Smoky Mountain News | December 15, 2021

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December 15-21, 2021 Vol. 23 Iss. 29

Cherokee passes casino smoking ban Page 9 Plea agreement delayed in Sylva man’s Jan. 6 case Page 15

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CONTENTS On the Cover: Ghost Town developer Frankie Wood recently told Maggie Valley business owners he needs their support in developing his other properties in the valley if there’s any hope for his plans for Ghost Town to become a reality. (Page 10)

News Herrons offer home to family that lost everything ......................................................6 Cawthorn’s district jump triggers intra-party fighting ..............................................8 Cherokee passes casino smoking ban ........................................................................9 Jackson declares Darrell Woodard Day of Service ................................................12 Plea agreement delayed in Sylva man’s Jan. 6 case ............................................15 Cashiers-Glenville recreation plan approved ..........................................................16 Nikwasi story told in traveling Smithsonian exhibit ................................................19 Cherokee supports Nikwasi grant effort ....................................................................19

Opinion Meadows an embarrassment to his former state, district ....................................20 Creating the holiday meant for me................................................................................21

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A&E New Canton gallery reopens after flood ....................................................................22 A rose amongst the thorns..............................................................................................29

Outdoors New superintendent discusses vision for Parkway ................................................30

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Flood recovery continues

ability. “We didn’t have the money to even think about another place.”

That morning Tillman and Jessie and the five kids, ranging in age from 8 to 19, worked in the mud and muck, saving what few belongings they could. “Side-by-side, as a family,” Lott said. Their belongings, for the most part, were heaped at the roadside.

Lorelei and Dean Garnes, volunteers with Helping Haywood, came along to offer help and cleaning supplies, and pointed them toward Mountain Projects, a community action agency.

Herrons offer home to family that lost everything

BY B ILL G RAHAM S PECIAL TO SMN or Ed Herron, childhood at Lake Junaluska in the 1960s was idyllic. He loved it.

It wasn’t just the beauty of the mountains and the lake, he says, but his memories of the people. “The spirit of goodwill is very strong there,” he said.

His adventures as a teen included rising to the rank of Eagle Scout — no small feat — and as he reminisces, he draws directly from the Scout Oath, which urges young people to do their best ‘to help other people at all times.’

Recently, serendipity gave him a chance to do just that.

When a large family from Clyde lost its home in August to violent flooding caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred, Herron, who hadn’t lived at the lake since he was a teenager, just happened to be in a place to help.

In a county with a very limited rental market, in the midst of a natural disaster, he gave the family a place to live.

It all began decades ago, when Herron, now in the lumber business in Hickory, visited the mountains with his wife Karen and their young family, and stopped in at the house where he’d been raised. His parents had long since moved away, but he wanted to show his kids the house, and he chatted with the owners.

If they ever decided to sell, they told him, they’d give him a call. Last year, they did.

The Herrons bought the house, began sprucing up, and planned to both rent the home to vacationers and to live there, as so many Lake Junaluskans do. They were wrapping up the work in mid-August, when, during a trip to see their daughter in Colorado, they saw Haywood County pop up in a television newscast. Aghast, they watched

— Ed Herron

The Herron family gathered at Lake Junaluska for a family photo, reclaiming the home that Ed Herron had grown up in through the 1960s. scenes of the flooding that took lives and destroyed hundreds of homes.

For Tillman Lott and his husband Jessie, the flood experience was similar to many others along the Pigeon River. That afternoon they watched the rain pelt down, they fretted a bit, and they checked the news. A knowledgeable neighbor doubted the water would come out of its banks, but before they knew it the river was swirling into the house.

By the next morning most of their

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belongings were ruined — “anything that wasn’t hanging on the wall” — and farm animals lost. One vehicle survived, one didn’t, and the goats and chickens mostly perished.

The dogs made it through, but in general the warm home they loved was gone.

“I had a beautiful garden, and it was just coming in,” said Lott.

Where were they going to live?

“We didn’t know what we were going to do,” said Lott, who is a retired chef on dis-

Lott visited and found help. Mountain Projects was well positioned to help flood survivors and was ramping up for what would be a long few months. They housed the family in a local hotel while the search began for a new place for them to live.

Meanwhile, Herron saw a Lake Junaluska Assembly email blast soliciting help for flood victims, called, and was told the need had been filled. A few days later the Assembly sent another email, he responded again, and this time the connection was made.

“They told me ‘a family with five kids,’” said Herron. “I said ‘sure, bring them on.’

They said ‘they have big dogs.’ I said ‘sure, let’s do it.’”

“Can you imagine the devastation of losing your home and everything you own?” he adds. “We did what we could to help them heal from the trauma.”

A snapshot of the Lott family around the Herron’s dinner table the night they moved in shows palpable relief — beaming young faces all the way around. “That first night we sat down to supper it felt just like home,” said Lott, who goes on to describe how the Lake Junaluska environment was healing for them all.

Voted #1 in Haywood County

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December 15-21, 2021

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“We thought we were fixing our house up to make some money and have a place to retire. But we were really fixing it to be in the position to help.”

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EQUIPMENT AND TRUCK

WELDING &

FABRICATING AND

RENTAL EQUIPMENT

Tillman and Jessie Lott have established their new home with the referral of Helping Hands volunteers, the help of Select Homes of Waynesville and assistance from Mountain Projects.

Ingles Nutrition Notes written by Ingles Dietitian Leah McGrath Q: My doctor has said to cut down on sodium. Why can’t I find foods that have no sodium?

A: Since sodium is a component of living cells, it will be difficult to find food products that have no sodium, but you may find some items that indicate that they are “sodium-free” if they have less than 5 mg of sodium per serving. More often you may see a label that indicates a food is “very low sodium” (35mg or les of sodium) or “low sodium”(140mg or less of sodium) or “no added salt” (which may not necessarily mean low sodium!).

Be sure not to depend solely on labels on packaging and look at the Nutrition Facts panel to see how many milligrams of sodium are listed. Remember that this amount is PER SERVING so keep that in mind when you are consuming or using these foods or beverages if you are trying to keep your sodium intake close to a specific number of milligrams per day.

Resource: Sodium in Your Diet | FDA — Tillman Lott

heat and shelter. Between now and March 2022, Mountain Projects anticipates more than 200 requests for emergency utility assistance alone.

Visit mountainprojects.org or send a contribution by mail to 2177 Asheville Rd., Waynesville, NC 28786. To coordinate an end of the year contribution, contact Patsy Davis, executive director of Mountain Projects by email, pdavis@mountainprojects.org.

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN Ingles Market Corporate Dietitian

Smoky Mountain News

“We didn’t know what we were going to do. We didn’t have the money to even think about another place.”

December 15-21, 2021

Ed and Karen felt as if some sort of intervention was at play.

“We thought we were fixing our house up to make some money and have a place to retire,” said Herron. “But we were really fixing it to be in the position to help.”

“I love Haywood County,” he added. “A ton of good-hearted people have done nice things since the flood, and we had an opportunity to help do the same.”

Meanwhile, the Lotts had been put in touch with Michele Rogers, owner at Waynesville’s Select Homes, and Rogers was working to find a place for them.

Miraculously, given the market, she was successful.

By fall the family was in a new home — a tidy 1930s bungalow in Waynesville with enough space to meet their needs. A web of friends and good Samaritans helped furnish the entire place for a grand total of $1,200.

And when Lott tried to hand a Herron a check to cover their stay at Junaluska, Herron handed it right back.

“After meeting Tillman and Jessie’s family, my wife and I talked about it,” said Ed. “We made the decision that we wouldn’t accept any money. We were just glad to be able to help a Haywood County family.”

The Lotts are emotional about their friendship with the Herrons, but also about where they landed.

“Of course we miss all of our stuff and old house. But we love our new house — it feels like home. We don’t hurt or need for a single thing.”

Heading into the winter season, Mountain Projects is requesting community donations in support of the Emergency Needs Fund.

Contributions will be used to support friends and neighbors in Haywood and Jackson Counties who have unmet basic needs: food,

@InglesDietitian Leah McGrath - Dietitian 800.334.4936 Ingles Markets… caring about your health

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Cawthorn’s uncivil War Congressman’s invasion into new district is triggering an intra-party reckoning

BY TOM FIEDLER ASHEVILLE WATCHDOG hen Madison Cawthorn revealed his plan to abandon Western North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District to seek re-election in a neighboring — and seemingly friendlier — district, he exuded confidence, even cockiness, about the outcome.

“We are taking ground for constitutional conservatism,” he wrote on Twitter, describing his move into the adjacent 13th District as if leading a righteous crusade into infidel territory. Otherwise, the 26-year-old Republican added, “I’m afraid that another establishment, go-along-to-get-along Republican would prevail there. I will not let that happen.”

Initially his bravado in jumping the district line — a legal, though rare move — seemed politically sound and his victory assured. As a rising media star on the GOP’s far-right fringe and armed with the endorsement of ex-President Trump, Cawthorn had raised $2.3 million toward reelection by the end of September, with more pouring in.

The mere threat of facing him apparently was too much for his expected opponent, Tim Moore of Cleveland County — the “goalong-to get-along” establishment Republican that Cawthorn swore to defeat.

Never mind that Moore was the longest-serving speaker in the history of the North Carolina House. And never mind that, thanks to Moore’s legislative allies, the new 13th Congressional District had been tailor-made for him so he could fulfill a dream to serve in Washington.

Yet, just hours after Cawthorn declared his invasion plan, Moore surrendered. He told baffled supporters that he’d just as soon stay in the state General Assembly.

Victory was coming to Cawthorn so easily. A party nomination at the age of 24. A congressional seat at 25. A place among the party’s pantheon of far-right stink bombers.

Bagging an establishment Republican who turned tail without the semblance of a stand.

But that was then. Before the antiCawthorn fire and fury. Before this uncivil war.

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December 15-21, 2021

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‘AMBITIOUS COWARDICE AT ITS WORST’

“This isn’t a noble effort. This is ambitious cowardice at its worst,” wrote Charles Jeter Jr., an influential former Republican state representative and among the first to sound the anti-Cawthorn alarm. “He’s an embarrassment that we need to defeat.”

How could it be, added Republican political strategist Jim Blaine on Twitter, that this one-term congressman with no discernible record could cow a veteran state lawmaker with encyclopedic achievements? “In what 8 universe does this make sense?” he wrote.

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn, and Rep. Mark Walker at an American Renewal Project event in October.

In return for Trump’s blessing, and at Cawthorn’s behest, Walker will not oppose Cawthorn ally Ted Budd for U.S. Senate.

In Cawthorn’s universe, where media attention weighs more than legislative productivity, it made perfect sense.

“We have a unique opportunity to increase conservative leadership in North Carolina,” he declared in a video defending his strategy. This is how he could extend his pro-Trump brand of Republicanism from the Western Carolina mountains to the suburbs of Charlotte and perhaps beyond.

“In my heart I represent North Carolina as a whole, not some arbitrary lines that some politician drew this cycle,” he said in a selfproduced video. It fit neatly into a grandiose vision he’d outlined in a talk to students at Western Carolina University in October: “I would love to be governor at some point because I think our state would be one of the greatest states in the nation if we had good leadership.”

But Cawthorn’s me-centered vision isn’t widely shared within his own party. His ambition to extend his “impact on the affairs of our state and our nation,” as he said in that video, is colliding violently against North Carolina’s Republican establishment, which itself is a bastion of conservatism. His move eastward has ignited a power struggle within the GOP between Cawthorn’s insurgents demanding the party remake itself in the image of Trump, and the establishment wing determined to retain its domination over the machinery of government.

NO MIDDLE GROUND “We are in this divide of us-versus-them in the party,” Catawba College professor Michael Bitzer, who writes frequently about North Carolina politics, said in an inter-

view. “And you cannot pursue the middle ground because there is no middle ground in the Republican Party.”

Reflecting the existential stakes, the fire and fury triggered by Cawthorn’s move toward the Charlotte metroplex may have no precedent within the modern Republican Party. Bitzer sees this as a major battle within a national war by Trump loyalists to seize all the levers that control the GOP’s power, including party voters, party functionaries and, in their sights, the party’s elected office holders.

“What Cawthorn and others are attempting to do is to put a target on the back of anyone who isn’t a follower of Trumpism,” continued Bitzer. “And not only on your back; you’ve got a target on your front side.”

Already targeted, along with the retreating Moore, are U.S. Senator Thom Tillis and former Republican Gov. Pat McCrory, who is seeking the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Richard Burr.

McCrory’s leading opponent, Congressman Ted Budd, an ordained evangelical minister, collected the endorsement of Cawthorn and Trump after a recent pilgrimage to Mar-a-Lago. McCrory is also the target of a brutal political attack in mailings to voters from another Cawthorn and Trump aligned national organization, the Club for Growth.

Cawthorn this week poured additional fuel on the fire by circulating a flyer with the names of candidates he prefers in 10 of the state’s 14 districts. It was headlined: “Congressman Cawthorn’s plan for North Carolina.”

‘CALLOW AND APPALLINGLY IGNORANT’ A measure of the establishment’s anger about what it sees as Cawthorn’s raw audaciousness surfaced quickly on social media and in the formal communication of party influencers.

None spoke so directly as did John Hood, CEO and president of the John Locke Foundation, the secular church of the North Carolina Republican establishment: “Madison Cawthorn is a callow and appallingly ignorant young man who regularly embarrasses conservatives and Republicans, whether they admit it or not.”

“What conservative policy has Cawthorn ever delivered for his district? He’s barely even a lawmaker,” wrote GOP legislative attorney Brent Woodcox. “He just plays one on TV.” And this in a tweet from Susan M. Tillis: “I can assure you that those of us in the new 13 [Congressional District] don’t need any intervention and we are capable of making our own decisions.”

Tillis leads a foundation with strong military links and is the wife of Thom Tillis, himself a veteran of the GOP establishment whom Cawthorn has dismissed as a RINO, the acronym for Republican in Name Only, among Trump’s favorite insults. The Tillises have a stake in this congressional race as they live in a Charlotte suburb inside the newly created 13th District.

These are among the nobles of the North Carolina Republican Party, people with demonstrated influence. Hood’s blistering

assessments of Cawthorn were published in the Carolina Journal, the establishment’s holy writ. Notably, he is regarded as the voice of political kingmaker Art Pope, the multi-millionaire backer of numerous pro-business, conservative causes who is credited almost singly with shaping the state party into its present form.

In a political version of a cage match where only one fighter walks out, Cawthorn and the pro-Trump insurgency are taking on Art Pope’s establishment, says Bitzer.

BLOWBACK FROM THE HOME FRONT This blowback isn’t limited to the territory Cawthorn covets. It is being matched with equal ferocity in the district he’s leaving behind, the soon to be renamed 14th, a slightly reshaped version of the current 11th Congressional District centered on Buncombe and Henderson counties and stretching from Cherokee to Watauga.

The anti-Cawthorn counterattack in his home district is aimed mostly, though not exclusively, against Cawthorn ally and heirapparent Michele Woodhouse, a GOP party functionary from Hendersonville. Her husband is a cousin to Dallas Woodhouse, another anti-Cawthorn Carolina Journal columnist and former executive director of the state Republican Party.

In his “plan for North Carolina,” Cawthorn included Woodhouse as his pick to succeed him. Speculation that he would do so has been widespread for weeks. Cawthorn made a $1,000 contribution to a political action committee Woodhouse set up in August, enabling her to travel widely in the new district’s 15 counties. At the time Woodhouse was serving as the district’s party chairwoman, a position that traditionally requires the incumbent to remain neutral in party-primary elections.

Yet, according to candidates who had announced plans to challenge Cawthorn’s renomination prior to his departure from the district, Woodhouse ignored that tradition and ceaselessly tried to stymie their campaign efforts. A native of Detroit who claims ancestral ties to the North Carolina mountains, Woodhouse announced her candidacy to carry forward the Cawthorn agenda on Nov. 18, just a week after he said he would move eastward toward Charlotte.

She immediately drew bitter criticism from several directions, all of it within the GOP. Rival candidate Wendy Nevarez, a Navy veteran and among the first to have challenged Cawthorn before his planned move, blasted Woodhouse as an opportunist seeking to ride into office on Cawthorn’s coattails.

“She is an outsider,” Nevarez told Asheville Watchdog. “She didn’t grow up here, didn’t go to school here, didn’t raise kids here.” When Nevarez entered the campaign against Cawthorn last spring, she said Woodhouse was furious and threatened to block her from speaking to any local Republican groups or at any party functions.

Hotel owner Bruce O’Connell, also an early challenger to Cawthorn, said he, too, was threatened by

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Cherokee passes casino smoking ban

Woodhouse. But he was livid upon learning that she had taken the $1,000 payment from Cawthorn in August, which he said suggested it was then that the plan was hatched for the congressman to change districts and anoint Woodhouse as his heir.

“My fellow candidates and I have been strong-armed by Michele over these last few months to get out of the race, and we have been denied speaking slots at GOP events by her, and now we learn this,” wrote O’Connell, owner of the storied Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway, in a published statement. “Enough is enough … She needs to resign today.”

Woodhouse didn’t respond to The Watchdog’s requests for comment on either the payment or whether she had been promised Cawthorn’s support.

