On the Cover:
The idea of cryptocurrency has been around for a while, but it has really taken off in the last few years. Because of the increase in popularity, crypto mining facilities — known for being loud and consuming massive amounts of power — have popped up in rural areas across the United States, including Western North Carolina. Now one county is seeking to prevent such operations from disturbing the peace. (Page 8) Bitcoin and Ethereum are among the most popular cryptocurrencies. Shutterstock photo
News
Potential property shuffle puts Haywood County Schools in a pickle................6
Wolfetown Tribal Council candidates share their vision........................................10
Multiple signs that Aldi is coming to Waynesville....................................................12
WCU team places top 10 in international building design competition..........13
Confusion surrounds Higdon Property........................................................................14
Cherokee constitution effort faces hurdle..................................................................16
Sylva considers sponsoring pride................................................................................17
HCS budget for a changing schools system............................................................19
Opinion
Most vote for those ‘they know nothing about’........................................................20
Thanks, Mom, for the gift of music................................................................................21
A&E
New WNC brewery sparks camaraderie..................................................................22
Waynesville theater presents ‘Alice in Wonderland’................................................27
Outdoors
Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust welcomes new director......................................30
Notes from a Plant Nerd..................................................................................................34
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There is not necessarily an easy answer to this since protein needs depend on a few factors like: age, weight, muscle mass, activity level and in some cases, diseases, or illnesses. Most American get enough protein each day, we just tend to eat it all at lunch or dinner when we should be spreading it out throughout the day. If you consume more protein than your body needs, whether from food or protein supplements or powders, you are also consuming more calories than you need. An excess amount of weight. While we may tend to think of red meat in relation to protein; protein can be found in many foods like animal-based foods (meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products), seafood, beans, nuts, seeds, tofu, nut butters and even many grains are a good source of protein.
For more information on protein needs: Are you getting too much protein?
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Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN Ingles Market Corporate Dietitian @InglesDietitian
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Arelatively routine rezoning request for a parcel off Ratcliff Cove Road has inadvertently revealed multi-million dollar plans by Haywood County Schools to consolidate several of its auxiliary services in one central location — a move that could affect multiple facilities and have a ripple effect on several other ongoing county issues.
“We’re thinking long-term,” said Chuck Francis, longtime chairman of the Haywood County School Board. “It would help centralize a lot of our facilities and benefit more than just the school system.”
During a special called meeting of the Waynesville Planning Board on April 26, board members heard a map amendment request for 237 Ratcliff Cove Road, owned since 1997 by Michael and Deborah Crawford.
The Crawfords have an agreement to sell the 29-acre parcel to the Haywood County Board of Education. The sale is contingent on the rezoning request’s approval by the Town of Waynesville.
Right now, the parcel is located in the Raccoon Creek Neighborhood Residential District, which calls for low- to medium-density residential development only. The requested change would create a mixed-use overlay, which would allow for certain other uses.
Those other uses include live-work units, financial and business support services, laundry services, funeral homes, personal services, general commercial establishments of less than 100,000 square feet, gas stations, restaurants and government services.
Patrick Bradshaw, of Asheville-based Civil Design Concepts, presented preliminary drawings of a proposed facility that would incorporate four separate school support operations that are currently strewn about the county into one facility.
The first is the school bus garage and maintenance facility currently located at the former Francis Farm landfill. According to Graham Haynes, assistant superintendent for auxiliary services, the impetus behind leaving that facility is that Haywood County government has qualified for state and local grants which will transform the site into a pump track for bicycles.
Then, there’s the system’s food and nutrition services, currently located at an old school building in the Crabtree community.
Perhaps most important is the school system’s information technology department, presently located on the banks of the Pigeon River in Clyde. The facility has flooded before, and will again. The Board of Education also meets on that same site in Clyde and hosts trainings there, so its operations would move to Ratcliff Cove as well.
On April 17, legislators including House
Majority Leader John Bell toured the site in Clyde with Haywood Republican Rep. Mark Pless to see firsthand the challenges in maintaining the facilities there.
Pless has been adamant about getting the school system’s operations away from the river, even though the IT department has ready access to high-speed internet there.
He said he’s seeking $20 million from the General Assembly for a replacement for Central Haywood High School, which also occupies part of the site in Clyde, but he’s not been asked for any money for the consolidation effort and doesn’t plan to ask House leadership for any right now.
The Crawford parcel on Ratcliff Road is centrally located, close to the school system’s administration building and has the same access to high-speed fiber as the site in Clyde.
“Having a parcel like this is really great for doing what we’re trying to do to bring those services together,” Haynes said.
Although the entire proposition could be a win-win for the property owner and the school system, the planning board spent nearly two hours probing every aspect of the deal, hoping to eliminate any unforeseen consequences.
Their discussion of the rezoning application began with planning board member Jan Grossman asking to table it.
“If passed, we’d be giving rights to this property under government services,” Grossman said, noting that the definition of government services could allow for jails and that a current court case may clarify or change that definition.
John Baus were the only two members of the nine-member board to support the motion to table, so it died. But the issue didn’t.
While the school system’s stated intent is to build the auxiliary services facility on the Crawford parcel, it can’t be held to that. If the property is rezoned and the deal with the school system falls through, another buyer could indeed build a gas station or jail or any other use allowed by the mixed-use overlay rezoning.
Likewise, if the deal is completed with the school system, it would be within its rights to ask to subdivide the parcel and sell off what it isn’t using; the proposed auxiliary services facility would only occupy a small footprint on the parcel, near the western end. If that happened, the owner of the rest of the parcel could build any other use allowed by the rezoning.
Both of those outcomes seem unlikely, and Francis appeared to torpedo the latter explicitly, saying he hadn’t heard any talk about selling any piece of the parcel and that there was no intent to use any part of the parcel for anything other than school system business.
Ginger Hain, a Waynesville planning board member, said she hoped the unused portion of the parcel would be put into a conservation easement, but the planning board lacks the power to demand it.
Available parcels of this size are rare in Haywood County, and the unused portion of the parcel rises steeply toward the eastern edge, driving up site preparation and development costs.
Additionally, access to high-speed inter-
net is uncommon across the county but essential to the school system’s operations. Without that access, the cost of connecting to the fiber is “exorbitant,” even as close as a quarter mile, Haynes explained.
As with most real estate transactions, the simplest reason the deal could fall through is lack of available funding. Terms of the deal between the Crawfords and the school system aren’t currently public, but given the scarcity of developable land in the county, it’s not likely to be cheap. The parcel is assessed at $430,000.
Haynes said during the meeting that the project would be paid for by monies that aren’t ordinarily available to the school system.
The character of the surrounding area is still relatively rural, which is why the town’s current comprehensive plan didn’t designate the area for commercial development or high-density residential in the first place. It’s surrounded by woodlands or agricultural operations on all sides, with a small community of homes to the east.
However, the parcel is contiguous to an area near its western edge that’s designated for more intensive development, a fact not lost on Bradshaw, who explained that there are three different zoning districts within 300 feet.
Grossman said he was worried that rezoning would set a precedent that just because a parcel is contiguous to another parcel with different zoning, requests would be granted on that basis.
Baus pointed out that the parcel extends deep into and is sur-
Hurricane Preparedness Week? In the mountains? It’s a common misunderstanding that tropical weather doesn’t affect people in the mountains. As seen with Tropical Storm Fred, damaging winds and powerful flooding can have far-reaching impacts well beyond coastal areas.
So yes, even in the mountains it is important to consider the options when it comes to preparing for tropical weather events like hurricanes or tropical storms.
Sharon Davies’ situation is a case study of the importance of flood insurance in the mountains.
On August 17, 2021, flooding from Tropical Storm Fred took her remodeled 1940s-era cabin and twisted it off its rock pillar foundations, floating it downstream before a cluster of pine trees caught it.
The house managed to hold fast in the trees despite being flooded with 6 feet of water. Insurance adjusters quickly declared the house a total loss.
rounded by low- to medium-density housing on all other sides and was concerned that roughly 75% of the parcel’s border would abut those areas.
“It seems like all the specifics say you shouldn’t do this,” Baus said.
Several adjoining property owners went to the meeting, but few spoke.
Those who did weren’t necessarily against the rezoning request and called Crawford a good neighbor, but they were wary of what the building would look like from the road — one of several “gateway” routes into Waynesville — and what could end up on the property if any part of the current deal changes.
One man, John Arrington, said that as a taxpayer he hated the idea of the school system abandoning the current bus garage at Francis Farm, opining that the school board had “fouled up every decision they’d made in the last 30 years, so why not another one?”
Ultimately, the planning board voted unanimously to recommend the mixed overlay to Waynesville’s Town Council (the Waynesville Board of Aldermen voted on April 25 to change its name to the Waynesville Town Council) with the stipulation that the mixed-use overlay would only become effective if and when the school system takes title to the Crawford parcel.
Waynesville’s council members will entertain that recommendation, but it remains just that — a recommendation.
Council members could vote to accept the recommendation and allow the overlay with the planning board’s stipulations, or they could ignore the planning board’s recommendation and squash the rezoning, or they could craft their own policy with their own stipulations.
Any of those outcomes would likely
Later, engineers determined that despite appearances, the home itself was sound enough that it could be restored if she had the money to do so.
To save the cabin, it needed to not only be reset on a new foundation; it also needed to be elevated above the flood plain.
“In my case, I was able to use the [flood] insurance money and elevate the house,” said Davies. “It was a massive operation, but in the end, I was able to restore the original cabin.”
Taking the time to get flood insurance coverage was what ultimately saved her home, Davies said.
For many working through the initial challenges of learning how the coverage works and how to go about getting it, there are the major hurdles.
Back when Davies was first insured, the need to obtain an elevation certificate was the first obstacle to getting a quote.
“If you don’t have one for your property
come after a public hearing and a vote by council members.
If the Town Council approves the rezoning, Francis and the School Board would have to go through the usual procedures to acquire the parcel, which would allow for the development process to begin — once the school system gets the funding for construction.
The simple zoning request on Ratcliff Cove Road has slowly unraveled into a major project involving several levels of government as well as multiple county and school board facilities, but there are lots of moving parts and still more questions than answers.
Trevor Putnam, superintendent of Haywood County Schools, stressed that the project remains in an exploratory phase that was authorized by his board.
During the Waynesville planning board meeting, Bradshaw revealed that the school system will remain in the due diligence phase of the real estate transaction until May 20, although that could be extended with the consent of the buyer and seller.
If Waynesville’s Town Council and the Haywood County School Board both greenlight the acquisition of the Crawford parcel, development could then begin. Chairman Chuck Francis said it would be later rather than sooner, but funding the construction will be a major challenge.
The scope of the project is reminiscent of a $13 million, 40,000-square-foot administration facility requested by former superintendent Bill Nolte back in 2019. The proposal went nowhere.
Putnam said that preliminary estimates range between $300 to $400 per square-foot for finished construction. The drawings from Bradshaw show that the maintenance and bus garage comprise 40,000 square feet,
already, getting the elevation certificate can seem like a barrier, and it is for many, but once that is done, I found the coverage to be surprisingly affordable,” she said.
Fortunately, under FEMA’s new Risk Rating 2.0 system for determining flood insurance rates, the elevation certificate is now optional, removing what was once a barrier to getting a quote.
Flood insurance premiums vary based on factors like the construction date and flood risk of the property. However, according to floodsmart.gov, the National Flood Insurance Program’s website, “NFIP flood insurance rates do not differ from company to company or agent to agent.”
In a press release, Haywood County Emergency Services and Development Services encouraged everyone to talk to their insurance agent about the National Flood Insurance Program and their options, even if they think your home is already covered.
“Haywood County citizens should
the food and nutrition services operation 8,000 square feet, the boardroom and training areas at 8,000 square feet and the information technology department at 5,000 square feet.
That totals 61,000 square feet, which per estimates would cost between $18.3 million and $24.4 million, not including the purchase price of the Crawford parcel or the site grading, estimated at $400,000 per acre.
It’s clear that no funding will be coming from Pless, who’s been making it rain, so to speak, with direct appropriations from the General Assembly for flood recovery.
The school system can’t take out loans on its own, and county government doesn’t have a lot of capacity — and maybe not even the political will — to borrow, in light of loans it wants to take out for a much-needed, much talked-about jail expansion project.
In fact, County Manager Bryant Morehead said that if construction prices continue to rise, the county may have to abandon the jail expansion project altogether, at least for now.
But there are options for Putnam, including up to $2.5 million in funding from North Carolina Emergency Management.
That funding, as is often the case, comes with strings attached; it can only be used for the school system’s IT department and boardroom relocation because those facilities were impacted by flooding from Tropical Storm Fred in 2021.
Then, there’s the current bus barn and maintenance facility on the Francis Farm landfill. The county owns the landfill; however, the school system owns a small parcel where the current garage is located.
That parcel is assessed at nearly a million dollars and could feasibly be sold by the school system to the county, although
remember that you don’t need to be in a flood zone to consider purchasing flood insurance, it is available for everyone. The nature of weather is that it is unpredictable. If you are looking for ways to increase your resiliency, assess your individual risk, and make the call to your insurance agent for more information,” said Development Services Manager Jodie Ferguson.
“Flood insurance is an important part of your preparedness options that we encourage everyone to consider, especially in light of the devastating effects of Tropical Storm Fred,” said Haywood County Emergency Management Coordinator Zack Koonce.
For more information about the National Flood Insurance Program visit floodsmart.gov/.
National Hurricane Preparedness Week is April 30 through May 6, 2023. Watch Haywood County Emergency Services’ Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages for more helpful advice.
Morehead said that there’s currently no authorization from his board to even begin discussions on such an acquisition.
It’s also unclear what interest the county might have in the bus barn parcel. It could utilize the existing structures to support the forthcoming bike track in some way, or knock them all down, or move existing EMS garage operations from Hemlock Street in Waynesville to Francis Farm.
Such a move might provide some breathing room for the jail expansion project, which got tangled up with a right-of-way issue involving the railroad tracks behind it; however, demolishing a relatively new EMS garage wouldn’t likely sit well with taxpayers and Morehead said there’s been absolutely no discussion about such a move.
Unlike the IT and board relocation, there’s no currently identified funding stream for the maintenance and bus barn relocation.
There’s also no dedicated funding stream for the relocation of the food and nutrition services facility, which sits on a 4-acre parcel on Crabtree Road that’s owned by the school system.
The parcel, assessed at $1.1 million, wouldn’t be needed if consolidation were to occur, but no discussions have taken place regarding a possible county acquisition or a sale to another entity.
Putnam noted that the school system is currently in a budget crisis due to declining enrollment — the Pandemic, the 2021 flood and the impending closure of one of the county’s largest employers, the Pactiv Evergreen paper mill in Canton have all contributed to that — however, due to the way school systems are funded, using any of the consolidation funding for operational expenses is prohibited by law.
The relatively recent rise of cryptocurrency, its associated strain on utility infrastructure and its potential to disrupt the peace and quiet of rural communities have all caused quite a ruckus in the Western North Carolina mountains. Elected officials in Haywood County are now looking for ways to prevent similar problems before they begin.
“I live in the Plott Creek Valley, where the neighborhood is very quiet except for Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve,” said Mary Thomas, who spoke just before Development Services Coordinator Jodie Ferguson made a presentation to commissioners on cryptocurrency mining and the problems it can cause.
The theory of cryptocurrency, often referred to as “crypto,” goes back to the mid1980s, when mathematicians, computer programmers and cryptographers began to explore the feasibility of digital currency as a decentralized, unregulated, untraceable alternative to traditional mediums of exchange.
As computer processing power continued to increase and the internet became ubiquitous, modern cryptocurrency became a reality on Jan. 9, 2009, when Bitcoin was launched, spawning hundreds if not thou-
sands of similar “coins.”
The process is commonly called “mining,” but it doesn’t involve the shovels and pickaxes that term evokes.
Instead, computers run around the clock at 100% capacity, verifying blockchain transactions. In exchange for proving that all transactions are valid — thus making Bitcoin virtually un-hackable — miners are rewarded with some fraction or multiple of a coin. The more work the servers perform, the better the chances the miners will be rewarded.
While mining can be performed by a novice at home with a traditional desktop computer, using more computers means more work is performed, which means more rewards.
Crypto coins are tradable through several well-known apps, including Coinbase and Binance, which operate much like traditional investment portfolio apps — fund your account, purchase assets and then buy or sell at will, based on the prices markets will bear.
Although crypto has many of the characteristics of money, it lacks two important ones, namely widespread acceptance by commercial entities and stable, predictable value. While the utilization of Bitcoin, Ethereum and other large-cap cryptos is becoming more widespread in commerce,
it’s still somewhat impractical for use on a daily basis.
It does, however, eliminate many of the delays and restrictions that have typically been involved with transferring money overseas. But for now, its chief utility lies in its availability as an investment, albeit with one exceptionally high risk.
That didn’t stop some early adherents to the cryptocurrency concept from getting in
After another run-up to $67,000 in October 2021, a subsequent crash slashed the price to $17,000, leaving late-comers holding the bag.
Today, after a six-month rally, Bitcoin is trading around $28,000.
