Smoky Mountain News | April 15, 2026

Page 6

Mountains-to-Sea Trail marks milestone at Kuwohi Page 35

CONTENTS

On the Cover:

Over a year and a half after Hurricane Helene flooded the region, many community cornerstones are still struggling to reopen. On April 13, a recreation gem in Haywood County enjoyed its first use since the storm. With the reopening of Dutch Fisher softball field in Waynesville, girls from around the area will again have the chance to play ball on their home diamond, a milestone reached with the combination of town government help, volunteer support and elbow grease. (Page 30) Brooke Spradlin photo

News

Republicans select EBCI member to replace Clampitt..........................................4

Jackson nonprofit speaks out after former director arrested..................................5 Brad Hoxit indicates that sheriff removal appeal imminent......................................6 Fitzmaurice wins American Library Association Award............................................9

Three years after their son’s injury, Kevlins are still looking for answers..........10 Nine lives: Helene survivor rebuilds in Ecuador................................................14

Community briefs................................................................................................................17

Opinion

All in order in this corner of my world..........................................................................18

A vanilla, sparrow-only life would be devastating....................................................19

A&E

Intricate influences: Carolina Detour to play MerleFest..........................................22 Greening Up the Mountains returns............................................................................28

Outdoors

Join Franklin Bird club for Macon County walks......................................................32 Milestone moment for Mountains-to-Sea Trail marked at Kuwohi......................35

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Republicans select EBCI member to replace Clampitt

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT POLITICS EDITOR

During a joint meeting April 11, the Republican parties of Jackson, Swain and Transylvania counties selected a replacement for Rep. Mike Clampitt (R-Swain), who passed away March 18 at age 71 following a prolonged battle with cancer.

“I’m excited, I’m wary, I’m nervous, but I totally feel up to the job, and I am excited to get going,” said Jackson County’s Anna Ferguson, who was chosen not only to serve the remainder of Clampitt’s term but also to replace him on the November ballot.

Clampitt’s death left both an immediate vacancy in the 119th District and uncertainty heading into the General Election. Clampitt had recently secured his party’s nomination by defeating Ferguson 57% to 38%, with fellow challenger Mike Yow picking up 6% of the Primary Election vote on March 3.

At the time of his passing, Clampitt was preparing to seek another term in the North Carolina House, setting up a rematch with Transylvania County Democrat Mark Burrows in November.

First elected in 2016, Clampitt built a reputation as a conservative voice focused on public safety, support for first responders and stricter impaired driving laws. He also became an advocate for Western North Carolina during Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, even as he navigated internal party tensions over related legislation.

Known for his approachable style and willingness to work across party lines on certain issues — as well as his signature Chuck Taylor sneakers, in a variety of colors and styles — Clampitt maintained a visible presence both in Raleigh and back home in his district.

His passing prompted tributes from colleagues across the state and across political spectrum, who described him as a committed public servant with deep ties to the communities he represented.

“He was one of a kind, and he will be missed,” said Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Macon). “He was a fellow legislator, a close friend, as well as an outspoken advocate for Western NC. Rest in peace, our friend.”

Under state law, the governor must appoint someone to complete the remainder of Clampitt’s term, based on a recommendation from local Republican Party leaders in the district. Ferguson bested Molly McKim and Shira Hedgespeth of Jackson County and Transylvania County Commissioner Larry Chapman.

Sources at the meeting told The Smoky Mountain News

that the vote was tight amid a strong challenge by Chapman, but Jackson County Republicans voted as a bloc to push

Ferguson over the finish line. Ferguson dispelled any notion of a rivalry between the counties now competing for her attention and for the dollars she could bring home from Raleigh.

“I’m going there to represent Transylvania, Jackson, Swain and the Qualla Boundary,” she said.

Ferguson is a Western North Carolina businesswoman raised in the Qualla Community between Whittier and Cherokee and has deep roots in the region, with family ties stretching back generations to Haywood County.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from North Carolina State University before returning home to work in her family’s longrunning electrical contracting business, eventually taking on a management role. Her professional experience expanded into entrepreneurship when she and her sister opened a retail store in Cherokee under a family brand and later branched into shortterm rental management, giving her firsthand experience navigating payroll, regulation and the challenges of a tourism-driven economy.

Her involvement in public affairs includes service on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ planning board, appointed by Principal Chief Michell Hicks. Ferguson had framed her candidacy around economic opportunity, transparency and respect for tribal sovereignty, particularly on issues like cannabis legalization and the protection of Cherokee’s gaming-driven economy.

Positioning herself as both a business-minded candidate and a voice for tribal and rural communities, Ferguson sought to bring a blend of private-sector experience and local perspective to Raleigh.  Ferguson becomes the first enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians appointed to serve in the General Assembly. If she wins in November, she’ll become the first member elected to the General Assembly. Shortly after the April 11 vote, Hicks recognized the historic occasion and in a statement said he was “proud to see her step forward” to represent the region.

“It’s a huge honor and if I think about it too much, it’s overwhelming,” Ferguson said. “But it’s not something that happened in a vacuum. This isn’t just me — this is the people who raised me, and the people who raised them. Those are the people who taught me, and I’m taking them to Raleigh as well.”

Ferguson also took the opportunity to recognize Clampitt’s service.

“He has set a very high bar, and it’s one that I not only need to meet, I have to try to launch from,” she said.

Jackson nonprofit speaks out after former director arrested

BY KYLE PERROTTI NEWS EDITOR

Following the arrest of former executive director Gretta Worley, HERE of Jackson County is reassuring residents that it will continue to pursue its mission.

On March 31, Worley was indicted on 10  felony counts of obtaining property by false pretenses. According to the indictment, Worley used her position as director of the nonprofit to “obtain and use multiple credit cards” that were used by her and her family for “person expenditures not authorized by her position.” The total value of items allegedly purchased is in excess of $100,000.

The release says that due to HERE being a small organization, it hasn’t been required to have annual audits but that it does employ an accountant to help complete its annual tax forms, adding that it completed a forensic audit toward the end of last year to assist in the criminal investigation into Worley.

It further states that the loss of county funds that resulted after Worley’s arrest was a “huge hit for the organization.”

“We can withstand the impact of Jackson County withholding the $47,000 that we expected to receive this fiscal cycle but continued defunding by the County Commissioners will make it difficult for the

According to court records, Worley faced a host of similar charges — including larceny, identity theft, writing bad checks and obtaining property by false pretenses — between 2001 and 2007 but hasn’t had any between then and her recent arrest.

In a press release, HERE Board Chair Rady Large notes that seven of the eight current board members were not with the organization during Worley’s hiring process and that “current board leadership have seen no evidence that a background check was completed for Ms. Worley upon her being hired as Executive Director.”

“During HERE’s internal investigation in October of 2025, we had already placed Ms. Worley on investigative leave when the current board found out about her prior criminal history,” the release reads. “Our current board acted swiftly and decisively when the crimes of Ms. Worley came to light. This process highlights how truly important cycling new members onto nonprofit boards to safeguard public funds used by non-profits. Our current board makeup listened to staff concerns and asked the hard questions needed to stop the despicable actions of one person.”

After former HERE of Jackson County Executive Director Gretta Worley was arrested, the nonprofit is trying to clear the air.

organization to balance immediate needs and growth,” it reads. “For example, Code Purple funding for the 2025-2026 cold season was $76, 684.35 based on our Code Purple coordinator’s estimates. Those hotel stays for our clients in desperate need for a warm bed would not have been possible without the funding support of Jackson County.”

The nonprofit hopes that it can recoup some of the losses due to Worley’s alleged illegal activity through its insurance policy, and a civil suit is still on the table.

“The charges to the credit cards the Ms. Worley used to steal from HERE were paid with HERE funding by being coded to several line items in the budget,” the release reads. “A mixture of unrestricted dollars was used to pay these fraudulent expenses. Some of the funds were from DHHS grant funds, some were from County dollars and some were from unrestricted funds. At this time, DHHS is not requiring HERE to repay the fraudulent charges. HERE is currently on a Corrective Action Plan that includes new management, enhancing existing fiscal policies and putting new processes in place to monitor spending.”

The saga continues

After sheriff’s removal, attorneys discuss lessons learned and upcoming appeal

BY KYLE PERROTTI News Editor

Brad Hoxit made history last month, but not in a way he’d ever have hoped.

Hoxit appeared in Graham County Superior Court from March 24-27 for a hearing to determine whether he would be permanently removed as sheriff of the small Western North Carolina county. Last week, Superior Court Judge William T. Stetzer did indeed bar Hoxit from returning to office, and now his attorneys say an appeal is imminent.

District Attorney Ashley Welch filed the petition for Hoxit’s removal on Jan. 29, alleging he abused his power as his office built the case against Graham County Commissioner Jacob Nelms, whose ex-wife Adarian Nelms had been in an on-and-off relationship with Hoxit since before he took office. That same day, Superior Court Judge Tessa Sellers signed an order suspending Hoxit from office pending a hearing.

The contentious four-day session in a Robbinsville courthouse featured a parade of witnesses and led to some unusual

moments, including former Graham County Sheriff’s Office Attorney David Wijewickrama testifying against a former client and Superior Court Judge Tommy Davis discussing his thought process when rejecting a search warrant tied to the Nelms case.

On March 27, both Welch and Hoxit’s attorney, Stephen Lindsay, used their closing arguments to pose different answers to the same question — what message do we want to send to law enforcement and the greater community? Welch said that by removing Hoxit, the judge would uphold the public’s faith in the justice system. In a case this rare and important, the precedent would echo well into the future.

“It’s not for his punishment,” Welch said. “It’s for protection, because if we don’t set an example, and we don’t stand up and say, ‘You can’t do this; you are not allowed to get away with this,’ then what are we doing? Why do we have a Constitution?”

Lindsay highlighted the great power vested in the sheriff’s office. Deputies serve at the pleasure of the sheriff, and the sheriff can hire or fire at will in a way he thinks best serves his office’s mission. Loyalty is necessary, Lindsay posited, adding that the claims against Nelms were strong enough that not investigating would have itself been an injustice.

“This type of thing has been ignored for too long in this county,” he said.

THE ORDER

Stetzer promised he’d issue his order by April 10. On the afternoon of April 7, it was published. In his findings of fact, it was clear that he believed Hoxit should have stayed out of the case due to the conflict caused by his relationship with Adarian Nelms. The judge, on multiple occasions, noted that Hoxit had intentionally misled others in his quest against Jacob Nelms, including failing to disclose to Welch that he’d gotten married to the ex-wife of the man he was investigating.

Stetzer also noted that Hoxit’s “insistence on secrecy” throughout the investigation indicates that he knew what he was doing was wrong.

“These repeated bouts of dishonesty amount to willful misconduct,” Stetzer wrote.

“The undersigned is of the opinion that Hoxit’s conduct also warrants a Giglio letter and notification to the Criminal Justice Standards Division,” he added. A Giglio letter requires a prosecutor to disclose when a law enforcement officer has had credibility issues before calling them as a witness in a criminal case, essentially rendering them useless in criminal investigation.

In an interview with The Smoky Mountain News, Welch agreed with Stetzer’s conclusions and said the order reaffirms that people in positions of power need to be held to the “highest standard.” When such a person F

uses their position of trust and abuses their power for personal gain, “no one in the community is safe.”

“I think that the judge in his findings was pretty clear that this was atrocious behavior,” she said. “This was not one mistake. This was something being done behind closed doors and in secrecy. It was betraying the trust of the people that had put him in office. He was using the power of his office to intimidate, frighten, abuse the system.”

THE APPEAL

Some speculated following Stetzer’s order that Hoxit would forego an appeal, considering such proceedings can easily cross the $100,000 threshold and can take enough time that even if he won, it would likely be after his term in office is up. However, in a conversation with SMN late last week, Lindsay made it clear that an appeal is coming soon, perhaps even this week.

Along with alleged procedural issues tied to the unprecedented hearing, Lindsay believes that Stetzer’s findings of fact were misguided. While the order cites case law and evidence throughout, the attorney argued that it amounted to more of a moral judgment regarding infidelity than a legal one. He asked, if you take Adarian Nelms out of the case, “where does that leave us?”

Answering his own question, Lindsay said it leaves the county with a legitimate case against an elected official. Lindsay noted that in pursuit of the case, Graham County investigators presented enough probable cause to Buncombe County Superior Court Judge Alan Thornburg. However, in his order, Stetzer drew attention to the fact that when signing the order, Thornburg was not told about Hoxit’s conflict.

Still, Lindsay insists that the Nelms case would have stood on its merits and said that other than the fact that Hoxit married Adarian Nelms, there’s still a “valid investigation.”

“That leaves us in a situation where it appears that for whatever reason somebody got a pass here, just because of a marital relationship that went south,” Lindsay said.

“It would have been one thing if Sheriff Hoxit had manufactured a crime, made it up, planted evidence on the commissioner or something like that … Here you have a conflict of interest. That’s it,” he added.

On Feb. 11, Lindsay filed a motion to dismiss Welch’s petition in which he argued the court didn’t have jurisdiction over the case because Hoxit was not served a summons. The motion notes that when Sellers filed her Jan. 29 ex parte order suspending Hoxit, she included language saying the “clerk of superior court shall serve a copy of this order on all parties.”

According to court records, the summons for Hoxit was initially served on a GCSO property and evidence technician by an SBI special agent that Lindsay claimed “was never authorized” to serve it. Lindsay ultimately argued that “proper process” wasn’t followed. While Stetzer dismissed that motion in February, Lindsay said the matter will be resurrected on appeal.

“We think that’s a very, very strong

issue,” he told SMN.

Lindsay said a question he’s heard from “a lot of people” is, if a sheriff’s removal can be pursued as Hoxit’s was, are other elected officials at similar risk? Can this mechanism for accountability be abused for political ends?

While Lindsay acknowledges that there must be an administrative procedure by which district attorneys, judges, clerks of court and sheriffs can be removed, he thinks those decisions are best left to the voters.

“They’re just concerned about the manner in which the system can go after elected officials,” he said.

framework that is almost entirely uncharted,” Stetzer noted at one point during the hearing.

In writing his 12-page order, Stetzer notes that while there is a lack of case law regarding sheriff removals, there are “instructive” cases of judges being removed.

When preparing for the filing of the petition and the hearing itself, Welch also turned her attention to prior removals of judges, as well as district attorneys and clerks of court. She also sought opinions from former and current district attorneys who’d filed removal petitions, the conference

In an April 13 email to SMN, Welch provided a brief statement in response to the news that Hoxit would appeal the ruling.

“The Court made specific findings of fact and conclusions of law that found the evidence was strong showing Hoxit used his office for personal interests,” the email read.

“The affair is not the issue — it’s that he used the power and resources of the office of high Sheriff to harass, stalk and keep tabs on his competition.”

The statute that dictates the removal process for a sheriff requires that the matter is expedited by prioritizing it above other cases that may come before the court. From the time an appeal is filed to receiving a ruling can be over six months, which would likely put Hoxit near the end of his elected term. Lindsay said he hopes his clients appeal will likewise be dealt with rapidly.

