Smoky Mountain News | July 22, 2026

County commissioners vote to de-Flock Page 4

Smokies continues repairs following Helene Page 24

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Since the pandemic, childcare options around Western North Carolina have become thinner and more expensive. In the wake of that shortage, educational institutions at all levels have stepped up to fill the void. While some of those options were initially intended to serve those who work for or attend these schools and colleges, they have become a cornerstone of the childcare network in the region. (Page 8) Lily Levin photo

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De-flocking Macon

County votes to let ALPR contract lapse

BY KYLE PERROTTI

N EWS E DITOR

As the country becomes increasingly consumed by the debate over Flock cameras, the issue has hit the Smoky Mountains as Macon County voted to let its contract with the company lapse.

Flock cameras monitor traffic on public roads, taking a picture of every vehicle as it passes by and then running that information through its database. Law enforcement agencies that use Flock cameras have “hotlists” on which they place vehicles that may have

been stolen or are associated with a suspected criminal. Any vehicle on the hotlist is flagged, and an alert is sent to the agency that placed it on the list. They are often used to track vehicles suspected of trafficking narcotics in lieu of using personnel to keep eyes on a suspected drug runner.

Citizens across the country have questioned whether Flock cameras might violate Americans’ Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures and requires that agencies obtain a warrant to conduct a reasonable search. While the United States Supreme Court has yet to establish precedent dictating how the constitution may apply to Flock cameras, it may soon.

would require a warrant signed by a judge who would determine whether probable cause exists. The court determined that only constant, moment-by-moment tracking constitutes such a search whereas taking a series of photographs of points in time do not. That case is now with the Fourt Circuit Court of Appeals and has the potential to come before SCOTUS.

Just last month, SCOTUS handed down a ruling that may foreshadow how it would consider the use of Flock cameras when it determined that the use of a geofencing warrant to arrest a suspected bank robber in Virginia constituted a Fourth Amendment search. Geofencing is a technique that pulls widespread cellular device data to determine

who may have been in a certain area when a crime was committed. SCOTUS, after determining that the geofencing warrant was tantamount to a search, remanded the case to a lower court to determine if that search was “reasonable.”

In 2023, North Carolina established a pilot program allowing the Department of Transportation to enter into an agreement with the State Bureau of Investigation to place automated license plate readers (ALPRs), like Flock cameras, along public roads in certain counties, including Macon. Lawmakers tucked a provision into the recently passed state budget that included a permanent, statewide surveillance program. According to state law, data obtained is considered confidential and can’t be disclosed except to authorized individuals for legitimate law enforcement purposes.

Many have expressed concern that there is still potential for widespread misuse or even hacking of the system. Recently, three Georgia deputies were fired and arrested in connection to alleged improper use of license plate readers for personal reasons.

However, law enforcement overwhelmingly supports the use of Flock cameras and now considers them an invaluable tool.

David WIjewickrama, a Waynesville attorney who represents several Western North Carolina sheriffs as well as plaintiffs in use of force cases, believes ALPRs should be used across the country. Wijewickrama’s logic is that, yes, Flock cameras can be misused, but we already trust law enforcement with firearms, tasers and handcuffs. Agency policies can be tweaked to provide accountability for Flock misuse and tighten up any loopholes.

“This is the greatest advancement in public service technology in my 57 years of life,” he said.

Meanwhile, although no states have banned Flock cameras, dozens of county and municipal governments

across the country have, including some in North Carolina. In other locations, people have taken things into their own hands, like in Rutherford County, where earlier this month a Flock camera was vandalized.

Pockets of vocal anti-Flock sentiment had emerged in Western North Carolina over the last year, but just recently the issue finally rose to the surface as a grassroots campaign pushed Macon County commis-

In the weeks before the meeting, Commissioner John Shearl generated a good deal of interest in the subject with a series of Facebook posts decrying the technology. With Shearl’s ability to bring the item to a vote, Sheriff Brent Holbrooks went before commissioners to argue in favor of what he believes is a life-saving tool.

Until last week’s vote, Macon County

sioners to vote unanimously to defund and remove cameras owned by its sheriff’s office.

Over 100 people showed up to the July 15 meeting with dozens standing along the walls and some spilling into the hallway. There were multiple agenda items that drew attention, so commissioners had four signin sheets for public comments, one for each of the hottest topics — data centers, withdrawal from the Fontana Regional library System, commissioner district reapportionment and Flock cameras. Some were keen to talk about just one item, but most seemed to feel strongly about all of them.

Many of the commenters offered facts and opinions reflecting the national conversation. They were afraid of misuse, infringement on their privacy and the slippery slope that ends with everyone, even in rural Macon County, living in a surveillance state.

“It sounds like China to me,” said commenter Bill Trick.

Republican county commission candidate Dylan Castle reminded the board that part of their oath as elected officials required that they defend the United States Constitution. As far as he was concerned, Flock cameras spit in the face of the guaranteed right to privacy as he believed the nationwide response to the COVID pandemic did in the early part of this decade.

“Surely you can see the potential for abuse, not just locally but by anyone who is capable of gaining access to this data,” Castle said.

had 16 Flock cameras, 12 owned by the sheriff’s office and four owned by the school system. Holbrooks said the cameras in the county log between 1 million and 3 million license plates per month. They’ve been used daily to assist in investigations tied to suspected breaking and entering, larcenies and narcotics-related offenses. He added that they’ve also been used — successfully in some cases — to aid searches for missing persons during Amber Alerts or Silver Alerts.

Holbrooks also called up one of his lieutenants, Lee Tritt, to attest to the value of Flock cameras, saying they’re a “gamechanger.” Tritt repeated the commonly espoused fact that the first 48 hours are crucial in criminal investigations. The sooner a suspect is developed, the greater chance a crime can be solved, he said.

“Those cameras are almost like having an extra deputy,” he added.

During drug investigations, deputies can add a target vehicle to the hotlist so that it flags every time it goes by a camera so they can generally know what trips are made and when, developing a pattern of behavior around which to shape an investigation.

“We’re not physically having to be with them and sit with them and babysit them the whole way … it takes at least five of us in five cars to do that, and we have to stay with them for hours, so it also burns up your overtime,” he said.

Shearl wasn’t hearing it. The commissioner, who said he’d spent three weeks tirelessly researching the subject pushed back hard. The conversation between him and Holbrooks at times became heated and other times diverged into tangents about constitutional rights and general duties of a North Carolina sheriff.

Like many members of the public who commented, Shearl expressed concern about Fourth Amendment violations. Holbrooks argued that capturing information in a photograph taken of a vehicle does not constitute a Fourth Amendment violation since there’s no expectation of privacy on public roads, noting that anyone who visits a big box store can expect to be on camera the whole time, often with software on the other side performing facial recognition analysis.

Alex Guth, a representative from Flock, spoke to try to assuage Shearl’s concerns. Echoing Holbrooks, he explained that while SCOTUS ruled that geofencing is illegal because it continuously tracks a person, Flock cameras don’t do that. They take pictures of vehicles in a specific time and place. Another concern he addressed was retention of data. He said all data is purged 30 days after it’s recorded, and all data is in the custody of the law enforcement organization with the Flock contract.

Guth cited situations where Flock likely saved lives and where the cameras could have prevented a tragedy, including the Covenant shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 27, 2023, that ended with six victims losing their lives, including three nineyear-old children. In that case, he said, the shooter — who likely would have been flagged — sat in the parking lot for several minutes before entering the school.

“We have real world examples for everything …. In Austin, Texas, there was a crime spree that took place for 48 hours with a group of juveniles who were randomly shooting houses, apartments and people. Over 200 officers worked multiple air units, multiple K-9 units. Do you know what caught those individuals? A city of 20,000 people with one Flock camera as they drove by.”

Shearl asked Guth about the instances where officers had abused the technology and been fired.

their use. There have been false accusations leveled on account of cases built around Flock images. The commissioner didn’t seem to care much for Guth’s answers and spent a good deal of time lecturing from his seat. Eventually, he redirected his line of questioning back toward Holbrooks going back to their alleged infringement on people’s privacy.

“John, listen, I'm right there with you with government overreach,” Holbrooks said. “If I have any inclination that there is any [data] being sold or any violations, I'll pull them up myself.”

“I get it, but not until it's proven in U.S. Supreme Court. How many people have you violated until it is?” Shearl said.

Shearl read Holbrooks’ job description out loud in front of the audience, which by that point had thinned out considerably. Shearl reminded the sheriff that he’s a “con-

wrestle with the same pros and cons. Breeden, who served as a Swain County deputy from 2010-2015 and still has an active law enforcement certificate with Macon County, considered whether it was worth surveilling everyone just to catch a limited number of criminals. He weighed the good with the bad — or at least the unknowns.

“I understand where people are coming from, but we're selling out every day,” Breeden said. “We're on Facebook … You're being tracked, regardless of if it's Flock or something else.”

Shearl made a motion to “de-Flock Macon County,” which amounted to defunding the cameras by opting out of the contract once it’s set to renew.

Commission Chair Josh Young offered his thoughts, opening his remarks by saying he’d “dreaded” the conversation for a few

they don't want the cameras, and I feel like I represent those people,” he said.

“I work for the people, the people put me here, and I've had an overwhelming majority of people reach out and say they just don't want me. Period,” he added.

On June 20, five days after the meeting, Young and Breeden spoke with The Smoky Mountain News to answer questions regarding the logic behind their decisions. Those two commissioners seemed most on the fence prior to the vote, but to say that they would personally support the use of Flock cameras were it not for constituent feedback would be misleading. Young’s feelings are more complicated than that. He didn’t think anyone would dispute that Flock cameras are a valuable tool for narcotics investigations and quick responses to kidnapping and Silver Alerts, but he doesn’t trust how the data may be stored or used beyond the control of local law enforcement.

“I feel like I could support it a whole lot more if it were our law enforcement tied with state law enforcement versus a third party providing monitoring data and profiting off of this,” Young said. Breeden echoed that sentiment.

“I do see the good in it, but there’s a lot of unknowns in where the data goes, and we don’t really have control over it,” Breeden said.

“They rightfully should [be fired],” Guth said.

Shearl questioned how officers are caught abusing the system. Guth said he had a “hunch” that there was an investigation completed that determined they’d used Flock cameras illegally.

“I don't want a hunch,” Shear said. “I want the truth, and the and the truth is this: if Flock has safety nets in place, then it wouldn't have gone on for three months, would it? I mean, some of these officers have been doing this for three months. Don't tell me you've got safety nets that protects the citizens of this country, because most of the things that I've researched, this company is secretive.”

The commissioner said that the number of crimes solved by Flock does not justify

body’s lives, going back to the Patriot Act that became law in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and expanded both domestic and foreign surveillance programs, including the use of wiretaps on phones. With the prevalence of mobile devices most people carry now, that surveillance has only become more ubiquitous, especially as companies like Palantir have developed software that uses AI to collect and analyze data on behalf of the federal government for a whole host of purposes. Shearl argued that people choose to use a cell phone. While driving a public road may technically be a choice, there isn’t much way around it.

By the end of the long back and forth, Holbrooks said that whatever way the board decided to vote, he was just glad the whole thing would be over then and there.

Ahead of the vote, Commissioner Barry Breeden said Flock cameras were a “50-50 for him.” He saw their value as a tool but also understood the concern citizens have about what feels like surveillance that is ever-encroaching on their privacy. All commissioners, other than Shearl, seemed to

those who did and weren’t in law enforcement were almost entirely against them, he said, adding that those opinions came from across the political spectrum.

The motion passed on a 5-0 vote. Shearl asked when the cameras would “disappear from Macon County.” Because they’d only voted on renewal of the contract with Flock, there was nothing mandating their removal. Shearl made a motion that the cameras are removed as soon as it’s feasible. The motion was seconded by Breeden before being passed unanimously.

While the 12 cameras operated by the sheriff’s office will come down, those used by county schools will remain. Shearl asked that those cameras be moved to school property so they’re not taking pictures on public roads.

During the meeting, Young said that the constituent feedback he received affected his decision.

“In my heart, I just genuinely feel like the people that I represent, the people that I work with, just the average paid, you know, working man and woman that I run into,

Chris Cooper, who heads up Western Carolina University’s political science program, said that the pushback against Flock cameras is unique because it spans much of the political spectrum. “You’ve got civil libertarians who voted proudly for Harris and civil libertarians who’ve got a MAGA hat in their closet, and they’re united on this issue,” Cooper said.

However, the issue likely wouldn’t have seen daylight — at least not as early as it did — were it not for Shearl using social media to create conversations about Flock cameras in the weeks ahead of the July 15 meeting and his ability to put the item on the agenda. Although he had his own reservations regarding the use of Flock cameras, Young did admit that constituent feedback impacted his decision. “At the end of the day, when people show up and every text message, email and phone call was from people saying we don’t want flock cameras, how do you vote against the people in that case?” he said. Cooper noted that Shearl’s ability to create such a powerful local movement in a short time is a reminder that anyone’s voice can lead to actual policy change, especially in smaller local governments, comparing Macon’s anti-Flock push to the movement that led to sweeping changes with the Fontana Regional Library System driven by just a handful of local conservative activists.

“We spend so much time thinking about Donald Trump and national politics to remember that sometimes a small number of people can make a big difference in local politics,” he said. “And it matters.”

Cashiers teachers struggle with cost of living

BY ALEX PERRI STAFF WRITER

The average home price in Cashiers is $1.4 million. The starting salary for a first-year teacher in North Carolina is in the low $40,000s.

These two figures present a challenge for Jackson County Public Schools when it comes to recruiting and hiring teachers at Blue Ridge School and Blue Ridge Early College, which share a joint PreK through high school campus at the southern end of the county. Unless someone is independently wealthy or has family land, no one can afford to live in the community, and the other places to live are a long and windy drive away.

