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December 19-25, 2018 Vol. 20 Iss. 30

Common ground found in Green Hill Cemetery spat Page 3 Farm Bill offers little relief for American agriculture Page 12

From Our Family To Yours,

CONTENTS On the Cover: The popularity of The Polar Express train rides with Great Smoky Mountain Railroad continue to grow with nearly 90,000 riders recorded for 2018. The family-friendly excursions also bring an endless amount of Christmas cheer to visitors and locals alike who book their seats months in advance for the trip to the North Pole. (Page 6) Jessi Stone photo

News Common ground found in Green Hill Cemetery spat ..............................................3 Renewed push for historic hospital redevelopment ................................................5 Sylva shakes up TWSA board ........................................................................................8 Voter ID veto comes down to the wire ......................................................................10 Resolution passed to dissolve Qualla Housing ......................................................11 Farm Bill offers little relief for American agriculture ................................................13 Homeless services strained in Jackson County ......................................................15 Macon County completes 2019 revaluation ............................................................16 Sylva food pantry to get new roof ................................................................................17 Business News ..................................................................................................................19

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Trail project earns volunteer group national award ................................................34

December 19-25, 2018

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Common ground found in Green Hill Cemetery spat

Cadets from the Tuscola High School AFJROTC place wreaths in Green Hill Cemetery the morning of Dec. 16. Cory Vaillancourt photo

isputes of this nature are not uncommon, according to Waynesville Town Manager Rob Hites, who has many years in municipal government behind him but has only been with the town for a little over two years.

Comment on Green Hill Cemetery For those who couldn’t make it to the meeting Dec. 11, Waynesville Mayor Gavin Brown requested that the public comment portion thereof be held open until Jan. 2, 2019 so that all who wish to speak on the town’s cemetery ordinance have the opportunity. To leave a comment, email boa@waynesvillenc.gov. In response to this particular situation, Hites said he figured most of the uproar was related to the fact that it was really the first time the town had ever enforced section 20 of the ordinance, which has been in place since 2009; still, he told town staff to cease operations in Green Hill and await further direction from the board of aldermen. “I genuinely sympathize with people that feel like they’re communicating with their dead, if you will, by putting out mementos,” said Hites. “It’s very meaningful for them and it comforts grieving to put mementoes on the gravestones. I understand that. All the staff was doing was complying with the ordinance that was adopted. Nobody is at all trying to harm or disrespect anybody.” Like Hites, Ybanez quickly sprang into

S EE CEMETERY, PAGE 4

Smoky Mountain News

emetery regulations had been in place in the Town of Waynesville since at least 1966, but probably even for 80 years earlier than that; town ordinances were revised in 1987 and then again in 1995 after Hazelwood became part of Waynesville. That didn’t stop complaints about Green Hill Cemetery’s appearance, like those of former alderman Sam Wiggins in 1999. More than a year later, Mayor Henry Foy established a cemetery committee, and five years after that, in 2005, signage regarding prohibited items was erected.

In 2009, changes to the ordinance proposed by then town manager Lee Galloway were discussed at the board of aldermen’s annual retreat and in April of that year, the original “ordinance 18,” as it’s now known, was passed. In that ordinance, specifically section 20, it declares unlawful “anything, including trinkets, toys, shells, glass vases, jars, tin cans, sand, or other artificial material on any marker, plot, space, or columbarium unit with the exception of cut flowers or artificial flowers, and approved flags on spaces of soldiers, sailors or Marines.” The ordinance further prohibits “floral arrangements or any type decoration or other sort of ornamentation or picture … attached to a columbarium unit.” A host of other prohibitions, including benches, fences and lights are also delineated therein. In 2011, a review of the ordinance resulted in no action being brought to the town board, but more signage was placed in the cemetery in April 2016. In October of that year, aldermen received a draft of amendments to the ordinance. Those revisions pertaining to section 20 included grandfathering existing benches, establishing the town’s policy of periodic cleanup and instituting a 60-day storage period for items improperly placed, but made no changes to which items could be placed. On Oct. 25, 2016, the board called for a public hearing on the revised ordinance and published per law a notice in The Mountaineer on Nov. 4. The Mountaineer is Haywood County’s newspaper of record and as such is the only one that can satisfy statutory requirements of published notification for things like board meetings and zoning hearings. On Nov. 8, that public hearing was conducted. Not a single person showed up to

“It’s not unusual. I’ve had different groups of people that fussed about the cemetery everywhere I’ve been,” he said. “And the town board is kind of whipsawed because there’s the one group of people that feel very strongly, and then you have the other group that feels like the cemetery should be kept neat and tidy and that there shouldn’t be personal items placed in the cemetery. The poor town board — of any town — I’m not speaking just of this town, they have to balance both of these groups, and it’s such an emotional issue.”

December 19-25, 2018

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER ong-established rules and regulations created by the Town of Waynesville that proscribed periodic cleanup of the town’s historic Green Hill Cemetery upset family members of the deceased, who were taken aback — and, they say, by surprise — when the cleanup resulted in dozens of shrubs, statues, vases and floral arrangements being cleared from plots. “We all understand we need to maintain it. Let’s do whatever we can for maintenance and the whole nine yards. We’re not asking them to go out there with a pair of scissors and we don’t care how long it takes — that’s not what we’re doing,” said Scott Ybanez, chairman of an ad-hoc group of concerned citizens calling itself the Green Hill Cemetery Committee. “We just want people to be able to mourn their loved ones in whatever manner they see fit without it upsetting maintenance.” How that will be done in the future has been and will continue to be the subject of intense public debate, after a packed boardroom at a Dec. 11 town meeting saw almost two dozen speakers call the entire situation “despicable” and “disrespectful.”

speak on the proposed revisions. Concerned about the lack of turnout, Waynesville Mayor Gavin Brown moved for the hearing to be continued to the Dec. 13 board meeting. Again, not a single person showed up to talk about it. The board then passed the ordinance, effective Jan. 1, 2017. “Nobody showed up when they passed this, so no one had a clue of what was actually going on,” said Ybanez. “The fact that they state they had put it in The Mountaineer, they had done this and done that, I’m not going to argue with them that they did or they didn’t, but a lot of people around here have lost hope in WLOS and in The Mountaineer. Putting it in those publications really didn’t help anybody out.” Phase one cleanup work — the removal of shrubs and bushes — began in April of that year and was also conducted in October. The town initially received complaints asking why other prohibited items were also not being removed, to which the town responded that a second phase clean up dealing with those items would soon begin. In April 2018, phase two began and as in 2017, work was also conducted in October. Objects that were removed from cemetery plots or columbarium were carefully documented by family name and where they came from, and placed behind a shed. “Once they started the actual removal of all the stuff that was in the cemetery, people lost their minds,” said Ybanez. It was only when people began to dig through the items without town staff on the scene — disrespectfully heaping them into varying piles of disarray — that the items were moved to the public services building. The damage, however, had already been done.

Cradling a small statue she’d recovered from Green Hill, Mary Sisk addresses the Waynesville board of Aldermen Dec. 11. Cory Vaillancourt photo

Smoky Mountain News

December 19-25, 2018

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CEMETERY, CONTINUED FROM 3

action, gathering together opponents of the town’s cleanup efforts into the Green Hill Cemetery Committee. “We’re a committee made up of eight people and we took on the role of overseeing the town, so to speak,” he said. “Not to oversee what the town’s doing, but we’re there if need be. We can be a liaison.” The group held a community meeting attended by Alderman Jon Feichter and about 20 others, available for viewing on the group’s Facebook page. Days later, on Dec. 11, Ybanez and his group along with about 50 others attended a special called meeting of the Town of Waynesville board of aldermen meant specifically to hear comments, concerns and complaints about the town’s cemetery ordinance. Not a single person spoke in favor of the ordinance as currently constituted, but the criticism didn’t end there; speaker after speaker — some holding recovered items from loved ones’ graves — castigated aldermen over everything from the way the items were stored to the way the revised 2016 ordinance was passed, despite its irrelevance to the issue at hand. “It was done behind people’s backs,” said Joyce Gaddis during the meeting. “Put something in The Mountaineer? That’s a joke. Nobody reads The Mountaineer enough to know what you’re doing up here.” Ybanez even suggested the town had itself committed crimes by trespassing on graves to remove prohibited items. “People actually purchase a deed that they have to register at the clerk of court, which means that deeded property is theirs,” he said. “They own that property.” Hites, backed up by Waynesville Town Attorney Bill Cannon during the meeting, said that’s not exactly the case; enabling legislation passed by the State of North Carolina in 1949 grants cities and counties the power to supersede the deed and exercise police powers much like it recently did in declaring town parks closed at 9 p.m. “I think there’s a belief that, if I have a deed, [then] therefore I have all the rights,” said Hites. “You may not trespass on my plot — that’s really not how the statutes are interpreted. I think there’s a genuine misunderstanding of the laws regarding cemeteries whether public or private, and the specific general statute that gives cities the right to manage their own cemeteries.” After more than an hour the meeting concluded, although only in a physical sense; Mayor Gavin Brown prides himself on running as transparent a government as he can,

Waynesville purchases house in Green Hill Cemetery BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER he sole remaining private home adjacent to Waynesville’s historic Green Hill Cemetery is now in town hands

has said in the past he’s “circumspect” about holding closed session meetings, and has repeatedly demonstrated his willingness to extend public comment sessions when he doesn’t think enough input has been offered. Per Brown, the Dec. 11 meeting will be “held open” until Jan. 2 so that any additional comments received between now and then can become part of the official minutes of the Dec. 11 meeting. Next, the town will discuss the issue during its annual winter retreat, likely to be held sometime in the next two months; it’s at this meeting that the town’s annual budget begins to take shape, so any proposals involving changes to funding for the cemetery — for cleanup or otherwise — would be well-timed. Other items likely to be discussed are closing the cemetery from dusk until dawn (see “Purchase,” below) as well as the ability of businesses to conduct tours there. “The board can reaffirm [the ordinance] and say ‘We’re going to do what we’ve been doing,’ or they can modify it and say, ‘We are not going to have any rules in the cemetery at all,’” Hites said. “We’re happy with the fact that they know they got caught,” said Ybanez. “People are not going to take it. I just really hope and pray that it doesn’t have to go to the next step. I hope we can come to an agreement.” ny change to the ordinance — not likely for some time — would require a public hearing as well as a vote by the board of aldermen. Ybanez, a resident of Haywood County since he was 3 months old and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps who has no relatives in Green Hill “except my military brothers and sisters” said the whole thing has him fired up and ready for further action. “I’m not done,” he said. “I don’t really know to what capacity, but I really became upset at the way my county and my towns are being run and handled right now. And the fact that money is being wasted, and families are being torn apart over making someone else’s pockets deeper. I don’t think you’ve seen the last of me, [just serving] on this committee.” All four Waynesville aldermen as well as Mayor Gavin Brown are up for re-election next year; Brown has said he won’t run again and his seat is expected to draw a number of candidates. Ybanez said that were it not for his Jonathan Creek residency, he’d be one of them. “I’ve told everybody, you find me a house and I’ll move tomorrow. You think I’m playing? I am not playing,” he said. “No matter what, every alderman on that board right

now — and the mayor — I promise you that I will run somebody. I’ll find people to put in those positions. I’ll do everything in my power to support others. Anyone sitting on that bored now, I can almost assure you, won’t be mayor.” Still, Ybanez said he and the Green Hill Cemetery Committee are open not only to working with the town to resolve the current round of conflict, but to act as stewards of the cemetery in perpetuity, just as the town must. “I would love to see the town work with the committee. As a whole, the committee is out for the best interest of the people,” he said. “In the same breath, with this committee established maybe there’s things we can do.” As an example, he mentioned his group’s participation in the “Wreaths Across

after a Dec. 17 closing. The town already owns a small adjacent parcel just to the north of it, but the 760 square-foot house on a third of an acre had also long been on the town’s radar, according to Town Manager Rob Hites, who explained its twofold purpose. “One of our goals in purchasing this property is to be able to restrict access,” said Hites. Because the home is located on Veterans

Circle, the road leading up into and around Green Hill, closing the cemetery from dawn until dusk hasn’t been an option because Veterans Circle is a public street. With the acquisition, the town will now have more options to set and enforce a curfew. The home itself will be turned into a sales office for gravesites; records and files will also be stored there. “That house will make us a little bit more customer friendly,” he said.

Signs near the entrance of Green Hill Cemetery outline what’s permitted, and what’s not. Cory Vaillancourt photo

America” event held in conjunction with the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion on the morning of Dec. 15; more than 500 wreaths were placed on graves of veterans in Green Hill Cemetery, but volunteers at more than 1,400 cemeteries across the country did likewise, including Arlington National Cemetery, where President Trump braved the rain to make an appearance. “I thought that was a humbling experience and I was proud to be a part of that,” said Ybanez. “I will definitely help in January with the removal, and I hope maybe there’s things down the road we can do as a committee. Maybe we can have fundraisers ourselves, and do things maybe for Valentine’s Day or Veterans Day. We’re not just out here trying to beat our chest and shut the town down, no. We want to help.” Half of all proceeds from the sales of plots go into the cemetery’s trust fund, which had a balance of $476,000 before the $100,000 purchase. Hites says there’s still plenty of room left in Green Hill. “Quite a bit, for cemetery of its age,” he said. “I think it’s 26 acres, and I wouldn’t be surprised if 12 acres or so is still available [for burials]. It’s probably got another 60 to 100 years, depending on how fast the city grows.”

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BY CORY VAILLANCOURT sidewalk improvements around the hospital. STAFF WRITER “More particularly,” said Hites, “this n ongoing effort to qualify for tax credgives the town the right to enter into a partits that would make redevelopment of nership to rehabilitate the old hospital for the county-owned Historic Haywood affordable housing with this private developCounty Hospital more financially attractive er, and with the county.” to developers will have some extra heft Haywood County took steps of its own behind it if a series of Waynesville public to cement that partnership Dec. 17, when hearings meets with board approval. commissioners were asked to approve a res“This will be the third or fourth try by olution encouraging the town to initiate the the county to get the hospital designated for adaptive reuse of the building as a redeveltax credits,” said opment project per the NCHFA, as well as Waynesville Town issue a purchase option for Landmark on Manager Rob Hites. the 3-acre hospital property in the amount “Landmark Asset of $225,000. Services [the develop“What that does is put us in a smaller ers] on behalf of the pool of applicants,” said county Program county applies for it, Administrator David Francis. “Last year they are graded and there were 200 applicants. In [the smaller they’ve always been pool] last year was four [applicants], and graded very highly, but Rob Hites they awarded two credits.” they’re graded and then Recipients of the credits will be they don’t get it. In talking with the North announced in August 2019. Francis said that Carolina Housing Finance Agency, they said if successful, Landmark’s redevelopment that this would’ve been a richer, more comwould not impact Haywood County petitive application if the project had been Schools, which leases a portion of the buildpart of a broader redevelopment project.” ing for use as its central offices. That lease Consequently, the Town of Waynesville’s ends in 2020, and Landmark would honor board of aldermen plans to designate the that lease, according to Francis. board as a redevelopment authority per Both agenda items, however, were postN.C. law. poned due to newly-elected Commissioner “What it does is, it gives town the statuMark Pless’ insistence that the purchase tory authority to use public money to rehaoption include stronger language protecting bilitate in many different ways a specific the school district’s lease. area,” said Hites. Right now, the town can only Right now, the town can only incentivize development in accordance with its recently passed economic incentivize development in incentive policy. Becoming a redevelaccordance with its recently opment authority would open things up a bit. passed economic incentive “All those broad powers give the city the general right to rehabilitate policy. Becoming a neighborhoods, to construct affordredevelopment authority would able, low- to moderate-income housing [or] to incentivize private developopen things up a bit. ment or nonprofits to build,” Hites said. If a Jan. 8 public hearing regarding the If passed, this will be the fourth time — establishment of a redevelopment authority the third with Landmark — that the county goes well, the town’s next move after an affir- has entered into such an agreement, which mative vote would be to hold another public is again contingent on approval of tax credhearing proposing the establishment of a its from the NCHFA. The tentative closing redevelopment area. date would be on or before March 15, 2020, “What the redevelopment authority does but Landmark also has the option to pay in this specific case is, it gives the town the $7,000 apiece for two separate 90-day extenauthority to declare a half-mile radius sions to that closing deadline, pushing it around the old hospital as a redevelopment back to Sept. 15, 2020. zone or redevelopment area,” says Hites. The application process for the credits Then, a third resolution would need to be includes a preliminary submission by Jan. passed that restates the town’s commitment 18, 2019, and a final application due in May. to provide money for tap fees, permitting The next meeting of the Haywood Board of fees, water and sewer line extensions and County Commissioners is Jan. 7.

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What’s New for 2019? Every year it’s fun to predict what will be the new food fads or trends. This year “plant-based” is the term du jour and more products are reflecting that trend…or is it only a short term fad? Let me know what you think! Here are some other trends and fads I see reflected on the Ingles Supermarket shelves.

Single-Serve. The notion of individual containers and “grabn-go” continues to be popular. We already have everything from peanut butter and hummus in single serve sizes; but expect to see more drinkable yogurts and kefir, soups that can easily be eaten at your desk or in your car, fruits and vegetables and snack kits in smaller sizes and servings.

Snacktastic. This year the top snacks seems to be sweet treats like caramel and chocolate popcorn or sweet mixes featuring cookies, candy and nuts. Simplify. Whether you call it “simple” or “clean”, many brands have chosen to shorten their ingredient lists to appeal to consumers. (note: this doesn’t necessarily mean that the items are healthier or better for you!)

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December 19-25, 2018

Splurging. From high fat ice creams to expensive cuts of meat. More customers want the option of being able to splurge for special meals, treats and holidays.

news December 19-25, 2018

Polar Express wraps up another magical season

Santa Clause hands a silver jingle bell to Sutton from Mississippi during The Polar Express train excursion aboard the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. Jessi Stone photo

Smoky Mountain News

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR earing the joyful sound of a small silver jingle bell from Santa’s sleigh — it’s what separates those who believe in the spirit of Christmas and those who don’t. The jingle jangle of the bell comes through loud and clear when we’re children, but can fade away as we get older. Hope is not lost forever though, as children and adults alike are sure to find their Christmas spirit restored aboard The Polar Express train ride. Based on the 1986 classic children’s book written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express excursion begins at the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in Bryson City and magically transports passengers to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus and all his helpers. All families return to the train depot with a silver bell of their own and a renewed Christmas spirit. “Santa was able to give both our kids their own silver bell from his sleigh as he left our train car. This is the highlight of the Polar Express story and indeed it was the most memorable part of our time on the train,” said Tracy Harrell of Asheville. “Those bells now hold a sacred space hanging from the Christmas tree in our living room, a perfect token from our memory made.” It was the Harrell family’s first Polar 6

Express excursion with their kids — Lawson, 5, Stella Grace 3, and baby Harrell who is due in early 2019. Like many parents, Tracy and Billy both remember reading The Polar Express as children and wanted to keep the tradition going for their own children. “Chris Van Allsburg just had a way of making the story come alive through his illustrations and kid-friendly story writing — it’s such a timeless and classic story,” Tracy said. “Billy’s family had read the book on Christmas Eve for years as a family tradition. Now that we have our own kids, we too have a tradition of reading the book and watching the movie as a family around the holidays. Our kids are enthralled with the magic of Polar Express.”

THE STORY The book tells the story of a young boy on Christmas Eve who is confronted with an ageold conundrum when his friend from school tells him there’s no such thing as Santa Claus. As he lies in bed listening for Santa’s sleigh bells, he’s awoken to the sound of a steam engine outside his window. He climbs aboard to take a midnight voyage to the North Pole with many other children. When they arrive, Santa and the elves are gathering to see who will get the first

Christmas gift of the year. The boy is chosen and simply asks for one silver bell from Santa’s sleigh. Santa happily obliges, but when the boy gets back on the train to go home he learns the bell has fallen through a hole in his pocket. While he’s saddened to lose the only proof he had of his magical trip to the North Pole, his joy returns when he unwraps a small gift under the tree on Christmas morning and finds the bell. The Polar Express is a story that sticks with you throughout your childhood and into adulthood as life’s tribulations tend to test your Christmas spirit. The ringing of the bell may begin to wane in your memory as you get older, but then there’s just something about sharing the story and the experience with your own children that makes it return. “It was an experience that I know our kids will never forget and always look forward to,” Tracy Harrell said. “Even Billy and I can’t help but smile when we think back on that night. It was an enchanted night indeed.”

THE EXPERIENCE As the sun goes down over downtown Bryson City, bright blue and white lights line the streets and cover the trees around the train depot. Children and their parents are dressed in festive pajamas as they pose for

pictures in Santa’s sleigh and order hot chocolate to keep them warm while they wait for the conductor to tell them it’s time. The anticipation is palpable. “Give me five, Tony,” the conductor says quietly into his walkie talkie. All of a sudden the train whistle blows five times. “All aboard,” the conductor proclaims. Parents start shepherding their kids toward the line in front of their assigned train car. Children are jumping up and down — partly from excitement and partly trying to keep themselves warm as the temp drops into the mid-30s. Stacy Stanley from Kentucky tries to corral her little boy and girl — Tate and Taylyn — in front of the MacNeill train for pictures. They’re both dressed in Christmas pajamas and red robes. They are trying hard to hold a smile for mom’s pictures, but they keep looking back at the train like they’re going to miss something. “It’s our first time on the train,” Stanley said. “We came just for this. I tried to get tickets in September, but all the weekends were fully booked. I’m a teacher so I had to take off a couple of days to do it.” From the looks on their faces when they stepped off the train an hour and a half later, the trip was well worth it. The Harrell family, who recently moved from Athens, Georgia, to Asheville, also learned their lesson last year when weekend tickets for Polar Express sold out early, but they were determined to make it this year. “Tickets were sold out for the season and had been for weeks — we would just have to miss this unique experience on our first year living in the mountains,” Tracy said. “So this year, in 2018, we booked our tickets in the summer. I’m not a fan of planning things that far in advance but I knew we had to be here this year.” Sarah Pressley, a spokesperson for GSMR, said the railroad began the Polar Express excursions after the major motion picture starring Tom Hanks was released in 2004. Each year the Polar Express, which runs from late November to New Year’s, grows in popularity. While ridership was about 30,000 in 2010, the number continues to climb each year. “We are trending about 4 percent up and so far we are around 82,000 (passengers),” she said. “Our goal is to exceed 90,000 riders this year.” The Harrell family traveled to Bryson City for their Polar Express excursion the weekend after Thanksgiving. All decked out in their brand new pajamas purchased just for the train ride, the kids were bursting with excitement and ready to see Santa. Tracy said she couldn’t believe how bustling the small mountain town was on a Saturday night as families milled about in front of the train depot. “We went through the hoards of people making their way to the boarding platform. It was very crowded but everyone was in the highest of spirits,” she said. “Families far more festive than ours had gone all out with everyone, even the parents, in matching pajamas or coordinated Christmas attire. It was awesome to see everyone there and on the same jolly wave-length.”

news The Polar Express train ride includes a reading of the classic children’s book (left). Passengers aboard The Polar Express travel to the North Pole, which is staged in Whittier (right). Families dress up in their holiday pajamas to board the Polar Express in Bryson City (below). Jessi Stone photo (top, left) • Other photos courtesy of the Bryson City/Swain County NC Chamber of Commerce

BEHIND THE SCENES

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by a lively chef and waiter who help everyone get seated before serving a cookie and hot cocoa inside of a Polar Express mug to take home as a souvenir. “From the first moment we stepped on the train we knew we had truly entered the story of the great Polar Express,” Tracy said. “Our golden tickets were punched, we immediately were served hot chocolate by a singing and dancing staff, the train’s spirit character appeared right away telling us whimsical and lively tales, we sang carols, saw Santa, visited the North Pole, ate warm cookies, sang and danced, did a group read through a largeprint version of the book — the works.” While the Polar Express offers plenty of entertainment throughout the ride, that tiny jingle bell from Santa’s sleigh being handdelivered by the big jolly man himself is still at the heart of the experience. “I believe, I believe,” the kids yell in unison as they ring their silver bells on the train.

