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August 12-18, 2026 Vol. 28 Iss. 11
Jackson County commissioners talk Flock Page 8 Drought eases across North Carolina Page 26
CONTENTS On the Cover: Haywood County opened its newest recreational jewel to residents and visitors last weekend. Raccoon Creek Bike Park was a long time coming, but if the grand opening is any indication, the wait was worth it. Dozens of riders of all ages brought their bicycles to test their mettle on the pedals on both the pump track and the big jumps. (Page 24). Kyle Perrotti photo
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News EBCI legislation grapples with precedent ....................................................................4 Fontana Library system approves interim director......................................................5 Suit filed against EBCI, tribal officials for breach of contract ................................6 Jackson commissioners vote to put school bond to public hearing ....................7 Jackson County talks Flock................................................................................................8 Fontana Dam’s controversial past and TVA’s changing legacy ......................10 Balkcom gains NC-11 GOP nomination ..................................................................12
Opinion This journey had some eye-opening insights ............................................................14 Two local gems, no, three! ..............................................................................................14
A&E We’re only human: A conversation with Hayes Carll..............................................16 Mountain Layers goes Americana ................................................................................20
Outdoors Drought eases across North Carolina ........................................................................26 Weigh in on 2027-28 hunting, fishing rules changes ..........................................27
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EBCI legislation grapples with precedent BY LILY LEVIN STAFF WRITER t an Aug. 6 tribal council meeting, members discussed two important measures — correcting outdated signage and confirming a Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority board appointment — which are likely to set a precedent for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Resolution 274, submitted by Principal Chief Michell Hicks and passed unanimously, addressed a March 2, 1961, coordinated installation of brown signs along points of entry to the Qualla Boundary designed to attract tourists and non-residents. While Hicks, in the legislation, “acknowledges the vision of those leaders in promoting Cherokee as a place for visitors,” the document noted that in the decades since that original placement, the tribe has strengthened economically, culturally and linguistically — and continues to exert its sovereignty. To better represent EBCI, the resolution authorized Hicks to consider, discuss and carry out the signage’s modernization and replacement. “Such gateway signage shall … reflect the tribe’s status as a sovereign tribal nation, while celebrating Cherokee history, language, culture, identity, and the lasting relationship between the Cherokee people and their ancestral homeland,” it read. As part of the process, the Office of the Principal Chief will review naming suggestions and feedback from tribal citizens — and signage proposals, with a tribal council presentation deadline of early December, will be established “in collaboration with the appropriate tribal programs.” “I think it’s time to really exert sovereignty into the signage,” Hicks explained. Council member Shennelle Feather (Yellowhill) praised the resolution — and thought it should extend even further. “The small green signs that say, ‘Entering into Cherokee Indian Reservation,’ I think it would be awesome if it were to say ‘Qualla Boundary,’” she said. Hicks said while he had “no issues” about addressing the discrepancy in the green signage, he’d prefer to “keep the two
Owle asserted was a potential breach of the Cherokee Code. “My concern is not about comparing resumes; it is about protecting the integrity of the process,” he said. Council member Shannon Swimmer (Painttown) opposed Baylon’s, along with other candidates’, nomination on a financial basis.
that’s probably one of the most important boards that we’ve got,” he said. Like Owle, Council member Venita Wolfe questioned the legality of what went down. Attorney General Mike McConnell said though Baylon’s appointment wasn’t perfect, it was absolutely lawful. “The process for this nomination has been followed,” he said, explaining that by
Savannah Baylon spoke at the CIHA Governing Board confirmation hearing on July 7. From EBCI Communications live stream
recusing himself, the chief was made unavailable, an instance in which Cherokee Code allows Ensley to take on his role. McConnell, visibly frustrated, also condemned “against the law” audience behaviors such as shouting comments — and called out Owle directly, whom he said made an unau“People that really care about this thorized “point of order”. Eventually, Balen was conwork are going to do it without havfirmed on slim weighted-vote ing to get additional compensation.” margins of 55 to 45. But the tension cultivated during the — Shannon Swimmer discussion exposed a larger rift between those whose feel their relationships to powerful officials prevent “People that really care about this work are going to do it without having to get addi- the public from taking them seriously — and those who feel nepotism runs rampant tional compensation.” in tribal governance, preventing the public Ensley countered that position. from being given a chance. “This governing board of hospital — “I don’t think that we need to appoint anybody right now during cost containment,” she said. Later, Swimmer took that comment a step further, arguing that every board position should be unpaid.
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August 12-18, 2026
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separate,” so that a problem with one doesn’t affect the other as well. Council member Lavita Hill (Big Cove) brought up a concern adjacent to her colleague’s: EBCI products that depict the boundary as a reservation. “I know that this can’t dictate that, but I just feel that we should be mindful of how we use that [reservation language] going forward,” she said. These statements suggest while the resolution is a step in the right direction to tribal officials, when it comes to accurate EBCI representation, the conversation will likely continue. Resolution 280 was far more contentious than 274 — and it concerned a procedural, rather than cultural, precedent. Tribal member Savannah Baylon was nominated by Vice Chief Allen Ensley to serve on the governing board of Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority. Tribal council had voted to advance her candidacy following July 7 confirmation hearings, and the legislation, submitted on behalf of the 12member body, sought to appoint her to the four-year position. Baylon, 33, obtained a nursing degree from Lincoln Memorial University and a master’s in nursing leadership from Western Carolina University. She first served as a registered nurse at Harris Regional Hospital before becoming nursing supervisor and later moved to CIHA as a care manager. A Center for Native Health board member, Baylon is currently the director of HRH women’s and children’s services. Tribal council members — and public commenters — opposed to the confirmation had no personal qualms with Baylon and took a positive view of her character and work. Instead, they raised concerns about how she might’ve been elevated above other candidates. Enrolled member Joey Owle explained that CIHA board selection had always been internal; this cycle was the first in which the position accepted public applications. He also spoke to a potential conflict of interest at play — Baylon is Hicks’ daughter. The principal chief is responsible for board nominations, but in this instance, Vice Chief Alan Ensley got involved, which
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KYLE PERROTTI NEWS EDITOR he Fontana Regional Library Board of Trustees voted unanimously during an Aug. 7 meeting to hire Jeffery Hall as the system’s interim director. Hall may be a familiar face to some folks in Western North Carolina. Last year, he and his former business partner, Suzanne White, consulted with Jackson County as it navigated its withdrawal from FRL and considered how to run its own library system. At that time, he also offered to serve as interim director of the Jackson County Public Library. Hall previously worked more than 30 years in library services, including 12 years as the director of the Rowan Publican Library. The library system has been without a director since the end of February, when Tracy Fitzmaurice stepped down from the vital post. Board Chair Bill McGaha has filled the vacancy and will continue to do so until Hall begins on Sept. 1. Because of Jackson County’s withdrawal and Macon’s pending exit scheduled for July of next year, the board has had difficulty attracting a candidate for the job. If Macon goes through with its exit, the system will dissolve.
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August 12-18, 2026
There’s also the county’s insurance poliLILY LEVIN cy, which may or may not permit spouses STAFF WRITER and children. Coverage, however, does not t was revealed during an Aug. 4 Swain guarantee authorization. Commission meeting that Sheriff Brian Loftis made it clear that the conversation Kirkland invited three deputies and their was far from over, directing County families on a five-night trip to Myrtle Beach Manager Tommy Dills to obtain an itemized to attend a conference — almost completely bill of all costs from the conference. on the county’s dime. The event in question appears to be the North Carolina Sheriff ’s Association 2026 Annual Business Conference, held from Friday, July 24, to Tuesday, July 28. A frustrated Commissioner David Loftis directly questioned Kirkland about the cost and program details, explaining that in a county so financially stretched as Swain, spending should be more conservative. “We just placed a budget that’s over $2 million more than this county brings in, and I’m sitting here discussing stuff like a family vacation at our taxpayers’ expense,” he said. While Kirkland insisted he paid for his family’s food himself, it’s unclear whether other deputies did the same — and if the county funded other nonpersonnel expenses. Another potentially troublesome factor is the Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland came under scrutiny for use of departmental vehiusing taxpayer dollars to attend a conference in Myrtle Beach cles, which family memalong with other deputies and their families. File photo bers are generally prohibited to use for conferences One thing is true at the end of the day: and other similar circumstances. If the sheriff has the power to make exceptions, his rel- Relatively speaking, Swain County heavily funds its sheriff ’s office. In the most recent atives may have been legitimate passengers. fiscal year, the department spent $4,385,663 But this would likely constitute a breach of in county dollars. By comparison, education county policy if authority were vested elseappropriations totaled $2,803,971. where.
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Suit filed against EBCI, tribal officials for breach of contract BY LILY LEVIN STAFF WRITER ollete, Barry and Corey Coggins filed a lawsuit on July 22 against Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, EBCI Principal Chief Michell Hicks and EBCI Secretary of Operations Anthony Sequoyah. Given tribal council’s Aug. 2 passage of an ordinance prohibiting bear caging, it appears EBCI officials could be taken to court over another landrelated dispute. The complainants, alleging breach of contract and lease, are seeking prospective injunctive relief “against tribal officials acting in excess of their lawful authority,” according to the document. An injunction cannot be declared against the tribe as a sovereign nation, though plaintiffs argued the Eastern Band had waived some of this immunity “relating to insurance covering the violations by Defendants for breach of the lease and under the Indian Civil Rights Act.” The Cogginses are lessees of an approximately 25acre EBCI parcel per a Sept. 19, 2016, agreement with the tribe. The lawsuit claimed an unauthorized removal of dirt from five leased acres runs counter to a February 2026 amendment formalizing plaintiffs’ rights of ingress, egress, parking and development. It contended that the excavation of a parcel, which the Cogginses had expressly intended, with lessor knowledge, to use for parking and rental cabins, was “personally directed and authorized” by Hicks and carried out by Sequoyah. “As a direct result of the excavation, Plaintiffs have lost the practical ability to develop rental cabins on the affected land, have lost parking capacity guaranteed to them … and have suffered a diminished and disrupted right of way and access to the Boundary Tree Tract and adjoining parcels,” the document read. EBCI’s removal of the Barclay Building, which leaseholders said they hadn’t approved, was categorized as violating a right of first refusal outlined in 2017 agreement. The lawsuit maintained the final breach had to do with “the parties’ mutual obligation to act in good faith” when negotiating terms of the lease. While plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages from the tribe, the lawsuit acknowledged this claim could be barred because of EBCI’s sovereign immunity and, in this instance, noted that the Coggins “bring parallel claims for prospective, non-monetary injunctive relief against the Official-Capacity Defendants under an Ex Parte Young ultra vires theory recognized by courts to permit suits against tribal officials.” Also requested are monetary damages against Hicks and Sequoyah or the treasury, declaratory judgement against Hicks and Sequoyah, pre- and post- judgement interest and reasonable reimbursement of attorneys’ fees. The rift between lessee and lessor was first exposed at an April 2 tribal council meeting in which a resolution was introduced to protect the tribe’s general contractor in light of claims made by Collette Coggins. During that meeting,
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Boyd Owle (Birdtown) made a move to table the ordinance on the grounds that Crowe had agreed to discuss the content with Coggins and McConnell — and to reintroduce it the following month. Crowe said though Owle was correct, upon discovering Coggins’ July 22 lawsuit, she took her concerns to the Yellow Hill Community Club, which had been on board with her proposal since she first submitted it. Since the ordinance Sequoyah clarified that another access point was constructed had been pending for two months, they advised she get the to ensure ingress and egress of a Duke Energy re-healing cirball rolling on its passage. At that point, McConnell cuit at the pole behind Coggins’ Native Brews Tap & Grill informed council members that he’d seen Coggins in the without impeding her development. Coggins’ attorney, Rob lobby, where she was undergoing “a visible health event.” Saunooke, claimed the subsequent route violated lease provi“I think it would be respectful, and from a physical sions, while EBCI Attorney General Mike McConnell argued health standpoint, a good idea to table and bring this back,” the easement terms lacked a clear definition. he said. Several tribal members opposing the resolution argued No one seconded Owle’s motion to table, though it Coggins’ allegations didn’t warrant a response — or even didn’t die on the floor because the discussion concerned the consideration. The Native Brews owner has publicly clashed amendment — approved moments later by tribal council — with EBCI leaders and officials on multiple occasions. In instead of the legislation. 2018, 7 Clans brewing, which she co-owned, was criticized in Coggins rose to speak two minutes after McConnell’s tribal council for adopting a name many found offensive. announcement. Her ongoing roadside attraction called Cherokee Bear Zoo, “Myself or my attorney have not had the opportunity to with bears displayed to tourists and housed in small concrete look over this, other than the time that we’ve had here,” she pits, has continued to incite condemnation across the Qualla said. “My attorney’s out of town, and I don’t agree with Boundary, finally reaching a head at tribal council on Aug. 2 this.” Coggins added that while she found some of the docuwhen EBCI set a date to outlaw this practice. ment’s proposals acceptable, others were irredeemable. “I don’t think it’s actually legal,” she said, claiming she was being “mowed over” and “taken advantage of.” “For anybody that’s a business owner here, if you [tribal council members] come in tomorrow and you decide that you don’t like whatever, are we going to work toward just shutting them down?” she asked, insinuating she had no intention of phasing out. However, the ordinance wasn’t proposed out-of-the-blue, nor the idea born earlier that week. Indeed, the fight against caging bears has been ongoing for nearly two decades in Cherokee. Coggins, noting she’d witnessed McConnell on camera at her site, urged the attorney general to share his experience, a move that appeared to eventually backfire. Collette Coggins addressed tribal council on Aug. 6. From EBCI Communications live stream “Were you just appalled when you went in there?” She asked. Enrolled member and environmental justice advocate “No, I was not appalled. The areas are clean. The bears Mary “Missy” Crowe had introduced an ordinance two looked healthy,” McConnell said. months prior, seeking to ban the caging of bears — as well “At the same time, Ryan and I walked away with the idea as, with some exceptions, wildlife, livestock or domestic anithat, as it says in the floor amendment, this is an old model mals — on the Qualla Boundary, which it framed as both of interacting with wildlife. And if the tribe chooses to go a outdated and antithetical to Indigenous values. The legisladifferent direction, you have authority to do that.” tion recounted how, according to Cherokee legend, bears Owle repeated an earlier move to table as amended, secfirst convened to council in Kuwohi, where they hold dances onded by council member Adam Wachacha (Snowbird). each fall. Crowe’s original document imposed a fine up to Council member Lavita Hill (Big Cove) made a move to $5,000 for any violation, and a later addendum included one pass, seconded by council member Shennelle Feather year of imprisonment as an additional or alternative conse(Yellowhill), who went on to explain her decision. quence. “To me, when we’re creating these types of places to trap Crowe on Aug. 2 said she’d been asked to consider a oneanimals that are sacred animals in our teachings and our year phaseout, which she found acceptable. A new floor understandings, then we’re breaking cultural laws,” she amendment extended that timeline by another year, prosaid. hibiting bear zoos from acquiring new animals after Sept. 1, The motion to table did not pass, and the subsequent 2026, with the official ban — and punishment — in effect motion to pass it prevailed. If all goes according to plan, by Sept. 1, 2028. Registration of each bear with the Cherokee Sept. 1, 2028, no bears will be kept in captivity on the Animal Control Department would also be required. Qualla Boundary. Crowe authorized the revisions because, while the dates But before the vote, the father of Coggins’ lessor would shift, the end goal would be unchanged. approached tribal council with a thinly veiled threat. “I’ll be willing to accept these floor amendments. I’m will“You can’t shut [the bear zoo] down anyway because ing to because at the end of the day it’s stopping this practhat’s my daughter’s property. I said that once, and I’ll say it tice,” she said. again. If you do, there’ll be another lawsuit,” he said.
