Smoky Mountain News | January 10, 2024

Page 4

Sublime tribute act Badfish returns to WNC Page 22

On the Cover:

It’s been a rough few years for Canton. First came the pandemic, then a massive flood and then the closure of its largest economic driver. Now, with reduced tax revenue and lingering emergency expenses, town officials need to consider how to balance the budget while not sacrificing services. (Page 6)

News

Man’s cancer battle instills sense of purpose..............................................................4

Cherokee approves application for Clingmans Dome name change..................8 Finance award casts further doubt on corruption claims in Haywood..............11 Landfill pond overflow, failed water quality test at Canton mill............................12

License plate recognition cameras coming to Jackson..........................................14 Franklin approves social district....................................................................................16 Community briefs..............................................................................................................19

Opinion

This conservative says it’s OK to disagree................................................................20 Here’s to being woke rather than a MAGA..............................................................21

A&E

Sublime tribute act Badfish returns to WNC............................................................22 Southern rock rolls into WNC........................................................................................24

Outdoors

Documentary highlights Haywood SAR’s lifesaving impact................................30 Up Moses Creek: I’ll Fly a Ways..................................................................................34

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Garret K. Woodward.

ACCOUNTING & O FFICE MANAGER: Jamie Cogdill.

D ISTRIBUTION: Scott Collier. .

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C ONTRIBUTING: Jeff Minick (writing), Chris Cox (writing), Don Hendershot (writing), Thomas Crowe (writing)

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I’m r Question: reeally good about eating vegetables in e of them ar summer when morre re e in season locally an have my own garrdden, but in the winter I know I fall s

Whatarre e some ideas to keep my vegetable intake u colder months?

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1. Frozen vegetables that can be added to soups, stews, casser and even sauces like tomato sauce for pasta.

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in the nd when I short. up in the casseroles k or dairy

3. Roast vegetables (broccoli, sweetpotatoes, white potatoes, carr turnips, beets, fennel, butternut squash, Brussels sprouts) pan (sprinkle with a little olive oil and seasoning)and have as a side, with rice or pasta or use with salads.

4. Snack on vegetables like carrots, cherry/grape tomatoes, snap beans or cucumber slices with or without a dip like hummus.

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Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

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An unforeseen journey

to work. He sought experimental treatment that was in a stage-two clinical trial. It was that or hospice, so he went for the Hail Mary.

How J.J. Singleton’s cancer battle instilled a new sense of purpose

BY KYLE P ERROTTI

N EWS E DITOR

Challenges and trauma impact people in different ways.

For Haywood County native J.J. Singleton, who has battled cancer for about nine years now, it presented an opportunity for personal growth, growth he feels would have never otherwise been possible.

Singleton, 36, participated in sports his whole life. His dad and uncle played college football, and following suit, after playing high school ball at Pisgah, Singleton played linebacker at Brevard College. However, he suffered multiple concussions and his college career was cut short. At that point, he didn’t want to work out if it wasn’t for his sport and began drinking beer, or as he put it, “fully enjoying the college experience.” Before he knew it, he topped out at 315 pounds in early 2015. That’s when he decided to turn things around and committed to a CrossFit regimen, led by his former football coach, Brandon Holloway, who is now Pisgah’s girls’ basketball coach.

Things were really turning around. He’d lost weight, he was feeling better, and then around Memorial Day, he felt a sharp pain in his abdomen. He chose to ignore it. “Typical guy thinking.” He searched the internet for articles related to his symptoms, and although cancer frequently popped up,

he chose to ignore the red flags.

“I thought I’d pulled a muscle working out or something,” he said. “And then it got worse through the summer and my mom made me go to the doctor.”

Singleton, just 28 at that time, had a large tumor in his colon, and within a week, he was under the knife. Surgeons removed about 80% of his colon, three feet of his small intestine and several lymph nodes around his abdominal area. Doctors thought they got everything.

Singleton sought a second opinion from another doctor, who agreed with the initial assessment. He underwent 12 rounds of chemotherapy over six months just to ensure any cancer would be obliterated. Everything continued to look great. Follow-up scans and a colonoscopy turned up good results.

And then, just about six weeks later, the abdominal pain returned.

“I woke up to that same throbbing,” he said. “I went straight to the doctor.”

“In a sense I got lucky,” Singleton said. “From the beginning, my doctor in Asheville wanted to combine our care with the Duke Cancer Center, so that changed everything. I had a whole team there.”

Since then, he’s been treating the disease as well as doctors know how. He has endured chemotherapy every three weeks for the last several years. Next week marks his 144th treatment. He said that while chemo gets progressively tougher to deal with, he is happy it’s working, adding that he’s seen plenty of friends with colorectal cancer for whom treatment didn’t take, and they lost their battles.

“It’s keeping me alive,” he said. “I’m still here.”

Overall, Singleton has been cut open on 10 separate occasions. The first one was at Haywood Regional Medical Center and the next nine were Mission Hospital in Asheville. During one period for 14 months after one surgery, he didn’t eat any food. He couldn’t even have a G-tube to pump food into his stomach. Instead, he got regular infusions that gave him the basic vitamins and minerals needed to survive. A surgery eventually rerouted part of his stomach so that he could eat real food again.

The treatments and surgery take a toll on him physically and mentally. He said about a week before he’s back receiving chemotherapy, a sense of dread begins welling up that grows until the day he’s in the chair. Forty-eight hours before the treatment, he stops eating solid food.

“In my experience, it’s easier to throw up the meal replacement shakes than any food in my stomach,” he said.

But Singleton said he usually gets to enjoy about two weeks during which he feels “somewhat normal.” For example, he and his father have season tickets to Virginia Tech football — the team his father played for.

“I like watching any kind of sporting event,” he said. Singleton said that for the first several years, he felt like he didn’t want to draw attention to himself. In fact, he wouldn’t even take part in support groups, until his doctor brought up the relatively new Man Up to Cancer. Singleton thought it would just be another group that may fit his preconceived notion, but he was pleasantly surprised. It changed his view on the power of support groups.

“It was a place where we could hang out and be real,” he said. “A lot of men isolate because we think we have to be tough and handle everything. But there, you can be emotional and talk about everything that’s going wrong. I felt at home there.”

That group helped him find his voice and figure out that it mattered. He could make a difference. Last year, he was featured on “The Today Show,” and just last week he was the subject of a Business Insider story. Before he knew it, Singleton was traveling to tell his story before political leaders from around the country and the world, as well as leaders in the pharmaceutical industry. Through telling his story and being honest about his struggles, he found a renewed sense of purpose. Singleton laughed as he described how afraid of speaking in front of people he used to be.

“There are a lot of people working to make this more of a chronic illness instead of a disease, and that’s like a cure to me, I think that’s achievable in my lifetime.”

— J.J. Singleton

The cancer was back. Tests quickly revealed that the cancer had moved to his abdominal wall and several lymph nodes in that area, and it was classified as “incurable.” He tried multiple chemotherapy cocktails, but nothing seemed

“I used to be uncomfortable even speaking up in a large group of friends,” he said. “Now, I’ll talk in front of a room with 600 world leaders and leaders from pharmaceutical companies.”

Some events have brought him face-to-face with celebrities and professional athletes. One of his favorites has been the Cologuard Classic, an event held every February that pairs a colorectal cancer survivor with a PGA tour golfer for a day on the links. His first year, he was paired up with John Daly, a man whose golf game is as legendary as his larger-than-life personality. Last year, he F

was the recipient of the first-ever Jerry Kelly Award, which is given to “someone who embodies passion and commitment to advocating for this disease.”

But perhaps his favorite moment was getting to meet Reggie Bush, whose college football career at the University of Southern California is still regarded as one of the best ever.

“He was my favorite,” Singleton said. “I watched him all the time, because he was in college playing when I was in high school.”

Singleton said he’s grateful for every day and the work he gets to do to call attention to the disease that’s taken so much from him for the better part of a decade. Along with raising awareness at the highest levels, he also wants to make sure everyone knows the basic things they can do to catch cancer before it progresses, like in his case. The seemingly obvious thing is to get a colonoscopy as soon as a doctor recommends it. Then, if anything turns up, Singleton said it’s important for a person to take charge of their own care and investigate all opportunities for treatment.

genetic testing, that technology has come leaps and bounds,” he said.

In this and other advances in technology, Singleton said he maintains hope, perhaps for his own future, but more so for others who will have to endure cancer and may have a better outcome.

The other perhaps less obvious thing people can do is get genetic testing if possible. Through testing, Singleton found out he has Lynch syndrome, which made him genetically predisposed to colorectal cancer. Had he known that when his abdomen began hurting, he and his doctors could have begun treatment much earlier.

“Even in the eight years since I’ve had the

On Saturday, Jan. 27, J.J. Singleton will be at Frog Level Brewing for an all-day fundraiser that will have food and live music from Ben and the Borrowed Band. The event begins at 2 p.m. with live music at 6 p.m.

Throughout the day, $1 from each pint of beer sold will go to the nonprofit Fight Colorectal Cancer. Singleton said the event has been a hit the last two years, and he wanted to thank both Frog Level and folks who turned out to donate.

“It just shows that people around here care,” Singleton said. “I know people are praying for me and will say they care on social media, but to see them come hang out and donate money has been really motivating.”

“There are a lot of people working to make this more of a chronic illness instead of a disease, and that’s like a cure to me,” he said. “I think that’s achievable in my lifetime. So if I can tell my story about my clinical trial experience to get more people to think that way, if I can help change things for the next generation, that’s what keeps me motivated.”

Canton’s post-mill budget will be about results

BY C ORY VAILLANCOURT

P OLITICS E DITOR

The Town of Canton has been through some difficult budget discussions in the past, but this year’s effort, the first to reckon with the full impact of Pactiv Evergreen’s exit from the community after more than a century, looks to be the most trying.

“Our circumstances have dictated a lot of these visioning sessions in previous years,” said Town Manager Nick Scheuer at a board retreat held on Jan. 5.

Even the location of the retreat, a glorified double-wide trailer plopped down at the town’s maintenance facility on Summer Street, is a testament to the twin tragedies that befell Canton over the course of an 18-month span.

In August 2021, as local governments still grappled with the disruptions of the Coronavirus Pandemic, a wall of water scoured its way down the tight mountain valleys that embrace the Pigeon River from its headwaters near the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Killing six and causing half a billion dollars in damages in the eastern part of Haywood County, the Green Pepper Flood of 2021 wiped out homes and downtown businesses and gutted Canton’s historic Armory, the stately Colonial Theatre, the police department, the fire department and town hall. Recovery from the flood became a full-time job for town administrators and its elected board, but just as they

were starting to right the ship came another disaster — this one, human-caused.

At a budget retreat in February 2023, Scheuer revealed the substantial progress that had been made in repairing the $18 million in damage to town infrastructure. All FEMA projects had been obligated or were in the final stages of obligation. Project awards for the Armory, the Colonial Theatre, the fire department, police department and town hall had been issued. Sites for the new town hall and police department had been acquired. Renovation of the Champion Credit Union Aquatic Center had been completed.

Finally, looking forward in the aftermath of the flood, Canton was forced to look back and confront its legacy of dependence on the paper mill when officials from Pactiv unceremoniously announced on March 6, 2023, that its 115year run as the geographical and spiritual heart of Canton had come to an end.

The fiscal consequences of Pactiv’s decision were still largely unknown, but what was known was that they would be bad.

Scheuer and the board pumped the brakes on some town initiatives knowing full well that the anticipated budgetary impact of up to $3 million, against a general fund of roughly $8 million, wouldn’t truly hit until the next budget year, beginning July 1, 2024.

Over the years, Canton had lost a bit of its luster but for much of the past decade was amid a downtown revitalization that saw locally owned small businesses prosper and contribute to a suddenly vibrant Main Street.

Pre-COVID, the governing board acted with an air of empowerment.

“… our board is focused on ensuring we level up on infrastructure to serve our citizens and businesses for years to come, that we develop scalable recreational offerings and that we have open conversations about economic development ideas and opportunities,” Alderwoman Kristina Proctor said in 2019.

The next year, town government dodged the brunt of the Pandemic, buoyed by skyrocketing sales tax revenues and a disconnect from the service-based economic sector that suffered most.

“We approached it very similar to the way we do every other fiscal year in terms of being ultra-conservative with our revenue numbers,” said then-Town Manager Jason Burrell on May 20, 2020.

In 2021, with some semblance of normalcy returning, the town reiterated its commitment to infrastructure and recreation but also recognized the growth taking place. A countywide property revaluation that year drastically increased values and prompted the town to change its tax rate for the first time since 2007 — down 4 cents.

The rate cut wasn’t quite revenue neutral, but was a pyrrhic victory in that when measured against inflation, the town’s tax rate was effectively declining, all those years.

The flood year was an interregnum of sorts, but in 2022, the town again charged forward, taking care of its employees, bolstering the first responder capabilities and keeping promises about infrastructure and recreation.

Post-mill, budget cuts and fee increases are on the table, but the overarching narrative of the town’s most recent budget retreat, voiced by Mayor Zeb Smathers, was that people still want to see progress.

“We have to be very, very careful with missteps,” Smathers said. “People gave us a lot of rope in 2023. In 2024, they’re going to demand results.”

The good news is, Pactiv Evergreen did pay its 2023 property tax bill, after making a request for a dramatic downward revision in the 185-acre parcel’s assessed value. That request was quickly torpedoed by the Haywood County Board of Equalization and Review in June.

The primary issue for the town remains wastewater treatment, handled by the mill for free since the 1960s. In around 14 months, Pactiv’s contractual obligation to operate the plant will expire, leaving the town to find its own way. Officials from across the county have been working on a solution, but don’t have one yet.

The wastewater treatment issue, thankfully, won’t have much of a budgetary impact on the town. Western North Carolina’s legislative delegation — Sens. Kevin Corbin (RMacon) and Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell), along with Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood) — came through with a $38 million appropriation from the General Assembly for the project. Those funds are essentially reimbursable to the town, said Canton CFO Natalie Walker, so they won’t be deposited in the town’s investment accounts and F

earn interest.

Another General Assembly appropriation, $4 million unrestricted, hasn’t arrived yet but will, and will earn interest. Walker said she wants to be as conservative as possible in utilizing the money to plug budget holes, hopefully over a period of years.

With that mindset, the board is now looking to craft a fiscally responsible annual budget for the coming year.

“We’re going to be facing budget cuts that we’re paying for, but I’m hoping we can give the people what they want and what they deserve,” said Alderman Ralph Hamlett.

That will involve strategic prioritization, pinching pennies and tweaking pricing to make up for the revenue shortfall caused by Pactiv Evergreen.

During the Jan. 5 retreat, which is the initial public stage in budget drafting process, town administrators and board members floated ideas on how, exactly, they might accomplish that. An obvious initial reaction was to make further cuts to budget items that were reduced in the immediate wake of Pactiv’s announcement last year. The community promotions budget, used by the town to purchase small sponsorships or advertisements for local organizations, will likely be halved.

