Smoky Mountain News | December 7, 2022

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ACCOUNTING

Ingles Nutrition Notes

FUN FOOD GIFTS

It’s that time of year when think about gift giving and may struggle to have the time or finances to buy for everyone. Food and snacks make a perfect gift and are easy to assemble with items from your local Ingles Market. Here are some ideas for non-perishable gifts; whether you’re looking for something for a neighbor, a co-worker or for a host/hostess gift:

• Pasta Lovers – Assemble ingredients for a pasta meal in a colander or gift bag….dried pasta, great pasta sauce and a wooden stirring spoon.

• Better Breakfast – Gift a bag of breakfast with instant oatmeal or oatmeal packets, dried fruit like raisins, dried cranberries or dates and a fun bowl and spoon.

• Total tea – A special gift of different flavored teas and a mug along with a local honey may delight those that enjoy tea.

• Coffee-fanatic – A bag of local ground coffee or coffee beans along with a mug.

• Local foods – Have family or friends that are out-of-town? Give them a taste of home by putting together a package of shelf-stable local foods. Check out the local foods display at your Ingles Market for sauces, jam, popcorn, snack items, coffee and more!

• International Experience – Put together a sampling of foreign flavors by visiting the “International Aisle” at your local Ingles Market… sushi rice, seaweed wraps, soy sauce, pickled ginger and wasabi for a DIY start for making a sushi meal.

• Pet Friendly – Have a friend with a dog or cat? Check out the pet aisle at your local Ingles Market and put together a special gift for their 4-legged friend featuring a bag of treats and toys.

McGrath, RDN, LDN Ingles Market Corporate Dietitian @InglesDietitian Leah McGrath - Dietitian

Leah

written by Ingles Dietitian Leah McGrath

dispute

BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF W RITER

The Office of Charter Schools decided a recent dispute between Shining Rock Classical Academy and a parent is outside its jurisdiction in a decision released Monday, Dec. 5.

“With regard to the allegations concerning Mr. Morgan, it appears that [the parent] did not follow the charter school’s grievance policy and withdrew her grievance,” the OCS decision reads. “[The parent] did express their concerns about the grievance process; however, [the parent] is nevertheless required to follow the grievance process. Unfortunately, [the parent’s] complaint does not fall within the State Board of Education’s jurisdiction.”

The Office of Charter Schools, a division of the Department of Public Instruction, first received a complaint regarding Shining Rock Classical Academy on Sept. 7. The complaint requested the office investigate Head of School Joshua Morgan for discipline tactics used at the school. The complaint also asks that the parent be allowed to undergo the formal grievance process, which she alleges has not been completed.

“Mr. Morgan has violated policy with my child and refuses to work toward resolution,” the complaint reads. “I have exhausted all means at school level. The SRCA board of directors did not offer a fair grievance process.”

The parent lodged their grievance with the school regarding a specific incident in January, during which Morgan allegedly put her child alone in a police car belonging to the school’s resource officer and threatened to take the student to juvenile detention, a threat that was never carried out.

The issue is complicated by the fact that the parent lodging the complaint, Rebecca Fitzgibbon, was previously serving on the

Shining Rock Board of Directors. While board members will not confirm this detail, the parent alleges that board members told her it would be more fruitful to work toward addressing discipline policy as a board, rather than through an individual grievance. For this reason, Fitzgibbon says, she dropped her grievance through the school.

However, a few months later, citing “unresolved issues” with Fitzgibbon, board chair Melanie Norman prompted the board to seek her removal.

“I believe the board decided to remove me because I had a conflict with the head of school, and because I was diligently working for board and head of school accountability,” said Fitzgibbon. “By this point, I had become aware of the fact that many others had experienced similar issues to what my family had faced, and I believed that those issues needed to be addressed at board level.”

“The responsibility of the chairperson is to keep the board functioning efficiently,” said Norman. “When it becomes apparent that a board member cannot uphold the responsibilities of the role, the chairperson is required to take action on behalf of the board, the school and the community.”

Because Fitzgibbon dropped her grievance with the school, the Office of Charter schools says it cannot intervene.

“The office [of charter schools] was set up to support schools which puts us in a difficult position,” said Ashley Baquero, OCS director. “I completely understand parents and other stakeholders wanting to receive assistance from someone outside the school, which, in a traditional school, I assume is the central office. But in charters, the central office is essentially the same as the school, so they come to us. But we are not a legal or investigatory office which is really what many are requesting us to be.”

Baquero said that with only six consultants in the Office of Charter Schools, OCS is responsible for serving over 200 schools. The office handles a huge volume and variety of matters, everything from the application process, to renewals, to all State Board of Education matters related to charter schools.

“Getting into the specifics of an individual parent grievance takes a huge amount of time and resources — so in addition to not having explicit authority to do so, we don’t have the capacity,” said Baquero. “We do, however, spend a large amount of time guiding schools in drafting/implementing the grievance process and simply facilitating contact.”

After Fitzgibbon lodged the initial complaint with OCS in September, the school responded through an attorney. It claims that the “[parent] has exacted an inordinate toll on many public servants and their attorney in time, energy, and expense, due to her insatiable need to justify herself — notwithstanding her lack of evidence of any wrongdoing.”

Waynesville Police Department. The report describes the officer watching Morgan approach the car with a student.

“I stepped out to see what was going on. Mr. Morgan advised that [the student] might have earned a trip to DJJ for a juvenile petition for ‘disrupting the school day and his class’ … I removed the content from the area behind me (drivers seat) and Mr. Morgan advised [the student] to have a seat, that [the teacher] was on her way down to talk with [the student] because it was her class that [the student] had disrupted. Mr. Morgan closed the door and began to explain to me what had happened… Less than a minute later, [the teacher] walked up to my car and I opened the door so that she could talk with [the student].”

At the time the complaint was lodged, Waynesville Chief of Police David Adams told The Smoky Mountain News that an SRO may have to handcuff a student and/or place them in a cop car “if they committed a violent act.”

The school’s response does not present evidence that the student committed a violent act.

In its response, the SRCA claims, “At most, it appears there is a difference of opinion as to what was [sic] appropriate disciplinary actions, but no evidence provided by [name redacted] of any violation of policy or law, or other standard or disciplinary propriety.”

Regarding the specific incident in question, it goes on to state “[the parent] was not present during the incident, but appears to rely entirely on the student’s version of events. Mr. Morgan removed the student from the class for disruptive behavior and, eventually, had the student speak with the School’s Resource Office in the officer’s squad car.”

This version of the story contradicts the parent’s claim that the student was alone in the cop car after being threatened with juvenile detention, stating instead that Mr. Morgan “had the student speak with the School’s Resource Officer in the officer’s squad car.”

Other information provided in the school’s response seems to corroborate the parent’s account of the event.

The school included in its response the incident report by the school’s resource officer, Bryan Reeves, employed at the

After reviewing the school’s response and the decision by OCS that the issue was outside their jurisdiction, Fitzgibbon told the Smoky Mountain News that she filed new grievances to try and revive the process that OCS says must play out before OCS could become involved.

She claims she lodged new grievances in August and has received no response from the board. After multiple attempts, Smoky Mountain News could not reach board chair Melanie Norman to confirm receipt of those grievances or next steps in that process.

In the Office of Charter School’s response to the SRCA parent complaint regarding breach of policy, the letter states that “violations of school board policy and open meetings law… must be brought in the appropriate division of the General Court of Justice of superior court.”

According to Fitzgibbon, the family has obtained a lawyer and will pursue legal action.

WCU Trustees approve tuition, fee increases Inflation driving rate hikes

BY HOLLY KAYS

STAFF W RITER

“Extraordinary” inflation and the need to match state salary increases will prompt increases to the cost of attendance at Western Carolina University next year, according to the 2023-2024 schedule of tuition and fees the Board of Trustees adopted at their Dec. 2 meeting.

While undergraduate tuition will stay the same thanks to the N.C. Promise Tuition Plan, graduation tuition will increase 3% — a $133 annual increase for in-state students and $445 for out-of-state students. At a Board of Trustees retreat held Nov. 4 in Highlands, Provost Richard Starnes said the proceeds will be reinvested into the graduate assistantships that are often part of financial aid packages for graduate students.

“Our assistantships have lagged inflation, I think it’s safe to say,” Starnes said. “What we are looking for is this increase in graduate tuition, much of it would be reinvested into graduate assistantships, would enhance enrollment, allow us to maybe better seal the deal with graduate students in competitive programs, as well as continue to provide research and teaching assistants where needed across the curriculum.”

Students will see a 4% increase in the athletics fee, bringing it to $903 per year; a 4.3% increase in the health services fee, for a total of $365 per year; and a 4% increase in the student activity fee, now to total $657 per year. In total, mandatory fees will increase 2.5%, or $75.

Inflation is the primary driver behind these increases, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Mike Byers told the board. Supplies and materials cost 9% more than they did a year ago, and the state legislature funded a 6% salary increase to offset the rising cost of living. Because the areas

funded by these mandatory fees are not eligible for state funding, the fee must increase to give those employees an equivalent boost.

“We’re asking for this increase not because 4% covers the entire cost. It’s just all that we’re allowed to ask,” Byers said.

Student parking fees will also increase, for similar reasons. Freshmen, sophomores and juniors who live on campus will see their parking fee rise $10, to $410 per year, while the cost for senior residents will increase $26 to $350 per year, part of an ongoing effort to make the cost of parking equal for all residents, regardless of class.

Commuter rates will increase $6, to $330, and motorcycles $1, to $43. The transportation fee will increase $4 per year, a 3.25% increase.

Despite “extraordinary inflation” that is increasing costs of on-campus dining by 17% across different menu categories, the average proposed increase across dining plan types is only 3.8%, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Sam Miller old trustees. According to the Consumer Price Index, food away from home in the southern region has increased 7.15% over the past year, Miller said.

“We think this is a really fair proposition given the inflationary factors that are hitting the food service industry,” he said.

Likewise, residence hall rates will see a modest increase given the economic landscape, rising only 2%.

“We may have bigger increases in the future, but we’re hoping to keep it affordable for this year,” Miller said.

Overall, the cost of attendance — including food and housing — will increase 2.08% for in-state undergraduates and 1.6% for outof-state undergraduates. Graduate students will see their cost of attendance increase by just over 3%.

Trustees unanimously approved the new rates for 2023-2024 at their Dec. 2 meeting, but the University of North Carolina Board of Governors will have to give final approval before the rates become effective.

More than 11,600 students are enrolled at Western Carolina University. WCU photo

HCC opens new health sciences building amid statewide nursing shortage

tant. We need more diversity in nursing, and we need more experience for people in that space.”

Realistic medication storage and dispensing equipment provide hands-on learning of the important skill of medication administration. During these realistic scenarios, many other activities and patient condition changes are happening while students may be required to safely retrieve multiple medications for multiple patients over the course of simulation.

This vast array of augmented reality equipment exposes students to various medical-surgical and obstetric pre-programmed experiences with the guidance of a faculty that allows for prioritizing decision-making and application, followed by discussion.

“In a rural area, we sometimes don’t have the volume of critical things going on where students can witness different things happening. We can make any of those happen with these mannequins,” said Putnam. “If that happens in the hospital, even when it does happen when we’re there, a student will get whisked away into a corner to watch because the quick thinking of someone who has been through all of the training is going to be the difference in life and death.”

On the contrary, in a simulated lab, Putnam said, students can practice different scenarios multiple times, with teachers watching, and debrief after each session to discuss what went well and what went wrong.

“It is a marvelous way to teach, and don’t you want the nurse that for the first time has to make that decision for your loved one to have practiced that and been able to think through that?” asked Putnam.

BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF W RITER

Community College in Cherokee County.

At

a time when North Carolina faces a serious nursing shortage, Haywood Community College has invested in its nursing program with a new Health Sciences Building. Full of the latest educational technology, it will expand, enhance and modernize the nursing student experience, preparing the next generation for a career in healthcare.

“This is an exciting day, a very proud day for Haywood County,” said Haywood County Commissioner Kevin Ensley. “I want to thank [Haywood Community College President] Dr. [Shelley] White for her leadership.”

On Tuesday, Nov. 29, Haywood Community College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Health Sciences Education Building. Community pride was palpable with almost 200 college faculty, supporters, students and elected officials filling the sunlit lobby for the occasion.

Nursing was one of the first programs available at Haywood Community College. For many years it was an LPN program in Canton, available through AB Tech. In 1981 that became an associate degree option at the college which made students eligible to sit for the RN licensure. Now, the nursing program at HCC is the only consortium left in the state and includes Tri-County

Students at the Tri-County Community College take their second year of courses at HCC and so will also benefit from the new building and new equipment.

“It really reaches even beyond Haywood Community College for how many students it will reach and how many people in the region,” said Dr. Lorene Putnam, nursing consortium program director.

The new building doubles existing space for health sciences at the college. It is set up to mimic a real hospital unit with eight simulated hospital suites and as many spaces for skill development, as well as a practice lab.

An 85-seat, graduated lecture hall will host seminars, while the hands-on learning will take place partially in the 40-seat biology lab. In addition to nursing classes, routine biology classes will also be able to use the lab in the new building. This lab is home to an Anatomage table, essentially a human-sized tablet with multiple bodies scanned into it allowing students to dissect and examine human bodies virtually.

“There’s several people scanned in that and they can be dissected electronically,” said Putnam. “It’s a very cool product. The students can learn so much from this machine.”

Two other 60-seat classrooms in the build-

ing are set up for collaborative work between teachers and students.

“We intentionally did not put all of the focus at the front where you know the ‘sage on the stage’ is talking, it’s a collaborative room,” said Putnam. “It can be a lecture room, but if you notice the monitors are on each corner of the room, so students can work as groups and solve problems.”

The skills lab is perhaps most exciting for teaching staff in the nursing program. Where the school used to have a three-bed skills lab, the new building hosts a spacious eight-bed skills lab replete with several types of mannequins that can simulate real-life nursing situations.

A bariatric manikin provides practice in the lab with morbidly obese individuals who may present challenges in movement, bathing and procedures. A birthing mannequin can simulate a true childbirth experience. Anyone who has never been inside a nursing skills lab before may be surprised to find a room full of mannequins in hospital beds, eyes blinking, chests breathing, and monitors actively informing students of vital signs. These mannequins can simulate a wide range of medical emergencies.

“We have a child [mannequin] that’s like a four or five year old,” said Putnam. “We have various skin tones which is very impor-

The new building was made possible by a $5 million grant from the Haywood Healthcare Foundation. In 2019, then HCC president Dr. Barbara Parker went to the Haywood County Commission with a big request. The college wanted to construct a $7.2 million Health Sciences Education Facility.

Parker already had $2.8 million to go toward the project from funds allocated through the Connect NC Bond. North Carolina approved the bond, allowing the state to borrow $2 billion for campus construction and infrastructure, in 2016. But the college would still need about $5 million to get the project done. When Parker went before the Haywood County Commission in 2019, those Connect NC Bond dollars needed to be allocated soon — the money would have been forfeited if not used before 2021.

The $5 million was a big ask from the county government, but Haywood County Health Foundation stepped in to provide the needed funding.

Initially created in 1978 as a fundraising group for the Haywood Regional Medical Center, HHF could no longer do so after Duke bought the hospital in 2017 and it became a for-profit entity. Instead, the county commission voted to allow HHF to administer $20 million in profits from the sale of the hospital.

“The Haywood Healthcare Foundation Board is proud to have partnered with Haywood Community

Haywood Community College’s new Health Sciences Building is impressive to look at, but it’s what’s inside that really counts as it will expand, enhance and modernize the nursing student experience.

College to fund a significant amount of money. And look what we have here today,” said Neil Budde, vice chair of the HHF board, motioning around the building’s lobby. “It’s going to help address the shortage of healthcare workers throughout not only Haywood County but elsewhere as well.”

The college received over $700,000 in grants for the new, high-tech equipment in the building. The Cannon Foundation donated $150,000 to go towards simulation mannequins, Golden Leaf Foundation granted $300,000 for equipment, and the estate of Camilla McConnell donated $100,000 for the Anatomage table in the biology lab.

Dogwood Health Trust recently awarded Haywood Community College a grant for $226,735, also for equipment. This money funded the purchase of a bariatric manikin, medication storage/ dispensing units, skills training materials and augmented reality training equipment.

Several of the elected officials who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony touted the importance of community colleges for families in the area and the economy at large. Commissioner Kevin Ensley, as well as Reps. Mark Pless and Mike Clampitt, who spoke at the event, have all graduated from community college programs.

