Both Blue Ridge Southern, pictured, and Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Swain County had infrastructure damaged when Hurricane Helene came through and caused widespread flooding. Although the two railways have vastly different purposes, they are both poised to benefit from new legislation working its way through the General Assembly. (Page 12) File photo
News
Congress may mandate AM radios in every car, for safety and security............6 Maggie Valley residents look to de-annex from town................................................7 Jackson County sheriff offers annual report................................................................8 General Assembly considers fourth Helene relief bill............................................10 Jackson County one step closer to partisan school board elections................11 Commissioners address library security ....................................................................13
Opinion
All Americans must protect Constitution....................................................................14 Letters to the editor....................................................................................................14-15
A&E
Blues in the 21st: A conversation with Jimmy Vivino..............................................16 Cataloochee Ranch welcomes bluegrass legend..................................................19
Outdoors
Behind the scenes at Highlands Biological Station................................................24 Cherokee hosts heritage seed workshop..................................................................27
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How to find the right fit for summer camp
Many adults fondly recall their days at summer camp. The increase in households with two working parents has made it more important than ever to find a camp to accommodate youngsters who need to remain engaged and entertained throughout over summer vacation. That reality has led to more summer camp options, but it’s not always so easy finding one that’s the right fit for a child.
No two children are the same and kids change quite a bit as they grow up. So a camp that worked for an older child or even one that accommodated a younger camper may not make the perfect fit this summer. With that in mind, parents can consider these tips to find the right summer camp for their children.
• Ask around. Even if no two campers are the same, it can benefit parents to ask around when shopping for a summer camp. Summer camp spots are limited and it’s not uncommon for competition for available spaces to develop, which can make it more difficult to gather information. However, ask neighbors whose children have outgrown summer camp if there’s one they might recommend (or would not recommend).
• Pursue a package deal. Though package deals might not result in lower rates, approaching a camp with the parents of your child’s friend or friends may work in your favor. Kids undoubtedly will be more
excited about camp if their friends will be there as well. Camp officials may see these quasi-package deals as beneficial and a quick and easy way to fill spots.
• Ask kids how they want to spend summer. Specialized camps run the gamut from sports camps focusing on a particular sport
to general outdoor recreation camps to camps that cater to young musicians. More general camps offer a wide range of activities throughout the summer, and that might appeal to children less interested in specialized camps. Ask youngsters for their input before making a final decision. Involve kids in the search by showing them websites of prospective camps and asking them what they think of each one. If attending an in-person consultation, bring kids along so they can form their own impression.
• Make sure the camp suits your schedule. Kids’ preferences are not the only opinions to consider. In households with two working parents, moms and dads must find a camp that aligns with their work schedule. Many camps offer half-day sessions and/or full-day sessions, but some offer just one or the other. If parents need full-day sessions, they
might need to begin their search early to ensure they can secure a spot before they fill up.
• Identify what you can afford. Camp costs vary significantly, so parents should identify how much they can afford before they begin their search. Doing so may eliminate various camps right off the bat, saving parents precious time as they try to find a camp for their children before spots fill up. Many towns offer local camps at schools, and these may be an affordable option. Parents also should know that many camps allow them to pick certain weeks or days of the week a child will attend rather than insisting kids attend camp for the duration of the summer.
Summer camp season is right around the corner. Parents and children can work together to identify a camp that will ensure this summer is filled with fun.
The benefits of attending summer camp
Summer camp is something akin to a rite of passage for millions of youngsters each year. Many adults look back fondly on their experiences at summer camp, often crediting such times as formative periods in their lives.
Summer camp benefits children in myriad ways.
Recognition of the many advantages of attending summer camp can serve as a great reminder of just how fun it can be for children to spend their time away from school at a camp of their choosing.
• Campers continue to socialize throughout summer. Socializing isn’t just for the school year. While children in high school might be independent enough to
Modern children are growing up in a digital world, and parents know how hard it can be to get kids to put down their devices and get outdoors. But the key to making that pivot could be access to outdoor play spaces. A 2025 study from researchers at the University of Michigan published in the journal Health and Place found that efforts to reduce kids’ screen time are more successful when children are given a chance to play outside.
Many summer camps are structured around outdoor play, making them a potentially invaluable ally as parents seek to help children cut back on the time they spend using their devices.
come and go with their friends during summer break, kids who are still in elementary school or middle school might not be old enough to handle such freedom. That can make it hard to stay in touch with friends, which in turn can contribute to feelings of boredom and loneliness. Camp provides ample opportunities for young children to socialize during a time of year when they might not see their school friends as often as they’re used to.
• Campers can expand their horizons. Though some summer camps are exclusive to residents of certain communities, many tend to feature children from numerous towns or municipalities. Such camps provide an opportunity for campers to expand their horizons by engaging with youngsters who come from different backgrounds. Indeed, the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University notes that summer camp may be the first time children spend substantial amounts of time with people whose backgrounds differ from their own.
• Camp can get kids off their devices.
Children who do not attend camp and live in households where both parents work or in single-parent households where Mom or Dad works may be forced to spend much of summer indoors, which could increase the frequency with which they turn to devices to occupy their time.
• Camp adds structure to summer days. Once a school year ends, the structure a school day provides vanishes into thin air. Couple that with extracurricular activities that go on hiatus during summer vacation, and kids accustomed to structure are left with little to do and no need to schedule their time. That can add an aimlessness to summer days. Camp can provide the structure kids are accustomed to but still offer a break from responsibilities like homework or the commitments required of extracurricular activities.
There’s no shortage of benefits to enrolling youngsters in summer camp, where kids can socialize, grow and get off their devices while engaged in structured but stress-free activities.
Congress may mandate AM radios in every car, for safety and security
BY C ORY VAILLANCOURT P OLITICS E DITOR
Abipartisan collaboration to bolster critical communication resources during natural disasters is gaining momentum in Congress after lessons learned during the devastation of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina last year.
Called the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025, Senate Bill 315 mandates that all new passenger motor vehicles manufactured or sold in the United States must include AM radio receivers as standard equipment.
At least eight manufacturers, namely Ford and Tesla, have recently began phasing out AM radios in electric vehicles, falsely claiming the cost of insulating electrical cables to prevent the motors from affecting the audio signals is too high.
Other manufacturers who have already attempted to force drivers to pay for a monthly “subscription” for heated seats, driving assist or parallel parking have threatened to follow the same model for AM radios.
The bill forbids automakers from charging for access to AM radio signals on equipment drivers already own.
Most manufacturers would have to comply within two years; however, smaller companies that manufacture fewer than 40,000 vehicles a year would have four years to comply. In the meantime, any vehicles manufactured or sold in the U.S. without AM radios would have to include clear labeling to inform buyers.
Introduced by Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) on Jan. 29, the bill currently has 33 Republican co-sponsors, including North Carolina’s Sen. Ted Budd, and 18 Democratic co-sponsors as well as the Senate’s two independents, Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Angus King (I-ME). The bill passed the Senate Commerce Committee Feb. 5.
That same day, Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) introduced the House version of the bill, with 42 Republican and 38 Democrat co-sponsors. North Carolina support comes from Republicans Richard Hudson and Addison McDowell, along with Democrat Deborah Ross. Rep., Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson), whose district took the brunt of the damage from Helene, wasn’t listed as a sponsor and didn’t respond to an interview request from The Smoky Mountain News.
According to the National Association of Broadcasters, the bill has been endorsed by the National Emergency Management Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, AARP, Native Public Media, SAG-AFTRA, the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters, the National Urban League, National Religious Broadcasters and seven former FEMA leaders.
Similar bills garnered strong support in the last Congress, but their provisions didn’t make it into the late chaotic effort last December to pass a stopgap funding bill that will keep the federal government operating through March 14.
The congressional effort is about more than just ensuring consumers have access to high-quality entertainment, music, news and religious broadcasting in the car from the nation’s network of more than 6,000 AM radio broadcasters — it’s about public safety and national security.
Shortly after the full brunt of Helene hit Western North Carolina on Sept. 27, 2024, widespread internet outages and cellular network disruptions rendered even basic communication nearly impossible for most people. The outages not only hindered emergency responders from coordinating with citizens and each other during dangerous conditions but also made it difficult for news
organizations, including The Smoky Mountain News, to update websites or social media — though many residents wouldn’t have been able to access the information anyway.
Canton’s WPTL 920 AM went completely off the air, prompting a heroic effort by Haywood County workers to remove fallen trees blocking the road to Chambers Mountain, where the FM translator for Canton-based WPTL is located. Their work eventually restored power, allowing the longtime local favorite station to resume broadcasting crucial updates for Haywood County after
two days offline.
The station’s owner, Terryll Evans, is a member of the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters board and spent much of last week in Washington, D.C. — along with nearly 600 other broadcasters — explaining to members of Congress the importance of the bill.
“AM radio is essential. It is necessary to have it in cars. And as I explained to them, when Helene came through Western North Carolina, everybody lost cell service,” Evans said. “We didn’t have internet; we didn’t have
“When
president of the United States to address Americans on just 10 minutes’ notice.
Across the country, 77 stations that serve 90% of the population serve as “primary entry points,” the majority of them AM stations. In times of extreme weather or other natural disasters, primary entry points receive information directly from federal agencies like FEMA and NOAA and then transmit it to other radio and television stations.
But the EAS system also plays an important role in national security, as it’s somewhat more resilient in the face of cyber attacks and terror attacks than other forms of communication. Many or most primary entry points are also hardened to withstand electromagnetic pulses that can accompany a nuclear burst.
“Broadcasters from North Carolina and across the country were in Washington last week to ensure lawmakers understand what’s at stake for AM radio,” said Curtis LeGeyt, President and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters. “When cell networks and the internet fail, radio remains a critical lifeline, just as it did during Hurricane Helene, keeping communities informed when they need it most. AM radio delivers real-time updates that save lives, and it’s essential that policymakers protect this vital service for the people who rely on it.”
Despite not being listed as co-sponsors of the bill, several elected officials from North Carolina seemed supportive, according to Evans. Edwards and Sen. Thom Tillis were enthusiastic, said Evans, who was also encouraged by the response given by Rep. Greg Murphy (R-Pitt) and Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-Watauga). Evans said she hadn’t received any negative feedback about the bill at all.
In Asheville, iHeartMedia stations WWNC 570 AM and 99.9 FM Kiss Country were the only news stations able to remain on the air throughout the storm.
Going well beyond their usual broadcast duties, Eddie and Amanda Foxx, along with Tank Spencer and Mark Starling, took live calls on-air, gathering contact details from those in need and connecting them with volunteers who’d called in expressing willingness to provide supplies, remove debris or conduct welfare checks as flooding tore through counties in WWNC’s broadcast range.
“It became more of a point of human connection, above and beyond just information,” said Starling, whose 25-year career in broadcasting included nearly two decades in Florida and perhaps two dozen hurricanes, tropical storms or other extreme weather events. “I think people just needed to hear another voice on the other end of the phone that was that was able to keep them calm and assure them that, you know what, we’re all going through the exact same thing, and we’re all going to be okay one way or the other.”
Their efforts caught the attention of national television outlets and prominent figures, including CBS and Dr. Phil. Spencer and Starling found themselves stranded at the station for days.
cell networks and the internet fail, radio remains a critical lifeline, just as it did during Hurricane Helene, keeping communities informed when they need it most.”
— Curtis LeGeyt, President & CEO, National Assocation of Broadcasters
power, and of course this is the means that people use to get information out. They’d go sit in their cars and turn their cars on, and we were the voice that gave the listeners all the information that they needed.”
And although most people may not know it, AM radio also serves as the backbone of the nation’s Emergency Alert System. The primary purpose of the EAS, which in 1997 replaced the Cold War-era Emergency Broadcast System instituted in 1963, is to make it possible for the
“I’ll be honest with you, it actually was before we even got into Helene itself, I think [Sept. 26] probably 8:30 or 9 p.m., when we started to really get some phone calls about the roads were already closed in certain places because of flooding,” Starling said. “We kind of realized this is going to be more than just the day-and-a-half or two-day storm coverage.”
Starling remained at the station for two weeks, experiencing moments of both hope and heartbreak. He reunited with his wife live on-air, but also took a call from a man describing severe flooding in his home. Tragically, the man was later swept away, along with his wife and their seven-year-old grandson.
The call still haunts Starling, but he said if a storm like Helene happens again, he won’t hesitate to do it all again.
“Absolutely, 100%,” he said. “Because it’s my job, and because It’s my home, and because these are my neighbors.”
Maggie Valley residents look to de-annex from town
BY C ORY VAILLANCOURT P OLITICS E DITOR
Asmall group of property owners in Maggie Valley are taking advantage of Rep. Mark Pless’ offer to de-annex them from the town, with at least one citing development restrictions and others saying they’re not getting what they’re paying for.
“I think that’s what drives most of this is the fact that people just don’t want to pay for something that they’re not getting, or they don’t think they’re getting their money’s worth,” Pless told The Smoky Mountain News March 10.
The bill, filed in the North Carolina General Assembly by Pless on March 6, is the latest chapter in a story of bad blood between Pless and most of Maggie Valley’s elected governing board that goes back more than two years.
Linda Taylor, a realtor and former member of the Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen who with her husband owns three of the eight parcels set for removal from town corporate limits if the bill makes it through the General Assembly, purchased a 3.8-acre parcel on Moody Farm Road nearly two decades ago.