“It may be that the court will want to take it up more quickly, because it has to do with a public official whose term in office is set to expire at the end of the year,” he said.

“Sometimes the courts will expedite things. You’ve seen the United States Supreme Court do that several times for the President.”

EXAMINING THE PROCESS

Both parties and the judge were aware that conducting the hearing was sort of like being the first people to summit a mountain. They had to blaze their own path.

“We are in a statutory and case law

of district attorneys and lawyers in her own office.

“It felt like I was in law school again,” she said.

Of anyone involved in the hearing, Lindsay had the most experience with similar procedures, as he assisted in arguing the 2012 case for the removal of Durham County District Attorney Tracey Cline and was “tangentially involved” in the 2021 removal of Henderson County District Attorney Greg Newman. Along with leaning on that experience, Lindsay said he and his staff amassed about 200 man-hours when preparing and arguing Hoxit’s case.

A challenge for Welch — and Stetzer — was to navigate a motion by the defense to disqualify Welch from representing the state. The motion was first brought before the court during a Feb. 20 hearing. Attorney Mary Ann Hollocker, who works in Lindsay’s office, told Stetzer that because the district attorney was the petitioner, she had “inserted herself as a witness.” That motion to disqualify was dismissed.

During last month’s removal hearing, Lindsay renewed the motion to disqualify Welch. Welch argued that she would not be an essential witness, adding that she also felt it was her job as the elected district attorney to argue the case on behalf of the people of Graham County. Stetzer again dismissed the motion.

Only the district attorney or county attorney can bring a sheriff removal case

before a court. While Welch didn’t testify, Graham County Attorney Jay Coward did, meaning if Stetzer had disqualified Welch, the court would have been in a bind. This highlights a problem with the current statute, which does not include language specifying whether an outside prosecutor can be appointed to step in.

While Welch hasn’t been approached by anyone seeking to change the law, she expects to be. Lindsay said the apparently problematic statute is the kind the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association may try to change through legislation. He questions whether the law is even constitutional. Now that it’s been tested, he said, changes can be based off more than theory and speculation.

Eddie Caldwell is the Executive Vice President and General Counsel for the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association. He has considered potential statutory changes, although he said those considerations are independent of the Hoxit case. Caldwell noted that the statute isn’t even clear when the district attorney and/or county attorney should be recused.

“Then, under what authority can someone else be appointed to handle the case?” he pondered in an interview with SMN. Caldwell also said that Hoxit not being served his summons was “contrary to everything else we do in our entire court system, whether it’s civil or criminal.” However, a sheriff removal hearing is technically neither civil nor criminal, and how and when a sheriff must be served with the petition for removal isn’t stated.

“It can be served in person. It can be served on their lawyer. There are procedures in civil cases for them to be served by publication,” Caldwell said. “But this statute does not seem to address that. The person whose removal is being sought, we feel, needs to be personally notified that the action has been filed against them.”

Welch said she is used to the clear ground rules that dictate criminal proceedings — rules for evidence, admission of hearsay and burden of proof. But this was different. This required a paradigm shift, something that was difficult to achieve since she was in entirely uncharted territory not just for her, but for the court. Caldwell called the current statute “bare bones.” Echoing Welch’s sentiment, he noted that criminal and civil cases have a clear framework that’s clearly documented, something that “works to the benefit of all parties involved, regardless of the issue.”

He plans on briefing the Sheriffs’  Association’s executive committee, which will then decide whether to pursue legislative changes. He hopes that one way or another, the state will seek a “smoother, simpler, more straightforward” process.

“The framework is just non-existent here, and so the association is … talking about potential changes that we might ask the legislature to make,” Caldwell said. “We are not in pursuit of any at this time, but we might be by the time they get back to Raleigh, sometime later this session or next session.”

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THE HARD ROAD

In just the last year, Welch has pushed two other sheriffs out of office amid serious allegations.

Last June, then-Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran was arrested on several charges filed in both Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Swain County courts related to the alleged sexual assault of two women. Cochran subsequently retired. On Feb. 5 of this year, Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith left office after Welch sent him a letter demanding his resignation following a series of serious problems that began on Dec. 12, 2022, when an unarmed man was shot in the doorway of his own home.

Welch told SMN that Smith’s removal was “a long time coming” but that the other two sheriffs she filed petitions against were more surprising.

“Cochran broke my heart … and with Brad Hoxit I was blindsided,” she said.

any county, it’s paramount that the mechanism to remove them from office is strong and functional. The smaller the county, the more powerful the sheriff, she said. She believes Hoxit’s behavior was becoming “more erratic,” like he was “obsessed.” When he hid his conflict and began misleading people is when he stepped out of the gray area and was committing acts that necessitated his removal, she said.

“If you turn a blind eye to sheriffs doing something wrong that rises to the level of corruption or being dishonest, then you’re complicit in it,” she said.

During her closing arguments, she opined that law enforcement — perhaps only behind military service — is the most honorable career there is. More practically, she has to work with officers in seven counties day in and day out. She admitted that she was worried that she would be perceived as “one of those district attorneys that was declaring war on law enforcement.”

“That’s not who I am,” she said.

counties that were there at the courthouse,” Lindsay said. “I’ve never seen so many Highway Patrol officers in one place at one time.”

“I’ve never experienced the level of security that I had the week before and then during that week, and even the following weeks, and even to today,” Welch said. “I’m really introverted, so that was hard.”

Lindsay said tensions were heightened for his client the night before the hearing began when seven unmarked vehicles from the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office showed up unannounced at Hoxit’s home to deliver some personal property he’d had at GCSO, a mounted deer head.

The week of the hearing, Welch was escorted to and from the courthouse in a black SUV with two law enforcement vehicles in front and two behind. Some of the only peace she found was during lunch breaks at the law enforcement command center set up a half-mile away. But one day, the illusion was shattered. When she stepped out into the warm spring air and

The Hoxit hearing became “allconsuming” and had Welch working nights, weekends and holidays. She said that even when she wasn’t researching or crafting her argument, her mind would quickly drift to the case.

“Even when I tried to put it down, I couldn’t put it down,” she said.

Welch said the case was stressful for her office, as it has been widely publicized and was of great interest to the community. It also stretched resources since she had to delegate some tasks she would normally handle to clear the runway for the high-profile hearing.

Hoxit is still popular among a large contingent of Graham County residents. As district attorney, Welch knows there are often people who won’t be happy about cases her office does and doesn’t prosecute. Nonetheless, she acknowledged this matter was different given Hoxit’s position as an elected official, and she feels that despite not being from Graham County, she was well-received.

“I knew that they understood why I was doing what I was doing,” she said.

Repeating a key theme of her closing argument, Welch told SMN that because the sheriff is the most powerful person in

A DARK TENSION

This process hasn’t been easy on anyone. Along with the tension that comes with a contentious, high-profile hearing, there was a heavy law enforcement presence throughout, purportedly in response to a credible threat. Both Lindsay and Welch were unaccustomed to such a presence, and the dozens of armed law enforcement officers created an uneasy vibe. Every time someone walked in the door to the courtroom during the hearing, eyes at both tables and in the gallery would dart back to see who it was.

“I was surprised that you had law enforcement agencies from seven different

readied to jump back into the fray, she noticed officers lining up in a curious way.

An officer walked backward toward her, drawing close.

“Ma’am, don’t turn around,” he said. “I need you to stay still.”

After a few moments, without turning around, he told her Brad Hoxit was up on a nearby hill “watching.”

“I was sort of saying, I think y’all are overreacting,” Welch recalled. “And they just kept saying, ‘No, ma’am, we’re not.’” Welch had never met the officer before that week. The night of the odd encounter, she realized just what the deputy was doing standing so close to her. His job was to protect her, and that’s what he did.

Fitzmaurice wins American Library Association Award

BY KYLE PERROTTI NEWS EDITOR

Former Jackson County Library Director and Fontana Regional Library System

Director Tracy Fitzmaurice has received an American Library Association “I Love My Librarian Award.”

Fitzmaruice was one of 10 winners nationwide. According to a an ALA press release, the 2026 honorees are “exceptional” in their field and were nominated by community members “for their expertise, dedication, and profound impact on the people in their communities.”

moral objections to LGBTQ+ content. ALA received over 1,300 nominations for this year’s award.

“Nominations focused on librarians’ outstanding service, including expanding access to literacy and library services, outreach within their communities, supporting the needs of the most vulnerable, and more,” the release says. “This year’s award recipients include three academic librarians, four public librarians, and three school librarians.”

The release called Fitzmarurice a “transformative leader for rural libraries in Jackson

“As ALA marks its 150th commemoration, we recognize the remarkable contributions these 10 librarians make for our communities, for learning, for our health and for the public good,” ALA President Sam Helmick said in the release. “These librarians are people who power possibility in our neighborhoods, our schools, and our places of higher learning. Their leadership, creativity, and innovation strengthen the communities they serve, and we are proud to honor them.”

Fitzmaurice was named FRL director in January 2023 but had already cemented a reputation as a beloved stalwart of the institution over her three decades working within the system. She resigned in January as a new slate of board members sought reform of the system, mostly citing financial concerns and

County” who championed inclusivity and access for communities with limited resources.

“As former county librarian and director of the Fontana Regional Library, she launched innovative programs supporting people with disabilities, digital literacy, workforce development, and community connection,” it said. “Her leadership during Hurricane Helene, award-winning facilities work, and deep community advocacy left a lasting impact across Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties, earning widespread recognition and respect.

Honorees will each receive a $5,000 cash prize as well as complimentary registration and a $750 travel stipend to attend the 2026 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago from June 25-29.

Three years after their son’s injury, the Kevlins are still looking for answers

BY LILY LEVIN STAFF WRITER

What do you do when the place that seems to best accommodate your child fails them the worst?

That’s the question Amber Kevlin was grappling with on Sept. 25, 2023, after she was called to pick up her 12-year-old autistic son from the office of Shining Rock Classical Academy School Resource Officer Bryan Reeves. Kevlin said that when she arrived at Shining Rock that day, then-Head of School Joshua Morgan — who resigned his position March 10 with 90 days of severance — first warned her not to believe her child.

“[Morgan] pulled me to the side when I got there, and [was] like, ‘He’s gonna tell you he’s in the worst pain of his life, but we didn’t do anything to him,’” she said.

But in the car, she noticed him guarding his left wrist, so she drove him to urgent care. A few hours later, the boy had a cast and a diagnosis — an incomplete distal radial torus fracture. Known as a buckle fracture, it typically occurs in children ages 7-12 and is caused by compression and/or force, usually by falling onto outstretched arms.

But this injury wasn’t a result of something as simple and innocent as a fall.

The series of events that led to the broken wrist started him requesting and being subsequently denied a trip to the bathroom. It ended with what the boy described as a pop, then pain all over — the product of a comealong hold at hands of the Reeves, who manipulated his wrist down and back en route to the SRO office.

Reeves is employed by Waynesville Police Department, which declined any disciplinary action. He is still at SRCA. As a district SRO trainer, Reeves is also assigned to multiple Western North Carolina counties.

Kevlin’s son received multiple charges, requiring a trip to the Department of Juvenile Justice. She said that in the wake of having a broken wrist, he regularly suffers panic attacks and is afraid to leave the house. She’s still struggling with what it means that, after all these years, so many know their story and yet neither SRCA nor WPD will apologize, let alone acknowledge what happened that September morning.

HE EVIDENCE

There were four videos from the day of the incident — two filmed ostensibly by Reeves inside the SRO office and one each from the school’s downstairs and upstairs security cameras.

The official Shining Rock footage begins in a second-floor hallway. Two adults — Exceptional Children educator Kacey Darr and math teacher Ashley Price — are shown standing outside a classroom. A few seconds pass. Darr appears to speak to someone inside the classroom. Then, she and Price both point their fingers, motioning down the hall.

The boy exits the classroom and walks in the opposite direction. Price positions her body to physically block his path. He’s a head shorter than the two teachers and attempts multiple times to move past them. The boy is curled up on the

ground less than two minutes after the start of the whole ordeal, chest hugging thighs, legs tucked under themselves.

Price points down the hallway and Kevlin’s son whips his head around. Reeves appears in view of the camera. Shortly after, Morgan approaches. At this point, the boy is surrounded by four adults standing over him. He gets up, then tries to run to the bathroom door. Reeves grabs him by the wrist and hooks his other arm around the armpit. The SRO manipulates the child’s wrist above his head, pulling him forward.

The two appear on the downstairs camera about 20 seconds later. The child is still locked in a come-along hold, though Reeves seems to be applying more pressure to his forearm. Morgan and the two teachers trail them before each disappears off screen.

The first of the SRO office videos begins with what looks to be Darr yelling at the child.

“You don’t have to get hands-on treatment,” she says, “but we do, from you.”

“If you yell, Mr. Morgan’s gonna come back through here, and you’re gonna get a third charge,” Reeves says from behind the camera. (Reeves eventually filed four charges, though not until Oct. 30, 2023, after the Kevlins had submitted a grievance against Morgan.)

The child is teary and claims he’s going to pee himself, to which the SRO says, “if you pee in my chair, you and I are going to have problems.” The boy screams at Reeves to stop recording.

“You don’t want to see your behavior and how childish you’re acting?” Reeves responds. The second video mainly involves Kevlin’s son crying out for his mother.

In a meeting the following day — which included the Kevlins and everyone present when the boy’s wrist was broken except Reeves — Price told her version of the story, mentioning the footage caught by the Shining Rock camera. She noticed him complaining his medication wasn’t working earlier that morning. Before the Reeves’ involvement, the boy had just transitioned to social studies, which comes with a five-minute break to relax and use the bathroom.

Students are not allowed to go during class “unless it’s an absolute emergency,” Price said, because social studies is already short.

Not even two minutes after that transition, she told the Kevlins, Darr came to get him for an exceptional children activity.

“He ran out of my class and said, ‘I need to go the bathroom right now.’ I said, ‘Look, you need to hold on a second.’ So even in the video, you can see that I’m saying, ‘Hold on a second. You had five minutes. Why don’t you do this? Why don’t you go with Miss Casey right now?’” she recounted.

But he refused. He wanted to use a particular bathroom, which his mother later told The Smoky Mountain News was because it was less crowded.

Price and Darr both contended he didn’t need to use the restroom, and he wouldn’t give a straight answer when directly asked. But Amber Kevlin said when her son responds that way, it doesn’t mean he’s being

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dishonest. He’s autistic, and his specific communication style must be taken into consideration, she said, adding “one of his very serious fears is using the bathroom on himself and having kids make fun of him.”

“I feel like, instead of it escalating to a resource officer, maybe just let him go to the bathroom,” she said.

The conversation turned to Reeves’ actions. Morgan had been in a meeting, so the SRO had taken it upon himself to step in. Amber’s husband, Ross, questioned why Reeves felt there was reason to grab his child.

“Because he pushed into a teacher,” said Morgan.

Ross turned to Price directly. “And were you in fear?”

“No,” she said, “but I will never allow any student to ever put their hands on me. I have taught long enough I’m not going to allow a student to ever put their hands on me.”