Honeycutt, who joined the Army days after his high school graduation and retired 37 years later as a high-ranking officer with two master’s degrees, has avoided criticizing either Cawthorn or Woodhouse. But some of Honeycutt’s supporters — among them many who had backed Cawthorn in 2020 — are unrestrained.

Former Henderson County Sheriff George Erwin, who was instrumental in getting a majority of western North Carolina’s Republican sheriffs to endorse Cawthorn in that election, has publicly apologized for doing so. In an interview for this article, Erwin said that to his knowledge few of those sheriffs will now back Cawthorn because of his actions in cheerleading protesters prior to the January 6 attack on the Capitol to disrupt the presidential-election certification, as well as his blatant refusal to follow the law prohibiting carrying weapons — in Cawthorn’s case a switchblade “combat knife” — on school grounds.

“I am very adamantly opposed to him, and I don’t see how anyone in law enforcement can support him now,” Erwin said. He’s endorsed Honeycutt for the GOP nomination in the primary, now scheduled for May 17.

(The North Carolina Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered that the state’s March 2022 primary be delayed, giving courts more time to settle two lawsuits challenging Republican-drawn maps for Congress and the state’s General Assembly.)

The most ironic threat to Cawthorn’s hopes to oversee a two-district domain came Nov. 30 when state Senator Chuck Edwards of Hendersonville declared his candidacy for Cawthorn’s western Carolina seat. Edwards embodies the very Republican establishment

that Cawthorn boasted he “would not let happen.”

Edwards’ state senate district overlaps significantly with the redrawn 14th Congressional District, giving him a built-in network of GOP voters and positioning him as the pre-filing frontrunner for the nomination.

The senator’s disgust with Cawthorn’s role in that Jan. 6 “stop the steal” rally stems from Cawthorn’s exhortation to the crowd that they should “lightly threaten” any lawmaker who failed to support changes to election law.

“It exacerbates the divisions in our country and has the potential to needlessly place well-meaning citizens, law enforcement officers, and elected officials in harm’s way,” Edwards said in a statement posted to his website.

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‘CON ARTISTS, NOT PATRIOTS’ The congressman also has come in for criticism within the conservative ranks. Party activist Cynthia Harman, a longtime Trump loyalist, wrote in the blog, SaveMadisonCounty.org, that “Woodhouse and Cawthorn are con artists, not Patriots. … The money drives their disease of lies and deception. They use the churches to propagate it.”

Even before Cawthorn’s announcement that he was shifting districts, opposition to his renomination was emerging as a serious threat. In addition to Nevarez and O’Connell, recently retired Army Colonel Rod Honeycutt found strong support among the district’s incumbent and former sheriffs, law enforcement officers, other military veterans and backers in Woodfin, where his family has ancestral roots.

THE SOLE GOP TEST: TRUMP OR NOT TRUMP The emerging opposition to Cawthorn in his current district appears to provide a political rationale for skipping into the new 13th Congressional District, especially knowing he won’t face House Speaker Moore. Although additional candidates may emerge before the filing period for the GOP primary closes at noon Dec. 17, so far, the most experienced rival that Cawthorn may face is Karen Bentley, a former Mecklenburg County commissioner.

In an interview with the Watchdog, Bentley, who lives in a western Charlotte suburb, said that while she is realistic about her chances against a high-profile and well-funded candidate, she isn’t deterred. Bentley said she would highlight the “dichotomy between

a politician grabbing headlines and one who has a record of governing” in North Carolina’s largest county.

In her favor, nearly 60 percent of the new district’s Republican electorate live in the two counties closest to Charlotte and its media market, Mecklenburg and Gaston. These voters are apt to identify more with the politics of the Republican establishment than with those in the rural western counties where Cawthorn seeks to build his base.

Cawthorn “may have a fight on his hands,” said Republican insider Wayne King, the regional director for then-Congressman Mark Meadows, who resigned to become Trump’s White House chief of staff. Adding to the voterregistration numbers could be still-raw emotions from some Moore supporters who resent the insults Cawthorn hurled at their hometown hero, driving him from the campaign.

Still, as in most of the country, there is one thing that even the most anti-Cawthorn Republicans must not cross if they hope to survive in this uncivil war: to criticize exPresident Trump.

“At this point in time, unless shown a poll pointing otherwise, I don’t see how you can be successful unless you align yourself with Trumpism,” said Bitzer, the political scientist.

“This is very much a cult of personality.

Are you for the former president or not?

That’s the sole test.”

(Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and surrounding communities. Tom Fiedler is a Pulitzer Prize-winning political reporter and former executive editor of The Miami Herald, now living in Asheville. He can be reached at tfiedler@avlwatchdog.org.) 9

Smoky Mountain News

“It definitely is a consideration, and it’s also a consideration for our staff, because we do want to put them in the best situation possible,” Brooks replied.

However, he said, there is a segment of customers who are upset about the smoking ban and the inconvenience it causes.

Snowbird/Cherokee County Representative Adam Wachacha asked if Harrah’s had done any surveys to determine what a permanent smoking ban might do to customer satisfaction. Robinson said the casino had not done a specific survey on the issue but that reviews of social media feedback showed that the no-smoking rule “is a point we continue to get called out on.”

“Transitioning to nonsmoking casinos has not been without its challenges,” said Harrah’s Regional Vice President for Marketing Brian Saunooke in a follow-up email. “We receive feedback from guests who would prefer to be able to smoke while playing their favorite games, but we also hear from those who strongly prefer the smokefree environment. The long-term impact remains to be seen.”

Hill argued that the no-smoking rule is actually a plus for customer satisfaction, because most players are non-smokers who appreciate breathing cleaner air — only a

December 15-21, 2021

“It’s a national thing that people are paying attention to — you can’t smoke in restaurants anymore, airplanes, none of that.

Smoking is an addition,” she said. “It’s an option and it’s a killer.”

Principal Chief Richard Sneed said he agreed with McCoy but offered an amendment that would allow Harrah’s to create dedicated indoor gaming areas for smokers. As originally written, the ordinance would have prevented smoking near any casino operations.

“I do get concerned about competition, I do get concerned about if we put something in such a way that it would restrict us to make changes if we had to, based on competition that we know is coming close to us,” said Harrah’s General Manager Brooks Robinson.

“Also, I would hope that we might be able to put something in place that might allow some of the actual gaming devices in an environment that would allow smoking.”

Tribal Council approved Sneed’s amendment, which addressed Robinson’s main concern. However, some members questioned how the legislation would impact the satisfaction of customers who want to smoke, drink and gamble at the same time.

“I think the customer should be the first consideration,” said Painttown Representative Tommye Saunooke. “That’s my opinion.”

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BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER asinos in Cherokee and Murphy will be permanently smoke-free following a majority vote from Tribal Council Dec. 9, codifying a policy that’s been in place since the Coronavirus Pandemic spurred a temporary ban on lighting up indoors.

“This is our public health laws, which is in ordinance, which is within your realm, so this is your decision,” said tribal member Lavita Hill, who has energetically advocated for the ordinance change. “What we’re asking you to do, what casino employees are asking you to do, is to make a law ensuring that their workplace remains healthy and remains smoke-free.”

Until a temporary pandemic closure in March 2020, indoor smoking had been allowed at both Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino in Murphy since their original openings. When the casinos reopened in May 2020, indoor smoking was banned as part of Harrah’s COVID safety protocols. Currently, patrons may smoke only in designated outdoor smoking areas.

Big Cove Representative Teresa McCoy, a former smoker, expressed strong support for the ordinance when it was discussed in Council chambers.

“small segment” is inconvenienced, she said.

A review of posts on the 6,900-member Facebook group Friends Who Like Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort backs up that assertion. An Oct. 16 post reading “Fingers crossed Harrah’s will remain smoke free” received 203 reactions, of which 199 were either “like” or “love.” Likewise, the flurry of posts after Tribal Council’s Dec. 9 vote had an overall positive tone. The one with the most engagement received 381 reactions, of which 364 were “like” or “love.”

“If were talking about bottom line, let’s just look at our December per capita, which was the highest-grossing ever,” Hill said. “We can’t argue that nonsmoking has impacted us in a negative way when revenue is actually up.”

It’s too early to comment as to whether the casino will create designated gaming areas for smokers, or on what timeline that would happen, said Brian Saunooke. But because both casinos are operating as nonsmoking facilities, no immediate action will be necessary to comply with the ordinance change should it become law. The ordinance still requires Sneed’s signature to become effective, but in light of his verbal support Dec. 9 that signature is likely forthcoming.

Tribal Council passed the measure with eight members in support and four opposed.

Painttown Representatives Tommye Saunooke and Dike Sneed voted against it, along with Yellowhill Representatives David Wolfe and T.W. Saunooke.

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Ghost Town developer pleads his case

BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER host Town developer Frankie Wood made his case to members of the Maggie Valley business community during a presentation at Elevated Mountain Distilling Company on Monday.

With the air of Custer’s last stand, Wood drew a line in the sand against certain members of the Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen and made an impassioned plea to business owners to recognize what he sees as land rights being taken away. His entire case teetered on the connection he made between Ghost Town in the Sky and his other developments throughout the valley.

Organized by the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce, Wood and his allies at Elevated Mountain rallied business owners to answer questions and share details about Ghost Town as well as other projects he has planned.

Wood wanted to get their input on what they would like to see in Maggie Valley’s future.

Over 40 people, including Maggie Valley Aldermen Tammy and Phillip Wight, gathered at the site of the former dinner theater to hear what Wood had to say.

Matt Ferguson of Storyland Studios presents plans for Ghost Town in the Sky. Hannah McLeod photo

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December 15-21, 2021

Matt Ferguson, chief innovation officer of Storyland Studios — the firm hired to design the new Ghost Town in the Sky — started the meeting off with a detailed presentation of the plans for Ghost Town.

“We’re building a story that touches the emotions, it encompasses all that Ghost Town has to offer, but we want to elevate it from just old west Ghost Town to the ‘in the sky’ part, the uplifting aspect of the story,” said Ferguson.

The plans are expansive, and his presentation included artistic renderings of the proposed project. It included wide-scale modernization of existing assets, the construction of five differently themed levels and the creation of a network of cabins and glamping opportunities for guests.

Level one is imagined as Latitude Landing. This would include the current Ghost Town parking lot which would introduce the brand with a decorative front gate.

There are also plans to turn the existing Aframe building into a shopping and dining area and construct a lodge style hotel on the opposite side of the lot.

“We want to use modern technology whether it’s wristbands or it’s tickets on your phone that would allow people to go into the park, go into the core of Ghost Town and just enjoy it as another part of Maggie Valley, without riding all the rides,” said Ferguson.

The next level is currently nicknamed Boojum Territory, after the Appalachian sasquatch legend. This level would be nature themed, with a sense of discovery. The main portion of this level would be the hidden village of the boojum with natural, treehouselike architecture. Outdoor recreation would include zip lines, rock climbing and a roller 10 coaster. An evening light show would imitate

synchronous fireflies.

Leading from the Boojum Territory up to the classic Ghost Town would be Cherokee Trail. This level seems to be in the midst of an identity crisis. Despite its name, Ferguson said it would honor the history of the first frontier, celebrating famous pioneers as well as the native people of the area.

“A little bit of a nod to the Native Americans of this area,” said Ferguson.

Next up on the mountain visitors would encounter the original Ghost Town. The effort here is to bring back something as close to the original theme park as possible, with the train, can-can and music shows, cowboy stunt shows and dining. Here there would also be modernized retail opportunities that feature Appalachian crafts and a moonshine demonstration.

“This is all about bringing the Ghost Town back to life, everything you remember and even better,” said Ferguson.

The final level, above the original Ghost Town, is being called Cloud Camp, for now.

This level would be dedicated to celebrating the Native history of the area. There would be Native dancing and craft demonstrations as well as Native history. It would also be home to two large roller coasters and a Ghost Riders in the Sky show.

There are plans for a boutique hotel on top of the mountain, themed for the national parks and incorporating Native American architecture.

One attendant at the meeting asked, “Have you been in talks with Cherokee about Ghost Town or how that would impact them, or how Harrah’s and Ghost Town would have any affiliation with each other?”

Storyland has not reached out to Cherokee, though Ferguson said that “absolutely we want to talk with them and collaborate with them.”

One attendant raised concerns about

sewer and water at Ghost Town, as the property has never been connected to the town’s sewer and water system.

“The town has made commitments that once we know what we need, they’ll be with us on it,” said David Angel, owner of Elevated Mountain Distilling.

“That’s at a state level, too,” Phillip Wight chimed in. “There’s already grant money, we just have to have that plan in place, we can talk to Mr. (Mark) Pless (Haywood’s state House representative) down in Raleigh. That is available, it just has to be seized upon for the infrastructure of sewer and water.”

The team could not give a timeline or a budget for the project, though Ferguson did say that the park would be constructed in phases and that if they could start tomorrow, the parking lot portion could be completed in one and a half years.

One member of the audience asked Ferguson who would work at Ghost Town and where they would live. Ferguson insinuated that the other properties Wood is working to develop in the Valley are intended for workforce housing. Ferguson estimates that a minimum of 200 jobs would be created from the new Ghost Town in the Sky. Following Ferguson’s presentation about the park, Amber Keeney, manager at Sippers in the Valley, asked the question that seemed to be on everyone’s mind: “So, there was a mention of needing the local business owners’ support. What would that look like so far as the local business owners and how could they support a project like this?”

Keeney’s family opened the Sippers in the Valley Coffee shop in 2016. They decided on Maggie Valley because of the excitement surrounding the possible opening of Ghost Town at that time. The opening never panned out, but Keeney hopes that this time around it will, and that the influx of visitors will help her business.

OTHER PROPERTIES Before the next presentation from Angel could begin, an attendee asked how the pieces actually fit together.

“Mr. Wood, many of the projects that you’ve started have had some controversy around them, and they’re smaller projects here in the valley floor. I don’t really see how that relates to the mountain. The issues I’ve heard from other people are things like density issues, a number of houses going in and properties becoming more dense here on the valley floor, which is different in my mind from what you’re suggesting on the mountain. Can you explain some of that? And maybe it would be more palatable if folks saw the investment on the mountain, instead of the valley floor.”

Angel began his attempt to explain the connection by noting the lack of available workforce. This problem, he said, is exacerbated by a shortage of affordable housing. He went on to define a 1031 property exchange, which allows a person to avoid capital gains taxes when selling an investment property by reinvesting proceeds from the sale within certain time limits.

“Developers work with people and want to do that,” said Angel. “One of the things I’ve learned from working with Frankie is he has a network of people who have lots of money to spend because they have lots of money that they’re selling things and bringing in, and they need to reinvest that. So, he works with them as the developer.”

Angel said this is the reason Wood’s name is on some of the properties he is working to develop and not on others. According to Angel, this has been a source of misinformation around Wood’s dealings in Maggie Valley. Wood stressed that much of the information circulating about him was false. He insisted that he was ready and willing to show his plans to the

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The meeting eventually took a turn toward what seemed to be the critical issue for Wood and Angel — their qualms with a slew of zoning decisions by the board of aldermen. Most importantly, they are concerned about the possibility that the board will amend its current policy in order to ban campgrounds and RV parks from C-1 and C-2 zoning — even in the case of a PUD, — until its Unified Land Ordinance is adopted. This will be the first Unified Land Ordinance in Maggie Valley’s history.

“What’s being forced on us right now is basically just a campaign promise to stop RV parks, stop campgrounds and stop anything like that until the UDO is adopted,” said Angel.

Wood claimed that this ruling would affect the RV PUD that was approved earlier this year. However, according to Town Manager Nathan Clark, any ruling to prevent RV Parks or Campgrounds from C-1 and C-2 zoning, even in the case of a PUD, would not overturn previously approved PUDs. “Because he already has a permit, it wouldn’t affect his building on that land,” said Clark. “At the January meeting, a more in-depth discussion will take place about who is affected and why.”

Wood and Angel were clear about their underlying message — the zoning restrictions aren’t only a problem for Wood and his developments, they are a direct infringement on the rights of all landowners in Maggie Valley.

“How do we slow it down? Because I don’t want y’alls property to be restricted because of what I was guaranteed to do. They’re trying now to restrict everybody’s property. Because it’s the only way they can do it. They can’t just target me like they’ve been doing, so they gotta get all local folks, business owners in this town and go and more or less put a restriction on their properties and devalue your property,” said Wood. “The new aldermen come in, they’re gonna take over, the mayor’s gonna take over, bottom line, they’re gonna tell us what we’re going do with our properties. They don’t want the growth. They made that perfectly clear. A retirement community, that’s all they want. They should have told us that before we spent millions of dollars in this community.”

The argument hinges on the discrepancy between zoning recommendations from the planning board and zoning decisions made by the board of aldermen. Before aldermen can vote on how to zone a certain property, they receive a recommendation from town staff. The town planner works with the planning board to determine what the best zoning is for a property, taking into consideration, among other things, the request of the landowner.

According to Town Attorney Craig Justus, one thing that cannot be taken into consideration during the zoning process is a landowner’s plans for the property.

Wood has had at least one property that has not been zoned according to town staff and planning board recommendations. He claims this is due to personal prejudice. The property, on Campbell Creek, was requested to be zoned R-3, C-2 split zoning. The town staff and planning board investigated, and recommended the R-3, C-2 split zoning to the board of aldermen. Following public input and board discussion, the board did not take the recommendation of staff and zoned the property R-2.

