coming to Haywood Page 10 Missing hiker found deceased in Smokies Page 25
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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has never charged entrance fees even though it’s one of the most visited national parks in the country, mostly because of the contentious transition that occurred when the federal government took over privately owned land to create the park. However, there’s nothing in the park’s enabling legislation that prohibits it from charging a fee. (Page 40) Cars travel bumper-to-bumper through Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Warren Bielenberg/NPS photo
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New maps, new candidate in 11th Congressional District
Presnell out, Pless steps up as filing period begins ................................................5
Out-of-state money influences small-town elections ................................................6 Sisters form Pretrial Justice Project of Macon County
Pretrial release program nears end of pilot year ....................................................10
New hires to speed child custody cases in Cherokee
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It’s great to look for items at Ingles Markets from our local farmers and food makers, whether it’s a crunchy apple from Hendersonville or Waynesville, Sunburst trout from Haywood County, local milk from Milkco (supplied by local dairy farmers) or Big Bottom Milk company, an ice cream sandwich from Sunshine Sammie’s or a delicious popcorn mix from Poppy’s popcorn. It feels good to celebrate and support our local farmers and food makers.
BUT
mangoes & papaya from Mexico, and bottles of California Cabernet. Our global food system allows us to buy foods and beverages grown and made hundreds and even thousands of miles away... and buy them at your own Ingles Supermarket near your home!
Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN
Ingles Market Corporate Dietitian
Leah McGrath - Dietitian
AREA’S
Haywood TDA looks at tourism, post-Helene
BY
Despite Hurricane Helene’s disruption of the region’s tourism industry, the entity charged with collecting and spending room occupancy taxes in Haywood County to promote visitation has presented a 10-year master plan outlining a comprehensive strategy for sustainable tourism development.
“Change is coming, whether we’re ready for it or not, and so if we can do our best to have a plan, we can hopefully manage that change so that Haywood County keeps what makes Haywood County so special and that we can hopefully get the right people to come visit us and keep our small businesses running,” Corrina Ruffieux, executive director of the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority, told county commissioners Feb. 3.
This plan, developed through extensive collaboration with a 17-member steering committee staffed by local leaders, industry professionals and representatives from each local government in the county, serves as a roadmap for maximizing Haywood County’s tourism potential while ensuring economic growth and environmental preservation.
A major component of the planning process involved broad community engagement, incorporating input from business owners, local stakeholders and residents. Through in-person focus groups, one-on-one interviews, surveys and workshops with elected officials, the committee began to formulate the strengths and challenges of Haywood County’s tourism landscape.
Several important challenges emerged from the research, including audience engagement. The county experiences strong repeat visitation rates, but demographics skew older, according to Ruffieux. Additionally, Haywood County faces seasonal tourism imbalances, with peak activity concentrated in summer and fall, creating a need to develop strategies that distribute visitor traffic more evenly throughout the year.
county are dated and struggle to compete with the immense popularity of short-term rentals.
At the same time, there are plenty of development opportunities, particularly in expanding water-based recreation, enhancing greenway access and creating more indoor attractions to address the seasonal imbalance.
To tackle these challenges, HCTDA structured its plan around four key strategic pillars. The first focuses on strengthening awareness and perception of Haywood County as a premier tourism destination. A new branding initiative,
oping new family-friendly attractions that can also benefit residents.
“If we make Haywood County a better place to visit, we also make it a better place to live,” Ruffieux said.
The plan integrates tourism into broader county redevelopment efforts, such as the revitalization of the Canton mill site, which was recently sold to a developer who wants to create a mixed-use environment comprised of commercial, light industrial and residential components.
This effort also includes strategies to convert day-trippers into overnight guests. Commission Chair Kevin Ensley remarked that those visitors — or their descendants — sometimes end up becoming permanent residents.
Environmental sustainability and conservation take center stage in the third pillar, which prioritizes destination stewardship. Plans include forming a destination stewardship committee, implementing a tourism impact monitoring system and enhancing visitor management strategies to balance tourism growth with environmental preservation. Given the county’s dependence on outdoor recreation, these efforts are vital to maintaining the region’s natural appeal while fostering responsible tourism practices.
The fourth pillar focuses on strengthening the TDA itself and deepening community engagement. This involves expanding funding sources, improving tourism advocacy and forging stronger partnerships with local businesses and government entities. By fostering collaboration, HCTDA aims to ensure that tourism development benefits not just visitors but also residents, reinforcing a shared commitment to economic prosperity and cultural preservation.
The master plan was “about 98% complete,” said Ruffieux, at the end of September 2024, just as Helene presented new, unforeseen challenges for local leaders. Data presented by Ruffieux shows that for October and November 2024, occupancy tax collections flatlined after another year of record-setting revenues. October, typically the peak of the fall tourism season, saw a roughly 40% decrease in expected collections.
“By us working together, we can try to target younger families, engage them to come, see what they want to do and also potentially shift our seasons so that we’re keeping our businesses full and our employees working year-round,” she said.
Another significant challenge involves accommodation modernization, as many traditional lodging options in the
“… I meet new people that come here and move here, and I always ask them how they found out about us, and a lot of it is because they vacationed here at some point in time,” Ensley said. “A fella told me one time his grandfather was here, he’s like 70 years old now and he wanted to move here … because when he was a teenager he worked at the Balsam Inn.”
The second pillar emphasizes diversifying tourism offerings to enhance visitor experiences. Initiatives include devel-
“By us working together, we can try to target younger families, engage them to come, see what they want to do and also potentially shift our seasons so that we’re keeping our businesses full and our employees working year-round.”
Corrina Ruffieux, Haywood County TDA executive director
To recognize and adapt to the disruptions, the TDA paused the master plan and completed an additional, interim recovery transition plan for October 2024 through September 2026, balancing short-term recovery actions with the long-term goals outlined in the master plan.
“What we did do is we realized the master plan implementation is going to have to shift until we can recover a little bit more fully from Helene and some of the priorities that we thought were number ones are probably fours or fives, and the fours or fives are now number ones,” Ruffieux said.
Beyond long-term planning, TDA has actively supported the local tourism industry through seasonal events and grant initiatives. The upcoming 2025 weekend event schedule includes attractions such as the Cool Jazz Concert at HART, the Torch Run at Cataloochee Ski Area, the Visit Haywood Ice Stroll in Waynesville and various winter sports and cultural events.
A birds-eye view of downtown Waynesville. A Shot Above photo
Macon approves additional coaching supplements
BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF W RITER
The Macon County Board of Education has approved additional coaching supplements for head and assistant coaches in the district, to the tune of about $6,000 annually.
A request for an assistant JV volleyball coach last year prompted a review of coaching supplements in the school system and found that, along with the JV volleyball team that had requested an assistant coach, several other athletic teams did not have allotted funding for more than one coach, even though several of those teams have assistant coaches who volunteer their time.
Athletic Director Todd Gibbs found that girls’ wrestling, along with both the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams did not have assistant coaches.
swim coach.
“We suggest that the board do the same for Highlands School swimming, head coach and assistant coach,” said Gibbs.
In total, the additional coaches will cost the school system $6,176 annually. That will pay for three additional assistant coaches at $698 each per season. The assistant coach for girls wrestling is recommended to earn a supplement of $1,077. The high school swimming head coach and assistant coach for Highlands School are recommended at the same level of those at Franklin High School — $2,261 and $744 respectively.
“They’re a pretty active swim team run by volunteers,” said Board Member Hilary Wilkes of the Highlands swim team. “I do know our swim coach does work very hard and does middle school and high school… it’s a lot of work.”
make sure every team had an assistant coach,” Gibbs said during the December board meeting. “So, we’re asking that you guys consider listing assistant coaches and supplements for each of those positions.”
system had no supplement for a swim coach at Highlands school, even though the school does have a swim team. The supplement for the head swim coach at Franklin High School is $2,261 and $744 for the assistant
Last year, the board voted to give athletic
can’t make it to every practice but work with student athletes and support the teams during games. Those positions will still be unpaid.
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File photo
Ms. Jones was the only teacher recipient of the Champion of Change award,” said Junaluska Elementary Principal Alex Masciarelli. “Everyone else was a building or district level leader. It was really amazing to see her recognized.”
The Champion for Change Award is presented on behalf of former North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt, who left office at the beginning of this year, and recognizes district leaders of systems who have used data to align literacy strategies that are having an impact on student outcomes. In addition to the award, recipients are also added to the NC Promising Practices Map highlighting their work in early literacy.
“Jenna’s passion for instruction is incredible,” said Masciarelli. “She brings positivity and intensity to her classroom every day. She inspires her students to achieve and grow.”
The Science of Reading, a term first coined in 1830s, is a method of reading instruction based on thousands of studies from around the world that emphasize the importance of phonics and learning to sound out words.
The research guides teachers to efficiently teach all students to read by focusing on five keys: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. In recent years, North Carolina teachers have undergone extensive Science of Reading training to improve the way students are taught to read by using the science behind it.
“The work put in to helping my students grow is for their benefit and future success,” said Jones. “The only recognition sought is the praise they receive from their families who get to be a part of the process. I take an all-hands-on-deck
for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. When she presented Jones with the award, she said, “Jenna is a reflective practitioner who exhibits a continuous improvement mindset. She is always eager to learn and improve based on feedback and data to effectively serve her children, as well as her peers.”
“The more you get to know a child, the better able you are to connect with them and help them grow. “
Jenna Jones
In addition to her role as a classroom teacher, Jones serves on the Fundations District Leadership Team, has led professional development on the effective implementation of best practices in the classroom aligned to Fundations, has led district Geodes (a reading method that builds content knowledge of science, history and the arts) training and created videos of how she uses this curriculum to address accuracy, fluency and comprehension to be shared with her colleagues.
“Not only have I learned so much about early literacy from Jenna, but dozens of fellow educators from HCS have as well from being able to observe her in action,” Masciarelli said.
“She willingly serves as a model classroom for other educators to observe, learn and collaborate,” said Rhyne. “Jenna
tering skills, MTSS teams track and ensure growth and school/ district leaders continue to provide support for doing what’s best for students.”
“It is not on my own accord that first-graders are being equipped with strong early reading skills,” Jones said.
Testing data show that Jones’ students are experiencing incredible growth in reading capability. Last year composite scores showed that 90% of her students were above or well above benchmark — this at a time when national data shows reading skills among United States children have reached an all-time low.
What’s more, 100% of students in Jones’ classroom were at or above benchmark in phoneme sound fluency, 95% of students were at or above benchmark in nonsense word fluency, and 80% of students were at or above benchmark in oral reading fluency.
“Jenna is an educator we would love to replicate in every school across our state,” said Rhyne. “She is a passionate leader who has a heart to serve at the district, school, grade and classroom levels. There is no doubt that she knows how to effectively use assessments and data as a part of her daily instruction for timely and continuous improvement.”
Jones knew she wanted to be a teacher by the time she left the third grade. Like so many people, the memory and influence of one special elementary school teacher is forever imprinted in her mind. In Jones’ case, that irreplaceable force was Ms. McBurney.
“A big part of teaching is being able to meet students where they are, find out how they learn best, and inspire them to grow to be their best,” said Jones. F
Susan DelBene, Assistant Superintendent Jill Barker, Associate Superintendent Graham Haynes, Jenna Jones, Alex Masciarelli and Superintendent Trevor Putnam. File photo
“Ms. McBurney was a master at this. She had high expectations for us all but found ways to encourage us all to flourish in our own ways. It was my years with her that helped me develop a love for school and a joy in teaching.”
roles in the classroom that allowed her to use her talents to help others and Jones says she ate it up. She began playing school at home with her sister, and for years to come, Jones played the role of teacher.