“Okay, so you call the cops anytime you’re touched by a child?” he asked.

Morgan argued Price’s decision was justified because the boy had been displaying “aggressive behavior” and “did commit assault.”

“If [he] had just done what the teachers had asked him to do, would we have been involved at all?” he asked.

Ross pushed back, telling Morgan that one can’t reason with his son like they might a neurotypical child.

“So are we to let him …” Morgan trailed off.

Ross finished his sentence for him. “… go to the bathroom instead of breaking his wrist? Yes.”

Morgan said if the situation were to crop up again, school administration wouldn’t do anything different.

“We will continue to expect him to follow directions,” he said.

THE RESPONSE

At one point during the Sept. 26 meeting, Ross Kevlin offered a sharp analogy to Morgan.

“If I sent [him] to school and he shows up with visible bruises and a broken wrist, and he says I did it because I was trying to get him to do something that he wouldn’t do, would you call [the Department of Social Services]

on that? Or would you say, ‘Oh, well, it’s just [him]. [His father] probably had to do it.’”

The head of school didn’t offer much in the way of a response.

But someone else had called DSS the prior morning. Sharon Breedlove, an educator with 27 years of experience, reported what happened upon witnessing it. She was first drawn in by the noise, she told SMN.

“I don’t even know how to describe it. [He] was seriously screaming like, scared, hurt. It was not just a kid’s scream,” Breedlove recounted. Though she’d never met the boy before, she was concerned.

“I started to walk back down there, because it was just weird how he was screaming like that. So, when I took a few more steps, I saw Reeves, and he had the little boy’s arm up behind his back, and the little boy was bent over, and [Reeves] was pushing him down toward the stairway,” she added.

reprimanded, and the situation allegedly wasn’t investigated. According to Breedlove, DSS followed up on neither that matter nor the injury to the Kevlins’ son.

The only individual that expressed any interest in her reports was Morgan.

“The next morning, when I came to school, Morgan had someone come up to my classroom,” she said.

This was odd, but even more strange was that she’d lost access to her email and the app Shining Rock educators used to communicate with parents. She was called to the head of school’s office. Apparently, Morgan had caught wind of the second anonymous DSS submission. Breedlove said she was told that the administrator checked the cameras to determine which faculty had witnessed the situation.

The former SRCA teacher was quick to defend herself — and the Kevlins’ son.

Shining Rock was a good fit for the Kevlins’ child until it wasn’t. File photo

The former Shining Rock teacher said when she approached the boy, Morgan, Reeves, Price and Darr had him backed into a corner between the two double-doors and the “little opening area” above the stairs. That’s where he claimed the injury occurred five seconds before he and the SRO descended the first flight of steps.

“I went straight back to my classroom, and I called DSS,” said Breedlove.

It was the second anonymous DSS report she’d made in a relatively short period. The first, she said, involved a girl inappropriately touched by her classmate during two separate instances — of which Breedlove had been notified by the girl’s parents — but that classmate, the child of an SRCA employee, wasn’t

Referring to the boy’s situation, she told Morgan, “‘I’ve never seen adults treat a kid like that in my life.’”

Unsatisfied with Morgan’s answers, Breedlove said she resigned. Reeves and Morgan wouldn’t allow her access to her classroom to collect her belongings, her son’s phone included — and the SRO and another officer had physically blocked the door.

Breedlove said she’d return several days later to find her belongings thrown on the sidewalk. Her son’s phone was missing, along with some other items. Much of what remained was broken.

On the day of her resignation, Breedlove filed a report with the Waynesville Police Department.

“They pretty much blew it off like he was a good officer,” she claimed.

The Kevlins said they had the same experience when they approached WPD on Sept. 27 but couldn’t easily elucidate their concerns.

Qualified immunity provides a shield from civil liability against a public official, as long as a court determines the behavior in question is not in violation of “clearly established” constitutional or legal rights. It often protects law enforcement, including SROs, from lawsuits filed over alleged misconduct.

In a statement provided to SMN April 9 of this year, the Town of Waynesville wrote that “no disciplinary action was taken” against Reeves and confirmed that, at the time of the incident, the SRO was not wearing his body camera.

In a later phone call, Breedlove and Amber Kevlin discussed WPD Chief David Adams’ unwillingness to investigate.

The Kevlins would eventually withdraw their child from Shining Rock, but it took some time to make that decision. He’d been there since kindergarten, and his friends were all there.

Parents of neurodivergent students at charter schools, the Kevlins among them, tend to choose this educational pathway because of their children’s specific needs. Most are drawn to the small class sizes, individualized academics and one-on-one attention. For these children in particular, charters can be quieter, more sensory-friendly, structured options.

“It was a good alternative to the public school. [Charter schools] were smaller,” Kevlin said, adding that she and her husband loved SRCA until their child had his wrist broken. “That last year was just so hard.”

Others, like former Shining Rock parent Brittanie Duncan, had come from — and felt dissatisfied with — the public school system. Duncan said when her son was in third grade, she made the decision to enroll him at SRCA. He has ADHD, she said, which “is definitely a lot to handle if you don’t know how to handle it.”

Like with the Kevlins, Shining Rock was an incredible fit at first. The teachers were active with the children, allowing her son to thrive. But the unique benefits of charter schools can be counteracted by unique problems. For example, charter school F

boards are self- appointed, not elected like in public schools, and don’t have to answer to their community at the ballot box.

The Kevlins found out the extent of this lack of accountability at Shining Rock upon filing a grievance against Morgan, claiming he ignored their son’s injury, advised them to ignore the injury and didn’t render medical aid or refer the child to the school nurse.

SRCA requires informal dialogue between the aggrieved and the accused before a formal report is filed and sent to the head of school to investigate. Since in this case the head of school was the defendant, the board’s threeperson governance committee took over the process. It then submitted the matter to the entire board — an uncommon practice that according to the resolution letter was “due to disruptive and disparaging communications in the local community concerning the grievance, including an article published in a local newspaper and several negative social media postings.”

The board, in a Nov. 8, 2023, letter, shared that members not only unanimously voted that there wasn’t enough evidence to support the complaint but also said it “fully supports and approves Mr. Morgan’s professional manner in responding to the incident, communicating about the incident, and supervising and directing employees during the incident.”

In a statement provided to SMN April 9 of this year, current SRCA Board Chair Alyson Weimar wrote, “This matter was handled by a previous board and decisions were communicated to the family. Due to student privacy considerations, I am unable to provide further comment. The Board and SRCA leadership remain committed to student well-being and have taken, and will continue to take, proactive measures to support a safe and positive environment for all students.”

Charter schools also generally employ teachers with less experience and report increased turnover. Licensure with the NC Department of Instruction is not a requirement for hire, as with the state’s public school system.

As far as Shining Rock goes, quite a few faculty — including the school’s Title I Coordinator — do not have a teaching license. Breedlove partly attributed how the Kevlins’ son was treated to an absence of expertise among the two teachers in working with autistic children.

But she mainly singled out Morgan’s behavior with anecdotes reminiscent of her testimony at the 2025 Fitzgibbon v. Lay trial, which SMN covered at length.

“A grown man that would make fun of disabled children in the middle of a staff meeting, it is absolutely appalling. Not only as a principal but as a human being,” she said last year on the stand.

Though Morgan didn’t limit his behavior to disabled children.

“He played basic, stereotypical bully, and he does it to everybody,” she told SMN.

However, in her son’s first few years at the school, Duncan held an opposite impression of Morgan.

“He used to speak to us. He used to make time to have conversations with my child, praise him,” she said. “It was the type of experience that you want your child to get.”

Then her child hit sixth grade, and she said, “it went from — excuse my expression — sugar to shit.”

In seventh grade, Duncan’s son found a can and decorated the bathroom with its contents — Vienna sausages. Morgan, claiming he had video footage of the child’s wrongdoing, said he had committed “vandalism” and suspended him for two days.

But then on the bus, a white kindergartener allegedly called the boy, who is black, the N-word. Duncan told Morgan about the incident, only to later receive an email from thenLower School Director Sarah Jenkins — recently appointed interim head of school at Shining Rock — was notifying her the administration wasn’t going to follow up because they couldn’t find proof anything had occurred. That was the end of Duncan’s son’s time at the school, a withdrawal they mainly attribute to Morgan’s conduct.

But for the Kevlins, Reeves’ behavior was the biggest part of the story.

SROs have become nearly ubiquitous in charter and public schools. Their presence is correlated with increased firearm detection and a slight reduction in threats and fights, but it’s not associated with a decrease in gunrelated violence. Education Week, citing years of research, noted that SROs are “linked to disproportionate discipline of boys and Black and disabled students.”

Across the country, students with disabilities face suspension, expulsion or arrest at a rate 300% that of their able-bodied peers when police officers are present in educational settings.

The day of the incident, the Kevlins’ son received two charges spelled out on an official law enforcement document — simple assault of two teachers and disruption of a school day. The Department of Juvenile Justice requested the Kevlins appear in person to explain what their son had done.

“I said, ‘number one, he didn’t do anything.’ And [the DJJ employee] kind of rolled her eyes a little bit, and was like, ‘Okay, what did [he] allegedly do?’” Amber said.

She presented the videos and walked the woman through the situation.

“[The DJJ employee] flipped her tune so fast. She was like, wow. She said, ’In 22 years that I’ve worked here, I’ve never seen anything like this,’” she recounted.

Later, Kevlin received a paper in the mail from the department. Her son — who, according to his mother, “cries over hostile architecture, where homeless people can’t lay down” — was clear of all charges.

Though even after his wrist healed, he didn’t come out unscathed on the other side. He’s homeschooled, after several panic attacks during his first few days at Waynesville Middle School. He doesn’t trust law enforcement, sees a therapist twice per week and takes antianxiety medication.

“He has a really bad issue with leaving the house now. He hates it. I mean, I took him to the arcade yesterday, [and he kept saying], ‘When can we go home? And it’s been like that ever since [the incident],” Amber said.

Breedlove said that as the boy is still in pain, she still struggles with what she witnessed three years ago.

“It was a traumatizing thing to watch.”

care still had to be provided. Daily routines still had to be maintained.

Nine lives

Helene survivor rebuilds — in Ecuador

A Hurricane Helene survivor who saw her home destroyed, Lisa McDonald has channeled that loss into a new life and a new funding model for her animal rescue nonprofit — thousands of miles away in Ecuador. File photo

Like many, McDonald spent that first winter after the storm living in a camper. Along with another family, she attempted to pick up the pieces at Sweet Bear but described the frustration of having the motivation to rebuild amid an overwhelming sense of gridlock in storm relief efforts. She decided she needed out.

McDonald began taking housesitting gigs and eventually ended up in a mid-sized city in the mountains of Ecuador.

“I fell completely in love with Cuenca,” she said. “And so the idea of taking some of my passions — travel, veganism — and turning them into a positive just kind of fell into place. It became the logical next step.”

“Cuenca” means “basin.” McDonald compared the site to Asheville, which is also a rainforest that sits in a broad river valley flanked by mountains in the distance.

“There’s old Spanish architecture here next to Incan ruins,” she said. “I mean, you can literally walk through history here and the historic center of town, which is cobblestone streets, is absolutely beautiful. Cathedrals everywhere. The entire downtown is the UNESCO heritage site. It’s like walking through a fairy tale.”

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT POLITICS EDITOR

Lisa McDonald is not simply rebuilding what Hurricane Helene took from her — she’s replacing it with something that did not exist before.

“There was a definite calm before the storm,” McDonald told The Smoky Mountain News of her experience with Hurricane Helene in Hendersonville on Sept. 27, 2024. “I looked out my front window; everything looked fine. I went to a side window, and I saw a downed tree in my backyard and thought, ‘Okay, this is bad, but we’ve experienced trees coming down before. We’ll get through this.’”

Seconds later, McDonald spotted several more downed trees in her front yard.

“You could not hear them. They were just coming out of the ground and laying themselves down,” she said. “Then they started coming into the house.”

When Helene was finally through with Western North Carolina, it wiped out her home and much of the physical infrastructure behind Sweet Bear Rescue Farm, the sanctuary she had spent nearly a decade building for animals rescued from abuse, neglect and abandonment.

“Once I realized I was going to survive, something came over me and I walked out my front door, and I started walking down the street,” said McDonald. “I think I was in kind of a fugue state, maybe a little bit dissociated.”

What remained was the work itself, unchanged in its demands and indifferent to the loss that had reshaped everything around it. Animals still needed to be fed. Veterinary

McDonald’s decision was practical, but it created distance between the founder and the place that had defined her work, forcing a reconsideration of how that work could continue under new conditions. That reconsideration now has a geographic center far from the farm itself. Based in Cuenca, McDonald has launched Cuencana Vegana Tours, a travel venture designed to generate consistent funding for Sweet Bear while introducing visitors to the cultural and culinary landscape of the Andean city.

The tours are structured as small-group experiences, with itineraries built in advance and led by McDonald herself. Each trip combines plant-based dining, guided exploration and direct engagement with local businesses, markets and historic sites.

Cuenca itself unfolds as a place where borders blur and cultures fold into one another, a city shaped as much by its people as by its geography. North and South American influences mingle easily in daily life, not as parallel worlds but as a shared rhythm, where newcomers and locals move through the same spaces, share the same tables and participate in the same routines.

The result is a cohesive, walkable city that feels less like a destination and more like a community already in motion.

“Even when you’re at a restaurant, there’s so much kindness, and everyone is very tactile,” she said. “There’s a lot of like, hugging and long handshakes. You know what I mean? There’s celebration and community around food, even with strangers. It’s lovely.”

That sense of belonging arrives quickly, McDonald said. For travelers accustomed to movement, Cuenca offers something rarer than novelty — recognition. The city carries a familiarity that is difficult to explain but easy to feel.

Daily life reinforces that feeling through accessibility. The cost of living reshapes expectations, where a F

month’s stay can be managed on a modest budget and meals arrive not as luxuries but as constants. Fixed-price lunches fill tables across the city, offering full plates at a fraction of what they would cost elsewhere, while markets and small storefronts make it possible to assemble a meal for a few dollars with ingredients that are fresh, local and unprocessed.

Those markets anchor the city’s sensory experience. Open-air stalls overflow with produce, their colors and textures reflecting the surrounding landscape, while nearby bakeries scent the streets with warm bread. The experience recalls older European traditions, where food is immediate and unmediated, and where a simple combination of bread and fruit can feel complete.

“It is just extreme and such a contradiction from the life I had been living since the storm, you know, sleeping in a camper, covered in cats, looking at my condemned house,” McDonald said. “Now I’m just walking down the street with a baguette, eating avocados.”

That same accessibility shapes the city’s indulgences. Known for wine, chocolate, coffee and flowers — items sometimes treated as luxuries elsewhere — Cuenca’s offerings are woven into everyday life, available widely and without pretense.

Group size is intentionally limited to between four and eight people, allowing participants to move through the city without the insulation that often comes with larger tours. Interaction is direct, not mediated through layers of scheduling and coordination, and the experience is structured to encourage observa-

Now offering couples mass infrared sauna, and foot so with a relaxing chair mass sage, oaks sage

tion, conversation and participation rather than passive consumption.