“Here we have paid town taxes since 2006. We had the parcel annexed for water and sewer service specifically to put in an RV park,” Taylor told The Smoky Mountain News March 7.
That never happened. Taylor said she had a contract with Frankie Wood, a South Carolina developer who made headlines trying to redevelop the languishing Ghost Town in the Sky mountaintop amusement park along with other ventures around town.
They envisioned an upscale RV park for the parcel, but a January 2022 moratorium on RV park developments, RV planned unit developments and RV storage facilities quashed their vision. Wood has since passed away, and the moratorium expired in July 2022. Meanwhile, Taylor’s property on Moody Farm Road was downzoned, preventing her from utilizing it in the way she had hoped.
“This was our retirement plan,” Taylor said.
In July 2023, Pless held a small press conference at the Clarketon Inn, owned by longtime Maggie Valley Alderman Phillip Wight and wife Tammy, who was also an alderman at the time.
Pless decried what he called a lack of accountability on the part of Maggie Valley officials, while Wight expressed concern about his own property.
“I can rent a room to who I want for the rest of my life, but I can’t create a [planned unit development] and have a nice high-end RV park that sells timeshares,” said Phillip Wight during the press conference. The Wights’ property is not part of Pless’ deannexation bill, but five other properties with four other owners are.
Taylor said she wasn’t part of any “coalition” and that she doesn’t know any of the
other property owners or their reasons for seeking deannexation.
In Haywood County, being part of a municipality has its upsides and downsides. Usually, municipalities offer services like law enforcement, water and sewer hookups and trash pickup. But that comes at a cost. In addition to paying county property taxes, property owners also pay town property taxes. Maggie Valley, one of the lowest-tax municipalities in the state, currently charges 40 cents per $100 in assessed property value on top of the county’s 55 cents per $100. As in most municipalities across the country, the property tax revenue collected by Maggie Valley is the largest single revenue stream and pays for town facilities along with the staff who perform the services.
Summit Drive, two owned by Billy Case on Windswept Drive, one owned by Freddie Wayne Grasty and Henry Grasty on Johnson Branch, one owned by William and Jane Meadows on Hailey Drive and one owned by Betty and Halley Grant on Dellwood Road.
Pless said the owners have diverse reasons for deannexation.
“A couple of them are vacant land and there’s nothing on them. One of them is split, there’s one parcel with no structures that is in the town, and everything else he’s got is outside the town. He just wanted to make his property whole. He didn’t want to pay property tax on that piece of property,” Pless said. “There’s another one that is a farm, and those folks, they just contacted me and said, ‘Hey, can you take this piece of
“If he’s allowed to deannex these properties, next year he’ll be back for more in Waynesville or wherever,” Eveland said. “I just don’t know where this leads. It’s sad, really.”
In 2022, Pless stripped Maggie Valley of its ability to exercise powers over the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction — land not in the town limits, but nearby; property owners in ETJs don’t pay town taxes, but are subject to town zoning ordinances.
More recently, last month Pless filed a bill that would prevent Haywood County’s Tourism Development Authority from collecting the 4% room occupancy tax allowed by state law, effectively disbanding the TDA. Although the TDA bill would also affect the Haywood County communities of
Not being part of a municipality means no municipal property taxes — only county property taxes — but fewer services. Properties not within a municipality are served by the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office, not a local police department. Water and sewer services are sometimes available, but at a higher rate than for municipal customers. Household trash must be taken to one of the county’s several service centers. However, the most important difference between properties in municipalities and properties in the county is that the county has no zoning ordinance, leaving property owners to do as they please — sometimes to the dismay of neighbors.
The other properties that could be removed from Maggie Valley town limits include two more owned by the Taylors on
farmland off on Johnson Branch?’”
Together, the parcels total 14.8 acres, $1.32 million in valuation and about $5,300 in annual property tax payments.
Maggie Valley’s current budget includes a $3.8 million general fund, of which just over $2 million comes from property taxes, but the town is also dealing with about $4 million in damage from Hurricane Helene. Without the property tax revenue from the parcels proposed for deannexation, the town would see its annual property tax collections decrease by about a quarter of a percent.
Maggie Valley Mayor Mike Eveland said that if the parcels are removed from the town, the 46 other properties near the parcels would have no protection against potential of high-impact developments popping up overnight.
Canton, Clyde, Lake Junaluska and Waynesville, Maggie Valley has traditionally been the largest collector of room occupancy taxes due to its status as a tourism juggernaut.
While two-thirds of the TDA’s revenue after expenses is spent on marketing to ensure a steady stream of visitors to the county, one-third of TDA revenues are spent on capital projects meant to draw visitors as well as serve locals, including in Maggie Valley, where TDA revenue helped pay for an auxiliary parking lot across from the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.
Eveland said that Maggie Valley’s governing board would consider passing a resolution declaring the town’s opposition to Pless’ bill on March 11, after The Smoky Mountain News went to print.
Phillip Wight (left) and Mark Pless (right) listen to Linda Taylor speak during Pless’ press conference at Wight’s motel in June, 2023. Kyle Perrotti photo
The state of JCSO
Overdoses decline, detention center at max capacity
BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF W RITER
ackson County Sheriff Doug Farmer gave his annual report to his county commissioners last week, and while overdose deaths have declined dramatically, the agency is facing difficulties housing inmates in a crowded jail.
our holding capacity there.”
Farmer said that the department tries to get the courts to move people out as quickly as possible.
“Some of these folks would probably stay longer if we had the capacity for that, but right now we don’t,” Farmer said. “If you ask me the number of beds we need for the next 20 years, I’d say 40 more beds.”
Jackson County is currently working on an addition to the detention center, but plans are not advanced enough to know how many additional beds the expansion will accommodate.
Patrol calls have risen steadily over the past three years, increasing from 15,677 in 2022 to 17,424 in 2023 and 18,653 in 2024.
“As our population increases, our calls are increasing, and some of our calls are getting more complex,” said Farmer.
Census reports estimate that the population of Jackson County has increased by just over 1,000 people between 2021 and 2023, from 43,410 to 44,574. This does not account for the high number of tourists regularly visiting Jackson County.
Farmer also told commissioners that the department has revamped its color scheme, opting for shades of green and black, rather than the previous black and white.
According to Farmer, school resource officers are one of the department’s most
hard work and sacrifices they make,” Farmer said during his March 4 presentation. “I couldn’t do it without them, and I’m very appreciative of the people I have around me and surround me each and every day to do the job. I appreciate what you guys do for us and all the county staff.”
The sheriff’s office has experienced challenges over the past year with a detention center that is regularly at capacity. The detention center in Jackson County was built more than 20 years ago and has never had more space added. It only has capacity for eight female prisoners. According to Farmer, the need for female capacity has increased drastically since the center was constructed.
There are 72 total beds in the facility. Of those, 59 are male beds, eight are female and five are holding beds. The state does not recognize holding beds as official capacity, which reduces the facility to a total occupancy of 67.
“Whenever we’re talking occupancy, some of these individuals, if they’re violent individuals, if we have problems with them or what not, they may occupy one cell, which would be a cell that could house two [people], but because they’re violent or out of control or something, we only have one in there,” Farmer said. “That reduces our numbers in
Center.
“We had prisoners sleeping on the floor,” said Farmer.
The county is also paying to house overflow inmates in other counties, currently Henderson and Transylvania. Farmer estimated the cost to house an individual inmate in another county and transport that person back and forth for court dates to be about $10,000 per month.
As of March 4, there were five Jackson County inmates housed in Henderson County, and as many as five others in Transylvania County. According to Farmer, there are two or three others in the Jackson County Detention Center that have been there for a year, a few that have been there for almost two years and some that have been there as long as three years.
“We’re housing people longer,” Farmer said. “But like I said, we’re going to have to have help from the courts. We’re going to need more court dates because we had court this past week, we won’t have criminal court again for three weeks.”
Farmer said that most of the longer detention center stays can be explained by a backlog in the court system, but some capital offenses just take a while to get in order. Others are in-depth cases, with a laundry list of charges.
Assaults and investigations increased significantly in 2024 with 455 recorded, compared to 336 in 2022 and 349 in 2023.
“I could not tell you what the cause of that is, but we have answered a lot of domestic type calls, and some serious assault calls this year,” Farmer said. “So hopefully that will go down this coming year.”
In 2024 the sheriff’s office conducted 89 forensic interviews and investigated 20 cases involving internet crimes against children.
The department deployed its drone operations five times in 2024 resulting in three arrests, and Farmer says that it has already deployed its drone operations three or four times in 2025.
“They’re invaluable; if we have a missing person’s case, and we’re going out looking, the drones get deployed immediately to try and track the person if we can,” Farmer said. “[They have] thermal capability, infrared, and spotlight capability so we would deploy those and get those up in the air as quickly as we can.”
Civil processes and court services fell slightly from 1,707 in 2023 to 1,627 in 2024.
“Part of the reason for that is the new system that the clerk’s office has now, some of those services are mailed out so we don’t get those services in house now,” Farmer said.
Records of courthouse visitors are inaccurate for 2024, coming in at only 19,806 compared to 35,556 in 2023, due to a broken counter.
“The counter is broke, so we’re going to have to replace the counter,” Farmer said. “We looked at January and February and January was almost 6,000 people that visited us, a little over 270 people per day. In February there were 10,000. It’s like 571 per day, coming in and out of the courthouse. So there is a lot of traffic.”
public, students and law enforcement,” Farmer said. “School resource officers are more than just a badge in the hallway, they’re a trusted presence, a guiding voice and a safety net for our students, always ready to listen and support.”
In addition to regular operations, school resource officers and other sheriff’s office staff work about 280 school events each year. Farmer said that after school resource officers work the normal eight-hour school day, many will remain on campus until 5 p.m., even though they aren’t paid for the extra time.
“They will stay until five, and then they will work ball games in addition to that,” Farmer said. “There’s a lot asked of these men and women. They sacrifice their family time, they sacrifice personal time in order to help at the schools and stuff, so if you see one of them, please, please tell them thank you for the job that they do. I want to try to do as much as possible for them as I can because they are truly a valuable asset for us.”
Fraud and scam reports have fluctuated over the years, declining somewhat overall. In 2022, there were 130 fraud and scam reports, which dropped to 99 in 2023, and increased to 101 in 2024. Farmer says that these issues always ramp up during tax season.
Because courthouse security spends so much time scanning people’s bags as they enter, Farmer said that the sheriff’s office is considering implementing a size restriction on what bags people can bring into the courthouse.
“Bags have been a big issue for us, so we’re looking at maybe trying to change that and do away with any big bags, only small bags come through, so it takes a lot out of the scan portion of that,” said Farmer.
Community outreach remains important for the sheriff’s office with programs like the Safe Schools Task Force, D.A.R.E., senior center Christmas box delivery, Special Olympics, back to school bash, emergency services committee and shop with a cop.
The Safe Schools Task Force is headed up by Captain Tony Cope and works to coordinate with schools and other agencies within the county to improve response time and understanding within schools about what to do in an emergency.
The sheriff’s office is aiming to raise $10,000 this year for the Special Olympics through a t-shirt sale.
“We want to help these children as much as we can; it’s a great program and we enjoy attending that every year,” Farmer said.
The sheriff’s office puts on the back to school bash each year together with Jackson County Public F
The Jackson County detention center is more than 20 years old.
Schools as a place for students and families to access resources before the school year begins, with everything from school supplies to haircuts available for attendees.
The emergency services committee meets quarterly and allows different emergency service departments to convene and share relevant information and resources that cross over between agencies.
“The DWI task force is something we’ve been doing since I took office, and it’s a great program,” Farmer said. “They’ve got some legislation that they’re trying to push through, wanting to go to a .05 [legal blood alcohol concentration for driving]. It’s been a long time since .08 was enacted, and I would love to see a .05 come to North Carolina; make our roadways safer.”
Narcotics enforcement has been a priority for Farmer since he was elected to office in 2022. One of the narcotics investigators in Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is assigned to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration task force as a task force officer.
“That allows us to cross over with state cases into federal cases on the DEA side and allows us to seize funds and equipment through the federal system,” said Farmer. “We also have an additional narcotics investigator assigned to the Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives task force as a task force officer. Same thing there, if we’re dealing with guns, drugs, it allows us to seamlessly cross over to the federal side of that.”
In 2024, the office charged 1,176 total felony drug offenses and had 410 drug-related arrests. During that year, it seized 231.09 grams of crack cocaine, 238.08 grams of cocaine, 790 grams of fentanyl and heroin and 2,832.76 grams of methamphetamine.
“I can tell you there’s a lot more to come;
we’re not done yet. We’re aggressive with our drug enforcement; we’ll continue to be aggressive with it because we are a corridor,” said Farmer. “There’s a lot comes through here, so we’re constantly trying to train these guys and learn them how to post it quicker, how to get this stuff off the streets before it makes it into the hands of the dealers here and makes it to individual users.”
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office currently has two canines that assist two narcotics investigators and plans to add a third this year. It had 34 canine deployments in 2023 and 130 deployments in 2024, which led to 13 and 65 arrests respectively.