“It is so bad everywhere in Jackson County, and it is catastrophically bad in Cashiers,” said Jake Buchanan, JCPS deputy superintendent. “There has never been a worse time to recruit staff for the school system because of the housing costs than right now.”

Despite this challenge, Blue Ridge School principal Rayna Crisp said she was proud to share that Blue Ridge School’s PreK through sixth grade teaching positions are fully staffed for the upcoming school year, an achievement she attributes the school’s positive workplace culture.

Still, she said teacher retention is a challenge in rural communities like Cashiers.

“The cost of living in the Cashiers area is beyond what many educators and support staff can reasonably afford, requiring many employees to commute from surrounding communities such as Cullowhee, Sylva, Macon County, Brevard or neighboring counties in South Carolina and Georgia,” Crisp said. “While those distances may not appear significant in miles, mountain roads, elevation changes and winding terrain result in longer travel times and increased vehicle wear, maintenance and fuel costs.”

Though the high cost of living has been an issue in retaining a stable workforce for all employers in Cashiers for years, the issue of teacher pay has come to head recently, as Jackson County commissioners and school board members discussed what could be done about it at their July 9 meeting.

While commissioners and school board members clashed when it came to funding for school district capital projects, they seemed to be in agreement that if they wanted to keep Blue Ridge School well staffed, they’d have to start paying more.

Commissioner Michael Jennings, who lives in Cashiers, brought up the topic at the July 9 meeting and said that teachers having to drive long distances is not sustainable. In a later interview with The Smoky Mountain News, he said he regularly hears his constituents ask for better conditions for teachers and students at Blue Ridge School. Not only are plans for capital improvement projects at the school stalled as commissioners and school board members squabble over how much funding the

school should get and for what projects, but routine maintenance projects to fix issues like leaky roofs have also gone at a snail’s pace, according to some in the community.

Couple that with the fact that Blue Ridge School offers fewer Career and Technical Education classes than other schools in the county, and many Cashiers locals feel like they seem to get the short end of the stick an awful lot, especially given that the majority of the tax base for Jackson County comes from the Cashiers end of the county.

“It’s a real tight-knit community,” Jennings said. “People help each other and work together a lot, but there is just not enough. There’s not enough opportunity for those kids. It’s leaving those kids behind, in my opinion, not offering them anything that the rest of the county would get.”

“Jackson County could attract veteran teachers with an experience-based county

you’re doing multiple jobs and you’re only paid for one. Among students, it’s kind of

Keeping teachers in classrooms in the Cashiers area, which boasts almost unbelievable home prices, has been a challenge.

Crisp remains positive about the school’s outlook and focuses on aspects of the workplace she can control like fostering a positive culture, providing instructional support, encouraging collaboration, recognizing staff accomplishments and helping teachers maintain a healthy work-life balance. She also pointed to their partnership with Blue Ridge School Education Foundation, which helps fund teacher support and additional educational opportunities for students, as a big help for the Blue Ridge School community.

Her hope is that collaboration with community leaders, local government and education partners will lead to solutions.

For some teachers, however, the pay remains prohibitive despite enjoying their time in the classroom. Cashiers resident Reagan Bunch taught at Blue Ridge School for the last two years but will not be returning in the fall. She said she couldn’t live on her salary of $44,000 a year even after she moved into a fixer-upper R.V. on family land. Now that she’s no longer a county employee and can speak more freely on the conditions at Blue Ridge School, Bunch felt compelled to advocate for the teachers who choose to stay.

“I get discouraged when I look to my future and see veteran teachers with 20-plus years of experience earning only $5,000 more than I would annually,” Bunch said.

missioners, which was $3,000 and $1,500 for certified and non-certified staff respectively. Additionally, the supplement is not tied to experience, meaning that a first-year teacher and a veteran teacher would receive the same amount. Bunch said having the supplement come from a percentage of the teacher’s salary would be a better way to divvy out the money, as a 20-year teacher would receive more for their experience.

With the cost of living at an all-time high in Cashiers, it seems commissioners might be more willing to shell out additional county money to help ameliorate the problem.

“If the state won’t pay more, the county’s going to have to pay a little bit more for these teachers and staff, for the kids, or it’s going to eventually be a real struggle,” Jennings said. “I am willing. I’m not saying that we’d have to raise taxes to do that because there’s plenty of spending right now that’s not necessary, in my opinion, and I voiced quite of bit of that at the budget meetings we had, but I think some of that money that we’re spending elsewhere in other departments could be used more so for the schools than where it’s going now.”

And according to Bunch, the county better take these considerations seriously. Despite school pride, morale can be low.

“Everybody’s proud to be a Bobcat,” she said. “There’s resilience and everything, but they just don’t feel appreciated, and it’s really easy to not feel appreciated when

the proposed Smoky Mountain Middle School,especially when it feels like the purse strings are tight when it comes to Cashiers projects.

Bunch isn’t married and doesn’t have kids, but she wants to stay in the community. She wonders, when she does have kids, will Blue Ridge School still be in good shape when it’s time for them to go there?

“I still care about those kids that are there and all those teachers that are there, and some of them can’t go speak because they’re still employed,” she said.

For Buchanan, the only tools he really has now to address teacher recruitment and retention at Blue Ridge School are workplace culture and climate. Budget talks are over until next summer.

The good news is that because teaching at the school requires either an exorbitant rent or mortgage payment every month, or a lengthy and mountainous commute, for a teacher to stay, they must be passionate about their school and their kids. The unfortunate news is that for many, even passion isn’t enough to keep them in Cashiers. And though the problem is the worst in Cashiers, the cost of living is also too high for many across the rest of Jackson County.

“It will take us longer to find somebody on average at Blue Ridge,” Buchanan said.

“But I think as an entire district, Cashiers and the rest of the district, we see this as quite possibly the biggest challenge we face in the next 10 years.”

Beyond the classroom

With childcare centers closing, schools are stepping up to meet a growing need

BY LILY LEVIN STAFF WRITER

Nearly all counties in The Smoky Mountain News coverage area have fewer childcare facilities than just several years prior, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

Haywood and Swain counties experienced a 10-19% net decline between July 2024 and January 2026. For Macon, among a handful of hardest-hit counties, that figure jumped to over 20%, a net loss of one out of every five centers.

But both public K-12 and public higher education have risen to the occasion amid these startling figures, expanding existing childcare resources while dreaming up new ones. Haywood Community College has run its on-campus Regional Center for the Advancement of Children for over a decade since taking over operations from Southwestern Child Development Commission. The college also offers an early childhood development program for students, which HCC President Shelley White said has been an invaluable RCAC partner.

“We do have people that come work for the center and are also enrolled in the program or individuals that finish the program and come to work in the center, so there is a strong connection there,” she explained.

HCC staff and students have enrollment priority, but most children come from families with no college affiliation. RCAC Director Denise Worley cited campus location as the core reason parents choose this site for their children.

“Our biggest population comes from the hospital and some of the local businesses,” she said, adding that it’s also common for

er to 110. That number includes the two classes of pre-K — one N.C. pre-K and the other private pay, with identical curriculum — also hosted on campus.

“We do keep a waiting list for most of our classes because there’s such a shortage,” White said.

The childcare center run by Jackson County Public Schools originated in the

“Jackson County has really limited care for infants,” she said, adding that at the time, Mountain Projects had temporarily closed its infant room.

Teacher retention was already a problem. And since returning to work postpartum necessitated a daycare option, the district risked losing several faculty and staff. So JCPS began to consider something unprece-

November 2024 to eight students, including three with parents that didn’t work for the school system.

“We definitely prioritize the needs of our staff and infant toddler, but can support others,” Dills explained.

To comply with safety regulations, a room divider was placed between infants up to 12 months old and toddlers ranging from 13 months to 3 years. Two staff members were always present. “This year, we’re actually planning to be fully just a toddler classroom,” Dills said, adding that it’ll hold 10 children. “We’re just going to flex year-toyear to either be fully toddler or infant and toddler based upon the majority of needs of the people who need our resources.”

Haywood County Schools is on a mission to restart a nearly identical service, which first ran from 2000 to 2014 before succumbing to funding cuts. Listen-andlearn sessions with employees convinced administrators to return to the program.

“Through those conversations, we had a good handful of people ask about childcare and if there was anything we could do to help,” said Assistant Superintendent Graham Haynes.

The program won’t bring HCS any extra cash, but Haynes said that’s unimportant.

“We want to break even on it. We’re not trying to make any money,” he explained.

The childcare room will be located at Bethel Middle School. Haynes anticipated it wouldn’t be ready by the start of this academic year, although room renovations and inspections have been completed. The holdup lies in demand and cost: determin-

grams have adequately addressed staffing vacancies, a massive problem for childcare centers statewide — and likely to also impact HCS. Worley said the pandemic exacerbated the issue. Burnt out from COVID-19 restrictions and regulations, long-term staff fled the industry.

“It left centers to have to pick up the pieces,” she recounted.

That observation is backed by quantifiable evidence. A 2023 University of California-Irvine study investigating pandemic-related childcare industry impacts in North Carolina reported “a significant drop in the number of 5-star providers and an increase in the number of lower-quality providers.”

North Carolina’s longstanding star system evaluates providers based on staff education and program standards, requiring all infant/toddler center lead teachers to possess a North Carolina Early Childhood Credential or else an equivalent degree or certification. Any site seeking a competitive 4- to 5-star rating must adhere to said regulations.

As a 5-star provider, RCAC consistently seeks out candidates with an associate or bachelor’s degree. And yet it has no way of offering a competitive salary.

“The way that childcare is funded, it’s mostly out of pocket or through subsidies, and so in order to be able to pay a wage that would be comparable to K-12 teacher wages, it’s nearly impossible,” White explained.

Worley discussed the result of such a substantial wage-degree misalignment.

“Here you have these educated, highly experienced, really good early childhood professionals that are not getting paid, and they’re not getting recognized. A lot of them went to public schools because they get those benefits and they get their summers off.”

— RCAC Director Denise Worley

ing the class size and monthly fee necessary to break even.

HCS will also need to hire staff. There are several silver linings to childcare employment, which often depend upon the facility. For example, RCAC Director Denise Worley said the center’s inclusion within HCC makes it a more attractive place to work. RCAC staff members are on the college’s payroll and, like public school teachers, considered state employees with access to state benefits.

Dills, like White, credited the importance of an early childhood education development program in encouraging future professionals.

“[Smoky Mountain High School] students can even go out and do some internship-type programs, and we’re hoping that that draws their interest, so that can funnel them over into an SCC or a WCU, either associate or bachelor’s degree in early childhood,” she said.

But neither benefits nor partner pro-

“Here you have these educated, highly experienced, really good early childhood professionals that are not getting paid, and they’re not getting recognized,” she said. “A lot of them went to public schools because they get those benefits and they get their summers off.”

According to Dills, while childcare is a passion-driven role, material conditions also come into play.

“It is a calling for a lot of people. But even with the calling, you still have to be able to pay your bills,” she said.

Worley, analyzing the trends she’s seen throughout her 33 years in the childcare sector, came to a similar conclusion.

“The quality has definitely improved over the last 30 years. The kids are getting a lot more, and there’s so much more recognition about what kids need … But along with that, though, the requirements have increased. You need to have degrees, educa-

tion, whatever. But again, you go back to the pay. There’s no pay,” she explained.

Low pay is largely a policy decision. Before the state budget was approved earlier this month, childcare subsidy rates varied significantly by county and were based on 2021 market values. The state funded urban centers more than their rural counterparts at a difference of up to $700 per child. And reimbursements did not keep pace with true operational costs.

According to the N.C. Task Force on Child Care and Early Education, “some rural childcare providers are only receiving 46% of what they spend to provide care for each infant they serve through the subsidy program.”

Funding deficits also impacted subsidy enrollment, which are income-based and enable families to attend programs with reduced or no payment. As of December 2025, the total waitlist for childcare subsidies was 15,512, up from 2,164 in July 2024. Meanwhile, fewer students were enrolled: 54,633 in December 2025 versus 65,268 in July 2024.

Fortunately, with the passage of the budget, the General Assembly appropriated $97 million in recurring federal block grant funding in service of “implement[ing] a statewide rate floor based on the North Carolina Child Care Market Rate Study 2021 Final Report,” flattening the pay table and reducing gaps between urban and rural municipalities.

As for state funding, the legislature devoted $77.8 million from the general fund toward childcare subsidies. This represented 13.1% of overall funding and was about a $34 million increase from the prior budget.

Because subsidy funding influences center capacity, additional appropriations should free up enrollment spots. But advocates argue with equitable tax policy targeting the wealthiest North Carolinians, the legislature could pull from an even larger general fund to sustainably appropriate state dollars. This reduces reliance on federal funding, which is sometimes meted out to one program at the expense of another equally valuable program. Plus, the $97 million in recurring funds is not an all-encompassing solution. For example, JCPS’ infant/toddler classroom tuition is $900 per month. Dills said the true monthly program cost for each child is closer to $1,600 or $1,700. But charging that amount would price out the very population it was designed around. And the dollar loss is acceptable, she reasoned, because the daycare center goes a long way in offsetting other costs.

“It’s not a program that we even are able to break even in, but we just see that it would cost so much more if those teachers

Childcare access and cost has been an issue that has gotten worse over the last several years.

went home and we weren’t able to rehire them,” Dills told The Smoky Mountain News.

Along those lines, childcare staffing vacancy carries a greater risk for JCPS than it might for other centers.

“If I had to close the infant toddler classroom, then that would upset five or six teachers in our district who each have their own classroom with anywhere from probably 15 to 30 kids,” she noted.

Worley explained that a tuition analysis of RCAC alongside several other Haywood County childcare facilities indicated the HCC center is “pretty much at the lowest end of the spectrum.” RCAC tries to keep things affordable, especially in this day and age when so many parents are struggling.