McDonald positions herself as a host within that structure, maintaining continuity across the trip while guiding participants through the choices that shape how they encounter the city.

Underneath that design is a financial model tied directly to the needs of Sweet Bear Rescue Farm.

from donors to events to volunteer availability. The loss exposed how dependent that model was on circumstances that could not be controlled.

By tying revenue to a repeatable experience, McDonald is attempting to build a system that operates independently of those variables. Travel demand, rather than local fundraising cycles, becomes the driver of income, and each completed trip contributes

“My entire life has ministries of death and rebirth and death and rebirth, and I laugh because it sounds so tragic, but it has created a resiliency somewhere deep inside of me that just knows I will land on my feet.”

— Lisa McDonald

Sweet Bear Rescue Farm continues to operate, with caregivers managing daily routines and responding to the needs of animals that often require long-term or permanent care. The organization’s work has extended beyond its own property over time, with more than $20,000 raised for other nonprofits in North Carolina and internationally, reflecting an approach that connects local effort to broader networks of support.

McDonald’s tours build on that approach by adding a revenue stream that is not tied to the same conditions that made the farm vulnerable in the first place.

McDonald said up to 20% of all tour proceeds will be directed into what she calls the

“After the Storm” fund, covering veterinary care, feed and infrastructure at the farm while also allowing for support of animal and humanitarian efforts in Ecuador when possible. The structure turns each booking into a source of operating revenue, creating a link between the experience of the traveler and the day-to-day requirements of the sanctuary.

Nonprofit funding models are often plagued by inconsistent funding, shaped by attention, timing and local conditions that can shift quickly. When Helene hit, it disrupted not only physical infrastructure but also the networks that supported Sweet Bear,

to a pool of resources that can be used for ongoing care.

“What I would really like to do is focus less on fundraising and more on building something that is more tactile,” she said. “I love service. I love hosting. I love planning events. I’ve got a background in project management, so doing something where instead of just asking people to help me fund my rescue, doing something that really enhances their lives.

The tour is based on cultural immersion because I want people to have a true Ecuadorian experience through music and food and dancing and walking and museums and nature.”

Whether that balance can be sustained will depend on factors that extend beyond any single decision. Travel demand fluctuates. Economic conditions shift. Interest in plantbased travel continues to evolve. Each of those variables will influence how the model performs over time, and whether it can deliver the consistency it is designed to create.

For now, McDonald’s transition reflects a different way of responding to loss — using the disruption as a starting point for something that did not exist prior to it and connecting Western North Carolina with a tiny piece of a larger world.

“My entire life has ministries of death and rebirth and death and rebirth, and I laugh because it sounds so tragic, but it has created a resiliency somewhere deep inside of me that just knows I will land on my feet,” she said. “I think that’s why I have so many cats, because we’ve all had nine lives.”

For more information, visit cuencanavegana.tours.

Waynesville mural project ends with community paint day

The Waynesville Public Art Commission announced that the Historic Main Street Mural project is underway. The new mural will grace the side of High Country Style at 121 North Main St. The WPAC worked alongside the muralist-Max Dowdle, local historian, Alex McKay, local artist, Teresa Pennington, the property owner, Doug Worrell, and held a public input session to inspire a mural that feels like a walk through Waynesville’s history. The mural will feature historical snapshots of local people and places on and around Waynesville’s Main Street, including the original arch constructed by Oscar Briggs in the 1930s.

The community is invited to participate directly in the project during a community paint day from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 18. The first 50 participants will receive a complimentary t-shirt that commemorates the new mural. After the community paint event, attendees can continue the celebration by enjoying the Appalachian Heritage Festival, taking place in downtown Waynesville and showcasing the region’s rich culture, music and traditions. The new mural will offer viewers a look back in time at Waynesville’s history. Greg Boothroyd photo

‘Lunch and Learn’ on anterior hip replacement

Harris Regional Hospital invites community members to attend a free “Lunch and Learn” on anterior hip replacement from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, at Western Carolina University’s Ramsey Center Hospitality Room, located at 92 Catamount Road in Cullowhee.

The session will be led by Dr. Paul Ulrich, an orthopedic surgeon with Harris Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, who will discuss the anterior approach to hip replacement and how this muscle-sparing technique is changing the patient experience. Ulrich will explain how the procedure works, who may be a candidate and what patients can expect before, during and after surgery.

The event is free and open to the public, and lunch will be provided.

To reserve a spot, please contact Lilly Ferguson at 828.508.0109 or lillian.ferguson@lifepointhealth.net.

CampAbility receives grant to enhance programs,

services

CampAbility of WNC is recognizing the support of three key funding partners: the Haywood Health Foundation, The Fund for Haywood County and WNC Bridge Foundation. Their contributions will strengthen programming for children and youth with disabilities.

Funding from the Haywood Health Foundation has supported lodging for volunteer “buddies” who travel to provide one-on-one care for campers. CampAbility has applied to renew this critical support for the coming year.

The Fund for Haywood County is helping to provide field trips and off-site enrichment opportunities, allowing campers to build confidence

and engage with the community while creating lasting memories beyond the camp setting.

WNC Bridge Foundation’s NOW Grant is supporting staff salaries, helping the organization recruit and retain qualified team members essential to delivering safe, high-quality programming.

CampAbility will host two summer sessions July 13–17 and July 20–24. While sessions are currently full, a waiting list is available. The organization is also seeking volunteers and board members to support its mission.

For more information or to make a donation, call 828.550.0921, visit campabilitywnc.org or send an email to campability321@gmail.com.

Cashiers Historical Society designer showcase

Cashiers Designer Showhouse returns for its 29th year, from Aug. 28 through Sept. 5. Funds raised support Cashiers Historical Society’s mission to preserve the history and culture of the Cashiers Valley through education, stewardship and advocacy. This year’s Showhouse is in a new community in the heart of the village, Cashiers Lake.

The 2026 Showhouse, designed by Thomas & Denzinger Architects, draws from the heritage of Appalachian homesteads; simple, enduring forms shaped with intention and crafted from local materials that age gracefully with the seasons.

The neighborhood is being developed by Silverwing Partners and Daniel Communities, and the 2026 Showhouse is being built by Turnkey Construction Group. This year’s Showhouse will feature 12 designers from across the southeast and a host of special events throughout the week. Tickets to tour the Showhouse will go on sale in July.

For more information on the Cashiers Historical Society and the Cashiers Designer Showhouse, visit cashiershistory.org or call 828.743.7710.

All in order in this corner of my world

The hammer felt good in my hands, satisfying and simple, the battered leather tool belt snug but still doing its job of keeping pencil, nail punch, tape measure, chisel, utility knife, speed square and numerous nails and screws at arm’s length. It was a spring day in the mountains, everything around blooming and sweet smelling, wildly colorful butterflies swirling about on a canvas of sky blue.

A home project that has been challenging was getting closer to completion. War, politics and all the other chaos of the world retreated from my mind as I made sure the scaffolding would provide space enough to work and bear the weight of the crew and the huge windows we were about to install. No broken bones on my job site.

Some of the most satisfying work years of my life were spent building things. My time as a framing carpenter lasted only four full years, from the time I was 24 until I turned 28, but I had spent many previous summers working construction as a laborer. My father built and fixed things, could take apart and fix televisions and radios and work on cars. His tinkering, fixing and building things always fascinated and impressed me, and it wasn’t until many years later that I realized those genes had been passed along. Those genes and four years building houses and apartment buildings have inspired me to take on countless projects over the years, as

Trump’s Easter words were horrid

To the Editor:

We all awakened Easter Sunday morning to receive the below message from the President of the United States, who proclaims he is a practicing person of faith: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F——— Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in HellJUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”

Mr. President, I do not know who your spiritual guides are or where you were taught about genuine faith. However, I must share with you that faith is not an easy proclamation, but the way we live our lives and treat and speak to others. Your Easter statement may be the worst example of one practicing their faith I have ever witnessed.

Would we accept such horrid words from our clergy of all faiths, our Sunday School teachers, our Vacation Bible School leaders, our mayor, our educators or our grandchildren? Of course not!

I also wonder where are the moral voices of our church leaders, especially the conservative evangelicals, when such language is spewed on the High Holy Day for many of us. Yes, the Pope has been abundantly clear about not confusing our Holy Scripture to justify killing people during a war. Again, I ask, where is the voice of those who claim to be

has the imagination of my wife, Lori.

The crew that came to help with the windows was an interesting mix, friends whom many who read this column may know: Kyle, a fantastic reporter and also news editor here at The Smoky Mountain News, Navy veteran and graduate of Columbia University in New York City; Garret, Quinnipiac grad, A&E editor at SMN, Rolling Stone contributor and unparalleled music afficionado; and Ian, Virginia Tech graduate, musician extraordinaire, software coder and good friend who recently sold his company and entered into a very active retired life.

Before we started on the windows and to compel them to come to our mountain house to do some heavy lifting, I had promised everyone that Lori would make good coffee drinks and some of her hearty breakfast sandwiches. As we sat around the kitchen island drinking coffee and eating, the conversation wandered from the project at hand to what’s going on with AI and where will it lead and then to music in general and the Asheville music scene and the new venues currently being built or planned. Great

LETTERS

Believers and Followers?

Lastly, Mr. President your words were nowhere near those of a Risen Lord when He spoke to his true followers. I suggest you discover by prayer, study, and a long journey of the true nature of one who is living the Faith. Reverend Dr. Mike Cordle United Methodist Minister, Retired Highlands

Congress should censure Trump

To the Editor:

A lot of us know that Congress isn’t doing its job. But when Trump went on recent Truth Social rants using obscene language and threatening an entire civilization, most Republicans sat back and said nothing. Bad language is unbecoming of any President, and if Biden and Obama had done such a thing, the Republicans wouldn’t have wasted any time making an effort to censure them.

Threatening an entire civilization is more than over the top. How does one know whether he really means it or not? Again, a President who has any moral character at all doesn’t talk that way.

Step up and do your job Congress! Betty Dishman Sylva

conversation with some smart guys.

As we talked, I thought back to my years on construction sites and how so much of America knows almost nothing about the blue-collar tradespeople that spend their entire lives doing this kind of work. Generally, I think much of the white-collar world looks down on the trades and would never encourage their children to pursue such a career. I think back to PhDs who found their calling driving nails, who on hot afternoons as we cedar siding on a mansion would wax on about Friedrich Nietzsche’s “Ubermensch” better than my college philosophy professors, or homespun geniuses who never graduated high school but could take out a framing square and tape measure and figure out a compound rafter cut with two different angles like they were tying their shoe.

The windows took about an hour and went smoothly. I thanked my friends and they went their separate ways. After they departed, I inspected our work, was pleased with the finished install, and started figuring out the next phase of this project. So much planning, more to build, more to fix. And still, no thoughts of war, politics, chaos. All things in order in this little corner of my world, and it was satisfying.

(Scott McLeod can be reached at info@smokymountainnews.com.)

Wars are justified but still obscene

To the Editor:

With deference to David Crane’s credentials (“The 7th Crusade — U.S. folly in Iran,” March 18 SMN) and respect for his opinions, I would offer a contrarian view.

If the Treaty of Versailles had been enforced as de Gaulle and many others vigorously advocated, then perhaps WWII could have been avoided. What would it have taken

to enforce that? Could it have been accomplished? We’ll never know.

Mr. Crane chose historical events that supported his viewpoints, but there are others that refute it. Is war ever justified? Yes! Is justification measured by the outcome? No! War is obscene in every circumstance.

The positions between a passivist and a warmonger are nearly impossible to identify let alone adopt and, unfortunately, only history will judge.

Paul Stapf Waynesville

A vanilla, sparrow-only life would be devastating

Imagine walking into an ice cream shop excited about the many flavor selections, only to be greeted by a clerk who says, “From now on, all we have is vanilla.” Befuddled, you respond with, “Oh… OK, then I guess I’ll have vanilla, but let’s add some sprinkles and chocolate chips.” Then the clerk says, “No toppings. Just plain ol’ vanilla. That will be the only option from now on.”

noise is that of sparrows. You keep walking, one mile then two, down this street and that, and the sparrows continue. They sound strange in isolation, melancholy even, like a lone instrument misplaced from the orchestra. Tomorrow’s the same, and the next day and the next. Every day, it’s only the sound of sparrows.

One day you open your Spotify app in the mood for a blended playlist to appease your restless mind. You’re not really feeling Americana or jazz or pop in particular, so a variety of music sounds nice. But when the app opens, there is one playlist with 20 songs all in the folk genre. “That’s odd,” you think, but no matter what you do, the screen stays on that same playlist. Listen to folk music or sit in silence.

Invigorated about time off work, you start fantasizing about a sunny vacation destination. With a total open mind, you get on the Delta website to see what locations have discounted flights, only to see all flights go to the same place, a beach off the coast of Florida. “But, I don’t want to go to Florida. I want to go to Italy or Belize.” Oh, well. Florida is all you get.

Your sister is about to turn 50 and you want to send wildflowers to brighten her day, knowing how much she loves different types of colorful flowers. When you call the florist, the associate says, “No more wildflowers. We have white roses and white roses only.” Then you say, “My sister has never liked roses. She likes wildflowers.” It doesn’t matter. It’s roses or nothing.

Before you step out for the day, you open your closet to choose an outfit, but strangely, the only selections are white shirts, gray pants and black shoes. “What happened to all my fun clothes?” Apparently, they vanished in the night, only to be replaced by a monotone ensemble that looks the same as everyone else.

On your morning walk, the normal symphony of birds is eerily stilted and the only

In 1785, English poet William Cowper wrote, “Variety’s the very spice of life that gives it all its flavour.” With no variety, we wither, we wilt, we grow bored and weary.

The Nazi regime and MAGA mentality thrive off propaganda that everyone and everything be the same — a philosophy that’s insane at best and deadly at worst. It’s a fear-based tactic on the part of the instigator. The instigator feels more in control with uniformity and limited choices, but only the ignorant and weak seek sameness under the guise of safety and triumph.

In the incredible book, “A Course in Miracles,” a single line always sticks out to me. It says, “Fear is really nothing, and love is everything.” It doesn’t matter if a leader moves with fear or if a person is feeling fearful, it’s nothing. But love. Love is everything.

I’ve been traveling a lot this month. I chaperoned my younger son’s eighth-grade trip to Washington D.C., and attended two national track meets for my older son, one in Boston and one in Los Angeles. Being in different parts of the U.S. always reminds me what an incredibly unique and wonderful country we live in — not only in regard to natural beauty but also the people. One doesn’t have to travel internationally to be exposed to different cultures, races, religions, cuisines and languages. We have that right here in the United States of America, and it’s something we should honor wholeheartedly.

To live a truly illuminated life, there must be diversity and variety. There must be joy, curiosity, depth, sorrow, connection and creativity. Let’s be bold. Be bold in your actions. Be bold with your words. Be bold at the polls. Be the change you want to see in the world.

Why, you ask? Because a vanilla, sparrow-only life would be devastating.

(Susanna Shetley is a writer and editor who lives in Haywood County. susanna.b@smokymountainnews.com.)