In late 2021, during the last upswing that put Bitcoin almost at $70,000, San Francisco-based PrimeBlock established a mining operation in Cherokee County, causing an uproar from citizens that eventually drowned out the dull droning roar emanating from the facility both day and night.
The noise comes from cooling fans designed to dissipate the massive amounts of heat produced by the dozens upon dozens of computers ceaselessly toiling to create cryptocurrency and thereby generate a return for the business on the infrastructure and utility costs incurred in establishing it.
A CNN story from January of this year contains an audio recording of what the facility sounds like. In the story, neighbor Mike Lugiewicz compared the sound, which had been measured between 55 and 85 decibels, to that of “a small jet that never leaves.” Normal conversation usually takes place at around 60 decibels.
The fact that the CNN story was written by its chief climate correspondent and not someone from the tech or business beat brings up another salient point — like electric cars, crypto mining operations don’t produce much pollution, but the fossil fuelburning facilities that power them do.
Cherokee County found itself flat-footed on the issue, and passed a resolution asking its state and federal representatives to introduce legislation regulating crypto mining nationwide, per the Cherokee Scout.
That hasn’t happened, and according to CNN, PrimeBlock co-owner Chandler Song called the result of such efforts unconstitutional.
Haywood County Commissioner Tommy Long said he’d spoken to the chair of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, Cal Stiles, who told Long that another big problem was the tremendous drain crypto mines place on the power grid.
“The one in downtown Murphy actually uses twice as much power as the whole town,” Long said.
on the ground floor, and some of them became quite wealthy in the process.
When Bitcoin was first introduced in 2009, each coin was valued at .0009 cents, almost a thousand to a penny. Four years later, it was trading above $100 per coin. By 2017, it was consistently trading above $1,000 per coin.
In April 2021, Bitcoin fell just short of $65,000 per coin, but two months later, it had crashed to less than $29,000 — a sobering testament to the volatility of cryptocurrency.
During the cold snap around Christmas 2022, some residents lost power while crypto mining operations continued. Another crypto mining operation in Cherokee County suffered a power outage after someone used a gun to shoot one of the service lines.
In Long’s view, crypto mining facilities don’t contribute much to the local economy, either.
“In some cases where they’re watercooled, it uses a tremendous amount of water but also there
Thus far, no formal plans for commercial crypto mining facilities have come to the attention of county development officials.Crypto vending machines have popped up in convenience stores around Western North Carolina. Cory Vaillancourt photo
Last August, Clay County imposed a moratorium on commercial crypto mining, according to the Clay County Progress.
Ferguson has taken her time in introducing the concept of crypto to Haywood County’s planning board, mentioning it during a January meeting, and then making a presentation in February. In March, the planning board began to discuss how best to prepare for crypto mining operations, should one present itself.
They decided that since the county has no zoning, thus preventing the county from regulating where crypto miners could locate, the best way to address the future of crypto mining in Haywood County was through its high-impact development ordinance.
The ordinance currently recognizes that certain high-impact developments — defined as asphalt plants, chemical, hazmat or explosives producers, flammable bulk fuel facilities, landfills and traditional mining or quarrying operations — have “important, positive economic benefits to the citizens of Haywood County” but that they should be kept well away from vulnerable populations, including schools and child care facilities, hospitals, retirement or nursing homes, assisted living facilities and correctional institutions.
In April, Haywood Electric Membership Corporation’s Chief Operations Officer Joshua Deaver spoke to the planning board, telling them that there had been a few inquiries from entities considering locating crypto mining facilities in Haywood
County.
Thus far, no formal plans for commercial crypto mining facilities have come to the attention of county development officials, and Ferguson said her attempt to educate the planning board in advance of any such effort was not in response to any specific, forthcoming facility in Haywood County.
Ferguson also thinks the cost of power here is too high to make crypto mining profitable, but on the other side of that equation, the volatility of the cryptocurrency market makes such business ventures risky at present.
While the cost of power may be of minor concern to miners when Bitcoin trades near $70,000, it’s much more of a concern when it trades in the $20,000$30,000 range.
Even if cryptocurrency never achieves widespread use — China and Saudi Arabia have banned it outright, due to its potential for criminal use and its ability to bypass conventional financial restrictions imposed by central government authorities — there’s yet another reason to explore the regulation of large data centers or server farms like those that deal in digital currency.
“Rutherford [County] has, I think, a Facebook data-type processing center, and so one of the things I’ve mentioned to the planning board is we might want to include data centers in general,” Ferguson said. “We’re seeing all this stuff in the media about the rise of [artificial intelligence], and something’s got to process all that data. We don’t want to be short-sighted if we’re going to look at this issue and try to take it all in.”
Any proposed changes to Haywood County’s high-impact development ordinance would have to be approved by commissioners before taking effect.
“We’re kind of in the infancy of this,” Ferguson said.
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BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF W RITER
Six candidates are hoping to earn one of two seats in what is an extremely unusual election year for Wolfetown Tribal Council.
The incumbents, Andrew Oocumma and Mike Parker, are still new on the job after filling vacancies left following the unrelated resignations of former Wolfetown representatives Bill Taylor and Bo Crowe. Oocumma won a special election Dec. 15 to fill Taylor’s seat, and Parker won a March 2 special election for Crowe’s seat.
Now, Parker and Oocumma are both seeking full terms on Council, while Crowe hopes to regain his old seat. In October, Crowe had announced his intention to run for principal chief but instead signed up to run for Tribal Council when filing opened in March. He had resigned the seat in January after facing tribal assault charges stemming from a Jan. 6 incident at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. That legal process is ongoing, and Crowe has pleaded not guilty.
Bo Crowe’s brother, Peanut Crowe, who was a candidate for principal chief in 2019, is also on the ballot, as is Chelsea Taylor, who was elected in 2019 before being defeated by Bill Taylor in the 2021 race. Rounding out the ballot is political newcomer Qiana Powell, who currently works as a nutrition coordinator for the tribe’s WIC program.
During the Primary Election Thursday, June 1, the top four vote-getters will go on to campaign in the General Election Thursday, Sept. 7, seeking one of two spots for the next twoyear term beginning Monday, Oct. 2. These seats are just two of 12 Tribal Council seats on the ballot this year, with voters to select two representatives for each of six townships. Painttown, Wolfetown, Birdtown and Yellowhill all have enough candidates to warrant a primary race.
All candidates except Bo Crowe and Peanut Crowe responded to a Smoky Mountain News questionnaire asking for the experience, qualifications and political priorities they believe should persuade voters to mark their name on the ballot. Information about Bo Crowe and Peanut Crowe was com-
This year, Cherokee voters will choose a principal chief, vice chief, 12 Tribal Council seats and three School Board seats, but not all these races attracted enough candidates to warrant a primary race. The following candidates will run in the Primary Election June 1 for principal chief, Painttown School Board and Tribal Council representing Painttown, Wolfetown, Birdtown and Yellowhill.
Principal Chief
• Michell Hicks
• Gene Crowe Jr.
• Robert Saunooke
• Richard Sneed
• Lori Taylor
• Gary Ledford
Birdtown
• Cyndi Lambert
• Albert Rose
• Joi Owle
• Boyd Owle
• Jim Owle
Painttown
• Sean “Michael” Stamper
• Andre Brown
• Dike Sneed
• Jeff Thompson
• Richard Delano Huskey
• Carolyn West
Yellowhill
• T.W. Saunooke
• David Wolfe
• Stephanie Saunooke French
• Tom Wahnetah
• Ernest Tiger
Wolftown/Big Y
• Bo Crowe
• Andrew Oocumma
• Qiana Powell
• Chelsea Taylor
• Mike Parker
• Peanut Crowe
School Board Painttown
• Regina Rosario
• Micah Swimmer
• Keyonna Hornbuckle
piled from various sources, including previous reporting from SMN, the tribal website and Peanut Crowe’s campaign page on Facebook.
Cherokee voters have until May 15 to request an absentee ballot. Voter registration is closed for the Primary Election but still open for the General Election in September. The EBCI Board of Elections is located in the Ginger Lynn Welch Complex at 808 Acquoni Road and available at 828.359.6361 or 828.359.6362.
Crowe was first elected to Tribal Council in 2013 after spending 13 years as a tribal employee. He was serving his fifth term when he submitted his resignation letter Jan. 30. At that time, he was serving on the HIP Committee, Qualla Parks and Recreation, the Roads Commission, the Timber Committee and Social Services. He was also Tribal Council’s designated representative to the Cherokee School Board.
Oocumma, 49, was elected to Tribal Council in the Dec. 15 special election that followed Rep. Bill Taylor’s resignation. At that time, he was serving as regional advertising manager for Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos.
Oocumma holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Western Carolina University. Prior to working for Harrah’s, he was a banker for a major Midwest regional bank and had a career in workforce and economic development, managing teams in the Ohio college system to develop customized training and education for major companies statewide, developing and managing major grant projects to put people back in the workforce, and collaborating with regional leaders to grow central that state’s economy.
Oocumma said every community member he has spoken with is concerned about the tribe’s out-of-state business dealings, and he wants to ensure community members are aware of the risks and rewards before such projects get voted on. He also wants to see committee and commission members recuse themselves when voting on matters to which they are personally connected. Rounding out his top three priorities is local economic development. Examples of this include increasing activities for youth and tourists, natural resource attractions, revitalizing commercial businesses and exploring bringing back bingo.
Powell, 36, currently works as a nutritionist in the EBCI WIC Program.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in human ecology from the University of Tennessee with minors in food science and technology as well as hotel, restaurant and tourism management, and she is currently pursuing a master’s from the University of Oklahoma in legal studies and Indigenous peoples law. She has worked for the tribe, casino and hospital in positions ranging from receptionist to manager.
If elected, her top three priorities would be sustainability, accountability and transparency. Powell said sustainability means working toward agriculture and energy-saving initiatives that will lead the tribe into the future, while accountability means ensuring work is done and submitted by deadlines as well as answering questions from constituents and
finding the answer when she doesn’t know it initially. She believes transparency means openly talking about initiatives the tribe is pursuing and why it’s pursuing them, and letting people know what is going on in terms they can understand — “I feel like a lot of things are not explained, and we need to make sure everyone understands and knows what is being discussed,” she said.
Taylor, 40, currently works as a behavioral health data analyst for Analenisgi within the Cherokee Indian Hospital.
She graduated from Cherokee High School and holds a bachelor’s in business management from Lenoir-Rhyne College. After serving on the Cherokee Central School Board 2013-2017, she won a seat on Tribal Council and served 2019-2021. Taylor is also a basketball coach for enrolled members.
If elected, her top priority would be developing a unification and retention plan for stakeholders of Cherokee language, traditions and culture. She also aims to pass legislation supporting more indoor and outdoor youth programs — examples include playgrounds, bike pump tracks, creative competitions, clubs, mentorships and inclusion awareness — and to develop a tribal information report to inform the public on how to navigate the Charter and Governing Document, prepare legislation or obtain information about a variety of governmental functions and processes.
Parker, 58, has represented Wolfetown on Tribal Council since winning a special election in March. Previously, he was the EBCI’s destination marketing director.
Parker holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and recently completed a master’s degree in project management. Prior to this year’s election, he had served on Tribal Council for a total of 10 years, including appointments as chair and vice chair.
If re-elected, working with leadership to develop a strategy for reporting and developing a spending plan for external economic development initiatives such as the tribe’s various LLCs would be a top priority. He would also introduce legislation to develop community design standards for housing and local economic development. Rounding out his top three priorities is working with leadership to develop dividend policies and revenue distribution to the tribal government and tribal members while ensuring adequate equity to sustain growth.
Crowe, 51, has been a tribal employee for more than 20 years.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western Carolina University with minors in Cherokee Studies and Hospital Management.
If elected, he would prioritize investing in the community, supporting economic diversity that includes bringing family-friendly attractions — such as a water park, community pool, street fairs and festivals — to Cherokee. He also plans to collaborate with fluent speakers of Cherokee and those involved in language preservation to come to a consensus on the best way of proceeding to protect the Cherokee language.
Producers in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Swain, Macon and Jackson Counties who experienced revenue losses of eligible crops from natural disasters in 2020 and 2021 still have time to apply for the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase 2 or the Pandemic Assistance Relief Program (PARP) - both offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA).
The deadline for applications is June 2.
Those interested can apply in the following ways:
• OneSpan: Electronically sign from home via a OneSpan email document sent from your local FSA office.
• Your Local Office: Electronically sign in person at your local FSA office.
• Step-by-Step Worksheets: Visit the ERP Phase 2 and PARP tools to walk you through the process.
Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase Two
ERP Phase 2 is a tax year-based certification program that assists crop growers who suffered a loss in revenue due to qualifying natural disasters during 2020 or 2021. Farmers can apply for either year or both.
Applicants must self-certify their gross farm revenue for 2020, 2021, or both; and self-certify their gross farm revenue for one of two benchmark years, either 2018 or 2019.
Pandemic Assistance Relief Program (PARP)
PARP provides financial assistance for crop and livestock producers who suffered at least a 15% decrease in allowable gross revenue for the 2020 calendar year compared to 2018 or 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information on ERP Phase 2 or PARP or to apply, contact your local FSA county office at:
• Murphy FSA Office (Cherokee, Clay, and Graham): 828.837.2721, ext. 2.
• Franklin FSA Office (Macon): 828.524.3175, ext. 2.
• Bryson City FSA Office (Swain and Jackson): 828.488.2684, ext. 2.
More information is also available at farmers.gov.
This year’s election for seats on Waynesville’s Board of Aldermen — recently re-styled as “Town Council” — will proceed with a new sense of urgency after council members voted to enact a long-sought change in how they’re elected.
Until now, Waynesville was one of the few governments in the region to elect all seats on council at the same time, every four years. Although unlikely, such a regimen means that it’s possible an entire board can be voted out, all at once.
That outcome could have troubling consequences in terms of productivity and efficiency, as staff struggle to bring new members up to speed on the town’s many issues and ongoing projects.
The change to staggered terms has been discussed for years, but never really gained any traction until a discussion at the town’s February planning retreat.
To start the transition to staggered terms, this year’s election will result in two tiers of terms. Of the four seats up for election, the top two candidates will earn four-year terms. The next two finishers will earn two-year terms. Then, in 2025, the winners of the two-year terms will have the opportunity to run for four-year terms, thus setting up the “every two years” staggering.
The office of mayor will not be affected by the change.
A real estate marketing flyer along with correspondence between Waynesville’s Land Use Administrator Byron Hickox and an Asheville sign company both point to the conclusion that German grocer Aldi is eyeing a spot in the old Kmart plaza on Russ Avenue.
The plaza boasts a number of businesses including Advance Auto Parts, Blimpie, Hibbett Sports, Little Caesar’s and Big Lots and had been home to anchor tenant Kmart until it closed amid bankruptcy proceedings in 2019.
But the plaza has suddenly become a beehive of activity, with Calabasas, Californiabased Harbor Freight Tools announcing a location there in 2021. The store opened earlier this spring, and is expected to employ 25 to 30 people, adding to its total of more than 25,000 workers in 1,300 locations across the United States.
Previously, the closest Harbor Freight locations were in Henderson and Macon counties.
Advance Auto Parts is set to move from its standalone building on the northeast corner of the plaza to a new location adjacent to the north side of the Harbor Freight store, according to Hickox.
A 32,000 square-foot spot adjacent to the south side of Harbor Freight — the crux of the old Kmart — remains vacant. To the
south of that space, there’s another 26,000 square-foot spot that according to multiple sources will become the newest of Aldi’s 12,000 stores worldwide.
Divaris, a commercial real estate agency in Charlotte, has been marketing the plaza to prospective tenants with a flyer that shows the layout of the plaza.
The flyer confirms the move by Advance Auto Parts and also shows Aldi taking the vacant space south of Harbor Freight.
THURSDAY, MAY 18TH, 12:30 PM
Tickets are $100 each. Only 225 tickets will be sold. Also, several consolation prizes to be drawn.
Around 25,000 cars pass the plaza each day, according to Divaris. Other demographic information listed on the flyer indicates that more than 1,800 people with an average household income of $57,100 live within a mile of the site. Within five miles, there are approximately 31,000 people with an average household income of nearly $72,000.
In February, Hickox heard from Divaris and from Moss Sign Company about making town-approved changes to the Kmart sign.
The dialogue about the sign actually began in October, 2020.
Last week, workers could be seen removing the old Kmart sign on the edge of the parcel nearest Russ Ave.
Aldi operates more than 2,700 locations in the U.S. Along with Harbor Freight, Aldi will help plug the sales-tax-collections hole created when Kmart left.
When reached for comment on April 21, Aldi’s Divisional Vice President Shaun O’Keefe said the company did not have any information to share regarding a potential new store in Waynesville.
If Aldi opens a location there, it will be the second new grocer to open on Russ Avenue in Waynesville since Bi-Lo closed in 2019. The Bi-Lo strip mall was razed in 2021, and will soon become the 210-unit Mountain Creek apartment complex.
Also in 2019, Lakeland, Florida-based Publix opened a new location just south of the Kmart plaza, joining regional stalwart Ingles in the growing Haywood County market.
