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A new initiative at Western Carolina University, Homebase College Ministry, provides a support system for students who have recently exited foster care, are homeless, wards of the state, or orphaned so they have a better shot at graduating college. (Page 3)

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The strength of home

Student center aims to reach parentless students, increase graduation rates

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFFWRITER

On virtually any college campus, they’re there — students who have recently exited foster care, are homeless, wards of the state, or orphaned. And most of the time, they’re invisible, blending in with the student body at large and keeping their struggles wrapped in a tight armor of privacy.

A new initiative at Western Carolina University, however, will reach out and serve those students in a way that no other college in the state is doing.

“It really just fell right into place,” said Keith Henry, chief operating officer of the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina and a WCU alumnus. “It was like a puzzle ready to be put together.”

Called Homebase College Ministry, the program is headquartered in what was once the Baptist Student Union building, on Central Drive next to the Cullowhee Methodist Church, and funded mainly by the Baptist Children’s Homes of N.C. Staffed with a fulltime director and equipped with a kitchen, stocked pantry, laundry room and big-screen-TV-equipped living room, among other amenities, it’s meant to serve as a home base for students who don’t have a home base.

A place to come recharge in the company of people who understand, and a place to get help with the things that parents would ordinarily supply — anything from a few extra groceries during a week when money is tight to help figuring out what to wear to a job interview.

“Next year I want to see the outreach and advocacy really come to life,” said Sophia Calhoun, a student leader in the effort. “I think this building is the best way to do it. I want to have speakers. I want to give a student

tial meeting,” Davis said. “Some of them were enraged because they didn’t want people to know that they were in foster care. Some of them were happy that they had some support. We sat there, we ate food and we took tons of notes.”

That first meeting led to what became a full-blown community program that drew support from other senior-level university faculty. They partnered with a foundation that offered to support the students, and families in the community volunteered to be paired with students who needed a shoulder to lean on — whether that be someone to call with questions about professional dress or how to fix a car, a place to stay over Christmas break when the dorms are closed, or someone to provide a home-cooked meal when the grocery money runs out.

Davis saw the results. That first student, the one who showed up out of the blue from the Talladega, is now working for a Fortune 500 company. His sister, who followed him to Alabama, completed a term with Teach for America and is now working fulltime.

HOMEBASE

panel where high school students come and ask questions … I want people to start knowing this building is on campus. If that happens, we’ll see more students from our population that we didn’t even know were here.”

FROM ALABAMA TO NORTH CAROLINA

When Lowell Davis — WCU’s assistant vice chancellor for student success — arrived at WCU four years ago, it was with the express desire to serve the students on his new campus who didn’t have family support. He’d seen the need during his previous job as assistant dean of students at University of Alabama and quickly found himself wrapped up in the problem of addressing it.

Davis’ involvement at Alabama started when a student from the Presbyterian Home for Children in Talladega, Alabama, showed up at the administration building one summer. He wasn’t supposed to enroll until the fall, and he had absolutely no resources to start life on his own.

“He needs housing, he needs classes, he needs a meal plan, he needs all these things and he has no one to guide him on what to do,” Davis recalled.

Davis worked with him to find housing and enroll in summer classes. He gathered donations from his local church, equipping the boy with food and a TV, among other things. And then he started thinking.

“I began to ask how many other students are on our campus who are very similar to him,” Davis said. “They’ve aged out of foster care, they show up on our campus and they have to figure out what to do.”

So, he came up with a list of more than 200 students who fit the category, and he invited them to dinner.

“About 10 students showed up to the ini-

“I came to WCU realizing I had a passion for helping the forgotten students,” Davis said. There were plenty of them to be helped. During the Fall 2016 semester, Davis counted 103 students whose financial aid data showed they fit the criteria. Initially, he followed the same blueprint he’d developed at Alabama — generating a list of financially independent students, sending out invitations and holding a meeting.

“The needs were a little different than Alabama,” Davis said.

One of the first requests was always for more counseling support, and students also wanted an adult confidante they could trust, like a parent. Then, of course, financial support and help with necessities like food and books and medication.

Calhoun became a member of the group

“They’ve aged out of foster care, they show up on our campus and they have to figure out what to do.”

— Lowell Davis, WCU assistant vice chancellor for student success

early on. The students dubbed themselves RISA — Resilient Independent Student Association — and began to meet regularly, hanging out for bowling and movie and pizza nights.

“For a long time we stumbled over that ‘what do we want to do’ aspect of it because we didn’t know,” Calhoun said. “Is this going to be a group that someone asks you when we need 20 bucks, or is this going to be a group that does something?”

Eventually, the students decided they wanted to be an advocacy group and began to plan what is now a yearly event — “Telling Our Stories.” The students get up on stage, in front of university officials, board of trustees members and loved ones they’ve personally

Help Homebase

Community support is needed to make Homebase work. The following donations are wanted:

• Gift cards, especially to grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants

• Toiletries, toilet paper and paper towels

• Fresh produce

• Checks made out to BCHNC

Contact Jim Dean, jdean@bchfamily.org or 828.508.0035. Mail checks to Homebase at P.O. Box 2133, Cullowhee N.C. 28723.

invited, and they tell the long versions of what has happened in their lives. It’s a somber event that doesn’t seek to shield the audience from the full force of the stories. It seeks to make them understand.

For Calhoun, the experience was emotional and cathartic in a way she hadn’t expected it to be. At one point in her story, she cried. Usually, when sharing her past with someone, she peppers the tale with jokes and lighthearted comments to make it easier on the listener.

“In that case, I had to see what the weight of a story would do without relieving the pressure,” she said.

CREATING HOMEBASE

The group was growing and thriving, but at the same time Davis’ job responsibilities were increasing. Fulfilling those duties while also responding to the students’ need for emotional support became overwhelming, and he reached out to Henry to see if Baptist Children’s Homes might be able to help.

“Really it was a no-brainer,” Henry said. “These are the children who grew up in the system, they were part of the foster care system, and now they’re on they’re own and they need a family. That’s what we do.”

And, he had an idea. A WCU alum, Henry knew that the Baptist State Convention of N.C. had a building on campus and that it was pretty underutilized. So he called John Butler, executive director of the convention’s business services group, and asked for the building.

“It’s rare that you call somebody and ask them for a building, but he said, ‘Probably.’

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So we met the next day at that building,” Henry said. “He drove up from Cary and basically handed me the keys and said, ‘Have at it.’”

The Baptist Convention also put in $25,000 to start renovations, and the Baptist Children’s Homes put in another $75,000, with ongoing expenses to total $100,000 per year. Gifts from Phil Drake of Macon County and the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina also contributed, and WCU placed a couple student workers in the building. With the help of student volunteers and interior design expertise from WCU professor Erin Adams, work started in September 2016 to haul out seven dumpsters full of trash, paint the walls, redo the flooring, install Wi-Fi and replace the furniture.

Opening day was getting close, and Henry had to think about what would happen to the building once renovations were complete. It

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Calhoun’s only in regular contact with about 30 of them.

If the model succeeds, it could spread to other schools as well. Henry’s been getting a lot of interest from other universities in the state, but money is always the issue.

“Financially we’re not in a place where we can do that right now, but it’s not out of the question for the future,” he said.

A GROWINGPOPULATION

The number of parentless students at WCU seems poised to grow. The existence of the program will serve as its own recruiting school, steering students who fit the population to consider WCU above other schools. And the number of kids in foster care is growing in the state overall, thanks to the opioid drug crisis.

“We’re just seeing families torn apart by this crisis right now, so these kids are in the system and who knows how long they’ll be in

Jim Dean, director of Homebase, is settled into his office in the newly renovated building and making plans to ensure the fledgling program succeeds.

would need a full-time director, and he knew who his first pick would be — Jim Dean, a Jackson County resident, pastor, WCU adjunct professor and foster parent. Dean took the job.

“This program is really geared to helping students that have no family or parental support,” Dean said, “but Baptist Children’s Home has also said to me, ‘We’re not checking IDs at the door. If a student needs help, help a student.”

He’s excited about the possibilities. With the renovated building just unveiled in February, the program isn’t expected to fully take off until the Fall 2017 semester. However, a nightly schedule of activities is already in place — classes teaching life skills like cooking are on Mondays, TED Talk discussions are on Tuesdays, game nights are Wednesdays, the Baptist Student Fellowship holds a meal and worship service on Thursdays and movie nights are Fridays. The building is also available for use by other campus organizations as well.

Coming up, Homebase will likely offer weekend trips and outings. Dean is working with the counseling center to provide services like addiction support groups at the location, because there might be less stigma associated with walking into Homebase than with walking into the counseling office. Calhoun and Dean both hope to do a lot of outreach to find the students who need Homebase and draw them in. Davis’ data indicates that more than 100 such students are enrolled at WCU, but

the system,” Henry said. “Sometimes they’re in and out pretty quickly. Sometimes when we get them they’re with us or in a foster home until they age out. With more kids coming in, there’s going to be more coming out the other end.”

According to the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, the number of youth aging out of foster care jumped 10.4 percent between 2015 and 2016, the highest jump since data compilation began 16 years ago.

In January, 10,722 children were in state custody in North Carolina, according to data from the University of North Carolina. That’s up from 10,124 in January 2016, 9,991 in January 2015, 9,379 in January 2014 and 8,721 in January 2013. The number hasn’t been as high as it is now since 2007.

Of former foster kids who attend college, fewer than 10 percent graduate nationwide. More than 90 percent do not. And the resulting low lifetime earnings coupled with the emotional — and sometimes physical — baggage of a troubled past can keep these young adults from realizing their potential, and can even cause them to perpetuate the cycle into which they were born.

With Homebase, the hope is that the students will graduate, life will get better and they’ll pass on a legacy of positivity rather than pain.

“We hope that the love and care we give them while they’re here will propel them on to a better life,” Henry said, “and break this cycle they were a part of.”

An uphill battle

Without parental support, finishing college is hard

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFFWRITER

Sophia Calhoun was 9 years old the day the world changed. Her mother died, leaving her dad to care for Calhoun and her younger sister. When her father passed away four years later, the two girls were officially branded orphans, wards of the state.

Her father’s will had outlined a split custody arrangement between her grandfather and her aunt and uncle, but that didn’t last.

“It didn’t take too long to realize the situation with my aunt wasn’t going to work,” said Calhoun, now a 22-year-old senior at Western Carolina University. “It wasn’t a stable household.”

So, the girls went to live fulltime with their grandfather in Lexington, who, as a retired man in his late 60s, certainly hadn’t

HOMEBASE

expected to find himself in charge of two teenage girls. Calhoun and her sister Sunny were both dedicated students who took their education seriously, but finances were hard. The road to college was difficult.

As a minor, Calhoun had been getting a monthly Social Security check to help with her living expenses, but that support stopped when she turned 18. Still a teenager, she found herself forced to become financially independent.

“I don’t at all hold that against my grandfather,” she said. “He couldn’t afford to support me.”

Calhoun had to find a way to completely cover her education through the financial aid system, which is how she discovered that the type of aid she relied on was being slowly phased out. There were other bills, too — food, rent, phone, transportation — so Calhoun works three campus jobs to keep herself afloat, totaling 10 to 30 hours per week depending on her schedule. While most students drive a car whose insurance is paid by their parents or count on some portion of their tuition or rent being covered or at least can ask for $20 every now and then when things get tight, Calhoun doesn’t have that luxury. But she doesn’t waste time feel-

ing sorry for herself. She knows that there are students who face challenges miles higher than hers.

“I know students that are working 40, 50 hours a week to pay for an apartment, as well as going to school,” she said. “I count myself as one of the luckiest for this kind of population. I still have family that I can go to. It’s something not a lot of people can say.”

The often-overlooked student population of which Calhoun is a leader is comprised of former foster kids, homeless students, orphans and other categories of financially independent students. They’re students whose needs can often be invisible, sometimes by design. Many students who went through the foster system view college as their first chance to be just like everybody else — they don’t want anyone to know about their past. Others need help, even want help, but don’t know who or how to ask. Most people assume they’ve got it under control, because college students are adults anyway, doing their own thing independent of their parents.

Though of course, that’s not really true. College students go back to their parents for Christmas or summer breaks, they get care packages in the mail, or they rely on their family to pay for phone bills or groceries or tuition. They’re less dependent than their high school counterparts, but they still need help from time to time.

ed medication when things get tight.

“We have a student who was diabetic and on an insulin pump, and he didn’t have enough money to buy the medicine,” said Lowell Davis, WCU’s assistant vice chancellor for student success. “He was working as a security guard at the casino and passed out, I believe, twice.”

The needs go beyond physical necessities. Many of the students Davis has spoken with have requested better access to counseling and psychological services to help them deal with the trauma they’ve experienced. They also need some sort of parental figure — someone they can call when the car makes a funny noise, or when they need advice going into a job interview, or need to know what the secret is to baking great bread.

Then there are occasions like graduation, when everyone else is surrounded by proud parents and brothers and sisters, and these students are all alone.

“Everyone’s out there taking pictures and people are giving them balloons and things, and they’re just like, ‘I guess I’m going to go back to my apartment,’” Davis said. “No one is thinking about these kids on that day, but I am thinking about them, and I’m heartbroken.”

For Calhoun, however, the sad story is poised to have a happy ending. She’ll graduate this year with a degree in environmen-

“I know students that are working 40, 50 hours a week to pay for an apartment, as well as going to school.”

— Sophia Calhoun

Among students in the U.S. who arrive at college as financially independent, the graduation rate is less than 10 percent.

“What I’ve discovered is these students are resilient and they’re going to take care of their housing,” said Jim Dean, director of Homebase College Ministry, a new program that aims to serve these types of students. “Oftentimes they’ll take their financial aid package and find an apartment so they have a place to stay over break, but then they don’t have money for food and books and things like that.”

Some are even forced to skimp on need-

tal health, and her sister is a freshman at Wake Forest University. In the fall, Calhoun will be back at WCU to pursue a master’s degree in higher education student affairs — the same field that Davis is in. And she’ll be living in an apartment within the Homebase building as a graduate assistant, shepherding the next generation of college students over the same hurdles she herself has cleared. The hope is that they’ll jump high into a life full of purpose.

“I want to see us mold these students into great advocates for their population,” said Calhoun.

Tribal

The document had barely been read into the record before McCoy was ready to respond. The items contained in the articles of impeachment mostly dealt with policies and procedures that Lambert had allegedly violated, she said, but Tribal Council does far worse on a regular basis.

“This council has broke the law,” she said. “You broke the law. Law. Not just policy, not just process, not just procedure. Law.”

Everyone at the table who’s taking home $80,000 per year fits in that category, she said — Tribal Council’s salary went up by $10,000 in 2014 in an action that many tribal members and leaders of the new administration consider to be illegal. The issue went to court, but the tribal members bringing the suit were dismissed due to lack of standing.

If Tribal Council were really intent on getting to the bottom of Lambert’s alleged actions, McCoy said, they would have handled the last few months quite a bit differently.

(left), and Vice Chairman Brandon Jones raise their hands in favor of impeachment.

Governmental crisis in Cherokee

Impeachment hearing scheduled for Chief Lambert; Tribal Court rules that Council cannot suspend a chief

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFFWRITER

From the moment April’s Tribal Council session began — 8:30 a.m. sharp on the sixth — the Cherokee Council House was packed. Tribal members filled the seats and stood against the walls leading out to the lobby, where chairs in front of a TV broadcasting the meeting inside quickly reached capacity. Faces bearing expressions of sadness, or anticipation, or grim resignation, they waited for the action to start.

Before the day concluded, a three-act drama would unfold, carried along by a pair of surprise resolutions that Chairman Bill Taylor, of Wolfetown, would introduce from the floor apart from the public agenda published beforehand.

The Tribal Council would vote, 9-3, to schedule an April 20 impeachment hearing against Principal Chief Patrick Lambert, and then — once more, 9-3 — to suspend the chief until the hearing was complete. Councilmember Teresa McCoy, of Big Cove, would present legislation she’d placed on the agenda seeking to commence impeachment against Taylor and Vice Chief Richie Sneed. And, finally, a decision would arrive from the Cherokee Tribal Court preventing council from implementing its decision to suspend Lambert.

Tears would be shed, accusations would be made, and points of law would be hotly debated. And, like any true drama, it would all unfold one line of dialogue at a time.

ACT ONE: ARTICLESOF IMPEACHMENT

When, during the Feb. 2 meeting, the majority of Tribal Council announced its intention to impeach Lambert, approving articles of impeachment outlining the exact reasons for the action was the logical next step. No articles were introduced in March, and, likewise, no such vote appeared on the April agenda.

But copies of draft articles intended for surprise introduction during the April meeting somehow made their way into Lambert’s hands ahead of time. He posted the documents on Facebook, and by the time the meeting came around the impending vote was common knowledge. It prompted Councilmember Tommye Saunooke, of Painttown, to ask that all the elected leaders join hands in prayer before the agenda progressed and spurred Lambert to remind councilmembers that this season surrounding Easter is “one of the most sacred months of the year.”

“It’s something larger than any of us,” he said, “and I firmly believe in honest and accountable leadership. I think that’s all they (tribal members) ask.”

However, when the voting portion of the agenda commenced, Chairman Bill Taylor, of Wolfetown, said the lines that the people gathered in the Council House had come to hear.

“Everybody has heard about the impeachment process, and they want it to come to an end. They want it resolved,” Taylor said.

He then presented the articles of impeachment and asked for a move that they be read and voted on. Councilmember Travis Smith, of Birdtown, provided that move with a second by Councilmember Adam Wachacha, of Snowbird.

“This is the first time council is going to be seeing this,” McCoy protested. “We have a process in place that we go through to put things on the agenda. What I have seen continually happen in here in the past five or six months is people pick and choose what’s going to be on the agenda.”

According to Cherokee code, “each Council member shall be provided with a written agenda and copies of proposed legislation and all referenced and related documents … five business days before the Thursday session of Tribal Council convenes.” However, it wasn’t until after council had voted 9-3 to hear the articles of impeachment that copies were passed around.

The articles outlined seven grounds on which to impeach Lambert, including allegations that his hotel had illegally entered into a contract with the Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise, that he had made expenditures as principal chief before officially taking office and that he had executed contracts without securing proper approval for the expenditures. On his Facebook page, Lambert responded to each of the charges individually (see box on page 7).

“I have asked that we give Mr. Lambert a day to come in and talk to us. I’ve asked for Human Resources, I’ve asked for the Office of Internal Audit, I’ve asked for Finance, and y’uns won’t do it,” she said. “So when you sit here and you throw law back in our faces about violating the oath of office, I think some of y’all need to take a long, hard look at yourself.”

“I’d just like to say for the record you accuse us of breaking the law — you have as well,” Taylor retorted. “You broke your oath of office because during this whole process you have, especially by filing a lawsuit yesterday, impeded this impeachment process. You broke the law.”

McCoy had filed the lawsuit in question that week, arguing that Tribal Council violated her rights when it failed to read or hear comment on a protest she filed in March against the decision to impeach. It is unclear what statute Taylor’s allegation against McCoy references. Councilmember Anita Lossiah, of Yellowhill, followed up with a statement of her position on the issue. She said that tribal law makes it clear that public funds can’t be spent without proper approval and that council must protect the tribe’s human resources.

“I am in public support of this legislation,” she said, suggesting an April 20 date for the impeachment hearing.

Some members of the audience applauded in response, and council swiftly voted — 9-3, with only McCoy, Saunooke, and Councilmember Richard French, of Big Cove, opposing — to pass the articles of impeachment and approve the April 20 hearing date.

For a full hour after the vote, tribal members and councilmembers took turns at the mic to deliver their opinions on the decision. Of the five tribal members who spoke, only one was in support of impeachment. That was Timmy Ray Smith, a former tribal employee. One of the issues addressed in the articles of impeachment is the allegation that

Grounds for impeachment

The articles of impeachment passed by the Cherokee Tribal Council on April 6 outline seven grounds on which to remove Principal Chief Patrick Lambert from office. In a Facebook post, Lambert offered a counterpoint to each accusation.

Article I: Lambert broke a law that prohibits elected officials from entering into contracts with tribal entities by securing a $5.6 million, four-year room agreement between his hotel and the Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise. The contract was signed after his election but before his swearing-in.

Lambert’s response: “My wife and I have owned the Cherokee Grand Hotel for many years and while I was not employed by the Tribe nor sworn into office as an elected official, I entered an agreement with the Casino for a block of rooms. No where (sic) does Tribal Law require anyone to divest themselves from property or even contracts that were valid and ongoing prior to becoming an elected official or program manager … This accusation does not comport with the law as I was not a Tribal official until I took the oath of office in October 2015.”

Article II: Lambert began to spend tribal funds in his capacity as principal chief before actually taking office. The start date for renovations to the executive office was Oct. 1, 2015, while Lambert’s swearing-in was Oct. 5, 2015. In addition, he incurred $9,100 in legal services, billed to the tribe, for work performed before the swearing-in.

Lambert’s response: “In this charge they want to impeach me for getting legal preparation and transition work done by Scott Jones prior to me coming into Office.” Jones’ work was approved in the first five resolutions the new council approved, on Oct. 5, 2015. “Nothing prohibits the duly elected Chief to commit to costs and expenditures in support of an orderly and smooth transition of power. These costs are documented and verifiably in support of this transition.” Regarding the contract to expand the executive offices, “the start date of October 1, 2015 was referenced in error as activities did not commence in earnest until late November of 2015.”

Lambert hired an interim manager for a position when a manager was already in place. Timmy Ray Smith said that he was the interim manager in that situation.

“Because they put me in an interim spot I guess they thought they could tell me things that I wasn’t going to tell, and there’s a lot more that I know,” Timmy Ray Smith said. “I’ll be back up here in a minute if I need to. I’m sick and tired of it.”

According to Timmy Ray Smith, Lambert sent the former manager off on the monthlong Remember the Removal bike ride and quietly replaced him while he was away. He also told of a situation when Lambert’s office asked that the number one candidate for a tribal job — a veteran — be moved down to number two and the next person on the list — who happened to be Lambert’s nephew — be hired.

However, Lambert’s chief of staff Sage Dunston said that’s not exactly what happened and they’ll look forward to present-

Article III: Lambert violated tribal law and policy by executing numerous contracts without proper approval from the Business Committee and in several instances spent far more than the actual contract value. Neither a $62,000 contract to renovate the executive offices nor a $150,000 consulting contract had Business Committee approval. A $65,000 forensic audit contract involved $315,400 of expenses, and an $18,000 contract for a time clock study incurred $181,000.

Lambert’s response: “Each of these contracts are for real work and were presented to me as they had been thru the entire system and were ready for signature.” The $62,000 expansion price tag was never executed formally, and the contract had proper approval from the Business

Council delayed its passage. “When Tribal Council did get around to passing the budget in December, the organizational chart was still included with their budgets and they approved the organizational chart as is the normal and standard procedure.”

Article V: When ratifying the ordinance that made the Tribal Employment Rights Office independent, Lambert issued a statement saying that he would no longer allow TERO to use tribal resources, as required by Cherokee law. Lambert’s response: “In order for TERO to become a truly independent organization, said services should be properly transitioned and funded by their organization similar to the TCGE, CIHA and Cherokee Boys Club. It is well within the day-to-day operational authority of the Office of the Principal Chief to suspend such services in light of that independence; however in the interest of the Tribal employees and families affected no such actions have been taken.”

The Cherokee Grand Hotel, owned by Principal Chief Patrick Lambert and his wife Cyndi, entered into a four-year contract beginning January 2016 to provide overflow rooms for Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, but the agreement was terminated as of November 2016. Holly Kays photo

Committee. The $150,000 consulting contract had already been approved by the previous administration, and Lambert simply re-affirmed it. The forensic audit contract was performed on the advice of legal council, as Business Committee members would have had a clear conflict of interest. The $18,000 time clock contract was for a plan to implement the system, and the rest of the money was for purchase of equipment and so not part of a contract.

Article IV: Lambert made numerous changes to the tribe’s organizational structure without approval by Tribal Council, as required by law.

Lambert’s response: “The reorganization worked to be able to bring a lot of the work in house and utilize our resources more efficiently,” and the new organizational chart was included with the proposed budget, but Tribal

ing the real story during the impeachment hearing.

“Those necessarily aren’t the course of events,” he said, “and we look forward to discussing those.”

The rest of the speakers, however, were in full support of Lambert and expressed their anger at the direction Tribal Council has taken.

“How can you judge and impeach somebody when you’re doing it yourself?” said Lori Taylor, a tribal member from Big Cove who is running for a seat on council.

“My representatives don’t hardly represent us, so I don’t think it’s fair to say the tribe of Cherokee impeached unless I have a vote in it,” added Louise Reed, a tribal member from Snowbird. “A lot of people wants a voice in this, and we have been shut down.”

“It hurts me the way y’uns are carrying on,” concluded Amanda Swimmer, a 95-yearold tribal member who stood up from her wheelchair to address council. “I listen and it

Article VI: The tribe’s Charter and Governing Document requires that the executive committee — comprised of the principal chief and vice chief — must work together to execute and carry out tribal laws and administrative duties. However, Lambert failed to follow this law by making a political appointment and authorizing a salary without proper approval; hiring an interim manager for a position that already had a manager; authorizing an unbudgeted salary increase; and increasing pay for five employees — all without proper knowledge and approval by the vice chief.

Lambert’s response: “They pretend that the personnel policy is law, but it is a policy and does not rise to the level of any impeachable offense.” The interim manager was appointed because the manager was going to be out of town for a month; the political appointee was hired using funds for a position that Lambert decided to eliminate; and pay adjustments were made for several employees — within their existing pay grade — after those employees explained their positions.

Article VII: By incurring $9,100 in legal services — billed to the tribe — prior to his swearing-in, Lambert broke a law prohibiting elected officials from “knowingly commit(ting) an unauthorized act which purports to be an act of his office.

Lambert’s response: See response to Article II.

makes me sick.”

McCoy went so far as to question the legality of the impeachment legislation. The impeachment was passed as a resolution, she said, which is not sufficient to trump an existing ordinance in Cherokee law. And Cherokee law states that the principal chief must ratify any actions passed by the Tribal Council — nowhere does the law give this power to the vice chief.

“In your haste we have done another injustice,” she said.

ACT TWO: SUSPENSIONFROM OFFICE

With the impeachment vote settled, Taylor had one more piece of surprise legislation to produce before continuing with the scheduled agenda — a resolution to suspend Lambert from office until the April 20 impeachment hearing could conclude.

Allowing Lambert to remain in office, the legislation said, “immediately threatens due process of the impeachment procedures.” Therefore, he should be required to turn over all tribal assets and duties to Vice Chief Sneed until a decision could be reached on the impeachment issue.

After the resolution was read, the first thing Lambert did was to ask if council could put the issue on hold for five minutes so that it could first vote on the resolution that 95year-old Swimmer had been waiting for hours to hear.

“Then you can go about your business of trying to get rid of me,” he said.

Council acquiesced, handled the resolution in question, and then returned to the suspension issue.

Smith immediately moved to pass it, with McCoy protesting that the proposed resolution was illegal.

“Mr. Chairman, you’re getting ready to violate the law again,” she said. “You don’t get to make up law … You don’t suspend an Indian chief. You cannot suspend an Indian chief. And that vice chief cannot sign a contract. I’m sorry, I don’t understand why you don’t understand that.”

“Bill, you sat there yourself when I asked you, ‘Can a resolution override an ordinance?’ and it took you a minute, but you said, ‘No,’” she added.

“We’re not overriding an ordinance,” Taylor replied.

“Yes, you did override that ordinance when you gave him (Sneed) permission to sign a contract,” McCoy shot back. “He does not have the authority to do that. Only the chief does, by charter.”

Taylor retorted that the law gives the “executive office” — comprised of both the chief and the vice chief — authority to carry out law, while McCoy pointed out that the act of ratifying legislation is specifically delegated to the principal chief. The argument called for a legal opinion to settle the dust, but the only attorney in the room at the moment was Lambert. The attorney general and legislative liaison were both over in tribal court, embroiled in arguments over the legality of the action council was poised to take.

So, McCoy called Lambert to the stand.

“I’m asking you a generic legal question,” she said. At this, the anti-Lambert faction in the audience laughed sarcastically. “Does a resolution override an ordinance?”

“Not ever since I’ve been around this tribe, it hasn’t,” Lambert replied.

“It does not,” said McCoy. “So I think you need to go back and bring your little legislation in as an ordinance that amends that ordinance, because you keep violating them.”

At this, Wachacha spoke up in defense of council’s actions. The body has been trying to give Lambert due process, he said, but law actually gives few parameters for how an impeachment should proceed.

“There is no process,” Wachacha said. “There is nothing in the code and nothing that says there is a process for impeachment. The only thing the charter says, which trumps everything, is that the Tribal Council has the authority to remove any elected official by a two-thirds vote.”

“No it does not,” Lambert retorted as Taylor banged his gavel. “That’s a very important point, Mr. Chairman. What he just said is absolutely wrong, because the charter says that the Tribal Council has the power to impeach by a two-thirds vote. It does not say ‘remove.’”