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Jennings said one of his main concerns was that if the bond referendum made it to the ballot, non-property owners in the county would get a say in raising taxes on Jackson County property owners. He also said he’d concluded that middle schools are not better for learning outcomes compared to K-8 schools after researching the topic. Before the final vote, Bryson also wanted to clear up an issue brought up in the public comment period of last week’s meeting about the suitability of the lot the county purchased to build the middle school. Jackson County Public Schools teacher and parent Brandon Pendergast said in his public comment that he supported the once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a standalone middle school in the county, but he questioned the choice of property due to its size and how difficult it will be to build on the steep, rocky terrain. He also questioned whether the county could have found a better piece of land. In Monday’s meeting, Bryson referred A classroom at Smoky Mountain School sits empty before students arrive. Alex Perri photo to King, who said the county took a year and considered approximately 18 properties in the search for a middle school site before She voiced frustration with the rising projsettling on the 58-acre lot at 899 N.C. 107. ect costs for the middle school, cautioning that Next week, the county will move on to the voters could be agreeing to fund projects with numbers that are subject to rise in the future, as next phase of the process when commissioners will be presented with the bond order to was the case with the 2020 general obligation approve. Then, there will be a public hearing at bond referendum county voters passed to pay the Sept. 1 meeting, after which commissioners for the new aquatic center. Voters approved up will vote to authorize putting the school bond to a $20 million bond, which led to a 2.2% tax on the ballot. increase. However, soaring construction costs “There’s room for savings within all these during the COVID-19 pandemic caused the projects, but you’ve got to start the process,” total project budget to rise to $24 million. Letson said. “Not starting the process leaves us Jackson County put up $4 million in county exactly where we are right now.” funds to pay for the increase in project costs, If commissioners give the bond referendum according to King. At Tuesday’s meeting, Hooper falsely assert- the green light on Sept. 1, Jackson County voters will see it on their ballots in November. ed that the total budget for the aquatic center If the school bond does not make it to the doubled to $40 million by the time of its comballot or if voters shoot it down, the county pletion. Letson quickly asked for clarification on those numbers, and Jackson County Finance might have to return the $52 million in grant Director Darlene Fox provided the correct num- funds it was awarded by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction to build the proposed bers, stating the actual total project cost was Smoky Mountain Middle School. The county $24 million. has also allocated $6 million of its own funds to “Has it ever been $40 million? Can we get a go toward the middle school. spreadsheet of the total cost of the pool?” To avoid returning that grant funding, the Letson asked Fox. county would have to come up with a plan to “You can,” she said. “And that’s actually build what is currently projected to be a $110 been in your report every month.” million project for $60 million — meaning athAt Monday’s special meeting, Bryson letic facilities and classroom space could be on echoed Hooper’s concerns over the middle the chopping block. school’s rising projected costs and bristled at As previously reported, not having a bond the prospect of raising taxes, but ultimately said for this amount of money, the county should let would also leave the county in the lurch on a number of deferred maintenance and capital the people decide. improvement projects the school board has Smith agreed. requested. “My feeling is if we don’t give them that Should the county officials want to revisit choice, that’s like telling our citizens that they the prospect of another bond referendum in the don’t have a voice,” Smith said in response to future, they would have to wait until 2022 to Bryson. “Everybody is focused on the middle propose a new one, as bonds can only be added school, but that’s not the only thing that this is to ballots in even-numbered years. about.” • The county believes investors will buy bonds at reasonable interest rates Agreeing to those “Statements of Fact” was where commissioners splintered. Hooper remained adamant that the county should not take on the debt. She also raised concerns that Jackson County voters would not know what they are voting for and that it seemed like the bond was being rushed through the approval process.
August 12-18, 2026
BY ALEX PERRI STAFF WRITER ackson County just moved one step closer to putting the $105 million school bond referendum on the ballot for the Nov. 3 election. At last week’s normally scheduled meeting, commissioners passed a resolution to publish a notice of “intent to file” for the bond with the North Carolina Local Government Commission. They also met for a special meeting on Aug. 10 to vote on a resolution, which allows the county to file an application with the LGC to approve the borrowing. “If it passes LGC, they’ll have to go to a public hearing, and then the decision will be on the ballot,” said Jackson County Public Schools Superintendent Dana Ayers after Monday night’s meeting. The two resolutions are just a few of the steps the LGC requires local governments to go through before it grants approval for the issuance of a bond referendum. County Manager Kevin King likened these two resolutions to going through preauthorization for a loan. During this “preauthorization phase,” the LGC is deciding if the county is in good financial standing. That way, by the time it reaches the ballot, voters can have peace of mind that the government has done its due diligence and has the wherewithal to pay the money back. Chairman Mark Letson called for Monday’s special meeting last week when the second bond resolution vote ended in a 2-2 tie. At that meeting, Commissioners Letson and Todd Bryson voted yes, while Commissioners Jenny Lynn Hooper and Michael Jennings voted no. Commissioner John Smith was absent from the meeting, meaning, with no tiebreaking vote, the resolution failed to pass. All five commissioners were present at Monday’s vote, and Smith provided the final yes vote needed to pass the second bond resolution. The resolution doesn’t authorize the county to borrow the $105 million. That decision would be left up to the voters. The resolution also states that $150 million is the maximum amount the county could borrow, meaning the amount could be less if they find ways to lower total project spending. Monday night’s resolution also establishes the following “Statements of Fact” the LGC requires before it can make any determinations: • The proposed projects are necessary • $105 million (plus the expected $35 million in interest) isn’t excessive • The county has handled its existing debt properly • The county’s financial management is sound • The tax increase (4.86%) needed to repay the bonds won’t be “excessive”
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The Cherokee Indian Police Department also operates several BY ALEX PERRI ALPR Cameras inside the Qualla Boundary, and Farmer said the STAFF WRITER JCSO and CIP do not have a data-sharing agreement. Farmer menlock cameras captured data from 1.2 million vehicles in Jackson County from June 30, 2026, to July 30, 2026, according to Sheriff tioned that in addition to the four Flock Automatic License Plate Doug Farmer. Of those 1,190,043 total vehicles captured, Farmer Readers installed in the county, sheriff ’s office squad cars were equipped with Axon in-car police system ALPRs. said 563 (0.04%) were queried by the Jackson County Sheriff ’s Office, In July, The Smoky Mountain News reported that in neighboring primarily in relation to drugs or narcotics investigations. Macon County, commissioners voted unanimously to defund Flock Farmer provided that information and more in a presentation at last week’s county commission meeting at the request of commission- cameras, due much in part to public outcry over the surveillance ers who say they have been on the receiving end of much public inter- technology. Before the vote to defund, Macon County had 16 Flock cameras. est in the topic. Over 100 people showed up to that July “I’ll be the first to tell you there’s a lot A Flock camera facing eastbound on 15 Macon County Commission meeting. of mess about this out there,” Farmer said. the Macon-Jackson County line on Macon Commissioner John Shearl was the “Don’t believe everything you see on U.S. Route 23 Alex Perri photo most outspoken anti-Flock public official social media.” there and raised concerns over Forth Jackson County Sheriff ’s Office operAmendment violations and government ates four Flock cameras in the county, but overreach. Farmer declined to provide their locaThat anti-Flock sentiment stretches far tions. However, there are several openbeyond Macon County. source websites like deflock.org or dontAcross the country, Flock cameras have getflocked.com where users can search for drawn public ire due to widespread convolunteer-reported Flock cameras across cerns over mass surveillance and a growthe country. ing number of highly publicized scandals. According to deflock.org, there are Flock critics point to mounting reports of nine ALPR cameras in Jackson County. law enforcement officers across the counThe Smoky Mountain News has not veritry using ALPR cameras to stalk romantic fied which are operated by JCSO but has interests, AI software leading to faulty submitted a public records request for the vehicle flagging, instances of federal immiinformation. gration enforcement officers accessing The locations of the nine cameras and Flock data from state and local agencies their orientation per deflock.org: without their permission and more as rea• One facing eastbound on the sons for their opposition. But law enforceMacon-Jackson County line on U.S. Route ment officers, like Farmer and Macon 23 • One facing eastbound on U.S. Route 74 across the highway from County Sheriff Brent Holbrooks, say the technology has offered them new and more efficient ways to conduct criminal investigations, and Starlight Motel eventually, solve crimes. • One facing northbound on N.C. 107 near Cashiers Sotheby’s “It’s a force multiplier for us,” Farmer said. “We utilize it and are International Realty respectful of our use of it, and we appreciate the fact we get to use • One facing southbound on White Owl Lane in Cashiers those [cameras]. And it’s helped us to be quicker on those investiga• One facing northbound in Cullowhee on Forest Hills Road next tions and solve things that normally wouldn’t be solved in a timely to the E.J. Whitmire Stadium on the Western Carolina University fashion.” campus In his presentation, he hoped to relay the facts on what the cam• Two facing the parking lot at the Sylva Lowes Home eras do and don’t do. Here are the facts, according to Farmer. Improvement JCSO captures photographs of vehicles with Flock cameras, and • Two in front of the Dillsboro Town Hall, one facing eastbound the cameras convert those photographs into searchable data that and the other facing westbound on Haywood Road (Farmer did confirm that these two ALPRs are not Flock Cameras nor are they operat- includes the make, vehicle type, color, license plate (full, partial, missing), state of the license plate and unique ed by JCSO)
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Yang (2020), where state and federal courts ruled the technology did not violate the Fourth Amendment. “The thing that bothers me is, [that slide] says it does not violate the Fourth Amendment, but to what end?” Jennings said. “When Flock has updates and starts being able to do more than it can now, or we get a sheriff that’s not as strict as you are, there’s a lot of reasons it could go wrong.” Jennings agreed that the technology helped Farmer do his job but said people are worried about what it could be used for in the future. And that concern may be valid, according to recent reporting on the devices. While Farmer said JCSO does not capture video of any vehicles or use the technology to identify individual drivers and passengers, the agency does opt to share its data with 200 other agencies, and in July, tech media organization 404 Media found that some Flock cameras are capable of identifying individuals and groups of people and cataloging their characteristics like they would a vehicle. Law enforcement agencies across the country are using that data to query for individual characteristics like a person’s stature, clothing, race and even political affiliation.
Bryson raised concerns about the possibility of the cameras falsely flagging suspicious behavior of drivers who have committed no crime. Farmer assuaged his concerns and said his agency is not interested in surveilling people going about their day — the JCSO only uses ALPR cameras as one of many tools in their crime-solving toolkit. Farmer also cited a long list of cases where the cameras have helped identify suspects. He said the cameras have helped identify a suspect in a sexual assault case; located a child abduction suspect and helped identify multiple child assault suspects, assisted in locating stolen property, assisted in creating timelines for a murder suspect from another jurisdiction, located elderly and juvenile missing persons and helped identify a suspect targeting elderly victims with a scams, among other things. Farmer said he did not have data on what percentage of arrests or convictions were Flock-assisted but said it has provided JCSO substantial investigative assistance. “Can it be abused?” Farmer said. “It’s just like anything else. Tools can be abused, and that’s not just in law enforcement. That’s in any profession.”