December 19-25, 2018

Pressley said GSMR believes in the Christmas spirit and making Polar Express the “ultimate experience” for families. From dancing chefs and waiters, to a mysterious hobo who tests your true belief and the conductor who makes sure to punch your golden ticket, passengers truly feel they are a part of the classic Christmas story. “Of course the main attraction is making it to the North Pole where Santa is waiting with his special elf friends and even the Hero Boy from the story reminding you to keep that silver bell close and not to lose it,” she said. “Once Santa boards the train and you make your way back, Santa will greet each child and present all with the official first gift of Christmas, which is the silver sleigh bell that we hope still rings for all.” Once seated on the train, Tracy said the atmosphere was cozy and the staff friendly. All of The Polar Express pieces started to fall into place. Immediately, families are greeted

A tremendous amount of work goes on behind the scenes to make The Polar Express such a magical experience for its patrons. GSMR’s sister company RailEvents Inc., licenses the event and works closely with Warner Brothers to provide a clear outline of what a great Polar Express Train Ride experience looks like. “The event is by far our most popular and has only grown in popularity due to the multi-generational draw that the story has and the Christmas tradition or spirit that it brings during the holidays,” Pressley said. The train ride departs eastbound from Bryson City on the Tuckasegee River Excursion route but only goes to the North Pole and back. Downtown Whittier serves as the North Pole — all the houses along the tracks are decorated in bright lights and Christmas decor. In addition to Santa, The Polar Express requires an entire team working together to bring the story to life several times a day for hundreds of people. “The behind-the-scenes is certainly controlled chaos but very fun. This year with the addition of new characters and added capacity to our train the special events staff for the event alone is over 120 people who are all interchanging every night based on their working schedules,” Pressley said. “We worked very closely with the WCU theater department this year to develop a fresh script, new overhead onboard voiceovers and recruited several actors to work with us this year.” It’s obvious the actors on the train take their roles seriously and have taken the time to develop their characters. They also take the time to talk to each child on the train to engage them in the story. Pressley said the staff spends 12 weeks together during the holiday season — making them a tight-knit Polar Express family. “Rehearsals that consisted of choreography and read throughs began in early October and ran up until the week of the first train. Our Special Events Manager Andrew Hill, in addition to all that, has also worked tirelessly to bring new lighting and sound to

the depot and boarding area,” she said. “Not only does this provide a whole new level of safe boarding but the lights are used as added effect to the theatrical side that the event brings and guests enjoy a really great light show before they board.” Other staff members are local high school and early college students who have been working the Polar Express season for multiple years. “We have become invested in their lives even after the event is over. We’ve seen them grow year after year and it’s such a treat to get to know them,” Pressley said. Everyone on the train is served hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies prepared fresh every night by the food and beverage staff. If you’re fortunate enough to grab a first-class ticket, you’ll also enjoy a chocolate train lollipop made by Heavenly Fudge Depot in Bryson City. Pressley said weekend dates do sale out quickly but usually weekday tickets are always available with Polar Express trains departing several times a day. GSMR also offers special discounts for local residents in early December. As The Polar Express gains popularity, the town of Bryson City is also expanding its holiday appeal to add to the tourist experience. New this year are 80 Christmas trees grouped around town, with the largest display in front of the Visitor Center & Heritage Museum on the town square. Over 200,000 LED Christmas lights enhance stores, bridges, lamp poles and the town’s 75-foot Christmas tree. The iconic red caboose on Caboose Corner provides a holiday-themed venue for group photos. Guests are now treated to a sound and light theatrical presentation never before experienced on the Polar Express in Bryson City. There is a spectacular synchronized light show to a familiar Christmas song that guests will enjoy while waiting for the train. All 18 train cars have white rope lighting around the exterior edges and light up the landscape as the train travels to pick up Santa at the North Pole Village, which is illuminated by 62,000 colorful lights. For more information about GSMR or Polar Express rides, visit www.gsmr.com.

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Sylva shakes up TWSA board Commissioners remove member mid-term to boost business representation BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER ylva commissioners voted Dec. 13 to remove former mayor and longtime Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority board member Brenda Oliver from TWSA, citing a desire for “fresh” and “out-of-the-box” ideas on the board. At the meeting, commissioners said that the decision was not intended as a censure of Oliver, who, said Commissioner David Nestler, “has been an excellent representative for Sylva on that board.” However, commissioners said, they wanted to see greater representation from the business community and overall change on a board that has met criticism from those who feel that TWSA has done more to impede economic development than to promote it. The unusual move was brought on by another, more routine change to the TWSA board. Commissioner Harold Hensley’s third term on TWSA expires Dec. 31, and because the authority’s bylaws state that members can’t serve more than three consecutive appointments, the town had already been planning to replace Hensley. Three people applied for the position — attorney Jeffrey Goss, restaurant owner Mick McCardle and woodworker Kirk Shufelt.

December 19-25, 2018

MOVES AT A MEETING Hensley wanted to see Town Manager Paige Dowling replace him on the board.

Dowling did not fill out an application but said during a November board meeting that she would be willing to serve should commissioners ask her to. “She’s been born and bred in Sylva, and I think everybody knows from the job she’s done with the town she’d do an excellent job with TWSA,” said Hensley. However, Hensley was the only commissioner who ultimately supported the move, with Commissioners Mary Gelbaugh, David Nestler, Greg McPherson and Barbara Hamilton voting against it. “I agree you would make a great appointment to the TWSA board. However, I feel like your responsibilities for the Town of Sylva are full, especially in light of what’s happening with (N.C.) 107 this year,” Gelbaugh told Dowling at the meeting. “We’re going to have a lot of other meetings for you. I David Nestler feel like whenever there’s a special issue at TWSA that requires your attention, you’re going to show up, whether you’re on the board or whether you’re in the audience with public comments.” Nestler then said that he was “very pleased” that the town received three applications for appointment to a board that “can be kind of dense and boring at times,” saying that he was especially impressed with McCardle and Goss — so much so that he hated to turn either of them away. That’s when he suggested that the board appoint Goss to Hensley’s seat but also remove Oliver from the board, replacing her with McCardle. The suggestion required a series of motions to become effective. The board first voted to appoint Goss, an action that was

With three appointments, Sylva has the most representation on the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority Board. Jackson County has two appointments, Dillsboro and Webster each have one, and Western Carolina University has one non-voting member. Holly Kays photo recorded as a unanimous decision despite Hensley declining to raise his hand for or against. State law prevents board members from abstaining except in a very narrow set of circumstances, with a failure to vote counted as a yes. However, Hensley was more vocal when Nestler moved to end Oliver’s appointment. Her third term would have ended Dec. 31, 2019, after which she would have had to rotate off the board. “Brenda has been an excellent representative for Sylva on that board and this is not due to any shortcoming of her,” said Nestler. “It’s really more because I think we need some enthusiastic, fresh, young ideas on this board.” “I disagree strongly with that,” Hensley replied. “Brenda Oliver has put in 30 years

Smoky Mountain News

Email thread deemed illegal meeting

Sylva commissioners violated the state’s open meetings law when they participated in an email thread discussing the upcoming vote on appointments to the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority Board. State law contains various provisions for scheduling, noticing and holding meetings, as well as a definition for what a meeting is. That definition includes “simultaneous communications by conference telephone or other electronic means of a majority of the members of a public body for the purpose of conducting hearings, participating in deliberations, or voting upon or otherwise transacting the public business.” “It constitutes a meeting and therefore it constitutes an illegal meeting,” said Town Attorney Eric Ridenour of the emails. “We will strive to do better and be mindful of the difference between what things can be sent out as a whole between board members and what can’t.” While individual board members can meet or otherwise converse privately about whatever they want to, it’s illegal for a majority of the board — in this case, three or more members — to do so without noticing the conversation as an official meeting.

After realizing their mistake, board members were quick to apologize and promise that it wouldn’t happen again. The town board is scheduled to hold a planning session on Thursday, Jan. 24, and will include a review of open meetings laws as part of that meeting. “We need to apologize to the press and everybody else because that wasn’t the right thing to do and our lawyer had informed us and reminded us,” said Sossamon. “I think everybody knows that’s not things that you do. That’s sort of an illegal meeting when you send emails and reply and talk about things through an email. I apologize for any part I had in that.” Gelbaugh also conceded that it was “wrong to have done that,” with Hensley saying that he questioned whether the discussion was legal after sending his email, which he dashed off “because I was so mad” about Nestler’s proposal to remove Brenda Oliver from the TWSA board. Nestler, meanwhile, initially said his understanding was that the email thread was legal since they weren’t taking a vote on anything. But after speaking with Ridenour, Nestler called SMN again to apologize for participating in what he now knew to be an illegal meeting.

with this town and she’s appointed by this town to serve on this board. She ought to at least get the dignity to finish her term.” Further, Hensley said, Sylva should appoint somebody who lives in town limits. While McCardle owns Lulu’s on Main downtown, he doesn’t live in Sylva. McPherson was the only other voting board member to comment before the vote. “I agree with David (Nestler) in that we really need to have some people on this board that are business owners, that are looking out for businesses, especially with what’s going to happen with 107. There’s got to be some outof-the-box new ideas,” he said. While Sossamon — who, as mayor, votes only in case of a tie — did not state her position on the move, she did voice support for Oliver.

“I certainly don’t want to be part of a culture where that’s OK,” he said. “I’m really sorry I did that.” Hamilton was the only board member who didn’t reply to the thread. “I don’t do that because we’re not supposed to be doing that particular thing,” she said. However, Hamilton doesn’t believe the other board members were trying to skirt the rules. “I don’t think it was intentional that they did it,” she said. “I think it was a learning experience, kind of brought it home to them that we cannot be doing that. I think they really didn’t honestly realize what they were doing.” The email thread was not the first time in recent months the board’s adherence to open meetings laws has been questioned. In November the board released minutes of an October closed session meeting in which board members asked Ridenour about N.C. Department of Transportation compensation for property owners affected by the N.C. 107 project and regulations regarding protests at town meetings. While Ridenour contended that the discussion was allowed as a closed session under state law, Amanda Martin, attorney for the N.C. Press Association, said she thought that, “much of what happened should have been done in open session.” North Carolina’s open meetings laws are online at bit.ly/2Bm9T3M.

— Brenda Oliver

Community members pore over preliminary plans for N.C. 107 during a meeting in 2017. File photo

“I also appreciate all the years that Brenda (Oliver) has given to this town,” Sossamon said. “I’ve worked with her as a board member when she was mayor here and on Mountain Projects and other things.” The board voted to remove Oliver and then to appoint McCardle, with both votes following the same 4-1 breakdown — Hensley opposed, the remaining members in favor.

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December 19-25, 2018

Despite strong feelings on both sides of the issue, discussion of the TWSA changes was relatively limited during the Dec. 13 meeting, with only about 10 minutes elapsing from the time the board appointment was brought up for discussion to the time the meeting adjourned. As it turns out, that’s likely because commissioners had already made up their minds during an email exchange that Town Attorney Eric Ridenour conceded amounted to an illegal meeting (see sidebar). Gelbaugh forwarded the email chain to The Harold Hensley Smoky Mountain News and The Sylva Herald the next morning, saying that she thought reporters ought to have access to the messages. The thread began with a four-paragraph message that Sossamon sent to board members on Monday, Dec. 10, reminding them of the upcoming vote on the TWSA appointment, its importance to the community, applications received and her preferences for the appointment. “My choice would be Jeff Goss, since he would bring legal expertise and also a fresh view of TWSA. I feel he would be a good representative for Sylva. Also, I would say, that Paige (Dowling) would always be a good representative since she is very knowledgeable about the Town and TWSA policies,” Sossamon wrote. Nobody replied to the email until 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, when Nestler wrote that he had “thought long and hard”

about the appointment and spoken with both Goss and McCardle. While Nestler said he thought McCardle would be a “slightly better pick” — he owns a restaurant and experienced TWSA policies first-hand when he recently moved the business to a different location on Main Street — he thought both men were “excellent choices.” The email was a reply all to members of the board and also included Dowling and Ridenour. “Even though Brenda (Oliver)’s term is not up I think that we should reappoint her position,” Nestler wrote. “After talking to these two it is very clear that they are eager to serve and would both offer up fresh ideas and opinions to the TWSA board. Brenda has not provided any input to any of the issues discussed at our meetings recently. Her role on that board is not as an engaged member and I think either one of these two new candidates would be a more vocal supporter of our community. I think her heart is in the right place but I think somebody with a little more enthusiasm for their opinion would better serve our town. So, my suggestion is that we not pick between Jeff and Mick but rather appoint them both.” The next morning at 9:02 a.m., Gelbaugh replied to the group that she liked Nestler’s idea and would support him should he make the motion at the meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. that day. “Mick (McCardle) and Jeff (Goss) will both be an asset for Sylva and I believe in light of the needed changes to policy regarding highway 107 this compromise is the best approach,” she said. At 3:12 p.m., Hensley told the group that he was “very much opposed” to the suggestion and reiterated his belief that Dowling should take over his seat. “I strongly oppose your suggestion to replace former Mayor Brenda Oliver before her term is completed,” Hensley wrote, addressing Nestler. “As to your comment concerning the fact that she does not have a lot of input during meetings, I would respond that because of her history with the Town of Sylva as a Commissioner and Mayor and her assistance when TWSA was established, she understands what is going on and does not need to be as vocal and ask so many questions as some I know.”

Seven minutes later, Nestler replied that he “will gladly let you (Hensley) start the discussion off and state your opinion that you would like Paige to replace you on the board. You can obviously make whatever motion you would like. However, I will be making the motion that we appoint Jeff to take your vacant spot on the board and then Mick to take Brenda’s spot.” McPherson provided the last response to the thread, at 3:51 p.m. writing that he would support appointing Goss and that he believed both Goss and McCardle “make excellent candidates as stewards of this complicated and frustrating system.” During a phone interview following the vote, Oliver said that she respected the board’s decision to remove her. “I serve at the pleasure of the board, so whatever they see fit of course I understand,

so it is what it is,” she said. “I just have enjoyed having the pleasure of serving on the board and I thank them for allowing me to do that.” Oliver is no stranger to town government, having served on the Sylva town board for 28 years before opting not to run for re-election in 2009. Of those 28 years, 17 were as the town’s mayor — her tenure on the board included the time surrounding TWSA’s formation in 1992. Having sat on the TWSA board for eight years, Oliver is currently serving as the board’s vice-chair. While Oliver gained appointment to TWSA three times in a row, two of those appointments have followed a split vote. She was initially appointed in 2011 following a unanimous vote, but the vote to reappoint her to a term starting in 2014 was split 4-1, with Gelbaugh opposed and Hensley, Hamilton, Sossamon and thenCommissioner Danny Allen in favor. Her reappointment in 2017 was even narrower, with Hensley, Gelbaugh and Hamilton in favor and McPherson and Nestler opposed. While it’s not typical to end a board member’s service before their term is up, it’s not unheard of. Following the 2016 elections that resulted in a Republican majority, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners decided in a party-line vote to remove TWSA member Joe Ward, a Democrat, from his position midterm and appoint Republican Tom Sawyer. On Dec. 17 the county commission — now a Democratic majority — voted unanimously to reappoint Sawyer to a second term. McCardle and Goss will take their seats on the board beginning in January.

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“I serve at the pleasure of the board, so whatever they see fit of course I understand, so it is what it is. I just have enjoyed having the pleasure of serving on the board and I thank them for allowing me to do that.”

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Cooper’s voter ID veto overridden BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER egislation implementing North Carolina’s first-ever voter ID requirement passed both the House and the Senate Dec. 6, but a veto by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper had Republicans scrambling back to the legislative chambers to override it before their power to do so evaporated. “Requiring photo IDs for in-person voting is a solution in search of a problem,” said Cooper Dec. 14. “Instead, the real election problem is votes harvested illegally through absentee ballots, which this proposal fails to fix.” Cooper was referring to the as-yet unresolved election in N.C.’s 9th Congressional District, where credible allegations of improper absentee ballot collections have tainted the results and drawn attention to election security in a way not often seen. “Governor Cooper’s veto explanation for the reasonable and bipartisan voter ID bill is a tired rehash of unconvincing talking points rejected by the voters,” said Senate President Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, Dec. 14. “Despite the Governor’s personal feelings on voter ID, the fact remains that the constitutional amendment passed with a broad mandate from North Carolinians. The Governor is putting special interests ahead of the people’s will, and we plan to override the veto.” In issuing the veto, Cooper also cited “barriers to voting that will trap honest voters in confusion and discourage them with new rules, some of which haven’t even been written yet.” The bill, according to Cooper, has “sinister” origins “designed to suppress the rights of minority, poor and elderly voters.” Those rules stipulate that voters can produce a military identification card issued by the United States government or an ID issued by the Veterans Administration regardless of whether or not they contain an expiration date. Valid IDs or IDs expired less than one year are also permissible, provided they are a North Carolina driver’s license or other nontemporary ID issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles, a passport, a tribal enrollment card, any UNC student ID card or that of other eligible postsecondary institutions, an employee identification card issued by a state or local government, a drivers license from another state if registered less than 90 days before an election, or a North Carolina voter photo identification card. That card would be available free of charge to voters and wouldn’t expire for 10 years; the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement would supply county elections boards with the equipment to print the cards.

“I am happy with the way the voter ID bill came out,” said Sen. Jim Davis, RFranklin. “Voter ID just helps ensure that the person voting is the person who is registered.” But Davis did seem to share at least one thing in common — the desire to ensure that other forms of voter fraud can also be prevented. “I am sure you have heard about the absentee ballot problem in Bladen County, which appears to be expanding to Pender County as well,” he said. “Absentee ballots are where the greater exposure for fraud lies.” Rep. Michele Presnell, R-Burnsville, said she was supportive of the final product. “The House passed a bill to enact voter ID in North Carolina to satisfy our state’s constitutional mandate to require photo ID for voting. It was the best we could do in order to pass the courts,” said Presnell. In her Dec. 7 constituent newsletter, Presnell expressed concern that because university IDs vary widely across the state she was concerned there would be potential for fraud.

In November, 55.49 percent of North Carolina voters approved a ballot question that sought to include the voter ID provision in the state’s constitution. Prior to implementation, Presnell said, changes will be made to college IDs that will make them more uniform across the state. Implementation is now a done deal for legislative Republicans; following up on Berger’s vow to override Cooper’s veto, Republicans used their soon-to-be gone vetoproof supermajority Dec. 18 to do just that. “On Election Day, voters made their desire for voter ID very clear. By choosing to ignore the people of N.C., Gov. Cooper has shown his personal beliefs supersede a democratic vote of the people,” said Berger in a press release. “North Carolinians deserve leaders they can trust to carry out their will, and that is why I am happy we were able to override the Governor’s veto.” In November, 55.49 percent of North Carolina voters approved a ballot question that sought to include the voter ID provision in the state’s constitution. Haywood County voters approved it with 61 percent for, Jackson County with 52 percent, Macon County with 68 percent and Swain County with 62 percent. Buncombe and Watauga counties were the only counties west of Charlotte to vote no on the measure. Those same voters, though — across the state and the region — also chose to send more Democrats to the state legislature, breaking the Republican veto-proof supermajority when the next legislative session convenes sometime in early January.

Resolution passed to dissolve Qualla Housing T

In May 2017, days before the impeachment proceedings commenced that would culminate in his removal from office, Lambert released a forensic audit his administration had commissioned from RGL Forensics to look into alleged wrongdoing at Qualla Housing.

December 19-25, 2018

direction.” Tribal Council has been considering changes to Qualla Housing for months, voting to table the resolution in October and again in November. On those occasions, Sneed told Tribal Council that the merger was necessary because the growth of the casino and accompanying per capita payments has made many tribal members ineligible for federal housing assistance — as a result, Qualla Housing has been building only a couple homes per year despite receiving millions from the federal government on an annual basis. Instead of building homes, it’s been focusing its efforts on rehabbing and renting out properties that, Sneed said in November, “should have depreciated out years ago.” By merging Qualla Housing services with the tribe’s housing department, he said, the tribe would save money and better serve its people’s housing needs. Qualla Housing has also failed to use incoming mortgage payments appropriately, Sneed said in October. The authority is supposed to put revenue from those payments into a revolving loan fund to provide future mortgages but has instead been spending the payments to operate the program. The effort to dissolve Qualla Housing comes on the heels of some troubled years for the agency, which in October 2016 received a letter from the FBI informing then-director Charlene Owle that Qualla Housing was under investigation for “possible criminal conduct related to certain loans and loan applications, among other matters” and that destroying pertinent documents would be considered a federal crime. Agents raided Qualla Housing offices in February 2017, removing two U-Hauls full of documents. According to thenPrincipal Chief Patrick Lambert, the raid took place following multiple reports of document shredding.

The 210-page document contains a multitude of examples in which Qualla Housing — the authority is overseen by a six-member board composed of Tribal Council members — had allegedly bent the rules, broken the law and failed to keep proper records. Red flags included questionable business trips Owle went on with Qualla Housing funds, a laundry list of accounts with suspicious charges and poor internal controls. Owle was never fired from her position but eventually resigned earlier this year. No charges have yet been filed related to activities at Qualla Housing, but that doesn’t mean that the investigation is closed. Lambert had attempted to begin the process of dissolving Qualla Housing when he was chief in 2017, but the resolution was repeatedly tabled and eventually disappeared from the agenda. This month, 11 of the 12 council members voted to pass the resolution, with Councilmember Bo Crowe, of Wolfetown, the only one opposed. The resolution is still waiting on a signature from Sneed, who told The Smoky Mountain News via text message that he does intend to sign it. Editor’s note: This story was reported using online meeting videos, as Tribal Council’s April decision to ban non-Cherokee media from its chambers prevents The Smoky Mountain News from attending meetings in person.

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BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he Cherokee Tribal Council took the first step toward dissolving the Qualla Housing Authority with a resolution passed Thursday, Dec. 6. The resolution outlines several drastic operational changes to an organization that has come under fire in recent years for allegedly mismanaging federal dollars, failing to keep records of important transactions and bending the rules regarding types of services covered and maximum loan amounts. Once it is signed into law, the resolution will mean that the tribe’s Division of Housing, not Qualla Housing, will be the entity receiving any future housing funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The resolution also outlines other changes, stating that Qualla Housing will “cease to exist as a body politic and corporate and as a public body” and that all its property, funds, taxes, debts, judgments, liens and other assets or liabilities will fall to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. However, actually doing away with Qualla Housing will be a two-step dance. Passing the resolution satisfied HUD’s requirements to change the entity receiving funds on the tribe’s behalf. But Qualla Housing’s role is codified in tribal law, so if Tribal Council wants to go through with everything that’s laid out in the resolution it will have to approve an ordinance change as well. “If you pass this (resolution) today and the ordinance doesn’t pass, I guess we’re back to square one again,” Principal Chief Richard Sneed said when the resolution was discussed in an Oct. 15 Council session. The draft ordinance was deemed read and tabled during the Dec. 6 Tribal Council session — tribal law requires that ordinances sit for 25 days after being initially presented before Council votes on them. Tribal Council could pass the ordinance at its next meeting, slated for Jan. 10, 2019. “The services that Qualla Housing provides today, they’re not going away,” said Housing Secretary Travis Smith. “We’ll absorb that also and we’ll still offer those services. None of those services are going away.” Council members agreed that tribal members would be better served in the long run by doing away with Qualla Housing. “This is not working as is,” said Councilmember Tom Wahnetah, of Yellowhill. “We need to get our people in homes, and I think this is the right direction to do that. With or without federal funding, we have to build our people homes. And I think this is a step in the right

FBI agents raid the Qualla Housing Authority in February 2017. Holly Kays photo

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Ordinance change needed for dissolution to become effective

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BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER t took a while, but after a surprise addition to the Haywood Board of County Commissioners’ agenda, no small amount of debate and an unusual procedural move, Haywood County Schools will move forward with a land acquisition it’s been eyeing for more than a year. Last spring, when Dr. Bill Nolte was serving as interim superintendent, it came to the school board’s attention that 10.5 acres owned by Champion Credit Union directly adjacent to Tuscola High School was available for purchase. “As you know, the availability of expansion for both of our large high schools is pretty limited in terms of space around them, and we would like to use both of those campuses for some time into the future,” Nolte told commissioners Dec. 17. “So I was directed by our board to begin having conversations with Champion Credit Union about the seriousness of that property and what the board might pay for it.” On Sept. 17, the Haywood County Schools board voted to purchase the property pending due diligence; Nolte said he’d planned to ask commissioners for the release of the funds last week by submitting the item to the Dec. 17 agenda, but Winter Storm Diego’s heavy snowfall made that impossible. “Our primary reason for wanting the property is that [Tuscola] is a landlocked high school that we need to use for a long time,” said Nolte. “We know that there are condominiums adjacent to the property and there are homes going in above the property and there have been other inquiries about the use of the property that we are requesting to purchase.” Nolte was before commissioners with Dr. Trevor Putnam to ask commissioners to release $500,000 in Article 40 and 42 state capital funds that are sent to commissioners to be held and released when deemed appropriate — only for capital projects. That account has about $800,000 in it right now. As to what will be done with the parcel — adjacent to and just south of Tuscola’s campus, on the right-hand side of Tuscola School Road as one drives in — it’s just as much about what the school board wants to see as what it doesn’t want to see. “There are no immediate plans for the school district to do anything with that property,” Nolte said. “All kinds of ideas have been discussed, some of that’s been published in the local newspapers, but the primary purpose is to secure property that we believe we will need later … and hopefully to prevent businesses that might not be conducive to lots of high school students driving up and down that road every day.”