According to Angel, a similar instance happened during the zoning process for Wood’s Ferguson Hill property. Wood had requested R-3 zoning, staff investigated and recommended R-3 zoning to the board, and the board of aldermen decided on an R-1, R-3 split zoning.

Adam Hambleton, a business owner, expressed a similar issue with the zoning process in Maggie Valley.

“So how do we stop that?” asked Keeney.

“Because those five people on that board have proven before that no matter how passionate a couple of them are, all it takes is one mayor and a couple of friends to shut it down mid track. No matter how passionate, what papers, what studies …. So how do we prevent that from happening?”

The consensus? Take it to the town board.

Urge the board to accept zoning recommendations as they are determined by town staff.

“Get behind Kaitland Finkle [Maggie Valley Town Planner], let her do her research, let the planner do their research and make their recommendations,” said Hambleton.

“They want to build and run this community as a 100% retirement community. But, all your local businesses depend on the tourist people coming through. Well, they’ve made it point blank that it is a retirement community. And I don’t think everybody just wants that,” said Wood.

The call for a public hearing and direction for staff to draft a text amendment is on the agenda for the Dec. 14 board of aldermen meeting, which happened after press time this week. If the motion passes at that meeting, the public hearing will take place at the board’s January meeting.

“I would like for everyone to just realize what is happening in the community. You’ve got people like us that really want the best,” said Wood. “They have stomped me to the ground until they almost pushed me out. And the only reason I haven’t is for some of the good folks like you guys here in this town.

That’s the only reason I ain’t done left here.

And I’m trying my best to stick it out.”

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community, regularly if it was what people wanted.

“We’ll do it once a month, I don’t care because we’ve got nothing to hide,” said Wood.

Angel also explained to the crowd the nature of PUDs, or planned unit developments. He mentioned that the Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen is likely to review what is allowed within a PUD, as well as the possibility of restricting all RV parks and campgrounds within C-1 and C-2 zoning after newly-elected Alderman Jim Owens recommended the move during his first board of aldermen meeting.

The PowerPoint Angel had prepared contained slides with images of several Maggie Valley properties not related to Ghost Town that Wood is working to develop. However, questions from the crowd and exhortations from Wood himself took precedence, and Angel never finished what he had prepared.

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Jackson declares Darrell Woodard Day of Service

BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER ackson County and the Town of Sylva have officially declared Dec. 10 as Darrell Woodard Day of Service.

Darrell Woodard was an active firefighter for over 42 years, had been Chief of the Savannah Volunteer Fire Department in Jackson County since 1984 and served as a Jackson County Fire Services Coordinator. He died from complications of COVID-19 on Dec. 29, 2020. Because he contracted COVID19 in the line of duty, he is listed as a Fallen Firefighter.

“Darrell Woodard was in all aspects a community hero in the Savannah community, in the Town of Sylva and Jackson County.

He has just always lived a life of service to the max,” said Joel Rogers, Woodard’s son-in-law.

Rogers was the man behind the creation of Darrell Woodard Day of Service. He and his wife Cheryl, Woodard’s daughter, live in Tennessee where they work for the Salvation Army. After several years of pandemic and widespread loss, Rogers didn’t want to see his father-in-law remembered as another victim of COVID-19. Rogers instigated the day of service to honor Woodard for the work he did for his community.

“I desperately wanted his memory to not be reduced down to, ‘he passed away from COVID.’ Forty-two years plus of active service on the fire department and decades and

Plaques honoring Darrell Woodard displayed inside the fire station.

Joel Rogers photo

own land. He also helped with maintenance and repairs around senior’s houses. He helped deliver boxes of food to community members who needed them.

“I mean, you name it, Darrell did it. If it’s something somebody needed and he had any power to fix it, he would fix it. It just was who he was, just was built into his nature,” said Rogers.

Approval by the town and county boards

of the Darrell Woodard Day of Service was done on the downlow, without much fanfare, and for good reason. Part of Rogers’ plan was to surprise his wife, their family and Woodard’s widow, Leigh Woodard, with the official proclamation on Woodard’s birthday, Dec. 10.

Rogers coordinated with the Savannah Volunteer Fire Department to host a toy drive. The fire department

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decades of serving the community, I desperately wanted to do what little I could to make sure that he was remembered for more,” said Rogers. “And to help turn a difficult year and a difficult time — it still is sad, we still have lost someone we love, we still miss him and have the times where we cry and have the memories that hit us and all of that — but I wanted to take some of the grief out of a day that could just be filled with sadness.”

When Rogers brought his idea to the town and county boards, it was well received.

Several town and county commissioners had their own positive memories and stories of Woodard to share with Rogers.

Woodard was the type of person who was always striving to help people in any way he could. According to Rogers, he wasn’t only tuned into his official work radio, ready for the call to action to assist with emergencies, he was also tuned into those less urgent needs of his community.

“When we’re at her [wife, Cheryl] family’s house, you just have to know that the radio may go off and he’s [Woodard] gonna get called to an accident or a fire, or he’s gonna get a phone call that there’s somebody who is in need of help with something,” said Rogers.

Woodard was known just as much for his neighborly help as he was for his emergency help. After mowing his own fields, he would drive up the road to mow the fields and yards of senior citizens who couldn’t mow their

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The family receives news of the declaration from Sylva Commissioner Mary Gelbaugh.

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“I mean, you name it, Darrell did it. If it’s something somebody needed and he had any power to fix it, he would fix it. It just was who he was, just was built into his nature.”

— Joel Rogers, Woodard’s son-in-law

December 15-21, 2021 Smoky Mountain News

took toy donations from Nov. 29 through Dec. 10. Rogers had planned to bring his family with him to the fire department on Dec. 10 for the presentation of the official declaration.

However, Leigh Woodard had heard about the toy drive and on Dec. 10, she called the station to see what help they still needed and offered a hand to box up the toys that evening.

“So while she’s inside bagging up toys and getting stuff boxed up to deliver to The Salvation Army, that’s when we were setting up outside with the rest of the fire department, extended family, family from the community, her son had flown in from Texas and my wife and I came over from Tennessee,” said Rogers. “She walks out thinking she’s taking bags of toys out to The Salvation Army’s truck and is ambushed with family and with love, and then reps from the town council and from the county commission officially give her the declarations that they had drafted. It was a precious time for sure.”

Through the toy drive, Woodard’s family and the Savannah Volunteer Fire Department helped to fill a shortage of donations in Jackson County for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, a program that works to donate clothes and presents to the children of families in need.

Rogers and his family hope that the toy drive will be an annual event. In the coming years, Darrell Woodard Day of Service will expand in breadth and reach as family members, who this year were surprised by the declaration, have input on how best to serve the community.

“He would hate to see his name attached to anything like this. He hated accolades, he hated awards, hated all of that,” said Rogers.

“But I think he would be incredibly proud to see his name attached to something that got people out and serving others.”

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BY HOLLY KAYS On Jan. 6, the day the U.S. Congress was STAFF WRITER slated to certify the results of the November ewis Easton Cantwell, a Sylva resident presidential election, a mob of Trump supfacing charges related to the Jan. 6 riot porters who believed the election had been at the U.S. Capitol Building, was stolen marched on the Capitol building. expected to strike a plea deal during a virtuMany of them entered it illegally, clashing al court hearing last week but instead with law enforcement officers at the announced a change in representation, entrances and even breaching the chamalong with a request to continue the case bers. Members of the House and Senate — into 2022. then in the process of certifying the votes Both Judge Emmet Sullivan and U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Schesnol said during the Dec. 10 hearing that the change of plans was a surprise to them, as they’d expected to move forward with the plea deal under consideration.

However, once Sullivan opened the hearing, California-based Attorney Nic Cocis entered his request to replace Eduardo Law enforcement patrols Washington, D.C. on Balarezo as Cantwell’s attorney of Inauguration Day. Jeffrey Delannoy/SMN photo record and to continue the case. A hearing is now scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, that made Joe Biden the next president — Feb. 4. were forced to evacuate ahead of the “This case is complex,” Sullivan told oncoming rioters.

Cocis. “You have a lot to get up on. If you The grand jury indictment alleges that need a later date, I’m happy to give you a Cantwell was part of the melee. During a later date.”

Feb. 22 phone interview, Cantwell admitted “The fourth is OK for now,” Cocis he was there but said he never attacked anyresponded. one and didn’t go inside the Capitol Balarezo, whose website describes him Building. At most, he said, he’s guilty of as “nationally and internationally recogtrespassing. nized for his representation of many highThroughout the legal process, Cantwell profile clients,” had been representing has been asked to exclude the time between Cantwell since his first appearance before hearings from federal calculations that Sullivan on March 2. Both Cocis and ensure defendants’ right to a speedy trial.

Balarezo have experience representing Jan. Much of the delay has been due to the large 6 defendants. number of materials involved in discovery “We were prepared today to go forward for Jan. 6 defendants. with the change of plea,” Schesnol said durAccording to a Nov. 5 memo filed in ing the hearing. “I have noticed Mr. Cocis Cantwell’s case, at that point the governthat the government cannot make a promment had provided more than 23,000 surise to guarantee that the plea agreement will veillance footage files as discovery in Jan. 6 be kept open, because it changed sort of cases. The government planned to release suddenly, so we need to evaluate the situaadditional file types on a rolling basis tion.” through the end of the year, including However, she added, due to the short Metropolitan Police Department internal time period between now and Feb. 4, the investigation reports, case-specific discovgovernment “probably” will be able to ery for other defendants, footage obtained extend the plea deal. from news media, custodial statements of “I would seriously encourage the governother defendants, and more. By the end of ment to keep it open at least until February January, the memo said, the government 4,” said Sullivan. intends to provide the discoverable porCantwell, 35 at the time he was charged tions of several hundred thousand FBI Feb. 17, faces six charges that combined records — a substantial portion of which carry a maximum sentence of 28 years in may not be directly related to any of the prison. In the first two counts, the most defendants — and an inventory of any serious of the six, the grand jury indictment materials not yet uploaded so that defenaccuses Cantwell of interfering with a law dants can request any specific material enforcement officer while committing a deemed relevant. civil disorder that adversely affects a “feder“At that point the defense will either ally protected function” and of “corruptly” have or have access to the vast majority of obstructing a Congressional proceeding by potentially relevant materials in our possesentering and remaining in the U.S. Capitol sion,” the memo reads. “Given the scope of without permission and “committing an act the existing investigation and its on-going of civil disorder, engaging in disorderly and nature, we expect that we will continue to disruptive conduct and destroying federal obtain materials, which we will produce property.” expeditiously.”

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Plea agreement delayed in Sylva man’s Jan. 6 case

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Cashiers-Glenville recreation plan approved

BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER ackson County commissioners have approved a Cashiers-Glenville Recreation Center Master Plan that will include the construction of a splash pad in place of the existing pool. The preliminary cost estimate for the entire plan is just under $2 million.

“We really were focusing on creating a central hub for recreation activity in the Cashiers-Glenville area. And really looking at making it pedestrian friendly and accessible, providing for outdoor recreation that was well connected to the community,” said David Tuch, president and landscape architect at Equinox Environmental.

Commissioners approved the Recreation Center Master Plan Dec. 7, after having delayed the project due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Jackson County had entered a contract with Equinox, an ecological consulting, planning and design firm in Asheville, in 2019. After a public survey that received 333 responses and an open house to garner input from the public, finalization for the master plan was set to begin in 2020 but was put on hold once the pandemic began. When master plan finalization resumed in spring 2021, changes had to be made to the plan due to developments during the interim.

The plan seeks to address the increase in membership at the recreation center — 1,668 in 2019 — and the limited space for

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recreational activities. The main purpose of the master plan is to provide an outline for the recreation center to become a central hub for recreational activity in the CashiersGlenville area that is pedestrian friendly, accessible to all, provides options for outdoor recreation and is well-connected to the community.

The current recreation center property is a 23.78-acre complex that comprises 10 parcels owned by the Cashiers Community Council and Jackson County. There are 11 structures on the complex including the recreation center, the Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau, the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Library, senior center, The Fishes and Loaves

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Food Pantry, the Cashiers Thrift Shop, Hampton Preschool and Early Learning Facility, the Jackson County Permitting Office, a public restroom facility, a maintenance building and an electrical shed.

The structures range in age from the 1960s to 2012.

According to Megan Foy, landscape architect at Equinox, the pool at the recreation center is in a state of disrepair and gets a lot of stormwater runoff from adjacent parcels of land. There is nowhere on the pool property for water to go, so replacing or repairing the pool in its current location was not a suitable option. Stormwater has also been an issue for the existing tennis courts.

According to Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Michael Hopkins, on average between 75 and 100 people use the pool daily.

However, if not accounting for use by the Boys and Girls Club, day camps and daycares, the general public average daily use is about five to six people per day. This is part of why the new master plan includes a splash pad in place of a swimming pool.

In responses from the public, more than 30% of people listed swimming as the activity they were most excited

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Franklin man pleads to trafficking charges

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owns right now. But it’s definitely something we could look into with some of those other entities to cooperate and coordinate something with that.”

The plan also includes repositioning tennis and pickleball courts close to their current location to reduce issues with stormwater.

In addition to the splash pad, the plan also accounts for an ADA accessible fishing pier, an asphalt greenway trail, improving current trails, water fountain, lawn area, pavilion, benches, interpretive signage and soccer and baseball fields. The public had asked for a dog park, but during the time between planning periods, Vision Cashiers completed the Cashiers Dog Park in spring 2021.

One important aspect of the plan is overall connectivity between the recreation center and adjacent public resources.

Walking paths created around the new and upgraded facilities will connect with the Village Green and other locations within Cashiers.

According to design experts, “it is imperative that the master plan provide safe connections to the Post Office, The Ramble, and the new Boys & Girls Club facilities.”

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about. This was the second most popular response behind walking and biking. Over 40% of respondents said the top amenity they would like to see was a new pool, the most popular response.

“I’ve always been a supporter of pools, and I’m excited about what’s going on with our rec center now in Cullowhee with the future pool, but I would emphasize for us to look at possible adjacent property to offer a pool for the future,” said Commissioner Mark Jones. “There is a need. It’s not a pressing need by the numbers of attendance at this time. The splash pad would be a lot safer, less expensive to operate and provide some aquatic experience for the citizens on that end of the county.”

Commissioner Gail Woody noted the community support for the Cashiers Boys and Girls Club as well as Summit Charter School and the possibility of those two institutions building a pool jointly with assistance from the county at some point in the future.

“That’s definitely a possibility,” said Parks and Recreation Director Rusty Ellis.

“Like Mr. Jones said, there is a need for a pool up there, but in this frame and with this document it’s not feasible to be within the campus of what the county currently

Rep. Clampitt named a ‘2021 Jobs Champion’

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December 15-21, 2021

The N.C. Chamber named Representative Mike Clampitt, R-Bryson City, a 2021 Jobs Champion in its annual How They Voted report.

How They Voted details state legislators’ voting records on bills identified as critical to preserving and enhancing North Carolina’s position in the global race for jobs. Clampitt was recognized as a Jobs Champion for voting with the Chamber’s Jobs Agenda at least 80

The next session of Haywood 4 Good, a community-wide wellness program, will begin on Jan. 1, 2022. This innovative program encourages participants to engage in a variety of wellness activities over the course of six months. All activities may be completed safely at home or in an outdoor setting. Haywood County residents may participate at no cost.

Participants may register individually.

However, teams are encouraged to provide motivation and accountability. Prizes will be awarded to participants and teams based on program participation.

Unlike traditional weight loss or heart health challenges, Haywood 4 Good expands to focus on the physical, mental, spiritual and community wellness of program participants. Challenges include setting health goals, reducing screen time, and sleep.

Those interested may pre-register by visiting facebook.com/haywood4good/ and completing the sign-up information. Registration packets will be available at the entrances of Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency (Haywood HHSA) and at the Canton and Waynesville branches of the Haywood County Public Library beginning Dec. 17. The final date to register is Monday, Jan. 31, 2022.

news

A Franklin man is in state prison, probation revoked, after two probation officers uncovered additional criminal behavior.

District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said Jeremy Cole Sanders, 29, pleaded guilty this month in Macon County Superior Court to two felony charges and a misdemeanor charge: possession of heroin; trafficking opium/heroin and resisting a public officer.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Bill Coward activated prior drug-related convictions.

He ordered Sanders to serve a minimum of 70 months in prison and a maximum of 93 months in prison. Coward also imposed a $50,000 fine.

On July 1, as probation officers were leaving the home of a different offender, they spotted Sanders driving by. The officers followed in their vehicle, knowing Sanders was wanted for probation violation, facing active warrants for his arrest. The suspect fled when he noticed the state-owned vehicle.

The probation officers searched Sanders and discovered a plastic bag containing nearly 14 grams of heroin. Chief Assistant District Attorney Jason Arnold prosecuted the case.

percent of the time during the 2021 legislative session.

“I strive to promote economic growth and the jobs that growth will bring to the western part of North Carolina,” said Clampitt. “It is an honor to represent the citizens of my district.”

View this year’s edition of the N.C. Chamber’s How They Voted publication at ncchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/nc-chamber-how-they-voted-2021.pdf.