“It was because of her that I wanted to become a teacher myself and have that same impact on other kids,” Jones said.
Jones received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Berea College in Kentucky and then went on to get a Masters in Reading and Writing Instruction K-12 at the University of the Cumberlands. She would go on to teach in Kentucky for five years before taking time off to focus on raising her own children.
“I cherished those years with them, but as soon as they were both in school, back to the classroom I went as well,” Jones said.
During her years at home, the family had moved back to Western North Carolina, where her husband was raised. When she returned to the classroom, Jones did so, at first, as a part-time Title 1 reading and math interventionist in Haywood County Schools.
“That year was exactly what I needed to accustom myself to the teacher life again, but I knew I needed more,” Jones recalled. “I’ve always loved the experience of having my own classroom with my own students and getting to build those daily relationships with them. The more you get to know a child, the better able you are to connect with them and help them grow.”
The very next year, Jones took on a firstgrade classroom, and she’s remained in that position ever since.
“My time in the classroom before babies was spent teaching 5th grade, and I loved the opportunity to expand student knowledge in science and social studies, while equipping them with skills needed to thrive in middle school life,” Jones said. “However, it was that first year in first grade and being
on four years now.”
Jones says her teaching method follows the Science of Reading research which proves how brains learn to read. Reading is not typically something that just happens over time, and she’s found that the best way to teach kids to read is through a systematic approach that caters to their reading news as they grow.
“Explicitly teaching and practicing the sounds and decoding skills needed to read removes the guessing game that reading can often be for kids,” Jones said. “Instead of handing them a book that they fumble through and encounter several works that they do not know how to read, the Science of Reading approach better prepares kids to be confident readers.”
The Science of Reading approach takes students through the process of learning the makeup of words, reading sounds in isolation and blending those sounds together to read words. The idea is to frontload the focus on how to recognize and read parts of words so that they can apply those skills to reading any word they come in contact with.
For example, instead of reading a sentence about a cat, Science of Reading teaches students not to depend on the context or picture of a cat in a story to guess the word cat, but rather know each sound that the letters make, and how to blend them together to read the word.
Other parts include taking those skills further by focusing on reading fluently and comprehending what they read, all in an effort to build strong readers.
“A student’s reading skills in first grade are a strong predictor of the reading skills they’ll have as an adult,” Jones said.
classroom. She knows that on most days, students spend more time with their teachers at school than they do with their own family members at home. That’s a lot of time to have a big impact on a kid academi-
chance to do for them what one teacher did
As Rhyne put it when she presented Jones with the Champion for Change award, “hidden in the mountains of Western North Carolina, there is a unique gem they call Jenna Jones.”
Jenna Jones receives Champion for Change Award at a
Sober Operator Act to go before General Assembly
Law would lower maximum BAC while driving from .08 to .05
BY KYLE P ERROTTI
N EWS E DITOR
Agroup of law enforcement officers, elected officials and concerned citizens is renewing its years-long effort to get a series of new laws through the General Assembly this year.
While previous efforts came in the form of a series of shorter bills, the latest attempt to get the measures passed — measures that include lowering the legal blood alcohol content while driving from .08 to .05 — will all fall under one bill known as the Sober Operator Act. Although the bill hasn’t yet officially been filed and doesn’t yet have a number, members of the Western North Carolina DWI Taskforce expect it will in the coming days.
In recent years, Rep. Mike Clampitt (R-Swain), known in the General Assembly as one of the strongest advocates for new, stricter legislation aimed at curbing impaired driving, has proposed five separate bills that would tighten impaired driving laws.
Along with lowering the legal limit for driving, those bills sought to allow the portable breath test (PBT) result to be used for probable cause determination by a judge. In addition, they would have allowed for law enforcement to screen for narcotics other than alcohol while driving. They would have also allowed for civil driver’s license revocation for drivers impaired on narcotics; right now, such a statute only exists for drunk drivers.
Finally, Clampitt previously proposed a bill that would provide a legal pathway for those who complete sobriety
court and other court-mandated actions to obtain a driver’s license.
Taskforce leader Ellen Pitt, who has worked for over 20 years with police and lawmakers to crack down on impaired driving, said she thinks this should have been done last year.
“Sometimes, it’s frustrating to think that you can’t get all these people to agree on something that saves lives, taxpayer dollars and officer time,” she said.
The push toward stricter impaired driving laws in North Carolina mirrors much of what has been seen in other states in the years following a 2013 NTSB recommendation to lower the legal limit from the .08 standard to .05. Utah has already passed such a law, and Hawaii, California, Oregon,
Washington and New York all have proposals on the books to lower their legal limits.
That’s in addition to 21 states currently using the PBT numericals for probable cause.
Along with including all the elements that were part of the individual bills Clampitt has introduced in the past, the Sober Operator Act would create a Class F felony charge (typically punishable by one to three years in prison. It would also mandate that District Court hearings are recorded in the manner Superior Court is currently using, allowing what Clampitt and Pitt call a greater measure of transparency of public proceedings.
As with the previous bills, Clampitt talked enthusiastically about the Sober Operator Act and said he is optimistic that it will be received warmly in the General Assembly despite the previous bills having never made it to the floor. Clampitt noted that new House Republican leadership may be more receptive than the prior establishment, adding that having everything under one bill will also make it easier for legislators to jump onboard.
Although that move always comes with the risk of a less popular item hurting the chances of something more people can get behind getting passed, Clampitt went back to his fundamental argument.
“The life you save may be your own,” Clampitt said. “You may be a father, a mother, a brother, a sister, an aunt or uncle, and think about the number of lives your life touches and what kind of void would be there if you weren’t there. Then apply that to a victim of a DWI and their family members.”
Clampitt’s initial co-sponsor on the bill is Rep. Eric Ager (D-Buncombe). Ager said he thinks the Sober Operator Act is a “good start,” something that will initially make roads safer while also possibly paving the way for F
Among other things, the proposed law would lower the maximum allowed blood alcohol content while driving from .08 to .05. Stock photo
Governor Stein Announces small business grant program
On Jan. 31, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, alongside Dogwood Health Trust, unveiled a $30 million grant program to aid small businesses in Western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane
Businesses with annual revenue up to $2.5 million can apply for grants of up to $50,000 through the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative.
future measures.
“It does much more than obviously the
“Small businesses are the backbone of this region, and these grants will help them through the slow winter months,” Stein said. Dogwood Health Trust President Dr. Susan Mims emphasized the program’s role in long-term recovery and encouraged philanthropic support.
Stein also announced $6 million in state funding for housing repairs, with $3 million each going to Baptists on Mission and Habitat for Humanity NC to help rebuild homes.
The hurricane caused $13 billion in business losses, and officials say these grants will help stabilize local economies. Applications will be managed by Appalachian Community Capital, with eligibility extending to businesses in 28 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Eligible businesses can apply through Feb. 21 by visiting appalachiancommunitycapitalcdfi.org/wnscb-grant.
officers on the taskforce — for all the work they put in to try to influence policy changes
Ager said he is happy to work across the aisle on legislation that helps folks statewide and especially in Western North Carolina, adding that it’s important to not allow the partisan gridlock to get in the way of good legislation.
“In this hyper-partisan environment, there are still a lot of issues we can work on together,” he said.
Ultimately, Ager said he is happy to work with Clampitt, but he especially wanted to thank Pitt — along with law enforcement
he said. Pitt said she appreciates the support from Clampitt and Ager but added that she hopes enough people will come onboard to finally pass this item that she considers “common sense” legislation.
“We’re not telling people to not drink,” Pitt said. “We’re just telling them to not drink and drive. Other states have already done this or are trying to do it. I have high hopes that our legislators will want to do the right thing.”
Helene.
Governor Josh Stein.
File photo
Ellen Pitt leads the Western North Carolina DWI taskforce. File photo
More river gauges coming to Haywood
BY C ORY VAILLANCOURT P OLITICS E DITOR
Residents of Haywood County will have more information at their fingertips the next time flooding presents a risk, after Haywood County commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of seven new river gauges to monitor area waterways.
us monitor the river levels,” said Chair Kevin Ensley during a Feb. 3 meeting.
action stage and when the high flood level would be,” said Zack Koonce, Haywood County emergency management coordinator.
The new gauges come at a cost of $108,792; however, the purchase will be funded by a grant received from the Office of State Budget Management last summer. The
county has embarked on a campaign to bolster its early warning capacity for extreme weather events like Hurricane Helene, during which the existing gauges provided data to the North Carolina Flood Inundation Mapping and Alert Network.
data from nearly every flood gauge in the state, FIMAN is accessible at fiman.nc.gov, but it’s only as good as its gauges — some of which offer crest prediction. Additionally, users of the website can sign up to receive notification when certain gauges reach certain levels.
“It’s very beneficial, these sites, because certain sites have that ability … to predict when the peak of the river was going to occur, also when we’d get into a certain
Helene, and likely helped protect property and save lives.
Currently, per FIMAN, there are 18 gauges in Haywood County, from Newfound Road in the east to Dellwood in the west, and from Big East Fork in the south to Cataloochee in the north.
Free training on domestic violence prevention
REACH of Haywood County is sponsoring a free training for all community leaders, law enforcement personnel, social workers, healthcare professionals and concerned citizens from Haywood and surrounding counties.
There are two opportunities to attend. Tuesday Feb. 11, or Wednesday Feb. 12. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the program runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon. There is an hour break for lunch and there will be food trucks on campus. The second session runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Both days are identical. Training will be held at Beall Auditorium at Haywood Community College
Topics to be covered include recognizing the signs of domestic violence; providing support and resources for victims; legal and law enforcement responses; and community based prevention programs. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required and can be completed either at ReachofHaywood.org or by calling 828.456.7898.
File photo
Haywood Christian Ministry announces expansion of WNC anti-hunger initiatives
Haywood Christian Ministry’s food infrastructure is moving to a new facility in Bethel.
HCM’s new food plan aims to ensure equitable food distribution across the county, not just in the population centers. Through partnership with other food pantries, through their own pop-up markets that will take place regularly at their original pantry facility and around the county and through a food ordering and locker delivery system that should be available in the spring, HCM hopes to make food available to everyone who needs it at times and places that are convenient to them.
need a robust local food ecosystem that is resilient, sustainable, and provides equitable access to food for all our communities.”
HCM is launching the Smoky Mountain Harvest Hub, a food hub that purchases and aggregates locally produced food for distribution into the community. Some food will be sold, some will be given away, and everyone will have access to it. Plans are also in the works for a commercial kitchen space that will be available to local farmers, food entrepreneurs and agencies to process food for sale or distribution.
“Whether or not you go hungry should not be dependent on where you live, your access to transportation, or the hours you are available to visit a pantry on the other side of a mountain,” said Blake Hart, HCM’s Executive Director. “We envision the ability for people to request, access, and consume good food in ways and methods that are convenient, dignified and effective.” HCM is also beginning to work to solve issues not only of individual hunger but of the security of the entire food system in Haywood and surrounding counties.
“If the floods from Hurricane Helene showed us anything, it was how utterly dependent we are on outside sources for our food,” Hart said. “We
Vecinos Celebrates el Mes de Amor y la Amistad in WNC
February is the month commonly associated with love (el amor) and friendship (la amistad) in Latin American communities and around the world. It is a time for both self-care and community care. Vecinos Inc., a non-profit clinic based in Cullowhee, cares for the Western North Carolina community by offering free bilingual primary care and behavioral health care services, through an outpatient clinic, as well as free mobile medical clinics to low-income and uninsured adults in the region.
Vecinos commits to providing respectful medical care that honors the diverse cultural backgrounds of its patients, including Western North Carolina’s migrant farmworkers. This approach builds trust and can help dismantle barriers to healthcare for underserved communities.