“Somehow at the state level, there’s going to have to be some changes,” she said. “This system is going to continue to crumble if something’s not put in place to hold it together.”

Swain County Schools and Macon County Schools do not have infant/toddler care for employees.

PRE-K ALSO A STRUGGLE

The second piece of early childhood education is pre-Kindergarten.

A statewide no-cost program, N.C. pre-K is situated under the Division of Child Development and Early Education funded by the state Department of Health and Human

“Somehow at the state level, there’s going to have to be some changes. This system is going to continue to crumble if something’s not put in place to hold it together.”

— Denise Worley

chronic health conditions.

The program is offered at public schools, private childcare centers and Head Start facilities. Like childcare education, pre-K also comes with certain requirements. For example, teachers must be certified and meals provided. Teaching assistants must possess an associate’s degree or credential. Unlike at RCAC, funding is braided at public schools, so N.C. pre-K students often share the classroom with children whose families that paid privately or received other subsidies. JCPS hosts one pre-K classroom in four out of five of its elementary schools and two in Fairview Elementary, the largest in the system.

The private pay rate is $625 per month for JCPS employees and $750 per month for everyone else. Cullowhee Valley School holds a mixed N.C. pre-K classroom with several developmentally delayed students and an extra teaching assistant. Operations are funded by the Exceptional Children’s program.

At the same time, its doors have to stay open. As a result, said Worley, a tuition increase is unavoidable at some point in the future. She surmised that if things keep moving in this direction, childcare generally

Ramp closed from U.S. 74 east to I-40 west in Haywood County

Services. Eligible 4-year-olds come from families whose gross income is at or below 75% of the State Median Income, though if a family does not meet that criteria, a student may still be eligible based on factors such as dis-

“We believe in heterogeneous grouping, and we want all of the kids to love each other and support each other,” said Dills. HCS, with five pre-K classes of 18 students each, takes heterogenous grouping even further. “Four of our sites include developmentally delayed students,” said

Elementary Supervisor Karley Wells, also speaking about the importance of classroom integration.

As for pre-K itself, all educators interviewed by SMN thought it to be an essential program. “There’s so much evidence that children who have exposure to highquality early education, they perform better in school, and they are more socially welladjusted and definitely perform at a higher level later in life or in their academic career,” White said.

Dills echoed that statement.

“I’m just really passionate about kids having some type of learning experience before kindergarten, if the family can accommodate it or find opportunities. So, as a county, I want us to keep having lots of options, not just with the school, but across our community,” she said. Worley, meanwhile, described pre-K as a replacement for kindergarten.

“Our N.C. pre-K classroom and our private pre-K classroom operate like a Kindergarten classroom because we know once they get to public school, Kindergarten is not Kindergarten anymore. It’s more like first grade,” she said, adding that kids without an introductory level of education struggle in elementary school.

In fact, according to the N.C. Early Childhood Foundation, pre-K attendance boosts academic and social success and boasts long-term positive impacts. And yet in the 2024-2025 academic year, North Carolina pre-K failed to meet the national average, reaching only 21% of four-yearolds. Staff retention could be one underlying factor.

“The salary for a teacher assistant just doesn’t cut it for the cost of living right now,” Wells admitted.

HCS hopes to pay teaching assistants more at some point, she said, but right now, it doesn’t have the budget. Whether the district will offer more pre-K classes is also a future consideration.

“We would love to expand. I can’t officially say that we’re going to do it next year. It takes a lot to set up that site. There’s a lot more site specifications as far as the bathroom and the sink and the temperature of the water,” she said.

Another part of the problem for public schools hosting pre-K classes is that despite paying more per teacher, reimbursement amounts to thousands less in per slot than for private centers and pales in comparison to childcare subsidies to begin with.

Even though retaining lead educators typically isn’t a challenge for public schools — which offer the most competitive wages of any provider — reimbursements barely amount to a drop in the salary bucket. Dills spoke to this predicament.

“The hard thing for me, from a budgetary standpoint, is that because we are school based, we pay our pre-K teachers on the teacher pay scale, which is certainly higher than what they might make in some private childcare places,” she said, noting that even if costly, it’s a point of pride for the district. Title I is a viable, if imperfect, solution.

“I really have to lean a lot on my Title I

funding because all of those N.C. pre-Ks are in Title I schools, so that’s great because preschool is one of the first factors in helping limit learning loss for students,” Dills explained, adding, “but it does limit the funding we can use for other Title I supports.”

Macon County Schools hosts N.C. pre-K “at several elementary schools throughout the district,” Superintendent Josh Lynch wrote in a message to SMN.

“Our goal is to ensure that children enter kindergarten ready to learn by providing a strong foundation academically, socially, and emotionally,” he continued.

MCS offers a private pay option to those who do not qualify for N.C. pre-K with a $100 monthly discount for all district employees, though because of recent increases to income eligibility thresholds, the program is reaching more families.

“Recruiting and retaining high-quality educators continues to be a challenge across North Carolina, and early childhood education is no exception,” Lynch wrote, though he did not mention specifics.

Swain County Schools offers a five-classroom, 80-student N.C. pre-K program, which employs five teachers, seven teaching assistants and an on-site director. But the district has also struggled with finances.

“We beg, build, steal and borrow from different accounts to try to fund it,” joked Superintendent Brandon Sutton, explaining that North Carolina only reimburses about 50% of SCS pre-K operating and maintenance costs.

“[NC pre-K is] not a requirement. It is something we do because we saw a need,” he said, explaining that there’s sometimes a waitlist for enrollment.

But increasingly the district is running against a potentially prohibitive problem.

“It is getting more difficult to sustain [the program] as funding has reduced,” he said.

An October 2024 multi-university study found that funding devoted to NC Pre-K “generated positive effects on student reading and math achievement through eighth grade.”

But in the recently passed budget, the General Assembly did not increase general fund appropriations to N.C. pre-K, despite two years of inflation. As in 2024-2025, the state devoted only $47.4 million to the program.

Wells was nonetheless optimistic about what education might look like down the line. She recalled at one of N.C.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Maurice “Mo” Green’s listen-and-learn sessions, an employee advocated for implementing universal pre-K. And Green, she said, took it to heart. The current state strategic plan postulates that N.C. educators need to think about learning as beginning pre-Kindergarten and continuing posthigh school.

“[It was] thinking about the whole child before they enter and after. So that was promising,” she explained, adding, “We do still want universal pre-K for everybody, but one day we’ll get the funding to be able to do that.”

WCU earns top mark for reading instruction

Western Carolina University’s undergraduate elementary education program has earned an A+ from the National Council on Teacher Quality for its excellence in preparing future teachers to teach reading.

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, many elementary students continue to struggle with reading proficiency, underscoring the need for teachers who enter the classroom prepared to deliver effective literacy instruction.

The recognition was announced in NCTQ’s Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, released June 9. WCU’s Bachelor of Science in Education in elementary education with certification was among a select group of programs nationwide to receive the organization’s highest rating.

The report highlights teacher preparation programs that align with researchbased literacy instruction and effectively prepare future educators to teach reading using methods supported by decades of scientific evidence. WCU earned an A+ for providing instruction in all five core components of reading — phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension — while avoiding instructional approaches that research has shown to be ineffective.

At WCU, future teachers develop literacy knowledge through coursework and field experiences that connect theory with classroom practice. Teacher candidates work alongside experienced educators and gain firsthand experience supporting students with diverse learning needs, helping ensure they are prepared to foster reading success from the beginning of their careers.

“Every child deserves a teacher who has been well prepared to teach reading, and every teacher deserves the opportunity to enter the classroom ready to help students succeed,” said NCTQ President Heather Peske. “Across the country, many teacher preparation programs still do not fully align with the science of reading, but Western Carolina University is demonstrating what strong preparation can look like.”

NCTQ’s evaluation process included a review of literacy course materials, assignments, assessments and opportunities for teacher candidates to practice instructional techniques. To earn an A+, programs were required to demonstrate comprehensive coverage of all five components of scientifically based reading instruction and avoid teaching any instructional methods that are unsupported by research.

“The College of Education and Allied Professions’ elementary education program has long been committed to preparing quality future teachers,” said Kim Winter, dean of WCU's College of Education and Allied Professions. “Our curriculum is built around evidence-based reading instruction and equipping teacher candidates with the knowledge and skills needed to help all students learn. We are proud of our faculty and students who are making a lasting impact in classrooms across Western North Carolina and beyond.”

The designation comes as states and school districts across the country continue to strengthen literacy instruction and emphasize the science of reading.

The recognition reflects WCU’s ongoing commitment to preparing educators who are ready to make an immediate impact in classrooms and communities throughout North Carolina and beyond.

For more information about Western Carolina University’s College of Education and Allied Professions, visit wcu.edu.

Community Almanac

Sylva Health & Fitness nears completion

Sylva Health & Fitness, a new, locally-owned fitness center located across from Harris Regional Hospital near the intersection of Asheville Highway and The Overlook, is nearing completion.

The approximately 15,000-square-foot facility is owned by Rodney Morris, who also owns and operates Franklin Health & Fitness, Murphy Health & Fitness and Clayton Health & Fitness.

Sylva Health & Fitness will offer 24/7 access and a wide variety of equipment, services and amenities.

Sylva Health & Fitness will also participate in several nationally recognized fitness programs for older adults, including SilverSneakers, Silver&Fit, Prime, Mutually Well and Renew Active.

Hundreds of area residents have already joined through the center’s presale program. Presale memberships remain available for a limited time, and members will not be charged until the fitness center opens.

An official opening date, group fitness schedule and grand opening details will be announced soon.

Melvin R. Lane Fund awards funds to human service nonprofits

Eight nonprofits serving Western North Carolina will receive $1.32 million over three years from the Melvin R. Lane Fund of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. The program empowers and strengthens organizations dedicated to providing essential support services for individuals in need, youth, the elderly and those facing mental and/or physical challenges.

The grants are the following:

• $180,000 over three years to Bounty & Soul to grow and diversify funding by creating a grants and impact position focused on deep engagement with communities and funding partners.

• $180,000 over three years to Food Connection to support long-term growth by hiring a hub manager to conduct daily operations and enable senior leadership to focus on fundraising, strategic planning and sustainability.

• $180,000 over three years to Just Economics to advance strategic planning, strengthen fundraising and financial planning infrastructure, and support leadership transition to ensure long-term stability, adaptability and growth.

• $150,000 over three years to REACH of Haywood County to build a stronger, more sustainable fundraising program by hiring a development officer and utilizing donor management software to expand revenue streams and improve donor communication and results reporting.

• $180,000 over three years to Safelight to improve financial planning by hiring an additional finance staff member to support day-to-day operations while strengthening internal systems and infrastructure to ensure long-term sustainability.

Sylva Health & Fitness will open up to offer folks in Jackson County and beyond a 15,000 square-foot facility with workout equipment and more. Sylva Health &

• $180,000 over three years to Western North Carolina Community Health Services to build longterm sustainability and visibility by increasing development staff, implementing strategic fundraising initiatives and events, mobilizing an engaged board and deepening donor relationships.

Red Cross makes plea for blood donors

The American Red Cross is declaring an emergency blood shortage as the blood supply fell nearly 25% in June. Blood donors are urgently needed to give now to help ensure patients receive lifesaving medical care without delay.

This shortage comes amid the summer trauma season, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when the need for blood to treat traumatic injuries often increases. Currently, Red Cross blood distributions to hospitals are nearly 3,500 units higher per week than expected. On top of that, a steep decline in blood donations since the end of May has created a growing gap between supply and patient need. Busy schedules, temporary illness and the seasonal loss of school blood drives during summer break are driving the decline in donations which could put patient care at risk if not reversed.

All blood types are needed. This shortage is especially serious for types O positive and B negative blood, as well as AB plasma. Without immediate action, patients who rely on transfusions — including trauma patients, mothers in childbirth and those with sickle cell disease or cancer — face serious risk.

Book an appointment now to give blood or platelets by using the Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1.800.RED CROSS (1.800.733.2767).

Community Foundation accepts grant proposals

The Haywood County Community Foundation is accepting applications for grants from charitable organizations until noon on Aug. 18, 2026.

Each year, HCCF’s advisory board uses dollars from its community grantmaking fund to make grants to eligible local organizations, including nonprofits, local governments, schools and churches. Grants typically range from $500 to $1,000. In 2025, HCCF awarded a total of $4,410 in grants through this application-based process.

Interested organizations can visit nccommunityfoundation.org/Haywood for application instructions, eligibility requirements and more.

Swain hospital launches mental wellness support group

Swain Community Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions program is proud to offer Hope Group, a free gathering on the first Tuesday of every month from 10-11:30 a.m., designed to provide education, encouragement and meaningful conversation around mental wellness for individuals of all ages.

Held monthly at Senior Life Solutions, Hope Group offers a welcoming environment where participants can learn practical strategies for navigating life’s challenges, build supportive connections and explore topics that promote emotional well-being. While the program is especially beneficial for older adults and their families as they navigate the unique mental health challenges that

can accompany aging, all community members are encouraged to attend. Each month’s session features a different topic centered on mental wellness, healthy coping strategies and personal growth. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion, ask questions and connect with others in a supportive, judgment-free setting.

As people age, mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, grief and social isolation can become increasingly common. Programs like Hope Group help normalize conversations around mental health while connecting individuals with education, resources and local support.

Hope Group meets monthly at Senior Life Solutions at 45 Plateau Street, Suite 250, Bryson City, and is free to attend. Light refreshments are provided, and advance registration is encouraged.

To RSVP or learn more, call 828.488.4044 or email rachel.vining@lifepointhealth.net.

Dimension of Books expands to new Waynesville location

Months after opening its doors in downtown Waynesville, Dimension of Books will soon relocate to a larger location at 635 S. Haywood Street with plans to reopen in early August 2026.

