.0160. FREE trial!

SAPA MEET SINGLES RIGHT NOW! No paid operators, just real people like you. Browse greetings, exchange messages and connect live. Try it free. Call now 1.888.909.9978. SAPA YOUR AD COULD REACH 1.6 MILLION HOMES ACROSS NC! Your classified ad could be reaching over 1.6 Million Homes across North Carolina! Place your ad with The Smoky Mountain News on the NC Statewide Classified Ad Network- 118 NC newspapers for a low cost of $330 for 25-word ad to appear in each paper! Additional words are $10 each. The whole state at your fingertips! It's a smart advertising buy! Call Scott Collier at 828.452.4251 or for more information visit the N.C. Press Association's website at www.ncpress.com

ENTERTAINMENT REDUCE YOUR CABLE BILL! Get a whole-home Satellite system installed at NO COST and programming starting at $19.99/mo. FREE HD/DVR Upgrade to new callers, SO CALL NOW 1.866.983.7935 SCOTTISH TARTANS MUSEUM 86 East Main St., Franklin, 828.584.7472. www.scottishtartans.org. Matthew A.C. Newsome, GTS, FSA, SCOT., Curator & General Manager, Ronan B. MacGregor, Business Assistant.

SCHOOLS/ INSTRUCTION

NEED YOUR H.S. DIPLOMA? Earn it from home in a few short weeks. Work at your own pace. First Coast Academy. Nationally accredited. Call for free brochure.

1.800.658.1180, extension 82. www.fcahighschool.org SAPA

SERVICES * REDUCE YOUR CABLE BILL! * Get a 4-Room All Digital Satellite system installed for FREE and programming starting at $19.99/mo.

FREE HD/DVR upgrade for new callers, SO CALL NOW. 1.800.725.1835.

SAPA DISH TV RETAILER Starting at $19.99/month (for 12 mos.) & High Speed Internet starting at $14.95/month (where available.) SAVE! Ask About SAME DAY Installation! CALL Now! 1.800.405.5081

DDI BUMPERS ETC. Quality on the Spot Repair & Painting. Don Hendershot 858.646.0871 cell 828.452.4569 office.

FROG POND DOWNSIZING Helping Hands In Hard Times.

Downsizing - Estate Sales - Clean Out Services. Company Transfer Divorce - We are known for Honesty & Integrity! Jack & Yvonne Wadham, Insured & Bonded.

18 Commerce Street, Waynvesville, NC. 828.734.3874

WRAP UP YOUR Holiday Shopping with 100 percent guaranteed, delivered-to-the-door Omaha Steaks! SAVE 67 PERCENT - PLUS 4 FREE Burgers - Many Gourmet Favorites ONLY $49.99.ORDER Today 1.800.715.2010 Use code “4937 CFW” or visit us at: OmahaSteaks. com/holiday33 SAPA

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Super JOKE TIME JUMBLES

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77 Like Carroll’s “borogoves” ACROSS 78 Part of TLC 1 Joe of “Raging Bull” 80 Tinkerbell’s ancient 6 Boss woman milky gem?

13 Gabs with flirtatiously 84 “The Raven” maiden 20 Routinely 86 Blasé feeling 21 Explorer Leif 87 Yemen port 22 Carolina of fashion 88 Sugar quantity 23 Bought brass and 90 During each bronze?

92 Maneuver to avoid a 25 Swallow greedily traffic jam doesn’t work?

26 Selected passages 96 Hot tub locales 27 Mediocre grades 100 Succor 29 Field marshal Erwin 102 Beaverlike rodent 30 Took a chair 103 Driver’s peg 31 Where a beautiful 104 Inundate Liotta’s woman swims? bucket?

34 Jay-Z hit, e.g.

108 Size up from medi37 Moon of Jupiter um: Abbr.

40 Restroom, for short 111 Actor Brando 41 City in central Sicily 112 Big drink 42 “Alas, it’s true, Ms. 113 Recurring melodic Bergen”? fragment 47 Autumn chill 118 Scale ranges 49 Dolled (up) 120 What each of this 50 Library of Congress ID puzzle’s eight longest 52 “Hawaiian Favorites” answers is a 93-Down of singer 123 Least nice 57 “Yer darn -!”

124 Hit from behind 58 Show off parquet 125 Rainer of film work?

126 Classifies 62 Ocean Spray flavor 127 Myopic cartoon guy prefix 128 Rocker Bob 63 Take - (chance it) 65 Oil qty.

DOWN 66 “... some kind of -?”

1 Pontiff 67 Ruminant’s chew 2 PC-sent page 68 Guthrie launches a 3 Glue - (adhesive brand) Jedi master into a somer- 4 Gives up sault?

5 Prefix with red 73 Addenda to ltrs.

6 Pal of Ernie 74 Blind as 7 Savings plans, briefly 76 Hesiod’s H 8 Jazz poet Scott-Heron

9 Cato’s 1,150 10 Withdrawn from people 11 “True Blood” co-star Stephen 12 Adams of photography 13 “Evita” role 14 Title king for the Bard 15 Strong rival of Sparta 16 - l’oeil 17 Homily 18 Spur 19 Simmered Spanish dish 24 Decided to enter 28 “My Gal -” 31 Dandy fellow 32 GI’s address 33 Popular Irish ballad 34 Spellbound 35 Like the conga drum, ethnically 36 Destine 38 Manipulate 39 Fishing stick 43 “- girl!”

44 1986 book by rocker Turner 45 Sassy talk 46 Big inits. in fashion 48 Many a sharable PC file 51 Soft as a - bottom 53 Ending for Rock 54 Like the United Way and NPR 55 Locale-specific regulation 56 Meal bits 58 “What’s the -?”