According to Divaris, in addition to the vacant 31,000 square-foot space in the plaza, the current Advance Auto Parts standalone — at 6,000 square feet — will be available once the retailer vacates the building and moves into its new space. There’s also the possibility for a 2,000 square-foot outparcel in the 385-space parking lot.
A team of four Western Carolina University undergraduate students competed virtually last month in the finals of the international Chartered Institute of Building Global Student Challenge design competition
The WCU team was one of only 10 teams selected out of 35 and the only team from the United States to advance to the finals. It was the first time WCU had ever competed in the event.
Though the team did not win the final competition, they were impressed with their performance.
“It was a great experience, and we learned a lot,” said Leslie Smith, the team’s interior designer. “While we would have absolutely loved to win, we feel great about having made it to the finals. We look forward to going for the win again next year.”
The team consists of Leslie Smith, a senior interior design major from Cullowhee; Megan McIntosh, a junior construction management major from Mount Holly; Hunter Cophron, a sophomore construction management major from Marion; and Valeria Villarroel, a junior construction management major from Waynesville.
In January, the team was tasked with drafting a building proposal for a sustainable, community centric building on campus. With only a month to create their initial proposal for an international competition based in the United Kingdom, the group felt that they were at a disadvantage.
“When we started this, we had no idea what to expect because nobody at WCU had done this before,” said McIntosh, the team’s assigned CEO of the project. “We learned about the opportunity really late, so we had less than a month to create our proposal that put us in the top 10. Other universities across the globe have this as a class. They’ve been working on this proposal for a whole semester.”
Smith felt that the disadvantages also opened them up to new ideas. “We didn’t have any preconceived notions. We just went with our gut. It was like ‘Go big or go home,’” she said. “It helped reinforce our confidence in our abilities because to come in at sort of a disadvantage and then place in the top 10 was really exciting.”
Community and sustainability were key components of the project and the team swung big in their proposal.
“Everything is natural and as sustainable as possible and geared towards revitalizing students in a stress-free environment. We’ve included a bowling alley, an arcade, a trampoline park, a yoga and Zen relaxation garden, solar panels and water reclamation,”
Smith said. “We also have food classes, restaurants and a community garden that contributes to our eatery and organic juice bar,” McIntosh said.
The team also incorporated Cherokee cultural elements to fulfill the CIOB requirement of local sourcing. They even named their building the Kuwahi Humanities Centre. The building name comes from Kuwahi (Mullberry Place), formerly known as Clingman’s Dome, which was recently
renamed in Cherokee language to acknowledge the Cherokee history of the great mountain peak.
“We needed to include our local connections, so Cherokee methodologies are incorporated throughout the project,” Smith said. “The purpose of the building itself is about replenishing the body, mind and spirit. What I learned from Cherokee history is that Kuwahi is where they would go to reconnect. That’s the spirit of our building.”
“The international board from the UK wanted to see incorporation of local materials and communities,” McIntosh said. “Since the Cherokee people are the indigenous people of this area, we thought the incorporation of the Cherokee culture into this building was really important. Their proposed community garden also includes corn, beans and squash, the three sister vegetables of Cherokee agriculture.”
Their proposal also adhered to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standard, which is the highest rated certification for a building. The team followed the design aspects of two LEED certified buildings on campus — the Health and Human Sciences Building and Brown Hall.
“A week or so after our first presentation, we got an email in UK time, about 4 in the morning. We were all asleep and Dr. Cox sent us an email because he’s up before all of us like ‘Congrats!’ So, we woke up to that,” said Villaroel, the team’s construction manager.
“I think part of that credit goes to Dr. Cox because he selected each of us,” said Cophron, the project engineer.
“We were the underdogs, but I rooted for us,” McIntosh added. “All of us, from all our different backgrounds, came together and formed a really great team.”
At the April 24 meeting of the Macon County School Board, confusion surrounding the county’s intent to purchase the Higdon property came into focus.
Both school board members and County Commissioner and school board liaison Gary Shields seemed unsure of why the county was purchasing the property and whether it would be reserved for use by the school system.
“I was very pleasantly surprised when I found out, at the last meeting it appeared on the agenda, that the commissioners were going to discuss that,” said School Board Chairman Jim Breedlove. “I know Chairman Higdon had not called me, I was caught off guard that they were going to discuss that, but like I said it was a very pleasant surprise.”
Chairman Breedlove asked his fellow board members whether any of them had been notified that the county commission was going to discuss the property and none of the board members indicated they had been made aware.
The Higdon property is an 11-acre parcel across the road from Franklin High School, located at 195 Wayah St. At its April 11 meeting, the county commission approved designating $1.35 million from the county’s fund balance to purchase the property. According to County Manager Derek Roland the agreed upon offer contains a 60day due diligence period and 30 days to close.
“We’re excited to hear the commissioners have entered into a contract concerning the Higdon property. So we’re hopeful that they’re able to move forward with that contract and finalize it for the county. Once it is finalized for the county, we hope that commissioners will give consideration for that
District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said a Franklin man who stole a vehicle and broke into a home in the Otto community faced sentencing recently as a habitual offender, North Carolina’s version of three strikes and you’re out.
Joseph Cyphers, 33, pleaded guilty to felony breaking and entering, breaking and entering a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
Alerted to a breaking and entering in progress, deputies arrested Cyphers on Feb. 23, 2022, in the home he had broken into. That same day, he had also stolen a vehicle.
Cyphers’ criminal history included multiple prior felony convictions. Prosecutors can seek habitual felon status for defendants who have been convicted or have pleaded guilty to three felony offenses in federal or state courts.
Habitual-felon status toughens judges’
property to be extended to the school system for the use of expansion of the high school campus. I don’t think that that is a confirmed agreement at this point,” said Superintendent Chris Baldwin.
At that April 11 meeting, Commissioner John Shearl said he was in favor of purchasing the Higdon property as long as it could be incorporated into benefitting the Franklin High School Project. Commissioner Danny Antoine said that he was under the impression that the property would be used as part of the high school project.
“I do believe that there was an understanding for us concerning this being part of the high school project. I don’t know where the wires got crossed in that, but I do believe that that was an understanding for that particular property,” said Antoine.
Chairman Higdon said the property would not necessarily be designated for the school system.
“If we do end up gaining approval to buy this property, we’re not going to tag it that it has to be; we’re not going to restrict it because if it doesn’t fit into the plans when we do phase two for education, what do we do with it? There might be some developer who wants to buy this thing and build a motel on it. We don’t know,” said Higdon. “In my personal opinion, this is a good piece of property. Is the best use of it related to education? I do not know.”
This ambiguity of intent for the property created some confusion among school board members. At the April 24 school board meeting, Shields asked the board to approve a plan for the property that he could take back to the county commission. Board members said that they did not feel comfortable putting forth a definite plan for a property they don’t know will be designated for the school system.
“Mr. Shields, with all due respect, I’m not sure that this board can approve anything at this point. The property I understand is under contract, you haven’t acquired it yet,” said Chairman Breedlove. “Until we know what part of the property will be assigned or given for the schools, we really can’t take any action at this time, other than express our willingness that once you acquire the property, we most certainly are interested in being part of that adventure.”
Baldwin asked Commissioner Shields if the property was being purchased for use by the school system. Shields did not say that the property was specifically for the school system and noted that he wanted a plan from MCS to present to commissioners.
“Trying to get in there first,” said Shields.
Chairman Breedlove noted that while the school system had a tentative idea of how it could use the property, once it knew for sure it could use the property, it would inquire with all departments to be sure it used it in the most efficient manner. Therefore, it couldn’t yet approve a definite plan.
School board attorney John Henning recommended the school system enter into a memorandum of understanding with the county commission rather than put forth a specific plan for the property.
Baldwin told the school board that the school system is excited about the possibility of using the property for expansion of its Career and Technical Education program. Colleen Strickland presented the school board with a preliminary plan for how CTE could use the property.
“[Strickland] does have a proposal that she would like to move to the top of the school board’s list for consideration, should the county purchase the property and should the county then allow the school system to utilize that property for the expansion of Franklin High School,” said Baldwin.
On Friday, April 28, 2023, at about 11 p.m., Haywood County Deputies from the narcotics and interdiction unit were conducting an investigation that resulted in the pursuit and arrest of Scottie Lee Parham, 30, of Asheville.
“So, two big shoulds in there, but she would like to be moved to the front of the line for consideration.”
Strickland said that staff has been working on a plan to expand CTE in Macon County Schools. She envisions using the property as a student-run enterprise for the CTE program. Part of that could involve using the property as a land lab. Currently, Franklin High School students do not have their own animals that they can work with on campus and are limited to a greenhouse. If the program was moved to the Higdon property, classes could establish a mini farm and hydroponic garden in addition to the greenhouse.
FHS also can’t currently offer food sciences courses because the school does not have the capacity for a commercial kitchen. Strickland would like to see the kitchen in the Higdon estate turned into a commercial kitchen that FHS can use for culinary courses. Additionally, she would like to see expanded options for students to study tourism and hospitality, a large sector of the Macon County economy.
“The thing that I think would be the nicest about all of it is it would all be student run. So students are raising the animals, students are growing the plants, harvesting, they’re doing all of the marketing, all of the cooking,” said Strickland. “Our special population, our occupational course students would be able to be a part of an enterprise where they’re interacting with the community.”
At this point, the plan is just a vision, albeit an exciting one for the school system. At the recommendation of the school board attorney, the school system will discuss and draft a memorandum of understanding to be entered into with the county commission regarding the property at its special called board meeting Wednesday, May 3.
• Two counts of trafficking methamphetamine
• Two counts of trafficking opium or heroin (suspected fentanyl)
• Possession of a firearm by a felon
options when handing down active prison time.
Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Bill Coward ordered Cyphers to serve a minimum of 186 months and a maximum of 260 months in state prison.
Assistant District Attorney John Hindsman Jr. prosecuted the case.
Deputies recovered 497.2 grams of Methamphetamine, 299.5 grams of suspected Fentanyl and a Glock handgun. To date, this is one of the largest seizures of suspected Fentanyl in Haywood County history. Mr. Parham is being held on a $2,550,000 bond in the Haywood County detention facility and is charged with the following:
• Fleeing to elude arrest in a motor vehicle
"There is no way to estimate the number of lives that keeping this amount of suspected fentanyl from reaching our county has saved,” Haywood County Sheriff Bill Wilke said. “I would like to personally thank the District Attorney’s Office for their support and the Haywood County narcotics and patrol divisions for their diligence and professionalism. If you haven’t heard me before, hear me now. If you buy, sell or transport illegal drugs, your freedom to operate in Haywood County is over. We will find you, charge you, and ensure that you spend as much time behind bars as possible. That’s a promise."
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Aproposed constitution for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is facing opposition from the EBCI Attorney General’s Office following Tribal Council’s unanimous vote April 6 to place it on the ballot for referendum this September.
The Constitution Committee — a volunteer group that has been working since 2017 to draft the document with community input — first learned of these objections during an April 20 meeting, as reported in The Cherokee One Feather. One Feather Editor Robert Jumper is a member of the Constitution Committee and attended the meeting.
According to Jumper, Attorney General Mike McConnell told the group that attorneys in his office believe that, as written, the proposed constitution presents “issues and [big] problems that may be unanticipated. We see some things in there that are very troublesome that could create uncertainty in tribal government and could diminish some protections that tribal members currently enjoy.”
During that meeting, McConnell did not provide the committee with a list of specific concerns, and during an interview Thursday, April 27, Constitution Committee Chairman Lloyd Arneach expressed dismay that McConnell still had not listed his concerns for the group. On April 28, less than a week before the next Tribal Council session on May 4, The One Feather published an opinion piece from McConnell outlining apparent issues with the constitution document and his office’s suggested path forward.
“The draft constitution presents some good ideas that the AG’s Office supports — such as establishing the judicial branch and incorporating civil rights protections into the tribe’s primary governing document,” McConnell wrote. “It also, however, presents many unintended consequences that will be harmful to the tribe and will deprive tribal members of established rights protected by the Charter and Governing Document.”
In a bulleted list, McConnell presented “just a few” of the problems he says the proposed constitution will create. The document is not clear as to which elected official may bind the tribe in contracts or which elected official can represent the tribe in government-to-government relations with federal and state agencies, he said, and it removes the authority of the principal chief to manage the tribe’s daily operations. It contains conflicting language as to the roles of the principal chief and vice chief regarding the power to veto legislation.
McConnell also takes issue with the ballot question itself, which asks voters whether they approve or disapprove of the draft constitution but does not describe what is in the draft constitution or stipulate that passage would mean repealing the Charter and
Governing Document. Additionally, McConnell alleges, the document makes Tribal Council, the Cherokee Court and the Cherokee Supreme Court “subservient” to federal court decisions and the U.S. Constitution, limiting tribal sovereignty.
Unlike the proposed constitution, the charter does not contain a section granting civil rights to tribal members. However, it does contain a provision guaranteeing that tribal members will receive equal distributions of per capita payments. That language is not in the proposed constitution, meaning that a future Tribal Council could do away with per capita payments by changing tribal code — a much easier process than amending the charter or constitution.
“The better approach for improving tribal government and serving tribal members is to amend the charter, step-by-step,” McConnell concluded. “An incremental approach is more careful, less disruptive to tribal members, and will produce better results.”
Arneach pointed out that adopting the constitution would not negate anything in tribal code that doesn’t directly conflict with the constitution. A constitution is just a framework, not a blanket covering every possibility.
“Let the code fill in all the blanks, let the code fill in those cracks, those details that the constitution doesn’t cover,” he said. “We did that on purpose because it’s easier to change code as times change than it would be to change the constitution.”
Members of the Constitution Committee and of the Community Club Council, which submitted the referendum resolution to Tribal Council, have bristled at the suggestion that they should scrap the constitution document they’ve been working on for six years and simply rename the charter and amend it piecemeal.
“I believe that over the years if they wanted to amend the charter, that would have already been done,” said Beloved Woman Carmaleta Monteith, who sits on both the Constitution Committee and the Community Club Council. “So substituting the charter for the constitution is not what we’re about.”
Charters govern organizations and corporations, while constitutions define the relationship between a government and its people. Over the course of decades, tribal members have made multiple efforts to replace their charter with a constitution, but so far, those efforts have all failed. The currently proposed document contains 16 articles,
vastly expanding on — and in some cases shifting — the framework found in the charter. Notably, the constitution adds a judicial branch as a third and equal branch of government and expressly grants civil rights to tribal members.
Both Monteith and Arneach said they’re willing to work on changes to address McConnell’s concerns, but only within the timeline demanded by the referendum. The ballot language must be signed off on and ready to go by July 1 to meet the Board of Elections’ deadline, and because Tribal Council has already passed a resolution stating the ballot question and the version of the constitution to be voted on, any changes would require a new vote from Tribal Council.
However, it is possible that Tribal Council will vote on the matter again regardless of whether the Community Club Council seeks to amend the proposed constitution. As of press time, Principal Chief Richard Sneed had not taken action on the resolution, or on any legislation Tribal Council passed April 6. He has 30 days to do so, meaning that by May 6 he must sign the legislation, veto it or allow it to pass into effect unsigned. The next Tribal Council date is May 4. Overriding a veto requires a two-thirds vote of Council.
The constitution referendum has been a long time in the making. The Sgadugi Constitution Group began working to draft the document in 2017 and tried to get a referendum on the ballot in the 2019 election, but Council members said they didn’t think the document was “ready,” and requested the resolution be withdrawn. Later that year, the body allocated $70,000 to help with mailings, publications, posters and expenses for forums and other events to engage tribal members in the process. The group hoped to secure a 2021 referendum vote through a petition process but was unsuccessful.
Since then, they’ve worked to refine the document through community engagement and partnership with the Community Club Council. Over the past two years, the entire document has appeared in The Cherokee One Feather installments side-by-side with comparable sections in the Charter, giving readers a look at how the documents differ. In March, the Community Club Council spent two consecutive evenings reviewing recommendations from meetings or community members and voting them up and down before presenting the proposed document to Tribal Council April 6. The body approved
the referendum unanimously, with no discussion.
Constitution meetings have been open for any who wish to attend, with public officials welcome provided they attend as private citizens and not representing the power or authority of their office. Arneach and Monteith both expressed dismay that McConnell waited until now to share his reservations.
“Of course, I'm disappointed that that happened at this time, ‘that’ meaning the AG stepped in after we had submitted our final draft for the Council,” Monteith said. “And, of course, the timing for us to work with the AG is limited given our scheduled referendum in September, so I’m highly disappointed this happened at this time.”
McConnell wrote that the timing was a product of the process and of his duty as attorney general. Tribal Council wanted the Constitution Committee to work without interference from the tribal government, he wrote, and so the Office of the Attorney General made a “conscious decision” not to “insert itself” into the committee’s work.
“It was important to avoid the perception that the Attorney General’s Office, in its official capacity, was attempting to dictate the committee’s direction,” McConnell wrote. “Now that Tribal Council has taken official action to move the draft constitution to the next stage, the Office of the Attorney General has a duty to analyze its effect on tribal members and tribal governance, to identify harmful unintended consequences that have gone unnoticed by the committee and that may harm the tribe’s legal position and sovereignty, and to inform tribal leaders and the public of these effects if the draft constitution is approved at the General Election.”