Overdoses in the county have dropped dramatically over the last three years with the sheriff’s department responding to 189 overdoses in 2022, which resulted in 60 death, 156 overdoses in 2023, which resulted in 38 deaths and 99 overdoses in 2024 which led to five deaths.
“I want to thank you on the overdoses, that’s big,” said Commissioner Todd Bryson. “Seeing those families lose a loved one to overdose, it’s said to see. So, we appreciate you when it comes to that.”
Not all of those overdoses related to illicit drugs like meth, fentanyl or cocaine. Some are accidental overdoses by people taking too much of a prescribed medication.
“We will never arrest our way out of this crisis, we must have help from our court system,” said Farmer. “For example, stiffer consequences, longer mandatory sentences and drug court. We need help. We can arrest them all day and we will, and we’ll continue if they get released and get back out on the street and do the same thing again, we’ll arrest them again. But we have to have the help from our court system.”
Personalized Programming: Every learner’s journey is uniquely designed to match their strengths, interests, and pace.
Mastery Learning: Learning isn’t about rushing through material, it’s about greater understanding of content and broader exposure to various topics.
Holistic Development: We nurture not just academic excellence, but creativity, leadership, and social-emotional growth.
Innovative Curriculum: Our resources are based on research and best practices for exceptional minds.
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A Compassionate Community: Passionate educators and specialists, engaged families, and a supportive culture where children can thrive.
A Mission to Redefine Education: We are dedicated to elevating education in Western North Carolina.
Sheriffs spent 1,797 hours transporting inmates in 2024. Overdose deaths decreased to five in 2024.
General Assembly considers fourth Helene relief bill
BY C ORY VAILLANCOURT
DITOR
Nearly six months after Hurricane Helene killed 106 people and caused more than $60 billion in damage across Western North Carolina, the General Assembly is set to approve another stormrelated relief bill.
In 2024, the General Assembly enacted three Hurricane Helene relief bills, cumulatively allocating approximately $1 billion to support recovery efforts across the state.
The first relief measure, passed on Oct. 10, 2024, provided $273 million in aid. This initial act established the Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Fund and eased certain regulatory barriers to expedite assistance. Senate President Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) described it as a “first step” toward comprehensive recovery.
Two weeks later, the legislature approved a more extensive relief package, appropriating an additional $604 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund. This second bill aimed to address a broader range of recovery needs but notably excluded direct grant assistance for businesses, a provision that local leaders had advocated for — especially considering many businesses were already burdened with existing loans from prior disasters.
the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Stein’s proposal included $150 million in grants to small business owners.
House Republicans countered with a $500 million proposal that was first discussed Feb. 5 in the House Select Committee on Helene Recovery. Senate Republicans tweaked the bill and voted unanimously to increase the allocation to $535 million on March 5.
The bill includes $3 million for tourism promotion; $4.5 million for programs targeting student learning loss; $10 million to support fire departments; $20 million to state and local governments for debris removal; $55 million in small business infrastructure grants for sidewalk or parking lot repairs; $100 million to restore private roads and bridges — a major safety issue for emergency responders unable to reach cut-off homes; $140 million for housing reconstruction with plans to create a reimbursement-eligible program within the N.C. Department of Commerce and $193 million for agricultural aid, covering crop losses and debris removal— an amount exceeding the House’s initial proposal of $150 million.
The third relief effort, enacted on November 19, 2024, allocated an extra $227 million to the Hurricane Helene Recovery Fund however the funding was to “remain unspent until appropriated by an act of the General Assembly,” indicating that further legislative action was required to disburse the funds. Democrats blasted the bill for offering no immediate relief and for including provisions restricting the powers of the newly elected Democratic governor and attorney general.
There have been three relief bills since Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, but much more is needed. File photo
But as usual, there’s less talk about what’s in the bill than what’s not in the bill.
A $10 million provision in the House bill for rental assistance, something Sen. Julie Mayfield (D-Buncombe) has been pushing for months, was slashed in the Senate revision to just $1 million across the 28 disaster-affected counties.
Perhaps most importantly, a small amount of grants for small business owners was in the House bill, but not in the Senate revision.
The common thread between the three bills is that none of them allocated any direct financial assistance — grants, not loans — for small business owners affected by the storm. Many of those same business owners remain burdened with COVID-era loans, while all of those business owners completely missed out on the fall tourism season.
Sales tax collections as well as room occupancy tax collections have since rebounded in most affected counties, but a sharp decline in September and October testify to around $400 million in decreased spending by visitors and locals alike.
Congress likewise failed to deliver adequate assistance in December; a delegation led by then-Gov. Roy Cooper to the White House asked for $25 billion to help with the state’s estimated $60 billion in damages, however the appropriation, between $9 and $15 billion, falls far short of what officials say is needed. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) sits on the House Appropriations Committee but never responded to a Smoky Mountain News inquiry as to why the funding didn’t even approach the amount needed.
Despite these legislative and lobbying efforts, Gov. Josh Stein proposed an additional $1 billion in state assistance in early 2025, underscoring the ongoing need for substantial support to fully recover from
Haywood Health Foundation grants available
Haywood Health Foundation (HHF) announce its Request For Proposals (RFPs) for grants relating to unmet healthcare needs in Haywood County. In accordance with its mission, HHF’s Grant Program will be providing grants to Haywood County nonprofit organizations, government agencies and schools for health care initiatives, as well as educational and leadership programs related to improving health care in our county.
“We had a victory in the House two weeks ago when we got $15 million included in the House version of the bill that would have been given to small businesses as grants through Golden Leaf. It wasn’t enough, but it was something,” said Rep. Eric Ager (D-Buncombe). “Then, of course, the Senate stripped that out. I think the $55 million that is in the bill for small business infrastructure would have been much better spent as direct grants to businesses.”
Lindsey Prather and Brian Turner, also Democratic reps from Buncombe County, expressed similar concerns.
“We keep saying WNC is open for business, but businesses are closing and will continue to close if the state doesn’t step in to help,” Turner said.
All three, however, said they’d support the final bill.
“We need more than what is in this bill, but at least it’s something,” Prather said. “We need to pass it and get the money out quickly.”
Haywood Republican Rep. Mark Pless said he was looking forward to a conference on the bill, and that it could still change.
“I think we will probably not accept it in its format, and then go to conference and we’ll work out some of the details and see if we can get some of the things that were important to [the House] and let them have some of the things that were important to [the Senate].”
The House was set to consider the Senate’s changes to the bill after The Smoky Mountain News went to print on Tuesday, March 11.
Grant applications should include a description of the grant’s direct impact on the improvement of healthcare and well-being of Haywood County residents.
Grant proposals can be addressed to a specific health care program, health educational materials or equipment. Initiatives can range broadly, such as, but are not limited to maternal/infant health, chronic disease-related initiatives, nutrition, substance abuse, dental care for an underserved population, mental health care, senior health care issues and environmental health issues.
Grant applications are available by calling Marge Stiles at the HHF Office at 828.452.8343 or by going to their website haywoodhealthfoun-
dation.org and clicking on the “Forms” tab.
Grant applications are due on Thursday, April 10, by 4 p.m. Completed grant applications will be accepted by mail at Haywood Health Foundation, 262 Leroy George Drive, Clyde, NC 28721 email (marjolainestiles@bellsouth.net) or fax (828.452.8973).
The Grant Review Committee may request a presentation by a representative of the applying agency.
All grant funding requests are first screened and evaluated by the HHF Grants Committee and approved by the HHF Foundation Board at their June meeting on June 23, 2025. All applicants will be notified of the results.
Jackson County one step closer to partisan school board elections
B STAFF W RITER
On March 6 Jackson County
Representative Mike Clampitt filed a local bill in the North Carolina House of Representatives to make the Jackson County Board of Education election a partisan race. If the bill passes, partisan elections for the school board would begin with the 2026 election.
The bill is titled “an act to provide for the partisan election of members of the Jackson County Board of Education and to make other technical changes. In addition to changing school board elections to even-numbered years, the bill outlines that school board members will be elected on a partisan basis.
Clampitt filed the bill less than a month after Jackson County commissioners signed a resolution asking representatives in the North Carolina General Assembly to support a bill to make school board elections in the county partisan. Commissioners alone cannot make the change from nonpartisan to partisan school board races; a law must be passed by the General Assembly.
Commissioners voted on the resolution in a surprise vote, without giving notice to the public that they were considering the move. The resolution on the agenda for the Feb. 18 meeting only stated the intent to “change the election schedule for municipal elections in Jackson County.” The resolution supported changing municipal elections from odd numbered years to even numbered years.
However, when the item came up for discussion, Commissioner John Smith said he wanted to make an amendment to the resolution.
“I’d like to seek an amendment to add, to make it a partisan election for the school board,” Smith said at the time. “I’d like to amend it to include partisan, make it a partisan election so we have partisan primaries and then partisan election in the fall along with the general.”
Chairman Mark Letson asked for a motion to approve the resolution with the amendment. It was approved unanimously.
“I find it concerning that there was no discussion or reasoning provided by the county commissioners for making this move,” said School Board Chairman Wes Jamison. “This is a major shift in how this board is elected and should have been properly discussed with input from all stakeholders.”
In 2015, out of 115 school districts in North Carolina, 17 of them had boards elected on a partisan basis. By the 2024 election cycle, that number had grown to 52.
“Education should not be driven by party platforms,” Jamison said. “A strong school board is one that brings together people with different perspectives, all working toward the shared goal of providing the best possible education for our students. We don’t need a public school system that appears to serve only one part of the community — we need one that represents and serves everyone. It is my hope that our General Assembly representatives, Sen. [Kevin] Corbin and Rep. [Mike] Clampitt, will recognize this and choose not to move forward with the request made by four of our county commissioners.”
School Board Member Gayle Woody, who previously served one term as a county commissioner and spent 25 years teaching in Jackson County, is also opposed to the move.
“It will not serve the interest of our students and teachers,” Woody said. “School board members, unlike other elected officials, must bear sole allegiance to the students and parents they serve and not leaders or platforms of specific political parties.”
In The Smoky Mountain News’ fourcounty coverage area, Haywood and Macon counties have nonpartisan elections for Boards of Education; Swain County has a partisan race for school board.
Haywood Democrats host precinct meetings
Haywood County Democrats are gathering at precinct meetings beginning March 16 and ending March 30. A precinct is an area in which all voters go to a single place to cast their ballot on election day.
All registered Democrats in Haywood County are invited to attend their precinct meetings. The North Carolina State Board of Elections at ncsbe.gov has information about where precincts are located.
To learn more about Haywood County Democratic Party precinct meetings’ times and locations, visit the haywooddemocrats.org website and register using the “Mobilize” links on the website. For questions or more information, contact Haywood County Democratic Party Headquarters at 828.452.9607.
Fletcher
Blue Ridge Southern Railroad locomotives sit idling in Frog Level’s Richland Creek as Hurricane Helene passes through on Sept. 27, 2024. Cory Vaillancourt photo
All down the line
Bill seeks to help local railroads affected by Hurricane Helene
Highways, roads and bridges weren’t the only components of transportation infrastructure impacted by Hurricane Helene last fall. Now, a pair of Western North Carolina legislators have filed a bill in the North Carolina General Assembly to help a pair of railroads get back on track.
“The impact of Hurricane Helene was extensive to the rail networks in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee,” said Tracie VanBecelaere, a spokesperson for Watco, the company that owns Blue Ridge Southern Railroad. “For the Blue Ridge Southern Railroad, recovery costs top $18 million, and work is ongoing to restore the railroad.”
Blue Ridge Southern Railroad is what’s known as a short-line freight railroad, with just 87 miles of track running from East Flat Rock to Asheville, through Canton and on to Sylva and Dillsboro.
It’s been a tough few years for Blue Ridge Southern. After sustaining damage during Tropical Storm Fred in 2021, the railroad lost its largest customer — Pactiv Evergreen’s paper mill — in June 2023. Then Hurricane Helene dealt a serious blow in September 2024, disrupting operations.
“Blue Ridge had a lot of damage, just like they did with Fred,” said Rep. Mark Pless (RHaywood), one the co-sponsors of the bill. “They had just gotten back running, and they have spent some money, but they have some grants. And if I’m not mistaken, the fund that that’s supposed to come out of is 50/50, so whatever amount that they choose that they need, they would have to foot the bill for half of that.”
Sylva’s Jackson Paper. In mid-February, service was partially restored to Premier Magnesia in Frog Level; however, raw materials coming from Knoxville unable to ship via rail.
Albritton, vice president and general manager of the GSMR. “There were two mudslides along that route that we were able to clear and begin operating again on Monday, Sept. 30.”
“Blue Ridge had a lot of damage, just like they did with Fred. They had just gotten back running, and they have spent some money, but they have some grants.
— Rep. Mark Pless
its 92-day boiler wash and inspection and was scheduled to begin pulling leaf-looking trains along the Nantahala Gorge route on Oct. 1; however, due to unstable track conditions on the Tuckasegee River route, GSMR was unable to move the locomotive safely from its Dillsboro shop to Bryson City. Service was restored on Oct. 10.
Rising storm water did reach the first-stair level inside GSMR’s office building in Bryson City and completely washed out the railyard and parking lot. It also washed out the railyard and parking lot in Dillsboro, but spared buildings there.