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December 15-21, 2021

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concept, but the idea of transferring ownership met resistance.

“I’m not going to turn over any kind of ownership to someone else,” said Yellowhill Representative David Wolfe.

His fellow Yellowhill representative T.W. Saunooke agreed.

“As far as the Initiative itself, I love the fact that we have taken ownership back of the mound and everything,” he said. “The preservation of the area I’m totally in support of.

The means about how we’re actually getting there on this of the piece of property actually leaving the tribe’s hands and any other acquisition not being in the tribe’s hands, I don’t think I can support that piece.”

However, Wilson said, there is another option — instead of transferring ownership, the tribe could issue a long-term lease and become a co-applicant on the grant. Either way, the tribe would not be able to pursue putting the land into trust for some time. The grant requires that the applicant be the feesimple owner of the land for 25 years.

Attorney General Mike McConnell advised Tribal Council to pursue the lease option, saying that he had “concerns” about giving up a tribal real estate asset.

While Tribal Council was leery of transferring the deed, most of its members were enthusiastic about the project itself.

“We want the world to know that you are on our land, you are in our home, and because of that we’re going to show you how to respect the history of this tribe,” said Big Cove Representative Teresa McCoy. If Tribal Council opts not to transfer the land as an in-kind donation, she said, she’d be more than willing to support a cash contribution to the grant match.

Nikwasi Initiative Director Elaine Eisenbaum (left) and Co-Chair Juanita Wilson embrace following Tribal Council’s passage of a resolution supporting the nonprofit’s grant application.

EBCI video image

“Protecting a mound, when you do that, you honor your history, your ancestors — you honor them by that,” she said. “I think they would smile down upon us today and go, ‘You finally have the revenue needed to take back what you already have.’”

“I think every mound, every bit of property that we own, Tennessee, Georgia, needs to have a story behind it,” agreed Vice Chairman Albert Rose. “It helps us educate the senators at the state and federal level on who we are.”

Once the spiritual, political and cultural centers of Cherokee towns, mounds are scattered throughout the tribe’s aboriginal territory. For many tribal members, reclaiming and honoring these sites is a high priority.

As passed, the resolution states that Tribal Council “may” transfer ownership, but

that the Business Committee — which is composed of six of the 12 Council members — may instead decide to approve a long-term lease if it determines that an outright transfer is not advisable. If the Nikwasi Initiative does not get the grant, the resolution states, the property will return to tribal control.

Ultimately, nine of the 12 Council members voted in favor of the resolution.

Yellowhill Representative David Wolfe and Painttown Representatives Tommye Saunooke and Dike Sneed were opposed. It now awaits a signature from Principal Chief Richard Sneed.

“Council, I can’t tell you how much this means to us,” Wilson said following the resolution’s passage. “Thank you. Sgi. We’ll do right by you, I promise.”

December 15-21, 2021

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ribal Council voted Dec. 9 to support the Nikwasi Initiative’s efforts to land $5 million in grant funds for a cultural corridor around the Nikwasi Mound in Franklin, but the precise details of the tribe’s involvement have yet to be determined.

The grant in question is offered by the U.S. Economic Development Administration with American Rescue Plan funds, but it requires a 20% match. The Nikwasi Initiative wants the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to transfer ownership of the 0.59-acre property adjacent to the mound, known as the former site of Dan’s Auto Service, and to contribute $50,000 to address environmental concerns with the building.

Donation of the property, which the tribe bought in 2017 for $400,000, could be counted as an in-kind contribution toward the $1 million match. That donation would combine with other pledges to bring the Nikwasi Initiative up to $1 million, said Executive Director Elaine Eisenbaum.

“This is an opportunity to do it real big, to make it a model for what we do with other mounds, and attract economic development where we can get the money and not come back to Tribal Council every time we need it, to be self-sufficient,” said Juanita Wilson, a tribal member and co-chair of the Nikwasi Initiative Board of Directors. “That’s really what our grand vision is.”

Grant funds would be used to consolidate more properties into the triangle surrounding the mound and to remodel the former Dan’s Auto Service building, the resolution says.

Most Tribal Council members liked the

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Cherokee supports Nikwasi grant effort

Nikwasi story told in traveling Smithsonian exhibit

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been selected to be one of two featured stories out of 30 total. The museum is scheduled to travel for six years, stopping in 24 states and 144 communities.

“The eminent museum has taken notice of the unique merits displayed in teamwork by individuals from Franklin and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to resolve past intercultural misunderstanding, especially after the herbicide incident at Noquisiyi (Nikwasi) Mound in 2012,” Eisenbraun said in a press release. “What an opportunity for our region.”

This is exactly the kind of recognition the Nikwasi Initiative hoped to garner when it took over ownership from the town in 2018 — a process that was controversial because the town held the deed for the mound since the 1940s when it was nearly demolished by developers.

“I’m very proud to see our communities recognized for building bridges and partnerships. Through the “SPARK! Places of Innovation” project we can be a role model for the entire nation,” said Bob McCollum, co-chair of Nikwasi Initiative.

Noquisiyi has witnessed the ‘burning out’ of Native peo-

ple several times by British and Americans to make room for settlers. It was confiscated along with other property at Native American Removal in 1838. Then a systematic spraying of herbicide across the mound killed all the living plants on the site and provoked long-buried tensions. But sometimes, disaster leads to new solutions. It is this story and the ongoing work to honor this storied site that will travel around the country.

“This is unprecedented outreach for Franklin, Cherokee and Noquisiyi. It opens the door for local groups and individuals to understand the value of investing in the new Cultural District,” Eisenbraun said. “This creates the window for all local people to get behind the ongoing efforts at Noquisiyi. It will bring more resilient tourism and economic advancement to our region. Additionally, the program creates opportunities for school teachers to help students communicate with other rural towns, track the museum journey, or study a unique collaboration of local people working together to impart positive change.”

For more information about Nikwasi Initiative, visit www.nikwasi-initiative.org.

Smoky Mountain News

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS EDITOR he history of the Nikwasi Mound in Franklin will soon be part of a Smithsonian Museum traveling exhibit that will tour around the U.S. “While the Native American story is often told (albeit frequently inaccurately), it is rarely told in its relationship to the settler story. The link between these two populations is bound across the centuries. It is a connection that needs nurturing and must be shared to all people of our country in order to create the intercultural understanding that will awaken relationships and friendships,” said Elaine Eisenbraun, executive director of Nikwasi Initiative. “As our nation navigates the tenuous path of cultural awakening, this is the kind of story that will help people to recognize that we are all caring human beings, only we travel with diverse experiences.”

The local story of how the Nikwasi Mound deed transferred hands from the town of Franklin to the Nikwasi Initiative nonprofit will be featured in the all-new, SPARK! Places of Innovation traveling museum. Noquisiyi story has

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Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

Meadows an embarrassment to his former state, district he recent revelations regarding Mark Meadows and his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and the events that led up to it are eye-opening. The man who went from Jackson County restauranteur to White House chief of staff has fallen hard, his ethics and patriotism in question due to his blind support for Donald Trump and his stolen-election lies. He may even find himself in court.

I was writing a column about Meadows for this week’s edition when I came across the following editorial from The Raleigh News and Observer. With permission from the Raleigh paper’s editorial board, we decided just to print their opinion since we seem to have the same feelings about Meadows.

— Scott McLeod, SMN Publisher

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From the Raleigh News and Observer Here’s a question that might make Sen. Richard Burr smile: When will the N.C. Republican Party censure Mark Meadows?

The answer, of course, is never. But that won’t hide the embarrassment that Meadows [who lived in Cashiers when he was first elected to Congress in 2013] is for his party or for the state he represented in Congress for seven years. He left Congress in March of 2020 to become President Trump’s White House chief of staff.

The North Carolina Republican Party’s Central Committee voted unanimously to censure Burr for voting to convict Trump on the impeachment charge of inciting an insurrec-

Peace on earth, good will toward men?

To the Editor: Every faith tradition has special occasions to honor God’s goodness and mankind’s desire for peace on earth. Christmas is one of those special times of the year, and we are reminded of this hopeful and joyous message by our traditions. The Bryson City Christmas parade to be sure is meant to honor this spirit, but I am shocked that parade organizers would allow the participation of a group that sent a very different message by its presence in the parade.

A military truck sporting a banner “Armed Patriots” was wholly inappropriate and contrary to the reason for the season regardless of anyone’s faith tradition. To call oneself a patriot implies a deep love of country and all that it entails. That means one accepts the basis on which this country was founded — that each of us is important and that government derives its powers from the consent of the governed, not from a group of armed men and women advocating for armed citizens and implying a potential for violence.

The motto of this nation is “e pluribus unum,” “out of many one.” This country is a great melting pot of people and ideas, and we should represent a beacon of hope to the world, the idea that in diversity there is strength and opportunity while we work

tion. History may record that vote as Burr’s finest hour.

Meanwhile, Meadows is emerging as a disgrace during a dangerous hour for U.S. democracy. Documents obtained by the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol show Meadows participated in Trump’s effort to throw out the result of a free and fair presidential election.

Meadows made a deal to cooperate with the congressional probe, but now is refusing to sit for a deposition, citing executive privilege. He also has sued to block the committee’s subpoenas against him as “overly broad and unduly burdensome.” He had turned over thousands of pages of documents to the committee, but is withholding some 1,000 text messages. The House panel voted Monday to recommend contempt charges.

In advance of the recommendation, the committee released a report Sunday that contained new details of Meadows’s actions related to attempts to overturn the election results. The report said Meadows “received text messages and emails regarding apparent efforts to encourage Republican legislators in certain States to send alternate slates of electors to Congress, a plan which one Member of Congress acknowledged was ‘highly controversial’ and to which Mr. Meadows responded, ‘I love it.’”

It’s also known that Meadows was on the phone when Trump pressured Georgia’s top election official to “find“ enough votes to reverse Trump’s Georgia loss. He also sought to have the Justice Department question the integrity of the election.

The Jan. 6 committee wants to hear about those machinations. Crucially, it wants Meadows’s version of what Trump was doing as the Capitol was under assault and how he

LETTERS together as one nation. It is time that we get our priorities straight.

Yes, I believe in personal freedom, but the common good should always be the touchstone of our journey together. When we put individual notions of personal freedom ahead of the common good, we have chosen the downward path to chaos and destruction.

Honest dialogue, not guns, should light our way forward to a better future.

Joe Buranosky · Colonel, USMC (ret) Whittier

Don’t abandon freedom of religion To the Editor: I see where Michael Flynn, former President Trump’s National Security Advisor, is calling for us to have “one religion” in the U.S., presumably Christianity. As a retired Presbyterian minister, I would like for all to find what I have in the Christian faith.

However, my family’s history makes me have qualms on having one “official” religion even if it is Christianity.

In France, from which my ancestors came, King Louis XIV made Roman Catholicism the official religion of that country. My ancestors

responded to calls for help from Capitol security officials and members of Congress.

All this comes after Meadows’ history as a Tea Party firebrand and founding member of the obstructionist House Freedom Caucus. He played a key role in shutting down the federal government in 2013 in an effort to end funding for the Affordable Care Act. In his new book, “The Chief ’s Chief,” Meadows delivers a mostly air-brushed version of his time in the White House, but he does reveal that Trump tested positive for COVID three days before a presidential debate with Joe Biden, but Trump went anyway. Meadows, who said a subsequent test of the former president came back negative, did not disclose the positive test, putting others, including the 77-year-old future president, at risk. Trump was hospitalized with COVID-19 three days after the event.

For North Carolina, Meadows is more than a figure in a Washington drama. He is the embodiment of how the state’s turn to extreme gerrymandering has opened the way for reactionary and incompetent candidates to represent the state in Congress. Before Meadows, the 11th District was represented by a conservative Democrat, Heath Shuler, who retired after the district was redrawn to heavily favor Republicans. Now the district is represented by Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn, who has found a way to be more extreme and embarrassing than Meadows.

It has long been clear that Meadows is a Trump sycophant. Now the question is whether his eagerness to please included breaking the law. The Jan. 6 committee needs to take a hard line with the former chief of staff who never drew a line for Trump.

were Protestant and experienced persecution from the government. Protestant pastors were arrested and hanged. Protestant churches were torn down, up to 100,000 Protestants were killed in the “Massacre of St. Bartholomew’s Day.” I blame Louis XIV for this, not the Catholics.

Catholics, themselves, have been victims of prejudice and violence in many countries, as have Christians, Jews and Muslims.

This is what happens when government favors one religion over another. That is why our nation has, as one of its foundation principles, the “separation of Church and state.”

That is why my ancestors came to this country and settled in South Carolina, where they could have freedom of religion rather than have a particular brand of religion forced upon them. Let us not abandon that freedom!

Riley Covin Canton

Can you hear Johnny Cash?

To the Editor: The late, great Johnny Cash wrote: “Don’t take your guns to town, son.” In the song, Billy Joe repeats his mother’s warning as he lays dying. Shot down by a cowpoke who could draw faster than him.

In Kenosha, Wisconsin, two young men lie

in eternal rest. A third man is maimed for life.

All three were shot by a young boy like Billy Joe who took his gun to town. But, the young shooter in Kenosha had much more firepower than the cowpoke in Cash’s song. Kyle Rittenhouse carried an assault weapon strapped on his shoulder.

The jury found Rittenhouse not guilty on five charges leveled by the state prosecution.

He will go on with his life. But, it won’t be that simple. He has gone into a room that he can never leave. He killed two fellow human beings. From a legal standpoint he may have done all he needs to do.

Still, there is a moral question to resolve — was it really necessary for Kyle Rittenhouse to kill those two people? From a Biblical perspective how does he atone for his deadly deeds? He can (1) accept the facts. He can (2) confess his wrongdoing.

That is where his process of atonement hits a snag, though. He can’t complete the third requirement — restitution. Those two victims can’t be brought back to life. That will surely haunt Kyle Rittenhouse.

It should haunt every American. As Cash’s long-time friend Kris Kristofferson asked: “… who’s to bless and who’s to blame?”

Can you hear Johnny Cash somewhere in the distance: “Don’t take your guns to town, son.”

Dave Waldrop Webster

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I truly am.

I’ve also learned some strategies and habits that not only help during the holidays, but during anytime of the year.

For instance, I try to stay off social media and connect with actual humans.

People love showing life’s highlight reels on social media, especially around Christmas.

Folks can’t help but compare themselves to others, and as we know, comparison is the thief of joy. It can make us feel “less than” and can be detrimental to the psyche.

I’ve really made an effort to stay off social media, especially Facebook, and spend time with real people cooking, playing cards, going for walks, watching movies, playing games or doing puzzles.

Honestly, if I didn’t have to utilize social media for work, I’d probably boycott it all together.

Secondly, I’m working hard to get enough sleep and exercise. For me, sleep and exercise are paramount at all times, but especially during the holidays. I suffer the entire day if I get less than seven hours of sleep, so staying up late simply isn’t worth it. Exercise is also vital. Endorphins do wonders to tackle holiday stress and moodiness. While I try to work out daily for at least 30 minutes, to the point of breaking a sweat, I’ve noticed that even a 15-minute brisk walk boosts my spirit.

I’m also currently on a 30-day challenge to mediate for 10 minutes per day. Studies have shown that meditating for 10 minutes a day will decrease stress, anxiety and depression. It feels so good to shut my brain off and focus on my breathing. I can see why once a person starts, meditation becomes a lifelong habit. Meditation is a helpful antidote to holiday stimulation.

Most importantly, I’m working to be gentle with myself. Perfection is a myth.

The sooner I began to accept that, the sooner I was allowed be myself and enjoy life just as it is. During the holidays, if something doesn’t go as I planned or envisioned, I throw up my hands and say “Oh, well!” My goal is to look for those small, meaningful moments and hold them close to my heart.

Our lives will never mimic a Hallmark movie or Norman Rockwell painting, and I don’t want my boys growing up feeling pressured to follow a life society designed for them. I want them to easily sink into the holidays and use it as a time to reflect and connect with those they love. No matter how hard we attempt to avoid it, this time of year will always feel a bit stressful and chaotic. Instead of trying to follow a ridiculous collection of rules or tasks, do what makes you happy and remember… the beauty is in the mess.

(Susanna Shetley is a writer, editor and digital media specialist with The Smoky Mountain News.

Susanna.b@smokymountainnews.com.)

Saturday, December 18 • 6-9 PM

December 15-21, 2021

lennon Doyle is a favorite writer of mine and currently hosts a powerful podcast called “We Can Do Hard Things.” Doyle says what screws us up the most is the picture in our heads of how things are supposed to be. From birth, we’re offered images, words, models and examples of the types of people we’re encouraged to one day become.

For me, I learned I should make good grades, go to college, land a safe job, get married, have a couple kids and be a perfect wife and mother.

So, what did I do? I got a scholarship to Columnist N.C. State, made excellent grades, went to graduate school at Appalachian State, became a school psychologist and teacher, got married, had two sweet boys, got some dogs, bought a house in the suburbs, went to church every Sunday, and so on.

But for some reason, things didn’t feel perfect.

What we grow up to discover is that no matter how accurately we follow the template, “perfection” is elusive, an unachievable goal that doesn’t exist. Emotion, stress, sadness, grief, disappointment, disconnection and restlessness will inevitably seep into our lives.