The people of Western North Carolina have relied upon word-of-mouth long before the existence of social media, search engines, or even the telephone book. Neighbors have always been trusted sources of local information like where to buy seeds in the spring, or which doctor really takes the time to listen to her patients. The MountainConnections initiative extends the tradition of neighbors helping neighbors in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes. North Carolina as a whole has a high rate of diabetes and pre-diabetes. Diabetes is a serious chronic condition that, unmanaged, can lead to blindness, foot amputation, stroke, and even death.

But medical interventions are not enough for managing diabetes. Daily exercise and healthy eating are critical to staving like walking clubs and healthy cooking classes. MountainConnections aims to work with health providers to raise their awareness of these programs so they can make trusted referrals to their patients. It’s neighbors helping neighbors, just like the people of Western North Carolina have always done. It’s just one of the mountain traditions that makes us MountainWise.

READY TO GET STARTED?

ual support sessions with a trained Lifestyle Coach. Participants will learn how to:

• Maintain a healthy weight

• Prepare simple, healthy meals

• Find time to be physically active

-

Virtual classes are available! Reach out to the contact person in your area for more information.

Intricate influences

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

When she was just in elementary school, fiddler/vocalist Lake Carver graced the cover of the Down the Road magazine, an annual publication put together through a partnership between The Smoky Mountain News and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area based in Asheville.

And much like her current life, Carver was heavily invested in the music scene in her native Wilkes County, finding herself headlong in local jams, all while soaking in as much knowledge and technical ability as possible.

“It was just so crazy,” the 16-year-old said. “I was so young and it was just so cool to me [to be on the cover].”

Growing up in Wilkesboro, there was always music around in the Carver household. And when she was just four years old, Carver was handed a fiddle.

“It was the smallest thing that could fit into my hands,” Carver chuckled. “And I like just being able to get into a simple jam, where you don’t even have to know anybody and you can just connect by playing fiddle.”

Attending her first MerleFest as a newborn, Carver hasn’t missed one spring installment of the cherished Wilkesboro musical gathering, which showcases the finest local, regional, national and international acts in the realms of bluegrass, folk, Americana and country music.

“We know so many people [at MerleFest], and it’s such a great community to play music and be with friends and family,” Carver said.

Carver fondly remembers those early days of jamming with other musical children on the Austin Stage at MerleFest during the “Acoustic Kids with Andy May” portion of the weekend. Eventually, as with all young aspiring musicians, comes the

notion to finally put together a band of your own, an ensemble of talent, passion and purpose that ideally radiates all the intricate influences that make up not only your unique sound, but also your love for music.

Cue the group Carolina Detour. Formed four years ago, the outfit features Carver, guitarist Lyla Cherry (Mooresville), mandolinist Tae Childress (Statesville), banjoist Malachi Bulman (Pinnacle), guitarist Hudson Mikeal (Jefferson) and bassist Elijah Bulman (Pinnacle). Of note, all members of the group provide vocals, with the multiple harmonies adding layers to the tone.

“We’ve been playing gigs, competitions and festivals,” Carver said. “I just can’t imagine playing with anybody else, honestly. They’re all so talented.”

With a thick thread of bluegrass running through Carolina Detour, the group blends traditional acoustic melodies with contemporary takes on modern songs. The quintet has not only performed at MerleFest but also other esteemed festivals, including FloydFest (Virginia), The Caverns (Tennessee) and Shakori Hills (Pittsboro).

Carolina Detour to play MerleFest

just move on to the next one.”

At this juncture, Carolina Detour is aiming to gather enough original material to finally head into the studio and record a debut album.

Want to go?

One of the premier Americana, bluegrass and folk music festivals in the country, the annual MerleFest gathering will take place April 23-26 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro.

Headliners include Alison Krauss & Union Station, Old Crow Medicine Show, Blackberry Smoke, Charles Wesley Godwin, Molly Tuttle, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas Band, Steep Canyon Rangers, Peter Rowan & The Walls of Time Band, Sister Sadie, Hogslop String Band, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Dom Flemons & The Traveling Wildfires, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Trey Hensley, Jake Shimabukuro and many more.

For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit merlefest.org.

“We have a playlist that we add songs to that we want to do,” Carver said. “And when we do get to see each other and practice, we think about the [playlist] songs, write them down and play them. If we like them, we keep them. If we’re not feeling it, we’ll

“Right now, we’re trying to work together and write songs,” Carver noted. And with a personal motto of “captivating hearts, transcending genres,” Carolina Detour is well on its way to finding not only its own signature tone, but also its way in the vast world of live performance.

“It’s kind of just taking people on a bluegrass journey in a way,” Carver said. “Bluegrass tells so many stories in so many different ways. Bluegrass is just heartfelt. You can either fire it up with a bunch of fiddle playing or you can slow it down. It brings people together. It’s just so beautiful.”

Editor’s Note: The story was brought to you by a partnership between The Smoky Mountain News and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. Located in Asheville, the BRNHA is a beloved organization focused on the preservation and perpetuation of the rich, vibrant music and culture in Western North Carolina. These two entities are also responsible for the Down the Road magazine, an annual publication that gets officially launched each year at MerleFest. For more information, visit blueridgeheritage.com.

This must be the place

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

Ode to the old man, ode to the game of golf

It was watching my father putt on Hole #14 at the Maggie Valley Country Club last Monday afternoon when a vivid thought appeared across my field of vision — don’t forget this moment of spending quality time with the old man.

A few feet from my 84-year-old father was my mother, age 77, and also one of my best friends, age 66. My friend has a membership at Maggie and set up the foursome for a tee-time as a kind gesture to my folks, seeing as they were passing through Western North Carolina back to my native Upstate New York after a month spent in the Florida sunshine at their beach bungalow rental.

Even though we had a noon tee-time, the temperature was in the 40s and rather chilly, especially for early April in Southern Appalachia, especially for older parents who were in 80-degree weather just 24hours prior in St. Augustine. No matter, throw on a couple extra layers and hop in the golf cart.

To preface, I’ve played golf pretty much my entire life, and did so regularly all through my teenage years. Since then (age 41 now), I hit the links a time or two a year, mostly for charity tournaments thrown by some beloved local nonprofit. I do love the game itself. And yet, I find that I rarely play these days. Thus, why it felt really great to play nine holes with the old man recently.

parents riding in the other. The usual banter of what each needs to do to work on their swing, how many times they’ve been able to play this spring, and what’s in the news that irks all of us, the tone of said banter one of camaraderie and of a jovial nature, albeit always conscious of the current troubles of what lies beyond these mountains and across the oceans.

Throughout the nine holes, the earth slowly warmed up, as did our golf game. A handful of pars throughout this rowdy bunch. For me, who plays the game sporadically nowadays, I surprised myself with a consistent and good round, as noted by the mere fact I only lost one ball the entire time. Heck, my dad even sunk a 30-foot putt from the fringe on one of the final holes, our cheers echoing loudly across the perfectly mowed fairways.

HOT PICKS

1

Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will host a stage production of “Guys & Dolls” at 7 p.m. April 17-18.

2

“North Carolina Symphony: Classical Favorites Celebrating America 250” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at the Bardo Arts Center on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee..

3

Scotsman (Waynesville) will host Shane Meade Trio (indie/soul) at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 18.

4

A stage production of “Men in Suits” will take place at 7:30 p.m. April 17-18 and 2 p.m. April 19 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

5

Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host Grizzly Mammoth & Fringe Revival (rock/psychedelic) at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 18.

his life looked like as a young adult. He held multiple jobs back then. Repo man. Construction worker. Bank teller. He also had a stint in the U.S. Army in the early 1960s, which conjured memories of being on a troop ship as a young man and motoring across the cold North Atlantic en route to his post in Germany.

So, at 11:30 a.m., my folks rolled up to my humble abode apartment in downtown Waynesville and we headed to the course, the conversation on the short drive hovering around how much work I had left to do for the newspaper that week and what stories I was currently working on, as well as queries as to when I might finally cross over the Mason-Dixon Line and come home to visit them, perhaps this summer, maybe even for the fall foliage.

Seeing as it’s a Monday, I’m one of the only faces on the course under 55. The rest of the people my age are most likely at work or doing something non-leisurely. And yet, there I was, a ramblin’ journalist taking full opportunity of being able to disappear on a normal work day and tee-off to my heart’s content. It ain’t lost on me that I’m lucky enough to make my own schedule, and will address my writing deadlines on those rainy days.

I shared a golf cart with my buddy, my

Putting the golf bags back in the trunk of the car, it was decided to get a late lunch nearby at Frankie’s Italian restaurant. A table for four and some vino for the group, and much gratitude. Delicious artisan pizza and pasta dishes soon filled up the table. Big smiles, hearty conversation and laughter ricocheting between us.

And it was at this exact moment when my father began to hold court and wax poetic about his long, strange trip of an existence when asked by my buddy about his journey and where it all began, where it went, and where it currently stands.

Although I’ve heard my father’s stories a million times, and as far back as I can remember, I sit and immerse myself in the moment, happily, as he regales the three of us with tales of growing up in a rowhouse in a company mining town in the 1940s. My grandfather was an iron ore miner in the small, remote community of Lyon Mountain, New York. Imagery of snowdrifts taller than buildings and temperatures dropping to -20 degrees or lower come January in the North Country.

Tales of when my father graduated high school in 1960 in Peru, New York, and what

Tales of when he became a New York State Corrections Officer, a time in the early 1970s, where, while in training, he ended up being backup and cleanup for the Attica Prison Riot in September 1971. Imagery of blood all over the floors, the burning sensation in one’s eyes from the lingering tear gas, the sights of utter destruction.

Tales of how he met my mother and when they got married in 1972, all their trips and wanderings since then, and how they’ll be celebrating 54 years together this November. Imagery of when I appeared on the scene in 1985, what it was like raising kids on the Canadian Border, again that surreal sense of time and place, especially in the depths of another unforgiving winter.

And throughout this entire meal, the smile never left my face. I was proud of my father, and all the avenues he’s ducked down in the numerous decades he’s been able to traverse this whirlwind planet, and to also be able to share him and his zest, his gregariousness and big heart with others, more specifically my ole buddy.

At the culmination of the meal, we said our goodbyes and bid farewell to one another. Until next time, and safe travels, with plans already in the works for another rendezvous “sooner than later.” The next day, my folks hit the road for their farmhouse in the North Country. I waved goodbye when they sped off. Until next time.

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

On the wall

HCAC gets ‘Weird & Wacky’

The latest exhibit from the Haywood County Arts Council, “Weird & Wacky” will open Friday, April 17, at HCAC’s Haywood Handmade Gallery in downtown Waynesville.

This imaginative and playful exhibition will be on display through June 1, inviting visitors to explore art that celebrates the unusual, the quirky and the wonderfully unexpected.

The opening reception will take place from 5-8 p.m. Friday, April 17, at the gallery. This free event offers the public an opportunity to meet participating artists, enjoy light refreshments and experience the exhibit firsthand.

For more information, visit haywoodarts.org or call 828.452.0593.

WCU MFA exhibition

Western Carolina University is currently showcasing the Master of Fine Art (MFA) Thesis Exhibition at the Fine Art Museum on campus in Cullowhee.

Experience the culmination of three years of intense creative study and exploration in this exhibition highlighting artwork from graduating MFA students in the WCU School of Art and Design.

This year’s exhibition showcases work in various media by five artists: Holly Hill, Lynne M. Hudson, Reese Seigfried, Brooklin Routt and Remi Roce. The five exhibiting artists offer a wide range of conceptual approaches and mediums.

The exhibition will be on display through May 1. To learn more about the exhibition and reception, visit arts.wcu.edu/mfa-26. To see BAC’s full calendar of events, please visit arts.wcu.edu/explore or call 828.227.ARTS.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.

Cherokee pottery exhibition

A special showcase, “Didanisisgi Gadagwatli: A Showcase of Pottery from the Mud Dauber Community Workshop,” is now on display at the Museum of the Cherokee People in Cherokee.

On view through May 2026, the exhibition features works by students of Tara McCoy (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) handcrafted during an intensive three-month workshop.

Renowned for her pottery, McCoy began making crafts at 12 years old. She honed her skills while taking arts and crafts classes with Alyne Stamper (EBCI) and has won numerous awards at the Cherokee Fall Festival and at Southwestern Association of Indian Arts (SWAIA) Santa Fe Indian Market.

MotCP is located in Cherokee. Donated photo

Today, she shares her knowledge with others. Designed to increase and uplift pottery making among members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, McCoy’s workshop uses a hands-on approach, empowering first-time potters to bring their own personal style to ancestral techniques and methods.

The artists exhibited include Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle (EBCI), Barbara Jones (EBCI), Paula Wojtkowski (EBCI), Marisa “Sis” Cabe (EBCI), Lisa Howell (EBCI, Pawnee Nation) Malia Crowe Skulski (EBCI), Samantha ColeDaniels (EBCI), Elvia Walkingstick (EBCI), Maggie Jackson (EBCI), Michelle Lynn Long (EBCI, Mvskoke Creek Nation) and Tara McCoy (EBCI).

For more information, visit motcp.org.

• WNC Paint Events will host painting sessions throughout the region on select dates. For more information and/or to sign up, visit wncpaint.events.

ALSO:

• “Unrelenting: Cherokee People and the American Revolution” is currently being showcased at the Museum of the Cherokee People (MotCP) in Cherokee. A first-of-itskind exhibition centering Native voices, perspectives and creativity in response to the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the showcase features historic objects in conversation with works by Cherokee artists, merging cultural heritage, military history and contemporary art for a nuanced examination of a pivotal moment in Cherokee and American history. It will be on display through Dec. 30. General admission tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for children ages 6-12 and free for children ages 5 and under. MotCP offers free admission to members of federally recognized tribes and museum members. Student, educator, senior and military rates available. For more information, visit motcp.org.

• Marianna Black Library (Bryson City) will host “ArtWorks” at 1 p.m. every second Thursday of the month. Come create your own masterpiece. The materials for art works are supplied and participants are welcome to bring ideas and supplies to share with each other. Ages 16 and up. Space limited to 10 participants. Free and open to the public. 828.488.3030 / vroberson@fontanalib.org.

• Bosu’s Wine Shop (Waynesville) will host a “Paint & Sip” event at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 21 ($30 per person). 828.452.0120 / waynesvillewine.com.

• CRE828 (Waynesville) will offer a selection of art classes and workshops at its studio

located at 1283 Asheville Road. Workshops will include art journaling, watercoloring, mixed media, acrylic painting and more. 828.283.0523 / cre828.com.

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

• Haywood County Arts Council (Waynesville) will offer a wide range of classes, events and activities for artisans, locals and visitors. HCAC’s Haywood Handmade Gallery is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. 828.452.0593 / haywoodarts.org.

• Jackson County Green Energy Park (Dillsboro) will be offering a slew of classes, events and activities for artisans, locals and visitors. 828.631.0271 / jcgep.org.

• Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center (Robbinsville) will host an array of workshops for adults and kids, including “Woodcarving with Corbin Wildcatt” noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 18 ($45 per person). 828.479.3364 / stecoahvalleycenter.com.