“As far as what still needs fixed, we have concentrated on hauling railroad ballast from the Nantahala quarry immediately following the storm and continue to do so,” Albritton said. “I expect that we will continue to haul, dump and surface track with more ballast well into June of this year to improve overall track conditions supporting ties and rail.”
Economic impact to the railroad continues, Albritton explained.
“Ridership was reduced by over 35,000 visitors as compared to 2023 from Sept. 27 through Dec. 31, 2024,” she said. “Combining track infrastructure materials and labor and the reduction of passenger ridership we have lost over $4 million between September and December of 2024. 2025 passenger ridership remains soft. We are working with our local attractions, chambers, TDA and Smoky Mountain Host to build an awareness that Western North Carolina is open for business.“
Additionally, Albritton says GSMR spent more than $40,000 helping employees with damage to their homes and property, as well as the loss of work hours.
Although GSMR is now 100% operational according to Albritton, she expects 2025 ridership to remain soft, citing news reports and social media posts that have made some visitors apprehensive about visiting the area even today.
“On a positive note, we had record-breaking ridership on our Polar Express Special Event trains,” she said, noting that 132,008 passengers took a trip to see Santa Claus at the North Pole.
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is another kind of railroad altogether. With just 53 miles of track, GSMR carries passengers, not cargo, and has been a major tourist attraction in the region for nearly four decades. It too suffered damage from Helene.
“Due to the storm, it was necessary to cancel our Nantahala Gorge Excursions which depart from Bryson City west bound to
There was also substantial track damage due to washouts on the Tuckasegee River route, which runs from Bryson City to Dillsboro, and debris piled up against bridges from Dillsboro to Andrews. GSMR maintenance crews and subcontractors began removal immediately
The railroad’s Baldwin 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locomotive, No. 1702, had just finished
Waynesville gives fire chief position to interim
He now has big shoes to fill, but Waynesville officials think interim Fire Department Chief Chris Mehaffey has what it takes to guide the department into its next era.
“Chief Mehaffey has demonstrated exceptional dedication and professionalism throughout his tenure, making him a natural choice for this important role,” said Town Manager Rob Hites on March 5. “We are confident in Chief Mehaffey’s ability to lead our Fire
Department during this transitional period. His experience and commitment to public safety will ensure that the Waynesville Fire Department continues to serve our community effectively.”
Mehaffey has 35 years of experience in emergency services and 17 years with the Waynesville Fire Department — the last six as assistant chief. He had served as interim chief since Feb. 20.
The town’s longtime previous Fire Chief
The bill, upon which Rep. Mike Clampitt (R-Swain) is listed as a co-sponsor, seeks $14 million for Blue Ridge Southern and about $2.4 million for GSMR.
“It’s important to the economy and the continuation of the excursion service,” Clampitt said. “Visitation brings a large amount of revenue not only to the railroad but also to the restaurants, Airbnbs and motels.”
Joey Webb, Sr. recently retired after nearly 17 years in the role. Webb also served eight years as chief of the Clyde Volunteer Fire Department.
Mehaffey was selected by an assessment process involving finalists chosen from a pool of 45 candidates. This decision comes after thorough consideration and reflects the Town of Waynesville’s commitment to maintaining strong leadership within the Fire Department, according to a town press release.
State education superintendent to visit Haywood County
BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF WRITER
State
Superintendent
Maurice “Mo” Green is set to be in Western North Carolina next week as part of his “Mo Wants to Know” tour happening throughout March and April.
Green will be at Tuscola High School in Waynesville at 6 p.m. Monday, March 17, for a public listening and learning session. All parents, students, educators, school and district staff, public officials and other community members are invited to attend the free, public event.
In addition to the eight public sessions, Green is meeting privately with leaders in education, business, community, nonprofit and religious sectors to learn from their insights. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
and the State Board of Education will draft a comprehensive strategic plan that includes goals, initiatives and accountability measures that will draw on insights gathered during the public sessions.
“The strategic plan we create will advance my vision for every child in North Carolina to achieve educational excellence and for our public schools to be the best in the country,” Green said. “For the plan to be effective, it must be driven by the people we serve — from students and teachers to employers and community leaders. I encourage anyone who cares about the future of public education to join us on the ‘Mo Wants to Know’ tour.”
Green was elected as the new Superintendent of North Carolina Public Schools in November, when he beat out his Republican opponent Michelle Morrow with 51% of the
Commissioners address library security
BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF W RITER
AJackson County commissioner brought up the issue of library security during the commission’s March 4 meeting, citing safety concerns for staff at the Jackson County Library in Sylva. Of the two issues raised — what appeared to be a handgun found in the men’s bathroom, and people hiding in the library, only to come out after the building has been closed — only one could be confirmed by library staff.
“We had an incident last week, the police were called, somebody found what they thought was a gun in the restroom at the library,” Smith said. “When the deputies got there, and examined it, it was an airsoft gun. It wasn’t operable, but still that brings the question, could it have been a real gun?”
Jackson County Librarian and Fontana Regional Library Director Tracy Fitzmaurice confirmed the event, saying it was an isolated incident that occurred on Feb. 21.
“At the time, we didn’t know if it was an airsoft gun. It looked like a regular handgun,” Fitzmaurice said. “It was not found on the floor in the bathroom but tucked away in the dispenser used for paper toilet seat covers in the men’s room.”
The object turned out not to pose a danger to library staff, but Smith said that the incident raises larger concerns for safety.
“What’s the danger if it had been a real gun?” Smith said. “I don’t know what kind of signage we have; I’m not saying signage would stop it.”
Then Smith raised a second issue.
“The other issue is the cleaning crew, they clean some while the library’s open,
but they clean past the time where the library’s open and they’ve had some instances where people have come out that had been hiding in the library after the library closed,” Smith said. “That presents a danger to the cleaning crew, and I think that opens up the county for lawsuits, especially if they’re our employees.”
Commissioner Jenny Hooper said “it’s suspected that a lot of that is homeless because they are doing hair dye in the sinks. I don’t think it’s easter eggs.”
But Fitzmaurice said that she and her staff have not heard of people “coming out of hiding” after hours at the library.
“It has never been reported to us,” said Fitzmaurice. “We do not have an issue with homeless people staying in the library after hours either. We have a set of procedures for checking the library and the courthouse side of the building that we follow. I am unsure what incident raised this discussion with the commissioners.”
Smith said he wants the county to come up with a plan to make sure that the building is secure, and that the facility is secure when cleaning crews are there by themselves.
County Manager Kevin King said that he would reach out to the Fontana Regional Library to clarify security protocols and speak to the county attorney about the legal side of things.
“I think it was mentioned too that those cleaning crews were kind of hesitant to come forward because they were thinking ramifications, they might be let go if they didn’t want to work for some reason,” Smith said.
Chairman Mark Letson said it was important that all people working for the county felt safe at their workplace.
statewide vote compared to Morrow’s 48%.
“I am humbled and honored to be elected as North Carolina’s Superintendent of Public Instruction,” said Green following his win. “Thank you to every person across the state who believed in this campaign.”
Green takes the reins at North Carolina Department of Public Instruction after eight years of Republican leadership — Mark Johnson held the office from 2017 to 2021, and Catherine Truitt from 2021 to the beginning of this year when Green was sworn in.
Green previously worked as the superintendent of Guildford County Schools for seven and a half years and has also worked as the deputy superintendent, chief operating officer and general counsel for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. In 2015, he became Executive Director of Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, a philanthropic organization that funds several education-related initiatives.
Registration for the event is not required but is strongly encouraged as some venues may reach capacity. For more information, or to register, visit dpi.nc.gov/about-dpi/statesuperintendent-public-instruction/mo-wants-know.
Rep. Edwards to host in-person town hall
Western North Carolina Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards will host an in-person town hall on Thursday, March 13, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Ferguson Auditorium at AshevilleBuncombe Technical Community College. Free and open to the public. The Ferguson Auditorium is located on Tech Drive, just off Victoria Road. For more information, visit edwards.house.gov. Rep. Chuck
Edwards. File photo
Mo Green. File photo
All Americans must protect Constitution
To the Editor:
A significant event in history is being replayed in our time. The Magna Carta was a landmark English document establishing that the power of the English monarchy was not absolute. In 1215, King John (1167-1216) was forced to sign the document, known as "the Great Charter," by his barons, who were (like our U.S. Congress SHOULD be today) angered by the king's encroachment on their rights. The Magna Carta, which included such basic rights as trial by jury and due process of law, protected the people from an authoritarian government and helped set the stage for the concept of limited government that would be created in the New Land.
The Magna Carta stipulated that the king, like the people he ruled, was subject to the laws of the land. The Magna Carta made a provision for a Great Council (envision the United States Congress) to be composed of nobles and clergy who would approve the actions of the king in relation to his subjects and ensure the tenets set forth in the charter were upheld. It is credited with laying the foundation for a parlia-
A tale of two hospital systems
To the Editor:
An elderly person very dear to me that I’ve known my whole life recently fell in her home, breaking her arm and acquiring another more serious complication. Because of the serious complication, the local hospital sent her to the bigger regional hospital.
The bigger regional hospital is new and shiny with computer stations in all the big new rooms with additional computer stations in hallways for each nurse. It is run like a welloiled machine with each nurse spending quite a bit of time entering data into some server farm somewhere with the latest AI or whatever overseeing the most efficient storing of all the data entered. The rooms are large with plenty of room for visitors, day beds, and tastefully lit. The nurses and medical staff are very caring people (I think you have to be a caring person to choose that profession), and they are handicapped by their employers’ systems and procedures.
My dearest was moved many times to different rooms and floors, and had constantly changing caregivers even when she got to stay in the same room for a while. With all the data inputting nobody had time for data extracting, and no one knew why she was there. I and other loved ones had to constantly repeat to her caregivers that she was walking and talking before her fall, and that her current condition was not her norm. They were often unaware of her broken arm and wanted to use it to check her blood pressure. The only doctor I physically saw was the admitting doctor. All the other ones I talked to by phone since they were on the other side of the hospital, and they were not coming back to that part of the hospital that day. The staff was very caring, but their employers’ systems and procedures just wouldn’t let them
mentary government in England and is still considered by many to be the cornerstone of constitutional government.
Fast-forward approximately 450 years, the ideas of another Englishman (philosopher John Locke 1632-1704) formed the foundation for America's democratic system of government by suggesting that “a democracy exists to give voice to the people and to protect their inalienable rights.”
The word democracy comes from the ancient Greek word demokratia. Demo means "the people" and kratia means "to rule." A democracy, then, is a form of government in which people rule. The power lies in the hands of the people, who may either govern directly or govern indirectly by electing representatives.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and carried John Locke's beliefs forward from the previous century, stating that "all individuals are endowed with certain inalienable, or fundamental, inalterable rights." Our Founding Fathers placed great value on the individual which dictates that the primary func-
LETTERS
shine. Nonetheless she got better and left there.
Unfortunately, an infection required another trip to our local hospital about a week later. If you haven’t been to our local hospital, it is an older facility with small rooms that feel cramped with more than one visitor. There is no day bed, the lighting is either too bright for nighttime or too dim for a visitor to read by, and the walls will need fresh paint soon. There are no computer stations in each room with several more in the hallways. The nurses have to push a computer cart around as they go about caring for their patients, and often I saw their assistants go about caring for my dearest without inputting any data at all. Instead, they relayed information to her other caregivers by talking with them. What a messy way of doing things! And what a way to let these very caring people shine.
That is the real motivation behind this letter. I don’t want to complain about the bigger newer regional hospital so much as praise the staff of our smaller older hospital. All the staff, not just the caregivers, have been exceptional with my dearest, and also with us who care about her. I would like to thank the staff of our local hospital especially the staff on floor 5. You all are incredible.
Jon Nowakowski Waynesville
Headline was not appropriate
To the Editor:
The Smoky Mountain News has done a great disservice to the American people with the headline “America’s Worst Idea” (SMN, Feb. 28 edition). The American public is not tearing apart
tion of government is to enable the individual person to achieve his or her highest potential, making the interests of the individual more important than those of a state (or a king).
As we witness the rise and fall of the rule of law, we must consider Chief Justice John Marshall's 1803 Marbury v. Madison ruling: “It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is.”
That doesn’t factor in statements by President Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and “special government employee” multibillionaire Elon Musk. All three have indicated willingness to defy court rulings.
Courts alone will not be sufficient. Courts are like an antibiotic on a cut, helping healing and staving off infection, but they cannot keep a grievously wounded patient alive. For this, a vigorous political strategy is necessary. It is in all Americans' hands collectively to make sure the constitutional structure is not only enforced, but also preserved.
David L. Snell Franklin
our government and our democracy — Donald Trump and Elon Musk are, with the cowardly support of representatives who cower before this duo.
Politicians love to claim that “ the people want this “ when, in fact, no one knew such destructive actions would be taken.
As for the “mandate” that is so widely claimed, please note that approximately 155 million people voted in the 2024 presidential election, with Trump getting 49.8 percent and Harris getting 48.32 percent of the popular vote. Hardly a mandate. Further, almost 90 million people did not vote.
Politicians love to claim that they are doing “what the public wants” when, in fact, they do not listen to millions of us.
No fraud found by Musk, DOGE
To the Editor:
In response to a letter from David Lawson, MD, (SMN, Feb. 26 issue) I would like to point out that even a simple Google search reveals
Please be more careful with your headlines — think before you publish.
