SMN_12_25_13.pdf

www.smokymountainnews.com

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

Dec. 25-31, 2013 Vol. 15 Iss. 30

Landslide mapping moves forward, but slowly Page 6

Backyard chickens a growing trend Page 28

December 25-31, 2013 Smoky Mountain News 2

Exit 105 US 23/74 | Behind Coffee Cup Caf | Clyde www.mountainradiance.com

December 25-31, 2013

Smoky Mountain News

3

CONTENTS

STAFF

On the Cover:

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

A love of model trains has long been a place where the small child and the grown-up could find common ground. A Waynesville model train club has gone to great lengths to cultivate that relationship, with a special emphasis on the joy that trains bring to senior citizens. (Page 8) Melanie Threlkeld McConnell photo

News

CLASSIFIEDS: WRITING & EDITING:

Landslide mapping project continues, albeit on a smaller scale . . . . . . . . .6 Community labor groups a tradition in Cherokee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Highlands theater turns up the heat for first-run flicks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Gourmet food vendor is all about local products, sustainable practices . .11 Change in business license fees a windfall for towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Big business in bark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 WCU to mark 125th year in 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

ACCOUNTING & OFFICE MANAGER: DISTRIBUTION: CONTRIBUTING:

CONTACT

Opinion

WAYNESVILLE | 34 Church Street, Waynesville, NC 28786 P: 828.452.4251 | F: 828.452.3585

Finding peace in the land of the Holy One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

SYLVA | 629 West Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779 P: 828.631.4829 | F: 828.631.0789

A&E

INFO & BILLING | P.O. Box 629, Waynesville, NC 28786

Franklin woman discovers niche market for handmade Santas . . . . . . . .22

Copyright 2013 by The Smoky Mountain News.™ Advertising copyright 2013 by The Smoky Mountain News.™ All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The Smoky Mountain News is available for free in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain and parts of Buncombe counties. Limit one copy per person.

Additional copies may be purchased for $1, payable at the Smoky Mountain News office in advance. No person may, without prior written permission of The Smoky Mountain News, take more than one copy of each issue.

Books

The Dinner provides a meaty read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Outdoors

SUBSCRIPTION: 1 YEAR $65

Fahey’s Foreign Auto Repair 6444 Georgia Rd., Franklin, NC

828-349-9446 Specializing in Subaru Repair Gladly servicing all makes and models, foreign and domestic.

Merry Christmas FRANKLIN

John Fahey

64

ASE Certified Master Technician 30 Years of Experience

HIGHLANDS

23 441

National Institute for

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE EXCELLENCE

It won’t let you down and neither will we!

10$00 OFF ANY SERVICE 5000 OR MORE!

$

28

DILLARD CLAYTON

215-50

Expires 01/31/14

Smoky Mountain News

| 6 MONTHS $40 | 3 MONTHS $25

You know where to take your Subaru to have fun in the Smoky’s But where do you take it when it has had a little too much fun?

GEORGIA RD.

December 25-31, 2013

Backyard chickens invade suburbia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

4

Scott McLeod. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . info@smokymountainnews.com Greg Boothroyd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . greg@smokymountainnews.com Micah McClure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . micah@smokymountainnews.com Travis Bumgardner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . travis@smokymountainnews.com Emily Moss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . emily@smokymountainnews.com Whitney Burton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . whitney@smokymountainnews.com Amanda Bradley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jc-ads@smokymountainnews.com Hylah Smalley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hylah@smliv.com Scott Collier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Becky Johnson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . becky@smokymountainnews.com Garret K. Woodward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . garret@smokymountainnews.com Melanie Threlkeld McConnell Amanda Singletary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . smnbooks@smokymountainnews.com Scott Collier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . classads@smokymountainnews.com Jeff Minick (writing), Chris Cox (writing), George Ellison (writing), Gary Carden (writing), Don Hendershot (writing), Jake Flannick (writing), Paul Clark (writing).

December 25-31, 2013

Smoky Mountain News

5

news

Landslide mapping continues, albeit on a smaller scale

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER o Jenifer Bauer, the conditions couldn’t be better for a hike. It’s cold and soggy.

There’s no leaves left, nothing green at all on the forest floor save the rhododendrons and mountain laurels. Even the views are dreary and gray, leaving nothing better to look at than the ground beneath her feet.

But that’s what interests Bauer anyway.

A geologist who specializes in landslide sleuthing, Bauer will spend the winter months tromping through the Wayehutta Creek watershed of Jackson County, looking for the telltale signs of mudslides and slurries that came crashing down decades, centuries or even millenniums ago.

Landslides aren’t like lightening. They can — and do — strike the same place twice.

Figuring out where past slides occurred is the best indicator of where future ones might happen. That’s the premise of the landslide hazard mapping that Bauer’s firm, Appalachian Landslide Consulting, is all about.

The firm has been hired to create maps of landslide prone slopes in parts of Haywood and Jackson counties.

But the work is a shadow of what the project once was: a bold mission to map landslide hot zones in every mountain county. State lawmakers axed the project in 2011, however, laying off a team of five state geologists midstride. They had mapped high-risk landslide zones in four counties since the project’s inception in 2006.

Now the work is continuing on a smaller scaled with private grant funding in the two mountain counties.

Macon County was among those completed, but work in Jackson County had barely begun and Haywood hadn’t been started on yet.

The landslide mapping work was deemed

Smoky Mountain News

December 25-31, 2013

T

too costly, but it was also disparaged by some in the real estate and building industry as a threat.

“It was becoming political in terms of, ‘Holy cow, someone thinks they have beautiful mountainside property and there is a landslide hazard suddenly knocking,’” said Lynn Sprague, the director of the Southwestern N.C. Resources Conservation and Development Council.

But there was a groundswell of support to see the work continue — not just among environmental types but also emergency responders, land surveyors, county commissioners, and even some in the home building industry.

So Bauer and another geologist from the state’s laid off landslide mapping team started their own firm and have picked up the torch — with the backing of privately raised grant funding.

The landslide hazard surveys take Bauer tramping over a lot of private property, but the team always get permission first.

“We knock on a lot of doors,” Bauer said.

“We usually only have two people who won’t let us come on.”

There’s a mighty big carrot for landowners to agree, details of which are spelled out in a pamphlet that Bauer takes with her.

“This inventory will identify currently unstable areas that may be more likely to fail during heavy rain …. These will show where, during heavy rain events, landslides might start as well as the areas they might affect,” the pamphlet explains.

Mapping landslide hazard zones will alert people who live in these areas to take heed when there’s heavy, prolonged bouts of rains. Jackson County tallied more than five dozen landslides during a week of heavy rain last winter.

“We hope to increase awareness of landslides in the county so they can be better pre-

A

220-39

Parker Music Jan. 25th

SALE

TO REGISTER CALL: JIM SOTTILE (FORMER DETECTIVE NYPD) WWW.PISTOLINSTRUCTORNC.COM

Grands • Uprights Keyboards 220-43

DISKLAVIER PLAYER GRAND

828-349-0322

220-17

Fly Fishing the South

PIANO SALE!

CLASSROOM AT THE FUN FACTORY FRANKLIN, NC

6

in Jackson County.

The planning board has nearly finished a cover-to-cover rewrite aimed at loosening constraints on mountainside construction.

The changes would allow denser development, more tree clearing, more intensive grading and bigger footprints of disturbance than the current rules. The changes call for less rigorous geotechnical, soil and environmental impact studies. And the changes would also up the threshold for when steep slope rules kick in — the rules will only apply to the steepest slopes and no longer the moderately steep ones.

The planning board is nearly finished with the Jenifer Bauer takes notes as she examines a slide area as part of rewrites, which have her company's work to map landslide prone areas in Haywood and been in the works for Jackson counties. Donated photo more than a year.

The changes will ultipared for when the next heavy rain event mately go to county commissioners for a final comes,” Bauer said. decision this spring.

It will also give emergency responders a betAt first blush, it’s seems incongruous that ter idea of what they might be facing when the planning board would support landslide responding to a landslide report, or even know- mapping on one hand yet push for weaker ing where one is prone to hit, Sprague said. regulations when it comes to steep slope con“When they get called in, rocks are mov- struction. ing, trees are moving. Should they go over to But in fact, it’s a testament to what landthat house?” Sprague said. “They need to slide mapping advocates have been saying all know that if a road is undercut and they are along: landslide mapping simply makes sense. doing an evacuation across it that it is not “[County planning board members] statundercut to the point it will collapse.” ed consistently as we looked at the steep slope ordinance that they would like the to assist them and to use as a SLIPPERY SLOPE information planning tool,” said Jackson County Planner The landslide mapping work in Jackson Gerald Green.

Despite claims by its supporters that landCounty has the endorsement of the Jackson slide mapping is just handy information to County planning board.

The support is symbolic — particularly have, some in the development and real amid a roll back of steep slope building rules estate industry have been skeptical. They fear

Find us on

f

6 MI. WEST OF SYLVA • HWY. 74, WHITTIER FINANCING AVAILABLE • 828.586.1700

Two locations to serve you ASHEVILLE 252.3005

WAYNESVILLE 251.9721

www.hunterbanks.com

220-18

The Denture Shop

news

Give Your Loved one a Gift that Keeps Giving To Fr : om :

T H

A Complete service denture laboratory providing helpful ways to get your smile back Denture (upper or lower) Partial Denture Denture Reline Denture Repair

$ 220+ $ 210+ $ 80+ $ 50+

Dentures Starting at $380 (full upper & lower set)

1225 Tsalagi Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719 828-554-5990 toll free 855-554-5990

Tuesday, December 31 New Year’s Eve Sheila Gordon & The Downtowners Classic and Contemporary Jazz with a Tinge

December 25-31, 2013

49.99* per person includes dinner and glass of champagne.

Call to reserve your table.

$

THE CLASSIC

20 Church Street | Downtown Waynesville 828.452.6000 | www.ClassicWineseller.com

Smoky Mountain News

areas flagged as “landslide prone” may come HE AYWOOD MODEL under restrictive building regulations or even The landslide mapping initiated this year be declared off limits. At the least, it could in Jackson County is following in the footdepress demand among potential buyers.

Landslide mapping advocates contend steps of a similar effort in Haywood that they have no ulterior motive to limit or began a year earlier.

In Haywood County, the work has been restrict development on steep slopes. Instead, the goal is to make mountainside construc- much more extensive thanks to $125,000 in tion more compatible with the natural land- private grant funding amassed by a coalition of environmental nonprofits. scape and geography.

Haywood has seen a rash of landslides in “We saw it as another bit of information to help developers make wise choices,” said recent years. Several homes have been Eric Romaniszyn, director of Haywood destroyed or destabilized. Dozens of private Waterways Association, one of the primary roads in subdivisions have washed out, leadadvocates for the landslide mapping in ing to big repair bills for homeowners associHaywood. “There are a lot of different solu- ations.

This unfortunate reality made the landtions out there, but it is just trying to get folks to think about it and not do things the way slide mapping project in Haywood an easy sell, garnering relatively broad support. they always have.”

The grant funding raised in Haywood was When the enthusiasm for mountainside enough to map the greater Waynesville and homes took off the 1990s, some Maggie Valley area plus Jonathan Creek. developers buying up raw Bauer said the price tag might seem land for subdivisteep, but not when compared to the sions plunked millions in property damage to down house sites homes and roads and property somewhat indislandslides have caused in the c r i m i n a t e l y, region. with little fore“The average home thought in how cost in North Carolina easy or hard it is something like would be to actual$250,000. If we ly carve out a can save one building pad on home then that any given lot. makes it worth “We want them to the price of consider soils, slopes, mapping the streams, bedrock outentire county,” croppings, all the natural Bauer said. resources that go with any site, Advocates of the and consider them all when landslide mapping projmaking choices of where to put a ect encountered an home site,” Romaniszyn said. unexpected hitch, howThe landslide hazard maps can ever. There needed to be a clue builders in when a little more project manager, an agency or diligence is called for, Bauer agreed. entity willing to coordinate “They should be used to trigger a and “own” the project at the site specific investigation,” Bauer said of local level. the maps. “Use them as a While county leaders tool to say, ‘OK maybe I A map of the Wayehutta Watershed supported the work, they should hire a geotechnical where landslide mapping is cur- didn’t want to be the ones engineer or geologist to rently under way. Donated to actually sanction it. designs walls on this speThe landslide maps cific portion of my propturned into a bit of a hot potato. erty.’”

Romaniszyn said it would defeat the purGranted, a wall won’t stop a major landslide. But a properly built retaining wall pose of sharing landslide hazard information guards against a landslide happening in the with the public if the maps are sequestered or hidden in a hard to find place. first place.

The Southwestern N.C. Resources The majority of landslides originate on slopes that have been cleared, altered or exca- Conservation and Development Council stepped up to the plate as a central repository vated in some way, Bauer said.

“It takes much less rain to destabilize for the maps.

“We feel like we can be neutral holders poorly constructed slopes,” Bauer said.

Knowing a slope is in a landslide hazard of the information. It is just like going to a zone could influence the builder to take pre- public library, or just like an academic institution,” said Lynn Sprague, the direccautions on an individual level, Bauer said.

How — or even whether — communities tor of the RC&D Council, which was formally a federal entity but now operates as a choose to use the information is up to them.

For now, the landslide mapping work in nonprofit.

Still, when the maps for Haywood are Jackson is only tackling the Wayehutta Creek watershed, the mountainside that flanks completed in the spring, it’s not clear how Cullowhee to the east. Only $10,000 in grant they will be publicized.

“We are working on figuring out the best funding has been secured so far in Jackson. It is a drop in the bucket compared to the price way to distribute this information and make it available for use,” Bauer said. tag of mapping the entire county.

facebook.com/smnews 7

news December 25-31, 2013 Smoky Mountain News

Trains for the ages Model railroad group brings joy to children and seniors

BY M ELANIE THRELKELD MCCONNELL SMN CORRESPONDENT Think of it as somewhere over the rainbow.

You know the place, only this time not in Oz, in Waynesville, on Frazier Street, behind the parking lot of Sagebrush Steakhouse, in a non-descript building that’s 60-feet long and maybe half that wide. This is where the bluebirds sing, where happiness prevails.

Model trains zip along 200 feet of track on a layout of miniature villages, farms, cities and industrial sites, all set against backdrops of blue skies and puffy white clouds. Whistles blow from some of the engines, smoke puffs out of others as they wend their way through slices of classic Americana. The level of detail in these vignettes is astounding: a garden, a sty with muddy pigs, an industrial park, coal cars, water towers, city buildings, people, grass and more.

Even the Frosty Bar has customers. All scenes from a time when the country was booming and railroads were king.

“What we tried to do with this particular layout is show what the trains did,” said Harold Clackett, a member of the Smoky Mountain Model Rail Road Club, which hosted an open house last week for the public. “We show a farm with cows and how trains picked up milk. We have the coal and the lumber and the oil, and these were giant things. This is what made this country grow and it was the train that connected it all.”

Marty Maltby of Clyde, agreed. He stopped by to see one of the hallmarks of his youth.

“There’s a fascination, a romance with an age gone by and a mode of transportation we don’t see anymore,” he said. “It’s a fascination with an era that made America what it is.”

Waynesville resident Sue Doggett brought her children and grandchildren, 3-year-old twins Eden and Brayden Murphy. “There’s just something about trains,” Doggett said, echoing a sentiment common among the crowd. “They represent a gentler time, or at least it seems like it was back then.”

(Above, from left), Sam Hopkins, Harold Clackett and Ed Rynning, members of the Smoky Mountain Model Rail Road Club, prepare their operating layout for a recent open house. Kyle Murphy of Waynesville, with his niece, Eden Murphy, 3, her twin brother, Brayden, and their grandmother Sue Doggett of Clyde at the Christmas layout at the Smoky Mountain Model Rail Road Club (right).

8

Melanie Threlkeld McConnell photos

news December 25-31, 2013

Eden Murphy, 3, and her mother, Kellie Murphy, watch trains pass on the Christmas layout at the Smoky Mountain Rail Road Club, 130 Frazier St., Waynesville.

Melanie Threlkeld McConnell photo (above) • Sam Hopkins photo (inset)

Club members, who organized about four years ago and run Lionel-type 3 rail O gauge trains, are on a mission to share the joy of model railroading with nursing home residents, school children, and anyone who is interested. Their new workspace at 130 Frazier Street, Suite 13, is filled with four different layouts: Christmas, winter, Thomas the Tank Engine, and their largest – the 50feet by 30-feet operating layout. The group holds work sessions from 7 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday night and public viewing sessions from 2 to 4 p.m. the second Sunday of each

month. New members are urged to join.

“We started out with portable tables to take to nursing homes,” Clackett, 69, said.

“This is the third building we’ve been in. The others were sold and we had to move. We really wanted to get this set up so we could invite the community to come in and see what a big layout is like.”

Club members have spent the past year designing and painting backdrops, building tables and wiring electricity, skills they say they learned as part of this lifetime hobby.

“It’s a wonderful teaching school for chil-

Smoky Mountain News

“What we tried to do with this particular layout is show what the trains did.

We show a farm with cows and how trains picked up milk. We have the coal and the lumber and the oil, and these were giant things. This is what made this country grow and it was the train that connected it all.”

— Harold Clackett, member of the Smoky Mountain Model Rail Road Club

dren,” said Sam Hopkins, 69, one of the club’s founding members. “You can show them construction, modeling, painting, history, research and photography. Trains are an integral part of our society. Not as much today, as they were for the nursing home generation when trains were a big part of their lives. Our fathers who were in WWII traveled by troop train, which also carried a lot of supplies.”

While model trains certainly attracts plenty of youngsters, it’s the older generation that has a special place in the collective heart of this group, especially for Ed Rynning, 79, of Maggie Valley, the club’s resident electrician.

“I’d keep hearing them talk about taking the trains to retirement homes, so I thought ‘I’m going to stick around these guys. This is something I’d like to see,’” said Rynning.

Why the connection? “[Nursing home residents] associate trains with when they were children, when they rode on trains,” said Clackett. “It just connects to them right away. One woman saw our Santa Fe and remembered riding the train. She said, ‘That’s a Super Chief.’ ” The club’s favorite story is the one about a nursing home resident who rarely smiled, until the trains showed up, Hopkins said.

“A nurse pointed to an elderly gentleman sitting in a wheelchair with his face just beaming like a little boy watching the trains.

She said, ‘See that man? This is the first time we’ve seen him smile in eight or nine months here.’ The trains always have a positive effect on people. We look at events like this as our 9 primary ministry.”

news

Franklin seeks award-worthy persons The Franklin Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for three major awards: The Duke Power Citizenship and Service Award; Citizen of the Year; and Club/Organization of the Year.

Nomination letters can be delivered to the Franklin Chamber of Commerce at 425 Porter St. or emailed to LindaH@Franklin-Chamber.com. The nomination deadline is at 5 p.m. on Jan. 14. The awards will be presented at The Annual Awards Banquet and Chamber Annual Meeting on Jan. 21 at Tartan Hall.

Tickets are available at the Franklin Chamber for $25 per person. Seating is limited and advanced tickets are required. 828.524.3161.

Kostas, SCC team up for literacy

December 25-31, 2013

Southwestern Community College’s educational opportunities division is establishing the SCC HOPE (Help Others Progress through Education) fund, which will provide financial assistance to students in the college’s service area who are seeking to improve literacy skills while developing career and employability skills.