• Southwestern Community College Swain Arts Center (Bryson City) will host an array of workshops for adults and kids. 828.339.4000 / southwesterncc.edu/scclocations/swain-center.

• Dogwood Crafters (Dillsboro) will offer a selection of upcoming art classes and workshops. 828.586.2248 / dogwoodcrafters.com.

• Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center (Franklin) will host semi-regular arts and crafts workshops. 828.369.4080 / coweeschool.org.

On the table

• Cataloochee Ranch (Maggie Valley) will host semi-regular culinary events and workshops throughout the week. For a full schedule of upcoming activities, tickets and reservations, visit cataloocheeranch.com/ranchevent.

• Balsam Mountain Inn (Balsam) will host “Wind Down Wine Flights” 6 p.m. Thursdays. 828.283.0145 / thebalsammountaininn.com.

• Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will have the wine bar open from 4-8 p.m. Fridays/Saturdays and host semi-regular tastings on the weekends. 828.452.6000 / classicwineseller.com.

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host semi-regular tap-takeovers from local and regional breweries on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.246.9320 / blueridgebeerhub.com.

• “Flights & Bites” will be held at 4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in downtown Waynesville. There will also be a special French wine dinner 6 p.m. May 19. 828.452.0120 / waynesvillewine.com.

• “Take A Flight” with four new wines every Friday and Saturday at the Bryson City Wine Market. Select from a gourmet selection of charcuterie to enjoy with your wines. Educational classes and other events are also available. 828.538.0420.

• “Uncorked: Wine & Rail Pairing Experience” will be held on select dates at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. Full service all-adult first class car. Wine pairings with a meal and more. There will also be a special “Carolina Moonshine” train on select dates. 800.872.4681 / gsmr.com.

On the beat

• Assembly On Main (Waynesville) will host “Trivia Night” 6 p.m. Tuesdays and “Karaoke Night” 7 p.m. Thursdays. Free and open to the public. 828.246.0839 / assemblyonmain.com.

• Balsam Mountain Inn (Balsam) will host “Picking on the Porch” (open community jam) 6 p.m. Tuesdays, “Trivia Night” 7 p.m. Wednesdays and a special “dinner and a show” with Anya Hinkle & Libby Weitnauer

Do

will host Styx (classic rock) 7:30 p.m. April 25. For tickets, visit caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee.

828.944.0403 / facebook.com/legendssportsgrillmaggievalley.

cataloocheeranch.com/ranch-event.

• Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Reservations highly recommended ($10 per person minimum food purchase). The kitchen and wine bar open at 4 p.m. 828.452.6000 or classicwineseller.com.

you like live music, barbeque?

A special “Appalachian Music Showcase & BBQ Dinner” featuring Americana/folk duo Anya Hinkle and Libby Weitnauer will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, April 17, at the Balsam Mountain Inn, located in Balsam right off the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway. Asheville-based roots artist Anya Hinkle (vocals, guitar) teams up with Nashville-based fiddler/vocalist Libby Weitnauer for an intimate exploration of acoustic music rooted in the sounds of Appalachia and seasoned by travels around the globe.

Following international tours in Japan, Europe and across the United States over the past year, the duo will bring their surprisingly dynamic range of styles back home in 2026. Admission for the “dinner and a show” is $75 per person. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit thebalsammountaininn.com or call 828.283.0145.

(Americana/folk) 6 p.m. April 17 (tickets are now available). 828.283.0145 / thebalsammountaininn.com.

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host “Music Bingo Night” 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, The Blue Mountaineers (Americana/bluegrass) Thursdays and Chris Minick (singer-songwriter) April 18. All music starts at 5 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.246.9320 / facebook.com/brbeerhub.

• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host “Karaoke Night” 9 p.m. Wednesdays, “Trivia” 7 p.m. Thursdays, “Open Jam” 10 p.m. Thursdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows are located in The Gem downstairs taproom and begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.0350 / boojumbrewing.com.

• Bread Heads Tiki Shak (Sylva) will host “Tiki Trivia” at 7 p.m. every other Thursday of the month and Bird In Hand (Americana/indie) with Hotdog Sunrise (rock/jam) starting at 3 p.m. April 25. 828.307.2160 / breadheadstikishak.com.

• Cataloochee Ranch (Maggie Valley) will host Kelly Morris (indie/soul) April 15, “Cataloochee Barn Dance” with the J. Creek Cloggers 4:306:30 p.m. April 17 ($50 per person), Marc & Anita Pruett (Americana/bluegrass) April 22 and A. Lee Edwards (Americana/indie) April 26. All shows begin at 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Admission is $25 per person. For tickets and reservations, visit

• Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center (Franklin) will host “Open Mic” at 6 p.m. every second Friday of the month and “Contra & Bal Folk Traditional Dance” 2:30 p.m. April 19 (suggested donation: $10-20). 828.369.4080 / coweeschool.org/music.

• Folkmoot Friendship Center (Waynesville) will host “World Drum Classes” every Friday at 2:30 p.m. (adults, free) and 4 p.m. (family friendly, all ages, free), “Waynesville Acoustic Guitar Group” 2-4 p.m. every second and fourth Saturday of the month (free) and semiregular live music monthly. 828.452.2997 / folkmoot.org.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host “Jazz On The Level” 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, The Local Chapter April 17, The Young Ones April 18, Martin Vietnieks (singer-songwriter) 11:30 a.m. April 19, Shane Meade Duo (indie/soul) 3 p.m. April 19, Rocky Colin (singer-songwriter) 5:30 p.m. April 23, Seth & Sara (Americana) April 24 and Mark Todd (singer-songwriter) 3 p.m. April 26. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.454.5664 / froglevelbrewing.com.

• Happ’s Place (Glenville) will host Dylan Armour (singer-songwriter) April 17, Sam Underwood (singer-songwriter) April 18, Blue Jazz (blues/jazz) April 23, Cory Stevenson (singersongwriter) April 24 and Kessler Watson (singer-songwriter) April 25. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.742.5700 / happsplace.com.

• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee)

• Highlander Mountain House (Highlands) will host “Blues & Brews” with Scott Low 6-9 p.m. Thursdays, Zorki (singer-songwriter) 1-3 p.m. Saturdays, “Bluegrass Brunch” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays and the “Salon Series” with Tyler Ramsey & Carl Broemel (Americana/indie-folk) 8:30 p.m. April 30 ($58.93 per person, tax included). Reservations encouraged for all performances. 828.526.2590 / highlandermountainhouse.com.

• Macon County Public Library (Franklin) will host The Vagabonds (Americana) at 2 p.m. the first and third Monday and a “Song Circle” open jam from 3-6 p.m. the first Tuesday each month. Free and open to the public. 828.524.3600 or fontanalib.org/franklin.

• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host “Open Mic Night” with Frank Lee every Thursday, Mountain Gypsy (Americana) April

Appalachian True Heritage Festival

The annual Appalachian True Heritage Festival will be held April 17-18 on Main Street in Waynesville. Dubbed “An Evening Under the Arch,” Woody Platt & The Bluegrass Gentlemen will take the stage at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 18, underneath the arch on Main Street.

Platt is a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and former member of the Steep Canyon Rangers. Platt will also be joined by legendary singer/musician Buddy Melton, a former member of acclaimed Haywood County bluegrass group Balsam Range.

Live music, artisan demonstrations, storytellers, food vendors and more will be offered. Presented by The Scotsman, there will also be a beer garden onsite next to the stage on both days.

As well, the Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) will host a “Quilt Trails: Haywood County Bus Tour” and “Quilt Trails: Main Street Walking Tour” during the ATHF. For more information, visit haywoodarts.org/ath-festival.

Musical acts for the festival will include the following:

• Friday, April 17: Darren Nicholson (6 p.m.) and Appalachian Roadshow (7:30 p.m.). To note, Appalachian Roadshow was nominated in 2025 for “Entertainer of the Year” by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA).

• Saturday, April 18: Whitewater Bluegrass (10 a.m.), Upstream Rebellion (12:30 p.m.) and Woody Platt & The Gentlemen (3 p.m.)

Presented by the Downtown Waynesville Commission and HCAC, this celebration is made possible by the Haywood County TDA and Visit Haywood.

The concerts are free and open to the public. Tickets for the “Quilt Trails” $10 (walking tour) and $45 (bus tour) per person.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host “Board Game Night” 5 p.m. Mondays, “Music Bingo” 7 p.m. Tuesdays, “Trivia Night” 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, “Open Mic Night” 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Tim Austin (multi-instrumentalist) April 17, Grizzly Mammoth & Fringe Revival (rock/psychedelic) April 18, “Karaoke By Spoon” April 24 and Alma Russ (Americana/folk) April 25. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 / lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host “Music Bingo” 7 p.m. Mondays, “Trivia Night” 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, “Old Time Jam” 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Grizzly Mammoth (rock/psychedelic) April 17, Prophets Of Time (rock/jam) April 24 and Sweet Tooth (classic rock) April 25. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. 828.349.2337 / lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Legends Sports Bar & Grill (Maggie Valley) will host “Open Mic Night” 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Karaoke Thursdays (6 p.m.) and Saturdays (7 p.m.), with live music each Friday (8 p.m.). Free and open to the public.

17, Somebody’s Child (Americana) April 18, Wyatt Espalin (singer-songwriter) 5 p.m. April 19, Mountain Gypsy (Americana) April 24, Shane Meade (indie/soul) April 25 and Alma Russ (Americana/folk) 5 p.m. April 26. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 / mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

• Peacock Performing Arts Center (Hayesville) will host “Songwriters Showcase 59” April 18. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For tickets, 828.389.ARTS / thepeacocknc.org.

• Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host “Karaoke” Wednesdays, “Trivia Night” 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, “Open Mic” 6:30 p.m. Fridays, Jamie Rasso (singer-songwriter) 6:30 p.m. April 15, R.A. Nightingale (singersongwriter) April 17, Michael Kitchens (singer-songwriter) April 18, Jacob Dunham (singer-songwriter) 6:30 p.m. April 21 and Bo Bullman (singer-songwriter) April 25. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.369.6796 / facebook.com/rathskellercoffeebarandpub.

NC Symphony to celebrate ‘America 250’

A special performance, “North Carolina Symphony: Classical Favorites Celebrating America 250,” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at the Bardo Arts Center on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.

This enchanting evening features music from timeless masterpieces by Bernstein and Copland, along with the cinematic brilliance of John Williams. This concert offers something for everyone, whether you’re a lifelong classical music lover or a first-time listener.

Founded in 1932, the North Carolina Symphony is a vital and honored component of our state’s cultural life. Each year, more than 300 concerts, education programs and community engagement offerings reach adults and schoolchildren in all 100 North Carolina counties — in communities large and small, concert halls, auditoriums, gymnasiums, restaurants, clubs and outdoor settings.

The North Carolina Symphony gratefully acknowledges financial support from Wake County, the city of Raleigh and the state of North Carolina.

Doors open at 7 p.m. This concert is a free event. All audience members must reserve a ticket at either the online or physical Bardo Arts Center Box Office. Reserve a ticket by visiting arts.wcu.edu/tickets or calling 828.227.2479. Patrons must have ticket(s) in hand to enter the performance.

• Salty Dog’s Seafood & Grill (Maggie Valley) will host “Karaoke with Russell” Mondays, Amos Jackson (R&B/soul) April 17, Bridget Gossett (Americana) April 18, Rene Russell (Americana) April 24 and Wayne McAllister & Eric April 25. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.926.9105 / facebook.com/saltydogs2005.

• Scotsman (Waynesville) will host “Open Mic” the first Wednesday of every month, Rene Russell & Rob Matsen (Americana/rock) April 16, Shane Meade Trio (indie/soul) April 18, “Celtic Sunday” with Jenny & The Weazels (Celtic/world) 3 p.m. April 19, Gavin Graves (blues/folk) April 23, Tail Light Rebellion (Americana/roots) April 25 and “Celtic Sunday” with An Tir Nua (Celtic/world) 3 p.m. April 26. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.6292 / scotsmanpublic.com.

• Slanted Window Tasting Station (Franklin) will host Rail Town (Americana) 6 p.m. April 17, Blue Jazz (blues/jazz) 5 p.m. April 18, Generations (Americana) 6 p.m. April 24 and Diana Nouveau (singer-songwriter) 4 p.m. April 26. 828.276.9463 / slantedwindow.com.

• Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will host Little Texas (country)

7:30 p.m. April 24. Tickets now available, with seating upgrades offered. 866.273.4615 / smokymountainarts.com.

• Smoky Mountain Dog Bar (Waynesville) will host “Open Mic Night” 5-7 p.m. Fridays. Free and open to the public. 828.246.0726 / smokymountaindogbakery.com.

• Stecoah Valley Center (Robbinsville) will host a Community Jam 5:30-7:30 p.m. every third Thursday of the month (free) and semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.479.3364 / stecoahvalleycenter.com.

• Stubborn Bull (Highlands) will host “Live Music Mondays” with local/regional singersongwriters. All shows begin at 5:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.200.0813 / thestubborn-bull.com.

• Swain Arts Center (Bryson City) will host The Legacy Motown Revue (Motown/oldies) 7 p.m. April 17 ($10 adults, $6 students). 828.488.7843 / swainartscenter.com.

• Valley Cigar & Wine Company (Waynesville) will host Rene Russell (singer-songwriter) 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Raphael Graves (Americana)

SEE ON THE BEAT, PAGE 28

Mountain Layers goes Americana

Regional Americana act Somebody’s Child will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at Mountain Layers Brewing Company in Bryson City.

For more than a decade, Ashley Claxton and Cola Williamson have been filling the venues of Western North Carolina with their intrepid sounds. While minimalistic, these Smoky Mountain troubadours seamlessly blend both acoustic and electric melodies with renowned vocal harmonies.

By melding a variety of sounds, which are often described as “alternative folk” or “Americana,” the duo offers dynamic, highenergy performances that are calculated, organic and compelling. The show is free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 or mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

828.785.1881

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On the stage On the street

HART presents ‘Men in Suits’

A special stage production of “Men in Suits” will take place at 7:30 p.m. April 17-18 and 2 p.m. April 19 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. In a world where loyalty is everything and mistakes are deadly, “Men in Suits” follows two rising mafiosos — Bobby (Tom Bastek) and Max (Matt Edwardsen). Bobby has always followed orders without question, fiercely loyal to the legendary Boss, while Max is beginning to crack under the weight of the lives they’ve taken.

But, when the pair mistakenly kill the wrong man in Grand Central Station, their carefully controlled world unravels. With the truth closing in, they flee toward Vermont on a desperate mission to confess their mistake before it’s too late and before the Boss (Pasquale LaCorte) finds out first.

Tickets are $25 per person, with discounts available for groups, seniors, military and students. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, call the box office at 828.456.6322 or visit harttheatre.org.

• Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will host a special stage production of “Guys & Dolls” at 7 p.m. April 1718. 866.273.4615 / smokymountainarts.com.