This February, Vecinos encourages its Western North Carolina neighbors to support their communities. Actions of care are vital during the ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, as many Western North Carolina residents still face many challenges. Vecinos demonstrates how health care organizations can support their neighbors by providing free, comprehensive medical care to all who need it.
In spring 2025, the opening of the brand-new Vecinos Community Health Hub on SCC Campus in Franklin will expand critical healthcare services for uninsured and low-income residents of Western
North Carolina.
Haywood Christian Ministry has long been a presence of compassionate care in Haywood and surrounding counties. Founded in 1970, hunger and food insecurity have long been focal points of HCM’s work in the community.
“We established our first ever food pantry in 1975 out of a commitment that no one in our communities should go hungry. That work has grown and evolved over the years and now HCM is the largest food pantry in all of MANNA FoodBank’s 16 county region,” Hart said.
Annually, HCM reports the processing and distribution of over 1.3 million pounds, serving over 2,500 households in Haywood county. Haywood Christian Ministry is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. You can learn more at hcmnc.org.
To support Vecinos’ opening of its brand-new Community Health Hub, community members are invited to donate to and volunteer at Vecinos. Community involvement allows Vecinos to serve more patients by:
• Providing essential services like medical transportation, interpretation, and professional medical services.
• Expanding the ability of Vecinos mobile clinics to reach more uninsured, low-income farmworkers and residents of Western North Carolina.
• Funding essential medications and medical supplies.
• Enhancing telehealth services to ensure continuous care for all patients.
By donating to Vecinos, individuals can strengthen the entire Western North Carolina community. To show your care in February, consider donating to Vecinos by visiting vecinos.org/donate.
HRMC promotes heart health on Feb. 27
Haywood Regional Medical Center will host the Haywood Heart Expo from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 27 at the Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center facility, located at 72 Leroy George Drive in Clyde.
This free, community-driven event is designed to raise awareness about heart health while providing local residents with the resources and knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their cardiovascular well-being. Attendees are welcome to drop by at any time during the
formed their passion for entertaining, event planning and crafting cocktails into a one-of-a-kind mobile bar service. With decades of combined experience in event planning and the service industry, the Correas specialize in curating unforgettable experiences featuring signature cocktails designed to leave a lasting impression. For more information about The Pouring District, reach out Lori Correa at 828.371.9718 or via email at thepouringdistrict@gmail.com.
Food truck boot camp comes to Cherokee
The Center for Environmental Farming Systems’) EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems (EMFS) project and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Division of Commerce will be hosting a Food Truck Boot Camp in Cherokee.
This comprehensive training event, scheduled for March 10-13, 2025, is designed to provide aspiring food truck owners and entrepreneurs with knowledge and skills needed to successfully start and grow their food truck business.
event, and no RSVPs are necessary.
The expo will feature a range of heart-health activities, including a guided walk around campus led by Micheal Miller, a Cardiologist with Western Carolina Cardiology. Participants will have the unique opportunity to gain insights from an expert while enjoying an engaging and informative walk. Additionally, attendees can take advantage of free blood pressure screenings, allowing them to monitor and better understand their heart health.
The event will also include a variety of tabling events with hospital departments and professionals, offering valuable information on everything from nutrition to exercise. To round out the day, attendees can enjoy a complimentary lunch that focuses on heart-healthy foods and meal choices.
This event is open to all members of the community, and everyone is encouraged to attend, regardless of age or fitness level. Whether you’re looking to learn more about heart health or just enjoy a fun and educational day, the Haywood Heart Expo promises to be a valuable experience.
The Pouring District cuts the ribbon
The Franklin Chamber of Commerce announced the grand opening of a new business, celebrated with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event brought together community members and local businesses to commemorate this exciting milestone.
The Pouring District is the creation of Lori and Jaime Correa, a husband-and-wife duo who trans-
EMFS brings together producers, food businesses, schools and regional partners to increase business opportunities for food and farm businesses in a 14-county region of Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. EMFS works to expand the local food economy in Western North Carolina by focusing on entrepreneurship, business development, job creation, workforce development and growing community leadership for lasting change.
The Food Truck Boot Camp will cover many different aspects of launching and operating a food truck, from menu design with chefs to marketing strategies, financial planning, and compliance. Participants will receive valuable handson experience through one-on-one consultations with experts, including private coaching sessions, food truck inspections, and specialized guidance on recipe development, accounting, and business planning.
Key topics will include:
• Menu design and recipe development with chefs
• Marketing, public relations, and branding
• Financial planning and funding options
• Business planning and enterprise budget review
• Food truck design for efficiency and fire safety
• Regulatory compliance and food safety
This event is a collaboration with the Street Food Institute, an Albuquerque-based nonprofit that provides training, resources and mentorship for food entrepreneurs. The Street Food Institute has a strong track record of empowering food truck businesses and helping entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of starting and sustaining their own mobile food enterprises.
Space is limited, and interested participants are encouraged to register soon at bit.ly/2025-ftbootcamp. Please call Laura Lauffer at the EBCI NC Cooperative Extension office at 828.359.6936 with any questions.
Let it find us doing ordinary things
The goal of a writer is to pen words that inspire, educate or entertain, but sometimes, when the world feels heavy, it’s challenging to think of a topic that will resonate. As a decade-long columnist for The Smoky Mountain News, my readers have come to mean a lot to me. I’ve shared personal joys, sorrows, failures and accomplishments. I’ve worked through grief, guilt and growth by putting my stories out into the world. I’ve made connections with many of you through emails or chance encounters on Main Street or in a grocery store. Thank you for reading and for being part of my personal metamorphosis. To me, this column is much more than a piece of printed paper. It’s part of who I am, and my own emotional state often drives the topic and tone. Coming out of a month where our country has experienced wildfires, plane crashes, human persecution and significant political divisiveness, it seems insensitive to craft prose about routine life events. Then again, maybe readers would prefer I write about my older son getting his license or planning a summer vacation out west or the fact that I challenged myself to write a novel in two months and succeeded. There have been quite a few exciting things going on in my personal life, but at this moment, it feels a bit dissociative to write about all of that. Maybe soon, if our collective energy stabilizes, my motivation for traditional storytelling will return.
Recently I was reminded of words written by C.S. Lewis in 1948 when the world was reeling from the massive devastation of World War II. Lewis wrote an essay called “On Living
in an Atomic Age.” Below is an excerpt.
“If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things — praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts — not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.”
I remember during the days of COVID-19 when this same excerpt was being shared and certain words were replaced. It read something like this:
“If we are all going to be destroyed by a pandemic, let the virus find us doing sensible and human things — praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts — not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about sickness. It may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but it need not dominate our minds.”
We can replace “atomic bomb” with anything — pandemic, hurricane, flood, wildfire, plane crash, guns, political control and so on. The sentiment is the same. If we are “huddled together like frightened sheep,” what good comes of that?
Sen. Tillis is kissing Trump’s feet
There’s no such thing as a self-made dictator. It takes more than a village to make one. Lawmakers and judges must cooperate or get out of his way. Citizens must accept that it’s all for the good or will soon pass by. That’s what happened not so long ago to new democracies in Italy, Germany and Russia. And now it’s America’s turn.
Donald Trump didn’t stop on Day One, as he had falsely promised. He’s purging the government of anyone who might be more submissive to the Constitution then to him. He’s populating it with fellow fascists and treating the economy as if it were just another namebranded casino to bankrupt.
The Supreme Court has already given him a license to break any law. Where is Congress, it’s time to wonder, while he claims the right to ignore its appropriations, fire inspectors general, ransack the Justice Department and FBI, promise lavish buyouts to the entire federal work force, censor state school curriculums, appoint dangerously unqualified Cabinet officers and deny birthright citizenship despite the 14th Amendment?
Where is the outcry over his expressed ambition for an unconstitutional third term? For North Carolinians, the question gets very local: where is Sen. Thom Tillis in all this?
It’s a timely one because he’s up for election again next year and he’s plainly terrified of nothing but primary opposition from the right. There’s one Republican opponent already, but it’s Democrat Roy Cooper whom he should worry about. Had Tillis voted as wisely and bravely as Sens. Lia Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell, Pete Hegseth wouldn’t be the first secretary of defense for whom there should be a breathalyzer beside the red phone.
But Hegseth’s affinity for alcohol isn’t the worst of it. He has no experience to qualify him for managing something so large, costly and essential as the Department of Defense. Running his mouth on Fox “News” doesn’t cut it. The spiteful retaliation he immediately took against retired Gen. Mark Milley, stripping him of his security detail and threatening his fourth star, shows how wrong Tillis’ vote was.
As it took the vice president to break a tie, every “yes” vote was decisive but Tillis’ was
Frightened sheep are frozen in place. Frightened sheep have forgotten how to care for themselves or their flock. Frightened sheep panic. Frightened sheep are more likely to be destroyed by a predator.
When we allow fear to dominate our minds, we stay in a low frequency, a place where there is no room for humor, enlightenment, problem solving or love. I like how C.S. Lewis’s list of “sensible and human” activities still rings true today, even though it was written almost 80 years ago. To me, that shows how little we change over time. Reading, listening to music, praying, mediating, taking care of my children, doing good work, teaching and helping others, going outside to walk or hike or run, sitting with friends at a local bar, laughing and sharing stories. These are the reasons we exist. These are the ways our souls grow.
Those of you who use the drone of national news outlets as background noise to your daily lives, turn it off. Those of you who scroll through social media each time your hands are idle, find the will to stop. Those of you who fall prey to sensationalism and fake news, trust your gut and stop believing everything you read.
While it would be easy to succumb to fear and sometimes even justified, if a “bomb” is going to drop on us, let it find us doing ordinary things. Let it find us taking care of our people, sharing our talents, and remembering what it truly means to be human.
(Susanna Shetley is a writer, editor and digital media specialist. susanna.b@smokymountainnews.com.)
the most conspicuous. He had virtually promised to vote no. The Wall Street Journal disclosed that he had coaxed Hegseth’s ex sisterin-law to testify about his alcohol and spousal abuse by implying it would swing three votes including his own. It wasn’t the first dive Tillis took for Trump. Six years ago, he spoke against and even wrote a Washington Post oped opposing the emergency Trump declared to begin the border wall. When it came time to vote, though, there was Tillis, flat on his face at Trump’s feet.
At this writing, the Senate has yet to vote on three more Trump nominees who are as bad or worse than Hegseth. People reading this might be dead today if Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had been able to persuade the FDA to withdraw its approval of the COVID-19 vaccine. He said nothing to two Senate committees other than to prove that no crackpot like him belongs in charge of the nation’s health agencies.
Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s mind-blowing nominee for intelligence chief, said nothing to put a gloss on her coziness with the Russian czar Vladimir Putin and the former Syrian tyrant Bashar al-Asad. She had also tried to get Edward Snowden off the hook for leaking government documents that exposed U.S.
intelligence methods and sources.
Kash Patel, a veteran Trump hatchet man, is utterly unqualified to lead the FBI. He’d be there simply to purge and prosecute anyone who had ever taken part in trying to hold Trump accountable to the law or might dare to try again.
I would be delighted for Tillis to surprise me by voting against those people. If only he would look in the mirror to see a hero instead of a MAGA hat.
It’s the nature of most presidents, like kings, to crave ever more power. That’s why the Constitution gave Congress the authority — and the duty — to hold the executive in check. It’s what Benjamin Franklin had in mind when he famously advised a fellow citizen that the Constitutional Convention had proposed “A republic, madam, if you can keep it.”
My correspondence with Tillis about Hegseth and other issues has been depressing. He seems to think his duty now is to do whatever Trump wants because “The American people delivered a clear message that they want the country to move in a new direction by electing Donald Trump as president.”