SCC’s service area includes Jackson, Macon, Swain counties and the Qualla Boundary.

Dean Christopoulos, owner and manager of Kostas restaurant in Dillsboro, is kicking off SCC HOPE’s fundraising efforts by donating 10 percent of sales from 4-9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28, and Saturday, Jan. 18.

For more information about SCC HOPE, contact Anderson at 828.339.4361 or d_anderson@southwesterncc.edu.

The big screen comes to a small town Highlands Playhouse showing first-run movies all winter

variety of studios. They drew crowds for the Tom Hanks blockbuster “Captain Phillips.” The theater also opened “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” simultaneously with thousands of theaters across the country. “Last Vegas” premiered in Highlands just two and a half weeks after it was released.

BY COLBY DUNN The process of picking their films is a little arduous; each CORRESPONDENT film has to be voted on by the Playhouse’s board, and then or residents of Highlands, the list of things to do in town, negotiations must be undertaken for film rights with each studepending on the season, can be pretty short and “go to dio individually. But Tammy the movies” has never been on it.

Hernandez, the theater’s managing But the town is filmless no more, director, says they’re trying to mainthanks to a new program at the “We want to appeal to tain a good mix of films, from the big Highlands Playhouse that’s bringing everyone, but especially names to the lesser known but still in the blockbusters four nights a week. interesting movies.

After a four-and-a-half-month winthe people who are here “We’re going to try and mix it up a terization process, the historic theater year-round and don’t little bit. We want to appeal to everythat’s long catered to summer resione, but especially the people who are dents is now opening its doors in the have anything to do.” here year-round and don’t have anywinter for the first time. The auditorithing to do,” says Hernandez. “We um is hosting the movies Thursday — Tammy Hernandez, don’t want them to come here and say through Saturday, two shows per day, managing director there isn’t anything to do except in the off season – they’ll cut back to shop.” two nights a week when plays ramp They’ve hired a few new folks to back up in the summer – and though help with the increased workload, and there’s only the one screen, they’ve though the winterization was expengone whole hog to make it a state-ofsive, the endeavor is so popular it’s the-art experience. For $8 a person, a To see what’s coming up, visit already starting to pay for itself.

35-foot separated screen, 7.1 Dolby www.highlandsplayhouse.org/movies.

“We’re actually sustaining right digital surround sound and a fully dignow with the money that we’re makital projector will transport theatergoers into the world of a new star-studded production every week. ing,” says Hernandez. “In previous years, we’ve struggled to Instead of adopting the lower cost method of many commu- make ends meet for the actual program in the summer, but this nity and dollar theaters and screening older releases, the theater is giving us some money, some income during the slow time to help us possibly bring on even a better season.” went for the big fish, showing new and recent releases from a

F

View listings

AFFLICTION • MISS ME • INOX • HOT LEATHERS • MEK DENIM • MUSTANG • BELL • FULMER • VOCAL • EASYRIDERS ROADWARE • ALPINESTARS • DRAG SPECIALTIES

INVENTORY REDUCTION ( More details about the events on our website and facebook.)

Smoky Mountain News

10% – 75% Off all items in Apparel Department

10

Includes – Jeans, Tees, Tops, Jackets, Gloves, Belts, Handbags, Wallets, Jewelry, Footwear, Gift Items & Much More.

Like our page on facebook and get the inside info on our flash sales offering other huge discounts!

Exit 100 off US 74 - 82 Locust Drive | Waynesville, NC 828.452.7276 | Visit SMSH.co for our Full Inventory of Bikes Tues–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 10am–5pm , Closed Sun & Mon.

At the open house, patrons from around the community and members of the Haywood Chamber mill about the storefront, trying an assortment of food samples.

“It’s always fun to watch the growth process from when they started out and didn’t have a facility, when they were looking for jars, perfecting their recipes and working out of their home to getting national recognition,” said CeCe Hipps, president of the Haywood Chamber. “It is so special to buy local and grow local, and that idea will only make our community stronger.”

DeMarco is at the center of the celebration, all smiles, gracious to any who cross the threshold of her building. Today is a great day, with tomorrow being another opportunity to make the Copper Pot & Wooden Spoon known to the world.

“It’s a lot of work and a lot of fun,” she smiled. “We want people to enjoy our products. When you buy local, you support local business. By supporting our business, you’re supporting local agriculture. It’s a great thing to see and do, and I hope to pass that along.”

Jessica DeMarco (left), owner/chef of the Copper Pot & Wooden Spoon in Waynesville, produces handmade jams, spreads, pickles and artisan foods that consist of local ingredients. An open house was held at the Copper Pot & Wooden Spoon on Dec. 19, with a variety of food samples available to the public. Donated photos

December 25-31, 2013

moved into its current location on Pigeon Street in Waynesville. The centerpiece of the facility is the kitchen, a laboratory of sorts where DeMarco, her brother Dan Stubee and chef Brooks Wallace experiment and create their wares.

“It’s all about working with farmers and meeting new customers,” Wallace said.

“We’re always trying new things that Jess and all of us are coming up with. It’s great to see a

“It’s a little surprising to an extent, seeing as this started as just a sideling thing. It’s validating for sure when other people are recognizing what you’re doing and appreciate it. It’s about coming up with a brand, not just for jams and pickles, and trying to communicate our thought behind the whole thing.”

— Jessica DeMarco, owner/chef, Copper Pot & Wooden Spoon

Smoky Mountain News

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER It’s about preserving tradition — delicious tradition.

“We live in a small town, and it’s wonderful when you start meeting local farmers and seeing what they’re trying to do, trying to support themselves by living off the land,” said Jessica DeMarco. “It’s appealing, and we want to help support this concept, this way of life.”

DeMarco is the owner/chef of Copper Pot & Wooden Spoon, a Waynesvillebased company specializing in handcrafted jams, pickles and artisan foods. Coming into its third year of operation, the business recently held an open house on Dec. 19 to celebrate the opening of a storefront.

“The idea is that we’re using traditional culinary methods in a kitchen, not in a factory,” she said. “We produce food for local people, from local products, and in that way we’re helping preserve that tradition of local farms and keeping those food traditions alive.”

Moving to Haywood County 12 years ago, DeMarco went to culinary school and had aspirations of doing pastry work, perhaps even open her own bakery. She wanted something that would tie into the local food movement currently blossoming in Western North Carolina.

“I have such an interest in food preservation,” the 32-year-old said.

“Working in the food industry, that interest grew, then I started doing my own thing on the side for family and friends — that’s where the seed for my business started.”

DeMarco worked as the front of the house manager at the Stable Café in the Biltmore House. The relentless pace of work and obligations took its toll. She was coming to a crossroads in her life, one that soon manifested itself into the idea for the Copper Pot & Wooden Spoon.

product from start to finish.”

And that notion of “handmade in a kitchen” products is something DeMarco keeps close to the heart of her business.

“It can be a challenge to meet demand when you’re doing small batch preparation and not using large commercial equipment or huge steam kettles,” she said. “But, that’s what makes our jams and pickles different.

They’re hand-cut and hand-packed, and there are people out there that really appreciate that — we’ve found a good market for it.”

Alongside nods from Food & Wine and Garden & Gun magazine, products from the business are being shipped to Asheville, New York City, Washington and California, with more than 50 stores carrying the goods.

“It’s a little surprising to an extent, seeing as this started as just a sideling thing,” DeMarco said. “It’s validating for sure when other people are recognizing what you’re doing and appreciate it. It’s about coming up with a brand, not just for jams and pickles, and trying to communicate our thought behind the whole thing.”

news

Capturing success in a jar

“My husband and I had kids, and it became a hectic lifestyle,” she said. “And I decided that wasn’t what I wanted to do, so we started doing my business on a small scale.”

Coming to life in her kitchen, DeMarco began experimenting with different recipes for jams, spreads and pickles — all with an emphasis on using local products. Her relationships with regional growers resulted from her weekly vendor booth at the farmer’s markets in Waynesville. The more she dug into local produce, the more ideas sprang to life in her mind and on her table.

“The local food movement has become more prominent. People are more aware of where their food is coming from,” she said.

“And it’s nice to know where your food is coming from, what’s going into it, who’s making it. There’s something appealing to that when you know about it.”

Add into those early endeavors a small business start-up competition grant from the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce, and DeMarco was well on her way to reaching her dream. Two years ago, the company

11

news

Change in business fee structure a windfall for Waynesville

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER new formula for business license fees will mean a six-fold increase in collections for the town of Waynesville this fiscal year, bringing in a projected $128,000 compared to $20,000 last year.

The new rate structure is based on a business’s net revenue. Businesses that bring in more money now have to pay more for their annual business license, compared to the old system when businesses paid the same amount, no matter their sales volume.

“Before Walmart would be paying $25 and a mom and pop store would be paying the same thing. Now Walmart is going to be paying more,” explained James Robertson, the Waynesville tax collector. “I feel like it puts everybody on a more level playing field.”

Here’s how the new business license fees work. There’s a flat $25 annual rate up to $1 million in revenue. Once a business reaches $1 million in revenue, it has to pay an additional 50 cents for every $1,000 in sales.

It comes out to $500 for every $1 million in revenue over and above that first $1 million.

Historically, businesses were charged a flat rate according to the type of business it was engaged in. The fee varied among types of businesses in different categories. But within any given category, all businesses paid the same flat rate.

Now, business must divulge their financials to the town in order for the town to calculate what they owe.

Smoky Mountain News

December 25-31, 2013

A

12

Sylva was the first town west of Asheville to adopt the new structure for calculating business license fees two years ago. There, the business license fee is $50, with an additional 35 cents for every $1,000 in sales over and above $3 million.

Businesses usually provide their tax filing from the past year as documentation.

But that taxpayer data is kept strictly confidential, said Robertson.

Robertson said Waynesville has not gotten much pushback over the new fee structure.

“Businesses realize it is just the cost of doing business,” said Robertson, who’s the president of the N.C. Association of Business License Officials.

One business to complain about the new formula has refused to pay its business license fee, at least so far, according to Town Manager Marcy Onieal. But the dead-

line to pay up before officially being labeled “delinquent” hasn’t yet passed. The town can’t say which business complained, citing that taxpayer’s confidentiality.

Most larger cities have already switched to a revenuebased formula. But smaller towns, especially those in the mountains, have been slower to adopt the new structure for calculating business license fees.

Sylva was the first town west of Asheville to do so two years ago.

Sylva has a more conservative rate structure than Waynesville. A business license fee is $50, with an additional 35 cents for every $1,000 in sales over and above $3 million.

The initial fee is higher than Waynesville’s — $50 in Sylva instead of $25 in Waynesville. But the threshold for when a business has to kick in an additional percentage based on its gross revenue is higher — $3 million in Sylva compared to $1 million in Waynesville.

“Our board didn’t want to hurt local businesses so they set the gross receipts as being over $3 million,” said Lynn Bryant, Sylva’s finance officer.

Like in Waynesville, the new business license formula proved lucrative for the town of Sylva as well. The town increased its business license revenue by about $60,000 a year.

Despite the obvious benefit to town coffers, Sylva and Waynesville remain two of the only towns in the region that have switched to the new formula. In Franklin, leaders talked about it but never made a decision.

Waynesville has 645 active businesses on its books.

But not all of those are still operating. Some have gone out of business since last year. And some are what Robertson calls “fly-by-nighters.”

“You might have a contractor come in and get a business permit to build one house but you never hear from them again,” Robertson said.

news

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

December 25-31, 2013

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

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

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

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

Smoky Mountain News

Visit a store.

13

newsdesk crafts

news December 25-31, 2013 Smoky Mountain News 14

Class A Office/Professional space, 1850 sq. ft.

✁

3.

2.

1.

4.

#193 - free table leveler

Building was a complete renovation and space was first built out for Edward Jones office in 2005. Space was occupied by Haywood Co. Insurance Health Clinic and is in excellent condition. Unit includes 2 restrooms, kitchenette and mechanical room. There is direct access to an outdoor covered patio area on the creek. The building has excellent onsite parking and is located in Waynesville only 3/10 mile North of the courthouse. Lease includes exterior maintenance, taxes, water and lighted sign.

627 N. Main Street, Suite 2, Waynesville.

Shown by appointment only.

Call Jeff Kuhlman at 828-646-0907.

We Build Move In Ready Quality Custom Homes

news

America’s Home Place

Franklin Building Center 335 NP & L Loop Franklin, NC *Photos may show upgrades not inculed in the base price of the home.

(828) 349-0990

Purchase a Two-Year Subscription to Smoky Mountain Living magazine and receive a FREE One-Year Subscription to give to a friend!

at smliv.com

Smoky Mountain News

SUBSCRIBE

December 25-31, 2013

‘Tis best to give & receive!

15

news

Barking up the right tree

BY PAUL CLARK Heatherly, a second-generation timber harCORRESPONDENT vester, contracts with timber companies for arvesting poplar bark to make bark the bark on the poplars they take down. His shingles is never easy, but this summer people do their work, muddy and hot, in the Danny Heatherly and his crew had a woods before the trees are dragged and short season shortened even further by all scarred. Using chainsaws, they score the bark the rain that fell. up the length of the tree, then cut it 4-foot Normally, Heatherly’s company—Barkclad sections. If the tree is tall enough and the Natural Products— has June and July to bring bark thick enough, they’ll cut longer sections in the bark it sells throughout the year to people who love the rustic look that poplar gives their homes.

But so much rain fell that he and the dozen employees and contractors Barkclad works with had just half the time to get the bark.

Barkclad, a member of the Western North Carolina Green Building Council, is one of a very small handful of poplar bark suppliers in North Carolina. Based in Bethel, it’s a growing business that supplies bark shingles and panels for the mostly high-end mountain and lake home-building industry. Several years old, Barkclad has shipped bark to every state except Hawaii.

It gets nearly all of its wood from North Carolina.

The forests of Western North Carolina are full of Poplar sheets are stacked and dried await cutting poplars, ramrod-straight into shingles. Paul Clark photo hardwoods that can soar into a canopy’s upper reaches before jutting out “There’s a heritage of hard work that the first branch. Its bark clad the homes of Cherokee people appreciate here. There was a Indians centuries ago and time when you could do business on by the early 1900s became a coveted siding for mouna handshake. That’s the kind of guy tain homes in the Blowing Danny [Heatherly] is.”

Rock and Linville areas.

Summer camps used — Brian Summers, Barkclad Natural Products poplar to wrap chapels and chow halls as the siding moved into the public domain. High — premium siding that brings a higher price.

Hampton Inn & Country Club in Cashiers is Barkclad sells three gauges of bark. Bark sided in it. Poplar bark’s rugged looks and that is at least three-quarters of an inch thick durability have made it popular again. is used on the outside, and bark thicker than Lined with ridges and valleys, strafed that costs more because it’s tougher and with moss and lichen, poplar produces panmore rugged looking. Bark thinner than els as unique as fingerprints. No two pieces three-quarters of an inch is used on the are the same, resulting in a siding that looks inside of a house. alive and natural on the mountain rustic Heatherly’s business partner, Brian homes it wraps.

Summers, gave a visitor a tour of Barkclad’s work is done in early summer the company’s wood yard in because the bark is pliable and easily peeled.

Bethel recently.

Smoky Mountain News

December 25-31, 2013

H

16

Brian Summers (above) points out the rugged look that makes poplar bark such an attractive siding. A new house in Biltmore Lake (below), built by Biltmore Farms, uses poplar bark as accents. Paul Clark photos

F

hen the clock strikes midnight and Dec. 31 gives way to Jan. 1, the tolling of the bell won’t symbolize the start of just another typical new year at Western Carolina University. Instead, the first day of 2014 will mark the beginning of WCU’s 125th year of existence, and university faculty, staff and students are planning a yearlong celebration to mark the milestone.

The festivities will get underway Thursday, Jan. 23, in the Grandroom of A.K. Hinds University Center on the WCU campus. Scheduled from 12:25 to 2:25 p.m., the kickoff event will include a fashion show of apparel adorned with WCU’s 125th logo, and refreshments, prizes, games, giveaways, displays and a birthday cake.

Birthday cupcakes also will be available that day for students, faculty and staff at the university’s instructional site at Biltmore Park Town Square. That night, the men’s basketball team will take on Davidson in a Southern Conference game at Ramsey Regional Activity Center, with special activities and promotions planned as part of the evening.

“The year ahead will be a significant and exciting point in our university’s history,” said Kellie Monteith, assistant vice chancellor for health and wellness in the Division of Student Affairs. Monteith and Melissa Wargo, chief of staff, are cochairs of a steering committee charged with organizing festivities on campus – and throughout the western region of North Carolina that WCU serves.

“We not only will be remembering Western Carolina’s legacy and history, but also will be celebrating how far we have progressed as an institution over the past 125 years,” Monteith said. “And we will be looking forward to the future of this university as we continue our mission of providing quality education to our students and being a partner in the economic and community development of our region.”

WCU photo

The official 125th anniversary bash will be held in August, the month in which the school that became WCU was founded in 1889. The event is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 26, with a picnic on the University Center lawn, old-fashioned games, music and photo opportunities in historical garb representative of the late 19th century.

The final celebration event is tentatively set for Friday, Dec. 5, in the Ramsey Center, with music from the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band (which will have just returned from its appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade), refreshments, remarks from the chancellor and special recognition for those who will graduate during the December 2014 commencement, the last graduating class of WCU’s 125th year.

Other events will be designed around traditional highlights of WCU’s annual calendar, such as spring commencement ceremonies, Mountain Heritage Day, Spring Literary Festival, Homecoming, alumni receptions across the state and the Southeast, and a variety of events in communities across Western North Carolina.

For more information, visit the recently launched website at celebrate125.wcu.edu.

New Year’s SALE! MARKDOWNS

Smoky Mountain News

appreciate his integrity.”

Summers pointed to Heatherly’s house, at the edge of the wood yard. The house is clad in what Barkclad believes is its future, the product Heatherly brought Summers on to sell – an engineered siding that looks remarkably like poplar bark. Made of a highdensity polyurethane blend that uses 80 percent recycled materials, the product has the same ridges and valleys that natural bark does. It’s made in Salisbury, as are Barkclad’s new poplar-like roof shingles made from 100 percent recycled materials.

Looking at the Heatherly house from the wood yard, you’d never know the siding is engineered. And even up close, the shingles look like the real thing, the result of some clever design and craftily engineered injection molding.

“This is our sustainable answer to bark siding,” Summers said as he pulled out a box of the panels. Poplars may abound in the WNC forests, but getting bark out and processed is hard and expensive. And the weather can be iffy, as this summer proved.

The engineered product is easier to make and lasts even longer than the long-wearing bark, Summers said.

“If natural bark is not perfectly installed, it can crack, curl, bleach, darken or expand,” Summers said. “The engineered bark doesn’t do any of those things. Most building supply companies that I talk to say the engineered bark will take over natural bark one day.

This is where the bark market is going.”

Western Carolina University has received a $500,000 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation to help expand engineering education across Western North Carolina through a partnership with regional community colleges.

The funding will support WCU’s efforts to ensure a seamless transition for community college students who want to earn four-year degrees in engineering through the implementation of engineering pathway courses at community colleges and the recruitment of qualified students into the program.

Asheville-Buncombe Technical, Blue Ridge and Isothermal community colleges are initial partners in the effort, which will eventually include WNC community colleges from Rutherfordton in the east to Murphy in the west.