“I became friends with a lot of folks that work at Hayward Regional Medical Center, who were trained at Haywood Community College. They had the heart, they had everything they needed to help people and take care of people, and they were able to reach those goals through the [college],” said Pless. “We already have the people in Haywood County with the heart, now we’re providing them with the tools.”

Nurses are the single largest sector of the United States healthcare system with over 3 million individuals employed. They are also the people who spend the most time with patients, by a significant margin, and therefore play a central part in increasing

the value of healthcare by improving outcomes. However, this also means that a shortage of nursing staff can have a devastating effect on the healthcare system.

In North Carolina today there are over 120,000 nurses at an average age of about 53.

Evidence suggests that since 2020 the number of nurses renewing their licenses in North Carolina has risen by a small percentage. Additionally, the number of students completing the licensure exam has risen by a small margin and the number of nurses moving into the state from elsewhere to work here has also gone up. However, this is doing almost nothing to compete with the number of nurses leaving the field.

According to research from a 2021 mercer study, North Carolina faces a large gap between the number of registered nurses needed in the state, and the number employed in the healthcare industry. In 2022 the gap was estimated at a shortage of over 4,000 RNs. As soon as 2026, the gap is estimated at over 13,000. In these shortage projections North Carolina is second only in the nation to Pennsylvania.

This is a result of many factors, including the relatively high average age of nurses employed in North Carolina, combined with those leaving the profession due to burnout that is perpetuated by understaffing.

In Haywood County alone, Haywood Regional Medical Center is currently listing about 100 open positions for registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, nurse practitioners and licensed practical nurses.

“I can speak for the entire board when I say Congratulations to Dr. Shelley White, and the whole Haywood Community College team,” said Budde. “This is a wonderful addition for not only Haywood Community College, but for Haywood County, and Western North Carolina.”

“We are so grateful for all of these opportunities,” said Putnam. “Thank you so much for supporting us at Haywood Community College.”

Here’s a look at one of the rooms where future nurses will learn how to deal with any number of patient issues that may arise.

WNC Historical Association selects Brent Martin as winner of literary award

The Western North Carolina Historical has selected author Brent Martin’s “George Masa’s Wild Vision: A Japanese Immigrant Imagines Western North Carolina” for the 2022 Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. Originated by the Louis Lipinsky family, the Award has been presented annually by the Western North Carolina Historical Association since 1955 for printed works that focus special attention on Western North Carolina. In order to more broadly support the writers of Western North Carolina, a Dec. 13 award ceremony will celebrate all five finalists.

Of the work, literary award committee chair Catherine Frank said, “In ‘George Masa’s Wild Vision: A Japanese Immigrant Imagines Western North Carolina’ Brent Martin brings together Masa’s arresting images and his own reflections on walking in Masa’s footsteps to tell one of our region’s important stories in an innovative way. Masa played a pivotal role in the creation of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the Appalachian Trail through photographs that allowed viewers to experience places they would never visit. Martin creates a portrait of a man and a region we now know a little better.”

A prize of $2,500 accompanies the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award and will be presented to Brent Martin at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 13 during an in-person event at UNC-Asheville’s Reuter Center that will include readings by the finalists. The event will also be live streamed via Zoom for those who cannot attend in person. Registration is available for this free event at wnchistory.org. Light refreshments will be served.

The WNC Historical Association presented the first Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award to Wilma Dykeman in 1955 for “The French Broad.” Last year’s winner

Clubs announce new approach annual blanket drive

Mountain Projects and Waynesville Rotary Club paired for many years to coordinate a popular Christmas holiday blanket drive.

Then, In 2021, Mountain Projects Executive Director Patsy Davis contacted Bill Allsbrook of Waynesville Rotary and asked if their blanket drive could be moved to early November due to the rising heating and utility costs. Mountain Projects was already taking calls for assistance and were anticipating more.

To meet the need quickly, the two contacted seven Haywood County Service Clubs: Altrusa, Kiwanis, two Lions Clubs and three Rotary

was Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle for her novel, “Even As We Breathe.” Other authors who have received the award include Charles Frazier, Robert Morgan,

The Award Panel this year consists of: Catherine Frank, Chair, Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville; James Bradley, Secretary of Education for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Wayne Caldwell, author and former Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award winner; Dee James, professor emeritus, UNC-Asheville; Leslee Johnson, English department, UNC-Asheville; Jasmin Morrell, writer and co-editor of The Porch magazine; Tom Muir, Historic Site Manager, Thomas Wolfe Memorial; Terry Roberts, Director, National Paideia Center and former Thomas Wolfe Literary Award winner; Jim Stokely, President, Wilma Dykeman Legacy.

Clubs, who enthusiastically signed on to help. Then, as word got out in the community, the general public contributed, and the effort brought in over 300 blankets and significant cash donations to help local families with heating and utility bills.

The Annual Haywood County Blanket Drive has evolved out of this success and in addition to ongoing Service Club efforts, all Haywood County residents are invited to participate.

The Blanket Drive and Winter Warmth campaign will be a significant component of Mountain Projects’ winter relief efforts.

New blankets can be dropped off at the Mountain Projects Office, 2177 Asheville Road, Waynesville (the old public health building roughly across the street from Junaluska Middle School) or online purchases can be shipped directly to the agency through Dec. 23, 2022.

John Parris, Gail Godwin, John Ehle, Robert Brunk, Michael McFee, Lee Smith, Ron Rash, Wiley Cash, Wayne Caldwell, Fiona Ritchie, and Doug Orr.

New sheriffs shuffle staffs

get rid of any deputies protects the public from bad law enforcement officers.

“At a moment in history when the public is demanding higher standards for law enforcement and protections against corrupt law enforcement officers like never before, NCSA cannot support or take no position on legislation which creates a shield of protection for bad officers and provides no shield of protection to the public,” one paper reads.

“The bill erodes the authority of law enforcement agency heads to manage their agencies in accordance with the demands of the communities they serve and the needs of the agencies they oversee and does nothing to promote public safety.”

Wilke didn’t speak to specific actions regarding the employment of specific deputies, but he did say he’s confident in the decisions he made.

“My focus is this, I have selected a chain of command and chief deputy that is experienced and knowledgeable and committed to my vision for a safe and prosperous Haywood County,” he said. “I am excited about their abilities and what they’ve expressed in where they want to see the county and how they want to get us there.”

Under former Sheriff Greg Christopher, who neither fired nor demoted anyone when he took office in 2013, there were individual captains over patrol and CID, among other divisions. Wilke has opted to have one Captain — Eric Batchelor, whom many will remember as the man who was shot in the arm while confronting an AR-15 wielding man and later ran for Congress — who will be over “operations,” which will include both investigations and patrol. A lieutenant will serve under Bachelor in each of those divisions.

BY KYLE P ERROTTI N EWS E DITOR

Across North Carolina’s seven westernmost counties, a whole slew of new sheriffs was sworn in on Monday, Dec. 5.

However, the work started about a month earlier for those men, all of whom are new to the office except Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran who secured a fifth term. Upon winning their elections, the incoming sheriffs must think about how they will reshape policy, and in some cases, consider which personnel they want to dismiss or demote to make room for their own command staff.

While some like Brent Holbrooks in Macon County mandated little, if any, staff turnover, in Haywood and Jackson counties, new sheriffs Bill Wilke and Doug Farmer made waves by letting some well-respected deputies go. Wilke spoke with The Smoky Mountain News multiple times for this story; however, Farmer, despite initially saying he would talk, did not return any subsequent phone calls.

Farmer’s victory in Jackson County was historic as he became the first Republican in almost a century to win that seat. In Haywood, Wilke, who won by a wide margin, also returned the office to Republican hands after several Democrats had held it.

Last week, Wilke sent out letters to eight sworn personnel that were at that time employed by the Haywood County Sheriff’s

Office. Perhaps most notably, Wilke let Detention Captain Chris Shell, Patrol Deputy Daniel Blagg and Sgt. Det. Heath Justice go — all men who had a wealth of experience and seemed to be well-liked both in the community and among their fellow deputies.

Justice has been with the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office for nine years, and for eight years he’s been committed to investigating child sex crimes, a hard job with a high burnout rate. While Wilke wouldn’t go into detail regarding personnel decisions due to state law, there’s been speculation that his motive may have been political, considering Justice supported Wilke’s primary opponent, Tony Cope, and his wife even had a large sign supporting Cope outside the Clyde dance academy she owns.

But it seems that Justice cares less about whatever motive may have led to Wilke’s decision and more that he won’t be able to serve Haywood County in the vital way he has for the better part of a decade. And losing that experience is tough, considering he has a proven track record of successfully setting up sting operations to catch those who solicit sexual acts from children on the internet. Not only does that require technical knowledge; it also requires the ability to dive into some dark places without letting that affect the investigator’s ability to think rationally. Justice has made a name for himself in that area statewide and is even part of an FBI taskforce

to investigate and federally charge such cases.

Justice told SMN that it’s been tough to deal with his forced departure from the sheriff’s office. As difficult as the job can be, he said it’s incredibly validating, adding that even when a case doesn’t work out the way he wants, when a child victim is identified, no matter what, he can help connect them with vital resources and put them on the right track.

“You’ll never have anything more rewarding in your life than to help them,” he said.

It’s important to note that incoming sheriffs have every right to hire, fire, promote and demote personnel as they see fit, something that was upheld by the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 2014. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some legislators who would aim to change that. Eddie Caldwell, Executive Vice President and General Counsel for the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, frequently lobbies in Raleigh on behalf of the state’s 100 sheriffs. He said it’s important that sheriffs have such authority.

“The sheriff needs people in those positions who are loyal to his mission,” Caldwell said. “The sheriff gets elected to implement the will of the people consistent with the law.”

The sheriff’s association has put out something similar but in more detail in a pair of position papers opposing legislation that would prevent the staff shakeups seen in Haywood and Jackson counties.

Those papers note that sheriffs’ ability to

Although Wilke said there will be more personnel decisions to come, there will be a “phased approach” to minimize destabilizing his office, as well as the lives of other deputies and their families.

“I want to take a deliberate step-by-step approach to any future changes and make sure the right employee is selected for the right job,” he said. “I’m exceptionally confident that those roles will be filled by competent people.”

But there was one problem with the way Wilke informed deputies their services would no longer be needed. In those letters, he said the deputies were “hereby terminated.” That language is problematic for a couple of reasons. First, when those individuals seek other law enforcement jobs, the fact that they were terminated can hamper future opportunities. Second, if an ongoing case that was being worked by one of them went to trial, a defense attorney could use that termination to impeach the investigator’s character, thus hurting the chances for a successful prosecution.

Wilke said the word “terminated” was chosen because that’s what was used in training material provided by the NC Sheriffs Association. While Caldwell initially didn’t think that was accurate, after looking back through his own paperwork, he confirmed that the word “terminated” was used.

“We are already making plans to change that,” he said. “It will say ‘concludes’ and that the new sheriff has ‘declined to employ’ them.”

Wilke was sworn in earlier this week by District Court Judge Donna Forga. Kyle Perrotti photo

Congressional committee discusses seating Cherokee Nation delegate

Other Cherokee tribes say treaty delegate provision also applies to them

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF W RITER

Shortly after the 1835 Christmas holiday celebrating peace and good will toward men, U.S. government officials met with a group of 500 Cherokee leaders at New Echota, Georgia, and signed a treaty that led to the tribe’s cruel eviction via the Trail of Tears.

The Treaty of New Echota guaranteed the Cherokee various terms in exchange for forever surrendering their ancestral homelands. Among these were a payment of $5 million, a “new home” west of the Mississippi River, one year of support after the move — and a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.

In the 187 years since, the United States has either honored the treaty terms or irreversibly dishonored them, as when it promised to remove the tribe “comfortably, and so as not to endanger their health” — a quarter of the tribe’s population died on the Trail of Tears. But it never touched the delegate provision. Now, the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma is pressing hard to get it done.

“Fulfilling this promise would be an historic victory for treaty rights and sovereignty,” Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said during a Nov. 16 hearing before the House Rules Committee. “The Treaty of New Echota requires, Mr. Chairman, the House to seat our delegate. I urge you to seat Kim Teehee without delay.”

The delegate provision has remained quietly unfulfilled since it was first written, but Hoskin made it a priority for his time as the Cherokee Nation’s top elected executive. Shortly after his election in 2019 and following the process outlined in the tribe’s Constitution, he nominated Kim Teehee as the tribe’s delegate to Congress, despite the fact that Congress had not yet created a seat for Teehee to fill. Teehee currently serves as the tribe’s director of government relations.

The Nov. 16 hearing was an historic — though preliminary — move toward seating her in Congress.

“This is a hearing to give Congress an opportunity to understand the issue of seating a delegate to represent the Cherokee Nation,” said Rep. Tom Cole, who represents the fourth district in Oklahoma and is a member of the Chickasaw Nation. “No vote on that issue today. Indeed at present, no legislation has been introduced on this issue. Today’s hearing is a good first step, but we have a long way to go in the process.”

HOW MANY CHEROKEE DELEGATES?

During the two-hour meeting, committee members heard from Hoskin, University of Oklahoma law professor Lindsay Robertson and Congressional Research Service legislative attorney Mainon A. Schwartz on a variety of issues surrounding the potential seating of a Cherokee Nation delegate. Schwartz submitted a 19-page testimony statement titled “Legal and Procedural Factors Related to Seating a Cherokee Nation Delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives” analyzing those issues — but Eastern Band of

than a century after the Treaty of New Echota.

The EBCI and UKB disagree with Hoskin’s conclusions.

“The UKB is a successor in interest to all the Cherokee tribes, just like the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and the Eastern Band of Cherokee,” said Tori Holland, who the UKB has named as its Congressional delegate. “Therefore, any treaty promise made to the Cherokee people should be given equally to all Cherokee tribes. Therefore, if Congress seats one delegate, it should seat all Cherokee delegates.”

Sneed contends that the 1886 court decision focused on which group of Cherokee people should receive funds from the sale of

does not take a position on whether the Cherokee Nation or other tribes are successors in interest to the Cherokee tribe that signed the treaty,” she said.

GETTING IT DONE

The hearing included ample discussion as to whether this arrangement would raise concerns about double representation. At the time of the Treaty of New Echota, Oklahoma was not a state and Native Americans did not have the right to vote. Now it is, and they do, so committee members wanted to know if honoring the delegate provision would unfairly give some voters double representation in Congress.

If seated, the delegate would be a non-voting member, similar to those currently representing the U.S. territories and Washington, D.C. Non-voting delegates can sit on and vote in committees but may not vote on final passage of any bill or resolution.

Hoskin said double representation is not a concern, because the delegate could not vote on final passage and because of the tribe’s sovereign status. Additionally, he pointed out, tribal members are disbursed throughout all 50 states.

“The argument misses that the Cherokee Nation is the sovereign nation whose interests are represented by the delegate,” he said. “The treaty itself was a treaty between two sovereign nations, the United States and the Cherokee Nation, and the parties determined that the Cherokee Nation governmental interest would be uniquely represented in the House of Representatives. In that sense I don’t see the double representation.”

The hearing also examined the issue of how the delegate could be seated, should Congress choose to do so.

Cherokee Indians Principal Chief Richard Sneed said the document left out a key issue.

“It does not address one of the central issues in this debate, that is, to which group of federally acknowledged Cherokee sovereigns does Article 7 apply?” Sneed wrote in a Nov. 16 letter to Rules Committee Chairman James McGovern and Ranking Member Cole.

Both the EBCI and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians contend that the New Echota delegate provision applies to them as well, arguing that their tribes should be allowed to seat delegates in addition to the one chosen by the Cherokee Nation. Hoskin, however, disagrees.

“Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation alone is the tribe that is the party to the Treaty of New Echota and the Treaty of 1866,” he told the Rules Committee.

In a statement to The Smoky Mountain News, Hoskin said he bases this claim on the 1886 Supreme Court ruling in Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians v. United States that states that “the Cherokees in North Carolina dissolved their connection with their nation when they refused to accompany the body of it on its removal,” and that “no treaty has been made with them.” During the hearing, Hoskin said he has “great respect” for the EBCI and UKB but that the question of the treaty’s applicability to the EBCI has been “asked and answered” and that the UKB wasn’t authorized by Congress until 1946, more

specific properties and does not address other treaty provisions. He said that federal courts have issued “numerous decisions” over the years affirming that the Treaty of New Echota is binding on all three Cherokee Tribal Nations, though he did not cite specific decisions.