That message wasn’t nearly as clear as Tillis pretends, since Trump didn’t break 50% of the vote. But the new direction, at least, is unmistakable. It’s toward dictatorship. (Martin A. Dyckman is a retired journalist who lives in Western North Carolina. dyckmanm@bellsouth.net.)
Susanna Shetley
Guest Columnist
Martin Dyckman
As we we welcome 2025, we want to thank you for trusting us to be part of your journey. Whether you’re buying or selling a home, building your forever home, searching for the perfect piece of land, or making smart investment decisions, we are truly honored to help you achieve your dreams. In 2024, our team proudly achieved a total production of $62,908,800 with 121 transactions, and we are grateful for the trust and support that made this possible. A portion of this success was dedicated to philanthropy, allowing us to give back to the community that continues to inspire and uplift us.
This year, we remain committed to helping individuals and families create memories, build legacies, and find places to call home. Your dreams are at the heart of everything we do, fueling our passion for serving our community with care and excellence. Here’s to 2025 — a year of milestones, opportunities, and making dreams come true together!
Thurs, Feb 13 vs
– 6 pm Sat, Feb 15 vs Furman – 1 pm
Feb 12 vs ETSU – 6 pm
Feb 15 vs The Citadel – 3:30 pm
Feb 26 vs Wofford – 7 pm
Lean into the blue
Town Mountain celebrates 20 years
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD
ARTS & E NTERTAINMENT E DITOR
It’s safe to say that the whirlwind sounds and vibrant tones of Town Mountain (now referred to as “Americana”) were ahead of their time when the band first came to fruition in 2005 in the mountains of Western North Carolina.
“Twenty years ago, I wasn’t thinking about anything but pretty girls, big buses and G-runs [on the guitar],” said guitarist Robert Greer. “I certainly wasn’t thinking about being a sustainable small business owner.”
Back then, Town Mountain was (and remains) this captivating sonic blend of country, bluegrass and honky-tonk music. Too loud and rambunctious for old-time bluegrass festivals. Too acoustic to market as a bonafide rock act. And yet, it’s that square peg trying to fit in a round hole vibe that resides at the heart of what makes the group so unique and special — they are simply themselves.
Alongside Greer, there’s mandolinist Phil Barker, fiddler Bobby Britt, bassist Zach Smith and drummer Camry Harris. From taking the stage at back-alley dive bars to the bright lights of Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the ongoing journey of Town Mountain is one of pure passion and grit, of this unrelenting thirst for musical discovery coupled with the sacred magic of what it means to perform live.
“To look around the stage during a live performance and see those two dudes right there with me? Well, that’s badass and something I don’t take lightly,” Greer said of his 15-year musical relationship with Barker and Britt. “The continuity that length of run brings doesn’t grow on trees. What a privilege Town Mountain has been and the honor is all mine.”
Want to go?
Renowned Americana act Town Mountain will perform at 11:45 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at The Orange Peel in Asheville. A special late show following the Billy Strings concert at the nearby Harrah’s Cherokee Center, the gig is ages 18 and over. Doors open at 11 p.m. Tickets are $33 per person. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, go to theorangepeel.net.
Smoky Mountain News: Town Mountain turns 20 years old in 2025. What do you think about that number, 20, when you place it against what was, what is and what will be with the band?
Phil Barker: That’s kind of crazy. I honestly didn’t even realize that until just now. That’s a significant number. For me, it represents the commitment to the craft, years of hard work and thousands of miles traveled. Catching a few breaks and missing our share, as well. Twenty years is a testament to the belief we have in each other and a belief in what we have to say as artists.
SMN: Specifically, what runs through your mind when you reflect on the long, winding road to the here and now?
PB: Off the top of my head, I’m picturing all five of us sleeping on the floor of our buddy’s house in Berkley, California. Or hanging out in an American frontier reenactment camp at a festival in the middle of a forest in Finland. Or picking on the back of a flatbed truck as it drives down the street as part of a “festival” in Nome, Alaska. Or taking the stage at Red Rocks
[Amphitheatre in Colorado]. Honestly, it [has been] kind of a blur of adventures and circumstances.
SMN: When you reminisce about the early days of Town Mountain, what vividly sticks out about what the original intent was, where the passion and zest was cultivated from to make a go at this as a career, and what were the initial seeds planted that eventually grew into the band itself?
PB: For me, the intent has always been to play original music with energy and authenticity. From the beginning, we’ve been trying to bring together elements of our favorite styles of music, whether it’s bluegrass, country swing or singer-songwriter and come up with our own voice. And, hopefully, that voice moves the audience and we can make a connection.
SMN: To that, how does the current intent of Town Mountain changed or remained the same compared to the starting line? Especially when you place that current intent against the current state of the haphazard music industry, this rapidly changing sonic landscape in often-choppy waters to properly navigate?
PB: The current lineup definitely has the same core intent, just painted with a broader brush. The addition of drums and pedal steel gives us the chance to continue to challenge ourselves artistically and explore what we’re capable of. It [has] definitely been met with levels of resistance, as change normally is, from some of our listeners, but, for us right now as artists, it [has] been a great evolution.
And as far as our position in the music industry, it definitely feels like we’re outsiders. And that’s fine. We’ll just keep doing what we do and let someone else deal with the labels.
Town Mountain will play Asheville Feb. 8.
David Simchock Photography photo
‘And a man must forfeit all he owns, for a glimpse at the reason why’
HOT PICKS
1
BA special performance of Ballet Hispánico will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, in the Bardo Arts Center Performance Hall at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.
2
Musical duo Brian Ashley Jones & Melanie Jean will perform from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley.
3
Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host King Garbage at 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8.
don’t rise. Onward into this next chapter of my existence. Head held high at what may come to pass in the next decade.
Lately, it’s been quite the existential processing about this milestone birthday. For me, I’ve always felt that getting older is a privilege, so long as you have mobility and your wits about you. That said, I’ve been going through a lot of my old writing files and circling back to what I was thinking and feeling in 2015.
As a writer, I have all these words, emotions, actions, and memories all down on the blank page, going all the way back to my college years. To note, I’ve been writing this column every single week since June 4, 2013 (when I was 28). Since then (including this week’s), there have been 608 columns.
So, I tracked down the column I wrote in February 2015 about turning 30. It’s refreshing to know my mindset and attitude on life remains the same. And yet, I’ve been lucky enough to acquire much more knowledge in the last decade when it comes to matters of the head and the heart.
Here’s some of that column:
“I used to look at the once far off 30 as a benchmark of if I was doing it right, ‘it’ being my existence. What matters most is keeping tabs on yourself (good health, positive mindset), holding steady in pursuit of your dreams (true success is a slow burn), and never forgetting that the ‘Golden Rule’ is the only rule.
“So, here I am, on the threshold of 30, putting a final bookend on my twenties. No regrets. I milked the past decade of my life to the best of my ability. It’s all about finding that ideal balance of work and play (with a lean more toward play), doing what you love, working hard, but always ready to jump into the car for an unknown and spontaneous adventure.
“Life is about interaction and experience. It’s meant to be lived. Thus, the next time you look in the mirror, smile and rest easy knowing that you as a human being are not a number on this planet, but an intricate and integral piece of this endless puzzle that is the Universe.”
With that, I had this splendid epiphany when I got up this morning, which was very welcomed in my heart and soul after a pretty
who aims to radiate compassion and cultivate sense of gratitude. But, with the heaviness of my existence as of late, I’ve found it hard to navigate through the dense, foggy forest of my mind.
Since I’ve started therapy last month, I’m beginning to have a renewed sense of self, one of focus and clarity in a modern world seemingly gone mad. One of the things I’ve learned in these bountiful sessions is pinpointing stressors in my life, things that trigger my anxiety, sadness, and lack of self-worth.
As I opened my eyes in bed earlier, I gazed over at the sunshine peeking through the window blinds. I noticed how beautiful the old tree branch is hovering over my apartment.
I scanned the bedroom and felt appreciation for the guitars in the corner that I truly look forward to playing each day, even if for 10 minutes between things I have to do outside of the front door. Although I’m just a novice guitar player, it’s become one of the most enjoyable experiences in my life.
I thought of how much I’m going to enjoy that cold brew coffee in my refrigerator, and how I’m glad I did pull into the grocery store the other day, seeing as I knew “future Garret” would really like some cold brew while sitting down to write at my desk come Sunday morning.
I thought of how much I do enjoy my quaint, minimalist apartment, with its small wraparound porch and views of the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains. Who cares about the stressor of not owning a home? Someday, it’ll happen. But, for now, remain thankful for very agreeable rent and living in a town that’s been the only place in my life I’ve honestly felt “at home.”
I thought about how incredible it is I’m able to pay my bills, put gas in my truck, buy groceries, take road trips and so forth simply by getting a full-time paycheck for typing out whatever it is I see, hear, feel and experience onto the blank page. Who cares that I’m not rich? I live a rich life, and one on my terms and in my own time. I choose to do what I want with my time, which is priceless.
I thought about my pickup truck and where I might go with it this afternoon and evening. Where to for dinner later, eh? Who
4
A stage production of “Women & War” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7-8 and 2 p.m. Feb. 9 will be held at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.
5
Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Rich Manz Trio (oldies/acoustic) at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8.
cares that it’s not some fancy, new vehicle? I wouldn’t want that anyways. I like my reliable Tacoma, where I don’t get worried when I take it off-road on adventures. Who cares if it gets scratched? Much like my bodily scars, it’s reminders of a joyous life in motion.
I thought about the immense gratitude felt within in having an 18-year (thus far) writing career, one that’s enduring, growing, and still inspirational to me on all levels. And, most importantly, I thought about my physical body and my emotional mind.
I thought about where I might go for a run later. Around downtown Waynesville? Maybe a gloriously cold trail run up in the Balsam Mountains? Who knows? And who cares that I’m turning 40 soon? I’m inhabiting a vibrant body that’s roamed this earth for four decades, and it still is able to hike peaks and trot several miles whenever I want to.
I thought about how well therapy is going, and how I’m really seeing some shifts in my mindset and vantage point by which I was previously viewing my life. My mind is transcending into this new chapter of what was, what is, and what will be. It’s exciting and I’m approaching it with head held high. No fear, just love and curiosity. Let the mental walls down and let in those who deserve your time, energy, and love.
Oh, and to that, I thought of all of the soulmate friends that I’ve been able to cross paths and share life with. They are the true core of what it means to be a human, to interact and connect with one another in this universe. I mean, how lucky are we to have those folks to talk to whenever we want?
Erase the stressors. Embrace the beauty in your daily existence, for that’s what matters most, and what really is the meaning of life: focusing on the good things and working towards the big things.
Don’t forget, we all have our victories in our own time.
Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Garret K. Woodward photo
• American Legion Post 47 (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic” 3 p.m. every Tuesday. Free and open to the public. 828.456.8691.
• Angry Elk Brewing (Whittier) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. All shows are free and open to the public. 828.497.1015 / facebook.com/angryelkbrewingco.
• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host an open mic from 8-10 p.m. every Thursday. Free and open to the public. 828.631.1987 / balsamfallsbrewing.com.
• Balsam Mountain Inn (Balsam) will host an “Open Jam” 6 p.m. every Tuesday and semiregular live music on the weekends. 828.283.0145 / thebalsammountaininn.com.
• Bevel Bar (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.246.0996 / bevelbar.com.
• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host Paul Koptak (singer-songwriter) Feb. 8. All shows begin at 5 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.246.9320 / blueridgebeerhub.com.
• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host King Garbage Feb. 8. All shows are located in The Gem downstairs taproom and begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.0350 / boojumbrewing.com.