Smoky Mountain News
Farmer said ALPR data alone does not constitute probable cause, meaning if an officer identifies a flagged vehicle on the road, they must conduct further investigations to make an arrest. Farmer also said Jackson County does not use ALPRs to enforce traffic violations. “While Flock didn’t determine the guilt or replace traditional investigative work, it provided important pieces of evidence to help the investigators reconstruct events and strengthen investigations,” he said. Additionally, Farmer said he has a zerotolerance policy for ALPR camera misuse and that the JCSO has had zero such cases. He added that there were no abnormalities present on the agency’s latest Flock audit. Of JCSO’s 82 employees, 17 can access Flock software. Flock user privileges require officers to partake in yearly security trainings. Commissioners Michael Jennings and Todd Bryson were the most inquisitive members of the board once Farmer opened up the floor for questions. During his presentation, the sheriff included a slide on ALPR case law citing Schmidt v. City of Norfolk (2026)/United States v. Porter (2026) and United States v.
August 12-18, 2026
Farmer gave his presentation at last week’s meeting. Alex Perri photo
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vehicle characteristics like damage/aftermarket alterations. The agency does not use the cameras to record video, nor does it use facial recognition software to identify drivers and passengers. Additionally, Farmer said JCSO’s Flock cameras do not record sound, nor do they collect any cell phone data from nearby devices. Data collected is owned by JCSO and stored in an Amazon Web Services server (a common choice for cloud computing across the public sector) for 30 days, after which it is deleted and no longer accessible by law enforcement officers unless they provide a warrant. ALPRs notify law enforcement officers when they capture data from a vehicle that’s on what’s called a “HotList.” If a vehicle is on a HotList, it means it was either flagged and entered into a database by the FBI National Crime Information Center, the N.C. Division of Criminal Investigation or a local agency’s custom list. A vehicle might be added to a HotList if it is reported stolen, connected to a missing person’s case or Amber Alert, connected to an active felony warrant or is connected to a criminal investigation.
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Water over the bridge Fontana Dam’s controversial past and TVA’s changing legacy
BY LILY LEVIN STAFF WRITER edestrian access to the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Fontana Dam begins with a metal turnstile, then a long stretch of sidewalk. Suffocating humidity marked my July 27 entry. The tour required long pants as a safety measure, and I was sweating by the time we entered the building. But the interior, featuring three massive generators churning water to create electricity, took my attention from this predicament. The hydropower generated here is enough to keep the phones charged and lights shining for 210,000 households. In other words, the 480-foot Fontana Dam, the tallest in the eastern United States, is far from archaic more than 81 years post-construction. It appears apt that the tour, constituting of a handful of reporters and a select few nonpress invitees, was held in commemoration of America 250. The dam is inextricably linked to this region’s history, which reemerges even as TVA looks to turn the page. A public power company born from 1930s New Deal policy, TVA built Unified Development of the Tennessee River System dams across eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina. Locations were targeted based on several positive factors: rural communities with extra power needs, a predisposition to flooding, significant deficits, few public services and within a reasonable transmission distance from electricital stations. Because the land that would become Fontana Lake possessed many of these qualities and, given the urgency of the wartime effort, TVA flooded it in service of hydropower. The new lake inundated several small towns, reducing Swain County’s population by 25% and displacing 1,311 families. In a region as small and family-oriented as Western North Carolina, any mention of the dam, even now, can feel personal to those whose ancestors were affected. Because 48% of all U.S. lakes are manmade, wherever a 10 dam sits upon a reservoir, it’s not unreason-
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August 12-18, 2026
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able to assume the existence of other concrete. The remnants of ghost towns lurk just below the surface of not only Fontana Lake but also many of North Carolina’s most beautiful waterbodies, among them Lake Lure, Lake Glenville, Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, Roanoke Rapids Lake and Lake Norman. Indeed, I grew up swimming in Falls and Jordan lakes, and yet only when researching
control over water, positioned as a “taming,” “civilizing” project — threatened cultural land and sovereignty. For an example close to home, one can look to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, who’ve spearheaded Ela Dam Coalition’s fight for removal; a freeflowing Oconaluftee River would improve species’ habitat and facilitate a stronger relationship to ancestral homelands. Of course, it was clear throughout the tour that from an economic, natural disaster-related or simply practical standpoint, Fontana Dam is not a contender for removal. Many original components of the dam, like the control scheme behind the generators, have continued to endure. “We’ve added all to it, made it more computerized, but it still works exactly the same way as it did in 1945,” said Plant Manager Eric Hamby.
At 480 feet, Fontana Dam is the tallest in the eastern United States. Lily Levin photo
this story did I learn that each has a darker history. In addition to human-centric impacts, dams, by altering river flow, trapping sediment and changing water quality, can pose a significant risk to wildlife and the surrounding environment. From 1994-2022, ecological health scores of Fontana Reservoir — consistently at the upper end of the “fair” range from 58 to 73 — appear slightly above average compared to all TVA waterbodies. Impoundments in the lower basin of the Little Tennessee River have fragmented native biodiversity but haven’t significantly harmed each isolated habitat. Hydropower might be less harmful to the environment than the likes of fossil fuels, but impoundment is not a carbon neutral activity. Reservoirs produce methane and more greenhouse gases than natural lakes. Combined with myriad other side effects and the poor shape of much of the country’s century-old infrastructure, it’s no wonder dam removals, though pricey and time-consuming, are gaining traction across the United States. The fight is often led by Indigenous communities, for which damming — human
The main building’s aesthetics were given a similar level of consideration. Tree rings were stenciled onto its walls, superficially turning concrete into wood. Perhaps the best example of what has changed over time was a set of steel tools labelled “display only.” Once used to work
on the generators, the equipment was long ago replaced by a button. As for what had instigated the transition, Hamby credited the 1971 establishment of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Accordingly, TVA spokesman Scott Fiedler unhooked and passed along a wrench bigger than my forearm. Our final destination was a small, chilly tunnel within the dam itself, a stark contrast to the blinding sunlight and muggy air just beyond the door. Hamby joked that, had he any say in the matter, this space would be his new office. This climate, he explained, was the product of a necessary engineering feat during construction. Because workers started building the dam in January 1942, with a strict and ambitious deadline of January 1945, concrete was rapidly cured, generating structure-compromising heat. To lower the temperature, they embedded pipes carrying cool Fontana Lake water — which surrounded us — into the drying mixture. (Construction finished up ahead of schedule, in November 1944.) Gumdrop lights lined the ceiling, bathing the group in an amber glow. We watched water pool in corners; the invisible lake roared. “It’s humid, and don’t stick your hands into the holes. There might be critters out here,” Hamby warned. I witnessed only one, albeit long laid to rest: a calcified winged insect. Before leaving, I inquired about the dam’s impact: Who benefits, and which regions are served? Hamby explained that since TVA is a government-owned entity — meaning it does not have shareholders nor operate primarily to maximize profit — electricity is not sold directly to retail customers. While the three generators can power 210,000 homes, that figure is based not on empirical data but rather electricity production metrics and average household electricity usage. In reality, TVA sells its power either at wholesale to shareholder-owned utilities such as Duke Energy or, less often, directly to large industrial customers. “Most of the time, our power goes out to your local cooperative, and then that’s where you get your power,” he said. Even company executives have no way of knowing which individual homes receive the power. Hamby told me Fontana Dam has few direct customers,
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bon, and generates high-level radioactive waste, which poses dangers to humans as it decays, an essentially forever-long process. TVA signed a memorandum of understanding with the Biden administration’s DOE to supply the complex with 100% carbon pollution free electricity by 2030. The possibility that Fontana Dam powers Oak Ridge remains. Meanwhile, the Trump Administration has directed TVA to reverse course and instead of pursuing renewable energy, pour its resources into fossil fuels and nuclear. Gas and coal plants slated for closure have been renewed. Several nuclear projects near Oak Ridge are in progress, bolstered by a December 2025 DOE grant of $400 million. If the nation’s largest public energy provider continues moving in this direction, a body of research points to accelerated climate change, worsening all kinds of natural disasters — droughts included. I keep circling back to Hamby’s quip about what happens when calcium minerals are deposited by water. “We haven’t measured [the dam] in a while,” he said. “It could be 481 feet, but it’s growing.” I interpreted his words to mean just as time keeps moving, cycling through seasons regardless of human intervention, so too does the natural world. During drawdowns, a receding Fontana Reservoir sometimes yields to the highest rooftops of a ghost town called Judson. But in many lakes, we’re starting to learn that all it takes to make the past visible is drought.
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Fontana Village among them. That total doesn’t include high-impact industries that, for instance, might be powered by Duke Energy with TVA-produced electricity. Fontana Dam was, in fact, originally built to directly serve the Aluminum Company of America, a war industry producer, and Oak Ridge, a Tennessee weaponsmaking facility located about 20 miles west of Knoxville. The most populous of three primary Manhattan Project locations, Oak Ridge required the displacement of 3,000 rural eastern Tennesseans. It housed massive uranium enrichment facilities that would supply the Hiroshima atomic bomb. The site also piloted X-10, the first ever plutonium production reactor, paving the way for industrial-scale plutonium production — and the Nagasaki atomic bomb. Oak Ridge is still in operation; Y-12 National Security Complex, located onsite, is building a new Uranium Processing Facility dubbed “one of the largest construction projects in Tennessee history” — with, in 2024, a projected $10.3 billion price tag. A $5 billion uranium enrichment site, also at Oak Ridge, has a forecasted completion date of April 30, 2027. It will undergo an expedited review process thanks to Trump Executive Order 14300. On Aug. 4, Oak Ridge was named an American Energy Hub, a title that earned praise from Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Tim Walsh and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee. That day, the complex announced 70 acres of land acquisition, positioning it as a major part of what the DOE is touting a “nuclear renaissance.” Even when not used in weapons-making, nuclear power nonetheless poses essential problems. It releases carbon through construction and demolition; requires uranium mining, a dangerous and environmentally destructive practice that also releases car-
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Starting from scratch
Now that Balkcom has secured the NC-11 GOP nomination, the real work begins
of life. We must prevent that radical agenda would run. Smith later withdrew, and BY KYLE PERROTTI from reaching our government, and that Reagan continued to seek the nomination. NEWS EDITOR Throughout the process, there were rumurrent State Rep. Jennifer Balkcom will starts right here in the Eleventh District.” blings that state Sen. Ralph Hise, of replace Chuck Edwards as the Mitchell County, would perhaps enter the Republican on the ballot for North HE SCRAMBLE fray, but that never materialized. Carolina’s 11th Congressional District seat. On Aug. 8, a candidate list obtained by Following Rep. Chuck Edwards’ The process to find Edwards’ replaceThe Smoky Mountain News showed that announcement last week that he would not ment began with an early morning tweet on the candidates were Moffitt, Sherry seek reelection, Balkcom was nominated by Aug. 5, wherein he announced he would no Higgins, Chad Nesbitt, Ken McKim and the district GOP executive committee the longer seek a third congressional term. The Kristie Sluder. evening of Aug. 10 at Buncombe County’s withdrawal came on the heels of a damning Around that time, the talk around the party headquarters. While there were six House Ethics Committee report that detailed district was that state Rep. Karl Gillespie, individuals vying for the spot, and the plan a pattern of harassment by Edwards toward of Macon County, was throwing his hat in was to collect a second round of ballots if no a pair of young female staffers. the ring, but the afternoon of candidate gained the support of Aug. 9, he told party leaders that the majority on the first go-round, wouldn’t be the case. she secured the nomination after Anyone already holding just one vote. statewide office would be put in a Balkcom is a Henderson risky place by gaining the nomiCounty small business owner nation. They would be thrust into who’s served two terms in the a race for which they have no North Carolina House. Although existing fundraising apparatus or she was running for a third, she campaign infrastructure. Moffit, will have to leave that campaign to Hise and Corbin all have some appear on the ballot for NC-11, seniority in the Senate. Corbin meaning Henderson County’s was recently appointed to chair executive committee will need to the Education Committee and vote for her replacement in that Hise has been on the fringes of race. Previously, Balkcom served the conversation to replace outgoas Vice President of the ing Senate President Phil Berger. Hendersonville Women’s Club, To run for Congress would mean Vice President of the giving up all they have worked for Hendersonville Lions Club and in the Senate. Treasurer of the Mortgage When a new list of candidates Bankers Association of Western obtained by SMN was released on North Carolina. Aug. 9, it included Sluder, She was previously registered McKim, Nesbitt and newcomer to vote as a Libertarian before Matthew Burril. It also included becoming a Democrat in 2005. Balkcom. She joined the Republican Party in Over the five days between 2016. Edwards’ announcement and the Following her nomination, vote, the campaign was heated as Balkcom made a quick exit and committee members heard from declined questions from reporters. both folks seeking the nomination However, she did issue a stateand Republicans in their own ment, saying that as a Western Jennifer Balkcom, currently a State House representative, won the counties who wanted to argue for North Carolina native, she was nomination with an ‘overwhelming’ portion of the vote. From ncleg.gov or against certain people. honored to fight for Henderson Transylvania County GOP Chair County in Raleigh and will “take Herschel Johnson said that he communicatthat fight to Washington” with an aim to From the time Edwards said he ed with his executive committee members, make life more affordable while improving wouldn’t seek reelection, the list of potenwhich number north of 30. Many of those safety, supporting farmers and ensuring the tial replacements ebbed and flowed as members had their own thoughts, as did region receives necessary resources to conrumors spread and were just as quickly other Republicans who aren’t immediately tinue recovering from Hurricane Helene. squelched. The day of the announcement, involved in party affairs. She also somewhat addressed her prior Sen. Kevin Corbin expressed interest in “I’m still getting feedback this mornregistration as a Democrat. the position but within hours said he was ing,” he said on Aug. 11, the day after “Like many Americans, the Democrat out. Sen. Tim Moffitt emerged as an early Balkcom’s nomination. Party left me behind when they abandoned favorite but bowed out on Aug. 8. Officials heard criticism regarding the their values and embraced extremism,” she While some Republicans initially said. “We’re seeing that extremism play out expressed interest in Balkcom running, she way the nomination process played out with some Republicans wishing the matter across the country, as their party nominates said she’d refrain and would instead supcould have come before voters districtradical socialists who want to raise taxes, port Moffitt. That day, both Adam Smith wide. However, in accordance with the law 12 open our borders, and do away with our way and Christian Reagan told SMN that they
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August 12-18, 2026
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and the state party’s plan of organization, someone could only get on the ballot through an executive committee vote. One of Johnson’s priorities was letting people know just how the nomination process would play out and why. “I didn’t want people to think this was some smoky backroom thing,” he said.