The resolution was passed “very quickly” McConnell wrote. According to Jumper’s reporting, during the April 20 Constitution Committee meeting he said that he’d hoped the resolution would instead be read and tabled to allow time for a work session prior to passage.
“Because they passed it with no questions, he was taken off guard and now is scrambling,” Arneach said of McConnell. “My feeling is, you’re aware of this, you’ve known about this. I’m sorry you didn’t feel like you had the resources to assist with crafting this document, but we have a document, and the communities have approved it. Tribal Council has approved it. And at this point, it’s no longer my document. It’s the community’s document now.”
It will be up to the Community Club Council to decide how to proceed with the effort, but Arneach still hopes to see it succeed.
“Now like a parent, you’ve nourished them, you’ve protected them, you’ve done everything to watch it grow and mature,” he said. “Now it’s time to turn it loose and see what the rest of the world makes of it.”
During a visit to Canton Tuesday, May 2, N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Elizabeth Biser met with a room full of leaders in local government, business and education. They held a wideranging conversation about the ongoing response to the impending closure of Canton’s 115-year-old paper mill — and Biser made it clear that she intends to hold Pactiv Evergreen accountable for cleaning up any messes left behind.
“We will hold the company accountable for responsible closure, and Pactiv, I'll say I appreciate you all being here today,” she said. “I appreciate working with you all. We all also expect you to do the right thing as we're going through this closure. We are going to use all of our authority and available resources to do a full assessment, and make sure that we totally understand what the environmental legacy and impacts are at the site.”
Coming to such an understanding will take time. The mill has been in operation since 1908, well before environmental laws existed. Multiple rounds of testing and ongoing monitoring will be necessary to determine what remediation is needed once production stops. The mill is not a Superfund site, but that could change — in answer to a question about that possibility, Bissel said it would be “premature” to get into a Superfund discussion.
The list of to-dos is a long one, but first on the agenda is dealing with two ongoing issues on the site — black liquor seeps and a fuel oil release.
“There’s a lot to be worked out, and one of the things we’re committed to is continuing that open communication with DWR [Division of Water Resources] and all the other folks at the division,” said Fern Paterson, associate general counsel for Pactiv Evergreen, adding, “Whatever’s decided, we want to make sure we’re doing that in full cooperation with the town, in full cooperation with DWR, and that we’re doing it in the right way and making sure we’re property permitted and maintaining compliance throughout the process.”
In April, the DEQ performed initial tests sampling the town influent sewer and landfill leachate. The goal of those tests, said Landon Davidson, water quality supervisor for the Asheville Regional Office, was to determine the strength and chemistry of the wastewater. The results revealed “fairly standard to slightly weak” wastewater, meaning that there’s no reason why the system can’t appropriately treat those two waste streams.
Wastewater was a big topic of discussion at the meeting, because the mill treats Canton’s municipal sewage. A 1960s-era agreement stipulates that the mill must continue to do so for at least two years should it ever close, but designing, permitting and building a new treatment plant takes more like five to seven years.
“One of my key goals is to explore how to extend that agreement,” Davidson said.
It would likely be a $35-$40 million project, said Town Manager Nick Scheuer, a challenging task for a town with an $11 million annual operation budget — and that’s before the mill shutdown takes a bite out of that revenue.
Davidson said his office is also looking at the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit governing the mill’s wastewater treatment plant discharge to see if the rules of that permit could extend the two-year timeframe.
“They have to comply with the permit until it's modified or changed in some way, or the ownership changes,” he said. “And that can only really occur with the approval of the Division [of Water Resources].”
While much of the conversation focused on the environmental regulation aspects Biser’s office deals with, economic concerns were also front and center. Haywood County Community and Economic
The Town of Sylva has decided that only town-sponsored events can warrant closing Main Street. Now, the town board will consider folding Sylva Pride into its list of sponsored events.
Pride Parade participants march down Main Street during the inaugural Sylva Pride Parade. Hannah McLeod photo
Each year the Town of Sylva is home to countless community events and festivals. Some of those, like the Christmas Parade and Greening Up the Mountains, involve closing Main Street to traffic. Facilitating and maintaining that closure uses a lot of town resources. It’s all hands on deck for administration, public works and police, and can often involve overtime pay for hourly employees.
According to Town Manager Paige Dowling, during the most recent Greening Up the Mountains Festival, which took place April 22, town employees started showing up around 3:30 a.m. and left at 7 p.m. that evening.
“We’re trying to get away from closing the road. Town-sponsored events like the Christmas Parade and Greening Up the Mountains, we’ll still shut the road down for,” said Dowling. “Because of the business disruption, staff time and safety, we’ve tried to start keeping everything at Bridge Park.”
In order to use resources most efficiently, the town decided to only allow street closures for
town-sponsored events.
During the April 27 board meeting, Commissioner Ben Guiney brought up the question of whether the town should sponsor the annual pride event, thereby allowing the brief closure of Main Street for the parade portion of the event.
“If the town wants to decide to sponsor another event, it can,” said Dowling.
Sylva Pride held its first annual Pride Parade in 2021. In previous years the event has included a festival at Bridge Park with vendors, crafts, speakers, music and a family-friendly drag show, in addition to a parade. The parade loops from Mill Street up to and down Main Street and back around to Bridge Park. If the town chooses not to sponsor the event, Sylva Pride would not be able to close Main and Mill streets for a parade but could still host the Bridge Park portion of the event.
While pride parades are commonplace among cities across the United States, Sylva is unique among small towns in Western North Carolina in hosting a pride event.
“I’d like to put that on the agenda to have pride be a town sponsored event and therefore looking into what it takes to get the road closed and all that,” said Guiney during the April 27 Sylva board meeting.
The board will consider sponsoring pride during its May 11 board meeting.
Development Director David Francis said an estimated 83-85% of the mill’s employees live in Haywood County, and that the closure could well prove devastating to the western region’s timber industry. He cited a recent meeting with the N.C. Forestry Association in which it was stated the impacts could exceed 4,000 employees across the region. In Haywood County alone, Francis said, the mill closure will have an economic impact of $800 million to $1 billion.
“This is going to impact Haywood County far greater than I think we even first imagined,” he said.
Kaleb Rathbone, assistant commissioner of agriculture for Western North Carolina, pointed out that logging and timber production are capital-intensive industries — those businesses can’t survive for six months without a market. There will be a need for creativity to seek out alternate markets for wood chips and wood products from Western North Carolina.
“I don’t think I’m overstating this when I say that this region has never had a timber industry without the paper mill,” he said. “We don’t know what that looks like, but we do know that it’s very important that we maintain and preserve that industry.”
The issues are many, and still emerging as the process goes on. Biser stressed that the May 2 meeting was “the first stop, not the stop.”
“I know that this news is devastating, and my heart is with the all the families who are impacted throughout this community, whether they're affected by job loss or by the economic loss of the region,” she said. “I know it's significant. And know that first and foremost, that we are here with you.”
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BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF W RITER
As Haywood County Schools hammered out its 2023-24 budget, administrators faced declining student population and the imminent end of COVID-era relief funds, both of which will diminish the amount of money available for the public school system.
“Our primary focus points for the 202324 budget are one, to recruit, maintain and support employees in their passionate and productive work; two, limit expansion items in the local current expense budget; and three, adjust the budget as needed to account for declining enrollment and associated issues with the Canton Mill closure,” said Superintendent Trevor Putnam during a budget presentation to the Haywood County School Board April 20.
During his last budget presentation to the board of education, previous Superintendent Bill Nolte warned that declining student enrollment would have a major impact on future budgets. Public schools are funded a certain amount for every student in the system, and HCS enrollment has declined by more than 600 students since early 2019.
During the 2019-20 school year, there were 7,100 students enrolled in the system; in the 2021-22 school year there were 6,557 students enrolled; this year the average daily membership was calculated at 6,498 students and that is the ADM that funding will be based on for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Throughout the COVID pandemic, school systems in the state were not held accountable for drops in student population. Schools were funded based on the ADM prior to the pandemic. However, with the COVID-era restrictions drawing to a close, those safeguards are also coming to an end.
In April, the Haywood County Commission approved a request from Putnam to send a letter of support to the North Carolina General Assembly and the Department of Public Instruction asking for a hold harmless provision that would allow the school system to be funded according to its current ADM for the next three years.
While Haywood County Schools is not unique in having to face the COVID Pandemic, it is unique in the other the obstacles it faced in recent years — a cyberattack in 2020, severe flooding in 2021 and the impending shutdown of the Canton paper mill, a major Haywood County employer, in 2023.
In addition to a declining student population, the school system is facing the end of
the COVID-era Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding. The upcoming 2023-24 school year will be the last year these funds are disseminated, and all the money must be used by September 2024 or it will be lost.
“As a part of making sure we are solvent for the coming year, we’ve employed some strategies to make sure we’re solvent for upcoming years beyond next year,” said Putnam. “Those ESSER dollars, we’re going to try to put every available position into ESSER, as far as funding goes, to allow us to try and generate our local at a greater rate and hopefully contribute to a greater savings there that will give us a better fund balance. That’s a funding source we would not have in any other year. We’ve had it the last two years, and the third and final year is coming up. So we’re going to make full use of that and try to bank or save as many of the local dollars as we can because our fund balance has reached a critical low and so we want to regenerate that as much as possible.”
At the same time as it is preparing for the possibility of lower funding in upcoming years, the school system has also planned for pay increases in the coming year. While the increases have not yet been mandated by the state, they are being looked at in the current state budget and the school system has to plan for them in case they become official. The state is looking at a 7% salary increase for certified personnel and a 5% increase for non-certified personnel.
“That’s what we’re hearing out of the General Assembly that is proposed, so we’ve already adjusted or considered that,” said Putnam. “Whether that will happen, who knows.”
The largest funding source for the school system is money from the state. While the
school system has no preliminary planning budget date from the state, the current fiscal year allocation is $50,698,052.50, which is just over $7,000 per pupil. The next largest funding source is federal grant funding. The school system does not have numbers for this funding source yet and these funds are restricted for use in federally regulated areas. The current year allocation in federal grant funds is $22,683,404.34.
The anticipated local per pupil appropriation for the 2023-24 school year is $2,430.86 for 6,498 Haywood County students, plus 636 brick and mortar charter school students. The total anticipated county revenue for the upcoming year is $17,732,085, down from over $18 million allocated in the 2022-23 fiscal year.
Most of this money is used for salaries and employee benefits for locally paid staff. About 11% is used for supplies and materials, and 18% is used for contracted services.
Total capital expenditures proposed for the 2023-24 school year come to $1,250,000. This money will go toward a list of 11 necessary capital improvements, and $350,000 of it will be used for device replacement.
“We have a little over 10,000 devices in our school system,” said Putnam. “This will ensure that we have adequate chrome books, laptops, smartboards and other things to support instruction for our kids as well as a device for kids to take home and use on remote instructional days and other things. So it is a necessary and recurring cost but it can be funded out of capital outlay.”
The child nutrition budget is operated independently of the rest of the school system’s budget. Revenues include cash from meals and supplemental items sold, USDA cash reimbursements and USDA donated commodities.
The majority of local current expense funds pay for salaries and benefits.
The 2023-24 child nutrition budget is $5,314,920, a decrease of 2.9% from the current fiscal year. About 55% of the budget will go toward labor and benefits, 39% toward food and supplies and 6% toward overhead. This budget includes $150,000 of appropriated fund balance.
“The main reason for the decrease in the budget is because we were trying to spend down some of our fund balance that was required by the state this year,” said the School Nutrition Director. Alison Francis. “We had a lot of money in our equipment line last year that we decreased there. That’s the biggest area of decrease.”
All schools will be participating in the Community Eligibility Program for the 202324 school year. This program provides breakfast and lunch to all students free of cost.
“Student participation is critical to the success of our program,” said Francis.
For a school to qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision, at least 40% of the school’s enrollment must qualify for free meals through direct certification. Categories for direct certification include SNAP/ TANF, Medicaid, homeless, migrant, runaway and foster children. Seven schools qualified for the provision during the 202223 school year. In the coming year, all schools except Haywood Early College have at least 40% of the population qualifying for free meals. According to Francis, Haywood Early College can be grouped with a school that has a higher percentage of qualifying students to allow it to qualify as well. At the April 4 school board meeting the board unanimously approved the Community Eligibility Provision for all Haywood County schools. The provision is approved for a four-year cycle.
The Town of Waynesville’s Board of Aldermen will now be known as the Town Council, after an April 25 vote made it official. At a planning retreat in February, elected officials discussed the possibility of changing the archaic term “aldermen” to something more modern and gender neutral after one alderman called the term “misogynist” and the board’s lone woman, Julia Boyd Freeman, called it “antiquated.” Aldermen will now be known as Council Members.
Waynesville joins other
Many
“alderman”
North
Western
Carolina municipal governments that have abandoned gendered language in recent years, including the Town of Franklin, which did the same thing back in 2007.
other towns in the region retain the “alderman” title despite the presence of women on their governing boards, including Bryson City, Clyde and Maggie Valley. In Canton, elected officials are called
or “alderwomen.” Fontana Dam, Hayesville, Lake Santeetlah, Murphy and Sylva all have councilors or commissioners.HCS photo
Editor’s note: State House Rep. Mark Pless, R-Haywood, wrote this column to describe why he filed a bill that would make municipal and school board elections in Haywood County partisan.
It has been interesting the last few months to be a state legislator. If you read the papers or listen to the news, partisan elections seem to be the most important concern we face.
It actually isn’t. When you are getting ready to buy a car I hope you don’t just show up on the lot, pick a color you like and then drive home with it. Sadly that is exactly what some folks do. I know people who are the opposite, spending weeks looking at service history, features, gas mileage, maintenance costs and countless other aspects of a vehicle before deciding on a brand. Then the fun begins of picking the best color that gives them character as well as defines them.
When we talk about elections these are handled the same way. Some people can tell you the voting record of a senator or House member for the 20 years they have been in office. The others are so confused about politics they don’t even know who makes federal, state or local decisions. I say that because I get a large volume of complaints about things at the federal level on a constant basis. I listen to the concerns and simply advise them I don’t have any control over that.
Government doesn’t have to be confusing, but it can be. Most folks are working jobs, active in church or local groups, raising children and countless other things which are more important to them. Elections are on everyone’s mind when the yard signs start popping up or the TV show you’re interested in is interrupted by 10 ads every 8 minutes talking about the horrible character of those seeking office. Everyone including me says the same thing — I will be glad when this is over.
Most people on Election Day walk into the polls and vote for people they know nothing about. But in reality, they do know more than they even realize themselves. They are con-
To the Editor:
During the Trump administration, bipartisan votes increased the debt ceiling three times, without conditions. Now that a Democrat is president, the Republicans do not want to do what is necessary for our country. After the debt ceiling is passed, both parties can then negotiate to pass the next budget. The tax cut passed during that administration caused a significant increase to our national debt, but it did benefit corporations as well as millionaires.
The bill just passed cut the increased funding to the IRS, benefiting those who cheat on
stantly bombarded every day by news media on events happening on a local, state and federal level. They are told we must be inclusive of how everyone chooses to be in their personal life. This party is constantly speaking hate and trying to exclude others who are not exactly like them. We are a nation founded on hate and slavery and a certain race causes this.
These examples are stated constantly by the government officials who are in Washington, New York and California, to name a few. People listen to this day in and day out. I was born and raised in Haywood County living here almost 56 years now. People constantly tell me don’t let our mountains become like this. I have people call me continually about things happening in Asheville and are worried we will be like Asheville if we don’t do something.
They are not wrong. The elected officials in Haywood County are not creating safe spaces for drug use in Waynesville yet, but that was asked for by the folks handing out needles. Had we not stood up to the message being spoken we would have eventually been like California. We have a homeless problem just like many other areas, but our homeless population was much larger while the homelessness task force was evaluating and putting forth ideas on how to be friendly and forgiving to homeless folks coming to Waynesville.
There are homeless folks who truly need help, but most homeless folks are addicted to alcohol or drugs. Bad choices got them on the street and hard work, determination and then opportunity gets them off the street. Homeless people don’t work so how do they buy drugs or alcohol because those are not free yet. They steal from the hard-working folks around where they are camping, sleeping under a bridge or
their taxes. As a retired CPA who helped clients who were being audited, clients who do not cheat have no fear of an audit. Average taxpayers, with income from salaries, do not have the ability to take advantages of tax loopholes, so a school teacher or policeman often pays taxes at a higher rate than a corporation president. The vote passed by the Republicans also cut a number of programs important to many Americans, including $20 billion cut from the VA. When President Trump was in office, he paid no income taxes for one or two years and only $750 in another year, although he claims to be a billionaire.
Clark Pearson Sylvatrespassing on town property.