“We disagree that it should be the sole right of Cherokee Nation to seat a person of its exclusive choosing and believe that any action to establish an Article 7 Cherokee delegate should include a delegate from the Eastern Band,” Sneed said in a statement. “We look forward to working together to find a path forward that fully honors this treaty with the Cherokee nations.”

In his letter to McGovern and Cole, Sneed pointed out that CRS did not contact the EBCI about the fact that it was researching and preparing a report on this “complicated and very important aspect of U.S. and Cherokee law and history.” Therefore, he said, the resulting report does not consider the EBCI’s views on the matter.

During the hearing, McGovern said he’d received letters from two other tribes in addition to the EBCI and UKB who claimed their treaties granted them a right to a congressional delegate. Schwartz responded with her analysis as to why those claims were weaker than that of the Cherokee Nation but did not comment on the EBCI and UKB’s claim.

“The Congressional Research Service

Schwartz said “there is an argument” that the delegate could be seated with only an amendment to the House standing rules rather than through legislation. However, this would be “novel and a break from the House’s prior position with respect to seating territorial delegates,” and it would require the House to reaffirm the delegate’s position every two years. Because the Treaty of New Echota says that “Congress” should “make provision for” the delegate — not just one chamber of it — there is also an argument that the process should require input from the Senate.

In his comments, Hoskin seemed to favor the quicker, though less durable, House rules approach, with McGovern suggesting the House pursue both avenues simultaneously.

“If the United States at long last, after nearly two centuries, agrees to honor this promise in this Congress — and it could happen this year — I would think it’d be breathtaking for the next Congress to say we’re going to then break this promise,” Hoskin said.

While the Cherokee tribes certainly disagree as to how the delegate provision should be implemented, they’re encouraged by the fact that Congress is now considering how to do it.

“After nearly 200 years, we are heartened that Congress is finally stepping up to look at this treaty,” Sneed said.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. addresses the House Rules Committee during a Nov. 16 hearing. Photo from U.S. Congress video

BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF W RITER

Jackson County schools will once again expand its pre-K capacity at the start of the 2023-24 school year, this time with a second classroom at Smokey Mountain Elementary School in Whitter

The expansion comes thanks to another grant from the Dogwood Health Trust.

“I am very excited that we can continue to provide high-quality early learning opportunities for Jackson County’s youngest students,” said Laura Dills, executive director for elementary education.

This week, Dogwood Health Trust approved a grant of $142,578 for the new preschool classroom. The grant will cover start-up costs including furniture, curriculum, supplies and a portion of salaries for a teacher and teacher assistant. The school system will be responsible for funding those positions in future years.

“This grant allows even more of our ‘littles’ to experience high-quality early learning in a structured, literacy-rich environment,” Superintendent Dr. Dana Ayers said.

When Ayers was hired as superintendent of JCPS in 2021, she made it clear that expanding the pre-K program and early childhood literacy were two of her primary goals. During a budget meeting with the county commission earlier this year, Ayers laid out her vision for universal pre-K in Jackson County.

“Preschool is vastly important to the academic success of students,” Ayers told the commission.

At the start of this school year, JCPS doubled its pre-K capacity. The school system was able to put in place one additional class at Cullowhee Valley, Scotts Creek and Fairview Elementary Schools thanks to a $236,000 grant from Dogwood Health Trust and a $115,000 grant from the Blue Ridge School Foundation that went into outfitting a new preschool classroom at Blue Ridge School. Capacity increased from 54 to 120 spots with one classroom at Blue Ridge School dedicated to serving 3-yearolds.

“I am delighted that JCPS is setting the pace for providing preschool opportunities,” Ayers said. “Dogwood Health Trust shares our desire to offer early learning to Jackson County families, and we are fortunate to have them partner with us through grant funding.”

Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation formed from the sale of the Mission Hospital System to HCA Healthcare. It serves 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina through grant opportunities aimed at improving health and wellbeing.

The new pre-K classroom at Smokey Mountain Elementary School will open August of 2023. Applications for all the district’s preschool locations for the 2023-24 school year will be available in March 2023. Families can contact the district office at 828.586.2311.

Jackson County Commission welcomes new members

BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF W RITER

On Monday evening, Dec. 5, before a room full of family and community members alike, three men took the oath of office as the newest members of the Jackson County Commission.

Republican John Smith has replaced Democrat Boyce Deitz, Republican Todd Bryson replaced Democrat Gayle Woody and Republican Mark Letson replaced Democrat Brian McMahan as chair of the county commission. Republicans dominated November elections, not only in Jackson County, but throughout the Smoky Mountain News’ four county coverage area.

New commissioners joined Democrat Mark Jones and Republican Tom Stribling on the board. In addition to being sworn in, the now all-male board also held its first meeting on Monday night. As part of the organizational process, the board decided when it would have its meeting moving forward, and who would serve as vice-chair.

While most county commissions would also select a chair during this type of organizational meeting, Jackson County is unique in that candidates run for, and residents elect the commission chairman. Mark Letson won that role this election season and will serve as

chairman for the next four years.

The board is responsible for nominating and voting on which among them should serve as vice-chair. Commissioner Tom Stribling nominated newcomer Todd Bryson for the role and the board approved him unanimously with little discussion. The vicechair serves at the board’s pleasure and assumes the duties of chairman if the chair cannot be present.

“It would be an honor to serve as vicechairman,” said Bryson. “I will accept that nomination.

The board also addressed its meeting schedule. Previously, regular commission meetings were held the first and third Tuesday of each month. The first was held at 6 p.m. and the second at 1 p.m. The board also held one work session each month on the second Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m.

“The six o’clock meeting is designed so people who want to speak in public comment, it allows them to be off work and be here,” said Commissioner Jones.

“I would prefer that all the meetings be at six o’clock so that the public has easier access to us commissioners to discuss,” said Commissioner Smith.

The board decided to hold regular meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each

month at 6 p.m. and keep its monthly work session at 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month. There is no allotted time for public comment during work sessions.

Commissioners were also presented with the multitude of boards and associations that different commissioners serve on. All those boards that previous commissioners Woody, Deitz and McMahan were serving on will have to be split up among new members, or those already serving. Commissioners decided to table this discussion for the next meeting, allowing them time to look over those boards and decide who would do best with which organizations.

These boards include things like the Southwestern Rural Planning Organization,

Vaya Health Board of Directors, Fire Commissioner, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council and several other county stakeholders.

“I’m looking forward to working with Commissioner Stribling and Commissioner Jones,” said Commissioner Bryson in a closing statement. “When I started this campaign, I set out to do what’s right for the county and not for political purposes at all. I look forward to working with all of you, thank you.”

“I’m humbled that the people of Jackson County selected me to represent them,” said Commissioner Smith.

The Jackson County Commission held a regular meeting after press time Tuesday, Dec. 6, and will hold a work session Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 1 p.m.

Tidings of Comfort During the Holidays

Jackson County’s new board of commissioners is, from left to right, John Smith, Todd Bryson, Mark Letson, Mark Jones, Tom Stribling. Jackson County photo

Mission offers ‘COVID immunity’ defense in response to malpractice suit

BY KYLE P ERROTTI

N EWS E DITOR

Hospital Corporation of America and Asheville’s Mission Hospital have responded to a lawsuit filed by a Canton woman that claims their negligence led to life-threatening complications during the birth of her son.

The suit, initially filed in September, claimed that Stone Smathers was born in March 2020 following an ordeal that lasted over 24 hours and caused his mother, Ashley Smathers, to lose a total of 10 liters of blood in the process. Ashley, wife of Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers, was an otherwise healthy 32-year-old woman and had experienced a normal pregnancy but labored unsuccessfully for more than three hours, pushing for two.

The suit further alleged “egregious acts of medical and corporate negligence.” It describes a heinous account during which Mission Hospital “knowingly and intentionally” placed “profits over patient safety by reducing the number of surgical teams working and available at the hospital or on call overnight.”

It claims that well before a C-section was ordered, Stone’s fetal heart monitor showed “increasingly concerning signs” that he may not have had an adequate oxygen supply. The suit goes on to allege that the accepted standards of care required Mission to “complete this C-section order as soon as possible and within 30 minutes,” and that Mission’s gross negligence and reckless disregard for patient safety caused permanent injuries.

Because of the massive loss of blood that was continuing, a surgical team was “forced to perform an emergency hysterectomy to save her life,” a procedure that ensures she will never be able to bear another child again.

While Ashley Smathers almost lost her life, because of his hypoxic brain injury, Stone will be left to deal with cerebral palsy and “associated delays and disabilities” for the rest of his life.

There were two responses to Smathers’ suit filed, one on behalf of HCA Healthcare Inc. and one on behalf of Mission Hospital. The response to the suit regarding HCA was pretty straightforward and argued that that particular defendant “did not employee any health care providers at the time relevant to this action” and cited a 2009 North Carolina Court of Appeals Case that defines “health care-provider-to-patient relationship” to back its claim. Essentially, HCA pushed responsibility and liability back onto the doctors themselves.

“These Defendants did not directly, or through its employees, provide any health care treatment to any of the Plaintiffs,” HCA’s response reads. “These Defendants did not have a health care provider to patient relationship with any of the Plaintiffs. These Defendants are distinct legal entities from MH Mission Hospital LLLP. Because these

Defendants did not have a health careprovider-to-patient relationship with Plaintiffs, they cannot be liable.”

The response to the suit against Mission Hospital was different. It offered five defenses, including one that called the claims for punitive damage “frivolous and malicious” after which it claims that the defendants are entitled to recovery of its

port, regulatory relief and educational modifications meant to guide and assist residents through an unprecedented pandemic.

In a previous Smoky Mountain News story, attorney Robert Zaytoun, who represents Smathers, offered his thoughts as he anticipated that defense.

“I think it was intended to genuinely protect hospitals that were in the throes of

attorney fees from the plaintiffs.

The most notable defense may be the “COVID immunity” defense.

“The events giving rise to this lawsuit occurred from March 19 to March 21, 2020, shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic spread to Western North Carolina,” it reads. “That pandemic affected every aspect of our healthcare system, both directly and indirectly, and March 2020 was a time of extraordinary tension and uncertainty for healthcare providers. Because of that uncertainty and the demands the COVID-19 pandemic placed on healthcare providers, our legislature unanimously enacted N.C.G.S. § 90-21.133, which protects healthcare providers like MH Mission Hospital, LLLP and its employees from liability for goodfaith errors that occurred while providing health care that was impacted by the COVID pandemic.

“MH Mission Hospital, LLLP is entitled to immunity under N.C.G.S. $ 90-21.133 because: (1) the events in question occurred during the COVID-19 emergency declaration; (2) the provision of health care by MH Mission Hospital, LLLP was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; and (3) MH Mission Hospital, LLLP was providing health care in good faith.”

The statute cited includes a passage that notes that health care facilities and providers can be shielded from civil liability over “harm or damages alleged to have been sustained as a result of an act or omission in the course of arranging for or providing health care services.”

That statute is a wide-ranging 70page Senate bill that offered economic sup-

their health care providers dealing with a massive COVID crisis that we were in,” he said. “Do I think anybody should ever have immunity? Personally no, but I can understand that extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures and there was a time when our hospitals were overwhelmed and our healthcare workers were just getting beaten to death — but that’s not this case, in our view, based upon our factual investigation.”

The original suit put forth several reasons why the immunity provision should not apply to the Smathers suit.

First, Stone was born on March 21, 2020, but the bill was enacted on May 4 of that year and applies retroactively. Smathers alleges that the retroactive application removes a vested right and violates the due process and equal protection clauses of the U.S. and North Carolina constitutions.

Moreover, the suit claims that the care provided to Stone wasn’t impacted by COVID; that Mission Hospital was not treating a single COVID patient when Ashley was admitted; that Mission did not treat any COVID patients in the labor and delivery ward during Ashley’s delivery; that Mission never informed Smathers that the care they would provide had been impacted by COVID; that Mission did not experience staffing shortages due to COVID during Ashely’s delivery; and, that the actions of HCA constituted gross negligence and reckless misconduct.

The defendants ultimately requested that the plaintiffs’ complaints be dismissed with prejudice and that plaintiffs pay for the cost of the defense attorneys fees.

Mission Hospital and HCA are accused of gross negligence and reckless misconduct.

Peter Lewis/Asheville Watchdog photo

Construction students compete in Atlanta

Students from Western Carolina University’s Kimmel School of Construction recently had the opportunity to participate in real-world construction scenarios at the Associated Schools of Construction Region II competition in Atlanta.

Six students competed in the open concrete category that is sponsored by Baker Concrete Construction and the project was a mixed-use, 27-story concrete midrise structure with retail space, parking deck and apartments in Charlotte.

“This team had been working hard all semester to prepare for this competition,” said Bruce Gehrig, director of the Kimmel School of Construction Management. “Early on in the semester, we got a sense of the type of project, but no specifics, so we worked on scenarios throughout the semester to prepare the students. Once the actual project was identified, they had 24 hours to develop their operational plan for the project. Companies typically spend six months or more developing plans for a project of this scale.”

While the team did not place in the competition, the experience they gained was invaluable to their academics and future career.

The team members that competed in the open concrete category were Logan Fender, senior from Candler; Lane Horton, senior from Jonesville; John Brand, senior from Rutherfordton; Jackson Parrott, senior from Durham; Scout Schulhofer, senior from Canton; Grayson Perkins, senior from Pueblo, Colorado.

Team members Logan Fender, Lane Horton, John Brand, Jackson Parrott, Scout Schulhofer and Grayson Perkins competed in the open concrete category.

While preparing for the competition, the students received support from Lithko Contracting in the form of a project scenario and funding. Lithko Contracting then donated $6,500 to cover the expenses of sending the students to the competition.

The students also competed in another category, the ASC Shadow Competition, which was sponsored by Phillips and Jordan Construction. The project for this category was the sitework for a facility located in the Florida Space Coast region.

For the project, students were randomly teamed with students from other universities and had four hours to develop project deliverables including a PowerPoint presentation. WCU students Tate Calhoun and Clayton Ott were on the first-place team and Megan McIntosh was on the team that finished second.

Sylva launches culinary apprentice program

The Main Street Sylva Association (MSSA) has partnered with Southwestern Community College and ApprenticeshipNC to launch a Culinary Apprentice program for downtown Sylva.

“One of the most hard-hit industries regarding nation-wide staff shortages is restaurant industry,” said Bernadette Peters, Main Street Economic Development Director. “We wanted to do something to help our downtown restaurants cultivate local culinary talent and retain them. The ApprenticeshipNC program is something we could

leverage to meet that goal and give young professionals an amazing career opportunity.”

A registered apprenticeship is a training program designed to meet the needs of the employer by providing the employee with structured on-thejob learning, related instruction and a progressive wage scale. Additionally, this year, funding was set aside by the state of North Carolina to offset training costs, and provide incentives for the employers.

Apprentices receive hands-on learning and job-related classroom or technical training, wages that increase as new skills are learned, and the opportunity to earn a culinary certificate or degree.

Businesses participating in the apprentice

HCC Foundation 2023 calendar available

program are City Lights Café, Dalaya Thai Cuisine, Lulu’s Café, and Guadalupe Café. Mad Batter Kitchen and Balsam Falls are still seeking ApprenticeNC candidates.

“The culinary apprentice program is just what we needed to bring back a good employee who had taken another position,” said, Donna DiGiorgio, Managing Partner of City Lights Café. “Plus, our apprentice, Nakoma has stepped up our options for our baked goods and catering as he is learning and practicing new skills.”

Jennifer Abbey is the new work-based learning coordinator at Southwestern Community College who had the vision to make this program happen in Sylva. Peters indicated that Abbey has been a

great resource in navigating the state’s incentives and customizing the culinary apprentice program for the Town of Sylva.

For more information, visit mainstreetsylva.org, send an email to mainstreet@townofsylva.org or 828.586.2719.

WCU Jamaica Teacher’s Program holds commencement ceremonies

Western Carolina University’s Jamaica Teacher’s Program recently held two commencement ceremonies in Kingston and Montego Bay.

In October 2022, faculty and staff from WCU’S College of Education and Allied Professions and the Division of Educational Outreach traveled to Jamaica to resume in-person classes for the first time since 2020 and to hold the commencement ceremonies for the final two bachelor of science in education cohorts to go through the program.

A combined 37 students received degrees from WCU during the ceremonies. Alumni that earned master’s degrees during the COVID-19 pandemic were also invited to walk in the in-person ceremony.