Lauren Gainey Clyde
(Editor’s note: The headline was a play on words related to Ken Burns documentary about our national parks titled “America’s Best Idea.” The story had comments from several retired and fired Park Service employees who discussed how the Trump-DOGE budget cuts would be damaging to the parks in our region.)
that the writer is just another angry Republican parroting the lies that MAGA has been spewing for eight years. According to Google, about 90,000 people over the age of 100 are receiving Social Security payments. His letter states " over 20 million people over 100 are receiving Social Security payments." Further research shows that you cannot receive Social Security if you do not have a SS number, so I don't know who these billions of dollars claimed by the good doctor are going to.
I have no doubt there is waste and fraud to be found in any operation as large as the U.S. government, and I do not object to any proper investigation conducted
by qualified forensic accountants knowledgeable in the workings and mandates of the agency they are investigating. This is the exact opposite of what DOGE is doing. Dr. Lawson may be OK with a bunch of college kids gaining possession of his personal information, but I am not. They have not to my knowledge documented any fraud so far. I certainly hope the good doctor did not run his practice the way Elon is running DOGE.
John Acuti Waynesville
Apple bucks trend, affirms DEI support
To the Editor:
In this day when actual facts can be hard to assess/confirm, here is an interesting one that is public record and confirmable. It is also of note that DEI has been politically misused and not well understood. Note the massive support for DEI and the definition.
In a decisive move, Apple’s shareholders have overwhelmingly voted to retain the company’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. At the recent annual meeting, a proposal to abolish these programs was rejected, with 97.3% of votes cast against it.
This resounding support for DEI underscores the recognition that fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage. Research consistently shows that diverse teams enhance innovation, problem-solving and overall business performance. By upholding its DEI efforts, Apple is positioning itself to attract top talent from all backgrounds, driving creativity and maintaining its competitive edge in the tech industry.
However, it’s concerning to note that President Donald Trump has urged Apple to eliminate its DEI programs, labeling them as detrimental to the country. This stance overlooks the substantial benefits that diversity and inclusion bring to both businesses and society at large.
Apple’s shareholders have made a clear statement in favor of progress and inclusivity. It’s imperative that the company remains steadfast in its commitment to DEI, setting a positive example for the tech industry and beyond. Dismantling these initiatives would not only be a step backward in the pursuit of equality but also a strategic misstep in an increasingly diverse global market.
Richard Gould Waynesville
Musk-DOGE will lead to more fraud
To the Editor:
Many of the letter writers the week of February 28 have a grasp of what is happening in the U.S. However, a couple do not seem to understand the reality behind the MAGA claims. The writer stating that liberals “protest too much” states that Trump and Musk are ridding the government of waste and fraud. Instead, they are contributing to both.
The DOGE crew of 19- to 21-year-olds has not produced much, if anything, in finding
either fraud or waste. In fact, based on some analyses, they have actually contributed to waste.
For example, they fired the people who do the maintenance and management of our nuclear weapons. Then they had to try locating them to hire them back, but they had deleted the contact information to do so. They have fired the meteorologists who make weather prediction possible.
Closer to home, Musk’s crew fired park rangers and forest firefighters. That is not eliminating waste. It is creating a potential disaster on the one hand and harming a tourist area near the most visited national park in the nation.
As for fraud, how about Musk suggesting that the $2.5 billion contract to update the FAA air control system be removed from the company with the contract to his SpaceX company. For that matter, how about the multimillion dollar contracts for going to the moon or Mars? According to some estimates Musk has received in excess of $38 billion in taxpayer money for his various companies. You don’t hear about cutting funding to go to Mars, do you?
The writer mentioned that the last time we had a balanced budget was “almost 30 years ago” when Bill Clinton was president. In 1993, the Democrats passed a budget reduction package. Not a single Republican voted for it. The idea that Republicans are concerned about the budget is a fallacy. They will be ramming through another big multitrillion dollar tax cut for billionaires soon.
Among the other agencies Musk has cut are the watchdog agencies that cover labor issues and keep track of other potential wrongdoing. Some of those agencies are investigating complaints against Musk and Trump.
Rather than eliminating fraud or being fiscally responsible, Musk and Trump are being fiscally irresponsible. Additionally, they are making fraud more likely and more profitable.
Norman Hoffman Waynesille
Don’t be taken in by Elon Musk
To the Editor:
I write to correct misinformation in a letter to the editor written by David Lawson. He made two statements which are false. His first mistake accuses the Social Security Administration of issuing benefits to more people over age 100 that are alive. A simple internet search will tell anyone that for years the Social Security Administration used the older COBOL computer system, and it can’t process people without a birth date properly, so it defaults to 150. Updating when possible would have cost $9 million, and the SSA would rather spend that on benefits, knowing that the age number 150 is moot to anyone who is trained to use the SSA system. Unfortunately, Elon Musk’s minions are not trained, and have misunderstood and publicized this incorrect information.
The second statement is that people without Social Security numbers receive benefits.
Again incorrect. In fact, Social Security numbers are required to be submitted before one can apply for benefits, and without a Social Security Number, the system will not disburse payments. Anyone who has looked at a Social Security Administration statement, online or on paper, can easily see that payments are disbursed only to those with Social Security numbers.
Please do not be taken in by the propaganda we are being fed by Elon Musk, an unelected gazillionaire who has apparently bought the ear of the media.
Virginia S. Moe Haywood County
Ripped off by leftist operatives
To the Editor:
I read the newspaper one morning when visiting the area last weekend and was legitimately shocked when I got to the Letters to the Editor section. The U.S. government has been exposed to be a multi-trillion-dollar corrupt money laundering organization, and I was surprised how many of your readers are perfectly OK with it. The U.S. government is neither a service nor a business. The U.S. government is supposed to work for you, no one else. Wake up, it's your money, not theirs. Regarding how Social Security will survive when their offices close, how do you think they survived for 2.5 years while the offices were closed for COVID? All of us have been ripped off by leftist corrupt operatives and now someone is finally doing something about it, thank God. Wake up to reality!
Bob Hildebrand Atlanta
Where’s the ‘waste, fraud and abuse?’
To the Editor:
The Franklin Social Security office has been closed. It was the only such office west of Asheville. It handled programs such as Social Security, Retirement, SSI, Medicaid and Disability Benefits. Given the population of Macon County, my guess is those programs cover at least half of our citizens. Now any inperson appointment must include a trip to Asheville and a full day lost. Was this office an example of waste, fraud or abuse ?
Macon County is surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest. There are at least 34 facilities maintained by the National Park Service a day's drive from Franklin. More than 4,000 workers have been arbitrarily cut from the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Park Service. It is a good bet that many of those attractions — like the Appalachian Trail — will be negatively affected. Local business that service hikers, restaurants, hotels, B&Bs and local shops will feel the loss. Obviously this was a clear case of waste, fraud and abuse.
Musk and his DOGE have an ambitious goal of cutting $1 trillion in federal spending. The total amount we spend on payroll for federal workers is about $336 billion, so it is clear that if you fired every federal worker for waste, fraud and abuse, it would be just a
drop in the federal budget.
The largest expenses of the U.S. government are in just four categories: Social Security. Medicare, Medicaid and national defense . The Republican House has decided to cut Medicaid by $880 billion in order to achieve their goal of cutting the federal budget. That would potentially affect 79 million U.S. citizens, mostly the poor, the disabled and children, basically anyone who cannot afford health insurance.
It is estimated that there are at least 5,000 citizens in Macon County on Medicaid. Any loss of their benefits would have to be made up by state, county or local funds. It's a good bet that our taxes would go up to cover those costs.
That same budget proposal to cut Medicaid, which recently passed the U.S. House, clearly shows the reason for the cuts to the federal budget is to pass a huge tax cut for the wealthy, just like the last tax cut passed by the Republicans. It is estimated that proposed tax cut could add $3.4 trillion to the national debt.
So let me get this straight: Republicans are OK with a large tax cut for the wealthy that would increase the national debt, cut government services we rely on, cut benefits to the least among us, and cost us more in taxes. Why not?
Louis Vitale Franklin
Oval Office meeting provides clarity
To the Editor:
I realize by the time this is printed that the Oval Office meeting with President Zelensky (Friday, Feb 28) will be old news. But it should never become old news. We saw what we saw, and it has given us clarity about who our leaders are. Trump and Vance instigated a humiliating verbal attack on Zelensky, an equal world leader and ally. What we witnessed was not an argument, but rather bullying and abusive treatment of Zelensky. If you rewatch the whole thing, you’ll notice that Zelensky never raises his voice. He simply tries, in his limited English, to defend himself against absurd and insulting allegations, like “not saying thank you.” (when, in fact, Zelensky never fails to express gratitude in every speech). We saw Trump and Vance literally berating a fellow world leader as if he were a child. It was painful to watch.
And as our leaders acted like thugs, Zelensky implores them to listen to the truth … that Putin is not to be trusted; that Putin is responsible for the death and destruction in Ukraine; and that Americans have an ocean for protection, but one day we will “feel it too.” At this Trump exploded.
So here is the truth. We saw what we saw, and now we know who our leaders are. Trump has twisted every fact regarding Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Republican leadership has become Putin’s lap-dog, and in this Oval Office meeting we saw them expressing disdain for those who are literally fighting and dying for democracy.
Faye Kennedy Whittier
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD
ARTS & E NTERTAINMENT E DITOR
When it comes to the vast, vibrant landscape of American blues guitarists, few six-string aces have had as varied and as illustrious a career over the last 30 years as that of Jimmy Vivino.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Vivino came of age right when the “British Invasion” of rock music overtook America in the 1960s and 1970s. It was there where Vivino discovered the blues influences of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, The Yardbirds, The Who, Led Zeppelin and so forth.
From there, Vivino went down this endless rabbit hole to find the origins of the blues, these musical pioneers and creative visionaries — Robert Johnson, Son House, Jimmie Rodgers, Muddy Waters, Charley Patton — who helped shape this intricate, mesmerizing sound that continues to captivate and inspire audiences the world over.
Beyond his decades of touring and live performances, Vivino also held a 25-year tenure as a member (and later band leader) for Conan O’Brien’s late-night programs. Recently, Vivino released his latest album, “Gonna Be 2 Of Those Days,” to wide acclaim.
Smoky Mountain News: So, how does a boy from New Jersey end up leading arguably the best late-night band of all-time?
Jimmy Vivino: The “New Jersey Music Mafia Connections.” [Laughs]. Max Weinberg (drummer for Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band) secured the gig with no band, so he talked his way into an audition. And then
Blues in the 21st
A conversation with Jimmy Vivino
Want to go?
will perform at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 16, at
at 7 p.m. The show is all ages. Tickets are $20.21 in advance, with premium seating $29.25 (ticket fees included). For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit thegreyeagle.com or call 828.232.5800.
called me. At the time, I was staying with Clarence Clemons (saxophonist for Springsteen) in Sausalito, [California], and we had a band together.
SMN: You’re in familiar territory.
JV: Oh, sure. All those [New Jersey] guys, who all played the club circuits together and everything. [Max] said the funniest thing, he gets on the phone and calls me at [Clarence’s] house and goes, “Don’t tell Clarence about the audition because we won’t get the gig.” All [Clarence] has to do is make a phone call and he’s got the gig — his stage presence was so dynamic, everybody wanted him to do anything. So, I started doing [the late-night show] for 25-plus years.
Before that, I just worked and worked and toured and toured with people. And before that, when me and my brother got out of high school, I was a [Hammond] B3 player. We had an organ, saxophone and drums trio. We played seven nights a week in 1973. We were making 350 bucks a week each, more than my father was making at that time.
SMN: Did your parents show you support for being a musician?
JV: Oh, yeah. Always. And because they weren’t allowed to, my father being an Italian immigrant. [We were] a family of carpenters. Imagine a guy (Vivino’s father) who was the most gifted trumpet player I ever heard in my life and he was not allowed to do that? There was no rebellion allowed either.
And then, [my father had] three sons that don’t go into construction, that go into music
and show business. I think he was driven to make sure not only that we did what we wanted to do, but that we were good at it and that we practiced. Because if we were going to do it, he didn’t want us to fail.
[The culture] was always like, “Well, your Uncle Nick plays the accordion real good, but he’s working on the job mixing cement. You know, doing a real man’s work.”
SMN: It’s like here in Southern Appalachia, where your mailman could be the best mandolin player ever, but they never left the front porch.
JV: No. Never left the porch. Music doesn’t stop people from being great musicians. It’s just they’re not always encouraged that that’s a vocation. And, of course, it was in the 1930s and 1940s when my father grew up. It was a different time. It was looked at in a different way.
SMN: With the late-night band dissolving on Conan, how have you reflected on that number of years, 25, being on-air?
JV: Well, I always looked at it as golden handcuffs. [Laughs]. I can actually now enjoy the best of both worlds, a compromise where I have more time to go out and play live [and also do work for TV and film].
SMN: What is it about the blues for you? What separates it from other genres?
JV: Because everybody has it. See, George Jones is one of the greatest blues singers in the world. He’ll break your heart. And it’s not about the chord structure. It’s not about singing about cotton fields. I think [the late Delta blues musician] Son House said, “It’s
about a man and a woman and heartbreak and a bottle.” And that’s country music, isn’t it?