THE MEETING Many executive committee members eagerly arrived for the meeting over an hour before it was gaveled in. Some lingered in the parking lot to chat with other members and the media while others rushed inside. The room was so small that it could barely fit the committee members who showed up. No media was allowed inside, and even family of committee members and nominees were made to wait outside. Of the 61 members, 51 showed up from every corner of the district. Inside, the proceeding began as planned at 6:30 p.m. Meeting officers were sworn in, the agenda and rules were voted in, a quorum was confirmed and nominations were heard. Margo Ackiss, a member at large from Cherokee County, nominated Balkcom. Ackiss told The Smoky Mountain News she wanted to support Balkcom because of her introduction of The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, considering Payton McNabb, who became one of the national faces of that movement, is from Cherokee County and even attended Hiwassee Dam High School, from which Ackiss’ parents graduated. Ackiss became a public supporter and friend of McNabb. Each of the six nominees were given six minutes to deliver a speech. Committee members interviewed by SMN felt like the speeches were impassioned and informed. Although Ackiss nominated Balkcom, she expressed admiration for all the candidates who put themselves forward. “Everyone came prepared,” she said. “All the candidates came with the best of the intentions. They all wanted to be heard and looked at, and they were.” “It’s brave to step up,” she added. Several people interviewed for this story said that they thought all the speeches were strong. Johnson, the Transylvania County GOP Chair, along with praising the others, especially highlighted the winning candidate’s remarks. “I was impressed by Jennifer’s speech,” he said. Despite the quick turnaround and some uncertainty regarding the process in the days leading up to the meeting, Jackson County GOP Chair Justin Castle said he thought it was efficient, professional and stuck to the agenda. “Everyone was on time and taking care of the business,” said Jackson County GOP Chair Justin Castle. Ackiss, never one to shy away from criticizing her own party when she feels it’s warranted, agreed. “It was managed as well as it could be on such short notice,” she said.
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BUILDING A CAMPAIGN
Nesbitt admitted that he knew his candidacy was going to be an uphill battle since “establishment Republicans are running the show.” “I’m not an establishment Republican,” he said. “I only knew about 5% of the people in that room,” he added. “It’s been a minute since I’ve even been to a Republican meeting. I think everybody had their mind made up before they went in there who was going to win.” Nonetheless, Nesbitt said he wholeheartedly supports Balkcom and thinks she will do a “great job.” There are enough conservatives to get her across the finish line and sent to Washington, if she works hard and makes the right moves, he averred. Ackiss, the at-large committee member from Cherokee County, said the key to victory will be getting outside the “GOP comfort zone,” the conservative strongholds in the far-western counties. “The farthest west counties in NC-11 are safe. They’re solid red, and we do need to turn voters out there,” she said. “But she needs to get into those counties that are more purple like Buncombe and Haywood.” Turning out the overall vote may be trickier than some think. Despite being a majority Republican district, enthusiasm statewide may be low, especially when it comes to Michael Whatley, who as a candidate for U.S. Senate is at the top of the ticket but has been consistently polling well behind former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. Concerns of down-ballot effects are palpable, not only when it comes to Balkcom’s race but even local elections. Building energy around Balkcom’s campaign is crucial for Republicans across the board. The committee members who spoke to SMN said they’re willing to roll up their sleeves and do their part, including Johnson in Transylvania County. “We will get behind Jennifer,” he said. “We’re going to focus on her and get people that maybe would have stayed at home to get excited about her and come out.”
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“After talking with some people in the [Republican National Committee], I feel like that’s what’s going to happen,” he said. Nesbitt said he asked Guy prior to the meeting whether that number was accurate but said
Rep. Chuck Edwards, amid a scathing House Ethics report, announced he would not seek reelection. Cory Vaillancourt photo
August 12-18, 2026
The vote to place Balkcom on the ballot was held at the Buncombe County GOP headquarters on Aug. 10. Kyle Perrotti photo
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Balkcom won by what NCGOP Executive Director Zach Almond shortly after called an “overwhelming” amount. Now that she has secured the nomination, she will face off against Democrat Jamie Ager in what may become one of the higher-profile congressional races in the country during a crucial midterm election in which Republicans are hoping to cling to a narrow majority. Balkcom has already received endorsements from around North Carolina, including from State House Speaker Destin Hall and U.S. Sen. Ted Budd. Following the meeting, NC-11 GOP Chair Merry Guy said Balkcom’s experience and fervor can lead the party to victory. “She knows the values of this country,” Guy said. “She’s an eight-generation farmer. She’s got a tremendous amount of legislative experience and a track record is hard to beat. We’re just really excited that she has stepped up. We can’t wait to get to work here.” To begin, Balkcom and state Republicans will need to set up her campaign with breakneck speed. One of the most crucial elements right away will be fundraising, an area Edwards had lagged this cycle. While sources indicated that the meeting at the Buncombe GOP headquarters was for the most part collegial, there was one moment of brief contention. Candidate Chad Nesbitt, a Buncombe County resident who runs SKYline News on Facebook, asked Executive Committee Chair Merry Guy a pertinent question that has bounced around the district since Edwards announced his exit from the race. Nesbitt described the interaction to SMN, first laying the foundation. He said that once the ballot vacancy opened up, he was approached by someone asking if he’d consider seeking the nomination. Nesbitt said his first question was how much money would come into the race, considering Ager has raised over $3 million and currently has over $2 million on hand. He recalled being told the National Republican Congressional Committee, the fundraising arm of the party, was ready to pour $5 million into the campaign. That number matches what multiple sources had told SMN prior to Monday’s vote.
he couldn’t get a “straight answer,” so he asked her again in front of the whole committee. “Everything moves so fast … it takes a few days to get an answer back from the right person at the RNC. Time was of the essence, so I brought it up,” he recounted. However, Nesbitt said he again didn’t receive a straight answer. He thinks for the party to retain this crucial congressional seat and guard against Democrats flipping the House, it may take even more than the rumored $5 million.
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Opinion
Smoky Mountain News
This journey had some eye-opening insights
Two local gems, no, three! To the Editor: Early Friday evening, the end of summer celebration for the Summer Enrichment Program at Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center was held at the Haywood Area Regional Theatre (HART). Far more interesting and challenging than summer day care, children who attend the SEP at PCMDC participate in activities such as learning to play and read music, conducting science experiments and preparing to perform in front of an audience at the end of the season. Ms. Tausha Forney develops a different theme for each week, along with a variety
their beers and sat down on the newly cut grass to relax while they consumed their beverage. Although I’m not sure drinking beer and riding a bike is such a good idea, I loved the fact that this kind of transaction and this kind of interaction take place along this trail we’re calling home for a week. The ride goes through three states — Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland — and dozens of trailside communities that welcome riders into their establishments. Between the two metro areas that act as an anchor Editor along this ride, it slices through a portion of rural America I’ve never ventured into, and I’m learning and seeing a lot. This is, unofficially, the eastern end of the Rust Belt that arcs from rural Appalachia in West Virginia and Pennsylvania to the Midwest. Many towns had coal mines or played some part in the production of steel, others just had factories that were served first by the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and then the railroad. From what we’ve observed, those industries are for the most part gone, and there are pockets of poverty that surprised me. Wikipedia tells me that the town we stayed in last night once boasted a population of 4,000 but now has fewer than 1,000 souls, and the downtown had empty buildings and dilapidated sidewalks and infrastructure. This county
Scott McLeod
“Pretzels.” The young woman and her companion had rolled into the same trailside establishment as us and slid wearily off their bikes, but no one had told us anything about pretzels. We are on the Great Allegheny Passage and headed toward the C&O Canal Towpath, the 330-mile bike route that connects Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. It was our second day of riding, and the three middle-aged men sitting in old-fashioned gliders beneath a shaded and ancient looking gabled carport operated an informal trailside trading post, of sorts. When we pulled in, one of them got up from his comfy looking seat and offered fresh corn on the cob or tomato sandwiches, both veggies from the garden just yards away. He also said there were cold drinks in the fridge, and he placed a plate of sliced cucumbers and carrots down in front of us a free appetizer. The sandwiches and veggies were much needed and appreciated, and as we were feasting on the fresh food, the other couple showed up. She explained that “pretzels” was the code word for cold beer, which the proprietor sold but apparently without a license. When they made their request, he gently steered them away from the shelter but not so far that I could not hear the conversation. “One of my neighbors alerted the police, so we can’t sell ‘pretzels’ anymore. However, I can give you a beer and you can make a donation to the community garden if you’d like.” Just like that, the transaction was arranged, the couple had
LETTERS of activities supporting that theme, selected for each age group of students. Volunteers assist in reading or math buddy sessions, and writing skills are well emphasized. During the performance at HART, the children demonstrated courage, and those who fell silent with stage fright were gently accompanied off-stage. Though the younger performers occasionally needed a little script assistance, the older students presented rather lengthy memorized passages about history, people to admire or scientific discoveries. Blue Ridge Heritage Weekend was celebrated on the grounds of the Shelton House, now home to the newly renamed Museum of North Carolina Craft and History. Vendors on
has a median family income of just over $24,000 per year, and a little more research told me it was one of the poorest in the U.S. Some places have been able to transition into tourism centers, making investments into their downtowns or taking advantage of the outdoor beauty that greets us at every turn of the Potomac River, which we’ve been following since Cumberland, Maryland. Others have not fared as well, and in these communities, government jobs — teachers, town employees, health department employees, social service workers — are the best around. No one out here is walking around with their hand out asking for help, and everyone we’ve met has been more than friendly and helpful as we’ve navigated along. But it’s eye-opening to witness. I’m very interested to see how — and if — this region recovers. We ride on, tourists of sorts along the trail, spending money on hotels or Airbnbs, food and beverages, supplies to keep us going. I’m finishing this column in a self-serve café near the Potomac in Harper’s Ferry. The café is attached to the room we rented in an old house last night, and it’s set up for Appalachian Trail hikers and C&O Canal Towpath riders. It’s raining, so we’ll be getting wet as we finish this week-long journey. But that’s the wonder of travel, the unknown, the unexpected, the friendly exchanges, the memories, like “pretzels.” It reminds me that, as they say, it’s the journey, not the destination, that matters. (Scott McLeod can be reached at info@smokymountainnews.com)
the grounds, music on the porch and free self- gracefully choreographed and musically delightful performances are offered, and each guided tours of the museum drew visitors to one the area as well as local resideserves dents who had never been Haywood Area our supinside the historic Regional Theatre. port. property. My The area is rich with hishusband tory and fortunate to have and I these local resources to help recently preserve it. celebratThird, though its contried the butions to local culture are three-year mark of claiming local residency, probably more well known, is the HART theand we are grateful every day for the opportuater. Located on the Shelton House grounds, nity to participate in local programs and to it offers great entertainment in two fantastic support the community. spaces, as well as training for performers, Susan Lannan Hicks young and old. Every show I have seen there Waynesville has been outstanding. Well-cast and acted,
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August 12-18, 2026 Smoky Mountain News 15
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We’re only
human A conversation with
Hayes Carll
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR n January 2017, I was 31 years old and wandering the vast landscape of Texas for the very first time. Entering the Lone Star State via Texarkana, I’d find myself in Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, Galveston and Houston along the unrelenting journey. Throughout that entire experience, my most cherished memory was rolling into New Braunfels for an evening. That night, Hayes Carll was playing a sold-out show at the legendary Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in the state. I also found myself face-toface with Carll. While we interviewed in the back of his tour van on a cold prairie night, Carll took sips of Jameson from a small plastic cup, leaned back into the bench seat and kicked up his boots. Now 50 years old, Carll is regarded as one of the finest singersongwriters to ever emerge from Texas, a place known for cultivating some of the best to ever walk this earth: Willie Nelson, Townes Van Zandt, Waylon Jennings, Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen, Guy Clark, and so forth. And just like in the parking lot of Gruene Hall, Carll will still be the first to tell you the world today is an odd — and sometimes confusing — place. He’ll also be sure to remind you that the sky ain’t falling, where real compassion and understanding comes from seeing the other side as a piece of some large pie of humanity, rather than a segment of the population that needs to be alienated, or worse — eliminated. Below is an excerpt from that 2017 conversation, where Carll’s sentiments are just as relevant today as they were those many years ago under an endless Texas night sky. The Smoky Mountain News: As a touring artist and performer, what do you see in the world today? Hayes Carll: Well, it’s a scary time, you know? I try to be an
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Smoky Mountain News
Hayes Carll. Cameron Hott photo optimist, and I try to be open minded. But, a lot of things I SMN: What do you love about this life you’ve created? believe in, and I believe make our country what it is, are being Why do you get up every day and want to do this? cast aside at an alarming rate. So, it’s hard to keep up and trying HC: Well, it’s something I don’t want to do every day, to stay aware of what’s going on. being on the road. I still love touring, though. In my younger I’d hate to pass judgment on anybody prematurely, but I’ve days, I was on the road 200 to 250 nights a year, and that’s yet to see much in the language and tone of the controlling party not the life for me anymore. I’ve got a 13-year-old son, who I at the moment that gives me a lot of hope or optimism. There just dropped off to his mom, my ex-wife. And I’m in a relaseems to be a lot of polarization in the country, and it has been tionship. My girlfriend is in New York. My kid is in Austin. like that for a long time, as I’ve written about for years. And I’m on the road a lot. As an artist, there are those levels where you feel it’s your role I love doing this; I can’t complain. It’s the job I’ve always to stay engaged and inform people. And then you look at it and wanted, and I’ve been incredibly blessed for the last 20 years. say, well, most people who follow play I love telling stories, performing in probably don’t give a shit about what I front of people. That high that comes think about the political landscape. I also from using those creative muscles and don’t want to be part of the noise and get the energy that comes from connectAs part of the ongoing “Salon Series,” blocked out. It’s an interesting line. I ing with people — there’s nothing like legendary singer-songwriter Hayes Carll will want to be able to add something to the it in the world. perform an intimate set at 8:30 p.m. conversation — creatively or socially. SMN: Are you happy with where Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Highlander SMN: I think we as a people have a you are today? Mountain House in Highlands. lot more in common than what we’re HC: Yeah, I’m in a good place. I For more information and/or to purchase told. realized a couple of years ago that I tickets, visit HC: Yeah, that’s the major issue I wasn’t happy. And it didn’t make keep coming across, this polarization and highlandermountainhouse.com/calendar. sense to me because, by every measseparation of the tribes — “us versus ure, I was living my dream. them.” And that’s what’s scary to me, In this industry, you’re on a hamand what Trump is really good at and using it to his advantage. ster wheel. There’s always somebody doing better, and there’s You can’t communicate with people who have different points of always another milestone. And that’ll drive you crazy. view if you’re demonizing them. Finally, I had to say, “I’m the luckiest guy in the world to do Liberal or conservative, if you can’t have a civilized conversawhat I get to do and if I’m not happy, I have to fix that,” and I tion with them, then you’re just yelling at each other and treating have. each other as a monolith group. Whether it’s a Muslim, Mexican, I keep coming back to this quote from my good friend Republican or Democrat, we’re not monoliths. That idea of treatRay Wylie Hubbard, who said in a song of his, “And the days ing these groups as monoliths is a disservice to our country. We that I keep my gratitude higher than my expectations, well, I can’t talk about these issues more because “they’re the enemy.” have really good days.”