The town’s façade matching grant program, begun almost a decade ago under Burrell, had been budgeted at $50,000 but was likewise halved last year, and may be zeroed out altogether this year. Smathers said the town could always make a specific appropriation through budget amendment for the right business, but Hamlett expressed the hope that the program, seen as a boost to economic development, would be revisited in the future.

One area of the budget that won’t likely see cuts is public safety, which saw a 2% increase last year and took on increasing importance as the Pigeon River slipped its banks and roared through downtown.

Many WNC municipal governments couldn’t keep up with the rate of pay increases over the past 20 years, leading to costly turnover of employees. Walker said Canton’s police need a minimum of an 8% raise to make the department competitive. The board agreed on a 1% or 2% raise initially, floated the idea of giving a partial raise this year before the next budget takes effect and vowed to remain flexible while continuing to prioritize employees.

“When we tighten the belt,” said Alderman Tim Shepard, “I want that to be the last notch we have to go to. That being said, the other thing I would like to see is not starting new things but buttoning up some of the projects we have ongoing.”

Those projects are many.

The Rhoda Street project will roll out in January, equipment for the all-abilities playground has been delivered but not installed and further improvements at the town’s vaunted Chestnut Mountain Park will take place throughout the year, but flood-damaged facilities — town hall, police, fire, Camp Hope, the Armory and the Colonial — are all still in varying stages of completion.

Scheuer wants the town to prioritize revenue-generating facilities. Since the flood, the Armory and Colonial have generated no revenue whatsoever.

“The sooner we can get those back online, the better,” he said.

Assistant Town Manager Lisa Stinnett, known around Canton as the “patron saint of Labor Day” for her heavy involvement in the town’s iconic celebration, offered up several ways the town could cut costs for and increase revenue from the town’s recreational offerings. The Labor Day festival, including concerts and a parade, was non-negotiable. Thought to be the oldest in the South, the festival is as much a part of Canton’s identity as the mill itself.

Hamlett called the upcoming fete “a mainstay” of Canton’s culture since 1906 and felt it would be a demonstration of resilience to continue offering the festival to residents and tourists.

“I would like to see it hold as much footing as it’s had in the past, within the budget constraints,” he said.

Of the five options presented by Stinnett, Mayor Pro Tem Gail Mull voiced support for keeping the two-day format because culling it to one day wouldn’t really save very much money. Typically, one day would be free, the other ticketed, although admission was charged for both days last year. It appears likely that there will be a price increase for both days this year.

don’t typically earn a lot of money, so charging for the privilege isn’t always feasible except on high-volume days. That could happen at the International Paper Sports Complex as well, but getting the sports teams that use the facility to kick in a little more for the privilege, even something as simple as dragging the infield so the town doesn’t have to pay an employee do it, was also mentioned. Stinnett said a meeting with the little league went well, and that the league offered to help in any way they could. The facility’s batting cages may also see price increases, and teams that had been allowed to use them for free may have to pony up this year.

“We can’t give from an empty cup,” Proctor said.

many. The final item that could be included in this year’s budget isn’t new, nor was it popular last time it was tried. This year could be different.

There are currently 13 gravel roads within the town of Canton, and all the other roads consistently took a pounding from semi-truck traffic associated with the mill. In 2018, Smathers said that by far, the majority of calls he fielded as mayor were about potholes.

Now that mill-associated traffic has decreased, perhaps for good, it might be time to revisit a vehicle registration tax. State law allows for up to $30 per vehicle to be assessed, payable when renewing license plates. The first $5 can be used by the town for any purpose. The next $5 must be used for public transportation, if the town has such a system (it doesn’t). The rest must be used for roads.

Back in 2018, the town held a public hearing on the proposed tax, where residents made clear that they wanted better roads but didn’t want to pay for them. One man who said he owned six cars claimed he could somehow afford them but could not afford a $30 annual fee on each of them.

The proposed fee, which Burrell estimated at the time would raise approximately $60,000 a year, failed. But it did nudge Canton down the road of expending more of its Powell Bill funds. Passed in 1951, the Powell Bill allocates a small sum from the General Assembly to municipalities for road improvements each year, but it’s never enough given the amount of work to be done and the astronomical cost of paving.

A few years back, the town spent around

Stinnett said that hometown favorites and internationally acclaimed bluegrass sensation Balsam Range had been holding dates for the fest. The board tentatively decided to use the other day for up-and-coming acts rather than another big-name headliner. Labor Day, however, wasn’t the only place Stinnett looked to increase revenues and decrease costs.

The town is exploring the possibility of running its own prepackaged concessions at the CCU Aquatic Center. Food trucks are sometimes hard to attract because they

One thing Canton water customers can count on is another rate increase, although that shouldn’t come as a surprise and isn’t really related to Pactiv Evergreen’s departure. There was a significant rate increase last year; per state law, water and sewer funds must be self-sufficient, meaning they can’t be bailed out from the town’s general fund revenues or fund balance if revenue comes up short.

Bolstering the town’s aging-but-improving water infrastructure will require at least a 3% increase this year, probably the first of

$300,000 to pave about a mile and a half. If the fee makes it into the budget this year, it’s likely all of it would be spent on improvements — in line with Smathers’ results-oriented strategy.

The Town of Canton will hold at least one more public discussion regarding its 2024-25 fiscal year budget, which must be passed by the board prior to July 1. Typically, municipalities across the state hold their final public hearings on annual budgets in May or June and pass the budgets shortly thereafter.

Cherokee approves application for Clingmans Dome name change

BY HOLLY KAYS OUTDOORS E DITOR

Tribal Council members stood to show their unanimous support Thursday, Jan. 4, for a resolution they hope will result in a name change for Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“We’ve spent a year and a half preparing for this moment,” Lavita Hill, who together with her follow Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tribal member Mary Crowe has been advocating for the name change since 2022, told Tribal Council. “With a strong leader advocating for indigenous rights in the Department of Interior, now is the time to act.”

Clingmans Dome was named after former U.S. Senator Thomas L. Clingman following an 1859 survey by Swiss-born geographer Arnold Guyot. Before that, it was known in Cherokee as Kuwohi, which means “mulberry place.” It was a special place to the Cherokee, visited by medicine people who prayed and sought guidance from the Creator, and later used as a refuge by Cherokees resisting removal on the Trail of Tears. The place also appears in traditional Cherokee stories.

“This is one of our top priorities as we go to D.C. I think it’s very important,” he said in Council. “We’re also working on getting a meeting scheduled with the superintendent [of the Smokies, Cassius Cash] to make sure that there’s a lot of folks talking about this issue. But again, this is not great — I think this is awesome, the work that you guys are doing. So thank you for that.”

Crowe and Hill take issue with the name “Clingmans Dome” not just because it usurped the much older, longer-used name Kuwohi, but also because Clingman, a supporter of slavery, fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War. He left his Senate seat in 1861 to join the rebel army, rising to the rank of brigadier general.

In July 2022, Tribal Council unanimously passed a resolution calling for an application to be prepared requesting that the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which has jurisdiction over place names in national parks, consider changing the name. The resolution the body passed last week authorizes Principal Chief Michell Hicks to officially submit the application that has since been prepared.

Hicks, on whose desk the resolution now sits awaiting ratification, said he is all in on seeing the name change through and congratulated Hill and Crowe on their hard work to get it this far.

The U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which is under the U.S. Department of Interior’s U.S. Geologic Survey, will make the final decision. Once the application is submitted, board staff will prepare a case brief summarizing the issue and look for local acceptance by seeking input from county governments, federally recognized tribes, the National Park Service, the N.C. Board on Geographic Names and the Tennessee Geographic Names Committee before presenting the proposal for a final decision.

The board meets monthly and is made up of representatives from federal agencies who serve two-year terms. According to a USGS spokesperson, most proposals take about eight months from submission to final decision, but especially significant proposals like that regarding Clingmans Dome could take a year or more.

Tribal Council disciplines former cannabis board member

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF W RITER

Aformer Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians official and cannabis board member accused of soliciting favors from a contractor that was negotiating a contract with the tribe’s cannabis enterprise will pay a fine and face a ban on future appointments to tribal positions, Tribal Council decided in a vote Thursday, Jan. 4.

Only two members of the 12-member council declined to vote in favor of the resolution, and they did so because they felt the penalty wasn’t strong enough.

“I want to abstain from this vote,” said Painttown Rep. Dike Sneed. “I don’t want to take part in setting precedents for

somebody committing this crime and such a small fine. It’s a smack on the wrist for what was done, so I don’t want any part of it.”

The resolution formally accepts and adopts the Office of Internal Audit and Ethics investigation containing the allegations against Jeremy Wilson, who during the timeframe in question was appointed as the tribe’s governmental affairs liaison and sat on the board for Cherokee Medical LLC, which is now known as Qualla Enterprises LLC.

It also fines him $4,000 and prohibits him from being appointed to any position within tribal government or to any enterprise, board or commission of the tribe for five years from Aug. 3, 2023, when the

According to the resolution Tribal Council passed, Crowe and Hill have already drummed up significant support for the name change, including from the governments of all seven far western counties and Buncombe County, 18 municipalities within those counties, the Cherokee Speaker’s Council and the Tennessee General Assembly. In 2022, N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein awarded Hill and Crowe the Attorney General’s Dogwood Award for their work toward the name change.

Members of the Clingman family have also become “enthusiastic supporters” of the name change, the resolution said.

“He told me that he was ashamed of his name because of the history that’s around it, and I told him, ‘No, don’t be ashamed of that, because it was given to you,’” said Crowe, relating a conversation she had with Clingman descendent Tom Clingman. “We can’t change the past, but we can work towards the future. And so I told him, ‘Hey, you know what? You can bring back hope to that name in supporting this effort.’”

Though the name has yet to be changed, efforts to revive recognition of the mountain’s place in Cherokee culture have already borne fruit. In 2022, the park held its first Kuwohi Connections Days, offering educational programming and traditional knowledge sharing for EBCI youth. On the day of each event, the road to Clingmans Dome is closed from midnight to 1 p.m. to allow students to experience the place in its full natural beauty. In 2022, there were two days of programming in the spring and three in the fall. Last year, there were three Kuwohi Connections Days.

“As stewards of Great Smoky Mountains National Park history, we are charged to ensure we share holistic understandings of how people explored, used and lived this space before the establishment of the park,” said Smokies spokesperson Emily Davis.

She noted that Superintendent Cassius Cash currently serves as an advisor to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

“We look forward to participating in the name change proposal process,” she said.

Internal Audit and Ethics report was released. Additionally, he and any business entity of which he is a principal is banned from entering into any contracts for goods or services with any entity, enterprise, board or commission of the tribe, also for five years from the report date.

Text messages sent by Wilson were central to the report’s conclusion that Wilson had solicited gratuities and favors from cannabis contractor Sovereign Solutions Carolina, which later contracted with Qualla Enterprises for professional services in launching the tribe’s cannabis business. These texts included May 12, 2022, messages to SSC’s principal that thanked him for “the help,” said Wilson had “got some debt paid down,” and promised that “you’ll get your money’s worth out of me.” A June 4, 2022, message asked “if the financial assistance is still in play” and said, “I really don’t mind paying you back through profits made from work-

ing with your team down the road.”

In a September interview with The Smoky Mountain News, Wilson said that, despite what the reported text messages imply, no favors were exchanged. Noting that the report includes only portions of selected messages and not entire conversations, he said he had fallen on hard times and turned to the SSC principal, who he considered a personal friend, for emotional support and advice.

When asked for comment on Council’s recent decision, Wilson said he was “disappointed,” because an identical resolution introduced in September, prior to the seating of the newly elected Council, had been withdrawn.

“This has been inaccurate, one-sided and personal from the beginning,” he said. “However, a decision was made, and it is done. I gave everything to make that project happen, so I wish it the best.”

The resolution now awaits action from Principal Chief Michell Hicks.

Finance award casts further doubt on corruption claims in Haywood

BY C ORY VAILLANCOURT

Haywood County’s Finance Department has a long history of stellar performance, but a national award for excellence in financial reporting bestowed on the department late last year calls into further question claims of fiscal irregularities allegedly made by a Haywood County commissioner and one of his closest allies.

The Certificate of Achievement, from the Government Finance Officers Association, was presented to the county finance department and Director Kristian Owen in October 2023 and is the “highest form of recognition in governmental accounting,” according to an attached letter.

Founded in 1945, the GFOA award program recognizes state and local governments that “go beyond the minimum requirements” to prepare financial statements that “evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.”

“Every year, we submit our financials to be scrutinized by an independent third-party examiner that looks through them for clarity, transparency and following the guidelines,” Owen said. “We have actually won this award — I looked back — every year since the late 90s.”

The award was noted by Haywood County commissioners during their regular meeting on Jan. 2, just after the county received another clean bill of fiscal health from its auditing firm, Gould Killian, for its financial statements ending June 30, 2023.

Notably, the total assessed value of all property in the county surged from $7.4 billion in 2014 to $9.9 billion in 2023.

Over that same period, total primary government debt decreased dramatically, from $61.4 million to $29.7 million, producing a net debt-to-assessed-value ratio of 0.3%,

or about $472 per person.

“Some places are like $2,000 to $3,000 a person,” said Dan Mullinix, a partner with Gould Killian who presented the June 30, 2023, audited financial statements.

“Your opening statement said our reputation basically precedes us,” Commissioner Tommy Long told Mullinix during the meeting. “You come in Haywood County and our finance department has a lot of this stuff already laid out in good order, so I appreciate that.”

Commission Vice Chair Brandon Rogers followed up on Long’s statement.

“It’s one thing we don’t have to worry about is our finance department. It seems year after year we get these reports, and it’s always good,” Rogers said.

Commissioner Terry Ramey didn’t comment on the award or the audit report from Gould Killian during the meeting — a departure from statements he allegedly made while running for office.

In June 2022, the county finally received an offer on a troublesome parcel of land originally intended for recreational use. Purchased in 2007, the parcel languished through the Great Recession. Commissioners went on to spend more than $460,000 to enhance the parcel’s market attractiveness, including site work to bring some of it out of flood-prone areas.

The agreed-upon sales price was $1.8 million, which basically allowed the county to break even on the deal, but Monroe Miller, a close friend of Ramey and self-appointed “government watchdog” claimed without evidence that the county had actually spent more than $6 million on the parcel, which would have resulted in a huge loss.

Ramey parroted these claims during his campaign, and according to Miller brought up “multiple instances of expenses” that he said Rogers could not explain.

During an Oct. 3, 2022, commission meeting, before Ramey was elected, Rogers said it was all a waste of staff time.

“We’ve asked for the evidence to be brought forward,” Rogers said at the time. “No evidence has been brought forward as of yet. I would like to see that evidence if you’ve got it, Mr. Miller. Before I waste a lot more of our county staff’s time, if he can bring the evidence forward, we’ll set up a meeting.”

Haywood County’s Community and Economic Development Director David Francis subsequently proved all of Miller’s claims to be false, except for a $17,000 expenditure that had been misclassified. The final cost to the county for the parcel ended up around $1.6 million.