“The primary goal of the WCU Jamaica Teacher’s Program is to provide advanced studies in school leadership and in inclusive educational practices, areas on expertise needed in Jamaican schools,” said Carolyn Callaghan, executive director of the Division of Educational Outreach. “Additionally, a secondary goal is to enable Jamaican teachers to raise their teaching qualifications to the master’s level. Since the program’s inception in the early 1970s, more than 4,000 Jamaican teachers have earned a Bachelor of Science in education degree from WCU.”

While bachelor’s degrees will no longer be offered, WCU will continue to offer master’s in education degree programs in Kingston, Montego Bay and Discovery Bay.

The program began in 1970 when a select group of student teachers from WCU were chosen to complete their student teaching internship in Jamaica. These students were interested in acquiring a meaningful educational experience in another culture.

Since then, concentrations have also been offered in school administration, special education, early childhood education and math/science. In addition, a graduate degree in educational supervision was added in the late 90s and special education was added in 2018.

For more information about the program, visit jamaica.wcu.edu.

The Haywood Community College Foundation 2023 calendar is available for purchase. Showcasing photos from community members and HCC faculty and staff, proceeds from sales will support Clyde’s Cupboard, the HCC on-campus student food pantry.

The calendar highlights the campus in its full glory during each season and would make a perfect holiday gift. Calendars may be purchased by stopping by the Buckeye Building on the college campus. The cost of the calendar to purchase in person is $10, plus tax. Please note that the campus is closed Dec. 23 through Jan. 2 but is otherwise open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Calendars can also be purchased online by visiting haywood.edu and clicking the “Donate” button. The cost to purchase online is $13 per calendar, which includes tax and shipping. For more information, please visit haywood.edu/foundation/hcccalendar.php or call 828.627.4679.

The truth about climate change is staring us down

The truth, even when it’s staring you down Clint Eastwood style, is easier to ignore than to act on. Just human nature, I guess, but something has to give.

Lori and I took the dog, Django, for some exercise at the Canton Rec Park on Sunday. We were restless after hours of household chores and a mostly grey day. Say “walk” — or go for the leash — and Django starts spinning around and jumping, a completely absurd and comical sight in an 11-year-old, 80-pound mutt that makes us both laugh out loud.

He darts around the truck when I lower the tailgate, unable jump into the bed like in his younger days but eager to get in and go with us. There was a day when I also could jump in and out of truck beds with ease. No more. We use the undulating contours of the landscape on our mountain to find places where the tailgate is lower to the ground and he can scramble aboard.

As we circled the park’s walkway, we saw piles of gravel and other construction materials at the Pisgah football stadium. The entire sports complex there beside the Pigeon River is getting redone, lots of money, all at taxpayer expense. I don’t begrudge school officials for making the investment and using the Covid money to make it happen, but the truth is that it’s a fool’s game. In all honesty, that stadium should be moved away from the river.

The Pigeon will flood again. The stadium will go underwater, again. It’s just a matter of when. We’ve had two major flood events, two 500-year floods just 17 years apart — one in

2004, one in 2021 — and all scientific evidence tells us it will happen again. Climate change is real, whether one believes it’s a natural cycle, whether one believes it’s caused by the carbon-dependent lifestyle mankind has embraced, or perhaps a combination of both.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — which has an office over in Asheville — tracks weather events. According to an article in the most recent New Yorker, during the 1980s there were an average of three natural weather disasters per year that caused a billion dollars in damage. In the 1990s, the number rose to five per year (dollar figures have been adjusted for inflation); in the 2000s, it rose to six; in the 2010s, it skyrocketed to 12; in 2020, another huge jump to 22 disasters doing more than a billion dollars in damage; 2022 is on track to match 2020. (Tropical Strom Fred, which caused the flooding in Cruso, Bethel and Canton in 2021, is one of those storms. It caused an estimated $1.3 billion in damage).

Average global temperatures have risen 2 degrees Fahrenheit, Lake Mead is drying up and strangling the West’s water supply, and Greenland’s ice cap is melting. We hear this news all the time, but we’ve become numb. The reporter of that New Yorker article surmised the situation like this: “Heat

waves are getting hotter, droughts deeper, and storms more intense. In some parts of the world, the wildfire season never ends.”

Hell, I’ve always been an optimist, but of all the world’s issues this may be the one we don’t figure out. So let’s put a Christmas spin on this. Our house has Christmas tree lights outside, and it looks awesome thanks to my wife’s hard work. A string of those lights uses about 40 watts of power per day. In the U.S., we each burn about 80,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year (all the power the U.S. consumed and uses divided by the number of Americans). “… it’s as if each of us had 275 of these strings draped around our homes, burning 24/7,” says Elizabeth Kolbert from the same New Yorker article.

This is real. We mostly ignore it or take baby steps to do what we can. But our children, my children, will have to live in this world we leave them. And it’s going to be calamitous.

The answer, according to many who study the issue, isn’t fossil fuels so much as capitalism. We need a new economic system, one not built on constant growth. “Degrowth,” or a system that encourages businesses and manufacturers to “level down,” are some descriptions for where we need to go.

I’m not sure how we get out of this one, but that money going back into a stadium and a park at the same place in Canton is an indicator of the blinders we’re all wearing. The challenge is staring us in the face, and we just keep turning away.

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

Editor Scott McLeod

Your one and only Christmas 2022

As they say, “What screws us up the most in life is the picture in our head of how it’s supposed to be.” We hold images in our minds and expectations in our hearts of how our existence should unfold and when it doesn’t go that way, we often feel we’ve failed ourselves and those we love.

I’m not sure where these images come from. Perhaps stereotypes from American sitcoms and movies, or Norman Rockwell paintings where a middle class white family of four with a dog sit around a perfectly-adorned table full of food. Nonetheless, these visuals greatly impact our experiences and our mental health.

Many of us are taught when we’re young that the holidays should feel cozy and bright and that being good boys and girls will result in lots of gifts under the Christmas tree. Later in life, women are conditioned to inherit traditions from their mothers and grandmothers, even if those traditions are outdated or exhausting.

I would never wish the death of a parent or divorce on anyone, but these two life events forced me to look past what was “normal” or “expected” and instead look inside of my own soul and figure out what truly makes me happy and my existence meaningful.

I’ve worked hard this year to create a new paradigm for what the holidays should look like and feel like for me and my tribe. From that introspection, I have gleaned wisdom that I want to share so that if you’re struggling with the stress and pressure of the season, you can find some relief.

Nurture the energy: Anything that makes you feel drained, unhappy or “less than” is causing energy leakage. In my world, this includes social media scrolling, saying yes when I want to say no, or trying to live up to someone else’s standards or expectations. In contrast, energy consumption is anything that makes you feel calm, fulfilled, boundless or empowered. For me, some examples are exercise, cooking, walking my dog, reading, watching a movie with the family and attending my kids’ sporting events.

Look up: Once you learn how to be mindful of the outside world instead of hyper focused on your own thoughts and worries, life instantly becomes more enjoyable and manageable. Instead of looking at the ground or your phone when you are out

and about, look up. Smile at people, engage in conversations, notice the trees and flowers. Make everything you do its own little memorable moment. Mindfulness is very powerful. Give it a chance, and you’ll see for yourself.

Play your own hand: There is a quote by Marcus Aurelius that says, “Love the hand that fate deals you and play it as your own.” I read this quote every day. It reminds me to be grateful for my own hand instead of wishing I had a different one. It also helps me extract the benefits and advantages of my life situation instead of bemoaning what’s missing. There is little we can do about what’s gone from our lives so why focus on it?

Find the flow: In positive psychology, “flow” is a state in which you are performing an activity that feels fully immersive. It makes you feel energized and completely involved. Afterward, you feel more content. For me, I reach this state when writing, doing puzzles, reading, cooking and swimming. Other people reach it when drawing, running, playing the guitar or building something with their hands. It will be different for each individual. The trick is to zone in on this one activity and eliminate distractions or multi-tasking.

Rise and shine: If you don’t already have a morning quiet time routine, you’re missing out on one of life’s precious gifts. This can take a mere 15 minutes, although longer would be better. There is something magical about the early morning when it’s dark outside, silent in the house and the stimuli of the world has yet to infiltrate our minds. This sacred time should involve activities like reading, journaling, mediating, prayer or setting intentions. Even sitting quietly with your thoughts for 10 minutes will do wonders. Do not even look at your phone until after your quiet time. It doesn’t happen often, but if I fail to honor my morning routine, my entire day feels a little “off.”

I continue to struggle with what the holidays are supposed to be like, but I’m getting better at catching myself and remembering that I have control over my own actions and emotional regulation. As we move into the last few weeks of the season, remember this is your one and only Christmas 2022, not to mention your one and only life. Don’t waste time worrying what others think. It’s no secret the holidays can feel overwhelming and chaotic, but the trick is to slow it all down and find the beauty in the mess.

(Susanna Shetley is a writer, editor, and digital media specialist with The Smoky Mountain News, Smoky Mountain Living magazine and Mountain South Media. susanna.b@smokymountainnews.com.)

Columnist

Susanna Shetley

The sound of community

With Christmas Jam back from hiatus, ‘Jam By Day’ returns

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD ARTS & E NTERTAINMENT E DITOR

After four years of radio silence, the nationally revered Warren Haynes Christmas Jam will return for its 31st installment on Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center in Asheville.

And though the longtime arena showcase will feature marquee acts like Phil Lesh & Friends, Tyler Childers, Dinosaur Jr. and Brothers Osborne, the spotlight will also focus on numerous local artists. With its “Jam By Day” component, musicians and bands from around the region will take the stage at the Asheville Music Hall, The One Stop, and Jack of the Wood.

“It means the world to me to be part of the rich legacy of Christmas Jam here in Asheville,” said Abby Bryant, lead singer/keyboardist of indie/soul group Abby Bryant & The Echoes. “Sharing this day that folks have held close to their hearts for years, and closing out ‘Jam By Day’ alongside so many friends, is a real highlight for the holidays.”

Kicking off at noon, a slew of acts running the gamut of musical genres will get behind the microphone. They’ll not only radiate their

intricate talents, but also be cultural ambassadors for Asheville and greater Western North Carolina — all alongside Christmas Jam’s storied past of giving back to the community through its partnership with the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.

“Growing up in Asheville, the spirit of Christmas Jam was a great teacher. It demonstrated the value of giving back through music, and the power of unity,” said Andrew Scotchie, lead singer/guitarist of blues rockers Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats. “Music is greater than one band, it’s greater than one artist — music is about something bigger. Events that help our communities are perhaps the most rewarding kind in the industry.”

From funk to hard rock, blues to indie, the Asheville Music Hall and The One Stop will feature The Snozberries, Paper Crowns, Mike Barnes Band, and Josh Blake’s Jukebox, amongst several others.

“Christmas Jam represents the merger of two of our city’s greatest assets — incredible music and a strong community with an empathic and giving spirit,” said Blake, who is also a producer/engineer at Echo Mountain Recording. “[‘Jam By Day’] gives these artists

Want to go?

Although the 31st Warren Haynes Christmas Jam at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville is sold out, the popular “Jam By Day” celebration will feature local and regional artists beginning at noon Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Asheville Music Hall, The One Stop, and Jack of the Wood in downtown.

For more information and a full schedule of “Jam By Day,” go to xmasjam.com and click on the “Day Of” tab.

exposure to people who came to town for the big show that may never have discovered them otherwise.”

Also returning this year is the deeply beloved “Songwriters in the Round” at Jack of the Wood. The presentation will include the likes of Leigh Glass, Eleanor Underhill, Kevin Fuller, Ashley Heath, Ed Jurdi, Kevin Smith, and more.

“It’s awesome anytime local artists get to share the spotlight, especially in the context of

raising funds for a good cause,” Underhill said. “It’s [also] a fun opportunity for us to get together as musicians, catch up, hear what people are working on, and be inspired.”

“I get to sit up onstage with some of the best songwriters in the world, who are from Asheville,” Fuller added. “Warren [Haynes] brings in some of the best musicians, but what really brings it on home is showcasing the local talent we have here — it means everything to the local scene.”

With Christmas Jam just around the corner, Scotchie can’t help but reflect on the origins of the musical gathering, which was simply a group of Asheville musicians getting together during the holidays to play music and help their city. These many decades later, that initial mission is as important now as ever before.

“Without local artists, there would be no Asheville. Without local artists, there would be no Christmas Jam. And you better believe Asheville wouldn’t be such a destination without local artists,” Scotchie noted. “Christmas Jam was started by locals who wanted to reunite, and spotlight local musicians while helping those in need — the spirit and roots of Christmas Jam are ever present at ‘Jam By Day.’”

Left to right: Abby Bryant, Eleanor Underhill, and Kevin Fuller. (File photos)

This must be the place

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

Morning comes wearing diamonds, where she is, the sun is shining

Hello from Room 128 at the Red Roof Inn in Hardeeville, South Carolina, just north of the Georgia state line off Interstate 95. It’s 10:01 a.m. Yesterday, I awoke in Room 208 at the Hampton Inn outside of Lake Wales, Florida.

After being the stage emcee at a music festival in Lake Wales, it was time to hightail it back to Haywood County and greater Western North Carolina.

About a 10-hour drive, some 650 miles of a solo trek. Three days in The Sunshine State, pack up the truck and aim north, back to the humble abode in downtown Waynesville.

The driving has never been an issue, seeing as I’ve always felt more at home on the road than anywhere else, usually lost in deep though, a beloved tune on the stereo, windows rolled down, cruise control and let the wheels roll along the highway. It’s in the space, and in those moments, where I truly feel at ease.

Waking up this morning in the Red Roof Inn, it dawned on me how many hotel rooms I’ve been in this year. Although it’s normal for a vagabond journalist like myself to find themselves in roadside lodging, 2022 has been one where I’ve really pushed out into the depths of America, more so, perhaps subconsciously, as a reaction to returning to normalcy in a post-pandemic world.

Even before March 2020, the urge to roam, to wander and ponder, has flowed through my veins as far back as I can remember. And, even though I feel that I can (and do) drive for hours and hours, hundreds and hundreds of miles, at some point I need to pull over, check into a motel for the night. Kick off my shoes. Take a shower. Plop down on the bed. Turn on the TV. Crack a cold beer from the cooler.

It’s funny, right now I can’t help but have these countless images of all the rooms that I’ve stayed in, and in just this year. Lately, I’ll take a photo of my trusty road guitar on the bed, mostly out of posterity, to remember where I was, what state I was passing through, where I was headed, and, well, what the bedspread looked like, too. You’d be surprised by some of the wild choices and

patterns I’ve come across over the years.

Motel 6 within earshot of I-90 in Bozeman, Montana. Super 8 off I-81 in Christiansburg, Virginia. Days Inn buffering I-64 in Caseyville, Illinois. Comfort Inn bordering I-65/I-40 in Nashville, Tennessee. Red Roof Inn on the edge of Lexington, Kentucky. SureStay by Best Western in Johnson City, New York. Hilton Garden Inn near downtown Monterey, California.

Travelodge a stone’s throw from I-71 in Mansfield, Ohio. Days Inn with the dive bar in Rapid City, South Dakota.

And the list goes on. I remember each hotel and every single room — the modern

HOT PICKS

1A special holiday production of “A Christmas Story” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9-10, 16-17 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

2Folkmoot Friendship Center (Waynesville) will host Darren Nicholson with Tim McWilliams, William Ritter & Audie Blaylock (Americana/bluegrass) 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13.

3“Holiday Homecoming in the Park” will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee.

4The annual “Lights & Luminaries” will return from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 9-10 in the streets of downtown Dillsboro.

5”Christmas at Lake Junaluska” will be held Dec. 9-11 at the Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center.

cerely made up for with an elaborate all-youcan-eat breakfast station.

While sometimes I can’t even remember a story that I wrote just a couple of years ago, I’ll somehow remember all those hotel rooms over the years. Often, I’ll be crisscrossing old paths along the paved arteries of the Eisenhower Interstate System and, out of the corner of my eye, will see a hotel that I once stayed at. Immediately, memories will dance atop the dashboard as I rehash where I was, who I was with, and what was on my mind when I checked into that spot.

or less-than-modern décor, surrounding geography of urban or rural settings, sounds of old A/C units, white noise of tractor-trailers on the interstate. Usually, I’ll check in late at night, pushing down on the gas pedal as hard and fast as I can get to somewhere, anywhere. Roll in near the midnight hour and politely ask for a late checkout. Unpack the truck, hands full while trying to locate the room key in one of your pockets.