Why do you think the news media report on the continuing increase of the crime rate in Asheville? They have the largest concentration of homeless in the region. Now everyone is hearing violent crime is on the rise in Asheville. Another coincidence? I think not. Simple decisions lead to large problems if we start down the wrong path. I don’t fear our local officials will one day change our towns. My fear is that one day these officials will decide they are done and simply not run again. My fear is a member of the town board dies or resigns.
When that happens in a non-partisan race, the town board decides who holds that seat, not the voters. In partisan elections, the local party gets to pick the replacement. That is what happened when I became a legislator as a Republican — my party decided who took my place. Town non-partisan elections do not allow the party to have a say.
The town officials who are so vocal against this probably never considered any of this and I would be willing to bet most didn’t know any of this. If they truly love their towns as they say, then protect your citizens. We have so many people moving into our county from all over the country — we can’t stop that. But when people come from other areas they bring other priorities and ideas. Everyone hears stories of folks going home from work, church or school and taking their life. The hardest part is realizing you were the last to talk to them and didn’t even know they had a problem.
We are a proud people and hide our feelings well. I doubt that anyone in Haywood County was surprised about this bill. People will say a lot of things about me, but I have been very clear in my political time that I will fight for the people of my counties. While I am fighting, sometimes you will not understand what I see and what I hear. While I am fighting, you won’t see eye to eye with me. While I am fighting, you should always remember I am fighting to preserve our mountain way of life for generations to come.
The nicest thing my mother ever did for me was buy me a stereo I didn’t deserve. I was a sort-of-sophomore at N.C. State living in an apartment off campus, and man, I was in the weeds.
My plans of becoming a lawyer had gone up in smoke in the very first semester the year before, and I became far more interested in my unexpectedly thrilling social life than in such mundane activities as attending class and spending my evenings doing homework, when I could be drinking buckets at Blimpie’s or sitting in the floor of some smoky, dimly-lit dorm room listening to The Doors, taking impromptu classes and learning lessons that were not listed in the curriculum.
I went to class just enough to scrape by, just enough to get invited back for another year, although I was on academic probation. I resolved to do better and find a more compatible major, maybe Sociology or Psychology or Communications? I had no idea what I’d do in any of those fields, but those considerations were not yet entirely meaningful for me, and I had to major in SOMETHING.
I moved into an apartment nearly 10 miles from campus with two friends I had made from Owen Hall, and my academic performance went from shaky to shoddy to shocking. I was staying up all night listening to the Velvet Underground, reading books that weren’t on the syllabus in any of my classes, and writing some very bad poetry. I was drinking something called Manischevitz Pina Coconetta, which tasted like fruit cocktail syrup left out in the sun for three days. I was smoking thin cigars and burning sandalwood incense. I bought myself some sunglasses, which I wore all the time. Some of the boys started calling me “shades.”
I thought I was quite the bohemian.
I don’t think my roommates were much impressed with the changes in lifestyle my new “image” required from me. One of them was, of all the godawful things one can be in this life, a “morning person” who seemed to love tormenting me every single morning by blasting .38 Special’s “Hold On Loosely” on the stereo at 7 a.m.
If Vladmir Putin is ever captured and tried for war crimes, he should be forced to listen to “Hold On Loosely” every morning at sunrise at about 90 decibels. He’ll confess to everything.
I was miserable every morning until my roommates finally relented and left for their early classes, but I was also jealous. More than anything in the world, I wanted a stereo like the one my roommate had, with big JBL speakers and a sweet Pioneer amplifier/tuner. Back in Owen Hall, quite a few guys had similarly impressive stereo systems, flashy integrated amplifiers and
Technics turntables on makeshift shelves fashioned from oak planks and cinder blocks.
I had a cheap little Emerson combo “system” that included a turntable, eight-track player, and speakers all in one compact unit. The whole thing weighed maybe 20 pounds. If I turned it up loud enough to drown out the nightly concerts issuing from down the hall, it would crackle like kindling burning in a fireplace. Even at full volume, it was no match for those majestic Circuit City systems.
I knew my parents were spending a fortune sending me to college. I kept my remorse for my performance at bay by imagining different redemption narratives in which all of my struggles would somehow be revealed to be a necessary preamble for the stunning turnaround or epiphany yet to come. When the shame got too much on top of me, I’d open another bottle of Pina Coconetta and write a terrible poem about it.
One afternoon, I took a ride with a friend to Circuit City. He needed a new cartridge for his turntable, and I spent an hour or more looking over the gleaming rows of receivers and loudspeakers, including some I had seen in my friend’s dorm rooms. I dreamed of different combinations I could make. This amp with these speakers and that turntable. Then I did the math. Sigh.
I couldn’t take it anymore. When I got back to the apartment, I called mom and told her that I knew she wouldn’t understand probably, but I felt my life depended on getting a better stereo system. I told her that I had never needed anything so badly in my life, nor did I expect that I ever would again. I described it to her in exquisite detail, every component. How they looked. How they sounded. How they smelled in the store.
She asked me how much something like that would cost. I told her it was a lot. There was silence for a few minutes as she processed this and attempted to comprehend why anyone at any age under any set of circumstances would ever need to spend nearly $800 on a stereo.
An hour later, I was back at Circuit City writing a check for $770 and loading a new turntable, receiver, and some sweet Cerwin Vega speakers in the back of my pick-up.
This system was my most prized possession for nearly 20 years, seeing me through a parade of dorm rooms, apartments, and houses in different cities and towns. Setting up the stereo was the very first thing I did in every place I have ever lived. It has played countless thousands of hours of every kind of music you can imagine, with the notable exception of “Hold on Loosely.”
With Mother’s Day fast approaching and the years flashing by the way they do, I just wanted my mom to know that Shades says, “Thanks, thanks for everything, but especially for the gift of music, and of belief in your son.”
(Chris Cox is a writer and teacher who lives in Haywood County. jchriscox@live.com.)
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD ARTS & E NTERTAINMENT E DITOR
Growing up in Detroit, Michigan, Greg Wasik saw firsthand that trademark sense of community at neighborhood taverns around the Motor City. And that genuine scene of friendship and fellowship is something still deeply cherished within him.
“Everybody knew each other, and everybody went to that corner tavern in the evening to talk — everyone is welcome,” Wasik reminisced. “And this was the home of the automotive industry. Mostly blue collar. Everyone saw each other all day on their shifts. But, you go to the local tavern and enjoy a couple beers before going home.”
Those Midwestern memories are at the core ethos of Angry Elk Brewing. Located right along the bustling U.S. 441 on the out-
skirts of Cherokee, the Whittier business has become a beacon of people, place and pints since it opened its doors last November.
“This building is on a five-lane highway with 18,000 cars a day going by, and all [right near] the casino — we weren’t going to do another brewery unless it was a perfect storm kind of thing,” Wasik said.
A mechanical engineer in Michigan who eventually found his way down to Florida, Wasik and his wife, Sharon, have been in Western North Carolina for 17 years, ever since they bought a cabin high up on a mountain overlooking Bryson City. In 2014, the couple opened Valley River Brewing in Murphy, a venture that came to fruition when Harrah’s opened its Valley River Casino.
“I’ve been a homebrewer for a while and I always liked how I could be creative with the taste of a beer, how I could manipulate the flavors,” Greg said. “And, from an engineering standpoint, I enjoy the building of the brewery — putting the equipment all together, remodeling the interior from start to finish.”
Two years later, the Wasiks sold the brewery. And it wasn’t long after that where they had their sights on the current Angry Elk building. Constructed in 1958, the structure was originally a longtime diner, then a Mexican restaurant for several years.
“We’ve been trying to get this building for three years,” Greg said, sitting in the depths of Angry Elk. “And I always felt if the right opportunity came along that we’d do another [brewery].”
In his time between opening breweries, the Wasiks would head up to Alaska every summer, with Greg working as a fishing boat captain. With a Coast Guard tender license in-hand, Greg would take groups deep sea fishing on his 34-foot boat from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
“I was combining my retirement with the boating experience I had from owning big boats all my life,” Greg said. “We were trolling for salmon, bottom fishing for halibut, catching yelloweye rockfish.”
On the walls of Angry Elk are numerous photos of Greg on his wild adventures along the Alaskan coast. To that, there’s also many nods to the United States military, including an actual Army parachute on the ceiling. With many veterans in his own family, Greg aims to honor those who served, something felt with the brewery’s massive “Thank A Vet” chalkboard wall covered with names and odes to vets.
Surrounding Angry Elk is a 6-acre property that’s currently being developed into an RV park, with that built-in clientele adding to the “neighborhood” vibe of the brewery. In regards to culinary endeavors, there’s a rotating schedule of local food trucks in the parking lot.
Looking at the logistics of the brewery itself, it’s a 3.5-barrel
system, with Greg & Co. constantly brewing to keep up with over a dozen styles of ales on tap.
“Most every brewery has the basics — blonde, IPA, pale ale, dark beers. Sure, the beer is great at these places, but the brewery itself is the attraction,” Greg said. “And each brewery gets into its own creativity to make funky beers. But, for me, it’s also about just having a nice, comfortable place to sit down and enjoy the company of others — family, friends and strangers.”
So, what about the name, Angry Elk? Well, one summer, the Wasik’s were driving to Gatlinburg and passing by the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A well-known spot to view and admire herds of elk, the Wasiks had to stop and wait for the elk to get out of the road. It was the midst of rutting season and two male elk were butting heads in front of the Wasik’s vehicle.
“And their antlers were kind of all tangled up, doing this
With an array of handcrafted ales and food trucks, Angry Elk Brewing is located at 3312 U.S. Hwy 441 N in Whittier. The outdoor patio is pet-friendly. For more information, click on facebook.com/angryelkbrewingco or call 828.497.1015.
dance that was getting closer to our car,” Greg said. “I said to Sharon, ‘Do you think our insurance guy’s going to believe me when I tell him two elk destroyed the front of our car?’ She laughed and said, ‘Those elk look angry’ — that’s it, that’s what we’re going to name ourselves.”
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD
Hello from Room 5218 in the Falls Cottage King Suite at the Old Edwards Inn in downtown Highlands. It’s late Sunday morning with a slight drizzle and cool mountain air after two days of sunshine and mild temperatures.
No matter, put on your boots and make your way to the last day of the Bear Shadow Music Festival up here on the plateau. By the time my girlfriend and I pulled onto the Winfield Farm property, a warm sun broke through the once dark clouds amid a stiff breeze across the mountain ridges cradling the melodic gathering.
The intimate festival was impressive on several levels. Ticket sales capped at just a
ty much out of the question as long as I was under my folks’ roof.
The first order of business with the “new” car was for Ben and myself to get tickets to the upcoming PondStock music festival in a vast, empty field outside of the small rural town of Peru, New York. We knew a couple of the band names on the show poster, the rest were unknown. Who cares? Pack up the car and head for the rock show. Jump right in.
Camping gear. Cooler. Snacks. A six-pack of lukewarm Coors Light cans snatched from my grandfather’s garage fridge. Throw $10 of gas into the tank (at $0.89 a gallon at that time). Onward down Interstate 87 from Rouses Point to Peru. The unknown adventures and mischief of teenage boys wandering into PondStock dancing across the dashboard.
Several hours later, Ben and I were sitting on a muddy couch in the field, facing the brightly-lit stage, rockin’ out to some band playin’ some song. I don’t remember who was onstage. And it didn’t really matter, even at that juncture. At that moment, I felt such an attachment to the whirlwind scene enveloping myself and any within earshot.
couple thousand. Barely any lines and waiting for complimentary adult beverages. Ample room to move and groove. Clean bathrooms. Oh, and some of the finest live music on the planet — Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Neal Francis, Amythyst Kiah, Spoon, The Head & The Heart and more.
Standing there, I realized how much of a far cry this physical and emotional setting was compared to my first festival, way back in 2001 on Canadian Border, and also that of countless others throughout the decades of being a music freak in search of the sound, the way.
Back then, I was 16 years old in Upstate New York and had recently acquired my driver’s license. At the end of that summer heading into my junior year of high school, I bought a rusted out 1989 Toyota Camry for $300, a good chunk of my savings from working breakfast grill at our local McDonald’s on Route 11.
Hopping into the Camry, my best buddy Ben and I had the whole world laid out before our eyes. The open road. Total freedom. Well, at least regionally speaking, seeing as anything further on the map was pret-
During another raucous guitar solo offered by that anonymous band, I leaned over to Ben and mumbled, “Dude, we need to catch every festival we can from here on out to graduation.” He nodded in agreement, a trademark Cheshire Cat grin rolling across his face. The mud. The chaos. The throngs of humanity all crammed together for a weekend of loud music and fellowship? Sold. I was positioned on the verge of endless possibility with a driver’s license, car and a slew of festivals dotting the impending weekends on the calendar on the desk in my childhood bedroom.
Looking back now, at age 38, my festival attendance is now in the triple digits. Averaging about 10-15 a year, with over 25 in 2019 alone, there are hundreds of gatherings amid a great sea of humanity all flung together in the name of rock-n-roll. And, as per usual, there’s the mud and chaos, and also the continued loud music and fellowship. But, nowadays, like most millennials, I find that I’m drifting towards pursuit of the finer things in life — space to move and groove, easy access to drinks, clean bathrooms, etc. And I find it funny how things have shifted — tastes, standards, expectations. My
Country star Easton Corbin will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.
1
The magical world of Lewis Carroll's timeless story “Alice in Wonderland” will be showcased onstage by Kids at HART at 7:30 p.m. May 5 and 2 p.m. May 6-7 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. 3
2
Americana duo Jake Blount & Nic Gareiss will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 11, in the Queen Auditorium at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville. 4
The “Art After Dark” kickoff for the year will take place from 6-9 p.m. Friday, May 5, in downtown Waynesville.
5
Jackson County jazz collective We Three Swing will host a concert at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 6, in the Community Room of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.
generation was raised on the modern idea of festivals and explosion of events at seemingly every turn in the road of life. Sure, Monterey Pop in 1967 kicked off the invention of the rock festival. But, this modern chapter and largescale implementation of festivals is due to the creation of Bonnaroo in 2002.
That said, as I turned to my girlfriend at Bear Shadow, I smiled with a slight chuckle. Reminiscing, I told her all about that first festival of mine, PondStock. I mentioned all the hazy memories of mud and chaos, of cheap beer and shoddy camping gear. Cold nights in shabby sleeping bags. And I wouldn’t trade any of those experiences, not one.
But, I’ll be damned if the creature comforts and mere convenience of these boutique events isn’t worth every penny. Are we spoiled in our 21st century music freak ways and means? Perhaps. And yet, I think it’s just that my peers and I remember those oldschool festivals, and now we want to immerse ourselves in something of a more specialized, tailored experience.
“These new festivals are to our generation what fine dining was to our parents’ generation,” my girlfriend noted, to which I agreed wholeheartedly. Us millennial music freaks don’t care to join a country club or buy some fancy sports car or gigantic house on a hill (most of us can’t do that, anyhow, due to financial strains).
Nope, we want to (happily) spend our disposable income on moments of adventure and memories made in the here and now, with boutique festivals right near the top of the wish list of our lives, up there alongside overseas excursions and road trips across America in conversion vans. Onward. See you at the rock show.
Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.
‘The people came and listened, some of them came and played’Jason Isbell performed at Bear Shadow festival in Highlands.
Presented by Adamas Entertainment, the “Whole Bloomin’ Spring Festival After Party’’ featuring Red Clay Revival and J.J. Hipps & The Hideaway will be held from 6-11 p.m. Saturday, May 13, in The Lineside concert space at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville.
Born in the soul-basted countryside of Alabama, and brought to the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains to marinade and mature, Red Clay Revival delivers an experience that reshapes the parameters of “roots music” as it’s known.
Songsmith extraordinaire Doug McElvy lays a solid foundation at the epicenter of Red Clay’s musical magnitude. McElvy’s skillful, heart-driven compositions are orbited by the most notable and virtuosic musicians in the industry today.
Red Clay’s powerful live performance harnesses an energy that electrifies any room, leaving audiences with an embedded musical experience. The group has also performed alongside the likes of Larry Keel, Jeff Sipe and members of Greensky Bluegrass.
Hailing from Lenoir, the power rock trio known as J.J. Hipps & The Hideaway explores the endless depths of the blues, where a typical whirlwind set touches upon the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, The Allman Brothers Band and much more.
Admission is $5 at the door. Craft beer and cider will also be available for purchase. For more information, click on froglevelbrewing.com.
A community jam will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.
Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer or anything unplugged is invited to join. Singers are also welcomed to join in or you can just stop by and listen. The jam is facilitated by Larry Barnett of the Sawmill Creek Porch Band.
The community jams offer a chance for musicians of all ages and levels of ability to share music they have learned over the years or learn old-time mountain songs. The music jams are offered to the public each first and third Thursday of the month — spring, summer, fall. This program received support from the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment of the Arts. 828.488.3030.
• Altered Frequencies (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.342.8014 or alteredfrequencies.net.
• Angry Elk Brewing (Whittier) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. All shows are free and open to the public. 828.497.1015 or 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 or balsamfallsbrewing.com.
• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host a semi-regular acoustic jam with the Main Street NoTones from 7-9 p.m. every first and third Thursday of the month. Free and open to the public. For more information, click on blueridgebeerhub.com.