Greening Up the Mountains

Presented by the Town of Sylva, the 28th annual Greening Up the Mountains festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 25, along Main Street and Bridge Park in downtown Sylva.

The festival is a heritage arts gathering that celebrates the arrival of spring through both traditional and contemporary forms of Appalachian art, music, food and beverage which honor our community and local artisans. First created in conjunction with Earth Day celebrations, the festival still strives to be good stewards of the beautiful mountain town and surrounding area.

artisan demonstrations, local craft breweries, children’s activities and live music throughout the day.

In addition to over 170 arts, crafts/food vendors, attendees can also enjoy a 5k run,

For more information and a full schedule of events/activities, visit greeningupthemountains.com.

• Haywood Arts Regional Theatre (Waynesville) will host semi-regular stage productions on the weekends. 828.456.6322 / harttheatre.org.

On the beat

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April 19 and Rich Manz Trio (acoustic/oldies) April 26. All shows begin at 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.944.0686 / valleycigarandwineco.com.

• Valley Tavern (Maggie Valley) will host “Country & Western Night” Tuesdays, “Trivia With Tom” Wednesdays, “Music Bingo” Saturdays, Break Cutter (rock/jam) 4 p.m. April 19, Fineline April 24 and Mile High Band (classic rock/country gold) 4 p.m. April 26. All shows and events begin at 6 p.m. unless oth-

• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee) will host semi-regular stage productions on the weekends. For tickets, visit caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee.

erwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.926.7440 / valley-tavern.com.

• Vineyard At High Holly (Scaly Mountain) will host Zoran April 18, Rail Town (Americana) April 19 and Cecil Thompkins (singer-songwriter) April 26. All shows begin at 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.482.5573 / thevineyardathighholly.com.

• Yonder Community Market (Franklin) will host “Country Thursdays” (Americana/country) 6 p.m. Thursdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Family/dog friendly. 828.200.2169 / eatrealfoodinc.com.

• Peacock Performing Arts Center (Hayesville) will host “Lies & Pies: Scribes Onstage” 7:30 p.m. April 25. 828.389.ARTS / thepeacocknc.org.

• Swain Arts Center (Bryson City) will host semi-regular stage productions on the weekends. 828.488.7843 / swainartscenter.com.

• Highlands Performing Arts Center (Highlands) will host semi-regular stage productions on the weekends. 828.526.9047 / mountaintheatre.com.

Franklin ‘Community Contra Dance’

A “Community Contra Dance” will be held from 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at the Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center in Franklin.

Contra dance is a form of social folk dancing from which square dancing evolved, so it shares many of the same movements. As always, no partner is necessary, generations mix. All are welcome, including beginners. No dance experience or fancy clothing are necessary. Those who would like to come out just to listen to the music are welcome, too.

Beginners are strongly encouraged to arrive by 2:30 p.m. for the instruction. The dance is

from 3-5 p.m. Experienced dancers are quite willing to help those new to Contra dance get started with the movements.

A suggested donation of $10-20 per person goes to pay the band and caller. Kids age 14 and under are free. Children over age 8, who are game to participate or sit and watch with an adult, may also attend.

Bring a closed water container and a snack if you wish. Smooth-soled shoes work best for dancing on wood floors. Please do not wear perfume or other scents to the dances.

For more information, visit facebook.com/franklincontra for photos and details about upcoming dances or email contradancefranklinnc@gmail.com.

The mind’s connection to chronic pain

Ifind that more often than not, you don’t find the books you need to read, they find you. A few months ago, a work acquaintance suggested “Healing Back Pain” by John E. Sarno, M.D. (Warner Books, 1991, 193 pages) and it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.

In this book, Dr. Sarno uses case histories of his patients to explain how unexpressed emotions, particularly anxiety and anger, can cause chronic back pain. This process, which he named Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS), involves the brain’s unconscious use of physical pain to distract a person from the emotional pain that is repressed, or about to surface.

While much of his research is dismissed by mainstream medical thought, Dr. Sarno has a firm, respectful response, letting the results of his work speak louder than words of defense. That being said, he still provides a rich, detailed explanation of what is occurring physically in TMS. We’re discovering more and more about brain functions and much of Dr. Sarno’s approach rests on that. He sees the human person as a composite of mind and body, not simply a body that happens to have consciousness, separate and unconnected.

This holistic perspective, seeing a person as more than just parts to make up a whole, resonated with me deeply. But the book struck a chord with me for another reason too: my own story could be one of the countless case histories described.

To briefly recount my own experience of back pain. Four years ago, I awoke one morning with a pain in my upper back. Since I had never had any back issues until then, I assumed I slept poorly. It rapidly worsened over the next couple days until I could no longer move my neck. There was no position of relief and ibuprofen had the same effect of arrows being shot at a stone wall. My brother’s chiropractor was able to fit in me and there I discovered that my spine was inversely shaped. A genetic problem was causing the deterioration of the plates between my vertebrae. A ticking-time bomb. Weekly chiropractor visits, antiinflammatory diets and heavy physical activity reduction were all among the requisites I

was given so as to ensure I have mobility in my neck by the time I’m 40.

As anyone who receives an unexpected diagnosis knows, the sudden feeling of being weak and incapable is just one of the many negative side effects. The reality of shifting your lifestyle, the constant awareness to sit a certain way, sleep a certain way, not bend over in the garden too long, hold books up

as my first flare-up. Nothing like it had happened since then and I was baffled as to the sudden change, especially since my chiropractor had just expressed to me the positive progress and the likelihood of decreased visits. But even more puzzling was the uncanny realization that my initial incident of back pain had struck right after the negative experience I was reflecting on had happened.

high, stop eating so much meat, no more wine and not to run all seemed to require more adjustment than my spine.

But it must’ve worked. Other than the very occasional, mild discomfort which Advil easily chased away, I never had a recurrence. Eventually I found another chiropractor I was able to visit more frequently and my activity and life resumed more normal to what it had been before. Back pain seemed to be a forgotten, conquered foe. Until a few months ago.

A therapeutic method had come across my path, one intended to help clarify emotions and shift mindsets. With it, I revisited a negative personal experience to process hurt I hadn’t realized still lingered. The next day I awoke with back pain nearly as intense

Upcoming events at City Lights

The following readings will be held at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva:

Dr. Sarno’s book soon fell into my lap and I can’t help but feel so grateful. While the acknowledgement of connection helped the pain go away, I’m even more relieved to have the tools and techniques to prevent it from happening in the future. Additionally, this book has invigorated me to do a spring cleaning of my emotional state and declutter the basement of my subconscious. There have been plenty of studies that show the connection between positive mindsets and healthier people, of optimism having physical benefits, so the connection between pain and negative emotions makes so much sense.

However, Dr. Sarno’s book is far more than just the power of positive thinking. It’s not simply mind over matter. It’s groundbreaking research showing the mind-body connection, bolstered with many case studies and results. It explains the physiological reaction that is occurring when TMS hits and how the physical treatments can alleviate the symptoms, but it’s knowledge and emotion that strikes at the root cause.

Some may be skeptical, and I don’t blame you. This book is not your typical medical attitude. But Dr. Sarno makes a convincing, balanced case. He says many times throughout that not all chronic pain is TMS and other avenues need to be checked out as well. But the fact that this avenue is so prevalent, yet never mentioned, is truly a shame.

Like Dr. Sarno, I believe many people could be cured of chronic pain that has been a weight on their lives for years; and while it sounds too good to be true, it could be as simple as reading this book.

(Ann Barren is lifelong book lover. )

• Joseph Bathanti will read from “Steady Daylight” at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 18. A former North Carolina poet laureate, he has authored more than 20 books and received the North Carolina Award in Literature.

• Tommy Hays will discuss his new novel, “The Marriage Bed,” with Ron Rash at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 19. The story explores a marriage tested by tragedy and revelation.

• Whitney Waters and Alyse Bensel will give a poetry reading at 6 p.m. Friday, April 24. Waters’ work appears in several journals and Bensel is the author of two poetry collections.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 828.586.9499 or visit citylightsnc.com.

Play ball

Haywood softball players celebrate reopening of Helene-damaged field

BY KYLE PERROTTI NEWS EDITOR

It’s been over a year and a half since the hollow ping of softball bats has rung out over Waynesville’s Dutch Fisher Field, but on April 13, teams again enjoyed the chance to kick up some dust on their favorite diamond.

When Hurricane Helene decimated the area in September 2024, many community institutions lost so much. Mountaineer Little League lost two fields, including Dutch Fisher. But now, the quest for those girls to get a field of their own is complete as players again take to the perfectly manicured Georgia clay diamond with a renewed since of spirit, energy and camaraderie, brand new stadium lights shining down to meet the coming dusk.

THE LONG ROAD TO THE FIRST PITCH

Mountaineer Little League Vice President of Softball Ashley Nesbitt took on her role just months before Helene devastated the region. Nesbitt said that after the floods hit, players used Waynesville Middle School’s softball field, but everyone longed to have their old field back. Worst of all was the uncertainty. Would Dutch Fisher be rebuilt or destroyed? Should she consider how to rehabilitate the field, or should she start looking for a new location?

Nesbitt said that soon after the flood, she came down to the field hoping to salvage anything worth saving.

“It [the equipment] sat in my garage for a

long time, and every time I saw it, it reminded me of the field,” she said.

Like Dutch Fisher Field, Mountaineer Little League’s field at the Waynesville Elks Lodge was also flooded during Helene. That facility opened back up for play in October of last year, and the goal with Dutch Fisher was to mirror many of the improvements seen at the Elks Lodge, to make it sort of a “sister field,” as Nesbitt put it. The field largely mirrors what was done with the Elks Lodge field down to the black-and-gold color scheme players hope to one day don on Tuscola’s diamond.

As difficult as the Elks Lodge project was, rebuilding afforded the organization the

opportunity to upgrade facilities that had already been aging. Nesbitt said the same was the case with Dutch Fisher.

“The buildings needed to be updated, and there were a couple of spots on the field that needed it too,” she said. “So, it gave us the opportunity to start from the bottom and build up and make it what we wanted.”

THE TOWN STEPS IN

The reason Dutch Fisher reopened a halfyear after the Elks Lodge field is that it is on town property, which complicated the process. Around the time the Elks Lodge field reopened, Nesbitt and others made their voic-

es heard at a Waynesville Town Council meeting. In response, the town pledged $50,000 toward the project, an amount that matched a donation from Dick’s Sporting Goods. In addition, town crews separately constructed the fence around the field.

Present at the ribbon cutting were Waynesville mayor Gary Caldwell and Town Council members Jon Feichter and Chuck Dickson. Caldwell said that with FEMA characteristically dragging its feet in providing reimbursements or aid in reconstruction following Helene, it made sense for the town to “bite the bullet” and draw from its fund balance to help get the Dutch Fisher project across the finish line. “Oh F

yeah, it’s worth it,” Caldwell said.

Feichter said that in local government, controversies often dominate headlines, but to play a part in bringing something so overwhelmingly positive has been a joy.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to see the collaboration between the town government and the Mountaineer Little League and Dick’s and the people in this communi-

THE LEGEND OF DUTCH FISHER

Clyde “Dutch” Fisher was a cornerstone of the Hazelwood community. Although he was born in Jackson County, he grew up in Haywood. Along with working a long career with Dayco, Fisher also served as Hazelwood’s mayor on and off from 1940-

mound like an eager relief pitcher to receive a plaque. McKay was sporting a Little League World Series grounds crew polo. Indeed, he’s spent some time in Williamsport — 10 years, in fact.

She also coaches youth basketball and recalled that throughout that season over the winter, girls on her team were always curious about the status of the field they care so much about.

ty that love girl’s softball,” he said. “To see the parents come to a meeting and speak so passionately about what not having this field meant to them, just, how could you not support this kind of stuff? It’s everything that’s government should be about.”

A COMMUNITY EFFORT

Along with getting a helping hand from the town, Nesbitt noted that the hard work of countless volunteers was needed to bring the field to the point it was ready for play again. She said that during several work days, plenty of people — even those whose kids had aged out of Mountaineer Little League — were happy to help and brought a positive spirit that made the job less of a slog and more of a positive gathering of community members committed to a singular goal.

“It’s inspiring to see how much the community rallied around the rebuild of Dutch Fisher Field,” she said.

Mountaineer Little League President Richie Cunningham was involved in the restoration of both the Elks Lodge field and Dutch Fisher field. To have a front-row seat for two examples of tremendous volunteer spirit after Helene was inspiring.

“A lot of work has gone into not only what everybody sees on the fields, but behind the scenes,” he said. “Just tremendous amount of work.”

1972. He was involved in little league in his youth and played in Haywood’s Industrial League, made up of teams from the various factories in the county.

Fisher’s granddaughter, Libby Enloe, told The Smoky Mountain News that family lore says he was such a good infielder that he was recruited by the Cincinnati Reds.

“I don’t know if that was true or not, but my mother always swore that was that was the case,” she said.

Libby Enloe’s mother, Mary Ann FisherEnloe, also served as the mayor of Hazelwood. When she was elected in 1983, she wanted to do something with the Creekside property where the softball field is now. Eventually state funds came available to build a park, so she wrote a grant, which was used in 1990 to build the original Dutch Fisher Field, named in memory of her father. Mary Ann Fisher Enloe passed away on April 13, 2024, exactly two years before the ribbon was cut at the new field.

“I honestly had no idea that the community had really come to love this field the way that they have,” Libby Enloe said. “I talked to Ashley about this field and what it meant to the girls’ teams, and I was just really touched.”

THE ARCHITECT

During a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony, Nesbitt took a moment to honor Mackie McKay, who at a spry 76, ran out to the

McKay is a baseball guy through and through. At just age 16, he coached a 15year-old boys’ team and has since maintained a love of the game. Once his son was in high school, he began working on fields. He decided he wanted to perfect his craft and learn more about tournaments, so he aimed for the big show. After seeking a gig with the Little League World Series for multiple years, he eventually got his wish and spent several years on the grounds crew. From there, he worked on fields at Western Carolina University, East Carolina and Clemson.

McKay, a cousin of Mary Ann Fisher Enloe, originally built Dutch Fisher Field in 1990. To have a part in rebuilding his local softball field is an honor.

“This is a community connection to where I grew up,” he said. “Little League here has always been a Hazelwood project, and I wanted to continue that tradition when it came to this field.”

PLAY BALL

Along with being heavily involved with Mountaineer Little League at an administrative level, Nesbitt has a daughter who played the first game on the new diamond, so there was an added layer of excitement.

“They were constantly asking me, ‘What’s going on with the softball field? Are we going to get to play there?’ I also work at the Hazelwood elementary school; kids that go there would ask me, like, ‘What’s going on with field?’ They were wanting updates constantly,” she said.

While the community helped out, Nesbitt was perhaps most proud to see the pride the girls took in their own field.

“We actually had several players come down here and spend their Saturday,” she said. “It was cold and wet, and they were out here painting. They were having a blast taking ownership in the field themselves.”

Nesbitt admitted that there were times that uncertainty surrounding Dutch Fisher and rumors circulated that it would never open again. But for her, it was important to keep the faith, if not for Mountaineer Little League, for the players whose weeks can revolve around the few hours they get the chance to play the game they love with their friends.