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Farm Bill offers little relief for American agriculture

term needs that will eventually need to be addressed, among them the mélange of administrative office locations. “Our biggest concern is that we have very old administrative facilities scattered all over the county,” including at the Historic Haywood County Hospital, a building in Hazelwood and another adjacent to the Folkmoot Friendship Center. “I would think a half-million dollars is going to touch the consolidation of that,” Nolte told the board. “Our biggest need is administration and that’s something I hope our board and the commission can sit down and talk about as we move into the new year.” That will become especially relevant if and when the fate of the hospital is known (see Hospital, page 5). “Basically this is their money,” said Commissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick. “It’s not county money, it’s their money, and they voted by more than a majority to approve this, twice. Generally, I have always adhered to if another board has control of something – especially if they have an elected board — to try to do what that board wants to do.” Commissioners voted unanimously to release the funds to HCS so it can execute the contract.

Haywood County Schools will soon own a 10-acre parcel adjacent to Tuscola High School. Haywood GIS photo

Commissioner Brandon Rogers. Nolte said research indicated that Mission Hospital “paid about $62,000 an acre for property that’s very near this property. We would be spending less than $50,000.” And although Nolte said there were no immediate plans for the parcel’s utilization, the school system does have a list of long-

Local farmer Don Smart has been involved with the Farm Bureau for almost his entire life. Cory Vaillancourt photo

gets better,” according to Smart, and the farm bill does nothing to address that concern. “There’s a lot of farmers in the world, and there’s a lot of land in the world, and most of them can produce, and they work cheap,” he said. “Here, our labor is killing us right now.” In the 1970s, Smart explained, cheap and plentiful labor was streaming over the border, but that’s not so much the case anymore. The Farm Bill is largely silent on the matter. “Don Smart is absolutely correct,” said Wooten. “One of the biggest issues facing farmers right now is lack of available labor.

We need this immigration system fixed in terms of a workable guest worker program for American agriculture. It’s a federal issue and the Congress ought to fix it. They ought to get together and quit using it as a political football.” Wooten added that American agriculture has lost 47 percent of its net farm income just since 2013 and that this year, net farm income is expected to drop about 13 percent over 2017. Part of that, he said, is due to Trump’s tariffs. “Tariffs hurt American agriculture,” he said. “A trade war always hurts American agriculture first. Agriculture is always at the point of the spear. It’s always the first to get hit and pays for the sins of the other sectors involved. We are currently paying for the steel and aluminum industry, which was where the administration was headed in the beginning.” One bright spot in the $867 billion, 10year bill is the lifting of prohibitions on industrial hemp, but it’s probably not going to be the savior of the American farmer if it’s plagued with overproduction, low prices and high labor costs. “It’s too early to say right now,” Wooten said. “The real buzz on the hemp is in the oil, the CBD oil, and that can be very quickly overproduced. Right now, we’re not seeing a tremendous push for the hemp fiber to be used in a lot of products, even though it can be.”

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Commissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick had to make a motion to suspend the rules to consider the matter, since it wasn’t on the agenda. He then offered up a motion to allow the school board to move forward on the purchase. “It’s a pretty large chunk of money to be voting on, on such short notice,” said

about $15 a hundred [pounds] and the cost to produce it is about $20.” Troubles aren’t limited just to cattlemen — overproduction of crops means “someone’s going to have to go home before it

December 19-25, 2018

more money.” Direct subsidies to America’s farmers are a thing of the past, Wooten explained, but about 50 percent of the premium that farmers pay on crop insurance is subsidized through the Farm Bill. “That’s the biggest help to our farmers that grow row crops is crop insurance, which is a safety net for farmers,” he said. “That’s what the whole farm bill or commodity title is designed to do, is to help our farmers during times of low prices, like now.” Don Smart with his brother farms about 1,500 acres in Haywood and Madison Counties in North Carolina, as well as in Cocke County, Tennessee; he’s been associated with the Farm Bureau for 45 years and currently serves as the Haywood County chapter’s president. “We run a 150-cow dairy,” Smart said. “We did grow about 60 acres of tobacco, we grow tomatoes and beans, and grain corn and soybeans, and we keep some beef cattle.” Dairy, especially, has become a difficult industry to be in, according to Smart. “The profit margin’s so small today, there isn’t much room for error, so you better be good at what you do. Milk is running out the store windows cheap. Dairy farmers are going broke. We’ve got about five dairy farmers left in the county,” he said. “We don’t know how much longer we can stay in the dairies because the price of milk is

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BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER merican agriculture is experiencing a tougher time than ever, and that includes farmers in North Carolina. But as the latest version of the Farm Bill awaits President Donald Trump’s signature after passing through Congress, apparently there’s not a lot of help coming. “The most important thing was, it was passed this year in this lame duck Congress before this Congress adjourns, so there’s some certainty as farmers make plans for 2019,” said Linda Andrews, national legislative director for the North Carolina Farm Bureau. About 80 percent of the farm bill — first launched in 1933 as part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal and periodically renewed every five years or so — deals with the food and nutrition program known as SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Although SNAP does, in the end, help American farmers, processors and retailers, it’s the remaining 20 percent of the bill that’s directly relevant to them. “The farm bill is important to American agriculture. It’s important to our rural communities, it’s important to our universities, and it’s important to our citizens,” said Larry Wooten, president of the N.C. Farm Bureau. “We’re satisfied with it [but] you always wish that for farm programs you had

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Homeless services strained in Jackson T

there are people to do it and money to fund it. Cochran answers the shelter’s phone line about 30 hours per week and intern Tyler Henry, a Western Carolina University student in political science, works about 20 hours per week. On paper, anyway. Cochran said they both work a bit more than that, but 50 hours is all that’s budgeted. “I’ll be honest with you, I pretty much have my hands full with the folks that are in the shelter and receiving calls and referrals about the shelter,” said Cochran. “I have not been able to spend a lot of time with the folks that are not in the shelter, and that’s just being honest with you.”

The hotel-based model avoids some of the upfront costs and organizational load that a standalone shelter building would incur, but on a per-person, per-night basis, it’s quite expensive and has limited capacity. From July to September, case management services worked with six households that included 11 adults and nine kids, Cochran said, and in October it worked with a total of nine households, including nine adults and one child. Between Nov. 15 and Dec. 10, 18 people received shelter — including seven children and 11 adults from eight households — while 29 people have received case management services but not shelter.

The homeless shelter in Jackson County has been managed by the Southwestern Child Development Center since its founder Jackson Neighbors in Need passed the baton in 2017. Holly Kays photo

They include 11 children and 18 adults from 16 households. The organization has had a roughly 70 percent success rate with getting people into permanent housing, which is its ultimate goal. There’s a 30-day maximum on shelter stays, with some wiggle room in the case of people who are demonstrating tangible progress toward the goal of securing housing but need a few more days to make it work. In fact, the shelter’s biggest success story this season is that of a client who never even stayed a night there, Henry said. The woman was about to lose her housing when he began working with her, but the shelter was full and so they couldn’t house her. But they were able to help her to find permanent housing, thanks to a landlord who was willing to spread the security deposit payment multiple months rather than requiring the lump sum up front. One of the pitfalls of the hotel shelter model is that it attracts the interest of people whose need is not that severe. For instance, Cochran said, law enforcement contacted the shelter about a man who had been at Dunkin’ Donuts in Sylva for many hours on a bitterly

cold night, claiming he didn’t have housing. The thing is, he did. He lived with his girlfriend in Haywood County — the shelter serves only Jackson County residents — but didn’t want to go home after the two had a fight. Cochran only knew this because the couple had happened to be in contact with shelter managers in the days leading up to the incident. “I wouldn’t bring that up frivolously,” said Cochran. “I bring this up because this is part of that vetting process.” “One thing that is hard to do is vet who is able to couch surf and people who are literally homeless and are sleeping under a bridge or in a car,” Henry added. Vetting challenges aside, however, Cochran said that there is definitely a real need for homeless services. “I know there are people in Jackson County who don’t think we have a homelessness problem,” said Chairman Brian McMahan. “They think it’s not an issue. But it is an issue. We can’t afford to hide from it.” To contact homeless services, call 828.586.5561 and ask for the homeless program.

December 19-25, 2018

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he homeless shelter in Jackson County is full up with a waiting list 12 deep, shelter managers told Jackson County Commissioners at a Dec. 11 work session. “Just this morning I had a half dozen calls to return,” said the shelter’s case manager Bob Cochran, who is the retired director of the Jackson County Department of Social Services. “We’re getting calls all day long pretty much consistently with people who are on the waiting list calling and checking or new people calling and saying, ‘I’m desperate. Can I have shelter?’ It’s a conundrum to me.” The homeless shelter in Jackson is a bit different from the conventional model of dorm-style housing in a standalone building. It uses a hotel-based model, housing clients at the Quality Inn in Sylva for a specially negotiated rate of $60 per night. The Southwestern Child Development Center, which manages the shelter, keeps eight rooms there for the homeless — within five days of the shelter’s opening Nov. 15, they were all full. The model avoids some of the up-front costs and organizational load that a standalone shelter building would incur, but on a per-person, per-night basis, it’s quite expensive and has limited capacity. For the past several years, commissioners have had ongoing discussions as to what would be the best long-term solution for homeless services in the county, in 2017 appointing a task force to look into the pros and cons of the various options and deciding to fund year-round case management for shelter clients, even though the shelter is open only during the cold-weather months. Cochran took the case manager’s job, and he was forthright with commissioners about the status of things — there’s more to do than

Jackson seeks manager for homeless services because you’re stepping above and beyond what other counties do.” Homeless services are sparse in Western North Carolina, with the only standalone shelters west of Asheville located in Waynesville and Murphy. However, neither of these shelters are county-funded. The Haywood Pathways Center in Waynesville was created through an enthusiastic partnership of area churches — with the blessing and support of the county, but not with its budget — and the Hulburt Johnson Friendship House in Murphy is a nonprofit entity. Homeless services have been a joint effort in Jackson County too, but the county government has taken the lead on planning and funding, this year contributing $85,000 of the shelter’s $118,000 budget. Commissioners have stated that they wish to continue being a significant partner in the ongoing effort but that moving beyond the hotel model currently in place will require a committed partnership from multiple organizations, not just the county. The

Southwestern Child Development Center is currently running the shelter as a short-term solution, but the county is looking for a long-term commitment from any entity responding to the request for proposals. “I’ve always said as we work through this process it won’t be Jackson County that will be the one that solves the problem,” said Chairman Brian McMahan. “It will be a collaborative effort between county government, private, municipal government, state government, faith-based. There will be a full gamut of partners working together to try to bring a solution.” Commissioners expect to award a contract before June 30, 2019, so that they can consider the costs in conjunction with the county’s annual budget process. For more information about the request for proposals, contact County Manager Don Adams, donadams@jacksonnc.org or 828.631.2295. The full document is available at bit.ly/2QCuMSD.

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Jackson County is seeking a long-term partner to manage its homeless services, with a request for proposals accepting responses through March 29, 2019. “Jackson County cannot accomplish a permanent shelter alone (both financially and in governance),” the document reads. “Jackson County is searching for a partner who is dynamic and creative in their approach.” The ideal candidate would be capable of bringing different partners to the table, have expertise in dealing with the homeless population and be able to manage budgets and complex operations, the document says. “I think the positive message to come out of this is that you do have a governing body here who is looking to financially and resource-wise partner with groups to try to work with the homeless and serve the homeless population,” said County Manager Don Adams at a Dec. 11 commissioners work session. “That is quite frankly an unusual circumstance. I think this governing body should be proud of that

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Macon County completes 2019 revaluation Tax rate could increase with new property values

“Basically you’re breaking even now. All this tells you is the market hasn’t grown — it’s stabiBY J ESSI STONE lized the last four N EWS E DITOR acon County commissioners may be years,” he said to looking at a possible higher tax rate commissioners after next year after hearing a presentation reviewing all the numbers. on the 2019 property revaluation process. Based on the North Carolina counties are required to valuation, perform a revaluation on property every four total years to establish market values. It’s a tedious Lightner said the process that requires many steps and takes county could expect many factors into consideration, as Macon to collect about County Tax Administrator Richard Lightner $29.3 million in property taxes durrecently explained to commissioners. The appraisal process includes collecting ing the 2019-20 property sales data and reviewing the num- budget cycle. Barring ber of sales, analyzing construction costs, vis- any major budget iting properties, developing a schedule of val- cuts or additions, he ues to use across the board and finally send- said the county is ing out notices to property owners letting looking at having to them know the updated value of their proper- increase its property ty and how much in taxes they’ll pay in 2019. tax rate from 34 “We look at all the maps and look and cents per $100 of analyze sales from 2017 and 2018 to see what assessed value to 37 cents to reach a revthe market is doing now,” Lightner said. The bottomline, he said, is that while enue neutral tax rate. “That’s your there has been a small overall growth in property values in Macon County in the last four starting point — where you end up is the years, the market is fairly stagnant compared process your board is responsible for (during to what it used to be in the 1980s and ‘90s. the budget process),” Lightner said. Lightner showed commissioners a few Back in those days, Macon County’s population hovered in the 20,000-range and was examples of value changes to different homes growing rapidly and the market reflected throughout the county and the results are all that. Subdivisions and golf course clubs were over the board. An average home valued at being built all over the county, especially in $260,500 in 2015 now will have a value of the Highlands area. Lightner said there were $215,820 in 2019 and the owner’s taxes will about 4,000 home sales a year and 1,500 new decrease about 12 percent for a savings of building permits being issued a year. Now $111 a year. A parcel with a doublewide trailer only about 70 new homes being built a year. valued at $93,600 in 2015 increased in value to “It’s a totally different market now — $100,910 for 2019, increasing the property sales have flat lined after coming up some in taxes 14 percent. On the other end of the spectrum a large custom home valued at $10.1 mil2015,” he said. The total tax value in 2015 was just over lion in 2015 will now be valued at $13.2 mil$8 billion and 2019 numbers have bumped it lion, increasing the taxes 38 percent. “The market for each house is different up to over $8.1 billion. However, considering how much value the county lost during the depending on the location in the county, the last couple of reassessments, Lightner said neighborhood, etc.,” Lightner said. the 0.003 percent growth is good news. “Properties will not increase at the same perDuring the 2014 revaluation process, Macon centage countywide — location is still a big County saw property values drop an average factor.” Looking at other trends, Lightner said the of 25 percent over eight years, which dropped the county’s tax base from $9 billion to $7 bil- valuation process has shown that people are lion and raised the tax rate from 28 cents to gravitating more toward town instead of being out in more rural locations in the coun34 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Smoky Mountain News

December 19-25, 2018

Help with Christmas outreach

An annual Christmas Day Dinner Outreach is being organized to help those who are homebound, in nursing homes without family, and those in critical jobs having to work on Christmas Day. More than 300 meals and gift bags will be delivered to nursing home residents and 16 home baked Christmas cookies will be deliv-

ered to inmates in the local detention center. A Christmas dinner will be served from noon to 2 p.m. at Webster Baptist Church’s Fellowship hall in Sylva. If you would like to help, donate extra large cans of green beans, corn, bags of stuffing, and whole turkey or hams; help prep on Dec. 23 in the Fellowship Hall; help prep, cook, deliver and/or clean up on Dec. 25 or make a donation by writing a check to Webster Baptist Church, P.O. Box 34, Webster, NC 28788 and put Christmas Day

Screenshot 2019 valuation by townships ty. In Highlands, people are building more expensive homes close to downtown instead of in the golf clubs. “People don’t want to be way out at the end of Cowee or Burningtown — there’s still a market for those areas but the market is smaller and smaller — people want to be in town,” he said. When just looking at property tax, Lightner said the township of Highlands makes up 46 percent of the tax base — add in Scaly Mountain area and the total increases to 54 percent of the tax base. The next largest tax base comes from the town of Franklin, though Lightner said growth in the town could be more if there weren’t so many vacant spaces within commercial shopping centers. For many new property owners moving to Macon County from other states where the assessment process may be different, Lightner said it’s mostly just about educating them so they understand the many factors at play and also explaining the appeal process if they choose to dispute their new valuation. He pointed out that the percentage of increase or decrease in value is not a valid rea-

son for appeal according to state law and the burden of proof in an appeal does rest with the taxpayer to show the property has been “excessively overvalued.” New property values will be finalized this month and notices to owners will be sent out beginning in January. Information regarding the appeals process will accompany those letters and the Macon County Board of Equalization will begin hearing any appeals in April. During the 2007 revaluation process, more than 4,000 appeals were filed when property values went through the roof, but the appeal numbers were around 400 during the 2015 process. Lightner also pointed out how much money the county has saved in recent years by performing the revaluation process in house instead of contracting out the service to a third party. “We’ve saved the county $5.2 million over the years since 1999,” he said. “We’ve saved $956,000 this time around.” For more information about the revaluation process in Macon County, including a PowerPoint presentation, visit www.macon nctax.com/#/revaluation.

Meal in the memo or put cash in an envelope.

All four locations will have winter warmth items for people’s use. The locations for dropping off new blankets, scarfs, hats are gloves are Jackson County Public Library’s Atrium, the Sylva Mountain Projects Office, Jackson County Department on Aging’s front desk and the front desk of The Department of Social Services. Items should be new and in their packaging. Those in need can either go to one of these locations or call Mountain Projects at 828.586.2345 or the Library at 828.586.2016.

Jackson groups collecting blankets The Jackson County Public Library, The Department on Aging, The Department of Social Services and Mountain Projects are collecting new blankets, winter hats, gloves, and scarves for people who need them.

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A combination of funding from The Community Table, the Town of Sylva and Jackson County will mean a new roof for The Community Table in 2019. Donated photo

Sylva food pantry to get new roof

U.S. Cellular is announcing the return of its program, The Future of Good, which champions and invests in youth who are making an extraordinary impact in their communities. This year, the program will recognize 16 young humanitarians under the age of 16 who connect the good in all of us, and reward them with $10,000 toward their cause. Through Jan. 8, people are encouraged to visit www.thefutureofgood.com to nominate youth ages 6 to 15 (as of Feb. 28, 2019), who are making an impact in their communities. Winners will be announced in February 2019.

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December 19-25, 2018

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he Community Table in Sylva will get a new roof to the tune of $18,000 after Town of Sylva and Jackson County commissioners voted unanimously to contribute to the project. A June windstorm that blew some shingles off the roof brought the need to light, Community Table Executive Director Paige Christie told town commissioners at their Dec. 13 meeting. The organization called around and got some volunteers to agree to fix it, but by the time the volunteers got some free time to look at the roof, they realized there was more going on than a few missing shingles. The roof had soft spots, areas that were flashed improperly and places where the shingles were two or three layers deep. “It went from we have a few shingles to fix to we need a new roof, sadly, which was not expected,” Christie told town commissioners. The organization got a range of quotes for the project, the lowest of which came from Lowe’s for $16,540. Adding 10 percent for contingency, the total budget would be $18,095. The Community Table has about $8,000 available for the repair but needs help to fully fund the project. In votes taken Dec. 13 and Dec. 17, respectively, the town and county boards agreed to pay $5,000 apiece for the project. The town, which owns the building, will pay for the entire project upfront. Commissioners voted to transfer the money from the town’s capital reserve fund into its

facility maintenance fund for the project. However, the county will repay the town $5,000 of that cost and The Community Table will contribute $8,000. The town will pay the remaining $5,095. “I think The Community Table is too big of an asset to leave a building in disrepair,” said Sylva Commissioner David Nestler as the board prepared to vote. “They offer so much to our community. I think we definitely need to take care of it,” agreed Commissioner Barbara Hamilton. Town Manager Paige Dowling said that she couldn’t determine when the roof was last replaced, though in going through old meeting minutes she saw that in 2003 the board talked about how the roof needed repair. The Community Table is a nonprofit entity that provides meals to those in need. By the end of November, it had served 27,646 meals in 2018 and provided 9,238 bags of groceries. Christie said those numbers represent a steady average in terms of meals per night but that the organization has been seeing a significant number of new people using its services — recent job losses in the area such as the closure of Ryan’s Steakhouse have hit some people hard, she said. “Every month we’re seeing hundreds of new people who have never walked through the door before,” she said. With the funding in place, the roof repair will likely be completed when warmer weather returns and labor is available, around March. In the meantime, volunteers have patched the more aggressive leaks. “We’re just so glad of the community support,” said Christie. “It is just overwhelming how much support we have from this community. I am so grateful and our board is so grateful.” To donate to The Community Table, visit www.communitytable.org.

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Junaluska introduces private labels Lake Junaluska’s coffee and gift shop, Junaluska Gifts and Grounds, is now offering its own private label of coffees, preserves, salsas and salad dressings, as well as a new collectible ornament depicting Lambuth Inn. The new line of locally roasted, fair-trade coffee includes many different blends and all are labeled with the Junaluska Gifts and Grounds logo. Junaluska Gifts and Grounds is also offering a variety of new jams and preserves, apple butter, “Smoke on the Mountain” and bean salsas, and different types of salad dressing. All sport labels with images of Lake Junaluska, the footbridge and mountains. In addition, shoppers can pick up the second ornament in Lake Junaluska’s collectible custom ornament series. The rhodium ornament on a brass plate depicts Lambuth Inn, two swans and a bench under a tree. Located in the Harrell Center, the shop’s address is 710 N. Lakeshore Drive in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. For more information, call Junaluska Gifts and Grounds at 828.454.6777 or visit www.lakejunaluska.com/gifts-grounds.

WCU nonprofit certification kicks off Fast track your nonprofit career in the new year with the Certified Nonprofit Professional program offered through Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment. To earn a certificate, participants must complete the eight modules and the core requirements. Each module begins with a one-day workshop at WCU Biltmore Park in Asheville, followed by four weeks of online content. The Spring 2019 schedule is as follows: Fundraising for Nonprofits: Jan. 4-26; Governance and Volunteer Management: Feb. 1-22; Designing Nonprofits for Long-term Sustainability: March 1-23; Nonprofit Trends and Innovations: March 29-April 26. Classes are offered during the spring and fall semesters. Fall 2019 dates will be announced. The fee per course is $300. The full tuition fee is $2,525, which includes enrollment and credentialing fees. Professionals interested in registering for the oneday workshops only, can do so when registering for $89 per workshop. Visit pdp.wcu.edu or email Thompson at jcthompson@wcu.edu.

LeAnder’s Jewelers joins Franklin The Franklin Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed LeAnder’s Jewelers to downtown Chamber with a ribbon-cutting celebration. Brett Harris, the son of Cliff and Gail Harris and owners of Stewart’s of Franklin, recently opened his own shop where his parents served Franklin for so many years. The store is located at 38 East Main Street on the top of town hill. Following in his dad’s footsteps, Brett at LeAnder’s Jewelers specializes in pre-owned antique and estate

jewelry, repairing broken jewelry and installing watch batteries. They also buy gold. Be sure to drop by to see the fine jewelry, bridal sets and precious gems up to 70 percent off. 828.369.9440.

WCU to offer OSHA training Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment will be offering an OSHA 10Hour Construction Industry Training from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7, and Friday, Feb. 8, at WCU’s Biltmore Park instructional site in Asheville. To provide students with information and skills necessary to work safely in the construction industry, this course will give students insight into the various OSHA Standards related to construction by examining each standard closely. A secondary goal of this course is to learn the role of the competent person for the various construction safety standards. Registration fee is $249 with catered lunch included both days. For more information and to register, visit pdp.wcu.edu or call 828.227.7397.

SCC Small Business Director wins state award Tiffany Henry, the Small Business Center director for Southwestern Community College, has been honored with the State Small Business Center Director award. “It is truly an honor to receive this award,” said Henry. “I am very committed to serving small businesses in our area. To be recognized for my efforts means the world to me.” Anne Shaw, State Director of the Small Business Center Network, felt Henry was the perfect person for this award. “Tiffany Henry is a standout among her peers,” said Shaw. “From my leadership vantage point, what I find so compelling is that Tiffany Henry always has the best

interests of the organization top of mind. She isn’t trying to win awards; she just wants to do what it takes to make a difference.” In the five years Henry has been working at SCC, she has received five awards for her work with small businesses in the community, including the Innovation award in 2015 and 2017 for her continued work to support growth in the agriculture industry. For more information, check out the SBCN website at www.ncsbc.net.