“I’ve seen you struggle with accounting and legal issues for over a decade,” Francis told Miller in a 2022 email itemizing the county’s spending on the parcel.

The award for transparency, as well as the county’s most recent audit, both seem incongruent with claims of financial irregularities allegedly made by Miller and Ramey during meetings at the Buttered Biscuit restaurant in 2022.

Ramey did not respond to a scheduling request for a phone interview but did provide a statement denying the allegations and asking for proof.

Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood) confirmed to The Smoky Mountain News on Jan. 8 that both Miller and Ramey approached him after one of the restaurant meetings, alleging without evidence that the county was somehow concealing an additional $4.4 million in spending on the parcel.

“Terry Ramey was the one telling us,” said Pless, who as a former Haywood County commissioner was familiar with the issue.

Landfill pond overflow, failed water quality test prompt new violations at Canton mill

BY HOLLY KAYS OUTDOORS E DITOR

While mountain residents were busy preparing for Christmas, the Pactiv Evergreen paper mill in Canton that until May 2023 employed more than 1,000 of them was racking up a pair of new environmental violations. These violations are related to toxic wastewater discharge and an overflowing landfill leachate pond.

OVERFLOWING

LANDFILL LEACHATE

The first violation, issued Dec. 12, followed a release of leachate from the mill’s Landfill No. 6 leachate ponds that was first noticed on the morning of Monday, Dec. 4 — after going on for an unknown amount of time.

“[Pactiv Evergreen employee] Mr. Willis stated that upon arriving to the site [Monday morning], the high-level alarm was activated and that both leachate pumps were in the off position and were not pumping leachate,” reads the violation document, issued by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Division of Waste Management.

The Canton mill works through the night during its last weeks of papermaking in May 2023.

morning.

An inspection DWM conducted the next day revealed that the leachate had overflowed the westernmost pond in two areas. One area was about 40 feet wide, and the other about 24 feet wide.

“The ground was saturated in these areas,” the violation document states.

“Gray staining/residue was observed on the ground.”

According to National Weather Service data, nearby Waynesville received 0.84 inches of rain over the weekend before the inactive pumps were discovered Monday

Leachate is the liquid formed when rainwater filters through the waste stored in a landfill. As it flows past buried wastes, it draws out the chemicals and constituents they contain. The resulting liquid is toxic and must be handled carefully.

In its violation notice, the DWM said that Pactiv Evergreen had violated two provisions of the state’s environmental code: one that mandates leachate be contained on site and treated prior to discharge, and another stating that any permitted facility receiving solid waste must comply with the conditions of that permit. These violations could result in an administrative penalty of up to $15,000 per day, and responsible parties could also incur enforcement actions such as penalties, injunction from operating the landfill or “any such further relief as may be necessary to achieve compliance.”

The violation document directed Pactiv Evergreen to contact the division’s hydrogeologist to determine requirements for a soil sampling plan that will assess the impact of the leachate release. The mill must also implement a procedure to inform personnel “in a timely manner” of pump failure or pumps being turned off, and it must operate its leachate collection in accordance with its operations and maintenance manual.

No further records have been filed following the initial violation notice.

Haywood nurses completes five-week intensive course

Sarah Banks, Emily Jenkins, Kelly Martin-Hicks, Abigail Clark, Heather Koonce and Sarah Keener at Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency have successfully completed the N.C. Credentialed Public Health Nurse Course. Led by Public Health Director Sarah Banks, the team has demonstrated commitment and excellence in advancing their knowledge and skills in public health nursing.

The course, designed as a five-week program, provides participants with access to current evidence-based fundamental public health and public health nursing information. It plays a crucial

DISCHARGE FAILS

TOXICITY TEST, AGAIN

The second violation, issued Dec. 22, 2023, is a more familiar story for anybody who has been following the mill’s repeated environmental failures. For the third time in a row, the shuttered paper mill has failed a quarterly test that gauges the toxicity of discharge from its wastewater treatment plant. But because it passed followup testing in all three instances, it won’t pay any fines.

“To determine whether they will be issued a civil penalty, DWR staff averages the two follow-up test values,” said Laura Oleniacz, public information officer for the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources.

“Canton Mill failed their quarterly tests in March, June and September, but the averages of follow-up tests met the permit limits, so no civil penalties will be issued.”

The mill’s wastewater discharge permit requires it to perform quarterly testing using the water flea, a tiny aquatic invertebrate, as an indicator of water quality. If the creatures die off or reproduce more slowly in an environment composed of 90% wastewater plant discharge compared to a control group of discharge-free water, the plant fails the test.

The mill has failed each quarterly test since March 2023, with worse results each time. In that first test, water flea survival was impacted at a concentration of less than 45%, well below the 90% requirement, with water fleas in the 45% concentration averaging 22.2 young compared to an average of 30.9 young in the control group. In the June test, the average plum-

role in supporting the agency’s commitment to fostering a robust and inclusive public health workforce.

“The successful completion of the NCCPHN Course is a significant achievement for our Public Health Team,” said Sarah Banks, Public Health Director. “This accomplishment reflects their dedication to advancing public health knowledge and reinforces our collective commitment to maintaining a high standard of healthcare services for our community.”

The NCCPHN Course aims to equip participants with the foundational knowledge, skills, attitudes and judgments associated with the roles and functions of governmental public health nurses. By enhancing participants’ ability to apply the public health lens to their nursing practice, the course empowers them to integrate both medical and public health models into their daily work.

meted to 8.8 young at a 45% concentration.

In the September test, the one that triggered this latest notice of violation, at 45% concentration the water fleas averaged zero young.

Despite this startling result, the mill was able to exceed permit requirements in follow-up tests conducted in October and November, which were required due to the failed test in September. In both tests, reproduction was uninhibited at a 95% effluent concentration and only slightly impacted at 100%.

“When determining if a civil penalty needs to be issued, DWR staff averages the follow-up test chronic values,” Oleniacz explained.

So, despite the trio of failed tests in March, June and September last year, the mill will not pay any fines as a result.

This most recent violation, issued Dec. 22, 2023, brings the mill’s total since May 2021 up to 20. According to The Smoky Mountain News’ review of the extensive regulatory record, Pactiv Evergreen has thus far paid just shy of $51,000 in penalties levied as a result of these violations.

The most recent penalty, issued by the Division of Air Quality Oct. 23, 2023, fined the mill $9,101 for five air quality violations it incurred in a trio of incidents occurring between December 2022 and July 2023. The July incident, previously unreported by SMN, was a semiannual report showing that the mill’s particulate matter emissions monitoring system was nonoperational for too much time during the first half of 2023, which is “indicative of improper operation and maintenance.” A violation was issued in August.

License plate recognition cameras coming to Jackson

BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF W RITER

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is poised to deploy several cameras around the county with automatic license plate readers in an attempt to combat crime more efficiently.

“It’s been a very beneficial system for us,” said Farmer. “It’s an excellent tool for law enforcement.”

those officers, they know where it’s at in real time,” said Famer. “So we can respond and pick up that vehicle or if it’s an alert or what not try and get that vehicle stopped or if it’s a senior alert or something like that we can try to intervene and try to get to that.”

Farmer plans to mount a couple of the cameras permanently and have others that are mobile.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s office had Flock cameras before Sheriff Doug Farmer came into office in 2022. However, while the department had the cameras in its possession, they were not being used. Farmer is putting those cameras to use and is now asking the county commission to approve the purchase of two more.

Flock cameras are used mainly to identify vehicles in traffic — a license plate recognition platform used by law enforcement agencies. The cameras are deployed in communities or on roadways and can scan license plates as they pass by.

“Whether it be an Amber Alert, whether it be a senior, Silver Alert, a Blue Alert, as we had this weekend, we can program those LPRs to read for those plates that are coming through,” said Farmer. “Most of them [function in] one direction so we had to think of where we’re wanting it to pick up at.”

North Carolina recently passed legislation that allows law enforcement to use the cameras on state right of way, where previously this was not possible. Farmer said he hopes to eventually be able to track entrances and exits to Jackson County and the Cashiers area especially.

“That would be beneficial because if you have a bank robbery, you have an assault or something, you have a homicide and you’re trying to find where the suspect went out of town or what direction they’re traveling, it’s very beneficial,” said Farmer.

While the location of the cameras will be confidential, the devices are visible.

Commissioner Mark Jones told the sheriff during his presentation on Jan. 2 that he would like to know which counties or municipalities have the Flock system, which ones Jackson County would be reciprocating with, and whether that created positive feedback.

According to Farmer, some departments share access to these cameras across agencies. This means that the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department already has access to Flock cameras being used in other counties around North Carolina and beyond. Farmer plans on sharing access to the cameras in Jackson County so that other agencies in turn will share with Jackson.

But the cameras can detect a lot more than just license plate numbers.

“We’ve probably got 100-125 agencies that share their Flock cameras with us currently,” Farmer told Jones. “Maybe more than that right now.”

The department will sign five-year contracts with Flock and pay the company on an annual basis. While Farmer did not have the complete quote in hand during his presentation to the commission on Jan. 2, the total contract is estimated to cost the county between $50,000 and $60,000.

According to Farmer, the vehicle fingerprint search allows the department to program in cars, their color, bumper stickers, roof racks, and anything else that makes the car unique.

“One of the recent cases we had with a gentleman that we were searching for, that would have been beneficial to have those deployed because there were a lot of stickers that we could have placed in there that were on that vehicle that would have let us know where he was at and we could’ve tracked him to his location,” said Farmer. “And matter of fact that is how they tracked him to the location he was at when he was captured.”

In addition to the fingerprint search, there is also a map-based interface available in the system.

“We don’t have that, and we probably wouldn’t utilize that,” Farmer said. “In bigger cities they would utilize that.”

Officers can also program in plates and vehicle details and receive real time notification if there is a hit on any of the department’s cameras, or other shared cameras they have access to.

“Whatever officers you have assigned to those cameras, as soon as that tag hits or that vehicle hits it automatically goes out to

Farmer made it clear that his department is not trying to spy on anyone, and that the cameras are not an invasion of privacy. However, the American Civil Liberties Union disagrees with the latter. In part because of the data sharing capabilities, as well as data retention and constant surveillance, the ACLU has said the Flock camera system is “contributing to the creation of a centralized mass surveillance system of Orwellian scope.”

Last year, it was estimated that Flock cameras are already in use across 2,000 towns and cities in at least 42 states. In October, a Wake County Judge blocked Flock Safety from installing more cameras until the court could hear additional arguments from both Flock, and the North Carolina Alarm Systems Licensing Board. The board brought the case to the court claiming that Flock has been operating without a license for several years. However, Flock Safety contends that they are not an alarm system and therefore should not be under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Alarm Systems Licensing Board.

The Jackson County Commission did not vote on a budget ordinance to pay for the cameras at the Jan. 2 meeting but will likely do so in the coming weeks.

Franklin approves social district

BY HANNAH MCLEOD STAFF W RITER

The Town of Franklin will be the latest municipality in North Carolina to implement a social district after the town council unanimously voted to adopt the ordinance during its first meeting of the new year.

“The Town Council was aware that there could be support for, and opposition to, the social district and are knowingly moving forward to provide new experiences and opportunities for citizens and visitors to Franklin,” said Town Manager Amie Owens in a press release.

A social district is a designated area where people can

district. The town had wanted to include the brick area adjacent to the courthouse, as well as both Gazebo and Clock Tower squares in the district. Both squares are natural connectors from Iotla and Phillips streets and offer multiple seating options.

Because the town leases the gazebo from the county and the lease agreement states that alcohol consumption is not allowed on the property, the town needed to get county approval to amend the lease. Additionally, Clock Tower Square is county property and the county needed to approve its use in the social district.

implement the concept. However, when Sylva approved the ordinance for a social district in February 2022, the town started with a test period during which the social district was limited to weekends. During this time the town studied both the economic impact of the social district as well as its effects on policing and incident reports in the downtown area.

After six months of this limited social district, Sylva officials found no increase in police calls, and expanded the hours of the social district to seven days per week.

legally consume alcoholic beverages. Social districts are regulated by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission and were approved by the legislature in 2021. Proponents of social districts believe they help contribute to economic development by attracting citizens and visitors to downtown areas which increases foot traffic and provides new revenue opportunities for restaurants and retail businesses.

The municipality in which a social district is located must display clear signage that indicates the geographical area of the district, including entry and exit points. It must also design branded cups that are permitted outdoors and include the language “Drink Responsibly — Be 21.”

There are currently 38 municipalities that have social districts in the state with Sylva being the closest one to Franklin.

Franklin has been considering the social district since the town council held its retreat in February of last year. Since that time, the town has garnered public input and received generally positive feedback from both residents and local businesses.

Some opposition to the social district came from county commissioners in November when they decided not to allow the town to use county property in the social

However, when Town Manager Amie Owens and Councilman David Culpepper made a presentation to the county commission in November to request use of the properties, the item was tabled due to a lack of motion from any commissioner. Commissioners did not discuss the social district or the use of county property.

The squares downtown will remain alcohol-free at all

“Education

will be provided to those ABC permitted establishments and merchants within the social district during the next few months to ensure that when the district does go live, all will be prepared.”

— Amie Owens, Franklin Town Manager

times and individuals who are observed taking their marked cups into these areas will be subject to fines.

Some opponents of social districts cite a concern for increased crime or public intoxication as reasons not to

“We’ve checked statistics for this time frame compared to last year’s same time frame and there’s no increase in police calls,” Sylva Police Chief Chris Hatton told the Sylva Town Board at the time. “We checked everything, including traffic accidents in the district.”

The Town of Franklin is working to develop a list of all businesses that will participate. There are six establishments downtown with ABC permits that would be able to utilize cups in the district — JR Chophouse, Gracious Plates, Outdoor 76, Las Margaritas, Motor Company Grill and Lazy Hiker. Other businesses may allow drinks to be carried into their stores and will be required to have signage that indicates participation in the social district.

There are still several steps that must be completed before the social district goes into effect and it is estimated that these steps will take at least three to four months. The town must register with the ABC Commission in Raleigh, design branded cups and put signage in place.

The town itself will pay for cups and signage and is currently soliciting quotes for the supplies. When Sylva implemented its social district, signage that marks the boundaries of the district cost about $3,500.

Once preparation is complete and the social district is approved by the ABC Commission, it will go into effect for all participating businesses. Hours of operation for the district will be noon until 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday. At all other times, unless a permit has been obtained for a special event, consumption of alcohol on sidewalks and in public areas is prohibited.

“Education will be provided to those ABC permitted establishments and merchants within the social district during the next few months to ensure that when the district does go live, all will be prepared,” said Owens. “An operations plan and educational materials are being developed and will be shared with the public online and available in hard copy as part of the implementation of the social district.”

Special events that take place within the social district in the downtown area will have the option to request that the social district be suspended during the event by checking a box on the street closure application. Town Council will then consider that request at the same time as the street closure; no additional step is required.

Community Almanac

MLK celebration at WCU

Western Carolina University’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration will begin Monday, Jan. 15, with its annual Unity March.