The grant, awarded out of the foundation’s Essential Skills in Advanced Manufacturing Initiative, will help produce qualified workers for manufacturers, including some of the region’s largest private-sector employers, said Dan Gerlach, Golden LEAF president.

The funding will provide support for Western Carolina’s recently announced undergraduate program in engineering at its instructional site at Biltmore Park Town Square, and will supplement advanced manufacturing engineering education on the campus in Cullowhee, said James Zhang, dean of WCU’s Kimmel School of Construction Management and Technology.

For more information about engineering at WCU, visit engineering.wcu.edu.

December 25-31, 2013

“There’s not much to see now,” he said at the start of a cold, blustery day. But in July, the yard was “absolutely covered” with pallets of bark, he said. The crews that stacked the pallets, alternating bark with slats to add drying, included Heatherly’s wife and three children. Everyone worked insanely hard during the shortened season.

The pallets, topped with concrete blocks to keep the bark from curling, were moved into the yard’s kiln, where they dried for days. Once the bark was cured, Heatherly cut the sheets into 18-, 24- and 36-inch lengths.

Heatherly grew up in Haywood County.

He’s been in the timber business more than 24 years and got into the bark business by selling the bark he took off the poplars he timbered. He brought Summers in as a business partner in April because Summers had experience helping people bring products to market. Heatherly had a product he wanted to bring to market. And it wasn’t poplar bark.

Summers grew up in Oxford, Penn., a small community full of hardworking people in Amish country between Lancaster and Philadelphia. Bethel and Canton remind him of home.

“There’s a heritage of hard work that people appreciate here. There was a time when you could do business on a handshake.

That’s the kind of guy Danny is,” he said of Heatherly. “He’s going to do what he says he’s going to do. The day he shook my hand and said we’re partners, we were partners. I

WCU receives Golden LEAF grant

news

WCU to mark 125th year in 2014 W

throughout the store!

Help us ring in the new year by clearing out the old to make room for the new!

220-23

17

18

Opinion

Smoky Mountain News

Christmas ‘peace’ in the land of the Holy One

DOUG WINGEIER COLUMNIST ome years back I spent the Christmas season in the Land of the Holy One. (It is not the land that is holy, but the One who was born, lived, died, and rose there.) This was one of my several sojourns in Israel/Palestine over the years.

My strongest impression at that time (and conditions have only gotten worse since) was of the oppression my Palestinian Christian brothers and sisters — along with their Muslim neighbors — were enduring under the Israeli occupation. I was struck with how similar this was to the Roman oppression of local inhabitants in the time of Jesus.

On Christmas Eve, worshippers, both pilgrims from abroad and local Palestinian Christians, had to pass through checkpoints on the way from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, manned by rude, trigger-happy teenage Israeli soldiers. Some were barred entrance and turned back. Entering Manger Square, where several choirs from around the world were to sing Christmas music to be broadcast worldwide, we were subjected to frisking, metal detectors, and body searches. Israeli soldiers mingled with the crowd and stood on rooftops ringing the square, Uzis at the ready. A mood of apprehension, fear, and suspicion trumped the joy, peace and love one would expect at this season.

Earlier, I had visited a Palestinian Christian village in the West Bank that featured a home very much like one in Jesus’ time. Cows and sheep were housed under the same roof as the family — reminiscent of the time when a baby was born in a stable to a peasant family forced to journey through the winter rains by an imperial edict requiring tax registration. Midway on the road between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, archaeologists were excavating the site of a fourth century Byzantine church, built on the traditional site where Mary and Joseph had paused to rest before continuing on, only to find “no room in the inn.”

(Excavations complete, the site has since been covered over.)

More recently, the Israelis have erected a huge, forbidding 16-foot wall with armed checkpoints (euphemistically called a “security fence”), separating Palestinians from their farmland, schools, jobs, relatives, medical care, and places of worship.

Our Palestinian friends tell us this really puts them in a large prison, with their movements strictly monitored and con-

S

Why voter ID and not background checks?

To the Editor: I do not understand why so many Republican congressmen support voter I.D. laws when it has been proven over and over that voter fraud is extremely negligible and does not warrant the cost to implement and make voting more difficult. But then on the other hand they strongly oppose requiring background checks on all gun purchases. Too many gun purchases are made by people that would never have passed a background check and so many innocent people are being murdered daily.

Oh by the way, my Republican friends have been telling me repeatedly that Medicare B premiums would go up well over $200 monthly starting in 2014. Well, I just read monthly premiums will not go up in 2014 but will remain the same as 2013 at

trolled.

Too many pilgrims go to this “holy land” only to see the “places where Jesus walked,” and are led by Israeli guides who shield them from meeting the “living stones” — Palestinian Christians whose ancestors were the contemporaries of Jesus who became the first Christians. Many of their villages were demolished by the Israeli military. The homes that survived are now occupied by Jewish immigrants, while their original Palestinian owners still hold the keys, hoping one day to return and claim their rightful property.

Later, I returned to teach a semester at Bethlehem Bible College, where my students were young Palestinian Christians preparing for ministry with their people. One, Ala’e, was from a Muslim family who had accepted Christ as Savior, attended the Nazarene Church in East Jerusalem, and was trying to remain a faithful member of both faith communities.

Another, Gabriel, was a talented musician, who had decided not to pursue further education because he “saw no future” for himself there. A third, Jusuf, one day asked me point-blank in class, “Must we forgive our enemies?” A classmate later explained that, as a boy of seven, he had seen his father dragged from their home by Israeli soldiers and shot dead before his eyes.

And then there was Tony Nassar (later married to classmate Nisreen), who took me several times to the farm seven miles south of Bethlehem owned by him and his two brothers — devoted members of the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. Their farm was surrounded on all four sides by Israeli settlements. Each time I went I saw where more of their land had been confiscated by the settlers. They had shot his horse and blocked the access road to the farm with huge boulders so that the Nassars had to go several miles out of the way to reach their land. Their olive trees, some centuries old, had been uprooted by Caterpillar bulldozers. Holding deeds and tax receipts from Ottoman, British, and Jordanian governments, they had proof of their ownership, so had already spent thousands of dollars in legal fees and court costs to defend their land and were determined to hold onto it.

One of the Bible College faculty, Salim Munayer, conducts a ministry called “Muslahala,” which brings together Palestinian Christians with Messianic Jews (who do not identify as

$104.

Up until five years ago I was a staunch Republican, but have since changed my affiliation to Independent. I now read the issues, impacts, ignore the scare tactics and vote for who I think will be best for the 95 percent.

Ron Rokstool Maggie Valley

My, how the universe has changed course To the Editor: After the Clinton administrations’ efforts to get a universal health care bill passed back in the 90s, guess what group was next to propose sweeping health care legislation? No, not the Obama administration. It was the Heritage Foundation, the arch-conservative think tank in Washington. In those days, the Heritage Foundation believed that health care for everyone was important, and authored the

Christian but accept Jesus as Messiah and Saviour) to hear each other’s stories, get to know each other as human beings and fellow believers, gradually overcome their mutual fears and suspicions, and build the kind of relationships that are the only sure basis of a lasting peace in that troubled land.

A growing number of Jews in this country, such as the young people in Jewish Voice for Peace, have lived with Palestinian families in the West Bank, suffered with them the same indignities and persecutions at the hands of Israeli settlers and military, and returned home to tell their synagogues that what they have seen there “violates the Jewish values with which we were raised.” They are joining with growing numbers of Christians in a campaign of Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against U.S. corporations like Caterpillar, Motorola, and Northrop Grumman that contribute to the illegal occupation, and products and services originating in the occupied West Bank — like Veolia (bottled water) and SodaStream (home carbonization machines) — similar to the worldwide campaign waged in Nelson Mandela’s time against the oppressive apartheid regime in South Africa.

Of course, violence originates from both sides in the turbulent Middle East, so that, in this Christmas season, it is sometimes difficult, above the din, to hear the angels sing “peace on earth, good will to all.” But if we wish genuinely and effectively to contribute to peace with justice there, we will listen openly and fairly to all sides; seek to meet, get to know, and hear the stories of Palestinian Christians, the “living stones” (and their Muslim friends and neighbors); let our expenditures be guided

by BDS principles; reject both anti-Arab prejudice and antiSemitism (while at the same time opposing the unjust policies and practices of the Israeli government and settlers), and live in the spirit of this verse from the carol, “O Holy Night”:

“Truly he taught us to love one another; His law is love and his gospel is peace.

Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother.

And in his name all oppression shall cease.”

(Doug Wingeier is a retired seminary professor and minister who lives at Lake Junaluska. He can be reached at dcwing@main.nc.us.)

LOOKING FOR OPINIONS The Smoky Mountain News encourages readers to express their opinions through letters to the editor or guest columns. All viewpoints are welcome. Send to Scott McLeod at info@smokymountainnews.com., fax to 828.452.3585, or mail to PO Box 629, Waynesville, NC, 28786. bill in Massachusetts for then-governor Mitt Romney. When Romney signed it into law in 2006, members of the Heritage Foundation were right there for the signing, alongside liberal Sen. Ted Kennedy.

That Massachusetts law eventually became the model for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that has been the subject of national debate for the better part of Obama’s term of office.

Here’s the first twist in the story: It has

been the Heritage Foundation that has turned on their own concept and led the fight against the ACA. They have made the wildest claims imaginable about it … that there will be “death panels” to advise people on Medicare how to end their lives … that the ACA will cut Medicare benefits, causing elderly people to die … that there is a secret White House security force that are being taught to use syringes as weapons. Whew.

Unfortunately, the rollout of ACA was an act of falling down stairs, and did a lot to make the ACA look more like an Edsel than a Jeep. But poor business management of the rollout doesn’t make the concept of everyone in the country having affordable health care a bad idea. With it, doctors are more accessible to everyone, regardless of income. Lowincome people no longer have to get health care from emergency rooms, care for which they can’t pay. All at once, the how-am-Igoing-to-pay-for-medical-care panic is lifted.

F

Gov. McCrory, N.C. are moving forward

Earth’s warming will harm wildlife

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 ANTHONY WAYNE’S 37 Church St, Waynesville. 828.456.6789.

Open for lunch Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; open for dinner Thursday-Saturday 5 to 9 p.m.; and Sunday brunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Exceptional, new-American cuisine, offering several gluten free items.

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.

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

Closed on Sunday. We specialize in handcut, all natural steaks, fresh fish, and other

classic American comfort foods that are made using only the finest local and sustainable ingredients available. We also feature a great selection of craft beers from local artisan brewers, and of course an extensive selection of small batch bourbons and whiskey. The Barrel is a friendly and casual neighborhood dining experience where our guests enjoy a great meal without breaking the bank.

BREAKING BREAD CAFÉ 6147 Hwy 276 S. Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station) 828.648.3838 Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (takeout only 5 to 6 p.m.) Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Serving Mediterranean style foods; join us for weekly specials. We roast our own ham, turkey and roast beef just like you get on Thanksgiving to use in our sandwiches. Try our chicken, tuna, egg and pasta salads made with gluten free mayo. Enjoy our variety of baked goods made daily: muffins, donuts, cinnamon buns and desserts.

BRYSON CITY BAKERY AND PASTRY SHOPPE 191 Everett St., Bryson City.

828.488.5390 Offering a full line of fresh baked goods like Grandma used to make. Large variety to choose from including cakes, pies, donuts, breads, cinn-buns and much more. Also serving Hershey Ice Cream. Open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

CATALOOCHEE RANCH 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. Mile-high mountaintop din-

HORS D’OEUVRES BUFFET 9 P.M.-MIDNIGHT

MIDNIGHT CHAMPAGNE TOAST

MUSIC BY SMOKE RISE BAND DANCING & PARTY FAVORS MIDNIGHT BREAKFAST BUFFET

Smoky Mountain News

To the Editor: I love this time of year. Cold, crisp days remind me of the days I spent with my dad and our beagles chasing rabbits. Now it means it’s time to share a blind with a wet retriever or float a river when no one else is on it to see if any wood ducks are still here or if mallards have come down from up north.

Now my 40-year-old son hunts and fishes with me. I love the time I get to spend with my son afield. We hunt and fish on the public lands and public waters that we are blessed to own with other Americans.

Unfortunately these resources and all wildlife habitats are under attack. In recent years our duck hunting has suffered because ducks are just not coming down from the north like they use too. We are finding trout streams that are warming to a point that cold water fish can’t survive. We have witnessed damage from salt water incursion in national wildlife refuges that kills fresh water marshes as sea levels rise.

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) just completed four reports on the impact of a warming world on wildlife habitats: • “Swimming Upstream: Freshwater Fish in a Warming World.”

• “Shifting Skies: Migratory Birds in a Warming World.”

• “Nowhere to Run: Big Game in a Warming World.”

• “Wildlife in a Warming World.”

You can find all four reports at the on the NWF web site at: www.nwf.org/Sportsmen/Climate-Change.aspx Whether you are a hunter, fisherman, birder, or simply enjoy kicking around outdoors, I believe you will find these reports compelling.

G. Richard Mode Morganton

tasteTHEmountains

December 25-31, 2013

To the Editor: No doubt 2013 was a much better year for Western North Carolina than was the previous year.

The unemployment rate has dropped down to 7.4 percent in November from 8.9 percent when the year started. Every county in North Carolina had lower unemployment rates. Financially the state is slowly recovering from where it was.

Every major group in the state — from colleges to the DOT to the public and private schools — all need more money to operate.

Jobs are the key to adding revenue to the state, and Gov. Pat McCrory is doing his best to make that happen. Nationally, North Carolina’s unemployment rate has dropped us down to number 35 from Number 49 just 11 months ago.

With New Year approaching, I would like to suggest a New Year’s resolution to everyone for the coming year. Buying products that are made in the USA or at least in North America would be a big help. Working people in the USA are the people who spend their money here. Buying stuff made in China or other Asian countries does not do a lot for our economy or North Carolina.

I saw where the chicken from China is coming to the USA. I think we all can get

along fine without buying chicken from China for a lot of reasons. Supporting local businesses is a great way to help improve the economy in our state. People who work here spend their money here.

Too many of our people have been out of work for more than a year. Supporting our local businesses will do more to help the poor and unemployed people than anything else. Income inequality will never be solved with welfare checks and foods stamp cards. I hope we can agree that jobs are the best way to overcome income inequality.

Let us make 2014 the year we get our unemployment rate down to 6 percent or below.

Jim Mueller Glenville

opinion

Opponents say it won’t work, but it already is working in our biggest state.

That’s the second twist in the story. Jerry Brown, the then-and-once-again governor of California, has latched onto the ACA concept and is using Medi-Cal (the state’s Medicaid program) to enroll low-income Californians.

Through this venue, more than 107,000 Californians are already enrolled in the program through November alone — 23 percent of the total U.S. sign-ups.

So, what does this do for us in North Carolina? What help has Gov. Pat McCrory offered Tar Heels to get signed up? Nothing.

He wants nothing to do with the Affordable Care Act and has taken the state out of participation in it. So Tar Heels are left to sort their way through the federal website to get this health coverage. So far, only 9,000 had done it through November, according to the Charlotte Business Journal.

There were those who used to think of Jerry Brown as a quirky sort of guy. One writer even nicknamed him “Governor Moonbeam.” But Jerry Brown has chosen to be a help to the people of his state. By contrast, Pat McCrory has chosen to be an obstructionist for the people of North Carolina.

Rick Bryson Bryson City

INCLUDING LUCKY NEW YEAR’S FOODS

$5995/COUPLE PARTY ONLY

OR

$9995/COUPLE INCLUDES ROOM

facebook.com/smnews

Single Rates Available Reservations Recommended

70 Soco Road • Maggie Valley Reservations: 828.926.0201

220-14

19

tasteTHEmountains

DEC. 29 • 9-3 CALL 828.587.2233 FOR A CATERING QUOTE

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

CityLightsCafe.com

220-36

220-16

ing with a spectacular view. Join us for bountiful family-style buffet dinners on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and long winter holiday weekends. Dinner is served from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in winter and includes pot roast, Virginia ham or herb-baked chicken, complemented with an assortment of seasonal vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer a fine selection of wine and beer. Lunch is served on the same days from 12 to 2 p.m.

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

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

Smoky Mountain News

December 25-31, 2013

CITY BAKERY 18 N. Main St. Waynesville 828.452.3881.

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

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

Private room available for meetings.

CITY LIGHTS CAFE Spring Street in downtown Sylva.

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

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

Outside patio seating. Free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly. Live music and lots of events. Check the web calendar at citylightscafe.com.

ARTISAN BREADS & PASTRIES

MERRY CHRISTMAS &HAPPY NEWYEAR!

CORK & CLEAVER 176 Country Club Drive, Waynesville.

828.456.7179. Reservations recommended.

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

COUNTRY VITTLES: FAMILY STYLE RESTAURANT 3589 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley.

828.926.1820 Open Daily 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., closed Tuesday. 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.

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

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

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

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

FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE 44 Church St. Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through

Saturday, Sunday lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed Mondays. Frogs Leap is a farm to table restaurant focused on local, sustainable, natural and organic products prepared in modern regional dishes.

Seasonal menu focuses on Southern comfort foods with upscale flavors. Come for the restaurant’s 4 @ 4 when you can choose a center and three sides at special prices.

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

GUADALUPE CAFÉ 606 W. Main Street, Sylva. 828.586.9877.

Open 7 days a week at 5 p.m. Located in the historic Hooper’s Drugstore, Guadalupe Café is a chef-owned and operated restaurant serving Caribbean inspired fare complimented by a quirky selection of wines and microbrews. Supporting local farmers of organic produce, livestock, hand-crafted cheese, and using sustainably harvested seafood.

HERREN HOUSE 94 East St., Waynesville 828.452.7837.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LOS AMIGOS 366 Russ Ave. in the Bi-Lo Plaza.

828.456.7870. Open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner Monday through Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy the lunch prices Monday through Sunday, also enjoy our outdoor patio.

BREAKFAST • LUNCH TAKE-OUT • EAT-IN • CATERING

Scratch-Made Fresh Daily Breads • Biscuits Bagels • Cakes • Pies Pastries • Soups Salads • Sandwiches 220-02

Fair Trade Coffee & Espresso

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

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

20

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

Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday brunch 9 a.m. to 3p.m., Full Menu 3 to 9 p.m. Serving fresh and delicious weekday morning lite fare, lunch, dinner, and brunch. Freshly prepared menu offerings range from house-made soups & salads, lite fare & tapas, crepes, specialty sandwiches and burgers. Be sure not to miss the bold flavors and creative

combinations that make up the daily Chef Supper Specials starting at 5pm every day.

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

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

220-51

220-04

Nutrition Facts

at the

Am ount per Serving

Bed & Breakfast and Restaurant

serving size : ab out 50 p ag es

Calories 0

ITALIAN

MEDITERRANEAN

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

% Daily Value * Tot al Fat 0g

0%

Reg ional New s

100%

Op inion

100%

Outd oors

100%

Art s

100%

Entert ainm ent

100%

Classified s

100%

* Percent Weekly values b ased on Hayw ood, Jackson, M acon, Sw ain and Buncom b e d iet s.

BOOGIE NIGHTS

Ring in the New Year with a murder mystery!