• The Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce Board recently named the 2018-19 Chamber Board of Directors. Officers are: Mary Lanning, president (Hampton Inn & Suites Cashiers-Sapphire Valley); Glenn Ubertino as president-elect (Zoller

Nominations open for Franklin awards

ALSO:

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for four prestigious awards, The Duke Power Citizenship and Service Award, Youth Citizenship Award, Citizen of the Year and Club/Organization of the Year. Nomination letters can be delivered to the Franklin Chamber of Commerce at 98 Hyatt Road or emailed to LindaH@Franklin-Chamber.com. Nomination deadline is at 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11. These awards will be presented at The Annual Awards Banquet and Chamber Annual Meeting at6:30 p.m. Jan. 29. at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. Dinner will be prepared by Motor Company Grill. Tickets are available at the Franklin Chamber for $25 per person. Seating is limited and advanced tickets are required. For additional information, please contact the chamber at 828.524.3161.

Harrah’s donates to Toys for Tots Employees at Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort presented a check for $2,900 to Toys for Tots today. Receiving the donation was Marine Corps Reserve Lance Corporal Randy Hughes. "This donation will help us meet our goal of making sure no child is left out on Christmas," said Hughes. "We couldn't do it without organizations like Harrah's." In July, Harrah's Cherokee employee volunteer organization, HERO (Harrah's Employees Reaching Out), led a motorcycle run and toy drive to support the charity. More than 200 toys were collected and over $3,500 was raised; bringing the total Toys for Tots contribution for 2018 to over $6,400.

Swoon The Bakery opens in Franklin The Franklin Chamber of Commerce along with town officials, friends and staff held a ribbon cutting ceremony in celebration of Swoon The Bakery’s official Grand Opening. Swoon The Bakery, located at 43 Phillips Street in downtown Franklin. “We are a quaint little walk-in bakery on the corner of Phillips and Palmer Streets, offering daily fresh baked pastries, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, hot tea and more” said Owner Jane Elliott. “Swoon the Bakery also has wedding and event services and a business or personal gift basket service. We also have shipping available through our online Etsy shop.” 828.524.3002.

Hardware); Ben Harris as treasurer (Harris Custom Builders) Stephanie Edwards as secretary (Cashiers Area Chamber) and Debby Hattler as past president (Hattler Properties). New Board members include: Ashton Harris with Country Club of Sapphire Valley, Lec Hobbs with Highlands Hiker/Cashiers, Wendy Lupas with Gracewear, and Donnie Shuey with Signal Ridge Marina.

• Carrion, Patterson & Associates recently expanded their office to a new location. Now with two convenient locations, one in Rabun County and the second at 409 Georgia Road in Franklin, is a full service accounting firm offering tax services, bookkeeping and is a Quickbooks Proadvisor. Carrion, Patterson & Associates is owned by Isaac Carrion and Katie Patterson. Visit cptaxprep.com or call 828.369.5777.

• Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment will be offering a Powerful Presentation Skills for Women workshop from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, at WCU Biltmore Park in Asheville. Registration fee is $119 and includes a catered lunch. For more information and to register, visit pdp.wcu.edu or call 828.227.7397.

Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

An alternative solution for N.C. 107 BY CARL QUEEN G UEST COLUMNIST s a long-time resident of Sylva — 48 years — I have had a front row seat to the evolution of N.C. 107 as it transgressed from a mostly rural two-lane highway into its current bustling five lanes. I moved to Sylva in 1970 to attend Western Carolina University where I spent the next four years pursuing both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Living in a garage apartment on the west side of Sylva, I traveled N.C. 107 to WCU almost daily for four years. Beginning at the intersection of U.S. 19 and N.C. 107, the road at that time known as Cullowhee Road ran through a mostly residential area with very few businesses along its path. Upon completion of my educational pursuits, I was fortunate to be employed as an instructor at Southwestern Technical Institute, now Southwestern Community College. As a full-time year-round instructor, and continuing to live in the west and north ends of Sylva, I traveled the now congested N.C. 107 corridor for the next 27 years. As the enrollment grew at both WCU and SCC, with the consolidation of Jackson County public schools and the population growth of both permanent and seasonal residents, N.C. 107 became highly congested between the intersection of U.S. 19 and Webster Road. Businesses began to spring up as private residences disappeared. In an effort to promote better traffic flow in this area, the Department of Transportation elected to convert this stretch of highway into three lanes with the center lane serving as a turning lane to allow motorists to access and exit the many businesses that were opening along the way. While this remedy aided in better traffic flow, the incidence of traffic accidents began to increase. I remember asking a local auto body shop owner his opinion on turning N.C. 107 into a three-lane road. He laughed and stated that “he loved three-lane roads.” Before long that remedy proved to be very ineffective in handling the rapid increase in motor vehicle traffic and the decision was made to convert N.C. 107 into five lanes — two eastbound and two westbound and a center lane to serve as a turning and merging lane for motorists entering and exiting the many businesses now located on both sides of the highway. Because of inadequate space for a road of this size, the

traffic lanes had to be as narrow as possible to accommodate five lanes. Storm drains located along the sides of the road were now in the path of the vehicle traffic and the location of the curbs left little room for error in lane control. Passing large trucks and buses requires precise driving and created a bit of anxiety with each and every encounter. During peak traffic times, getting into and out of the center lane is a very scary maneuver indeed. Obviously the time has come to once again address the traffic flow on this section of N.C. 107. For some time now, I have been reading and hearing of possible solutions to address this ongoing dilemma, none of which in my opinion are practical and adequately address the current and future needs of that stretch of highway. DOT’s preliminary estimate of the disruption or relocation of 55 businesses to accommodate traffic concerns on that stretch of highway is both unnecessary and unacceptable. Where would these businesses go? The topography in that area leaves virtually no room for the existing business to move to. The estimated enormous $49.1 million cost of utilities and right-ofway is not necessary in my opinion. This is in addition to the estimated $21.5 million construction costs. For what it’s worth, I offer the following suggestions of a viable solution to the problem while maintaining the status quo of most of the businesses and infrastructure as they currently exist. I came to this possible solution after studying the area on Google Maps and looking at the area on the ground. Google Maps affords you to have a bird’s-eye view of everything as it exists with a surprisingly high degree of accuracy. There appears to be adequate space to accomplish what I am proposing as a solution with minimum disruption to existing businesses and residences. I suggest the following: n Construct a new road/street basically parallel to the existing five-lane N.C. 107 beginning in the area of the Family Dollar store and running east to tie into the existing four-lane divided highway leading from Webster Road to WCU. This road would run behind the existing businesses located on the right side going east on the current N.C. 107 and therefore would not require them to move and they could remain operative during and after the construction is completed. This road would be two lanes running one way (east) and include turning lanes, which would allow motorists to cross over to

the existing N.C.107, which would become a one-way two- or three-lane road running west. It could also include turning lanes and a bicycle lane all in the existing roadway. n Construction of this new one-way road would greatly improve traffic flow to Smoky Mountain High School, WCU, SCC and all areas on the east side of Sylva. Almost all the businesses currently located along 107 could remain as is. Utilities such as water, sewer, electrical, communication and sidewalks could remain as is. After the new eastbound road is built, the current five-lane 107 could be reconfigured into a westbound road with a bicycle lane as well, all in the roadway as it currently exists. Think of the money that would be saved as well as allowing most of the current businesses and utilities to remain untouched. This should greatly improve the driving safety as well since all traffic is traveling in the same direction. Connector streets could be constructed at stragetic locations which could also be one way allowing motorists to merge utilizing merge lanes into the traffic going in that direction. n During the construction phase the existing five-lane N.C. 107 could be used as is with virtually no interruption of current traffic. After the eastbound road is finished, the westbound road should be able to be reconfigured as a one-way westbound road with minimal interruption to the motoring public. n The little stream called Cope Creek which flows along the Sylva end of 107 could be landscaped and beautified with mini waterfalls and the proposed bicycle lane running beside it on the left side of the new road. n The traffic light and intersection of U.S. 19 and N.C. 107 could be greatly improved to further promote eastbound traffic to flow more efficiently without long wait times since no left turns could be made at that spot. Eastbound traffic would merge onto the new road behind Kel Save Drugs. Westbound traffic would merge unimpeded onto the existing street entering downtown Sylva. If cost, safety and greatly improved traffic flow are the objectives, I feel these suggestions offer a viable solution which address current and future traffic concerns while saving our business community, which is the lifeblood of our town. (Carl Queen is a concerned resident and citizen of Sylva. carlq@southwesterncc.edu)

It’s OK to ignore the people, governor To the Editor: This is a letter to our dear Gov. Cooper. I couldn’t agree with you more. Pure genius. It is far better to have a firm and steady hand in the governorship that can veto the will of the people than allowing the democratic process to play out. Why would you foolishly allow your population to decide their own future as it is enshrined in that dusty, outdated old document this country was founded upon? After all, everyone knows it was written by a bunch of old white guys. We also know what a true crime it would be to allow the ignorant masses to live with their mistakes when your administration can save them from the error of their ways. It’s obvious the 55 percent majority of people in North Carolina that actually voted for a law requiring people to have an ID to vote didn’t really understand what they were doing.

LETTERS

After all, an identification card is only something required for plane travel, train travel, bus travel, banking, registering a car, driving a

car, going on a cruise, cashing a check, getting a library card, entering a school, purchasing an evil gun, taking a government handout and

so many other daily events. No, I say. I say the majority in your state have no right to expect a voice in government when we have such brilliant and dedicated politicians as yourself standing strong and ready to override such a foolish expectation. Thank goodness you’re there at the apex of the ruling class in North Carolina. I say bravo, Gov. Cooper, for protecting your minions from the scourge of democracy and self-rule. And with this veto, you’ve taken a few steps closer to a wondrous dictatorship. If the people don’t like that, then take their evil guns away and force them to submit. That’s what the Democratic party is really all about now, isn’t it? And when it’s all said and done, you’ll be invited to oh so many street dances in Asheville. Perhaps you can even take part in a drum circle, if you can find a place to park, that is. Bruce Fields (previously of Clyde)

Susanna Barbee

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

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Smoky Mountain News

no way I would ever feel happy again. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not one who can wallow forever in my sorrows. I needed to take action to feel better, so I started intentionally focusing on the simplest of pleasures. A perfect cup of coffee, a genuine conversation, an authentic laugh, a good book, a delicious meal, playing outside with my boys, and so on. I would consciously turn off the world around me and put every ounce of energy into these small moments. My perception began to rotate and I started feeling grateful for what I had instead of heartbroken for what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d lost. Over time, this went from an intentional act to a habit to a way of life. Then one morning I read something that said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;An ongoing problem is like a tutor who is always by your side. The learning possibilities are limited only by your willingness to be teachable.â&#x20AC;? The â&#x20AC;&#x153;problemâ&#x20AC;? was my constant grief, an ominous cloud that loomed and sucked the life out of me. Once I started viewing this problem as a gift and a teacher, I gained so much in the way of experiencing true gratitude. Now, two years later, I am in a new relationship, one thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fulfilling, genuine and fun. My boys are adjusting and adapting to our new normal. Their dad and I co-parent well and amicably. My work and colleagues offer significant joy and witty reprieve. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m blessed to have true friends and a family I love very much. People have recently said things to me such as, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Looks like everything is falling into placeâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;You seem so happyâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m glad your life has turned around.â&#x20AC;? I smile and nod at them, but the thing is, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been no cataclysmic event thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all of a sudden made me a giddy person. I will never have my mom back or be able to give my boys the family unit they once had. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not expecting to ever feel a superficial type of happiness where all the chess pieces line up just right. No, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening to me thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s making me joyful these days. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a shift in my own thinking and a hard-earned ability to be thankful for the good stuff. My life is messy and chaotic. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my life. My one and only beautiful life. And as 2019 sits on the horizon, I feel energized and excited. Beginnings always refresh the soul. As we ring in the new year, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to the ability to find good in the bad and joy in the sorrow. Believe me, once you figure out how to do this, things start looking up. (Susanna Barbee is an editor, writer and social media specialist for Mountain South Media, Smoky Mountain Living magazine and The Smoky Mountain News. susanna.b@smokymountainnews.com)

December 19-25, 2018

havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always known how to feel grateful or identify the feeling of joy. There are certain lessons in life only learned through experience. No matter how many books are read or classes taken, hard-fought living is our one true teacher. In this season of gratitude, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m reminded that my ability to feel thankful and happy is a recent revelation. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve also realized that through loss, a person can gain everything. Several years ago, I read a book by John Kralik called A Simple Act of Gratitude. At middle age, Kralik found himself at the lowest of lows. His law firm was failing; he was struggling through a second divorce; he was overweight; his Columnist two older children had grown distant, and he worried about losing contact with his young daughter. He lived in a tiny apartment where he froze in the winter and baked in the summer. Then one New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, alone on a hike, he had an epiphany. Perhaps if he focused on what he had instead of what he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have, he could find some peace. Starting that day and for an entire year, he wrote a daily thank you note, culminating into 365 notes total. Whether it was family, friends, a handyman or the Starbucks barista, he thanked hundreds of people whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d helped him in any way, big or small. Immediately, surprising results ensued. He felt more confident, lighter in his step. He resurrected connections and relationships that had all but disappeared. He even found professional and financial success during this pivotal year. With Kralikâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s every fiber focused on the good, as opposed to the bad, his life turned around. This book inspired me, but once I turned the last page, I put it in a nightstand drawer and moved on. At the time, my life was pretty comfortable. Both my parents were healthy. I had two beautiful little boys, and I was working from home as a freelance writer so I had freedom to be the type of mom Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d envisioned. My marriage was on cruise control â&#x20AC;Ś sort of. In retrospect, there were issues then but everything else in my life was going so well, the marital discord seemed rather insignificant. Life felt busy and full. Shortly thereafter, my mom received the news that she had cancer and a relatively short time later, passed away. Then one year after that, my ex-husband and I separated which meant the loss of the precious family unit. Life felt dark and sad, like there was

opinion

Creating an honest path to gratitude

tasteTHE mountains

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BLUE ROOSTER SOUTHERN GRILL 207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, Lakeside Plaza at the old Wal-Mart. 828.456.1997. Open Monday through Friday. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Fresh-cut salads; slowsimmered soups; flame grilled burgers and steaks, and homemade signature desserts. Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily. Brown bagging is permitted. Private parties, catering, and take-out available. Call-ahead seating available.

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Smoky Mountain News

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WAYNESVILLE’S BEST BURGERS

Taste the Mountains is an ever-evolving paid section of places to dine in Western North Carolina. If you would like to be included in the listing please contact our advertising department at 828.452.4251

BOOJUM BREWING COMPANY 50 N Main Street, Waynesville. 828.246.0350. Taproom Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday & Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Gem Bar Open Tuesday through Sunday 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Enjoy lunch, dinner or drinks at Boojum’s Downtown Waynesville restaurant & bar. Choose from 16 taps of our fresh, delicious & ever rotating Boojum Beer plus cider, wine & craft cocktails. The taproom features seasonal pub faire including tasty burgers, sandwiches, shareables and daily specials that pair perfectly with our beer. Cozy up inside or take in the mountain air on our back deck.” BOURBON BARREL BEEF & ALE 454 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, 828.452.9191. Lunch daily 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; dinner nightly at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Wine Down Wednesday’s: ½ off wine by the bottle. We specialize in handcut, all natural steaks from local farms, incredible burgers, and other classic american comfort foods that are made using only the finest local and sustainable ingredients available. CHEF’S TABLE 30 Church St., Waynesville. 828.452.6210. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday dinner starting at

APPÉTIT Y’AL N L BO

CHURCH STREET DEPOT 34 Church Street, downtown Waynesville. 828.246.6505. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Mouthwatering all beef burgers and dogs, hand-dipped, hand-spun real ice cream shakes and floats, fresh hand-cut fries. Locally sourced beef. Indoor and outdoor dining. facebook.com/ChurchStreetDepot, twitter.com/ChurchStDepot. CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva. 828.587.2233. Open Monday-Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tasty, healthy and quick. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, espresso, beer and wine. Come taste the savory and sweet crepes, grilled paninis, fresh, organic salads, soups and more. Outside patio seating. Free WiFi, pet-friendly. Live music and lots of events. Check the web calendar at citylightscafe.com. THE CLASSIC WINESELLER 20 Church Street, Waynesville. 828.452.6000. Underground retail wine and craft beer shop, restaurant, and intimate live music venue. Kitchen opens at 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday serving freshly prepared small plates, tapas, charcuterie, desserts. Enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday night at 7pm. www.classicwineseller.com. Also on facebook and twitter. COUNTRY VITTLES: FAMILY STYLE RESTAURANT 3589 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley. 828.926.1820 Winter hours: Wednesday through Sunday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Family Style at Country Vittles is not a buffet. Instead our waitresses will bring your food piping hot from the kitchen right to your table and as many refills as you want. So if you have a big appetite, but sure to ask your waitress about our family style service. FERRARA PIZZA & PASTA 243 Paragon Parkway, Clyde. 828.476.5058. Open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 12 to 8 p.m. Real New Yorkers. Real Italians. Real Pizza. A full service authentic Italian pizzeria and restaurant from New York to the Blue

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FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St., Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. 5 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Frogs Leap is a farm to table restaurant focused on local, sustainable, natural and organic products prepared in modern regional dishes. Seasonal menu focuses on Southern comfort foods with upscale flavors. Reservations accepted. www.frogsleappublichouse.com.

JOEY’S PANCAKE HOUSE 4309 Soco Rd Maggie Valley. 828.926.0212. Open seven days a week! 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Joey’s is a family-friendly restaurant that has been serving breakfast to locals and visitors of Western North Carolina for decades. Featuring a large variety of tempting pancakes, golden waffles, country style cured ham and seasonal specials spiked with flavor, Joey’s is sure to please all

MAD BATTER FOOD & FILM 617 W. Main Street Downtown Sylva. 828.586.3555. Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with Sunday Brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Handtossed pizza, house-ground burgers, steak sandwiches & fresh salmon all from scratch. Casual family friendly atmosphere. Craft beer and interesting wine. Free movies Thursday through Saturday. Visit madbatterfoodfilm.com for this week’s shows & events. MAGGIE VALLEY CLUB 1819 Country Club Dr., Maggie Valley. 828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine. Open seasonally for lunch and dinner. Fine and casual fireside dining in welcoming atmosphere. Full bar. Reservations accepted. MAGGIE VALLEY RESTAURANT 2804 Soco Road, Maggie Valley. 828.926.0425. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Daily specials including soups, sandwiches and southern dishes along with featured dishes such as fresh fried chicken, rainbow trout, country ham, pork chops and more. Breakfast all day including omelets, pancakes, biscuits & gravy. facebook.com/carversmvr; instagram @carvers_mvr. PIGEON RIVER GRILLE 101 Park St., Canton. 828.492.1422. Open Tuesday through Thursday 3 to 8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday noon to 9 p.m.; Sunday noon to 6 p.m. Southerninspired restaurant serving simply prepared, fresh food sourced from top purveyors. Located riverside at Bearwaters Brewing, enjoy daily specials, sandwiches, wings, fish and chips, flatbreads, soups, salads, and

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

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Friday/Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Closed Tuesday

Sunday 12-9 p.m.

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Smoky Mountain News

MAGGIE VALLEY RESTAURANT

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December 19-25, 2018

HARMON’S DEN BISTRO 250 Pigeon St., Waynesville 828.456.6322. Harmon’s Den is located in the Fangmeyer Theater at HART. Open 5:309 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday (Bistro closes at 7:30 p.m. on nights when there is a show in the Fangmeyer Theater) with Sunday brunch at 11 a.m. that includes breakfast and lunch items. Harmon’s Den offers a complete menu with cocktails, wine list, and area beers on tap. Enjoy casual dining with the guarantee of making it to the performance in time, then rub shoulders with the cast afterward with post-show food and beverage service. Reservations recommended. www.harmonsden.harttheatre.org

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

more. Be sure to save room for a slice of the delicious house made cake. Relaxing inside/outside dining and spacious gathering areas for large groups.

•••

FIREFLY TAPS & GRILL 128 N. Main St., Waynesville 828.454.5400. Simple, delicious food. A must experience in WNC. Located in downtown Waynesville with an atmosphere that will warm your heart and your belly! Local and regional beers on tap. Full bar, vegetarian options, kids menu, and more. Reservations accepted. Daily specials. Live music every Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. Open Mon.-Sat. 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

appetites. Join us for what has become a tradition in these parts, breakfast at Joey’s.

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Smoky Mountain News

Patience, persistence and power chords Want to go? There will be a New Year’s Eve celebration with Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats and The Colby Deitz Band at 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31, at Mad Batter Food & Film in downtown Sylva. Admission is $10 per person. To learn more, visit www.andrewscotchiemusic.com or www.colbydeitzband.com. The Colby Deitz Band will also be performing at 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28, at Boojum Brewing in Waynesville, and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Franklin.

Scotchie, Deitz to headline Sylva NYE show BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER he core of any sincere and determined musical circle is a simple formula: camaraderie + compassion = musicianship. Anyone who tries to find footing at all in this haphazard organized chaos of creating and recording music, of booking and promoting shows, can can surely attest to the madness felt — onstage and off. You’re chasing a dream that can seem further and farther away each day you get up and try again, a recognition and stability you fight for with a reckless abandon. And within these circles of musicians and bands, you find common ground with others on a similar path in your own backyard. You attend and support each other’s gigs, maybe even do a co-bill. There’s an unspoken partnership to make sure everybody is doing OK. And, if the chemistry sparks something, you might even find yourself in bountiful musical collaborations, the notion of “two heads are better than one” swirling throughout a jam session. Andrew Scotchie and Colby Deitz are a pair of those talented musicians, part of a tightlyknit circle of bands and solo acts roaming the high peaks and low valleys of Western North Carolina. Though on paper the members of Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats (blues/rock) and The Colby Deitz Band (Americana/rock) are

and always learning like nothing else in this world. Colby Deitz: The thing about music for me is — it’s a medium. It’s a way for me to genuinely communicate with the world around me and the people in it. Music has been the only real constant in my life. More than relationships, most of my family, and friends throughout the years, music has always been there. I struggle with conversation sometimes, and I’m a little bit off an oddball. I find myself usually being more off-putting to people than not, but when I’m writing, recording, or performing, people seem to understand and accept me. Music is literally who I am. So, I feel like there really was no other choice. There’s not a rush on the planet like it — not a single one.

Colby Deitz. Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats (above).

young in their pursuits, the groups are old road dogs ‘round these parts, hitting the pavement in Southern Appalachia and beyond each and every weekend for the better part of the last decade. Work the day job part of the week, jump into the band van whenever and wherever an open stage and an opportunity appear — what it takes to reach your rock-n-roll fantasy. Smoky Mountain News: What is it about music — either recorded or performed live —

that pulls you in to the extent that you’ve made this not only your career, but your life and existence? Andrew Scotchie: Music and songwriting is the best translator for raw emotion and energy. Music can heal and connect people no matter your background, political status, age or income. Spending almost every moment in the world of music has built a family around me and taught me so much about myself — it has given me a voice. Music keeps me grounded

SMN: What has this journey as a musician taught you — or perhaps surprised you — the most thus far? AS: So much of this journey has taught me the importance of patience and balance. It’s important to treat your work with tenacity, but it’s also equally important to be able to appreciate where you are and the goals you have accomplished so far. Oddly enough, now I’ve learned to appreciate the lows of this career just as much as the highs. Because even at the lowest point, I know I’m learning something and becoming stronger. Over time, you learn which problems to allocate time and energy to — finding that balance. It’s all about taking in as much as you possible can to create a healthy world and work flow around you. CD: My musical journey has taught me love. Traveling all over the country playing shows, I’ve been able to meet people of all walks of life. People the same as me and people the exact opposite of me. We’re all just trying to live life on this space-rock we were born on. We’re all trying to find our way, and it’s important to show everyone love and kindness. Music is love. So, that makes me one of the lucky ones. I’m very fortunate. The only thing that matters in this world is what you do with what you have to say.

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

‘Didn’t wanna get me no trade, never want to be like papa’

Bluegrass singer/mandolinist Sierra Hull will hit the stage for a special evening, “A Bluegrass Christmas with Sierra Hull,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

p.s. Happy 75th birthday to the greatest rockn-roller of all-time: Keith Richards. We love you, Keef. Rock on, brother. Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.