Sometimes the breakfast in the lobby was top-notch with homemade waffles, eggs made-to-order and freshly-squeezed orange juice. Other times, it was either nonexistent or simply some old cereal and watered-down milk. Take what you can get in your belly and hit the road to destinations unknown. To note, the best bang for your buck breakfast is the Hampton Inn. Sure, the room may be a little more expensive than other hotel chains, but that monetary difference is sin-

Some of those spots were either lonely nights, ones spent on a road trip with friends, or ones with a long-gone femme fatale, certain images of those times together tacked up under some cosmic magnet on the universal fridge of nothing and everything. Laughter, deep slumber, and moments shared soaked into the walls of these random rooms across this wide-open country of ours.

Mid-morning here in Hardeeville, South Carolina. I’ve got a Zoom meeting shortly for one of our travel magazines here at the newspaper. Then, finish up the watered-down coffee from the lobby of the Red Roof Inn, pack up all my things, crank over the truck engine, and start making my way back to Waynesville.

It’s Monday, Dec. 5, which means the Christmas Parade should be kicking off right when I roll back into town. The parade lineup will, like clockwork, block my street entrance back to my apartment. No matter, I’ll just park at the newsroom downtown, emerge from the vehicle, and disappear into the happily vibrant mass of locals and visitors alike, all together to celebrate the holiday season — the road weary vagabond journalist finally back home, at least for now.

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

Thursday December 8th

Live Music w/ Rene Russel 8-10:30 p.m. - Americana -Rock-World Music

Friday December 9th

Live Music with The Jacktown Ramblers Trio 8-11 p.m. - Bluegrass

Thursday December 15th

Live Music w/ David Reynolds 8pm - 10pm - Acoustic Folk - Acoustic Rock

Saturday

th • Bonafide Celtic Jam 4pm - 6pm • Live Music with Nicole Nicolopoulos & CaroMia 8 -10:30pm - Rock - Americana

December 17

Celtic Sundays

W/The Carter Giegerich Trio - 2-5 p.m. Incredible Celtic Folk - Every Sunday Relaxation Along With Your Guinness!

Moses Creek Conservation Area, Florida.

(Garret K. Woodward photo)

‘One Christmas Night in Memphis’

One of rock-n-roll’s legendary events is being recreated as a musical with “One Christmas Night in Memphis” hitting the stage at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

On Dec. 4, 1956, at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee, four of the century’s immortals — Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis — engaged in an impromptu jam session. Record producer Sam Phillips recorded the event, which was never to be repeated.

Bryson City holiday concert

A special holiday performance by the Glory String Players will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

The Glory String Players is a small Appalachian string ensemble that loves giving back to their community. And during the holidays, it seems like the perfect time to give back.

This tribute to that memorable night in Memphis features nationally acclaimed cast members who have an uncanny sound, look and feel of the original legends; the production also features an authentic and energetic rockabilly backup band. You will feel as though you are witness to a rock-n-roll royalty jam session with the legendary performers whose music has stood the test of time.

Tickets start at $25. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on smokymountainarts.com or 828.524.1598.

The group consists of multiple harmonies with instruments, including the dulcimer, guitar, classical violin, band jammer, mandolin, ocarina, glockenspiel, autoharp, djembe drum, and a merlin four-string guitar.

The event is free and open to the public. The Marianna Black Library, a member of the Fontana Regional Library, is located in downtown Bryson City at the corner of Academy and Rector.

For more information, please call the library at 828.488.3030.

Nicholson & Friends at

Americana/bluegrass star Darren Nicholson will be joined by Tim McWilliams, William Ritter and Audie Blaylock, with the group performing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville.

Nicholson is a Jackson County native and founding member of the nationally known, award-winning Western North Carolina bluegrass group Balsam Range.

He is a Grammy award nominee (2006) and a recipient of numerous International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards with Balsam Range, including “Entertainer of the Year” (2014, 2018), “Album of the Year” (2013, 2017), and “Song of the Year” (2011, 2015).

Nicholson has appeared countless times on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry, at the Ryman Auditorium, and many of the world’s most famous venues, stages and festivals.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on folkmoot.org.

Company in Bryson City.

The road less traveled has always been the way for husband-and-wife duo Bird in Hand. Bryan and Megan Thurman call the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina home and the region is directly reflected in their music. Bird in Hand is upbeat and new while still rooted in the traditions of American folk.

Americana, folk at Mountain

Layers

Jackson County Americana/folk duo Bird in Hand will perform at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Mountain Layers Brewing

The two have played all over the Appalachian region, as well as across the country, and share an onstage chemistry that demands attention. They need to be seen live to understand the meaning of “Appalachian Thunder Folk.”

You can find their debut EP, “Due North,” online at birdinhandmusic.com. The show is free and open to the public.

mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

(From left) Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. (File photo)

Bird in Hand. (File photo)

Darren Nicholson. (Jeff Smith Photography)

On the beat

• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host an open mic from 8 to 10 p.m. every Thursday. Free and open to the public. 828.631.1987 or balsamfallsbrewing.com.

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host a semi-regular acoustic jam with the Main Street NoTones from 7 to 9 p.m. every first and third Thursday of the month. Free and open to the public. For more information, click on blueridgebeerhub.com.

• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host karaoke at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, trivia at 7 p.m. on Thursdays and an “Ugly Sweater Party” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.246.0350 or boojumbrewing.com.

• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.634.0078 or curraheebrew.com.

• Farm At Old Edwards (Highlands) will host the “Orchard Sessions” on select dates. Tickets start at $25 per person. For tickets, click on oldedwardshospitality.com/orchardsessions.

• First United Methodist Church (Franklin) will host the Mountain Voices Christmas Concert 7 p.m. Dec. 8. Free and open to the public. Donations encouraged. franklinchamber.com.

• Folkmoot Friendship Center (Waynesville) will host Darren Nicholson w/Tim McWilliams, William Ritter & Audie Blaylock (Americana/bluegrass) 7 p.m. Dec. 13. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. For tickets, click on folkmoot.org.

• Fontana Village Resort Wildwood Grill will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 800.849.2258 or fontanavillage.com.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Mark Bumgrner (singer-songwriter) 5:30 p.m. Dec. 8, Early Worm Dec. 10, Ashley Heath (rock/soul) 7 p.m. Dec. 16 and The Live Wires Dec. 17. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. 828.454.5664 or froglevelbrewing.com.

• Frog Quarters (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. Located at 573 East Main St. littletennessee.org or 828.369.8488.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host “Trivia Night with Kirk” from 7 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday, Open Mic Night every Wednesday, “Ugly Sweater Holiday Party” w/Shane Meade (indie/soul) 5 p.m. Dec. 15 and J.R. Williams (singer-songwriter) Dec. 16. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com.

• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host “Music Bingo” with Hibiscus Sunshine every Wednesday and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All events begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host Trivia Night at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday, Old Time Jam 6:30 p.m. every Thursday and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Marianna Black Library (Bryson City) will host Glory String Players (Appalachian/Christmas) at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Free and open to the public. 828.488.3030 or fontanalib.org/brysoncity.

• Moss Valley (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. Food trucks and beverages available onsite. Bring a lawn chair. Presented by Drake Software.

• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host Open Mic Night w/Ivor Sparks every Wednesday, Twelfth Fret Dec. 9, Heidi Holton (singer-songwriter) Dec. 10, George Ausman 5 p.m. Dec. 11, Bird In Hand (Americana/indie) Dec. 16, The Dirty French Broads (Americana) Dec. 17 and Woolybooger (blues/folk) 5 p.m. Dec. 18. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 or mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

• Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.641.9797 or nantahalabrewing.com.

• Nantahala Outdoor Center (Nantahala Gorge) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows behind at 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. noc.com.

• Orchard Coffee (Waynesville) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. 828.246.9264 or orchardcoffeeroasters.com.

• Quirky Birds Treehouse & Bistro (Dillsboro) will host Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. every Tuesday and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.586.1717 or facebook.com/quirkybirdstreehouse.

• The Scotsman (Waynesville) will host The Carter Giegerich Trio (Celtic/bluegrass) from 2 to 5 p.m. every Sunday, Rene Russell

(singer-songwriter) 8 p.m. Dec. 8 and The Jacktown Ramblers Trio (bluegrass) 8 p.m. Dec. 9. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.6292 or scotsmanpublic.com.

• Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will host the “One Christmas Night in Memphis” tribute concert to Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 9. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on smokymountainarts.com or 828.524.1598.

• Southern Porch (Canton) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.492.8009 or southern-porch.com.

• Stecoah Valley Center (Robbinsville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.479.3364 or stecoahvalleycenter.com.

• The Ugly Dog Pub (Cashiers) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. 828.743.3000 or theuglydogpub.com.

• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.526.8364 or theuglydogpub.com.

• Unplugged Pub (Bryson City) will host Mountain Gypsy Dec. 8, Virginia & The Slims

Dec. 9, Jon Cox Dec. 10, Outlaw Whiskey Dec. 16 and Mile High Band Dec. 17. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.2488.

• Valley Cigar & Wine Co. (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows are at 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.944.0686 or valleycigarandwineco.com.

• Valley Tavern (Maggie Valley) will host Keil Nathan Smith Dec. 8 and Karaoke w/Jason Dec. 9, 13 and 16, and Blended Hemp Dec. 15. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.926.7440 or valley-tavern.com.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 9:30 p.m. 828.456.4750 or facebook.com/waternhole.bar.

• Wine Bar & Cellar (Sylva) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. 828.631.3075 or facebook.com/thewinebarandcellar.

• Yonder Community Market (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. Donations encouraged. 828.200.2169 or eatrealfoodinc.com.

‘Seasons of Light’ holiday celebration

Reservations are now being made for this year’s “Seasons of Light Multicultural Holiday Celebration” at the Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center (PCMDC) in Waynesville.

The community will have four opportunities to experience this family-friendly celebration featuring food, music, and customs from holidays around the world.

At this family-friendly event, guests visit areas dedicated to Advent, Diwali, Hanukkah, Fiesta de la Griteria, Las Posadas, Winter Solstice, and Kwanzaa. Hosts for each holiday share traditional foods as hors d’oeuvres (for the Saturday viewings) and information about music, games, history and customs.

• Weekday Drop In: noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8. Guests will be able to enjoy the distinctly decorated rooms and learn more about the traditional holiday celebrations, but food will not be served. Admission is a donation of $10 is suggested for attendance at the drop-in. Reservations are not required.

• Weeknight Presentation: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8. Hot drinks, a dessert bar, music, customs from holidays around the world. Admission is $12 for ages 18 and older, $7 for students ages 6-17, and free for children 5 and under. Reservations are required.

• Encore Presentation: 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Heavy hors d-oeuvres (packaged to go), music, customs from holidays around the world. Admission is $20 for ages 18 and older, $7 for students ages 13 to 17, and $5 for children 6 to 12. Children 5 and under are free. Reservations are required.

These events will be structured to include PCMDC COVID protocols, and masks will be required inside during the event to help ensure the health and safety of our community and families attending.

Proceeds support the Pigeon Center, which offers affordable afterschool and summer enrichment programs for students, programs for seniors, emergency food boxes, historical preservation initiatives, community dinners and other programs and services.

To attend Seasons of Light, make your reservation by calling 828.452.7232. The event will be held at PCMDC located at 450 Pigeon St. in Waynesville in the historic Pigeon Street School building, which served African-American elementary school students before desegregation.

For more information, visit pcmdc.org, email pigeoncommunityd@bellsouth.net or call 828.452.7232.

Dillsboro’s ‘Lights & Luminaries’

The annual “Lights & Luminaries” will return from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 9-10 in the streets of downtown Dillsboro.

Experience the magic as the entire town is transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, candles, laughter, and song. Over 2,500 luminaries light your way to shops and studios.

Each night, shops will stay open way into the night providing free refreshments, musicians and singers performing in individual shops. The sound of hooves will echo through the night with old-fashioned horse and buggy rides.

With retail shops offering a variety of quality arts and crafts, unique gifts, clothing, gourmet foods and wine, and specialty Christmas items, the festival also provides a unique holiday shopping experience.

Shopkeepers and restaurants are open late. See Santa and Mrs. Claus as they ride through town in their pickup truck. Write a letter to Santa and drop it off at his special mailbox. Live music on Front Street.

For more information, call 828.586.1439 or click on dillsboronc.info.

BRYSON CITY

• “Holiday Market” with local artisans will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Dec. 17 at 117 Island Street in Bryson City. Outdoor event. Leashed pets are welcome. 828.488.7857 or greatsmokies.com/events.

• “Christmas Hayrides Through the Lights” will run on Wednesdays through Saturdays until Dec. 23 at Darnell Farms in Bryson City. Enjoy the hayride and a cup of hot cocoa. Limited seating available. Reservations are priority with limited walk-ins. There will also be a “Santa’s Workshop” onsite. darnellfarms.com or call 828.488.2376.

• The popular “Polar Express” train ride will resume rides on select dates from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot in downtown Bryson City. For a complete listing of departure dates and times, call 800.872.4681 or click on gsmr.com.

• “Letters to Santa, Cocoa & Cookies” is now being offered by the Swain County Heritage Museum and Visitor Center in Bryson City. Complimentary hot cocoa and cookies. Kids will love the opportunity to write and mail their letters to Santa. Materials provided, with the last day to submit letters being Christmas Eve. greatsmokies.com.

• “Christmas Lights Drive-Thru” will run through Dec. 31 at the Great Smoky Mountains Event Park (formerly Inspiration Park) in Bryson City. For more information, a full schedule of activities and/or to purchase tickets, click on greatsmokies.com/christmas-light-show-bryson-city.

CHEROKEE

• “Holiday Homecoming in the Park” will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee. Traditions on display include: hearth cooking, apple butter making, corn shuck dolls, holiday cards, home remedies, blacksmithing, storytelling, and more. Visitors can also learn how to play the mountain dulcimer and sing holiday songs during an old-time acoustic music jam session. Free and open to the public. 828.497.1904.

DILLSBORO

• Innovation Station will host its “Indoor Holiday Market” from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10. Free and open to the public. If you’d like to be a vendor, email beer@innovationbrewing.com. For more information, click on innovation-brewing.com.

FRANKLIN

• “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” musical will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 16-17 and 2 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Tickets are $13 in advance, $15 day of show. Sponsored by First Bank. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on smokymountainarts.com or call 828.524.1598.

• “A Classic Christmas” will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, on Main Street in Franklin. Classic car show, Santa, live music, seasonal sales, and an ugly sweater

contest. For more information, email thestreetsoffranklinnc@gmail.com.

LAKE JUNALUSKA

• ”Christmas at Lake Junaluska” will be held Dec. 9-11 at the Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center. Lessons & Carols will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Memorial Chapel. From noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, board the four-passenger vis-a-vis carriage or eight-person wagonette for a leisurely 15-minute ride that offers breathtaking lakeside mountain views and a unique view of the decorated Rose Walk along North Lakeshore Drive. For more information on the Christmas activities, click on lakejunaluska.com/events-calendar/ christmas-lake-junaluska.

MAGGIE VALLEY

• “Meet Appalachian Santa” at 5 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18 at the Valley Tavern in Maggie Valley. Free and open to the public. 828.926.7440 or valley-tavern.com.

SYLVA

• “Breakfast with Santa Claus” will be held at 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Sylva United Methodist Church. Along with breakfast, you can take family photos with Santa, be creative in craft activities, and enjoy musical entertainment. Cost is $5 per person or $20 per family. The event is organized by the Sylva Satellite Rotary Club. No RSVP is required. 828.506.4463.

• “Holiday Fireworks” will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, on West Main Street in Sylva. A holiday concert will also be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the porch of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. discoverjacksonnc.com.

WAYNESVILLE

• “Strand of Lights” drive-thru light show will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 30 at the Smoky Mountain Event Center (formerly the Haywood County Fairgrounds). Tickets for the nightly show are available online at 38main.com, with only 100 cars per onehour time slot. Admission is $20 per vehicle.

• “A Night Before Christmas” will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17 in downtown Waynesville. Hundreds of Luminaries, live music, clogging, church choirs, Santa & Mrs. Claus, storytelling, holiday treats and beverages, and more. For a full list of participants and events, click on downtownwaynesville.com.

WHITTIER

• “Breakfast with Santa” will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at 8615 Highway 74 West. Enjoy a meal with Santa and an officer. Toy donations will also be accepted. mountainlovers.com.

On the stage

HART presents ‘A Christmas Story’

A special holiday production of “A Christmas Story” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9-10, 16-17 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

“A Christmas Story” is the tale of young Ralphie and his quest to receive a Red Ryder carbine action air rifle for Christmas. Adapted from the classic 1983 film, the stage production offers audiences a laugh out loud experience as their favorite holiday story comes to life.