“This is my problem with the resolutions that keep coming in here,” Wachacha said. “The resolutions that keep coming in here, as long as he stays in office he can veto, there can be protests.”

“Because I’m an elected official,” Lambert said.

“I know you are but —”

“That’s right. Can I suspend you?” Lambert said, raising his voice as Taylor banged his gavel. “Can I suspend you?”

“I can!” McCoy yelled. “I can!”

Taylor put an end to the discussion by call-

ing for a vote, with Councilmember Albert Rose, of Birdtown, seconding Smith’s move to pass the suspension resolution. As the vote was taken — with nine in favor and the same three opposed — McCoy repeated “Breaking the law, breaking the law” over and over as members of the audience yelled “Lawsuit!”

The ordinance passed, and the antiLambert faction of the crowd broke into applause.

ACT THREE: REVERSAL

The suspension was not destined to stick. Immediately after the resolution passed, Lambert filed a motion in Cherokee Tribal Court for a temporary restraining order on its enactment. Tribal Council has no legal authority to suspend a chief, Lambert’s office argued, so the resolution should not be enforced.

Within hours, Temporary Associate Judge Sharon Barrett had made her decision. Tribal Council is prohibited from enforcing the suspension ordinance, she wrote, until the matter is settled during a full hearing scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 17. However, the decision reads, after looking at the provision of law that Tribal Council had used to assert its authority to suspend, “nothing contained in this provision of law empowers one branch of government, the Tribal Council, to suspend from office the head of another branch of government, the Principal Chief.”

“A governmental crisis is now presented to this Court as a result of the actions taken by the Tribal Council today in attempting to suspend the Principal Chief from office,” the decision reads. “The Court does not lightly interpose the authority it holds to issue orders restraining officers of a coordinate political department from exercising their duties and responsibilities as they see fit.

impeachment efforts as “smoke and mirrors,” with Smith saying that he was not “going to sit here and be threatened” and then moving to kill the resolution.

But that vote was never taken, because McCoy announced that she never wanted to put the tribe through nine more impeachment hearings anyway.

“I think we have wore our communities out on the issue of impeachment,” she said, moving to withdraw her own legislation.

“That is my point.”

Council approved that move to withdraw.

But the discussion wasn’t over.

“Well, if there’s laws broken that y’all are accusing me of, we can prove that there were laws broken by this body as well,” Lambert said, reminding council that some of its members are currently under investigation by the FBI.

“It’s beyond the pale here,” Lambert said. “You need to get your heads out of your butts and let’s get down to business.”

However, it is emphatically the duty and province of this Court to say what the law is and to apply that law in cases properly brought before this Court.”

The decision came just as Tribal Council was preparing to hear the only impeachment resolutions that had been on the agenda when the morning began — three separate actions McCoy had filed that sought to prepare articles of impeachment against Sneed and eight of the 12 councilmembers. The grounds involved what McCoy contended was the illegal process used to retain a lawyer

“Why is it always a surprise attack against me? Everything y’all have tried to do against me is a surprise attack.”

— Principal Chief Patrick Lambert

for the impeachment process against Lambert and council’s denial of tribal members wishing to speak on protests of the impeachment during the March meeting.

“I’m willing to drop back now and have a talk with you guys off camera, all alone, and help you decide what’s in the best interest of this Tribal Council,” McCoy said, “because if you continue to break the law today, you’re being watched…I don’t want to send you home and I don’t want to sit here and point fingers at who did or didn’t break the law anymore. I want to spend the rest of my time doing what’s best for them (tribal members).”

Council did not take McCoy up on her offer of a closed-session discussion.

Jones described Lambert’s response to the

The comment prompted a shouting match between Jones and Lambert, during which Jones said that he was only doing what he believed to be right by going through with the impeachment and that it was Lambert who had broken his promises by holding a hotel room contract with Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort while in office. Meanwhile, Lambert contended that the contract was perfectly legal, as it was executed before he took office, and that the secretive way that council had handled the whole impeachment question spoke volumes about the validity of the claims against him.

“Teresa (McCoy) had enough respect for this council to put this on the agenda,” Lambert said. “Why is it always a surprise attack against me? Everything y’all have tried to do against me is a surprise attack.”

The question was met with silence. Members of the audience called out, “Answer it. Why is it never on the agenda?” and “Now they don’t have nothing to say.”

“I have something to say,” Smith said. “I ain’t seen it (the articles of impeachment) till this morning.”

“That’s our point,” audience members said, with laughter rippling through the crowd.

Observing that “with all due respect chief, we’re not making any progress here,” Jones put an end to the conversation. After eight full hours, the council session ended without even covering everything on the regular agenda — those items will be carried over to the next meeting, May 4.

By that time, the political landscape in Cherokee could look drastically different than it does right now. The impeachment hearing will have concluded, with Lambert either coming out on top or seeing himself removed from office. Rumors of the impeachment issue being taken up in a Grand Council — a gathering in which every enrolled member has a vote on the business at hand — could come to fruition. And there’s no telling when the FBI investigation, which has been going on for six months, could conclude, possibly resulting in indictments against some of the ringleaders of the impeachment effort.

The curtain may have closed for now, but the drama will continue.

Meadows’ message on ACA is heard loud and clear

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER

“More for less” — that’s the message Western North Carolina Congressman Mark Meadows, R-Asheville, is trying to send to Congress and President Donald Trump about the Affordable Care Act.

But to some, that message sounds a lot like “less for less,” or even “less for more.”

“On the healthcare front, we continue to make steps in a positive direction,” Meadows told reporters on an April 6 conference call. “I can tell you we had a number of discussions with the administration and with the leadership here in the House, and a very long conversation yesterday with the President and Vice President on a path forward.”

As the chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, Meadows was instrumental in derailing a repeal-andreplace plan contrived by Trump in conjunction with House leaders late in March.

Currently, the ACA — also called Obamacare — prohibits health insurers from charging higher premiums to those with pre-existing conditions and also stipulates that their coverage plans include socalled “essential health benefits” like ambulatory and emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and pediatric care, mental health and addiction treatment, prescription drugs, physical rehabilitation, lab work and wellness treatments.

Meadows said that he’s hopeful that states could apply for a waiver allowing them to remove some or all of those essential benefits.

“I can tell you that the waiver idea still remains to be the one that is creating the last hurdle for getting something passed,” he said. “I put it in a property-casualty analogy — it’s like saying you’ve got to buy homeowners insurance, but you also have to buy boat insurance, you have to buy gun insurance, and you have to buy motorcycle insurance, even though you may not have a gun, a motorcycle, or a boat.”

Regarding pre-existing conditions, Meadows favors a high-risk insurance pool

similar to that created for high-risk drivers that insurers are reluctant to cover.

“There is one amendment that is getting ruled in order that a number of us have been encouraging, which is a risk sharing component that would allow for — in the very short-term — the federal government to set up risk sharing,” Meadows said, calling it “an invisible underwriting pool which would actually allow people who have pre-existing conditions where their insurance has gotten too expensive to be underwritten at a state level that is federally funded in order to bring those premiums down into a place where they are affordable.”

Including the high-risk pool and the elimination of essential health benefits is central to Meadows’ “more for less” stance that he says will allow insurers to craft custom policies that ensure people aren’t forced to pay for coverage they don’t need, in effect driving down premiums.

“It essentially gives 100 percent guaranteed access to healthcare,” he said. “We believe that by getting rid of some of the insurance mandates, that drives premiums down and doesn’t affect coverage.”

The day before Trump’s inauguration, Meadows told The Smoky Mountain News in his D.C. office that he recognized that 646,000 people in North Carolina receive subsidized health care, and that his rural district — encompassing some of the poorer counties in the state — had a greaterthan-average need for coverage.

“I believe that we will have more people that are actually covered,” he said of replacement plans for the ACA at the time, “but more people that will be able to afford that coverage.”

Meadows also said he’d work hard to ensure that those most in need wouldn’t suffer.

“Taking the rug out from underneath people who have coverage is certainly not the thing to do,” he said at the time. “It’s not the compassionate thing to do, and not something I would support. Even politically, it’s not the thing to do. So I don’t see that happening; in fact, I’m committed to making sure that doesn’t happen.”

Along those same lines, Meadows said that one of the items that should remain in any replacement plan would be allowing those under 26 years of age to stay on their parents’ plan.

Make your voice heard

Two upcoming forums in Waynesville will soon be held to address the “repealand-replace” of the Affordable Care Act, as well as other concerns relating to federal health care policy. Both meetings are free and open to the public.

HEALTHCARE

INFORMATION FORUM

An ad-hoc group calling itself Concerned Citizens for Healthcare will host a “Healthcare Information Forum” to discuss the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Medicaid, prescription drugs, and the so-called “donut hole.” All are welcome, however, according to local pediatrician Dr. Stephen Wall, elected officials have not been formally invited to speak.

• Location: HART Theatre, 250 Pigeon St., Waynesville

• Date: April 20

• Time: 5:30 p.m.

PROGRESSIVE NATION TOWN HALL

Our Revolution AVL, The Burke County Democratic Party, The Burke County Young Democrats and Progressive Nation WNC will host what they’re calling a “Mark Meadows Town Hall” despite the fact that he won’t be there; event organizers, however, say that a “progressive organizer and working class community member” will declare their candidacy for Meadows’ seat during the meeting.

• Location: Haywood County Court House

• Date: April 23

• Time: 3 p.m.

How ever it eventually shakes out, Meadows is assured of having a largerthan-usual say in the matter, owing to his influence among the 30-odd members of the Freedom Caucus; the three-term Republican is seen as the face of conservatives across the country, and regularly appears on nationally distributed radio and television programs.

The House went into recess on April 7 and will not return to work until April 25, but Meadows wouldn’t rule out returning to Washington if a compromise could be worked out over the long break; the Senate, which went into recess April 8, returns to the capitol April 24.

Meadows supports Appalachian Regional Commission

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER

North Carolina Congressman Mark Meadows, R-Asheville, is known as a staunch fiscal conservative, opposing expansive federal fiscal policy set forth by his Democratic colleagues — except when it comes to his own district.

“I can tell you as someone who has seen the benefit of the Appalachian Regional Commission, I’ve already reached out to try to share the benefits of that with the [Trump] administration, and how it has provided a critical component for some of the activity that we’ve done in Western North Carolina,” said Meadows, chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, in a conference call with reporters April 6.

For more than 50 years, the ARC has funded critical economic development and infrastructure projects through federal-state partnerships across West Virginia and parts of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Trump’s budget seeks to defund the ARC completely, saving Americans about $140 million, or about $47 million more than the cost of the 59 Tomahawk missiles recently launched against Syria.

Meadows said he thought Trump’s proposed cuts to ARC didn’t reflect disappointments in how the ARC operated as much as they revealed his disdain for the supposed poor performance of similar organizations.

“I don’t know that it is as much a factor of what has happened here as it is some of the commissions not being quite as effective as the Appalachian Regional Commission has been,” he said.

But Meadows — who in principle should be as opposed to the ARC as he is to the Affordable Care Act — has surprisingly broken from his usual anti-big government stance, along with fellow Republican and Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, who’s Kentucky constituents receive plenty of funding from the ARC.

“Representing Western North Carolina, this is more a component of addressing this not from a partisan standpoint, but from a representative forum,” Meadows said. “I see it as being a critical component, and so I’m optimistic that my voice has been heard on that matter.”

Mystery Meadows challenger identified?

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER

A“Mark Meadows Town Hall” meeting on health care in Waynesville April 23 doesn’t promise U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows will be there, but it does promise that an unnamed Democratic challenger will be. But who is it?

Progressive Nation WNC’s Facebook page says that “a progressive organizer and working class community

member will step forward to declare their candidacy against Mark Meadows” but also sloppily reveals a gendered pronoun deeper in the post: “… don’t miss the chance to hear Meadows’ challenger make his formal, public announcement…”

The event lists only two speakers — health care activist Leslie Boyd (a woman) and community organizer Matt Coffay (not a woman).

Facebook chatter singles out Ashevillian Coffay, who

was not available for comment as of press time, but Coffay’s Facebook profile shows him to be a member of several Democratic Party organizations and lists him as a cofounder of one of the organizations hosting the event.

A quick internet search also shows a “Coffay for Congress” Facebook page has been created, but is not yet available for public viewing. The internet domain www.coffayforcongress.com redirects to www.mattcoffay.com, but simply says “Coming soon.”

While not definitive proof, it’s likely Coffay is the mystery candidate; the only way to find out for sure will be to show up April 23.

Back to Dillsboro?

Railroad considers moving Polar Express from Bryson City

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR

While rumors are flying around town about the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad looking to move its Polar Express event from Bryson City to Dillsboro, nothing has been confirmed.

GSMR Vice President and General Manager Kim Albritton said last week that she would consider all other options after the Bryson City Board of Aldermen denied the railroad’s request to shut down Fry Street for 56 days during the winter event for safety reasons.

Not pleased with the town’s decision to only close a portion of Fry Street, Albritton

would love to see the event come back to Dillsboro.

“Dillsboro is where it belongs, should never have been moved,” said Gerald Murray on Facebook.

People in Bryson City are split on the issue — some think the railroad has been a bad neighbor since moving from Dillsboro to Bryson City in 2008 while many in the business community say losing the train would be detrimental to the local economy.

“Seems like Bryson City is shooting themselves in the foot with this,” said Cassie Gold on Facebook. “Dillsboro would benefit greatly from this and will do what it takes to get them to Dillsboro.”

plans to change anything. GSMR is just like a little kid that gets mad and decides to take their ball and go home. They’ve done it to Dillsboro and Andrews now they want to do it to Bryson.”

The town board did ask the railroad for an easement over GSMR property back in January so the town could purchase a 10acre piece of property to use for vehicle and equipment storage. Available land in town is scarce and the town is in desperate need of storage space. The 10-acre tract was ideal for the town, but it could only be accessed by crossing over GSMR land. Alderman Rick Bryson said the railroad never responded to the easement request.

ECONOMICIMPACT

While residents and merchants are split on their support of the Fry Street closure, the Swain County Chamber of Commerce has been encouraging its business membership to show support for the request and let their town officials know that losing Polar Express to Dillsboro is out of the question.

“The Swain County Chamber of Commerce is committed to working with

cent as compared to 10.5 percent in 2016. This translates to more than 800 jobs lost or laid off if Polar Express doesn’t happen in Swain County.”

The popularity of the railroad continues to grow overall — 72,000 people rode the train in 2014 compared to 84,000 in 2016.

During the town board’s April 3 meeting, Bryson said he didn’t dispute the train’s economic impact, but said he was unwilling to close Fry Street completely at the detriment of other downtown merchants, who claimed their business went down the drain when the street was closed in the past. He also didn’t think the safety concerns were as dire as Albritton made it sound.

PEDESTRIANPLAZAPROJECT

This isn’t the first time the town has been asked to close Fry Street. The railroad asked for the town for several years to close the street during the Polar Express to improve pedestrian safety and also asked the town in late 2014 to relinquish its right of way on the street so it could be closed permanently.

With the support of the Swain County Tourism Development Authority, the railroad proposed closing Fry Street permanently to improve safety concerns but also so the TDA and railroad could move forward with plans to construct a pedestrian plaza on the property.

said one option would be to move the Polar Express back to the Dillsboro depot this November through January. Albritton did not respond to follow-up questions emailed to her on April 5.

Rich Price, director of economic development in Jackson County, said he was not aware of any plans for the train to relocate the Polar Express back to Dillsboro.

“I have not been following those particular discussions, nor has anyone from the railroad (or otherwise) reached out to my office in this specific regard,” he said via email last week. “I think it would be unfair, and frankly inappropriate, for me to speculate regarding any potential changes in the railroad’s Bryson City or Dillsboro operations, as I am unaware of any such considerations.”

But, even the suggestion — or threat as some are taking it — has created a firestorm on social media. People in Jackson County

“Bryson City should realize how much money the train brings in and bend over backwards to help keep the train there...you will miss that money!” said Peggy Herring.

Others say the town and county have bent over backward to help the train. Many locals have complained about the county and town governments showing preferential treatment toward the train at the expense of other businesses. They say the railroad always has its hands out asking for help and money.

“Bryson City has bent over backwards to accommodate GSMR and all they want to do is play games. The town was able to get a building and acreage to move their public works into and the railroad wouldn’t give them a right-of-way to get to it, even though the road is already there,” said Martin Anthony on Facebook. “Fry St. has been closed for every event that the railroad has put on and as far as I know there were no

and the Bryson City Town of Aldermen to successfully arrive at a vote for the temporary closure of Fry Street for the Polar Express event,” said Karen Wilmot, executive director of the chamber. “This event is critical for the success of our business community, its staff, and the community as a whole.”

Without the Polar Express, Wilmot said the county could stand to lose about $218,000 and the town could lose $82,5000 in sales tax revenue during the months of November and December. She said the train generates about $82,350 in room tax during those months as well, which is used to market Swain County and Bryson City. “November room tax has increased 465 percent from 2003 — the last year we didn’t have Polar Express — and December has increased 863 percent from 2003,” Wilmot said. “Unemployment in 2003 was 16.6 per-

The town spent over a year debating the issue and hearing public input before ultimately deciding last April to keep its right of way and keep Fry Street open. It was a divisive issue with passionate pleas from both sides. Supporters said Fry Street was dangerous for pedestrians and wanted to see the plaza completed to encourage more pedestrians to stick around town after their train ride while opposition claimed the closure of Fry Street would only harm the merchants. Aside from business concerns, the railroad made no commitment to fund any portion of the plaza project even though it owns the street and its real estate arm own the buildings on Fry Street. The TDA didn’t have any funding secured either — though the TDA board said it planned to go after grants to pay for it. The project was estimated to cost between $250,000 and $450,000 depending on the final design.

The town voted 3 to 1 to maintain its right of way on Fry Street — Alderman Heidi Woodard was the only board member in opposition. She also voted in favor of allowing the temporarily closure of Fry Street this coming winter, but was once again outvoted by her fellow aldermen.

LAST FRY STREETCLOSURE

The railroad was given a chance to show what a permanent closure of Fry Street would look like, but the town board was not happy with the result. The town allowed Fry Street to be closed for the Polar Express from November 2015 through January 2016 but it wasn’t long before Fry Street merchants began complaining about a drop off

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Swain Democrats endorse replacement for Monteith

BY J ESSI STONE

N EWS E DITOR

The Swain County Board of Commissioners now has a vacancy after the sudden and saddening loss of longtime Commissioner David Monteith.

As vice chairman and a tireless advocate for Swain County, Monteith’s death leaves big shoes to fill on the board that the remaining commissioners will soon have to fill.

As per state law, commissioners have to appoint someone to Monteith’s seat and that person will then have to officially run in the 2018 election to be able to serve out the remaining two years of Monteith’s fouryear term. Before commissioners make an appointment, the protocol is for the former commissioner’s party to make a recommendation to the county commissioners. Since Monteith was a Democrat, it’s up to the Swain County Democratic Party to make that recommendation to the board.

“There’s certain guidelines we have to follow in how that has to be done,” said Party Chairman Rocky Sampson.

He said the party’s executive committee met at the recent county convention on April 4 where anyone was allowed to make a nomination or nominate themselves for the seat. The executive committee — made up of precinct chairs — then took a vote. Sampson said precincts have weighted votes based on the number of voters in each precinct.

“We’re looking at education or background, what experience they have in leadership and people skills,” Sampson said. “We want somebody people as a whole can talk to and work with — same thing any voter would look for.”

The nominee with the most votes was Roger Parsons — a former chairman of the Swain County School Board. Before retirement, Parsons was a package driver for UPS. He graduated from Swain High School in 1973 and attended Western Carolina University.

Even with the endorsement from the party, the commissioners don’t have to go with the Democrats’ recommendation — they can appoint who they want to fill the seat as long as the person meets the basic guidelines.

The recommendation was sent to the commissioners, who have called a special meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, at the Swain County Administrative Building to consider making an appointment.

in the their business.

Paige Christie, owner of the Cottage Craftsman, reported that her sales were down a third compared to the previous year because of the way the railroad handled the street closure for the Polar Express.

Metal barricades were placed at the Fry Street entrance closest to Everett Street and the Polar Express banners were used to cover the fences, which gave the impression that the five businesses on Fry Street weren’t open. The railroad failed to put up signage to let people know businesses were open despite the street closure.

Christie also said the railroad placed a large tent in front of her shop while the street was closed for children to sit and write letters to Santa. It blocked visibility to her store on the backside of Fry Street, but the company moved the tent once she complained about it.

In December 2016, Christie announced that the lease she had for 11 years with Railroad Realty, an arm of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, was not renewed.

Since Railroad Realty leases to all the Fry Street merchants, finding a new downtown location for her business was a challenge. Cottage Craftsman finally decided to merge with The Wild Fern at 15 Everett Street. She can’t help but to think there was some correlation between her speaking out about the Fry Street closure and her lease not getting renewed.

“I can’t say for certain that my lease was

not renewed due to me speaking out. But after 11 years in that location, nothing else had changed but me speaking out,” Christie said. “I can’t draw 100 percent correlation, and the train leadership made no direct statements that this was the case. They gave no reason, in fact — and honestly they don’t have to — the property is theirs and

on Trip Advisor. She said many of her repeat customers are upset with the move and others are having a had time finding her products now that she’s sharing space with The Wild Fern.

It would seem having such a high volume of pedestrians on Fry Street during the Polar Express and other special train events

son, and that was with a lot fewer than 80,000 people walking by the door,” she said. “The drop in business over the 10th and 11th years occurred in correlation to the road closure. Numbers were also down in July of 2016 from all 10 previous years, with the Wizard of Oz road closure in what was traditionally the second busiest month of the year.”

In November and December of 2015, she said there were days when 6,000 people were outside for the train and only 20 to 30 would enter her business. She said the railroad was beneficial to local restaurants, hotels and kid-friendly businesses, but not for her business in particular.

“The Cottage Craftsman, as a handcrafted art gallery and wine shop, has always been a business designed for adults,” Christie said. “I could not, realistically, for the months November and December, turn that business into a kid-centered-adventurepalace.”

they can rent to whoever they want, no explanation needed.”

It hasn’t been an easy transition for Christie, who says the Cottage Craftsman had slowly become the No. 1 non-outdoor related business in downtown Bryson City

would have boosted the Cottage Craftsman’s business, but Christie said that wasn’t the case.

“In the first nine years in that location, The Cottage Craftsman had no difficulty through the late fall and early winter sea-

Ironically, Christie said she was never opposed to the permanent closure of Fry Street as long as there was some kind of promise the pedestrian plaza would actually be completed in a timely manner — something that never happened.

“As a former Fry Street business owner, I can state that the problem has always been with the damage done to the business on the south side due to temporary closures, which leaves the street looking abandoned and completely uninviting to those folks casually walking up and down Everett Street,” she said.

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Showdown at GOP gulch

Tracing the origin of turmoil in the Haywood Republican Party

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFFWRITER

Ashake up in the Haywood County Republican Party has pitted mainstream party members against an ideological “patriot” faction.

The patriot faction recently lost its grip on the party, following a mass ousting from the party’s executive committee during this year’s annual precinct gatherings. But what drove the two branches of the local party apart and resulted in the patriots’ ousting isn’t easy to sum up.

Ideologues at heart, the patriot faction is unwilling to compromise their sworn devotion to God and the Constitution and will attack anyone, even in their own party, that waivers from their strict definition of conservative values.

“If they don’t get their way, they cause a storm,” said Haywood GOP Chair Henson. “You either join them and go along with their bull or you are corrupt and a communist and all the other names they call people.”

But political philosophy is only a small part of the internal turmoil the Haywood GOP has been through. The disputes often seemed less about values and more about personality.

Sworn enemies are now on the same team, and long-time friends have turned on each other.

“Politics makes strange bedfellows,” remarked Phillip Wight, a Maggie Valley Republican.

“I’m kind of the middle. I’ve watched the merry-go-round go around and around,” Wight said. “Why are there two sides? Where’s the leadership that can’t keep these people together? You have to make these people work together, not create division.”

The wedge started small and culminated — a disagreement here, a dispute there. The strain built and distrust grew. The smallest of missteps were perceived as malicious. Innocent oversights were perceived as intentional snubs.

Eventually, the perceptions became a selffulfilling prophecy.

“I tried for six solid months as hard as I could try. But that bunch was not going to work with anybody,” Henson said. Meanwhile, the patriot faction feels betrayed.

“There’s a lot of hard feelings,” said Paul Yeager, a member of the patriot faction.

Henson and Yeager nearly came to blows one night this winter in the parking lot outside Haywood GOP headquarters in Waynesville. The meeting was tense from the start — the patriots convened the meeting to strip Henson’s name from the party’s bank account, but Henson declared the meeting illegal and walked out. The next morning, members from both sides were waiting outside the door of HomeTrust Bank

Ongoing coverage

This is the second installment in a story about the new direction of the Haywood County Republican Party. Catch up on last week’s story on the ousting of the patriot faction at smokymountainnews.com. Coming next week: is the two-party system in America too narrow to encompass the full spectrum of views?

when it opened — one side there to take Henson’s name off the account and the other side there to ensure that didn’t happen.

But the parking lot drama that ensued the night before was over something else entirely: the location of the next meeting.

It seems innocuous, but where to hold the meetings was symbolic of a festering power struggle.

The patriot faction wanted to hold the party meetings at the party headquarters, which they’d fought to keep open after last fall’s election.

“We had begged and requested, with emails and phone calls and texts and everything, to keep headquarters open,” recounted Jeremy Davis, a leader of the patriot faction.

But to the mainstream branch, the headquarters were merely a clubhouse for the patriot faction to hold court and wanted to terminate the lease. The patriot faction won out, but it wasn’t easy.

The lease on headquarters expired in December and couldn’t be renewed without a vote by the executive committee. Henson refused to hold a meeting, thus preventing a vote.

But the patriot faction did an end-run around Henson. They used a petition clause in the party’s by-laws to call a meeting them-

able to expect we would have meetings there,” Yeager said. Instead, Henson was going to use party funds to rent meeting space elsewhere.

“I said, ‘Has that expense been authorized? Why are we paying to meet there?’” Yeager, who followed Henson outside, recounted. “I badgered him with those questions over and over as he was leaving. Granted I was aggressive, but I was verbally aggressive by asking the same questions.”

Henson responded with a threat. He took off his jacket, and Yeager took off his glasses before they were talked down.

Henson later said one reason to have the party’s meetings at The Colonial was so he could have an off-duty police officer present.

“People said they wouldn’t come if we didn’t have a police officer there. That was the only way we could get people to come,” Henson said.

But Davis said that was a ruse by Henson to portray the patriots as hotheaded rabblerousers.

A LONGANDTWISTINGROAD

Henson and the patriots weren’t always at odds. The patriots endorsed and embraced Henson as party chair two years ago. It was their uprising within the party that got Henson elected as party chair in the first place.

But Henson is now the third party chair in a row to come under fire from the patriot faction.

“Anyone in authority is who they attack,” said Kevin Ensley, a Republican county commissioner who’s long been in the crosshairs of the patriot faction for not being conservative enough in their eyes.

The party’s vice-chair, Debbie King, was once closely aligned with the patriot faction, as well. But not anymore.

selves — on a Wednesday night no less, when several from the mainstream faction would be at church — and forced a vote to keep the headquarters open.

Nonetheless, Henson refused to sign the lease in the party’s name. Debbie King, the party’s vice chair, refused as well. So the

“Her name is worse than mud to liberty lovers in Haywood County,” Davis wrote on Facebook recently.

Ironically, King spent years cultivating and empowering the patriot faction. King brought them into the party’s inner leadership circle four years ago during a push to give precinct chairs a seat on the executive committee.

“You either join them and go along with their bull or you are corrupt and a communist and all the other names they call people.”

— Ken Henson, Haywood GOP chair

party’s treasurer, Richard West, who’s a member of the patriot faction, executed the lease in the party’s name.

But the battle still wasn’t over. Henson then refused to hold party meetings at the headquarters. Instead, he declared the patriots’ meeting at headquarters illegal and announced the next official meeting would be held at The Colonial Theatre in Canton instead.

That was the final salvo for Yeager.

“Since the executive committee as a whole voted to rent this space, it was reason-

“I thought by bringing precinct chairs in we would bring new energy into the party and people would get more involved if they had a voice,” King said.

It worked, King said. The number of people involved in the party grew substantially.

“I do think their energy brought things to the party,” King said.

But it was a double-edged sword. The executive committee had grown to nearly 30 voting members, an unwieldy number in the best of circumstances.

Scores of mainstream party members were driven away by the patriot faction, and ultimately King had to choose. She switched camps and worked to oust the patriot faction and reunite the party.

King has tried to distance herself from the patriots and says she never approved of their methods.

POSITIVE PARTY

“I told them ‘Guys we can deal with the issues without attacking the person,’” King said.

But Eddie Cabe, a leader of the patriot faction, called King the “puppet master.” King orchestrated the patriot takeover of the party — including the attempted impeachment of former party chair Pat Carr, Cabe said. But King is now in cahoots with Carr, who is back in an officer’s position as the party’s newly elected treasurer.

When asked if she ever apologized to Carr, King was surprised.

“Apologize? Apologize for what?” King said.