Located directly across from the Waynesville Public Library, the bookstore’s new home offers more space while preserving the warm, inviting atmosphere customers have come to enjoy. Housed in a charming historic early 20th century building featuring a welcoming covered front porch where visitors can relax and unwind, the new location provides an ideal setting for reading, conversation and community.

The expanded location will allow Dimension of Books to significantly increase its curated collection of used books, ranging from affordable reads to rare and antiquarian works. While remaining firmly rooted in books, the additional space also allows the bookstore to broaden its offerings with thoughtfully selected vintage collectibles, comic books, vinyl records, trading cards, local artwork, handcrafted goods and products created by regional artisans.

The property also features dedicated customer parking and will be home to Yuba Bliss Massage, creating a destination where visitors can enjoy multiple locally-owned businesses in one welcoming location.

More importantly, the expanded location represents more than additional square footage. It provides room for Dimension of Books to continue growing into the community space it was always intended to become. The bookstore plans to expand its schedule of poetry nights, author events, educational programs, book clubs, workshops, discussion groups and other after-hours gatherings designed to encourage conversation, creativity, curiosity and lifelong learning.

Dimension of Books looks forward to welcoming longtime customers and first-time visitors alike when it reopens. Additional information regarding reopening celebrations and upcoming community events will be announced soon.

There’s no place like home

Growing up, we had a VHS tape where we’d recorded three different movies from the television — “The Million Dollar Duck,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Fletch.” On a Saturday or lazy summer afternoon, my older sister and I would sometimes watch all three movies in a row, but most of the time, we would rewind or fast forward to the start of “The Wizard of Oz.”

From Auntie Em’s house to the ruby red slippers and yellow brick road to the flying monkeys and the hot air balloon, the actors’ faces, the script and the music became part of the fabric of our childhood. And even if you’ve never watched the movie, most people know Dorothy’s famous line where she says, “There’s no place like home.”

As I write this column, I’ve just returned from six days in northern Arizona. My older son and his cross country team have been in Flagstaff for the better part of July for altitude training. Elite distance runners often train at a higher altitude because it offers a number of benefits in relation to endurance sports. It boosts VO2 max, which is the amount of oxygen your body can use for cardiovascular exercise. Additionally, being exposed to altitude causes the kidneys to produce erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that stimulates red blood cell growth.

The assistant coach and several parents have taken turns staying with the team to transport them and manage meals. A group of 12 distance runners is ravenous at sea level, so you can imagine how hungry they are at altitude where even more calories are required. Another mom and I were out there together, and though it was work to feed all those boys, it was also an absolute blast. In between them running and us cooking, we saw the beautiful sites of that area.

Along with exploring the lively downtown of Flagstaff, we

‘Why support Illegal immigration?’

To the Editor:

As I participated Saturday — on the square in Bryson City — in a rally against injustices by our current United States government body (Congress, the Judiciary, and the Executive), a gentleman stopped to ask, “Why do you want illegal immigration?” It was immediately apparent that he didn't stop for a conversation. What several of us said was, more or less, there's a process, or there once was, to become a resident and/or citizen of the United States, and we support that, as well as supporting asylum, temporary protected status, and a valid usable path to United States citizenship.

If offered the opportunity, I would have also mentioned that the United States was built by immigrants and enslaved peoples. Our government is capable of heinous as well as wonderful acts, but they're messing up “bigly” under the current administration. Stephen Miller and his concentration camps are in full swing, and thanks to GOP passage of the legislation that funded ICE without significant oversight, we are once again seeing ICE murders and mass capture of people who are most certainly not “the worst of the worst.” It was never about that. Racism

hiked the Elden Lookout Trail, drove to see The Grand Canyon, rode the scenic gondola at Snowbowl and spent a day in Sedona. I was only there for five nights and six days, so the boys have had the opportunity to do even more sightseeing. They are truly making memories of a lifetime, and it’s fun to watch.

All was just peachy until I got to the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport to fly home. Immediately, delays ensued until we were pushed so far back I’d likely miss my connection in Dallas. The pilot was able to make up a chunk of lost time, but as we were preparing to land in Dallas, air traffic control asked our plane to circle for 45 minutes to avoid a storm. Apparently, our plane did not have enough fuel to circle so it was diverted to San Antonio. We landed in San Antonio and were first in line to refuel, but when we took off again, air traffic was too thick to go the direct route, so we flew around Houston which took twice as long. I didn’t just miss my original connection, but I missed all flights to Asheville for the rest of the day.

American Airlines gave me a hotel and meal voucher and rebooked me on a flight leaving the following evening and landing around 11 p.m. I was feeling impatient to get home and see the rest of my family, so I opted for another flight which got me to Greenville-Spartanburg Airport just after 1 p.m., but I would have to rent a car and drive home. I’d purchased travel insurance for this particular trip because at one point, we didn't know if we could figure out all the moving parts to get an entire team to Flagstaff, so I wanted the security of a refund in case the trip never happened. That ended up

LETTERS

thrives on lies. Humans thrive on love. It is a shame that people can't get along, same as it ever was. It's up to the many good people of our country to see that the United States doesn't go down the toilet that President Trump and his henchmen are leading us into. Know your candidates, vote your conscience, and be excellent to each other.

Bil Aylor, USAF 1966-73

Bryson Citry

Upcoming judicial elections matter

To the Editor:

There are important judicial elections this fall. North Carolina voters will choose one Supreme Court justice and three judges for the Court of Appeals. As you decide who to vote for, please keep in mind that Democratic judges are much better at protecting our constitutional rights and our pocketbooks. Our constitutional rights are under assault like never before. Unfortunately, the Republican majorities on the courts aren’t interested in protecting your rights. The North Carolina Supreme Court stopped enforcing fair legislative districts and instead

being a good choice because the travel insurance covered my rental car.

The next snafu was that with all the changes, my checked bag got a bit confused as to where it was going and didn’t realize I was now headed to Greenville/Spartanburg (GSP) instead of asheville. Once I got the rental car, I planned to swing by the Asheville Airport and grab my bag. Or so I thought. As I was landing at GSP, I got a text from American Airlines saying my bag would be rerouted to GSP in several hours, but I didn’t want to wait several hours.

Luckily, the rental car process was quick and efficient at GSP. I hopped into the Hyundai Kona, hands at ten and two, eyes locked straight forward, and drove to the Asheville airport, hoping I could catch my bag before it got on a plane to GSP. I parked the car and ran into the airport’s baggage claim area where an American Airlines employee was scanning bags. I didn’t see my giant orange suitcase anywhere, and I just knew it’d already been loaded on a plane going south.

I walked up to the woman and explained my situation and she said, “I just put a giant orange suitcase in the baggage room.” She went and retrieved my bag. I gave this stranger the biggest hug. She smiled and said, “Happy to help,” and in that moment, I’d never been more grateful to anyone in my life.

When I finally entered Haywood County, surrounded by the Smoky Mountains, Dorothy’s quintessential line floated through my mind. “There’s no place like home.” I’m an adventurer at heart and the more I travel, the more of the world I want to see, but at the same time, it’s wonderful to be home, and in my opinion, there’s no place more beautiful and relaxing than Western North Carolina.

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

approved extreme partisan gerrymandering which undermines our ability to choose representatives. Republicans on the Supreme Court recently ruled that the North Carolina Constitution’s guarantee that each child receive “a sound and basic education” is functionally meaningless. In fact, the court has ended judicial review of many legislative actions, which undermines our system of checks and balances.

We should all be distressed by the North Carolina Supreme Court’s embrace of Duke Energy. In May, Republicans on that court approved rate hikes proposed by Duke that had initially been rejected by the North Carolina Utilities Commission. Republicans in the legislature then manipulated the commission in order to benefit Duke.

The Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, Paul Newby, refused to recuse himself despite the fact that his wife has a substantial investment in Duke. Justice Phil Berger Jr. routinely rubber-stamps legislation championed by his father, the now defeated Senate president. To make matters worse, this rate hike applied disproportionately to Western North Carolina.

To preserve our rights, protect our pocketbook and to stand against judicial corruption, vote for Justice Anita Earls for the North Carolina Supreme Court, and judges John Arrowood, Toby Hampson and Christine

Walczyk for the Court of Appeals.

Make your vote count

To the Editor:

I’m writing as a Swain County voter in response to articles by Lily Levin and editorial by Scott McLeod in the July 15 issue. Thank you for your excellent reporting, local journalism and opinions at their best.

In Swain County there are a lot of local issues worth grumbling about: transparency, infrastructure, waste management, affordable housing… the list goes on. What to do to make changes? Vote and find out all you can about the candidates running for office before you vote.

It’s good news that involved individuals have stepped forward to run for local offices in both major parties and unaffiliated. These candidates for office will be available at town halls sponsored by Indivisible Swain County, a non-partisan civic engagement organization.

Mark Burroughs, Democrat candidate for District 119 of the N.C. House ,will speak to us on August 11. (Anna Ferguson, Republican candidate for the same office, spoke to us and answered our questions earlier in July.) On Thursday, September 10,

F

the candidates for sheriff and school board will be available. On Tuesday September 29, candidates for county commissioner and chair will be available.

Each town hall will be from 6.30-8 p.m. at the Senior Citizen Center, 125 Brendle St, Bryson City. Mark your calendars. Take this opportunity to be involved. Swain County has about 10,000 registered voters, so each vote — YOUR vote — counts.

When you vote your ballot in November, be prepared, and let your voice be heard.

Kathy

Petersen, Member of Swain Indivisible Bryson City

Trump supporters deserve blame

To the Editor:

A recent letter writer complained that criticism of Trump supporters did a disservice to millions of Americans. He claims that Trump voters just wanted the “political shift” Trump represents along with economic stability and a government “that puts the economic well-being of its own citizens first.”

Trump supporters and voters do share the responsibility for both the “shift” and the actions of the current administration. They had a choice between a notorious conman who is an adjudicated sex offender and convicted felon verses a respected former federal prosecutor, senator and vice president. They chose the crook and sex offender.

Let’s start with the “political shift” that includes calling anyone who disagrees with Trump an enemy and consistent demeaning and demonization of people. The divisiveness seen in the country is largely the consequence of the Trump political shift. Trump consistently sets up a “we vs. them” narrative to divide one citizen against another. This poisoning of political discourse is a Trump priority.

Another part of the political shift is demonizing a subgroup and setting up Gestapo-type “enforcers” to terrorize the subgroup. ICE officers seem to be heading in the direction of killing more U.S. citizens and legal residents than those harmed by any of the millions of undocumented folks in the country. President Biden actually deported more people than Trump, but without the deliberate cruelty.

As far as economic stability and concern for the wellbeing of U.S. citizens, neither has been forthcoming from Trump. His arbitrary tariffs have increased prices on a range of food and other products. Trump is on video saying he likes inflation. He claims that prices are going down, but the reality is things cost more than they did before he took office. The only people who have seen any substantial economic benefits from the Trump administration are the billionaires, who have seen their taxes cut dramatically. This has contributed more to the national debt than we have seen under any previous administration.

Speaking to reporters before a recent

trip to China, Trump said, “I don’t think about American’s financial situation — not even a little bit.” If you cast your vote for him expecting him to lower your cost of living, you were conned.

Myrna Campbell Waynesville

Dispatches from Highlanderstan

To the Editor:

For some time it has baffled me how so many Americans can adhere to the positions, proclamations and averments of Donald Trump, most of which are false, and which, if made purposely, are lies, and, if made unconcernedly, are bullshit, under the definition advanced in Harry Frankfurt’s essay “On Bullshit.”

The explanation for how approximately 30% of Americans can be so consumed by Trump’s frequently febrile, increasingly detached exhortations and practices may be found in Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s theory of stupidity.

Ascribing stupidity as an explanation of Trump support will have the average Democrat clutching their pearls and wailing at the prospect of offending some cohort of citizens. And it will have the effect of angering the 63-83% of Republicans who are definitionally stupid, of course. But the explanation to me seems as certain and inarguable as gravity acting when you drop your keys. Stupidity as the explanation for support of Trump’s utterances and scribblings is associated with three elements employed by a non-stupid person: independence of thought, avoidance of the comfort of group conformity and facts. Avoidance of these reason strategies effect to pervert critical thinking and a natural and healthy skepticism in considering and measuring the accuracy — the truth — of the utterances or scribblings. Moreover, Bonhoeffer ascribed a lack of morality to the disregard of those rational metrics, and advised that ultimately and consequently, stupidity is more dangerous than pure evil.

He wrote this as an explanation of how the country of poetry, philosophy, art and technology could have become Nazified. And he wrote just before being hanged by the Nazis.

Consider America’s current travail under its putative king with the United States at its dawn. Read the Declaration of Independence; appreciate the acts of King George complained of. Digest that, then consider the ominous parallels with current America to the rise of Nazism in Bonhoeffer’s Germany: a population rightly or wrongly perceiving itself victimized; scapegoating the Jews, homosexuals, immigrants, and non-Christians; the grandiose theft of wealth; cultish monuments; a willing champion pandering to that portion of the population claiming denial of master race status.

Bonhoeffer’s theory is proven. Frank Peterson

In search of a good show, a good story

Acclaimed Celtic act to play Stecoah

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD ARTS & E NTERTAINMENT E DITOR

What was initially seen as a debacle at the hands of Mother Nature 12 years ago has turned out to be a serendipitous moment of melodic beauty that still reverberates to this very day.

At the 2014 Folk Alliance International conference in Kansas City, Missouri, fiddler Rose Baldino and her band, Burning Bridget Cleary, were to take the stage. But, due to a spell of bad weather, Baldino’s bandmates were unable to make their flights to travel to the gathering for the showcase.