Want to go?
HOT PICKS BY GARRET K. WOODWARD
‘The heart has its beaches, its homeland and thoughts of its own’
junctures of your wanderings. You return home and the apartment still smells the same. You smile in reflection. Packing up the truck earlier today, it was the usual rundown of things, a meticulous plan to place everything in its place. Not much space in the backseat of the truck. Just enough for my luggage bag of travel clothes, acoustic guitar, three pairs of running shoes (for hiking and pavement), two pairs of boots (for formal dinner and music festival mud), a cooler filled with snacks and half-a-submarine sandwich to eat at some point on the long drive.
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The Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling will be held from 7-9 p.m. Aug. 15, 22 and 29 at the Old Acquani Expo Center in Cherokee.
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A special stage production of “The Savannah Sipping Society” on select dates and times through Aug. 30 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. Timothy S. Moore will share his new book, “Mountain Ramblings: An Exploration of a Place and Its People,” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug 13, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.
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Three Rivers Gallery (Bryson City) will be hosting a “Meet The Artists” gathering at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15.
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EVENTS Thursday, August t 13 Woolybooger Old blues blues, folk, k country and ragtime agtime 8pm-10pm
Saturday, August 15 TrancEnd 90s and early 2000s covers 9pm-12am
Sunday, August 16 Celtic Sunday w/ Jenny & The Weazels 3pm-6pm
Saturday, day August t 22 The Scotsman presents LIG GHTS! An evening of 2010’’ss electro-popp hosted by DJ Booshaylee featuring songs by Ellie Gouldingg, Avicii, Martin Solveig, Calvin Harris andd more! 9pm - 1am
Smoky Mountain News
I thought a lot about Ben when I was roaming up and down the East Coast and throughout the Rocky Mountains over these last two months. His passing was the main reason I hit the road, to once again cleanse my heart and soul of pain and grief. I thought of him in great detail when I found myself cruising along the Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper, Alberta. With the convertible top down, I would constantly gaze up at the towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies, thinking how much my friend would be in as much awe at nature’s splendor as I was. He never really traveled outside of the North Country, even though I carried our memories together throughout my continued life on the road. Other friends have asked me what I’m going to do with the ashes. Place the box on my bookshelf? Spread some of the ashes here and there? Who knows? All I can say is that it was a soul-stirring moment to take the box off the farmhouse stairwell and respectfully put it in the truck. Destination Haywood County, a spot on the map that is my home, a spot he never got to visit, at least until now. In the morning, I’ll crank the engine and put the truck in drive. The nose of the vehicle aimed for Interstate 87 to I-88 to I-81 to I-26 to I-40. It’s now August. Like clockwork, the summer is fleeting. We wait all winter and spring for these sunny and warm days, only to have them slip through our fingers like the sands of time tend to do. Soon enough, Labor Day will be on the horizon, only to slowly transition into the fall foliage and the impending holiday season. No matter, for any and all days to wake up, to think freely, to remember loved ones, to get out of bed and enter society is a glorious day. Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.
August 12-18, 2026
ello from my parent’s farmhouse on the Canadian Border in Upstate New York. The 1820 brick structure is awfully quiet, especially since I’m the only one wandering around the property, seeing as my folks are currently up on the coast of Maine on their yearly summer trek to our old stomping grounds, a place in New England my family has visited every summer since 1972. Downtown Plattsburgh, This is the last day of my New York. (almost) two-month road trip. I Garret K. Woodward photo left my humble abode apartment in downtown Waynesville on June 10, en route to visit my girlfriend in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Onward to endeavors of work and play in New Hampshire, Maine and Connecticut (via my rusty musty pickup truck). Onward to Alberta, British Columbia and Montana (via plane flight and convertible rental car). Back through Montreal and back down to Plattsburgh, New York. All that’s left to do this evening is pack up the truck And a small wooden box to find space for. and head south. Within the box are some of the ashes of my Duck below the Mason-Dixon Line to best friend of all time and space, Benjamin Western North Carolina. Some 1,100 miles Perron. He unexpectedly passed away earlier and 18 hours (without traffic) to my greatly this spring at age 42. Due to mechanical missed bed and front porch views of the issues with my truck in May, I wasn’t able to ancient Blue Ridge Mountains. I miss my attend the memorial service here in writing desk overlooking a bustling Russ Plattsburgh. My mother went in my place Avenue. I even miss the incessant noise of and told a few stories to the crowd of his construction out there on the street. I’m look- friends and family at Point Au Roche State ing forward to returning to the place I’ve Park. Upon leaving the service, Ben’s parents called home for the last 14 years. In fact, it handed her the box and asked to give it to me was this exact week I moved to WNC. for safekeeping. For now? Constructing this column in the It was a surreal and odd thing to initially back den of the farmhouse, a lone fan blowsee the box. When I arrived at the farmhouse, ing a slight breeze in my direction to thwart my mother had placed it on the stairwell to the humidity of a North Country summer. No the guest room. At first, I didn’t know what it air conditioning in the farmhouse, either. Just was, where a second later it clicked and I realopened windows all throughout the place. ized what I was looking at. The final remThe shade of century-old maple trees in the nants of my dear friend of 29 years, ever since side and front yards, where each morning I the first day of seventh grade when we first pour a cup of coffee and sit outside in a wickmet on the school bus. er chair and overlook my mother’s serene Back then, Ben was an awkward, nerdy flower garden. kid with no friends. I was in the same boat. The mind is restless, pondering this latest Coming from Catholic elementary school to journey of physical abilities and intrinsic valpublic middle school, I didn’t really know ues. In truth, you’re never, ever the same after anyone. The only open seat on the bus was a road trip, thankfully. Whatever you’ve seen, next to him. I asked if I could sit down. He heard, felt, smelled, touched, tasted and expe- smiled and said OK. From there, we were tied rienced is now chiseled onto the walls of your to the hip for decades. We engaged in teenage memory. You’ve added endless miles, both lit- mischief together. Went to countless concerts erally and figuratively, to the odometer of and backyard parties. We picked up our your existence. You made new lifelong friends prom dates in my old car. And I was even the and solidified bonds with those known for best man in his wedding. The memories are years now, all involved part of the countless endless.
The “Conversations with Storytellers” series will continue with Dr. Nancy Tolson at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center in Waynesville.
arts & entertainment
This must be the place
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arts & entertainment
On the wall
‘Don’t Be Square’ at HCAC The Haywood County Arts Council’s latest exhibition, “Don’t Be Square: Art Beyond Right Angles,” will be on display through Aug. 31 at Haywood Handmade Gallery on Main Street in Waynesville. “Don’t Be Square” challenges artists to move beyond traditional square and rectangular formats by creating artwork on surfaces without right angles. While artists may still work on canvas and other familiar materials, the exhibit encourages exploration of unconventional shapes and dimensions. The result is a collection of paintings, fiber art, mixed media and other original works that invite viewers to experience art from a new perspective. The showcase is free and open to the public. For more information, visit haywoodarts.org.
• “Farmers & Artisans Market” will be every Friday morning (May-October) at 117 Island Street in Bryson City. Stop by the old barn along the river for local, homegrown produce, as well as baked goods, jellies/preserves, authentic crafts and more. Picnic tables onsite. There will also be live music. Leashed pets are welcome. This is an outdoor event. Free and open to the public. 828.488.7857.
August 12-18, 2026
‘Cherokee People and the American Revolution’
• WNC Paint Events will host painting sessions throughout the region on select dates. For more information and/or to sign up, visit wncpaint.events. • 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
A work by Bonnie Calhoun. Courtesy of HCAC
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. • 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. • Three Rivers Gallery (Bryson City) will be hosting an array of artist receptions, exhibits and showcases, including a “Meet The Artists” gathering at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. 828.488.3638 / threeriversgallery.com. • Haywood County Arts Council (Waynesville)
Smoky Mountain News
On the street
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‘Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling’ The “Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling” will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 15, 22 and 29 at the Old Acquani Expo Center in Cherokee. Cherokee bonfire . File photo Learn about Cherokee traditions and lifestyle from educators, roast marshmallows with the kids and enjoy social dances by the river. The bonfire is free and open to the public. For more information, call 800.438.1601 or go to visitcherokeenc.com.
A first-of-its-kind exhibition centering Native voices, perspectives and creativity in response to the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the exhibition “Unrelenting: Cherokee People and the American Revolution” is currently being showcased at the Museum of the Cherokee People (MotCP) in Cherokee. On view through Dec. 30, the exhibition features historic objects in conversation with works by Cherokee artists, Museum of the merging cultural heritage, military history and contemporary Cherokee People. art for a nuanced examination of a pivotal moment in File photo Cherokee and American history. With research beginning in 2022, the exhibition’s curators — MotCP Director of Education Dakota Brown (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), MotCP Director of Collections and Exhibitions Evan Mathis and guest curator Brandon Dillard (Cherokee Nation), director of Historic Interpretation and Audience Engagement at Monticello — sought Cherokee accounts of the American Revolution (1775-1783) and the Cherokee American War (17761794), highlighting the complexities of memory and commemoration. As the nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the curators of the exhibition aspire to spark conversation about American identity and sovereignty among visitors of all walks of life, sharing new research in the first exhibit about Cherokees in the American Revolution by Cherokee scholars. 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. Admission to all changing exhibitions is included in the general admission ticket price. For more information, visit motcp.org.
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.