Perhaps as parents we should stop teaching our kids there is only one blueprint to follow. Instead, we should say things like, “Dream big!” “Choices matter.”

“Follow your heart.” “Give back to your community.” “Always be kind.” “Call your brother.” “Make smart financial decisions.”

“Be true to yourself.” “Don’t worry what other people think.” “Create a life you love.”

I also learned that making the holidays magical for my kids and myself was a must.

Everything should feel special, festive, exciting and purposeful. For many years, I followed the rules and the holidays felt pretty great. But when divorce and death of a parent slapped me in the face, I realized life could become very precarious when following an outline someone else created.

Since 2016 when my mom passed, I’ve been reaching for that old holiday feeling, only to realize it’s never going to return. For several years, I was very depressed during Thanksgiving and Christmas, wanting them to pass as quickly as possible so I could move on to January when there was no burden to feel gleeful and glittery.

Over the past few years, however, I’ve come to accept the loss of my mom and my family unit. Instead of longing for something that can never be, I’m leaning into the uniqueness and joy woven into my current life. I’m working hard to create new traditions, thought patterns and expectations that are realistic and more in line with who

A Night Before Christmas

Dr. John Highsmith

www.TeethTomorrowAsheville.com

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A&E

Smoky Mountain News

Finding the will to go on

Want to go?

The Cold Mountain Art Collective is located at 33 Adams Street in downtown Canton.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Aside from a gallery showroom of local artists, the CMAC also offers art classes onsite in its studio.

For more information on the CMAC, click on coldmountainartcollective.com or call 828.492.1333. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Hannah Burnisky, owner of the CMAC.

The Cold Mountain Art Collective in downtown Canton.

New Canton gallery reopens after flood

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD ARTS & E NTERTAINMENT E DITOR n Aug. 13, Hannah Burnisky’s longtime dream of owning a pottery studio and art gallery came to fruition when the Cold Mountain Art Collective opened its doors. But, just four days later, on Aug. 17, the business closed — its future uncertain and in limbo.

Not because of a lack of sales or interest by the general public. On the contrary, the opening proved a success, a litmus test of the genuine need for a place like the collective in the blue-collar mountain town. No, the business shutdown because of the ravaging floodwaters that overtook the community as a result of Tropical Storm Fred.

“The water that flooded our building was over two and a half feet high. When I walked in the next day, everything was knocked over and there was mud everywhere,” Burnisky reminisced in a humbled tone. “When I arrived, a nice family helped me move the artwork to our shed so we could tear the walls down to the studs before the mold set in — it was heartbreaking, everything covered in mud.”

Luckily, Burnisky had flood insurance.

That, and she was able to safely salvage the building and renovate the structure back to its original form that was presented on its opening day.

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“It was a difficult couple of months waiting for the insurance to go through and seeing all of this hard work just gone,” Burnisky said. “But, this is where my vision was, and I was going to see it through. I worked so hard to get this building — I wasn’t going to let it slip away.”

The grand reopening took place Oct. 30 to a slew of community support and renewed optimism within Burnisky that her dream was not only justified, but real and tangible.

“It’s so wild, I keep thinking that this isn’t real, but it is,” Burnisky smiled. “I get to walk through the gallery every day, I get to work on my personal ceramics in the studio — this is a

space to come together and create.”

The road to the here and now for the Burnisky and the CMAC started several years ago. Originally from Asheville, Burnisky initially pursued a career as an English teacher, but it was a spur of the moment decision to take a beginner’s ceramic class at AB-Tech that forever shifted the trajectory of her life.

“It was just a very basic wheel class, but it was so hands on, and I’m a very hands-on texture-oriented kind of person,” Burnisky said.

“That’s the kind of art I love, and it always upset me that we didn’t have a ceramics class in high school. The second I got into ceramics, I knew ‘this is it.’”

From there, Burnisky rented kilns in Asheville’s famed River Arts District.

Eventually, she wanted a place of her own, and in her own style and theme. Once Burnisky became a stay-at-home mother, she knew it was her chance to become a full-time artist. In 2017, the young family relocated to Canton.

“I was looking for a place in downtown Canton and as soon as I walked through this building, I knew it was perfect for a studio and a gallery,” Burnisky said. “With over 20 local artists represented here, this place has become a community endeavor to really to bring our local artists to life. There are so many talented people in this area that hadn’t had anywhere to show their work — we value our artisans here.”

And it’s that idea of coming together, whether you’re a neighbor or passerby, at the CMAC which resides at the core of Burnisky’s vision and passion. It’s about sharing the ancient, sacred spark of creativity with others — ultimately inspiring the person next to you to dive deep within themselves through artistic expression.

“I feel like art is such a soulful action. To create something and bear your soul, and then present it to the community, only to have it supported and also bringing the community together? It’s a beautiful thing,” Burnisky said.

“This collective and the workshops we host are meant to facilitate community engagement.

And I think anytime you’re able to work on that together and problem solve, then it brings all of us closer.”

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

My dreams fading down the railway line, I’m just about a moonlight mile down the road

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Super 8 Motel, Macon. (photo: Garret K. Woodward)

HOT PICKS The inaugural “Bluegrass Boogie: A Haywood County Holiday Celebration” charity concert will be held from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville.

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The Isaacs will perform a special Christmas show at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

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A special stage production of “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some)!” at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 17-18 and 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

December 15-21, 2021

3

The Brothers Gillespie will host its annual holiday concert at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 18, at The Water’n Hole Bar & Grill in Waynesville.

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The Western Carolina Civic Orchestra will present the 10th annual “Community Christmas Concert” on Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

night room, seeing as I checked in ‘round midnight after several hours on the road, lost in deep thought.

Dec. 6 and here I sit. The whole year feels like some gigantic wave — of inci-

Smoky Mountain News

t’s 9:21 a.m. Monday. Room 130. Super 8 Motel on the outskirts of Valdosta, Georgia. The air in the space is cool from the ragged old air-conditioner underneath the window. TV blaring some holiday rom-com flick, but the sound is muted.

The Rolling Stones’ “Moonlight Mile” swirling around the bed from the laptop speakers.

The sorrowful melody of such intense and genuine emotional depths popped onto the truck stereo along a solo latenight drive from Tampa, Florida, to Valdosta. Amid all of the usual road dog songs blasting to keep me awake and focused — Seger, Zeppelin, Skynyrd, Allman Brothers — it spilled out from the speakers and hit me with such a force.

My old truck rolling down that lost highway, the cruise control hovering around 80 mph as vehicle after vehicle flew by my current position (speed limit is 70), seeing as law enforcement seems to be minimal in these parts at these hours.

With out-of-state plates, best keep a safe distance from those zooming by in the unknown night.

No matter. I’m not in a hurry to get back to my humble abode in Waynesville.

Hell, I’m making good time anyhow. A full circle drive that started out just about a week ago — another arduous, yet glorious, road trip to baptize the soul and clean out the mind.

The holiday season continues to tick away on the calendar. Christmas is quickly approaching. Will the nose of the old truck be aimed at the North Country in the coming days? Who even knows at this point, eh? The body and the head are tired.

Long year, even longer life (if you’re lucky). The long game is heavy, but bountiful to those who seek wisdom and solace within the confines of white noise and incessant distraction in the digital age.

Leave the motel room and walk down the long corridor to the lobby. The smell of musty carpeting and years of transient inhabitants. Reach for the watered-down coffee and prepackaged blueberry muffin before the front desk clerk takes it all away at 10 a.m. sharp. Back down the corridor.

Back through the musty carpet smell.

The housekeeper knocks on your door.

Most of the guests are long gone by 10 a.m.

The parking lot outside the first-floor window deserted. But, I continue to type away on the king-size bed. Damn right I’m going to get my full stays worth of this $49-a-

He was 42. The older brother that I never had. In some serendipitous chain of events, I found myself back in my native Upstate New York just as he returned from a twoyear stint of living out in Montana. He was in bad health when I finally saw him, sitting in an old chair in an even older motel room, chainsmoking cigarettes and chugging can after can of light beer.

I sat with him and we reminisced about the good ole days, way before he gave up on living and started to just wish he’d never wake up someday. We sat and drank a beer together. I never wanted that one beer can to feel empty in my hand. I never wanted the conversation to end, for I felt it was probably our last one together.

A few days after I said goodbye — after I told him I loved him, and closed the motel door — I got the call from my little sister that he was found dead in the motel room, still sitting in that old chair, an unfinished cigarette within reach. All that was left behind was a trash bag of cherished items, half-drank 30-pack of Miller Lite and several years of life left on the table that should been his before he checked out.

The whole year feels like some gigantic wave — of incidents and inspiration. The finality of it all, some shoebox of memories and moments we careful pack and tuck away in the closet of our minds come Jan. 1. Head held high, for what else is there to do in this beautiful sadness and gladness we call life? Onward.

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

arts & entertainment

This must be the place

dents and inspiration — rolling towards the shoreline of New Year’s Eve, crashing into this invisible line between one day being left in the past, the next being a step in the future. The finality of it all, some shoebox of memories and moments we careful pack and tuck away in the closet of our minds come Jan. 1.

“Moonlight Mile” and the exact moment I find myself in. Aside from an unrelenting passion for the Stones, the melody conjures visions of those no longer standing atop this earth. I think of a musician friend of mine, who took his own life not long before the pandemic. It was a shock to all of us in the music industry, whether as his friend or music fan alike.

In his suicide note, he asked that “Moonlight Mile” be played at his funeral, “It’s my song, always has been, it’s me. I used to lay with my headphones on and listen to that song over and over again and it would make me cry and inspire me to live and create.

It’s beautiful and elegant and tough and sad and hopeful all at once. Everything I ever wanted to be.”

I concur. It is beautiful. Elegant. Tough.

Sad. And hopeful. When the song echoed out of the truck speaks along a lonely Interstate 75 North, I recalled the times spent talking with my late friend, and how incredible he was to behold when he’d grab his guitar, plug into the amp and roar into a whirlwind set of nitty gritty rock-n-roll. I think back on him fondly. I miss my friend.

And I think of my late cousin, who passed away unexpectedly this past June.

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arts & entertainment

On the beat

Ready for the ‘Bluegrass Boogie’? olkmoot USA & Adamas Entertainment will present the inaugural “Bluegrass Boogie: A Haywood County Holiday Celebration” charity concert from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, at the Sam Love Queen Auditorium in the Folkmoot Friendship Center, located at 112 Virginia Avenue in Waynesville.

There will be live onstage performances

by The Darren Nicholson Band (country/bluegrass), Ol’ Dirty Bathtub (Americana/bluegrass) and Chris Minick (singer-songwriter).

• Chris Minick (5 to 6 p.m.): A beloved Haywood County singer-songwriter, Minick specializes in original material, as well as several notable covers from a wide-range of popular acoustic influences.

• Ol’ Dirty Bathtub (6:30 to 8 p.m.): With its debut album “Pack Mule” a few years ago, Jackson County Americana/bluegrass group Ol’ Dirty Bathtub has become a very popular live act around Western North Carolina and beyond in recent years.

For more information, click on facebook.com/oldirtybathtub.

• The Darren Nicholson Band (8:30 to 10 p.m.): There’s a lot going on in Nicholson’s life these days. At 38, the Canton-based artist recently celebrated his 20th year as a profes-

December 15-21, 2021

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• 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.

Smoky Mountain News

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host an acoustic jam with the Main Street NoTones from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 16. 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 Supatight (jam) 8:30 p.m. Dec. 18. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.0350 or boojumbrewing.com.

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Russ Wilson & Hank Bones (swing/oldtime) Dec. 18 ($10 cover). All shows begin at 7 p.m. Limited seating. Reservations required. 828.452.6000 or classicwineseller.com.

• Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.369.4080 or coweeschool.org.

24 • Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host semi-

sional touring musician, with the last 15 spent as the mandolinist in Balsam Range — arguably one of the most successful, awardwinning bluegrass acts of the 21st century thus far.

At a glance, Balsam Range has won the International Bluegrass Music Association award for “Entertainer of the Year” (2014, 2018), “Album of the Year” (2013, 2017), “Vocal Group of the Year” (2014, 2015) and “Song of the Year” (2011, 2015, 2021), among numerous other accolades.

And yet, Nicholson has always been someone on the move. Aside from the whirlwind touring/recording schedule for Balsam Range, he recently released his fourth solo album, “Man On A Mission.”

The Americana/country album is not only his debut for the storied Mountain Home Records (Arden), but it’s also a life marker for Nicholson — a sincere, intricate soul in pursuit of the fruits of life, whether that be love or camaraderie, hard work or creative fulfillment.

For more information, click on darrennicholson.net.

Tickets will be $25 per person in advance online/$30 day-of-show. As well, tickets at the door day-of-show will be discounted from $30 to $25 if attendees/concertgoers bring in

regular live music on the weekends.

828.634.0078 or curraheebrew.com.

Darren Nicholson.

a nonperishable food item.

The “Bluegrass Boogie” is not only a way to gather the community during the holiday season, but it will serve as a charitable event, too.

Craft beer and wine will be sold onsite. All beverage proceeds and a portion of the ticket sales will go to Folkmoot USA in an effort to continue its vital year-round arts and culture programming onsite and throughout the community. For more information, click on folkmoot.org.

Aside from the Women of Waynesville,

noted. Free and open to the public.

828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Elevated Mountain Distilling Company will host an Open Mic Night 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public.

828.734.1084 or elevatedmountain.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host Karaoke In The Smokies Dec. 17. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Free and open to the public. 828.454.5664 or froglevelbrewing.com.

• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host Mountain Gypsy Dec. 17, Twelfth Fret Dec. 18, Aly Jordan 5 p.m. Dec. 19, Steve Heffker Dec. 24 and Twelfth Fret 5 p.m. Dec. 26. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 or mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host a “Jazzy Holiday Party” 5 p.m. Dec. 16 and Shane Meade (soul/folk) 7 p.m. Dec. 22. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com.

• Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m.

828.641.9797 or nantahalabrewing.com.

ALSO:

• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host Lilah Price 7 p.m. Dec. 23. All events are free and begin at 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Innovation-brewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host The Maggie Valley Band 7 p.m. Dec. 18. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. rathskellerfranklin.com.

• Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.482.9794 or satulahmountainbrewing.com.

who will be onsite to gather donations for its nonprofit organization, there will also be a collection of nonperishable food items for the local food pantry. For more information, click on womenofwaynesville.org.

Support live music. Support the arts.

Support local business. The more you do, the more we can do. Special thanks to The Smoky Mountain News for being a sponsor of this event.

To purchase tickets, go to tinyurl.com/bluegrassboogie.

• Southern Porch (Canton) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends.

828.492.8009 or southern-porch.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 Blackjack Country Dec. 16, Trish Ann Band Dec. 17 and Genepool Band Dec. 18. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.538.2488.

• Valley Tavern (Maggie Valley) will host semiregular live music on the weekends.

828.926.7440 or valley-tavern.com.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host The Brothers Gillespie (rock/indie) 8 p.m. Dec. 18. 828.456.4750 or facebook.com/waternhole.bar.

• Whiteside Brewing (Cashiers) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends.

828.743.6000 or whitesidebrewing.com.

On the beat The Maggie Valley Band The Maggie Valley Band. will perform at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 18, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Franklin.

A blend of old-time mountain, Americana and psychedelic folk music, the Haywood County group is fronted by siblings Whitney and Caroline Miller.

The duo has gone through several changes since they first set out on their melodic adventure several years ago, but what remains is the unbreakable bond of sisterhood, something that’s become a stronghold — and strong 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com. suit — in what it will take to break into the For more information, click on next level of their promising careers. themaggievalleyband.com.

The show is free and open to the public.

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December 15-21, 2021

Western Carolina University’s Dulcimer U will hold its annual Winter Weekend event on Jan. 6-9 in the Lambuth Inn at Lake Junaluska.

“This event is for the beginner dulcimer player all the way to advanced players,” said Bobby Hensley, associate director of continuing education. “This is a wonderful weekend of music and fellowship and a great way to learn more about the mountain dulcimer.”

Participants will be able to choose classes based on their skill level during registration.

The registration fee will be $199 per person. The fee for non-participating guests is $20.

Directors are Elaine and Larry Conger, with instructors Keith Watson, Ruth Barber, Jeff Furman, Anne Lough and Jim Miller.

Accommodations, classes and meals will all be located at the Lambuth Inn. Participants will need to book their room separate from their registration by calling the Lambuth Inn at 800.222.4930.

University COVID-19 guidelines will be followed during class time. For more information and to register, visit dulcimeru.wcu.edu or call 828.227.7397.

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arts & entertainment

Americana, indie at Lazy Hiker

The Brothers Gillespie.

Brothers Gillespie holiday jam Popular Haywood County Americana/rock act The Brothers Gillespie will host its annual holiday concert at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 18, at The Water’n Hole Bar &

Grill in Waynesville.

Drawing from their Southern Appalachian roots and channeling the gritty rock-n-roll they were raised on, The Brothers Gillespie spin heartfelt yarns with an alternative edge.

The event is free and open to the public.

Ben Morgan will open the show. For more information, click on brothersgillespie.com.

828-456-7422

Smoky Mountain News

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A Sylva Christmas The Main Street Sylva Association (MSSA) will be hosting holiday festivities this year in its picturesque downtown.