3 course dinner with wine

Tuesday, Dec. 31 • 7 pm $55/person + tax & gratuity

94 East St. • Waynesville 828-452-7837 www.herrenhouse.com Serving Lunch Wed-Fri 11:30-2 & Sunday Brunch 11-2

68585

SUNDAY BRUNCH

tasteTHEmountains LUCIO'S RESTAURANT 313 Highlands Road, Franklin.

828.369.6670. Serving Macon County since 1984. Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. Lunch Wednesday-Friday 11:30 a.m. until.Dinner Wednesday-Saturday 5 p.m. until. Owned and operated by Tanya and Dorothy Gamboni. Serving authentic Italian and continental cuisine including appetizers, pastas, poultry, veal, seafood, steaks and homemade deserts. Selection of wine and beer. Lunch and Dinner menus.

Wednesday and Thursday nights only. 1 appetizer and 2 selected entrées with unlimited salad and Lucio’s famous garlic rolls for $24.95. Winter Special: half-off house wines, Friday and Saturday only. luciosnc.com MAD BATTER BAKERY & CAFÉ Located on the WCU Campus in Cullowhee.

828.293.3096. Open Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Earth-friendly foods at people-friendly prices. Daily specials, wraps, salads, pastries, breads, soups and more. Unique fare, friendly service, casual atmosphere and wireless Internet. Organic ingredients, local produce, gourmet fair trade and organic coffees.

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

828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine.

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

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

828.497.4590. Open 7 a.m. daily.

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

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

indoor, outside on the patio or at the bar.

Reservations appreciated.

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

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

PATIO BISTRO 30 Church Street, Waynesville.

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

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

FRIDAY DECEMBER 27

Brad Boulet and Friends SATURDAY DECEMBER 28:

Elvis Tribute w/Chris Montieth NEW YEAR’S EVE

Live Music on the Patio Tues.-Fri. Call to see who’s playing.

Bobby Sullivan, Scott Baker and Terry Jones

Homeless Jones featuring

828.492.0618 • SidsOnMain.com

83 Asheville Hwy. Sylva Music Starts @ 9 • 631.0554

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

Serving Lunch & Dinner

220-45

We’ll feed your spirit, too.

Cataloochee Ranch

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

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

Cheers to the

New Year

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

VITO’S PIZZA 607 Highlands Rd., Franklin.

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

-Local beers now on draft-

117 Main Street, Canton NC

SOUL INFUSION TEA HOUSE & BISTRO 628 E. Main St. (between Sylva Tire & UPS). 828.586.1717. Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday noon -until.

Scrumptious, natural, fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps and desserts. 60+ teas served hot or cold, black, chai, herbal.

Seasonal and rotating draft beers, good selection of wine. Home-Grown Music Network Venue with live music most weekends. Pet friendly and kid ready.

THE WINE BAR 20 Church Street, downtown Waynesville.

828.452.6000. Underground cellar for wine and beer, served by the glass all day.

Cheese and tapas served Wednesday through Saturday 4 p.m.-9 p.m. or later. info@classicwineseller.com. Also on facebook and twitter.

Burgers to Salads Southern Favorites & Classics

New Year’s Eve Dinner & Party!!

Dine Ala Carte or take advantage of our All-Inclusive Three Course Special.

NYE Party featuring live music by Crocodile Smile.

Reservations required.

Buy One Entrée, Get One Free 828.926.4848 www.MaggieValleyClub.com

Smoky Mountain News

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

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

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

220-19

December 25-31, 2013

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

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

UPCOMING EVENTS

of equal or lesser value Expires 12/30/2013. Must purchase two beverages.

Must present coupon. Not valid on holidays or with other discounts or promotions.

220-22

21

22

A&E

Smoky Mountain News

A Santa for all occasions

BY COLBY DUNN CORRESPONDENT

This time of year, there’s a Santa around every corner. There’s the jolly Santa flying around in Coke commercials, the harassedlooking Santa on his mall throne, the grandfatherly, rosy-cheeked Santa in “Miracle on 34th Street,” but in Alane Bartnik’s workshop, the Santas of the past come to life.

Bartnik, the owner and artist behind Nonna’s Santas, handcrafts each of her Santas after a different era, complete with painstaking research into the clothes, style and most importantly, toys from that era. It’s not just their outfits and accessories that she makes by hand, but each Santa’s face is hand molded, each with his own personal expression.

It’s a business that Bartnik says she sort of fell into, but really, she’s been practicing for it artistically since childhood. The daughter of artists, Bartnik grew up around creativity, but never quite found her own artistic niche.

“Over the years I’ve tried every kind of craft imaginable and I finally fell upon the Santas and it just exploded from there,” says Bartnik, who works from her home in Franklin. While she used to buy the heads from a dollmaking supplier, she just wasn’t satisfied with the final product, so she simply started making her own.

“I can see the improvement in my work every year,” says Bartnik. “I really work hard on the expressions, as if they’re just going to almost say something to you. Last year I threw out over six faces that I wasn’t happy with.”

Because she’s intent on making sure each Santa is unique, Bartnik’s Santa hobby has turned into something of a full-time pursuit in her retirement. She says a lot of people ask her how long one Santa takes, but because each is a unique process, it’s hard to pin down. However, her best estimate is that each takes between 60 and 80 hours from start to finish.

It started around five years ago, with a fur coat she’d inherited from her mother-inlaw. She wanted to do something meaningful with the special bequest, but occasions to wear furs are somewhat hard

to come by. So it found new life as a coat for her very first Santa, and demand for her creations began to grow from there – first from her daughters and other family members, then friends and others. Now her business has grown exponentially, and thanks to the power of online commerce, her customer base has expanded, too.

“I’ve sent a couple of Santas to a lady in Alaska, I just sent two off to Texas. A lot of young girls like them, a lot of husbands will contact me and get them for their wives who are collectors,” says Bartnik, but a lot of her sales come from local buyers in the area. Bartnik produces all her dolls from her home and sells them in local shops and other local venues, like the John C. Campbell Folk Festival.

Instead of a studio, Bartnik keeps all her supplies and inspiration in a walk-in closet in her home, and to keep on selling her dolls is the only way to make more room for the collection. She stockpiles vintage fabrics, notions and buttons for potential future Santas, to make sure she gets just the right period look on every one.

“The past two years, I’ve been making all the accessories. I do a lot of research to make sure they’re accurate to the era, and you can’t buy those things,” explains Bartnik. “I think that’s what intrigues me the most is I have to figure out how to make all that stuff, things that children would normally receive as gifts in that era. I make a lot of the clothes out of vintage clothing. I’m always buying hand-me-downs and at second-hand stores because the old quality fabric, you just can’t find those anymore.”

For St. Nick’s flowing white mane, and of course his epic beard, she sources mohair from a farmer.

While she knows many other doll-makers who can juggle multiple projects, Bartnik herself likes to maintain a monofocus, working on just one Santa at a time, giving all her attention to the details from start to finish. It often starts with a single idea that then turns into hours of research and even more hours of hands-on handicrafting. But one thing you’ll never see in her collections is the classic red suit draping a belly full of jelly.

“People have asked me to do the red and white ones and I won’t because there’s no creativity involved,” says Bartnik. “I like to explore all the options, and with the research involved, I try to be as accurate as I can to the history of all the regional folklore that’s out there.”

It may require more time to give the Santas a regional character, but to Bartnik, it’s much more satisfying.

Though she’s had other creative businesses before this one — she was making and selling purses before getting into the Santa business — she doesn’t see herself moving on just yet.

“I’m lucky enough to be retired, so this is fulfilling my dream of just creating,” says Bartnik, and as the good feedback from her many customers has confirmed, a good Santa never goes out of style.

“People have asked me to do the red and white ones and I won’t because there’s no creativity involved. I like to explore all the options, and with the research involved, I try to be as accurate as I can to the history of all the regional folklore that’s out there.”

— Alane Bartnik

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

Indigo Blue Desouza.

Donated photo

SMN: At the heart of your music is simply a singer and their guitar. What do you feel when you pick up that guitar?

IBD: When I pick up my guitar, it’s like coming home. No matter how uncomfortable I am in a situation, once I have my guitar and the chance to sing for someone, I’m completely at home. I grew up with my mother, Kimberly Oberhammer, always telling me that I could be “the coolest kid at the party if I brought my guitar.” I used to think that was silly. There’s no way I could become the coolest kid there just because I have a guitar with me. Though, now I understand what she means. Music has a way of bringing people together. One person playing music can bring everyone together.

HOT PICKS 1 2 3 4 5 Indigo will perform at Tipping Point Brewing in Waynesville on Dec. 27.

SMN: What’s your songwriting process like?

IBD: In the process of writing, lyrics and

SMN: Where do you go in your head when you’re performing onstage?

IBD: When I’m performing onstage, I’m completely immersed in each song and what it means to me. I can feel a connection between myself and the audience. I can see in their faces that for a moment, they understand me. Each time I’m privileged with the opportunity to play for an audience, the feeling is golden.

SMN: What do you see as your ultimate goal in music?

IBD: My ultimate goal in music is really just to connect with people. I have this one, short life to make an impact on the world in a positive light and I won’t give up on that chance. I hope, as we all hope, that I can make a living doing what I love full-time and leave this world knowing that I left some part of me behind.

Editor’s Note: Indigo Blue Desouza will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, at Tipping Point Brewing in Waynesville. The show is free and open to the public. To find out more and listen to her music, you can search her name on YouTube or Facebook.

CONVENIENT CHEROKEE LOCATION

ZZ Top plays Harrah’s Cherokee on Dec. 31.

Brad Waldrop and Friends play O’Malley’s in Sylva on Dec. 27.

Smoky Mountain News

Smoky Mountain News: Any highlights from 2013?

Indigo Blue Desouza: I SmokeRise performs Jan. 4 at Lucky Jakes in moved to Asheville, which was Maggie Valley. a huge step for my career, and for my life in general.

Asheville’s diverse and acceptBalsam Range and John Driskell Hopkins hit ing quality is comforting. The the stage at the Colonial Theatre in Canton on Swannanoa Gathering at Jan. 4.

Warren Wilson College was the most influential and lifeSMN: What’s it like to be a 16-year-old changing experience I’ve come across so far. musician in a modern world?

This past summer was my second year IBD: It’s difficult sometimes to balance attending as a scholarship winner. I my passion and career with school obligacouldn’t be more grateful. The amount of tions. In all honesty, school feels unimpormusical intelligence that I gain from one tant to me right now, though I know that’s week of camp with older, working musinot the case. Every professional musician I’ve cians is more than I learn in a whole year. I ever spoken with has told me not to drop the also have been working on an album with importance of school and to take advantage the generous help of Josh Blake, who runs a of my youth. I won’t be a kid for long, and project called IamAVL at Echo Mountain Studios in downtown Asheville. The project for any career in life, one should be educated. Modern day music has become slightly is an aid for independent musicians like out of hand in my opinion. Don’t get me myself. I’m so very grateful for their devowrong, I’m all about belting out some tion to helping me.

December 25-31, 2013

Who in the hell is that?

Standing on the porch at Camp Hope in Bethel, I found myself in amazement of the sound echoing from the nearby pavilion. It was the inaugural Shining Rock Riverfest this past September. The voice was that of Indigo Blue Desouza.

A 16-year-old singer/songwriter from Asheville, Indigo is rapidly making a name for herself around Western North Carolina. Between her angelic voice and butterfly-like guitar picking, the teenager is a breath of fresh air with a presence that mesmerizes the senses. Peeling away the layers of her rich tone, one can see where names like Joan Baez, Regina Spektor, Joni Mitchell and Kaki King come to mind when describing her music.

Alongside her original compositions, Indigo also finds new and exciting ways to transform pop standards and Top 40 radio hits into something uniquely hers.

The Smoky Mountain News caught up with the young virtuoso as she readied herself for an upcoming performance on Dec. 27 at Tipping Point Brewing in Waynesville. She spoke of the challenges being a teenage artist, how music impacts her daily life and the importance of making a connection with the listener, onstage and off.

chords develop at the same time. When I’m writing, it’s most likely because I’m feeling an overpowering emotion, so the song starts to sound the way I feel. Mom tells me that when I was 8 years old, I asked her how to get rid of all the thoughts in my head.

Naturally, she was worried. Now, I have a way to pour my thoughts out into the open.

arts & entertainment

This must be the place

“Wrecking Ball” in the car as loud as I possibly can, but I’m not crazy about today’s music and our country’s influences. It’s almost as if the world doesn’t look for the truth in music anymore. We seem to want to hear danceable songs, songs about money, drugs, break-ups and confidence almost to the point of self-absorption. People are forgetting about that organic pain and experience that thrives in music left on the backburners. I feel like it’s important to recognize the work of the smaller artists as well as the wildly well-known ones. My goal in life is to make connections with people through music and to build myself as an individual.

West Asheville - 1186 Patton Ave. • East Asheville - 736 Tunnel Rd.

220-40

Cherokee - Across from the casino (open 24 hours) 828.554.0431

23

On the beat arts & entertainment

Balsam Range ‘Winter Concert Series’ welcomes John Driskell Hopkins

The “Winter Concert Series” hosted by Balsam Range continues Jan. 4 at the Colonial Theatre in Canton. Garret K. Woodward photo

SMOKERISE TO PLAY IN MAGGIE VALLEY

Smoky Mountain News

December 25-31, 2013

Country-rock/mountain music group SmokeRise will perform at 7 p.m. Jan. 4 at Lucky Jakes in Maggie Valley. Ghost In The Machine opens. $5. Advanced tickets can be purchased at Lucky Jakes at 2723 Soco Road or by calling 828.400.2414. Garret K. Woodward photo

Renowned bluegrass/gospel group Balsam Range’s 4th annual “Winter Concert Series” will continue with John Driskell Hopkins at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4 at the historic Colonial Theatre in Canton. Hopkins is a multi-award winner and founding member of the Zac Brown Band.

Vancouver Island Music Award winner The Sweet Lowdown perform Feb. 1; premier studio musicians Jeff Collins, David Johnson and Tony Creasman, March 1; and country and bluegrass masters Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson

and Jerry Salley, April 5. Balsam Range, winner of the 2013 IBMA Album of the Year for PAPERTOWN, will perform at each show.

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

The Balsam Range Winter Concert Series is sponsored by Amy Spivey, Waynesville Inn and Smoky Mountain Roasters. www.balsamrange.com.

Kool & The Gang, ZZ Top to play Harrah’s Funk group Kool & The Gang and rock band ZZ Top will perform at Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center.

Kool & The Gang performs at 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 29. The group has sold over 70 million albums worldwide and influenced the music of three generations.

Thanks to songs like “Celebration,” “Cherish,” and “Jungle Boogie,” they’ve earned two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and 31 gold and platinum albums. Their bulletproof funk and tough, jazzy arrangements have also made them the most sampled band of all

time. Tickets are $32, $42 and $53.

Longtime rockers ZZ Top bring 2013 to a close with a concert at 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. The group lays an undisputed claim to being the longest running major rock band with original personnel intact. In 2004, the Texas trio was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with more than 40 years of rock, blues, and boogie on the road and in the studio. Their hits include “Tush,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs” and “Cheap Sunglasses.” Tickets are $65, $75 and $100. www.harrahscherokee.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Openings for Junior Appalachian Musician classes

Jackson County Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) is an after-school program that provides young people instruction and performance opportunities in Mountain Heritage Music on traditional Appalachian instruments. The program is now accepting applications for new students. Some musical experience is required for those registering mid-year. Semester II classes will run January — May 2014.

The classes offered are based on student interest and instructor availability in autoharp, banjo, fiddle, guitar and mandolin. The program is open to all Jackson County students and is held after school on Thursdays at Cullowhee 24 Valley School. The cost this semester is $100 per student.

The Jackson County JAM program is made possible in our community thanks to generous funding from the Jackson County and NC Arts Councils, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources. The program is run through the Jackson County 4-H. 828.497.4964 or weaverdusk@gmail.com or 828.586.4009 or heather_gordon@ncsu.edu.

ALSO:

• A “New Year’s Eve Bash” will be Dec. 31 at No Name Sports Pub in Sylva.

828.586.2750 or www.nonamesportspub.com.

• The Wilhelm Brothers and NC 63 tap into Frog Level Brewing Company in Waynesville. The Wilhelm Brothers play Dec. 27, with NC 63, Dec. 28. All shows are free and begin at 6:30 p.m.

828.454.5664 or www.froglevelbrewing.com.

Texas rockers ZZ Top will play New Year’s Eve at Harrah’s Cherokee. Donated photo

• The “Winter Pickin’ in the Armory” will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, at the Canton Armory. Performance includes mountain music, vintage country, clogging and dancing. The “pickin’” is every first and third Friday of the month. www.cantonnc.com.

• The New Year’s Eve “Songwriters in the Round” will be from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 31, at the Balsam Mountain Inn. Performers include Thom Bresh, Lisa Carver, Leslie Ellis and Casey Kelly. $45. 800.224.9498 or www.balsaminn.net.

• Jay Brown and Sheila Gordon & The Downtowners will perform at The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Brown plays Dec. 27, where there will be a $10 minimum food, drink or merchandise purchase. Gordon takes the stage on Dec. 31. A four-course dinner will be available for $49.99. 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

On the wall

Kendall Rumans was the “Grand Champion” of the child/youth category of the inaugural “Gingerbread House Competition” in Franklin. Donated photo

Bookstore

PRE-INVENTORY SALE:

% 30 OFF Most In-stock Items!

Closed Dec. 26, Jan. 1st and 2nd 3 EAST JACKSON STREET • SYLVA

828/586-9499 • citylightsnc.com

CompleteLaserClinic.com JOHN HAMEL M.D.

220-03

Weight Loss • Botox Dermal Fillers • Artefill (the long lasting filler) Permanent Make-up (not available in Franklin) Hormone Replacement Therapy

FRANKLIN LOCATION NOW OPEN Last Friday of Every Month

41 Bates Crossing, Franklin N.C. Located in Legacy Gym behind the Whistle Stop Mall

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce hosted its inaugural “Gingerbread House Competition” at Franklin’s Town Hall during this year’s Winter Wonderland.

Nineteen bakers designed, baked and decorated their creation of gingerbread houses and entered them into the competition. Twelve houses were entered in the Children/Youth Division and seven in the Adult Division.

Entries were judged on a scale of 1 to 10 based on overall appearance, originality, difficulty and workmanship. The judges awarded the following entries in the child/youth division: Grand Champion—Kendall Rumans; Second Place—Abbi Hopkins and Erica Myers; Third Place—children from the Awtrey, Coker and Beller families; with honorable mention—Clint Cabe and Canaan Drake. In the adult division: Grand Champion—Laurie Beegle, Second Place—Revonda Roten; Third Place—Mickey McIver and Susan McGrath; with honorable mention—Lisa Marling and Sarah Dills.

The public favorites were Awtrey, Coker and Beller Families in the child/youth division and Laurie Beegle in the adult division.

Mention this ad for $40 off your first visit* Coupon not valid on Products

BRYSON CITY, ASHEVILLE, FRANKLIN

877-252- 5273 220-32

December 25-31, 2013

The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority has officially revived the Haywood County Film Commission.

Becky Seymour, video marketing manager of the Haywood TDA, is committed to draw more TV and film production to Haywood County. The TDA is currently working with Advantage West in Asheville and supplying information on Haywood County when presented with location requests for film and television.