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So, amid the whirlwind this past week of being published The “Christmas Bluegrass Jam” hosted by by Rolling Stone — my biggest Raymond Fairchild will be from 6 to 9 p.m. dream and top bucket list item Saturday, Dec. 22, at Elevated Mountain as a writer — I’ve found myself Distilling Company in Maggie Valley. looking over my shoulder and reflecting on the road to the Americana singer-songwriter/guitarist Kevin here and now. Fuller will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, at But, I’m also looking Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. toward the horizon — a new Jazz/swing act The Russ Wilson Duo will vantage point — by which to perform at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, at The find guidance into the next Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. chapter of whatever this thing is we call life, reality and the The annual “Lights & Luminaries” will return to quest for stability and creative the streets of downtown from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. fulfillment in a daily existence. 21-22. Beyond the sheer overwhelming emotion of gratitude washing over think of sacrifices made in the name of this dream? Rightly satisfied or only hungry for me after almost 14 years of blood, sweat and more? Maybe all of the above? tears chasing this dream, I’ve been asked by Amid the questions posed to me recently, friends and family alike dozens of times one was: “What kept you going all those since last week about how I got to this juncrough years?” Well, for one thing, the “rough ture, and also questions that now linger — years” pop up now and again, regardless of how do you feel, and what now? where you are in your personal and profesIt’s one thing to be told relentlessly as a sional life. It’s just part of the game of life, a kid that, “if you put your mind to it, you can natural ebb and flow of the human condiachieve anything.” And, if you’re lucky and tion as we continue to grow, sometimes faldetermined enough, alongside a steady tering, but relentlessly seeking balance in stream of hard work, you can find yourself our interactions and attitudes. where you’ve always wanted to be. Truth-be-told, what kept me going was And yet, the thing that tends to get left the mere fact that I had an internal conversaout in the words of encouragement is how tion with myself very early on that — hell or you feel once you’re finally standing there, high water — this is what I want to do with holding your dream in your hand, thinking my life. Once you have that understanding in to yourself, “So, how am I supposed to feel your thought process, you retain that muchright now?” Happy to be here? Somber to

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December 19-25, 2018

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This must be the place

needed stamina to push through obstacles — either physical or emotional. And there are key moments that stick out, especially those with former lovers. I remember one ex-girlfriend — when I was in my early 20s and living in Upstate New York — who, while we were eating breakfast together in a diner, goes, “So, when’s this writing phase going to end?” I looked at her puzzled and put my coffee down. “What do you mean ‘phase’? This is what I want to do with my life.” To which she responded, “I mean, why don’t you get a normal job like everyone else? Like at the prison or on the border as an officer?” There were moments where even my closest friends from my adolescence started to take digs at me. By your mid-to-late 20s, people around you begin to question the legitimacy of your aspirations. You’re not living a similar life to theirs, and somehow that offends them, usually afraid to question their own path, or urges them to speak up out of concern or projected humiliation. One night, my (former) best friend from high school and I were out for a beer. I was a young writer scrapping by. He had a pretty decent gig working on a farm. That night, he was buying whatever he wanted of top-shelf booze, almost as if to spite me. But, whatever, I was content by sticking with my Pabst Blue Ribbon happy hour special. At one point in the evening, he turned to me with a sly grin, “So, how’s the writing going?” I replied, “Tough, but I’m making it work.” “You really think you’ll write for Rolling Stone someday?” he shook his head in this sarcastic manner, as if to imply “you fool.” All of these people and roads chosen, paths ignored and faces now gone from my field-of-vision, decisions made in haste and decisions made selfishly or selflessly, all culminates into where you stand today, ultimately influencing the trek to tomorrow and to the day after that. It all adds up. It’s all one thing, you know? The craziest thing to consider is all of those times you came “this close” to throwing in the towel. Those lonely nights far from home wondering just what in the hell you had gotten yourself into. Those girls you felt you would throw it all away for, but didn’t. Those “Plan B” careers you considered following the economic collapse in 2008, but didn’t. The list goes on. I have no resentment toward that early and ongoing criticism, nor toward the choices I’ve made to get to where I am. I’ve always used it as fuel onto the fire of my intent. Besides, for every one push back or setback, there tends to be so many more folks who will understand what you’re trying to do, and cosmic moments that will nurture your intent. Often, just that in itself can, and does, also inspire their own endeavors — this back-and-forth of passion and pursuit. We’re all in this together, don’t forget that.

Log on. Plan your escape. Feel your stress dissolve.

arts & entertainment

On the beat Sierra Hull.

Raymond Fairchild.

Banjo legend to host bluegrass jam There will be a special “Christmas Bluegrass Jam” hosted by Raymond Fairchild will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, at Elevated Mountain Distilling Company in Maggie Valley.

Smoky Mountain News

December 19-25, 2018

Frog Level taps into Americana

Acclaimed singer-songwriter/guitarist Kevin Fuller will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. The Upstate New Yorker has traveled the highways and bi-ways of America, from Maine to California, putting his transformative experiences to paper and chords. “I’ve always been influenced by bluegrass and Appalachian music,” Fuller told The Smoky Mountain News. “I’d always heard the twang in my songs. I heard banjo, fiddle and upright bass. So, when I ended up here, and met the greatest musicians in the world, who played those instruments and asked to play music with me, I was kind of blown away. I feel like there’s a reason

A banjo icon and member of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame (Bean Blossom, Indiana), Fairchild will be joined by other top bluegrass musicians. Special guests will also include celebrity moonshiners Mike and Daniel. Valley Girlz Hot Dogs will also be onsite. For more information, visit www.elevatedmountain.com.

Kevin Fuller.

Christmas with Sierra Hull

why I am here, and I feel like this is it.” Free and open to the public. www.froglevelbrewing.com.

Renowned bluegrass singer/mandolinist Sierra Hull will hit the stage for a special evening, “A Bluegrass Christmas with Sierra Hull,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. At 27, Hull has received the “Mandolin Player of the Year” award from the International Bluegrass Music Association the last three years in-a-row. Before that time, no other female musician had ever been given the honor in the decades-old history of the IBMAs.

“I love the music itself, but getting to be part of that community and the spirit of it was such an exciting thing to be part of as a young musician,” Hull recently told The Smoky Mountain News. “I want the next generation, even if they what they’re playing isn’t the most traditional thing in the world, that they can be welcomed within the bounds of that word [‘bluegrass’].” Tickets start at $15 per person. For more information, call 866.273.4615 or click on www.greatmountainmusic.com. To learn more about Hull, visit www.sierrahull.com.

WCU ‘Dulcimer U’ returns to Lake J Kicking off the New Year with the sounds of beautiful music, Western Carolina University’s “Dulcimer U” winter weekend will be held Jan. 3-6 at the Lambuth Inn at Lake Junaluska. All classes, concerts, jam sessions, vendor area, and meals will be held inside the hotel. Winter Weekend participants can choose from over 50 hours of instruction on the mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, ukulele, and guitar. “Mix and match any classes you wish to attend. There will be something offered each hour for all skill levels,” said Bobby Hensley, WCU’s associate director of con-

tinuing education. Evening activities will include staff performances and a music sharing session for participants. Featured instructors include: Larry Conger (Dulcimer U Director), Elaine Conger, Judy House, Laurie Alsobrook, Joe Collins, Stephen Humphries, Jim Miller, Guy George and Sherrie George. Miller will also be leading jam sessions throughout the weekend. The deadline for the early registration fee of $169 has been extended to Dec. 21. After Dec. 21, $199. For more information, visit dulcimeru.wcu.edu or call 828.227.7397.

On the beat

Ring In 2019

arts & entertainment

‘Mouth of the South’ swings into Waynesville

The Rendezvous

Russ Wilson. Jazz/swing act The Russ Wilson Duo will perform at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. His voice will stop you in your tracks. Known as the “Mouth of the South,” Wilson is a bridge to an era, a time when style and class were synonymous with musicianship and showmanship. A beloved crooner in Western North Carolina, Wilson performs in as many different and varied groups as there are days in the week. One day, he’ll jump in with an oldtime gypsy jazz outfit at a wine lounge play-

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ing selections from the 1920s and ‘30s, the next, he’ll be adorned in a tuxedo fronting a 16-piece big band orchestra onstage playing numbers from the ‘40s and ‘50s. And no matter what the situation, all eyes tend to fall on Wilson. He not only commands a space with his impressive octave range, he also possesses the power to split a room like the Red Sea, where both sides are singing back and forth while Wilson conducts the melodic madness. There will be a $10 cover per person. Call 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

At the Maggie Valley Inn

‘Uncorked’ New Year’s Eve

Bosu’s tastings, small plates Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville will host an array of wine tastings and small plates from Chef Stacy’s gourmet cuisine,

• A free wine tasting will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 22 and 29 at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. www.papouswineshop.com or 828.631.3075. • Free cooking demonstrations will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturdays at Country Traditions in Dillsboro. Watch the demonstrations, eat samples and taste house wines for $3 a glass. All recipes posted online. www.countrytraditionsnc.com.

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Smoky Mountain News

The “Uncorked: Wine & Rail Pairing Experience” New Year’s Eve celebration will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31, at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. Full service all-adult first class car with private attendant on the Tuckasegee River Excursion (includes stopover in historic Dillsboro). Narrator onboard to discuss each pairing of four wines with a meal that includes an exclusive sampling of local cheeses, fresh garden salad, a surf/turf entree, and chef-inspired dessert. All passengers also receive souvenir stemless wine glass. Age 21 and over only. For more information and/or to register, call 800.872.4681 or visit www.gsmr.com.

available at The Secret Wine Bar within the shop. Dog friendly patio and front garden open, weather permitting. • Dec. 20/27: Five for $5 Wine Tasting from 5 to 9 p.m. Come taste five magnificent wines and dine on Chef Stacy’s gourmet cuisine. • Dec. 21/28: Secret Wine Bar Night from 5 to 9 p.m.. Gourmet food, and a great wine & beer menu. • Dec. 22/29: There will be a free wine tasting from 1 to 5 p.m. 828.452.0120 or visit www.waynesvillewine.com.

December 19-25, 2018

On the table

arts & entertainment

On the beat • Andrews Brewing Company (Andrews) will host the “Lounge Series” at its Calaboose location with Chris West (singer-songwriter) Dec. 21, The Trailer Hippies (Americana) Dec. 22, Scott Stambaugh (singer-songwriter) Dec. 26, Gabe Myers (Americana) Dec. 27, Somebody’s Child (Americana) Dec. 28 and Wyatt Espalin (singer-songwriter) Dec. 29. Free, 6 p.m. www.andrewsbrewing.com. • Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host an acoustic jam with Main St. NoTones from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 20 and 27. Free and open to the public. www.blueridgebeerhub.com. • Boojum Brewing Company (Waynesville) will host a bluegrass open mic every Wednesday, an all-genres open mic every Thursday, and The Brothers Gillespie (Americana/Rock) 9 p.m. Dec. 22. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.boojumbrewing.com. • The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Tina & Her Pony (Americana) Dec. 28 and Joe Cruz (piano/vocals) Dec. 29. All shows are free and begin at 7:15 p.m. There will also be a special performance by The Russ Wilson Duo (swing/jazz) at 7:15 p.m. Dec. 22, with a $10 cover. 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

Smoky Mountain News

December 19-25, 2018

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Kevin Fuller (singer-songwriter) Dec. 21,

Angela Easterling (singer-songwriter) Dec. 22, ‘Round the Fire (jam/rock) Dec. 28 and Back South Band Dec. 29. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. www.froglevelbrewing.com. • Harmon’s Den Bistro at HART (Waynesville) will host karaoke and an open mic at 8 p.m. on Saturdays. All are welcome. www.harttheatre.org. • Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night Dec. 19 and 26, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo Dec. 20 and 27. All events are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com. • Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host John Duncan & Friends (Americana) Dec. 22 and Shane Meade (singer-songwriter) 2 p.m. Dec. 23. All events are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com. • Isis Music Hall (West Asheville) will host Hannah Kaimer & JP Parsons (Americana/folk) 7 p.m. Dec. 19, Brian Ashley Jones (Americana/blues) 7 p.m. Dec. 20, The Reel Sisters (Celtic) 8:30 p.m. Dec. 20, Fortune & Glory (pop/rock) 9 p.m. Dec. 21, Highbeams (folk/rock) 7 p.m. Dec. 22, Zulu Welsh Band w/Pam Taylor Duo (pop/rock) 9 p.m. Dec. 22, Queen Bee & The Honeylovers (swing) 5:30 p.m. Dec. 23, Russ

Wilson “Have Yourself A Swingin’ Little Christmas” (jazz/swing) 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23, Christie Lenee (singer-songwriter) 7 p.m. Dec. 27, EJ Jones & Frances Cunningham (Americana/Celtic) 7 p.m. Dec. 28, Dangermuffin w/Fireside Collective (Americana/jam) 9 p.m. Dec. 28, Jangling Sparrows Duo (Americana/folk) 7 p.m. Dec. 29, De la Noche (world/tango) 8:30 p.m. Dec. 29 and New Year’s Eve w/Yarn and Josh Shilling & Friends (Americana/alt-country) 9 p.m. Dec. 31. www.isisasheville.com. • Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host an open mic night at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday, Dirty Dave & Dusty John Dec. 21, Andalyn (Americana) Dec. 22, Rachel Stewart (singersongwriter) Dec. 28, Colby Deitz Band (Americana/rock) Dec. 29 and New Year’s Eve w/Beggar’s Clan 9 p.m. Dec. 31. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

ALSO:

• Mad Anthony’s Taproom & Restaurant (Waynesville) will host Billingsley Dec. 21 and 28 Pages Dec. 29. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. • Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host an open mic night every Thursday, Aces Down Dec. 21 and 28, and Somebody’s Child (Americana) Dec. 22 and Twelfth Fret

(Americana/folk) Dec. 29. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com. • Pub 319 (Waynesville) will host an open mic night from 8 to 11 p.m. every Wednesday. Free and open to the public. www.pub319socialhouse.com. • Salty Dog’s (Maggie Valley) will have Karaoke with Jason Wyatt at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, Mile High (classic rock) 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, and a Trivia w/Kelsey Jo 8 p.m. Thursdays. • Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands) will host “Hoppy Hour” and an open mic at 6 p.m. on Thursdays and live music on Friday evenings. 828.482.9794 or www.satulahmountainbrewing.com. • The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic” night from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays. 828.283.0079 or www.38main.com. • The Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic Night” on Mondays, karaoke on Thursdays, Dog Tracks Dec. 21, You Drive With The Talent Dec. 22, DJ Kountry Dec. 28, EDM w/DJ Bent It Dec. 29 and New Year’s Eve w/Mike Farrington & Friends Dec. 31. All events at 10 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.456.4750.

On the street

‘Lights & Luminaries’ returns to Dillsboro

arts & entertainment

IMPORTANT HEALTH INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT ANNOUNCEMENT If you were hindered by the snow storm the last week of ACA open enrollment (12/8 to 12/15), call Mountain Projects for an appointment. We can help you apply for 2019 coverage through an Exceptional Circumstance Special Enrollment Period. —————————————————————————————————————

Nick Breedlove photo

ALSO:

• The CommUnity Square Dance will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, at the

Old Rock School in Webster. Caller Jenny Monfore will teach and call all dances to live music by Cullowheezer. No partner or fancy outfit required. pammanottus@gmail.com. • The “Polar Express” will depart on select times through Dec. 31 from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot. For more information on departures or to purchase tickets, visit www.gsmr.com. • The annual “Christmas On the Green” celebration will run through New Year’s Day at The Village Green. The 13-acre park in the heart of Cashiers will feature thousands of twinkling lights. www.villagegreencashiersnc.com.

This information is made possible by the generous support of the Cherokee County Community Foundation and Dr. Brian Mitchell. Our consumer assistance is made possible through the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.

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Smoky Mountain News

• The fifth annual “Franklin Ruby Drop” will be from 8:30 p.m. to midnight Monday, Dec. 31, at Town Square in downtown Franklin. Motor Company Grill and Crabtree General Store are hosting the family-friendly New Year’s Eve event. There will be live entertainment, assorted games, and other activities. Just before midnight, there will be a countdown and lowering of the ruby. The ruby is six feet tall and seven feet in diameter, with over 1,300 LED lights. www.franklin-chamber.com.

CALL (828) 452-1447

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The annual “Lights & Luminaries” will return to the streets of downtown from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 21-22. Experience the magic as the entire town is transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, candles, laughter and song. Over 2,500 luminaries light your way to shops and studios. Horse and buggy rides available each night. Shopkeepers provide live music and serve holiday treats with hot cider and cocoa. Carolers sing and children visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Live Nativity at Jarrett Memorial Baptist Church. Free shuttle service from Monteith Park. For more information, visit www.visitdillsboro.org.

December 19-25, 2018

People requesting refunds for the 2016 tax penalty must file a hardship exemption application before December 31, 2018. 2017 and 2018 exemptions for penalty refunds are also available now.

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arts & entertainment

On the wall

New Macon art exhibit A work by Gloria R. Weiss.

Want to support local artisans?

December 19-25, 2018

The works of painter Gloria R. Weiss will be on displayed throughout the month of December at the Macon County Public Library. Weiss was born in Parma, Ohio, and now resides in Franklin. Her work has been featured in several group shows in Highlands, Cashiers, Biltmore Estate, and the Uptown Gallery in Franklin. The Murphy Newspaper has featured her in an article. Weiss is a self-taught artist and gives credit for her creative successes to God, and a lot of perseverance. www.facebook.com/maconcopl.

The Haywood County Arts Council annual show, “It’s a Small, Small Work,” will be held through Dec. 22 in HCAC Gallery & Gifts in Waynesville. The show provides a unique opportunity for budding artists to exhibit their work, as well as the opportunity for more seasoned artists to test their boundaries. This year's display features 60 artists and around 200 individual works of art for sale. All pieces submitted are exactly 12” or smaller in every dimension, including base,

matting, and frame. All art work is for sale, priced at $300 or less, and must have been created in the last two years. Commission will be the gallery’s usual 60 percent (artist) to 40 percent (HCAC) split. The Haywood County Arts Council’s small work show was launched in 2008 to demonstrate that original artwork is affordable and fun. Most businesses, homes and apartments can accommodate smaller works of art — and the show promotes buying local and regional work to help support artists in Western North Carolina. For more information, www.haywoodarts.org or 828.452.0593.

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1819 Country Club Drive Maggie Valley, NC

M AG G I E VA LLEY C LU B . CO M

On the wall

• Our Summerhouse Pottery in downtown Waynesville will host after-school art classes for elementary/middle-schoolers. Classes begin Jan. 8-9. Pottery/art classes will be held weekly for six weeks. Elementary (8-10 years olds) will be Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Middle-schoolers (11-14 years olds) will be Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuition is $95, which includes all supplies. Class size is limited to eight. For more information and/or to register, contact Amy at amy@oursummerhousepottery.com or call 828.734.5737.

ALSO:

• Haywood Community College (Clyde) Continuing Education Creative Arts will host “Introduction to Bladesmithing” March 1819, as well as the “Smoky Mountain Hammer-In” March 21-24. For more information about any of these classes, please visit creativearts.haywood.edu or call 828.565.4240. • Our Summerhouse Pottery in downtown Waynesville will host adult pottery classes on

Your Support is Appreciated Help Haywood County Meals on Wheels Serve Homebound in our Community

• Mad Batter Food & Film (Sylva) will host a free movie night at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For the full schedule of screenings, click on www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com.

The Success and Growth of the Program Depends on YOUR Donation

• The Waynesville Fiber Friends will meet from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday of the month at the Panacea Coffee House in Waynesville. All crafters and beginners interested in learning are invited. You can keep up with them through their Facebook group or by calling 828.276.6226 for more information. • “Thursday Painters Open Studio” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at the Franklin Uptown Gallery. Bring a bag lunch, project and supplies. Free to the public. Membership not required. For information, call 828.349.4607. • A “Youth Art Class” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday at the Appalachian Art Farm on 22 Morris Street in Sylva. All ages welcome. $10 includes instruction, materials and snack. For more information, email appalachianartfarm@gmail.com or find them on Facebook. • Free classes and open studio times are being offered at The Uptown Gallery in Franklin. Join others at a painting open studio session from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays. For information on days open, hours and additional art classes and workshops, contact the gallery on 30 East Main Street at 828.349.4607.

On the stage

ALSO:

Any donation amount welcome & tax deductible.

828.356.2442 - Mail Donations – Haywood County Meals on Wheels 157 Paragon Parkway – Suite 300 Clyde, NC 28721

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED A program of Haywood County Health & Human Services Agency

Christmas Day Buffet Tuesday, December 25th 11:30 am - 2:30 pm Adults $32.95 – Young-at-Heart (70+) $25.95 Children 6-12 $15.95 – Kids 5 & Under Free Reservations Required

SOUP

HOT ITEMS

Lobster Bisque with Sherry

Roasted Tilapia with Bay Shrimp & Lime Beurre Blanc

COLD ITEMS & SALADS Smoked Norwegian Salmon Peel & Eat Shrimp Fresh Fruit & Cheese Display Brussels Sprout Salad Seasonal Field Green Salad Tortellini Pasta Salad

CARVING STATION Prime Rib of Beef Au Jus Pork Loin with Sauce Robert Prices Include Coffee, Tea, Water & Fountain Drinks. 18% Service Charge Added to Tables of 6 or More

facebook.com/ smnews (828) 456-3551

Chicken Cordon Bleu with Mushroom Sherry Sauce Broccoli, Cauliflower & Carrot Medley Saffron & Leek Rice Pilaf Roasted Red Potatoes

DESSERTS Bourbon Pecan Pie Yule Log Red Velvet Cupcakes Peppermint Chocolate Mousse Apple Cranberry Pie

a 176 Country Club Dr a twigolfresort.com

Smoky Mountain News

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

$6.50 - One meal/day. $32.50 – One meal a day/week. $130.00 – One meal a day/month. $780.00 – One meal a day/6 months. $1626.00 – One meal for a day/one year

December 19-25, 2018

• The Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) Campus Theme, the “Defining America” exhibit brings together artists with different perspectives on the concept of “America” and asks visitors to reflect on the values, definitions, and assumptions attached to this concept. The exhibition will be on view through May 3 at the Bardo Arts Center. Regular museum hours at the BAC are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays until 7 p.m. For information, call 828.227.ARTS or visit bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

Tuesdays evenings (starting Jan. 8) from 6 to 8:30 p.m. or Thursday afternoons (starting Jan. 10) from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tuition is $225, which includes all supplies. Class size is limited to six. For more information and/or to register, contact Amy at amy@oursummerhousepottery.com or call 828.734.5737.

arts & entertainment

• A “Beginner Step-By-Step” painting class will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursdays (Dec. 20) at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. Cost is $25 with all supplies provided. RSVP by contacting Robin Arramae at 828.400.9560 or paintnitewaynesville@gmail.com.

arts & entertainment

mobile technology to help you get a lot less mobile.

Smoky Mountain News

December 19-25, 2018

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

Books

Smoky Mountain News

U.S. suffers from a leadership vacuum ears ago, a writer well-known to Western North Carolinians experienced difficulties getting federal assistance for his disabilities, aid to which he was entitled by law. He approached various government agencies to obtain the help due him, but always wound up snarled in red tape. Though this man was a life-long Democrat and despised archconservWriter ative Sen. Jessie Helms, he finally contacted Senator Helms’ office for help. “And do you know what that son of a bitch did?” he told me with a shake of his head. “In two days my problems were solved.” That is the way it is supposed to be. Our elected officials on all levels — local, state, and federal — are supposed to represent us. Not because of the color of our skin, our gender, our income, or our religious faith. They are supposed to represent us because, whether we voted for them or not, we are their constituents. This arrangement seems lost on many of today’s office-holders, especially those at the federal level. That guy with the axle grease under his fingernails, that single mom living in a trailer with three kids, that insurance salesman who every day beats his head against the wall trying to make his mortgage: those in power all too often ignore or overlook such people. Even worse are those who, by their education and upbringing, are blind to the struggles and concerns of Americans on the other side of the tracks. In Ship Of Fools: How A Selfish Ruling Class Is Bringing America To The Brink Of Revolution (Free Press, 2018, 244 pages),

Jeff Minick

Tucker Carlson examines how today’s leaders, movers and shakers, and celebrities rarely interact with Main Street America and indeed, often exhibit open contempt for the people they purport to serve. (A note here: Tucker Carlson is a Fox News conservative. Doubtless many will spurn reading his Ship Of Fools for this reason. Too bad, really, for though Ship Of Fools offers a conservative take on many issues, Carlson aims most of his criticism at the elites — the Beltway pols, the billionaires, the celebrities — who dictate to those whom they despise.) Near the beginning of the book, for example, Carlson endorses Ralph Nader’s 2017 essay in which he criticizes, as he has throughout his life, unchecked corporate power and its threat to American democracy. In this case, Nader attacks Amazon, “the mega-trillion dollar juggernaut,” and its founder Jeff Bezos “for crushing labor unions and creating a dangerous monopoly that hurts consumers.” As Carlson points out, no one really pays attention to such critiques. To many on the right and the left, Bezos is a role model, someone to be emulated, not reproved. Ditto on Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook. Many bestow high compliments on Zuckerberg for “trying to make the world a better place.” But how does Zuckerberg feel about his customers? Let’s look: “Just days after Facebook’s launch, Zuckerberg

Book wins award from Georgia Historical Society Andrew Denson was a graduate student at Indiana University Bloomington back in the mid-1990s when, on a drive through Georgia, he decided to make a stop at the New Echota State Historic Site, which marks the location of what was once the capital of the Cherokee Nation. Located near the north Georgia town of Calhoun, the historic site features the partial reconstruction of a Cherokee town and interprets various facets of Cherokee history, including the Trail of Tears, the forced removal of the Cherokee people from their homeland to Oklahoma in the 1830s. “I had read some of the historical literature on Southern commemoration in one of my seminars in Indiana, and, based on that reading, I wondered why the state of Georgia, which had worked so hard to drive the Cherokees into the West, decided to establish this historic site commemorating the Trail of Tears,” Denson said. “I was particularly curious about why Georgia would commemorate

bragged to a friend online how he held the personal information of virtually every student on campus and offered ‘info about anyone at Harvard.’ They ‘trust me,’ he explained. ‘Dumb f**ks.’” Does Zuckerberg still feel that way? What do you think? Neo-conservatives take a bashing here as well. Max Boot, the well-known military historian who recently declared himself a Democrat because of his hatred for Trump and populism, had this to say back in October 2001: “To turn Iraq into a beacon of hope for oppressed peoples of the Middle East: Now that would be an historic war aim. Is this an ambitious agenda? Without a doubt. Does America have the resources to carry it out? Also without a doubt.” How did that one work out, Mr. Boot? In 2017, Bill Kristol, who pushed and continues to push for more and more American wars, had this to say about Americans: “Basically, if you are in a free society, a capitalist society, after two, three, four generations of hard work, everyone becomes kind of decadent, lazy, spoiled, whatever … (Most Americans) grew up as spoiled kids and so forth.” Chelsea Clinton might stand as a symbol of this privileged elite. Born into power, she attended the prestigious Sidwell Friends School (wealthy families support public schools with their mouths but not their children), graduated from Stanford University, and won a master’s degree from Oxford.