During a lengthy interview, King declined to answer questions about why she severed ties with the patriot faction, but did offer this in an email statement.

“My goal is the same as it has been in the past; to work with our great team of volunteers and continue building a strong unified Republican Party in Haywood County,” she said. “Although we may not all agree on all of the issues, we should be able to disagree agreeably.”

Henson said King was left with no choice.

“She worked for months trying to get them to go a different way,” Henson said. “But she turned because she is not going to go along with something that’s wrong. She wasn’t going along with them because they didn’t want to do what’s right.”

STANDBYME

Despite subtle signs that Henson and King were abandoning the patriot faction, the last straw came just before the election. While volunteering at the polls, Cabe was allegedly marking off the names of some Republican candidates from the party’s voter guide. Parties commonly pass out so-called “palm cards” as a cheat sheet for voters heading into the polls.

But the patriots believed a couple of

Republican candidates weren’t conservative enough and shouldn’t be promoted by the party.

One was County Commissioner Kevin Ensley, who’s long been targeted by the patriot faction as a RINO —Republican In Name Only. Another was U.S. Sen. Richard Burr. Henson eventually heard scuttlebutt about their names being crossed off palm cards. He also heard that Cabe and Richard West, a patriot who was party treasurer at the time, made disparaging comments about Ensley and Burr to voters who stopped by party headquarters.

In the past, Henson had disagreed with Ensley for being too moderate. But the party is nonetheless obligated to support its official slate of candidates.

“I can’t let them do that as chairman,” Henson said. “I told them ‘You can’t do that anymore’ and they said they wouldn’t. But then a week later I heard they were doing it again.”

King sided with Henson.

“I respect the vote of the people in the primary election, and as a party we need to support them. We can’t be marking those people off if my candidate didn’t come through,” King said.

So Henson went by headquarters and took away Cabe’s and West’s keys, and banned them from handing out the party’s official palm cards at the polls.

Cabe said Henson over-reacted after supposedly getting complaints from Burr’s office.

“He was all tore up he said ‘Oh they’re going to sue us’ and he took our keys,” Cabe recounted.

Cabe said it was a slap in the face.

“I have stood in the snow and rain, worked almost every day of early voting, all day, from the time the polls opened to the

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Sealed proposals will be received by Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC, in the Office of Facility Management at 3476 Old Cullowhee Rd., Cullowhee, NC 28723 up to 2:00 pm May 4th, 2017 and immediately thereafter publicly opened and read for the furnishing of labor, material and equipment entering into the construction of Memorial Drive Improvements

Bids will be received for single prime. All proposals shall be lump sum.

Pre-Bid Meeting

An open pre-bid meeting will be held for all interested bidders on April 19th at 11:00 am at the Office of Facility Management at Western Carolina University at 3476 Old Cullowhee Rd., Cullowhee, NC 28723. The meeting will address project specific questions, issues, bidding procedures and bid forms.

Complete plans, specifications and contract documents will be open for inspection in the offices of Western Carolina University and Civil Design Concepts.

The Contract Documents may be examined during business hours from 8am – 5pm local time from Monday – Friday at the following location:

Civil Design Concepts, P.A.

168 Patton Ave. Asheville, NC 28801

Copies of the Contract Documents may be obtained at the office of the Engineer, Civil Design Concepts, P.A. located at 168 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28801 by those qualified as prime bidders, upon deposit of one hundred fifty dollars ($ 150.00 ) in cash or certified check. The full plan deposit will be returned to those bidders provided all documents are returned in good, usable condition within ten (10) days after the bid date.

If a contractor is bidding under the dual system both as a single prime contractor and as a separate prime contractor, he must submit the bids on separate forms and in separate envelopes. Bidders should clearly indicate on the outside of the bid envelope which contract(s) they are bidding.

NOTE: The bidder shall include with the bid proposal the form Identification of Minority Business Participation identifying the minority business participation it will use on the project and shall include either Affidavit A or Affidavit B as applicable. Forms and instructions are included within the Proposal Form in the bid documents. Failure to complete these forms is grounds for rejection of the bid. (GS143-128.2c Effective 1/1/2002.)

A goal of 10% for small or minority business participation has been established for this project and those qualified firms are encouraged to participate. In addition, Prime Contractor’s are required to fulfill specific criteria as noted in the Contract Documents with regard to minority participation.

All contractors are hereby notified that they must have proper license as required under the state laws governing their respective trades.

General contractors are notified that Chapter 87, Article 1, General Statutes of North Carolina, will be observed in receiving and awarding general contracts. General contractors submitting bids on this project must have license classification for Highway and Utilities or Unclassified. (set forth the license classification required by the NC General Contractors Licensing Board under G.S. 87-1)

NOTE--SINGLE PRIME CONTRACTS: Under GS 87-1, a contractor that superintends or manages construction of any building, highway, public utility, grading, structure or improvement shall be deemed a “general contractor” and shall be so licensed. Therefore a single prime project that involves other trades will require the single prime contractor to hold a proper General Contractors license. EXCEPT: On public buildings being bid single prime, where the total value of the general construction does not exceed 25% of the total construction value, contractors under GS87- Arts 2 and 4 (Plumbing, Mechanical & Electrical) may bid and contract directly with the Owner as the SINGLE PRIME CONTRACTOR and may subcontract to other properly licensed trades. GS87-1.1- Rules .0210

Each proposal shall be accompanied by a cash deposit or a certified check drawn on some bank or trust company, insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, of an amount equal to not less than five percent (5%) of the proposal, or in lieu thereof a bidder may offer a bid bond of five percent (5%) of the bid executed by a surety company licensed under the laws of North Carolina to execute the contract in accordance with the bid bond. Said deposit shall be retained by the owner as liquidated damages in event of failure of the successful bidder to execute the contract within ten days after the award or to give satisfactory surety as required by law.

A performance bond and a payment bond will be required for one hundred percent (100%) of the contract price.

Payment will be made based on ninety-five percent (95%) of monthly estimates and final payment made upon completion and acceptance of work.

No bid may be withdrawn after the scheduled closing time for the receipt of bids for a period of 30 days.

The owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive informalities.

Designer:

Civil Design Concepts, P.A.

Name

168 Patton Ave. Asheville, NC 28801

Address

828-252-5388

Phone

Owner:

Western Carolina University

Agency/Institution

time the polls closed, handing out palm cards,” Cabe said.

Cabe said it was his moral imperative to be honest with voters, rather than toe the party establishment’s line. Davis sympathized with that position.

“If you hand someone a Republican palm card with the name of a candidate you know has done things in direct contrast to the Republican platform, then you have lied to those voters by omission,” Davis said.

T-SHIRTDRAMA

Another dispute between the patriot faction and mainstream branch in recent months arose over finances, specifically over T-shirt sales. Aside from personal donations, the sale of T-shirts and hats at festivals and events were the party’s primary source of revenue.

Davis happens to own a silkscreen business. He ordered the hats and shirts through his own company and splits the proceeds with the party — keeping half to cover his own costs and giving half to the party, according to Davis.

“In all honestly, what I got back probably didn’t cover the cost of the shirts,” Davis said.

But some were uncomfortable with the arrangement. They began to question the money Davis was paying himself out of the party’s coffers to cover the printing costs.

“He says he donated half to the party. But we have no way of knowing that for sure,” Henson said.

“They are going to run with the narrative that there is something wrong with the finances when it’s just not the case.”

— Jeremy Davis

According to campaign finance reports, Davis was paid $4,500 by the party during 2016, and in exchange supplied 310 T-shirts, 84 hats and a few hundred bumper stickers and buttons.

Davis said it was ridiculous to question the arrangement, which he felt was generous on his part. The party had no upfront costs, and only had to reimburse him for the inventory that sold.

“I kept telling Ken the right answer here is ‘Thank you,’” Davis said.

There’s no question the patriot faction spent a lot of time selling T-shirts at festivals and events.

“We went to every event and festival we could get into,” Cabe said.

Cabe said it was nonsensical to suggest they were keeping back some of the T-shirt money.

“Ken told me ‘How do I know you’uns aren’t going out here selling T-shirts and putting money in your pockets?’ And I said ‘Ken, do you think I would spend the whole

day going out here dragging the tent around and sitting out here all day for a few dollars off T-shirts?’” Cabe recounted. “I was very disappointed. I was hurt that someone I’d worked so hard for would think I’d stick Tshirt money in my pocket.”

Davis, a military contractor, also donated three rifles to raffle off as a party fundraiser “that I made not one red cent on,” he said.

Davis regularly traveled to gun shows with the T-shirts in tow.

“While Jeremy was selling guns we were selling T-shirts. And that’s how we were able to bring in so much money,” Cabe said.

Exactly how much money the T-shirt sales brought in for the party is unclear based on a review of campaign finance reports filed by the Haywood GOP.

The party brought in $17,500 in donations the second half of 2016. But several thousand dollars were simply donations and had nothing to do T-shirt sales. Subtracting those contributions, and subtracting the $4,500 Davis got for providing the merchandise, it seems possibly the party made a few thousand dollars off the merchandise sales — which squares with Davis’ accounting, but the system was based on trust. Davis said he couldn’t say for sure what was made.

“Who does know then? You are supposed to keep records,” Henson said.

In December, mainstream members of the party demanded an internal audit. They also called the campaign finance branch of the N.C. Board of Elections and complained of shoddy record keeping, triggering an audit by the state election office as well.

The patriots saw it as a malicious move.

“None us can figure what they think had gone on. I personally feel like they were trying to fabricate fervor,” Davis said. “They are going to run with the narrative that there is something wrong with the finances when it’s just not the case.”

While T-shirt sales netted the party a few thousand dollars, many private donors didn’t step up to the plate because the patriot faction was running things and they didn’t want to donate, Henson said.

“Ken would say ‘I can raise more money out of big donors than anybody in this room can.’ We kept saying ‘Then do it Ken, show us,’” said Joy Diettle, a member of the patriot faction.

THEREALSTORY

Henson said it is a shame that the patriot faction has detracted from the real story.

“The true story should be how strong the Republican party is in Haywood County,” Henson said. “Them people are history. We have the strongest local party in the state now. That’s the story.”

Indeed, it’s a historic turning point for local Republicans. For two centuries, they’ve been a minority in Haywood, outnumbered 2-to-1 by Democrats. But that’s

POSITIVE PARTY

changed over the past 15 years. Voter demographics have shifted — in part due to an influx of outsiders, and in part due to Southern Democrats defecting from their inherited party.

But the volatile and hostile climate created by the patriot faction was keeping the party back when it should have been poised for growth, Henson said.

“Now that they are gone we can accomplish anything,” Henson said. “Before you had to beg to get 10 or 15 to come out.”

Henson said the patriots not only turned off would-be donors, they made it harder to recruit Republican candidates to run for local office, despite the party’s increased toehold with the electorate.

“We’ll be able to get more candidates if they know they won’t get jumped on by their own party. People weren’t going to get out there and take a bashing like this,” Henson said. “Nobody wants some predator to keep hunting them down on social media and the internet every day.”

The patriot faction uses Facebook, mass emails and blogs to maim the reputation of its foes and shame Republicans they believe have violated true conservative principles. Henson called Cabe a “predator.”

“He is hunting somebody today to light into and start hurting,” Henson said.

Diettle said people in politics should have thicker skin.

“When you became the Haywood County GOP chair you gather up a chair on the Facebook front porch. If you can’t take the comments of passersby, don’t sit on the front porch,” Diettle said, referring to Henson.

An inauguration party in January was a grand testament to the party’s turning point. More than 300 attended.

“Inauguration means new beginning. Everyone was so excited,” said King.

Although Trump wasn’t everyone’s first choice in the primary, “It was a unifying time to have a celebration for the new direction the country is going,” said Lynda Bennett, the new Haywood GOP secretary.

The event was symbolic for other reasons as well — reasons that were unspoken but evident to all.

The inauguration party was invite only, and blatantly excluded the patriot faction. Henson said some people specifically asked if the patriots were coming to the party before committing.

“They said ‘Well are they going to be there?’ because if they were, they weren’t going to come,” Henson recounted. “They weren’t going to come around that bunch.”

Auto emissions testing in Haywood to go?

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER

Residents of Haywood County stand to save at least $1 million a year if relaxed emissions standards become law — and there’s a good chance they will.

“It’s something we don’t agree with and we may make a statement about, it but it is probably not worth the expenditure of our limited resources to fight,” said Avram Friedman, executive director of air quality watchdog group The Canary Coalition.

A measure championed by Rep. Michele Presnell, R-Burnsville, in the last legislative session has resurfaced as an amendment to an omnibus deregulatory bill titled the Regulatory Reform Act of 2016-2017.

The proposed act is a legislative salad consisting of a few dozen mostly unrelated actions, like ensuring that farriers don’t need licenses and the Department of Environmental Quality doesn’t need to conduct public hearings for mining permits; the motor vehicle emissions inspections portion of the act removes Haywood County from the list of counties required to conduct emissions inspections.

Previously, 49 of North Carolina’s 100 counties had such required inspections; language in the amendment removes 24 of them, but retains the requirement in North Carolina’s largest urban areas, including nearby Buncombe County.

“I don’t believe auto emissions are a major contributor to poor air quality on Western North Carolina in general,” Friedman said. “Cars are by and large much cleaner, and older vehicles are most affected, which are few and far between.”

Those vehicles are also leaving N.C.’s roads in increasing numbers as they age.

“In the bigger picture it’s a very small issue in Western North Carolina,” he said.

“From my perspective, we should pay attention to all sources of air pollution, but I don’t see a great public outcry from that

Last June, Presnell said that her constituents were “tired of paying good money for useless government-mandated testing”

“A vote doesn’t get any more bipartisan than 114 to 0.”

— Rep. Michele Presnell

increase in the county’s room occupancy tax have both recently fallen on deaf ears.

In an email sent last week, Presnell noted that the current amendment to remove the 24 counties passed unanimously.

“A vote doesn’t get any more bipartisan than 114 to 0,” she said in her email.

Rep. Mike Clampitt, R-Bryson City, and Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, obviously supported the amendment, which has no effect on any other counties in their respective districts — no county west of Haywood has ever had an emissions testing requirement.

“Eliminating excessive rules and red tape through commonsense deregulation of North Carolina’s bureaucracy has been a priority of conservative leaders in the General Assembly since 2011,” Clampitt said.

Presnell said that her $1 million estimated savings figure is based on the cost of the $30 emissions inspection alone, and doesn’t even factor in the cost of unnecessary and expensive repairs.

Citing a previous study, Presnell also said the DEQ supports removing the testing requirement in Haywood County and said she thought the chances of Senate Bill 131 hitting the governor’s desk were “strong.”

Even with a Gov. Roy Cooper veto, Presnell said in her email that the act should have “plenty of support” in the House and the Senate to override Cooper’s veto.

particular aspect of the bill.”

Friedman said that power production — specifically coal-burning power plants in Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee and even Western North Carolina — are “absolutely the biggest issue” in terms of air pollutants and climate issues because they produce carbon dioxide and methane in large quantities.

and called that testing a “sham.”

Weeks ago, Presnell sent out an email asking her constituents to contact Haywood County Commissioners and voice their opposition to emissions testing, despite her history of ignoring the wishes of those same commissioners; a resolution to make the county tax collector an appointed position and a separate resolution requesting an

New rural fire districts coming to Waynesville

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER

Widespread inequality in the rates Haywood County residents pay for fire protection is about to come to an end.

In Waynesville, property owners pay about 10 cents per $100 in assessed property valuation on property tax bills for fire protection; outside the town limits, property owners are assigned to fire districts, where they pay anywhere from 6 to 11 cents per $100.

But because of clerical errors or omissions some homeowners outside the town pay nothing at all, and at the Lake Junaluska Assembly, property owners pay a flat fee of just $8 a month per water connection.

In January, Waynesville aldermen unanimously passed a resolution asking the Haywood commissioners to create fire service districts encompassing Lake Junaluska as well as the Knollwood, Reinhart, and Shingle Cove subdivisions.

On April 17, the county will present a proposal to create five new rural fire districts.

The first, called Waynesville Rural #2, will encircle most of Lake Junaluska; it proceeds across Dellwood Road to the south and also follows Sleepy Hollow Road north of the lake,

Speak out

The Haywood County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing to solicit input regarding the creation of five new rural fire districts.

Location: Haywood County Historic Courthouse

Date: April 17

Time: 5:30 p.m.

past Mouzon Road.

“Those services are currently provided by contract,” said Assistant Haywood County Fire Marshall Andrew Messer. “I wouldn’t say there’s really any change in it at all, other than the billing.”

This area, which until last summer had paid only $4 per water connection per month, is home to some of the most valuable properties in the county. The proposed district would bring the current $8 monthly rate into line with existing districts that already pay a percentage-based rate, and stipulates that the rate shall not exceed 10 cents.

Messer said he’d fielded a few calls from concerned resi-

Part of that may have to do with the nature of the bill itself — with more than 100 sections amending, clarifying, and repealing state requirements in areas as diverse as data storage and soil conservation, every legislator in the state would be affected by some provision of the bill.

Presnell did not respond to an email requesting comment on this story.

dents confused about the change. They weren’t complaining about the rate increase, but rather had questions about the map of the new district.

The Town of Waynesville estimated that even at 6 cents per $100 it would gross an extra $100,000 per year, raising Lake Junaluska’s total payments from about $50,000 per year in 2016 to about $200,000 per year, starting July 1, 2017. Waynesville Rural District #3 would encompass an area west of the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway and north of Eagles Nest Road, centering on Ranger Drive, and Waynesville Rural District #4 in the same vicinity would cover a very small area east of Reinertson Drive and south of Chanticleer Lane.

Further north on the expressway, Waynesville Rural District #5 would include a sparsely-settled area centered on Shingle Cove Road.

South and west of downtown, Waynesville Rural District #6 would encompass 15 parcels on Lloyds Mountain Ridge, many of which are not yet developed.

While these areas have always enjoyed fire protection, if commissioners approve the creation of the districts, property owners will join the rest of greater Waynesville in funding fire protection for over $1.9 billion in property.

Connecting cultures

Joint initiative to create Nikwasi-Cowee corridor

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR

Much of Western North Carolina’s native history is hidden in plain sight along the Tennessee River Valley from Otto to Bryson City.

A new community initiative hopes to shine more light along a corridor that is rich with Cherokee cultural history. Mainspring Conservation Trust based in Franklin was the catalyst for this group of interested residents that began meeting about two years ago, but the group has applied to become its own nonprofit so it can work toward moving the corridor project forward.

“The corridor will include any number of

A new initiative spearheaded by Mainspring Conservation Trust will look to create a cultural corridor from Otto to Bryson City that will highlight Nikwasi Mound in downtown Franklin and other historic Cherokee sites. Jessi Stone photo

significant cultural sites along the length of it,” said Mainspring Associate Director Ben Laseter. “Right now they’re focused on developing the first two sites in the corridor — here at Nikwasi in Franklin and Cowee.”

Nikwasi Mound is located in the heart of Franklin while Cowee Mound has a more secluded location north of Franklin. Laseter said Mainspring already has some designs for

future interpretation kiosks panels around Nikwasi Mound and the Cowee Mound site.

“We’re essentially creating a heritage driving tour with a cohesive view of the ancient and historic uses of the Little Tennessee Valley,” said Mainspring Executive Director Sharon Taylor.

While the Nikwasi Mound is hard to miss, Taylor said she hopes the corridor will bring more attention to the Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center and direct people toward Cowee Mound from there.

However, directing more people to Cowee Mound presents a dilemma — how do we promote the cultural awareness of the site and still protect it from being damaged? The mound is hard to find if you aren’t familiar with the area. There are no wayfaring signs pointing people to it along Bryson City Road, and good luck using GPS. One must pass

Mainspring projects to transform East Franklin

BY J ESSI STONE

N EWS E DITOR

Mainspring Conservation Trust has several cleanup projects in the works that once completed will transform East Franklin for the better.

Mainspring started tidying up East Main Street in 2015 when the nonprofit purchased the former Duncan Oil site next door to its office. Knowing the old abandoned gas station property had caused some level of ground contamination, and since it was so close to the banks of the Little Tennessee River, Mainspring decided to buy the 1.5acre property to clean it up.

It was a complicated and labor-intensive project to take on, but Mainspring acquired a brownfields agreement through the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and secured grant funding from the Cherokee Preservation Fund and $300,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to make it happen.

“We finally wrapped up the clean up in summer 2016 — we installed a storm water system, through generous donations of material and labor we were able to plant almost 50 native trees, and did our first round of landscaping to create green space,” said Mainspring Executive Director Sharon Taylor. “So the Duncan property is basically finished but we’ll continue to move forward to make it our front yard.”

The extra space to the left of Mainspring’s office has made more room for a gravel parking lot and grading work was done behind the office to make the river more visible from the picnic tables and small walking trail. Visitors to Franklin are already utilizing the green space.

“We had thru-hikers eating at the picnic tables and using our green space so that’s exciting,” Taylor said. “Our future plan is to

through some private farmland and drive along a rutted and narrow dirt road before stumbling upon a large clearing that leads to the mound.

Laseter said Mainsprng does own some land across the river from the mound along Plotts Branch that would make a great viewing and interpretive site for Cowee Mound.

“It’s a nice place to have a kiosk and we hope to be able to get funding in the future to create a trail and viewing platform there,” he said. “It’s a perfect use for that property really.”

While Cowee and Nikwasi are the top priorities for the initiative, the project also includes several other points of interest, including Tessentee Farm and Coweeta in Otto; Needmore Properties in Swain County and Kituhwa Mound and Governors Island in Whittier.

Laseter said it’s a long-range plan that will take a lot of time and resources to complete, but all they can do is tackle one site at a time. Once completed, he thinks a brochure, smartphone app and a website would be useful to showcase the corridor and encourage people to spend a day driving the route.

A new greenway has been installed behind Mainspring Conservation Trust’s office and along the Little Tennessee River in Franklin. Jessi Stone photo

include a pavilion and we’re finalizing some plans to reuse the tanks — maybe some kind of public art project.”

With one project completed, Mainspring is moving on to the next brownfield project across the street from its office. Mainspring set its eye on the Simpson property — another abandoned petroleum distribution center similar to Duncan Oil that sits on one side of the Nikwasi Mound. Taylor said Mainspring was able to get a contract to purchase the property last summer and is currently working to get property enrolled in the brownfield program and secure EPA funds just like it did for Duncan Oil to fund the clean up.

“It’s just part of creating more green space adjacent to the river, the greenway and lands in the neighborhood of (Nikwasi) Mound,” Taylor said. “It’s also an economic benefit for the town to have a nicer entrance to the town — encourage people to spend more time here.”

Lastly, Mainspring has a contract on the former Dan’s Auto property on the other side

of Nikwasi Mound. Taylor said the hope is that the Nikwasi Initiative group will soon obtain its official nonprofit status from the state and can own the Dan’s Auto property.

“We have a contract but the intent is for it to be part of the Nikwasi Initiative,” Taylor said.

“We’re hoping to get buy in from the town, county, Eastern Band of Cherokee and Mainspring.”

Ben Laseter, associate director for Mainspring, said he has also applied for funds through the Appalachian Regional Commission for a feasibility study to determine the best use of the building sitting on the Dan’s Auto property. With its proximity to the mound, he said the building presents a great opportunity to offer more cultural education about Nikwasi and Cherokee history.

Franklin Alderman Barbara McRae is a member of the Nikwasi Initiative and was excited to give the town board an update on the progress at a recent board retreat.

She said the Dan’s Auto building could be perfect space for a museum annex for Cherokee history or a Franklin visitor center.

“We’re looking for grant funds — the estimated start-up costs would be about $50,000,” McRae said. “I hope the town will be a sponsor since this is a vital part of revitalizing that part of town. The possibilities of what it could bring to Franklin is incredible.”

With buy in from the town, county, EBCI and other community partners, McRae said, it would be easier for the Nikwasi Initiative

to secure grant funding.

“If the town could invest $5,000 to $12,000 to get this funded, it would show that we’re all partners on the project,” she said.

Once these revitalization and cleanup projects along East Main Street are complete and the North Carolina Department of Transportation completes the bridge replacement project in front of Mainspring’s office, East Franklin will be well on its way to becoming a more welcoming entrance to downtown.

RIVEROVERLAYDISTRICT

Town Planner Justin Setser also has an idea to improve the aesthetics of Franklin by creating a new river overlay district zoning designation along the Little Tennessee and Cullasaja rivers.

“About six months ago I was thinking about more ideas to create more recreation and economic benefits along the river valley,” he told the town board recently.

With all the revitalization happening in Franklin, Setser said the rivers running through town are an asset the town board hasn’t fully tapped into for economic development.

“There’s a lot of building with the new bridge and the brownfield work at Mainspring — Currahee Brewing Company is the first business to incorporate the river into their business plan,” he said. “Having a river the size of the Little Tennessee running through the center of town is a valued asset that many towns would love to have.”

The proposed district would work to promote responsible development along the river and prevent storm water runoff, soil erosion and flood damage.

The town board voted unanimously to send the idea to the planning board for consideration. Setser said the planning board would hold a public input session before bringing back recommendations to the board aldermen.

Folkmoot’s Cultural Conversations

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT

At the intersection of inequality

Cultural bias and conflict aren’t new to Western North Carolina; chattel slavery and Cherokee removal still leave a deep and painful legacy for many in the region — something Folkmoot’s Cultural Conversations program seeks to remedy.

But those conflicts run deeper when they’re compounded in those who identify as a member of not just one but two or more minority groups at the same time.

While this may seem difficult to comprehend for some people — like me — who identify as a member of exactly zero marginalized groups, the “intersectional perspective” holds that oppression is rarely the result of a single factor, and is instead the culmination of many interlinked factors.

Liberation groups exist for the tri-angled and also for the striped, but they don’t always play nicely together; Dobson’s short comic strip about Bob explains that these groups not only don’t cooperate, but instead compete with each other for recognition and resources that are finite and scarce.

Unstriped triangles leer suspiciously at Bob, as do striped circles, rhombuses and dodecahedrons. Bob feels only partially welcome in both of those groups. This leaves Bob with a difficult choice — does Bob identify more closely as a triangle, or as a bearer of stripes?

Confused? Well then, let me introduce you to a friend of mine who just might help you make sense of it all.

BOBTHESTRIPEY

BLUETRIANGLE

Each week, a diverse panel of participants in the Cultural Conversations program — myself included — meet, appropriately, at the Folkmoot Friendship Center to sit in one big circle and discuss issues pertinent to race, ethnicity and inequity.

Guided by the course materials and facilitator Angela Dove, we have come to know ourselves and each other better, and also have learned much about the state of our community’s social order.

Sometimes complex discussions take place over those two hours, as words dance finely around sensitive topics most people don’t give a moment’s waking thought to.

Enter Bob.

Created by Miriam Dobson, a British Ph.D. researcher at the University of Sheffield, Bob is a light blue triangle who also has dark blue stripes.

Unfortunately, Bob faces discrimination for being a triangle.

Bob also faces discrimination for having stripes.

That’s a choice no one should ever have to make, but without intersectional groups that promote the equality of all the oppressed, umm, shapes, the intertwining oppressions that isolate some folks will never be solved.

While Bob certainly is a whimsical fictional character, there are obvious analogues in our society.

Think it’s tough being black in America today? Try being a black gay Jewish woman in America today.

So what’s a black gay Jewish woman to do? Support African-American liberation groups, and LGBTQ groups, and Jewish groups and feminist groups that often have competing ideologies?

That’s a lot of supporting! But it’s all incredibly important and can have a dramatic effect on the existing power structure if the groups all work together.

So whether you’re black, white, male, female, gay, straight, Christian, Muslim or Jew, intersectionality must rally around the presumption that if one of us are oppressed — even a stripey blue triangle — all of us are oppressed.

All of us, that is, except the squares. This is part three of a series chronicling SMN Staff Writer Cory Vaillancourt’s participation in Folkmoot’s inaugural Cultural Conversations program. Check back next week for the final installment. For more information about Folkmoot, visit www.folkmoot.org. For more information on Miriam Dobson, check out www.miriamdobson.com.

The 3rd Gateway to the Smokies Half Marathon follows nearly the exact same course as previous years, begining on Main Street in beautiful downtown Waynesville and winding through neighborhoods & scenic farmlands to finish in Frog Level, a revitalized railroad district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

New this year is the 4-Miler, which starts and finishes at the same place as the Half Marathon.

Canton seeks input on bike and pedestrian plan

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER

Cycling enthusiasts who want to help steer the direction of Canton’s proposed Comprehensive Bicyclist and Pedestrian Plan may want to roll on in to The Colonial Theater to have their say.

Pedestrians are welcome to amble in as well, as the plan drafted by J.M. Teague Engineering in conjunction with Chipley Consulting will also affect how they spend their shoe leather.

“One of the intents is to look at our existing sidewalk and bike amenities and see how we can improve on safety for our bikers and walkers,” said Jason Burrell, assistant town manager and economic development director for the Town of Canton.

Funded by the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Town of Canton, the plan’s goal is to “assist the community in making a stronger connection between the features of the community that make it more walkable and bike-friendly, while supporting the health of its current and future residents and visitors,” according to a working document produced by Teague.