ALSO:
• 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. 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. • Folkmoot Friendship Center (Waynesville) will host semi-regular artist gatherings and workshops. 828.452.2997 / folkmoot.org. • Bosu’s Wine Shop (Waynesville) will host a “Paint & Sip” at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25. 828.452.0120 / waynesvillewine.com.
Pigeon Center’s ‘Conversations with Storytellers’ The next installment of the “Conversations with Storytellers” series will continue with Nancy Tolson at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center in Waynesville. A proud product of the Detroit Public Schools, Tolson received her Masters and Ph.D. from the University of Iowa, researching the history and development of Black children’s literature. She has been a Ford Fellow, a NEH facilitator and a Fulbright scholar/lecturer at the University of Cape Coast (Ghana) while conducting research on West African folklore. For three years, Tolson was an Illinois Humanities’ “Road Scholar,” storytelling Dr. Nancy Tolson. throughout the state. She is the author of “Black Children’s Literature Got de Blues: The Creativity of Black Writers and Illustrators” (2008) and “Tales of Africa” (1998). She is File photo a commissioner for the Columbia Museum of Art as well as an active docent there. This curated series will showcase award-winning storytellers from Western North Carolina’s African American, Hispanic and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians communities. Through live storytelling, readings, music and focused questions, the series examines the purpose and power of storytelling in underrepresented communities. The conversations are casual and will allow for audience participation. The series will continue on the second Thursday of each month through September at the Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center. Tickets are $10 for community members, $7 for seniors ages 65 and over and $5 for students. Children 12 and under may attend free of charge. Tickets may be purchased in advance and can be purchased at the door of each performance. Reduced price $50/$40/$30 series passes are also available. Refreshments are available for purchase. For more information, visit pcmdc.org.
arts & entertainment August 12-18, 2026
Smoky Mountain News
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& Rosie (Americana/folk) Sept. 20 ($15 adults, $7.50 kids). 828.369.4080 / coweeschool.org/concert-series.
• 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 Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host “Open Mic” 8-10 p.m. Thursdays. Free and open to the public. 828.631.1987 / balsamfallsbrewing.com. • Balsam Mountain Inn (Balsam) will host “Picking on the Porch” (open community jam) 6 p.m. Tuesdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.283.0145 / thebalsammountaininn.com. • Bevel Bar (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.246.0996 / bevelbar.com.
August 12-18, 2026
• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host “Music Bingo Night” 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, The Blue Mountaineers (bluegrass) Thursdays and semi-regular live music on Fridays and Saturdays. 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. • Breadheads Tiki Shak (Sylva) will host “Tiki Trivia” at 7 p.m. every other Thursday of the month, Longway Ramblers Aug. 14 and Kieran Aug. 21. All shows begin at 10 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.307.2160 / breadheadstikishak.com. • Bryson City Brewing (Bryson City) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0085 / brysoncitybrewing.com.
Smoky Mountain News
• Bryson City Outdoors (Bryson City) will host
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semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.342.6444 / brysoncityoutdoors.com. • Cataloochee Ranch (Maggie Valley) will host Hill Country Band (bluegrass) Aug. 12 and Brian Ashley Jones (blues/country) Aug. 19. All shows begin at 5 p.m. and admission is $30 per person unless otherwise noted. For tickets and reservations, visit cataloocheeranch.com/ranch-event.
• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host a “10th Anniversary Party” noon to 10 p.m. Aug. 15 and The Boondock Saints (southern rock) 7 p.m. Aug. 15. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.634.0078 / curraheebrew.com. • Current Tavern (Canton) will host the “Music at the Tavern” summer series with
Mountain Layers goes Americana A regional Americana/bluegrass act, Granny’s Mason Jar will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at Mountain Layers Brewing in Bryson City. Following in the footsteps of Doc Watson, Norman Blake, Clarence White and Tony Rice, Granny’s Mason Jar brings together the talents of Jared “Blue” Smith (The Blue Revue, Bluegrass Lumber Company) and Aaron Plantenberg (Commonfolk, Big House Radio) to continue the tradition of flatpicking, travis picking and other traditional acoustic guitar styles. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 828.538.0115 or visit mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.
• Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Bob Zullo (guitar/vocals) Aug. 14 ($10 cover). All shows begin at 6 p.m. Reservations highly recommended. The kitchen and wine bar will open at 4 p.m. 828.452.6000 or classicwineseller.com. • Concerts On The Creek (Sylva) will host Dashboard Blue Aug 14 and Tuxedo Junction Aug. 21. All shows are at Bridge Park and begin at 7 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to bring a chair or blanket. These events are free, but donations are encouraged. 828.586.2155 / mountainlovers.com/concerts-on-the-creek. • Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center (Franklin) will host “Open Mic” at 6 p.m. every second Friday of the month and Ritchie
at 6 p.m. Admission is $50 per person, with discounts rates available for hotel guests and members. 866.526.8008 / oldedwardshospitality.com. • 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 semi-regular live music monthly. 828.452.2997 / folkmoot.org. • Franklin Town Square (Franklin) will host a “Community Drum Circle” from 6-8 p.m. Aug. 15 and Sept. 19. People of all ages are invited to participate. You may bring your own hand drums and rhythm instruments or use one of our percussion instruments. Bring a lawn chair. In case of rain, the event will be held under the gazebo stage tent. Free and open to the public. 828.524.ARTS / artscouncilofmacon.org. • Friday Night Live Concert Series (Highlands) will host McClain Family Band Aug. 14 and Shawn Lane Trio Aug. 21. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. highlandschamber.org.
Granny’s Mason Jar. File photo
semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.492.0249. • Cut Cocktail Lounge (Sylva) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.631.4795 / thecutcocktaillounge.com. • Dancing On The Square (Robbinsville) will host Steve Jordan Band Aug. 14 and Bill Pruett Aug. 21. All events begin at 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. 704.840.8525. • Farm At Old Edwards (Highlands) will host the “Orchard Sessions” with Martin & Kelly (Americana/country) Sept. 9. All shows begin
newsdesk crafts
arts & entertainment
On the beat
• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host “Jazz On The Level” 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Chris Wilhelm (singer-songwriter) 5:30 p.m. Aug. 12, David Cheatham Band Aug. 14, Scenic Radio Aug. 15, Jim Cook (singersongwriter) 3 p.m. Aug. 16, Natti Love Joys (reggae/soul) Aug. 21, The Local Chapter Aug. 22 and Kevin Dolan & Paul Koptak 3 p.m. Aug. 23. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.454.5664 / froglevelbrewing.com. • Frog Quarters (Franklin) will host live music from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Free and open to the public. 828.369.8488 / littletennessee.org. • Groovin’ on the Green (Cashiers) will host The Wandering Hours Aug. 14. Shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. Donations encouraged. villagegreencashiersnc.com/concerts. • Happ’s Place (Glenville) will
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• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee) will host Melissa Etheridge (Americana/rock) 9 p.m. Sept. 4. For tickets, visit caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee. • High Country Wine & Provisions (Highlands) will host live music during “Friday Night Vibes” at 5:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.482.4502 / highcountrywineandprovisions.com. • High Dive (Highlands) will host DJ Real Bill 9 p.m. Saturdays. 828.526.2200 / highlandsdive.com. • Highlander Mountain House (Highlands) will host “Blues & Brews” with Scott Low 6-9 p.m. Thursdays, Zorki (singer-songwriter) 13 p.m. Saturdays, “Bluegrass Brunch” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, the “Salon Series” with Hayes Carll 8:30 p.m. Aug. 20 ($58.93 per person, tax included). Reservations encouraged for all performances. 828.526.2590 / highlandermountainhouse.com. • Highlands Performing Arts Center (Highlands) will host Memories Of Motown (R&B/soul) 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11. 828.526.9047 / highlandsperformingarts.com.
• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host “Monday Night Trivia” every week, “Open Mic” on Wednesdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows and events begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.586.9678 / innovation-brewing.com. • Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. All events begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.226.0262 / innovation-brewing.com.
• 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, “Karaoke By Spoon” Aug. 14, Old Souls Duo (honkytonk/country) Aug. 15 and The V8s (rock/soul) Aug. 22. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 / lazyhikerbrewing.com.
• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host “Music Bingo” 7 p.m. Mondays, “Trivia Night” 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, “Old Time Jam” 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Ghost Pipe Sound Machine (groove/jam) Aug. 15 and Bryan & Al (pop/rock) Aug. 21. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. 828.349.2337 / lazyhikerbrewing.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.
• Orchard Coffee (Waynesville) will host “Open Mic Night” 6 p.m. on the first Friday of every month and semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.246.9264 / orchardcoffeeroasters.com. • Otto Community Center (Otto) will host James Thompson “Music Nights” 4 p.m. first and third Friday of each month. Bring a beverage and snack of your choice. Free and open to the public. go2ottonc.com.
• Pickin’ In The Park (Canton) will host Rick Morris Band & Green Valley Cloggers (Americana/bluegrass) 6 p.m. Sept. 11. Free and open to the public. • Pickin’ On The Square (Franklin) will host Tribe Called Praise (Christian/rock) Aug. 22. All shows begin at 6 p.m. at the Gazebo in downtown. Free and open to the public. franklinnc.com/pickin-on-the-square.html. • Quirky Birds Treehouse & Bistro (Dillsboro) will host “Karaoke” 8 p.m. Fridays and semiregular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.586.1717 / facebook.com/quirkybirdstreehouse. • Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host “Karaoke” 7 p.m. Wednesdays, “Trivia Night” 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, “Open Mic” 6:30 p.m. on certain Fridays, Michael Kitchens (singer-songwriter) 7 p.m. Aug. 15, Georgie Bette (singer-songwriter) 6:30 p.m. Aug. 19, Frances Eliza (singer-songwriter) 6:30 p.m. Aug. 21 and Eric Leach (singersongwriter) 6:30 p.m. Aug. 22. Free and open to the public. 828.369.6796 / facebook.com/rathskellercoffeebarandpub.
SEE ON THE BEAT, PAGE 22
• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host “Open Mic Night” with Frank Lee every Tuesday, Granny’s Mason Jar (Americana/bluegrass) Aug. 15, Mountain Gypsy (Americana) 5 p.m. Aug. 16, Woolybooger (blues/folk) Aug. 21, Shane Meade (indie/soul) Aug. 22 and Liz Petty (singer-songwriter) 5 p.m. Aug. 23. All shows begin at 6 p.m unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 / mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com. • Nantahala Outdoor Center (Nantahala Gorge) will host “Music Bingo” 6 p.m. Aug. 13 (at Big Wesser), Ryan Barber (singersongwriter) 5 p.m. Aug. 14, Dave Desmelik (singer-songwriter) 1 p.m. Aug. 15, “Blues With Blue” (Americana/blues) 2 p.m. Aug. 16, “Music Bingo” 6 p.m. Aug. 20 (at Big Wesser), Tuck-aseegee 5 p.m. Aug. 21, Liz Nance (singer-songwriter) 1 p.m. Aug. 22, The Hillclimbers (Americana) 5 p.m. Aug. 22 and Dave Desmelik (singer-songwriter) 2 p.m. Aug. 23. Free and open to the public. 828.785.5082 / noc.com/events/2026-summer-music-series. • Old Edwards Inn (Highlands) will host live music in the Hummingbird Lounge at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Free and open to the public. 866.526.8008 / oldedwardshospitality.com.
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Smoky Mountain News
• Las Barricas (Franklin) will host C-Square Band 11 a.m. on the fourth Friday of each month. Free and open to the public. 828.349.4484 / lasbarricasmexicanrestaurant.com.
The “An Appalachian Evening” series will continue with a performance by The Jeff Little Trio at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, in Lynn L. Shields Auditorium at the Stecoah Valley Center in Robbinsville. The annual summer concert series offers an everchanging schedule of bluegrass, folk and old-time mountain music by award-winning artists — quality entertainment for the entire family. Rich in cultural heritage, the series continues to Jeff Little Trio. File photo be a favorite with locals and visitors alike. The piano rarely plays a prominent part in Appalachian or Americana music and is seldom the lead instrument. Jeff Little is an exception — and a remarkable one. His distinctive two-handed style, much influenced by the mountain flat-picked guitar tradition, is breathtaking in its speed, precision and clarity. In 2014, Little was inducted into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students grade K-12. Dinner will also be available for purchase in the Schoolhouse Cafe starting at 6 p.m. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, call 828.479.3364 or visit stecoahvalleycenter.com.
August 12-18, 2026
• Highlands Smokehouse (Highlands) will host live music from 1-3 p.m. Sundays. 828.526.3554 / highlandsmokehouse.com.
‘An Appalachian Evening’
• Peacock Performing Arts Center (Hayesville) will host Free Bird (Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute) Aug. 21. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For tickets, 828.389.ARTS / thepeacocknc.org.
arts & entertainment
host Doug Ramsay Aug. 13, Canon Cohen Band Aug. 14, Rock Holler Aug. 15, Corey Stevenson Aug. 19, Charles Walker Band Aug. 21 and Alamo Band Aug. 22. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.742.5700 / happsplace.com.