Audiences have an extra special treat this year when they arrive at the show early to shop HART’s Holiday Market. Opening an hour before showtime, guests will be able to shop HART costumes, vintage clothing, props, interior decor, and even some furniture at dis-

count prices located in the Fangmeyer Lobby.

The production features both new faces and HART favorites with Pasquale LaCorte as Ralph/Narrator, Charles Dunn as Ralphie, Sarah Lipham as Mother, Tom Bastek as The Old Man, Tristan Johnson as Randy, Bonnie DeMarco as Miss Shields, Henry Blackburn as Flick, Eli Penny as Schwartz, Keira Ollis as Esther Jane Alberry, Addi Manning as Helen Weathers, and Oliver Lingle as Scut Farkas.

Erin McCarson will be making her HART directing debut, with HART’s Operation Manager Julie Kinter as her stage manager, and lighting design from Abby Aumen.

To purchase tickets, click on harttheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 828.456.6322. Winter Box Office hours are 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

educational stories about childhood, family, heritage, and local history.

The event is free and open to the public. 828.524.3600 or facebook.com/maconcopl.

Carden to spin yarns

Beloved Appalachian storyteller, author and playwright Gary Carden will be telling tall tales from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, in the Meeting Room at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.

The 2012 North Carolina Literature Award winner, Carden has become as iconic as the Appalachian lore he’s passionately written about for decades. He will spend an hour telling fantastically entertaining and

ALSO:

• “Flights & Bites” will be held starting at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in downtown Waynesville. waynesvillewine.com.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday and 2 to 5 p.m. every Saturday at The Wine Bar & Cellar in Sylva. 828.631.3075.

• “Take A Flight” with four new wines every Friday and Saturdays at the Bryson City Wine Market. Select from a gourmet selection of charcuterie to enjoy with your wines.

Educational classes and other events are also available. For more information, call 828.538.0420.

Gary Carden. (Garret K. Woodward photo)

The cast of ‘A Christmas Story.’ (Courtesy of HART)

WCU student art exhibit

Western Carolina University will host its annual “Bachelor of Fine Art Portfolio Exhibition” through Dec. 9 at the Fine Art Museum in Cullowhee.

This exhibition gives graduating students in the WCU School of Art and Design the opportunity to share their work with the wider community in Western North Carolina.

Fourteen studio art majors and 16 graphic design majors, all who have followed a rigorous art curriculum during their time at WCU, will share their creations ranging from paintings and book arts to motion graphics and poster design.

The BFA program of the WCU School of Art and Design prepares emerging artists for a career or postgraduate study in art, design, or related disciplines. BFA students gain a foundation in observational drawing, 2D design, 3D design, and art history, and then select a studio emphasis to focus their area of study.

Studio art majors choose an emphasis in painting and drawing, ceramics, photography, sculpture, or print and book arts.

Graphic Design majors explore communication design, interactive media, typography, and motion design, all the while developing professional production skills.

The Bardo Arts Center echoes the WCU School of Art and Design’s goal of preparing students for a career after they have finished their degree. BAC not only works with the students through this exhibition but also through curriculum and performances that enrich their college experience and provide a different perspective on the world around them.

In this exhibition, the students are given the freedom to create, explore their artistic voices, and collaborate with a muse-

um that is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

To learn more about the exhibition, click on arts.wcu.edu/bfa2022. To see BAC’s full calendar of events, please visit arts.wcu.edu/explore or call 828.227.ARTS.

HCAC ‘Small Works’ exhibit

The Haywood County Arts Council’s (HCAC) “Small Works” exhibit will run through Dec. 31 at the HCAC Gallery & Gifts showroom in downtown Waynesville.

The annual exhibit that expands the types of work for sale in the downtown Waynesville gallery, as well as who can display their work. Other than specially curated exhibits, which occur a couple times annually, this exhibit is the only one that allows any artist within the western mountain region to participate for a small fee.

With dozens of artists participating, the exhibit promises to be eclectic. Although the only requirement is that the pieces be 12 inches in any dimension or smaller, HCAC challenged participants who are making holiday themed works to consider artistic expressions that are multicultural in nature and celebrate the many different holidays, ways of celebrating, and ways of experiencing holidays. haywoodarts.org.

• ArtWagon Mobile Art Studio will be parked from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Franklin. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.

ALSO:

• “Cultivating Collections: Glass” exhibition will be on display through Dec. 9 in the Fine Art Museum at the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Regular museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and until 7 p.m. on Thursday. 828.227.ARTS or visit bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

• Southwestern Community College Swain Arts Center (Bryson City) will host an array of workshops for adults and kids. For more information on the upcoming classes and/or to sign-up, click on southwesterncc.edu/scc-locations/swain-center.

• Dogwood Crafters in Dillsboro will host an array of upcoming art classes and workshops. dogwoodcrafters.com/classes.html or call 828.586.2248.

‘Exasperation’ by Bella Cugini.

Mention the name C.S. Lewis to other readers, and they might recollect him in any number of roles. The younger set and their parents might mention him as a writer of children’s classics like “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” Science fiction aficionados might claim him as one of their own for his “Space Trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet,” “Perelandra,” and “That Hideous Strength.” Scholars of English literature might cite as influential his “The Allegory of Love” and “A Preface to Paradise Lost.”

Other lovers of literature would bring up his novel “Till We Have Faces,” the wonderful retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche.

These works alone would have bestowed on him a crown in the pantheon of letters, but it is his works on Christian apologetics that were perhaps his greatest achievement. These include such fictions as “The Screwtape Letters” and “The Great Divorce,” collections of essays like “The Weight of Glory” and “God in the Dock,” the autobiographical account of his conversion “Surprised by Joy,” and the book that is perhaps key to his Christian beliefs and world view, “Mere Christianity.”

Those seeking to deepen their familiarity with this prolific author and remarkable thinker would do well to turn to the work of Harry Lee Poe. He has written several books on Lewis, including “Becoming C.S. Lewis: A Biography of Young Jack Lewis” (1898-1918) and “The Making of C.S. Lewis: From Atheist to Apologist” (1918-1945). Now, with “The Completion of C.S. Lewis: From War to Joy” (1945-1963), published by Crossway in 2022, Harry Poe has made the history of this man and writer readily accessible to the general public.

In this 416-page study of the last third of Lewis’s remarkable life, Poe covers the books written by Lewis in this period, his friendships, his marriage to the American Joy Davidman Gresham, her battle with cancer, and Lewis’s own ill health and decline into death.

Several features of “The Completion of C.S. Lewis” should appeal to readers. Longtime fans of Lewis will find much that is familiar, while those new to him will discov-

Sylva monthly book club

er a biography whose clarity and ease of style make a perfect introduction. And though Poe is a professor, here we find none of the academese that marks — and often mars — scholarly works, but instead an approachable book that brings us both insights and entertainment in the man, his genius, and his writing.

In writing of “The Lion, the Witch, and

doesn’t hesitate to reveal Lewis’s shortcomings. In regard to his physical well-being, for instance, we learn that Lewis was in poor health even in his fifties, a condition largely self-inflicted. He drank excessive amounts of strong tea, and though not an alcoholic like his brother, nonetheless imbibed various spirits daily and deeply. He overindulged at the table and practiced an unhealthy diet, which left him overweight and contributed to his heart and prostate conditions. He had also smoked cigarettes since his adolescence, and was according to a source quoted by Poe, a twopack-a-day man.

Consequently, admirers will find in these pages a man, not a saint.

Yet what a man he was. In his summing up of Lewis’s life, Poe describes the amount of valuable time Lewis spent responding to letters from “people with great physical, financial emotional, and spiritual burdens … who could give nothing in return.” He “learned to accept his declining health and meet death as a friend.” Through his unusual relationship with Joy Davidman, Lewis “learned to love a woman and to receive love.” He overcame his animus against Americans and his decades long hostility toward T.S. Eliot. He eventually “embraced the belief that his faith meant dying daily with Christ,” a demanding ordeal many Christians attempt, often without the success of Lewis.

the Wardrobe,” for example, Poe notes that J.R.R. Tolkien, famed for his Lord of the Rings stories, despised Lewis’s book for children, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” — “His criticism went beyond evaluation and suggestion to the level of insult.” This book and its successors, with their mix of realism, magic, and Christian allegory, were, Poe contends, absolutely in sync with the mood of children and the nation following the Second World War. Given the sales of these books, and indeed their ongoing popularity today, Lewis quite clearly knew his young audience and the sort of stories and fairy tales they desired.

Poe has spent a lifetime influenced by Lewis and is, like Lewis, a Christian. He earned a Ph.D. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently the Charles Colson Professor of Faith and Culture at Union University. Nonetheless, he

Near the end of “The Completion of a Life,” Poe makes an observation that applies not just to Christians or to Lewis fans, but to each and every one of us: “In our health-conscious world, some readers may fall into the trap of judging Lewis for not living according to our current attitudes about smoking and diet, or reduce the goal of life to avoiding death. The goal of life is to become human.”

On Lewis’s gravestone are these words from Shakespeare’s King Lear: “Men must endure their going hence.” Left out is another part of this quotation: “Ripeness is all.”

As Lewis knew, it is taking aim at that ripeness, living life to the hilt, that makes us more fully human.

(Jeff Minick reviews books and has written four of his own: two novels, “Amanda Bell” and “Dust On Their Wings,” and two works of nonfiction, “Learning As I Go” and “Movies Make the Man.” minick0301@gmail.com.)

A monthly book club is being currently offered at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Each month, a library staff member will be discussing some of the new book titles that the library has received. Particular attention will be paid to “under the radar” titles and authors, new releases, and other books that the staff is excited about.

The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, in the Conference Room. The book to be discussed this month is “Moon of the Crusted Snow” by Waubgeshig Rice. This novel is a daring post-apocalyptic thriller focused on a rural Indigenous community in northern Canada. “Moon of the Crusted Snow” follows a group of community members after they are cut off from the rest of the world amidst a societal collapse. All are welcome, and no registration is required. For more information on when the club will meet, please call the library at 828.586.2016.

Writer Jeff Minick

Face to Face

Through National Geographic Photo Ark, people can look endangered wildlife in the eye

BY HOLLY KAYS OUTDOORS E DITOR

Joel Sartore lives in Lincoln, Nebraska, but he — and his camera — are constantly on the move.

Sartore spent most of the fall on assignment in southeast Asia. He got home the day before Thanksgiving only to return to the airport Sunday morning, destined for San Diego to photograph fringe-eared oryx, a male

impala, and more than a dozen other species. A blizzard canceled his return connection in Minneapolis, so he drove through the night, finally collapsing in bed at 2:20 a.m.

The Smoky Mountain News caught up with him eight hours later, one week before his next scheduled departure, this time for North Africa with stops in Morocco, Egypt and Israel. He’ll be gone until the end of December.

A CRAYFISH BIGGER THAN AN ELEPHANT

There’s an urgency to Sartore’s travels.

A National Geographic Society Fellow and photographer, Sartore has been covering conservation issues for more than three decades. But he’s dedicated the last 16 years to a project that aims to call attention to the plight of Earth’s most imperiled species — before it’s too late.

Called the Photo Ark, the project grew from a time when Sartore’s world was shrinking. He’d been shooting conservation stories for National Geographic all around the globe since the early 1990s, but in 2005 at the age of 42, all that came to a halt. His wife Kathy was diagnosed with breast cancer, and Sartore paused

his career to stay home, taking care of her and their three children.

Kathy beat the disease. But the break in his career gave Sartore a chance to reflect — on life, on work, and on what he was really trying to accomplish. After 17 years and 30 stories, he realized, only a couple of them had moved the needle of conservation at all.

“If she got better, and I was allowed to go again, do I want to just keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results?” he asked himself. “And I really thought about the fact that there are so many animals that are in need of a voice that are in trouble, and they are small. Tigers and gorillas get all the press.”

That thought led Sartore to create the Photo Ark, a project that aims to give a voice to creatures great and small by creating clean, detailed portraits of all 25,000 animal species in human care worldwide.

For the past 16 years, Sartore has been chipping away at that number, so far adding 13,662 animal species to the Photo Ark. The Ark’s tens of thousands of portraits are available on an online database, containing intimate portraits of everything

Joel Sartore has been a National Geographic photographer since 1990. Ellen Sartore photo

African elephant against simple black or white backgrounds.

“There’s no size comparison at all, so that the Smoky madtom (catfish) can be as large as a polar bear. The Nashville crayfish, he’s bigger than an elephant,” Sartore said. “That to me was the real impetus for this, the chance to showcase these animals that live in muddy water, or in soil, mud, high up in the trees and [under] leaf litter — things that you really can’t see well, because if you did find them, they’re tiny.”

Sartore compares pressing the shutter button at a Photo Ark shoot to launching a rocket ship. It’s exciting, fulfilling and happens fast. The preparation for that moment, however, is quite involved.

Sartore and his team keep a running list of animals they still need to add to the Ark, and when they hear about a facility in a part of the world they need to go, they’ll reach out for an inventory of the animal species kept there. They’ll compare the inventory to their master

A veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) confronts a camera lens during a National Geographic Photo Ark shoot at Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure, in Salina, Kansas. Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark photo

any the Ark still needs, then request access to any unphotographed species. The institution lets them know which species it can make available, and logistical planning begins.

Small animals, like frogs and lizards, go into a tabletop shooting tent made of soft cloth. Sartore sticks his lens inside and waits for the animal to turn toward it. After a few pictures, the creature goes back to its enclosure. Similarly, aquatic animals are put in a tabletop tank, with lights on each side and on top. Slightly larger animals like bobcats go into a photo kennel — “something wire where they can’t bite Joel,” Sartore said.

Larger animals — giraffes, camels, elephants, rhinos — require even more extensive preparation. During his upcoming North Africa trip, Sartore will be shooting a Barbary lion. To make the shoot possible, the zoo is painting an entire enclosure white, including the floor. When Sartore arrives, staff will shift the lion inside, the studio lights will go on, and Sartore will start shooting.

Native to the Appalachian region, the green salamander (Aneides aeneus), shown in the National Geographic Photo Ark, is threatened by road development, overcollection, habitat loss, disease and drought.

but the results are beautifully detailed, charismatic images of creatures that don’t often get the spotlight. The images have been projected on the Empire State building and the Vatican, published in books, printed in National Geographic magazine stories and used by nonprofit institutions.

“[They’re shown] just about every way we can think of,” said Sartore, “with one goal: to get the public to realize there’s a lot of nature left. It is worth saving. What are we going to do about it?”

LOOKING EXTINCTION IN THE FACE

Sartore has seen the needle of conservation move farther in this second half of his career, dedicated to the Photo Ark, then in the first half without it.

Part of it is timing —the Photo Ark launched just as the internet age was blossoming, making it easier to share images than it had ever been before. But the images themselves are also critical to success. They give a window into the essence of creatures often seen from far away or not at all, and when paired with words detailing the animal’s plight, they can be extremely powerful.

As an example, Sartore pointed to a 2013 Audubon Magazine story that used his photo of a Florida grasshopper sparrow on the cover. At the time, the bird was expected to go extinct in the few remaining prairies of central Florida. The government had allocated a small amount of money for biologists to track its demise, Sartore said.

Then the Audubon story ran. Shortly thereafter, the government announced it would drastically increase that yearly funding to start a captive breeding program.

“That has saved the sparrow,” Sartore said. He’s also seen encouraging developments with other critically endangered animals. The

Visit the ‘Photo Ark’

Through Jan. 8, Joel Sartore’s work will be on display in a traveling exhibition of the National Geographic Photo Ark in the Baker Exhibit Hall at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville.

The National Geographic Photo Ark is a compelling and visually powerful project aiming to photograph species living in the world’s zoos and wildlife sanctuaries, creating an archival record for generations to come. The project also provides a hopeful platform for conservation and shines a light on people and organizations working to preserve species worldwide.

The exhibit features more than 50 of Sartore’s most compelling images to put visitors face-to-face with the animals of the National Geographic Photo Ark.

The exhibit is free, though a standard fee of $16 per car is required to park at the Arboretum. Learn more about the project at NatGeoPhotoArk.org. Browse the entire Photo Ark catalogue at joelsartore.com

Vancouver Island marmot, black-footed ferret, California condor, Mexican gray wolf and the red wolf — whose tiny wild population resides in eastern North Carolina — all now have breeding programs to prevent these species from completely disappearing.