A steering committee of almost 30 people, including residents and offi-

cials from the Town of Canton as well as the Land of Sky Regional Council, Haywood County Parks and Recreation and cycling advocacy group Bicycle Haywood NC, have thus far been guiding the plan; and earlier this month, engineers from Teague also con-

ducted interviews with key stakeholders.

“The majority of them have a connection to Canton, but I felt at the same time it would be helpful to have people with better experience than I have to guide,” Burrell said.

Some of the factors considered in drafting the plan include safety, exposure to traffic and proximity to churches, downtown, parks and schools.

“Canton is already pretty good from the walkability standpoint, but the main thing is potential sidewalks that need repairs — or connections between sidewalks that end — and just looking at how we funnel residents and visitors to downtown,” he said.

“Functionally, it’s about walking to grocery stores and to work. We have a good sidewalk system in our neighborhoods but want to integrate that.”

Speak out

The Town of Canton will hold a public hearing to solicit input regarding the drafting of a Comprehensive Bicyclist & Pedestrian Plan.

Where: Colonial Theater, 53 Park Street, Canton

Date: April 18

Time: 6 p.m.

The plan is far from complete, leaving plenty of opportunity for people who still wish to affect its final form; project recommendations and design renderings have not yet been created.

Once the plan is complete, an integrated and comprehensive system of bicycle and pedestrian routes could help augment the impressive development the town — especially downtown — has been experiencing.

A number of new businesses have popped up along Canton’s once deserted Main Street, including eateries, retail shops and the town’s first brewery. Although downtown is easily walkable — and more aesthetically pleasing thanks to recent streetscaping improvements — connecting residents to that economic corridor has become a priority.

Asheville’s surging real estate market has also driven development in Canton, which is just a short drive down Interstate 40, but refugees from Asheville’s overpriced offerings still want the amenities Asheville offers — something that hasn’t escaped notice by Canton officials.

“Your younger demographics don’t mind walking,” Burrell said. “It accents what we’ve been doing as our downtown commercial areas change hands and development happens. I think it’s important to keep that in mind — we’re trying to keep that as seamless as possible.”

Healthy Haywood will begin teaching a six-week diabetes class from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays beginning April 18 at the Haywood Health and Human Services building in Clyde.

The program is designed for those with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Friends, family and caregivers are also encouraged to attend. The class is free.

Contact Megan Hauser at mhauser@haywoodnc.net or 828.356.2272.

SCC offers free social media training

As part of Macon County BizWeek 2017, Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center will offer a free Social Media Boot Camp and a women’s business networking luncheon in Franklin.

The Social Media Boot Camp will be from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Monday, April 17, at SCC’s Macon Campus while the networking luncheon is from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, at Entegra Bank Corporate Center.

Chisa Pennix-Brown, author of The 90 Day Focus: Your Action Plan for Success will lead four sessions in the Social Media Summit.

The women’s business networking luncheon is an opportunity to step away from the office and network with fellow women entrepreneurs. Lunch is provided. 828.339.4426 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

Good Samaritan looking for volunteers

The Good Samaritan Clinic of Haywood County is seeking caring volunteers as part of a team to help uninsured patients receive medications, vision care and other important health and spiritual related services.

Experience with office work and health care is helpful but not necessary. Training is provided. The clinic is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.

Call 828.545.5287 or email crocco@gschaywood.org.

Sylva library to host new women’s group

The Jackson County Public Library is hosting a Women’s Positivity Group starting at 6 p.m. April 20 at the Sylva library.

The group will be facilitated by Valerie Harrison. This program is free of charge. This is a new group composed hopefully of a diverse population of women 18 and up. Participants will be offered some proven techniques to consider for more balance in their life and how to handle difficult matters and/or people. All ideas will be listened to, valued, and discussed.

828.586.2016.

2017 FORD F150 XLT

School libraries install STEM stations

In many of Haywood County Schools’ media centers, including North Canton Elementary School, media specialists are working with teachers to create maker stations for students.

Maker stations are areas set up in the library to provide hands-on, creative ways to encourage students to design, experiment, build and invent as they engage in STEM-related activities.

North Canton Media Specialist

North Canton Elementary School students go on an adventure in the school’s media center using virtual reality headsets. The equipment was purchased using grants from the Haywood County Schools Foundation.

Valerie Guyer applied for and received one grant from Duke Energy and one grant from Evergreen Packaging last fall. She used the money to purchase materials for two maker stations.

Register for summer, fall classes at HCC

Haywood Community College registration for summer and fall semesters is underway through April 28 for both new and continuing students. This is the only opportunity for students to register for the summer semester.

Career counseling services are available. 828.627.4500 or www.haywood.edu.

Enrollment open at HCA

Open enrollment for Haywood Christian Academy is currently underway.

Parents are encouraged to schedule a personal meeting with the Head of School and tour the campuses. HCA is an independent community-minded school, focused on developing students into Christian leaders. Each student at HCA will experience a personal and relational education that is Christ-centered and founded upon biblical truth. Scholarship opportunities are available.

828.627.0229 or www.haywoodchristianacademy.org

SCC, Early College raise funds for Relay for Life

Faculty, staff and students at Southwestern Community College’s Macon Campus and Macon Early College teamed up recently on a variety of Valentine’s Day fundraisers that made $267.20 for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Ingles Market in Holly Springs Plaza provided donations to make the fundraiser possible. All funds raised will be used for education, advocacy, research and support in the fight against cancer. www.southwesterncc.edu or 828.306.7001.

Haywood teachers recognized for excellence

Haywood County teachers Harold Shepard and Rhonda Wester were recognized with Excellence in Education awards.

The Excellence in Education program recognizes teachers from Haywood County Schools who exemplify a commitment to innovative teaching practices and show dedication to student success. The program is sponsored by Jack Bishop of Edward Jones and the Haywood County Schools Foundation. Award winners are presented with a certificate and a $100 check sponsored by Bishop.

HCC cosmetology student wins scholarship

Haywood Community College cosmetology student Amanda Penland received a scholarship from Great Clips, Inc. in memory of Alice Madden Barton.

This national scholarship aims to promote careers in cosmetology by providing tuition assistance or tools to build the cosmetologist’s kit. Applicants were evaluated and winners selected by local franchisees. Penland will earn her degree in December 2017 and would like to work in art makeup, especially for the show “The Walking Dead.” Currently, she works with a cosmetologist traveling to venues to do up-dos and makeup for weddings.

HEC student attends leadership summit

Among the thousands of people who were in Washington, D.C., for the 58th Presidential Inauguration was Abi Bleakley, a first-year student at

Haywood Early College.

Bleakley got to hear from two former presidential candidates, Gov. Martin O’Malley and Carly Fiorina. She attended lectures delivered by Gen. Colin Powell, film maker Spike Lee, soccer star Abby Wambach, and human rights activist Ziauddin Yousafzai.

Bleakley also worked in a group with other students in a breakout delegation about access to clean drinking water. Her group generated solutions and presented their findings at a final presentation in front of judges.

Tuscola senior named Goodnight Scholar

Connie Feinberg, a senior at Tuscola High School, was recently named a Goodnight Scholar.

The Goodnight Scholars Program is for North Carolina students who aspire to study in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) or a STEM-related discipline at North Carolina State University. Students who are accepted into the program receive an annual scholarship valued at $19,500 per year for up to four years ($78,000 total).

SCC students build robot for Macon sheriff

Students in Southwestern Community College’s mechatronics engineering program have created a SWAT robot for the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. Designed to enter dangerous environments such as hostage situations, SWAT robots relay information through cameras and microphones to law enforcement officials about what is going on inside the building before they enter.

The robot is operated by a controller with an attached screen that can show in real-time what the robot records on its camera. It also has a microphone, alarm and headlights so it can record in the dark. The robot features “claws” that are designed to carry a bag phone to and from law enforcement officials so they can communicate.

WCU holds info sessions on Catamount School

Western Carolina University will hold a public information forum in Cashiers for parents interested in enrolling their children in the Catamount School, the new laboratory school being established for children in grades six, seven and eight at Smoky Mountain High School.

The forum, part of a series of sessions at sites across Jackson County, will be held from 6 until 7 p.m. Monday, May 1, at the Cashiers Community Library.

Other sessions are scheduled at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at Scotts Creek School; 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 10, at Blue Ridge School; 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, at the Jackson County Public Library; and 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4, at Cullowhee Valley School. A session already has been held at Smokey Mountain Elementary. 828.227.7311.

• Smokey Mountain Elementary School will hold Kindergarten registration from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 28 on campus. If this date and time does not work for you, contact 828.497.5535.

ALSO:

• Southwestern Community College’s therapeutic massage program is offering a two-year, Associate in Applied Science degree option that will be offered starting this fall. The deadline for applying to the program for the fall semester is April 25, but seats will remain open until filled. 828.339.4305 or j_burgess@southwesterncc.edu.

• Iotla Valley Elementary in Macon County recently sold Krispy Kreme donuts to raise funds to implement The Leader in Me program next year. The top five sellers — Haley Burch, Callie Cook, Kasie Solesbee, Ashton Rostallon and Charlie Beck — were treated to a lunch at Dairy Queen.

• Haywood Christian Academy hosted Jump Rope for Heart this year for the American Heart Association and raised $3,000. This national event encourages students to keep their heart healthy.

• Western Carolina University was recognized as a “Heart Safe Campus” by the National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services Foundation during its 24th annual conference. The award was presented to representatives from WCU’s student-staffed basic life support emergency medical services.

• The Franklin Future Farmers of America Poultry Judging Team competed in Raleigh recently and placed first in conference and second in the region. The team included Destiny Mashburn, Cassie McMahan, Desiree Saunders and Morgan Hooper.

Partisanship over statesmanship, Raleigh knows best

Sorry Haywood County citizens and others in the western part of the state, the most grassroots and local ballots you cast just don’t matter. But you should be fine with that, because surely you realize that those men and women whom you voted on to your county board and school board, they just aren’t as smart and astute as your state legislators. From on high atop their lofty perches in Raleigh, Reps. Michele Presnell and Mike Clampitt know what is best.

So shut up, get in line behind these wise leaders, and we’ll make Haywood County and the rest of west great again.

Haywood County has an elected tax collector, the only one in the state who is still elected. The man currently holding the office has shown himself to be a bit controversial, his work habits questionable and his tax collection prowess debatable. The county board — made up of three Democrats and two Republicans — voted unanimously to ask the state to change the law so the current tax collector could serve out his term and then the position would become an appointed one.

Commissioners in Haywood — as in all the other 99 counties in North Carolina — need control over the tax collector. They need to make sure proper avenues are taken to collect the revenues that fund schools, the health and social services departments, planning and environmental controls, solid waste, and the dozens of other services and departments citizens depend on in their day-to-day lives.

Rep. Mike Clampitt, R-Bryson City, responded to Haywood County’s request to make the position appointed — the legis-

lature must approve the request — with a letter that said he would support a referendum of the citizens on whether to have an elected or appointed tax collector: “Right now Haywood County citizens have taxation with a unique, locally elected form of representation. They deserve input whether to keep it that way.”

Editor Scott McLeod

There are two crucial points that Clampitt gets completely wrong in his response: one, the tax collector has nothing at all to do with “taxation,” as it is the county commissioners who set the tax rate; two, citizens already have input into taxation every time they go to the polls to elect county commissioners.

Basically, Clampitt is saying he knows better than the county commissioners what is best for its citizens. Of course a retired Charlotte fireman who came back home to Bryson City after retirement knows more about what’s best for Haywood County citizens than five elected commissioners who have each spent their entire lives working and living in the county they represent. Of course.

Then there’s the school board fiasco Rep. Presnell, RBurnsville, is trying to create. She wants to make the school board races partisan, and here is her reasoning: “Party designation tells a voter a great deal about a candidate — if he or

Voters should decide tax collector issue

To the Editor:

Haywood County Board Chairman Kirk Kirkpatrick has publicly complained “It feels like we have no representation” in Raleigh because local state House members like myself insist on giving constituents a choice whether to elect their tax collector via referendum.

However, the citizens of Haywood County might feel they have no representation either if they lost their existing right to vote on this key public position without having any say in the matter, as Commissioner Kirkpatrick prefers.

As a state representative, I support my constituents having local control over their elections. I will not support permanently removing their right to vote on a key official like tax collector via a directive from Raleigh. The citizens of Haywood County deserve a voice in this matter that a simple referendum would provide.

I value the unique input the citizens of Haywood County have on local government by electing their tax collector, just as they elected me to serve them. Holding a referendum at a cost of $5,000 is a small price to pay to let our voters decide if they want to continue electing their tax collector.

Right now Haywood County citizens have taxation with a unique, locally elected form of representation. They deserve input whether to keep it that way.

Rep. Mike Clampitt

North Carolina House Member Haywood, Jackson & Swain Counties

Voters have decided tax collector issue

To the Editor:

Funny how Rep. Mike Clampitt, R-Bryson City, never mentions once that we are the only county in the state where this position is elected, that there are very few counties (I believe just one) who had to have a referendum on this issue and also that this was a unanimous decision by our board of commissioners made up of three Democrats and two Republicans.

The people of Haywood County vote every two years to put commissioners in place to make decisions for what is in the best interests of all of Haywood County.

He is trying to turn this thing and make it about voting and choice, but he is listening to the few and truly ignoring the voters in Haywood County who selected the give of us as Commissioners to make decisions. We did that and he as well as Rep. Michele Presnell, R-Burnsville, just ignored us. Kirk Kirkpatrick, Chairman, Haywood County Board of Commissioners

she has one — whether in a school board race or any other. I’ve talked to many people in my district who want the political party of school board candidates on the ballot. The media and some school board members are vehemently opposed, but that’s not surprising.”

The Haywood County School Board opposes this measure, arguing that party affiliation is totally superfluous to their job. Attaching party labels to these races means the choice of who runs our local schools would be swayed by up-ballot presidential, congressional or gubernatorial races instead of what the school board candidate has said or done during the campaign. It will just muddle up a process that right now works fairly well.

And of course, as has become common, she takes a shot at the media and lumps us into the story to try and win support for the bill. As we have acknowledged, we know Michele is smart, so much so that she is able to remember one of the GOP’s unwavering talking points: “when trying to win support for a weak argument, bash the media.”

Since county commissioners and school board members are so out of touch with their constituents, we in the western part of the state should consider ourselves blessed to have such shrewd and enlightened legislators who will look after us and lead the way. Let’s all recite together the most recent dictums from on high: “partisanship over statesmanship, Raleigh knows best, screw the locals.” Got it?

(Reach Scott McLeod at info@smokymountainnews.com.)

Healthcare needs to be affordable

To the Editor:

As I prepared to leave home to participate in Sylva’s rally and march for affordable health care access (held Saturday, April 1, at Bridge Park and downtown), I was eager to hear local doctors, patients, and leaders speak about current needs and costs of health care, particularly in Jackson and Macon counties.

Then it occurred to me that I might not be alive to attend this event if I had not had access to affordable care twentysome years ago. My gynecologist had recommended a baseline mammogram during an annual physical. I was a graduate student who was not sure my insurance would cover a mammogram or whether I had enough cash in my checking account to afford it otherwise. I took the financial chance, had the mammogram, and found out that I had breast cancer. Two weeks later, I had a modified radical mastectomy. Since then, my concern that I will have cancer again and that it will not be caught in time to save me is relieved with annual mammograms. Since graduation I have been lucky to work for large employers

who provide access to group insurance, with affordable (though increasing) monthly payroll and annual deductions. Lucky to remain in that employ not only to retain this benefit, but to remain in work I wanted to do. Lucky to remain under the regular care of physical and mental health care providers who diagnose, treat, and advise me for other lifechallenging health needs.

What if my early luck had not been so good? What might have happened if I had not taken the chance on affording my first mammogram? If I had not chosen a vocation was not hirable by large, for-profit employers with affordable health care access? If I had not been able to remain employed in it?

What about people who do not have such good luck? Individuals I will never know as well as folks who are my family, friends, colleagues, leaders, neighbors? Do I deserve the “benefit” of affordable health care access more than they do? Morally, could I not care about their care? Ethically, could I advocate for my own pocketbook at the expense of their lives?

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Love one another.

Marsha Lee Baker Cullowhee

Hello darlin’, nice to see you

Ever since I left for college and began talking to my dad on the phone regularly, he’s answered my call with “Hello, darlin’.” I’ll never tire of hearing his deep voice say those two words. Conway Twitty isn’t the only country singer I grew up knowing intimately. In my childhood home on Village Court in Weaverville, we had an antique RCA Victrola (floor model). You walked in the front door, up a flight of stairs and it was right there. I can still see it clearly in my mind.

My dad had a slew of country music records. I remember sitting on floor flipping through album covers, and the faces of Willie, Waylon, Hank Sr., George Jones, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Kris Kristofferson and others flashing by like an old cartoon sketch.

I would carefully slide out the vinyl and gingerly place it on the turntable. Then I would get my dad to crank it and play the music. I was terrified of breaking that Victrola.

With it being the 1980s, we had several other record players in the house as well. And we only had three channels on the TV, so music was always echoing off the walls. Originally, my dad was going to be a disc jockey but ended up changing his mind and becoming an English teacher who was a huge music fan.

One minute he was reciting the prologue to Canterbury Tales in Old English and teaching me how to spell the longest word in the dictionary which is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. I was 8 when I learned to spell that word. If you break it up, you’ll see it’s merely a number of small words combined to create the one long word which describes a lung disease acquired by inhaling a very fine dust found in volcanoes.

The next minute he was swooning along with one of the Highwaymen or telling me stories about the Grand Ole Opry. Apparently, it wasn’t too expensive or hard to go back then. He and my mom or he and his friends were continually driving over to Nashville to see one musician or another. In fact, he and my mom were at the Ryman Auditorium when Porter introduced Dolly for the first time. True story.

While country music was always playing at home, my sister and I were also at the dance studio for hours on end leaping and twirling to Prince, Madonna, Huey Lewis & The News, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, The Weather Girls and Barry Manilow, among others.

Upon reflection, it’s no wonder I’ve never really been into what’s hot on the radio at the moment. I think when you grow up listening to a variety of solid musi-

cians, you develop a unique respect for good music that lasts a lifetime.

Somewhere along the way, I became a child fan of Elton John. In sixth or seventh grade, I bought Elton John’s Greatest Hits album. The CD itself is white with a giant E and J on the front. I can’t remember what other kids my age were listening to, but it wasn’t Elton John.

One night in seventh grade, I went to a slumber party at a friend’s house and a new girl in town was there. She’d just moved to Western North Carolina from Natchez, Mississippi. As a restless spirit, I loved when new people showed up. I struck up a conversation with her at the slumber party.

At some point during the evening, we found out we both had Elton John’s Greatest Hits album and began singing all his songs. Our favorite was “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.” We split it up in sections and performed for numerous people. I am now apologizing to all those who were forced to watch that spectacle. We even have a video from our freshmen year in high school which I hope is always watched by us but never seen by anyone else, if you know what I mean.

From that night onward, she and I have been best friends. We were college roommates, had our firstborn children three months apart and have attended a number of Elton John concerts together.

My two boys and I spent this past weekend with her and her family in Raleigh. She and I have been through a lot of dark days and a lot of beautiful moments together. We both still have our original CDs we talked about that night.

Our bond is forever-strong and all started with a conversation about music.

In October 2005, my parents’ house burned down as the result of a freak electrical fire. The Victrola, the record players and all my dad’s records burned to ashes. There’s no way he could recreate the collection he had.

But, as with all hard times in life, one has to think positively. I love my memories of that Victrola, looking at all his records and listening to those deep voices throughout the house. If the tangible still existed, maybe my memories wouldn’t be so tender. I like to think of in that regard, anyway.

And now, many of the friendships I cherish have an element of musicality to them. We like the same music, talk about music, attend shows together, appreciate the same musicians and more.

Further, I never have the TV on if it’s just me at home and even when the boys are here, the TV is on sparingly. They even love having music on in the background. I have no doubts I’m this way because of my own childhood.

They say music is one of the simplest yet most rewarding gifts in life. Reflecting upon my own experiences, both past and present, I couldn’t agree more.

(Susanna Barbee can be reached at susanna.barbee@gmail.com.)

www.ThePrintHaus.com

Easter Dinner

Sandwiches • Burgers • Wraps

* Percent Weekly values based on Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain and Buncombe diets.

tasteTHE mountains

Taste the Mountains is an ever-evolving paid section of places to dine in Western North Carolina. If you would like to be included in the listing please contact our advertising department at 828.452.4251

BLOSSOM ON MAIN

128 N. Main Street, Waynesville. 828.454.5400. Open for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Mild, medium, to hot and spicy, our food is cooked to your like-able temperature. Forget the myth that all Thai food is spicy. Traditional Thai food is known to be quite healthy, making use of natural and fresh ingredients, paired with lots of spices, herbs, and vegetables. Vegetarians and health conscious individuals will not be disappointed as fresh vegetables and tofu are available in most of our menu as well as wines and saki chosen to compliment the unique flavors of Thai cuisine.

BLUE ROOSTER SOUTHERN GRILL

207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, Lakeside Plaza at the old Wal-Mart. 828.456.1997

Open Monday through Friday. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Fresh-cut salads; slowsimmered soups; flame grilled burgers and steaks, and homemade signature desserts. Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily. Brown bagging is permitted. Private parties, catering, and take-out available. Call-ahead seating available.

not to miss the bold flavors and creative combinations that make up the daily Chef Supper Specials starting at 5pm every day. Followed by a tempting selection of desserts prepared daily by our chefs and other local bakers. Enjoy craft beers on tap, as well as our full bar and eclectic wine list.

CHEF’S TABLE

30 Church St., Waynesville. 828.452.6210. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday dinner starting at 5 p.m. “Best of” Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine. Set in a distinguished atmosphere with an exceptional menu. Extensive selection of wine and beer. Reservations honored.

CHURCH STREET DEPOT

34 Church Street, downtown Waynesville. 828.246.6505. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Mouthwatering all beef burgers and dogs, hand-dipped, hand-spun real ice cream shakes and floats, fresh hand-cut fries. Locally sourced beef. Indoor and outdoor dining.

facebook.com/ChurchStreetDepot, twitter.com/ChurchStDepot.

CITY LIGHTS CAFE

Spring Street in downtown Sylva. 828.587.2233. Open Monday-Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tasty, healthy and quick. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, espresso, beer and wine. Come taste the savory and sweet crepes, grilled paninis, fresh, organic salads, soups and more. Outside patio seating. Free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly. Live music and lots of events. Check the web calendar at citylightscafe.com.

BOURBON BARREL BEEF & ALE

454 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, 828.452.9191. Lunch served 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Monday through Saturday. Dinner 5 to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday. We specialize in hand-cut, all natural steaks from local farms, incredible burgers, and other classic american comfort foods that are made using only the finest local and sustainable ingredients available.

BREAKING BREAD CAFÉ

6147 Hwy 276 S. Bethel (at the Mobil Gas Station) 828.648.3838 Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Chef owned and operated. Our salads are made in house using local seasonal vegetables. Fresh roasted ham, turkey and roast beef used in our hoagies. We hand make our own eggplant and chicken parmesan, pork meatballs and hamburgers. We use 1st quality fresh not pre-prepared products to make sure you get the best food for a reasonable price. We make vegetarian, gluten free and sugar free items. Call or go to Facebook (Breaking Bread Café NC) to find out what our specials are.

BRYSON CITY CORK & BEAN

A MOUNTAIN SOCIAL HOUSE

16 Everett St.,Bryson City. 828.488.1934

THE CLASSIC WINESELLER

20 Church Street, Waynesville. 828.452.6000. Underground retail wine and craft beer shop, restaurant, and intimate live music venue. Kitchen opens at 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday serving freshly prepared small plates, tapas, charcuterie, desserts. Enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday night at 7pm. www.classicwineseller.com. Also on facebook and twitter.

COUNTRY VITTLES: FAMILY STYLE RESTAURANT

3589 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley. 828.926.1820 Winter hours: Wednesday through Sunday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Family Style at Country Vittles is not a buffet. Instead our waitresses will bring your food piping hot from the kitchen right to your table and as many refills as you want. So if you have a big appetite, but sure to ask your waitress about our family style service.

FERRARA PIZZA & PASTA

243 Paragon Parkway, Clyde. 828.476.5058. Open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Real New Yorkers. Real Italians. Real Pizza. A full service authentic Italian pizzeria and restaurant from New York to the Blue Ridge. Dine in, take out, and delivery. Check out our daily lunch specials plus customer appreciation nights on Monday and Tuesday 5 to 9 p.m. with large cheese pizzas for $9.95.

Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday brunch 9 a.m. to 3p.m., Full Menu 3 to 9 p.m. Serving fresh and delicious weekday morning lite fare, lunch, dinner, and brunch. Freshly prepared menu offerings range from house-made soups & salads, lite fare & tapas, crepes, specialty sandwiches and burgers. Be sure

FILLING STATION DELI

145 Everett St., Bryson City, 828.488.1919

Open Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday 11

a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays (in October) 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Locals always know best, and this is one place they know well. From the high-quality hot pressed sandwiches and the huge portions of hand-cut fries to the specialty frozen sandwiches and homemade Southern desserts, you will not leave this top-rated deli hungry.

FRANKIE’S ITALIAN TRATTORIA

1037 Soco Rd. Maggie Valley. 828.926.6216 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Father and son team Frank and Louis Perrone cook up dinners steeped in Italian tradition. With recipies passed down from generations gone by, the Perrones have brought a bit of Italy to Maggie Valley. frankiestrattoria.com

FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE

44 Church St., Downtown Waynesville

828.456.1930 Serving lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; Dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Frogs Leap is a farm to table restaurant focused on local, sustainable, natural and organic products prepared in modern regional dishes. Seasonal menu focuses on Southern comfort foods with upscale flavors. www.frogsleappublichouse.com.

J. ARTHUR’S RESTAURANT AT MAGGIE VALLEY

U.S. 19 in Maggie Valley. 828.926.1817

Open for dinner at 4 p.m., Thursday through Saturday; noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Worldfamous prime rib, steaks, fresh seafood, gorgonzola cheese and salads. All ABC permits and open year-round. Children always welcome. Take-out menu. Excellent service and hospitality. Reservations appreciated.

JUKEBOX JUNCTION

U.S. 276 and N.C. 110 intersection, Bethel. 828.648.4193. 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Serving breakfast, lunch, nd dinner. The restaurant has a 1950s & 60s theme decorated with memorabilia from that era.

MAD BATTER FOOD & FILM

617 W. Main Street Downtown Sylva. 828.586.3555. Open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sunday brunch 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Handtossed pizza, steak sandwiches, wraps, salads and desserts. All made from scratch. Beer and wine. Free movies Thursday trought Saturday. Visit madbatterfoodfilm.com for this week’s shows.

MAGGIE VALLEY CLUB

tasteTHE mountains

1819 Country Club Dr., Maggie Valley. 828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine. Open seasonally for lunch and dinner. Fine and casual fireside dining in welcoming atmosphere. Full bar. Reservations accepted.

MOUNTAIN PERKS ESPRESSO BAR & CAFÉ

9 Depot St., Bryson City. 828.488.9561

Open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. With music at the Depot. Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Life is too short for bad coffee. We feature wonderful breakfast and lunch selections. Bagels, wraps, soups, sandwiches, salads and quiche with a variety of specialty coffees, teas and smoothies. Various desserts.

PAPERTOWN GRILL

153 Main St., Canton. 828.648.1455 Open

7 days a week 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Serving the local community with great, scratch-made country cooking. Breakfast is served all day. Daily specials including Monday meatloaf, chicken and dumplings on Thursdays and Friday fish.

RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT AND BAR

Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center

70 Soco Road, Maggie Valley 828.926.0201

Home of the Maggie Valley Pizzeria. We deliver after 4 p.m. daily to all of Maggie Valley, JCreek area, and Lake Junaluska. Monday through Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. country buffet and salad bar from 5 to 9 p.m. $11.95 with Steve Whiddon on piano. Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 11:30 to 8 p.m. 11:30 to 3 p.m. family style, fried chicken, ham, fried fish, salad bar, along with all the fixings, $11.95. Check out our events and menu at rendezvousmaggievalley.com

SAGEBRUSH STEAKHOUSE

1941 Champion Drive, Canton

828.646.3750 895 Russ Ave., Waynesville

828.452.5822. Sunday through Thursday

11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Carry out available. Sagebrush features hand carved steaks, chicken and award winning BBQ ribs. We have fresh salads, seasonal vegetables and scrumptious deserts. Extensive selection of local craft beers and a full bar. Catering special events is one of our specialties.

SALTY DOG’S SEAFOOD & GRILL

3567 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.926.9105. Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through

Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. Full service bar and restaurant located in the center of Maggie Valley. Featuring daily $6 lunch specials and daily dinner specials such as $1 Taco Tuesdays and 45¢ Wednesday Wings. Backyard Bar is open every weekend thru October.