71 North Main St. Waynesville 21
arts & entertainment
On the stage • Peacock Performing Arts Center (Hayesville) will host “Appalachian Tales:
• Peacock Performing Arts Center (Hayesville) will host a special stage production of the musical “9 to 5” on select dates and times through Aug. 16. With music/lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, the musical is based Peackock Performing Arts Center. File photo on the seminal 1980 hit movie. Set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, Scribes On Stage” Aug. 22. All shows begin thought-provoking and even a little romantic. at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For For tickets, 828.389.ARTS / thepeacocknc.org. tickets, 828.389.ARTS / thepeacocknc.org.
ON THE BEAT, CONTINUED FROM 21
August 12-18, 2026
• Salty Dog’s Seafood & Grill (Maggie Valley) will host “Karaoke With Russell” on Mondays, Lance Turner (singer-songwriter) Aug. 14 and Shane Meade (indie/soul) Aug. 21. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.926.9105 / facebook.com/saltydogs2005.
Smoky Mountain News
• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee) will host comedy legend Gabriel Iglesias 9 p.m. Aug. 14. For tickets, visit caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee.
• Santé Wine Bar (Sylva) will host semi-regular live music on Sundays. All shows begin at 5 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.631.3075 / facebook.com/thewinebarandcellar. • Saturdays On Pine Concert Series (Highlands) will host Will Thompson Band Aug. 22. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. highlandschamber.org. • Sauced (Waynesville) will host “Music Bingo” 7 p.m. every other Wednesday (Aug. 12 and Aug. 24) and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.246.9585 / saucedwnc.com. • Scotsman (Waynesville) will host “Open Mic Night” every second Monday of the month with Bridget Gossett (sign-up at 6:30 p.m.), Gavin Graves (blues/folk) Aug. 13, TracEnd (rock/pop) 9 p.m. Aug. 15, Jenny & The Weazels (Celtic/world) 3 p.m. Aug. 16, Rene Russell (Americana) Aug. 20, DJ Booshaylee (pop/electronica) 9 p.m. Aug. 22 and Bratfolk (Celtic/world) 3 p.m. Aug. 23. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.6292 / scotsmanpublic.com. • Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will host “Yacht Rock Radio Live” 7:30 p.m. Aug. 28. Tickets start at $20 per person, 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 22 and open to the public. 828.246.0726 / smoky-
mountaindogbakery.com. • Stecoah Valley Center (Robbinsville) will host the “An Appalachian Evening” summer music series with Jeff Little Trio (Americana) Aug 15 and Seth Mulder & Midnight Run (Americana/bluegrass) Aug. 22. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. There will also be a “Community Jam” at 6 p.m. Aug. 18 (free). 828.479.3364 / stecoahvalleycenter.com. • Stubborn Bull (Highlands) will host “Live Music Monday” each week with local singer-songwriters including Mick Mayer Aug. 17. All shows begin at 5:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.200.0813 / the-stubborn-bull.com.
ALSO:
• Tattered Tartan Pub (Andrews) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. 828.835.2199. • Trailborn (Highlands) will host its “Carolina Concert Series” with local singer-songwriters on select dates on the weekends. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.482.1581 or trailborn.com/highlands. • Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host “Bluegrass Music” with Nitrograss 6 p.m. Wednesdays, “Karaoke” 9:30 p.m. Fridays, “Music Bingo” 7 p.m. Sundays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.526.8364 / theuglydogpub.com. • Valley Cigar & Wine Company (Waynesville) will host Amos Jackson (Motown/R&B) 5 p.m. Aug. 14, Hallowed Has Beens (southern rock/country) 2 p.m. Aug. 16, Rich Manz Trio (acoustic/oldies) 5 p.m. Aug. 21 and Chris Morel (singer-songwriter) 2 p.m. Aug. 23. Free and open to the public. 828.944.0686 / valleycigarandwineco.com. • Valley Tavern (Maggie Valley) will host “Trivia With Tom” Wednesdays, “Music Bingo”
HART presents ‘The Savannah Sipping Society’
Jenkins arrives determined to give the other women the push they need to shake things up. The story blends sharp Southern humor with a heartfelt ‘The Savannah Sipping Society.’ look at friendship, resilience Pull up a chair, pour a drink and starting over. Beneath the HART photo and spend an evening on the laughs is a reminder that family porch with a special stage production of “The is not always something we are born into. Savannah Sipping Society” on select dates and Sometimes it is something we find and choose times through Aug. 30 at the Haywood Arts for ourselves. What begins as a series of weekly Regional Theatre in Waynesville. happy hours soon becomes something much Directed by Annie Dragoo, this warm and more. Between laughter, porch conversations, witty comedy by Jones Hope Wooten celebrates questionable decisions and a drink or two, the unexpected friendship, fresh starts and discoverfour women begin taking chances, rediscovering ing that it is never too late to find where you themselves, and building a friendship none of belong. them realized they needed. Set on a picturesque veranda in Savannah, HART is offering a pay-what-you-can perGeorgia, “The Savannah Sipping Society” follows formance on the first Saturday of the production four Southern women who meet at moments when run to help keep theatre accessible to all. Payeach could use a change. Randa Covington is what-you-can tickets will go on sale one week struggling to adjust after an unexpected career before show day. Standard tickets for all other shift. Dot Haigler is navigating life after the loss performances are available now. of her husband. Marlafaye Mosley is recovering For more information and/or to purchase tickfrom heartbreak, while the free-spirited Jinx ets, visit harttheatre.org or call 828.456.6322.
Saturdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows and events begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.926.7440 / valley-tavern.com.
‘Community Contra Dance’ in Franklin
• Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post 5202 (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.456.9356 / vfw5202.org. • Vineyard At High Holly (Scaly Mountain) will host Shawn Hart (singer-songwriter) 3 p.m. Aug. 14, Rail Town (Americana) 2 p.m. Aug. 16, “Jazz Jam: A Casual Evening Of Jazz & Wine” 6 p.m. Aug. 19, Zorki (singer-songwriter) 3 p.m. Aug. 21 and Madison Owenby (singersongwriter) 2 p.m. Aug. 23. Free and open to the public. 828.482.5573 / thevineyardathighholly.com. • Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host “Trivia Night” 7 p.m. Mondays, “Karaoke Night” 8 p.m. Thursdays, with semi-regular DJs and live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 9 p.m. 828.456.4750 / facebook.com/waternhole.bar. • Western Carolina Brew & Wine (Highlands) will host Max Watson (singer-songwriter) Aug. 15. All shows begin at 1 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.342.6707 / wcbrewandwine.com. • Whiteside Brewing (Cashiers) will host Isaiah Breedlove (singer-songwriter) Aug. 14, Angela Easterling (singer-songwriter) Aug. 15, Seth & Sara (Americana) Aug. 21 and Wollybooger (blues/folk) Aug. 22. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.743.6000 / whitesidebrewing.com. • Yonder Community Market (Franklin) will host “First Friday Classic Country: Jim Austin & Friends” (Americana/country) 6 p.m. each month (Sept. 4, Oct. 2) and the “On the Lawn at Yonder” live music series with Alexa Rose & Josh Oliver (Americana/folk) 4 p.m. Aug. 23 (admission by donation). Family/dog friendly. 828.200.2169 / eatrealfoodinc.com.
A contra dance will be held in Franklin Aug. 20. Cricket Woodward photo A “Community Contra Dance” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Macon County Public Library 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 is necessary. Those who would like to come out just to listen to the music are welcome, too. For the uninitiated, the caller walks the dancers through the steps of the upcoming dance for a few minutes and then continues to call the moves in time to the music so the dancers know what to do next. Dances will include contras, squares, mixers and perhaps a few other types of folk dances appropriate to the level of the dancers in attendance. Beginners are strongly encouraged to arrive by 6:30 p.m. for the instruction. The dance itself will run from 7-9 p.m. Experienced dancers are quite willing to help those new to contra dance get started with the movements. A suggested donation of $10 per person goes to pay the band and caller. Kids age 14 and under are free, as are first-timers. 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.
On the shelf
Thomas Crowe
I
indigenous guides, we trek through Ecuadoran cloud-forest in an odyssey experience with undergrowth, overstory and, of course, the river, which he musically describes as, “The white noise of the cascade, with its repeating elements, is a Philip Glass composition.” In part 2, it is spring, and we are with Macfarlane in India at the mouth of the Adyar River at the Indian Ocean with his Indian guide Yuvan and the book’s section on “Ghosts, Monsters and Angels”: “The ghosts are those rivers who had to be killed for cities to live. The monsters are the terrible forms those rivers ghosts take every few years, when they are resurrected by cyclone or monsoon. And the angels are those who watch over the lives of the rivers where they survive,” he writes. These metaphors go a long way toward telling the story in this section referencing humans who have lived and died by the rivers of southeast India for 1.5 million years. In this section, we venture down Indian rivers alongside pelicans, painted storks, spoonbills and snakebirds. From darker inferences, Macfarlane brings the name and work of Thomas Berry to the fore to give this section and this country’s rivers an ecological and spiritual boost. This and the mention of “sea-sparkle” helps to brighten the monsoon season and the whole ocean or river glitters with sea-algae “like magic,” he says. “You can see all the veins of the forest lit up — you can see that everything is connected,” says Yuvan. Spring turns to autumn in part 3 and we find outselves on “the Living River,” as Macfarlane refers to the Mutehekau Shipu River in Canada, with a female indigenous Innu woman named Rita, who takes us on a more spiritual journey from a Native American perspective through the provinces of the French-Canadian landscape and an inland lake only reachable by float-plane. “A river births a lake, a lake in turn births a river. Who is the parent and who the child?” asks the Innu guide. But the chapter goes on for another 50 pages of human interactions, camping, and hiking with rainstorms and wind, and various indigenous rituals, and the stories of the river guardians who oversee its protection and who chant the provocative phrase to end this book’s profound prophetic journey: “Death and love and life, all mingled in the flow.” (Thomas Rain Crowe is the author of more than 30 books, including the award-winning nature memoir “Zoro’s Field: My Life in the Appalachian Woods,” and is a longtime resident of Jackson County.)
‘Mountain Ramblings’ at City Lights Timothy S. Moore will share his new book, “Mountain Ramblings: An Exploration of a Place and Its People,” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug 13, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. “Mountain Ramblings” is a lyrical and contemplative journey through the Southern Appalachian region, blending personal memoir, theological reflection, poetic rhythm and travelogue. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 828.586.9499 or visit citylightsnc.com.
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Smoky Mountain News
He then gets very personal and brings his perspective home to the body of whoever is reading his words: “Water flows in and through us. Running, we are rivers. Seated, we are pools. Our brains and hearts are three-quarters water, our skin is two-thirds water; even our bones are watery. We were swimmers before we were walkers, slowturning like breath-divers in the dark flotation tank of the womb. Rivers run through people as surely as they run through places.” But “we have become waterproofed,” he proclaims and goes on to quote writers like Ivan Illich and Robin Wall Kimmerer, whom he quotes as saying, “We have largely lost a love-language for rivers.” Macfarlane says he prefers to refer to rivers as “who” rather than using inanimate pronouns. His descriptions of rivers tend to resemble vascular systems and neural networks. “Everyone lives in a watershed,” he proclaims. He imagines rivers in the future that are flowing “free and clear” and, like the Maori indigenous people of New Zealand believe, that rivers are living, sacred ancestors. He, then, introduces us to the “Rights of Nature” movement that works to legislatively mobilize communities that are led mainly by indigenous peoples and women. “We will never think like a river,” Macfarlane writes; “but maybe we can think with them.” We start out in winter in part 1 with specific rivers in Ecuador and mainly the River of the Cedars (Los Cedros). “I want to trace back towards its source in the upper gorges of the cloud-forest,” he starts. He, then, describes the river upon arrival: “Where the streams and rivers flow fast over rapids in Los Cedros, they are green-watered, and where they gather in pools they are blue as a glacier’s heart. Pumas and spotted cats drink from them. White-throated dippers fish them.” It is the cloud-forest, he writes, that is really a water-forest that acts as a collector for the moisture suspended in the mist which allows the river to maintain its flow even in dry periods. In the company of
August 12-18, 2026
n best-selling and award-winning author Robert Macfarlane’s new book, “Is the River Alive?” (2025, 374 pages) the title’s question, “Is the river alive?” jumps out at you even before you’ve turned the first page. What does he mean? After 374 pages, you will know exactly what Macfarlane means, and your idea of what a river is will be changed forever. I’ve read a few of Macfarlane’s previous books (“The Wild Places,” “The Old Ways,” Writer “Underland”) and I’ve always enjoyed, been educated and appreciated his intimately comprehensive poetic style of writing. “Is the River Alive?” is a profound extension of these previous books. Macfarlane’s format for this book is in three parts of around a hundred pages each that are divided into the seasons of winter, spring and autumn, with storylines of extended travels and time spent in the countries of Ecuador, India and Canada. The lucky reader gets to spend quality time in each of these locations with Macfarlane as he travels and tromps through wilderness, and explores three of these three countries major rivers. The book begins with a kind of diary entry about the author’s life and family in preparation for these major treks he is about to embark upon. We get to know who Macfarlane is and some of his passions and history as a naturalist and travel writer. Right away in the introduction, Macfarlane sets the stage for what is coming in part 1. “Each of these three rivers is a place where rivers are understood in some fundamental way to be alive — and in each place, too, the survival of rivers is under severe threat: in Ecuador from mining, in India from pollution and in Nitassinan, Canada, from dams.”