Those looking to participate can attend a poster-making session at 10 a.m. in the Hinds University Center multipurpose room. The march, which is sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, will begin at 11 a.m. at the fountain in the center of campus.

Other MLK events during the month include:

• Monday, Jan. 22 – “Self-Care in Advocacy for Equity and Inclusion: Sustainable Models for Leaders.” This event will be hosted by Enrique Gomez, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Physics. It will take place at 2:30 p.m. in the U.C. Theater.

“Civil Conversations Series: Social Equity” will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the U.C. Raleigh room. This is a civil dialogue event with the topic of social equity. Participants will have the opportunity to have a moderated conversation with others who may have different points of view than their own. It is hosted by the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning.

• Tuesday, Jan. 23 – Tabling: “Women Behind the Movement,” hosted by Greek Student Engagement and Development, will take place at 11 a.m. near the fountain. Tabling: Voter Registration, hosted by the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the fountain.

Leadership reception – David Walton, director of the Global Black Studies program, will host a keynote presentation titled “The Civil Rights Movement as a Youth Movement.” It will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the U.C. Grandroom.

“It is an honor to have served as a founding member — and now chair for a second year — of Nantahala Health Foundation,” Leatherman said. “The opportunity to partner with nonprofits, agencies, local governments and community leaders in the six westernmost counties in Western North Carolina to influence the health and well-being of fellow citizens is humbling and motivating.”

Remaining board members are Alison Cochran of Bryson City, Ollin Dunford of Forest Hills, David Garrett of Whittier, Debbie Mauney of Brasstown, and Barbara “Sunshine” Parker of Sylva.

Library announces new designation

The Canton Branch of the Haywood County Public Library has announced it has been designated as a Family Place Library, the first in North Carolina. Family Place Libraries is a nationwide program in 32 states and over 500 libraries.

• Wednesday, Jan. 24 – “Music Behind the Movement” will be hosted by WCU’s Inspirational Gospel Choir at 4 p.m. in the UC Theater.

• Thursday, Jan. 25 – The Global Black Studies program, Inspirational Gospel Choir and Sigma Gamma Rho sorority will host “A Seat at the Table.” This will be a round table discussion led by student leaders on what it means for all voices to be heard and how to take up space at the table. Student leaders will host a space where all students can have an open discussion about topics of equity, inclusion and leadership on the WCU campus. It will take place in the U.C. Cherokee room. Food will be provided.

• Friday, Jan. 26 – Civic Engagement: Scotts Creek Community Cleanup. In partnership with the Jackson County NAACP and Liberty Baptist Church, the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning will host a MLK Day of Service 2-4 p.m. Volunteers will participate in a Scott’s Creek area cleanup in a historic black neighborhood. Transportation will be provided.

HRMC to host Medicaid registration events

Haywood Regional Medical Center and Haywood County Health and Human Services are hosting two free Medicaid registration events in late January and early February. Community members will be able to verify their eligibility and apply for benefits.

The first event will be held 5-8 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Waynesville branch of the Haywood County Public Library.

The second event will be held 5-8 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Canton branch of the Haywood County Public Library.

Attendees are asked to bring their latest bank statement, social security number, driver’s license or ID and a pay stub, as these items will be required for the application process. Anyone already receiving Medicaid benefits need not attend these events.

Transportation to either event can be arranged through Haywood County Transit by calling 828.565.0362.

Expanded eligibility started Dec. 1 and adults 19-64 who are earning up to 138% of the federal poverty line (singles earning about $20,000 per year or families of three earning about $34,000 per year) may now qualify.

Calls for more donations amid blood shortage

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years.

The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving procedures are not put on hold.

Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations — such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone — can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in, and in recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products — among the most transfused blood types — to hospitals.

To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1.800.RED.CROSS (1.800.733.2767).

The Red Cross and the National Football League are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to give blood or platelets and help tackle the emergency blood shortage. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. For details, visit redcrossblood.org/superbowl.

Nantahala Health Foundation welcomes new members, officers

Nantahala Health Foundation recently welcomed three new volunteer board members, expanding its membership from 12 to 15. New board members are Clarissa Ashe of Sylva, Ann Lukens Murphy of Murphy, and Paul Worley of Murphy.

In addition, Graham County School Superintendent Angie Knight of Robbinsville was re-elected secretary of the health foundation. Jane Kimsey of Franklin, was elected treasurer. Roger Plemens of Franklin, was reelected as vice chair. Lisa Leatherman, of Franklin, one of the original members of the board, was reelected for a second year as chair.

Family Place Libraries become vital centers for early learning, parent engagement, family support and community connectivity, ensuring that children get the best start in life.

People can join the Canton Branch for two five-week programs every year, designed for young learners and their caregivers.

During each program week, a community specialist will be present for caregivers to connect with and receive guidance on various topics, including early literacy, health and nutrition and behavioral intervention.

Children and their adult caregivers can also enjoy the Early Learning Space at the Canton Branch, a specially designed space for families to interact, read and play, and where adults will find a curated collection of parenting books available for checkout.

Community garden seeks new gardeners

The garden is a 1.3-acre space located at 65 South Painter Road in Cullowhee. It consists of 28 garden plots, each measuring approximately 15 by 30 feet. Plot adopters agree to use only organic means to grow their vegetables and to donate half of what they grow to help address food insecurity in Jackson County. Last year the gardeners donated over 800 pounds of fruits and vegetables to places like the United Christian Ministries, the Community Table, and individuals dealing with food insecurity.

There is no cost in adopting a garden plot, and gardeners have access to tools, watering cans and almost everything they need to have a garden. They also have access to the greenhouse where they can start their spring plants. They are responsible for buying their seeds and/or starter plants, for maintaining their gardens, and keeping track of what they donate and how much.

Returning gardeners have the option of retaining their plots from the previous year, but every year a few plots become available.

People interested in adopting a plot can get an application by emailing Claxton at gardenmanager@jacksonnc.org.

This conservative says it’s OK to disagree

Iwish to respond in a general way to the two columns on the Opinion page of the Dec. 27-Jan 2024 edition of The Smoky Mountain News — to Scott McLeod’s and to guest columnist Rob Schofield’s.

I know that Scott McLeod welcomes contributors who disagree because he and I disagree politically yet he’s allowed me to contribute articles as a guest columnist. On the other hand, I am certain we both agree that it is good to have a place where important issues can be discussed without disrespect. I hope with him that SMN can be that place.

And so in that spirit I turn to the article by Mr. Schofield. As with Scott McLeod, I suspect that Mr. Schofield and I would have different opinions about many political issues. I fancy myself a conservative. The conservatism I adhere to is the one defined by Sir Roger Scruton as “the love of home.” And so for me, the word nostalgia is not derogatory or delusional or denialist but instead it’s family, faith, forgiveness, cheerfulness, good humor, peace, purpose — something that might be better described as tradition; i.e., that which has been adhered to by the multitude of people who don’t happen to be walking about right now (to paraphrase G. K. Chesterton).

After all, the idea that things are always in general getting better, an idea popularized by Hagel and Marx, has its critics, me among them. For instance, if things were always improving, why have so many civilizations come and gone? Moreover, if today’s society is always better than what preceded it, then was the antebellum Southern slave society the highest peak of civilization to that point? That’s hard for me to believe.

GOP once knew what honor meant

To the Editor:

I recently finished reading Liz Cheney's book “Oath and Honor.” Liz Cheney represented Wyoming in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2017 to 2023. She held the third-ranking position in House Republican leadership from 2019 to 2021 and served our nation honorably in other vital capacities, not the least of which, as vice chair of the Select Committee (at then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi's request) to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the United States Capitol. For accepting what she considered an honor and her duty, she sacrificed her seat in Congress and has been receiving death threats ever since.

It's a well-written book, encompasses 368 pages and contains quite a bit of American history, much of which Cheney's family seems to have made a significant contribution to. It's a hard book to put down once you start.

I was reminded that Thomas Jefferson was the first president to take the oath of office in Washington, D.C., on March 4th, 1801. Four years earlier, President George Washington had handed power to President John Adams (both Federalists), but this was the first time the presidency had passed from one party to another. Those who observed that occurrence well understood how miraculous it was for power to change hands absent the “confusion,

And going back to 1968, one good thing back then was that over 70% of Black kids were born to two-parent families. Somehow today you can’t point this out without being called racist, which is not dissimilar to how Patrick Moynihan was vilified when he produced his 1965 report on the state of the Black family in which he expressed his concern that the Black two-parent-intact rate had dropped to 70%. It had been even higher during the worst of the Jim Crow era. In 2020 it was 37%.

Here is where critics of conservatives label us racist because we think intact Black families are a good thing. Really? Has it gotten to the point where if you advocate for intact Black families you want to return to Jim Crow? Ridiculous. We know that any kids, black or white, brought up by two-parent families do better than those from single parent homes, yet to say so can get you labeled racist or patriarchal or misogynist or anti-feminist, or whatever, but we all know it’s true. Or perhaps you don’t. If so, can we not discuss our differences without categorizing and calling names?

We have become so divided in this country that it has become a cliché to say so. Consequently, it’s hard to know where to start. What I long for is a time when we can stick to our principles and yet be willing to learn from each other, and perhaps change our minds.

I suggest some ground rules:

LETTERS

villainy and bloodshed” that usually accompanied transfers of power.

Some of us recall such peaceful transfers: Truman to Eisenhower, Eisenhower to Kennedy, Johnson to Nixon, Ford to Carter. President Ford had lost his voice so his concession was read to President Carter over the phone by Ford's Chief of Staff, Dick Cheney (Liz Cheney's father). The concession read:

"As one who had been honored to serve the people of this great land — both in Congress and as President — I believe that we must now put the divisions of the campaign behind us and unite the country once again in a common pursuit of peace and prosperity. May God bless you and your family as you undertake your new responsibilities."

As Liz Cheney reminds us, from George Washington in 1801 until January 2021 (220 years) every American president had fulfilled his solemn obligation to safeguard the peaceful transfer of power.

Donald Trump changed all that and practically the entire Republican Party, by their active participation or by their silence, and with unconscionable indifference, helped and allowed him to do it and thus far, held unaccountable. Do we who live in WNC hear any voices in the Republican Party rise to condemn the former president for his behavior or speech? At the town, county, state or federal level, do we hear one word of condemnation

1. No labels. Listening instead of labeling. No more words ending with, “–ism,” “-ist,” “-ic,” or “-ia.”

2. No more adherence to ideology.

3. Humility first.

We need people who disagree with us and who are willing to engage with us. When I argue for my side with people who agree with me, I become further entrenched in my own opinions. Since over the course of my life I’ve been wrong about 90% of the time, why would I want to strengthen my ignorance? One thing I love about my wife is that she disagrees with me on many issues. She’s also right 90% of the time.

There’s a character in Anthony Trollope’s “Barchester Towers,” a Mr. Arabin, who when asked what he thinks, says, “It is the bane of my life that on important subjects I acquire no fixed opinion. I think and think and go on thinking; and yet my thoughts are running ever in different directions …”

Sounds pretty wishy-washy for a conservative, but I am Mr. Arabin. I guess that even for my firmest-held opinions, I’m only 52% to 57% certain. Maybe I’m just a weirdo, but I suspect most other people can relate.

In conclusion, I’m uncertain what I’m after except to express a viewpoint that differs from many of the guest columnists to The Smoky Mountain News. And I want to support Mr. McLeod and his efforts to provide a platform for different opinions. Maybe I’ve only stirred up my critics. I didn’t mean to. I’m sure I could have expressed myself more clearly. I want to be a part of an effort to reduce the division in our country starting with my neighbors in WNC.

(Steven Crider is retired physician who lives in Waynesville. He can be reached at crittersteve@gmail.com.)

from the party responsible? No, not a peep.

In a just world a man who mobilized a violent assault on his own Capitol attempting to overturn an election he knew he'd lost would have no political future in a free society.

We believed (erroneously, it appears) that our system of laws, of checks and balances, our constitutional system, would constrain Trump. Such is not the case. Donald Trump

has repeatedly attacked the judiciary and ignored the rulings of dozens of courts. Anyone who seeks to hold Trump accountable for his many crimes, they and their families are immediately subjected to death threats by deplorable people claiming they’re only trying to "make America great again.”

Donald Trump's actions violated the law and the oath he swore to

Here’s to being woke rather than a MAGA

Several months ago, I was having lunch with a friend and the topic of politics came up, specifically how bitterly polarized and angry the country has become in the last ten years.

“Honestly, do you think there is any hope of this ever getting any better?” he asked.

think people have the right to bear arms with sensible limitations.

flags from our vehicles, what they fail to understand is that most of us have endured elections for many, many years voting against dangerous candidates rather than voting enthusiastically for someone in whom we wholeheartedly believe.

advocate for democracy.

Furthermore, the party that has aligned itself so lockstep with evangelical Christianity remains foursquare and rock solid behind a candidate who posted this touching Christmas Day message on Truth Social, his favorite social media platform:

I’ve been thinking about that question ever since. You see, these days, I am part of a group that is considered the enemy by about a third of the country, literally tens of millions of people, who remain absolutely and unwaveringly loyal to former President Donald J. Trump, regardless of what he says or does or however many felony counts he is facing.

I am fine paying taxes to support things for the common good. I am OK with a “safety net” or social programs for “the least of these” who may be unable to provide for themselves for some period of time. I’d rather my tax money go to support hungry children or paying teachers than to corporate welfare.

He once famously proclaimed, “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose any voters.” He has spent the last several years proving it.

This is what passes for “conservative” now. You see, the problem is that I am woke. I’m a liberal. A progressive. A bleeding heart. A socialist. A globalist. Choose your favorite epithet.

The odd thing is that I generally think of myself as a moderate rather than a radical. I have a few core values that shape my worldview.

I support public education. I don’t think anyone should lose everything they have because they get sick, or that anyone should die because they cannot afford a procedure that could save them if only they could afford it.

I am fine with capitalism, but I am also pro-union and pro-working class. I believe that 40 years of trickle-down economics has been a massive failure, destroying the middle class and redistributing the wealth to the top one percent.

I believe in science and actual research and data. I am pro critical thinking.

I believe in equal treatment and opportunity for all people, regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or anything else. I

the Constitution. Those of us who serve (or served) in uniform took a similar oath. I took it five times and served under six presidents.

In November 1800, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, after he had spent his first night in the White House. The letter read, in part, “May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.”

Donald Trump is not such a man and history will not be kind to those who took an oath to protect our way of life but support a twice impeached former president facing

Oh, I am also pro democracy. I am in favor of our constitutional republic. I support elections and the peaceful transfer of power, even when elections do not go the way I wish.

I am not in favor of gerrymandering or any attempt by anyone in power to undermine an election. I am not in favor of any initiative or attempt to make it more difficult for any American to vote.

These days, this is the resume of a radical, I guess. We get hung up on our differences and forget that there is one thing both sides have in common, and that is really the only thing that does give me hope.