Native American removal during the 1950s, the era of the AfricanAmerican civil rights movement.” Those questions remained in Denson’s mind as he returned to graduate study at Indiana, where he earned master’s and doctoral degrees. However, he ended up choosing a different topic for his doctoral dissertation, which developed into his first book, Demanding the Cherokee Nation: Indian Autonomy and American Culture, published in 2004. That same year, Denson joined the faculty of Western Carolina University’s Department of History. “I always wanted to return to this question of commemoration,” he said. “After finishing my first book and moving to North Carolina, I had a chance to do that.” The result is Monuments to Absence: Cherokee Removal and the Contest Over Southern Memory, published by the University of North Carolina Press in February 2017. The book, which explores how Cherokee removal has been remembered in the public landscape, was announced in late November as co-winner of the 2018 Malcolm and Muriel Barrow Bell Award, which is presented by the Georgia Historical Society for the best book on Georgia history. Denson, an associate professor of history at WCU, began con-

Because of her family name, she has held prestigious jobs, lives in a $10 million apartment in New York City, and before leaving to advise her mother’s presidential campaign, worked at NBC as a special correspondent, despite having no experience either in television or journalism. “… Business Insider calculated that Chelsea had appeared on network television for a total of just fifty-eight minutes, less than two seconds a day. NBC paid her $26,274 for every minute she spent on the air.” “In a healthy society,” Carlson writes, “decades of obvious failures by elites would force a change of ideas or a change of leadership. Neither has happened. The same class of lawmakers, journalists, and business chieftains hold power, despite their dismal record. American now has not only one of the least impressive ruling classes in history, but also the least self-aware. They have no idea how bad they are.” He then adds: “You’ve got to care about the people you govern. Would you be a good parent if you despised your children? Would you be a good officer if you didn’t care about the lives of your soldiers? ... Countries can survive war and famine and disease. They cannot survive leaders who despise their own people.” In the Introduction, Carlson tells readers that “… the lesson seems obvious: Ignore the voters for long enough and you get Donald Trump.” Yet far too many of the rich and the powerful continue to ignore voters. Here’s a suggestion: Why not leave your mansions and board rooms, your private aircraft and your offices, and hit a coffee shop or a Main Street bar? Talk to some people. Ask some questions. You might learn a few things. (Jeff Minick is a writer and teacher. minick0301@gmail.com)

ducting research for his prize-winning volume around the time he arrived at WCU, thinking that work would yield an article or two. “As time went on, I ran into more and more examples of Southern communities commemorating Cherokee removal, so eventually I decided to turn the work into a book project,” he said. The act of memorialization is an important topic for students of Southern culture, and occasionally debates over the public memory make the news, as the recent dispute over the “Silent Sam” statute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill illustrates, Denson said. In the book, Denson examines a series of case studies of removal commemoration from the early 20th century to the present, including examples from Georgia, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Western North Carolina. He also takes a look at development of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, which stretches from WNC to Oklahoma. In addition to winning the Georgia Historical Society Award, Denson’s latest book was a finalist for this year’s Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. A native of the Chicago area, Denson also was honored earlier this year as recipient of WCU’s Hunter Scholar Award, which promotes and supports faculty research that integrates the resources and services of the university’s Hunter Library.

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

Partners of the Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness volunteers hike the Benton MacKaye Trail to do maintenance work in August. Donated photo

Pointing the way Volunteer group earns national recognition for trail sign project, other accomplishments BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER he year is nearly over, but in 2018 the Graham County Rescue Squad has run only three search and rescue calls in the thousands of acres of national forest land surrounding Robbinsville. “We probably used to run three or four times that, just about all of them in Joyce Kilmer Slickrock,” said Marshall McClung, search and rescue coordinator for the squad. “Mostly in the Joyce Kilmer section, a few in the Slickrock section.” If anybody should know the history, it would be McClung. He’s been running search and rescues in Graham County for 51 years, both as a U.S. Forest Service employee before his retirement and as a volunteer with the rescue squad, which he joined in the late 1960s. Over the years, McClung has rescued countless people who have found themselves in scrapes for a laundry list of reasons — but undeniably the most common cause of crisis was getting lost. These days, that’s a lot harder to do. That’s because of a massive effort from the nonprofit

Partners of the Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness to install signs at trail junctions throughout the wilderness area — thus, the plummeting number of rescue calls. “It has made a big difference, it sure has,” said McClung. “There’s been a lot of work done.”

IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM The work was the result of a push from Dick Evans, an avid hiker and past president of the Partners. In 2011, Evans was elected president of another trails group, the Benton MacKaye Trail Association, which supports the 300mile-long hiking trail named after the creator of the more famous Appalachian Trail. He decided to thru-hike the trail’s route through Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina and was dismayed to find that many of the trail junction signs were either missing or so weathered as to be illegible. On one 43-mile section, there wasn’t a single sign to be seen. “I did not have a problem (with wayfinding), but I’m pretty experienced in the

“We all agreed the easiest thing would be woods,” Evans said. “But at the same time I could see there were some major problems for for the Forest Service to order the signs and us to just pay the bill,” said Evans. people who weren’t as experienced.” But, before a sign could be ordered, they When he returned from the hike, Evans had to know what should be on it. This asked the Forest Service what was up with the required hiking out to every trail junction that lack of signs. What he discovered was that the needed a sign — to scope out the area, deterForest Service was well aware of the problem mine where the sign should go and figure out but had no money available to fix it. So, Evans which ways the arrows would need to point in asked the Forest Service if they’d have a proborder for the directions to be correct. Then lem with the Benton MacKaye Trail the sign would have to be designed and Association raising the money — a suggestion to which the Forest Service, as could be expect- ordered, and then installed during a separate ed, was quite agreeable. Raising the money Volunteers prepare to post a new sign proved to be pretty easy. on the Benton MacKaye Trail in Graham Evans called the results County. Donated photo “staggering” — even now, years later, the group still receives donations for the project. As it happens, the Benton MacKaye Trail passes straight through the Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness Area, and as a Graham County resident and member of the Partners, Evans was well aware that section had plenty of needs in the sign department as well. So wilderness trek. No motorized travel is he brought the challenge to that group too. allowed in wilderness areas, so rolling out on The group was receptive, electing him a mountain bike or ATV is not an option. president for 2015-16 and placing the sign “One of the biggest problems we have is project as a major initiative. Between the not really affording the signs, but the trip,” Partners and the BMTA, about $13,000 was said Evans. raised to install 84 signs along trails and roads When the BMTA first started the project, in the Cheoah Ranger District of the it was careful to go slow with the signs, orderNantahala National Forest, which includes the ing only a few at a time. Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness Area. In “By the time we got up here to the Georgia and Tennessee, the BMTA raised an Slickrock Wilderness, we had it down to a additional $17,000 to install signs along the really good science,” said Evans. “We would trail’s route through those states. get 15, 18 signs at a time and within a couple of months we’d generally have most of those up and in place.” NSTALLING THE SIGNS Now, only two signs are left to go. Those are both destined for the King Meadows Trail, Placing a sign may sound like a simple endeavor, but there’s more to it than might be a fabulously remote and overgrown trail in the Nantahala National Forest. expected. “It’s so remote that even the Forest Service While the cheapest signs might only cost folks haven’t been there in years,” said Evans. $50, larger ones can be several hundred and a That’s why it’s last on the installation list big sign the group bought for the Joyce Kilmer — “anybody that gets to that point, either Memorial Forest cost $1,500. Shipping, posts they’re totally lost and the sign’s not going to and theft-resistant hardware also ran up the help them or they know where they’re at,” costs. said Evans. Signs posted on federal lands must adhere Nevertheless, the volunteers will make the to a slew of regulations, and those regulations long trek to deliver the signs to their final desare different depending on whether the land tination. in question is a wilderness area, national forest, national park or something else. For wilderness areas, especially, the rules are FORCE MULTIPLIER strict. Signs must be five-sided, made of natural materials like wood and may only point That’s the kind of dedication out directions — they can’t give mileages. that earned the Partners of Joyce

Join the Partners Partners of the Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness is always looking for more people to help maintain trails, raise money and support its other initiatives. Find out how to get involved at www.joycekilmerslickrock.org.

Fees will increase at 24 sites on the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests beginning Jan. 1. For sites that are closed seasonally, fees will take effect on the first open day of the year. The new fees are the result of a proposal process that started in 2017 and included a 46-day public participation period, publication in the Federal Register Notice and input from the Southern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee, which is a federal advisory committee comprised of members of the public. According to a U.S. Forest Service press release, the changes aim to establish a consistent fee approach and improve visitor experiences through site upgrades financed through the fees. Current pricing at many sites has been static for more than a decade. Federal law allows the Forest Service to keep 80 to 95 percent of fees collected to operate, maintain and improve the recreation sites from which they were collected.

Fee changes include: Campgrounds • Bristol Fields Horse Camp, $8 per night ($3 increase) • Cheoah Point, $15-$20/night ($5 increase) • Cable Cove, $10/night ($5 increase) • Curtis Creek $10/night ($5 increase) • Horse Cove, $15/night ($5 increase) • Jackrabbit, $15/night single sites ($5 increase); $30/night double sites ($10 increase) • Mortimer, $20/night single sites ($10 increase); $40/night double sites ($20 increase to be phased in over two years) • Rocky Bluff, $15/night ($7 increase) • Tsali, $20/night ($5 increase) • Wine Springs Horse Camp, $10/night (new fee) • Wolf Ford Horse Camp $10/night (new fee)

Day Use Areas • Cheoah Point Beach, $5 vehicle fee, $30 annual pass (new fees) • Dry Falls, Whiteside Mountain, Whitewater Falls, $3/vehicle, $15 annual pass (new fee at Dry Falls, $1 increase at Whitewide and

ly, and the Partners brought that national award right back to little Robbinsville. While the sign project had a lot to do with the winning, it wasn’t the whole story. The Partners do a lot more aside from procuring and installing signs. Members have donated more than 2,500 volunteer hours since the beginning of 2017, working to develop and improve wilderness facilities, maintain trails, update interpretive and way-finding materials and help with wilderness inventory efforts. The group conducts a Junior Forestry School for teens interested in natural resource management

• Cheoah Point Cabins, $40/night ($5 increase) • McCall Cabin, $30/night or $200/week (new fees)

Group Campgrounds • Appletree Group Camp, $75 to $150/night ($25 to $50 increase) • Rattler Ford Group Camp, $75/night ($25 increase)

Shooting Ranges

3 EAST JACKSON STREET • SYLVA

828/586-9499 • citylightsnc.com

• Dirty John, Moss Knob and Panther Top, $5/person, $30 annual pass ($2 and $5 increase; pass usable at all three ranges)

Whitewater Launches • Nantahala River Corridor, $2/paddler per day, $10 annual pass ($1 increase, new annual pass) Logan Free, 828.257.4256 or lfree@fs.fed.us.

careers, annually donates $2,500 so the Cheoah Ranger District can hire a Youth Conservation Corps intern, organizes a training program with the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards to certify wilderness volunteers in the correct use of crosscut saws and landed $12,500 in grants to restore trails that were damaged by wildfire. “To use the military term, it’s really a force multiplier for the Forest Service, because they just do not have the staff to do all those things,” said Evans. “We’re able to step in and do it in what we would like to think of as a professional and competent way.” About 200 people are involved with the Partners, with a core group of 40 and a subset of those who are even more committed to fulfilling the group’s mission. To complete the sign project through Joyce Kilmer Slickrock, Evans himself hiked more than 125 miles, usually accompanied by two or three other volunteers. The project required several hundred hours of time, with that contribution expanding to well over 1,000 hours when including the entire Benton MacKaye Trail. The result is a safer and more enjoyable experience for visitors, and a lighter load for the lifesaving volunteers at the Graham County Rescue Squad. Rescue calls often come through in the middle of the night or in the midst of bad weather, pulling rescuers away from their families to accept risk for the sake of others — and all that with no pay. In fact, volunteers must pay dues to belong to the squad, with no reimbursement for mileage or equipment. “I belong to the Partners of Joyce Kilmer and am very familiar with the organization, worked with them a lot, and I’m sure they know that speaking for myself I certainly appreciate all the work and effort that’s been put into the trails,” said McClung. “I’d much rather go out and work on them in daylight as have to go out at night and hunt someone.”

ARE YOU READY TO ROOT INTO YOUR RESOLUTIONS? PERHAPS YOGA IS WHAT YOU NEED! Did you know that yoga is proven to: • Reduce stress + anxiety • Improve circulation and energy ﬂow around the thyroid • Increase your metabolism • Promote respiratory and cardiovascular functions • Soothe the nervous system It’s no wonder that yoga is recommended by doctors to patients coping with conditions such as hypertension, sciatica, insomnia, anxiety and depression! Regardless of your age, gender, background or ﬁtness level, yoga is a healing, empowering and strengthening practice that offers something for everyone. Come experience how it can nourish and balance your mind + body!

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Smoky Mountain News

Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness a distinctive honor. The group received the 2018 Bob Marshall Award for Group Champions of Wilderness Stewardship, an award that the U.S. Forest Service bestows on only one recipient nationwide each year. “I was kind of like, ‘Really? That’s impressive in itself just getting the nomination,’” said Evans of the news that his group was being considered. “Honestly I never thought we had a chance. I figured we were just too small and local and didn’t have enough impact.” But the Forest Service thought different-

Cabins

December 19-25, 2018

Dick Evans (from left) and James Smith of the Partners of the Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness and Jeremy Waite of the U.S. Forest Service receive a delivery of signs. Donated photo

Whitewater, new annual pass) • Jackrabbit Beach, $5/vehicle, $30 annual pass ($2 increase, new annual pass)

outdoors

Fees to rise on national forest sites

outdoors

Go to farm school The Appalachian Farm School will return for the fourth year running in 2019, with the eight-session course offered free for current and aspiring farmers and agribusinesses. Sessions will be held 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 8 through Feb. 26, at the Southwestern Community College Small Business Center in Sylva. Regional experts will teach practical, hands-on lessons designed to build the skills needed to create and strengthen a successful agriculture business venture. Students will also be introduced to the resources and contacts they’ll need to run their business successfully. Register for free at www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx. Tiffany Henry, t_henry@southwesterncc.edu or 828.339.4426.

Smoky Mountain News

December 19-25, 2018

Adventure with Alarka

While some might consider these short, cold days to be hibernation season, such is not the case at Cowee-based Alarka Institute, which has frosty but educational adventures lined up for the new year. n From 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, biologist James Costa, Ph.D., will discuss Alfred Wallace, Charles Darwin and the evolution of understanding evolution. Their important scientific contributions made both men famous in their lifetime, but Wallace slipped into obscurity after his death as Darwin’s renown grew. The $25 fee includes a wine, tea and cheese reception. n A winter tree identification workshop will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, in Clayton, Georgia, with Wander North Georgia. The day will begin with a classroom lesson on distinguishing characteristics of Southern Appalachian trees and then progress outdoors for some hands-on learning. $55. n Learn about lichens Saturday, Feb. 2, with Jennifer Love, the STEM coordinator for Macon County Schools. She’s been learning about lichens since 2006 and teaches about them at venues including the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont and the N.C. Arboretum. $65 includes lunch. n Learn about winter plant identification and the rare plant community of Macon County’s Serpentine Barrens Saturday, Feb. 29, in a workshop taught be botanist Ed Schwartzman. $65 includes lunch. Sign up or see more scheduled workshops at www.alarkaexpeditions.com.

Winter Lights employs 500,000 lights in its displays. Holly Kays photo

Loop Coweeta outdoors

Dogs will be welcome on a 4-mile hike along Coweeta Lab Loop in Macon County, Sunday, Dec. 30. The hike, located at the Coweeta Hydrological Laboratory in Otto, will go up Shope Fork and one of the side roads through a white pine forest, with views of Albert Mountain Tower and some small waterfalls. Elevation change is 600 feet. Organized by the Nantahala Hiking Club, the group will meet near Otto at 1:30 p.m. and carpool for the 9-mile roundtrip. RSVP to Katharine Brown, 828.421.4178.

Explore a nature preserve A 5-mile hike through the Florence Nature Preserve in Henderson County will be offered Sunday, Dec. 23. The group will meet in Asheville and carpool for the 24-mile roundtrip to the trailhead in Hickory Nut Gorge. The hike will cover the Yellow Diamond Trail, Blue Trail, White Trail and Red Trail to an overlook and return via the Blue and Yellow trails. Organized by the Carolina Mountain Club. No dogs. RSVP to Dennis Bass, 828.367.8619 or dbass3607@gmail.com.

Hike the winter solstice

Catch Winter Lights The dazzling Winter Lights display at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville will stay open through Dec. 31, offering visitors the chance to step into a winter wonderland filled with more than 500,000 lights, live entertainment games and festive food

and beverages. Winter Lights is open nightly from 6 to 10 p.m., with tickets often selling out. Arboretum members get $2 off on every ticket purchased. Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.ncarboretum.org.

Run in 2019

Race down the slopes

Smoky Mountain News

Middle and high schoolers The racing league is open to with a need for speed can enroll in Cataloochee Ski Areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s racing proskiers and snowboarders gram with a registration deadline alike. SMN photo of Jan. 2. The season consists of eight races, with middle school races held on Tuesdays beginning Jan. 8 and high school races held on Wednesdays beginning Jan. 9. The race season ends Feb. 26 for middle schoolers and Feb. 27 for high schoolers. To sign up, racers must be assigned to a team. They can contact a team coach or contact racing@cataloochee.com to be assigned to a team. The email should include age, grade, gender, school and whether the student will ride skis or a snowboard. Actual registration must be done online. Costs for the 2019 programs are: $220 for lift, racing and rental; $200 for lift and racing; $110 for racing only. More details available at www.cataloochee.com/learn-to-slide/schoolrace-programs.

DuPont State Recreational Forest.

December 19-25, 2018

Race into the New Year with the Run in 2019 5K Run, Walk & Fun Run, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1, at the Jackson County Recreation Park in Cullowhee. Pre-registration is available through Dec. 28 at www.rec.jacksonnc.org. $20. 828.293.3053.

The shortest day of the year will play host to a 6-mile hike, 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 21, at DuPont State Recreational Forest. The Winter Solstice Hike will take in three lakes and two waterfalls, with the group meeting at the High Falls Access Area on the visitor center porch. Hikers should bring water, food and sturdy shoes. Space limited and open only to Friends of DuPont members. To join Friends, register at www.dupontforest.com/membership.

Ski with Santa After delivering gifts Christmas Eve, Santa Claus will hit the slopes on Christmas Day Tuesday, Dec. 25, at Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley. The ski area will be open 1 to 10 p.m. on Christmas Day, with Santa joining in on the fun. Holiday rates apply. www.cataloochee.com.

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Fire ant quarantine expands As of Jan. 1 the quarantine area for the imported fire ant will include Davidson, Orange and Vance counties, meaning that 75 counties will be included in the quarantine. The quarantine area includes Macon, Graham, Clay and Cherokee counties but currently excludes much of the western and northern parts of the state. Jackson, Haywood and Swain are not part of the quarantine.

Under quarantine rules, a permit is required to move plants, sod and related equipment into or through non-infested areas. The imported fire ant was first identified in Brunswick County in 1957. As it spread and became established, it was recognized as an aggressive pest of farms, pastures, residential areas and wildlife. Its painful sting makes it a health concern to people, livestock and wildlife.

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December 19-25, 2018

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Funds available for watershed recovery A federal program aiming to help local governments with emergency watershed recovery projects is open for application through Dec. 31. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services received $10 million from the state legislature to help communities recover from watershed impairments. The funds were appropriated to cover the anticipated non-federal match required to unlock federal funds. Governmental entities such as counties, towns, drainage districts and soil and water conservation districts are eligible to apply. 919.873.2100.

Outdoor industry association works to grow economy Formed in 2017, an organization aimed at promoting North Carolina’s thriving outdoor recreation industry is celebrating some early wins. The N.C. Outdoor Recreation Coalition is a trade association made up of the state’s outdoor recreation businesses, including outdoor gear manufacturers, retailers, guides and others. A recent report from the

Conservationists wanted for award Nominations are wanted for people who have led the way in conserving nongame animals in North Carolina. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is accepting nominations for the Thomas L. Quay Wildlife Diversity Award through Jan. 31. Nominations must include a completed form and detailed essay explaining the nominee’s contributions to nongame wildlife conservation in North Carolina. In addition to this year’s

Outdoor Industry Association shows that the state’s outdoor recreation industry generates $28 million in consumer spending each year and is responsible for 260,000 jobs. Though still young, the coalition has already celebrated some early accomplishments. It successfully advocated for the establishment of a new N.C. Office of Outdoor Recreation and brought industry leaders from 11 states to develop the groundbreaking Outdoor Recreation Industry Confluence Accords. The coalition will continue working to bring new outdoor recreation businesses to the state. www.ncorec.com. nominees, nominations submitted in 2017 and 2018 will be considered. Nominations submitted prior to that will be considered upon request. The Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee will recommend final nominees and wildlife commissioners will announce the winner at their July meeting. The award is named for the late Thomas Quay, a professor of zoology at N.C. State University and self-described “full-time volunteer and unpaid environmental activist.” Download the nomination form at bit.ly/2EsTWgc. Submit nominations to Melinda Huebner, melinda.huebner@ncwildlife.org.

WNC Calendar COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • Cashiers Area Chamber is seeking feedback to improve visitors’ experiences to the area. Take the survey at: tinyurl.com/y6w4uqyo. • Registration is underway for Marriage Enrichment Retreats that will be offered three more times over the next year at Lake Junaluska. Led by Ned Martin, an expert in marriage counseling. Price is $699 per couple. Dates are March 10-12, Aug. 18-20 of 2019 and Sept. 29-Oct. 1 in 2019. Registration and info: www.lakejunaluska.com/marriage or 800.222.4930. • Fontana Regional Library now offers anyone with a library card free access to eMagazines, for reading on any mobile device or computer. This new service joins our popular eBooks and digital audiobooks selection — all available 24/7 from the library’s digital collection. To get started enjoying digital magazines as well as eBooks and audiobooks, visit e-inc.overdrive.com or download the Libby reading app. www.fontanalib.org.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION • Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment will offer a Certified Nonprofit Professional program starting Jan. 4 at WCU Biltmore Park in Asheville. Full schedule and registration info: pdp.wcu.edu. Info: jcthompson@wcu.edu. • Registration is underway for an educational event featuring biologist James Costa, Ph.D., from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12, at Alarka Institute in Cowee. Discussion on Alfred Wallace, Charles Darwin and the evolution of understanding evolution. $25 fee includes wine, tea and cheese reception. www.alarkaexpeditions.com. • Registration is underway for an online beginning German Language course, which will be offered through Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and enrichment from Jan. 14-March 8. Cost: $79. For info and to register: learn.wcu.edu or 227.7397. • Registration is underway for a “Powerful Presentation Skills for Women Workshop” that will be offered from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 18, at Western Carolina University Biltmore Park in Asheville. Led by Dr. Betty Farmer, professor of communication at WCU. $119 (includes catered lunch). Register or get more info: pdp.wcu.edu or 227.7397. • Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment is accepting registrations for a “Better Communication Through Creative Play for Marketing and Sales Professionals” that will be offered from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 15, at WCU’s Biltmore Park location in Asheville. $99 (includes lunch). Register or get more info: pdp.wcu.edu or 227.7397.