Being part of these efforts is remarkable and satisfying, Sartore said, but there aren’t enough success stories. He often thinks about Nabire, the northern white rhino he photographed in July 2015 at Safari Park Dvur Kralove in the Czech Republic. Nabire died just one week after the photo was taken, and now only two white rhinos are left on earth. The survivors are both female, though there’s still hope of resurrecting the species using pre-fertilized eggs created before the last male died.

“You’re looking at these animals, and you’re looking extinction in the face, and you’re just thinking geez, am I qualified to tell this animal’s story?” Sartore said. “Will I do a good enough job? Will it really convey how tragic and epic this is? This is momentous. It’s monumental. And it really speaks to the future of life on earth when we lose species to extinction.”

When the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to Sartore’s globe-trotting lifestyle, he began focusing his lens on even lesser-known critters, closer to home.

“I just did insects for the better part of a year,” he said. “We put up lights and sheets at night to collect from. I was amazed there was over 100 species of insects just over the first week. Right in my yard.”

Over the next year, Sartore photographed insects at locations across Nebraska, neighboring Kansas and Iowa — anywhere close enough to be back in his own bed at night — as well as around the family cabin in Minnesota and a friend’s empty guest house in

Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark photo

Santa Fe, New Mexico. He documented 1,000 species this way, including images of the longtoothed dart moth, which Satore later learned had never been photographed alive before.

“It was just really a good time to see that insects are a real driver,” Sartore said. “Without insects, humans couldn’t survive.”

SAVING WILDLIFE TO SAVE OURSELVES

Decades of meeting thousands of the planet’s most amazing creatures have ingrained Sartore with respect and admiration for the animals who share the planet with us. And while the Photo Ark is a bid to save their lives, it’s also an effort to save our own.

“If you look at something like a freshwater mussel or salamander, they have to have clean water. Great, so do we,” Sartore said. “So if we doom these other species to extinction because our water is so altered or so filthy, that’s hard on us. It’s foolish to think that we can doom half of all species to extinction, which is what some projections are, but that people will be just fine. It won’t work that way. So when we save all these other species, we’re actually saving ourselves.”

With 13,662 species down, Sartore still has more than 10,000 to go — an undertaking that will require another 10-15 years of work. But he’s committed to finish. And if he can’t, his son, Cole, also a photographer, will. The Photo Ark, Sartore said, is “a long-term ad campaign on behalf of nature.” Each photo helps raise awareness of the “wondrous” species still out there — and the need to keep them around.

“When Chevy rolls out a new truck or Taco Bell rolls out a new taco, you know about it. It’s top of mind while that item is new, right?” he said. “Well, we have to keep nature new and fresh and interesting to everybody on the planet to keep us engaged. If we let nature become just some quaint notion on a smartphone, it’s over with.”

The Photo Ark inspired real-world action in 2017, when National Geographic partnered with the Zoological Society of London’s EDGE of Existence Program to support new fellowships bolstering on-the-ground conser-

A koala (Phascolarctos cinereus adustus) poses with her babies at Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital during a National Geographic Photo Ark shoot in 2011.

Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark photo

vation efforts to save creatures featured in the Photo Ark. The first cohort of five candidates were based in Latin America, with subsequent cohorts working in Asia and Africa.

The program puts money directly into conservation projects run by people who are on the ground in their respective countries, convincing local communities not to shoot and eat imperiled species, working with developers to reduce habitat loss and educating school kids. It’s an exciting program, Sartore said, but it’s also limited.

“That is a drop in the bucket compared to the need around the world,” he said. “I mean really, the people, the world, have to realize that we can’t afford to turn the entire planet into either a farm field or a city, that we have to save big, intact blocks of habitat. Intact rainforest especially is important because these are places that cool our planet, provide us with oxygen, and stabilize the rainfall patterns that we get.”

Above all, Sartore hopes that the Photo Ark will inspire people to take concrete action of their own. If every person did a few simple things in their own sphere of the world, the collective impact would be huge. Things like planting a backyard pollinator garden with native milkweeds and nectar-bearing plants, improving home insulation to reduce energy needs, not buying products made with environmentally destructive products like palm oil and tropical hardwoods, and leaving lawns natural by refraining from watering them or pouring chemicals like herbicide, fertilizer and pesticide. Many of these measures actually save money rather than costing it.

“A lot of these green things that I’m talking about are profitable, and so it’s just a matter of education, and then that change comes slowly,” Sartore said. “You know, they say true change takes a generation. Well, I’m not that patient a guy.”

Perhaps giving people the chance to stare into the upturned hazel eyes of a Florida panther or gaze at the shimmering skin of the green salamander will reduce the need for patience.

“This project, it’s bigger than just portraits of animals,” he said. “It is designed to get people to think about our role on the planet, and what we want to do to make the world better.”

Hurricane Ridge Fire response concludes

Progress continues on the Hurricane Ridge Fire, which in a final update from the U.S. Forest Service Friday, Dec. 2, was 796 acres with 55% containment. However, rain over the weekend and forecast for the coming week is expected to moderate future fire behavior, and responders are not concerned about the fire escaping the containment area. No structures have been lost or damaged.

The fire, which started the day before Thanksgiving, is burning adjacent to Interstate 40 in the Harmon Den area on the Appalachian Ranger District in Haywood County. Firefighters responded quickly on November 23, protecting resources along I-40 and assessing threats to structures and private property. After spreading rapidly to the top of Hurricane Ridge, the fire began to back down into the Hurricane Creek drainage where rugged terrain and limited access led fire managers to pull back to the existing road network to ensure the safety of responding firefighters. As the fire continued to spread east, firefighters worked to secure lines on the south end of the fire, eliminating any direct impacts to private property.

Much of the 796-acre fire area burned with low intensity, removing leaf litter and fuels and minimizing loss of overstory trees. The strategy of falling back to existing roads as containment lines meant limited disturbance from fireline construction within the watershed. A burned area assessment

showed minimal impacts to vegetation and water resources from the Hurricane Ridge Fire.

Haynes Road has reopened, but Brady Road remains closed. Visitors should be cautions when using the area, as fire-weakened trees may be more likely to fall across roads.

The response effort is supported by Haywood County Emergency Management and the North Carolina Department of Transportation, with 90 firefighters on scene at the height of the response — with many of those working through the Thanksgiving holiday.

final perimeter of the Hurricane Ridge Fire includes 796 acres between Hurricane Gap and Interstate 40. USFS map

The cause of the Hurricane Ridge Fire remains under investigation.

Pipeline on Parkway would have no significant impact, Park Service says

The National Park Service has found that allowing an underground natural gas pipeline within the Blue Ridge Parkway will have no significant impact on Park Service resources.

On Nov. 18, NPS South Atlantic-Gulf Regional Director Mark Foust signed a Finding of No Significant Impact, recommended by Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout, to permit a right of way for an underground natural gas pipeline within the Blue Ridge Parkway boundary.

Dominion Energy North Carolina had applied for a permit to install, operate and maintain a 12-inch natural gas pipeline that would cross under the Parkway at milepost 393.3 in Buncombe County. The 50-footwide right of way would allow the pipeline to be installed using a horizontal directional drill perpendicular to the Parkway adja-

cent to an existing 143-foot-wide Duke Energy electric transmission line right of way.

The application was evaluated in an Environmental Assessment, with public comments from traditionally associated tribes, stakeholders, residents and the public received during a 30-day public comment period. These comments addressed impacts to water resources, greenhouse gas emissions, safety, pipeline placement and consistency with the NPS mission. An appendix to the Finding of No Significant Impact addresses substantive comments. Comments related to the larger utility project beyond the permit on NPS land were considered beyond the scope of the EA.

The EA, FONSI and other planning documents are available at parkplanning.nps.gov/dominiont2rowbuncombe.

The

Equine disease suspected

A horse in Henderson County has been tested for suspected equine infectious anemia shortly after a horse in Surry County was found positive for the disease.

There are no direct epidemiological links between the cases at this time. However, both cases have been associated with recent sales of racing horses. These are the first new and suspected cases of EIA documented in North Carolina since August 2017. Both facilities are under quarantine, with remaining equines to be observed and retested in 60 days. Neighboring facilities are being monitored. EIA is an incurable disease commonly spread by biting flies and ticks or shared medical equipment between equines, such as horses, mules and donkeys. Clinical signs of EIA include fever, weakness, weight loss, anemia, edema and death. However, affected animals may not show symptoms but still carry the disease. EIA does not affect people. Regular testing before crossing state lines or participating in an exhibition helps control it.

Equine owners who have concerns about their animal’s health should contact their local veterinarian. For more information about EIA or other reportable animal diseases call the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Division at 919.707.3250.

Park seeks comment on proposed Laurel Falls plan

A proposed management plan for Laurel Falls Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is out for public comment through Friday, Jan. 6.

The plan aims to address crowding and safety issues at the popular trailhead. Proposed actions include trail rehabilitation, building trailside rest areas and a viewing platform at the falls, parking improvements and implementing adaptive management strategies to help support desired conditions.

Parking lot improvements would include building two new parking lots east of the trailhead on the same side of Little River Road as the trailhead. A lot 450 feet west of Maloney Point would accommodate 42 parking spaces and a second lot 200 feet east of the trailhead parking would accommodate 12 spaces. Both parking areas would include a walking path to the trailhead. Additionally, current roadside parking west of the trailhead would be widened and formalized into a formal parking area with a designated travel lane to improve safety. The existing trailhead lot would be restriped.

Adaptive management strategies in the proposed plan include a parking reservation system during periods of peak visitation, with a “modest” charge to cover the reservation processing cost. A shuttle service could also be provided to access the site. The shuttle route would run to Laurel Falls

“with potential for other stops as deemed necessary.” Shuttle parking would be located outside park boundaries.

During construction to implement proposed improvements, the trail would be closed for up to 18 months. Construction may also be completed in phases as funding becomes available.

The park obtained initial public input on the proposed plan during summer 2021. This input guided development of the preliminary proposed action. As part of the current public scoping comment period,

the National Park Service is asking for input on the preliminary proposed action and issues that should be considered in completing an environmental assessment.  An additional public comment period will be offered once the EA is released.

Submit comments and access planning documents online at parkplanning.nps.gov/laurelfalls. Comments can also be mailed to ATTN: Laurel Falls Trail Management Plan/EA, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

During peak times, roadside parking for Laurel Falls creates dangerous conditions. NPS photo

Hemlock restoration group plans workdays

Help save hemlock trees from the hemlock wooly adelgid by participating in one of the several upcoming volunteer workdays organized by the Hemlock Restoration Initiative. Each volunteer will be paired with an experienced, licensed professional who will offer instruction and guidance on treating hemlock trees with insecticide that prevents infestation.

■ Thursday and Friday, Dec. 8-9, a group will re-treat hemlocks across Holmes Educational State Forest in Henderson County in partnership with the N.C. Forest Service. Volunteers will have options for easy, moderate and more strenuous levels of terrain and access. Trees range from giant

grandmothers that received early protection from the adelgid to smaller understory trees and saplings that were first treated five years ago and have since rebounded nicely.

■ Saturday, Dec. 17, a group will re-treat hemlocks at the Cradle of Forestry in the Pisgah National Forest. Volunteers can choose easy or moderate levels of exertion. The area is mostly flat with options to stay on paved trails the entire day. Volunteers will work among old cabins and displays that are part of this historic site, home of the first forestry school in the U.S. To participate, contact volunteer@savehemlocksnc.org or 828.252.4783 at least three days before the scheduled event.

Party with Trout Unlimited

The Cataloochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold its annual Christmas party 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13 at Valley Tavern in Maggie Valley.

The evening will include door prizes, dinner, drinks, a 50x50 drawing and a raffle for a restored bamboo fly rod. Raffle tickets are $1 apiece or six for $5 — and everyone who brings an ornament for the Christmas tree will receive a free ticket. The tree will go to Haywood Pathways Center, which will give it to a family that otherwise would not have one this year.

Free. Contact tucataloochee427@gmail.com with questions.

Jackson offers ski, snowboard discount

Friday Night Ski & Snowboard is back through Jackson County Parks and Recreation, with group rates available on Fridays to ride Cataloochee Ski Area.

Ski nights will start Friday, Dec. 16, and skip Christmas week before continuing through March 3. On these nights, lift tickets are available for $37, with a lift ticket and rental combo for $47 to ski or snowboard 5:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets can be picked up at Cataloochee. Register online at jcprd.recdesk.com under the “Outdoor” tab. Contact Trevor Brown with questions at 828.293.3053, ext. 9, or trevorbrown@jacksonnc.org.

Welcome winter the Appalachian way

A Holiday Homecoming event 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee will offer visitors of all ages the chance to celebrate Southern Appalachian winter holiday traditions.

“Holiday Homecoming is about getting together, enjoying community, and sharing the many traditions dear to this part of the country,” said Supervisory Park Ranger Kristine Brunsman. “We welcome everyone to join us for this special event and share their own heritage and holiday traditions with us.”

Traditions on display will include hearth

Stay safe during hunting season

The second part of bear season in Western North Carolina starts up Dec. 12 as gun season for deer comes to an end Dec. 10.

West of Surry, Wilkes, Caldwell, Burke and

cooking, apple butter making, corn shuck dolls, holiday cards, home remedies, blacksmithing and storytelling. Visitors can also learn how to play the mountain dulcimer and sing holiday songs during an old-time acoustic music jam session from noon to 2 p.m.

Free and supported by Friends of the

Smokies and Great Smoky Mountains Association. For more information, call 828.497.1904.

Cleveland counties, bear hunting will take place Dec. 12 through Jan. 2. Gun season for deer concludes Dec. 10, but archery season is open Dec. 11 through Jan. 2.

When recreating outdoors during this time, wear blaze orange or tie it to your pack — or your dog’s collar — in order to increase visibility.

Traditional music and dance liven up a previous Holiday Homecoming event. NPS photo

Puzzles can be found on page 38

Notes from a Plant Nerd

BY ADAM B IGELOW

Leftover Cranberries

Many of us may be tired of cranberries by now, having eaten our fill, and then some, at our recent fall harvest celebrations. And whether you were on team fresh cranberry sauce, or you prefer the canned cranberries, you ate the fruit of a plant native to North America called large cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon).

When most people think about cranberries, they imagine large bogs across Maine and New England. They might imagine agricultural fields filled with water and the round red berries floating in them. They don’t think about Southern Appalachia. And yet, there are healthy cranberry bogs around here, found at the highest elevations of Jackson, Macon and Haywood Counties, including one population that many hikers walk by unknowingly all season long along the Ivestor Gap trail at Black Balsam, off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

So, what are they doing here in the South, these cranberries, and other associated high-elevation plants found in the Balsam Mountain ranges? They truly are leftovers. They are remnants, left over from the last glacial period, or ice age, called the Pleistocene era which ended 15,000 to 25,000 years ago. And while the Pleistocene glaciers did not come this far south, ending around the mid Great Lakes area, they pushed large amounts of soil, plants and seeds ahead of them. They pushed a whole forest type southward.

The boreal forest, or taiga, is the ecosystem type that rings just below the Artic Circle, encircling the globe in the Northern Hemisphere. Composed of mostly evergreen, cone-bearing trees like pines (Pinus spp.), spruces (Picea spp.) and firs (Abies spp.), boreal forests are where you find cranberry bogs. And the same is true here in Southern Appalachia in the highest elevations of the Balsam and Great Smoky Mountains. The dark green trees known to mountainfolk as balsams or firs are remnants of that same ice age that left us with cranberries.

It is said that driving up in elevation onto the Blue Ridge Parkway is like driving north to Maine or Canada, at least biologically. You can find Northern flying squirrel, blue bead-lily (Clintonia borealis), mountain-ash (Sorbus americana), Canada

mayflower (Maianthemum canadensis) and witch hobble (Viburnum lantanoides), all of which are more commonly found in the Northeastern U.S. And, you can find cranberries, if you know what to look for.

Our images of cranberries growing in standing water come from an agricultural technique of flooding the fields to reduce weeds, and to harvest the berries for commercial production. And while they don’t really grow in a pond, they do grow in wet and boggy areas. Technically, the cranber-

ries of Southern Appalachia are growing in fens. A fen is described as a type of wetland fed by ground or surface water dominated by peat moss, one of many different types of mosses in the genus Sphagnum. And, while constantly wet, they don’t look like ponds or lakes, and many won’t notice the small, evergreen leaves of cranberry, nor the pink flowers with petals that curve back in the spring.

And all but the most observant hiker will often fail to notice the large ripe fruit, even though they see them on their dinner table every year. That’s ok, because these berries are better served to birds, than accompanying one as a side dish. There aren’t that many populations left in the South, and as the climate continues to warm due to human activity, they are at great risk of going away. And there’s not much chance that they’ll rise from the grave, like zombies. Nor will there be any leftovers once the nights get too warm.