SPEEDY’S PIZZA

285 Main Street, Sylva. 828.586.3800

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

TAP ROOM BAR & GRILL

176 Country Club Drive, Waynesville. 828.456.3551. Open seven days a week serving lunch and dinner. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tucked away inside Waynesville Inn, the Tap Room Bar & Grill has an approachable menu designed around locally sourced, sustainable, farm-to-table ingredients. Full bar and wine cellar. www.thewaynesvilleinn.com.

TRAILHEAD CAFE & BAKERY

18 N Main Street, Waynesville. 828.452.3881 Open 7 days a week MondaySaturday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You will find a delicious selection of pastries & donuts, breakfast & lunch along with a fresh coffee & barista selection. Happy Trails!

VITO’S PIZZA

607 Highlands Rd., Franklin. 828.369.9890. Established here in in 1998. Come to Franklin and enjoy our laid back place, a place you can sit back, relax and enjoy our 62” HDTV. Our Pizza dough, sauce, meatballs, and sausage are all made from scratch by Vito.

WAYNESVILLE PIZZA COMPANY

32 Felmet Street, Waynesville. 828.246.0927. Open Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday noon to 9 p.m.; closed Tuesdays. Opened in May 2016, The Waynesville Pizza Company has earned a reputation for having the best hand-tossed pizza in the area. Featuring a custom bar with more than 20 beers and a rustic, family friendly dining room. Menu includes salads, burgers, wraps, hot and cold sandwiches, gourmet pizza, homemade desserts, and a loaded salad bar. The Cuban sandwich is considered by most to be the best in town.

Hop, skip and a pour away

Waynesville’s Leap Frog Tours

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER

Stepping out of a large passenger van into the sunshine last Saturday afternoon, a group of around 10 people entered Bhramari Brewing in downtown Asheville. Once seated, an array of craft beer samples were placed in front of the group, with friendly banter swirling around the room while a brewery employee examined and explained each selection.

Welcome to the Leap Frog Tours.

Launched last month by Kim Turpin and Ann Smith, the Waynesville-based company specializes in tours and excursions around Western North Carolina. They showcase the rich culture within these mountains by fully immersing their guests in the beauty and wonder of what resides in your backyard, whether you’re a longtime resident or first-time visitor to this region.

“For me, what makes a vibrant community is food, music, craft beer, art, and the outdoors. We’ve got all of that here, and not just in Asheville,” Turpin said. “We want to show people a good time, and also what else there is to do in this incredible playground we have here in Western North Carolina.”

Bouncing between tables within the group, Leap Frog Business Developer and Tour Leader

nections that organically happen,” he said. “We want people to simply experience this area and all the great things it offers through these tours.”

But, Merritt will be the first to point out that, at its core, Leap Frog is about connectivity within Western North Carolina, where small mountains towns outside of Asheville are on the same level playing field in their company’s eyes.

“People come to Asheville to be in the mountains, and Asheville is in a very broad valley,” he said. “We believe that these mountain towns — Waynesville, Brevard, Hendersonville, Maggie Valley or Black Mountain — have just as good craft beer, art, food and culture as Asheville does, and all of that is right in the middle of these incredible mountains we all love.”

Mark Merritt carefully goes through the intricacies of each beer, from style and origin, to flavor and potency. A self-proclaimed “craft beer lover,” Merritt radiates a knowledge, passion and camaraderie for craft beer that resides at the foundation of this beloved industry and Western North Carolina economic driver.

“It’s all about meeting different people, laughing in the van (aka: The Frog), making con-

Want to go?

For more information on Leap Frog Tours and upcoming jaunts around Western North Carolina, visit www.leapfrogtours.com or call 828.507.1421.

Bryson

On the brewery tour itinerary last Saturday was Bhramari, Wedge Brewing’s new second location in the River Arts District (“Wedge at Foundation”) and UpCountry in West Asheville. In past experiences with other brewery van tour companies, one might have felt they were only scratching the surface of “beer gear talk,” a lack of personal interaction with others and, perhaps, a mere sense they weren’t getting their money’s worth. And yet, with Leap Frog, you’re immediately welcomed into this wild and quirky group of folks — owners, tour leaders and guests alike — where the more you dive in, the more fun you’ll have.

“I’m so happy that we initially landed in the craft beer realm, because in the brewing industry they’re all networking to collaborate together, and that’s how we all will grow together in Western North Carolina,” Turpin said. “And when everyone gets into ‘The Frog,’ they get on with maybe a loose connection to others on the tour, but, by the end, they’re hugging goodbye like old friends — and that means we’ve done our job.”

City welcomes second brewery

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER

Although the official “Grand Opening” is May 20 for Mountain Layers Brewing in Bryson City, the newest brewery in Western North Carolina has already starting pouring pints on Everett Street.

“We picked Bryson City because of our love of the outdoors, our beautiful mountain views, the people we’ve become friends with, and the community that has taken us in,” said Mountain Layers co-owner Mark Pettit.

Originally from Minnesota, Mark and his wife, Kim, have been coming to Swain County for over 15 years. Add in a love for craft beer and Mark’s early retirement, and you have the perfect storm of ingredients to start a brewery in Bryson City. The cozy twostory building houses a taproom, tasting room, and a rooftop patio overlooking the Tuckasegee River.

“We couldn’t be happier or more excited to be open after two years of renovation and build-out of our new brewery,” Mark said. “It’s surreal to be open and see people enjoy-

ing themselves, relaxing at our brewery, enjoying each other’s company and drinking one of our craft beers. It’s wonderful to see people returning with their friends to share the experience, even though we’ve only been open a very short time.”

And at the helm of the business is brewmaster Noah McIntee, who brings an extensive knowledge of craft beer to the table. Formerly of Lazy Hiker Brewing in Franklin, McIntee was also previously the director of brewing operations at Pearl Street Grill & Brewery and Pan American Grill & Brewery in Buffalo, New York.

“The thrill of a startup is that it begins with neither equipment nor procedures, yet at the end there is a fully functioning brewhouse and taproom,” McIntee said. “The beer has all been well received and represents a broad swath of craft beer styles and traditions. We’re in no hurry to lock down flagship brands, so I look forward to many months of continually impressing our patrons with their new favorite beer.”

www.mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

This must be the place

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

You may be gone, but your impact remains

I remembered immediately. Scrolling through the Facebook stream on Monday afternoon, I came across a post from a dear high school friend who had some sad news to share. A mutual friend of ours, from way back up on the Canadian border, in my native North Country, had suddenly and tragically passed away the night before.

HOT PICKS

1

The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host a “Speakeasy Night” with Russ Wilson’s “Hot 4” (jazz/swing) at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, April 15.

2

3

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There will be a performance of the Taikoza Japanese Drummers at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, in the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

The Student Reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at the Western Carolina University Fine Arts Museum.

her sincere presence was never forgotten or faded away when I would recall those “good ole days” when wandering and pondering through this haphazard world on my own.

We’ve all had someone close, from our youth, who departed this earth much too soon. Whether they were a best friend or simply an acquaintance you walked by everyday to biology, their faces, their aura and demeanor always stuck with you. And you think of them, if only for a brief moment, when you realize how much fast times flies and how precious life is when you take into account we have no control over the fate of our days above ground.

I made amends with death years ago. My best friend from childhood. He was killed in a motorcycle accident at 19 years old. I had just arrived back at my parent’s house from the culmination of my sophomore year of college in Connecticut the night my mother told me what had happened. Everything was a blur for several days after, all the way up to when they lowered his casket into the ground. I placed one hand on it and said goodbye, promising him that “I’ll live a life for the two of us.”

That outlook on life and how fragile it is has remained in my crosshairs for the last 13 years and counting. It’s about being aware of how we all will die someday. We’re not immortal, where if you’re sitting next to someone, one of you will go first, while the other is left to grieve. So, with that fact we all know (and yet forget so easily in daily interactions), I aim to let those I love know just how much they mean to me.

And then there are those we don’t see often, but think of with the utmost gratitude. Erin was one of those people. Because no matter how long or well you knew someone, if they made you smile and laugh, then they bestowed you with the greatest gift one can be given — friendship.

You can live to be 28 or 82. It doesn’t matter. We all have a set amount of time to do what we need to do, and do it to the best of our ability. That’s the beauty and also the mystery of life. Taking each day and do what we can to make sure we squeezed every ounce of happiness, curiosity and love from those fleeting seconds ticking away on the clock.

I remembered her, Erin, as numerous memories flooded my field of vision. In my tiny Upstate New York town (on Lake Champlain) there was a bridge to Vermont on the other side, where a good chunk of our adolescent peers lived. In ninth grade, the Vermonters came over from their middle school to join our high school. And I became instant friends with the whole lot, Erin included.

Forrest Rivers will read from his work The Hippie Revival and Collected Writings at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

5

“The Loves of Elaine,” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. April 14-15 and 2 p.m. April 16 in the Feichter Studio at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

It was 1999 and there we all were, 14 years old, hanging out in the rural Vermont cow town of South Alburg. To prove our bravery, we’d jump off the nearby bridge. To relax, we’d layout on the shoreline in the summer sunshine of our impending teen years. Our days consisted of blasting 90s altrock and hip-hop from department store stereos, sipping a watered down beer stolen

from one of our dad’s garage fridges or passing around a joint given to one of us from an older sibling.

A slight smile rolled across my face as I remembered our lost friend, fondly. I also remembered her childhood home, her little brother, her enormous backyard, and how we all pursued shenanigans and mischief on a daily basis while exploring and discovering the property and surrounding neighborhood. And though I hadn’t seen her in years,

That Monday evening, I went for a run around Lake Junaluska, once again with nothing and everything on my mind. I passed by folks walking their dogs, folks pushing a stroller, folks fishing, folks alone within deep thought. All of them occasionally glancing over to the bright red and orange sunset falling behind the Great Smoky Mountains. I pushed along the four-mile loop and thought about my friend. I thought about how heartbroken her family and loved ones must be right now, and how I hope they each find peace and solace in this unbelievably trying time.

And I thought about today, and everyday that came before it. Nobody knows what the future holds. But, if we’re lucky enough, we get to do it all — live, laugh, and love — again tomorrow.

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

(You can reach Garret K. Woodward at garret@smokymountainnews.com.)

A FIVE-DAY EXPLORATION OF PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE IN THE SMOKIES

April 11-15, 2017

W.L. MILLS CONFERENCE CENTER GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE

GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE

Choose from 144 guided walks and indoor talks led by 110 professional leaders!

Learn about wildflowers, birds, bears, medicinal plants, butterflies, ecology, plant identification, nature photography & sketching, natural and cultural history & more in the Smokies. Email springwildflowerpilgrimage@gmail.com to receive email updates

Formoredetailsgoto: springwildflowerpilgrimage.org

On the beat

WCU Jazz Festival

Western Carolina University’s 15th annual Jazz Festival will bring a day of master classes and performances to campus from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center.

Featured artists include vocalist Carly Johnson, bassist Mike McGuirk and drummer John Riley, along with the WCU Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Pavel Wlosok. The jazz festival is an annual event founded and organized by Wlosok, WCU professor of music.

“Jazz is an original American art form, which means, like America, it draws upon universal and international inspiration and has an appeal that reaches around the world,” Wlosok said. “The significance of the experience provided by the Jazz Festival is for the community to enjoy tremendous music and for WCU students to share the stage with world-class professional musicians as the students develop their own performing concepts and become future musicians and educators.”

Meet Charlotte Figi.

At just 3 months old, she experienced her first seizure, an experience that would send her family on a path that would change the world. Charlotte was suffering from 300 grand mal seizures per week when they met the Stanley Brothers, who had been developing proprietary hemp genetics. Together they created a hemp oil extract that was introduced into Charlotte’s diet in hopes of providing her relief.

Charlotte didn’t have a single seizure during the first seven days of treatment, which was a clear sign that the Figis had stumbled onto something extraordinary.

Today she is a nine year old who is thriving and enjoying life. The Stanley brothers assure consumers that the oil maintains a 30:1 ratio of CBD to THC. THC is the psychoactive compound that produces the “high” effect in marijuana. Thanks to Charlotte’s Web, Charlotte can now live life like a normal child. She is able to feed herself and sleep through the night. Her autistic symptoms have virtually disappeared. As such, her mind is clear, and her attention is focused. Her brain is recovering, and she is happy.

Visit cwhemp.com for more info.

This year’s lineup includes experienced and emerging artists with a diversity of talent. Johnson, who hails from Louisville, Kentucky, is best known for her versatile renditions of jazz classics and her recording with the rock group My Morning Jacket on the song “Holding On To Black Metal” on their 2011 Grammy-nominated album “Circuital.”

Riley moved to New York City in 1976 to join the Woody Herman Band and has played and recorded with legendary jazz musicians Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, John Scofield and Stan Getz. McGuirk, also a New York City-based musician, won the 1997 International Society of Bassists jazz bass competition and is frequently in the recording studio or playing live. Wlosok, a Czech-born American pianist, composer, arranger and educator who lives in Sylva, has played for international audiences and routinely records as a group leader or as an accompanying musician.

In 2012, the Wlosok/Riley/McGuirk

Bryson City community jam

A community music jam will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer, anything unplugged, are invited to join. Singers are also welcomed to join in or you can just stop by and listen. The jam is facilitated by Larry Barnett of

Trio released the locally-recorded “Live At The Grey Eagle: Jubilee Suite” album on the European label New Port Line to critical acclaim.

The festival schedule is as follows:

Black Box Theater at Bardo Arts Center

• 1 p.m. - Riley teaches a jazz drumming master class, intended for WCU percussion studio majors but open to all students and the public.

• 2 p.m. - Johnson teaches jazz vocal master class, intended for WCU voice and musical theatre majors but open to all students and the public.

Performance Hall at Bardo Arts Center

• 3 p.m. - WCU Jazz Ensemble rehearsal and sound check with featured artists.

• 4:30 p.m. - Wlosok/Riley/McGuirk Trio sound check and rehearsal.

• 7:30 p.m. - Concert with the WCU Jazz Ensemble featuring guest artists Carly Johnson on vocals and John Riley on drums, as well as the Wlosok/Riley/McGuirk Trio. For more information, contact Wlosok at 828.227.3261 or pwlosok@wcu.edu.

Grampa’s Music in Bryson City. The community jams offer a chance for musicians of all ages and levels of ability to share music they have learned over the years or learn old-time mountain songs. The music jams are offered to the public each first and third Thursday of the month — year-round. This program received support from the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment of the Arts. 828.488.3030.

Jazz, big band in Franklin

Denver and the Mile High Orchestra will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

The group first wowed all of America when they became a finalist on the Fox “American Idol” spinoff, “The Next Great American Band.” They have a unique style with jazz and big band roots that has allowed them to cross over into many different genres and earn fans of all ages across the world.

They are a horn-driven Nashville based

group that was formed by a group of friends at Belmont University. Members of the band have played for artists such as The Who, Kelly Clarkson, Donna Summer, MercyMe, Matthew West, and many others.

Denver Bierman is a famed Christian jazz trumpet player and vocalist. He writes and arranges the band’s music, which is full of diverse sounds influenced by legends such as Stevie Wonder, Chicago, and Earth, Wind, & Fire. Denver and The Mile High Band’s unique and exciting take on old classics and hymns delights audiences near and far. Fan favorites include, “Brand New Day,” “King of Glory, King of Love” and “Sunday School Swing.” Tickets start at $20 per person. www.greatmountainmusic.com or call 866.273.4615.

Sylva library Americana concert

Taikoza Japanese drummers

There will be a performance of the Taikoza Japanese Drummers at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, in the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

Taikoza uses the powerful rhythms of the Taiko drums to create an electrifying energy that carries audiences to a new dimension of excitement. The Taiko is a large, barrel-like drum that can fill the air with the sounds of rolling thunder.

Rapper Wale at WCU

Grammy-nominated rapper Wale will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at Western Carolina University’s Ramsey Regional Activity Center in Cullowhee. Wale signed with Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group in 2011 and his second album, “Ambition,” produced the Grammy-nominated single, “Lotus Flower Bomb (featuring Miguel),” as “Best Rap Song.” In 2013, his album “The Gifted” debuted No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart. His latest album, “The Album About Nothing,” was released in March of 2015 and also debuted No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 200.

Tickets purchased in advance are $20 for floor seats and $15 for arena seats for WCU students; $27.50 for floor seats and $22.50 for arena seats for the public. On the day of the concert, tickets are $25 for floor seats and $20 for arena seats for WCU students; $32.50 for floor seats and $27.50 for arena seats for the public. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

The concert is sponsored by the offices of Campus Activities and Residential Living as part of Student Appreciation Week. Wale will be joined by special guest Niykee Heaton.

Tickets can be purchased at the Ramsey Center box office or online at ramsey.wcu.edu.

A musical performance featuring Dogwood Winter (Americana/folk) will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

Dogwood Winter is made up of Alma Russ (fiddle), Liz Nance (guitar) and Erin Worley (banjo). They play folk and bluegrass inspired originals and some classic bluegrass covers that listeners will know. The group is based in Bryson City.

This program is free and open to the public. The event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library. For more information, please call the library at 828.586.2016. The Jackson County Public Library is a member of Fontana Regional Library (www.fontanalib.org).

Roughly translated, Taiko means big drums-and that’s exactly what Taikoza brings. Big drums, powerful rhythms, and electrifying, room-thumping energy. Drawing from Japan’s rich tradition of music and performance, Taikoza has created a new sound using a variety of traditional instruments. In addition to drums of assorted sizes, Taikoza incorporates the shakuhachi, the fue (both bamboo flutes) and the Koto (a 13-string instrument).

Tickets are $20 for adults/seniors, $15 WCU faculty/staff and $5 student/child. For tickets, visit bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

JOHNSONRETURNS TO THE STRAND

Acclaimed South Carolina guitarist Jacob Johnson will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. Tickets are $10. www.38main.com.

• Andrews Brewing Company (Andrews) will host Liz Nance (singer-songwriter) April 14 and Magnolia Justice (Americana) April 15. All shows are free and begin at 5 p.m. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

• The Canton Armory will host “Winter Pickin’ in the Armory” at 7 p.m. every first and third Friday of the month. The event includes mountain music, vintage country, clogging and dancing. Doors open at 6 p.m. Free. www.cantonnc.com.

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Joe Cruz (piano/pop) April 14 and 22. All events are free and begin at 7 p.m. There will also be a “Speakeasy Night” with Russ Wilson’s “Hot 4” (jazz/swing) at 7:15 p.m. April 15 ($40 per person, which includes dinner). 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host the “Hiker Bash” April 15 and Redleg Huskey (Americana) April 22. Shows are free and begin at 7:30 p.m. www.curraheebrew.com.

• Derailed Bar & Lounge (Bryson City) will have music at 7 p.m. on Saturdays. 828.488.8898.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Bobby G (acoustic/folk) April 15. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Heinzelmannchen Brewery (Sylva) will have live music and a potluck from 6 to 8 p.m. April 13 and 20. www.yourgnometownbrewery.com.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night April 12 and 19, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo April 13 and 20. All events are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host Frank Lee & Allie Burbrink (bluegrass/Americana) April 14, Grandpa’s Cough Medicine (newgrass) April 15 and Karaoke with T&J April 21. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. 828.349.2337 or www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Lees at the Depot (Dillsboro) will be hosting a “Tap Takeover” by Terrapin Brewing (of Athens, Georgia) from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 15. There will also be two performances by The Ozone Spiders (12:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.). Food and beer pairings, discounts and “swag” from Terrapin. 828.339.1700 or www.leeswine.com.

• Nantahala Brewing Company (Bryson City) will host PMA (reggae/rock) April 21 and Chalwa (world) April 22. Shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

ALSO:

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will host Fumblebuckers (fastgrass) April 14, Chris Monteith Karaoke April 21, PMA (reggae/rock) April 22 and The Hooten Hallers (rock/blues) April 24. All shows are free and begin at 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.nonamesportspub.com.

• The Oconaluftee Visitor Center (Cherokee) will host a back porch old-time music jam from 1 to 3 p.m. April 15. All are welcome.

• Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands) will host “Hoppy Hour” and an open mic with Susan at 6 p.m. on Thursdays and live music on Friday evenings. 828.482.9794 or www.satulahmountainbrewing.com.

• Sneak E Squirrel Brewing (Sylva) will host line dancing every Friday at 7 p.m. and contra dancing every other Friday at 8 p.m. 828.586.6440.

• The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will host South Carolina guitarist Jacob Johnson at 8 p.m. April 15 (tickets are $10) and an “Open Mic” night from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays. All are welcome. 828.283.0079 or www.38main.com.

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will host a Brass Ensemble 5:30 p.m. April 18, WCU Jazz Combo 7:30 p.m. April 19, Guitar Ensemble Recital 7:30 p.m. April 20, Low Tech Ensemble 7:30 pm. April 21 and a Flute Recital 5 p.m. April 22 in the Recital Hall of the Coulter Building. www.wcu.edu.

On the street

Greening Up the Mountains

The 20th annual Greening Up the Mountains festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 22, in downtown Sylva.

This festival celebrates the arrival of spring in the mountains, when the greening leaves work their way up the mountainsides in the Great Smokies. It also celebrates the greening of the environment, with information about sustainable living and presentations by environmental groups.

Drawing over 10,000 visitors each year, this is a celebration of the local economy, sustainability, and traditional heritage crafts. Three full music stages will feature Jackson County bands, children’s performances, her-

• There will be a free wine tasting from 1 to 5 p.m. April 14 and 21 at Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville. www.waynesvillewine.com or 828.452.0120.

• A wine tasting will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. April 14 and 21 at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. $5 per person.

www.papouswineshop.com or 828.586.6300.

‘Color of Spring’ dinner

The Inn at Tranquility Farm will host the “Colors of Spring” dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 20, in Waynesville.

• Hors D’oeuvres: Fava bean puree with crispy leeks and toasted baguette. Smoked salmon napoleon with lemon crème.

• Courses: Grilled apricot salad with arugula, prosciutto, and peppered ricotta cheese. Mustard seed glazed shrimp, roasted fingerling potatoes with chive puree. Pan seared breast of chicken with buttered morels and watercress salad. Oven roasted asparagus with mint butter. Warm artichoke and farro salad with lemon. Served with assorted New Harvest rolls and butter.

• Dessert: Rhubarb and strawberry tart. Lavender creme custard.

Dinner is $80 per person, which includes dinner, fine wine and tax. Tables may be reserved in advance for parties of 8 or more. To RSVP, 828.564.1105 or sutton@innattranquilityfarm.com.

www.innattranquilityfarm.com.

KARE ‘Spring Thing’

In recognition of Child Abuse Awareness Month, KARE (Kids Advocacy Resource Effort) will host a “Spring Thing” from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, at their office in Waynesville.

The open house carnival will include inflatable obstacles, games, and a cookout. The drop-in event caters to children of any age and will give families an opportunity to tour the facility, meet staff members, and learn about programs available in Haywood County.

Guests can play games and enjoy supper at no cost. Children will also receive a token to return for free new books.

KARE, founded in 1991, seeks to end child abuse and neglect through advocacy, education and support. KARE advocates for victims of physical and sexual abuse and also provides free parent education through the Parents as Teachers and Positive Parenting programs.

For questions, contact KARE at 828.456.8995. Alternate rain date is May 2.

itage dance, annual Youth Talent Show, and more.

Children’s activities include storytelling, face painting, an inflatable slide, the recycled materials Superhero Costume Contest, volunteer projects and more. This year’s event also hosts the annual Greening Up the Mountains 5K Run, sponsored by the Jackson County Recreation and Parks Department. And, for the first time ever, a cornhole tournament, which will raise funds for local charities.

There is no admission charge to attend. For more information, including sponsorships and vendor booth applications, visit www.greeningupthemountains.com.

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host a wine tasting on Wednesdays and a craft beer tasting on Thursdays. Both events run from 4 to 8 p.m. There will also be tapas from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. www.classicwineseller.com.

• Free cooking demonstrations will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturdays at Country Traditions in Dillsboro. Eat samples and taste house wines for $3 a glass. All recipes posted online. www.countrytraditionsnc.com.

CMA scholarships

Cullowhee Mountain Arts of Sylva announces eight scholarships available for the Cullowhee Mountain Arts Summer Arts Workshop Series at Western Carolina University.

Three weeks of workshops will run during the month of June beginning June 11. Application deadline is May 5. Through the Jackson County Arts Council Grassroots grant (JCAC), CMA is matching funds to provide eight, half-tuition scholarships open to all regional artists living in Jackson County. To apply, go to the JCAC webpage or the CMA webpage: www.cullowheemountainarts.org/scholarships or call Director Norma Hendrix at 828.342.6913.

The Summer of 2017 Cullowhee Mountain Arts Summer Arts Series will be held at Western Carolina University midJune to the end of June, bringing 16 artists, their students, and their workshops to our region. While enjoying our thriving community, they will all spend time in downtown Sylva, enjoy these mountains, the rivers and our mountain communities.

Meadows art competition

U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) has announced his annual Congressional Art Competition for 2017.

The 2017 Artistic Discovery Contest is open to all high school students who reside in the 11th District. All entries must be original in design, concept, and execution, with open categories such as painting, drawing, print, and more.

Winners will be chosen by a panel of art professionals and there will be a reception for all the students who enter, as well as their

Since 2012, CMA has attracted international attention for its unique format and distinguished level of art workshops and programs held locally on the WCU campus, nearby Waynesville at Lake Logan Episcopal Retreat Center, Sante Fe/Taos, New Mexico and Gloucester, Massachusetts. CMA is offering several workshops this year along the eastern seaboard in Snow Hill, Maryland. In what has become an annual event, this past January saw CMA travel across the globe to hold two weeks of workshops in Takapuna, New Zealand.

Cullowhee Mountain Arts (CMA) is a local, but internationally recognized grassroots nonprofit organization providing the Summer Artists Workshop series at WCU, an established annual summer event on the Western campus introducing artists and educators from all walks of life to the Western North Carolina region.

CMA and its Board of Directors (local educators and professionals) believe the arts energize every facet of our community life, and CMA is committed to the idea that arts invigorate communities.

teachers and families, on April 29. The overall winner of our district’s competition will receive two roundtrip tickets to the National Reception in Washington, D.C., a $3,000 scholarship to a prestigious Southeastern art college, and their art will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol.

The deadline to enter this year’s competition is Friday, April 21. Entries may be dropped off earlier, but all entries must be received by 5 p.m. on April 21 at Rep. Meadows’ main district office located at 200 North Grove Street, Suite 90, Hendersonville, N.C.

For more information, visit meadows.house.gov/services/art-competition.

Macon painter exhibit

There will be an exhibit showcasing the work of painter Sharon Ann Volker through the month of April at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Volker is a self-taught artist. She began working with pastels in the early 1990’s, experimenting first with the human form and then with a variety of still life and landscape subjects. Volker is a full-time resident of Otto and can create detailed reproductions and original works of art. She may be contacted at 828.524.5078 or by e-mail at volkerks@frontier.com.

HCC

crafts students in Atlanta

Haywood Community College

Professional Crafts students recently participated in the School-to-Market Program at the American Craft Council’s American Craft Show in Atlanta, Georgia.

During this three-day event, participants visit high quality American craft booths from over 250 artists of contemporary jewelry, clothing, furniture and home décor.

HCC’s Professional Crafts program was the School-to-Market partner for the Atlanta show. According to its website, the American Craft Council’s School-to-Market Program partners with institutions across the country to provide students with unmatched exposure to craft audiences and offer insight into wider handmade marketplace. The program

On the stage

bridges the gap between craft curriculum in higher education and the marketplace by providing undergraduate students, graduate students and residency artists a more public venue for a curated, collective exhibition of their work.

HCC’s Professional Crafts program has been invited to participate in the show three times as one of just a few community colleges taking part alongside very reputable fouryear art schools.

HCC students who participated include: Abigail Ahlberg, Ben Brower, Maris Buttacavoli, Gwen Casebeer, Tony Embrey, Sarah Greene, April Grist, Mariah Harris, Kelly Jones, Janessa Knotts, Sienna Kocherhans, Lindsey Liden, Laura Magdycz, Mary Odom, Jennifer Peek, Rhonda Robinson, Jesse Sawyer, David Seigmyrem, Nicholas Swann, Allison Taylor and Addy Wygmans. www.haywood.edu.

PAINT NITE WAYNESVILLE

Paint Nite Waynesville will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. Sign up on the Paint Night Waynesville Facebook page (search event: Brush N. Brew) or call Robin Smathers at 828.400.9560. paintnitewaynesville@gmail.com.

• The Creating Community Workshop will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 15, in the Atrium of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Local artist Mason Erlacher will be showing participants how to make a simple pinch pot. Erlacher will then give participants a few tutorials of a variety of decoration techniques using a “spring theme” so they can decide how they would like to decorate the pinch pots. The class is limited to 10 people. For further information and to sign up for the class, call the library at 828.586.2016. This program is free of charge. www.fontanalib.org.

• The Jackson County Extension Office is offering a workshop on for a “Spring Door Hanging” from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, April 20, in Sylva. Instructor is Alicia Maney. Cost is $6. To register, 828.586.4009.

• The 49th Annual Student Reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at the

Love and loss, before Facebook

A new work from Lyn Donley and C.J. Deering, titled “The Loves of Elaine,” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. April 14-15 and 2 p.m. April 16 in the Feichter Studio at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

So, what happens when your mother passes away in her 90s and you discover a box filled with love letters from scores of men stretching over decades? You write a play.