• Breadheads Tiki Shak (Sylva) will host “Tiki Trivia” at 7 p.m. every first Thursday of the month and semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.307.2160 / breadheadstikishak.com.
• Bryson City Brewing (Bryson City) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0085 / brysoncitybrewing.com.
• Cataloochee Ranch (Maggie Valley) will host Brian Ashley Jones and Melanie Jean (Americana) 5 p.m. Feb. 15. For tickets and reservations, visit cataloocheeranch.com/ranchevents/live-music.
• Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center (Franklin) will host “Open Mic Night” 6 p.m. Feb. 14. 828.369.4080 / coweeschool.org/music.
• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host “Team Trivia” Mondays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.634.0078 / curraheebrew.com.
• Farm At Old Edwards (Highlands) will host the “Fireside at The Farm” sessions on select weekends. All shows begin at 6 p.m. 866.526.8008 / oldedwardshospitality.com/orchardsessions.
• First United Methodist Church (Franklin) Mountain Voices Community Chorus, a 55Voice chorus, begins rehearsals on Feb. 3 for
our summer concerts. New members welcome. We meet weekly on Monday nights at 6:30 at First United Methodist Church in Franklin. 828-524-3644.
• Folkmoot Friendship Center (Waynesville) will host Zoe & Cloyd (Americana/world) 6 p.m. Feb. 21. 828.452.2997 / folkmoot.org.
• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host “Jazz On The Level” 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday, Laura Thurston (singer-songwriter) Feb. 7, Rich Manz Trio (oldies/acoustic) Feb. 8, JR Williams (singer-songwriter) 3 p.m. Feb. 9, Brock Stephen (singer-songwriter) Feb. 10, Astro Record Store (retail) 5:30 p.m. Feb. 14, Tricia Ann (singer-songwriter) Feb. 15 and Chris Caruso (singer-songwriter) 3 p.m. Feb. 16. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.454.5664 / froglevelbrewing.com.
• Frog Quarters (Franklin) will host live music from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Free and open to the public. Located at 573 East Main St. 828.369.8488 / littletennessee.org.
• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee) will host The Red Clay Strays (Americana/rock) 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8. For tickets, visit caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee.
• Highlander Mountain House (Highlands) will host “Blues & Brews” 6-9 p.m. every Thursday ($5 cover), “Bluegrass Brunch” 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Sunday (free) and the “Salon Series” on select dates. 828.526.2590 / highlandermountainhouse.com.
• Highlands Performing Arts Center will host “Warm Up With Cabin Fever” featuring Zack Couron and Matt Walden with Josh Grove (acoustic/folk) 6:30 p.m. Feb. 8 (admission is $15). 828.526.9047 / highlandsperformingarts.com.
• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host “Monday Night Trivia” every week, “Open Mic with Phil” on Wednesdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows and events begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.586.9678/ innovationbrewing.com.
• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host “Music Bingo” on Wednesdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All events begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.226.0262 / innovation-brewing.com.
• Junction Pub (Sylva) will host “Open Jam” on Sundays, “Marg Monday Karaoke” on Mondays, “Trivia” on Tuesdays, “Open Mic” on Thursdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All events are free and begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.370.2090 / facebook.com/jctpub.
Folkmoot welcomes Zoe & Cloyd
Popular Asheville-based Americana/folk act Zoe & Cloyd will hit the stage at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville.
The innovative “klezgrass” music of Zoe & Cloyd springs from the rich traditions and complementary styles of fiddler/vocalist Natalya Zoe Weinstein and multi-instrumentalist/vocalist John Cloyd Miller.
Descending from a lineage of klezmer and jazz musicians, Weinstein trained classically in her home state of Massachusetts before moving south in 2004. Miller, a 12th generation North Carolinian and grandson of pioneering bluegrass fiddler, Jim Shumate, is a first-place winner of the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest and the Hazel Dickens Songwriting Contest.
Admission is “pay what you can,” with prices starting at $5 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit folkmoot.org.
Americana, blues at Cataloochee Ranch
Musical duo Brian Ashley Jones and Melanie Jean will perform from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley.
Jones is a soulful singer, acclaimed guitarist and versatile touring songwriter, one whose guitar-driven blues and country tunes have been featured in film, television and radio. His songs have been recorded by Greg Humphries, Hudson K, Donna Hopkins, Diane Michel, Christian Elvestad, Doug Jones and other performing artists.
Originally from Upstate South Carolina and a longtime resident of Nashville, Tennessee, Jones performs internationally at festivals, concert series, clubs and music education programs.
For more information or to make a reservation for the event, visit cataloocheeranch.com/ranch-events/live-music.
• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host Scott Stambaugh (singer-songwriter) Feb. 7, Delphine & The Oracles (blues/jazz) Feb. 8 and The V8s (rock/oldies) Feb. 15. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 / lazyhikerbrewing.com.
• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host “Music Bingo” 6:30 p.m. Mondays, Grizzly Mammoth (rock/funk) Feb. 7 and Delphine & The Oracles (blues/jazz) Feb. 14. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. 828.349.2337 / lazyhikerbrewing.com.
• Legends Sports Bar and Grill (Maggie Valley) will host an “Open Mic Night” 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday, Karaoke Thursdays (6 p.m.) and Saturdays (7 p.m.), with live music each Friday (8 p.m.). Free and open to the public. 828.944.0403 / facebook.com/legendssportsgrillmaggievalley.
• Listening Room (Franklin) will host Danny Schmidt (singer-songwriter) 2:30 p.m. March 2. Suggested donation $20. Located at the
Zoe & Cloyd will play Waynesville Feb. 21. Sarah Johnston photo
Melanie Jean and Brian Ashley Jones. File photo
On the table
Ready for the ‘Chili Cook-Off Stroll’?
Sponsored by the Waynesville Rotary Club, the annual “Chili Cook-Off Stroll” will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at participating locations around downtown Waynesville.
Taking place during the long Presidents’ Day and Valentine’s Day weekend, this event is for locals and visitors alike to explore Waynesville’s charming shops, restaurants and businesses, all while sampling and voting for the best chili in town.
Grab a $10 wristband for unlimited chili samples and cast your vote for the “People’s Choice Award.” Wristbands also include unlimited rides on the shuttle service, courtesy of Cold Mountain Tubing. Shuttles will loop between downtown Waynesville and Frog Level every 15 minutes.
Half of the proceeds from all wristband sales will go to support local kids in need through the Rotary Club of Waynesville. In addition to the “People’s Choice Award,” the panel of judges will crown the “Best Merchant Chili” and “Best Restaurant Chili.”
Enhance your chili experience with a special photo with our roaming chili mascot, grab a custom t-shirt and check out special “Chili Packages” for the holiday weekend from Andon Reid and The Yellow House bed-and-breakfasts and lodging partners, as well as sales and specials from our galleries, shops and restaurants. For updates on participants, lodging partners and sponsors, follow the event on social media: Facebook (Waynesville Chili Cook-Off Stroll), Instagram (@haychili) or email chilicookoffstroll@gmail.com.
“People stop me to tell me that are beautiful.”
“Who’s
my dentist? Dr. John Highsmith.”
828.634.7813
From porcelain veneers, crowns and bridges to facelift dentures and dental implants, Dr. Highsmith can transform the appearance and restore the health of your smile.
It’s a smile that people will notice. But more importantly, it’s a smile that will help you look and feel your very best.
All restorations and lab work by North Carolina’s only AACD accredited lab technician.
828.634.7813
• Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will have its wine bar open 4-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 828.452.6000 / classicwineseller.com.
ALSO:
• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host semi-regular tap takeovers from local and regional breweries on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.246.9320 / blueridgebeerhub.com.
• “Flights & Bites” will be held starting at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in downtown Waynesville. There will also be a special “Valentine Wine Dinner” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 ($84
On the stage
~
per person). 828.452.0120 / waynesvillewine.com.
• “Take A Flight” with four new wines every Friday and Saturday at the Bryson City Wine Market. Select from a gourmet selection of charcuterie to enjoy with your wines. Educational classes and other events are also available. 828.538.0420.
• “Uncorked: Wine & Rail Pairing Experience” will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on select dates at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. Full service all-adult first class car. Wine pairings with a meal and more. There will also be a special “Beer Train” on select dates. 800.872.4681 / gsmr.com.
WCU welcomes Ballet Hispánico
Judy Actual Patient
A special performance of Ballet Hispánico will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, in the Bardo Arts Center Performance Hall at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.
This is the nation’s renowned Latino dance organization and one of America’s cultural treasures. For 50 years, Ballet Hispánico has been bringing communities together to celebrate and explore Latino cultures through innovative dance performances, transformative dance training and enduring community engagement experiences. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Ballet Hispánico as they perform new and beloved works from their 50-year history.
For more information and a full schedule of events at the Bardo Arts Center, visit arts.wcu.edu/ballet-hispanico or wcu.edu/bardo-arts-center. To purchase tickets to any of the performances, go to wcuarts.universitytickets.com.
• Haywood Arts Regional Theatre (Waynesville) will host a production of “Women & War” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7-8 and 2 p.m. Feb. 9. Through poignant correspondence and heartfelt monologues, “Women & War” brings to life a tapestry of fictional stories rooted in historical truths, giving voice to American women whose lives have been shaped by conflict. HART will also host an “Improv Jam” (free) at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 9, and the “Valentine’s Day Cabaret” Feb. 14-16. harttheatre.org / 828.456.6322.
• Peacock Performing Arts Center (Hayesville) will host “An Evening of One Act Plays: Scribes Onstage” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15. thepeacocknc.org / 828.389.ARTS.
On the beat
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
• Macon County Public Library (Franklin) will host The Vagabonds (Americana) at 2 p.m. the first and third Monday and a “Song Circle” open jam from 3-6 p.m. the first Tuesday each month. Free and open to the public. 828.524.3600 or fontanalib.org.
• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host “Open Mic Night” with Frank Lee every Thursday, Mountain Gypsy (Americana) Feb. 7, Scott James Stambaugh (singer-songwriter) Feb. 8, Zip Robertson (singer-songwriter) Feb. 14 and Katen Thomas (singer-songwriter) Feb. 15. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 / mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.
• Old Edwards Inn (Highlands) will host live music in the Hummingbird Lounge at 5:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. Free and open to the public. 866.526.8008 / oldedwardshospitality.com.
• Otto Community Center (Otto) will host James Thompson (Americana) 4 p.m. Feb. 7. Bring a beverage and snack of your choice. Free and open to the public. 770.335.0967 / go2ottonc.com.
• Peacock Performing Arts Center (Hayesville) will host The Atlanta Crawdaddies (jazz/blues) 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 and Atlanta Jazz Quartet (jazz/soul) 2:30 p.m. Feb. 9. For tickets, 828.389.ARTS / thepeacocknc.org.
• Pinnacle Relief CBD Wellness Lounge (Sylva) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.508.3018 / facebook.com/pinnaclerelief.
• Quirky Birds Treehouse & Bistro (Dillsboro) will host Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.586.1717 / facebook.com/quirkybirdstreehouse.
• Rathskeller Coffee Bar & Pub (Franklin) will host Karaoke 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Trivia Night 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.369.6796 / facebook.com/rathskellercoffeebarandpub.
• Salty Dog’s Seafood & Grill (Maggie Valley) will host “Karaoke with Russell” every Monday and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.926.9105 / facebook.com/saltydogs2005.
• Santé Wine Bar (Sylva) will host semi-regular live music on Sundays. All shows begin at 5 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.631.3075 / facebook.com/thewinebarandcellar.
• Scotsman (Waynesville) will host Old Sap (Americana/folk) Feb. 6, Tricia Ann Band (rock/country) Feb. 7, Celtic Road Jam (Celtic/world) 4 p.m. Feb. 8, Rich Manz Trio
(oldies/acoustic) Feb. 13 and The Maggie Valley Band (Americana/indie) Feb. 15. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.6292 / scotsmanpublic.com.