(Adam Bigelow lives in Cullowhee and leads weekly wildflower walks and ecotours through Bigelow’s Botanical Excursions. bigelownc@gmail.com.)

Western North Carolina is home to the southernmost populations of wild cranberry. Adam Bigelow photo

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

• The Jackson County Farmers Market meets every Saturday November through March 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and April through October 9 a.m.-noon at Bridge Park in Sylva, 110 Railroad St. Special events listed on Facebook and Instagram.

• The Jackson Arts Market takes place from 1-5 p.m. every Saturday at 533 West Main St. in Sylva with live music and an array of local artists. Jared Smith ‘Blue’ will play Oct. 22, Taylor Knighton will play Oct. 29, Wooly Booger will play Nov. 5, Clayton Justice will play Nov. 12.

• Cowee School Farmer’s Market is held Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m., at 51 Cowee School Drive in Franklin. The market has produce, plant starts, eggs, baked goods, flowers, food trucks and music. For more information or for an application, visit www.coweeschool.org or call 828.369.4080.

• “Art After Dark” will be held from 6-9 p.m. each first Friday of the month (May-December) in downtown Waynesville. For more information, go to facebook.com/galleriesofhaywoodcounty.

• Jackson County Green Energy Park is once again welcoming visitors. It is open to the public each week from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Public classes will resume this spring. JCGEP will also host live glassblowing demonstrations at Innovation Station during the Lights and Luminaries festival in Dillsboro. For more information email info@jacksonnc.org or 828.631.0271.

H OLIDAYS

• Dillsboro Lights and Luminaries will take place 5-9 p.m. Dec. 9-10. There will be live music, visits with Santa, shops and restaurants open late, and free oldfashioned buggy rides.

• Holidays at the University Center will take place 4-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at the AK Hinds University Center at WCU. Build a buddy, custom mug, hot cocoa ornaments and Santa paws. Get a holiday pass for $15. For more information visit dcc.wcu.edu.

• Santa Claus will host a breakfast Saturday, Dec. 10, at Sylva United Methodist Church. He will also be available for photos. There will be crafts and entertainment. Cost is $5 per person or $20 per family. Sylva Satellite Rotary Club is organizing the event, no RSVP requited. For more information call 828.504.4463.

• Smoky Mountain Christmas Light Spectacular will take place 6-10 p.m. Nov. 10-Dec. 31, at the Great Smoky Mountain Event Park. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays in November, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. BrysonCityChristman.com

FUNDRAISERS AND B ENEFITS

• New blankets can be dropped off at the Mountain Projects Office, 2177 Asheville Road in Waynesville, or online purchases can be shipped directly to the agency through Dec. 23, for the annual Blanket Drive. Financial contributions towards winter heating bills can be made online at mountainprojects.org/giving or checks can be sent by mail. Annotate checks with “Winter Warmth.”

S UPPORT G ROUPS

• Highlands Mountain View Group holds open A.A. meetings in Highlands at the First Presbyterian Church, 471 Main St., at 5:30 p.m. on Monday and at noon on Wednesday and Friday. The Cashiers Valley Group holds open meetings at the Albert Carlton Cashiers Community Library at 7 p.m. Tuesday, 5 p.m. Friday and

n All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

n To have your item listed email to calendar@smokymountainnews.com

Sunday, and at 9 a.m. Saturday. Zoom meetings are available at noon on Monday, at 7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and at 9 a.m. Saturday (ID# 921 817 2966, password CVG2020). For more information, please visit www.aawnc80.org or to speak with a member of AA 24/7 at 828.349.4357.

• The SHARE Project and RISE Resources in Support of Empowerment bring you Smart Recovery Friends and Family at 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month in the Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center Upstairs Classroom.

• Free support meeting for families and friends who are struggling in their relationships with loved ones in addiction. Meetings provide concerned significant others the tools needed to effectively support loved ones without supporting the addictive behavior. These tools help family and friends better cope with loved one’s situation and regain peace of mind. Meetings take place from 6-7:30 p.m. every other Thursday at RISE, located at 926 East Main St. in Sylva. More information at www.risewnc.org or 828.477.4136.

• Haywood Hospice & Palliative Care is sponsoring a Community Grief Gathering at 1 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at the Canton Library in the meeting room. Each month will feature a different grief topic. The Haywood County Public Library and Haywood Hospice require that masks be worn inside the building. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Dan Pyles at 828.452.5039 or email Daniel.pyles@lhcgroup.com

CLUBS AND M EETINGS

• The Canton Branch Creative Writing Group meets 10:30 a.m.-noon on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. For more information, email Jennifer at jennifer.stuart@haywoodcountync.gov or call 828.356.2561.

K IDS & FAMILIES

• Yoga for kids of all ages will take place at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, and Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the Macon County Library. Bring a yoga mat if you have one, mats will not be provided. For more information call 828.524.3600.

• Move and Groove Storytime takes place 10:30-11 a.m. every Thursday, at the Canton branch of the Haywood County Public Library. Exciting, interactive music and movement story time ideal for children 2-6 years old. For more information contact Ashlyn at ashlyn.godleski@haywoodcountync.gov or at 828.356.2567.

• Mother Goose Storytime takes place 10:30-11 a.m. every Wednesday, at the Waynesville branch of the Haywood County Public Library. Ideal for children from birth to 2 years old. For more information, contact Lisa at lisa.hartzell@haywoodcountync.gov or call 828.356.2511.

• Wiggle Worms Storytime takes place 10:30-11 a.m. every Tuesday, at the Waynesville branch of the Haywood County Public Library. Ideal for children 2-6 years old. For more information contact Lisa at lisa.hartzell@haywoodcountync.gov or call 828.356.2511.

• Next Chapter Book Club Haywood is a fun, energetic and highly interactive book club, ideal for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The group meets every second and fourth Monday of the month. For more information, email Jennifer at jen-

nifer.stuart@haywoodcountync.gov or call 828.356.2561.

• Storytime takes place at 10 a.m. every Tuesday at the Macon County Library. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.

• Toddler’s Rock takes place at 10 a.m. every Monday at the Macon County Library. Get ready to rock with songs, books, rhymes and playing with instruments. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.

A&E

• Storytelling with Gary Garden will take place 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, in the meeting room of the Macon County Public Library.

• Karaoke takes place at 7 p.m. every Friday at the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley. Call 828.926.1717 or visit meadowlarkmotel.com.

• Paint and Sip at Waynesville Art School will be held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7-9:30 p.m. To learn more and register call 828.246.9869 or visit PaintAndSipWaynesville.com/upcoming-events. Registration is required, $45.

• Mountain Makers Craft Market will be held from noon-4 p.m. the first Sunday of each month at 308 North Haywood St. in downtown Waynesville. Over two dozen artisans selling handmade and vintage goods. Special events will be held when scheduled. mountainmakersmarket.com.

F OOD AND D RINK

• BBQ and Live Music takes place at 6 p.m. every Saturday at the Meadowlark Motel. Call 828.926.1717 or visit meadowlarkmotel.com.

• “Flights & Bites” will be held starting at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in downtown Waynesville. For more information on upcoming events, wine tastings and special dinners, click on waynesvillewine.com.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 6-8 p.m. every Thursday and 2-5 p.m. every Saturday at The Wine Bar & Cellar in Sylva. 828.631.3075.

• Take a trip around the world with four different wines every Friday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Bryson City Wine Market. Pick from artisan Charcuterie Foods to enjoy with wines. 828.538.0420

• Cooking classes take place at the McKinley Edwards Inn from 6-8:30 p.m. on Thursday nights. To reserve your spot call 828.488.9626.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS

• “Spice It Up!” a monthly spice celebration series will take 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at the Waynesville Branch of the Haywood County Public Library. This month learn about Szechuan Peppercorns. Attendees will receive spice sample and will be taste testing. For more information, or to register, contact Kathy at kathleen.olsen@haywoodcountync.gov or call 828.356.2507.

• Greenies Art Hour will take place 9:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at the Canton Branch of the Haywood County Public Library. Ideal for adults with disabilities. For more information or to register contact jennifer.stuart@haywoodcountync.gov or call 828.356.2561.

• Chess 101 takes place from 3:30-4:30 p.m. every Friday in the Canton Branch of the Haywood County Public Library. No registration required, for more information call 828.648.2924.

Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for:

n Complete listings of local music scene

n Regional festivals

n Art gallery events and openings

n Complete listings of recreational offerings at health and fitness centers

n Civic and social club gatherings

• Wired Wednesday, one-on-one technology help is available at 3-5 p.m. every Wednesday at the Canton Branch of the Haywood County Library. For more information or to register, call 828.648.2924.

• Uptown Gallery, 30 East Main St. Franklin, will be offering Children’s Art Classes Wednesdays afternoons. Adult workshops in watercolor, acrylic paint pouring, encaustic and glass fusing are also offered. Free painting is available 10 a.m.-3 p.m. every Monday in the classroom. A membership meeting takes place on the second Sunday of the month at 3 p.m. All are welcome. Call 828.349.4607 for more information.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES

• “Thursday Painters” group will be held from 10 a.m.3 p.m. on Thursdays at The Uptown Gallery in Franklin. Free and open to the public. Participants are responsible for their own project and a bag lunch. 828.349.4607 or pm14034@yahoo.com.

Outdoors

• Old Saint Nick will visit Chimney Rock State Park in Rutherford County 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, practicing his chimney-climbing game on the iconic rock as Christmas festivities abound. The event is free with park admission.

• A Holiday Homecoming event will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Traditions on display will include hearth cooking, apple butter making, corn shuck dolls, holiday cards, home remedies, blacksmithing and storytelling. An old-time acoustic music jam session will take place from noon to 2 p.m. Free and supported by Friends of the Smokies and Great Smoky Mountains Association. For more information, call 828.497.1904.

• Hike along Hemphill Bald Trail from Sheepback to Gooseberry Knob on Wednesday, Dec. 14, with Haywood County Recreation and Parks. The hike is 5.7 miles with an elevation gain of 1,412 feet. All hikes are $10. Sign up at bit.ly/haywoodrec.

• Friday Night Ski & Snowboard is back through Jackson County Parks and Recreation, with group rates available on Fridays to ride Cataloochee Ski Area. On these nights, lift tickets are available for $37, with a lift ticket and rental combo for $47 to ski or snowboard 5:30-10 p.m. Tickets can be picked up at Cataloochee. Register online at jcprd.recdesk.com under the “Outdoor” tab. Contact Trevor Brown with questions at 828.293.3053, ext. 9, or trevorbrown@jacksonnc.org.

• Tickets are now on sale for Winter Lights, an open-air walk-through light show of more than 1 million lights running Nov. 18-Dec. 31 at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville. Ticket prices range from $30 to $60 per car depending on the date and entry time, with members receiving a $5 discount. Flex tickets are $75. For more information, visit ncarboretum.org/winter-lights.

Legals

REQUEST FOR BIDS

State of North Carolina Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvements (FRRCSI) Grant Projects. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (GSM) is seeking bids for upcoming 2023 projects. Materials: 1.3 track miles of new 136RE grade rail and OTM to be delivered by rail to Dillsboro, NC. Labor: Remove existing rail and replace 1 track mile of new 136RE. Please contact kimalbritton@ gsmr.com or 828-4887008 for more details and bid package. Partial bids for labor and materials are accepted and may be awarded. This is a formal sealed bidding process. Bids must comply with domestic steel and Buy America

participation is highly encouraged. Projects will

be awarded at GSMR’s sole discretion to the supplier or suppliers whose proposal offers the best value. GSMR reserves the right to reject any and all bids. Deadline: 5:00PM, Friday, December 16, 2022. Submit all proposals to Kim Albritton, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad PO Box 1490 or 225 Everett Street, Bryson City NC 28713. Formal Public Bid Opening Date: Monday, December 19, 2022 at 2:00PM.GSMR Executive

Everett Street, Bryson City, NC 28713

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Mountain projects Inc. is planning to submit a proposal to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human

Economic Opportunity for a one year grant under the Community Services Block Grant program.

Public input is requested to utilize funding. The public hearing will be held in Haywood County at 10:00am on Monday December 21, 2022 at the Mountain Projects

in Jackson Co at 2:00pm on Monday December 21, 2022 at Mountain

154B Medical Park Loop, Sylva NC 28779.

Announcements

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Home Goods

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Pets

USE SEAL N HEAL® To seal wounds on Dogs & Cats with a Bitter Taste to prevent gnawing, allow healing. At Tractor Supply® & Better Farm Feed & Hardware Stores.

SOLID GRAY CAT, MISTY 2-yr old girl; sweet and playful. Loves people, but hates dogs! Happy in a sunny window. Asheville Humane Society (828) 761-2001 adoptions@ashevillehumane.org

PITBULL MIX DOG, POPPY (CHARCOAL&WHITE) Sweet 7-year old girl; easy to handle, likes car rides. Prefer to be only pet. Asheville Humane Society (828) 761-2001 adoptions@ ashevillehumane.org

Real Estate

Announcements

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Hous ing 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 in tention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination’. Familial status includes children under 18 living with par ents or legal guardians and pregnant women. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any ad vertising for real estate in violation of this law. All dwellings advertised on equal opportunity basis.

Rentals

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Haywood Co. Real Estate Agents

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate- Heritage

• Carolyn Lauter - carolyn@bhgheritage.com

Beverly Hanks & Associates- beverly-hanks.com

• Billie Green - bgreen@beverly-hanks.com

• Brian K. Noland - brianknoland.com

• Anne Page - apage@beverly-hanks.com

• Jerry Powell - jpowell@beverly-hanks.com

• Catherine Proben - cproben@beverly-hanks.com

• Ellen Sither - esither@beverly-hanks.com

• Mike Stamey - mikestamey@beverly-hanks.com

• Karen Hollingsed- khollingsed@beverly-hanks.com

• Billy Case- billycase@beverly-hanks.com

• Laura Thomas - lthomas@beverly-hanks.com

• John Keith - jkeith@beverly-hanks.com

• Randall Rogers - rrogers@beverly-hanks.com

• Susan Hooper - shooper@beverly-hanks.com

• Hunter Wyman - hwyman@beverly-hanks.com

• Julie Lapkoff - julielapkoff@beverly-hanks.com

• Darrin Graves - dgraves@beverly-hanks.com

Emerson Group - emersongroupus.com

• George Escaravage - george@emersongroupus.com

• Chuck Brown - chuck@emersongroupus.com

ERA Sunburst Realty - sunburstrealty.com

• Amy Spivey - amyspivey.com

• Rick Border - sunburstrealty.com

• Randy Flanigan - 706-207-9436

• Steve Mauldin - 828-734-4864

Keller Williams Realty - kellerwilliamswaynesville.com

• The Morris Team - www.themorristeamnc.com

Lakeshore

Realty

• Phyllis Robinson - lakeshore@lakejunaluska.com

Mountain Dreams Realty- maggievalleyhomesales.com

buyfromlyndia@yahoo.com Mountain Creek Real Estate

WAX SHADES

ACROSS

1 Played golf on the green

7 Baseball card company 12 Indy sponsor 15 Andy's pal 19 Ryan and Tatum 20 Little Mermaid's name 21 Superman's love interest 23 Kitschy lawn adornment (1997) 25 Rotating part in a water pump 26 Chicago-to-Atlanta dir. 27 Fraternal org. with lodges 28 Canine with gray brindled fur (1993) 30 Carnival treat on a stick (1998) 35 Loch monster, informally 36 Shoe parts 37 Piccolo's kin 39 Skin art 43 Retail store's beginning? 44 Rice- -- (food brand) 46 Iowa college 48 Woman on "Frasier" 49 Plant also called bachelor's button (1958) 53 Glitzy display (1993) 57 Verse tribute 58 Counterpart of masc.

Test versions 60 Old- -- (quaint) 61 Sky, to the U.S. Air Force (2003) 66 Tax-deferred svgs. plan

Nestle movie theater treats 68 Zadora of "Butterfly" 69 "That's a big yes from me!"

"Criminal Minds" airer

Grassland on the slope of

peak (1998)

Pond growth 81 Curt 82 P.O. arrival

Hip-hop "Dr." 84 Plant rolled about by the wind (1993)

Makeup of many dunes (1998) 90 Deg. for a future exec

"The final frontier" (1998)

Caustic alkali

Muscle rotating the forearm to a palm-down position

What each of this puzzle's featured answers is (with the year it was introduced)

Pecans, e.g.

"Norma --"

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Answers on 34