The Jackson County Arts market will be running from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the holidays.

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and Jackson County Parks & Recreation will host a Holiday Fireworks Display at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 17, which will be visible from downtown Sylva.

The fireworks display will be visible from all over the downtown Sylva corridor, including Mill and Main Streets, as well as from the Bridge Park, the historic Jackson County Courthouse, and limited other surrounding areas. The display will be shot from the same spot as the annual July 4 fireworks have been shot the last seven years, directly above the Coffee Shop/Speedy’s Pizza, in Sunrise Park.

Folks can arrive early to hear a live concert on the porch of the Jackson County Chamber and Visitor Center at 6:30 p.m.

Scott Baker & Terri Lynn Queen

The Main Street Sylva Association is a nonprofit entity formed with the mission to spur economic development in the town of Sylva. The MSSA also collaborates with the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Jackson County government, the TDA and other nonprofits in order to promote and enhance downtown Sylva.

For more information, go to mainstreetsylva.org or contact Main Street Economic Development Director Bernadette Peters at mainstreet@townofsylva.org or 828.586.2719.

828.456.3021

The Isaacs.

‘Christmas with The Isaacs’ Renowned act The Isaacs will perform a special Christmas show at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

The Isaacs are a Nashville based, multi award-winning family group, consisting of siblings Ben Isaacs, Sonya Isaacs Yeary and Rebecca Isaacs Bowman, and their mother, Lily Isaacs, who is the daughter of Polish, Jewish Holocaust survivors.

The band’s unique style showcases tight family harmony and blends their multi-genre musical influences of bluegrass, rhythm and blues, folk, country, and Southern Gospel. And now, The Isaacs invite you to celebrate the traditional and sacred sounds of the Christmas Season, from their family to yours.

Tickets start at $20 per person. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on smokymountainarts.com or call 828.524.1598.

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Local favorites Terri Lynn Queen (vocals) and Scott Baker (guitar) will perform festive holiday favorites. There might even be a special surprise guest from the North Pole.

All of these events are free and open to the public.

28 Walnut St. Waynesville

Smoky Mountain News

December 15-21, 2021

arts & entertainment

On the season

PLAQUE PROVIDED BY

Lake Junaluska Christmas Celebrate the holiday season with a special weekend of carriage rides, a candlelight service, live music, decorations and more at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center.

FRIDAY, DEC. 17 • Shop at Junaluska Gifts & Grounds, Harrell Center (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

• Shop at Christmas Memories, Lambuth Inn (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

• Shop at Golf Pro Shop, Golf Course (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

• Christmas Movie Showing of Miracle on 34th Street in the Lambuth International Room at Lambuth Inn (6 to 8 p.m.). Free.

SATURDAY, DEC. 18 • Shop at Junaluska Gifts & Grounds, Harrell Center (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

• Shop at the Christmas Memories, Lambuth Inn (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

• Shop at Golf Pro Shop, Golf Course (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

• Christmas story reading of “The Night Before Christmas” at the library inside the Harrell Center (3 p.m.). Free.

• Horse & Carriage Rides (4 to 8 p.m.). A 30minute lakeside carriage ride from the front of Harrell Center to York Dining Commons and back. Please make your carriage ride reservation online. Cost is $30 adults, $15 youth 12-17 years old and $10 children 4-11 years old. Children under 4 are free.

• Cookies and Cider in Lambuth Inn and Terrace Hotel lobbies (4 to 8 p.m.). Free.

• Photos with Santa, Library inside the Harrell Center (5 to 8 p.m.). Suggested donation of $10.

• Music by Karin Lyle (harpist) and Rosanne Cavender (violinist) Terrace Hotel Lobby (5 to 6:30 p.m.). Free.

• Music by Hilda Ryan (pianist), Lambuth Inn Lobby (6:30 to 8 p.m.). Free.

SUNDAY, DEC. 19 • Shop at Junaluska Gifts & Grounds, Harrell Center (10 to 5 p.m.)

• Shop at Christmas Memories, Lambuth Inn (10 to 5 p.m.)

• Shop at Golf Pro Shop, Golf Course (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

• Christmas Candlelight Service in Memorial Chapel (3 p.m.). Free.

For more information, click on lakejunaluska.com.

On the season

A special holiday tribute performance to legendary duo The Carpenters at 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 17, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Michelle Berting Brett has been paying tribute to The Carpenters for years with her show, “We’ve Only Just Begun: Carpenters Remembered.” Now she is bringing the sounds of The Carpenters back to the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts for a holiday show called, “Merry Christmas Darling: Carpenters’ Christmas.”

Brett leads the show with richly gifted vocals that pay a remarkable tribute to Karen Carpenter as she recreates the sounds and spirit of The Carpenters. Brett trained in opera and theatre and began her performing career in roles, such as the Baroness in “The Sound of Music.”

She has served as a band leader, production singer, and guest entertainer for many productions, and has made music in exclusive resorts and hotels in Europe and Asia as well as on many cruise ships. She has also had the privilege to perform for the troops in Bosnia.

Tickets start at $20 each with priority seating available. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit smokymountainarts.com or call 866.273.4615.

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December 15-21, 2021

Sylva library holiday concert

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Smoky Mountain News

The Western Carolina Civic Orchestra will present the 10th annual “Community Christmas Concert” on Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

The musical celebration will begin at 6:15 p.m. with caroling on the library steps, weather permitting. Phil and Gayle Woody will lead all comers in singing traditional carols.

Members of the Civic Orchestra and members of the Sacred Sounds ensemble from Franklin, conducted by Dr. Damon Sink, will begin the concert at 7 p.m. with portions of the Christmas Concerto by Arcangelo Corelli.

Younger players will join the orchestra for Pachelbel Canon, Carol of the Bells and more seasonal favorites. These violin students represent the teaching studios of Cathy Arps (Sylva), Kathy Hill (Franklin) and Sarah Smith (Waynesville).

The Western Carolina Civic Orchestra is supported by the Jackson County Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The concert is free, and the public is welcome. Masks are required in the library and social distancing is requested. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library.

For more information, please call the library at 828.586.2016.

arts & entertainment

‘Carpenters Christmas’ show

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27

On the season

Waynesville ‘Wine & Workshop’

‘Creating Community Workshop’

The Haywood County Arts Council invites community members to join in the gift giving spirit through its first minifundraiser in the form of making art and delighting taste buds at 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 16, at the HCAC in Waynesville.

HCAC, two of their artist members, and Bosu’s wine shop are teaming up to provide the experience located in HCAC’s downtown Waynesville gallery.

“Bosu’s is a long supporter of HCAC. We believe that keeping the arts as a focal point downtown supports our local economic vitality” said Bosu’s co-owner Stephanie Strickland, who is donating the supplies and her staff ’s time to HCAC for the event.

Called “Wine & Workshop,” the event includes learning to paint wine glasses, making gift tags and tasting a flight of three wines complimented with individual charcuterie boards.

The artists sharing their skills and donating their time are well known and longtime community members Barbara Brook and Linda Blount.

Cost is $100 per person. Space is limited to 10 people total and is filling up fast.

Reserve your spot by registering online at haywoodarts.org/wine-workshop-series.

The monthly Creating Community Workshop will be held at 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 18, in the Atrium of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

Library staffer Jenifer Ross will show participants how to create small mixed colored yarn hats which can be used as an ornament, décor, or to place atop any small doll or gnome who needs a hat.

Participants do not have to bring any supplies but are welcome to bring any special yarn that they want to use. The workshop is limited to 10 participants.

Please call the library to register. This program is free of charge. Masks are required inside all Jackson County buildings.

For more information, call the library at 828.586.2016. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library.

• Jesse Adair Dallas will be showing his artwork at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin through the month of December.

Open to the public. For more information, email jesse@enjoyarttoday.com.

ALSO:

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In an effort to bring together all of the classic holiday tales, there will be a special stage production of “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some)!” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17-18 and 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

The audience stills in preparation for another performance of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” when all of a sudden, the actor on stage proclaims, “I can’t do this!” That’s the beginning of the madcap holiday romp HART brings to its stage this holiday season and it just gets funnier and funnier from there.

Three actors take over the production and decide to perform not just one story, but “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some)!” Hold on tight as you take a tinsel-covered roller coaster ride bursting with laughter, carols, and joy, and prepare to leave with more Holiday spirit than you can carry.

Full of constant costume changes, impressions of Jimmy Stewart, just about every prop HART has in stock, and stories from around the world, actors David Spivey, Dakota Mann, and William Tyler Ezzell star in this hilarious comedy.

Tickets are available by clicking on harttheatre.org or calling the box office at 828.456.6322.

BRYSON CITY

SYLVA

• The popular “Polar Express” train ride is now running from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot in downtown Bryson City. 800.872.4681 or gsmr.com.

• The “Holiday Fireworks” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, in downtown Sylva. Presented by the Jackson County Parks & Rec and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. mountainlovers.com.

• “Holiday Market” with local artisans will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Dec. 18 at 117 Island Street in Bryson City. Outdoor event. Leashed pets are welcome. 828.488.7857 or greatsmokies.com.

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HART’s ‘Every Christmas Story’

• “Christmas Hayrides Through the Lights” will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturdays until Dec. 18 at Darnell Farms in Bryson City. Ride is 20 minutes.

Admission is $12 per person, which includes a holiday beverage. Tickets available at darnellfarms.com.

Smoky Mountain News

December 15-21, 2021

arts & entertainment

On the wall

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

• The Overlook Theatre Company will present a special “Christmas Celebration” at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 21, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Sing-along with traditional favorites and enjoy new tunes — all in a beautiful setting of sparkling lights, a giant Christmas tree, and a few surprises. Tickets are $10 per person. smokymountainarts.com or 828.524.1598.

WAYNESVILLE • “All Through the Town” holiday celebration will run through Dec. 31 in downtown Waynesville.

Participating local businesses, restaurants, galleries and breweries will take extra care in decorating for the holidays, staying open later for shopping, and much more. downtownwaynesville.com.

ALSO:

• The inaugural drive-thru “Christmas Light Show” will be held through Jan. 2 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.

• The 41st season of The Shelton House will continue with the “Tinsel Trail & Appalachian Christmas” celebration, which will be held through Jan. 1 at the historic home in Waynesville. sheltonhouse.org.

On the shelf

how to act and interact with oneself and with others within a contemporary framework that we all, during a period of climate change and a covid pandemic, can relate to.

This, then, as an example:

I harvest what populates its traces. I’m swamped by love, my boat goes under, until I become its craft. If you see me, do not save me, I am found in the awakening dream. Alive in its peace, I come out of love into love’s expression.”

Thomas Crowe

In a more physical/ political vein there is this short poem entitled “Years From Now.” “Years from now, everyone on earth will have been through this crisis. We are all connected, we always have been, this isn’t somewhere else.

Vulnerability is our core, usually hidden, now exposed, and, years from now, as it is true now, this simple truth will still be true: We’re all in this together.”

Perhaps my favorite poem from Brooks’s new book comes right out of the gate in a poem titled “Waiting For Love” that in my mind is the signature piece in the collection.

“Waiting for love to surface, knowing it lies beneath this exquisite pause. Looking for love beyond oneself depends on its origin within. It’s a sunny day, after winter has just begun to fade.

Love knows no season, it blossoms in the snow, it floats on the spring tide. Love is everywhere when I recognize its presence in the nowhere. I used to chase love, away from home, seeing its face pass my window. I am the gardener of love,

“If cherry trees can blossom during this dark spring, why can’t we, as well? Those out running, walking, those in their yards, blossom with smiles, good words. Good nature takes root, along with the bad, flowers accompany weeds, apple shelters in place, magnolia stays at home, showing their colors. If cherry trees can blossom during this dark spring, may we be as bright.”

(Thomas Crowe contributes regularly to The Smoky Mountain News and is the author of the multi-award-winning non-fiction nature memoir “Zoro’s Field: My Life in the Appalachian Woods.” newnativepress@hotmail.com.)

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“Tiny bundles, like pine cones, bristly pods beneath a tree on the path, each pod, a future tree, no fertile ground to be found, they become work for birds. Resting becomes capture, then flight, then release, then the unknown. I am unseen, until I’m seen, and even then I don’t know my fate.”

You get the picture.

Or do you? To get the full picture of the nature of true nature and what might be called “higher love,” “Joy Among the Catastrophe ” has a lot more to offer and insights to share. That said, and in summing up, let me share with you just one final poem from Steve Brooks’s collection. A kind of exclamation point at the end of a remarkable and must-read book.

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December 15-21, 2021

teve Brooks is a prolific artist, poet and writer who has lived in Asheville for 10 years now, having moved to the mountains of western North Carolina from San Francisco via Seattle, Washington. Having been privy to and enjoyed several of his recent books, his latest collection of prose poems “Joy Among the Catastrophe” (Amazon/Kindle Editions, 2021) written in the past two years during the pandemic lockdown took me by surprise and really got my attention.

In his short introduction to the book, Writer he describes his vision and experience of composing the prose poems that make up this volume. “I began this book of poems just before the stay-at-home order was put in place. I realized, soon after, that the focus of my writing was the experience of being sheltered in place during a worldwide pandemic. Writing exposed me to the experience of joy in a time of crisis, both personal and public, living with the threat of death and disease, a climate emergency, systemic racism, and the threat of autocracy in the world’s oldest democracy. These poems reveal the source of joy that is ever present, even in troubling times.”

Entering this doorway into the remarkable room that is this collection, we possibly see Brooks at his all-time best. He has been writing a kind of Eastern poetry he calls Zenku (a term he has coined taken from the Chinese and Japanese Zen Buddhist haiku traditions founded in China during the Tang Dynasty from 618 to 906 A.D. focusing on meditation and intuition) that pretty much follows all the form rules of the ancient Haiku tradition. But in “Joy Among the Catastrophe,” he breaks free from those restrictive stylistic rules and writes poems in short paragraphs that are more expansive, and sing.

Not only are these poems reminiscent of well-known poets from the Orient such as Ryokan, Issa, Basho, Wang Wei and HanShan, but move in on the terriotry of Zen masters such as Lao Tsu, author of the “Tao Te Ching” and founder of Taoism; or 2,500 years later to the writing of French philosopher-scientist and Buddist monk Matthieu Ricard and his book “Happiness ”published in 2003.

In short, what we have here in Brooks’s book is a volume of present-day wisdom from someone who has put in time and effort over the course of a lifetime and has “opened the doors of his own perception” as Aldous Huxley would say, and is showing us how to not only best perceive a higher perspective on life on planet Earth and amongst all its brands and breeds of humans, but

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A motorcyclist cruises the Blue Ridge Parkway near Mt. Pisgah. NPS/A. Armstrong photo

‘More than a road’ New superintendent discusses her vision for the Blue Ridge Parkway

BY HOLLY KAYS OUTDOORS EDITOR rowing up in Columbia, South Carolina, Tracy Swartout made some of her favorite childhood memories traveling the 469-mile ridge road known as the Blue Ridge Parkway. Since May, she’s been leading it as superintendent.

“For me this was my dream park, because I just love it so much,” she said. “Having come a lot and visited different locations along the Parkway, I saw it as a route to all these other places too. It’s a route to the Smokies, a route to Shenandoah, and a route to all the communities that I got to visit growing up.”

Swartout has been an avid user of the national parks her entire life, but her route to the Parkway job — like the Parkway itself — took its fair share of twists and turns. She earned her bachelor’s degree in geography from her hometown school, the University of South Carolina, and then went to the University of Waterloo in Canada for a master’s of environmental studies before returning south for a master’s of environmental studies from Duke University, a degree she describes as “an MBA for natural resources.”

During that program, she landed an internship at Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in Utah.

“I fell in love with the Park Service as an employment opportunity,” she said. “I saw it as a way that I could combine the things that I thought I was getting good at with the things that I loved.”

G

Swartout loved the outdoors, and she was getting good at understanding how economics played into their protection.

“I think people often don’t think of national parks as businesses, but really in many ways managing a national park is like managing a small municipality, in terms of the different kinds of career fields covered and the different kinds of employees that we have and this idea that you’re providing all the services within a line on a map,” she said.

Swartout began her NPS career with seven years at the agency’s Business Management Group in Washington, D.C., where she worked to recruit, hire and mentor groups to develop business plans for more than 75 parks, including the Parkway. She left D.C. in 2006, spending six years as superintendent of Congaree National Park in South Carolina, where she was named the southeast region’s 2012 Superintendent of the Year.

From there she headed west, taking the deputy director job at Mount Rainier National Park in Washington, and serving as acting superintendent at various times during her nine-year tenure. Then the Parkway job opened, and Swartout was eager to apply. She started work in May and arrived in Asheville with her husband and two children at the end of June.

A LONG TO-DO LIST Swartout’s business sensibilities will likely be helpful as she confronts two of the biggest issues facing the Parkway — aging assets and limited budgets.

Like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Parkway doesn’t charge visitors an entrance fee. Though the reasons are different, the effect is the same — declining federal

budget contributions not supplemented by user fees. While the Parkway’s 2021 allocation of $17.2 million was slightly higher than the $16.2 million it received in 2011, when budgets were slashed due to sequestration, in real dollars it’s actually less. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $16.2 million from October 2010, when the FY 2011 budget year began, would be worth $19.3 million today.