The popularity of Trump — especially in the beginning — is that he was the ultimate “outsider.” His campaign was not just against Democrats, but against the entire “same old same old” two-party political system, which includes “establishment” Republicans.

That is why even today as we are ramping up toward the primary season leading up to the election in November, none of his challengers can get anywhere near him. They represent politics as usual, and he is still running as the ultimate outsider, albeit one facing 91 felony counts in four separate indictments.

It’s also why he continues to run neck and neck with President Biden in the polls. Biden is a career politician if there ever was one. Detractors think he is too liberal, which is ridiculous. He’s about as centrist as it gets. If he were a real liberal, we would have seen a serious push for universal healthcare over the last four years. We would have seen him use his office as a bully pulpit to address our gun drunk culture.

When Trump loyalists charge that Biden couldn’t have gotten 81 million votes because they didn’t see any of his supporters wearing Biden T shirts or waving Biden

four criminal indictments across four states (91 total charges) who seems bent on destroying the country he swore to protect. Our country cannot survive such a man.

“Oath and Honor” is the title of Liz Cheney's book. The Grand Old Party once knew what taking an oath meant, respected and considered honor of vital importance, and highly valued the rule of law. I will dare to hope they will find the courage to do so once again —very soon.

David L. Snell Franklin

You think the system is lousy? We do, too. It is rife with corruption and in a stranglehold of lobbyists and special interest groups. The system is broken. You think so. We think so. And that explains not only the popularity of Trump, but also the campaign of Bernie Sanders in 2016.

Americans on all sides are fed up with politics as usual. I don’t know a single person who is excited about the prospect of voting for Biden a second time.

On the other hand, it would be nice if we could find a viable outsider who was not equal parts huckster, gangster and narcissist, someone capable of understanding what all Americans are hungry for — a genuine leader, someone who could lead the effort to reform the system and bring real change to the election process.

Ironically — and frighteningly — the Trump movement can no longer be viewed as an outsider campaign. Whether the Republican establishment likes it or not, the party belongs to him now. It has become a party of grievance, of retribution, of pettiness and of lies.

Most disturbingly, it has become a party willing to subvert the Constitution in order to win elections. The party that for generations has made such an ostentatious display of its patriotism is no longer much of an

“Merry Christmas to all, including Crooked Joe Biden’s ONLY HOPE, Deranged Jack Smith, the out of control Lunatic who just hired outside attorneys, fresh from the SWAMP (unprecedented!), to help him with his poorly executed WITCH HUNT against “TRUMP” and “MAGA.” Included also are World Leaders, both good and bad, but none of which are as evil and “sick” as the THUGS we have inside our Country who, with their Open Borders, INFLATION, Afghanistan Surrender, Green New Scam, High Taxes, No Energy Independence, Woke Military, Russia/Ukraine, Israel/Iran, All Electric Car Lunacy, and so much more, are looking to destroy our once great USA. MAY THEY ROT IN HELL. AGAIN, MERRY CHRISTMAS!”

I’ll give this rant no more attention or consideration than it deserves except to say this. You may not see a Biden flag flying from my vehicle this year, but I will show up this fall and vote for him. I’ll vote for Biden for the same reason I don’t burn my house down when the kitchen sink springs a leak. Before we have any chance of fixing our Republic, we have to see if we can keep it first.

(Chris Cox is a teacher and writer who lives in Haywood County. jchriscox@live.com.)

When the dance gets hot

Want to go?

Sublime tribute act

Badfish returns to WNC

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

ARTS & E NTERTAINMENT E DITOR

Back in 2001, while students at the University of Rhode Island, bassist Joel Hanks and drummer Scott Begin had been kicking around the idea of doing a oneoff tribute concert to the music of Sublime — one of the most iconic American rock acts of all-time.

“Sublime’s music and Bradley Nowell’s voice — and lyrics in particular — are singular in the landscape of all the other reggae/ska revival band of the [1990s],” Begin said. “The [musical] chemistry of [Sublime] is also very unique and instantly identifiable. It’s very clear to me that they were just playing from their musical influences with ease. There seems to be no forced attempt to sound too much like any other artist or really any pretention at all.”

Formed in Long Beach, California, in 1988, Sublime was a fiery juggernaut of sound and scope, this whirlwind blend of reggae, punk, ska and soul, all with a thick thread of hard rock sensibilities. Although the band disappeared following the tragic death of Nowell at age 28, the musical message of compassion and camaraderie crafted by Nowell and his bandmates continues to reverberate into the

cosmos.

With Sublime, there was this keen, honest sense of self, of genuinely channeling the power of music for the greater good, to bring one and all together to shake off the monotony and melancholy of daily live in the presence of sweaty, heartfelt melodies — the eternal quest for freedom of the individual in a society filled with harsh rules, bogus expectations and often-bleak outcomes.

And in an ode to a beloved Sublime melody, Hanks and Begin formed Badfish. Taking place at the Ocean Mist bar in Matunuck, Rhode Island, the April 2001 performance was a resounding success, one where the duo now had this opportunity placed before them to possibly take the gig further and farther that they ever could have imagined. Lead vocalist/guitarist Patrick Downes joined the ensemble in 2007.

“Where Badfish shines is the emphasis on replicating the intensity, dirt and heart that the music of Sublime embodies,” Downes said. “And what’s most surprising is how intricate the composition of Sublime songs [are]. They feel so easy, catchy and natural. But, when you start to pick them apart there’s so many twists and turns — the songs go on a journey unlike any other band I’ve listened to.”

In its almost quarter-century together, Badfish has risen into the upper echelon of nationally touring tribute acts. This isn’t just a

The premier Sublime tribute act, Badfish will hit the stage at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, at The Orange Peel in Asheville. Dale & The Zdubs and Damn Skippy will kick things off. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. The show is ages 18 and over.

For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on theorangepeel.net/events.

crowd is another band member in a way. Usually it feels like we’re all on the same journey together and that’s a great symbiotic kind of experience.”

Peeling back the layers of Sublime, it can be a real challenge, albeit a welcomed one, to nail down the musical essence of a band known for whiplash tempo changes and intricately-crafted tunes, all the atop a staggeringly high-bar of raw energy and authentic attitude presented in the live realm.

“Over the course of Sublime’s output, the sound of the band changes pretty drastically over [its] three major [albums],” Begin said. “As a drummer, I’m trying to evoke the feel of the particular record that I’m playing. The early stuff and the later stuff have different sound and feels. It’s all flexible of course, but it gives us a fun challenge to really dial in the ‘era’ of the particular Sublime song we’re playing.”

band rolling through “the hits.” This is a trueto-form musical homage to a catalog of songs and a live stage presence that remains a cultural touchstone for generations of Sublime fans.

“We’ve always approached the show with a [few] goals — do the music justice, no costuming or trying to look like the band, put on a show that blows people away,” Begin noted.

Onstage, Badfish is a celebration of music — of storied legend and eternal lore — as both sides of the microphone find themselves in this undulating two-way musical conversation.

Coming into the new year, Badfish is doing something that’s been in the wings for many years — releasing its own original music. Starting with the latest single, “High With You” (featuring Little Stranger), the group will continue to roll out fresh numbers as 2024 unfolds.

“We are lifelong musicians. No matter what we are playing, we love music — writing, performing, listening. Music is movement,” Downes said. “We’ve grown so many great relationships and have had so many crazy nights with our fans over all these years and for us to take all that collective energy and put it into our own words and sounds to give back out is an honor in itself.”

“We’ve always approached the show with a [few] goals — do the music justice, no costuming or trying to look like the band, put on a show that blows people away.”

— Scott Begin

“We’ve always struck a great balance between delivering the expected version of the songs and giving ourselves some leeway to stretch out or jam at times — we try to allow moments for us to employ that same philosophy in the way we feel Sublime did,” Begin said. “The vibe of the crowd is so important to how we’re all interacting onstage, it’s like the

Even this many years later, the members of Badfish hold a deep sense of appreciation for what they get to go night in and night one, where one thing remains true and in abunance — gratitude.

“There’s a raw honesty to [Sublime],” Begin said. “At one moment, it’s like [Bradley’s] giving you this genius advice from on high and the next moment it’s like you’re the last two people at the end of the party having a hazy 3 a.m. conversation — as a musician, having that effect on a listener is like the holy grail.”

This must be the place

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

“Sudden

illumination, sudden awakening or simply kick in the eye”

Peering through the window blinds of the motel room, the sunshine felt yesterday afternoon was long gone and now replaced by an early morning haze of clouds and a slight drizzle. Lacing up the running shoes and zipping up the waterproof jacket, I headed out and began my run.

Exiting the Sea Turtle Inn parking lot, the rest of Vero Beach, Florida, was either still in bed (many hungover from wild-n-out Friday night shenanigans) or simply didn’t want to trek around the picturesque beach town in the cold rain — freezing to the natives, but somewhat warm and welcoming to someone like myself from the mountains.

Pushing along Beachland Boulevard, the sounds of my shoes splashing happily through small puddles and passerby vehicles of affluence and prestige. Chugging by Mulligan’s Beach House Bar & Grill and down the wooden steps to the shoreline. Waves of sapphire flares crashing into ancient earth. Howling winds and raindrops sliding down the waterproof jacket.

somewhere else in the endless ether of this universe of ours.

And almost one full week into the New Year, Sarah and I were now on the Atlantic Coast of Florida. After the immense sadness and lingering gloom of the recent holidays due to the passing of her father after a bout with terminal brain cancer, it was decided to head down to The Sunshine State to see her brothers (all four of them) with the five siblings together for the first time since the passing of their mother in 2022.

Two of the brothers reside in and around Winter Haven, Florida. One is based in Dallas, Texas, the youngest still on the family farm outside of Goldsboro, North Carolina. Sarah looked at the opportunity to reconnect with them in-person as a sort of serendipitous moment of happiness and renewed focus of who she is and where she came from amid a fog of grief and haphaz-

HOT PICKS

1

Folkmoot USA will present Larry & Joe at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville.

2

Southern rock act The Log Noggins will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Sylva.

3

A special book reading and signing of Adrian Harley’s debut novel, “Many Drops Make a Stream,” will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

4

Rock group Spiro Funk Apocalypse will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at The Scotsman Public House in Waynesville.

5

Regional country/rock act The Jon Cox Band will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at the Unplugged Pub in Bryson City.

A week earlier, my girlfriend, Sarah, and I were in Charleston, South Carolina, for the final day of 2023. The sheer spectacle of rock acts Futurebirds (at the Charleston Music Hall) and Hiss Golden Messenger (Charleston Pour House) as the ball was dropping way above the Mason-Dixon Line in Times Square.

The official end of the holiday season, at least for this go-round. A blur of Uber rides zipping around the old port city, across bridges of grandeur and innovation, ducking down centuries-old streets of cobblestone and ghosts of the past in the rearview mirror. Massive mansions of old money families and high-end hotels/inns, all within a stone’s throw of The Battery and Charleston Harbor.

By early afternoon on Jan. 1, it was a celebratory New Year’s pint of Guinness at The Griffon, a longtime English-style pub in the heart of the French Quarter. College football on the glowing box in the corner. Thousands of dollar bills taped, stapled or glued to the interior walls from floor to ceiling, countless names of folks who sauntered in by chance or on purpose, eventually meandering to

ard emotions.

Thus, we booked an inexpensive flight on Allegiant and headed south for the family reunion. Snowflakes and a harsh, whipping winter wind walking across the airport apron for the ramp onto the plane. Swap that weather for 70-degree temperatures and a soothing sun. If anything, I was just happy to see Sarah smiling again and looking forward to something besides somber holiday feelings.

Trotting along the shoreline of Vero Beach, a euphoric sense of self and of place washed over me. Although I aim to always be present and be aware of a moment (any moment at-hand) as it is occurring in real time, I doubled down to snap a few mental images of how the wind and raindrops felt against my skin, how loud the waves were rolling in from the great beyond and how pleasant it was to be lost in thought — all alone and in a fluid motion of pace and rhythm, my stride remaining steadfast since middle school.

Visions of the massive nature of 2023 for me, you and all of us, now silent and tucked away in some overflowing shoebox in the closets of our collective memories. Miles

traveled and faces encountered. Meals devoured with gusto and images/words processed from an array of digital ways and means. It’s nothing and everything and everything in-between. It’s meaningless and meaningful. No matter, just be kind, eh? Be kind and say yes to the curious unknowns that lie just around the corner, eager to surprise you in due time.

Circling back down the beach towards the wooden steps below Mulligan’s, the wind was now at my back, my stride opening up more, my pace quickening with a joyful haste of movement and freedom only felt in this singular activity that is running, especially running with nowhere to necessarily be for the rest of the morning.

Back up the wooden steps, but not before one more quick glance at the mighty Atlantic. Waves of sapphire flares crashing into ancient earth. Howling winds and raindrops sliding down the waterproof jacket. Jog back down Beachland Boulevard. Small puddle splashing with sandy running shoes. Vehicles of affluence and prestige zoom by headed somewhere, anywhere.

Stop at the next intersection. Sigh for one glorious second before continuing on — a good, deep sigh of gratitude and grace amid a world seemingly gone mad. Walk across the parking lot of Vero Insurance as a shortcut to the Sea Turtle Inn. Knock on the door of Room 4. Await the smiling face inside to let you back in the humble abode. The girl from Goldsboro who arrived in my life almost a year ago.

Pack up the travel bags and crank over the engine of the rental car. Pull out of the parking space and head west for Winter Haven. Beloved faces to be seen and held soon. Some of the faces unknown to me, only to soon become fast friends of kinship and happenstance, stories shared and memories created. Onward.

Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.

On the beat

Southern rock rolls into WNC

Asheville-based rock act The Log Noggins will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Sylva.

The three-piece progressive southern rock band will also perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Franklin.

Embedded in their southern roots are strains of fusion, blues, progressive rock and much more. The group’s take on composition, melody and chord structure contains hints of everything from The Allman Brothers Band to John Scofield.

Both shows are free and open to the public. For more about The Log Noggins, go to thelognoggins.com.

The Log Noggins will play Sylva Jan. 12. File photo

• 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. 828.361.2534 or gm@thebluestage.com.

• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host music bingo 7 p.m. Mondays, karaoke at 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, trivia at 7 p.m. and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.246.0350 or boojumbrewing.com.

• Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music

Folkmoot welcomes Larry & Joe

For its first performance of the 2024 season, Folkmoot USA will present Larry & Joe at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville.

The duo of Grammy-nominated bluegrass and old-time star Joe Troop (from Winston-Salem) and Joropo maestro Larry Bellorín (Monagas, Venezuela), these virtuosic multi-instrumentalists fuse their respec-

tive Appalachian folk and Venezuelan traditions on the harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, upright bass, guitar and maracas. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $22 per person. Delish, the Venezuelan food truck, will be serving onsite prior to the concert. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on folkmoot.org. To learn about Larry & Joe, go to larryandjoe.com.

on the weekends. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on coweeschool.org/music.

• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host “Music Bingo” 7 p.m. Thursdays and Ray Ferrara (singer-songwriter) Jan. 13. 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 “Fireside at the Farm” sessions on select weekends. For more information, click on oldedwardshospitality.com.