• Blue Stage (Andrews) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends.
Country star Easton Corbin will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.
Corbin exudes that signature country sound and stage presence. His distinctive baritone has been gracing airwaves for the past decade as his chart topping debut single “A Little More Country Than That” established Corbin as a mainstay on the country charts.
Billboard’s 2010 Top New Country
Artist would go on to garner another No. 1 hit with the feel-good “Roll With It” as well as seven Top 10 singles, further distinguishing himself from other male vocalists as a tried-and-true country traditionalist who weaves timeless story songs together while tipping his hat to the classic country artists who have come before him.
Tickets start at $28 per person, with priority seating available. For more information , click on smokymountainarts.com or call 866.273.4615.
828.361.2534 or gm@thebluestage.com.
• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host Taylor Knighton (singer-songwriter) May 6. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.634.0078 or curraheebrew.com.
• Farm At Old Edwards (Highlands) will host the “Orchard Sessions” with Martin & Kelly May 25. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $25 per person. For tickets, click on oldedwardshospitality.com/orchardsessions.
• Folkmoot Friendship Center (Waynesville) will host Jake Blount & Nic Gareiss (Americana) 7 p.m. May 11. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show. Ages 12 and under free. For tickets, click on folkmoot.org.
• Fontana Village Resort Wildwood Grill will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public.
800.849.2258 or fontanavillage.com.
• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host its weekly “Tuesday Jazz Series” at 5:30 p.m., Mitchell Russotti May 6, Kevin & Paul 3 p.m. May 7, Seth & Sara May 12 and The Whole Bloomin’ Thing Spring Festival with Red Clay Revival (Americana/indie) & J.J. Hipps (blues/rock) May 13. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. 828.454.5664 or froglevelbrewing.com.
• Frog Quarters (Franklin) will host Dave Stewart & Bill Peterson (Americana/folk)
May 13 and Barry
Roma (country/jazz)
May 20. All shows are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free and open to the public. Located at 573 East Main St. littletennessee.org or 828.369.8488.
• Happ’s Place (Glenville) will host Crocodile
Smile May 5, Jay Drummond (singer-songwriter) May 12 and Joe Owens (singer-songwriter) May 13. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. happsplace.com or 828.742.5700.
• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee) will host Alter Bridge (rock) 7 p.m. May 13. For a full schedule of events and/or to buy tickets, caesars.com/harrahscherokee.
• Highlander Mountain House (Highlands) will host a Sunday Bluegrass Residency noon to 2:30 p.m. and the Salon Series with Charlie Worsham (singer-songwriter) 8:30 p.m. May 6 (admission is $25). For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on highlandermountainhouse.com.
• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host “Trivia Night with Kirk” from 7-9 p.m. every Monday, Open Mic Night every Wednesday, David Cheatham (singer-songwriter) May 6,
Balsam Hot Club May 12 and Alma Russ & Bryson Evansn (Americana/indie) May 13. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com.
• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host “Music Bingo” on Wednesdays and semiregular live music on the weekends. All events begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com.
• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host “Music Bingo” 6 p.m. Tuesdays, trivia 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Open Mic 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.
• Meadowlark Motel (Maggie Valley) will host Celtic Friday 7 p.m. May 5, Woolybooger & The Ragtime Drifters (blues/indie) May 6 and Pigeon River Messengers (Americana/indie) May 13. All shows begin at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on meadowlarkmotel.com or 828.926.1717.
• Moss Valley (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. Food trucks and beverages available onsite. Bring a lawn chair. Presented by Drake Software.
• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will Alma Russ & Bryson Evans (Americana/indie) 5 p.m. May 14. All shows begin at 6 p.m unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 or mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.
• Nantahala Brewing Outpost (Sylva) will host Marshall Bellew (singer-songwriter) May 13. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.641.9797 or nantahalabrewing.com.
• Nantahala Outdoor Center (Nantahala Gorge) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows behind at 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. noc.com.
• Orchard Coffee (Waynesville) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. 828.246.9264 or orchardcoffeeroasters.com.
• Pickin’ On The Square (Franklin) will be held May 13 and 27. All shows begin at 6
p.m. at the Gazebo in downtown. Free and open to the public. franklinnc.com/pickinon-the-square.html.
• 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 or facebook.com/quirkybirdstreehouse.
• Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.369.6796.
• Salty Dog’s Seafood & Grill (Maggie Valley) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.926.9105.
• The Scotsman (Waynesville) will host a “Celtic Jam” 2-5 p.m. Sundays, Bridget Gossett (singer-songwriter) May 4, Spiro & The Conspirators (rock/blues) May 5, Rene Russell (Americana/rock) May 11, Different Light (rock/blues) May 12 and Celtic Road Jam 4 p.m. May 13. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.6292 or scotsmanpublic.com.
• SlopeSide Tavern (Sapphire) will host Seth & Sara May 4. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.743.8655 or slopesidetavern.com.
• Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will host Easton Corbin (country) 7:30 p.m. May 6. Tickets start at $28 with priority seating available. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on smokymountainarts.com or 828.524.1598.
• Southern Porch (Canton) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.492.8009 or southern-porch.com.
• Stecoah Valley Center (Robbinsville) will host a Community Jam 5:30 p.m. May 16 and semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.479.3364 or stecoahvalleycenter.com.
• The Ugly Dog Pub (Cashiers) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. 828.743.3000 or theuglydogpub.com.
• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends.
As part of the Folkmoot LIVE! concert series, Americana duo Jake Blount & Nic Gareiss will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 11, in the Queen Auditorium at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville.
Blount is a singer and multi-instrumentalist described by NPR as “an Afrofuturist in rootsmusic garb.” A winner of the 2021 Steve Martin Banjo Prize and a Smithsonian Folkways recording artist, American Songwriter has dubbed him the “King of Roots.”
Percussive dancer Nic Gareiss (Lansing, MI) has been named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch,” and has been hailed by The New York Times for their “dexterous melding of Irish and Appalachian dance.” In 2020, Gareiss received the Michigan Heritage Award, the highest honor his home state bestows on traditional artists.
Blount and Gareiss are not only skilled performers, but researchers with degrees in ethnomusicology and ethnochoreology. Their years of experience as performers, educators and scholars in their respective traditions have drawn them close to the creative force at the heart of music-making.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Come early to eat at the local food trucks parked out front. There will also be beer and wine service available.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show. Ages 12 and under free. For tickets, click on folkmoot.org.
828.526.8364 or theuglydogpub.com.
• Unplugged Pub (Bryson City) will host Blackjack Country May 4, Tricia Ann Band May 5, Outlaw Whiskey May 6, Blue May 11, Jon Cox Band May 12 and Tammy & The Tune Twisters May 13. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.2488.
• Valley Cigar & Wine Co. (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.944.0686 or valleycigarandwineco.com.
• Valley Tavern (Maggie Valley) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.926.7440 or valley-tavern.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 or facebook.com/waternhole.bar.
• Whiteside Brewing (Cashiers) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.743.6000 or whitesidebrewing.com.
• Wine Bar & Cellar (Sylva) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. 828.631.3075 or facebook.com/thewinebarandcellar.
• Yonder Community Market (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. Donations encouraged. 828.200.2169 or eatrealfoodinc.com.
Jackson County jazz collective We Three Swing will host a concert at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 6, in the Community Room of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.
We Three Swing will perform lesser-known vocal jazz standards from the rich and unique Great American Songbook (1930-1960). The members of the band are drummer Elias Grimsley, bassist Michael Collings, vocalist Cara Rimmer, saxophonist Tyler Kittle and pianist Duncan LeMay. This program is open to all ages and is free of charge. For more information, please call the library at 828.586.2016 or email at jcpl-adults@fontanalib.org. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library and the Jackson County Arts Council.
The Jackson County Public Library is a member of Fontana Regional Library (fontanalib.org).
There will be a contra dance class offered from 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin.
Contra dance is considered the most accessible and sociable of all dances, with participants moving in two long facing lines or in groups, and with frequent partner changes. With its roots in the British Isles and France, contra dance has become a traditional American dance form.
No experience is needed to contra dance. All dances are taught. Beginners’ lessons start at 6:30 p.m., with dancing from 7-9 p.m. No need to bring a partner, but you’re welcome to do so. You may also bring a closed water container and snack. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Masks are encouraged, but not required. Please don’t wear perfumes or strong scents. Suggested donation of $10 per person, which helps pay for the musicians and callers for the evening. This project is hosted by the Arts Council of Macon County and supported by a generous gift from The James Edward Hudock Trust.
The 20th annual “Thunder in the Smokies” spring rally will be held May 5-7 at the Maggie Valley Fairgrounds.
The oldest and largest motorcycle rally in the Great Smoky Mountains, the weekend celebration will feature live music, dozens of vendors, motorcycle shows/games, prizes and much more. For more information, a full schedule of events and/or to purchase tickets, click on thunderinthesmokies.com.
Dale’s Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley will offer free admission to Haywood County residents on the first Saturday of each month throughout its 2023 season.
From one-offs and factory racing specials to the world’s rarest motorcycle, the collection at Wheels Through Time features over 375 of the world’s rarest and most sought-after American motorcycles from over 30 manufacturers, all housed in an immersive environment that whisks you back to a bygone era of American transportation history.
“We know that with the current economy and the closing of the papermill, many families will be watching expenses this year,” said curator Matt Walksler. “We wanted to find a way to pay it forward to them and offer a local opportunity to do something fun and not have to worry about the cost.”
The museum was recently featured on the new season of the hit television show
“American Pickers” when show host Mike Wolfe brought five bikes to the museum for Walksler to get running again.
The museum is located at 62 Vintage Lane in Maggie Valley and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday until Nov. 20. Free admission for Haywood County resi-
dents will be the first Saturday of each month. Those wishing to take advantage of this opportunity must bring a driver’s license showing a Haywood County address. For more information about the museum visit wheelsthroughtime.com.
MAGGIEVALLEYCLUB&RESORT
BREAKFAST
ClassicEggsBenedict
GardenScramblewithSpinach, ParmesanandFreshHerbs
StoneGroundGrits
ApplewoodSmokedBacon&Maple Sausage
BlueberryPancakeswithMapleSyrup andHoneyButter
LoadedBakedPotatoBarwith
AssortedToppings&Condiments
GreenBeanAmandine
BrusselsSproutswithBaconand
Balsamic
CARVINGSTATION
RosemaryandGarlicRubbed
PorkLoin
LondonBroilwithHerbButter
NewYorkStyleCheeseCake
FreshlyBakedCookies&Brownies
StrawberryShortcake
IceCreamSundaes
LittleGemLettuces
CaesarSalad
MediterraneanVegetableSalad
SmokedSalmonwithTraditional Accompaniments
CharcuterieandArtisanalCheeses
CavatappiPastaSaladwithFresh
MozzarellaandCherryTomatoes
SlicedMelonandSeasonalBerries
BraisedChickenCacciatorewith StewedTomatoesandRoasted
Peppers
ShrimpandAndouilleSausage
Gumbo
RitzCrackerCrustedSalmonwith LemonButter
The magical world of Lewis Carroll’s timeless story “Alice in Wonderland” will be showcased onstage by Kids at HART at 7:30 p.m. May 5 and 2 p.m. May 6-7 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.
Follow Alice down the rabbit hole and join her on her adventures through Wonderland. Meet the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts, as well as a host of other fantastical characters that will delight and entertain audiences of all ages.
The talented cast of 47, under the direction of Shelia Sumpter and student director, Savanna Shaw, brings energy and enthusiasm to their performances, ensuring that this production will be a hit with audiences young and old.
“We’re thrilled to bring this classic story to the stage,” said Shelia Sumpter. “Our production of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ promises to be a fun and exciting experience for audiences of all ages. It’s a show that the whole family can enjoy together.”
As well, there are also spots available for tickets to the “Mad Hatter’s Tea Party” after
the Sunday performances, April 30 and May 7. Tickets for “Alice in Wonderland” and the “Mad Hatter’s Tea Party” are avail-
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. To make reservations, call the HART Box Office at 828.456.6322 or go to harttheatre.org to make reservations online.
HART Box Office winter hours are 3-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Beginning May 2, hours will expand from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. HART is located at 250 Pigeon St. in Waynesville.
The Dance Arts Co-Op’s production of Shakespeare’s comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The Ballet” will hit the stage at 7 p.m. May 12 and 2:30 p.m. May 13 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.
Escape into an enchanted fairy love story. Set in a magical forest, you’ll follow prankster sprite Puck as she attempts to trick the beautiful fairy queen Titania and sets the realm of dragonflies, fairies and bugs into chaos.
This full-scale short ballet features local dance students from all areas of Macon County. For the second act of this two-part show, the Co-Op will showcase other dance genres in an entertaining variety of dance performances, including pieces in contemporary, lyrical, tap, African and jazz dance styles.
Tickets are $13 for adults, $15 day of event with students $10 in advance, $12 day of event. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on smokymountainarts.com or call 866.273.4615.
• “Spring Festival BBQ & Art Show” from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the Bryson City Wine Market. For more information, call 828.538.0420.
• “Flights & Bites” will be held starting at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in downtown Waynesville. For more information on upcoming events, wine tastings and special dinners, click on waynesvillewine.com.
• “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. For more information, call 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. For more information and/or to register, call 800.872.4681 or click on gsmr.com.
Find
Our
The “Art After Dark” kickoff for the year will take place from 6-9 p.m. Friday, May 5, in downtown Waynesville.
Each first Friday of the month (MayDecember), Main Street transforms into an evening of art, live music, finger foods, beverages and shopping as artisan studios and galleries keep their doors open later for local residents and visitors alike.
Participants include TPennington Art Gallery, Twigs & Leaves Gallery, Haywood Handmade Gallery, Jo Ridge Kelley Fine Art, Sun Sohovich Art Gallery Studio, Green Hill Gallery, Curatory Gallery and The Corner Station amongst other businesses.
For more information, click on downtownwaynesville.com.
The Friends of the Greenway (FROG) will host an arts and crafts fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the FROG Quarters, located at 573 East Main St. in Franklin.
A wide array of artisan booths will be onsite. Vendor fees, food purchases and purchased raffle tickets will benefit FROG. Live music will also be ongoing during the event with appearances by George James, Ansley McAllister, Jim Austin Trio, Kornbread Kreek, and Sheila Krause & Jaimee Tomas.
For more information, call 828.369.8488 or click on littletennessee.org.
• The immersive installation “Courtney M. Leonard — BREACH: Logbook | CORIOLIS” is currently being showcased through May 5 in the Fine Art Museum at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Created by the Shinnecock Nation ceramic artist as part of Leonard’s BREACH series, the exhibition explores cultural and historical connections to water, fishing practices and sustainability. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. Free and open to the public. For more information, click on arts.wcu.edu/breach.
• Summer Artisans Market will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month through September at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Artisan vendors and more. For more information, go to noc.com.
• Farmer’s Market (with artisans) will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through October at 117 Island St.
in Bryson City. Stop by the old barn by the river for local, homegrown produce, as well as baked goods, jellies and preserves, authentic crafts and more. Food truck, picnic tables and live music. Leashed pets are welcome. Outdoor event. 828.488.7857.
• Jackson County Green Energy Park (Dillsboro) will be offering a slew of classes, events and activities for artisans, locals and visitors. For more information and a full schedule, click on jcgep.org.
• Southwestern Community College Swain Arts Center (Bryson City) will host an array of workshops for adults and kids. For more information on the upcoming classes and/or to sign-up, click on southwesterncc.edu/scc-locations/swaincenter.
• Dogwood Crafters in Dillsboro will offer a selection of upcoming art classes and workshops. For more information and a full schedule of activities, click on dogwoodcrafters.com/classes.html or call 828.586.2248.
Don’t worry. We’re not going to explore the relationship of Mrs. Bennet with her daughters in “Pride and Prejudice” or the nature of Marmee March in “Little Women,” who prayed “the fervent prayers only mothers utter.”
No such thing. Here we’re going to look at homemade gifts for Mom from old and young alike, all of them centered around literature. These gifts are fun, easily made or put into action, and should appeal to a broad range of mothers, booklovers or not.
First up on the agenda are gifts from the little ones. Most moms delight in drawings and fingerpaints from their preschoolers. You can make this Mother’s Day gift even more special by copying out an appropriate poem, then having your youngster color around it with crayons or markers. Search online for “58 Short Mother’s Day Poems to Make Mom Feel Special,” and you’ll find a garden of such verse. Here’s one to get you started, composed by that famous poet, Anonymous:
I’ve made some Mother’s Day flowers, With my fingers and my thumb, So you’ll always have these memories, For all the years to come.
Or if you prefer, have your 3-year-old make a drawing, memorize a poem, and recite it to Mom while presenting her with the picture.
Now it’s time to climb up the ladder of years a few rungs. If you’re between the ages of 10 and 20, here’s a present that will cost you nothing except time and should impress the heck out of your mother or grandmother. Like those in the toddler crew, memorize a poem, longer and more sophisticated, of course, and recite it with a bit of feeling on Mother’s Day. Again, just explore online for verses about mothers, and you’re sure to find a poem you like. Here, for example, is Rudyard Kipling’s “Mother o’ Mine,” which I especially recommend to young people who have given their mothers fits over the years:
If I were hanged on the highest hill, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine!