• Slanted Window Tasting Station (Franklin) will host R.A. Nightingale (singer-songwriter) 5 p.m. Feb. 7, Alton Lane Band 2 p.m. Feb. 9 and The Water Kickers 5 p.m. Feb. 16. All shows begin at 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.276.9463 / slantedwindow.com.
• Stecoah Valley Center (Robbinsville) will host a Community Jam 5:30-7:30 p.m. every third Thursday of the month and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.479.3364 / stecoahvalleycenter.com.
• Stubborn Bull (Highlands) will host semi-regular “Live Music Mondays” with local/regional singer-songwriters. All shows begin at 5:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.200.0813 / the-stubborn-bull.com.
• Trailborn (Highlands) will host its “Carolina Concert Series” with David Cheatham (Americana/folk) Feb. 6 and Brooke Campbell (singer-songwriter) Feb. 13. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.482.1581 or trailborn.com/highlands.
• Twisted Spoke Restaurant (Maggie Valley) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.926.1730 / facebook.com/twistedspokerestaurant.
• Ugly Dog Pub (Cashiers) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.743.3000 / theuglydogpub.com.
• Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host “Bluegrass Wednesday” at 6 p.m. each week and semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.526.8364 / theuglydogpub.com.
• Unplugged Pub (Bryson City) will host “Karaoke with Lori” Feb. 6 (free), Johnnie Blackwell Band Feb. 7, Mile High Band Feb. 8, Mountain Gypsy (Americana) Feb. 13 (free), Rock Holler Feb. 14 and Lori and The Freighshakers (classic rock/country gold) Feb. 15. All shows are $5 at the door unless otherwise noted and begin at 8 p.m. 828.538.2488 / unpluggedpub.com.
• Valley Cigar & Wine Co. (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.944.0686 / valleycigarandwineco.com.
• Valley Tavern (Maggie Valley) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.926.7440 / valley-tavern.com.
• Water’n Hole Bar and Grill (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 9:30 p.m. 828.456.4750 / facebook.com/waternhole.bar
• Find more at smokymountainnews.com/arts
On the wall
DON SHO VOLUN NAATTE P TEER
WCU faculty art showcase
Art and Design Faculty Biennial Exhibition will be displayed through May 2 in the Bardo Arts Center in Cullowhee.
Outside of the classroom, faculty members in the School of Art and Design are active artists and scholars that make significant contributions to the arts. The exhibition provides students and the community with an opportunity to view recent works created by distinguished faculty members whose primary research output is studio-based.
The museum’s hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and until 7 p.m. on Thursday.
For more information, visit wcu.edu/bardo-arts-center.
• WNC Paint Events will host painting sessions throughout the region on select dates. For more information or to sign up, visit wncpaint.events.
ALSO:
• Marianna Black Library (Bryson City) will host “ArtWorks” at 1 p.m. every second Thursday of the month. Come create your own masterpiece. The materials for art works are supplied and participants are welcome to bring ideas and supplies to share with each other. Free and open to the public. 828.488.3030 / vroberson@fontanalib.org.
• Marianna Black Library (Bryson City) will host an adult arts and crafts program at 1 p.m. every second Thursday of the month. Ages 16 and up. Space is limited to 10 participants. Free and open to the public. 828.488.3030 / vroberson@fontanalib.org.
• CRE828 (Waynesville) will offer a selection of art classes and workshops at its studio located at 1283 Asheville Road. Workshops will include art journaling, watercoloring, mixed media, acrylic painting and more. cre828.com/ dawn@cre828.com / 828.283.0523.
• Gallery Zella (Bryson City) will be hosting an array of artist receptions, exhibits and showcases. galleryzella.com / 517.881.0959.
• Waynesville Photography Club meets at 7 p.m. every third Monday each month on the second floor of the Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center in Clyde. The club is a nonprofit organization that exists for the enjoyment of photography and the improvement of one’s skills. They welcome photographers of all skill levels to share ideas and images at the monthly meetings. waynesvillephotoclub@charter.net.
• Haywood County Arts Council (Waynesville) will offer a wide range of classes, events and activities for artisans, locals and visitors. haywoodarts.org.
• Jackson County Green Energy Park (Dillsboro) will be offering a slew of classes, events and activities for artisans, locals and visitors. jcgep.org.
• Southwestern Community College Swain Arts Center (Bryson City) will host an array of workshops for adults and kids. southwesterncc.edu/scc-locations/swain-center.
• Dogwood Crafters in Dillsboro will offer a selection of upcoming art classes and workshops. dogwoodcrafters.com/classes / 828.586.2248.
• Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center (Franklin) will host semi-regular arts and crafts workshops. coweeschool.org/events.
Brad Thor’s ‘Shadow of Doubt’ didn’t delight
In Brad Thor’s thriller “Shadow of Doubt” (Atria/Emily Bestler Books, 2024, 368 pages), the Russians are possibly threatening a nuclear reaction to the war in the Ukraine, a scandal involving spies and treason is about to engulf France and a Russian who has defected to Norway with a massive portfolio of secrets finds himself in danger of exposure and assassination.
In this 23rd novel featuring America’s toughest and most formidable spy, Scott Harvath, we travel back and forth from the White House and U.S. intelligence agencies to safe houses in Oslo and France to the bars and restaurants of Paris. We watch CIA analyst Maggie Thomas, who heads up the agency’s Russia House, use her wits and experience to try and decipher what the Russians are up to while at the same time trying to keep the president and his staff informed about an increasingly dire scenario. We accompany Karine Brunelle of France’s internal security organization and her former lover and cop, Vincent Gilbert, as they slowly unravel a catastrophic infiltration of the French government by Russian sympathizers and spies.
thrillers. “Shadow of Doubt” tackles issues like the Ukraine War — the author clearly opposes the Russians — and depicts realistically the machinery of government, particularly the deep-state, shadowy intelligence agencies. Harvath is generally an admirable character, as are his fiancée, the men who fight alongside him and the others like Karine Brunelle and Maggie Thomas who are battling against Russian attacks on the
struck me that Harvath and his team, whatever their motivation, were committing crimes on French soil and were also endangering civilians by firing off hundreds of rounds. It was ridiculous.
Then there were the luxuries enjoyed by so many in the book. Spies, cops and bureaucrats dine in the finest restaurants, drink expensive bourbons, wines and coffees, and wear the latest fashions. Perhaps it’s the author’s attempt to add some James Bond sophistication to the story, but this epicurean tour soon seemed ludicrous. Considering the present economic condition of so many people these days, both here in America and abroad, this gourmandizing and self-indulgence was also insulting.
Meanwhile, ex-Navy SEAL and former C.I.A. operative Harvath flies to Norway after a tough mission in Ukraine to rejoin Solvi Kolstad, a woman whom he deeply loves. She, too, is involved in espionage, serving with the Norwegian Intelligence Service. The romantic reunion Harvath envisions with her comes to an abrupt end when the Russian defector in her custody, Leonid Grechko, becomes the prey of Russian agents determined to kill him.
Though many strands are woven into the plot of “Shadow of Doubt,” Thor handles them with aplomb and craft, creating a large tapestry made up of today’s headlines, details regarding intelligence agencies in four countries, modern weapons, drones, and top of the line surveillance devices, and much more. The complicated story is easily followed, with the action accelerated by the short chapters and the continual back and forth shifts from locales, characters and situations.
The Scott Harvath books are best-sellers. They are billed, and rightly so, as political
West. Readers who have enjoyed the technothrillers of Tom Clancy and the shoot-outs of the Jack Reacher books will find satisfaction here.
For me, however, “Shadow of Doubt” will likely be my first and my last read in the Harvath saga. Here is a truncated list of the reasons I found this book annoying rather than entertaining.
First, Harvath and his team, mostly exSEALs, are operating in France, but leave behind them a slew of dead Russians. They blow up the yacht of a corrupt Russian criminal and businessman, conduct an attempted assassination in Paris’s Bois de Boulogne that turns into a firefight and engage in another battle with more Russians near the end of the story. By the end of the story, I’d lost track of the number of dead, but it
Upcoming readings at City Lights
Finally, given the poor track record of intelligence agencies over the last half century from the Middle East to the Soviet Union to China, the efficiency and expertise with which these agents and those who work with them operate should strike us as laughable. Yes, this is a novel, not real life, but the contrast is glaring.
Now, to be fair, a review of your reviewer is in order. I long ago lost my zeal for most modern fiction. Maybe it’s the result of growing older, or pickier, but hand me stories with holes in them like this one, with parts that simply make no sense, and I lose interest fast. In “Shadow of Doubt,” for instance, the Russian oligarch who is destroyed along with his exquisite yacht leaves hundreds of millions of dollars to a mistress who secretly loathes him. His criminal background should have prepared him for the possibilities of an unexpected and violent death. Would he really leave such a fortune to her? If so, why? Readers need an explanation.
This latest addition to the Harvath saga has all the right high-tech gadgets and precise details to make it appear authentic, but “Shadow of Doubt” left me in no doubt that this is a fantasy novel and should be read that way.
(Jeff Minick reviews books and has written four of his own: two novels, “Amanda Bell” and “Dust On Their Wings,” and two works of nonfiction, “Learning As I Go” and “Movies Make the Man.” minick0301@gmail.com.)
The following literary events will take place at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. Brenda Larson will host a meet-and-greet and signing for her debut novel, Beach Blast, at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. The thriller
whose anniversary trip takes a dark turn when a murdered man washes up at her feet — along with the man who
protect her.
Britt Kaufmann and Claudine Moreau will read at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. Kaufmann’s poetry collection, Midlife Calculus, explores learning, change, and education post-pandemic. Moreau’s Demise of Pangaea examines human connections and upheaval through rhythmic, lyrical verse All readings are free and open to the public. For more information, visit citylightsnc.com or call 828.586.9499.
Writer Jeff Minick
Rising above the flood
Small towns fight for survival amid funding shortfalls
BY C ORY VAILLANCOURT
P OLITICS E DITOR
With billions in damages, limited state aid and considerable uncertainty surrounding federal funding, local officials are still pushing for streamlined disaster response to rebuild their communities months after Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina. An innovative new partnership between federal, state and local leaders is looking to be that “squeaky wheel,” from Washington to Raleigh, especially in smaller rural communities that don’t have much of a voice.
“We’ve been working over the last few months since the tragedy of Hurricane Helene to be a resource to communities that have been impacted by Helene as well as to try and pull together leaders from across the region to come together and work on both recovery and resilience in a unified manner,” said Tony McEwen, Carolinas director at the American Flood Coalition.
The American Flood Coalition is a bipartisan group that works at the local, state and federal level to advocate for meaningful flood policy reform, boasting more than 400 members in 22 states. Locally, Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers, Haywood County Commissioner Brandon Rogers and Rep. Mark Pless (RHaywood) have been involved with the organization since around the time Tropical Storm Fred killed six people and cut a half-billion
dollar swath of damage through eastern Haywood County and parts of Buncombe County in 2021.
The AFC’s role in the partnership isn’t necessarily to lead, but rather to facilitate.
“We felt that it was really important that these local leaders come together and choose their path, both on priorities and what direction they want this partnership to go or not go,” McEwen said. “We stand ready to be supportive of that those decisions that they make.”
Starting a month after the storm, AFC met with around 20 communities, large and small, affected by Helene. The meetings included municipal administrators, regional entities and elected officials who produced a set of priorities unique to their communities.
As the partnership’s name implies, those priorities include equal parts recovery, intended to return some semblance of normalcy to affected communities, and resiliency, intended to mitigate future flooding as much as possible.