Since 2010, the NC Film Tax Incentive has fueled three strong years for film and television production in the state. In 2013 North Carolina as a whole had 5,700 production days, $254 million in spending and 25,000 job opportunities from film and television production.

Production companies commonly request information on location, support services and crew. Many locations can be considered as long as the property/business owners are willing to accommodate the crew and their needs, Seymour said.

Support services needed by production crews would be local caterers, environmental services, accounting and hair and makeup experts.

The directory forms and categories are provided at www.haywoodcountytourismdevelopment.com/haywood-county-film-commission - under the “Haywood County Film Commission” tab.

Submit the completed form by email to becky@visitncsmokies.com or by fax at 828.452.0153.

Winners announced for inaugural ‘Gingerbread House Competition’

On the street GSMR plans New Year’s Eve Gala The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is ringing in the New Year at 7:45 p.m. Dec. 31 in Bryson City. The train leaves the Bryson City depot at 9 p.m. and returns after midnight.

The evening includes live music, dancing and dining. Musical duo Alias Smith & Jones will be the featured entertainment. Dinner will include a three-course buffet style meal and party favors onboard a vintage dining car at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.

The night begins with a reception at the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum with a special selection of beer, wine and mixed drinks. Enjoy an array of hors d’oeuvres including tiger shrimp with cocktail sauce, button mushrooms stuffed with shrimp and crab parmesan filling, steak and roasted pepper skewers and fruit covered in rich chocolate.

Adults 21 and over only. Dinner train tickets are $135 per person (gratuity not included). Advanced reservations and 72-hour cancellation notice are required. Call for dress code information.

800.872.4681 or www.gsmr.com.

ALSO:

• A New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration will be at 8 p.m. Dec. 31, at the Acquoni Expo Center in Cherokee. Free. 800.438.1601.

We’ve Moved! 142 N. Main St. OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! MONDAY-SATURDAY 10-7 • SUNDAYS 1-5

Mostly Local, Always Sustainable Locally-sourced Produce, Meats, Cheeses, Bread, Dairy, Grits, Cookies, Honey, Pickles, Olive Oil, Chicken Pot Pies, Beer & Wine, & much more!

SUNBURST TROUT’S FULL PRODUCT LINE Natural, organic laundry detergents, household cleaners & candles Botanical skin care, lotions, soaps & salves New product sampling & wine & beer tastings happening regularly

Smoky Mountain News

Enjoy dinner and drinks aboard a vintage dining car during the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad’s New Year celebration. File photo

arts & entertainment

Film and TV at the Haywood County Tourism Office

220-35

828.452.3848 www.sunburstmarket.com www.facebook.com/sunburstmarket

25

arts & entertainment

.

EAT FRESH. SHOP HERE

mountainwise.org

Mountain momma

The

HARVEST

BY B ECKY JOHNSON

Continues. find what you need to stay healthy and live wisely at one of your

mountainmarkets.

Resolve to visit Santa’s Land amusement park in 2014.

Becky Johnson photo

MOUNTAINwise.org

Smoky Mountain News

December 25-31, 2013

Made possible with funding from the North Carolina Community Transformation Grant Project and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A million miles away is just down the road.

Supposedly just 8 percent of Americans who make a New Year’s resolution keep it.

The obvious reason is human beings just aren’t very good at self improvement. But some resolutions are doomed from the start.

It’s all in how you craft them. Instead of saying you’ll lose weight, pledge to exercise three times a week and cut out junk food. Go for the concrete rather than the vague.

A popular resolution for parents given today’s stressful world is carving out quality family time. But make it something tangible, like having game night once a week, establishing a cell phone free dinnertime policy or reading two books instead of one at bedtime.

Another trap is setting resolutions that you have no control over. A resolution to end bedtime battles would go down in flames at my house within a week.

Kids are eternal optimists, and that makes them great candidates for New Year’s resolutions. Help them write out their resolution, draw a picture or poster to go with it and hang it somewhere they can see it.

For a younger child though, a New Year’s resolution is a tricky concept. The vain attempt to explain it to my 3-year-old was apparently lost in translation. His resolution is to go to Santa’s Land amusement park — a repeat of his yet-to-be fulfilled birthday wish when blowing out the candles on his cake a couple of months ago.

My New Year’s resolution is the same as Americans everywhere: to be more active.

And not just getting to the gym more, although that certainly tops the list. But going on family walks and bike rides, playing ball and Frisbee in the backyard more

often and taking more hikes.

There’s a couple of New Year’s Day family activities to help me get started on the right foot, literally.

Kick up yours heels as a family at the “Run in 2014,” an annual New Year’s Day 5K run/walk and half-mile fun run starting from the Jackson County Recreation Center in Cullowhee. All fun-run participants under the age of 12 get a medal for participating. The 5K starts at 11 a.m. and the fun run is at 11:45 a.m. 828.293.3053 or www.imathlete.com (put “Run in 2014” in the search bar.)

Gorges State Park is hosting a two-mile guided hike on New Year’s Day. It is part of the “First Day Hikes” initiative held in every state park all across North Carolina on New Year’s Day. The two-mile roundtrip hike in Gorges State Park will go from the Upper Bearwallow picnic area to an overlook with awesome views.

Gorges is located on the JacksonTransylvania County Line off N.C. 281. From Sylva, take N.C. 107 south, then head left on N.C. 281 south, and you’ll eventually come to the park entrance on Grassy Ridge Road.

828.966.9099.

KID’S NEW YEAR’S PARTY For a fun twist on a New Year’s Eve celebration — one your kids can actually stay awake for — head to the Rockin’ and Readin’ New Year’s Eve Luau at the Macon County library in Franklin. The party starts at 11 a.m. on Dec. 31, with a “countdown” to the New Year at high noon. Wear Hawaiian style attire!

visitnc.com

facebook.com/smnews 26

Books

Smoky Mountain News

27

Koch novel a hearty serving of words, plot B

Gary Carden

ack in 1981, a provocative film called “My Dinner With Andre” created quite a stir by reducing drama to the bare essentials. For more than two hours (an earlier version was three hours in length), two intelligent, gifted, but very different men (Andre Gregory and Wallace Shawn) talked to each other. There were no exotic treks to other locations, no thunderous music scores, no speeding cars. The Writer entire film consisted of conversation. The two men ate, drank and exchanged tales about their lives. For whatever reason, “My Dinner With Andre” won numerous awards and caught the world’s attention. It also spawned an amazing number of parodies and clones. My favorite was poster of a grinning bear exclaiming “My Dinner Was Andre.”

Although there are similarities between Herman Koch’s The Dinner and Louis Malle’s film, they are arguably superficial. The cast consists of two brothers and their wives who are dining out at a prestigious (and pretentious) restaurant. The mood seems to be genial and friendly; however the reader is immediately aware that there is something sinister about this meal, which progresses from the “aperitif ” to the desert, and like the menu, the conversation passes from “light and witty” to “provocative and nasty” to “vicious” and finally “terrifying.” The meal reflects the dramatic action and the “main course” contains surprises and revelations.

Tuck in your napkins and let’s begin.

The Dinner begins with two couples meeting at an unidentified restaurant (“unidentified” because the narrator tells us that if he reveals the name, the public will flock to the location in the hope of seeing his “celebrity” brother.”) The narrator, Paul Lohman and his wife, Claire, arrive first. We quickly become aware that there is a bit of friction between Paul and his famous brother, Serge, who tends to make decisions without consulting either

his wife, Babette, or Paul. Serge has selected this posh restaurant instead of another less pretentious place which is nearby.

By the time Serge and Babette arrive and the waiter has served the aperitif, it would appear that this is a customary outing and the four diners will spend the evening discussing their children and Serge’s political ambitions.

Ah, but something is wrong. The observant Paul notes that Babette’s red eyes indicate that she has been crying. Has his famous brother

to provide details about their lives, we learn that each couple has 15-year-old son. However Serge and Babette have also adopted an African boy named Beau. Paul’s cynical comments suggest that he suspects that his brother is striving to acquire a political/ cosmopolitan image by acquiring an African son. Also, there is a growing suspicion that there are “problems” with Beau.

It is not surprising to learn that the “natural” sons are also in trouble. Michel, Paul and Claire’s son, is withdrawn and secretive. In addition, he has recently written a theme for his history class concerning the problems of an over-populated world that has caused some alarm. Essentially, Michel concludes that there are too many people and we need some kind of effective means of getting rid of the access. We learn that Paul has been called to the school to discuss Michel’s theme and the consequences were unfortunate. The school principal has been hospitalized.

At some point, the readers of The Dinner begin to suspect that Paul, the narrator, is not what he appears to be.

Gradually, surprising details of his character emerge. Paul has a violent temper, a condition that he controls with medication. It seems that Michel also has a violent temper and a “propinquity for violence and rage.” Eventually, Paul makes a candid confession. The basic ideas in his son’s theme came from Paul.

During the main course, we learn that Paul is a teacher ... or to be more accurate, he is a teacher “on leave.” Paul is suffering from “burnout” a distinction that he rejects. Paul admits that his lectures had became so disturbing and The Dinner by Herman Koch. Random House, 2013. provocative, the school system had been 310 pages. forced to put him “on leave.” He is also advised to seek “psychological and his wife had a disagreement? Is Paul just help.” Paul accepts this advice and the family an irritating snoop, or are we experiencing a is fully aware of his condition. They are also prelude to what will become ... not merely a aware that he frequently stops taking his medthriller ... but a terrifying revelation about ication. In other words, Paul is a “loaded pishuman nature? tol,” and any unexpected provocation might As the meal progresses and Paul continues set him off.

The author of The Dinner has one significant advantage over the creators of “My Dinner With Andre,” and that is the use of the modern ubiquitous cell phone/smartphone. All of the characters have one. In fact, some of the most stunning revelations in this thriller are cell-phone messages. It is a cell phone message left on his son’s phone that leads Paul to the discovery that his son (and Rick, Serge and Babette’s son) have been involved in “a shocking crime” that is currently explored by the media: the murder of a homeless woman who had been “set on fire” in an ATM cubicle. It is a cell phone message that alerts him to the fact that Serge and Babette’s adopted son, Beau, is black-mailing Michel and Rick. As The Dinner approaches the “dessert and coffee” stage, Paul begins to weave together all of the disparate parts of this tale with messages left on answering machines and cell phones. We learn that there have been “other crimes” against the homeless.

At the present time, The Dinner is a popular selection for book discussion groups. In fact, the novel concludes with “A Reader’s Guide” which address some of the issues. I find it worth noting that Paul makes frequent allusions to his favorite films which include “Deliverance” and “Straw dogs,” both of which address the question, “What would you do if someone threatened to destroy your most treasured possession? If the fate or lives of your children were in jeopardy, would you hesitate to break the law? Then, there is the “nature or nurture” issues of raising children.

The Dinner is a Dutch novel, but that has no significance in discussing the novel’s issues. Serge’s ambitions to become prime minister easily translates to an American desire to be a representative or county commissioner. Communication devices assist or undermine our need to share information both in Asheville or the Netherlands. It is heartening to discover that humanity’s primary values are the same everywhere, including Michel’s confession that he likes having a dangerous man for a father ... one who would hospitalize the high school principal, if necessary.

SCC instructors help with historic printing Silenced more than 175 years ago, the newspaper office at Georgia’s New Echota Historic Site came to life last month thanks to the efforts of two Southwestern Community College instructors.

Heritage Arts department chair Jeff Marley, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, teamed with printmaking instructor Frank Brannon to print roughly 60 copies of a poem written by Marley and translated into Cherokee syllabary by Tom Belt – a native speaker of the language. Belt is also a language instructor in the Cherokee Studies Program at WCU. Officially recognized as the starting point for the tragic “Trail of Tears” in 1838, New Echota was briefly home to the Cherokee National Legislature as well as the newspaper office. Syllabary type had not been used there since the Georgia Guard seized the original press in 1835.

The poem Marley wrote for the occasion is entitled, “New Echota” and describes the enduring legacy of the Cherokee language. “The act of printing at New Echota was very much like a ceremony or a ritual,” Marley said. “So being able to do that over and over again was in a way like repetitively saying that poem to honor those people.” www.southwesterncc.edu or j_marley@southwesterncc.edu or 828.366.2005.

28

Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

Here a cluck, there a cluck Backyard chickens make inroads with trendy urbanites JACOB FLANNICK SMN CORRESPONDENT onathan and Abby Landry don’t limit the spirit of giving to the holiday season. For this couple, giving is a way of life. And their gift of choice is eggs.

They share them with friends, neighbors and colleagues, rarely leaving home without a few eggs on the back seat to bestow on whoever they might run into that day. Their philanthropy in the egg department doesn’t go unnoticed.

“We usually just do it for the favors … in return for things like cookies,” Jonathan said jokingly on a recent afternoon outside his house in Canton.

The Landrys took up the hobby of raising backyard chickens somewhat on a whim. The picked up a handful of chicks for no more than a few dollars at a landscaping supply company about a year ago.

Now, they are among an increasing number of homeowners across the region with backyard chickens, a burgeoning trend playing out against the backdrop of the local food movement. In response to the growing interest, experts on backyard chickens have been busy teaching classes and programs with names like “Backyard Chickens 101.”

“The interest is there,” said Randy Collins,

J

the director of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Office in Graham County, who regularly fields phone calls from novices about raising chickens. “They want to know how to do it for themselves.”

A how-to course in backyard chickens is now a recurring topic in the cooperative extension’s class lineup.

In Macon County, a local poultry club that meets monthly at the cooperative extension office has seen a huge growth — now numbering about 70 members since it was started by a small group about two years ago.

“Everybody’s wanting to have their own box of chickens,” said Jonathan Tallent, vice president of the Macon County Poultry Club.

Topics at the monthly meetings range from maintaining egg production to preventing the spread of disease.

Tallent attributes the backyard trend largely to financial reasons — the allure of almost unlimited free eggs.

But Tallent also said he has long noticed a shift among people, including younger generations, toward a more farm-to-table lifestyle.

“You know everything about the chicken,” said Tallent, who tends to a flock of about 10 at his house near Franklin. “You know where your eggs are coming from, you see what they eat.”

Backyard chickens don’t take a big time

commitment — depending on the scope of the operation — with upkeep being relatively minimal. Backyard chickens are allowed pretty much everywhere, including inside town limits, though some towns do have laws dealing with the noise levels or requiring that chickens are confined in some way.

Collins said some of the most common questions are how much care to the chickens need, how do you incubate the eggs, how do you clean and sanitize coops, and how do you keep them warm during winter months.

chickens surfaced amid an interest in agriculture.

“It started with, ‘Where does our food come from?’” said Jonathan, who also maintains with his wife a small garden in their backyard.

The couple, in their late 20s and early 30s, housed their first small flock of chickens under heating lamps in their garage as Jonathan, a construction contractor, built them a small coop out of some $200 worth of lumber. Its design is based on a rendering he found on a website.

They have grown knowledgeable, perhaps even somewhat meticulous, about tending to their flock, researching the differences between breeds and health effects of varying kinds of feed. Jonathan is now on the expert speaker circuit, and has given a few talks and demos for other novices.

One challenge is a way to “keep the neigh-

“You know everything about the chicken. You know where your eggs are coming from, you see what they eat.”

— Jonathan Tallent, Macon County Poultry Club

Some aspects, like what is known as molting, in which hens shed their feathers as they begin a kind of slumber during fall and early winter months, can come as a surprise.

“It scares them,” Collins said of those who are unfamiliar with the cycle, when egg production generally is lower than that of spring and summer months. “The bird doesn’t look normal.”

For the Landrys, the thought of raising

Jonathan Landry (pictured) and his wife Abby (background) of Canton are raising chickens in their backyard as a way to not only get fresh eggs, but also champion the idea of self-sufficiency — a notion growing in the local, organic food movement of Western North Carolina. Jacob Flannick photos

bors at bay,” Jonathan said, nodding at a couple of dogs in a neighboring yard, their attention rarely straying from the chickens that wandered occasionally wandered out of the coop.

Beyond all that, the constant supply of eggs is seen as one less thing to remember to buy at the grocery.

And, of course, “when you crack them open,” Jonathan said of the eggs, “it’s just bright gold.”

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

A white Christmas

souls could use the talons to climb into heaven.

Snowys are the heaviest owl in North America, weighing about four pounds. They stand about two feet tall and have a wingspan between four and five feet. They are nimble fliers and sometimes catch birds on the wing. Snowy owls are tundra nesters from the northern-most reaches of Alaska to Canada and Eurasia. They normally winter in Canada, northern most U.S., Europe and Asia. They are well-suited for their arctic habitat. Their feathers contain no pigment, leaving more room for air that helps to insulate against the cold. Their legs and

Snowy owl. Bert de Tilly photo

Smoky Mountain News

toes are heavily feathered for warmth.

This year’s irruption is large, both in numbers of owls and southerly range.

Nearly 700 snowy owls have been reported so far during this year’s irruption. As we mentioned in the earlier article snowys have been found in Bermuda this year and just recently Arkansas. The majority, if not all of these southerly wanderers, are immatures.

These birds are not yet accomplished hunters and have traveled incredible distances. They are most likely stressed and very hungry, even starving.

Reading posts regarding sightings across the country, one sees blurbs, like — there was a lot of traffic but the bird didn’t seem to mind, or the owl seemed oblivious to all the people. More than likely, the owl was too stressed or too weak to flee. Please give these birds as much space and quite as you can. They will have a tough enough time of it and many, perhaps most, won’t make it back to their breeding grounds. The most we can do is give them a fighting chance.

(Don Hendershot is a writer and naturalist.

He can be reached a ddihen1@bellsouth.net.)

December 25-31, 2013

We touched on this winter’s irruption of snowy owls a couple of weeks ago, but these birds continue to pop up, not only in the Carolinas but across the South and into the mid-section of the country. I recently heard of one sighting in northeastern Oklahoma and one in Arkansas, near Little Rock. The count in North Carolina is around 15. The latest I have heard of was seen in Washington, N.C. It’s easy to get birders’ hearts pumping by mentioning irruption. An irruption (in the avian world) is an irregular movement or migration of large numbers of birds that normally winter across the northern tier of states and/or Canada into areas farther south where they are not typically found. Winter finches like evening grosbeak, purple finch, pine grosbeak, common redpoll, pine siskin, red crossbill and white-winged crossbill are some of the more common irrupters. Others include bohemian waxwing, red-breasted nuthatch, great gray owl and, in case you haven’t heard, snowy owl.

As I said birders are keen on irruptions — something out of the ordinary, maybe the chance for a lifer or at least a really good tic on your state list or just simply the chance to see something different. I remember the late 1990s, around 1996 through 1998 when we had evening grosbeaks almost every winter. I thoroughly enjoy watching and feeding (and feeding) these colorful boreal visitors.

But snowy owls are different. These majestic, silent, white sojourners from the cold arctic can glide deep into the soul and psyche of almost anyone who encounters one — and it has always been so even before Hedwig. Drawings of two snowy owls with chicks on the wall of a cave in Ariege, France, that date back to the Paleolithic Era are some of the earliest recognizable bird drawings in the world. In Romania people believed that repentant sinners would take the shape of snowy owls as they ascended into heaven. Russian hunters carried snowy owl talons with them so that if they met with misfortune their

outdoors

The Naturalist’s Corner

Fitness Center to run New Year’s special Get your New Year’s resolution to get fit off to a good start with a discount being offered by the Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center.