“This is where their softball career starts,” Nesbitt said. “It means so much for them to have a place to call home and be proud of. They were inspired to see how many people had a part in this, and it means something to them.”

Smokies begins adaptive programming

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will begin its 2026 season of adaptive programming this spring with ranger-led experiences designed for visitors with limited mobility and their families.

This year’s lineup includes hiking, biking, fly fishing and one overnight backcountry camping trip:

• May 9: Fly fishing with Trout Unlimited (Tennessee)

• June 5: Night hike on Little River Trail (Tennessee)

• June 20: Hike on the Oconaluftee River Trail (North Carolina)

• July 11: Bike Deep Creek and Indian Creek Trails (North Carolina)

• Sept. 16: Bike Cades Cove Loop (Tennessee)

• Sept. 26-27: Hike Cooper Road Trail and camp at backcountry campsite No. 1 (Tennessee)

Join bird club for Macon County walks

The Franklin Bird Club leads walks along the Greenway on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. through September. Walks start at alternating locations: Macon County Public Library, Big Bear Park and Salali Lane. Walks are about two-and-a-half hours. The public is welcome. All walks are weather

• Oct. 24: Hike on Porter’s Creek Trail (Tennessee)

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has offered adaptive ranger-led experiences since 2023 in collaboration with Catalyst Sports, Knox County and Friends of the Smokies. This year’s programming includes a fishing experience in collaboration with Trout Unlimited. Register for programs at catalystsports.org/great-smoky-mountainadaptive-hike-bike. Participants must register to ensure equipment and volunteers are available for the programs. Catalyst Sports provides a variety of equipment for participants who do not have their own adaptive equipment to use during the programs.

In addition to these scheduled programs, four GRIT Freedom Chairs, a type of manual off-road wheelchair, will be available for visitors to check out free-of-charge for use on select park trails. Adult and child-sized chairs are available for individuals with core body strength and head control.

dependent. Additional information, including directions to each location and a bird club checklist can be found at littletennessee.org/franklin-bird-club.

The last birdwalk of the year is scheduled for Oct. 15.

Schedule for upcoming walks:

• April 22, meet at Big Bear parking lot

• April 29, meet at Saladi Lane parking lot

• May 6, meet at the Macon County Public Library parking lot

Pisgah Conservancy expands Helene recovery efforts

The Pisgah Conservancy has been awarded a 4.5-year, nearly $8 million grant from the National Forest Foundation on behalf of the USDA Forest Service.

This grant will support the repair and maintenance of trails, trail bridges and

After the previous bridge on the North Slope Trail was destroyed by Hurricane Helene, a replacement bridge was constructed by TPC’s Trail Crew in summer 2025. Seyl Park photo

National Forest, where TPC has focused its operations since its founding in 2015 and will be conducted in partnership with the USDA Forest Service.

This grant will more than double the size of TPC’s full-time field staff, creating jobs for community members who care deeply about public lands and who want to be part of Pisgah’s recovery.

other trail infrastructure, as well as ecosystem recovery through invasive plant management, streambank stabilization, erosion control and watershed stewardship and education.

Grant-funded work will take place within the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah

In the initial weeks and months following the storm, TPC’s field staff worked alongside the USDA Forest Service and disaster response agencies. In the first two weeks alone, they dedicated more than 350 hours to clearing key roads in the Pisgah Ranger District before moving on to clearing and assessing trails.

This grant from the NFF will allow TPC to address more effectively the extensive recovery work that still lies ahead with a focus on long-term, sustainable improvements and the overall health of the forest.

The Joyful Botanist

BY ADAM BIGELOW

Oh Phacelia, You’re Breaking My Heart

AS MARKE SMARKE

trip through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a beautiful, often nervous drive, as hundreds of thousands of tourists visit every year, and most do not know how to drive in the mountains. This is especially true trying to navigate winding mountain roads while looking at all of the long-range views.

Riding with me through the park in springtime brings different risks, due to me trying to see every single wildflower blooming along the side of the road. Tiny flashes of color force me to crane my neck looking for cranesbill geranium (Geranium carolini-

mist covering a valley floor. Another common name is purple scorpionweed, or what I would rename purple scorpionflower. While not really a host for scorpions — and yes, there are Appalachian scorpions — this common name is from the type of flower cluster or inflorescence that is called a scorpioid cyme.

The fourth phacelia in Western North Carolina is one that I am dubious I’ve seen in the woods, and that is the Appalachian phacelia, a.k.a. smallflower phacelia (Phacelia dubia). While common in much of its range, this species of phacelia is infrequently observed in the state. Smallflower phacelia gets that common name honestly, as each flower on the inflorescence is less than a half-inch wide.

anum), and roadside toothworts (Cardamine diphylla) bring a big smile to my face.

Puzzles can be found on page 38

These are only the answers.

I’m a safe driver most of the time but will admit to almost driving off the road after passing by a whole field of fringed phacelia (Phacelia fimbriata). This delicate white flower with five petals, each having distinctive fringes at the tip, gives the look of freshly fallen snow when blooming in abundance. While according to the artist Prince it sometimes snows in April, I’d prefer to see the snow cover of fringed phacelia over frozen precipitation.

There are six species of phacelia that grow in North Carolina, and all but two can be found in mountain counties. Phacelia bipinnatifida is known in English as purple phacelia or fernleaf phacelia due to its highly dissected leaves and purple flower clusters. This species of phacelia likes to grow on boulders and rocks in just the thinnest of soils.

Another mountainous phacelia is Miami-mist (Phacelia purshii), which gets its name from the indigenous Miami people of the Great Lakes region, and the fact that the small flowers look like a light fog or

Fringed phacelias are pollinated mostly by small native bees. Their fruit, set shortly after pollination and released just before these winter-germinating annual plants, die back for the year in the form of dry, hard capsules that split open to drop the seeds. Next year’s flowers will come from this year’s seeds.

Fringed phacelia enjoys growing in rich soils in deciduous shade, often growing in abundance under towering trees whose leaves have not emerged, taking advantage of the sunlight hitting the forest floor before the canopy leafs out for the year.

I encourage you to get yourself into the Smokies to go look for these and other spring wildflowers. I mean, if you’re not walking in the woods looking at wildflowers at this time of year, you are missing out on one of the beautiful wonders of nature. Just be careful driving to the trailheads and pulloffs, as there might be a carload of botanists try to see every flower without driving off a cliff.

(The Joyful Botanist leads weekly wildflower walks most Fridays and offers consultations and private group tours through Bigelow’s Botanical Excursions. bigelownc@gmail.com.)

Milestone moment for Mountains-to-Sea Trail

At the foot of the Kuwohi Observation Tower at the highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail unveiled a new stone marker for the trail’s western terminus.

The unveiling marks a milestone moment for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, a 1,175-mile footpath that crosses North Carolina from the Tennessee state line at Kuwohi to the Atlantic Ocean at Jockey’s Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks. The marker will serve as a starting or finish point for hikers. It also raises awareness of

the trail, with its location at one of the most popular attractions in the most-visited national park in the country.

Friends of the Smokies donated the new stone marker and commissioned Knoxville artist Preston Farabow to create it. Farabow built the marker with around 700 pounds of indigenous stone known as Smoky Mountain gray marble along with a large bronze plaque. He modeled the marker to share similar features with the wooden eastern terminus marker that was installed on the Outer Banks in September 2023.

Haywood hosts survival course

Learn about survival at a class held on Haywood Community College’s campus.

Join expert Steve Kuni for a hands-on afternoon dedicated to the art of survival.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 12, participants will learn to work with the land

rather than against it, mastering the “Rule of Threes,” constructing emergency shelters from forest find-lings and coaxing fire from damp winter wood.

This class isn’t just about safety — it’s about building a profound sense of confidence and self-reliance that will change the way you walk through the woods forever.

Register at haywoodcountync.gov/209/recreationpparks.

Students take part in conservation field days

Fifth graders from Cullowhee Valley School and Scotts Creek School participated in conservation field days at East LaPorte Park Wednesday to learn more about natural resources and conservation.

The students rotated through eight different stations — air quality, aquatics, recycling, weather forecasting, agriculture, soils, forestry and wildlife — with local resource professionals letting the students enjoy hands-on activities.

Students took the opportunity to learn more about natural resources and conservation. Donated photo

Harris to provide free sports physicals

Harris Regional Hospital will partner with Jackson County Public Schools to host its annual free sports physical event at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, in the Smoky Mountain High School gym in Sylva.

The event is open to all middle and high school student-athletes in Jackson County Public Schools, including rising students, who need a physical for participation in upcoming sports seasons. No pre-registration is required, and students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

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Legals

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA HAYWOOD COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION IN THE MATTER OF MASON JAMES PONDER

FILE NO. 26JT000006-430

TAKE NOTICE that a pleading seeking relief against you has been

action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows:

TERMINATION OF YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS TO THE JUVENILE, MASON JAMES PONDER, BORN AUGUST 28, 2023, IN HAYWOOD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

Filed January 26, 2026 in the District Court in Haywood County, North Carolina

TO: THE UNKNOWN FATHER OF A MALE JUVENILE BORN ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 28, 2023, IN HAYWOOD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA.

A petition seeking termination of your parental

an Answer and make a defense to such pleading no later than 30 days

publication of this notice, May 8, 2026 and upon

your failure to do so, the Petitioner, the Jackson County Department of

apply to the Court for the relief sought. Your parental rights will be terminated upon your failure to answer the petition within the time prescribed.

You may contact the Haywood County, North Carolina, Clerk of Court, at 828-454-6501, for more information and to inquire about making application for a court appointed attorney, if you so desire.

This the 8th day of April, 2026.

___ S./ Mary G. Holliday Mary G. Holliday Attorney for Petitioner Jackson County Depart-

PO Box 597 Webster, North Carolina 28788 (828) 631-0346

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.26E000202-430

istrator of the Estate of Franklin D. Pressley of Haywood County, North Carolina, this is to claims against the Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Jul 01 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment.

Administrator 217 Mountain Crest Lane Canton, NC 28716

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.26E000238-430

Kenneth Tim Lowe,

Administrator of the Estate of Mary June Lowe of Haywood County, North Carolina, this is to

claims against the Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Jul 15 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment.

Administrator 388 River Point Rd Canton, NC 28716

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.26E000174-430 -

the Estate of Ray Carroll Johnson of Haywood County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons

Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Jul 08 2026, or this notice will be pleaded

All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment.

Executor 972 Hunan St, NE Palm Bay, FL 32907

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.26E000068-490

Donna Marie Faber,

Executor of the Estate of Marguerite Jean Betts aka Marguerite Jean Faber of Jackson County, North Carolina, this is to -

ing claims against the Estate to present them

to the undersigned on or before Jun 25 2026, or this notice will be pleaded

All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment.

Executor c/o Coward, Hicks & Siler 705 W Main Street Sylva, NC 28779

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.26E000151-430istrator of the Estate of Mary Stiles Inman of Haywood County, North Carolina, this is toing claims against the Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Jun 25 2026, or this notice will be pleaded

All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment.

Administrator 349 Ricky Lane Canton, N.C. 28716

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.26E000222-430 of the Estate of Zettie Plemmons of Haywood County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons

Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Jul 15 2026, or this notice will be pleaded

All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment.

Executor 2552 Truman Ave Knoxville, Tennessee, 37921

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.26e000084-490

Thomas Clay Elders,

Executor of the Estate of Loretta Smith of Jackson County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons

Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Jul 08 2026, or this notice will be pleaded

All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment.

Executor

c/o Thomas Elders

705 W Main Street Sylva, NC 28779

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.26E000203-430

-

istrator of the Estate of Frances Louise Pressley of Haywood County, North Carolina, this is to

claims against the Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Jul 01 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of

indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment.

Administrator

217 Mountain Crest Ln. Canton, NC 28716

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.25E000307-430

Jason Andrew Obermiller,

Executor of the Estate of Robert Leon Obermiller of Haywood County, North Carolina, this is to

claims against the Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Jul 08 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of

indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment.

of Martha Sharpe Bradley, PLLC

370 N. Main Street, Suite 310 Waynesville, NC 28786

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.26E000176-430

istrator of the Estate of

Rodney Lyle Palmer of Haywood County, North Carolina, this is to

claims against the Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Jul 01 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of

indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment.

Administrator 281 Setzer Cove Road Maggie Valley, NC 28751

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.26e000063-490

Lyndon Kermit Casey,

the Administrator of the Estate of Mary Sue Casey of Jackson County, North Carolina, this is to

claims against the Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Jul 01 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of

indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment.

Administrator c/o Lyndon Kermit Casey, Jr.

705 W Main Street Sylva, NC 28779

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.26E000043-490

Patricia Ann Robinson,

Executor of the Estate of Arthur David Robinson, Jr. of Jackson County, North Carolina, this is to -

ing claims against the Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Jun 25 2026, or this notice will be pleaded

All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment.

Executor

P.A.

721 N. Main St.

Waynesville, NC 28786

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.26E000062-430

Annie Reed Jones aka Annie Rebecca Reed

as the Ancillary Executor of the Estate of Thomas Matney Reed of Haywood County, North Carolina, this is to

54 Genre for "L.A.

claims against the Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Jul 01 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment.

Ancillary Executor P.O. Box 613 Linville, NC 28646

"Dies --" (hymn)

hwy.

Chap

Second wife of Lennon

94 Arranging on a dish for serving

96 Brick-shaped tart

97 Betrayer Benedict

98 Old-time actress Ella

99 A.M. show since '75 100 Facility for outpatients 101 Set ablaze

102 Felt intuitively

104 Brilliant effect

105 Grand Coulee, e.g.

108 Niche religion

109 Exploiter

110 Sea marker

111 Playwright William

112 Extract the juice from

113 Hydrant site

118 Grand Coulee, e.g.

119 Eggs, in labs

ANSWERS ON PAGE 34

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.26E000199-430

Margaret C. Cable,

Executor of the Estate of Zdenko (Stanley) Koschar of Haywood County, North Carolina, this is to

claims against the Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Jul 01 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment.

Executor 91 Hacienda Lane Sylva, NC 28779

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.26E000063-430

Howard E. Phillippi,

Limited Personal Repreof Jimmy Earl Phillippi of Haywood County, North Carolina, this is to

claims against the Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Jul 01 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of

indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment.

Limited Personal Representative

c/o Selena A. King, PLLC 37 Church St., Ste. 2100 Waynesville, NC 28786

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.26E000204-430 -

Successor Executor of the Estate of William Thomas Hollingsworth of Haywood County, North Carolina, this is to

claims against the Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Jul 01 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of

indebted to said Estate, please make immediate

SUDOKU

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

payment.

Successor Executor

28 Kelley Street Waynesville, NC 28786

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.19E000705-430

Nikki Elaine Barnwell,

Administrator of the Estate of Illa Faye O’Neil Teixeira of Haywood County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons

Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Jun 25 2026, or this notice will be pleaded

All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment.

Administrator 84 Whitetail Dr Horseshoe, NC 28742

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