Recent statements by President Donald Trump about FEMA’s ongoing role in disaster recovery, however, are gaining support and could change the way communities across the nation handle extreme emergencies like earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and wildfires in the future.
RECOVERY
One thread that unites hurricane-stricken communities in Western North Carolina is trepidation over small businesses left high and dry by the General Assembly and
Plenty of other concerns remain, which is why the partnership held a multi-level discussion on Jan. 30 in Asheville, leading up to a public unveiling of the partnership during a bus tour of hard-hit communities including Biltmore Village and Marshall, in Madison County, on Jan. 31.
Congress.
For months, the business community has been sounding the alarm about direct financial assistance — grants, not loans — for affected businesses, many of which are still encumbered by COVID-era loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. As decision time draws near for some business owners contemplating reopening, leaders are worried about the effect their absence could have on the region’s tourism-driven economy.
the tourism industry bounces back, how they attract visitors to this region after people have seen the stories on the national news,” said McEwen. “It is our hope that by getting these folks together, that we can amplify that need even more and very quickly.”
More than two dozen local and regional leaders, including county commission chairs or vice chairs from Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Haywood and Madison counties, mayors of Asheville, Banner Elk, Black Mountain, Burgaw, Canton, Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, Marshall and Old Fort, town managers from Burnsville and Saluda, an alderman from Hot Springs and Lake Lure Mayor Pro Tem Dave DiOrio, took part.
“All that water … came into [Hickory Nut Gorge] with a force never seen before, and it just didn’t damage things. It wiped everything off the face of the earth, most notably Chimney Rock. Of course, all that debris ended up in Lake Lure,” said DiOrio.
Lake Lure’s unique geography along the Blue Ridge escarpment played a critical role in the devastating floods that hit the area, and DiOrio’s government is still grappling with the loss of critical basic services.
“Water treatment, sewage collection, even things like our town hall, all that is just gone,” he said. “Our ability to remain as a town has ceased to exist, so we’re looking for public assistance here to get us back on our feet again so that people can stay here and get tourism going.”
Banner Elk Mayor Brenda Lyerly’s community remains in recovery mode as well, with many businesses — especially tourism-related businesses — still reeling from closures in the aftermath of Helene and struggling to stay afloat.
But Banner Elk has another, more serious underlying problem.
many other areas,” Lyerly told The Smoky Mountain News.
The town’s annual budget is around $4 million. The cost of restoring the water and sewer system is approximately $1.2 million, but there aren’t many F
Dave DiOrio, mayor pro temp of Lake Lure, has to deal with some of the region’s most pressing post-hurricane needs. Cory Vaillancourt photo
The tiny riverside town of Marshall was hit hard by Helene, but rebuilding business owners show they’re not without hope. Cory Vaillancourt photo
options to pay for it, other than taking out a loan.
“I think all of the communities are going to have a hard time in our area,” she said.
Madison County, with a population of just 22,000 people, has a much larger ask — $196 million.
“That’s just to maintain continuity of government, get our infrastructure back together and to start with some of our small businesses,” said County Manager Rod Honeycutt.
At the root of all recovery issues is one simple fact: the political will to disburse appropriate levels of grant funding that would make communities like Banner Elk, Lake Lure and Marshall whole again doesn’t yet exist.
Gov. Josh Stein’s recent introduction of a $30 million grant program for small businesses will help some, but not all.
State estimates of damages run in the $60 billion range. Late last year, North Carolina’s General Assembly allocated a meager $1 billion in three tranches. Shortly thereafter, Congress passed a $110 billion relief bill; however, North Carolina’s share is estimated to be only $9 to $15 billion.
Western North Carolina Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) sits on the House Appropriations Committee and says he authored the relief bill, but he somehow failed to deliver the funding needed by his district for meaningful recovery. Edwards did not respond to an interview request from The Smoky Mountain News to explain.
During House Select Committee on Helene Recovery meeting in Raleigh last week, a common theme emerged during presentations from officials heading up the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW-NC).
“We did not receive near enough money to support the needs in Western North Carolina,” said Jonathan Krebs, Stein’s Western North Carolina recovery advisor.
Worse, Trump’s sweeping freeze on federal grants, issued as an executive order on Jan. 27, temporarily affected the state’s ability to access the disaster relief funding that had been appropriated.
“So the FEMA dollars were reactivated today,” Krebs said during the Jan. 29 hearing. “Although there was the pause that impacted all grant funds, I believe yesterday … they did reactivate that portal today, so we have FEMA funds now that we are actively spending and reimbursing in real time every day.”
Judges from Washington, D.C., and Providence, Rhode Island, blocked Trump’s funding freeze for the time being; however, the U.S. Department of Justice is fighting the rulings.
RESILIENCY
Although it wouldn’t immediately benefit Hurricane Helene survivors across Western North Carolina — or survivors of a 2021 tropical storm in Haywood County — substantial mitigation projects meant to ameliorate the more expensive aspects of storm recovery could bring costs down when future disasters strike, making contentious funding fights a thing of the past.
“Mitigation is a big deal,” said DiOrio.
According to the National Building Sciences Council, each dollar invested in mitigation can save up to $13 in recovery costs.
The only flood control instrument near DiOrio’s town is the Lake Lure dam, which he said performed admirably but was still “totally overwhelmed.”
“We’ve been looking for years to do modifications and even build a new dam that would have enough of a capacity to control the lake level and control dam operations to mitigate the flood. None of those were in place for a variety of reasons,” he said. “Simply no funds to do that.”
Engineering assessments for the new dam have been underway, but the completed project is still years away.
Banner Elk and Lake Lure, like other communities in the region, are also learning hard lessons about hardening criti-
cal infrastructure, just as the Haywood County town of Canton did in 2021 when Tropical Storm Fred destroyed the co-located town hall and police department while inundating the firehouse yards away.
“We’re talking about rebuilding these municipal services and actual physical structures like the fire department and police department, which washed away, and the town hall, which was totally devastated — to build them in areas that are more resilient and to make our services, particularly for water and sewer, more resilient,” DiOrio said. “Our challenge is working with FEMA to get approvals through the system. Very, very bureaucratic, whole bunch of red tape that we should be able to cut through in order to get money flowing so we can start to put those systems back together again.”
FEMA REFORM
On Jan. 24, Trump visited Western North Carolina and the wildfire-affected region of California on the same day he issued yet another in the steady stream of executive orders he’s promulgated since Jan. 20, calling for an assessment of FEMA’s disaster response over the past four years. A council of appointees will hold its initial public meeting within 90 days and then submit the assessment to the president no more than 180 days after that.
Abolishing the much-maligned agency is on the table, according to Trump. That would leave states responsible for disaster recovery, although Trump’s not been clear about whether federal assistance would still pour into states like it has in the past. Trump did, however, raise the concept of sending disaster funds directly to states rather than through FEMA.
“In my estimation, standing back to look at it now, I think that probably is a good idea,” said Banner Elk’s Lyerly. “What we’ve determined was some of the FEMA people that we worked with are sincere and they really wanted to help.
FEMA is just so big and they don’t have answers, they have to ask somebody else for the answers. That answer doesn’t come today, doesn’t come tomorrow, and they have to get an answer from somebody else before they can do anything. So I just think even though they mean well, they’re just too big to be able to handle these huge disasters.”
DiOrio said that FEMA is holding up a number of projects in Lake Lure, and that minimizing FEMA’s role would be helpful.
“That whole process is so frustrating,” he said. “So the big idea now is to cut through that red tape, get pretty much block grants to the state and the state agencies that have been working with the local unit municipalities to facilitate that money flow to the people that know the area the best, and that’s all the way from us locally, through the state, to get that money flowing quicker and better and, frankly, less costly, because you don’t have this third party oversight that really adds no value.”
Judges from Washington, D.C., and Providence, Rhode Island, blocked Trump’s funding freeze for the time being; however, the U.S. Department of Justice is fighting the rulings.
That’s not far off from what Smathers thinks would help his town of Canton recover more quickly from not one but two major flood events in the last three years.
“I have no doubt it is time for significant changes in FEMA,” he said. “This conversation has gone on since the start of our union. What does the federal branch do? What does the state branch do? But it is time to change the culture.”
That culture, Smathers said, involves a lack of communication on the part of FEMA, including last-minute extensions of hotel voucher expiration deadlines that leave survivors wondering where they’ll spend the night, seemingly arbitrary denials of applications for assistance, the slow rollout of temporary shelter assistance and even the reimbursements the town still hasn’t received from 2021.
Rogers, who serves as vice chair of the Haywood County Board of Commissioners, was unequivocal about getting federal dollars as close to the ground as possible.
“I support it 100%. I believe in direct funding. [Federal money] coming to the state would be wonderful, but I would even like to take it a step further and have it directly appropriated to the counties themselves,” he said. “I feel like we know what needs to be done on a local level and we can get the job done. I’ve said this before, you can hold us to certain regulations and restrictions. That’s fine. But give us the money and get it to us quicker, and we can get the job done right.”
At MANNA FoodBank in Mills River on Feb. 3, Stein unveiled a $1.07 billion budget request to aid Western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene. His proposal includes support for economic recovery, housing repairs, infrastructure restoration and aid for farmers and schools. Important allocations would include $150 million for rebuilding homes, $100 million for local government support and $75 million for road and bridge repairs. Additional funds will help businesses, educational programs and food banks. Stein emphasized urgency, asking state leaders to act swiftly.
Congress is expected to take up another disaster relief bill in March, primarily focused on the wildfires in California. Rogers just wants the federal government to remember that there are still plenty of unmet needs right here in Western North Carolina.
“You know, we worry that the money will go toward California. That’s where all the superstars are —I think that’s been said today as well — and we’ll be forgotten,” he said. “I definitely don’t want that to happen. And we want to get all we can get.”
American Flood Coalition Carolinas Director Tony McEwen (center) speaks on the steps of the now-closed courthouse in Marshall, joined by Madison County Commission Chair Matt Wechtel (left) and Marshall Mayor Aaron Haynie (right). Cory Vaillancourt photo
Missing hiker found deceased in Smokies
Missing hiker Ann Houghton, 73, was found deceased in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Feb. 2 at approximately 1:53 p.m. She was found roughly a quarter mile off of Enloe Creek Trail.
Houghton was reported missing to the park on Feb. 1. She had planned to hike in the park Jan. 28-29. Her vehicle was located at the Smokemont Campground. Law enforcement and search and rescue staff
Property owners reminded to take action at home, be prepared for wildfires
on wildfire mitigation practices and Firewise principles. By taking appropriate action, residents can help protect their homes and communities from wildfires by creating a defensible space while reducing risk.
began a search for her on Feb. 1 in the Smokemont area, focusing efforts along Bradley Fork, Chasteen Creek, Hughes Ridge and Enloe Creek trails. Several local agencies assisted the park with search operations, investigations, and emergency services including Cherokee Fire and Rescue, BUSAR, Macon Volunteer Fire Department, Cowee Volunteer Fire Department, Appalachian Mountain Rescue Team and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Houghton was a resident of Jackson County. She volunteered in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than 20
gutters, decks, porches, patios and along fence lines. Falling and windblown embers will have nothing to burn.
• Trim back any shrubs or tree branches that come closer than 5 feet to your house along with any overhanging branches.
• Walk around your house and remove anything within 30 feet that could burn such as
years. In 2022, Great Smoky Mountains National Park nominated Houghton for a National Park Service George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service.
“Ann was an enduring and beloved member of our Smokies Community. She was a dedicated volunteer and avid hiker who shared her passion for the park with many visitors,” said Charles Sellars, Acting Superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. “Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers condolences to her family and friends.”