I know whose love would follow me still, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine!
If I were drowned in the deepest sea, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine!
I know whose tears would come down to me, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine!
If I were damned of body and soul, I know whose prayers would make me whole, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine!
One warning regarding this particular poem is in order: Recite it straight, gang, rather than campy or snarky. Otherwise, Mom might think that maybe you deserve that hanging.
Time next for some literary surprises. All you need are some sheets of paper and a pen, and if you wish, some markers to add color to your inscriptions. Tap a few keys on your laptop for “literary quotes about mothers,” and you’re in business. I liked Amanda Kennedy’s survey of quotes at Glamumous,
original poem to your mother or grandmother. If you have younger children in the home, help them compose a few lines about Mom. If you’re older, take a shot at composing a Mother’s Day verse or, if you prefer prose, simply write out a couple of paragraphs or more describing what she means to you.
And if you do have a book lover for a wife, mom, or grandmother and want more than these do-it-yourself gifts? Just head out to your local bookshop, where you should
where we find thoughts like these: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.: “Youth fades; love droops; the leaves of friendship fall; A mother’s secret hope outlives them all;” Jodi Picoult: “The best place to cry is on a mother’s arms;” and William Makepeace
Thackeray’s “Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.”
Write out your favorite quotes, fold them up, and put them wherever Mom is likely to find them: her jewelry box, her briefcase, beside the creamer in the refrigerator, on top of her pillow. This will give her a day of delights, and if she misses one or two, all the better. They’ll bring her a smile later when she finds them later.
This next one’s more difficult. Write an
find books about moms, cards, coffee mugs, and other gifts. Or if you wish, purchase a store gift card, tuck it into an envelope with a note, and you’re all set.
Do these things, add some carnations, chocolates, and a special meal, and you’ll surely have made this a good day.
Happy Mother’s Day to all! And for those for whom Mother’s Day means sorrow, tears, anger, or regret, you have my sympathies. In more ways than I would ever share here, I understand.
(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.)
BY HOLLY KAYS OUTDOORS E DITOR
For the first time in its 114-year history, the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust is saying goodbye to a full-time executive director and welcoming a new one. Gary Wein, who was hired as HCLT’s first full-time employee in 2006, is retiring after nearly 17 years of service. Lance Hardin, who previously served as the organization’s finance and development associate, took over Wein’s old job May 1.
Originally from Tidewater, Virginia, Hardin, 57, has lived most of his adult life in Raleigh but continually returned to Highlands for vacations, living and enrolling his children in school there 2006-2008 during a period of remote work. After spending three decades working for “Big Four” accounting firm Ernst & Young, Hardin went back to school, earning a master’s degree in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University.
“People asked me then, ‘What are you going to do with this combination of accounting background, financial background and
kind of a deep dive on Appalachian culture?”’ and I said, ‘If the stars aligned, I'd love to work in land conservation, and I'd love to be doing it in Macon County,’” Hardin said. “So it really in some respects is kind of a dream come true that the stars did align.”
In 2021, Hardin and his wife Gwyn moved back to Highlands and embarked on a thruhike of the Appalachian Trail. They made it as far as Massachusetts before an ankle injury took them off the trail and then returned to Western North Carolina, where Hardin began working with HCLT in 2022. He interned there in 2020.
Hardin’s career with HCLT began as Wein contemplated ending his. The timing felt right. When Wein joined HCLT in 2006, the organization had conserved fewer than 1,000 acres in its nearly 100 years of existence. Now, that number is nearing 4,000.
“I feel good about where the land trust is and can retire knowing that HCLT is equipped to handle the conservation challenges that lie
ahead,” Wein said. “I am leaving the organization in very good hands.”
Wein and Hardin bring vastly different backgrounds to the task of conserving land on the Highlands-Cashiers plateau. Wein holds a Ph.D. in botany and had a career in academia before leading HCLT, and while serving as the organization’s executive director he continued as an adjunct at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and on the graduate faculty at Western Carolina University. Further back, Wein was a ranger at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, where he acquired a love of working with children. Over the years, he has accrued vast experience in wetlands restoration, landscape ecology and natural history.
Hardin comes to conservation from an entirely different angle than Wein’s ecologyoriented background.
“I really enjoy focusing on man's involvement with the outdoors and man's mark on the land,” he said. “People think that we've got pristine wilderness, but really, there's very little of Western North Carolina that hasn't been influenced by man, and so understanding that, what's good about that, what needs to be mitigated about that, has always really interested me.”
Hardin’s interest in the region’s cultural history is apparent in the thesis he wrote for his master’s degree, examining how the Fontana Dam project impacted the people of North Shore. For that project, he interviewed displaced families and turned a critical eye to Tennessee Valley Authority statistics claiming that Swain County people were economically better off after the dam project. That held true, he found, only when factoring in the single men who had moved from dam to dam to work on TVA projects, of which Fontana was one of the last. Many of them were able to save enough money to buy a house in Swain County after the Fontana project ended, but displaced locals were overwhelmingly worse off than before.
In addition to protecting natural habitats and viewsheds, Hardin said he wants to prioritize conservation of cultural resources that tell the “incredible” human history of the mountain region.
Hardin will also bring an expertise in finance, administration and tax laws that is indispensable in land conservation efforts. Conservation easement and conservation purchase deals are complex arrangements that can take years to complete. Success depends not only on a willing landowner, but also on funding the purchase or easement price as well as any necessary appraisals, surveys and legal documents — and on an accurate understanding of tax laws, ensuring property owners have the highest possible incentive to protect their land from development.
Participants
Lightning ignited a wildfire in the Linville Gorge Wilderness last week, but humid conditions and rainfall allowed firefighters to take an indirect approach in their response, limiting impact to the wilderness area.
The Babel Fire was reported Tuesday, April 25, in a remote area between Cabin Trail and
Babel Tower Trail in Burke County and grew to 12 acres before humid conditions moved in.
Firefighters then fell back to Old N.C. 105 to stop the fire if it approached the road. No fire lines were constructed, and no firing operations took place.
Fire crews returned later to the fire to monitor assess remaining fire activity. Fire activity was minimal with no growth and only minimal residual smoke. No additional fire growth is expected.
“Saving land takes resources,” Hardin said. “It takes money, it takes an understanding of the legal process, it takes an understanding of risk, and so that's what I certainly bring.”
In the future, Hardin expects those skills to become more important than ever. As in communities throughout Western North Carolina, property values on the plateau have skyrocketed since the pandemic’s arrival, ratcheting up the challenge for land trusts like HCLT.
“It's a very challenging time to be doing what we're doing, and the need has never been greater to be out there on the forefront, be very strategic about identifying the properties that we need to, and really going after them like we maybe haven’t had to in the past,” Hardin said.
The land trust considers multiple factors when deciding whether to pursue a conservation project. These include biodiversity, water resources, recreation value, cultural resources and whether development on the property would impact beloved views. Prioritizing projects requires careful thought and property-by-property analysis.
HCLT is just one of many land trusts working to protect WNC forests, meadows and farmland from development. One of
those organizations, Mainspring Conservation Trust, is headquartered just down the mountain in Franklin. Hardin said that, while HCLT has a “collegial” relationship with other area land trusts, it has a unique mission. It exists specifically to protect properties on and around the plateau, which are often smaller and more expensive per acre than projects other land trusts are likely to take on.
“There's a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes, whether it's appraisals, it's working with the landowner, it's helping them work with their financial advisors, it's surveying, it's doing the benchmark studies that document why their property should be preserved, and that's the same for any size property,” Hardin said. “We're predominantly southern Macon and Jackson County, and just the property values are such that we can afford, or the landowners can afford, to do that analysis of net worth for a much smaller property.”
It's important work, Hardin said, and as “unprecedented” growth continues on the plateau, the clock is ticking. New houses go up every day, often on steep hillsides that most people had assumed would never be economically viable for construction.
“The passion,” he said, “is about conserving what makes this area so special.”
A recently signed memorandum of understanding between the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the N.C. Department of Transportation signals the agencies’ commitment to work together to improve infrastructure and safety for wildlife and people on roads in North Carolina.
Both agencies share common goals to make highways less hazardous for wildlife and reduce the impact highways have on important habitats. The partnership aims to develop effective and efficient passages for various species of wildlife to reduce highway hazards for motorists and wildlife, while minimizing habitat fragmentation.
Over the decades, collaboration between these agencies has resulted in 26 wildlife crossing structures being built across the state. Examples include a passage corridor along Cold Springs Creek and Harmon Den Road under Interstate 40 in Haywood County as well as three underpasses on Interstate 140 south of Wilmington in Brunswick County. NCDOT and NCWRC are currently collaborating on 11 additional projects in various stages of planning, with several awaiting construction while others are still in the design phase.
“NCDOT is committed to work with our partners to improve North Carolina’s roads for
Take an easy walk at the Nodding Trillium Nature Preserve in Cullowhee and get an in-depth lesson on the area’s botanical and geologic background, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, May 12.
Dan Pittillo, who owns the property and
Greenbrier Road, Porters Creek Trail, Brushy Mountain Trail and campsites 31, 32 and 33 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are now open to public use.
Old Settlers Trail and Grapeyard Ridge Trail reopened to public use earlier this month. Ramsey Cascades Road and Ramsey Cascades Trail will remain closed until the
both the safety of the traveling public and wildlife,” NCDOT Chief Engineer Chris Peoples said. “We will continue to work with our partners to examine wildlife vehicle mortality data, monitor crossing structures and identify new crossings and mitigation strategies in North Carolina.”
According to NCDOT, 20,331 wildlifevehicle collisions were reported across the state in 2019, and 18,607 such collisions were reported in 2020 — a decrease the NCDOT largely attributes to reduced travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. A 2021 release from the
is a retired Western Carolina University biology professor, will lead the walk, covering 1 mile with 260 feet in elevation gain through narrow woodland foot trails.
Participants should bring lunch and plenty of water, and no pets. In case of inclement weather, the outing will be rescheduled to May 17. Organized by MountainTrue. Cost is $5 for members and $15 for nonmembers. Sign up at mountaintrue.org/event/nature-walk-at-nodding-trilliums-private-nature-preserve-in-cullowhee.
department estimated that 7 percent of all reported vehicle crashes in the state involve animal strikes, with almost half occurring in the twilight hours or at night, between October and December.
Both agencies recognize the need for a collaborative relationship to accommodate the ongoing and projected population increase and consequent demand for movement of goods, services and people in the state as well as the impacts highways have on North Carolina’s wildlife and environment.
“As more and more people move to North
A virtual meeting offering updates on the Red Wolf Recovery Program will be held 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday, May 10.
During this meeting, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will discuss revitalized recovery
Learn to fly fish this month with lessons and expeditions offered by Haywood County Recreation.
Tommy Thomas will teach a two-day course on casting 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fridays, May 12 and 19, on Richland Creek in the Waynesville Recreation Park. At 5:30 p.m.
Carolina, the landscape changes with additional development, new roads, additional road lanes and overall, more vehicles on the highways,” said NCWRC Chief Deputy Director Kyle Briggs. “Unfortunately, the effect on wildlife from those actions often results in habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and increased wildlife-vehicle collisions.”
This partnership will improve data collection for wildlife vehicle mortality, continued monitoring of wildlife crossing structures and identification of new crossings and wildlife mitigation strategies. As part of continued collaboration during NCDOT’s project planning processes, NCWRC will develop a “Wildlife Passage Guidance” document that will aide in the familiarity and incorporation of standard prescriptions for highway projects.
These efforts will be aided by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated $350 million for the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, helping fund projects in all 50 states. This marked the first time Congress has made a major investment in wildlife crossings. The North Carolina General Assembly is considering allocating resources to wildlife passages that could be leveraged to match the available federal funding within the pilot program.
efforts for the species, the status of recovery efforts in the eastern North Carolina Red Wolf Population area and future planning efforts for the recovery of the species.
For information about how to attend and participate in the meeting, visit fws.gov/project/redwolf-recovery-program. Questions may be submitted in advance during the registration process but will also be taken live online.
trail is safe to open to hikers. Trail crews are rerouting sections of the trail and rebuilding foot log bridges that were washed out last summer during a July 2022 flood event. During the same flood, the road, trails and culverts were damaged, causing Greenbrier Road to be closed beyond the ranger station. Earlier this year road crews repaired the road, stabilized the slope and replaced culverts.
Mondays, May 8 and 22, Ray Sugg will lead fly fishing expeditions for participants with basic skills, also on Richland Creek at Haywood Recreation Park.
For the casting course, no fishing license is required and loaner rods are available. For the expedition, a fishing license is required and participants must bring their own rod and flies.
Registration for either program is $10. Sign up at haywoodcountync.gov/recreation.
Meet the “old timers” of Trout Unlimited Cataloochee during the chapter’s next meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, at the Valley Tavern in Maggie Valley.
The event will start with storytelling, a social hour and swap meet at 5:30 p.m. and old members will fill the guest speaker slot at 6:30 with tales of the “good old days” of the local TU chapter. A 50/50 drawing will be held.
Brian Railsback, an English professor at Western Carolina University, has received the 2023 Steve Kemp Writers’ Residency from the Great Smoky Mountains Association.
Railsback will live in the park for a total of six weeks while also working with program namesake Steve Kemp and GSMA Creative Director Frances Figart, who oversees the program, as well as other park professionals and partners. During the residency, Railsback plans to finish a novel about a man who has turned into a black bear. His wife sets out to track and kill the beast who she believes has killed her husband.
“I can think of nothing better than to be immersed in the park as I fine-tune the book’s vision,” said Railsback. “Because the novel is at heart a fantasy, it must be carefully ground-
A search of the Deep Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is ongoing following the disappearance of Gordon Kaye, 68, of Tampa, Florida.
Kaye was last seen near a backcountry campsite Sunday, April 23, and reported missing Wednesday, April 26. A white male with brown hair and blue eyes, Kaye is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs over 200 pounds. He is an experienced hiker, camper and hunter and had reserved a campsite at Deep Creek Campground for 14 days.
More than 120 people from 29 agencies and three states are helping the National Park Service with this search. These include Swain County Emergency Management and EMS, Cherokee Fire and Rescue, Graham County Emergency Management, Graham County Rescue Squad, Appalachian Mountain Rescue Team, Swain County Rescue, Haywood County Search and Rescue, Haywood County Emergency Management, Haywood County Incident Management Team, Jackson County Rescue Squad, Cullowhee Fire and Rescue, Qualla Fire Department, Cherokee County Search and Rescue, Cowee Fire, North Carolina Emergency Management, North Carolina Wildlife, Asheville Fire Department, BUSAR, Cherokee County Emergency Management, Henderson County Rescue Squad, Linville Central Rescue Squad, Knoxville Police Department, South Carolina Search and Rescue, South Carolina
ed in the realities of regional flora and fauna and certainly observed black bear behavior.”
In his scholarly work, Railsback examines the intersections of literature and environment. He has published numerous articles, essays and book chapters, including the nonfiction “Parallel Expeditions: Charles Darwin and the Art of John Steinbeck” and the novel “The Darkest Clearing.” In 2006, he won the Hemingway-inspired Prose for Papa Short Story Award, and in 2015, he was elected to the editorial board of “The Steinbeck Review,” a publication on the life and works of John Steinbeck.
The annual residency, named for 30-year GSMA veteran Steve Kemp, is designed to help writers of any medium connect in mean-
ingful ways with Great Smoky Mountains National Park, providing space for each individual to focus on his or her craft in a retreatlike setting while potentially inspiring some of their best work.
“We had some really strong candidates for this year’s residency, but the selection committee agreed that Brian’s blend of fiction with natural history is in a category all its own,” said Figart. “He is already so attuned to lessons only the natural world can teach; we cannot wait to see what he is going to do with the park’s inspiration.”
For more information on GSMA and the Steve Kemp Writer's Residency, visit smokiesinformation.org/the-steve-kemp-writersresidency.
The Festival of Peonies in Bloom will return to Wildcat Ridge Farm Monday, May 1, providing a daily opportunity for the public to witness fields of flowers, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through May 31.
Herbaceous and intersectional peony plants and peony flowers will be available for sale — just bring a bucket.
The farm is located at 3552 Panther Creek Road in the Crabtree area of Haywood County. 828.627.6751 or wildcatridgefarm.com.
Pride Search Dog Team, Ash Rande Rescue, North Carolina Forest Service. South Orange Rescue Squad, Chattanooga Hamilton Rescue Squad and Spartanburg County Rescue Squad.
Call Smokies Dispatch at 865.436.1230 or Swain County Dispatch at 828.488.2196 with any possible sightings of Kaye or information about his whereabouts.
The annual Whole Bloomin’ Thing Spring Festival will return to Frog Level in Waynesville 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 13.
The festival will feature a variety of vendors selling flowering baskets, vegetable and herb plants, berry bushes, potted plants, trees, perennials and more. Fresh local produce and organic beef will be for sale, as well as local crafts and food for purchase. Live entertainment and children’s activities will be ongoing, with Frog Level businesses keeping their doors open as well. historicfroglevel.com.