The annual Holiday Wellness Special will through Jan. 10. New members can get their initiation fee waived. 828.452.8080 or www.medwesthealth.org.

29

outdoors December 25-31, 2013

WCU earns eco kudos for new building

Water quality volunteers needed Haywood Waterways is looking for volunteers to take water quality samples from area creeks and streams and send the samples to a water quality lab.

The monitoring and analyses of water samples provides a baseline of water quality and helps determine the health of waterways, identify those that may be at risk and help prioritize the work of environmental conservation projects.

Volunteers are needed in the Crabtree area and Jonathan Creek, just outside Maggie Valley. Volunteers are required to sample their locations once a month every second Saturday.

Haywood Waterways provides bottles and delivery to the testing lab in Asheville. The time required for this task, depending on where a volunteer lives, can be as little as one hour of time. Since 1996 this program has been responsible for monitoring up to 27 streams in Haywood County. Haywood Waterways uses this information to locate areas where its work can improve water quality. Once a stream has been identified as having a problem Haywood Waterways can write grants to obtain funding that will support projects to correct the problem(s). haywoodwaterways.org/monitoring, ddudek@haywoodnc.net or 828.926.1308.

through strategic positioning. Other green design elements range from using regional products to incorporating water conservation measures.”

The building was designed by architects with the firm of PBC+L (now Clark Nexsen.)

WCU is currently seeking gold LEED certification for its Harrill Residence Hall after

Bryson Farm Supply & Natural Food Market

completing a $15.5 million renovation project that included features such as a geothermal heating and air-conditioning system.

Also, the building’s exterior wall insulation and canopies control sunlight entering the building. A display panel in the lobby shares information about the building’s features as well as current energy use.

28.

20 $ 50 50% 11.

OFF

50 lb. Bag Whole Kernel Corn

certified by World Taekwondo Federation.

“We have been together as a group for over five years now and we are much more than Taekwondo, we are more like a Taekwondo Family, and that’s our theme,” Hale said. “I feel a sense of belonging and happiness here, and this is what is conveyed to our kids and adults. By getting the most out of my students, they develop confidence, and that lasts a lifetime.”

Classes are available for adults and children. Family packages are also available.

627.3949 or www.bluedragontkd.net.

50 lb. Bag Black Oil Sunflower Seed

$ %

95

Remaining .

Garden Chemicals

OFF

.

Outdoor recreation program for home school kids GRILLS MAKE GREAT GIFTS! Sale items exclude all Green Egg supplies and grills

Feed for all your animals and a full line of holistic dog and cat food!

1552 E. MAIN STREET | SYLVA 828-586-6969 | www.brysonfarmsupply.com 30

The 160,000-square-foot Health and Human Sciences Building at Western Carolina University is designed to complement the contours of the site and is essentially nested into a mountainside. WCU photo

220-21

Hardware & Dog Supplies

Smoky Mountain News

Western Carolina University’s new Health and Human Sciences Building has received gold LEED-certification for its comprehensive energy-efficient and environmentally friendly features.

“Our unique location and educational mission makes our campus a great living laboratory for engaging our students, faculty and staff in regards to sustainability,” said Lauren Bishop, chief sustainability officer at WCU. “If we can build a green building that helps to connect us with the outdoors, is energy efficient and provides comfortable spaces for educating our community, then we are making the right choice for creating a sustainable and resilient campus.”

The U.S. Green Building Council recently awarded the four-story, 160,000 square-foot building its gold LEED status — which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

The building was assessed in five categories — sustainable site, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation in design.

The building includes features like reflective surfaces on the roof and a rooftop garden to keep heat absorption at bay. The orientation of windows and sun screens maximize natural daylight to reduce energy needs for lighting, while at the same time reduce the need for heating and air conditioning

New Taekwondo school opens in Haywood A new taekwondo school had opened in Clyde offering classes for preschoolers through adults.

The SafeKids USA/Blue Dragon Taekwondo School offers high quality, basic self-defense training through the use of Takewondo, the ancient Korean fighting art.

The owner, Marshall Hale, is a 4th Degree Black Belt self-defense instructor

Home school parents in Haywood County are invited to an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, at the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department to learn about its new Base Camp Waynesville, a physical education program in the works.

Base Camp Waynesville will be held Thursdays and will include hiking, kayaking, overnight camping and other outdoor recreation adventures. Many of these programs are free to Waynesville Recreation Center members. For more information, call Tim Petrea at 828.456.2030 or recprogramspecialist@townofwaynesville.org.

outdoors

This Holiday Season Sponsored By:

In Partnership with:

Cataloochee Ski Area photo

After-school skiing and tubing at Cataloochee

Learn to ski or snowboard

Kids can hitch a ride to and from Cataloochee Ski Area after school with the Waynesville Recreation Center.

The Waynesville reek center will transport students to Cataloochee for skiing or snowboarding every Tuesday during January and February, and to Tony’s Tube World every Thursday.

The van leaves from the rec center at 4 p.m. and returns by 8:15 p.m.

828.456.2030. or recprogramspecialist@townofwaynesville.org.

A five-week program for beginning skiers and snowboarders ages 8 and up is being offered by the Jackson County Recreation Department in conjunction with Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley.

The program is held on five Sundays during January and February. The package includes a lesson each time, equipment and a half-day lift ticket for $170. Rate is cheaper for those with their own equipment or season passes.

Held on Jan. 12 and 26; and Feb. 2, 9 and 23. 828.293.3053.

A two-mile round-trip guided hike in Gorges State Park will be held on New Year’s Day in conjunction with the First Day Hikes initiative, where every state park and recreation area offer opportunities to exercise and reconnect with nature.

The hike in Gorges State Park, located on the Jackson-Transylvania county line, will begin at the Upper Bearwallow picnic area and travel to an overlook with views of the gorge and Lake Jocasee.

“As the holiday season draws to a close, First Day Hikes are an excellent way to relax, lose the stress and connect with the outdoors and the rich natural resources that distinguish North Carolina,” said Brad Ives, assistant secretary for Natural Resources at the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

There are more than 40 scheduled hikes statewide ranging from short “leg-stretchers” to fourmile treks, many of them offering interpretive programs along the way.

Meet at the trail head in Gorges at 9 a.m. From Sylva, take N.C. 107 south, then turn left on N.C. 281 south and you’ll eventually come to the park entrance on the right at Grassy Ridge Road.

828.966.9099. No reservations or fees.

Christmas is a time to recycle many things: bows, wrapping paper, gifts . . . and cooking oil.

The Haywood County Solid Waste Department accepts used cooking oil at all 10 convenience centers around the county and at the Materials Recovery Facility in Clyde. Used cooking oil is collected and sold to Blue Ridge Biofuels, which produces and distributes biodiesel fuel.

In fiscal year 2012-2013, Haywood County collected 1,068 gallons of used cooking oil, up from 900 gallons during the previous fiscal year.

Solid Waste Director Stephen King said

that recycling cooking oil helps extend the life of sewer systems and landfills. To recycle used cooking oil, pour it into a clean plastic container with a lid, such as an empty cooking oil bottle or milk jug. King said the best containers to use are ones with a handle and a tight-fitting lid, such as a clean, empty cat litter bucket.

The cooking oil container should be kept separate from other recyclables and handed to an attendant at the convenience centers. For optimal use in converting to diesel fuel, King recommends that citizens bring in their used cooking oil frequently instead of letting it collect for a long time.

“For health and safety reasons, it’s better to bring in used cooking oil about once a month,” King said.

828.627.8042 or www.haywoodnc.net.

5HTL!____________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________ City _________________________State_______Zip______________ /VTL 7OVUL! ____________________________ ,THPS! ___________________________________ 0U 4LTVY` /VUVY VM! ______________________

>L»SS 4H[JO @V\Y +VUH[PVU \W [V H [V[HS VM ARDEN /LUKLYZVU]PSSL 9VHK (YKLU 5* CANTON (JHKLT` :[YLL[ *HU[VU 5*

.PM[ (TV\U[

Smoky Mountain News

Convert your used cooking oil into biofuel

Please consider a gift [VKH`

December 25-31, 2013

New Year’s Day hike held in Gorges State Park

+\YPUN [OL *OYPZ[THZ ZLHZVU ^L YLTLTILY V\Y MYPLUKZ HUK ULPNOIVYZ ^OV HYL MHJPUN JVSKLY ^LH[OLY HUK JHUUV[ HɈVYK OLH[PUN MVY [OLPY OVTLZ 3HZ[ `LHY 4V\U[HPU 7YVQLJ[Z OLSWLK V]LY OV\ZLOVSKZ ^P[O OLH[PUN HZZPZ[HUJL 6WLYH[PUN ^P[O SLZZ [OHU OHSM VM [OL I\KNL[ MYVT SHZ[ `LHY [OL` L_WLJ[ [OH[ ZHTL U\TILY PM UV[ TVYL *OHTWPVU *YLKP[ <UPVU PZ [HRPUN H Z[HUK HUK JOHSSLUNPUN V[OLYZ [V OLSW -VY L]LY` KVSSHY KVUH[LK [V [OL :OHYL [OL >HYT[O WYVQLJ[ *OHTWPVU *YLKP[ <UPVU ^PSS TH[JO [OH[ KVUH[PVU \W [V ;VNL[OLY ^L JHU :OHYL [OL >HYT[O ^P[O YLZPKLU[Z VM /H`^VVK *V\U[` Complete the contact information and KYVW VɈ THPS PU [V HU` *OHTWPVU *YLKP[ <UPVU VɉJL [V THRL `V\Y KVUH[PVU

WAYNESVILLE >HSU\[ :[YLL[ >H`ULZ]PSSL 5*

31

32

WNC Calendar

Smoky Mountain News

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS • Smoky Mountain Model Railroaders work session, 7 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday and public viewing session from 2 to 4 p.m. the second Sunday of the month at 130 Frazier St., in the Industrial Park near Bearwaters Brewery, Waynesville. The group runs Lionel-type 3rail O gauge trains. http://smokymountainmodelrailroaders .wordpress.com.

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted. #3, Clyde; Route #14, Hyatt/Plott Creek; and Fridays – Route #10, Bethel. Also need substitute drivers on several routes throughout the county. Jeanne Naber, program coordinator, 356.2442, jnaber@haywoodnc.net.

• P.A.W.S. Adoption Days first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the front lawn at Charleston Station, Bryson City.

• Community Care Clinic of Franklin needs volunteers for a variety of tasks including nursing/clinical, clerical and administrative and communications and marketing. The clinic will provide volunteer orientation and training for all individuals. 349.2085.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION

• Catman2 Shelter needs volunteers for morning feeding and general shelter chores, especially from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. 293.0892 or hsims@catman2.org.

• Retirement party for Marty Stamey, 4 to 6 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 9, Senior Resource Center, 81 Elmwood Way, Waynesville.

• Drop in retirement reception for Ron Fisher, M.D., palliative care pioneer, at 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, Mountain Trace Nursing Center.

• Nominations are being accepted for The Duke Power Citizenship and Service Award, Citizen of the Year and Club/Organization of the Year. Deliver nomination letters to the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, 425 Porter St. or email to LindaH@Franklin-Chamber.com. Nomination deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan.14. Awards will be presented at the annual Awards Banquet and Chamber Annual Meeting at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, at Tartan Hall., First Presbyterian Church in Franklin. $25.

Seating limited and advanced tickets are required.

• Jackson County is looking for volunteers to provide free basic tax forms preparation and counseling for individuals. No previous tax preparation experience is required. You will be trained and certified by local mentors using IRS and AARP Foundation training materials and guidelines. Donald Selzer, 293.0074.

• Business plan competition through spring 2014, offered by Macon County Certified Entrepreneurial Community (CEC) Leadership Team. Grand prize is $5,000. www.maconedc.com, SCC’s Small Business Center, 339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

• The Volunteer Water Inventory Network (VWIN) is looking for people to work one to two hours every second weekend of the month at Hyatt Creek, Raccoon Creek and Jonathan Creek. Supplies provided. Volunteers pick up empty bottles, collect water samples, and return full bottles. 926.1308 or haywoodwaterways.org. Early evenings are the best time to call.

• Agencies throughout Haywood County seek volunteers for many different jobs, including helping with Haywood Christian Ministries, REACH hotline and thrift shop, the Elk Bugle Corps for the National Park and many more.

356.2833.

• The Bascom in Highlands seeks volunteers to help at arts center. Volunteer opportunities include office, gallery docent, benefit events, hospitality, flowers, installation, studio, library, landscaping, parking, recycling and building. 526.4949, mshambaugh@thebascom.org or www.thebascom.org/volunteer.

• Haywood Volunteer Center needs respite work, domestic violence hotline volunteers, meal delivery drivers, mediators, craft instruction, house building, foster grandparenting and office work. 356.2833

BLOOD DRIVES

• Substance abuse treatment certificate, one semester, Southwestern Community College. Registration deadline, Jan. 6; classes start Jan. 7. Sarah Altman, saltman@southwesterncc.edu. 339.4319.

Jackson

• Nursing Assistant I class, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays, starting Jan.17, 565.4145 or email sfischer@haywood.edu.

Haywood

• Business plan competition for entrepreneurs in Dillsboro, through spring 2014. Winner will receive a $5,000 grand prize. Finalists will be announced during the week of March 31, winners the week of April 7.

Tiffany Henry, 339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu or Tommy Dennison, 227.3459.

VOLUNTEERING • Angel Medical Center Auxiliary’s Thrift Shop needs volunteers for six-hour shifts. The Thrift Shop is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Jennifer Hollifield, director of volunteer services, 349.6688.

• The Haywood Jackson Volunteer Center has many new openings for volunteers throughout the region. Call John at 356.2833.

• The Haywood County Meals on Wheels program is in need of volunteer drivers to deliver meals to Haywood County residents who cannot fix meals for themselves.

Drivers are needed in the following areas: Mondays or Thursdays – Route #9, Beaverdam, Wednesdays – Route

• MedWest Harris Sylva Blood Drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 9, 68 Hospital Drive, Sylva. www.redcrossblood.org, keyword: Harris, or call 800.RedCross.

• Waynesville Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Blood Drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, 68 Foxwood Drive, Waynesville. 800.733.2767.

• New Zumba Toning class, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.

Thursdays, Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department. Free to members of the Waynesville Recreation Center or daily admission for non-members.

456.2030 or recprograms@townofwaynesville.org.

• Learn to Ski/Snowboard class, Jan. 12 and 26 and Feb. 2, 9 and 23. Ages 8 years old and older. Cost is $170 for lift, rental and lesson; $135 for lift and lesson, or $85 for a season pass holder with own equipment.

456.2030 or email recathletics@townofwaynesville.org.

• Learn to Ski/Snowboard class, Jan 12 and 26 and Feb. 2, 9 and 23. Ages 8 and older. $170 lift, rental, lesson; $135 for lift, lesson; $85 for a season pass holder with own equipment. Ages 8 and older. Jackson County Recreation Department, 293.3053.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES • Cooking with Linda Arnold, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, Senior Resource Center, 81 Elmwood Way, Waynesville.

Sign up at 452.2370.

KIDS & FAMILIES • Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department Winter Day Camp, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 26, 27, 30 and 31, Waynesville Recreation Center, for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade. Geocaching, snow tubing, field trips, swimming, movies and more. Price varies.

Space limited. Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department, 456.2030, recprogramspecialist@townofwaynesville.org.

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

• Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department open house for home school parents for the new Base Camp Waynesville, 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, Waynesville Recreation Center. Tim Petrea, 456.2030 or email recprogramspecialist@townofwaynesville.org.

• SafeKids USA/ Blue Dragon Taekwondo (TKD) School is now open in Clyde. 627.3949 or sabumnimhale@bluedragontkd.net.

• Cool Kids Do Science Club, 5:30 p.m. second Thursday of the month, Canton Branch Library. Elementary- and middle-school-aged kids are invited to perform fun and educational science experiments. 648.2924.

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 times each month. NC Cooperative Extension Office, 586.4009. This month’s meetings include: • 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7 – Memo Board, Kountry Krafters ECA, Tuckasegee Wesleyan Church, Tuckasegee.

• 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9 – Working on Unfinished Projects, Potpourri ECA. Conference Room of Community Service Center, Sylva.

• Noon Thursday, Jan. 9 – Computer Pinterest, Lunch and Learn ECA, Conference Room of Community Service Center, Sylva.

• 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20 – Sew Easy Girls ECA, Conference Room of Community Service Center, Sylva.

• 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 – Soup and Book Exchange, Cane Creek ECA. For location information, call the Extension Office at 586.4009.

A&E FESTIVALS, SPECIAL & SEASONAL EVENTS • Reduced prices on Christmas books for adults and children through December at The Friends of the Library Used Book Store in Sylva. Proceeds support the Jackson County Public Library.

• Polar Express, through Dec. 29, the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad train depot in Bryson City.

800.872.4681 or www.gsmr.com.

• Western Carolina University will host events including panel discussions this spring on social and cultural issues of the 1960s and is searching for community members to take part by sharing their experiences during that time on topics such as voting rights, abortion and the environment and energy. Contact Amy Cherry, assistant professor of music and chair of the 1960s theme steering committee, at 227.3725 or acherry@wcu.edu.

• Center Pigeon Fire Department Blood Drive, 2 to 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30, 2412 Pisgah Drive, Canton.

Jennifer, 231.6511.

• Homework Help, 3 to 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays for students in grades 2 through 6, Canton Branch Library. Former schoolteacher turned Youth Services Librarian Katy Punch offers homework help on a firstcome, first-served basis. Katy, 648.2924.

• CWCU Magical Mystery Tour, walkthrough, interactive retrospective of the 1960s, 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, concourse of Ramsey Regional Activity Center. qep.wcu.edu.

• First United Methodist Church Blood Drive, 1 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 566 S. Haywood St., Waynesville.

800.733.2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Literary (children)

• Game Day, 2 p.m. third Saturday of the month, Papou’s Wine Shop, Sylva. Bring cards, board games, etc. 586.6300.

• Senior Resource Center Blood Drive, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 81 Elmwood Way, Waynesville.

800.733.2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org.

• Games for Kids, 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, Macon County Public Library, Franklin.

Macon • Angel Medical Center Blood Drive, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 3, 120 Riverview St., Franklin. 369.4166 or www.redcrossblood.org, keyword: Angel.

RECREATION & FITNESS • The Health & Fitness Center at MedWest Haywood is offering a Holiday Wellness Special through Jan. 10. The Center will waive the initiation fee for all new members who join through Jan. 10. 452.8080.

• Jackson County Public Library will be closed Dec. 26 and Jan. 1.

• Children’s Christmas movie, 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30, Macon County Public Library, Franklin.

• Rockin’ and Readin’ New Year’s Eve Luau, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 31, Macon County Public Library, Franklin. Come dressed Hawaiian style. No adventure club meeting.

NEW YEAR’S EVE • New Year’s Eve Gala, Tuesday, Dec. 31, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. 7:45 p.m. reception at Smoky Mountain Trains Museum, Bryson City; 9 p.m. train leaves Bryson City depot, returns at midnight. Gourmet buffet, dancing, and live music. Adults 21 and over only. Dinner train tickets, $135 per person (gratuity not included). 800.872.4681 or www.gsmr.com.