In a last-ditch effort to turn life’s lemons into lemonade, Baldino scrambled and tapped the talents of fellow fiddler Brian Buchanan — of acclaimed Canadian Celtic/rock act Enter the Haggis — who was also at the gathering. Baldino handed Buchanan a guitar, and the duo hit the ground running.

And what resulted from that happenstance encounter was an instant musical connection between two vibrant, creative souls. With the eventual addition of bassist Caroline Browning, the trio, House of Hamill, is currently a renowned Celtic/folk act, steadily cultivating a fan base the world over.

With one foot in tradition and the other in contemporary tastes, the band seamlessly blends the past and the present, as notably heard with its cover of Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’Mine,” which has amassed tens of million views on Facebook alone.

As House of Hamill has now spent more than a decade together, Baldino and Buchanan can’t help but look in the rearview mirror in awe, and how it all started with a handful of cancelled airline flights — a simple moment of sheer inspiration, one ultimately leading to an ongoing journey of artistic discovery.

Smoky Mountain News: Why Celtic and folk music? What is it about those genres of music that you can best express yourself artistically?

Brian Buchanan: All of us actually started as classical musicians.

Want to go?

fell in love with traditional Irish fiddle. Speaking for myself, I’ve been playing in a pretty loud Celtic rock band for [26] years, and I was attracted to the challenge of acoustic music because it’s much less forgiving in a live context. Every note is important, audible and subject to scrutiny. There’s no hiding behind a wall of amps — if you’re not on your game, it becomes very obvious very quickly. I also like the storytelling aspect of folk music, [where] the songs are usually about something, and don’t shy away from social issues.

A popular summer series, “An Appalachian Evening” will continue with Americana/Celtic trio House of Hamill at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center in Robbinsville. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit stecoahvalleycenter.com/calendar.

Caroline on piano, and Rose and myself on violin. All three of us eventually abandoned classical music in favor of music we found more fun. I switched to a specific brand of traditional fiddle playing called Ontario old-time, which is a cross-breed of Irish, Appalachia and Cape Breton styles. Rose

them in a meaningful way. Our goal every time we walk onstage is to make that happen. Music doesn’t resonate the way you intend it every single time or with every single person, which I think motivates us to keep chasing the connec-

SMN: The name, “House of Hamill.” What is the significance? And how does its meaning play into the intent, sound and ethos of the group?

Rose Baldino: “House of Hamill” is the name of a three-part fiddle tune written by an Irish fiddler and composer named Ed Reavy. I was drawn to Ed’s tunes because of their quirky and unpredictable nature, characteristics which are often lacking in traditional Irish music and his tunes have greatly inspired my own composing in the last decade.

I, unfortunately, never got to meet Ed as he passed away in 1988, but he spent most of his life in Philadelphia, and a few of his family members came out to one of our outdoor shows during the pandemic. I was pretty starstruck.

When Brian first came down to Philly to visit me, we were exchanging tunes, and “House of Hamill” was the first tune that I taught him. Not long after that, we were booked for a show and we needed a band name, and we thought “House of Hamill” sounded pretty cool.

That specific name was something we grabbed out of necessity, but I love that we’ve tied ourselves to a composer like Ed. His compositions often differ so greatly from the typical patterns that you hear in Irish music, and I feel like our band’s music is a bit like that — rooted in tradition but slightly twisted, in a more modern way.

SMN: When you look back at the early days of this bountiful musical endeavor, what really sticks out in reflection?

Baldino: Honestly, even though we’ve both been in different touring bands since we were teenagers, it is kind of wild how much of what we do is straight trial-and-error. Even with all of our experience as performing musicians, I don’t think either of us anticipated the amount of time and work it took to get to where we are now.

SMN: To that, what is it about the live concert setting that still pulls you?

Buchanan: Celtic music is dance music, and it makes the most sense in a live setting. We also tend to write music that challenges us on a technical level, so there’s a bit of a high-wire element that we all enjoy. There’s really nothing like the feeling of filling a room with music and knowing that the three of us are creating every note and sound live. People come to see live music — especially folk music — because they hope it’ll touch

Also, I hate to be that person echoing what everyone else is saying about social media, but it really is true that if you’re looking at our Facebook or Instagram pages, you are only seeing the highlight reel. You’re probably not seeing much of the late-night drives, hours upon hours spent researching venues, long and sometimes painful lyric-writing sessions, the thousands of dollars spent on travel or the short-lived blissful moments of introversion in the green room before a show.

That’s not at all to say that we don’t love what we do, because there’s no way we could keep going at this pace if we didn’t love being musicians — but my god, it is so much work. I feel like we’re finally getting a handle on how our level of the music business works. We often say, every performance is either a good show or a good story — and [over] the years, we’ve had plenty of both.

This

must

be the place

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

‘Are you reelin’ in the years? Stowin’ away the time’

Hello from Room 242 at the Easy Stay Inn & Suites in downtown Fernie, British Columbia. It’s Thursday, late morning. I just got back from a gloriously sweaty run along the Elk River underneath the watchful eye of the Three Sisters, the awe-inspiring peaks cradling this outpost community in the depths of the Canadian Rockies. Some 2,300 miles from my Waynesville apartment.

The current portion of the whirlwind road trip I’ve been on since mid-June consists of flying directly from Montreal, Quebec, to Edmonton, Alberta, onward to Whitefish, Montana, to once again cover the Under the Big Sky festival for Rolling Stone. This is my fourth year coming here. And it’s become my annual soul cleanse of sorts through live music, disappearing into the depths of nature and gazing in constant awe at the surrounding mountains.

It all started Tuesday morning at my parents’ farmhouse in Plattsburgh, New York. After the Fourth of July in Connecticut with my girlfriend’s family, I circled back to spend time with my folks before flying out. Crossing the border into Canada, the sky was tinted yellow due to the smoke from the wildfires in Northwestern Ontario. Grab the bags from the trunk and head into the airport, the sounds of the French language permeating throughout the building, signaling that I was no longer in America, onward into “The True North.”

River, the paths filled with smiling faces going for a walk-n-talk with colleagues on their lunch breaks. The vibrancy of this majestic city is apparent with each step, the rhythm of the metropolis a beehive of Canadian aura. The gratitude remains.

With Calgary in the rearview mirror, the remoteness of Alberta unfolded. The sunshine illuminated the endless farmfields, many of which were bright yellow from the canola plants. The fields seamlessly transitioned into rolling hills and thick forests once I turned west and bolted for the mountain silhouettes in the distance.

Once onto Route 3, it was winding roads through the foothills, the elevation quickly changing. At one point while driving into Frank, Alberta, the road went through this large field of boulders, a sign then appearing on the side of the road noting the “Frank Slide,” an enormous rockslide in 1903 that buried the small mining town. Over 120 million short tons of limestone broke off Turtle

After landing in Edmonton, I went to Alamo to retrieve my economy rental car. (To preface, I flew there due to a less expensive flight and car compared to Calgary, Alberta, or Bozeman, Montana.) At the desk, the attendant said they had run out of economy cars, “but do have a Ford Mustang convertible available at no extra charge if you want it.” Don’t twist my arm. Never driven a convertible. Why not, eh? Especially roaming the curvy roads into the Rockies.

Pulling out of the airport onto the highway, I could feel the hundreds of horsepower rumbling underneath me, the wheel steady along the flat landscape of the Canadian prairie en route to Red Deer, Alberta. I stopped there for an inexpensive hotel (the Prairie Crest) and to knock some miles off the itinerary. Emerging from the vehicle, I was greeted with that familiar and welcoming warm breeze from across the desolate prairie.

Wednesday morning and the Mustang is rocketing down Highway 2 South to Calgary. Stop in “The Stampede City” in the noonday sunshine and lace up the running shoes. Trot onto the greenways buffering the Bow

HOT PICKS

1

Concerts On The Creek (Sylva) will host Natti Love Joys (reggae/ roots) at 7 p.m. Friday, July 24.

2

Asheville Mountain Boys (Americana/bluegrass) will perform at 5 p.m. Friday, July 24, at the Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center in Franklin.

3

A special stage production of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” will be held on select dates and times through Aug. 2 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

4

Overlook Theatre Company will host its 30th anniversary gala from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

5

Hosted by the Chamber Music Society of the Carolinas, the series will be held at 4 p.m. on Sundays through Aug. 2 at the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville.

Mountain and rolled down, with around 90 people killed as a result.

Farther west on 3, it was Blairmore where I immediately pulled over to admire the view, specifically Ma Butte, easily one of the most stunning natural wonders I’ve been able to stumble across. At 7,648 feet, the peak looks unreal and surreal, almost like a painting rather than staring right back at you in real time. Looking to the left, Crowsnest and Seven Sisters happily filled my field-of-vision. One can’t ever really describe the grandeur of the Rockies.

Crossing into British Columbia, a sense of pure euphoria washed across my heart and soul, that feeling one gets when you’re “doing the thing” and finally witnessing places you’ve dreamt of seeing since you were a young kid.

And it was when I entered Fernie where a true sense of time and place erupted within me. The Three Sisters and Mount Hosmer hover high above all of us human ants meandering around, the ancient peaks possessing such profound and intrinsic secrets of an ancient earth we as a species know only so little about. Pull into the Easy Stay Inn &

Suites. Dump the bags. Find some dinner. It was a delicious meal on the patio at the Himalayan Spice Bistro, the sunshine ducking behind the Three Sisters. I chatted with the owner of the establishment, Robby. Growing up in Switzerland, he landed in Fernie 27 years ago and dedicated his life to the culinary arts. It was a joyous conversation about life and the roads we take to the here and now. Upon leaving, he said there was live music around the corner, the weekly “Wednesday Social” at the historic train depot put on by the local arts collective. Walking to the depot, the packed concert was in full swing, bodies gyrating in every direction. Cold beers from the Fernie Brewing Company and the sounds of My Son The Hurricane, an 11-piece funk-n-soul ensemble from Toronto. Following the first set, I headed out and grabbed a nightcap at The Northern Bar & Stage. Within a half-hour, I found myself in a conversation with my new friend, Alex, who sat down next to me to say hello to his girlfriend (the bartender). Born in Holland and raised in New Zealand, his travels brought him to Fernie last year, where he plans to put down roots.

Alex wanted to play some pool and asked if I wanted to head to the nearby Royal Canadian Legion to shoot some billiards. Sold. Count me in. When we arrived, several of his friends were already situated around the tables, the majority of which from Australia and New Zealand. We partnered in doubles and were victorious in a well-fought match against the Aussies. The midnight hour arrived and I wandered back to the motel. The tranquil silence of the air-conditioned room after a hot summer day of traveling. The endless miles already on the odometer, those miles yet to be traversed. Onward.

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

On the wall

HCAC presents ‘Threads’

Celebrating the beauty, creativity and versatility of fiber art, “Threads,” the latest exhibition at the Haywood County Arts Council, will be on display through Aug. 3 at HCAC’s Haywood Handmade Gallery on Main Street in downtown Waynesville.

“Threads” showcases the many ways artists use fiber, thread and fabric to create meaningful works of art. From traditional quilting, weaving and embroidery to contemporary pieces inspired by textiles, the exhibition highlights texture, pattern, craftsmanship and innovation. Each artwork demonstrates how simple materials can be transformed into compelling artistic expressions.

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

• “Makers Market” will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 25, in The Lineside at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. Dozens of local/regional arts and crafts vendors and more. Beer, wine and mimosa bar. Free and open to the public. 828.454.5664 or froglevelbrewing.com.

• “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.

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

On the table

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

• Balsam Mountain Inn (Balsam) will host “Wind Down Wine Flights” 6 p.m. Thursdays and a special semi-regular wine tastings. 828.283.0145 / thebalsammountaininn.com.

• Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will have the wine bar and kitchen open from 4-8 p.m. Fridays/Saturdays. There will also be special wine dinners and cheese tastings on select dates. 828.452.6000 / classicwineseller.com.

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host

‘Cherokee People and the American Revolution’

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.

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 (1776-1794), highlighting the complexities of memory and commemoration.

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 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

semi-regular craft brewery tastings. Free and open to the public. 828.246.9320 / blueridgebeerhub.com.

• “Flights & Bites” will be held at 4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in downtown Waynesville and special semiregular wine dinners. 828.452.0120 / waynesvillewine.com.

ALSO:

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

On view through Dec. 30, the exhibition features historic objects in conversation with works by Cherokee artists, merging cultural heritage, military history and contemporary art for a nuanced examination of a pivotal moment in Cherokee and American history.

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

and showcases. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. 828.488.3638 / threeriversgallery.com.

ALSO:

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

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

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.

• 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.

• Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center (Robbinsville) will host an array of workshops for adults and kids. 828.479.3364 / stecoahvalleycenter.com.

• Folkmoot Friendship Center (Waynesville) will host semi-regular artist gatherings and workshops. 828.452.2997 / folkmoot.org.

Ready for dinner

‘Under the Stars’?

The popular “Under the Stars, On the Rocks” culinary series is currently underway at the Oak Steakhouse at the Skyline Lodge in Highlands. The events feature renowned chefs from around the Southeast on select dates through the fall: Aug. 11, Sept. 8 and Oct. 13. Each four-course meal in the series is unique and personal to the guest chef, offering a one-of-a-kind outdoor dining experience.

Dinners are $175 per person (including beverage pairings). Reservations required. For more information and/or to make reservations, call 828.526.4008 or visit skyline-lodge.com.

On the street

Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling

The Cherokee Bonfire is a family-friendly gathering. File photo

be held from 7 to 9 p.m. July 25 Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 at the Old Acquani Expo Center in Cherokee.

lifestyle from educators, roast marshmal-

• Waynesville First Friday: Shop, Sip, Stroll

On the stage

‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ at HART

A special stage production of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” will be held on select dates and times through Aug. 2 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

Welcome to the glamorous French Riviera, where suave con artist Lawrence and small-time swindler Freddy battle it out in a hilariously high-stakes game of deception. Their target? A seemingly naïve heiress with $50,000 (and a heart) up for grabs.