‘The Greatest Wildlife Photographs’ on display at NC Arboretum
Visitors to The North Carolina Arboretum can
area where structures and other human development blend with undeveloped wildland, forest or vegetation — is a notable threat for increased wildfire impacts due to rapid population growth and people moving into formerly rural areas, resulting in an increase in WUI acreage.
This trend is significant due to the nearly 13 million North Carolina acres classified as WUI. North Carolina is the top state for WUI area, with more than half of the state’s residents living in WUI areas. The dangers of the WUI mean that homeowners must take the initiative in working to protect their property and neighborhoods before a wildfire occurs.
For those living in the WUI, especially those in Western North Carolina experiencing excessive fuel loading from Hurricane Helene storm debris, here are some easy steps to protect your home from wildfires:
• Clear off pine needles, dead leaves and anything else that can burn from your rooflines,
least 5 feet away. Embers that land in mulch that touches your house, deck or fence is an easy fire hazard.
• Store furniture cushions, rattan mats, potted plants and other decorations from doors, decks, porches and patios. These items can catch embers and help ignite your home if you leave them outside.
• Assess your house to see what openings you can screen or temporarily seal. Windblown embers can get into homes easily through vents and other openings, burning the home from the inside out.
• Create fuel breaks with driveways, walkways/paths, patios and decks.
For more information and tips to help create a defensible space around your home and protect your property from wildfire, visit resistwildfirenc.org. To learn more about fire safety and preventing wildfires and loss of property, visit ncforestservice.gov.
National Geographic’s most iconic photographers.
renowned nature picture editor Kathy Moran, this exhibition is a celebratory look at wildlife with images taken by
Showcasing the evolution of photography, the images convey how innovations such as camera traps, remote imaging and underwater technology have granted photographers unprecedented access to wildlife in their natural habitat.
“The Greatest Wildlife Photographs” is included with The North Carolina Arboretum’s regular parking fee. And as always, TNCA Members get in free! For more info, visit ncarboretum.org. The exhibit will be on display in the Baker Exhibit Center through May 11.
File photo
File photo
The Joyful Botanist
BY ADAM B IGELOW
Back into the briar patch
got stuck thinking about plants in the genus Smilax after writing about them last time out. It is such a great genus of plants, and as I discussed in my last column, most people only see them as a nuisance. I think they might be one rank below yellow jackets (Vespula spp.) and poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) as the most despised organisms in the woods. And that’s unfortunate, as I really want you to fall in love with them. For the record, I’d like you to fall in love with yellow jackets and poison ivy, as well. “All God’s critters, great and small” and all that, you know?
Briars, like greenbriar (Smilax rotundifolia) have important roles in the ecosystem. Greenbriars are the host plant to the spotted phosphila moth (Phosphilla miselioides), the curve-lined owlet moth (Phyprosopus callitrichoides), and to a couple of moths whose caterpillars are leaf miners and can be found eating the insides of greenbriar leaves, the Proleucoptera smilaciella and Marmara smilacisella. While neither of these leaf miners have common names, I find it interesting that their specific epithet, or the second name in their scientific name, both reference the Smilax genus. That is their host plant, and without the smilax, we wouldn’t have those moths.
Briar flowers provide nectar and pollen for a variety of insects including bees and a large variety of flies. Yes, flies. Flies are actually the second most important pollinating insect in the world after bees. I want you to love flies, too.
Briar patches are also great for providing habitat and refuge to small birds and animals in the forest, who can seek shelter in the thorny tangles of briars. These animals are provided not only with shelter, but the ripe berries feed everything from ducks, grouse, turkeys and crows, to possums, raccoons, squirrels and even bears.
tunity to talk about the different spellings of the word briar. Or is it spelled brier? In the previous article, I spelled all of the Smilax plants as brier, like greenbrier, catbrier and sawbrier. I could have equally written greenbriar, sawbriar and catbriar instead, as I have in this article, for both are accepted spellings in common English usage, and in the common names of the plants, themselves.
While I don’t want to get tangled up in a discussion of semantics and misspellings, I also don’t want to get tangled up with most members of the Smilax genus. However, there are species of Smilax that grow in Southern Appalachia that actually don’t have thorns. And these species are all also herbaceous perennials, as they die back to the ground and reemerge from the roots each year.
Briars, like greenbriar (Smilax rotundifolia) have important roles in the ecosystem.
In the famous folk tales from Black American traditions, Br’er Rabbit gets himself thrown into the briar patch as a trick to escape becoming the fox and bear’s evening supper. It’s interesting to me that “Br’er” sounds so much like “briar” that it wasn’t until researching this article that I learned that “Br’er” was a contraction for “brother.” I had always assumed it was like “Briar Rabbit.” Turns out, it’s “Brother Rabbit.”
While the briar patch that Br’er Rabbit gets tossed into is most likely a tangled mess of common blackberry brambles (Rubus allegheniensis), it does afford me the oppor-
These are the carrion-flowers, so named because the scent the flowers make smells like rotting meat so the plant can better attract their fly pollinators. Last year on one of my guided wildflower walks, we observed flies pollinating the large globeshaped flower clusters of smooth carrionflower (Smilax herbacea). After describing the fetid odor of the flowers, I watched in awe as one after another, each member of that day’s walk lined up to get a good whiff.
I was as shocked as Br’er Fox watching Br’er Rabbit play and dance around in the briar patch. Or was that a brier patch? (The Joyful Botanist leads weekly wildflower walks most Fridays and offers consultations and private group tours through Bigelow’s Botanical Excursions. bigelownc@gmail.com.)
Adam Bigelow photo
Lake Junaluska Golf Course to host U.K.’s Proper Golfing Academy
Proper Golfing Academy, a senior golfers retreat based in the United Kingdom, is coming to Lake Junaluska Golf Course in April for its first appearance in the United States. Proper Golfing is designed to help senior golfers improve their swing, game and confidence, and inspire them to get back on the course.
The Lake Junaluska event will offer 2-day sessions on April 13-15 and April 15-17 and a one-day session April 18-19. Lodging and meals are included.
The Proper Golfing method incorporates coaching sessions, golf simulators and on-the-course instruction to help senior golfers transform their golf game into one they can play without pain.
To learn more and to register, visit bit.ly/LJGProperGolfing.
WCU’s Gibbs earns grant for sicklefin redhorse research
Inside Keith Gibbs’ office hangs an imprint of a sicklefin redhorse, a sucker fish that the Western Carolina University assistant professor in the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources takes great interest in.
through radio telemetry.
Proper Golfing Academy was founded to help senior golfers tweak their swings to prevent or ease back and knee pain. Donated photo
In the research, Gibbs’ team, which includes a WCU graduate student, will implant radio transmitters into hatchery-raised fish at the Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery in Georgia.
After giving the fish a few days to acclimate and recover in the hatchery, the team will release the fish into the Little Tennessee River and go out weekly to track their movements, “basically until the batteries run out, which will
Applications being accepted for Junior Livestock Scholarships
Youth who exhibited livestock at the N.C. State Fair are eligible to apply for N.C. State Fair Junior Livestock Scholarships.
The application period is open through March 1. Up to 25 $2,000 scholarships are available, in addition to one $2,500 Farm Credit of N.C. Premier Scholarship.In 2024, 31 $2,000 scholarships and one $2,500 scholarship were awarded. Since the program began in 2015, the N.C. State Fair Youth Livestock Scholarship has awarded more than $460,000 in scholarships.
All youth who exhibited livestock at the State Fair are eligible regardless of species, class or show placement. Scholarships are good for institutes of higher learning, including community colleges and technical schools. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of nine course
The fish is primarily found in the Hiwassee and Little Tennessee Rivers, right in WCU’s backyard, but it’s also a threatened species. Donated photo
The fish is primarily found in the Hiwassee and Little Tennessee Rivers, right in WCU’s backyard, but it’s also a threatened species. And thanks to a grant, Gibbs and his collaborators will be able to learn more about this aquatic neighbor.
The Sicklefin Redhorse Conservation Working Group awarded a $39,997.99 grant for Gibbs and his team to track the movement and habitat use of juvenile sicklefin redhorse
be about four months,” according to Gibbs.
Given that there is limited knowledge regarding sicklefin redhorse habitat use, especially for juveniles, the team is hoping to identify the fish’s habitat so they can manage that habitat better. The team also hopes it can better understand their life history and biological requirements.
Gibbs said their work will likely start in mid-February to early March.
High school seniors and college students will need to submit a completed application, including their State Fair junior livestock experience, a 500-word essay, academic achievements and extracurricular activities and two letters of recommendation. Youth are eligible to receive the scholarship a maximum of four times.
Applications can be downloaded at ncstatefair.org. Completed application packets should be returned to N.C. State Fair, Attn. Livestock Office, 1010 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1010. Packets must be postmarked by March 1 to be eligible.
File photo
Market PLACE WNC
MarketPlace information:
The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 copies across 500 locations in Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, including the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. Visit www.wncmarketplace.com to place your ad!
Rates:
• $15 — Classified ads that are 25 words, 25¢ per word after.
• Free — Lost or found pet ads.
• $6 — Residential yard sale ads.*
• $1 — Yard Sale Rain Insurance Yard sale rained out? Call us by 10a.m. Monday for your ad to run again FREE
• $375 — Statewide classifieds run in 170 participating newspapers with 1.1+ million circulation. (Limit 25 words or less)
• Boost Online — Have your ad featured at top of category online $4
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• Add Photo $6
• Bold ad $2
• Yellow, Green, Pink or Blue Highlight $4
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Note: Highlighted ads automatically generate a border so if you’re placing an ad online and select a highlight color, the “add border” feature will not be available on the screen.
Note: Yard sale ads require an address. This location will be displayed on a map on www.wncmarketplace.com
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, LLC is seeking bids for upcoming 2025 FRRCSI Grant projects. Materials to be delivered as follows: 474 tons sub-ballast crusher run (ABC) stone delivered as needed 3-1-25 thru 6-30-25. 688 tons Railroad Ballast delivered as needed 3-1-25 thru 6-3025. All materials delivered to GSMR rail yard at 973 Haywood Road, Dillsboro, NC 28725. Materials to be delivered as follows: 2838 tons Railroad Ballast delivered as needed 2-1-25 thru 12-31-25. All materials delivered to GSMR at Nantahala, Bryson City, NC 28713. Evaluation Criteria: Partial bids for materials are accepted and may be awarded. This is a formal sealed bidding process. Bids must comply with domestic steel and
(Certs must be supplied to GSMR by vendor) WBE/MBE participation is highly encouraged. Projects will be awarded at GSMR’s sole discretion to the supplier of suppliers whose proposal offers the best value. GSMR reserves the right to reject any and all bids. Your proposal is due no later than 3pm deadline on Thursday, February 6, 2025. Formal Public Bid Opening Date: Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 3:00PM. Submit proposals to: Great Smoky Mtns RR. Attn: Kim Albritton. PO Box 1490 225 Everett Street, Bryson City NC 28713. 828-488-7008
kimalbritton@gsmr.com
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF Jackson
File No: 24 SP 159
NOTICE OF SERVICE BY PUBLICATION
To: Matthew Richards, Plaintiff and Respondent
Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against action 18CVD004925100 in the State of North Carolina, County of Buncombe. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Motion for Emergency Child Custody, Motion to Transfer Venue, and a Motion to Modify a Permanent Child Custody Order.
You are required to make defense to such pleadings no later than the court date of March 17th, 2025, and upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought.
This the 27th day of January 2025.
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
Case No.25E000013-490
Terence Robert Hooper, Executor of the Estate of Martha Coward Ward of Jackson County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Apr 22 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to
said Estate, please make immediate payment.
Executor
Estate of Martha Coward 705 W Main Street Sylva, NC 28779
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