FUNDRAISERS AND BENEFITS • Feline Urgent Rescue is holding a donation drive throughout the region. Several area businesses and veterinarian offices have Christmas trees with photos, bios and holiday wishlists for abused, abandoned and neglected cats. Take one, purchase items from the wish list and drop them off at Balsam Animal Hospital, The Big Red Barn Trading Post or Maple Tree Veterinarian Hospital in Waynesville. www.furofwnc.org, www.facebook.com/fur or 844.888.CATS.

HEALTH MATTERS • A four-part series on creating a Wellness Lifestyle Enhanced with Essential Oils will conclude on Thursday,

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted. Dec. 20 10:30 a.m.. This class will dive deeper into the use of essential oils for your wellness. Topics of discussion will be rest & managing stress, reducing toxin load, informed self-care, and proactive medical care. Participates are encouraged to attend all sessions but are not required. Free • The Creative Thought Center will host a “How to Speak Science of Mind” class from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on Sundays, Jan. 6 and Jan. 13, at 449 Pigeon Street in Waynesville. Aim is to heal lives of discord, fear, superstition, guilt and sense of lack. Info or to sign up: 734.0843 or 201.988.0852. www.creativethoughtcenter.org. • Registration is underway for a yearlong Diabetes Prevention Program for Jackson County residents, offered by the Jackson County Department of Public Health. Starts on Jan. 17. Register or get more info: 587.8238. • Jackson County Department of Public Health is offering diabetes self-management education as well as medical nutrition therapy. Info: 587.8240 or http://health.jacksonnc.org/wic. • The Haywood County Senior Resource Center holds a dementia caregivers support group from 4:30-6 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday each month in Waynesville. 356.2800 or www.haywoodseniors.org. • “Riding the Waves of Cancer” meets from 2:30-4 p.m. on Thursdays at the Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center. Physician referral from an oncologist or cancer doctor is required: Myhaywoodregional.com/yogaforcancer. 452.8691. • Codependents Anonymous (CoDA) meets at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays at the Friendship House on Academy Street, behind and adjoining the First United Methodist Church of Waynesville. Group of persons desiring healthy and fulfilling relationships. 775.2782 or www.coda.org. • The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donors due to an emergency shortage. To schedule an appointment or donate, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800.RED.CROSS (800.733.2767). • The Jackson County Senior Center will offer a Caregiver Education Class at 10 a.m. on the third Monday of every month in the Board Room of the Department of Aging in Sylva. 586.5494. • The Haywood County Dementia Caregivers’ Support Group has change the location of its meetings. The group will meet at the Haywood Senior Resource Center (81 Elmwood Way, Waynesville). The meetings are scheduled from 4:30 PM until 6:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday. 926.0018. • Community First Aid and CPR classes are offered from 6-10 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at Haywood Community College in Clyde. Info: 564.5133 or HCC-CPRraining@haywood.edu. • A support group for persons with Multiple Sclerosis as well as family, friends and caregivers meets at 6:45 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in the conference room of the Jackson county Public Library in Sylva. 293.2503. • Nutrition counseling and diabetes education are offered through Macon County Public Health in Franklin. 349.2455.

Smoky Mountain News

support group for family, friends, and those dealing with mental illness on the 1st Thursday of each month in the 2nd floor classroom at Haywood Regional Medical Center at 6:30 p.m. • HIV and syphilis testing will is offered during normal business hours at Jackson County Health Department. • A support group for anyone with MS, family & friends meets monthly at 6:45 p.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the conference room of Jackson Co. Library in Sylva. No Fee, sponsored by National MS Society. Local contact: Gordon Gaebel 828-293-2503. • “Laughing Balsam Sangha,” a meeting for Mindfullness in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, meets will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays at 318 Skyland Drive in Sylva. Included are sitting and walking meditation, and Dharma discussion. Free admission. 335.8210, and “Like” them on Facebook. • A “Walk With A Doc” program is scheduled for 10 a.m. each Saturday at the Lake Junaluska Kern Center or Canton Rec Park. MyHaywoodRegional.com/WalkwithaDoc. • Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACA) meets at noon on Saturdays at the First United Methodist Church Outreach Center at 171 Main St. in Franklin. 407.758.6433 or adultchildren.org. • The Haywood County Health & Human Services Public Health Services Division is offering a Night Clinic from 4-6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of every month in Waynesville. Services include family planning, immunizations, pregnancy testing, STD testing and treatment. Appointments: 452.6675. • The Jackson County Department of Public Health will offer a general clinic from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 587.8225. • A Food Addicts Anonymous Twelve-Step fellowship group meets at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays at Grace Church in the Mountains in Waynesville. www.foodaddictsanonymous.org. • Big Brother/Big Sister, a one-evening preparation class for children who are about to greet a new baby into their family, is offered for children ages 3-10 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. 452.8440 or MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses. • Mothers Connection, an ongoing social gathering for mothers and their babies, meets from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Thursdays excluding holidays at Haywood Regional Medical Center. 452.8440 or MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses. • A support group meeting for those with Parkinsons Disease and their caregivers will be held at 2 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800. • Dogwood Insight Center presents health talks at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. • Free childbirth and breastfeeding classes are available at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva. Classes are offered bimonthly on an ongoing basis. Register or get more info: 586.7907. • Angel Medical Center’s diabetes support group meets at 4 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the AMC dining room. 369.4166. • A free weekly grief support group is open to the public from 12:30-2 p.m. on Thursdays at SECU Hospice House in Franklin. Hosted by Four Seasons Compassion for Life Bereavement Team. 692.6178 or mlee@fourseasonscfl.org.

Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for: ■ Complete listings of local music scene ■ Regional festivals ■ Art gallery events and openings ■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers ■ Civic and social club gatherings 12:30-2 p.m. on Thursdays at the SECU Hospice House in Franklin. 692.6178 or mlee@fourseasonscfl.org. • “ECA on the Move!” – a walking program organized by Jackson County Extension and Community Association – meets from 9-10 a.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. It’s an effort to meet the American Heart Association’s recommendation of 10,000 steps per day. 586.4009. • A Tuesday Meditation Group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Franklin.

RECREATION AND FITNESS • “Walk This Way” – a fitness program for safely exercising during the fall and winter – will be offered from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Jan. 7, at the Waynesville Library. • The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department is now offering pickleball on four indoor courts from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Equipment provided; free for members or daily admission for nonmembers. 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov. • ZUMBA! Class with Monica Green, are offered from 67 p.m. on Monday & Wednesday, at the Canton Armory. $5 per class. 648.2363 or parks@cantonnc.com. • ZUMBA is offered at First United Methodist Church in Waynesville on Thursdays at 6 p.m. with Patti Burke. Check Facebook page Patti Burke Zumba Students for additional information such as holiday or weather related cancelations. $5 per class. • There will be several ballroom and Latin dance classes offered on Sundays and Mondays at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. Classes for beginners, intermediate and all levels. $10 per class. For more information, click on www.froglevelbrewing.com. • Line Dance Lessons will be held on Tuesdays in Waynesville. Times are 7 to 8 p.m. every other Tuesday. Cost is $10 per class and will feature modern/traditional line dancing. 734.0873 or kimcampbellross@gmail.com for more information. • Flow + Center Yoga is offered from 9-9:55 a.m. on Wednesdays at Maggie Valley Wellness Center. 944.0288 or maggievalleywellness.com. • Gentle Vin Yin Yoga is offered from 9-9:55 a.m. on Fridays through November at Maggie Valley Wellness Center. 944.0288 or maggievalleywellness.com. • The Safekids USA/Blue Dragon Taekwondo School is offering self-defense classes from 9-10 a.m. on Saturdays. $5 per class. For females 14-older. Classes are at 93 Jones Cove Road in Clyde. • Karaoke is happening at 8 p.m. on Saturdays at Harmon’s Den Bistro at HART Theatre in Waynesville.

• Western Carolina University’s student-run, Mountain Area Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic will be open from 6-8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays of each month. 227.3527.

• A monthly grief processing support group will meet from 4-5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Homestead Hospice and Palliative Care in Clyde. 452.5039.

• The Maggie Valley Wellness Center is offering two yoga classes from 9-9:55 a.m. on Wednesdays through March: Gentle Flow with Candra and Gentle Vin Yin with Jamie. 944.0288 or maggievalleywellness.com.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) holds a

• A free, weekly grief support group will meet from

• Line dance lessons will be offered from 7-8 p.m. every

wnc calendar

other Tuesday in Waynesville. $10 per class. Modern/traditional line dancing. 734.0873 or kimcampbellross@gmail.com. • A wide variety of yoga classes are offered daily through the Waynesville Yoga Center. For updated, current listings, visit: http://waynesvilleyogacenter.com/class-schedule. • Pickleball, a cross between tennis, badminton and ping-pong, will be offered from 9 a.m.-noon on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Old Hazelwood Gym in Waynesville. $3 per visit, or $20 for a 10-visit card. 452.6789 or iansmith@haywoodcountync.gov. • Yoga classes designed specifically for those who have experienced trauma are being offered at the Fitness Connection in Waynesville. www.sonshineyoga.com. • Tai chi is offered from 10:45-11:45 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center. It’s also offered from 1-2 p.m. on Thursdays. Taught by Bill Muerdter. For info about the classes or HRHFC memberships and offerings, call 452.8080 or visit MyHaywoodRegional.com/Fitness. • Ultimate Frisbee games are held from 5:30-8 p.m. on Mondays at the Cullowhee Recreation Park. Organized by Jackson County Parks & Recreation. Pick-up style. 293.2053 or www.rec.jacksonnc.org. • Pickleball is from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday nights at First Methodist Church in Sylva. $1 each time you play; equipment provided. 293.3053. • Cardio Lunch class will meet from noon-1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Waynesville Recreation Center. For ages 16 and above. Cost is regular admission fee to the rec center or free for members. 456.2030 or tplowman@waynesvillenc.gov.

December 19-25, 2018

• Flexible Fitness class will meet from 4:30-5:15 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Waynesville Recreation Center. For ages 16 and above. Cost is regular admission fee to the rec center or free for members. 456.2030 or tplowman@waynesvillenc.gov. • Pump It Up class will meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Waynesville Recreation Center. For ages 16 and above. Cost is regular admission fee to the rec center or free for members. 456.2030 or tplowman@waynesvillenc.gov. • The Canton Armory is open to the public for walking from 7:45-9 a.m. on Monday through Friday unless the facility is booked till spring. 648.2363. parks@cantonnc.com.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

• Book Club is held at 2 p.m. on the third Wednesday

Smoky Mountain News

information, email appalachianartfarm@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.

• A Hand & Foot card game is held at 1 p.m. on Thursdays at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

• The Canton Library offers a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) program each month. At 4 p.m. on third Tuesday. Children ages 612 are welcome to attend. Please call 648-2924 for more information.

• Senior Sale Day is on the third Friday of every month at the Friends of the Library Used Bookstore. Patrons 60 and older get 20 percent off all purchases. Proceeds benefit the Sylva Library. • Pinochle game is played at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800. • Mah Jongg is played at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800. • A Canasta card game is set for 1 p.m. on Mondays at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

KIDS & FAMILIES • Middle and high schoolers can enroll in Cataloochee Ski Area’s racing program by Jan. 2. Season includes eight races starting Jan. 8. Cost: $220 for lift, racing and rental; $200 for lift and racing; $110 for racing only. Sign up: racing@cataloochee.com. • Registration is underway for after-school art classes for elementary and middle-school students starting Jan. 8-9 at Our Summerhouse Pottery, 225 Wall St., in Waynesville. Ages 8-10 meet from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays; and ages 11-14 meet from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Tuition: $95 (includes supplies). amy@oursummerhousepottery.com or 734.5737. • The “Polar Express” will depart on select times through Dec. 31 from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot. www.gsmr.com. • A Lego club will meet at 4 p.m. every fourth Thursday of the month, at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Library provides Legos and Duplos for ages 3 and up. Free. 488.3030. • Registration is underway for Lake Junaluska’s Winter Youth Retreats, which are held from December through February in Haywood County for middle school and high school youth groups. Two-night events start at $186 per person; three-night events start at $249 per person. To register or view schedule, including speakers, band and entertainers: www.lakejunaluska.com/winteryouth. Register: 800.222.4930.

ONGOING KIDS ACTIVITIES

• The Mexican Train Dominoes Group seeks new players to join games at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

of the month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800

AND CLUBS • A “Youth Art Class” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday at the Appalachian Art Farm on 22 Morris Street in Sylva. All ages welcome. $10 includes instruction, materials and snack. For more

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• “Art Beats for Kids” will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursdays at the Charles Heath Gallery in Bryson City. A new project every week. $20 per child, with includes lesson, materials and snack. To register, call 828.538.2054. • A program called “Imagine,” an art program for children 8-12 meets at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Jackson County Public Library. Program contains art, writing, and drama. 586.2016.

• WNC Martial Arts will hold karate classes from 67:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at the Old Armory in Waynesville. For more info, contact Margaret Williams at 301.0649 or mvwilliams39@gmail.com. • Story time and kids can make their own piece of art from 10 a.m.-noon every Saturday during the Family Art event sponsored by the Jackson County Arts Council at the Jackson County Farmers Market located at the Community Table, downtown Sylva. On the first Saturday of each month, there is a scavenger hunt with prizes. 399.0290 or www.jacksoncountyfarmermarket.org. • Michael’s Kids Club will be held for ages 3-and-up from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturdays at Michael’s in Waynesville. $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative crafts. 452.7680.

• Rompin’ Stompin’, an hourlong storytime with music, movement and books, is held at 11 a.m. on Fridays at the Canton Library. For ages zero to six. 648.2924.

• A Lowe’s Build and Grow session for ages 3-and-up is scheduled from 10-11 a.m. on Saturdays at the Sylva (586.1170) and Waynesville (456.9999) Lowe’s stores. Free.

• Crafternoons are at 2:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month at Hudson Library in Highlands.

• Art classes are available for kids 10 and older from 4:15-5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Bascom in Highlands. $15 per class. 787.2865 or www.thebascom.org.

• Library Olympics will be held at 2 p.m. on Fridays at Jackson County Public Library. Children age 5 and up get active through relay races, bingo, mini golf. 586.2016. • Family Story Time is held on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Canton Public Library. Ages 0-6. Stories, songs, dance and crafting. 648.2924. • Storytimes are held at 10 and 10:40 a.m. every Thursday at Hudson Library in Highlands. • After-School Art Adventure will be on from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. on Tuesdays at The Bascom in Highlands. For ages 5 to 10, Art Adventure is a class that explores the creative process of drawing, painting, printmaking, clay, sculpture, fiber art, and crafts by utilizing a variety of media. The students will investigate some of the most popular techniques and theories in art history and will be exposed to contemporary as well as folk art traditions. Tuition is $40 for a fourclass package. www.thebascom.org. • Wednesdays in the Stacks, “WITS”, a new program for children in grades 3-6, on the third Wednesdays of the month from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Macon County Library. WITS will include lots of fun games, prizes, and hands-on activities. This club replaces book club previous held on the third Thursdays of the month. 526.3600. • Fun Friday, everything science, is held at 4 p.m. on Fridays at Jackson County Public Library. 586.2016. • Teen Coffeehouse is at 4:30 p.m. on the first, third, and fourth Tuesday at Jackson County Public Library. Spend time with other teens talking and sharing. 12 and up. 586.2016. • Rock and Read is at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays at Jackson County Public Library. 586-2016.

• Art Adventure classes are taught for ages 5-10 from 3:30-4:45 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Bascom in Highlands. Theme: metal. Instructor: Bonnie Abbott. $20 per month. 787.2865. • Free, weekly, after-school enrichment classes are offered by the Bascom and MCAA from 3-5 p.m. on Thursdays at Macon Middle School through a grant from the Jim McRae Endowment for the Visual Arts. To register, contact Bonnie Abbott at 743.0200. •A Lego club will meet at 4 p.m. every fourth Thursday of the month, at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Library provides Legos and Duplos for ages 3 and up. Free. 488.3030. •A community breastfeeding information and support group meets from 10:30 am.-noon on the first Saturday of each month in the main lobby of the Smoky Mountain OB/GYN Office in Sylva. Free; refreshments provided. For information, contact Brandi Nations (770.519.2903), Stephanie Faulkner (506.1185 or www.birthnaturalwnc), or Teresa Bryant (587-8223). • Science Club is held at 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month for grades K-6 at the Macon County Public Library. 524.3600. • Macon County 4-H Needlers club, a group of youth learning the art and expression of knitting and crochet crafts, meets on the second Tuesday of each month. For information, call 349.2046. • A Franklin Kids’ Creation Station is held from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturdays at uptown Gallery in Franklin. Snacks provided. $20 tuition. 743.0200. • SafeKids USA Blue Dragon Tae Kwon Do School

Puzzles can be found on page 46 These are only the answers.

offers defense training with after-school classes Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings. 627.3949 or www.bluedragontkd.net.

• A Lego Club meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 4 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. at the Macon County Public Library. 526.3600. • A Lego Club meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 4:30 p.m. at Jackson County Public Library. 5862016. • A Lego Club meet the second Wednesday of the month at 5 p.m. at Cashiers Community Library. 743.0215. • A Lego Club meets at 4 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Legos and Duplos provided for ages three and up. 488.3030. • Teen time 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursdays at Waynesville Library. A program for teens and tweens held each week. Each week is different, snacks provided. 356.2511. • Crazy 8 Math Adventure Club on Tuesdays 3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. for grades K-2 at the Macon County Public Library. 524.3600. • Children’s craft time, fourth Wednesday, 3:45 p.m. at Cashiers Community Library. 743.0215 • The Wee Naturalist program, which is for children ages 2-5 (with a parent or guardian), is held from 1011:30 a.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays at the North Carolina Arboretum. Age-appropriate activities such as nature walks, garden exploration, stories, crafts and visits from classroom animals $7 cost per child; $3 more for each additional child in a family. Register at: www.ncarboretum.org/education-programs/youthfamily-programs/wee-naturalist

• “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, will be shown at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 21 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 586.3555. • “Smallfoot”, will be shown at 7 p.m. on Dec. 22 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 586.3555. • “The Polar Express”, will be shown at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 28 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. Come dressed in Pajamas and have some hot chocolate. 586.3555. • “Venom”, will be shown at 7p.m. on Dec. 29 and Jan. 5 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 586.3555.

A&E HOLIDAYS • Winter Lights at the N.C. Arboretum has begun. Nightly from 6-10 p.m. through Dec. 31. Tickets: $18 for 12-up, $12 for ages 5-11 and free for ages 4under. $15 for groups of 20 or more. Purchase tickets at www.ncwinterlights.com. • “Lights & Luminaries” will return to the streets of downtown Dillsboro from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 21-22. Free

• A Christmas Jam is set for 6-9 p.m. on Dec. 22 at Elevated Mountain Distilling Co. in Maggie Valley. Featuring Raymond Fairchild and more bluegrass musicians. • Actor Curt Cloninger will perform “Celebrate the Child” at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 23, at Folkmoot auditorium in Waynesville. Event is sponsored by Vine of the Mountains. All are invited to this free performance and non-perishable food items are being accepted as donations to the local “Little Food Pantry”. www.thevine.cc. • Christmas Eve Polar Express PJ Party will be held at 10 am at The Strand on Main on Dec. 24. Tickets include a bell, hot cocoa, movie and all that wear PJs receive free popcorn. Seating in limited so reserve them now at www.38main.com. • An opportunity to Ski with Santa is set for 1-10 p.m. on Christmas Day, Dec. 25 at Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley. www.cataloochee.com. • The annual “Christmas On the Green” celebration will run through New Year’s Day at The Village Green. The 13-acre park in the heart of Cashiers will feature thousands of twinkling lights. www.villagegreencashiersnc.com. • A Christmas Day Meal will be served from noon-2 p.m. on Dec. 25 at Webster Baptist Church. To volunteer, get more info or sign up for shut-in delivery: 506.2297. • Hot Chocolate & Pajama Party at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 28. Watch “The Polar Express”, come dressed in Pajamas and have some hot chocolate. 586.3555. • A CommUnity Square Dance is set for 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29, at the Old Rock School in Webster. Caller Jenny Monfore will teach and call dances to live music by Cullowheezer. No partner or fancy outfits required. • The 5th annual “Franklin Ruby Drop” will be from 8:30 p.m. to midnight Monday, Dec. 31, at Town Square in downtown Franklin. Motor Company Grill and Crabtree General Store are hosting the familyfriendly New Year’s Eve event. There will be live entertainment, assorted games, and other activities. Just before midnight, there will be a countdown and lowering of the ruby. The ruby is six feet tall and seven feet in diameter, with over 1,300 LED lights. www.franklinchamber.com.

• The “Polar Express” will depart on select times through Dec. 31 from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot. www.gsmr.com.

Smoky Mountain News

• “The House with a Clock in its Walls”, will be shown at 6:30 p.m. on Jan.4 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 586.3555.

• A Winter Solstice Hike is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Dec. 21 at DuPont State Recreational Forest Visitor Center in Cedar Mountain. www.dupontforest.com.

December 19-25, 2018

KIDS FILMS • “Mary Poppins Returns” is showing at 1 p.m. on Dec. 19 & 21 and 7 p.m. Dec. 19, 21 & 22 and 10 a.m. 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. on Dec. 22 and 1 p.m. & 4 pm. Dec. 23 at The Strand On Main. See www.38main.com for tickets.

• The High Mountain Squares will host their “Christmas Dance”, Friday, December 21st from 6:15 to 8:45 PM, at the Robert C Carpenter Community Building, GA Road (441 South), Franklin NC . Richard Smith from Gainesville GA will be the caller. Western Style Square Dancing, main/stream and plus levels. Everyone is welcome. 787-2324 or www.highmountainsquares.com

wnc calendar

• A Lego Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 3:30-5 p.m. at Waynesville Library. 452.5169.

shuttle service from Monteith Park. For more information, click on www.visitdillsboro.org.

• The “Uncorked: Wine & Rail Pairing Experience” New Year’s Eve celebration will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31, at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. Full service all-adult first class car with private attendant on the Tuckasegee River Excursion (includes stopover in historic Dillsboro). Narrator onboard to discuss each pairing of four wines with a meal that includes an exclusive

• New Year’s Eve celebration with Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats and The Colby Deitz Band at 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31, at Mad Batter Food & Film in downtown Sylva. Admission is $10 per person. To learn more, click on www.andrewscotchiemusic.com or www.colbydeitzband.com.

wnc calendar

sampling of local cheeses, fresh garden salad, a surf/turf entree, and chef-inspired dessert. All passengers also receive souvenir stemless wine glass. Age 21 and over only. For more information and/or to register, call 800.872.4681 or click on www.gsmr.com. • Western Carolina University’s Dulcimer U Winter Weekend is set for Jan. 3-6 at the Lumbuth Inn at Lake Junaluska. Classes, concerts, jam sessions, vendor area and meals. $169 before Dec. 21 or $199 after. Dulcimeru.wcu.edu or 227.7397.

FOOD & DRINK

GALLERIES • Gloria R. Weiss will have art on display and for sale throughout December in the Macon County Public Library Meeting Room in Franklin. 421.6850. • The Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at Bardo Arts Center will have a yearlong exhibition on “Defining America” through May 3 in Cullowhee. Info: 227.ARTS or bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

• Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesvill will host a Secret Wine Bar Night from 5 to 9 p.m on Dec. 21/28. Gourmet food, and a great wine & beer menu. 452.0120 or www.waynesvillewine.com.

• Through April 26, Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center is hosting an exhibit to commemorate World War I and the centennial of the end of hostilities. “I Want You! How World War I Transformed Western North Carolina” is on display in the museum’s first floor gallery in Cullowhee. 227.7129.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 1-5 p.m. on Dec. 22/29 at Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville. www.waynesvillewine.com or 452.0120. • A game day will occur from 2-9 p.m. every third Saturday of the month at Papou’s Wine Shop & Bar in Sylva. Bring dice, cards or board games. 586.6300. • A wine tasting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Free with dinner ($15 minimum). 452.6000.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT

December 19-25, 2018

ART SHOWINGS AND

• Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville will host five for $5 Wine Tasting from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 20/27. Come taste five magnificent wines and dine on Chef Stacy’s gourmet cuisine. 452.0120 or www.waynesvillewine.com.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 22 and 29 at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. www.papouswineshop.com or 828.631.3075.