Tickets are now available. For more information, call the box office at 828.456.6322 or visit harttheatre.org.

• Overlook Theatre Company will host its 30th anniversary gala from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Enjoy an evening of stories, songs, memories and more from the past three decades of plays, variety events and Broadwaycaliber musical productions. Each ticket includes a reception onstage with the cast and crew following the performance. Tickets are $13 per person (plus taxes & fees). For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit smokymountainarts.com.

• Peacock Performing Arts Center (Hayesville) will host a special stage production of the musical “9 to 5” on select dates and times Aug. 7-16. With music/lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, the musical is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie. Set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic. For tickets, 828.389.ARTS / thepeacocknc.org.

On the beat

• 4118 Kitchen & Bar (Highlands) will host live music 6-8 p.m. Thursdays. Free and open to the public 828.526.5002 or 4118kitchenbar.toast.site.

• Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library (Cashiers) will host “Community Jam Sessions” from 2-4 p.m. the second and fourth Sunday of each month. Informal jamming. All skill levels are welcome. Free and

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

wise noted. For tickets and reservations, visit cataloocheeranch.com/ranch-event.

• Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Brent LaCasce (jazz piano/vocals) Aug. 7 ($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 Natti Love Joys (reggae/roots) July 24 and Ska City July 31 (ska/rockabilly). All shows

Asheville Mountain Boys return to Cowee

A rising Americana/bluegrass act, the Asheville Mountain Boys will perform at 5 p.m. Friday, July 24, at the Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center in Franklin.

A super-group of sorts, the outfit is a welloiled machine of some of the finest pickers and grinners around in Southern Appalachia. It features John Duncan (banjo/fiddle), Zeb Gambill (mandolin), Jacob Brewer (bass) and Marshall Brown (guitar).

The sheer beauty and fundamental foundation of bluegrass music resides in one simple truth about the tones, textures and talents within the “high, lonesome sound” — its timelessness. A song written and recorded a century ago could (and often does)

open to the public. 828.743.0215 / fontanalib.org/cashiers.

• 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.

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host “Music Bingo Night” 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, The Blue Mountaineers (bluegrass)

• Current Tavern (Canton) will host the “Music at the Tavern” summer series with Sweetlife July 25 and The Borrowed Band Aug. 8. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.492.0249.

• Dancing On The Square (Robbinsville) will host Betty Vaughn & The Rick Morris Band July 24 and Johnny Webb Band July 31. All events begin at 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. 704.840.8525.

sound as fresh, relevant and soothing right now in this exact moment in time, whereas something conceived and captured today could have the same historic parameters and effect on the sentimental, jovial mindset as it did decades previous.

Case in point, the Asheville Mountain Boys are the latest bluegrass ensemble to make waves around Western North Carolina when it comes to real-deal, high-quality acoustic melodies in the realms of Americana, folk, roots and mountain music.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $7.50 for students. For more information, call 828.369.4080 or visit coweeschool.org/music.

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 and semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.307.2160 / breadheadstikishak.com.

• Bryson City Outdoors (Bryson City) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.342.6444 / brysoncityoutdoors.com.

• Cataloochee Ranch (Maggie Valley) will host Brian Ashley Jones (Americana) July 22 and Marc & Anita Pruett (Americana/bluegrass) July 29. All shows begin at 5 p.m. and admission is $30 per person unless other-

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 Asheville Mountain Boys (bluegrass/classic country) 5 p.m. July 24 ($15 adults, $7.50 kids). 828.369.4080 / coweeschool.org/concert-series.

• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host “Music Bingo with DJ Mox” Thursdays and “80s Flashback Weekend” July 31-Aug.1. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.634.0078 / curraheebrew.com.

• Farm At Old Edwards (Highlands) will host the “Orchard Sessions” with Erick Baker Trio (Americana) July 22. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Admission is $50 per person, with discounts rates available for hotel guests and members. 866.526.8008 / oldedwardshospitality.com.

• First United Methodist Church (Waynesville) will host the live series by the Chamber Music Society of the Carolinas at 4 p.m. on Sundays (through Aug. 2). For more information and/or to purchase tickets, call 828.400.6465 or visit cms-carolinas.org.

• 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 Byrds & Crows July 24 and Nitrograss (Americana/bluegrass) July 31. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. highlandschamber.org.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host “Jazz On F

Lazy Hiker welcomes Anna Victoria

Rising Jackson County singer-songwriter Anna Victoria will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Franklin.

The performance is free and open to the public. To learn more about Victoria, go to facebook.com/annavictoriamusic. For more information and a complete schedule of events at the brewery, visit lazyhikerbrewing.com.

The Level” 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, The Young Ones 5:30 p.m. July 23, Asheville Junction Band July 24, The Mug Band July 25, Dave Desmelik (singer-songwriter) 3 p.m. July 26, Len Graham (singer-songwriter) 5:30 p.m. July 30 and Seth & Sara (Americana) July 31. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.454.5664 / froglevelbrewing.com.

• Groovin’ on the Green (Cashiers) will host Gotcha Groove July 24. Shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. Donations encouraged. villagegreencashiersnc.com/concerts.

• Happ’s Place (Glenville) will host Corey Stevenson July 22, James Gang July 23, Stone Echo July 24, Corey Stevenson July 25, Dillon & Co. July 30, Topper July 31 and Young Mountain Magic Aug. 1. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.742.5700 / happsplace.com.

• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (Cherokee) will host Grand Funk Railroad (classic rock) 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1. 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 Iris Copperman (singer-songwriter) 8:30 p.m. July 23 ($41.84 per person, tax included). Reservations encouraged for all performances. 828.526.2590 / highlandermountainhouse.com.

• Highlands Performing Arts Center will host Solo Stars (classical) July 25, Sizzling Sextets (classical) July 27, Atlanta Chamber Players (classical) Aug. 1 and The Borromeo String Quartet (classical) Aug. 3. All shows begin at 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.526.9047 / highlandsperformingarts.com.

• 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.

• 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, Anna Victoria (singer-songwriter) July 25 and Tim Akins (Americana) July 31. 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, Highway Companions (classic rock) July 24 and Blue Jazz (blues/jazz) July 31. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. 828.349.2337 / lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Legends Sports Bar & Grill (Maggie Valley) will host “Open Mic Night” 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Karaoke Thursdays (6 p.m.) and Saturdays (7 p.m.), with live music each Friday (8 p.m.). Free and open to the public. 828.944.0403 / facebook.com/legendssportsgrillmaggievalley.

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

• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host “Open Mic Night” with Frank Lee every Thursday, Shane Meade (indie/soul) July 24, Sunny Rae Click & Joshua Grant (Americana/folk) July 25, Mountain Gypsy (Americana) 5 p.m. July 26 and Jared “Blue” Smith (singer-songwriter) 6 p.m. July 31. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 / mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

• Mountain Vibes Kava Lounge (Waynesville) will host “Trivia Night” 7 p.m. Mondays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.246.9283.

S EE ON THE BEAT, PAGE 22

HEALLTTH, HU

UMIDITY AND HYDRAATTIO

We will probably be talking a the temperatures soar into th crucial to keep tabs on infant y Ingles Dietitian Leah McGrath

lot about ‘keeping hydrated’ this summer he 90’s and above and high humidity

ts, children and the elderly who

While water will do the trick to

• Flavor water with a squeeze

mint or rosemary in a pitcher

s summer. When idity makes it feel may not be able

o keep you hydrated, not everyone likes drinking e of lemon or orange.

r and keeping it in your fridge.

• Fill up a large thermal water bottle for yourself ( a smaller one or kids) to keep water cold and easy to transport.

• Enjoy “juicy” fruit like watermelon, These fruits have a higher water content.

r bottle for yourself ( a smaller one or kids) to transport. melon, cantaloupe, oranges, and grapefruit. atercontent.

• Make or buy fruit juice popsicles with no added sugar.

beverages that are made with primarily water will help keep you hydrated, just pay attention so you aren’t getting excessive added sugar if these are the beverages you’re drinking.

Beverages you may want to limit or avoid:

• regular (sweetened sodas) – high calories from added sugar

• alcoholic beverages like beerr, , wine, liquor – these will increase the possibility of becoming dehydrated as they can increase urination.

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

Ingles Market Corporate Dietitian

Leah McGrath - Dietitian

• Music By The River (Cherokee) on the Kanunohi Park Stage will feature Craig Vaughn Experience (rock/blues) July 24, Derek Galarza (singer-songwriter) July 25, X99 (alt-rock/pop) July 31 and Whiskey Mountain Band (country/blues) Aug. 1. Music runs 5-8 p.m. Free and open to the public. visitcherokeenc.com.

• Nantahala Outdoor Center (Nantahala Gorge) will host “Music Bingo” 6 p.m. July 23 (at Big Wesser), Tuck-aseegee 5 p.m. July 24, Liz Nance (singer-songwriter) 1 p.m. July 25, Log Noggins (southern rock) 5 p.m. July 25, Blue (Americana/blues) 2 p.m. July 26, “Music Bingo” (at Big Wesser) 6 p.m. July 30, Ghost Pipe Sound Machine 5 p.m. July 31, Mike Hollon (singer-songwriter) 1 p.m. Aug. 1, Beer & Loathing (rock) 5 p.m. Aug. 1 and Blue (Americana/blues) 2 p.m. Aug. 2. Free and open to the public. 828.785.5082 / noc.com/events/2026-summer-music-series.

• 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.

• Peacock Performing Arts Center (Hayesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For tickets, 828.389.ARTS / thepeacocknc.org.

• Pickin’ In The Park (Canton) will host Hill Country Band (Americana/bluegrass) and Balsam Mountain Cloggers 6 p.m. Aug. 7. Free and open to the public.

• Pickin’ On The Square (Franklin) will host Alton Lane Band (classic rock/country gold) July 25. All shows begin at 6 p.m. at the Gazebo in downtown. Free and open to the public. franklinnc.com/pickin-on-thesquare.html.

• 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, Dirty Dave & Friends 7 p.m. July 25, Jacob Donham (singer-songwriter) 6:30 p.m. July 28 and R.A. Nightingale (singer-songwriter) 7 p.m. July 31. Free and open to the public. 828.369.6796 / facebook.com/rathskellercoffeebarandpub.

• Salty Dog’s Seafood & Grill (Maggie Valley) will host “Karaoke With Russell” on Mondays, Riyen Roots July 24, Shane Meade (indie/soul) July 25, “Music Bingo” July 28, Ginny McAfee (singer-songwriter) July 31 and Susie Copeland (singer-songwriter) Aug. 1. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.926.9105 / facebook.com/saltydogs2005.

• 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 Bourbon Sons July 25 and Yacht Rando Aug. 1. 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 (July 29 and Aug. 12) 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” with Bridget Gossett 7 p.m. second Monday each month (6:30 p.m. sign-up), Raphael Graves Duo (rock/blues) July 23, Fancy & The Gentlemen (Americana/altcountry) July 25, Bratfolk (Celtic/world) 3

wise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.6292 / scotsmanpublic.com.

• Skyline Lodge (Highlands) will host Whiskey Creek (Americana/bluegrass) 6 p.m. Aug. 1. Free and open to the public. 828.526.4008 / skyline-lodge.com.

• Slanted Window Tasting Station (Franklin) will host Generations 6 p.m. July 24, Valley View 4 p.m. July 26 and Rail Town (Americana) 6 p.m. July 31. 828.276.9463 / slantedwindow.com.

• Stecoah Valley Center (Robbinsville) will host a Community Jam 5:30-7:30 p.m. every third Thursday of the month (free) and “An Appalachian Evening” summer music series with Caroline Owens (Americana/bluegrass) July 18 and House Of Hamill (Americana/folk) July 25.

Chamber music in Waynesville

Hosted by the Chamber Music Society of the Carolinas, the annual series will be held at 4 p.m. on Sundays through Aug. 2 at the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville.

The series will continue with the following themes:

“Today’s Voices” (July 26) and “Equality” (Aug. 2). Single tickets are $40 per person and $140 for a season pass. Students/youth tickets are $10.

“Chamber music connects to our souls. It is like a thrilling, intimate party of your closest

‘Concerts on the Creek’

The Town of Sylva, Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce will continue with the 17th season of the annual “Concerts on the Creek” music series.

Reggae/roots ensemble Natti Love Joys will hit the stage at 7 p.m. Friday, July 24, at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva.

friends and family,” said violinist/CoArtistic director J Freivogel. “Each performer is a solo voice who contributes, listens, interrupts, supports and reacts through the performance. There is a sonic range to the instruments beyond what microphones can record. Hearing live classical music is entirely distinct from listening on headphones or radio.”

For more information and/or to purchase tickets, call 828.400.6465 or visit cms-carolinas.org.

Music Monday” each week with local singer-songwriters including Luke Deuce July 27 and L.C. Branch Aug. 3. All shows begin at 5:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.200.0813 / the-stubborn-bull.com.

• Trailborn (Highlands) will host its “Carolina Concert Series” with local singer-songwriters including David Crisp July 23 and July 30. 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 semiregular live music on the weekends. 828.526.8364 / theuglydogpub.com.

• Valley Cigar & Wine Company (Waynesville) will host Kid Billy (Americana) 2 p.m. July 26, Shane Meade (indie/soul) 5 p.m. July 31 and “Tuesday Music Social with Rene Russell” (Americana) 4 p.m. July 28. Free and open to the public. 828.944.0686 / valleycigarandwineco.com.

• Valley Tavern (Maggie Valley) will host “Trivia With Tom” Wednesdays, “Music Bingo” Saturdays and Misbehavin’ July 23. All shows and events begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.926.7440 / valleytavern.com.