ECA EVENTS

FOOD & DRINK

• Extension and Community Association (ECA) groups meet throughout the county at various locations and

• Cellar Club, 7 to 9 p.m. first Tuesday of the month, Papou’s Wine Shop, Sylva. Membership prices, $50 per

Come prepared with a monologue, a headshot and a song (if you sing). Marina HunleyGraham, 497.3652 or Linda Squirrel, 497.1125.

• “Little Black Dress Night,” every first Friday of the month at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva.

Wine glass specials and socializing. 586.6300 or papouswineshop@frontier.com.

• Tickets on sale for REO Speedwagon, 9 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 14, Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee. Must be 21 years old or older. Tickets start at $75. www.Ticketmaster.com.

• Gathering Table, 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, at The Community Center, Route 64, Cashiers.

Provides fresh, nutritious dinners to all members of the community regardless of ability to pay. Volunteers always needed and donations gratefully accepted. 743.9880.

ART/GALLERY EVENTS & OPENINGS • “It’s a Small, Small Work,” through Dec. 28, Gallery 86, 86 N. Main St. Waynesville. No works larger than 12 inches or cost more than $300.

• “Land Of The Crooked Water” works by artist Joshua Grant will be on display through January 2014 at Macon County Public Library, Franklin.

• Green Biennial Invitational Exhibition featuring nine new sculptures, through Dec. 31, the Village Green Commons, Cashiers. www.villagegreencashiersnc.com, 743.3434.

CLASSES, PROGRAMS & DEMONSTRATIONS • Painter and paper maker, Elizabeth Ellison, will demonstrate the use of collage in a landscape painting at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, Art League of the Smokies meeting, Swain County Center for the Arts in Bryson City. www.elizabethellisonwatercolors.com.

• Series subscription tickets now on sale for The Galaxy of Stars Series at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University. Single tickets also available. “Smokey Joe’s Café,” 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26.; 1964, 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9; The Squirm Burpee Circus, 5 p.m. Sunday, March 2; and “The Fantasticks,” 5 p.m. Sunday, April 27.

Bardo Arts Center box office, 227.2479 or go online to bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

• The hour-long radio show Stories of Mountain Folk airs at 9 a.m. every Saturday on its home station, WRGC Jackson County Radio, 540 AM on the dial, broadcasting out of Sylva. Stories of Mountain Folk is an ongoing all-sound oral history program produced by Catch the Spirit of Appalachia (CSA), a western North Carolina notfor-profit, for local radio and online distribution.

NIGHT LIFE • Smoke Rise, 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, Lucky Jake’s, Maggie Valley. $5.

• Live music at Alley Kats in Waynesville.

456.9498 or 734.6249.

DANCE • Western Style Square Dance Lessons, 7 to 8:45 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 8 through April 16, Jackson County Recreation Department. $65 for 15-week session. 296.3053.

• Pisgah Promenaders “Snowflake” Square Dance, 6:45 to 8:45 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11, Old Armory Recreation Center, 44 Boundary St., Waynesville. Plus and Mainstream dancing with caller Ken Perkins. 586.8416 or 586.6995.

LITERARY (ADULTS) • Ready to Read, adult literacy program to help those who are illiterate or need to improve/strengthen their reading skills, 10 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Genealogy Study Room on the second floor of Jackson County Public Library. 586.2016.

ON STAGE & IN CONCERT • Kool and The Gang, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, Cherokee.

Tickets at www.Ticketmaster.com.

• ZZ Top, 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, Cherokee.

Tickets at www.Ticketmaster.com.

• Auditions for the 2014 season of Unto These Hills, the long-running, outdoor drama in Cherokee, 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11 and Saturday, March 22, 564 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, across from the museum.

OUTINGS, HIKES & FIELDTRIPS

• Local Audubon Society weekly Saturday birding field trips. 7:30 a.m. Highlands Town Hall parking lot near the public restrooms, or at 8 a.m. behind Wendy’s if the walk is in Cashiers. www.highlandsaudubonsociety.org or 743.9670.

• Haywood County Waterways is looking for volunteers for its Volunteer Water Information Network (VWIN) program. Volunteers are needed to take water quality samples from creeks and streams in Crabtree and Jonathan Creek and send the samples to a water quality lab. haywoodwaterways.org/monitoring or contact Dave Dudek, DDudek@haywoodnc.net or phone (late afternoon), 926.1308.

• The Gorges State Park is looking for volunteers to assist in maintaining existing trails and campgrounds in the park on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., weather permitting.

Bring gloves, water and tools supplied.

Participants need to be at least 16 years old and in good health. Registration not required.

Meet at 17762 Rosman Highway (US-64) in Sapphire. 966.9099.

220-09

10-5 M-SAT. 12-4 SUN.

ON DELLWOOD RD. (HWY. 19) AT 20 SWANGER LANE WAYNESVILLE/MAGGIE VALLEY 828.926.8778

7DNH 9LUWXDO 7RXU WR DSSUHFLDWH

• National Park Service wants your thoughts on how the Appalachian Trail should be managed.

Submit your feedback to www.parkplanning. nps.gov/appafoundation by Jan. 9.

COMPETITIVE EDGE • Run in 2014 5K Run, Walk, & Fun Run, 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, Jackson County Recreation Center. $20, pre-registration; $25, race day. First 100 registered receive a long sleeve, wicking shirt. www.imathlete.com, (search Run in 2014).

VKDPURFN FRP

%HDXWLIXOO\ 5HPRGHOHG +RPH LQ &DQWRQ 6T )W %' %$ %UXFH 0F*RYHUQ &HOO &DU *DUDJH /LFHQVHG 5HDO (VWDWH %URNHU 0/6 $FUH VKDPURFN FRP

• 4th annual Assault on Black Rock (ABR), 9 a.m. Saturday, March 22, Jackson County. A 7mile trail race from the parking lot of Sylva’s Pinnacle Park to the 5,810-foot Black Rock summit on the spine of the Plott Balsam Mountains. Proceeds to benefit the Community Table. Register at www.CommunityTable.org, “event calendar.”

Online registration at Active.com, but an extra $3.25 fee is included. Brian Barwatt, 506.2802 or barwatt@hotmail.com.

• Online registration is open through Tuesday, April 1, for Western Carolina University’s 4th annual Valley of the Lilies Half Marathon and 5K, which will be held Saturday, April 5, on the campus in Cullowhee. Race day registration will be available at $80 for the half marathon and $30 for the 5K.

• Franklin Bird Club bird count, Jan. 4, to count birds for annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count.369.1902 to participate.

www.halfmarathon.wcu.edu or contact race directors Shauna Sage or James Scifers at ValleyoftheLilies@wcu.edu.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park is moving toward its winter schedule, when several roads will close, some campgrounds and

BEST PRICE EVERYDAY

PROGRAMS & WORKSHOPS

• Join North Carolina park rangers and volunteers for First Day Hikes, Wednesday, Jan. 1. All state park facilities will remain open on the holiday. More than 40 scheduled hikes ranging from short “leg-stretchers” to four-mile treks will be available. Details at www.ncparks.gov, “Education.”

• Tuckasegee Chapter of Trout Unlimited meeting, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, United Community Bank meeting room in Sylva. dick.sellers@frontier.com.

Your Local Big Green Egg Dealer

Jerry Smith 828-734-8765

Smoky Mountain News

• Lost Writers Support Group, 10 a.m. to noon, first Saturday of the month, Zelda Divine, Inc., 1210 S. Main St., Waynesville. Coffee, refreshments, and good company abide.

Outdoors

• Sons of the American Legion turkey shoot, 9 a.m. Saturdays through April, 171 Legion Drive, Waynesville. Cost is $2. Refreshments provided. Bring your own gun; a few house guns are available.

December 25-31, 2013

FILM & SCREEN • Family movie, 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, Marianna Black Library, Bryson City. Set in Cold War-era 1988, Big Miracle tells the true story of a small-town news reporter and a Greenpeace volunteer who enlist the help of rival superpowers to save three majestic gray whales trapped under the ice of the Arctic Circle. 488.3030.

• Tickets on sale for Robin Thicke with special guest Jessie J, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee. Tickets start at $58. www.Ticketmaster.com.

lodges will be shuttered and visitor centers will close or have reduced operating hours. For details, go to www.npswww.nps.gov/grsm, call 865.436.1200 and follow the prompts, or Twitter at SmokiesRoadsNPS.

wnc calendar

person, $75 per couple. Wine tastings, food pairings. 586.6300, papouswineshop@frontier.com.

jsmith@beverly-hanks.com

FARM & GARDEN • Haywood County Extension is accepting applications for the 2014 Master Gardener class. Training sessions will be held Tuesday mornings from Jan. 7 through April 22.

456.3575 to reserve a spot.

74 N. Main St. • Waynesville

220-37

(828) 452-5809

www.Beverly-Hanks.com 33

PRIME REAL ESTATE

INSIDE

Advertise in The Smoky Mountain News

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MarketPlace information:

CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR Fri. & Sat. from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

NOT TO BE MISSED! 50% Off All Christmas Decoration 20% Off All Furniture!

Antiques, Furniture, Art, Home Decor and so Much More!

We are Frog Pond Downsizing & Estate Sale. Located at 255 Depot St., Waynesville. Look for the Frog on the Side of Building and You’ve Found Treasures & Bargains from the Original Estate Sale Company

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

Rates: ■ Free — Residential yard sale ads, lost or found pet ads.

■ Free — Non-business items that sell for less than $150.

■ $12 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2.

■ $12 — If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type.

■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad.

■ $35 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold.

■ $300 — Statewide classifieds run in 117 participating newspapers with 1.6 million circulation. Up to 25 words.

■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

ARTS & CRAFTS ALLISON CREEK Iron Works & Woodworking. Crafting custom metal & woodwork in rustic, country & lodge designs with reclaimed woods! Design & consultation, Barry Downs 828.524.5763, Franklin NC

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

AUCTION LENOIR COMMUNITY COLLEGE In Kinston offers an auctioneering class on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Jan. 2. Cost is $180. To register call 252.527.6223, ext.

714.

WAYNESVILLE TIRE, COO

INC.

Offering:

MAJOR-BRAND TIRES FOR CARS, LIGHT & MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCKS, AND FARM TIRES.

Service truck available for on-site repairs LEE & PATTY ENSLEY, OWNERS STEVE WOODS, MANAGER

MON-FRI 7:30-5:30 • WAYNESVILLE PLAZA

456-5387

CARS - DOMESTIC DONATE YOUR CAR Fast Free Towing 24 hr. Response Tax Deduction United Breast Cancer Foundation Providing Free Mammograms & Breast Cancer Info888.759.9782. SAPA

BUILDING MATERIALS HAYWOOD BUILDERS Garage Doors, New Installations Service & Repairs, 828.456.6051 100 Charles St. Waynesville Employee Owned.

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING DAVE’S CUSTOM HOMES OF WNC, INC Free Estimates & Competitive rates. References avail. upon request. Specializing in: Log Homes, remodeling, decks, new construction, repairs & additions.

Owner/Builder: Dave Donaldson.

Licensed/Insured. 828.631.0747 SULLIVAN HARDWOOD FLOORS Installation- Finish - Refinish 828.399.1847.

AUTO PARTS DDI BUMPERS ETC. Quality on the Spot Repair & Painting. Don Hendershot 858.646.0871, 828.452.4569.

MAY THE MESSAGE OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

R

DI

SC OV ER E

ATR

PE

Serving Haywood, Jackson & Surrounding Counties

REACH READERS ACROSS North Carolina for only $330. Run your 25-word classified line ad in 99 newspapers with one call to this newspaper or call NCPS 919.789.2083.

AUCTION REAL ESTATE AUCTION 219.21+/-Beautiful Rolling Acres Divided into 19 Homesites, Prospect Hill, NC, Caswell Co., 1/4/14 at 10am, Auction at Prospect Hill Volunteer Fire Department. Iron Horse Auction Co., Inc., 800.997.2248. NCAL3936. www.ironhorseauction.com

220-33

And the Magic of ‘Giving’ Fill Your Heart & Home This Holiday Season!

Join Us for Christmas Cheer: Sat. Dec. 21st @ 6 p.m. AND Friday Dec. 27th @ 6 p.m.

Book Signing: Author, Leslie Reifert, With a Program on Her Book - LOL “Little Old Laddies Laughing Out Loud” (Humorous Verse) Location: Dodie’s Auction, Main Street, Downtown Sylva. 828.226.3921, 828.735.4790 Auctioneer: Dodie Allen Blaschick NCAL# 341

DONATE YOUR CAR Fast Free Towing. 24 hr. Response.

Tax Deduction. United Breast Cancer Foundation, Providing Free Mammograms & Breast Cancer Info 855.733.5472 DONATE YOUR CAR, Truck or Boat to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 800.337.9038.

TOP CASH FOR CARS, Call Now For An Instant Offer. Top Dollar Paid, Any Car/Truck, Any Condition. Running or Not. Free Pick-up/Tow. 1.800.761.9396 SAPA

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES BE YOUR OWN BOSS! Own a Dollar Store, Dollar Plus, Big Box Dollar, Mailbox, Party, Teen Clothing, Yogurt or Fitness Store.

Worldwide, 100% Financing, OAC. From $55,900 Turnkey!

800.385.2160 www.drss3.com HELP WANTED!!

Make up to $1,000 a week mailing brochures from home! Genuine Opportunity! No experience required.

Start immediately!

Brochure-Mailers.com (Void In Arkansas)

EMPLOYMENT HIGHLANDS-CASHIERS HOSPITAL Positions now available: ER and Med/Surg Registered Nurses, Medical Labaratory Technologist, Medical Records Manager, and CNA. Benefits available the first of the month following 60 days of full-time employment. PreEmployment screening required.

Call Human Resources.

828.526.1376, or apply online at: www.highlandscashiershospital. org

R

EMPLOYMENT

Head Start Assistant Teacher Haywood County- An Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education is required for this position, must also have the ability to assume responsibilities of the teacher when absent, work well with parents and co-workers, good judgment/problem solving skills. Basic computer skills and 2 yrs. experience in Pre-K classroom preferred. This is a 10 month position with full time benefits.

Applications will be taken at Mountain Projects, 2251 Old Balsam Rd, Waynesville, NC or 25 Schulman St, Sylva, NC. Or you may download an application at www.mountainprojects.org Pre-employment drug testing required.

EOE/AA.

Applications will be taken at Mountain Projects, Inc., 2251 Old Balsam Rd, Waynesville, NC 28786, 25 Schulman St, Sylva, NC 28779, or you may download an application on line at www.mountainprojects.org.

Pre-employment drug testing required. EOE/AA. START YOUR Holiday Season with a great career by joining our team. Class-A Professional Drivers call 866.291.2631 for more details or visit SuperServiceLLC.com TANKER & FLATBED COMPANY. Drivers/Independent Contractors!

Immediate Placement Available.

Best Opportunities in the Trucking Business. Call Today 800.277.0212 or www.driveforprime.com

1500+ RGN LOADS From Clayton, NC to multiple destinations. Accepting Contractors with their own RGN's or pull Company trailers AT NO COST. 1.800.669.6414 or go to: www.dailyrecruiting.com

ALL REMAINING FURNITURE Lumber Must Go! $3,250 Cherry, Walnut & Butternut.

For more info 828.627.2342 COMPARE QUALITY & PRICE Shop Tupelo’s, 828.926.8778.

HAYWOOD BEDDING, INC. The best bedding at the best price!

533 Hazelwood Ave. Waynesville 828.456.4240

$$$ACCESS LAWSUIT CASH NOW!!

Injury Lawsuit Dragging? Need fast $500-$500,000? Rates as low as 1/2% month. Call Now! 1.800.568.8321. www.lawcapital.com Not valid in North Carolina SAPA BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company.

SAPA

FIREWOOD FIREWOOD FOR SALE Regular $75, Locust $80. For more info call 828.400.6736.

HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329

ERA Sunburst Realty — sunburstrealty.com Prevent Unwanted Litters! $10 Fix All for Dogs and Cats, Puppies & Kittens!

Operation Pit is in Effect!

Free Spay/Neuter, Micro-chip & Vaccines For Haywood Pitbull Types & Mixes!

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 12 Noon - 5pm 182 Richland Street, Waynesville

• Steve Cox — info@haywoodproperties.com

Keller Williams Realty kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • Rob Roland — robrolandrealty.com • Ron Kwiatkowski — ronk.kwrealty.com

Mountain Home Properties — mountaindream.com Main Street Realty — mainstreetrealty.net McGovern Real Estate & Property Management • Bruce McGovern — shamrock13.com

Preferred Properties • George Escaravage — gke333@gmail.com

Prudential Lifestyle Realty — vistasofwestfield.com SPRITE REALLY A STAND OUT! SHE HAS TONS OF PERSONALITY, VERY SWEET AND QUITE PRETTY. YOU WILL JUST LOVE THIS KITTY!

Realty World Heritage Realty realtyworldheritage.com • Carolyn Lauter realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7766/

• Thomas & Christine Mallette JACK BEAN A WONDERFUL, SWEET AND ADORABLE JACK RUSSELL TERRIER!! WE LOVE HIS COOL MARKINGS AND HIS GREAT PERSONALITY. JACK BEAN ADORES PEOPLE AND GETS ALONG WELL WITH OTHER DOGS.

realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7767/

RE/MAX — Mountain Realty

220-06

220-05

ROB ROLAND 828-564-1106

RROLAND33@GMAIL.COM

Find the home you are looking for at www.robrolandrealty.com

Haywood Properties — haywoodproperties.com

• Sammie Powell — smokiesproperty.com

DRIVERS: DEDICATED. Regional & OTR. Start up to $.44/mi. + Excellent Benefits.

401K + Bonuses. Excellent Hometime! CDL-A 6 months exp.

877.704.3773.

FTCC Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following positions: Maintenance Technician I. Blackboard Administrator.

Deadline: Jan 6.

For detailed information and to apply, please visit our employment portal at: https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.com/ Human Resources Office. Phone: 910.678.8378. Internet: http://www.faytechcc.edu CRC Preferred Employer. An Equal Opportunity Employer.

Beverly Hanks & Associates — beverly-hanks.com • Michelle McElroy — beverly-hanks.com • Marilynn Obrig — beverly-hanks.com • Mike Stamey — beverly-hanks.com • Ellen Sither — esither@beverly-hanks.com • Jerry Smith — beverly-hanks.com • Billie Green — bgreen@beverly-hanks.com • Pam Braun — pambraun@beverly-hanks.com

PETS

FINANCIAL

Haywood County Real Estate Agents

Full Service Property Management 828-456-6111 www.selecthomeswnc.com Residential and Commercial Long-Term Rentals

remax-waynesvillenc.com | remax-maggievalleync.com • Brian K. Noland — brianknoland.com • Connie Dennis — remax-maggievalleync.com • Mark Stevens — remax-waynesvillenc.com • Mieko Thomson — ncsmokies.com • The Morris Team — maggievalleyproperty.com • The Real Team — the-real-team.com • Ron Breese — ronbreese.com • Dan Womack — womackdan@aol.com • Catherine Proben — cp@catherineproben.com

smokymountainnews.com

MILAN EXPRESS OTR CDL-A Drivers. Home Weekly, Annual Increases & Bonuses. No Hazmat.

Vacation/Paid Holidays. Great Benefits. www.drivemilan.com 800.552.2591 extension 3133 or 3187.