Smoky Mountain News

225 Wall St., in Waynesville. Two options for timing: 68:30 p.m. on Tuesdays or 1-3:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Six-week classes will focus on hand-building techniques in creating functional pottery. Tuition: $225 (includes supplies). amy@oursummerhousepottery.com or 734.5737.

• Bluegrass singer/mandolinist Sierra Hull will hit the stage for a special evening, “A Bluegrass Christmas with Sierra Hull,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. • “Christmas Bluegrass Jam” hosted by Raymond Fairchild will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, at Elevated Mountain Distilling Company in Maggie Valley. www.elevatedmountain.com. • Jazz/swing act The Russ Wilson Duo will perform at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. $10 cover per person. 452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com. • Tickets are on sale now for National Theater’s production of “Cat on a Hot Tin Room,” which will be screened as part of the Bardo Arts Center’s Sunday Cinema Series at 3 p.m. on Jan. 20 in Cullowhee. $15 for adults; $10 for WCU faculty/staff and seniors and $5 for students. Arts.wcu.cinema or 828.227.ARTS. • Tickets are on sale now for National Theater’s production of “Hamlet” which will be screened as part of the Bardo Arts Center’s Sunday Cinema Series at 3 p.m. on Feb. 10 in Cullowhee. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch. $15 for adults; $10 for WCU faculty/staff and seniors and $5 for students. Arts.wcu.cinema or 828.227.ARTS.

CLASSES AND PROGRAMS • The Haywood County Public Library is offering online lifelong learning courses in over 30 subject areas, many of which offer continuing education units, through Universal Class. Free for library cardholders. www.haywoodlibrary.org or 452.5169. • A “Beginner Step-By-Step” painting class will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday Dec. 20 at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. Cost is $25 with all supplies provided. RSVP by contacting Robin Arramae at 400.9560 or paintnitewaynesville@gmail.com. • Registration is underway for adult pottery classes

42 that will start on Jan. 7 at Our Summerhouse Pottery,

FILM & SCREEN • “Die Hard”, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 20 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 586.3555.

• The Franklin Early Music Group meets every Monday at 9 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. 369.5192. • The Nikwasi Dulcimer Players meet every Thursday afternoon from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Franklin. All are welcome. 524.1040 or 524.2294.

ARTS GROUP MEETINGS • Blue Ridge Mountain Quilt Guild, 6 to 9 p.m. fourth Thursday, January through October, and third Thursday, November and December in Canton. 316.1517 or on Facebook at Blue Ridge Mtn. Quilt Guild. • Smoky Mountain Knitting Guild meets every Wednesday from 1-3 p.m. Blue Ridge Books, Waynesville. 246.0789. • Nifty Needles group, which meets at First United Methodist Church in Sylva, is seeking new members to help knit and crochet warm, useful items for those in need. Supplies (yarn and needles) and lessons provided. • The Tuesday Quilters meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church on N.C. 107. Bring your machine and whatever quilt you are working on.

• “mid90s”, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 10 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 586.3555.

• The WNC Fiber Folk Group meets weekly from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursdays in the Star Atrium of the Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at WCU. 227.2553 or ddrury@wcu.edu.

• “Mission: Impossible Fallout”, will be shown at 7 p.m. on Jan. 12 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Free. 586.3555.

• Jackson County Arts Council meets at 5:30 p.m. the first Monday of each month at the Jackson County Library Complex conference room. 293.3407.

MUSIC JAMS AND GROUPS • Golden Aires singing group practices at 9:15 a.m. every fourth Wednesday of the month at Jackson County Department on Aging/Senior Center in Sylva. Secular and religious music. Performances given at area nursing homes. Musical instruments also welcome. 586.5494. • Old-time music jam from 1-3 p.m. the first and third Saturday of the month at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on U.S. 441 outside Cherokee. November through April is just the third Saturday. 497.1904. • A community music jam will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month at the Marianna Black Library in Downtown Bryson City. Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer – anything unplugged – is invited to join. Singers and listeners are also welcome. • Cruso Circle Play & Jam, 7 p.m. every Tuesday, Cruso Community Center and Friendship Club in Cruso. www.facebook.com/crusocircleplayjam. • Listen and sing along with singers/songwriters playing guitar/mandolin from 7-9 p.m. each Thursday at Heinzelmannchen Brewery in Sylva. All skill levels and instruments welcome. 631.4466 or www.yourgnometownbrewery.com • Karaoke is held at 7 p.m. every other Friday at the American Legion Post 47 in Waynesville. Open to all members and their guests. 456.8691. • Men Macon Music, canella singing, meets at 5:30 p.m. every Monday in the Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 26 Church St., Franklin. Visitors welcome. 524.9692. • Mountain Dulcimer Players Club meets from 2 to 4 p.m. on the first and third Sundays of each month at the Bryson City United Methodist Church. Knowledge of music not required, tablature method used. 488.6697. • Pick and Play Dulcimer Group of Sylva meets at 1:30 p.m. on the first, third and fifth Saturday of every month in the fellowship hall of St. John’s Episcopal Church. 293.0074.

Outdoors

• Sons of the American Legion in Waynesville will have a Turkey Shoot at 9 a.m. every Saturday on Legion Drive.

• Volunteers are being sought to help re-pot native azaleas from 9 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays through Thursdays at the Southern Highlands Reserve in Lake Toxaway. For info, and to schedule a shift: anorton@southernhighlandsreserve.org. • The Asheville Winter Bike League offers rides weekly at 10 a.m. on Saturdays through Jan. 26. Structures, long winter road training rides. Bit.ly/2qS3YP8. • A weekly fly-tying class is held from 6-8 p.m. every Wednesday at Outdoor 76 in Franklin. 349.7676. • Registration is underway for “Winter Tree ID” – a moderate hike scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 29, at Chimney Rock State Park. $23 adults; $8 for annual passholder; $13 youth (ages 5-15) and $6 per Rockin’ Discovery Passholder. Led by naturalist and author Ron Lance, who will show how to identify trees without their leaves. Advance registration required: chimneyrockpark.com. • The Balsam Christmas Bird Count is scheduled for Jan. 4. Part of Audubon’s 119th Annual Christmas Bird Count. 15-mile diameter includes portions of Haywood and Jackson Counties. To participate: ddihen1@bellsouth.net or 646.0871. • Proposed changes to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission regulations are up for public comment through Feb. 1 with a public hearing to be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15, at Haywood Community College in Clyde. Regulations would cover hunting, fishing and land management issues. Full list available at www.ncwildlife.org/Proposed-Regulations. Submit comments: https://tinyurl.com/ychgt4hs, regulations@ncwildlife.org or mail to: Rule-Making Coordinator, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1700.

• Registration is underway for a winter-tree identification workshop that will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26, in Clayton, Ga. Cost: $55. www.alarkaexpeditions.com. • Registration is underway for an educational event about lichens that will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2, and offered through Alarka Institute in Cowee. Cost: $65 (includes lunch). www.alarkaexpeditions.com. • Registration is underway for a winter-plant identification workshop that will be held on Saturday, Feb. 29, at Macon County’s Serpentine Barrens. Cost: $65 (includes lunch). www.alarkaexpeditions.com. • Registration is underway for the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s annual Business of Farming Conference, which is from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Feb. 23 at the AB Tech Conference Center in Asheville. Cost: $75 before Feb. 1; $95 after. Register: https://asapconnections.org or 236.1282. • The Nantahala Hiking Club holds a Saturday Work Hike on the fourth Saturday of each month. 369.1983. • Great Smoky Mountains National Park is recruiting volunteers to assist the Trails Forever trail crew for a rehabilitation project on the Rainbow Falls Trail from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. every Wednesday starting in May. Sign up or get more info: 497.1949, Adam_Monroe@nps.gov or https://friendsofthesmokies.org/trailsforever/volunteer. • A Spay/Neuter Clinic is offered from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays at 182 Richland Street in Waynesville. As low as $10. 452.1329. • North Carolina residents are invited to participate in the “NC’s Candid Critters” – the largest camera trap survey ever. Residents of Jackson, Macon and Swain Counties can participate in a brief online training process then borrow a camera trap from any Fontana Regional Library location. Info: NCCandidCritters.org or www.fontanalib.org. • The Franklin Appalachian Trail Community Council meets at 10 a.m. every second Tuesday in Franklin. Contact Kristina Moe at kmoe@fontanalib.org for location. Franklintraildays.com.

COMPETITIVE EDGE • The Run in 2019 5K Run, Walk & Fun Run is set for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, at the Jackson County Recreation Park in Cullowhee. Cost: $20. Preregister by Dec. 28: www.rec.jacksonnc.org. Info: 593.3053.

FARM AND GARDEN • The Jackson County Farmers Market operates from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays through Dec. 22 in the Bridge Park parking lot in Sylva. www.jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org. • Registration is underway for the Appalachian Farm School, which will be presented by Southwestern Community College on Tuesdays, Jan. 8-Feb. 26, at the college’s Jackson Campus in Sylva. Regional experts teach practical, hands-on lessons necessary for creating and strengthening a successful agricultural business venture. Register: www.ncbc.net/workshop.aspx. Info: t_henry@southwesterncc.edu or 339.4426. • Haywood County Extension is accepting applications for the 2019 Master Gardener class with training sessions scheduled for Tuesdays mornings from January through April. 456.3575 or mgarticles@charter.net. • The Haywood County Plant Clinic is open every business day at the Haywood County Extension Center on Raccoon Road in Waynesville. To discuss any gardening problem, call 456.3575 or stop by. • Local farmers can stop by the Cooperative Extension Office on Acquoni Road from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every fourth Friday to learn about USDA Farm Service Agency programs in the 2014 Farm Bill. Info: 488.2684, ext. 2 (Wednesday through Friday) or 524.3175, ext. 2 (Monday through Wednesday).

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PUBLIC NOTICES

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

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

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

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Real Estate For Real People

KAREN HOLLINGSED BROKER ASSOCIATE

(828) 452-5809

KHOLLINGSED@BEVERLY-HANKS.COM

74 N. Main St. Waynesville, NC

828.452.5809 44

Sizes from 5’x5’ to 10’x20’

Security: Management on site Interior & Exterior Cameras

Climate Controlled

1106 Soco Road (Hwy 19), Maggie Valley, NC 28751

Call:

828-476-8999

MaggieValleySelfStorage.com torry@torry1.com Torry Pinter, Sr. 828-734-6500

Find Us One mile past State Rd. 276 and Hwy-19 on the right side, across from Frankie’s Italian Restaurant

The Real Team

Steve Mauldin

DICKINSON | DONLEY HOCOTT | SCHICK

828.734.4864

Real Experience. Real Service. Real Results.

smauldin@beverly-hanks.com

828.452.3727

www.TheRealTeamNC.com

74 N. Main St.,Waynesville

828.452.5809

beverly-hanks.com

RE/MAX

EXECUTIVE

71 N. Main Street Waynesville

PET SUPPLIES & SERVICES

Prevent Unwanted Litters! The Heat Is On! Spay/Neuter For Haywood Pets As Low As $10. Operation Pit is in Effect! Free Spay/Neuter, Microchip & Vaccines For Haywood Pitbull Types & Mixes! Hours:

Tuesday-Friday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm 182 Richland Street, Waynesville

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT LEASE TO OWN 1/2 Acre Lots with Mobile Homes & Empty 1/2 Acre + Lots! Located Next to Cherokee Indian Reservation, 2.5 Miles from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. For More Information Please Call 828.506.0578

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE

HOMES FOR SALE BRUCE MCGOVERN A Full Service Realtor, Locally Owned and Operated mcgovernpropertymgt@gmail.com McGovern Property Management 828.283.2112.

STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT GREAT SMOKIES STORAGE Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction. Available for lease now: 10’x10’ units for $55, 20’x20’ units for $160. Get one month FREE with 12 month contract. Call 828.507.8828 or 828.506.4112 for more information.

TRAVEL/VACATION

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices/Great Smokys Realty - www.4Smokys.com Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate- Heritage

Dan Womack BROKER

828.

243.1126 MOUNTAIN REALTY

71 N. Main St. • Waynesville, NC

828-564-9393

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Christie’s Ivester Jackson Blackstream • George Escaravage - george@IJBProperties.com ERA Sunburst Realty - sunburstrealty.com • Amy Spivey - amyspivey.com • Rick Border - sunburstrealty.com • Pam James - pjames@sunburstrealty.com

Jerry Lee Mountain Realty

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• Carolyn Lauter - carolyn@bhgheritage.com Beverly Hanks & Associates- beverly-hanks.com • Ann Eavenson - anneavenson@beverly-hanks.com • Billie Green - bgreen@beverly-hanks.com • Michelle McElroy- michellemcelroy@beverly-hanks.com • Marilynn Obrig - mobrig@beverly-hanks.com • Steve Mauldin - smauldin@beverly-hanks.com • Brian K. Noland - brianknoland.com • Anne Page - apage@beverly-hanks.com • Brooke Parrott - bparrott@beverly-hanks.com • Jerry Powell - jpowell@beverly-hanks.com • Catherine Proben - cproben@beverly-hanks.com • Ellen Sither - ellensither@beverly-hanks.com • Mike Stamey - mikestamey@beverly-hanks.com • Karen Hollingsed- khollingsed@beverly-hanks.com • Steve Mauldin- smauldin@beverly-hanks.com • Jerry Powell - jpowell@beverly-hanks.com • Mike Stamey - mstamey@beverly-hanks.com

Jerr yLeeMountainRealt y.com jerr yhatley@bellsouth.net 2650 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley

Jerry Lee Hatley- jerryhatley@bellsouth.net Keller Williams Realty - kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • The Morris Team - www.themorristeamnc.com • Julie Lapkoff - julielapkoff@kw.com • Yvonne Kolomechuk - yvonneksells@kw.com

Lakeshore Realty • Phyllis Robinson - lakeshore@lakejunaluska.com

Mountain Creek Realty

Jerry Powell Cell: 828.508.2002 jpowell@beverly-hanks.com

74 N. Main St.,Waynesville

828.452.5809

JUDY MEYERS (828) 734-2899 jameyers@charter.net

71 N. MAIN STREET • WAYNESVILLE remax-waynesvillenc.com

• Ron Rosendahl - ron@mountaincreekrealestate.com

Mountain Dreams Realty- maggievalleyhomesales.com • Shirley Cole - shirleycole13@gmail.com Mountain Home Properties mountaindream.com • Cindy Dubose - cdubose@mountaindream.com

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

• Rob Roland - rroland33@gmail.com

smokymountainnews.com

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised on equal opportunity basis.

SAVE YOUR HOME! Are you behind paying your Mortgage? Denied a Loan Modification? Is the bank threatening foreclosure? Call Homeowner's Relief Line! Free Consult! 855.995.4199

December 19-25, 2018

GATED, LEVEL, ALL WOODED, 5+acre building lots, utilities available in S.E. Tennessee, between Chattanooga and Nashville. www.timber-wood.com Call now to schedule a tour 423.802.0296.

Haywood Co. Real Estate Agents

WNC MarketPlace

HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329

HOMES FOR SALE BEHIND ON YOUR MORTGAGE? Denied a Loan Modification? Bank threatening foreclosure? CALL Homeowner Protection Services now! New laws are in effect that may help. Call Now 1.866.214.4534 SAPA

The Smoky Mountain Retreat at Eagles Nest • Tom Johnson - tomsj7@gmail.com • Sherell Johnson - sherellwj@aol.com

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com 45

WNC MarketPlace December 19-25, 2018 www.smokymountainnews.com 46

SUPER

CROSSWORD

BEFORE THE BRITISH INVASION ACROSS 1 “Glinda of Oz” author 5 -- de deux 8 Finking sort 11 Award for excellence 19 “Give that -- cigar!” 20 Milky and iridescent 22 Orchestral introduction 23 Start of a riddle 25 Fishel of “Boy Meets World” 26 Dice, e.g. 27 “Yoo- --!” 28 Zodiac sign before Virgo 30 Relaxed 31 Riddle, part 2 37 Boating tool 38 Suffix with butyl 39 Jewish round dance 40 Slalom curve 41 Old Dodge models 43 Foreigner 46 Glove worn at first base 48 Logging tools 52 Riddle, part 3 56 Facet 59 Preminger of cinema 60 Thereabouts 61 With 62-Across, student’s grade booster 62 See 61-Across 64 Siberian dog 67 Catering hall receptacle 69 Feeling sick 70 Infomercial host Popeil 71 Riddle, part 4 75 The Great Lakes’ -Locks 76 Start for cycle

77 Big NYSE event 78 Name of Amazon Echo’s personal assistant 79 Buzzing (with) 81 -- nova 83 Feedbox fill 86 Gel in a lab 88 Extra details 89 Riddle, part 5 94 Has an itch 95 Towed-away car, maybe 96 Wren dens? 97 Actress Pfeiffer 101 Hosp. zones 102 Bar brew, in Berlin 104 “-- already said ...” 106 Vain sort’s problem 107 End of the riddle 115 Uproar 116 “-- a go” 117 Tart’s cousin 118 Golf’s McIlroy 119 Journeyed 122 Riddle’s answer 127 Nephew, e.g. 128 Non-piercing bit of jewelry 129 Nephew of Abel 130 Appraises 131 Big insurance company, for short 132 Bro’s counterpart 133 Look at leeringly DOWN 1 Audi rival 2 “Yeah, that’s the spot!” 3 Mythical beast 4 -- Picchu (Inca site) 5 Woolen ball on a hat 6 Kwik-E-Mart proprietor 7 Younger Obama girl

8 Glancing rebound 9 Actress Ortiz 10 Part of ATM 11 Beckett’s “Waiting for -” 12 Some gametes 13 Football’s Dawson 14 Moisture-removing additives 15 Geyser stuff 16 City on the Arkansas 17 “Stormy Weather” composer Harold 18 Like some marshes 21 Maned beast 24 “Fingers crossed!” 29 Beguile 31 Yucky stuff 32 Slam into 33 Large meal 34 Skye of the screen 35 Is leaked 36 Villa d’-42 Covered with frosting 44 Thin and graceful 45 “A Mighty Fortress -God” 47 They’re uncertain 48 Female, e.g, 49 Craftsperson 50 Military commander 51 “Giant” skiing events 53 Still sleeping 54 Arthur Conan -55 Sells from a cart, say 56 Covered with brushwood 57 Smelted stuff 58 University in Granville, Ohio 63 Basketball’s -- Thomas 65 Stockpile 66 -- Kan (old brand of dog food)

68 Raises 72 Most needy 73 Tests 74 Bedevil 80 Walk across a creek 82 Rte. parts 84 Nile biter 85 Second-rate 87 Very, to Verdi 90 Screws up 91 Rare blood type, for short 92 Lima-based flag carrier of 1973-99 93 Tesla rival 98 Rejecting 99 Custard ingredient 100 Greek dawn goddess 101 Swamp birds 103 Foot or shoe part 105 Sharpening belts 107 SAG- -- (labor union) 108 Angler’s aids 109 Spoken tests 110 Star bursts 111 Pokes fun at 112 Of financial matters: Abbr. 113 Gets better 114 “-- ed Euridice” (Gluck opera) 120 Fleur-de- -- (royal emblem) 121 Eden dweller 123 Laugh syllable 124 12, to Nero 125 Loudness: Abbr. 126 WNW’s reverse

ANSWERS ON PAGE 40

ITEMS FOR SALE SCENTSY PRODUCTS Your Local Independent Consultant to Handle All Your Scentsy Wants & Needs. Amanda P. Collier 828.246.8468 Amandacollier.scentsy.us apcollier1978@gmail.com Start Own Business for Only $99 PORTABLE Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 844.348.8151 BORING/CARPENTER BEE TRAPS No Chemicals, Poisons or Anything to Harm the Environment. Handmade in Haywood County. 1 for $20, 2 or More for $15 each. 828.593.8321 YOUR AD COULD REACH 1.6 MILLION HOMES ACROSS NC! Your classified ad could be reaching over 1.6 Million Homes across North Carolina! Place your ad with The Smoky Mountain News on the NC Statewide Classified Ad Network- Over 100 NC newspapers for a low cost of $375 for 25-word ad to appear in each paper! Additional words are $10 each. The whole state at your fingertips! It's a smart advertising buy! Call Scott Collier at 828.452.4251 or for more information visit the N.C. Press Association's website at: www.ncpress.com, or call us at 919.516.8009

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With snow comes the snow people. Don Hendershot photo

The naturalist’s corner BY DON H ENDERSHOT

Portal in the snow don’t know if our recent ancestors were better weather readers than we, or if they simply knew, by late November, they should be prepared for winter. Nowadays we wait for forecasts from meteorologists, and likely rely on a little intuition as well. But by Thursday (Dec. 6) last week almost everyone was onboard with the idea North Carolina was dead in the sights of a major winter storm. We had been keeping abreast of forecasts and the consensus was, the storm would hit us Saturday night. We began prepping — making sure we had batteries for flashlights, drinking water and ice-melt for the sidewalk and deck. By Friday night, the only two primary concerns were stacking copious amounts of firewood where it was readily available and filling the tub with “flush” water — our water comes from a well and with no electricity there is no water. We felt we were in good shape with plenty of time for those tasks on Saturday. Imagine our surprise when we got up at 7 a.m. Saturday morning, started coffee and looked out to see — it was snowing. Well, coffee and a light breakfast and we quickly

began stacking wood, first in the inside cubby near the fireplace and then nearby on the deck. Then after everyone had showered we filled the bathtub with water and went about our day. There were periods of snow, then rain, then snow throughout the day, turning to a steady snow by dark. Around 11 p.m. with about six inches of wet, heavy snow down we lost power. I went to the living room, built a fire and settled onto the couch, where I would spend four nights tending the fire. We were at a disadvantage compared to our recent ancestors who likely had wood stoves/heaters for heat. A closed system you can load with wood and “damp” down burns slowly, allowing one to get a good six or eight hours of sleep without tending the fire. Our fireplace is utilitarian, built into a large rock wall with vents allowing warm air into the room. But it is not closed, other than with glass doors, so wood must be added every two to three hours. The fireplace will keep the front of the house livable – maybe around 60 degrees – in cold weather, but more importantly will keep the entire house and basement above freezing, preventing water pipes from freez-

ing. We also have a small portable propane heater if we need heat in the bedroom or bathroom. Our preparations hit a bit of a snag when I set up my old Coleman camp stove to cook breakfast Sunday morning. This is a two-burner stove my dad used at the camp when I was 6 or 7 years old. It was a workhorse, cooking up a storm. However, I hadn’t used it since 2009 — last time a snowstorm knocked our power out for a few days — and the gasket that allows you to pressurize the fuel tank had dry-rotted and the tank wouldn’t hold pressure. So that left us

with the grill for cooking and for heating water for dishes, etc. It was a little awkward but it worked. Come Monday, I was in a routine and that’s when I began to think about what winters must have been like in the not-too- distant past. By 5 p.m. the headlight was on and it would be 8 a.m. before it was light enough to see without it in the house. The day was basically filled with the chores of fire tending, shoveling snow, food prep and dish washing — and romping in the snow if you were a kid. Then back to the couch to keep the home fire burning through the night. I know, I’m weird, but I felt a kind of connection, living on Nature’s time instead of flipping a switch and retreating to man-made light and heat or jumping in the car to join throngs on the go. Instead, when the sun went down it was dark; a nice quiet dark, time to stoke the fire for warmth, maybe talk to an owl and get a little rest. Then when the sun came up it was time to get the day’s chores done and maybe take a walk in the fresh white snow and wait again for the long, quiet night. (Don Hendershot is a naturalist and a writer who lives in Haywood County. He can be reached at ddihen1@bellsouth.net)

December 19-25, 2018 Smoky Mountain News 47

HCA Healthcare Bringing a new state-of-the-art Angel Medical Center. Investing in the future of healthcare in western North Carolina. “The great hospitals will always put the patient and the patient’s family ﬁrst”

December 19-25, 2018

Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder

High-quality healthcare should never be far away. No matter where you live. Angel Medical Center is an essential provider of acute care to Macon County. HCA Healthcare is committed to building a new state-of-the-art Angel Medical Center facility that will be supported by our resources, best practices and experts.

When completed, the new hospital will be one of the largest investments in the history of Macon County.

This extraordinary contribution to the health and well-being of the community is a key part of HCA Healthcare’s plan to invest region-wide to meet the future health needs of western North Carolina.

Smoky Mountain News

Our promise: the best healthcare for your family – sooner and closer to home. That’s been our approach for 50 years.

We invite you to learn more about HCA Healthcare.

caretogethernc.com 48

Care. Together.