So, everybody has their own, you know? The lines are blurred now where they used to be. A lot of people never heard this stuff. But, when you hear it? I wish I could get that feeling back of hearing [the blues] for the first time.
Because there’s something deeper about [the blues]. Even on the most surface version that a band might cover a Howlin’ Wolf song or a Muddy Water song, there’s still something in it. And that’s amazing.
SMN: When you think about your career — what you’ve done, where you’ve been and where you continue to go — what really sticks out?
JV: Well, I don’t feel [that] it’s [been] anything but a great ride — the friends I met along the way, the chance to play with people that I never would’ve met. I don’t know [how] else I would’ve got onstage with Al Green or stood right next to B.B. King or Little Milton or James Cotton.
SMN: What you’re telling me, too, is that this applies to why we love the blues, that one of the biggest things you’re taught, subconsciously or consciously, is to stay close to the source.
JV: Yeah. Stay close to the source. And also respect for the artist. You have to be respectful. You know, we were so lucky to be able to play and meet and talk to a lot of these men and women who really just set the groundwork for everything we do.
Musically, what became rock-n-roll started as [the blues]. And we keep learning, we keep working on that.
Jimmy Vivino will play Asheville March 16. File photo
Guitar legend Jimmy Vivino
The Grey Eagle in Asheville. Doors
This must be the place
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD
‘I don’t expect you to listen, but the show goes on’
Early Tuesday morning. Sitting in the dentist chair, I stared blankly out onto the parking lot, only to then notice the bustling traffic on nearby U.S. 276. It was at that moment when the nice dental hygienist asked if a date and time in mid-September 2025 would be ideal for my next teeth cleaning.
“That works for me,” I turned to her and smiled. As I focused back on the parking lot and U.S. 276, it dawned on me that when I made this exact appointment many months ago for this specific cleaning, it was just a few weeks before Hurricane Helene and the ravaging flood waters that overtook Western North Carolina.
It was weird to ponder that line in the sand of not only my life, personally and professionally, but also that of countless other friends and strangers surrounding my daily existence. I couldn’t help but dive deep into my mind about just what my life was on that day last September when I made this March appointment.
Early September 2024. At that time, I was in the midst of some end of the summer music festival coverage, specifically the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion just over the state line in East Tennessee. Dozens of bands in seemingly every direction. And there I was, with my former girlfriend at the time, wandering and absorbing it all.
overtaking the state capital, I started getting texts and phone calls from folks telling me how devastating it was back home in Haywood County and beyond. My heart dropped into my stomach. Now what? What will life be like when I return?
The next two months were pretty much a
Sitting in that dentist chair, memories flooded back in vivid succession of Bristol. Myself conducting interviews for Rolling Stone with Red Clay Strays, 49 Winchester and Ashley McBryde. Cold beers at O’Mainnin’s Pub on State Street. Running into old friends, making new acquaintances in real time and in real haste, that surreal whirlwind of people, places and things at a festival.
Onward towards the end of September 2024. With word on the news about the approaching treachery of Hurricane Helene and also talk in our newsroom about potential coverage “if something goes wrong with this storm,” I found myself motoring to Raleigh the day before Helene hit WNC to cover the International Bluegrass Music Association awards. I was also nominated for “Writer of the Year” and didn’t win. Better luck next time, eh?
And then waking up at the hotel in Raleigh on the morning of Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. A day now eternally chiseled into the hearts and memory of WNC folks. With a torrential rainstorm and a tornado warning
we speak). My mind, body and soul are vibrating harmoniously, where I’d been able to find my footing again in the great big ole world of ours. As per usual, there are neverending assignments and deadlines, but no matter, for this gig remains my true passion and purpose in my time on this planet. By the time I circled back to Southern Appalachia in late February, I started to recognize the face in the mirror once again. The dark clouds of last fall and early winter had parted. My energy levels were returning to familiar and deeply-missed levels of excitement for what might be waiting for me just around the corner of my intent. Onward to the warmth of spring. I welcome my true self. Leaving the dentist office, the hygienist handed me the small business card with the date and time for my next appointment. It read mid-September 2025. One wonders just what’s in store between now and then. The mind goes crazy thinking of what possibilities lie just beyond the horizon of the “here and now.” One wonders who I may encounter, what I may experience and why it is that life itself remains so alluring and magical.
Hopping into my truck and putting the rusty, musty vehicle into drive, I merged onto U.S. 276 and back towards my humble, quaint apartment in downtown Waynesville. Putting the appointment card in the drawer of my writing desk for safe keeping, I reached for my laptop and work bag. Back to the newsroom. Back to whoever and whatever may catch my eye and my curiosity to share with readers.
Back into the truck. Put the vehicle into
drive, but not before looking into the rearview mirror. A big smile in the reflection as I inspected the results from the professional cleaning. Those pearly whites sure shine brightly today, as does the soul inhabiting this body of mine.
Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.
HOT PICKS
1
Americana/bluegrass act the Darren Nicholson Band will hit the stage for an intimate performance at 5 p.m. Friday, March 14, at the Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley.
2
A stage production of “Something Rotten Jr.” at 7:30 p.m. March 14-15 and 2 p.m. March 16 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.
3
Jackson County Americana/rock ensemble Fuzzy Peppers will hit the stage at 8 p.m. Friday, March 14, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Sylva.
4
Darnell Farms (Bryson City) will host a “St. Patrick’s Day Celebration” with live music (Ghost Peppers, Darnell Family Band) and The J Creek Cloggers all day Saturday, March 15.
5 Janet McCue and Paul Bonesteel will share a reading on the work “George Masa: A Life Reimagined” at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.
in the flood in my storage unit in Canton along the Pigeon River (it’s just “stuff,” but still emotionally distressing regardless), I found myself on flood coverage for The Smoky Mountain News and Rolling Stone. By the time Thanksgiving and the subsequent holidays rolled around, my mind and body were completely burned out, either by endless interviews with flood victims or merely driving around the mountains and valleys of WNC and witnessing just how apocalyptic everything had become in the aftermath of Helene. Ugh. It still hurts thinking about, well, “everything.” Truth? I think it’ll always hurt.
Cue Christmas morning. I awoke alone. My girlfriend and I had ended things by this point. We remain friends, even if the finality of “us” was heavy and sad. And yet, there I was, completely decimated by time and place, my emotional state in shambles. I knew I wanted to pick myself back up and regain my balance, physically and emotionally, so I signed up for therapy by noon that day. Skip ahead to early February and I found myself visiting my parents’ farmhouse in the North Country of Upstate New York. At this juncture, I’ve been attending online therapy once a week since Christmas (and I still am as
Friday March 14 - Monday March 17
The Scotsman’s 3 Year Anniversary & Saint Patrick’s Day 12pm to 12am • Food and Drink Specials • Live Music all weekend and Monday long!
Friday March 14 8pm to 11pm | Tail Light Rebellion
Saturday March 15 4pm to 6pm | Celtic Road Jam Bringing traditional Celtic sounds to the pub for an afternoon session. 8pm to 11pm | Smashing Mouths A lively cover band playing all your favorite hits from the ’90s and early 2000s with a little bit of the luck of the Irish thrown in the mix.
Sunday March 16 2pm to 5pm | Celtic Sunday
Rheva and Keegan will fill the air with classic jigs, reels, and strathspeys for Celtic Sunday.
Monday, March 17 (Saint Patrick’s Day!) A truly unique act that blends public house folk with punk, kicking off the weekend with high energy and passion.
12:30pm to 3:30pm | Holler & Crow 4pm to 7pm | Celtic Road Jam
8pm to 11pm | Upstream Rebellion
We’reopeningearlyat12:00PMtogetthepartystarted! Kicking off the festivities with their Folk-Celtic Fusion sound. Returning to keep the Irish spirit alive. A high-energy up and coming bluegrass band, closing out the night with a bang! Bring your dancing shoes!
Destroyed tapes due to Hurricane Helene. Garret K. Woodward photo
Cataloochee Ranch welcomes bluegrass legend
• 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 Doug & Lisa (acoustic) March 29. All shows begin at 5 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.246.9320 / blueridgebeerhub.com.
• Blue Stage (Andrews) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.361.2534 / thebluestage.com.
• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. 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.
Americana/bluegrass act the Darren Nicholson Band will hit the stage for an intimate performance at 5 p.m. Friday, March 14, at the Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley.
A Grammy-nominee and winner of 13 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards, Nicholson has taken his own brand of mountain music around the world.
A regular for years on the Grand Ole Opry and a founding member of acclaimed bluegrass group Balsam Range, Nicholson now spends his time recording, writing new songs and performing as a solo act.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit cataloocheeranch.com/ranchevents/live-music.
Darren Nicholson will play Maggie Valley March 14. File photo
• 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 Darren Nicholson Band (Amerciana/bluegrass) 5 p.m. March 14 and Marc & Anita Pruett (Americana/bluegrass) 5 p.m. March 19. For tickets and reservations, visit cataloocheeranch.com/ranch-events/live-music.
• Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center (Franklin) will host “Open Mic Night” 6 p.m. March 14 and “Contra Dance” 6:45 p.m. March 20. 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.
• Darnell Farms (Bryson City) will host a “St. Patrick’s Day Celebration” with live music (Ghost Peppers, Darnell Family Band) and The J Creek Cloggers all day March 15. Free and open to the public. 828.488.2376 / facebook.com/darnellfarmsnc.
• Folkmoot Friendship Center (Waynesville) will host Blue Pipa Trio (jazz/world) 7 p.m. March 13. 828.452.2997 / folkmoot.org.
• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host “Jazz On The Level” 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday, Marley’s Chain March 14, “Fundraiser For FLB Stage” with Andrew Scotchie (rock/blues) March 15, Jamie Hite (singer-songwriter) 3 p.m. March 16, Old Sap (Americana/folk) March 21, Stomper Kitty March 22 and Patty M. 3 p.m. March 23. 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.
• Gathering Room (Waynesville) will host an “Open Acoustic Jam” from 6:30-8:30 p.m. the last Friday of every month. All welcome to play or listen. 828.558.1333 / thegatheringroom828.com.
• Happ’s Place (Glenville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.742.5700 / happsplace.com.
• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee) will host KC & The Sunshine Band (rock/pop) 9 p.m. March 14. For tickets, visit caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee.
• High Dive (Highlands) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.526.2200 / highlandsdive.com.
• Highlander Mountain House (Highlands) will host “Blues & Brews” 6-9 p.m. Thursdays ($5 cover), Zorki (singer-songwriter) 1-3 p.m. Saturdays, “Bluegrass Brunch” 10 a.m. to
1:30 p.m. Sundays (free) and the “Salon Series” on select dates. 828.526.2590 / highlandermountainhouse.com.
• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host “Monday Night Trivia” every week, “Open Mic w/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/ innovation-brewing.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.
• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host Lewendahl (R&B/soul) March 15, Jamie Saylor (Americana/folk) March 21 and Canon Tyler (Americana/bluegrass) March 22. 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, Fuzzy Peppers (rock/funk) March 14 and The V8s (rock/oldies) March 21. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. 828.349.2337 / lazyhikerbrewing.com.
On the beat Rock, jam at Lazy Hiker
Jackson County Americana/rock ensemble Fuzzy Peppers will hit the stage at 8 p.m. Friday, March 14, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Sylva.
Fuzzy Peppers is a band formed by friends and friends-of-friends who worked together at downtown Sylva’s own Guadalupe Cafe. With dashes of influences ranging from the bayous of Louisiana, the high hills of Appalachia, to the strip-malls of suburbia, this band offers up a truly eclectic sound onstage.
The show is free and open to the public. For more information, call 828.349.2337 or visit lazyhikerbrewing.com.
‘From Harlem to Shanghai and Back’
Folkmoot USA will present a special evening of live music with Blue Pipa Trio at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville. Dubbed “From Harlem to Shanghai and Back,” the performance is a dynamic fusion of jazz history and Chinese tradition. Led by Min Xiao-Fen, one of the world’s great pipa soloists, and joined by the powerhouse Asheville-based duo of guitarist/composer Jay Sanders and bassist Zack Page.
This project takes you to the Golden Age of jazz in Shanghai during the 1930s, when Buck Clayton’s Kansas City Swing intertwined with the pioneering melodies of Li Jinhui, the father of Chinese popular music.
Admission is “Pay What You Can” ($25, $15, $5). Donations welcome.
There will also be a food truck onsite. Doors open at 6 p.m. All ages.
For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit folkmoot.org.
• Legends Sports Bar & 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 Tret Fure (singer-songwriter) 2:30 p.m. April 6. Suggested donation $20. Located at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
• Macon County Public Library (Franklin) will
(Americana/indie) March 22 and Shane Meade (indie/folk) 5 p.m. March 23. 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 St. Patrick’s Day “Kickoff Concert” 7 p.m. March 14 and James Thompson (Americana) 4 p.m. March 21. 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 “Bad Company Experience” (classic rock tribute) March 21, Kanstyx (Kansas/Styx tribute) March 22, Wyatt Espalin & The Riverstones (Americana/indie) March 28 and Frankly Scarlet (Grateful Dead tribute) March 29. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, 828.389.ARTS / thepeacocknc.org.