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Outdoors More experienced riders came out to the bike park to get some big air. Kyle Perrotti photos
Air time Haywood County bike track brings out riders of all ages
BY KYLE PERROTTI NEWS EDITOR igh speed and big air were the orders of the day, and Haywood County’s BMX riders were happy to oblige. On Aug. 8, the long-awaited Raccoon Creek Bike Park in Waynesville opened to the public, also drawing people from the surrounding community and beyond to see what all the fuss was about. Dozens of kids and adults of skill levels enjoyed the ups and downs of the Velosolutions pump track and accompanying jump track — some were concerned with speed, some with big air and others just with keeping upright. Don Ramsey, a member of the county finance department, planned the Aug. 8 event as well as the preceding ribbon cutting. As a former employee for the City of Asheville, Ramsey was in the asset management division for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, so he was able to handle the duty. “We started planning probably about six weeks ago when we knew the park was going to be finished,” Ramsey said. The county brought out had a well-known freestyle BMX rider with 139,000 Instagram followers for the event. Angie Marino is originally from Buffalo, New York, but is now based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Marino, who took plenty of runs on the pump track throughout the day, said it may be her favorite to date. “It’s really awesome that they have a pump track side and then a jump side as well,” she said. “We have a Velosolutions track in Salt Lake as well, and I can say that this one is way better.” A pump track is a paved continuous circuit of bumps called rollers and banked berms. It’s smaller and tighter than a typical dirt BMX track. Riders build speed not through pedaling but “pumping” their body up and down throughout to generate momentum. While Marino has competed on larger
A 15,000 square-foot pump track is the main attraction at Haywood County’s Raccoon Creek Bike Park.
H
Pro BMX rider Angie Marino hits one of the berms.
dirt tracks, she was glad to get some time on the pump track. She was there to promote the new park and the event, but she also viewed it as a sort of practice. “A pump track is a really good skill-building thing to have, just learning the basics and getting better technique like learning how to pump and doing the push and pull,” she said. The 19-acre bike park sits atop part of what was not so long ago the Franics Farm Landfill, which operated from 1973-1995. Because it was constructed without an impermeable liner at the bottom, the county for decades battled methane and groundwater issues. In 2019, surveys determined that seepage was under control, and by 2022, a $5.4 million restrictive cover was placed overtop to mitigate rainwater infiltration that entrained pollutants and carried them to other areas. In recent years, the land became a grassy expanse that the county had to regularly mow. Ahead of the bike park’s construction, county staff graded the land to a specific elevated pad and left a stockpile of fill dirt. From there, the American Ramp Company took over, carefully forming jumps and laying asphalt by hand. A red stripe bordering the pump track serves as an indication that it is certified, which allows it to host Velosolutions races. The project came in around $3 million, with $675,000 spent on the track and the rest going toward accompanying amenities. Deputy County Manager and Director for Development Services Kris Boyd said the grand opening feels like a victory for the many employees who brought it to fruition. “They’re very proud,” Boyd said. “We have a lot of folks that were involved with this, from solid waste staff to facility staff to administration to recreation.” The casual observer can’t see all that now. All they see is a 15,000-square-foot pump track, bathrooms, a pavilion, a playground and a spacious parking lot surrounded by the beautiful mountains we call home. The project hit some snags and overshot its originally planned opening date by about a year, but the wait seems to be worth it. Corrina Ruffieux — Executive Director of the Haywood County Tourism and Development Authority, which provided $275,000 in grant funding for the project — said the track will be an economic boon. It fits in perfectly with the TDA’s master plan, especially when taken alongside Chestnut Mountain Park in Canton, she noted. “It’s outdoor recreation. It’s close to our business centers. It’s a win for locals and it’s a win for the visitor economy,” she said. While the park may aid in attracting overnight visitors, even folks who come out for the day will spend money at county businesses, pumping dollars into the local economy and generating sales tax revenue. There were several people from out of town at the Aug. 8 event, including from South Carolina.
outdoors
Learn why the Smokies is called the “Salamander Capital of the World” while searching for different species throughout the park on Aug. 18. Shannon Welch photo
Smokies Life announces 2026 Branch Out events research. Discover one of the Smokies’ most fascinating residents during “Sensational Salamanders,” from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 18, where participants will search for and identify amphibians at various locations throughout the park while learning about their habitats, diets and role in the park’s ecosystem. Looking to learn more about the Smokies with an online session from home? The Wildlife Tracking Webinar on Aug. 24 teaches participants to identify animal tracks and uncover the stories they tell. Cost for Branch Out events: for Park Keepers, $45; to join and attend, $85 (Park Keeper basic membership $40 + event registration $45). For more info, see smokieslife.org/branch-out-events or email membership@smokieslife.org.
Smoky Mountain News
be offer an open day when anyone can use the track, something that should look similar to the Aug. 8 event. It will be the final U.S. qualifier for 2026, which county officials previously said they believe will draw more competitors looking for one last chance to break through and earn a spot in the championship in Beijing, China. Ruffieux is “This is a win-win. This is a repurposed looking forward property that wasn’t being used for anything to it. This kind of can be proand wasn’t generating revenue before. Now event moted, and visitor spending can it’s providing outdoor recreation for our be tracked, locals and driving economic impact.” meaning the exact economic — Corrina Ruffieux impact of the park will be known. the county must provide crucial event pro“This is a win-win,” she said. “This is a duction infrastructure, including sound sysrepurposed property that wasn’t being used tem, power supplies, riders’ areas, registrafor anything and wasn’t generating revenue tion facilities and signage. Ramsey, who is before. Now it’s providing outdoor recrealso planning that event, said that Sept. 11 ation for our locals and driving economic will feature a practice day for the competiimpact.” tors. Sept. 12 will be race day. Sept. 13 will The greatest realization of the pump track’s value as an economic asset will come next month when it hosts the Velosolutions UCI Pump Track World Championships Qualifier from Sept. 11-13. Waynesville is one of just four cities in the country to have the event. To make good on its end of the contract,
August 12-18, 2026
Smokies Life has announced its August through November 2026 schedule of Branch Out events, offering 12 unique opportunities to explore, learn and connect with Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From hands-on workshops and guided hikes to wildlife encounters and cultural storytelling, Branch Out programs invite participants to experience the Smokies through the eyes of expert naturalists, artists and historians. Membership in Smokies Life, a nonprofit partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is required to attend; annual Park Keeper memberships start at $40. Today, more than 29,000 Park Keepers help Smokies Life support the perpetual preservation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park by funding efforts that foster greater public understanding and appreciation through education, interpretation and
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outdoors
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August 12-18, 2026
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Smoky Mountain News
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Puzzles can be found on page 30 These are only the answers.
Highlands Nature center temporarily closes The Highlands Nature Center, a beloved community destination for environmental education and discovery, will temporarily close beginning Aug. 16 as it undergoes a series of important preservation and improvement projects designed to protect the historic building and enhance its longterm sustainability. The renovation project, scheduled to begin in mid-August and continue through late fall, will focus on three primary areas: • Replacing aging chestnut support columns along the exterior walls with structural metal beams while preserving the building’s historic appearance by incorporating the original chestnut columns into the finished interior design. • Installing new energy-efficient windows throughout the building. The windows will feature bird-friendly etched glass designed to reduce bird collisions, a leading cause of bird mortality in North America. • Protecting the building from water intrusion through foundation sealing and site improvements, including grading adjust-
ments around the building and rear parking area to improve drainage. The nature center will remain open through Saturday, August 15, operating on its regular summer schedule of Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to stop by and enjoy the exhibits before construction begins. While the building will be closed during renovations, the nature center grounds will remain open to the public. Educational programming will continue through outreach initiatives, outdoor programs, and events held at the Sto Pavilion and across the Highlands Biological Station campus. Additional details about fall programming will be announced in the coming weeks. The nature center is expected to reopen in early 2027 following completion of the renovation project. For updates and information about upcoming programs, visit the Highlands Biological Station website or follow their social media channels.
Drought eases across North Carolina
ers data from July 28 through August 4. In that time, are-as in eastern North Carolina received over two inches of rain, helping to ease the drought in the coastal plain. Parts of Rockingham, Caswell, Person, Granville, Vance and Warren counties in central North Carolina and portions of Macon, Jackson and Transylvania counties in Western North Carolina are in extreme drought, the second worst category. More information on what the classifications mean for water systems and the public is available at ncdrought.org. For counties in exceptional or extreme drought, water systems are advised to follow their Water Shortage Response Plans and adhere to water use reduction measures. Systems in these areas must report weekly water use and conservation status online at the Water Use Reporting website.
Many areas in North Carolina received rain over the last week, continuing to ease widespread drought. However, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report released on Aug. 6, most of the state is still in moderate to severe drought, with Brunswick County experiencing the worst drought conditions. With many reservoir levels still below normal, the public is still encouraged to conserve water. Streamflows in the Mountains are continuing to improve. Flows in the Tuckasegee, Catawba and Roanoke basins experienced smaller improvements this week. The latest map, released Aug. 6, consid-
Wildlife Commission accepting public comments The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is accepting public comments through Sept. 14 for the agency’s proposed 2027-28 hunting, fishing and game land regulation changes. Virtual public hearings on the proposed changes are scheduled for Aug. 20 and Aug. 25. Each year, NCWRC reviews and adjusts seasons, bag limits and land management regulations, as needed, to achieve conservation management goals, comply with statutory changes and respond to constituent requests and suggestions. The public is encouraged to review and comment on the proposed rule changes. All proposed regulations and information on submitting comments may be found on the agency’s website. Visit NCWRC’s Regulations Digest to review the state’s current hunting and fishing regulations. NCWRC commissioners will consider the proposed changes at the October 2026 meeting. If adopted, most of the rules will take effect August 1, 2027, and will be in place for the 20272028 inland fishing, hunting and trapping seasons. A few approved rules would have a January 1, 2027 effective date.
Virtual hearings will be at noon on Aug. 20 and 6 p.m. on Aug. 25. Pre-registration is required. Comments can be submitted at ncwildlife.gov/hunting/regulations/proposed-regulations/2027-2028-annual-rulemaking-cycle-proposed-rule-changes, via
Each year, the Wildlife Commission hears from the public regard-ing proposed hunting and fishing regulation changes. File photo
Recreation Fee changes proposed for WNC national forests The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to change fees at three recreation areas on the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests in North Carolina. The public is invited to provide input to proposed fee changes through Oct. 5, 2026. While the Forest Service uses recreation fees for maintenance and improving visitor experiences, most recreation sites on the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests do not require a fee. The Forest Service will continue to honor all nationally recognized fee-free days. The proposed fee changes the Forest Service seeks comment on include:
Birding in Franklin email at regulations@ncwildlife.gov (please include name, county and state of residence) or by sending a letter to Rulemaking Coordinator, 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1701.
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 dependent.
• Balsam Lake Lodge – an increase from $170 to $210 per night on weekdays and from $200 to $250 on weekends • Picnic pavilion rentals at Poplar Boat Launch and Rocky Bluff Picnic Area – a new $50 fee per day for picnic pavilion group rental The picnic pavilions are planned improvements to Poplar and Rocky Bluff. Use of the sites and the picnic pavilions outside of reserved group rentals will be free. Sites are available on recreation.gov with an additional reservation fee of $8. The public is invited to comment on the proposed fee changes by Oct. 5, 2026. For more information, visit at fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/recreation/recre ation-fee-proposal. To provide comments about these fee proposals, visit arcg.is/1Gu8zH1 or contact Logan Free at 828.257.4256, sm.fs.nfsncfees@usda.gov or by mail a: ATTN: Recreation Fee Proposals, 160A Zillicoa St. Asheville, NC 28801. Once public involvement is complete, these recreation fee changes will be reviewed by an advisory committee. Schedule for upcoming walks: • Aug. 19, meet at the Macon County Library parking lot. • Aug. 26, meet at Big Bear parking lot near the dog park area. • Sept. 2, meet at the Salali Lane parking lot. A full schedule and directions to each starting location can be found at facebook.com/groups/franklinbirdclub or littletennessee.org/franklin-bird-club.
August 12-18, 2026
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NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION Case No.26E000454-430 Cathy L Hodge, having TXDOL¿HG DV WKH ([HFXWRU RI WKH (VWDWH RI Delano Dee Buchanan of Haywood County, 1RUWK &DUROLQD WKLV LV WR QRWLI\ DOO SHUVRQV KDYLQJ FODLPV DJDLQVW WKH (VWDWH WR SUHVHQW WKHP WR WKH XQGHUVLJQHG RQ RU EHIRUH Nov 12 2026 RU WKLV QRWLFH ZLOO EH SOHDGHG LQ EDU RI WKHLU UHFRYHU\ $OO SHUVRQV LQGHEWHG WR VDLG (VWDWH SOHDVH PDNH LPPHGLDWH SD\PHQW Executor 931 Ridgeview Dr Mt. Lookout, WV 26678 NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION Case No.25E000686-430 6DQGUD %URZQ &KHHN KDYLQJ TXDOL¿HG DV WKH $GPLQLVWUDWRU RI WKH (VWDWH RI David Jonathan Cheek of Haywood
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29
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ANSWERS ON PAGE 26
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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, Answers on 26 the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!
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August 12-18, 2026
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August 12-18, 2026
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Smoky Mountain News August 12-18, 2026