Are you interested in a healthcare career?
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The Nurse Aide I Training Program at Haywood Regional Medical Center is designed to provide entry level Nurse Aide students with skills essential for providing patient care under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse.
Deadline to Apply: May 29
BY ADAM B IGELOW
MyHaywoodRegional.org/nurse-aide-training
Puzzles can be found on page 38
These are only the answers.
Trilliums,
Trilliums are some of the most beautiful and iconic wildflowers in the world, and the Southern Appalachian Mountains are a filled with many different trillium species. Wake-robins, toadshades, bashful trilliums, large white trilliums, painted trilliums, and so many more. There are trilliums with white flowers, red flowers, maroon, yellow and pink flowers. Even some trilliums with variegated patterns on their petals, or variegation or mottling on their leaves.
There are at least 13 species of trillium in North Carolina, 14 in South Carolina, 16 in Alabama, 18 in Tennessee and 20 in Georgia. Most of those species grow in the mountainous areas of those states, so were we to consider the entire bioregion of Southern Appalachia, we would be the trillium capital of the world (which we are).
Most everything about trilliums comes in threes. Three leaves, three petals and three sepals. Sepals are modified leaves that form the outer covering of flower buds that then open and hold the flowers from below. Trilliums even have three stigmas, which of course are one of the parts of the flower. You remember the names for all the flower parts, I’m sure. Especially as you were taught them in elementary school. Flower structures are divided into two parts, the female and male parts of the flower. The female flower parts, where seeds are developed, are called the pistil, which are comprised of the stigma, style and ovary. The male parts are called stamens, and are comprised of the anther, which produces pollen, on a stalk called a filament.
There are three general types of trilliums, continuing the triplet theme of this plant. There are trilliums whose flowers arise right on top of the leaves and have no flower stalk. These are called sessile, which means without a stalk. The term can be applied to flowers or leaves in describing parts of plants. The sessile trilliums that grow around us include little sweet betsy (Trillium cuneatum) with maroon flowers that smell sweet, and the yel-
low trillium (Trillium luteum) which have yellow flowers and smell like lemon custard. Both trilliums have mottled leaves and are closely related enough that they can hybridize when growing in the same area. These hybrids produce a brown flower with a sweet scent.
The other categories of trilliums are those whose flowers are born on a stalk, or pedicel. These stalked trilliums can hold the flower above the leaves, like the wake-robin (Trillium erectum) and large white trillium (Trillium grandiflorum). And then there are the nodding trilliums, whose stalked flowers hang below the leaves, often seeming to hide from view. Examples of nodding trilliums in our area include Vasey’s trillium (Trillium vaseyi), southern nodding trillium (Trillium rugelii) and Catesby’s trillium (Trillium catesbei). These trilliums are named for historic botanists George Vasey, Ferdinand Rugel and Mark Catesby, respectively. However, I prefer to call Trillium catesbei by one of its other common names, the bashful trillium, since the flower is hiding below the leaves and blushes pink when you flip up the leaves to look at it.
Trillium seeds have developed an interesting way to spread themselves around. The seeds of trilliums have a fleshy, protein-rich attachment on their seeds called an elaiosome that is a delicacy to ants. Ants take the seeds back to their homes, where they eat the elaiosome. But native ants do not eat the the trillium seeds. Rather, once the elaiosome is off, the seed is taken to the waste pile in each ant mound, effectively planted by the ants. This method of seed dispersal by ants is known as myrmecochory. So, if you see a cluster of trilliums growing in the woods close together, often with their flowers facing different directions, they were probably planted by ants, or even by yellowjacket wasps, which have also been found to enjoy elaiosomes and plant the seeds. Who knew ants and wasps were such prolific gardeners?
(Adam Bigelow lives in Cullowhee and leads weekly wildflower walks most Fridays and offers consultations and private group tours through Bigelow's Botanical Excursions. bigelownc@gmail.com.)
• The Jackson County Farmers Market meets every Saturday November through March 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and April through October 9 a.m.-noon at Bridge Park in Sylva, 110 Railroad St. Special events listed on Facebook and Instagram.
• Cowee School Farmer’s Market is held Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m., at 51 Cowee School Drive in Franklin. The market has produce, plant starts, eggs, baked goods, flowers, food trucks and music. For more information or for an application, visit www.coweeschool.org or call 828.369.4080.
• WestBridge Vocational, a nonprofit organization will host a Fire Truck Pull 1-5 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at Smoky Mountain High School Track. The funds raised are in support of its mission - connecting people to opportunity. For more information visit www.westbridgevoc.org or email mrogers@westbridgevoc.org.
• Volunteers are wanted to help the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission stock trout into the West Fork Pigeon River in Haywood County beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, May 8. Stocking will take about three hours, with at least 25 volunteers needed. For more information contact tucataloochee427@gmail.com.
• A Feldenkrais class will be held 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Conference Room A1. Feldenkrais uses gentle movement and directed awareness to help you increase ease of movement and improve flexibility and coordination. Walk-ins welcome, mats not supplied. Class costs $18$25 on a sliding scale, to register or learn more call 505.438.9109 or email eetm2023@proton.me.
• A Feldenkrais Mini-Workshop on “Experiencing a Flexible Chest” will be held 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Conference Room A1. A free introductory class will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, May 5. Bring a mat. Workshop costs $50, cash and checks accepted. To register or learn more call 505.438.9109 or email eetm2023@proton.me.
• Mountain Area pregnancy Services and the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor work together to provide a casual support group for prenatal and breastfeeding individuals from 1-2 p.m. on Tuesdays at Mountain Area Pregnancy Services, 177 N Main St. Waynesville, NC. All are welcome, registration is recommended. For more information, please call 828.558.4550.
• Chess 101 takes place 3:30-4:30 p.m. every Friday at the Canton Branch of the Haywood County Library. For more information, email Ashlyn Godleski at ashlyn.godleski@haywoodcountync.gov or call 828.356.2567.
• The Canton Branch of the Haywood County Public Library Creative Writing Group meets 10:30 a.m.-noon on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. For more information, email Jennifer at jennifer.stuart@haywoodcountync.gov or call 828.356.2561.
• Knit Night takes place at 5:30-7:30 p.m. every second Tuesday of the month at The Stecoah Valley Center. The
n All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.
n To have your item listed email to calendar@smokymountainnews.com
event is free and open to the public. RSVP is recommended: 828.479.3364 or amber@stecoahvalleycenter.com.
• Sylva Writers Group meets at 10:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at City Lights Bookstore. For more information contact sylvawriters@gmail.com.
• Tremont Writers Conference, an intensive five-day retreat for writers of fiction, nonfiction and poetry will take place Wednesday, Oct. 25-29. Applications to participate in the event may be submitted online now through April 30 at writers.gsmit.org.
• Creative Writing Club will take place at 3:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of every month at the Macon County Public Library. The writing club is intended for ages 8-12. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.
• Move and Groove Storytime takes place 10:30-11 a.m. every Thursday, at the Canton branch of the Haywood County Public Library. Exciting, interactive music and movement story time ideal for children 2-6 years old. For more information contact Ashlyn at ashlyn.godleski@haywoodcountync.gov or at 828.356.2567.
• Mother Goose Storytime takes place 10:30-11 a.m. every Wednesday, at the Waynesville branch of the Haywood County Public Library. Ideal for children from birth to 2 years old. For more information, contact Lisa at lisa.hartzell@haywoodcountync.gov or call 828.356.2511.
• Art afternoon takes place at 3:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at the Macon County Public Library. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.
• Art in the Gardens will take place April 2-May 15 at Lake Junaluska. Artwork by Lake Junaluska community artists will be featured in several of the 16 gardens throughout the grounds. For more information visit lakejunaluska.com/activities.
• Haywood Community College Professional Students will host a Spring Craft Sale 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, May 4, outside the second-floor courtyard of the Creative Arts Sycamore Building. The sale is open to the public. For more information contact Emily Reason at 828.627.4671 or eareason@haywood.edu.
• A glassblowing class “Ornaments and Paperweights” will take place 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. Pre-registration is strongly suggested, no experience necessary. For more information or to register contact GEP at 828.631.0271.
• “Meander in May,” the free, self-guided arts festival organized by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC will return at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 20. For more information and a schedule of events visit highlandschamber.org.
• Paint and Sip at Waynesville Art School will be held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7-9:30 p.m. To learn more and register call 828.246.9869 or visit PaintAndSipWaynesville.com/upcoming-events. Registration is required, $45.
• “Flights & Bites” will be held starting at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in downtown Waynesville. For more information on upcoming events, wine tastings and special dinners, click on waynesvillewine.com.
• A free wine tasting will be held from 6-8 p.m. every Thursday and 2-5 p.m. every Saturday at The Wine Bar & Cellar in Sylva. 828.631.3075.
• Take a trip around the world with four different wines every Friday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday 11a.m.-6 p.m. at the Bryson City Wine Market. Pick from artisan Charcuterie Foods to enjoy with wines. 828.538.0420
• Cooking classes take place at the McKinley Edwards Inn from 6-8:30 p.m. on Thursday nights. To reserve your spot call 828.488.9626.
• Chess 101 takes place from 3:30-4:30 p.m. every Friday in the Canton Branch of the Haywood County Public Library. No registration required, for more information call 828.648.2924.
• Wired Wednesday, one-on-one technology help is available at 3-5 p.m. every Wednesday at the Canton Branch of the Haywood County Library. For more information or to register, call 828.648.2924.
• Uptown Gallery, 30 East Main St. Franklin, will be offering Children’s Art Classes Wednesdays afternoons. Adult workshops in watercolor, acrylic paint pouring, encaustic and glass fusing are also offered. Free painting is available 10 a.m.-3 p.m. every Monday in the classroom. A membership meeting takes place on the second Sunday of the month at 3 p.m. All are welcome. Call 828.349.4607 for more information.
• “Thursday Painters” group will be held from 10 a.m.3 p.m. on Thursdays at The Uptown Gallery in Franklin. Free and open to the public. All skill levels and mediums are welcome. Participants are responsible for their own project and a bag lunch. 828.349.4607 or pm14034@yahoo.com.
• Wildflower Walk in the Corneille Bryan Native Garden will take place at 2 p.m. Wednesdays May 3, at Lake Junaluska. Stroll the garden with an experienced volunteer. Space is limited, contact cbnativegarden@gmail.com to reserve a spot. For more information call 828.452.5840.
• “Bloom with a View,” will take place May 1-14 at the N.C. Arboretum. The floral installation features a bevy of hydrangeas, lilies, Cala lilies and more displayed throughout the gardens, walkways and promenades. While the exhibit is on display, parking at the Arboretum will be $30 per vehicle. For more information, visit ncbloomwithaview.com.
• Hike on the Cataloochee Divide Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Wednesday, May 3, with the Haywood County Recreation and Parks. Hike
n Complete listings of local music scene
n Regional festivals
n Art gallery events and openings
n Complete listings of recreational offerings at health and fitness centers
n Civic and social club gatherings
registration in $10, sign up at haywoodcountync.gov/recreation.
• Green Energy Park will offer a custom “Forged in Fire” two-day blade course from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday through Saturday, May 5-6. No prior experience required. Cost is $550, materials included. Space is limited, registration required. For more information or to register, contact the GEP at 828.631.0271.
• The Lake Junaluska Annual Plant Sale and the Corneille Bryan Native Garden Plant Sale will be held together 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the openair Nanci Weldon Memorial Gym. For more information, visit bit.ly/LJ-plant-sale or contact Melissa Tinsley at mtinsley@lakejunaluska.com.
• Friends of the Greenway will host the Spring Arts & Crafts event, “FROG FAIR” from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 6 at FROG Quarters, 573 E. Main St. at the Town bridge in Franklin. Vendor spaces are available, volunteers are needed. For more information email frog28734@gmail.com.
• Hike on the Flat Creek Trail off the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Sunday, May 7, with the Haywood County Recreation and Parks. Hike registration is $10, sign up at haywoodcountync.gov/recreation.
• A hike to celebrate the Year of the Trail will reach Wildcat Falls in Haywood County on Saturday, May 13, with the Haywood County Recreation and Parks. Hike registration is $10, sign up at haywoodcountync.gov/recreation.
• The Strawberry Jam Half Marathon/5K will return for its second year Saturday, May 20, in Bryson City. The half marathon will start at 7 a.m. and the 5K at 7:15 a.m. Registration is $70 for the half marathon and $35 for the 5K. Sign up at gloryhoundevents.com.
• Hike from Big Creek to Walnut Bottoms in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 17, with the Haywood County Recreation and Parks. Hike registration is $10, sign up at haywoodcountync.gov/recreation.
• Hike to Blackrock via Black Rock Trail Wednesday, May 24, with the Haywood County Recreation and Parks. Hike registration is $10, sign up at haywoodcountync.gov/recreation.
• The Cashiers Historical Society will host the Jan Wyatt Symposium, “Talking Trout,” on Thursday, June 15, at Canyon Kitchen in Lonesome Valley, Sapphire. For more information visit cahsiershistoricalsociety.org.
• Haywood County Master Gardener volunteers offer a virtual plant clinic to answer any questions. Leave a message at the Cooperative Extension Office at 828.456.3575 or email haywoodemgv@gmail.com with a description of any homeowner gardening issue, including lawns, vegetables, flowers, trees and ornamental plants; disease, insect, weed or wildlife problems; soils (including soil test results) and fertilizers; freeze and frost damage; and cultural and chemical solutions to plant problems. Within a few days, a Haywood County Master Gardener Volunteer will get back to you with research-based information.
• Blue Ridge Mountain Drivers offers monthly open water diver scuba certification classes. This is the
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
• Border $4
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 ADMINISTRATION
Case No.23-E-189 Cynthia Farrell, having -
James Roy Green
Jul 19 2023
Administrator 3225 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 117 Raleigh, NC 27612
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
Case No.2023 E 000216
Billy Edward Cogburn Jul 19 2023
All materials must include delivery to GSMR Rail Yard: 973 Haywood Road, Dillsboro NC 28725. Partial Formal sealed bidding process. Bids must comply with domestic steel and -
LIVING ONSITE
ESTATE ABSOLUTE
AUCTION (Barbara
Edwards) Saturday, May 6th, 2023 - 10 a.m. Location: 315
Pennsylvania Avenue Canton, NC 28716
Preview: Friday, May 5th, 2023, 10 am till 6 pm WWW.
EJ-AUCTION.COM
opportunity to purchase an established, turn key restaurant in Haywood County. Prime location with access to all major highways. Call Bruce McGovern (828) 2832112 mcgovernpropertymgt@gmail.com
ADMIN ASSISTANT/ DIRECT SUPPORT
Executor 167 Beaver Run South Canton, NC 28716
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (GSM) is seeking bids for upcoming FRRCSI grant projects.
PROPOSAL
DUE 5:00PM, May 5, 2023. Formal Public Bid Opening May 7, 2023 at 2pm. All proposals must be submitted to Kim Albritton, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad 225 Everett Street, Bryson City, NC 28713. call 828488-7008 or email kalbritton@gsmr.com
DONATE YOUR VEHICLE
This will be an ALLDAY AUCTION. This home is completely full of furniture and Antiques! EDWARD
JOHNSON AUCTIONEERS, INC HOT SPRINGS, NC 28743 NC8134 NC8496 (828) 593-9679
-
TURNKEY RESTAURANT BUSINESS FOR SALE $250,000 A rare
PROFESSIONAL Skill Creations, Inc. Creating life Skills with those we serve. Looking for MEANINGFUL and FUN employment?! agency, Skill Creations, Inc, in assisting individuals to learn and grow while becoming the best version of themselves! Our agency excels in the area of staff longevity, support and teamwork as we create opportunities for individuals to thrive in their daily lives. Whether you are helping with social, independence or employment skills, you will be a supporting team member as the client works on individualized goals towards a full and meaningful life.age includes medical/ dental/vision and Paid Time Off) and Part Time positions available. Whatever role you play in our organization, be it working directly with individuals as a direct support professional or as an administrative assistant, we come together as a team to support the
TWELVE OF DIAMONDS
ACROSS
1 "-- Sharkey" ('70s sitcom)
4 Winter bug 7 Corn, to Brits
SoCal daily paper 19 Mammal with a black
Actor
3 Women's golf star Lorena
4 Enemy
5 Filming locale
6 Bi- minus one
7 Member of a Kenyan tribe
8 Plant pests
9 "Fe" element
B&W MALE CAT, TUCKER Friendly; 10 years old but still curious and playful! Only 2 teeth left— needs soft diet.
Asheville Humane Society (828) 761-2001 adoptions@ashevillehumane.org
TREEING WALKER
COONHOUND MIX, LADYBIRD 6 yr-old girl; energetic, curious. Loves cuddling and toys. Needs to be your only dog.
Asheville Humane Society (828) 761-2001 adoptions@ashevillehumane.org
TIMESHARE CANCELLATION EXPERTS.
HUGHESNET SATELLITE INTERNET – Final-
ANSWERS ON PAGE 34
Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!
Answers on 34