• 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 Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host Karaoke 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Trivia Night 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Dirty Dave (singersongwriter) 6:30 p.m. March 13, “Open Mic” 6:30 p.m. March 14, Scott Clark (singer-songwriter) March 15, Jamie Rasso (singer-songwriter) 6:30 p.m. March 20, Jamiee Anders (singer-songwriter) March 21 and Michael Kitchens (singer-songwriter) March 22. 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 w/Russell” every Monday and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.926.9105 / facebook.com/saltydogs2005.
• 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 Brooke Campbell (singersongwriter) March 13 and Melissa McKinney (Americana/soul) March 20. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.482.1581 or trailborn.com/highlands.
• Twisted Spoke Food & Tap (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 Mountain Gypsy (Americana) March 13 (free), Lori & The Freighshakers (classic rock/country gold) March 14, Mile High Band (classic rock) March 15, “Karaoke Night with Lori” March 20 (free), Topper March 21 and Rock Holler March 22. 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 Paper Crowns (Americana/indie) 2 p.m. March 22. Free and open to the public. 828.944.0686 / valleycigarandwineco.com.
• Valley Tavern (Maggie Valley) will host Contagious 6 p.m. March 14 and Stomper Kitty 6 p.m. March 21. Free and open to the public. 828.926.7440 / valley-tavern.com.
• Vineyard At High Holly (Scaly Mountain) will host Katie & Ezra (Americana) March 22. Free and open to the public. 828.482.5573 / thevineyardathighholly.com.
host The Vagabonds (Americana) at 2 p.m. the first and third Monday, a “Song Circle” open jam from 3-6 p.m. the first Tuesday each month and “Old-Time Songfest” (for youth and families) 3:30 p.m. March 13. Free and open to the public. 828.524.3600 or fontanalib.org.
• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host “Open Mic Night” w/Frank Lee every Thursday, Scott James Stambaugh (singersongwriter) March 14, Jamie Hite (singersongwriter) March 15, Mountain Gypsy (Americana) 5 p.m. March 16, Zip Robertson (singer-songwriter) March 21, Bird In Hand
• Scotsman (Waynesville) will host Rene Russell (singer-songwriter) March 13, “The Scotsman Three-Year Anniversary Party” March 14-17 (live music/libations), TrancEnd (rock/pop) 9 p.m. March 22. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.6292 / scotsmanpublic.com.
• Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will host Lonestar (country) 7:30 p.m. March 20 and The North Carolina Symphony 7:30 p.m. March 28. 866.273.4615 / smokymountainarts.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.
• Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 9:30 p.m. 828.456.4750 / facebook.com/waternhole.bar.
• Whiteside Brewing (Cashiers) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.743.6000 / whitesidebrewing.com.
• Yonder Community Market (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. Donations encouraged. Family friendly, dog friendly. 828.200.2169 / eatrealfoodinc.com.
• Find more at smokymountainnews.com/arts
Blue Pipa Trio will play Waynesville March 13. Donated photo
Fuzzy Peppers will play Sylva March 14. File photo
Are you ready for ‘Something Rotten Jr.’?
‘Something Rotten Jr.’ will play on select dates at
A stage production of “Something Rotten Jr.” at 7:30 p.m. March 14-15 and 2 p.m. March 16 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. Set in the 1590s, this riotous musical comedy follows struggling playwrights Nick and Nigel Bottom as they attempt to outshine Shakespeare by inventing the world’s first musical. Tickets are $23 for adults, $13 for students. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit harttheatre.org or call the box office at 828.456.6322.
• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee) will host comedy legend Eddie Griffin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15. For tickets, visit caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee.
• Haywood Arts Regional Theatre (Waynesville) will host semi-regular stage productions on the weekends. harttheatre.org / 828.456.6322.
• Highlands Performing Arts Center (Highlands) will host semi-regular stage productions on the weekends. mountaintheatre.com / 828.526.9047.
On the table
• Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will host semi-regular stage productions on the weekends. smokymountainarts.com / 866.273.4615.
• Peacock Performing Arts Center (Hayesville) will host a production of “Play On!” on select dates March 7-16. thepeacocknc.org / 828.389.ARTS.
• Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will have its wine bar open 4-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 828.452.6000 / classicwineseller.com.
• 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. 828.452.0120 / waynesvillewine.com.
• “Take A Flight” with four new wines every Friday and Saturdays at the Bryson City Wine Market. Select from a gourmet selection of charcuterie to enjoy with your wines. Educational classes and other events are also available. 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.
HART. Donated photo
On the street
Want to learn contra dancing?
An evening of old-time dancing (contras, rounds, squares and mixers) will be held from 7-9 a.m. Thursday, March 20, at the Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center in Franklin.
Professional dance caller Claire Takemori, known for her clear teaching and positivity, will open the event at 6:45 p.m. with basic instruction for beginners, then walk dancers through each new dance and call the moves in time to the music as the dance progresses. Live music will be provided by Toss the Possum, a popular, high-energy family dance band.
Contra dance is considered the most accessible and sociable of all dance forms, with participants moving in two facing lines or in groups. Frequent partner changes allow dancers to meet new friends and experience different dancing styles.
no experience or partner is required. People of all ages and experience levels are welcome. Wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes; no strong scents, please. Water bottles and snacks are allowed.
Admission is by donation, $10 is suggested. Children and first-timers are
On the wall
WCU faculty art showcase
Featuring works from faculty artisans at Western Carolina University, the 2025 School of Art & Design Faculty Biennial Exhibition will be displayed through May 2 in the Bardo Arts Center in Cullowhee.
All dances are taught, and seasoned dancers enjoy partnering with novices, so
admitted free. The event is coordinated by Cricket Woodward and sponsored by the Arts Council of Macon County. For details, call 828.524.ARTS, email arts4all@dnet.net or visit artscouncilofmacon.org.
SNOW REPORT
Outside of the classroom, faculty members in the School of Art & 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.
ALSO:
• WNC Paint Events will host painting sessions throughout the region on select dates. For more information and/or to sign up, visit wncpaint.events.
• Gathering Room (Waynesville) will host a “Makers Market” 3-7 p.m. March 22. All welcome to play or listen. 828.558.1333 / thegatheringroom828.com.
• 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. For a full list of classes, visit 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 & 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.html / 828.586.2248.
• Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center (Franklin) will host semi-regular arts and crafts workshops. coweeschool.org/events.
“Desert Gems” is a work by Nathan Ellis Perry. File photo
The contra dance will be in Franklin March 20. Cricket Woodward photo
Is our therapeutic culture damaging children?
Search online for “are more teens today suffering emotional problems,” and a boatload of websites pop to your command. Explore a few of these sites, and you’ll find psychologists and counselors of all kinds writing about the mental and emotional stresses faced by 21st century teens; 32% of these young people, for example, have an anxiety disorder, and 1 in 5 experience depression.
One online paper from the American Psychological Association, “Anxiety among the kids is on the rise,” reports that therapists can grant children relief from anxiety through a program of cognitive behavior therapy and doses of Zoloft, an anti-anxiety medication. Here we also learn of various types of anxiety afflicting kids, like social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder and panic disorder.
Experts at these sites cite as probable causes for these disorders everything from academic pressures to social media dependency, from diet to stress inflicted by today’s headlines. Unmentioned in these articles, however, is the possible damage being done to children by our therapeutic culture.
This is the subject of “Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren’t Growing Up” (Sentinel, 2024, 320 pages). Here investigative journalist Abigail Shrier takes a deep dive into the counseling and therapeutic practices as applied to adolescents. While readily acknowledging the benefits of psychiatry and pharmaceuticals for children struggling with severe mental health issues, Shrier found that our society’s widespread and decades-long application of therapies and medications to children in general has proven disastrous. “By feeding normal kids with normal problems into an unending pipeline,” Shrier writes of this reliance on therapy, “the mental health industry is minting patients faster than it can cure them.”
In her extensive investigations, Shrier spoke to a number of mental health experts who say the same thing, that the indiscriminate therapeutic treatments of adolescents do more harm than good. Iatrogenesis, a word new to me meaning the unintentional harm done during a medical intervention, is the title and subject of the first chapter of “Bad Therapy.” This idea recurs throughout the book as Shrier shows us that the prob-
lem is less often with the kids than those seeking to make them happier.
The labeling of a child, for instance, as ADD or as riddled with anxiety can have profound consequences. All too frequently, the child may come to identify with the label rather than bucking off the condition. Like a man who, having recognized that he’s an
And as Shrier then notes, “He was right.”
“If you start your day by asking yourself whether you are happy,” Dr. Linden says, “the result can only be that you’re not happy. And then you think you need help to become happy. And you go to a psychotherapist and he’ll make you unhappy in the end.”
alcoholic, decides to continue drinking because he is what he is, so too a child may accept a categorization.
In addition to conversations with therapists, teachers, and parents, “Bad Therapy” is a mix of statistics, case studies, and personal anecdotes. With all these come some surprises. Here’s just one example. In a Zoom conversation with Shrier, Michael Linden, a professor of psychiatry in Berlin, shoots down the idea that happiness in young or old should be the first order of business. “Sit in the bus and look at the people opposite from you. They don’t look happy. Happiness is not the emotion of the day.”
Shrier then writes, “Linden saw my surprise, so he asked me to consider how I was feeling right then, during our interview. I was inclined to say ‘good,’ but he jumped in. ‘You don’t feel happy at this moment. You are concentrating on the interview.’”
Upcoming readings at City Lights
The following literary events will take place at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.
• Wayne Caldwell, author of "River Road," a poetry collection, will read at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22.
Is that always true? No. In my case, for instance, I do sometimes wake up happy. Sometimes I can make myself feel happy, usually by thinking of all I have to be grateful for. But that feeling, sweet as it is, always passes. Moreover, I’m a guy who has passed his threescore years and ten, so I’ve learned a few tricks along the way. I was a completely different creature at ages 12, 14 and 17, when pure happiness, if I recollect rightly, was as rare as a date on Saturday night.
The teachers who in schools operate as counselors but with no training or license, the mom and dad who inadvertently encourage errant behavior in their children through their “gentle-parenting” techniques, the books that play on the fears of parents with their inventories of emotional disorders: these are some of the broad categories which Shrier examines and exposes as being iatrogenic.
At the end of “Bad Therapy,” Shrier recommends ignoring “the diagnosing of ordinary behaviors as pathological. The psychiatric medication that you aren’t convinced your child needs. The expert evaluations. Banish from their lives everyone with the tendency to treat your children as disordered.”
A few pages earlier, Shrier writes, “This isn’t a mental health crisis. It’s closer to an emotion hypochondriasis and iatrogenesis crisis. It trucks not in neuroanatomy but a weakening of the soul — fear and disappointment and lack of capacity, the coiled horror of their own passivity. The unmissable verdict that they have failed to grow up.”
“Bad Therapy” is a red flag book, a warning about the dangers of good intentions and bad outcomes that should be read by parents, teachers, and therapists. (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.)
• Kristen Gentry and Halle Hill will discuss their story collections, "Mama Said" and "Good Women," at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at Western Carolina University's Hunter Library (Room 186) in Cullowhee. The event is in partnership with the Global Black Studies Program. All readings are free and open to the public. For more information, visit citylightsnc.com or call 828.586.9499.
Writer Jeff Minick
A multi-campus center of Western Carolina University, the Highlands Biological Stations aims to foster research, education and conservation efforts on ‘The Plateau’ and greater Western North Carolina. File photo
Behind the scenes at Highlands Biological Station
of the Highlands Plateau,” the HBS is a multifaceted institution — part museum, part hands-on outdoor space, part research laboratory.
Aside from the facility and museum, the 22-acre property also offers a slew of outdoor trails. Within the outdoor realm, there’s trees over 400 years old and a lake in the center of campus for any and all to simply wander, immerse and enjoy.
“We have workshops for adults and for kids, a lecture series, summer camps,” Love said. “And we cover anything from salamanders of the Southern Appalachians to forest ecology and geology to learning about birds, flowers and diverse habitats here.”
Since 1976, the HBS has been a storied nonprofit, one which, in 2018, officially became part of Western Carolina
“We receive a lot of rain, so that kind of puts us in the temperate rainforest category,” Love said. “So, because of that, salamanders are super abundant here. We have a lot of plant life. And that’s one of the reasons ‘The Plateau’ is so special —
And with almost 100 years of data collected by the HBS on in our backyard.
“In a sense, this is a stationary place that records life over time and how things change,” Love said.
For Love, one of the biggest takeaways and joys of his job is to educate others about the natural beauty surrounding each of us every single day, whether you’re a kid or kid at heart.
“Sometimes we see that little spark — in students and even in adults,” Love said of the HBS workshops. “Everyone’s kind of stuck on their phones or stuck in traffic, other stresses and other things to think about, and by coming here, they can unwind a little bit and maybe reconnect with that sense of place — finding wonder in a mushroom or a salamander they find under a rock.”
Want to go?
Filled with a variety of indoor/outdoor exhibits, programs, workshops, summer camps, gardens and trails, the Highlands Biological Station is located at 265 North 6th St. in Highlands. The HBS is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, click on highlandsbiological.org or call 828.526.2623.