That’s why the Great American Outdoors Act, a bipartisan 2020 bill that funds deferred maintenance in the national parks, is so important. Swartout will oversee expenditure of $200 million in GAOA funds, which will repave 122 miles of road and replace a bridge.

The Parkway’s deferred maintenance is estimated at about $500 million, so while the $200 million from GAOA is expected to

Fall colors pop in the Graveyard Fields area.

NPS/A. Armstrong photo

reduce that backlog by something significantly less than $200 million — similar to how fixing a $50 bathroom faucet might end up costing $500 by the time you replace the aging pipes and sink associated with it — it’s still an important investment.

“For me the topline is that it’s $200 million worth of projects over just a couple of fiscal years, and it is an order of magnitude higher than the amount we would normally

spend on roads,” said Swartout.

The park also receives funding from the Federal Highway Administration, so additional bridge replacements, pavement preservation and slope repairs are planned over the coming year as well.

The Parkway’s 469 miles of pavement is its hallmark feature, but roads aren’t the only capital projects on Swartout’s priority list. She hopes to move forward with planning and project design for new water systems, picnic areas and resurfacing projects at the Parkway’s campgrounds and picnic areas, and she also wants to get to work on prioritizing the myriad structures in need of repair along the Parkway’s length.

The question is, which expensive repairs should jump to the front of the line, which should hang out at the back, and which don’t need to be on the list at all?

“Those are some difficult decisions, because a lot of them are places that people love, but some of them are places that people maybe didn’t even realize we owned, like that shed behind that building,” she said. “Do we need to keep it still? Maybe we do. Maybe we don’t.”

Swartout also hopes to move along pending land acquisitions to expand the Parkway’s footprint. Land transfers often move at a painfully slow pace, but she hopes to announce in the spring that the first parcels in the 5,000-acre expansion at Waterrock Knob celebrated in 2016 have officially become part of the Parkway.

PUZZLING POPULATION Perhaps the most difficult challenge Swartout and the Parkway face is how to continue welcoming large numbers of people to this one-of-a-kind place while also protecting the pristine beauty that makes it so special.

Swartout recently took her children, ages 10 and 13, to hike Craggy Pinnacle on a beautiful, crowded weekend.

They got to experience the feeling of being above everything, as well as the sight of people climbing dangerously around the cliffs and leaving their trash behind.

“We got to have a little talk about it in the car, because it’s important for me that I raise good stewards,” she said. “And we got to talk about how you can simultaneously love a place and hurt place, and how it was up to each one of us individually to take care of the place.”

For Swartout, education and investment in the next generation are vital to protecting the Parkway’s future, but they’re not the only pieces of the puzzle that she’s still actively puzzling.

“What does it mean that so many people want to come?” she said. “And how do we manage it?”

New MST director named

THE PARTNERSHIP PARK

Pisgah Center will not reopen after flood damage The Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard won’t reopen following extensive damage from Tropical Storm Fred, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has announced.

Instead of rebuilding the facility, the agency will expand the co-located Bobby N. Setzer Fish Hatchery to increase trout production and include an educational component. The hatchery was already scheduled for renovations starting in late 2022, and now the Wildlife Commission is working with the Setzer Hatchery design team and U.S. Forest Service to explore increasing the hatchery’s footprint to gain efficiencies in operation and maximize fish production. Educational opportunities related to trout propagation, management and fishing skills will also be

considered.

Meanwhile, existing Pisgah Center staff will use their talents to conduct programs across western North Carolina, not just at the facility itself. Staff have had success with hands-on programming in local schools, partner facilities and on the water in the region’s many streams and rivers — that will now continue.

“Our staff are excited about the opportunity to get creative and serve more members of the public,” said Travis Casper, chief of the agency’s Wildlife Education Division.

Wildlife educators will now offer programs at the agency’s hatcheries, public fishing access areas and other partner facilities throughout Western North Carolina. The agency expects this increased mobility to increase outreach efforts and better serve the Wildlife Education Division’s mission.

For more information about programming, contact Lee Sherrill at lee.sherrill@ncwildlife.org or 828.384.5270.

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The Parkway is different from parks like Congaree and Mount Rainier in that it’s equal parts route and destination. Swartout has fond memories of visiting Parkway sites like Mabry Mill and Peaks of Otter, but also of using the high-elevation road to go buy Christmas trees, pumpkins and apple cider or to reach beloved trailheads like Mount Mitchell.

That, said Swartout, points to the Parkway’s identity as a partnership-oriented park. In 2020, the Blue Ridge Parkway generated $1.1 billion in visitor spending to parkside communities, according to National Park Service data.

“If it weren’t for those communities (along the Parkway), people wouldn’t have the kind of rich experience that they do get to have from the Parkway,” she said.

The Blue Ridge Parkway headquarters is in Asheville, but the road travels the ridgeline from Cherokee to Waynesboro, Virginia, where it joins Skyline Drive to traverse Shenandoah National Park. Swartout said in-person connections with employees and communities spanning that distance will be a priority as she settles into her new role. She aims to make those excursions once per quarter.

“It’s important that we really understand the needs of all these various communities to try to provide that service in a way that’s going to work for all those communities that are really divergent in terms of what they want, need and what they care about,” she said.

So far, Swartout said, she’s received a clear message from parkside communities that they value the Parkway, that it’s important to their local economy and identity, and that they want to work with the Park Service to accomplish what are in many cases mutual goals.

“I know that some people say that it’s just a road, but for me it’s just so much more than a road,” she said. “It’s a connective tissue for communities and Appalachian lifeways and culture and history and the viewshed and opportunities for partnerships — this enriching place that is so much deeper than a ribbon of road.”

Learn about donor-funded projects completed on the Blue Ridge Parkway in 2021 during a webinar at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 16.

Kevin Brandt, project manager for the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, will discuss renovations at Flat Top Manor, new exhibits at Waterrock Knob and The Bluffs Restaurant’s first season of service in a decade, among other achievements.

This 30-minute presentation is the latest installment of the Insider’s Report series, which highlights the nonprofit’s projects and ways to enjoy the national park unit.

Register at brpfoundation.org/events.

December 15-21, 2021

Unlike the neighboring Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway has not spent the last few years setting consecutive visitation records. The Parkway’s busiest year ever was all the way back in 2002, when it logged 21.5 million visitors. But the southern portion between Asheville and Cherokee is busier than it’s ever been — in October alone, the 164-mile Pisgah Ranger District logged 588,000 visitors, more than the tally for the entire 217mile Virginia portion. In all, 4.4 million people visited the southern section in 2020 — far more than the 3.6 million visits logged on the Parkway’s overall busiest year in 2002.

With more visitors comes more traffic and litter, along with less solitude and available parking. Swartout said that urging visitors to Tracy Swartout recreate responsibly — and spelling out how to do so — will be key to addressing those challenges.

“I think most people who are making mistakes on the Parkway are doing so because they didn’t realize the rules,” she said.

By stepping up messaging via social media, signage and media coverage, Swartout hopes to address that knowledge gap and increase the Parkway’s overall carrying capacity for human visitors.

But still, she acknowledged, the day may come when that’s not enough.

“There are parks where if they have a really, really busy parking area, they can look at timed entry for that kind of parking area,” she said. “And those are things we could look at long-term. I don’t think we’re there yet.”

Swartout also said that public-private partnerships to offer shuttle rides with offsite parking could be another long-term approach.

Catch up on Blue Ridge Parkway updates outdoors

Brent Laurenz, deputy director for the voting rights nonprofit Common Cause in North Carolina, will be the next leader of Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the organization has announced.

Laurenz, of Raleigh, has been in his current position since 2015 and prior to that served as executive director of the N.C. Center for Voter Education. At the American Battlefield Trust based in Washington, D.C., he was a government relations associate focused primarily on Virginia and Tennessee.

Laurenz will succeed Kate Dixon, who is retiring after joining the MST in 2008 as its first executive director.

“Thanks to the hard work and dedication

of thousands of volunteers, along with local and state leaders, North Carolina is at the forefront of trails and parks programs in this country,” said Laurenz. “I look forward to working with such committed partners and others to build on those successes.”

The MST is a 1,175-mile walking trail that stretches from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks, connecting 37 counties. Laurenz enters the organization just as the N.C. General Assembly and Governor Roy Cooper passed a new state budget that includes $29.25 million of new trail funding, including the MST. Friends will celebrate Laurenz’s arrival at its annual Gathering of Friends April 7-10 at Lake Junaluska. The agenda will include honors for Kate Dixon, the only executive director in Friends’ history.

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outdoors

Complete the 60-day hiking challenge

December 15-21, 2021

The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s Virtual Hiking Challenge is back with a call to complete 60 miles of trail in 60 days, kicking off New Year’s Day. To complete the challenge, participants must walk, run or hike 60 miles by March 1. Registration ends Feb. 1, but earlier registration means more time to log the miles.

Smoky Mountain News

Expanded bear hunting proposed for WNC

Sun shines through a snowy vista on Grassy Ridge. SAHC photo

Participants will receive informative emails with suggestions for great places to hike in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, including recommendations on lands that SAHC has protected.

All participants will receive Hiking Challenge patches when the challenge ends, as well as coupons and entry tickets for a raffle to win a certificate for two people to cave, climb or raft through USA Raft.

Cost is $25. Sign up at appalachian.org/event/sahcs-winter-hiking-challenge-60-miles-in-60-days.

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The Wildlife Resources Commission is proposing a slate of changes to agency regulations for seasons in 2022-2023. Public comment is open through Monday, Jan. 31, with both in-person and virtual public hearings planned over the coming month.

This year, the agency’s furthest-west public hearing will be held at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 18, at McDowell Technical College in Marion, and an online hearing is slated for 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20.

If enacted, the proposed changes would: • Allow bear hunting by permit in three mountain bear sanctuary areas in response to increased human-bear interactions in the area. The proposal would allow permit hunt opportunities at the Panthertown-Bonas Defeat, Pisgah and Standing Indian Bear Sanctuaries. The mountain bear population is likely higher than it’s ever been, and wildlife managers want to stabilize the population rather than allowing it to grow further. The Wildlife Commission believes that using a permit hunt system in these areas will help reach that objective.

• Prohibit alcohol and fires on the Lutz Tract and Wilson Creek portions of the Pisgah Game Lands. The Wilson Creek corridor is one of the most heavily used portions of the Pisgah Game Lands, with the Wildlife Commission owning a small portion and the U.S. Forest Service owning the rest. Fires and alcohol are already prohibited on the USFS portion, so enacting this rule for the Wildlife Commission portion would make the rules less confusing for the public.

• Prohibit target shooting at Dupont State Forest, Pisgah, Green River, South Mountains, Johns River and Buffalo Cove game lands. McDowell County is currently building a shooting range, which together with the Foothills Shooting Complex in Cleveland County would give users safer target shooting alternatives. Target shooting on the game lands is causing environmental damage in the form of litter, spent shells, tree damage and lead contamination.

• Reclassify several streams from Wild Trout Waters/Natural Bait to Wild Trout Waters. The reclassification would impact game lands portions of Lower Fowler Creek

in Jackson County, Overflow Creek in Macon County, Jarrett Creek in Macon County, North Shoal Creek in Cherokee County and Deep Creek in Graham County.

These waters are rarely fished by anglers using natural bait, so the current classification adds complexity to Public Mountain Trout Waters regulations without improving management of the resource, the Wildlife Commission says.

• Clarify that fishing is the only allowable use of a Public Fishing Area unless posted otherwise, allowing the rules to be better enforced.

• Allow a 14-day spring gray squirrel season, which would open on the second Monday in May on private land only, with a daily limit of eight squirrels. The season would follow the spring breeding pulse at the same interval that the fall season follows the summer breeding pulse, allowing increased hunter opportunity during a biologically appropriate timeframe.

• Remove western blackpowder either-sex restriction line from the existing deer hunting rule and link blackpowder either-sex restrictions to the corresponding either-sex gun seasons. The change aims to reduce complexity and increase rule consistency across open seasons for hunting deer of either sex.

Currently, the biological objective for deer density is being met, and additional antlerless deer harvest would provide hunters with an additional harvest opportunity while also addressing biological objectives to improve balance in the adult sex ratio.

• List the tegu lizard and greenhouse frog as exotic species that are unlawful to possess, import, sell, release, etc. in North Carolina. These species are popular in the pet trade, and the Wildlife Commission wants to take precautions to prevent them from being introduced and spreading in the wild. Tegu lizards are destructive and aggressively invasive in the wild.

For more information, including a complete list of proposed rules, information on public hearings and commenting instructions, visit ncwildlife.org/proposed-regulations.

— By Holly Kays, outdoors editor

Hang out at Cataloochee after school Registration is open through Dec. 22 for Cataloochee Ski Area’s Afterschool Ski & Ride Program.

The program is a seven-week progressive lesson, with sessions offered weekly from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Each participant can pick a discipline — skiing, snowboarding, terrain park ski or board, and social hour ski or board. Once a discipline is picked, there are no substitutions.

A bonus makeup night is built into the package in case the ski area is closed on any of the listed program nights.

Ski, snowboard and terrain park each

include Tuesday, Thursday and Friday group options with classes offered from the first week in January through mid-February. The social hour program offers groups on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during the same timeframe.

Cost is $300 for lift, lesson and rental, $110 for lesson only, $130 for lift ticket only and $60 for lift ticket only. Parent lift tickets are $25 per session or $45 for lift and rental.

Learn more or sign up at cataloochee.com/programs/afterschool-programs.

Volunteers monitor stream quality for The Environmental Institute. Donated photo

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Pigeon River Fund awards grants

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êĀĉŒŚêŋȎÃŚȎåŠĞßĉĤêŋŠǢŷߊǢêåŠ December 15-21, 2021 Smoky Mountain News

Nine grants totaling $326,348 will help environmental groups support area waterways in a variety of ways following the announcement of this year’s grant awards from the Pigeon River Fund of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.

Grant awards include: n Haywood Waterways Association, $95,000.

The award includes $40,000 to repair failing septic systems for low-income homeowners identified by the Haywood County Environmental Health Department and $55,000 for program and administrative support to improve surface water quality by decreasing non-point source pollution and increasing citizen awareness of water resources. n The Conservation Fund, $30,000 to help conserve the Maggot Spring Gap property in Haywood County, which will expand the Silver Game Land and improve water quality in the Jonathan Creek watershed. n Southwestern N.C. Resource Conservation and Development Council, $20,000 to help restore the Richland Creek Watershed in Waynesville by stabilizing the stream at East Street Park. n Asheville GreenWorks, $30,000 to decrease litter, pollution and erosion flowing into area waterways; increase citizen awareness about water resource protection; and increase the capacity of local floodways to absorb runoff. n The Environmental Quality Institute, $45,000 to support volunteer stream monitoring throughout the Pigeon River and French Broad River basins. n Laurel Community Center Organization, $26,698 to support multiple projects on the center’s campus to improve access and educational opportunities at Shelton Laurel Creek. n Mountain Valleys Resource Conservation and Development Council, $44,150 to address water quality in the Ivy River Watershed and Madison County waterways. n Riverlink, $35,000 to aid construction of the Southside Community Stormwater Project to collect and treat runoff at Erskine Apartments to solve flooding issues and improve surface water quality at Town Branch.

Since 1996, the Pigeon River Fund has distributed more than $8.5 million in grants. The money comes from Duke Energy in exchange for the company’s damming the Pigeon River for hydropower. The fund is managed by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. The next application deadline for grant funds is March 15, 2022. Learn more at cfwnc.org.

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Puzzles can be found on page 38 These are only the answers.

The most recent drought map shows abnormal dryness or drought conditions in all 100 counties.

N.C. Drought Monitor map

Burn ban lifted as drought conditions persist As of Dec. 13, the statewide burn ban enacted Nov. 29 was lifted for all 100 counties due to rainfall over much of the state last week and over the weekend, but drought still impacts much of North Carolina.

“We saw some much-needed rain during the weekend, and that has thankfully helped bring fire danger down, allowing us to lift burn ban restrictions statewide,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

“Still, I’d caution residents to remain vigilant about burning responsibly and safely.

Make sure you have a valid burn permit and contact your NCFS county ranger for wildfire prevention and fire safety tips.”

The ban was lifted for 67 counties Dec. 8, and for the remaining counties on Dec. 13.

Prior to the first round of rain last week, wildfires had been burning hundreds of acres in the center portion of the state, including 1,050 acres at Pilot Mountain State Park near Winston-Salem. The precipitation quelled those flames but didn’t knock back the drought conditions gripping nearly all of North Carolina after it experienced the driest November in 90 years.

The Dec. 2 drought map showed 86 out of 100 counties reporting abnormally dry or drought conditions, and those conditions had spread to all 100 counties as of 8 a.m.

Dec. 7, when data was gathered for the map released Dec. 9. That map showed 22 coun-

ties as abnormally dry, 22 in moderate drought and 56 in severe drought. The mountain region, including Haywood, Jackson, Swain Macon, Clay, Cherokee, Graham, Buncombe, Transylvania and Henderson counties are all classified as abnormally dry. Except for a few localized areas near the western Virginia border, the entire state is experiencing dry conditions based on factors such as streamflow, groundwater and reservoir levels, soil moisture and fire danger.