The idea for the piece came when Donley told Deering about discovering a treasure trove of love letters that Lyn’s mother had received from a multitude of men that spanned over 30 years. The letters are filled with passion, love, desire and sadness — reminding them both of what life and love was like before email and Facebook.

Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for students. The Harmons’ Den Bistro will be open for dining before the evening per-

Western Carolina University Fine Arts Museum. The exhibit will be on display through April 28 in the museum. The exhibition is supported in part by the Western Carolina University Office of the Chancellor Arts & Cultural Events at WCU, WCU College of Fine & Performing Arts WCU School of Art & Design. museum@wcu.edu or 828.227.3591.

• The “Healing Through Art” exhibit will be held through April 29 at the Gallery & Gifts showroom at the Haywood County Arts Council in downtown Waynesville. See artistic pieces aimed at touching the lives of people through creativity, all while healing individuals and communities. www.haywoodarts.org.

• There will be a “Thursday Painters Open Studio” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at the Franklin Uptown Gallery. Bring a bag lunch, project and supplies. Free to the public. Membership not required. For information, call 828.349.4607.

formances and for Sunday Brunch. Patrons do not have to be attending the performance to dine in the Bistro.

To make reservations for the play or for dinner, call the HART box office at 828.456.6322 or visit www.harttheatre.org.

• Comedian Jeff Foxworthy impersonator Jamie Simpson will hit the stage at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at the Rendezvous Restaurant in the Maggie Valley Inn. The event is a fundraiser for the Star Ranch Horse Rescue. $30 ticket includes all-youcan-eat buffet, drink, tax and tip. 828.734.0194.

• The Highlands Performing Arts Center will continue the “Live via Satellite” series with the National Theatre of London’s production of “Hedda Gabler” by Ibsen at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15. Tickets are available online at www.highlandspac.org, at the door or by calling 828.526.9047.

Farm Fresh Produce

Artisan Jams & Jellies Local Raw Honey

Now Selling Locally Made Bread Local Free-Range Eggs, Milk & Cheese, Hanging Baskets, Ferns & other Flowers Picnic by the River CHECK

Saturday, May 27

Local Music, Food Vendors, Crafters, Hayrides, Plow Demos, Horse & Mule Teams, Camping By the River, and much more

Saturday, April 15

5K ROAD RACE & WALK, 9 A.M.

Register at lakejunaluska.com/run. Kids Fun Run starts at 10 a.m.

CHILDREN'S EASTER EGG HUNT, 11:30 A.M.

Children ages 12 and under are invited to join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt located near Stuart Auditorium. Free and open to the public.

Sunday, April 16

SUNDAY MORNING SUNRISE SERVICE, 7 A.M. A powerful Sunrise Service at the Amphitheater near the Cross.

EASTER BREAKFAST BUFFET AT LAMBUTH INN, 7:30 - 9:30 A.M.

Tickets available at the Lambuth Inn front desk on Easter morning.

EASTER LUNCH BUFFET AT THE TERRACE, 11:30 A.M. - 2:30 P.M. Call 828-454-6662 to make a reservation.

On Easter

Lake J Easter celebration

Easter returns to Lake Junaluska on April 15-16.

• Lake Junaluska’s Easter festivities kick off with a 5K road race and walk on Saturday, April 15.

All proceeds go toward the annual maintenance and improvement of the walking trail and other recreation opportunities at Lake Junaluska. The annual cost of maintaining the grounds and recreation facilities at Lake Junaluska is more than $250,000. The course begins at the Nanci Weldon Gym and will take participants on a route that showcases the beauty of Lake Junaluska’s grounds.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the race starts at 9 a.m. A kid’s fun run with the Easter bunny will take place at 10 a.m. Registration is required. To register, call 828.454.6680 or visit www.lakejunaluska.com/run.

• All are invited to join a children’s Easter egg hunt at Lake Junaluska on Saturday, April 15.

This egg hunt features more than 10,000 Easter eggs. The Easter egg hunt will take place near Stuart Auditorium beginning at 11:30 a.m. Youth between the ages of 1-12 will find eggs filled with candy or a small toy. The hunts are separated into three different age categories. The ages 1-3 hunt begins at 11:30 a.m., the ages 4-7 hunt begins at 11:45 a.m. and the ages 8-12 hunt begins at noon.

• Early on Easter morning, before the sun has risen, a group of worshipers will gather at the amphitheater beneath the iconic Lake Junaluska Cross to celebrate the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection. The service begins at 7 a.m. on Sunday, April 16, and will be led by Bishop Charlene Kammerer. Kammerer worked as part of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church in Charlotte for nearly 10 years before being assigned to the Virginia Conference. The

Dillsboro ‘Easter Hat Parade’

The 29th annual “Easter Hat Parade” celebration will be held on at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 15, in downtown Dillsboro.

The day begins with an Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30 a.m. that starts at Dogwood Crafters, followed with hat making also at 10:30 a.m. (also at Dogwood Crafters), all while the Easter Bunny will be in attendance for photos. The parade will be at 2 p.m. at Town Hall.

Easter in Western North Carolina

With the celebration of Easter around the corner, below are several events in communities around our region, from church gathering to Easter egg hunts, brunch to live music.

BRYSON CITY

• The Easter Eggstravaganza will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at Darnell Farms. Easter Egg Hunt, egg dying, games and baby bunny rabbit photo booth.

• The Peanuts Easter Beagle Express Train will be at 11 a.m. April 14-15 at the Bryson City Train Depot. Enjoy the characters of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and crew. Easter Egg Hunt, crafts, snacks, and more. 800.872.4681 or www.gsmr.com.

FONTANA

Easter Sunrise Service at Lake Junaluska.

Sunrise Service has become an integral part of the Easter Celebration at Lake Junaluska and is directly followed by a buffet breakfast at the Lambuth Inn.

• Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church combines its four distinct services into one unique and dynamic Easter worship experience. They welcome everyone to join them at 10:25 a.m. Sunday, April 16, in Stuart Auditorium.

www.lakejunaluska.com/easter.

“The first couple of years the number of participants in the parade were less than 24,” said Event Coordinator Brenda Anders. “But each year the event has grown, until we have had over 200 hat contest entries in past parades.”

The prizes for the hat contest are simple and mostly handmade. The categories include the largest, smallest, most outrageous, best use of fresh flowers, hat that traveled the farthest, youngest, and best dog. 828.506.8331 or www.visitdillsboro.org.

• The Easter Family Festival weekend will be April 14-16 at Fontana Village Resort. A full weekend of fun including scenic lake tours, sunrise church service, history films, cornhole tournament, egg dying, water balloon toss, scavenger hunt, campfire, marshmallow roast, and more, including an Easter feast at the Mountview Restaurant. 800.849.2258 or www.fontanavillage.com.

FRANKLIN

• An Easter Egg Hunt will be on Saturday, April 15, at the Macon County Rec Park. Admission is one canned food item donation, benefitting CareNet. Registration at 11:30 a.m.

• There will be children’s activities held on Saturday, April 15, at The Factory. The Easter Bunny will be onsite for photos from 1 to 2

p.m. Contests, giveaways and more. There will be a $3.99 kids pizza buffet with adult purchase. 828.349.8888 or www.thefactory.bz.

MAGGIE VALLEY

• There will be an Easter Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, April 16, in the Maggie Valley Pavilion next to Town Hall on Soco Road. Refreshments to follow. All are welcome. Sponsored by the Maggie Valley Civic Association.

WAYNESVILLE

• There will be an Easter Egg Hunt for all ages at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at the Waynesville Public Library. In case of bad weather, the event will be held inside the library. Refreshments, crafts and lots of eggs. 828.356.2511.

The Final Day bring Forstche’s trilogy to a close

In 2011, William Forstchen’s apocalyptic novel, One Second After, appeared on best-seller lists. After reading for review this story of an EMP strike on the United States and the struggles of the residents of Black Mountain, North Carolina, to survive in a world without electricity, my first impulse was to rush to my neighborhood Ingles Market and fill my car with canned goods, dried foods, and medical supplies. This vivid account of death, destruction, and suffering in One Second After scared the hoot out of me.

Forstchen returned to this story in One Year After, where town administrator John Matherson and the other survivors in Black Mountain are now facing the incursion of the “New Regime,” a group claiming to represent the Federal government. When this “government” begins forcibly drafting the community’s young people into an “Army of National Recovery,” Matherson and his friends throw up a resistance that leads them into yet another battle.

Now Forstchen has given us the final volume of this trilogy, The Final Day (Forge Publishers, 2016, 348 pages, $25.99). China and Mexico control large parts of the Western United States, Texas is seeking to reclaim its nineteenth century status as a republic, savage bands of predators have overrun the major cities and the state of Florida, and a government operating out of Maryland and Virginia is trying to restore order in nearby states through the use of military force.

John Matherson and the remaining families and students of Black Mountain have slowly reestablished some electrical power, gotten some vehicles running again, and connected in a loose union with neighbors in Waynesville, Marion, and other nearby communities. Through the efforts of a retired computer programmer and some of the students from Montreat College, there is even the possibility of bringing to life some of the computers fried by the nuclear explosion.

Then Gen. Bob Scales, who once com-

manded John Matherson in the days before the EMP, arrives on the scene, sent by higherups in the government to make sure that Black Mountain and other towns will toe the line in

that currently exists between the majority of the American people, voters of the left, right, and middle, and the powers-that-be in Washington, D.C.

regard to the new order. Matherson and Scales share the greatest respect for each other, but tension grows between the two men as it becomes apparent that the government has junked the Constitution and will take extreme measures to bring dissenters into line. To say more about the plot of The Final Day would be to destroy the story for readers. Suffice it to say that the ending shocked me and seems a valid commentary on the gulf

Lake J Book Review Committee

All three of the John Matherson novels have an individual theme. Forstchen meant One Second After as a shrill warning about the dangers posed by an electromagnetic pulse, a nuclear explosion above the atmosphere whose force would dismantle our electrical grid, taking out everything from computers to automobiles and airplanes.

In One Year After, he raises the question of political legitimacy. The socalled government and the “Army of National Recovery” claim to be lawful successors to the federal government, but commit egregious acts against the very citizenry they claim to be protecting. What loyalty, the book asks, do we owe to a government operating under a body of law created by itself?

In The Final Day, Forstchen addresses the conflict between duty and doing the right thing. Gen. Scales, one of Forstchen’s more thoroughly developed characters, embodies this theme. He is loyal to the government and has led troops to quell rebels in places like Roanoke, Virginia, yet increasingly the general has trouble reconciling his oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States with the propositions of the government he serves.

(Even his name, Scales, implies the balance he must maintain during these moral conflicts.) The dialogues and conflicts between him and John Matherson are exercises in examining such dilemmas.

The Final Day offers readers exciting scenes of action and combat, philosophical points to ponder, and well-drawn characters like Gen. Scales, the computer expert Ernie, and Makala, John Matherson’s pregnant wife. I highly recommend the book, but would suggest that readers new to the John Matherson series read the novels in sequence.

In what is surely one of the most amazing of blurbs, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II called Kate Seredy’s The Chestry Oak “a masterpiece of childhood literature.”

At some point in 2016, a rave review of The Chestry Oak (Purple House Press, 1948, 255 pages, $12.95) crossed my desk. While I don’t remember the source of the review — a magazine, some online site — I will long remember reading The Chestry Oak this past week.

In this novel aimed at readers in upper elementary school and middle school, Kate Seredy gives us the story of young Prince Michael of Chestry, a Hungarian who lives and suffers through World War II, eventually finding his way through the kindnesses of many strangers to a Hudson Valley farm in the United States after the war. Seredy gives us a story of bravery in the face of horrible loss: Michael’s aristocratic and troubled father; his beloved Nana; the American family who eventually adopts Michael; the love between Michael and Midnight, a black stallion who eventually returns to his master.

The theme of The Chestry Oak can be summed up in a line repeated several times in the story: “As long as there are hearts to remember, nothing fine and noble will ever die.”

Nearly 70 years ago, Kate Seredy gave readers a great novel. Those who love literature, or those who love stories promoting the fine and noble impulses in the human heart, should rejoice that so fine a story is back in print.

Jeff Minick is the author of several books. minick0301@gmail.com.

The Book Review Committee of the Junaluskans will have local resident Sara Jenkins as its presenter for its gathering at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 19, at the Harrell Center in Lake Junaluska. Jenkins will review Small Is Beautiful: Economics As If People Mattered by E. F. Schumacher, a classic work that was included in the 1995 Times Literary Supplement list of the 100 most influential books published since World War II.

With the multifaceted challenges of the 21st century, although almost half a century old, this book is more relevant than ever, and Jenkins will focus on the moral dimension of Schumacher’s work — how “people matter,” how character is formed by meaningful work, and how small scale community is most conducive to human well-being. Jenkins, a freelance nonfiction editor, is known by many in the area for her authorship of two books on contemporary Buddhist practice in the West. Currently, she works with the Lift Every Voice project of Pigeon Center collecting the African-American history of Haywood County and is also involved with a regional program of Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center. clauser@charter.net.

Revival of the hippie counterculture

Forrest Rivers will read his work The Hippie Revival and Collected Writings at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

His book is an inspiring collection of writings (long essays, short reflections, poetry, haiku and guest writings) that reflect the essence of the “Hippie Spirit” — peace, unity and love. When he is not writing and speaking, Rivers can be found hiking in the woods with his faithful dog Abbie, dancing to reggae music, playing percussion and teaching government courses at his day job as a community college professor.

To reserve copies, call City Lights Bookstore at 828.586.9499.

Folk School poetry reading

The NC Writers Network West are sponsoring “The Literary Hour,” an hour of poetry and prose reading, held at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 20, in the Keith House on the John C. Campbell Folk School campus in Brasstown.

Poets and writers Janice Townley Moore and Marcia Hawley Barnes will be the featured readers.

n Moore, Professor Emeritus of English at Young Harris College, published a chapbook, Teaching the Robins, with Finishing Line Press in 2005. Her poems have appeared in Georgia Review, Prairie Schooner, Southern Poetry Review, Connecticut Review, Journal of the American Medical Association, and in many anthologies. n Barnes is a Georgia writer and poet. She is a member of the North Carolina Writers’ Network, NetWest, and Ridgeline Literary Alliance. Barnes celebrated the American family and cuisine in 2008, when she researched, illustrated, and published The Little Book of Secret Family Recipes In 2016, her first children’s book, Tobijah, illustrated by Doreyl Ammons Cain, was published by Catch the Spirit of Appalachia. The book was nominated for the Georgia Author of the Year Award in 2017. Her poetry has been published in Stone, River, Sky, An Anthology of Georgia Poems.

This event is normally held the third Thursday of the month unless otherwise notified. The reading is free of charge and open to the public.

Joy to read new work

Acclaimed Jackson County author David Joy will read from his latest novel, The Weight of This World, at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.

A combat veteran returned from war, Thad Broom can’t leave the hardened world of Afghanistan behind, nor can he forgive himself for what he saw there. His mother April is haunted by her own demons, a secret trauma she has carried for years. Between them is Aiden McCall, loyal to both but unable to hold them together. Connected by bonds of circumstance and duty, friendship and love, these three lives are blown apart when Aiden and Thad witness an accidental death.

The event is free and open to the public.

Clyde river park gets a facelift

Plans call for extensive tree planting, walking paths and river access

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFFWRITER

On the chilly, windy afternoon of April 7, a crew of seven people gathered to install a passel of hefty red maple and river birch saplings into their new home, River’s Edge Park in Clyde. With the help of shovels and a mini-dozer it took just 2 hours to plant the 13 trees, but the work is far from over. Using mostly grant funds and volunteer labor, the town of Clyde intends to eventually plant the riverside park with thousands of trees and shrubs.

“The main issue is erosion happening along the riverbank and in the park itself,” said Eric Romaniszyn, director of Haywood Waterways Association. “Of course we believe that trees and shrubs are the best solutions for that.”

The park, located along the Pigeon River on Thickety Road not far from downtown Clyde, is in a historically flood-prone area — which, actually, is the reason that it’s a park at all. When hurricane-induced flooding swept the area in 2004, the water rose and homes were destroyed. A government program allowed the town to buy out the property where 4.5-acre River’s Edge Park sits, and in 2013 the park was created to provide the area with flood storage and green space.

“It is doing exactly what it was designed to do,” said Clyde Town Administrator Joy Garland. “With the rain events we’ve had historically, the water would get out on Thickety Road first, so this is acting as a holding area

where it can slowly release instead of flooding that road.”

However, the park’s function isn’t perfect yet, and that’s where the tree planting comes in.

“The first year the park was put together, we had about 13 rain episodes and it has washed great big gullies in it because we have not been able to get any vegetation to grow,” Garland said.

The water was undermining some of the

concrete sidewalks laid out through the park, and it was carrying sediment into the river. The issue prompted Haywood Waterways to apply for a grant from the Pigeon River Fund to come up with an overall master plan for the park, which Asheville-based Equinox Environmental completed in March 2016.

The plan focuses mainly on planting trees and shrubs throughout the property. A revegetation plan calls for nearly 800 larger trees and more than 3,000 small seedlings to be

planted, as well as shrubs and herbaceous plants for a milkweed garden. The idea is that the resulting root mass entering the soil will hold it in place, protecting it from washing away when floods come and slowing the water’s escape onto the road and nearby properties. Some of the work had already begun before last week’s tree planting, with volunteers from Haywood Community College planting trees, removing invasive species and cleaning up trash earlier this spring.

“It will look like a floodplain forest,” Romaniszyn said. “The trees, along with holding the land together in the riverbank, they also serve to slow floodwaters. So the slower you can get floodwaters to go, the more it protects downstream landowners.”

The revegetation work will be funded through a $44,000 grant from the N.C. Community Conservation Assistance Program, secured by the Haywood Soil & Water Conservation District, and $44,000 more from a Pigeon River Fund grant and marketing funds. The town of Clyde will also contribute about $10,000. Other partners include HCC, Haywood County Schools and Southwestern N.C. Resources Conservation and Development Council.

“It’s a great collaboration of efforts,” Garland said.

Debbie Wilson, one of seven volunteers to come help with the tree planting last week, concurred.

“I think it’s a great location,” Wilson said. “It’s handy for residents. I’m a cyclist and I do bike some on Thickety, so I stop here and enjoy the park.”

The park will be more than just a forest when the plan is implemented. Already, a circuit of concrete walkways encircles it, and the park includes two playgrounds, a picnic shelter and a newly completed outdoor environmental learning center. With Clyde Elementary, Haywood Community College and Central Haywood High School all in the immediate vicinity, hopes are high the learning center will get plenty of use.

The portion of the walkway closest to the river will be converted from concrete to gravel, as the floodwaters have steadily eaten away at the ground underneath that portion of concrete, but the rest of the infrastructure will remain. An open space will be maintained near the picnic shelter, and future plans call for a fishing pier and boating access. Those improvements will further enhance what is already a well-loved community resource, Garland said.

“A lot of folks are out here walking in the mornings and in the evenings after work,” she said. “They’ve really enjoyed it.”

As with any spot in a floodplain, there’s always the chance that some future downpour will frustrate the best-laid plans of mice and men. When the park was built in 2013, about 10 feet of soil was moved so that the site could act as flood storage. This change in gradient could, over time, encourage the Pigeon River’s path to shift to a more direct downhill gradient.

Roll onto the Tour de Cashiers

The Tour de Cashiers will return to the mountains Saturday, April 29, with cyclists choosing between routes of 100, 50 and 25 miles. Athletic challenges to suit beginning and seasoned riders alike are in the offing.

Rides will start between 8 and 9 a.m., with food and beverages available at the Ugly Dog Pub in Cashiers afterward.

Sponsors are still needed. Contact the Cashiers Chamber of Commerce by April 14 or sign up online at www.cashiersareachamber.com.

$60, presented by Pisgah Productions.

www.pisgahproductions.com/events/tourde-cashiers.

Special Olympics coming to Jackson

Volunteers are needed for the Jackson County Special Olympics Spring Games, coming up Friday, April 28.

The games, which will kick off at 9:30 a.m. at the Smoky Mountain High School track, will include a variety of events for athletes to compete in. Contact Abigail Blakely Clayton of the Jackson County Recreation Department, 828.293.3053.

Engaging hands and hearts since 1925. Come enjoy making crafts and good friends on 300 natural, scenic acres in western North Carolina.

“The timeline for this process is uncertain and will depend largely on the frequency and magnitude of future flood events,” Equinox’s assessment reads. “This could take years or even decades for the process to be completed, or it could occur dramatically in one extreme event.”

Planting the trees should help stabilize things, Romaniszyn said. Of the three options Equinox laid out — revegetation, river realignment and terrace construction — revegetation is the most inexpensive and easy-to-implement approach, though it’s possible that a full riverbank stabilization

again, that could realign anything. But with the trees in place, that should minimize it.”

It’s natural for streams in a valley to meander back and forth over a period of centuries or millennia. But both Romaniszyn and Garland are hopeful as to the effect the newly planted trees will have and the value the forested floodplain of the future will hold for recreation and water quality alike.

“We’re really excited,” Garland said.

JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL folkschool.org 1-800-FOLK-SCH BRASSTOWN NORTH

Forage like an expert

Wildcrafter Ila Hatter, of Bryson City, will teach a one-day class called “Foraging for Food and Farmacy” 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 22, through the Smoky Mountain Field School.

Students will spend a day learning how to identify the plants and trees that Native Americans and early settlers used for dye, food, medicine, crafts and other necessities for daily life.

The Smoky Mountain Field School is celebrating its 40th year, born from a partnership between the University of Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to promote learning in the natural world. Courses take place outdoors at various locations inside the park.

$79, with registration at smfs.utk.edu.

Cultivate healthy habits over lunch

A four-week class focusing on healthy living will kick off at noon Monday, April 17, at the covered picnic shed at the entrance to the Little Tennessee River Greenway in Franklin.

The series “Walk, Lunch and Learn” will explore walking as a means of physical activity, healthy cooking techniques and other behavior changes that can result in lifelong healthy habits. The one-hour class will begin with 30 minutes of walking and end with a lunch accompanied by a topical discussion.

The class will meet weekly at noon Mondays through May 8. All fitness levels welcome. Lunch will be provided April 17, with participants bringing their own bag lunches at later meetings.

$2. Register with the Macon County Cooperative Extension Center, 828.349.2046.

Smell the wildflowers, trace the wildfire

A trio of upcoming hikes will offer excursions through the flowering forest while also tracing the effects of last year’s historic wildfire season on the woods they traverse.

n A hike along the Wesser Creek Trail in the Nantahala National Forest near Bryson City will offer ample spring blooms starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 15. Josh Kelly and Bob Gale of MountainTrue, which is hosting the event, will lead the moderate 4.5-mile hike, pointing out the various wildflower species while also discussing the effects of last year’s wildfires.

$10 for members and $35 for nonmembers, with a one-year MountainTrue membership included. Space is limited. Sign up at www.mountaintrue.org/event/wildfirewildflower-spring-hike.

n A 5-mile hike will explore the Appalachian Trail from Deep Gap to the summit of Standing Indian Mountain in Macon County, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 19. The area, part of the Southern Nantahala Wilderness Area near Franklin, will boast blooming trilliums, bloodroot, violets, trout lily, hepatica and more. Hosted by the Wilderness Society’s Southern Appalachian Office based in Sylva, the moderate-to-strenuous hike will be led by the organization’s regional director Brent Martin. Martin will point out plant and bird species, as well as areas of fire damage. The hike route includes multiple views, including vistas from the 5,200-foot summit of

Get ready to garden

Standing Indian Mountain. Free, but space is limited. RSVP to Michelle Ruigrok,

spring wildflowers beginning 11 a.m.

Thursday, April 20.

michelle_ruigrok@tws.org or 828.587.9453.

n A 3-mile loop hike on the Tellico Trail in Macon County will pass through magnificent old trees, rich cove forest and varied

Hosted by Mainspring Conservation Trust, the organization’s founding director Paul Carlson will lead the hike. While the Tellico Trail is not part of the area affected by last year’s wildfires, the car ride up Tellico Valley will provide views of fire on adjacent mountain slopes, and Carlson will discuss the effects of the wildfires during a short walk into burned woods before starting the trail. Hikers will meet at Cowee School, with boxed lunches provided. $10, with space limited. Sign up by April 14 with Sharon Burdette, 828.524.2711 or sburdette@mainspringconserves.org.

A pair of programs helping folks prepare for the gardening season will be offered at 1 p.m. April 19 and 20 at the Macon County Cooperative Extension Center.

On Wednesday, April 19, the class “Growing Backyard Fruit” will cover the cultivation of apples, peaches, pears, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and grapes. The following day, Thursday, April 20, the class “Vegetable Gardening” will discuss selecting a garden site, soil testing, fertilizer, plants varieties, disease and insect management.

Both classes are free, but registration is required with the extension center, 828.349.2046.

Blast off with the Macon County Library

Science and space will take over the Macon County Public Library Thursday, April 20, in Franklin.

The day will begin with an adult planetarium program — “Back to the Moon for Good” — and accompanying discussion led by former Saturn/Apollo launch team member Kurt Volker. Volker worked every launch of the Saturn/Apollo V from the first of three unmanned launches to Apollo VIII, the 1968 circumnavigation of the moon.

Family Science Night will follow, held 57 p.m. A variety of science activities will be featured, including the portable planetarium show “Impact,” with sessions at 5 and 6 p.m. Following each show, Southwestern Community College Science Chairman Matt Cass will give a brief science talk about asteroids and meteorites. The evening will also include solar eclipse science stations, made possible by the Julena Steinheider Duncombe mini-grant that the Macon County library was awarded from the American Astronomical Society Solar Eclipse Task Force.

Planetarium programs are funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the State Library of North Carolina.

All events are free, but tickets will be

issued starting one hour before show time for the “Back to the Moon” and “Impact” programs on a first-come, first-served basis. 828.524.3600.

Front-line weather reporters wanted

A volunteer program that works to provide timely reports of severe weather events will be training recruits at 4 and 6 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at Haywood Community College. Justin Lane, lead forecaster for The National Weather Service in Greenville/Spartanburg will teach the course, called SKYWARN Weather Spotter Class. SKYWARN has nearly 290,000 trained severe weather spotters. These volunteers provide reports that help keep their communities safe. Free. Ben Clawson, bclawson@haywoodnc.net.

A community forum on the upcoming solar eclipse will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, at the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library in Cashiers.

The meeting will provide an overview of the Aug. 21 astronomical event, as well as information on planned events, grants, emergency management issues and a question-and-answer session. A panel of experts ranging from Western Carolina University professors to Jackson County Tourism

Development Authority Director Nick Breedlove will be on hand to present the various topics.

Attendees will also have a chance at the meeting to place a bulk order of special glasses for viewing the eclipse. Glasses are $25 for a minimum of 50 pairs, with the Cashiers Chamber of Commerce covering shipping. Order deadline is April 30.

828.743.5191, info@cashiersareachamber.com or www.NCEclipse.com.

Renewable energy forum coming to Asheville

A forum on the role of renewable energy in Western North Carolina will be held 8:30-10:30 a.m. Friday, April 21, at Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Center for Graduate Studies in Asheville.

Panelists will discuss challenges and opportunities facing renewable energy efforts in WNC. Guests will include David Neal, attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center; Maggie Ulman, board chair of the N.C. Sustainable Energy Association; and Jason Walls, communication manager with Duke Energy. Carolina Public Press will moderate the panel discussion and question-and-answer session following.

North Carolina currently ranks second nationwide in solar capacity. Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows that 7.1 percent of North Carolina’s utility-scale energy generation in 2015 came from renewable sources. Organized by the Carolina Public Press. Free, with RSVP required at www.carolinapublicpress.org.

Party up on the Appalachian Trail

Trail season is here, and a pair of festivals celebrating this year’s crop of thru-hikers will be held April 21-22 in Swain and Madison counties.

n The NOC Trail Festival will kick off with a movie night at 6 p.m. Friday, April 21, at the Nantahala Outdoor Center and rev into high gear the following day with a gear repair and vendor fair, cornhole tournament, hiker’s feast and bonfire — events will run from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Free, with a full schedule online at www.noc.com/events/at-founders-bridge-festival.

n The annual Trailfest weekend in Hot Springs will start with a cheap and delicious spaghetti dinner on Friday night and roll into Friday, where a full slate of activities celebrating hiking, biking, skateboarding, hula hooping, river rafting, soccer, yoga and more will take place. The weekend will include pancakes, a float trip and family soccer on Sunday. Free. 828.206.1492. www.madisoncclc.org/trailfest-2017.

n And don’t forget — Franklin’s month-long lineup celebrating April Fools Trail Days is ongoing as well. Upcoming events include the Currahee Brewing Hiker Bash April 15 and A.T. Celebration at Lazy Hiker Brewing Co. April 22. www.aprilfoolstraildays.com/schedule.html.