Upcoming HBS workshops
• “The Lost Shortia: HBS Oconee Bells” (March 16): A day of exploration to learn about the ecology and curious history of the “lost and found” Oconee Bells (Shortia galacifolia) and see some of the largest remaining populations of this rarity at peak bloom in its native habitat
• “Pressed & Preserved: A Botanical Workshop” (May 14): In this workshop, you will explore pressed plant specimens in the HBS herbarium and learn about the importance of preserving plants. Participants will collect and press plants, either from the field or their own garden, with a hands-on lesson in using herbarium presses.
• “Paper Botanicals: Spring Flora” (May 22, 24): Celebrate spring with paper Trillium workshops. Participants will use crepe paper to make life-size and realistic replicas of these Trillium species, while learning about the botanical characteristics of this genus.
• “The Nature of Drawing: Naturalist’s Sketchbook” (June 6): Explore the art of observation and storytelling by creating sketches that bring moments in nature to life. Participants will learn basic drawing techniques with pen, pencil, and colored pencils, making this workshop ideal for beginners and welcoming to those with intermediate skills.
George Masa book now available in e-book format
Smokies Life is pleased to announce that “George Masa: A Life Reimagined” is now available in e-book format on popular electronic reader platforms. Published in paperback in September 2024, “George Masa: A Life Reimagined” is the first comprehensively researched biography of the visionary Japanese photographer whose dedication to art and conservation helped spur the national park movement in the Great Smoky Mountains, as well as the creation of the Appalachian Trail.
Coauthored by Cornell University librarian Janet McCue and documentary filmmaker Paul Bonesteel, “George Masa: A Life Reimagined” sheds light for the first time on why Masa might have been drawn to mountainous landscapes, showing him as an ambitious artist who also sought to serve a greater cause. The book also explores the many trials Masa endured — scrutiny in 1918 from the agency now known as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, harassment from the Ku Klux Klan in 1921, and the collapse of the economy, his business and his health in the early 1930s — while still choosing to devote himself to the conservation of the Southern Appalachians.
The e-book version of “George Masa: A Life Reimagined” is available on all popular digital book platforms for $14.99 and includes a color photo collection of over 75 images. Learn more at smokieslife.org/george-masa-a-life-reimagined.
• “Mindful Birding” (June 10): Mindful birding is a practice of slowing down and deepening our awareness of nature by appreciating each bird we encounter with curiosity and presence. Unlike traditional bird walks focused on identification, this workshop emphasizes mindfulness, using birds as guides to connect with the landscape and our own sense of wonder.
• “Learning Birdsongs” (June 10): Designed to help participants identify local birds by their songs and calls using a simple, systematic approach. After a short presentation covering key sound qualities like pitch, rhythm and repetition, participants will head outdoors to practice listening, describing and memorizing birdsongs using mnemonic devices and vocal imitation.
• “Intro to Nature Photography” (June 19): Hosted by professional photographer Mark Krancer, this hands-on course is designed for beginners looking to develop their skills in capturing the beauty of the natural world.
To register, click on highlandsbiological.org.
“George Masa: A Life Reimagined” by Janet McCue and Paul Bonesteel is now available in e-book format. The groundbreaking biography published by Smokies Life reveals previously unknown details about the life of a visionary Japanese photographer and conservationist. Donated photo
File photo
Up Moses Creek
BY B URT KORNEGAY
‘The sun is not so central as a man.’
Henry Thoreau
Just as the morning sun shoots out beams that light up the mountains, so our eyes shoot out beams, too, rays of comprehension that light up what they fall on with human significance and warmth.
Jan. 14: As I hiked up the slope of the ridge behind our house at dawn, my boots crunching in a crust of snow, I saw the moon setting toward the long dark ridgeline of Black Mountain, directly to my west. The moon’s face was round and silvery, set in a glowing pink sky. When I reached the top of our ridge, Black Mountain itself began to brighten, touched by the sun’s rays, though the sun itself was still hidden from view behind the Blue Ridge, to my east. I was standing between the sunrise and Black Mountain. I watched as the light moved down the mountain, revealing its features as gradually as if, while reading this page, you hold your hand in front of your eyes then ever so slowly lower it — and the words rise into sight. But that morning there was a momentous change in the way Black Mountain lit up.
For almost a month Hooper Knob had been the first part of the mountain to catch the light. Hooper is one of three named knobs that form Black Mountain’s ridgeline. Middle and Parker Knobs are the other two. First a clump of trees which stick up like a tuft of hair on Hooper’s highest point would blush with life. Then, growing bolder, richer, the light descended until the whole knob appeared to swell like a bud. Once Hooper was fully kindled, the sunlight fell on Parker Knob. Middle Knob would be the last to light.
The ridge I stood on that morning was only a mile away from Black Mountain in straight-line sight. Moses Creek’s narrow, unlit valley lay between. And through the dead of winter I’d watched each of the knobs light up in that order, unhurried by the others. By “dead of winter” I mean since the winter solstice on Dec. 21. The solstice marks the turn from fall into full-on winter, and the word literally means the “sun stands still.”
Morning after morning since the solstice
Black Mountain’s order of lighting up had also “stood still”: Hooper first, then Parker, Middle last.
That is until a few days earlier, when I began to notice that Parker Knob was starting to close the gap on Hooper, overtaking it.
www.ThePrintHaus.com
Jan. 14 marked the day that Parker’s top blushed first — the momentous change — though Hooper was so close behind that the two almost caught the light simultaneously. You had to look close to see that Parker was ahead by a nose. I knew from winters past that Parker would keep pulling on ahead.
I also knew that in February Middle Knob would take its turn in first place, only to be overtaken by Parker again. It’s as if — the mornings now lengthening, the sunrise coming earlier and earlier — Black Mountain senses spring’s approach, and its three highest points are in a race to reach it first. By the time you’re reading this column, spring will be on the march. Leaf and flower buds will be cracking open. April is the greening month, and my view out will begin to close. Until — and no “may” about it — I’ll not see Black Mountain light up again until next fall. About to hike back down to our house that January morning, now forced to watch where I stepped in the snow to keep from taking a fall, I suddenly realized the full moon had slipped behind Black Mountain and was gone. Not a hint of its light lingered in the blue sky. Which is another way of saying that as Black Mountain rose ever higher and brighter into the light, it eclipsed the moon. And all this happened before the first piercing ray of the sun shot out over the Blue
Telling me there is no “sunrise” unless the sun has something to rise above and fall on, to illuminate. Sunrise is also Sunfall. That gigantic, blinding ball of thermonuclear reaction would be to no end but its own slow solitary burning to extinction without something for it to bring forth out of the blackness, even something as small as dust particles twining in the air.
And if one of those particles is Earth itself, turning on its axis, then some part of its surface is always rising out of blackness to meet the sun. Earthrise meets Sunfall. And the wonder of it all lies in the human eye. (Burt and Becky Kornegay live in Jackson County. Up Moses Creek comes out the second Wednesday of each month.)
From left to right, Burt Kornegay, Ryan Holquist, Henry Kornegay and Chris Dickerson raise a 16-foot tall steel watchtower on the ridge. Becky Kornegay photo.
Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Development Director George Ivey accepts the Outstanding Public Engagement Award from the Public Lands Alliance during the organization’s annual trade show and conference in Las Vegas.
Sierra Club presents ‘International Birding and Climate Change’
Simon Thompson, an international birding expert, will discuss surprising effects of climactic changes on North Carolina’s and the world’s wild bird populations. He will speak to the WNC Sierra Club at 7 p.m. on April 2, in the UNCA OLLI/Reuter Center, at 300 Campus Drive.
Thompson says our area is not getting the consistently cold winters it once did, and that affects how and where birds spend the winter. Lake areas remain open longer and waterfowl seem to stay further north unless serious weather surrounds the Great Lakes.
Thompson will show brightly colored photo-
Turn off lights to help spring migrants
Birds face a number of threats during their long migration journeys, but you can help by simply turning off unnecessary lights at night and advocating for your neighbors, employer, or local government to do the same.
Many municipalities are doing their part to advance Lights Out across the state. Last fall, the city of WinstonSalem passed a Lights Out proclamation thanks to advocacy by Forsyth Audubon.
The momentum for Lights Out comes at an important time; a study published last year estimates that more than one billion birds die each year from fatal building collisions in the United States. This is much more than previously estimated and is due largely to lights and reflective windows that cause birds to become disoriented as they pass through our cities and towns.
Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation earns Public Lands Alliance Award
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation received the 2025 Outstanding Public Engagement Award from the Public Lands Alliance (PLA) during the organization’s annual convention and trade show in Las Vegas. The nonprofit earned the honor for its Blue Ridge Rising initiative, which was created to strengthen relationships and foster economic development within the communities that neighbor the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Outstanding Public Engagement Award recognizes exemplary products, displays, programs or services created in partnership by a nonprofit organization and public lands that advance meaningful and sustainable connections between individuals and America’s public lands.
Blue Ridge Rising marked the first time in the national park’s history that all 29 Parkway-adjacent counties in North Carolina
graphs of breeding birds coming through western North Carolina in the spring, along with the winter plumage of birds that stay here in the winter. He will also share some beautiful birds found on his tours.
Through his organization, Ventures Birding Tours, Thompson led birding expeditions across several continents. A former resident of Asheville, he will be stopping in town on his return to the UK from Ecuador.
This will be a great event for serious birders and hikers who want to learn the names of the birds they see on their walks.
This free program, at 300 Campus Drive, is open to the public. The Zoom link is on WNCSierraClub.org
For more information about the work of the WNC Sierra Club, contact Chair Judy Mattox at judymattox15@gmail.com.
spring months.
Going Lights Out is a simple yet effective way everyone can help to ensure birds complete their long journeys back to their breeding grounds. Other actions that help migrating birds include installing bird-friendly window tints.
Here is what you can do to help no matter where you live or work:
•Turn off exterior decorative lighting.
•Extinguish pot and flood-lights.
and Virginia worked together to determine strategies that will have wide-ranging benefits for the region’s communities.
After a series of more than 35 local and regional meetings and the inaugural Blue Ridge Rising Two-State Summit, the initiative is working to implement the Blue Ridge Rising Action Plan, a guide that highlights the next steps in the collaborative process.
Blue Ridge Rising was launched in part by two grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. To learn more and review the Action Plan, visit blueridgerising.com.
The Foundation is the nonprofit fundraising partner of the Blue Ridge Parkway, helping to ensure cultural and historical preservation, natural resource protection, educational outreach and visitor enjoyment now and for future generations. Since 1997, the Foundation has provided more than $23 million in support for the country’s most visited national park unit. To learn more, visit brpfoundation.org.
Cherokee hosts heritage seed workshop
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Extension office is hosting a workshop to teach people about the preservation of heirloom seeds.
Heirloom seeds help to ensure future generations maintain a reliable food supply, support financial self-reliance, preserve agricultural heritage and reflect cultural traditions.
This half-day workshop on the practice of seed saving will be led by Chris Smith from the Utopian Seed Project and Mary Thompson from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Attendees will hear an introduction to seed saving and how to increase income from seed sales
and will experience a demonstration of Utopian Seed Project’s Mobile Seed Processing Unit.
Mary Thompson will share her seed-saving experience, related pottery and issues surrounding tribal food security and sovereignty. Presenters will also cover technical aspects and considerations of seed saving; implications of climate change on seed saving and enterprise budget development for profitable seed saving.
The event will be held from 1-4 p.m. March 25 at 876 Acquoni Road in Cherokee.
To register for this free event, call the Southwestern Community College Small Business Center at 828.339.4426. For questions, call Extension Agent Eric Mullen at 828.359.6928 or EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems Director Laura Lauffer at 828.359.6936.
Many birds primarily migrate at night, using the moon and stars to navigate back to their breeding grounds, which means an influx of birds passing through our state during the
•Reduce atrium
• Reduce interi-
cially on higher stoeliminate horizontal directed upward.
• Install automatic motion sensors and controls wherever possible.
• When converting to new lighting, assess quality and quantity of light needed, avoiding over-lighting with newer, brighter technology.
To learn how you can get involved with an active Lights Out program, contact your local chapter.
Donated photo
Market PLACE WNC
Legals
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
• Boost in Print
• 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 p: 828.452.4251 · f:828.452.3585 classads@smokymountainnews.com www.wncmarketplace.com
NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION FILE NO.
25CV000213-100
State of North Carolina County of Buncombe
In the General Court of Justice District Court Division MELISSA RAINES v. UNKNOWN FATHER File No. 25CV000213-100
TO: UNKNOWN FATHER Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Child Custody. The juvenile was born on or about February 20, 2022, in Buncombe County, North Carolina.
You must answer or otherwise respond to the pleading within forty (40) days of the date of
Notice stated below. If you fail to answer or otherwise respond within the time prescribed, an adjudication of neglect and dependency will be sought with custody vested in another person/ entity.
You are advised to IMMEDIATELY contact the Clerk of Court of Buncombe County, at (828) 259-3400, to obtain further information about this case, including a herein, the name, and the date(s) and time(s) of scheduled hearings.
First published this the 26
th day of February, 2025. Jason Hayes Law Firm
Attorney for the Plaintiff 140 4 th Ave W, Ste 205 Hendersonville, NC 28792
Telephone (828) 4353124
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
Case No.25E000030-490
Jai Robert Kumar, having of the Estate of Margaret Sabrina Kumar 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 May 19 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment.
Executor
705 W Main Street Sylva, NC 28779
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