• 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 Lucas Smith (singer-songwriter) 3 p.m. July 24, Jordan Denton (singer-songwriter) 2 p.m. July 26, Tim Austin (Americana) 3 p.m. July 31 and Monica Spears (singer-songwriter) 2 p.m. Aug. 2. Free and open to the public. 828.482.5573 / thevineyardathighholly.com.

A roots-rock-reggae band that has been playing live since 2003, the group consists of husband-and-wife duo Anthony “Jatti” Allen and Sonia “Marla” Allen (formerly Sonia Abel).

Jatti was previously the bassist for the reggae group The Congos, while Marla originates from the cult all-female reggae group Love Joys, where she recorded two albums under the legendary Wackies label run by Lloyd Barnes (Bullwackie).

“Concerts on the Creek” are held every Friday night from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Everyone is encouraged to bring a chair or blanket. These events are free, with donations encouraged. Dogs must be on a leash. No smoking, vaping, coolers or tents are allowed. Bring a chair or blanket. There will be food trucks on select nights.

For more information, call the chamber at 828.586.2155, visit mountainlovers.com/concertson-the-creek or go to the “Concerts on the Creek” Facebook page.

p.m. July 26, Keil Nathan Smith (rock/country) July 30 and Jullielle (country/funk) July 31. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless other-

828.479.3364 / stecoahvalleycenter.com.

• Stubborn Bull (Highlands) will host “Live

• Western Carolina Brew & Wine (Highlands) will host David Lloyd (singer-songwriter) July 25. All shows begin at 1 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.342.6707 / wcbrewandwine.com.

• Whiteside Brewing (Cashiers) will host Shortoff Mountain Boys (Americana) July 24, Kid Billy (Americana) July 25, Kooks Of Hazard July 31 and Jason Lyles (singersongwriter) Aug. 1. 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 (Aug. 7, 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 gentleman of the old school — Samuel Alito

First, a word of warning.

If you were distressed when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and sent the abortion issue back to the purview of individual states, the positive review of Molly Hemingway’s “Alito” which follows may rankle. For reasons all my own, I’ve spent some years now trying not to upset others — mixed results at best — and my admiration for this book and for Supreme Court

Justice Samuel Alito may spoil your day. Please skip this review if that’s going to be the case.

With the orange cones and caution signs in place, let’s turn now to Hemingway’s “Alito:

The Justice Who Reshaped the Supreme Court and Restored the Constitution” (Basic Liberty, 2026, 352 pages). Here’s a study of a man and his time that brings benefits and pleasures to readers interested in American law and history, and in the character of an American judge.

After graduating from Yale Law School, Alito began practicing law in 1976. For 50 years, then, he has seen first-hand courtrooms and how they work. In 2005, president George Bush nominated him for the post of Supreme Court justice, and he has served in that capacity since January of 2006. By covering the important cases involving Alito in his long legal career, especially those that appeared before the court, Hemingway provides readers with some excellent history regarding legal matters and their impact on our culture.

In addition, “Alito” serves as a primer on how the Supreme Court functions: what cases make the docket, the role and duties of the young lawyers who clerk for the justices, the ways in which justices either reach agreement in a case or issue a dissent. Hemingway does fine work in giving us a behind-thescenes look at the at the workings of this branch of our government.

The book is also valuable for Hemingway’s mini-biographies of the justices who have served alongside of Alito on the court. Though a conservative and the editor-in-chief of The Federalist, Hemingway’s portraits of the justices, how they came to be nominated to the court, the difficulties some of them faced during that process and their performance in determining cases once they put on the black robe, are generally even-handed.

Of course, Hemingway devotes a good section of her book to Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the case that overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Here we learn more about the decision making of the different justices, the majority opinion written by Alito, and the leaking of the details of the

case ahead of publication, a breach of confidentiality that caused massive protests and death threats against some of the justices. Those critical of the court’s decision to send the abortion issue back to the states might do well to remember that Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died before this case reached the court and who was a staunch advocate for abortion, had long believed that Roe v.

America, a country that is disappearing.”

Younger readers may have little idea of the compliment Hemingway intends, and others who do understand may snort and laugh derisively, but for many people, including me, we understand exactly what she means. We knew men and women like Alito back then, bright, well-mannered and welldressed, mature, and we miss them. A glance at nearly any public arena today reveals the startling difference between then and now.

Wade was a mistake, that it reached too far in overturning state legislation and becoming federal law.

While these are all good reasons to read “Alito,” for me the best part of the book was the attention Hemingway paid to Alito’s life and character. In the books’ last chapter, “All Steak, No Sizzle” — the quote comes from a federal judge regarding Alito’s focus on substance over style — Hemingway sums up the judge’s character. He’s a quiet man, somewhat introverted, a hard worker who is “thoroughly prepared for every case, as is apparent in oral arguments.” He revered his father, loves his family and is a lifelong baseball fan.

At one point, Hemingway writes, “He represents the best of mid-twentieth-century

She also writes of Alito, “He is stalwart in his defense of the moral code that until recently was universally recognized in America, even as its last vestiges are swept from our institutions.”

Given the level of corruption in today’s government and in the marketplace in general, some of us miss that too.

At the end of the book, Hemingway includes part of a speech Alito delivered to the Federalist Society, which isn’t associated with The Federalist publication where she works. Here she notes that Alito “hopes other Americans will share his passion for preserving the Constitution and the free and prosperous life it has made possible.”

The portion of the speech included by Hemingway ends with a quote from an earlier Supreme Court Justice, Learned Hand, “Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court… can do much for it.”

(Jeff Minick reviews books and has written four of his own: two novels, “Amanda Bell” and “Dust On Their Wings,” and two works of nonfiction, “Learning As I Go” and “Movies Make the Man.” minick0301@gmail.com.)

Hurricane Helene in September 2024 caused enough damage to Great Smoky Mountains National Park that some areas and trails are still inaccessible. NPS photo

Smokies continues Helene-related repairs

many areas of the park remain closed to allow for the ongoing rehabilitation work.

President and CEO of Friends of the Smokies Dana Soehn said her organization will partner with GSMNP to repair several historic structures that incurred damage from the storm. Friends of the Smokies is funding and managing the construction projects to rehabilitate the Caldwell Barn and Caldwell House, the Beech Grove Schoolhouse and Cook Cabin in Little Cataloochee. The organization has recently issued requests for proposals for the projects.

“We’re pretty excited, and part of that is just the parks crews are stretched so thin that this was a way for us [to help], since we’re already funding the restoration work,” Soehn said. “It just allowed us an opportunity to go ahead and help them out by doing the contracting for them, as well.”

Jacqueline Harp, CEO of Smokies Life, the nonprofit that helps staff GSMNP visitors centers, said visitation numbers have rebounded to pre-Helene levels. With a handful of popular trails still closed, though, visitor center staff remain vigilant to keep visitors updated on how to safely recreate inside the park.

Harp and Soehn both hope their respective organizations can help alleviate the strain Hurricane Helene rehabilitation has put on park staff.

“There has always been the tension in terms of what the park cares for and stewards and having the time, the talent, the money

event. GSMNP has not released any information on expected timelines for storm rehabilitation work, but a full list of closures and cautions is available on the GSMNP website.

A FULL LIST OF CURRENT ROAD AND TRAIL CLOSURES AS OF JULY 21 IS AS FOLLOWS:

• Park Headquarters Road is closed due to rehabilitation work on the Sugarlands water and wastewater systems.

• Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road are closed.

• Laurel Falls Trail is closed as of Jan. 6, 2025, for about 18 months of rehabilitation work.

(Laurel Falls Trail is closed from the trailhead on Fighting Creek Gap Road up to the junction with Little Greenbrier and Cove Mountain trails. For Sugarlands Mountain Trail, the trail is closed from the trailhead on Fighting Creek Gap Road up to the junction with Huskey Gap Trail).

• Bullhead Trail is closed as of May 4, 2026, from Monday through Thursday each week, excluding federal holidays, through Nov. 19. During this time, the park will continue the rehabilitation of the Bullhead Trail in partnership with Friends of the Smokies.

TRAIL AND BACKCOUNTRY

CAUTIONS AND CLOSURES:

Cataloochee Area

• Balsam Mountain Trail. Hikers should use

Caldwell and Cataloochee Valley Road junction. No other significant damage.

• Boogerman Trail. Hiking on this trail is not advised due to a deep water crossing. The first foot log on this trail, which was 55 feet in length, was washed away. This water crossing is typically more than two feet deep even when water levels are low.

• Caldwell Fork Trail. Trail closed to all users due to significant damage. Large sections of trail surface washed away, numerous rockslides and debris are obstructing the path and multiple water crossings have become unsafe due to the loss of bridges.

• Hemphill Bald Trail. Hikers should use extra caution. From Double Gap to Polls Gap, there is no significant damage. From Double Gap to Caldwell junction, there are two sections of trail impacted by landslides; one root ball has torn up the trail tread. Closed to equestrians.

• Palmer Creek Trail. Second foot log is gone. No other significant damage.

• Pretty Hollow Gap Trail. Hikers should use extra caution. Trail/road is washed out from Little Cataloochee trail junction to campsite No. 39. Closed to equestrians.

• Rough Fork Trail. Hikers should use extra caution. From the Cataloochee Valley trailhead to the junction with the Woody House, there is extensive trail erosion, and the first and third foot logs are out. No significant damage from Woody House to junction with Caldwell Fork. From Polls Gap to Caldwell junction, there are two sections of trail

impacted by landslides. Closed to equestrians. Big Creek Area

• Big Creek Trail. Trail only open for first 2 miles to hikers and equestrians. Trail is closed beyond the first 2 miles at Mouse Creek Falls due to significant trail damage. There is no access to campsites No. 36 and No. 37 from the Big Creek Trail. Parking only available near ranger station and the walk to trailhead is approximately three quarters of a mile.

• Gunter Fork Trail. Trail closed to all users due to significant damage. Large sections of trail surface washed away; numerous rockslides and debris are obstructing the path and multiple water crossings have become unsafe due to the loss of bridges.

• Swallow Fork Trail. This trail is closed to all users due to significant damage. Multiple foot logs are out, including large bridges; fording may be high risk during rain events.

• Backcountry campsites No. 41 and No. 42 are closed.

• Backcountry campsites No. 39 and No. 40 are open but closed to stock.

OTHER TRAIL CLOSURES:

• Portion of Fighting Creek Nature Trail. Temporary closure from July 20 through July 23. Part of the Fighting Creek Nature Trail behind the Sugarlands Visitor Center will be temporarily closed while crews replace a broken foot log. This closure affects the clockwise half of the loop toward the John Ownby Cabin. Visitors can still reach the cabin by taking the counterclockwise route, which begins straight ahead at the intersection of the Fighting Creek Nature Trail and the Cove Mountain Trail toward Cataract Falls. Access to both the cabin and Cataract Falls remains open. The trail is expected to reopen by July 24.

• Laurel Falls Trail. Closed Jan. 6, 2025, for rehabilitation work. (Laurel Falls Trail is closed from the trailhead on Fighting Creek Gap Road up to the junction with Little Greenbrier and Cove Mountain trails. For Sugarlands Mountain Trail, the trail is closed from the trailhead on Fighting Creek Gap Road up to the junction with Huskey Gap Trail.)

• Bullhead Trail. Closed as of May 4, 2026, from Monday through Thursday each week, excluding federal holidays, through Nov. 19. During this time, the park will continue the rehabilitation of the Bullhead Trail in partnership with Friends of the Smokies.

• Hyatt Ridge Trail. Closed to equestrians, but open to hikers.

• Enloe Creek Trail. Closed to equestrians, but open to hikers.

• Camel Gap Trail. Closed to equestrians, but open to hikers.

• Scott Mountain Trail. The trail is closed from campsite #6 to Schoolhouse Gap. Campsite #6 is still open.

TRAIL CAUTIONS

Note that the park's backcountry is managed as a wilderness area F

A statewide drought continues, as much of Western North Carolina remains in either a severe or extreme drought. ncdrought.org graphic

Drought persists in WNC

Drought conditions continue across North Carolina, with recent rains having a minor impact on the precipitation deficit that has been worsening since last fall.

According to the classifications released by the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council on Thursday based on conditions observed

between July 7-14, eight counties, largely in the Triangle and eastern Triad, are in exceptional drought, the highest drought classification. The Smoky Mountain News coverage area remains in either a severe or extreme drought.

To learn more or view North Carolina’s drought map, visit ncdrought.org.

‘Farm Family of the Day’ nominations open

The North Carolina State Fair will recognize 11 farm families during the fair this year through the Farm Family of the Day program sponsored by Tractor Supply Company. Nominations and applications are being accepted now through Aug. 21. Any North Carolina family that contributes to the agriculture industry could be one of the lucky ones selected to represent the industry at the fair. Families recognized as Farm Family of the Day will be honored across the grounds on their assigned day, as well as awarded a State Fair gift basket, including fair tickets to use on any day of their choice during the 2026 State Fair, ride passes and additional swag. Families will be chosen by both nomination and application forms. Applications can be found at ncagr.gov/2026-farm-family-day-application-form/open, and nomination forms can be found online at ncagr.gov/2026-farm-family-day-nomination-form/open.

The 2026 N.C. State Fair will run Oct. 15-25 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. For more information, visit ncstatefair.org.

where the forces of nature determine trail conditions. The following list includes some conditions that the park is currently aware of; however, hikers may encounter trail conditions not listed below that still require caution. Always be prepared for swollen streams, bridge washouts, downed trees and trail erosion when hiking in the park's backcountry, and if trail conditions are not safe, turn back.

Park staff continue to assess trail conditions following Hurricane Helene, particularly on the eastern end of the park in both Tennessee and North Carolina. Most park trails are open; however, visitors are encouraged to check trail conditions online and/or talk to staff in the visitor centers or backcountry office.