“Much of the state has been in a dry pattern over the past three to six months, with generally above-normal temperatures and few to no tropical systems bringing widespread rainfall relief,” said Corey Davis, Assistant State Climatologist with the N.C. State Climate Office. “The dryness has been especially pronounced since early October.

Less than one inch of rain fell in most areas last month. It’s the driest November in 90 years in North Carolina.”

Though many areas of the state did receive rain over the weekend, and that rain is not expected to make much of an impact on the current drought status. Many areas have received rainfall 4-7 inches below normal over the past three months. Current conditions and forecast models reflect the warm, dry conditions that a La Niña weather pattern often brings, which could lead to drought conditions continuing through the winter months, according to the N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council.

Grants available for 2018-2019 hurricane damage Poultry, livestock and plasticulture producers as well as woodland owners have until Dec. 31 to apply for a $79.6 million U.S. Department of Agriculture grant for eligible businesses in 90 counties who suffered losses in 2018-2019 from Hurricanes Florence, Michael and Dorian.

The program will provide direct pay-

ments to producers and technical and financial assistance to woodland owners.

Contact the local N.C. Forest Service County Ranger’s office to learn more about the woodland recovery program. For links to poultry, livestock and plasticulture applications, visit ncagr.gov/agdisasterprogram.

WNC Calendar COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • The annual wreath laying on graves of veterans buried at Greenhill Cemetery in Waynesville will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec.18. This is part of the nationwide Wreaths Across America event.

• The Jackson County Branch #54AB of the NC NAACP will hold its December meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, online. There will be a year-in-review and share plans for MLK Day 2022. Please email jcnaacp54ab@gmail.com to receive instructions to join online. All are welcome.

• Live Forgiven Church will host a grocery and coat giveaway from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19. This will be a drive through event at the building, 45 Crown Ridge Road, Sylva. The event is open to anyone who can use a little extra help. This month the groceries will be a soup theme. Produce and eggs will be available. For information, contact Chris or Crystal Akers at FoodMinistry@LiveForgiven.Life

SUPPORT GROUPS • Dementia Caregivers Support Group, for those providing care for folks who are dealing with dementia, meets from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Haywood Senior Resource Center (81 Elmwood Way, Waynesville). For additional information call 828.476.7985.

• Al-Anon, for families and friends of alcoholics, meets every Monday night from 7-8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 77 Jackson St., Sylva. Enter at front of church through the door to the left of the sanctuary; meeting is first door on the right. The Church requests that you wear a mask if you are not vaccinated.

• Narcotics Anonymous meetings are back "live" in-person after a year of being on Zoom only. Local meetings are 12 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at Sylva First United Methodist Church in downtown Sylva. Entrance at back of building. Also Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. at Cullowhee Methodist Church and Saturdays 6 p.m. at Cullowhee Methodist Church. For more details visit ncmountainna.org.

CHRISTMAS • The Western Carolina Civic Orchestra will present the 10th annual Community Christmas Concert at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Jackson County Public Library. The concert is free and the public is welcome.

Masks are required in the library and social distancing is requested. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library. For more information, please call the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva at 828.586.2016.

• The New Generations Birthing Center at Harris Regional Hospital will host its annual Santa Event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Harris Medical Park, 98 Doctors Drive, Sylva, North Carolina. Join Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital at the Drive-Thru Christmas celebration with seasonal goodies, food, gifts, and photos with Santa.

• Haywood Waterways Association will hold its annual fundraising silent auction through Dec. 23, online at tinyurl.com/mtbj36ek • Winter Lights will be open through Saturday, Jan. 1, at the N.C. Arboretum. For a personal vehicle up to 20 feet long, advance tickets range from $30 to $60.

Arboretum Society members receive a $5 discount on advance tickets. Learn more or buy tickets at ncarboretum.org/winter-lights.

• Lake Junaluska will host a free showing of “Miracle

Smoky Mountain News

n All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted. n To have your item listed email to calendar@smokymountainnews.com on 34th Street” from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, in the Lambuth International Room at the Lambuth Inn.

A&E

• Mountain Makers Craft Market will be held from noon to 4 p.m. the first Sunday of each month at 308 North Haywood Street in downtown Waynesville. Over two dozen artisans selling handmade and vintage goods.

Special events will be held when scheduled. mountainmakersmarket.com.

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host an acoustic jam with the Main Street NoTones from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 16. Free and open to the public. For more information, click on blueridgebeerhub.com.

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Russ Wilson & Hank Bones (swing/old-time) Dec. 18 ($10 cover). All shows begin at 7 p.m. Limited seating.

Reservations required. 828.452.6000 or classicwineseller.com.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host a “Jazzy Holiday Party” 5 p.m. Dec. 16 and Shane Meade (soul/folk) 7 p.m. Dec. 22. Free and open to the public. innovationbrewing.com.

• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host Lilah Price 7 p.m. Dec. 23. All events are free and begin at 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Innovation-brewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host The Maggie Valley Band 7 p.m. Dec. 18. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public.

828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host Karaoke In The Smokies Dec. 17. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public.

828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host Mountain Gypsy Dec. 17, Twelfth Fret Dec. 18, Aly Jordan 5 p.m. Dec. 19, Steve Heffker Dec. 24 and Twelfth Fret 5 p.m. Dec. 26. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public.

828.538.0115 or mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

• Unplugged Pub (Bryson City) will host Blackjack Country Dec. 16, Trish Ann Band Dec. 17 and Genepool Band Dec. 18. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.538.2488.

• Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host The Brothers Gillespie (rock/indie) 8 p.m. Dec. 18.

828.456.4750 or facebook.com/waternhole.bar.

FOOD AND DRINK • “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.

• “Dillsboro After Five” will take place from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in downtown Dillsboro. Start with a visit to the Jackson County Farmers Market located in the Innovation Station parking lot. Stay for dinner and take advantage of late-hour shopping. .mountainlovers.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.

ART SHOWINGS AND GALLERIES • Jesse Adair Dallas will be showing his artwork at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin through the month of December. Open to the public. For more information, email jesse@enjoyarttoday.com.

35

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

Complete listings of local music scene Regional festivals Art gallery events and openings Complete listings of recreational offerings at health and fitness centers n Civic and social club gatherings

• “Thursday Painters” group will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays at The Uptown Gallery in Franklin. Free and open to the public. All skill levels and mediums are welcome. Participants are responsible for their own project and a bag lunch. For more information, call The Uptown Gallery at 828.349.4607 or contact Pat Mennenger at pm14034@yahoo.com. See more about Macon County Art Association at franklinuptowngallery.com and like, follow and share the Uptown Gallery on Facebook.

Blue Ridge Parkway in 2021 during a webinar at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 16. This 30-minute presentation is the latest installment of the Insider’s Report series, which highlights the nonprofit’s projects and ways to enjoy the national park unit. Register at brpfoundation.org/events.

• “Art Works @ The Library,” a collaborative program between the Haywood County Public Library system and the Haywood County Arts Council, is currently showcasing works by artist Cayce Moyer at the Canton Library.

Working in traditional and mixed media, Moyer blends the worlds of high-brow and low-brow work. Classically trained at Savannah College of Art and Design, her portfolio includes drawing, painting, sculpture, illustration, graphic design, murals, and set prop painting for theater and TV.

• The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s Virtual Hiking Challenge is back with a call to complete 60 miles of trail in 60 day, kicking off New Year’s Day. To complete the challenge, participants must walk, run or hike 60 miles by March 1. Registration ends Feb. 1, but earlier registration means more time to log the miles. Cost is $25. Sign up at appalachian.org/event/sahcs-winter-hiking-challenge60-miles-in-60-days.

Outdoors

• Haywood Waterways Association will hold its annual membership meeting via Zoom again this year, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16. The evening will feature a year-end review of the organization’s work, annual awards and other business. Log on at bit.ly/3G3upWy. • Learn about donor-funded projects completed on the

• Registration is open through Dec. 22 for Cataloochee Ski Area’s Afterschool Ski & Ride Program. Learn more or sign up at cataloochee.com/programs/afterschoolprograms.

• Trout Unlimited Tuckaseigee Chapter #373 (Sylva) will hold an in-person meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 4, at United Methodist Church in Sylva in the Fellowship Hall. Jeffery Marcum has committed to providing a nice meal, including desert. The agenda for this meeting is to elect Officers for 2022.

• The Wildlife Resources Commission is proposing a slate of changes to agency regulations for seasons in 2022-2023. Public comment is open through Monday, Jan. 31. This year, the agency’s furthest-west public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, at McDowell Technical College in Marion, and an online hearing is slated for 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20.

WHAT ARE THEY TRYING TO GET AWAY WITH? Public notices inform citizens of the changes that affect them and their community. Some state and local officials want to move these notices from newspapers to government-run websites, where they may not be easily accessed.

KEEP PUBLIC NOTICES IN NEWSPAPERS NORTH CAROLINA PRESS ASSOCIATION

Find your public notices at:

WWW.NCNOTICES.COM

Market WNC PLACE

MarketPlace information:

The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 copies across 500 locations in Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, including the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County.

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Announcements

A-1 DONATE YOUR CAR, Running or Not, Fast Free Pickup. Maximum tax deduction. 888641-9690

Auction 27TH ANNUAL Construction-Truck-Farm Absolute Auction Tues, Dec 28th 8AM Lumberton, NC See meekinsauction.com

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stores. CALL Christian Faith Publishing for your FREE author submission kit. 1-855-658-2057

Employment DUMP TRUCK DRIVER B. H. Graning Landscapes is hiring a Dump Truck Driver. CDL required. Part time and/or full time availability. $17$22/hour. Pay is negotiable based on knowledge and experience. For more information please call 828.586.8303. Apply online or in person. www. bhglandscapes.com/employment-application.

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ciates Degree ONLINE with CTI! Great career advancement with the right credentials! Learn who’s hiring! Call 833990-0354. The Mission, Program Information and Tuition is located at CareerTechnical.edu/consumer-information. (M-F 8am-6pm ET) MEDICAL BILLING & CODING TRAINING. New Students Only. Call & Press 1. 100% online courses. Financial Aid Available for those who qualify.

Call 833-9900354 ATTENTION ACTIVE DUTY/MILITARY Veterans Begin a new career and earn your degree at CTI. Online computer &

medical training available for veterans & families! To learn more call 833-9703466 THE JACKSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT Of Social Services is recruiting for an Adult Services Social Worker II. This position investigates reports of adult abuse and neglect and provides case management for substantiated adult protective services cases. This position also provides ongoing case management for guardianships, payeeships, individual and family adjustment services. Other duties include general intake and community outreach services. Requires limited availability after hours

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Folkmoot USA Executive Director Folkmoot USA, a registered 501c3, and North Carolina’s International Folk Festival, (www.folkmoot.org) is seeking an energetic and creative leader as its Executive Director. Working with the Board of Directors, a small staff and many volunteers, the Executive Director facilitates a year-round calendar of cultural events, performances, and educational opportunities, as well as the annual Folkmoot Festival. The Executive Director also supervises management of the Folkmoot Friendship Center, home to the Folkmoot Offices, performance space, classrooms, crafters and the SOAR Academy. Qualified candidates should have experience in supervision, management, and event planning. Experience in the cultural and performing arts, festival production, fundraising, and international exchange and travel is preferred. This is an immediate full time position based in beautiful Waynesville, North Carolina and nearby to Western Carolina University, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the City of Asheville. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to mike@folkmoot.org, by December 27, 2021.

December 15-21, 2021

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December 15-21, 2021

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37

SUPER

CROSSWORD

ANIMATED WOOFERS ACROSS 1 Agree (with) 5 Ability to cope well with difficulty 11 Mini-devils 15 Girl 19 Forget to say 20 Vocation 21 Heist booty 22 -- Stanley Gardner 23 She played Kira Nerys on "Deep Space Nine" 25 Sicilian resort city 26 Rain-starved 27 Get riper 28 Taken with 29 Legendary nude horse rider 31 Small bird 32 Enhaloed Fr. woman 33 Lightning source, as shortened in weather reports 36 Like wicker baskets 37 Rotating rocket ride at Disney theme parks 40 Alternatives to dice 43 Has the helm 44 Exactly 46 Lime drink 47 "Oh, go on!"

49 Kevin Bacon's "Footloose" role 55 Spring-loaded stick 58 R&B's Rawls 60 Suffix with script 61 Elvis -- Presley 62 Twitched, as a muscle 65 Pasta strip 69 Raiment 71 -- and yang 72 Depressing or untidy sort

75 Santa --, California 76 Overprotect 78 Most ashen 79 Discovered 81 Old cracker brand 82 Short time, for short 83 Sheeran and O'Neill 85 Regatta tools 86 Grammy nominee for writing the Lee Ann Womack hit "I May Hate Myself in the Morning" 92 Retort to "No you're not!"

95 Moray, say 96 Gin mill 98 Be emphatic 102 Moniker for Boston's locale 107 Flying disc renamed "Frisbee" in 1957 109 Zones 110 FDR part 112 "Indeedy" 113 "Law & Order: --" (NBC series since '99) 114 Silly grin 117 Gravy Train competitor 118 Insult, in rap 119 Be very mad 120 Baseball's Ty 121 Their names begin eight answers in this puzzle 125 Wields 126 Major city in Norway 127 Squirrel food 128 Actress Hathaway 129 Period before 6-Down 130 Close-call cry 131 Present in a different form 132 Attention-getting cries

DOWN 1 Piano recital pieces 2 Free-verse poet 3 Kitchen nook 4 Hellenic H 5 Red apple 6 It follows Holy Week 7 Stooges, e.g.

8 New Year in Vietnam 9 Zodiac sign 10 Mess up 11 "Word has it ..."

12 Munchies from Mars 13 Pint-size 14 Smeltery junk 15 Entice 16 Get there 17 Split-off bit 18 Alternatives to coupes 24 Sun blockers 29 Oscar winner Sophia 30 Proprietor 33 Uncle, in Spanish 34 Sky shiner 35 Head, in French 38 Creditors' takebacks 39 Square in the first column of a bingo card 41 Speed 42 Nuptial vow 45 Try to equal 48 "We're No Angels" actor - Ray 50 Regatta group 51 Gym pad 52 Pop singer Grande 53 Intersection 54 Presses and stretches 55 Hitchcock film of 1960 56 Downer drug 57 India's Indira 59 Takes stuff out of a

suitcase 63 Nero's 1,550 64 Up 'til 66 Popeye's Olive 67 Lofty poem 68 "ER" roles 69 Exist 70 Luggage-screening org.

73 Oil gp.

74 "Frozen" heroine 77 Fawn nurser 80 Hen's perch 82 Road deicer 84 T. rex, e.g.

87 U.S. flag sewer Ross 88 Meadowland 89 Sappy tree 90 Earthen cooking pot 91 Person, place or thing 93 Motorist's distance marker 94 Attach with a click 97 Siouan tribe 99 "All finished!"

100 "Kids" actress Chloe 101 Bridge supports 102 Amount a sack will hold 103 Stimulate 104 Naval petty officers 105 Most secure 106 OK for eating 108 Traffic cones 111 Funny bone locale 115 Garbage barge 116 Dance violently 117 Razor choice 121 Uber order 122 Fabulous flier 123 Fabled flier 124 "Zip-a-Dee-Doo- --"

ANSWERS ON PAGE 34

Legal Notices

Medical

PUBLIC NOTICE Mountain Projects Inc., is planning to submit a proposal to the North Carolina 2I¿FH RI (FRQRPLF 2Sportunity for a one year grant under the Community Services Block Grant Program. Public input is requested to utilize funding. The public hearings will be held on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 from 1:30pm to 2:30pm.

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38

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December 15-21, 2021

WNC MarketPlace

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise ‘any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination’. Familial status includes children under 18 living with parents or legal guardians and pregnant women.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate in violation of this law. All dwellings advertised on equal opportunity basis.

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Wanted to Buy FREON WANTED: We pay $$$ for cylinders and cans. R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient. &HUWL¿HG 3URIHVVLRQDOV Call 312-291-9169 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com

MLS# 3806316 | $2,075,000 | 196 +/- AC

Stunning once in a lifetime mountain estate or development tract off 196+/- rolling acres with a bold stream, large pasture, and long-range views of the surro ounding mountains.

MLS# 3798629 | $1,590,000 | 4 BR | 3.5 BA

MLS# 3811432 | $1,288,000 | 5 BR | 4.5 BA

A breathtaking custom-built hom me on 3+ private acres with year-round mountain m and lake views located in the gated g community of Fontana Lake Esttates.

A custom-built home located in the gated community of Villag ges of Plott Creek.

Spacious living areas s and conveniently located to Main Street, W Waynesville.

MLS# 3802835 | $845,000 | 3 BR | 3.5 BA

MLS# 3783254 | $489,900 | 4 BR | 2.5 BA

Sublime home sitting in Master’s Landing.

Distinctive building and design fuses i impeccable bl design d i with i h cutting-edge i d amenities in an unmatched setting.

A stunning 1920s ho ome that has been lovingly renovated, com mbining classic charm i h modern d h Enjoy the functional touches. with QFH RI QDWXUDO OLJKW ȵRRU SODQ DQG DEXQGDQ

December 15-21, 2021

WNC MarketPlace

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Smoky Mountain News December 15-21, 2021