Gather with other horse lovers

Horse enthusiasts of all stripes will meet at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 23, in Canton for an acupuncture demonstration and discussion on the benefits of herbal supplements for horses. The event is offered by the Adult Riding Club of WNC in conjunction with its regular monthly meeting. Horse enthusiasts of all disciplines and skill levels are welcome. The meeting will be held at 84 Frank Mann Road in Canton. Free. events@anniesplacewnc.com.

Smokies upgrades to cleaner fuel

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park now boasts two new propane-fueling stations and six new propane-fueled trucks following an unveiling April 5.

The purchases are part of the park’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent of 2006 levels by 2020. This is the third phase of a three-phase plan to progress toward that goal.

Funding comes from a joint initiative of the U.S. Departments of Interior and Energy, called the Clean Cities National Park Initiative. In partnership with two neighboring Department of Energy Clean Cities coalitions — the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition and the Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition — the park was able to buy six Ford F250 crew cab trucks that were converted to run on propane.

Thanks to Sevier County Propane and Blossman Gas, the propane fueling stations were installed at minimal cost.

In addition to reducing emissions, the propane fueling stations will save money.

“We are saving about 30 cents to 50 cents per gallon using propane,” said Smokies Deputy Chief of Facility Management Brian Bergsma. “In addition to saving money, we have also doubled the driving range of the trucks and saved time by being able to refuel equipment onsite.”

The joint DOI/DOE funding is helping multiple national parks across the country reduce greenhouse gas emissions from park operations and improve air quality overall.

www1.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/natio nal_parks.html.

HCC wildlife students earn top award

Students from Haywood Community College came in fourth in a wildlife-centric competition during which they competed against 24 other schools.

In the past seven years, HCC’s student chapter of the Wildlife Society has finished in the top five spots six times during the Southeastern Wildlife Enclave, which features a range of activities including team field competitions, a quiz bowl and art and photography contests.

This year, the event was held at Mississippi State University, where 19 students from HCC placed second overall in intellectual competitions such as a lab practical, essays and orienteering; third place overall in physical competitions such as rifles, canoeing and fly-casting; fourth overall in art competitions; fourth in the team field competition and ninth in the quiz bowl. To take fourth place overall, HCC beat out teams from many four-year schools.

Parks open for the season

Spring is here, and that means that most roads and facilities on the area’s many acres of public lands are either open or will open soon. Here’s run-down of opening dates for some of the region’s most popular areas.

n In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Clingmans Dome Road, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Cataloochee Campground, Smokemont Campground, the Smokemont Riding Stable, and LeConte Lodge are already open. Balsam Mountain Road and Heintooga Ridge Road will open May 26, Big Creek Campground and Deep Creek Campground will open April 14,

Balsam Mountain Campground will open May 26 and Big Creek Picnic Area will open April 14.

n On the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah Inn & Restaurant is already open, the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center opens April 14 and Mt. Pisgah Campground opens May 5.

n In the Pisgah National Forest, Cataloochee Road is already open.

n In the Nantahala National Forest, Board Tree and Shingletree Branch roads will open at the end of April after timber crews finish working on areas adjacent to the roads. All other roads are open.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Always check for closures when planning a trip.

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Information sessions for Evergreen Foundation grants will be offered at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 12, at Graham County Library in Robbinsville; 1:30 p.m. on April 12 at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City; 10 a.m. on April 19 at Macon County Public Library in Franklin; 12:30 p.m. on April 19 at Jackson County Public Library in Sylva; and at 2 p.m. on April 19 at the Haywood County Public Library in Waynesville. Proposals are due at 5 p.m. on May 31. Register for info session: dcoleman@evergreennc.org or 421.7483. www.evergreenfoundationnc.org.

• Volunteers will be available to assist area residents of all ages with federal and state income tax preparation and filing through April 14. Hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. every Friday and Monday at the Jackson County Senior Center in Sylva and from 3-6:45 p.m. on Tuesdays or by appointment at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. For appointments: 586.2016. For tax preparation assistance in other counties, visit: www.aarp.org.

• Haywood Habitat for Humanity will hold information sessions for applicants at at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 30, at the Canton Library, and at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, at Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Waynesville. 452.7960.

• An Easter Buffet will be offered from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on April 16 at Lake Junaluska. on

• The Haywood County Community Development Council meets at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 17, in the Beaverdam Community Center, 1620 N. Canton Road in Canton. Speaker is Richard Hurley. Food will be served.

• Input is being sought for the Canton Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, at the Colonial Theater in Canton. Input needed on popular routes, destinations, priority roadway and greenway projects, programs, policies and partnerships for implementation.

• The Haywood County Public Library Foundation’s inaugural presidential volunteer service awards ceremony is at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, at the Colonial Theatre in Franklin. Recognizes 30 individuals who’ve collectively given over 6,000 hours in volunteer services in the past year to the Haywood County Public Library. 356.2504.

•The Jackson County Public Library is hosting a Women’s Positivity Group starting at 6 p.m. April 20. The group will be facilitated by Valerie Harrison. This program is free of charge. Call 586.2016.

• Deadline to enter the Congressional Art Competition is April 21. Entries must be original in design, concept and execution. Overall winner receives two round-trip tickets to the National Reception in Washington, D.C. and a $3,000 scholarship to a prestigious Southeastern art college; and their art will be displayed for a year in the U.S. Capitol. Entries must be received by 5 p.m. at U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows’ main district office at 200 N. Grove Street, Suite 90, in Hendersonville. https://meadows.house.gov/services/art-competition.

• The N.C. Arboretum’s Rocky Cove Railroad exhibit featuring a G-scale model train runs from noon-4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday through October, weatherpermitting. Gardens and trails open from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. every day through October.

• Applications are being accepted for the Haywood County Farm Bureau Scholarship. Students must be graduating seniors, currently enrolled in a Haywood County school or enrolled in a two- or four-year school and a resident of Haywood County. 2.5 GPA or better. 452.1425 or Karen_greene@ncfbssc.com.

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

• The Jackson County Department of Public Health is seeking input from residents who have used its services or who have thoughts on the health needs of Jackson County. http://health.jacksonnc.org/surveys.

• Cruise in Maggie Valley event is held from 1-5 p.m. every Sunday at 2771 Soco Road. Vendors: $10 per space. Cruising@MaggieValleyAntiques.com.

• Qualla Boundary Historical Society meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Everyone is welcome.

B USINESS & E DUCATION

• Chisa Pennix-Brown, author of “The 90 Day Focus: Your Action Plan for Success,” will lead a Social Media Boot Camp for Southwestern Community College from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Monday, April 17, at SCC’s Macon Campus in Franklin as part of Macon County BizWeek 2017. Topics include developing a social media strategy, social media graphics, Facebook and Instagram. Register: 339.4426 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

• The Macon County Economic Development Commission will present Bizweek from April 17-21. Events include Southwestern Community College’s Social Media Summit at 8 a.m. on Monday, April 17, in Franklin; and two networking events on Tuesday, April 18: the Women’s Business Networking Luncheon at 11 a.m. at Entegra Bank’s Corporate Center in Franklin; and the CEC Entrepreneur Networking Night VII at 5:30 p.m. at Ugly Dog Pub in Highlands. Banquet is at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, at the Bloemsma Barn. Registration required: www.maconedc.com.

• An Entrepreneur Networking Night is at 5:30 p.m. on April 18 at The Ugly Dog in Highlands. Part of Macon BizWeek 2017. www.maconedc.com/bizweek-2017.html.

• An iPhone/iPad Users Group meets at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. 524.3600.

• A “Cash Flow Management” lunch-n-learn will be offered by the Sequoyah Fund from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, at the Sequoyah Fund offices in the Ginger Lynn Welch Complex at 810 Acquoni Road in Cherokee. Info: 359-5003. http://tinyurl.com/k94jpw2.

• A discussion on Saudi Arabia, part of the Great Decisions Series, is scheduled for 5:15-6:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, at the Waynesville Library. Series is focused on critical global issues facing America today. Registration required: 356.2507 or kolsen@haywoodnc.net.

• The therapeutic massage program at Southwestern Community College will offer a continuing education workshop from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, at the Jackson Campus. Info: j_burgess@southwesterncc.edu. Register: 339.4426 or l_downs@southwesterncc.edu.

• Applications are being accepted through April 24 for one Commercial Use Authorization that will be granted to a temporary food and beverage operation to serve the public during the Aug. 21 solar eclipse event at the Clingmans Dome parking area in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Approximately 1,600 people are expected to be shuttled into Clingmans Dome that day.

www.nps.gov/grsm/getinvolved/dobusinesswithus.htm, 865.436.1209 or GRSM_Concessions@nps.gov.

• A Career Fair will be held from 3-6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25, at Haywood Community College’s Regional

High Technology Center in Waynesville. Career counselors will be available. 565.4021.

• Summer and fall registration for Haywood Community College is underway through April 28. 627.4500 or haywood.edu.

• Western Carolina University will hold multiple information sessions for parents interested in enrolling their children in the Catamount School, a new laboratory school being established for grades six through eight at Smoky Mountain High School. Sessions are at 6:15 p.m. on April 25 at the Jackson County Public Library and at 5:30 p.m. on May 4 at Cullowhee Valley School. 227.7311.

• The Maggie Valley Chamber and Maggie Valley Police Department will conduct a responsible server/seller training for on-premise and off-premise business owners from 10 a.m.-noon on April 25 at the Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center. RSVP: 926.1686 or teresa@maggievalley.org.

• Southwestern Community College’s Job Fair Friday is scheduled for 9-11 a.m. on April 28 in the Burrell Conference Center on SCC’s Jackson Campus. J_waldroup@southwesterncc.edu.

• Haywood Community College will offer a series of skill building classes comprising Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Lutherie. HCC Professional Crafts alum and local Luthier, Bill Weinert will lead the series. Each of the classes can be found at www.creativearts.haywood.edu: Intro to Lutherie (Cigar Box/Stick Dulcimer), Intermediate Lutherie (Appalachian Banjo/Lap Dulcimer), and Advanced Lutherie (Guitar/Fiddle). Please call 565.4240 for more information or to register.

• Haywood Community College Continuing Education Creative Arts has expanded selection of music classes spearheaded by local musicians Julie and Bryan McConnell. Classes will include vocal, percussion, and two levels of string classes with an emphasis on practical theories and physical techniques. For more information on these classes or to register, call 565.4240.

• One-on-one computer lessons are offered weekly at the Waynesville and Canton branches of the Haywood County Public Library. Lesson slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Canton and from 3-5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Waynesville Library. Sign up at the front desk of either library or call 356.2507 for the Waynesville Library or 648.2924 for the Canton Library.

FUNDRAISERSAND B ENEFITS

• An Empty Bowl 2017 fundraiser to benefit The Community Table in Sylva will be held from 4-8 p.m. Friday, April 21. For $20 at the door (cash or check) enjoy a choice of ceramic bowl generously donated by local potters. Assorted soups, breads, and desserts will be served. Enjoy live music by Geoff McBride, and Kim Shuler. Visit communitytable.org.

• Jeff Foxworthy will bring comedy to the Star Ranch Horse Rescue’s Horsin’ Around! Event at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, at Rendezvous Restaurant in Maggie Valley. Tickets: $30. 734.0194.

• Tickets are on sale now for the Ducks on the Tuck “Duck Draw Raffle” to benefit Southwestern Community College’s New Century Scholars program that assures last-dollar tuition to middle school students in Jackson, Macon and Swain Counties. More than 30 prizes available including a 50-inch smart flatscreen television. Drawing is May 12. Tickets are $5 each or $25 for six and available from current New Century Scholars, their coordinators in each county and from SCC: 339.4227 k_posey@southwesterncc.edu. A related “Where’s Tucker” social media selfie photo contest starts April

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

■ Complete listings of local music scene

■ Regional festivals

■ Art gallery events and openings

■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers

■ Civic and social club gatherings

17. More at www.southwesterncc.edu/ducksonthetuck.

• A Garden Party Luncheon and Fashion Show – a REACH event – is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on April 25 at The Inn at Tranquility Farm in Waynesville. Raffle and silent auction. Tickets: $60 and includes mimosa bar and lunch. Fashion by High Country Style.

• Children’s Hope Alliance, the largest foster care provider in North Carolina, will host its annual “Giving Them Hope” luncheon from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25, at Southwestern Community College’s Burrell Conference Center in Sylva. 231.5413 or www.ChildrensHopeAlliance.org.

• Tickets are on sale now for the Empty Bowls dinner benefitting the backpack program at St. John in the Wilderness in Flat Rock. The event is from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, April 30, in the church’s Parish House. Area potters and school groups make and donate pottery bowls for the event. Tickets: $25 for one person (includes a handmade pottery bowl) or $50 for a family (two pottery bowls). Tickets available at the Parish House. Info: 693.9783 or 698.8775.

• Feline Urgent Rescue (FUR of WNC) is hosting a cat food drive throughout April at 79 Branner Drive in Waynesville. 844.888.2287 or www.furofwnc.org.

• During April, Frank and Louis Perrone, award-winning father and son chef/proprietors of Frankie’s Trattoria in Maggie Valley, will be sharing their legendary recipes in a cookbook titled Frankie’s Libro di Cucina — Reminiscing and Cooking with Frank “The Kid” Perrone. All proceeds from sales of the book will help fund Richie’s Alliance for Autism and support the Olsen Huff Center of Mission Children’s Hospital in Western North Carolina. www.frankiestrattoria.com.

VOLUNTEERS & VENDORS

• Haywood Regional Medical Center is currently seeking volunteers of all ages for ongoing support at the hospital, outpatient care center and the Homestead. For info and to apply: 452.8301, stop by the information desk in the lobby or volunteer@haymed.org. Anyone interested in becoming a hospice volunteer can call 452.5039.

• Greening up the Mountains Festival is seeking artists, mountain crafters, environmental and food vendors to apply for a booth in its 20th festival, which is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on April 22. Applications available at www.greeningupthemountains.com, or call 631.4587.

• Volunteers are needed for the Jackson County Special Olympics Spring Games, which are April 28 at the Smoky Mountain High School track. Sign up to volunteer: 293.3053.

• The Downtown Waynesville Association is seeking heritage themed vendors for the annual Appalachian Lifestyle Celebration that will take place Saturday, June 10, on Main Street. If you’re interested in being a part of this celebration of Appalachian traditions and keeping mountain heritage from being forgotten, contact the Downtown Waynesville Association at 456.3517 to request an application or visit the event calendar at

www.downtownwaynesville.com. Applications accepted until April 28.

• Town of Dillsboro will be hosting three arts and craft shows open to vendors from the surrounding region. Over 40 artisans for each of these festivals are needed, artisans who will be displaying and demonstrating their hand made arts and crafts from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Family entertainment and festival food will be available during each show. Second show is Saturday, Aug. 20 — The Dillsboro Summer Arts & Crafts Market showcases local art and fine crafts, with a focus on family and children activities. Application due by June 1. Third show is Saturday, Oct. 1 — The 9th annual ColorFest will line Front Street with colorful art and fine crafts. Application due by July 1. Vendors may apply for these shows by downloading an application from the town’s website, www.visitdillsboro.org. For more information, call Connie Hogan at 586.3511 or email festivals@visitdillsboro.org.

• STAR Rescue Ranch is seeking volunteers to help with horse care, fundraising events, barn maintenance and more at the only equine rescue in Haywood County. 505.274.9199.

• Volunteer Opportunities are available throughout the region, call John at the Haywood Jackson Volunteer Center today and get started sharing your talents. 356-2833

• Phone Assurance Volunteers are needed to make daily or weekly wellness check-in calls for the Haywood County Senior Resource Center. 356.2816.

H EALTH MATTERS

• The Macon County Cancer Support Group meets at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, in the cafeteria of Angel Medical Center in Franklin.

• “Ready … Set … Baby” prenatal breastfeeding class will be offered at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 17, at the Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency. Pregnant mothers-to-be and support persons welcome. Registration required: 356.2207 or 452.2211.

• “Walk, Lunch and Learn,” a four-week series, explores walking as a means of physical activity, healthy cooking techniques and other behavior changes at noon on Mondays from April 17-May 8 at the covered picnic shed at the Greenway entrance in Franklin. Register: 349.2046. $2.

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from noon-4:30 p.m. on April 17 at the Masonic Lodge in Waynesville. Make an appointment: redcrossblood.org or 800.733.2767.

• The eighth annual Health Living Festival is from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, April 18, at the Cullowhee Recreation Center. Health screenings and 25 exhibitors encourage participants to live well. 587.8292.

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on April 18 at HomeTrust Bank in Clyde. Make an appointment: redcrossblood.org or 800.733.2767.

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from noon-6 p.m. on April 18-19 at Western Carolina University’s Hinds University Center in Cullowhee. Make an appointment: redcrossblood.org or 800.733.2767.

• Diabetes classes will be offered from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesdays, April 18-May 23, at the Haywood County Health & Human Services Agency in Clyde. Register: 356.2272.

• Harris Palliative Care will provide free living will assistance from 9 a.m.-noon on Wednesday, April 19, in Harris Regional Hospital’s private dining room in Sylva. 586.7145 or www.nhdd.org.

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 4-8 p.m. on April 20 at American Legion Post No. 47 in Waynesville. Make an appointment: redcrossblood.org or 800.733.2767.

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on April 20 at Cashiers Baptist Church in Cashiers. Make an appointment: redcrossblood.org or 800.733.2767.

• A “Detox Naturally” program will be offered from 23 p.m. on Friday, April 21, at the Waynesville Library. Led by Linda Sparks, a naturopathic doctor with Blue Ridge Natural Health. Refreshments provided by Friends of the Library.

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1-6 p.m. on April 24 at Veteran’s building on Moose Branch Road in Robbinsville. Make an appointment: redcrossblood.org or 800.733.2767.

• A Lunch and Learn event on hip replacement and a new surgical, less-invasive, anterior approach will be offered at noon on Tuesday, April 25, in the Harris Regional Hospital boardroom. Orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Anthony McPherron will present the session. Register: 631.8894.

• A Ladies Night Out program will feature a presentation about “Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault” at 4 and 6:30 p.m. on April 25 at the Angel Medical Center Cafeteria in Franklin.

• The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive from 12:30-6 p.m. on April 26 at Church of the Good Shepherd in Hayesville. Make an appointment: redcrossblood.org or 800.733.2767.

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on April 26 at Cherokee Indian Hospital in Cherokee. Make an appointment: redcrossblood.org or 800.733.2767.

•”Breastfeeding A-Z” will be offered for expectant mothers from 7-9 p.m. on Thursdays April. 27, Aug. 31 and Nov. 9 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. Taught by Board-Certified Lactation Consultants. MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses or 452.8440.

• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1-5:30 p.m. on April 28 at North Canton Elementary School in Canton. Make an appointment: redcrossblood.org or 800.733.2767.

• “Your Amazing Newborn” classes will be offered for new parents from 7-9 p.m. on Thursdays, May 4, Sept. 7 and Nov. 16 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses or 452.8440.

• Preparation for Childbirth classes will be taught by a certified childbirth educator from 7-9 p.m. on Thursdays June 1-June 22, Aug. 3, Aug. 24 and Oct. 12-Nov. 2 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. 452.8440 or MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses.

• Western Carolina University’s student-run, Mountain Area Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic will be open from 6-8:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. 227.3527.

• The Good Samaritan clinic of Haywood County seeks volunteers to help uninsured patients receive medications, vision care and other health and spiritual-related services in Waynesville. Clinic is open from 8 a.m.5 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m.1 p.m. on Friday. 454.5287 or crocco@gcshaywood.org.

• The Haywood County Health & Human Services Public Health Services Division is offering a Night Clinic from 4-6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of every month in Waynesville. Services include family planning, immunizations, pregnancy testing, STD testing and treatment. Appointments: 452.6675.

• The Jackson County Department of Public Health will offer a general clinic from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 587.8225.

• A Food Addicts Anonymous Twelve-Step fellowship group meets at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays at Grace Church in the Mountains in Waynesville. www.foodaddictsanonymous.org.

• Big Brother/Big Sister, a one-evening preparation class for children who are about to greet a new baby into their family, is offered for children ages 3-10 at

Haywood Regional Medical Center. 452.8440 or MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses.

• Mothers Connection, an ongoing social gathering for mothers and their babies, meets from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Thursdays excluding holidays at Haywood Regional Medical Center. 452.8440 or MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses.

• A support group meeting for those with Parkinsons Disease and their caregivers will be held at 2 p.m. on the last day Wednesday of the month at the Waynesville Senior Resource Center.

• A support group for anyone with Multiple Sclerosis, family and friends meets twice each month: at 2 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month in the Heritage Room at the Jackson County Senior Center in Sylva and at 5:30 p.m. on the second Thursday at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Info: 293.2503.

• A monthly grief support group sponsored by The Meditation Center meets at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at The Meditation Center at 894 East Main Street in Sylva. Info: www.meditatewnc.org or 356.1105.

• Inner Guidance from an Open Heart will meet from 6-8 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at The Meditation Center at 894 East Main Street in Sylva. Info: www.meditate-wnc.org or 356.1105.

• Dogwood Insight Center presents health talks at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.

• Free childbirth and breastfeeding classes are available at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva. Classes are offered bimonthly on an ongoing basis. Register or get more info: 586.7907.

• Angel Medical Center’s diabetes support group meets at 4 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the AMC dining room. 369.4166.

• A free weekly grief support group is open to the public from 12:30-2 p.m. on Thursdays at SECU Hospice House in Franklin. Hosted by Four Seasons Compassion for Life Bereavement Team. 692.6178 or mlee@fourseasonscfl.org.

• A monthly grief processing support group will meet from 4-5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Homestead Hospice and Palliative Care in Clyde. 452.5039.

• A Men’s Night Out will take place at 6:30 p.m. on the third floor of the hospital. on the first Wednesday of each month at The Meditation Center at 894 E. Main St. in Sylva. www.meditate-wnc.org or 356.1105.

• A free, weekly grief support group will meet from 12:30-2 p.m. on Thursdays at the SECU Hospice House in Franklin. 692.6178 or mlee@fourseasonscfl.org.

• “ECA on the Move!” – a walking program organized by Jackson County Extension and Community Association – meets from 9-10 a.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. It’s an effort to meet the American Heart Association’s recommendation of 10,000 steps per day. 586.4009.

• A Tuesday Meditation Group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Franklin.

R ECREATIONAND FITNESS

• Yoga is being offered at the Fitness Connection in Waynesville. First class is free. Info: 476.0179 or 550.1640.

• Registration deadline is April 16 for the church league softball through the Jackson County Parks & Recreation Department. League starts the first week of May. Info: 293.3053. Register: rec.jacksonnc.org.

• An opportunity to learn ski walking is offered from 5:30-7 p.m. on Mondays through May 22 at Monteith Park in Dillsboro. A training tool used by competitive cross-country skiers to maintain strength in the offseason. 356.4009.

S PIRITUAL

• Easter sunrise service is at 7 a.m. on April 16 at the Junaluska Cross and Lake Junaluska.

• Long’s Chapel will host it annual Easter Celebration at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, April 16, in Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska. www.longschapel.com or www.facebook.com/LongsChapel.

• An Easter Sunrise Service is at 6:30 a.m. on April 16 at the Maggie Valley Pavilion. Refreshments to follow. Sponsored by the Maggie Valley Civic Association.

P OLITICAL

•Bryson City 2 precinct will be having a meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 13, at the Swain County Democrat Headquarters.

• The Jackson County Branch of the NC NAACP will hold its Membership Meeting at 10 a.m. April 15 at Liberty Baptist Church, Scotts Creek Rd in Sylva.

• Franklin Federated Woman’s Club will meet at noon on Friday, April 14, at the Boiler Room in Franklin. Speaker is Mike Wilkins of the Forestry Division. 421.0411 or 369.5216.

• The Swain County Democratic Party meets at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, at party headquarters at 122 Everett Street in Bryson City.

• Indivisible Swain County NC meets at 6 p.m. on April 19 at the Historic Calhoun Hotel in Bryson City. Topics: environmental and healthcare issues. 488.1118.

• Concerned Citizens for Health Care is presenting a Health Care Forum at 5:30 p.m. April 20 at HART Theater in Waynesville. A panel of health care experts will answer questions, concerns and more. The panel is diverse in experience with health care.

• N.C. Rep. Mike Clampitt of Bryson City will have a quarterly meeting for Swain County from 4-6 p.m. on April 21 at the Chief Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center in Cherokee. 554.5032.

• The Haywood County Libertarian Party is now meeting at Blue Ridge Books on Main Street from 4:30-6 p.m. every second Monday of the month.

AUTHORSAND B OOKS

• Forrest Rivers, author of “The Hippie Revival and Collected Writings,” will make a presentation on the “Revival of the Hippie Counterculture” at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. 586.9499.

• The Book Review Committee of the Junaluskans will feature Sara Jenkins, who will review “Small is Beautiful: Economics As If People Mattered” by E.F. Schumacher at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 19, in the Susan Todd Lounge of the Harrell center at Lake Junaluska. clauser@charter.net.

• Jackson County author David Joy will read from and discuss his new novel “The Weight of This World” at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville. 456.6000 or www.blueridgebooksnc.com.

EASTER EVENTS

• There will be an Easter Egg Hunt for all ages at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at the Waynesville Public Library. In case of bad weather, the event will be held inside the library. Refreshments, crafts and lots of eggs. 828.356.2511.

• The Peanuts Easter Beagle Express Train will be at 11 a.m. April 14-15 at the Bryson City Train Depot. Enjoy the characters of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and crew. Easter Egg Hunt, crafts, snacks, and more. 800.872.4681 or www.gsmr.com.

• The Village Green will host several events Easter weekend, including a “Stations of the Cross” observance at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 14; the seventh-annu-

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Puzzles can be found on page 54. These are only the answers.

al S’More Kids Klothes Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 15; and a sunrise service at 7 a.m. on Sunday, April 16, in Cashiers. 734.3434 or www.villagegreencashiersnc.com.

• The Easter Family Festival weekend will be April 1416 at Fontana Village Resort. A full weekend of fun including scenic lake tours, sunrise church service, history films, corn hole tournament, egg dying, water balloon toss, scavenger hunt, campfire, marshmallow roast, and more, including an Easter feast at the Mountview Restaurant. 800.849.2258 or www.fontanavillage.com.

• An Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on April 15 at the Macon County Rec Park on April 15. For ages 12 and under. Afterward, the Factory offers visits with the Easter Bunny from 1-2 p.m. FranklinFun.com or 349.8888.

• There will be children’s activities held on Saturday, April 15, at The Factory. The Easter Bunny will be onsite for photos from 1 to 2 p.m. Contests, giveaways and more. There will be a $3.99 kids pizza buffet with adult purchase. 828.349.8888 or www.thefactory.bz.

• Dillsboro’s Easter Hat Parade will start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 15. Hat table, activities, photos with Easter Bunny and a parade at 2 p.m. 506.8331 or visitdillsboro.com.

• The Easter Eggstravaganza will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 15 at Darnell Farms. Easter Egg Hunt, egg dying, games and baby bunny rabbit photo booth.

• The annual Eastern Egg Hunt is from 11:30 a.m.noon on April 15 at Lake Junaluska near Stuart Auditorium, Memorial Chapel and the Labyrinth. For ages 12 and under.

• The Town of Canton Easter Egg Hunt is at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 15, at Canton Recreation Park. Hunts are for ages 12 and under. Sponsored by Canton Police Department.

• First United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church of Sylva will co-host an Easter Sunrise Service at 7 a.m. on April 16 in the First Presbyterian outdoor pavilion. Reverends Mike Shuford and Blake Daniel will officiate.

• An Easter Brunch is being offered on Sunday, April 16, at the Savory Thyme Café at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville. View menu and make reservation: http://tinyurl.com/kdf4d68.

• An Easter Buffet will be offered from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on April 16 at Lake Junaluska.

• A Spring Thing will be held by KARE from 3-5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, at 1159 N. Main St. in Waynesville. Rain date is May 2. Inflatable obstacles, games and a cookout.

K IDS & FAMILIES

• Open enrollment is underway for the 2017-18 school year for Haywood Christian Academy. www.HaywoodChristianAcademy.org. Info: 627.0229.

• Registration is underway through April 21 for a girls volleyball league through the Jackson County Recreation Department. $30. League is on Thursday evenings from May 4-June 8 at the Cullowhee Recreation Center. www.rec.jacksonnc.org.

• A Kids Fishing Camp is offered from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on April 12-13 at the Cashiers Rec Center. Transportation provided from Cullowhee Rec Center. Learn basics of fishing. Preregistration required. 293.3053 or http://rec.jacksonnc.org.

• Summit Charter School’s environmental education program will be on display at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 14, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. 524.3600.

• Kindergarten registration is at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, at Iotla Valley Elementary School.

• Kids’ Introduction to Fly Fishing will be offered to

ages 8-15 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on April 18 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard. Registration required: http://tinyurl.com/jq4r6x3. Info: 877.4423.

• A program on Tracking will be offered to ages 8-15 from 1-3 p.m. on April 19 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard. Registration required: http://tinyurl.com/jq4r6x3. Info: 877.4423.

• A family science night will be offered at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. 524.3600.