59 Molokai or Maui: Abbr.

60 Penny-pinch 61 Municipal pol.

63 Certain female opera

solo 64 Writer Dahl 67 Snug eatery 69 Not a bus.

70 Ms. Zadora 71 Size that’s the opp. of 108-Across 72 - clubs (certain card) 75 Capote, to his buddies 79 Kournikova of the court 81 Quick bark 82 Berlin article 83 Yoko 84 Sticking by 85 In addition 88 35mm camera type 89 Maui paste 91 Impassioned 93 Letter shuffle 94 Hwy. crime 95 Old religious scandal inits.

96 Gallery in western CA 97 Sites 98 Big arteries 99 California county 101 Bad: Prefix 105 Capital of Delaware 106 Bee cluster 107 Pied 109 Fish parts 110 Come after 113 - concern 114 “- I” (“Me too”) 115 Take - at (insult) 116 Hit with a zapping gun 117 - and terminer 119 Aves.

121 Lyric-penning Gershwin 122 Tripod piece

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Cherokee homes were warm and smoky in winter

George Ellison

“Two or more Families join together in building a hot-house, about 30 feet Diameter, and 15 feet high, in form of a Cone, with Poles and thatched, without any air-hole, except a small door about 3 feet high and 18 Inches wide. In the Center of the hot-house they burn fire of well-seasoned dry-wood; round the inside are bedsteads sized to the Columnist studs, which support the middle of each post; these Houses they resort to with their children in the Winter Nights.”

— John DeBrahm, “Report of the General Survey in the Southern District of North America,” ed. Louis de Vorsey, Jr., (Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1971)

M

aking it through most winters here in the Smokies region isn’t that big a deal. The lower elevations where most live (1,700 or so feet) don’t normally get a lot of snow and the temperatures only occasionally dip below zero each winter. However, once you get as far north as Boone or Blacksburg, Va., that scenario changes drastically.

The ancient Cherokees, who settled in the Smokies and adjacent regions as well, were

BACK THEN no doubt well aware of the importance of winter weather and the stresses it can make upon a culture. Their settlement and housing patterns clearly reflect this awareness.

Charles Hudson, author of The Southeastern Indians (Knoxville: Univ. of Tennessee Press, 1976), has noted that “Although the winter temperatures drop below freezing in the Southeast, the Indians wore relatively little clothing … and when they were outside they made it a virtue to tolerate being cold and wet.” Oh how many times I have tried my very best to make a virtue out of being “cold and wet,” usually without any success whatsoever.

According to Jefferson Chapman’s Tellico Archaeology: American History (Tennessee Valley Authority, 1985), pre-historic Cherokee domestic buildings in the Smokies region were of three types: (1) a small winter house; (2) rectangular (often open-sided) structures attached to the winter house but designed for leisurely summer occupation; (3) and sometimes separate, rather large, rectangular (often partitioned) structures more substantial than summer houses but not as confining as winter houses.

There were also townhouses (often situated atop ceremonial mounds), sweat lodges, storage buildings, menstrual huts and corncribs. After European contact, the

most typical structure was a small, rectangular building that resembled a log cabin and was, indeed, modeled on white pioneer designs.

Theda Perdue describes the winter houses (“asi”) in The Cherokees (NY: Chelsea House, 1989) as “small, round, wattle-anddaub structures. The fire constantly smoldering in the hearth made the windowless ‘asi’ dark and smoky.” Wattle-and-daub structures are supported with poles interwoven with cane or branches that are, in turn, plastered with clay. These were attractive structures that were quite serviceable.

Inside the winter houses were raised wooden seats or couches on which the inhabitants or visitors sat or slept. They were, as the Indian trader James Adair observed, “high enough that fleas could not reach them in one jump.” Each seat/couch was covered with split-cane mats and animal skins. A stone- or mud-lined hole in the center of the structure was usually excavated as a fire pit. It was often the duty of the elderly, who remained inside more than younger members of the family, to maintain the fire throughout the day and bank it back at night. Fire tending was not an onerous task for the aged but a sign of prestige.

“Europeans who visited these winter houses complained of smoke and poor ventilation, but these buildings were able to maintain heat efficiently,” Hudson noted.

“A small blaze or a few coals kept the winter house as warm as an oven. In fact, James Adair described the winter house as being like a ‘Dutch oven.’ Beneath their beds they stored pumpkins, winter squash, and other vegetables to protect them from frost.”

To my knowledge, the most significant description of Cherokee winter houses yet published was Charles W. Faulkner’s “Origin and Evolution of the Cherokee Winter House,” published in the Journal of Cherokee Studies (Spring 1978). Faulkner, a long-time archaeologist at the University of Tennessee, describes winter and adjacent summer homes excavated in Tennessee that date back to 75-440 A.D. Of interest are three winter houses that Faulkner calls ‘double-oven” winter houses because they were unique in that they each contained “two earth ovens on the floor averaging 4.5 feet in diameter and 2 feet deep and filled with limestone blocks that served as a heating and cooking surface.”

One of the structures was “almost 45 feet in diameter with interior ovens 7 feet in diameter and 2.5 feet deep.”

George Ellison wrote the biographical introductions for the reissues of two Appalachian classics: Horace Kephart’s Our Southern Highlanders and James Mooney’s History, Myths, and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees. Readers can contact him at P.O. Box 1262, Bryson City, N.C., 28713, or at info@georgeellison.com.

December 4-10, 2013 Smoky Mountain News 47

December 4-10, 2013

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