• Folkmoot Friendship Center (Waynesville) will host Larry & Joe (Americana) 7 p.m. Jan. 18. For a full schedule of events and/or to purchase 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., Community Drum Circle Jan. 11, Harry Frenchmen Jan. 12, Doug & Lisa Jan. 13, Dirty French Broads Trio Jan. 19 and Bald Mountain Boys Jan. 20. All shows begin at 6

p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.454.5664 or froglevelbrewing.com.

• Frog Quarters (Franklin) will host live music from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Free and open to the public. Located at 573 East Main St. littletennessee.org or 828.369.8488.

ALSO:

• Happ’s Place (Glenville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. happsplace.com or 828.742.5700.

• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee) will host Styx (classic rock) 9 p.m. Jan. 19. For a full schedule of events and/or to buy tickets, caesars.com/harrahscherokee.

• High Dive (Highlands) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. highlandsdive.com or 828.526.2200.

• Highlander Mountain House (Highlands) will host a Sunday Bluegrass Residency noon to 2:30 p.m. and Tyler Ramsey (singer-songwriter) Jan 25 (admission is $25 per person). For more information and/or to purchase

tickets, click on highlandermountainhouse.com.

• Highlands Performing Arts Center will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. For tickets, click on highlandsperformingarts.com.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host “Trivia Night w/Kirk” from 7-9 p.m. every Monday and semi-regular live music on the weekends. 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 Karaoke on the second/fourth Friday of the month and The Log Noggins (southern rock) Jan. 13. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host “Music Bingo” 6:30 p.m. Mondays and The Log

Country, rock at Unplugged Pub

Regional country/rock act The Jon Cox Band will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at the Unplugged Pub in Bryson City.

The Asheville singer-songwriter rolls through an array of classic country gold and rock melodies. Known as “high-energy outlaw music,” Cox is a rising voice in Western North Carolina.

Admission is $5 at the door. For more information, call 828.538.2488.

On the stage

Open call for Highlands Cashiers Players

The Highlands Cashiers Players will hold open auditions for its 2024 season at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at the Performing Arts Center in Highlands.

All interested local residents, experienced or otherwise, are invited to audition. This is a first for HCP and is an attempt to involve a broader spectrum of the community in it productions.

The HCP motto remains “good plays, well done,” but of equal importance is to provide a stage for local citizens to both develop and display their theatrical talent.

Three productions (“Squabbles” staged 3/28-4/7, “Always a Bridesmaid” staged 5/9-5/19 and “The Lifespan of a Fact” staged 8/229/1) will be cast beginning with this process and all 15 roles are open.

Participants will be given a short portion of script to read and the part(s) in question will be reviewed with them by the director. Experienced actors are asked to bring a theatrical resume and all auditionees should bring a recent snapshot on regular paper.

Data sheets will be compiled so that all auditionees are identified both for these and future plays. You are encouraged to discuss the rehearsal schedule with the directors as well as any concerns or questions that you might have.

Please remember, if you don’t see a part that is right for you, but are still interested in local theater, please come and introduce yourself anyway. The knowledge regarding your availability may allow the HCP to choose a more suitable play for its 2025 season.

All plays listed will begin production at least five weeks prior to opening night. For more information, click on highlandscashiersplayers.com.

Noggins (southern rock) Jan. 12. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Meadowlark Motel (Maggie Valley) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on meadowlarkmotel.com or call 828.926.1717.

• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host an “Open Mic w/Frank Lee” Wednesdays, Scott James Stambaugh (singer-songwriter) Jan. 12, Zip Robertson (singer-songwriter) Jan. 13, Bird In Hand (Americana/indie) Jan. 19 and Alma Russ (Americana/indie) Jan. 20. 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 semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.641.9797 or nantahalabrewing.com.

• Orchard Coffee (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.246.9264 or orchardcoffeeroasters.com.

• 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 “Karaoke w/Russell” every Monday and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.926.9105.

• Santé Wine Bar (Sylva) will host semi-regular live music on Sundays. Free and open to the public. 828.631.3075 or facebook.com/thewinebarandcellar.

• Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.482.9794 or satulahmountainbrewing.com.

• Sauced (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.246.9585 or saucedwnc.com.

• The Scotsman (Waynesville) will host a “Celtic Jam” 2-5 p.m., Spiro Funk Apocalypse (rock/funk) Jan. 12, Shane Meade (indie/soul) Jan. 18 and The Marshall Brown Band Jan. 19. 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 semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7 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 semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on smokymountainarts.com or 866.273.4615.

• Southern Porch (Canton) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. 828.492.8009 or southern-porch.com.

• Stecoah Valley Center (Robbinsville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, call 828.479.3364 or click on stecoahvalleycenter.com.

• The Ugly Dog Pub (Cashiers) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.743.3000 or theuglydogpub.com.

• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host “Bluegrass Wednesday” at 6:30 p.m. each week. 828.526.8364 or theuglydogpub.com.

• Unplugged Pub (Bryson City) will host Karaoke w/Lori Jan. 11 (free), Jon Cox Band (country/rock) Jan. 12, Rock Holler Jan. 13, Jay Dee Gee Jan. 18, Macon County Line Jan. 19 and Mile High Band (classic rock/country) Jan. 20. All shows are $5 at the door and begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.538.2488.

• Valley Cigar & Wine Co. (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.944.0686 or valleycigarandwineco.com.

• Valley Tavern (Maggie Valley) 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. 828.926.7440 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. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.743.6000 or whitesidebrewing.com.

On the table

• “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. There will also be a special “Beer Train” on select dates. For more information and/or to register, call 800.872.4681 or click on gsmr.com.

The Scotsman gets the funk

Popular Asheville rock group Spiro Funk Apocalypse will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at The Scotsman Public House in Waynesville.

A collaboration of some of the finest musicians in the region, Spiro Funk Apocalypse is fronted by Spiro Nicolopoulos, a highly-skilled guitarist/vocalist known for his work in The Paper Crowns and other local acts.

The show is free and open to the public. 828.246.6292 or scotsmanpublic.com.

On the wall

‘Spark of the Eagle

Dancer’ extended

Western Carolina University is delighted to announce its recent exhibition “Spark of the Eagle Dancer: The Collecting Legacy of Lambert Wilson” will now be extended through June 28 in the Fine Art Museum at WCU in Cullowhee.

It is the museum’s hope that with the exhibition remaining open, it will give people in and around Western North Carolina and beyond the opportunity to experience one of the Fine Art Museum’s most visited exhibitions and allow people to be inspired by Wilson’s collection.

In conjunction with the exhibition extension, the museum will also host a new program series titled Spark Talks that invites the WNC community to learn from exhibiting artists about their artwork, process, and the relationships they formed with Lambert Wilson. Dates will be announced shortly regarding this programming.

extensive collection of objects during his lifetime, focusing primarily on artists of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee Nation and sovereign nations of the Southwest.

This exhibition brings together a selection of baskets, pottery, carving, painting, photography and more that tell the story of the relationships Wilson built and the impact that he made by dedicating himself to this remarkable collection.

The exhibit features works of contemporary Native American art from the collection of one of Western North Carolina’s most notable art enthusiasts, the late Lambert Wilson.

He devoted his life to supporting and encouraging Native artists, amassed an

• After school art for middle school youth will be held from 3:30-4:45 p.m. on Thursdays beginning Jan. 11 at the Waynesville Public Library. The program will be held for six weeks. Class size limited to 10. Instructor will be Luba Petrova, founder/director of the Waynesville Art School. For more information and/or to signup, click on haywoodcountync.gov/recreation.

• Gallery Zella (Bryson City) will be hosting an array of artist receptions, exhibits and showcases. The gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, click on galleryzella.com or call 517.881.0959.

• Waynesville Photography Club meets at 7 p.m. every third Monday each month on the second floor of the Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center in Clyde. The club is a nonprofit organization that exists for the enjoyment of photography and the improvement of one’s skills. They welcome photographers of all skill levels to share ideas and images at the monthly meetings. For more information, email waynesvillephotoclub@charter.net or follow them on Facebook: Waynesville Photography Club.

‘The Struggle Within Us’ by Bob Proctor (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma).

Tim Burleson, Frontier Photography

“Spark of the Eagle Dancer” gives visitors a glimpse into this vast collection built over 47 years and features work by 83 artists of various tribal affiliations.

To learn more about the exhibition and reception, please go to arts.wcu.edu/spark. The Fine Art Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.

• The Haywood County Arts Council (Waynesville) will offer a wide range of classes, events and activities for artisans, locals and visitors. The HCAC gallery is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. For more information and a full schedule, click on haywoodarts.org.

• 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.

ALSO:

• 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/scclocations/swain-center.

• 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.

Animal Hospital of Waynesville

Pamela Reece & Betina Morgan

Dale & Joey Reece

Bethel Rural Community Organization

The Dog House

Blue Mountain Chiropractic

Church Street Depot

Hart Theatre

Ron Breese

Mast General Store

Friends of Haywood Co. Animal Shelter

Skyland Camp & Resorts

Smoky Mountain Dog Bakery

Smokey Shadows Lodge

Karen Hollingsed & Soul Sisters

Times Square Bagels

Waynesville Tire Co.

Woof Street Bistro

An portrait of an Appalachia upbringing

For those of you who don’t know her, Julia Nunnally Duncan is an awardwinning freelance writer and author of 11 books of nonfiction, fiction and poetry who is a native of Western North Carolina whose hometown is Marion. I have known her for years through her work in literary magazines and, of course, her books.

we’re treated to “An Evening of Poetry and Music” at St. John’s Episcopal Church and ending the day with an open mike event over coffee and hot chocolate at Malaprop’s Bookstore & Cafe. She also writes about another local author, John Parris, who wrote a column in the Asheville Citizen-Times for many years.

“When I was a girl, my parents and I would drive two hours to Cherokee in the mountains for a summer weekend getaway. This was the 1960s, offering a main drag of small gift shops that sold deerskin and elkskin moccasins, feathered headdresses, toy bow and arrow sets and Oconaluftee Indian Village crafts.”

In her new book of essays “All We Have Loved,” which is inspired by her childhood, her family and her hometown and dedicated to her recently deceased mother and brother, we get a vulnerable and detailed slice of smalltown Southern life. Everything from a mother’s offering of snow cream after a rare blizzard, her husband’s training of a red-tailed hawk, her great-grandmother’s wedding ring that conceals a troubled marriage, and a rural life filled with crows, copperheads, hornets, horses, and even a lynx. But all these storied themes and more are offered by Duncan to bring forward the universal themes of family love and the attachment to a place. In this sense, “All We Have Loved” is an intimate portrait of a woman’s life spent in Western North Carolina, with its unique culture and traditions.

Written like a conversation with friends and family members in a quiet cafe over cappuccinos or spiced chai, Duncan’s stories bring back memories of my own life growing up in small rural towns here in the Smokies with our outhouses and woodstoves.

Memories that also include sharpening a pocketknife with a whetstone that I always carried around with me, as did her father until recently, but like her father still keeping it handy. And her stories about her grandmother’s vegetable garden and the one that Julia grows now every year, reminding me of almost 50 years of my own vegetable gardens. “Today when I work in my roses or plant my vegetable garden, I think about Mama Davis and hope I can live up to the legacy she has left me,” she writes.

One of my favorite chapters — “The Years Flow By” — takes me back to my younger years and my love for the writing of Thomas Wolfe. Duncan takes us on a trip to Asheville and to Wolfe’s Old Kentucky Home on North Market Street, and then to the Montford Historic District and Wolfe’s burial site at Riverside Cemetery, after which

Harley debut novel launch

“Every Sunday, my father and I sat

together and read the Asheville CitizenTimes. After we perused the funnies, we found John Parris’ column ‘Roaming the Mountains’ that told of the mountain people and their traditions,” she writes.

On other trips to Asheville and environs, she visits the Old Fort Cemetery in Old Fort and the large statue of the marble angel that’s referenced in Wolfe’s novel “Look Homeward, Angel” and, then, to the historic Battery Park Hotel in downtown Asheville.

Another favorite chapter for me was the one she writes about Cherokee, reminding me of my boyhood years in Graham County and my Cherokee friends who lived on the Snowbird Reservation there:

Duncan also takes us on a visually descriptive ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway before taking us back home in the chapter “Those Golden Years,” where she reminisces about her youthful years and describes her homeplace thusly:

“Mountains surround the McDowell County home that my husband, Steve, and I share with our daughter, Annie. The woods are dense with oaks, poplars, dogwoods, and pines, and the air is pungent with the scent of galax. Evening comes early here in the shadows of the trees, and even on summer days, the breeze off the creek in front of our house is cool. I often think back on those golden years of good friends, blue skies, colorful autumn leaves, and a cool nip in the air.”

But there are many more specifically detailed and engaging stories in Julia Nunnally Duncan’s new book, especially if you are not from here and are looking for a picture of rural Appalachia over the years. Or as Duncan writes in the Introduction to the book: “The memories of all we have loved — a place, family, and lifelong experiences — are never dead. And, I, too, believe it is worth our while to gather these memories and treasure them. I hope the reader will find my gathering of such memories enjoyable and compelling.”

(Thomas Rain Crowe is an internationally published author, editor and translator of more than 30 books, including the multi-award winning nonfiction nature memoir “Zoro’s Field: My Life in the Appalachian Woods” (2005). He lives in the rural enclave of Tuckasegee in Jackson County.)

There will be a special book reading and signing of Adrian Harley’s debut novel, “Many Drops Make a Stream,” at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13,

Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

Harley is an almost-lifelong North Carolinian and a fantasy-fiction aficionado. They are an editor of research by day and a writer, also by day. They go to bed early. They have short stories in OFIC Magazine and multiple anthologies from Duck Prints Press. “Many Drops Make a Stream” is their debut

They live in Sylva with their husband and a perfectly reasonable number of cats. To reserve copies of “Many Drops Make a Stream,” please call City Lights at 828.586.9499.

Saturday, January 13 at 3 p.m. Adrian Harley will present their debut novel, Many Drops Make a Stream

828/586-9499 • more@citylightsnc.com 3 EAST JACKSON STREET • SYLVA

Backcountry guardians

BY HOLLY KAYS OUTDOORS E DITOR

Documentary highlights Haywood SAR’s lifesaving impact, shows hikers how to stay safe

As 23-year-old David Crockett opened his eyes to day two of sub-freezing temperatures in the snow-covered Shining Rock Wilderness, he had no idea that, seven years later, he’d be telling his story on film. He wasn’t even sure he’d survive the next day.

“I knew that there was 0% chance that we’d be found alive,” Crockett said in the trailer for “Safe and Found,” a film highlighting the Haywood County Search and Rescue Team that premieres next week.

Crockett’s story, which unfolded after a wrong turn on a day hike nearly cost him and his hiking companion their lives, is one of three tales of high-profile rescue efforts woven into the one-hour film from Charlotte-based Jester Wallis Productions. The documentary will be shown publicly for the first time during an event from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Haywood Community College auditorium in Clyde.