HEALTH CARE NAVIGATOR Part-Time –Jackson CountyMountain Projects is currently accepting applications for a part-time position. Bachelor’s degree with experience in Human Services, and/or Health Care is preferred. Applicants must have reliable transportation, valid NC driver’s license, be willing to travel the seven most western counties of NC. Must be willing to work flexible hours, including some nights and weekends. Out of area travel is required. 20-30 hours of training is required to be certified.

FURNITURE

December 25-31, 2013

Head Start Pre-K Teacher Jackson County- A BS or Birth-K Degree in Early Childhood Education is mandatory for this position. Also required for this position: computer skills, responsible for classroom paperwork, the ability to work with diverse population/community partners, 2 yrs. experience in Pre-K classroom and good management skills.

This is a 10 month position with full time benefits.

EMPLOYMENT $$$ GET LOADED $$$ Exp Pays-up to 50 cpm New CSA Friendly Equip (KWs) CDL-A Required. 1.888.592.4752. www.ad-drivers.com

WNC MarketPlace

EARLY HEAD START TEACHER Haywood County- An Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education is required for this position. Candidates must have the ability to work well with families and co-workers, 2 yrs.experience working with birth-3 years and have good judgment/problem solving skills. Prefer someone with Infant/Toddler CDA credentials and basic computer skills.

This is an 11 month position with full time benefits.

EMPLOYMENT

The Seller’s Agency — listwithphil.com • Phil Ferguson — philferguson@bellsouth.net 220-07

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE 828.452.4251 | ads@smokymountainnews.com 35

WNC MarketPlace

LAWN AND GARDEN

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT

HEMLOCK HEALERS, INC. Dedicated to Saving Our Hemlocks. Owner/Operator Frank Varvoutis, NC Pesticide Applicator’s License #22864. 48 Spruce St. Maggie Valley, NC 828.734.7819 828.926.7883, Email: hemlockhealers@yahoo.com

GEORGIA INVESTMENT PROPERTYLimited Inventory Available! Renovated homes, low taxes & insurance, Low cost of living. Great for homeowners or Investors earn 15% ROI! Starting at $29,000. CALL OWNER 1.404.550.6900.

SAPA

NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Offering 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $400 Section 8 Accepted - Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

OFFICE HOURS: Tues. & Wed. 10:00am - 5:00pm & Thurs. 10:00am- 12:00pm 168 E. Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779

Phone# 1.828.586.3346 TDD# 1.800.725.2962 Equal Housing Opportunity

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

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT REAL ESTATE AUCTION 219.21+/-Beautiful Rolling Acres Divided into 19 Homesites, Prospect Hill, NC, Caswell Co., 1/4/14 at 10am, Auction at Prospect Hill Volunteer Fire Department. Iron Horse Auction Co., Inc., 800.997.2248. NCAL3936.

HOMES FOR SALE BRUCE MCGOVERN A Full Service Realtor shamrock13@charter.net 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 info.

LOTS FOR SALE

MEDICAL

2.819 ACRE TRACT Building Lot in great location.

Build your 2nd home log cabin here. Large 2-story building near HCC, was a Work Shop. $66,500.

Call 828.627.2342.

MEDICAL GUARDIAN Top-rated medical alarm and 24/7 medical alert monitoring. For a limited time, get free equipment, no activation fees, no commitment, a 2nd waterproof alert button for free and more - only $29.95 per month. 800.983.4906. SAPA

VACATION RENTALS CAVENDER CREEK CABINS Dahlonega, North Georgia Mountains. **WINTER SPECIAL: Buy 2 nights, 3rd FREE!** 1,2 & 3 bedroom Cabins with HOT TUBS! Virtual Tour: www.CavenderCreek.com CALL NOW Toll Free 1.866.373.6307 SAPA NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS Start a family tradition for the Holidays! Cabins, Vacation Homes, Condos. Pets welcome! Boone, Banner Elk, Blowing Rock. Foscoe Rentals 1.800.723.7341 or go to: www.foscoerentals.com SAPA

VIAGRA 100mg & CIALIS 20mg!

40 Pills + 4 FREE for only $99. #1 Male Enhancement, Discreet Shipping. Save $500! Buy The Blue Pill! Now 1.800.491.8751 SAPA CANADA DRUG CENTER Is your choice for safe and affordable medications. Our licensed Canadian mail order pharmacy will provide you with savings of up to 90 percent on all your medication needs. Call Today 1.800.265.0768 for $25.00 off your first prescription and free shipping. SAPA AFFORDABLE DENTAL PLANS. 10-60% savings! 30 plans Available. Enroll online NOW (using code 41168.dp) to get 3 Extra months FREE! dpbrokers.com/41168.dp or Call Today: 1.800.219.7473 (give coupon code 41168)

219-32

www.smokymountainnews.com

December 25-31, 2013

Great Smokies Storage

36

10’x20’

92

$

20’x20’

160

$

ONE MONTH

FREE WITH 12-MONTH CONTRACT

828.506.4112 or 828.507.8828 Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction

Puzzles can be found on page 38.

These are only the answers.

PERSONAL

CHAMPION SUPPLY Janitorial supplies. Professional cleaning products, vacuums, janitorial paper products, swimming pool chemicals, environmentally friendly chemicals, indoor & outdoor light bulbs, odor elimination products, equipment repair including household vacuums. Free delivery across WNC. www.championsupply.com 800.222.0581, 828.225.1075.

HAVE FUN AND FIND A genuine connection! The next voice on the other end of the line could be the one. Call Tango 1.800.984.0160. FREE trial!

SAPA

WRAP UP YOUR Holiday Shopping with 100 percent guaranteed, delivered-to-the-door Omaha Steaks! SAVE 67 PERCENT - PLUS 4 FREE Burgers - Many Gourmet Favorites ONLY $49.99.ORDER Today 1.800.715.2010 Use code “4937 CFW” or visit us at: www.OmahaSteaks.com/holiday33 SAPA

WANTED TO BUY CASH FOR Unexpired Diabetic Test Strips!

Free Shipping, Friendly Service, BEST prices and 24 hour payment!

Call Mandy at 1.855.578.7477, or visit www.TestStripSearch.com Espanol 1.888.440.4001 SAPA

MEET SINGLES RIGHT NOW! No paid operators, just real people like you. Browse greetings, exchange messages and connect live. Try it free. Call now 1.888.909.9978.

SAPA YOUR AD COULD REACH 1.6 MILLION HOMES ACROSS NC! Your classified ad could be reaching over 1.6 Million Homes across North Carolina! Place your ad with The Smoky Mountain News on the NC Statewide Classified Ad Network- 118 NC newspapers for a low cost of $330 for 25-word ad to appear in each paper! Additional words are $10 each. The whole state at your fingertips! It's a smart advertising buy! Call Scott Collier at 828.452.4251 or for more information visit the N.C. Press Association's website at www.ncpress.com

Ann knows real estate!

NINA (FEMALE) & KUMA (MALE) - Are 14 month old,

Ann Eavenson

medium sized Australian Shepherd mix siblings. Both are up-to-date on shots, spayed and neutered, get along well with kids, other dogs and cats, and are well mannered for teenagers. They will be ready for adoption as soon as they get their heartworm tests. It would be nice if they could be adopted together, but it is not absolutely necessary. They know basics— sit, stay, down, and come. Call the foster home at 506.1013 for more information or to make an appointment to meet them.

SAPPHIRE - A 3 year old, female Jack Russell mix. She was owned by an elderly, disabled lady who had to give her up due to the need to move into a government subsidized facility that doesn’t allow pets.

The adoption price for this 19 lb. sweet dog is negotiable to the right home. She would probably be best placed with an older individual. Call the foster home at 828.293.5629.

CRS, GRI, E-PRO

ann@mainstreetrealty.net

506-0542 CELL 220-28

101 South Main St. Waynesville

MainStreet Realty

(828) 452-2227 mainstreetrealty.net

220-30

MOUNTAIN REALTY

Mieko Thomson

Thomson

ARF HAS A NUMBER OF

ROKER/R /REALTOR EALTOR®® BBROKER

Chihuahuas. Blade is a 14 lb., male, black and tan, 2 years old.

Cell (828) 226-2298 Cell

mthomson@remax-waynesvillenc.com mthomson@remax-waynesvillenc.com www.ncsmokies.com www.ncsmokies.com

220-26

Lease to Own

Bad Taste & Odors Iron/Rust Sediment/ Silt Bacterias Harmful Chlorine Balance pH

828.452.3995 | www.americanwatercareinc.com

find us at: facebook.com/smnews

spay/neuter trip will be early January. Register and pre-pay at ARF’s adoption site on Sat.’s from 1-3. Space is limited!

petted, loved, and snuggled. I was turned over to the shelter by my previous owner, who could no longer take care of me, so I’m still a bit timid while figuring things out but will be a total lovebug once I get to know you. I get along fine with other cats.

Adoption fees vary; if you’re interested in me, please contact: adoptions@ashevillehumane.org.

SEDGE - Domestic Shorthair cat – charcoal tabby & white. I am 23 years old, independent boy who doesn’t necessarily want to snuggle, but I do enjoy the company of humans. I get along OK with dogs and other cats, but don’t usually buddy up to them. I am looking for a loving household that I can be a part of without being fawned over. Adoption fees vary; if you’re interested in me, adoptions@ashevillehumane.org.

smokymountainnews.com

black & white. I am about 5 years old and I’m a very friendly boy. I can be a bit timid at first and need a gentle touch, but I’m always eager to please and respond well to voice encouragement and praise. I love to go on long walks or hikes, and even play in the water. I get along great with cats and other dogs. Adoption fees vary; if you’re interested in me, please contact: adoptions@ashevillehumane.org.

CAPONE - Domestic Shorthair cat – orange tabby & white. I am 4 years old, and I’m a big boy with a sweet, laidback personality. I’m calm and gentle, and move at a leisurely pace. I enjoy long afternoon snoozes, and will usually lie next to you on the couch, but will also sit on your lap sometimes. I like to be

An EcoWater Water System can remove

ARF’S NEXT LOW-COST

ARF (HUMANE SOCIETY OF JACKSON COUNTY) Holds rescued pet adoptions Saturdays from 1:00 - 3:00 (weather permitting) at 50 Railroad Avenue in Sylva. Animals are spayed/neutered and current on shots.

Most cats $60, most dogs $70.

Preview available pets at www.a-r-f.org, or call foster home.

FLASH - Boston Terrier Mix dog –

220-15

Cocoa is a male, 12 lb., tan, one year old. 828.507.2263 REDWALKER - A handsome, one year old, Walker Hound. He is red and white and weighs 48 pounds. He gets along well with other dogs. He is very affectionate with people. He is house trained and knows how to use a doggie door. He is neutered and current on vaccines. He would be a nice companion to someone of any age 877.273.5262.

EMILY - A feist. She is 1-2 years old. Tan and white, quiet, sweet.

Call 293.5629.

BLACKIE - A sweet, relaxed, female black and tan hound.

She gets along with people and other dogs. She weighs 40 lbs. and is about six years old. She is spayed and current on her vaccinations. She is housebroken and has learned to use a doggie door. She has some special needs that can easily be met in a loving home.

1.877.ARF.JCNC.

December 25-31, 2013

2177 Russ Avenue Waynesville NC 28786

Cleaner, Clearer and Healthier water at every tap in your home

Pet Adoption

WNC MarketPlace

FOR SALE

ASHEVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY 828.761.2001, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville, NC 28806 We’re located behind Deal Motorcars, off Brevard & Pond Rd.

37

Super

Smoky Mountain News

December 25-31, 2013

BAD MOVES

38

CROSSWORD

75 Wish undone 76 “For - the Bell Tolls” ACROSS 77 Nissan Xterra, e.g.

1 “No” voter 78 Hotel giant 5 Lhasa - (small dog) 80 Green basil-based 9 Obscured sauce 12 Curtail 82 New Mexico tourist 19 Sports side attraction 20 Rice and Curry 87 NHL’s Bobby 21 Trick-taking card, 89 “Yoo- -!” (“Hey!”) often 90 County seat near 22 Plant ailment Cedar Rapids 23 “To Kill a 91 A South Asian capital Mockingbird” novelist 98 World’s lowest lake 25 Wisconsin, with “the” 99 Horror maven Craven 27 Of the aorta, for 100 Smidgens example 104 Popeye’s gal 28 San Fran NFLer 105 Libertarian presiden29 Alternative to a Roth tial candidate of 2004 IRA 113 - -arms (soldier) 30 Annual hoops drawing 117 Scottish tyke 33 Seek damages, per118 In a restless way haps 119 1955 “Arabian 35 Unit of force Nights” adventure film 36 Poker great Ungar 121 Intrepid type 37 Captivates 122 Permafrost regions 41 Internet pop-ups, e.g. 123 Filled up on 48 Lurched side-to-side 124 Do followers 52 It’s breathed 125 This, in Avila 53 One crying “Cut!”: 126 Do a mailroom job Abbr.

127 Kin of “Inc.” 54 Mouthpiece, tank, flip- 128 “The - lama, he’s a pers, etc. priest”: Nash 59 Former Golden Arches 129 Leopold’s partner in burger crime 63 - Space Telescope DOWN 64 Sculling tool 65 Marker bobbing on the 1 Within reach 2 Within reach water 67 West of old Hollywood 3 Kilt material 68 Big name in car rental 4 Hinder 5 Central courtyards 69 Medieval lyric poets 6 Rice 74 “Je t’-” (Fifi’s “I love 7 Silvery fish you”)

8 Sugar suffix 9 Regular visitor 10 Quitter’s cry 11 Actress Pfeiffer 12 Live 13 Jurist Robert 14 Suitor’s gift 15 “Keep - yourself!”

16 Seems to last forever 17 Injured oneself 18 Summer, to Sartre 24 Go wrong 26 Mutt’s noise 28 Tube lover’s punishment 31 Narc’s find 32 “Assuredly” 34 Lion chaser?

38 Flanders of Springfield 39 “- brother’s keeper?”

40 Ford make, for short 41 Public prosperity 42 “The noise of them that rejoice -”: Isaiah 24:8 43 “- Mir Bist Du Schön” 44 Adj. modifier 45 Joplin piece 46 Suit’s partner 47 Pitcher Hideki 48 D flat’s equivalent 49 Big name in contact lenses 50 Red gems 51 Dies away 55 Betting slip 56 Catch cold 57 Lawn growth 58 Karel Capek sci-fi play 60 Composer Kabalevsky 61 Cranston a.k.a. “the Shadow” 62 Microscopic 66 Part of the Greater

Toronto Area 70 Bird of myth 71 Siouan tribe 72 Give the title 73 Eggs in labs 74 Guinness of “Cromwell” 76 Fish bait 79 “Terrible” guy 81 Frog’s kin 83 Angling pole 84 Hack (off) 85 Insult, in rap 86 Foldout bed 88 “Norma -” 91 Simple vow 92 Emmy-winning Jane 93 Fitness guru Jack 94 “Thwack!”

95 Gave a blue ribbon, say 96 Acute 97 Kauai, e.g.: Abbr.

100 Fez dangler 101 Melodious passage 102 Thin down 103 First U.S. space station 106 Part of many Arabic names 107 Political plot 108 Singer/guitarist John 109 President Martin Van 110 “What’s in -?”

111 Real imp 112 Scots’ “no” 114 Signals “OK” 115 Frizzy hairdo 116 Russian autocrat 119 Slick 50 rival 120 Solo finish?

121 Sis’ sibling

answers on page 36

NOTICES

SERVICES

SERVICES

BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company. SAPA

FROG POND DOWNSIZING Helping Hands In Hard Times.

Downsizing - Estate Sales - Clean Out Services. Company Transfer Divorce - We are known for Honesty & Integrity! Jack & Yvonne Wadham, Insured & Bonded.

18 Commerce Street, Waynvesville, NC. 828.734.3874

DISH TV RETAILER Starting at $19.99/month (for 12 mos.) & High Speed Internet starting at $14.95/month (where available.) SAVE! Ask About SAME DAY Installation! CALL Now! 1.800.405.5081

SCHOOLS/ INSTRUCTION EARN YOUR High School Diploma at home in a few short weeks. Work at your own pace. First Coast Academy. Nationally accredited. Call for free brochure. 1.800.658.1180, extension 82. www.fcahighschool.org SAPA

ENTERTAINMENT SCOTTISH TARTANS MUSEUM 86 East Main St., Franklin, 828.584.7472. www.scottishtartans.org. Matthew A.C. Newsome, GTS, FSA, SCOT., Curator & General Manager, Ronan B. MacGregor, Business Assistant.

SERVICES * REDUCE YOUR CABLE BILL! * Get a 4-Room All Digital Satellite system installed for FREE and programming starting at $19.99/mo.

FREE HD/DVR upgrade for new callers, SO CALL NOW. 1.800.725.1835. SAPA DISH TV RETAILER. Starting at $19.99/month (for 12 mos.) & High Speed Internet starting at $14.95/month (where available.) SAVE! Ask About SAME DAY Installation! CALL Now! 1.800.351.0850 SAPA

HIGH-SPEED INTERNET Is available where you live today with HughesNet! Get SUPERFAST internet available anywhere for only $39.99 per month with FREE installation! Ask about our NEW phone service! Call Today!

1.800.266.4409 www.probroadbandsolutions.com MEDICAL GUARDIAN Top-rated medical alarm and 24/7 medical alert monitoring. For a limited time, get free equipment, no activation fees, no commitment, a 2nd waterproof alert button for free and more - only $29.95 per month. 800.615.3868 MOTO-FAB METAL WORKS Let us fabricate a unique, high quality piece of metal art for your home, business, farm or ranch.

Choose from thousands of stock images or work with us to create an original piece. All artwork and signage is cut on a new state-ofthe-art CNC plasma machine.

Waynesville 828.627.2666.

DDI BUMPERS ETC. Quality on the Spot Repair & Painting. Don Hendershot 858.646.0871, 828.452.4569.

MY COMPUTER WORKS: Computer problems? Viruses, spyware, email, printer issues, bad internet connections - FIX IT NOW! Professional, U.S.-based technicians. $25 off service. Call for immediate help. 1.888.582.8147 SAPA REDUCE YOUR CABLE BILL! Get a whole-home Satellite system installed at NO COST and programming starting at $19.99/mo. FREE HD/DVR Upgrade to new callers, SO CALL NOW FOR MORE INFO 1.866.983.7935

YARD SALES CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR Fri. & Sat. from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

NOT TO BE MISSED! 50% Off All Christmas Decoration 20% Off All Furniture!

Antiques, Furniture, Art, Home Decor and so Much More!

We are Frog Pond Downsizing & Estate Sale. Located at 255 Depot St., Waynesville. Look for the Frog on the Side of Building and You’ve Found Treasures & Bargains from the Original Estate Sale Company

WEEKLY SUDOKU Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

Answers on Page 36

The Best Deal in the Mountains!

CLASSIFIED ADS 50 WORDS OR LESS ARE (Pre-pay only)

PER WEEK

FREE: Residential yard sale ads, lost or found pet ads FREE: Non-business items that sell for less than $150 $35: Non-business items, 25 words or less, 3 months or until sold

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

Call Classifieds Manager Scott Collier — 828.452.4251 or email classads@smokymountainnews.com 68793

December 25-31, 2013 Smoky Mountain News 39

40

Smoky Mountain News December 25-31, 2013