CLASSESAND PROGRAMS

• A two-day workshop of woodcarving will be offered from 1-5 p.m. on April 13-14 at the Dillsboro Masonic Lodge. Led by Ron Yount of Dogwood Crafters. $17. Register: 586.2248 or junettapell@hotmail.com.

• A Creating Community Workshop featuring potter Mason Erlacher is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 15, in the atrium of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Learn to make a simple pinch pot. 586.2016.

A&E

FESTIVALSAND S PECIAL EVENTS

• The 18th annual Taste of Chocolate will be held April 15 at the Maggie Valley Country Club. Categories are amateur, bed and breakfast, professional and baker’s choice. 356.2833 or jchicoine@mountainprojects.org.

• An NC Science Festival Event featuring a portable planetarium show is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. 524.3600.

F OOD & D RINK

• Lees at the Depot (Dillsboro) will be hosting a “Tap Takeover” by Terrapin Brewing (of Athens, Georgia) from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 15. Food and beer pairings, discounts and “swag” from Terrapin. 828.339.1700 or www.leeswine.com.

• The Currahee Brewing Hiker Bash will be held Saturday, April 15, at Currahee Brewing. 634.0078.

• The A.T. Celebration at Lazy Hiker Brewing Company will offer live outdoor music starting at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. 349.2337.

ON STAGE & I N CONCERT

• The Canton Armory will host “Winter Pickin’ in the Armory” at 7 p.m. every first and third Friday of the month. The event includes mountain music, vintage country, clogging and dancing. Doors open at 6 p.m. Free. www.cantonnc.com.

• “The Loves of Elaine” will be presented through April 16 in Feichter Studio at HART in Waynesville. A new work from Lyn Donley and C.J. Deering. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. April 14-15, and at 2 p.m. April 16. $10 for adults; $7 for students. Reservations: 456.6322 or www.harttheatre.org.

• Acclaimed South Carolina guitarist Jacob Johnson will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville. Tickets are $10. www.38main.com.

• The National Theatre of London’s production of “Hedda Gabler” by Ibsen will be presented live via satellite at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, at the Highlands Performing Arts Center in Highlands. Tickets at highlandspac.org, at the door or 526.9047.

• Western Carolina University’s ACE Committee, the Student Art Education Club and the university’s Fine Art Museum will present Taikoza Japanese Drummers at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, at the Bardo Arts Center in Cullowhee. Free for students; $20 for others. Pre-registration required: tcbowers1@catamount.wcu.edu (students) or hensley@wcu.edu (all others).

• Grammy-nominated rapper Wale will perform at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, at Western Carolina University’s Ramsey Regional Activity Center in Cullowhee. Special guest is Niykee Heaton. Tickets available at the Ramsey Center box office or at ramsey.wcu.edu.

• A Spring Door Hanging workshop is scheduled for 10 a.m.-noon on Thursday, April 20. Offered through the Jackson County Extension Office. $6. Register: 586.4009.

• The High Country Quilt Guild Monthly Meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. April 20 at The First Methodist Church, 566 S Haywood St, Waynesville. It will feature a trunk show of crazy quilts by Sandra Baker. www.highcountryquilts.wordpress.com.

Outdoors

• Learn about “Spring Wildflowers of Southern Appalachian” with Adam Bigelow in a six-week course that will be offered in two separate sessions: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Mondays through April 24 or on Tuesdays through April 25. Cost is $150 for the series. Singleday rates available. Info or to register: bigelownc@gmail.com.

• A SKYWARN Weather Spotter class will be offered at 4 and 6 p.m. on April 13 at Haywood Community College in Clyde. Led by Justin Lane, lead forecaster for the National Weather Service in Greenville/Spartanburg.

• A discussion on Nuclear Security, part of the Great Decisions Series, is scheduled for 5:15-6:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, at the Waynesville Library. Series is focused on critical global issues facing America today. Registration required: 356.2507 or kolsen@haywoodnc.net.

• An evening of songs about space and the human experience of discovering the cosmos will be offered at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 14, at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in Rosman. Featuring songs and storytelling of Stan Clardy. Part of the NC Science Festival (www.ncsciencefestival.org). Reservations required. $20 per adult; $15 for students/seniors/military; $5 for children ages 6-11; free for children 5 and younger. Pay at ww.pari.edu or by calling 862.5554. Info: schappell@pari.edu.

• Easter on the Trail is Saturday, April 15. Part of Franklin Trail Days in Macon County. Sign up to make or deliver snacks: 369.8915.

• The Currahee Brewer Hiker Bash is scheduled for Saturday, April 15, at Currahee Brewing. Part of Franklin Trail Days in Macon County. 634.0078.

• A solar eclipse community forum is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, at the Albert CarltonCashiers community Library. Ann Self of the Village Green and Nick Breedlove of Jackson County Tourism Development Authority will brief attendees on regional plans for the total eclipse event, which is Aug. 21.

• A Bird Walk along the Greenway will be offered at 8 a.m. on April 19 in Franklin. Meet at Salali Lane; parking is off Fox Ridge Road just south of Franklin Flea Market on Highlands Road. http://franklinbirdclub.com or 524.5234.

• The Wilderness Society Southern Appalachian Office will host a guided hike on Wednesday, April 19, in the Southern Nantahala Wilderness near franklin. Five miles round-trip, moderate-to-somewhat-strenuous with an elevation gain of 1,500 feet. RSVP required: michelle_Ruigrok@tws.org or 587.9453

• A planetarium program entitled “Back to the Moon for good” will be presented by former Saturn/Apollo launch team member Kurt Volker at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, in the Macon County Public Library Living Room in Franklin. 524.3600.

• A public forum on the role of renewable energy in Western North Carolina will be presented by Carolina Public Press from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 21, at Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville.

• Gadugi Earth Day is on April 21 at the Acquoni Expo Center in Cherokee.

• Family Fly Fishing Day is from 9 a.m.-noon on April 21 for ages 8-older at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard. Learn the basics of fly fishing from experienced instructors.Registration required: http://tinyurl.com/jq4r6x3. Info: 877.4423.

• The NOC Trail Festival will kick off with a movie night at 6 p.m. Friday, April 21, at the Nantahala Outdoor Center and rev into high gear the following day with a gear repair and vendor fair, cornhole tournament, hiker’s feast and bonfire — events will run from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. www.noc.com/events/at-founders-bridge-festival.

• The annual Trailfest weekend in Hot Springs will start with a cheap and delicious spaghetti dinner on Friday, April 21, and roll into Saturday, where a full slate of activities celebrating hiking, biking, skateboarding, hula hooping, river rafting, soccer, yoga and more will take place. The weekend will include pancakes, a float trip and family soccer on Sunday. 506.1492 or www.madisoncclc.org/trailfest-2017.

• Registration is underway for a women-only fly-fishing weekend, which is April 21-23 at the North Mills River Recreation Area and Campground in Henderson County. Open to women of all skill levels who want to learn more about fly fishing. $125 registration fee. Preregistration required: www.ncwildlife.org/bow. Register or get more info: bb.gillen@ncwildlife.org or 919.218.3638.

FARMAND GARDEN

• A Master Gardener Plant Clinic is offered every business day from April 17-Sept. 22. Call 456.3575 with any gardening question.

• “Growing Backyard Fruit” will be taught at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, at the Macon County Cooperative Extension Center in Franklin. Preregister: 349.2046.

• “Vegetable Gardening” will be taught at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, at the Macon County Cooperative Extension Center in Franklin. Preregister: 349.2046.

• Hands-On Seed Starting will be offered at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, at the Canton Library. Led by Sara Martin from Two Trees Farm in Canton. Participants will leave with tomato starts. This Giving Garden program is for adults and includes an accompanying story time for children aged 3+.

• The sixth annual Heritage Life Skills event will be held April 21-23 in Waynesville. Classes include canning, fire starting, cheese making and prepping. Organized by Carolina Readiness Supply. www.carolinareadiness.com.

COMPETITIVE E DGE

• Sign-ups are underway through April 14 for the Tour de Cashiers cycling race, which is Saturday, April 29. $60. www.cashiersareachamber.com or www.pisgahproductions.com/events/tour-de-cashiers.

• Registration is underway for the Friends of the Lake 5K Road Race & Walk, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 15, at Lake Junaluska. Supports recreation opportunities of Lake Junaluska. Register: www.lakejunaluska.com/run, 454.6680 or developmentoffice@lakejunaluska.com.

• Registration deadline for Greening Up the Mountains festival 5K is April 19. Race is at 9 a.m. on April 22. $17.50 to register. Register at www.greeningupthemountains.com or 631.4587.

MarketPlace information:

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

Rates:

■ Free — Lost or found pet ads.

■ $5 — Residential yard sale ads,

■ $5 — Non-business items that sell for less than $150.

■ $15 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2. If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type.

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

■ $50 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold.

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

■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

Classified Advertising:

Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 classads@smokymountainnews.com

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING

Will be accepting Sealed Bids for the Mowing Contract for the years 2017 and 2018 mowing seasons. Bids will be taken until April 19. As to further info as to what shall be included in this contract contact Betty Heatherly at 828.627.6213 or 828.400.6318 or Robbie Greene at 828.400.2294.

AUCTION:

CONSTRUCTION/ REMODELING

Basement Systems Inc. Call us for all of your basement needs! Waterproofing, Finishing, Structural Repairs, Humidity and Mold Control. FREE ESTIMATES! Call 1.800.698.9217

BATHTUB REFINISHING -

Renew or change the color of your bathtub, tile or sink. Fiberglass repair specialists! 5 year warranty. Locally owned since 1989. CarolinasTubDoctor.com. 888.988.4430. ALL THINGS BASEMENTY!

ACORN STAIRLIFTS. The AFFORDABLE solution to your stairs! **Limited time -$250 Off Your Stairlift Purchase!** Buy Direct & SAVE. Please call 1.800.615.4064 for FREE DVD and brochure.

CARS

-

162 Acres Divided 12 Tracts - 1025 Acres in Each.Buy in any combination. Recreation, Farm, Residential Real Estate.Stokes Co., Madison, NC April 25, 7pm. United Country-Rogers Auctioneers, Inc www.RogersAuction.com 919.545.0412 NCFL7360

SAFE STEP WALK-IN TUB: Alert for Seniors. Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less Than 4 Inch Step-In. Wide Door. Anti-Slip Floors. American Made. Installation Included. Call Now 800.701.9850 to receive $750 Off.

DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details. 855.972.0354

FINANCIAL SOLUTION!

Start Today! Get $500-$5000

Monthly! No experience, return phone calls. No selling, Not multi level marketing & NOT A JOB. Must have access to internet, Computer and phone. Serious Entrepreneurs Only. 1.888.812.1214 SAPA

DRIVE WITH UBER.

No experience is required, but you'll need a Smartphone. It's fun and easy. For more information, call: 1.800.655.7452

EMPLOYMENT

FTCC

Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following positions: Director of Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Small Business For detailed information and to apply, please visit our employment portal at: https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.com Human Resources Office Phone: 910.678.7342 Internet: http://www.faytechcc.edu

An Equal Opportunity Employer

RUSTY - TONS OF PERSONALITY. HE IS A DARK RED COLOR WITH TAN HIGHLIGHTS, & HE HAS A STUBBY MUZZLE THAT PUTS US IN MIND OF A PUG, SO THERE MAY BE A LITTLE IN HIS BREED MIX. HE IS SO FUNNY AND PLAYFUL, HE'S GOING TO BRING A LOT OF JOY AND LAUGHTER TO HIS LUCKY NEW FAMILY. HE IS ABOUT ONE YEAR OLD AND WEIGHS ABOUT 16 LBS.

MAGGIE - A BEAUTIFUL TABBY KITTY, PERHAPS MIXED WITH BENGAL, ABOUT FIVE YEARS OLD. SHE CAME TO SARGE'S BECAUSE HER OWNER WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO CARE FOR HER, AND WITHIN A VERY SHORT TIME SHE ADJUSTED TO HER NEW SURROUNDINGS. SHE’S FRIENDLY & LOVES TO BE PLAYED WITH.

EMPLOYMENT

FULL TIME BOOKKEEPER/ PAYROLL ADMIN. POSITION

Available. Accounting Degree or equivalent work experience with minimum of 2 years’ experience with QuickBooks, full knowledge of accounts payable, accounts receivable helpful, indirect cost accounting a plus. Must have experience with on-line data base payroll management.Excellent computer skills required, experience with Microsoft Excel and Word. Applications available at DisAbility Partners, 525 Mineral Springs Drive, Sylva. Please call Gale at 828.631.1167 for more information.

MEDICAL BILLING TRAINEES NEED!

Train at Home for a new career now at CTI! No Experience Needed! Online Training can get you job ready!

1.888.512.7122 HS Diploma/GED & Computer needed. careertechnical.edu/nc

MAD BATTER

In Downtown Sylva is now hiring for Full-Time Kitchen Help. Come by and Fill Out an Application, Tueday - Friday Between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.

NUCLEAR POWER

-

Paid Training, great salary, benefits, $ for school. Gain valued skills. No exp needed. HS grads ages 17-34. Call Mon-Fri 800.662.7419.

SPECIAL OPS U.S. NAVY

Elite training. Daring missions. Generous pay/benefits. HS grads ages 17-30. Do you have what it takes? Call Monday-Friday 800.662.7419.

EMPLOYMENT

GREAT

SMOKY MOUNTAINS

RAILROAD IN BRYSON CITY

Is currently hiring for an Administrative Assistant in Marketing. This position is eligible for Full Medical & Dental Benefits, 401K, Paid Time Off, train passes, and more! Full job descriptions and applications are available at www.gsmr.com/jobs

You may also get an application from the Bryson City Depot located at 226 Everett Street in Bryson City.

FTCC

Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following positions: Computer Support Technician II Dept. Chair-Industrial Systems Technology Mathematics Instructor For detailed information and to apply, please visit our employment portal at: https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.com/ Human Resources Office Phone: 910.678.7342 Internet: http://www.faytechcc.edu

An Equal Opportunity Employer

ON-CALL CNA - 1YR. EXP. REQ.

For a busy home care agency. Get paid $4/hr. to be available from 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Mon. - Fri. Pay will be $12/hr. during actual work time. Flexibility is a must. Also, need CNA’s & InHome Aides in Jackson & Swain Counties. For more info, call 828.586.1570 or apply in person at Disability Partners/Home Care Partners, 525 Mineral Springs Drive, Sylva, NC 28779.

LOCAL DRIVERS WANTED! Be your own boss. Flexible hours. Unlimited earning potential. Must be 21 with valid U.S. drivers license, insurance & reliable vehicle.Call855.750.9313 SAPA

FINANCIAL

BEWARE OF LOAN FRAUD.

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

DO YOU OWE $10K+

In IRS Tax Debt? Take 60 seconds for a FREE Consultation to end IRS collections. Call now!

877.824.0649

SAPA

SOCIAL SECURITY

Disability Benefits. Unable to work? Denied benefits? We Can Help! WIN or Pay Nothing! Contact Bill Gordon & Associates at 1.800.670.4805 to start your application today!

SAPA

YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIVE With Bad Credit and High Interest Rates!Get a FREE Consultation Today, and Start Improving your Credit Now. Call 855.705.7246 Today! SAPA

HAYWOOD SPAY/NEUTER

828.452.1329

Prevent Unwanted Litters! The Heat Is On! Spay/Neuter For Haywood Pets As Low As $10. Operation Pit is in Effect! Free Spay/Neuter, Microchip & Vaccines For Haywood Pitbull Types & Mixes! Hours:

Tuesday-Friday, 12 Noon - 6 pm 182 Richland Street, Waynesville, NC.

AUCTION:

162 Acres Divided 12 Tracts - 1025 Acres in Each.Buy in any combination. Recreation, Farm, Residential Real Estate.Stokes Co., Madison, NC April 25, 7pm. United Country-Rogers Auctioneers, Inc www.RogersAuction.com 919.545.0412 for more info. NCFL7360

15 Boxwood Terrace, Canton, NC.

Ready to move in with 2,300 sq. ft., Newly renovated with Master Suite, Laundry & Walk-in Closet.

Adequate Storage & Lots of Character. Walking Distance to Library & Main Street. $274,000 Call Alesia for more info 828.400.9943

BRUCE MCGOVERN

A Full Service Realtor, Locally Owned and Operated mcgovernpropertymgt@gmail.com McGovern Property Management 828.283.2112.

PROTECT YOUR HOME

With fully customizable security and 24/7 monitoring right from your smartphone. Receive up to $1500 in equipment, free (restrictions apply). Call 1.800.941.7987

SAPA

HOMES FOR SALE

Protects your home & family from “what if” scenarios. Fire, flood, burglary or carbon monoxide, ADT provides 24/7 security.Don’t wait!Call Now!888.618.5327

LOOKING FOR A MINI FARM?

This rustic house and land is located in the Henson Cove Area of Canton, NC. Includes a Barn, 2 Acres, 2 Streams, a Pond and a Forest of Bamboo. Asking $195K. For more info or to preview house and property, call Alesia at 828.400.9943

SAVE YOUR HOME!

Are you behind payingyour MORTGAGE?Denied a Loan Modification? Is the bank threatening foreclosure? CALL Homeowner’s Relief Line now for Help!888.944.6492

CAVALIER ARMS APARTMENTS

Offering 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $400

Section 8 Accepted - Rental Assistance When AvailableHandicapped Accessible Units When Available

OFFICE HOURS:

Wednesday 12:30pm - 4:00pm & Friday. 8:00am- 4:00pm 50 Duckett Cove Road, Waynesville

Phone # 1-828-456-6776

TDD # 1-800-725-2962

NICOL ARMS APARTMENTS

Offering 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments, Starting at $400 Section 8 Accepted - Handicapped Accessible Units When Available

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday & Wednesday 8:00am - 4:00pm 168 E. Nicol Arms Road Sylva, NC 28779

Phone# 1.828.273.3639

TDD# 1.800.735.2962

This is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

Haywood County Real Estate Agents

Beverly Hanks & Associates beverly-hanks.com

• Ann Eavenson - anneavenson@beverly-hanks.com

• George Escaravage - gescar@beverly-hanks.com

• Randy Flanigan - randyflanigan@beverly-hanks.com

• Michelle McElroy - michellemcelroy@beverly-hanks.com

• Marilynn Obrig - marilynnobrig@beverly-hanks.com

• Brooke Parrott - brookeparrott@beverly-hanks.com

• Catherine Proben - cproben@beverly-hanks.com

• Ellen Sither - ellensither@beverly-hanks.com

• Mike Stamey - mikestamey@beverly-hanks.com

• Pamela Williams - pamelawilliams@beverly-hanks.com

ERA Sunburst Realty - sunburstrealty.com

• Amy Spivey - amyspivey.com

• Rick Boarder - sunburstrealty.com

Haywood Properties - haywoodproperties.com

• Steve Cox - info@haywoodproperties.com

Keller Williams Realty kellerwilliamswaynesville.com

• Julie Lapkoff - julielapkoff.yourkwagent.com

• Yvonne Kolomechuk - yvonneksells.yourkwagent.com

• The Morris Team - www.themorristeamnc.com

Lakeshore Realty

• Phyllis Robinson - lakeshore@lakejunaluska.com

Mountain Home Properties mountaindream.com

• Sammie Powell - smokiesproperty.com

McGovern Real Estate & Property Management

• Bruce McGovern - shamrock13.com

Realty World Heritage Realty realtyworldheritage.com

• Carolyn Lauter realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7766

• Martha Sawyer realtyworldheritage.com/realestate/viewagent/7769

RE/MAX — Mountain Realty

remax-waynesvillenc.com | remax-maggievalleync.com

• Brian K. Noland - brianknoland.com

• Holly Fletcher - hollyfletcher1975@gmail.com

• Judy Meyers - jameyers@charter.net

• Mieko Thomson - ncsmokies.com

• The Real Team - the-real-team.com

• Ron Breese - ronbreese.com

• Dan Womack - womackdan@aol.com

Rob Roland Realty

• Rob Roland - rroland33@gmail.com

SuperCROSSWORD

TEN-CHARACTER MIX

ACROSS

1 See 19-Across

6 Bird refuge

10 Girl, to Scots

14 Tree thicket

19 With 1-Across, spring prank victims

20 Difficult duty

21 Jai — 22 Not inclined

Papal topper

24 Long hike

25 Crooner Crosby

26 Tomb artifact, e.g.

27 Failure to keep developing a villain’s character?

31 Summer zodiac sign

32 On an ad — basis

33 “Sprechen — Deutsch?”

34 Decade count

35 “I — care”

37 Person forging duel weapons for a big film studio?

43 Trailer-park parkers, for short

44 “— deal?” (“Are we on?”)

45 Nun’s string of beads

46 Lederer who was better known as Ann Landers

49 Poke (out)

51 Nomadic sort

54 Head demons licensed to market products?

62 Article south of the border

63 It increases on a birthday

64 Single-file

65 Somewhat, informally

67 Alternative to a Cert or a Tic Tac

70 Hamburger unit

71 More gutsy?

72 “— is human”

73 Estevez of the screen

75 Letter #26

77 Gobble down

78 Newly coined synonyms for depression?

83 — buddy (close friend)

84 Dad’s mate

85 Anxious

86 Volcanic peak in N. Oregon

90 Limerick’s rhyme pattern

94 Cedar’s kin

95 Providing refuge for people who use bleach?

102 Granola bit

103 Adore, cutesily 104 Hosp. test 105 Exist

106 Go quickly

108 Babies seen moving wavily in prenatal scans?

114 Shaw of jazz 115 Rear, as legs 116 Film director Ephron 117 Puts freight on

Very best performance

119 Met melody

A part of

Action scene

Fight off

Nastassja Kinski

Camp sight

Cheeky

Tenor Caruso

Files a case against

Gives a double cluck of reproach

Diagnostic procedure

Et —

Wooed with a melody

Contract inker, e.g.

Rudely terse

New York tribe

Lummox

Device used in Twister

End-of-list abbr.

Units of resistance

“Oh yes, Juan!”

Russia’s Gromyko

Go for it

“— go bragh!”

With, to Yves

Act of liturgy

To a greater extent

Key above D

Cooks, as

Ex-combat GIs’ gp.

Online ‘zine

81 Increase

82 Apropos of

86 Eds.’ piles

87 See 94-Down

88 Lift in the back of a shoe

89 Quaint

91 Task lists

92 Ran in the wash

93 Baseballer Randy Johnson’s nickname, with “the”

94 With 87-Down, get a strong desire

96 Charge to attack

97 Cote d’—

98 Strong-force particle

99 AWOL pupil

100 Greek island

101 Vampy types

107 Elia offering

109 Angling need

110 Etats- —

111 Nil

112 “Ah, so sad”

113 O’Hara home

114 Swiss river

MOVING OUT OF STATE?

Best Interstate Moving and Storage offers a FREE Quote and A Price Plus Promise. Call 877.648.6473 Now! SAPA HOMES FOR SALE MEDICAL WELLNESS ADVOCATE mydoterra.com/blueridge wellness

COMM. PROP. FOR RENT

PROFESSIONAL MEETING SPACE

Located in Waynesville, Holds up to 90 People. Suitable for Seminars, Family Gatherings, Worship, Ect. Kitchen Area, Wifi/ Screen. For More Information and Rates for ROOM 1902 Call 828.454.7445 or 828.551.8960

STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT

CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE FOR YOU

1 Month Free with 12 Month Rental. Maggie Valley, Hwy. 19, 1106 Soco Rd. For more information call Torry 828.734.6500, 828.734.6700 maggievalleyselfstorage.com

GREAT SMOKIES STORAGE

Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction. Available for lease now: 10’x10’ units for $55, 20’x20’ units for $160. Get one month FREE with 12 month contract. Call 828.507.8828 or 828.506.4112 for more info.

A PLACE FOR MOM.

The nation’s largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is FREE/no obligation. Call 1.800.319.8705 SAPA

ATTENTION SMOKERS:

Stop smoking with TBX-FREE! Clinically proven & FDA Approved! More effective than patch or gum! Fast acting – No Side Effects. 88% success rate! Just $1.67 per day! CALL – 855.970.1463 SAPA

DIAGNOSED WITH MESOTHELIOMA Or Asbestos Lung Cancer? If so, you and your family may be entitled to a substantial financial award. We can help you get cash quick! Call 24/7: 888.707.9877 SAPA

MOBILEHELP, America's Premier Mobile Medical Alert System. Whether You're Home or Away. For Safety and Peace of Mind. No Long Term Contracts! Free Brochure! Call Today! 1.877.293.5144.

GOT KNEE PAIN? Back Pain? Shoulder Pain? Get a pain-relieving brace at little or NO cost to you. Medicare Patients Call Health Hotline Now! 800.480.7503 SAPA

WEEKLY SUDOKU

AFFORDABLE, HIGH SPEED

Broadband Satellite internet anywhere in the U.S. Order now and save $100. Plans start at $39.99/ month. Call Exede @ 844.612.1043. SAPA

HUGHESNET:

Gen4 satellite internet is ultra fast and secure. Plans as low as $39.99 in select areas. Call 1.800.916.7609 now to get a $50 Gift Card! SAPA LOWER THAT CELL PHONE BILL. Get 2 lines of unlimited data for $100/mo. with AutoPay—taxes & fees included. Video streaming & Mobile Hotspot included. Limited offer/Restrictions Apply. Call Today and Save. 877.731.7558 SAPA SAVE MONEY WITH SOLAR! Custom Designed Systems, Free Maintenance, Free Quote & Design. No Out of Pocket Costs. Call now! 855.466.2931 SAPA SAVE ON INTERNET AND TV Bundles! Order the best exclusive cable and satellite deals in your area! If eligible, get up to $300 in Visa Gift Cards. CALL NOW! 1.800.791.0713 SAPA

WANTED TO BUY - WANTED TO BUYU.S./ Foreign Coins! Call Dan 828.421.1616

SELL YOUR STRUCTURED Settlement or annuity payments for CASH NOW. You don't have to wait for your future payments any longer! Call 1.800.316.0271

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

Answers on Page 49

The naturalist’s corner

BY DON H ENDERSHOT

EPA — the Eviscerated Protection Agency

Our new denier-in-chief believes “The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.”

His hand-picked director of the EPA, Scott Pruitt, former Oklahoma attorney general, has sued the agency at least 13 times. He has sued over cross-state air pollution rules, air toxic standards, waters of the U.S. rule, ground level ozone and others. Pruitt, who has received nearly a half million dollars in political contributions from the fossil fuel industry since 2002 has, apparently, never met an EPA rule that he liked. And while 80 to 90 percent of scientists from around the world disagree with him, Pruitt doubts that human activity is the primary cause for the current unprecedented spike in global temperatures — “And there’s tremendous disagreement about the degree of impact. That — so, no, I would not agree that it’s [human activity] a primary contributor to the global warming we see.”

The current administration has proposed nearly a 30 percent decrease in EPA funding.

Besides eliminating around 3,000 jobs, programs being cut would include clean power, climate change research, international climate change partnerships plus restoration efforts in the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay and others. In October 2015, then candidate Trump told Fox News, “Environmental Protection, what they do is a disgrace. Every week they come out with new regulations. They’re making it impossible.” When asked who would protect the environment Trump said, “They — we’ll be fine with the environment. ...We can leave a little bit, but you can’t destroy businesses.”

And what is the legacy of this pernicious organization that has been such a bane on the country? Industry was burdened by the banning of DDT, allowing the resurgence of insignificant animals like the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, brown pelican and others. The average level of lead in the blood of U.S. citizens has dropped by more than 80 percent compared to the 1970s. Acid rain is at the lowest levels in decades — thanks primarily to mandated reductions in SO2 (sulfur dioxide) NOx (nitrogen oxides). Car manufacturers in the late 1970s pulled their hair and gnashed their teeth about ornery, arbitrary pie-in-the-sky emission standards.

But when the EPA stood fast, they went to work and created a small, game-changing device called a catalytic converter, which along with other innovations have created autos that emit around 80 percent less pollution than their 1970 counterparts. Programs like the Office of Environmental Justice and Public information and Community Right to Know have helped ensure that minorities

Dome standing in the Carolina blue — you can thank the EPA. When your kids can swim and play in area rivers and lakes and you can catch native brook trout in the Smokies, you can thank the EPA.

and all communities have the right to a clean and healthy environment.

When you walk around Lake Junaluska and see bald eagles perched in the top of tree or patrolling the lake for an unsuspecting coot — you can thank the EPA. When you drive up to Waterrock Knob and look across the northwest horizon and see Clingmans

1952 fire on the Cuyahoga River, 12 people died.

Those of you as long in the tooth as I likely remember seeing images of urban centers like Los Angeles and New York nearly blotted out by brown smog-filled skies. You likely remember, in 1969, when the Cuyahoga River caught fire in Cleveland. But did you realize that the 1969 fire was the 13th time since 1868 that the river was engulfed in flames? The year 1969 is etched in people’s memories because it was one of the last straws that led to the creation of the EPA in 1970.

I guess if you want to be fine with the environment — if you’re OK with having a “little bit” the new Eviscerated Protection Agency might fit the bill. I mean look at the flip side — we’ll be able to roast marshmallows on the Cuyahoga again.

Don Hendershot is a writer and naturalist. He can be reached at ddihen1@bellsouth.net.