In a Nov. 22, 2023, episode of “Beyond the Trail,” the podcast he does with Julie Gayheart, the other half of Jester Wallis Productions, filmmaker Austin Wallis said he wants the film to be entertaining, but also educational. In addition to the stories of those on the receiving end of rescues, the movie is packed with footage of the SAR team in action and interviews with the team members themselves.

“You’re going to see what happens when people are coming to find you and those processes, and that excites me because that’s the educational component,” Gayheart agreed in the podcast. “That is what’s going to make people think, ‘Okay, do I have enough clothing? Okay, do I have enough food? Can I get warm?”

Over the years, East has participated in dozens of rescues, but a 2018 incident with an unhappy ending was perhaps the most personally impactful. Rescuers spent a week searching for missing Ohio woman Susan Clements only to find her body less than a mile from Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The experience struck a chord with East, who had recently lost her own mother. It was core to her 2021 book, “Chasing the Smokies Moon.”

In summer 2022, Gayheart attended one of East’s book readings in Waynesville. After the event, the two met for beers at Frog Level Brewimg. Gayheart told East that she and Wallis were starting a film production company and wanted to do some pro bono work related to preventative search and rescue.

“They really wanted to highlight, just kind of focus on, a singular search and rescue team to use as the background of the story,” East said, “and then to highlight some of the searches that we have been involved in either in this county or in the instance of Susan Clements in the [Great Smoky Mountains National] Park to, through storytelling, show people what can happen to those who least suspect it and how you can avoid becoming that next search.”

A STORY TO TELL

Rescuing someone who’s lost in the wilderness is no easy task. Between on-the-ground searchers, command center staff and any aerial support the effort requires, a rescue operation can involve dozens of people. Responders must have intimate knowledge of the trails and terrain, rock-solid training to carry out a methodical search and high-level outdoor skills and stamina to keep from becoming a rescue liability themselves. Perhaps most importantly, they must have a willingness to help. The Haywood County SAR Team, whose members are respected throughout the region for their skills and impressive record of successful missions, is an all-volunteer crew.

Members give their time away for free and supply their own gear, typically valued at around $1,000.

“It’s not always easy,” said team member Nancy East. “We have an app on our phone that squawks at us when we have something we have to go out and respond to. It’s never at an opportune time. It’s never convenient. But it is a calling. I can’t imagine ignoring that call.”

The project that would later be titled “Safe and Found” was born.

PAYING IT FORWARD

The film isn’t about wagging fingers in the faces of those who have already found themselves in compromising situations. Rather, it’s about telling their stories and drawing out lessons that viewers can take with them next time they hit the trail. And, as a pro bono project, it’s also about raising money and awareness for the SAR team’s nonprofit partner, the WNC Wilderness Safety Fund.

“We’re looking for people to walk away with a better understanding of what could happen to them,” said team member and Wilderness Safety Fund founder Bill Zimmerman. “Because everybody thinks, ‘This wouldn’t happen to me, I’ve heard those stories on TV,’ but all the people involved in these have just been normal hikers, and things happen. Things just happen. So we want them to walk away with, ‘OK, now I have a better understanding, so I want to be better prepared.’”

Zimmerman established the Wilderness Safety Fund in 2020 to strengthen the shoestring on which the SAR team operates. The inspiration, he said, came from a 2019 incident in which he hopped into a truck with other SAR volunteers responding to an incident only to realize they didn’t even have a gas card to fill the truck’s tank.

He formed the nonprofit as a tool to accept donations toward the SAR program, hoping to raise money for gear, equipment and training for the existing team and to eventually expand the roster of services to develop and equip specialized squads such as swiftwater, drone and dive teams.

The first four years have proven successful. Subjects are often surprised to discover there’s no bill coming in response to the rescue effort, and they’re always grateful. With the Wilderness Safety Fund in place, rescuers can slip them a card with information about how to express their gratitude financially, should they wish to. In addition to allowing the team a reserve fund for emergencies, donations have funded several vital trainings and key pieces of equipment that allow the team to expand its impact. A recently purchased titanium basket equipped with a mountain bike tire and a disc brake now makes carrying people out of the backcountry much easier. Swiftwater rescue gear and training allowed the team to help search for the missing F

See the film

Watch the premiere of “Safe and Found,” a documentary featuring the Haywood County Search and Rescue Team, during an event that starts at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Haywood Community College auditorium in Clyde.

The film shows what it’s like to serve on this all-volunteer team in the most remote areas of Western North Carolina, shares how to stay safe while hiking and features accounts from people the team has rescued and from a daughter who lost her mother to a hiking accident.

after Tropical Storm Fred in 2021, and two new drones make it easier to search large areas, even when helicopters aren’t available or can’t fly.

Zimmerman recalls one recent incident when the team was looking for a woman who was lost near the Blue Ridge Parkway. As the crew prepared for a full-scale search, the drone operator noticed a hat on the aerial feed.

“I said … ‘Let’s go from here, across the hat, directly below the hat and see what we find,’” said Zimmerman. “And there she was.”

High-angle rescues involving ropes and steep drops are some of the most technically challenging to pull off.

The doors will open at 2 p.m., giving attendees a chance to meet the film creators and collaborators and members of the SAR team. Merchandise from film partners Wim Schalken of Hiker Medals and Heidi Nisbett of Sketching Summits will be available for purchase. The film will start at 3 p.m., followed by a 4 p.m. Q&A with its creators, collaborators and members of the SAR team.

Free, but RSVPs are requested due to space constraints. Attendees are invited to support the SAR team through donations to the WNC Wilderness Safety Fund. Learn more or register at safe-and-found.com.

have spent more than 7,000 hours responding to calls for help. Currently, the SAR team has 41 members, plus a cadre of Carolina Mountain Club members who are specially trained to help search.

“One hope I had for the whole [premiere] event … is that people come away with a greater appreciation for the time and the effort, energy, dedication, the cost that goes into rescuing people, and that that is being done by volunteers who are taking their own time, equipping themselves,” said WNC Wilderness Safety Fund board member Kevin FitzGerald.

“I think that was the first find we’ve had with a drone, and since then we found a couple runaway juveniles,” said Cody Parton, assistant emergency management coordinator and assistant SAR coordinator for Haywood County Emergency Services.

Until September 2023, the SAR team had been under the auspices of the Haywood County Rescue Squad. But now they’re under Haywood County Emergency Services, which has proven a better fit organizationally.

“It made more sense because we’re a dotted line to the sheriff’s department, because they’re responsible for any kind of missing persons in the county,” Zimmerman said. “So we’re more like a specialty team extension of what they would do.”

THEY CARRY IT WITH THEM

Over the past five years, the tightknit SAR team has been busy, responding to anywhere between 21 and 31 incidents each year with annual averages for volunteer hours per incident fluctuating between 36 and 67 hours. Since 2019, SAR volunteers

Appalachian Farm School returns to Sylva

An eight-week training course for anyone interested in operating an agriculture-based business will kick off Monday, Jan. 15, at Southwestern Community College in Sylva. After the in-person first meeting, the class will function as a hybrid course.

The Appalachian Farm School is a pioneering program aiming to teach participants the business aspects of farming so they can be successful doing what they love. Topics include: business planning, farm evaluation, goal setting, marketing, pricing, understanding the numbers, rules and regulations, resources and funding options.

Sessions will be offered 5:30-8:30 p.m. each Monday Jan. 15 to March 4 in SCC’s Burrell Building. Free, with registration required with Marne Harris at m_harris@southwesterncc.edu or 828.339.4211.

The David Crockett rescue happened in January 2017, now seven years in the rearview. But those it touched were affected forever. East, an avid adventurer who has been outside in all types of weather, said she had “never been so cold in my life.”

Zimmerman recalls how the thermometer read 6 degrees when he got back to his truck after the last night of searching. And Crockett is filled with gratitude for the life he gets to keep living after the SAR team saved it. East knows this, because since the rescue she and Crockett have forged a friendship. That’s a common outcome of these more intense rescues, she said, and it’s the personal connection that drives her to answer each subsequent call for help.

“What registered for me with the interviews we did in February [for the documentary] was the mindset that each and every team member has,” Wallis said in the podcast. “They literally carry their gear with them everywhere … They’re literally carrying gear with them, but they’re also figuratively carrying that mindset with them, wherever they go, knowing that at any point the call could come, and they drop what they’re doing, and they go and help.”

Forest Service releases 800-acre Nantahala restoration plan

The U.S. Forest Service has released its final analysis and draft decision for the Nantahala Mountains Project, which will touch more than 800 acres over a 24,943acre project area.

The project is focused on re-establishing key characteristics of these forests’ former state, including species composition, structure, pattern and ecological function, operating on the assumption that ecosystems are most resilient when they have high ecological integrity.

“The Nantahala Mountains Project is a well-rounded restoration effort with many components all moving toward a healthier, more resilient Nantahala National Forest,” said Nantahala District Ranger Troy Waskey. “We’ll be supporting wildlife, restoring native tree species, and improving trail access for more sustainable recreation.”

Waskey noted that the project will begin with some strategic tree and vegetation removal, including a carefully designed timber harvest followed by planting native trees that wildlife prefer.

“By allowing more sunlight to get to the forest floor, we’re creating patches for native plant communities to thrive,” he said.

Environmentalists make the case for housing

Hear the case for building more housing from an environmental perspective with a webinar offered 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, from MountainTrue.

Healthy communities exist within the context of a healthy environment, and currently both are threatened. The program will introduce MountainTrue’s newest program, Neighbors for

“These new openings create a young forest, which helps insects, birds like the goldenwinged warbler and larger animals who depend on these newly created habitats to find food and nesting sites.”

The Southern Environmental Law Center, an organization that has often been critical of Forest Service projects, believes the final plan is an improvement over earlier iterations.

“While we are still evaluating the project EA [Environmental Analysis], we are encouraged that the Forest Service has dropped plans to log the existing old-growth forest at Kit Springs,” said Sam Evans, senior attor-

Learn bird talk

Find out how birds talk to each other during a program offered at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at the Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center near Franklin.

Barbara Ballentine, Ph.D., an associate professor of biology at Western Carolina University, will speak on “Bird Talk: An Exploration of Avian Communication.” The beauty of birdsong is one of the joys of nature, and this talk will explore how songs are learned and performed, why the quality of a male’s repertoire can affect his mating success, and how birds use song-matching and countersinging in territorial disputes. Birds communicate through visual signals too, such as bright-colored feathers and aggressive wing-waving. Understanding how birds produce and use signals to communicate provides insight into their lives.

The program is offered as part of the “Where We Live: Nature, History and Culture” series. The Cowee Center is located at 51 Cowee School Road.

ney and leader of the National Parks and Forests Program at SELC. “That wasn’t the only problem with the proposal, but the change suggests that the new proposed plan amendments for mature and old growth conservation are already having an impact in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.”

The final EA was developed in accordance with the newly revised Nantahala and Pisgah Forest Plan, which was finalized last year. This plan includes stricter guidelines for protecting waterways than the old plan did. The previous plan, which was finalized in the 1990s, placed a buffer of 30 feet around streams and rivers. The new plan

includes a more protective zone of 100 feet. The project also includes plans for creating two stream crossings that will reduce road runoff. These crossings will provide fish passages that connect enhanced stream habitat benefitting southern brook trout.

The Jan. 3 release of the final project analysis and draft decision initiated a 45-day objection period, during which people and organizations who have previously commented may file objections before the decision document is signed. For more information on this project and the objection period, visit fs.usda.gov/project/nfsnc/?project=610 88.

Explore Rattlesnake Lodge

The Carolina Mountain Club has started a new hiking initiative, called Leisure Hikes, with the next event scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail in Asheville.

The group will meet in the back parking lot of the Folk Art Center and carpool 7 miles to Bull Gap Trailhead for a 3-mile, 600-foot ascent hike on the MST to see the remains of a swimming pool, stables and other features at Rattlesnake Lodge, stopping for lunch at the lodge site before returning to the trailhead.

Leisure hikes are designed for beginners, youth or anyone looking for a shorter, more leisurely club hike. Bring hiking poles if you have them. To reserve a spot, email lfsands@gmail.com.

Show off on snowboard

Over the next two months, snowboarders are invited to film their best moves at Cataloochee Ski Area and submit them for The Cat Classic, a premiere and contest slated for Saturday, March 9, at Salty Dog’s Seafood and Grill in Maggie Valley. Filming must take place between Jan. 1 and Feb. 24 at Cataloochee and may be a

single run or a collection of clips, with a length limit of one minute.

To enter, tag @TheCatClassic on Instagram or email thecatclassic@gmail.com. Cash and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places in each division —including $100 to the top male and female rider ages 15 and up and $100 to the top male and female rider 14 and under.

Pitch in with Panthertown

Friends of Panthertown will host a trail workday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, meeting at Salt Rock Gap Trailhead. No previous trail work experience is necessary. Tools are provided. Sign up at panthertown.org/contact. Learn more at panthertown.org/volunteer.

Go hiking

Explore winter in the mountains with a trio of upcoming hikes led by Haywood County Recreation and Parks.

• A moderate 6-mile hike will explore the Buck Springs Trail from U.S. 276 Wednesday, Jan. 17. Led by Phyllis and Vickey.

• A 4.5-mile hike will traverse the Lovers Leap Loop Saturday, Jan. 20. Led by Jamie and Phyllis.

• An easy 4-mile hike will go to Kephart

Prong Shelter Wednesday, Jan. 24. Led by Jamie and Ruffin.

Registration is $10 per hike. Sign up at haywoodcountync.gov/recreation.

Plungers show off their costumes during the 2023 event in Canton. HWA photo

Database collects George Masa photos

A new database cataloguing the work of renowned Smokies photographer, Japan-born George Masa, is now available online.

A labor of love from accountant-turned-photographer Angelyn Whitmeyer, the database now includes 1,800 unique images, including collections from the Pack Library, Ramsey Library, Highlands Historical Society, Western Carolina University and Great Smoky Mountains Association. Contributions of personal collections were also instrumental in creating the database.

View the database at georgemasaphotodatabase.com. Whitmeyer encourages anyone who knows of additional images that could be included to reach out to her at angelyn@georgemasaphotodatabase.com.

WINTER HOURS -

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Ready for the Plunge?

The 12th annual Plunge Benefit-t-t-ting Kids in the Creek and Environmental Education will take place 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Lake Junaluska Pool in Waynesville. The depth of the plunge is a personal choice, ranging from a dip of the toe to full immersion off the diving board, and costumes are encouraged. Prizes will be given for best costume, top individual fundraiser and team fundraisers.

Youth activities will be on hand throughout the event.

The cost to participate is free for youth under 18, $35 for adults or free by raising sponsorships. All proceeds go to Haywood Waterways Association’s Kids in the Creek and environmental education programs. Walk-ins welcome. To register or donate, visit goplunge.org. For a hard copy registration form, contact Haywood Waterways at 828.476.4667 or info@haywoodwaterways.org.

Up Moses Creek

BY B URT KORNEGAY

I’ll Fly a Ways

It takes something special to draw me out of Moses Creek — there’s so much here to see and do and write about. But on Dec. 16, maybe sensing the long nights of winter closing in, I got in my son Henry’s pickup and, driving down to where the valley opens up at NC 107, we turned up the Tuckasegee River, passed Aunt Sallie’s granite monument on the right, and made a left into Tuckasegee Trading Company. It was the annual holiday hoedown hosted by storeowners Wanda Herren and Nikki Young, and we had to search for a parking spot. Becky was already there.

The “venue” was the storeroom in back, where among 50-pound bags of feed and seed Darren Nicholson and two musician sidekicks, Kevin Sluder and Richard Foulk, were putting down toe-tapping licks. John Henry drove steel, sleigh bells jingled, and souls crossed over as the trio played ballads, carols, hymns and old-time tunes to a bluegrass beat.

Santa was there too, the greeter at the door, though the closer I looked, the more I thought I saw behind the mass of white facial hair the features of a distant cousin who lives in Sylva. Was that you, Tom Frazier?

Henry said another Santa once told him that Sylva kids ask for video games and Barbies, but that out Tuckasegee way it’s rifles and fishing rods. Before I could ask our Santa if he hears the same, he spied kids coming, and gave them a hoedown-worthy welcome: “Hoe, hoe, hoe!”

with your knees and jam the balls of your feet against foot pegs in back—because in rapids that boat is gonna buck. If you tip over, you roll the canoe back upright to avoid a long swim, like kayakers do. Rolling a canoe is hard, and I practiced in the pond.

The afternoon being hot, and Becky and I living in the middle of the woods, I simply stripped and got in the saddle. I didn’t know Alliseen and her friend were riding horses my way up our long wooded drive. They didn’t know about the pond — or roll practice.

Becky reminded me that when Henry was a toddler sitting awestruck on Santa’s lap, he managed to squeak out, “I … I … I want axe … and a BB-gun!”

The three of us sat on a pallet of dogfood bags. But not for long. The right tempo started, and Becky pulled me up to polka. Limbered up, and then hearing the band lay into Rocky Top, memories of my clogging days of yore swept me out onto the dance floor, where, breathing hard, I doublestepped to the top. Since it wasn’t Tennessee, I sang the chorus this way: “Rocky Top Tuckasee—.”

Darren climbed too. He played banjo on the balls of his feet, and the faster the music went, the higher he rose on his toes.

I was walking back to our family pallet when I recognized one of the women dancing — and I bet she recognized me — although it’d been years. Call her “Alliseen.”

The first time we met was on a summer afternoon, and I was in the pond below the house trying to roll my whitewater canoe. Whitewater canoes come with a stiff foam saddle, and, while straddling it, you hold on

I tipped the canoe over and, while upside down underwater, took a few seconds to make sure I was in the correct “set up” position and tight in the saddle. Then, with a hip snap, I rolled up. What a feeling of success! But then — blinking water out of my eyes — what a shock to see two women on horses staring down at me! A naked man had just rolled up in front of them in a canoe! Even the horses were rolling their eyes.

After a moment, Alliseen broke the silence, “Doesn’t this road go through?”

I barely got out, “No, it stops at the house,” before she said, “Thank you!” and spurred her horse back down the drive, her friend close behind.

After the hoedown, Henry and I were driving home when he said, “There’s a bald eagle!” and pointed over the steering wheel. The bird was flying down the river flaring its white tail as if to say, “This way to Moses Creek.” We followed, and while keeping my eyes on the eagle, a song that Darren played came to mind, “I’ll Fly Away.” But for me the chorus went like this, “Before I die, hallelujah, by and by, I’ll fly a ways.”

WNC Calendar

C OMMUNITY E VENTS AND A NNOUNCEMENTS

• The Jackson County Farmers Market meets every Saturday November through March 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and April through October 9 a.m. to noon at Bridge Park in Sylva, 110 Railroad St. Special events listed on Facebook and Instagram.

• The Jackson Arts Market takes place from 1-5 p.m. every Saturday at 533 West Main St. in Sylva with live music and an array of local artists.

• Learn about Civilian International, a service organization helping local communities dedicated to serving those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, during a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, the Comfort Inn in Sylva, at 1235 E. Main St. For more information contact Donna Jackson at the4jacksons@northstate.net.

B USINESS & E DUCATION

• Cataloochee Ski area will offer two field trips on snowmaking Tuesday, Jan. 23, and Tuesday, Feb. 13. The program is designed to offer STEM, science and math principles within a two-hour period and will include a lecture, guided tour and visual experience looking at the world of snowmaking. The program is open to six adults and 12 youth, with online registration required by Saturday, Dec. 23. There is no cost, but the field trip does not include a lift ticket. Learn more or register at cataloochee.com/programs/adult.

F UNDRAISERS AND B ENEFITS

• Jackson Neighbors in Need will host its annual fundraiser, Charlie’s Challenge, at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at the fellowship center in Sylva’s First Baptist Church. The even includes entertainment by Darren Nicholson, a meal by Chef Randy from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, and an opportunity to help keep our Jackson County neighbors warm through the cold winter season. RSVP for the event at tinyurl.com/charlieschallenge or call Ruth at 828.506.8827.

H EALTH AND W ELLNESS

• There will be a four-week series on the Pelvic Floor beginning at 5:30 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 22 through Feb. 12, at Heavily Meditated Wellness, 483 Main St. in Canton. Mats are provided; wear warm comfortable clothing. Class limited to eight attendees. Cost is $60 for the 4-week series. Walk-ins $20, class recordings included in fees. For more information, or to register, call Annallys at 505.438.9109.

• There will be a four-week series on the Pelvic Floor beginning at 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 24 through Feb. 14, at the Folkmoot Center, 112 Virginia Ave. in Waynesville. Bring a mat; wear warm comfortable clothing. Cost is $60 for the 4-week series. Walk-ins $20, class recordings included in fees. For more information, or to register, call Annallys at 505.438.9109.

• Haywood Regional Medical Center will host two Medicaid registration events from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30 and Thursday, Feb. 1. The Tuesday event will be held at the Waynesville branch of the Haywood County Public Library and the Thursday event will be held at the Canton branch of the Haywood County Public Library. Attendees are asked to bring their latest bank statement, social security number, driver’s license/ID and a pay stub as these items will be required for the application process. Transportation to either event can be arranged through Haywood County Transit by calling 828-565-0362. For more

n All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

n To have your item listed email to calendar@smokymountainnews.com

information visit MyHaywoodRegional.com/medicaid or call 828.407.1054.

• The Pollinators Foundation and The Share Project host weekly Happy Hour Walks 5-6:15 p.m. on Tuesdays at Lake Junaluska. The group meets at the Labyrinth. For more information visit thepollinatorsfoundation.org or contact Marga Fripp at margacfripp@gmail.com 828.4224.1398.

• 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.

C LUBS AND M EETINGS

• The Western Carolina Cribbage Club meets every Monday at 6 p.m. An eclectic group of young and old, male and female. The group supplies boards, cards, pegs and are always willing to help those still learning the finer points of the game. For more information contact kei3ph@bellsouth.net.

• Knit Night takes place at 5:30-7:30 p.m. every second Tuesday of the month at The Stecoah Valley Center. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP is recommended: 828.479.3364 or amber@stecoahvalleycenter.com.

• Sylva Writers Group meets Wednesday mornings at City Lights Books. If interested contact sylvawriters@gmail.com.

• Silent Book Club takes place at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Novel Escape Bookstore (60 E Main St, Franklin). Bring your own book and whatever makes you feel cozy and enjoy a quiet, uninterrupted hour of reading amongst friends.

AUTHORS AND B OOKS

• A Novel Escape presents “How to Choose More Books You Love,” at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Novel Escape Bookstore (60 E Main St, Franklin), a free, interactive workshop that will teach you about your reading identity, how to branch out in your reading and how to find more 5-star books. Space is limited; reservations are recommended.

• Bookstore Date Night will take place 7-9 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Novel Escape Bookstore (60 E Main St, Franklin). Enjoy a memorable evening with your loved one at the bookstore. Tickets are $50 for two people and includes a semi-private candlelit table, dessert for two, sparkling non-alcoholic beverage, and an activity to do together. Space is limited. To reserve contact the bookstore at 828.369.9059.

K IDS AND FAMILIES

• On Mondays, beginning Jan. 8, the Macon County Library will host Lady Violet, a King Charles Spaniel service dog, for children to practice their reading skills. Children who feel nervous reading aloud to an adult tend to feel more comfortable with a pet or a service animal. Sign up for a time to read with Lady Violet or to one of the library’s reading friends at the children’s desk or call 828.524.3600.

• On Jan. 10 and 24, Teresa Falzone will offer read-

ing services from 10 a.m. to noon Families may sign up for a 30-minute time spot at the children’s desk or by calling 828.524.3600.

• On Jan. 11 and 25 the Macon County Public Library will have Gayle Weiss volunteering to listen to children read to her from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Families may sign up for a 30-minute time spot at the children’s desk or by calling 828.524.3600.

• On Tuesday Kelly Curtis will offer reading services to families from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the Macon County Public Library. Families may sign up for a 30-minute time spot at the children’s desk or by calling 828.524.3600.

• Next Chapter Book Club Haywood is a fun, energetic and highly interactive book club, ideal for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The group meets every second and fourth Monday of the month. For more information, email Jennifer at jennifer.stuart@haywoodcountync.gov or call 828.356.2561.

• Storytime takes place at 10 a.m. every Tuesday at the Macon County Library. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.

• Toddler’s Rock takes place at 10 a.m. every Monday at the Macon County Library. Get ready to rock with songs, books, rhymes and playing with instruments. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.

• Culture Talk takes place at 2 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month at the Macon County Public Library. Travel the world from inside your library. This event features guest speakers and food sampling from the location being discussed. For more information visit fontanalib.org or call 828.524.3600.

• 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.

A&E

• There will be a lunchtime contra dance from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10 and Jan. 17 at Bridge Park in Sylva. No partner or experience required. All are welcome.

• Folkmoot Live will host Larry and Joe, a VenezuelanAppalachian folk fusion duo at 7 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Folkmoot Friendship Center. For more information visit folkmoot.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.

• Mountain Makers Craft Market will be held from noon to 4 p.m. the first Sunday of each month at 308 North Haywood St. in downtown Waynesville. Over two dozen artisans selling handmade and vintage goods. Special events will be held when scheduled. mountainmakersmarket.com.

F OOD AND D RINK

• Roll Up Herbal Bar, a mobile cocktail bar, will be stationed at Frog Level Brewing for Cocktail every Monday in January, serving non-alcoholic beverages from 2-8 p.m.

• “Flights & Bites” will be held starting at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in down-

Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for:

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

town 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. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 11a.m. to 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.

C LASSES AND P ROGRAMS

• 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. to 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.

Outdoors

• A turkey shoot will be held 9 a.m. Saturdays at the American Legion in Waynesville, continuing weekly through mid-April 2024. Breakfast food will be available for sale, with cash prizes offered. The event is weather-dependent. The American Legion is located on 171 Legion Drive in Waynesville.

• Homeschool students can visit Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley at discounted rates during Homeschool Days, offered 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Jan. 9 through the end of the season. Rates are $34 for lift pass only, $53 for lift pass and rental, and $69 for pass, rental and lesson. For more information visit cataloochee.com.

P OLITICAL CORNER

• The Swain County Democratic Party WhittierCherokee precinct will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, via Zoom. Agenda items include recruiting a precinct chair and planning for the 2024 elections. For more information or the Zoom link, email maryherr2017@gmail.com or call 828.497.9498.

MarketPlace information:

The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 copies across 500 locations in Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, including the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. Visit www.wncmarketplace.com to place your ad!

Rates:

• $15 — Classified ads that are 25 words, 25¢ per word after.

• Free — Lost or found pet ads.

• $6 — Residential yard sale ads.*

• $1 — Yard Sale Rain Insurance Yard sale rained out? Call us by 10a.m. Monday for your ad to run again FREE

• $375 — Statewide classifieds run in 170 participating newspapers with 1.1+ million circulation. (Limit 25 words or less)

• Boost Online — Have your ad featured at top of category online $4

• Boost in Print

• Add Photo $6

• Bold ad $2

• Yellow, Green, Pink or Blue Highlight $4

• 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

PLACE WNC

Legals

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.2023 E 000774

Cameron Lee Rogers,

Christopher Shawn Rogers all persons having claims Apr 10 2024 Administrator 100 Playground St Waynesville NC 28786

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.2023 E 000593

Betty Apr 10 2024

Fiduciary 9740 Cruso Rd. Canton, NC 28716

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.23 E 789

Margaret Hood Anderson Apr 03 2024, or

Sandra Kay Rhinehart

Mar 7, 2024, or

authorized by the laws of North Carolina to receive and administer all the assets belonging to the estate 92 Sellers Rd Clyde, NC 28721

Announcements

Samuel Anderson, Administrator 8150 Shore Dr Apt 312, Norfolk, VA 23518

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.2023 E 000766

RV/TINY HOME LOTS FOR

Pets

TORTOISESHELL

CAT, PERIDOT 6-yrold girl; sweet, mellow, relaxed, and cooperative. Gets along with dogs. Diabetic; easily managed w/diet and insulin. Asheville Humane Society (828) 761-2001 publicrelations@ashevillehumane.org

ATTENTION: VIAGRA & CIALIS USERS! A

DIAGNOSED WITH LUNG CANCER? You

SHEPHERD MIX

DOG, BLACK &TAN— SHAMROCK 6-yr-old sweet boy, ~45 lbs. Likes hiking and playing but also relaxing and hanging out. Asheville Humane Society (828) 761-2001 adoptions@ashevillehumane.org

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! -

Urge against

"--, vidi, vici"

"The Keep" novelist

away at

"Were -- it all over again ..."

"It can't be!"

55 One of the Three Musketeers 56 Nickname for singer Justin, with "the"

Derisive smile

One of the three Furies

60 R&R alone 61 "-- boy!"

62 Pisa's river

63 Nuclear trials, for short

64 Class of antimicrobial drugs, in the British spelling

65 Actress Sorkin who once hosted "America's Funniest People"

71 Like animals that don't roam

72 So-called "fifth taste"

73 Apartment near the super's, perhaps

74 Mesh well

79 Piquancy

80 Ontario tribe

81 Cat's warning

83 Pittsburgh footballers

84 "Chances --"

85 "Catch my drift, bro?"

86 Pie-mode link

88 1974 CIA parody film

89 More lacteal

90 Not cardinal, as a number

91 Plundering

92 Writer Sabato

98 Patronage

99 "-- Loompa"

101 Half-diameters

102 Journalist Brit

103 Zing

104 Lucy Liu's "Kill Bill" role

105 Insect traps

106 Exploiter

107 Mongrel mutt

108 Frilly material

109 Shrine figure

110 Moore of "G.I. Jane"

111 Shrine figure

ANSWERS ON PAGE 34

SUDOKU

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