• Rough Creek Trail. Open, but travel is not recommended due to trail tread damage.

• Rabbit Creek Trail. The bridge where the trail crosses Abrams Creek is out. This is a wide water crossing that may be deep during high water events.

• Boat shuttles to and from Hazel Creek. At certain times of the year, Fontana Lake levels are lowered; during these times, boat

Get a jump start on state fair competitions

There are 46 different categories of competitions for adults and kids at the N.C. Mountain State Fair, including an ice cream eating contest you can enter on Sept. 15, the day of the event. Deadlines to enter are Aug. 14 and Aug. 28.

To find out general information, specific rules and deadlines for the competitions, go online at wncagcenter.org/p/mountainstatefair/exhibitors to start your search.

Links on the page connect contestants to information on livestock shows and general competitions, with additional links to register for the competitions.

The deadline for cooking competitions and gospel singing contest is Aug. 14, the deadline for the clogging competition is Aug. 21 and the deadline for general competitions and livestock shows is Aug. 28. Exhibitors are encouraged to make their entries early, as popular categories can fill up before the deadline dates.

shuttles will need to drop/pickup occupants off at Ollie Cove instead of Hazel Creek. This will add 0.5 miles to the hike. When making reservations, ask the shuttle service for more information.

ROAD AND FACILITY DELAYS OR CLOSURES

Carlos Campbell Overlook. This overlook on Newfound Gap Road is temporarily closed while maintenance crews assess cracks in the pavement and sidewalk. The overlook will reopen as soon as National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration crews make assessments and any needed repairs.

• Mingus Mill. Temporarily closed for preservation and rehabilitation work.

• Blue Ridge Parkway. For information about parkway closures, please call 828.298.0398 or visit the parkway's website.

• For information about seasonal closures visit the GSMNP website pages titled “Seasonal Road Closures and Seasonal Facility Closures.”

Registration must be completed online using ShoWorks, an online registration system that is used at fairs across the country, including the N.C. State Fair in Raleigh. All general exhibit competitions are free to enter and open to North Carolina residents. For exhibitors in outlying Western N.C. counties, the Mountain State Fair partners with local cooperative extension offices to provide the Pony Express Service option. This service allows general exhibitors to drop off their entries at their local county extension office for delivery to the fair. Please check the fair website at wncagcenter.org/p/mountainstatefairfor a list of participating counties and the Fletcher. For more information, go to wncagcenter.org.

Up Moses Creek

BY B URT KORNEGAY

The Pasture

Moses Creek may be off the beaten path, but it’s no stranger to famous people. Moses himself has knocked on our door, and so have Socrates and Plato, the Apostle Paul, Virgil, Shakespeare, Milton and Keats.

Fellow American Robert Frost is another visitor, and I love to listen to him recite his poetry, though I’ve learned not to take him at face value. His poems often say one thing but mean something else. Or, as he once put it in a lecture called “Education by Poetry”: “People say, ‘Why don’t you say what you mean?’ We never do that, do we, being all of us too much poets. We like to talk in parables and in hints and in indirections.”

Frost handed me “The Poetry of Robert Frost,” and there the poem was on page one, centered and italicized for emphasis. And on the opposite page, facing it, was a photograph of Frost himself as a whitehaired old man. He’s dressed casually, and he’s leaning at ease against a low rock wall with one of his big hands resting familiarly on a capstone rock he probably stacked

Just yesterday, for instance, I heard Frost call in from the back door. He was going to the pasture, and he invited me to join him. I thought he meant the neighbor’s pasture, because we are all woods. “I’ll be right there,” I said, reaching for my hat. Then I saw by the look on his face that he didn’t mean a pasture up Moses Creek, he meant “The Pasture,” the little eight-line poem he stipulated was to come first in every edition of his complete works.

there himself. Behind him is a pasture, but he’s not looking at it. Rather, he’s looking sideways across the page toward “The Pasture,” as if encouraging me to follow his gaze. So I did. It’s just a little hop, skip and jump of a poem in two stanzas:

THE PASTURE

I’m going out to clean the pasture spring; I’ll only stop to rake the leaves away (And wait to watch the water clear, I may); I shan’t be gone long. — You come too.

I’m going out to fetch the little calf

That’s standing by the mother. It’s so young It totters when she licks it with her tongue. I shan’t be gone long. — You come too.

I read poetry about every day, and years back I got a degree in English Lit with an eye to teaching it. So right away, “The Pasture” hinted to me that it is in the tradition of “pastoral” poetry — short, lyrical poems about shepherds and cowherds following their animals while singing happily, there on a hillside where the grass is always greener. Frost’s poem called to mind the reveries I think all of us have at times of walking in such a bucolic place.

And there’s Frost holding out his hand! “— You come too.” Unlike going into the neighbor’s pasture, I won’t even have to watch out for cowpies.

But I ended up stepping in something like a cowpie after all. Frost says he’s going out to clean his pasture spring; he’ll “rake the leaves away.” Now, if you’ve ever cleaned out a spring, you know it’s one thing to enjoy the sight of the pool’s still, clear water, but it’s another thing entirely to see what happens when you rake it. Soggy, rotten leaves, dark muck and all kinds of squiggly things boil to the surface. Dead stuff too. There’s the tail of a frog-eaten salamander; there’s the pale guts of a snakechomped frog. You can’t see an inch down into the witch’s brew.

And it will take a while for the water to clear again. But Frost isn’t going to wait. Or as he puts it teasingly: “And wait to watch the water clear, I may.” Which means, of course, he may not wait. And it’s likely he won’t: “I’ll only stop to . . . I shan’t be gone long.” Frost is making a quick trip out, rake in hand, and when he comes back he’ll leave stirred-up water behind.

It’s also likely that Frost’s pasture spring is meant to remind us of the sacred springs that poets over the ages have gone to for inspiration. The Greek poets had their Hippocrene spring. The Old Testament Psalmist sings: “The Lord maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters; he restoreth my soul.” “But Frost is more like the angel of the Bethesda spring in the Gospel of John, who comes to “trouble the water.”

In the poem’s second stanza, Frost paints the peaceful scene of a tottering calf

and the mother licking it. But Frost himself isn’t going to enjoy the sight: “I’m going out to fetch the little calf.” “To fetch” means to go get something and bring it back, the way country folk used to “fetch” water. Frost aims to take the calf away from its mother. Why does he want to do that? The two were doing just fine together. Frost had a milk cow on his farm. Does he take the calf to keep the mother’s milk flowing for his own use or to sell? That’s standard dairy practice. Or does he have veal in mind?

Whatever Frost’s reason for going, one thing is certain; as soon as he puts his hands on the little one, it’ll cry for its mother. And when he carries it off, the mother will follow, bellowing pitifully. You don’t have to see it to know what’s happening. Becky and I know every time our neighbor takes a calf from his pasture. The cow’s bawls fill the valley.

By chance, Frost had no sooner finished reciting his poem to me when who, to my wondering eyes, should appear but Henry David Thoreau! He had his journal, and he read to us his entry from July 21, 1851. It was about a long dream he had of walking an old, abandoned road through countryside so full of beauty and promise that it was “where your head is more in heaven than your feet are on earth.” That is, until he’s met by “the omnipresent butcher with his calf cart — followed by a distracted & anxious cow.” I saw Frost smile at that.

In “The Pasture,” Frost beckons us with reminders of a better world. And I think it’s important to keep our eyes on that Promised Land. Or, as Thoreau says: “If you have built castles in the air, that is where they should be.” But behind the poem’s glimpses of paradise, there appears a muddied spring, a distraught cow and calf.

“So, what’s the point?” I asked. As usual, Frost simply closed his book and left. But since “The Pasture” is the gate he points us through to the rest of his poetry, with its “parables and hints and indirections,” with its “saying one thing and meaning another,” here’s my take: If you open the gate and enter, by all means enjoy his poems about mending walls and splitting oak and picking apples and walking in a yellow wood. Just remember to watch your step.

That’s part of education by poetry. (Burt and Becky Kornegay live in Jackson County.)

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Learn about development of natural habitats

The Highlands Biological Foundation continues its Zahner Conservation Lecture Series, a long-running summer tradition that connects the community with leading voices in science, conservation and the natural world.

On Thursday, July 30, the series will fea-

human activities increasingly fragment natural habitats, maintaining connections between wildlife populations has become a critical conservation challenge. In this engaging presentation, Hillard will explore efforts to understand and improve wildlife connectivity across the Appalachian region, from local road crossing projects to large scale corridor planning initiatives. Attendees will learn how wildlife crossing structures, habitat connectivity and landscape-scale conservation strategies can work together to reduce barriers to animal movement, improve road safety and support the longterm conservation of wildlife throughout the region.

Cashiers Greenway Ramble announces expansion

WALK CASHIERS, a collaborative initiative led by the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce, Jackson County, and Vision Cashiers, announced a significant expansion of the Cashiers Greenway Ramble, marking another major milestone in the community's long-term vision of creating a safer, healthier and more walkable Cashiers.

Construction is underway to complete several new trail segments, including connections from U.S. Highway 64 at the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce to Frank Allen Road, from N.C. Highway 107 to Frank Allen Road, and along Frank Allen Road. The expansion will also include a connector from the trail near the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library to the new Cashiers Lake development.

In addition to extending the trail network, the project will introduce bollards featuring downlighting and internet capabilities, enhancing both safety and accessibility for residents and visitors.

development. Future trail segments within Cashiers Lake will become part of the CGR and ultimately connect to Summit Charter School. Once completed, these combined trail segments will provide Summit Charter School

Liz Hillard is a wildlife biologist and connectivity scientist whose work focuses on advancing conservation across Appalachia. Donated photo

ture Liz Hillard, senior wildlife biologist for the Appalachian region at Wildlands Network, presenting “Connecting Appalachia: Wildlife Connectivity, Corridors, and Road Crossings.”

As roads, development and other

Birding in Franklin

HBF welcomes all to join the Zahner Conservation Lecture Series, a perfect opportunity to learn, engage and be inspired by the natural world. Lectures are held on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. at the Highlands Nature Center (930 Horse Cove Rd). Admission is free. To view the full Zahner Conservation Lecture Series schedule, visit highlandsbiological.org/zahner.

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.

• July 28, meet at the Macon County Library parking lot.

• Aug. 5, meet at Big Bear parking lot near the dog park area.

• Aug. 12, 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.

Friends of Panthertown hosts fireside chat

Friends of Panthertown will continue their summer fireside chat series from 56:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23, at their office at 116 Central Street in Sylva. This free community event features the Watershed Association of the Tuckasegee River (WATR) and offers an opportunity for the public to join and learn how to protect the local watershed.

Held monthly throughout the summer, the fireside chat series highlights local conservation organizations and gives commu-

nity members a chance to meet staff, learn about their work and discover ways to get involved. Participants are welcome to stop by anytime during the event to enjoy s'mores, snacks, cold beverages, outdoor games and conversation around the campfire.

During the July event, participants will collect and examine freshwater macroinvertebrates (small aquatic animals) from Scotts Creek and learn how these organisms are used to assess stream health and water quality. The activity will be followed by informal conversation around the campfire. This event is free and open to the public. No registration is required.

The expansion represents far more than additional trail mileage. It also advances WALK CASHIERS' goal of creating a five-mile interconnected trail system while establishing a critical connection to the Cashiers Lake

greenwayramble.com.

Market PLACE WNC

MarketPlace information:

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Legals

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF Macon

File No: 26SP000028550

AMENDED NOTICE OF SALE

TAKE NOTICE THAT: William Richard Boyd, Jr., Substitute Trustee, has begun proceedings to FORECLOSE under the Deed of Trust described below, and under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in such Deed of Trust, and an Order entered by the Clerk of Superior Court of the above County, will sell the below described property at public auction as follows:

1. The instrument pursuant to which such sale will be held is that certain Deed of Trust executed by Amy C. Kovach and husband, Rodney Kovach, original mort-

of First American Bank & Trust, successor to Mountain Heritage Bank (“Noteholder”) and re-

Macon County Register of Deeds in Deed of Trust Book CRP A-32, at Page 1048, subject to that recorded in Book CRP I-35, at Page 989, subject Amendment of Deed of Trust recorded in Book CRP V-37, at Page 1664, subject to that Notice of Maturity Date recorded in Book CRP D-42, at Page 387 and re-recorded in Book CRP F-42, at Page 1508 of the Macon

County, North Carolina Registry (the “Deed of Trust”). The record owner of such property, as re-

the Register of Deeds not more than ten (10) days prior to posting this Notice of Sale, if not the original mortgagors, is: N/A

2. The property will be sold by the Substitute Trustee at 10:00 a.m. on July 24, 2026 at the Macon County Courthouse door in the City of Franklin, North Carolina.

3. The real property to be sold is generally described as Lots 12 and 13 Nantahala Harbor Subd., Little Choga Road, Topton, NC 28781* and is more particularly described as follows (the “Property”):

Being all of that property described in that certain Deed of Trust recorded in Book CRP A-32 , at Page 1048 , subject to that recorded in Book CRP I-35, at Page 989, subject

Trust recorded in Book CRP V-37, at Page 1664, subject to that Notice of Maturity Date recorded in Book CRP D-42, at Page 387 and re-recorded in Book CRP F-42, at Page 1508 of the Macon County, North Carolina Registry.

Any Property described in the Deed of Trust which is not being offered for sale is described as follows: Subject to any and all Release Deeds of Record in the Macon County, North Carolina Registry.

*The general description of the Property is provided for convenience but is not guaranteed; the legal

description in the Deed of Trust controls .

4. Any buildings located on the above-described Property are also included in the sale.

5. The Property will be sold by the Substitute Trustee to the highest bidder for CASH . The highest bidder will be required to deposit IN CASH with the Substitute Trustee at the date and time of the sale the

(5.0%) of the amount of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty and no/100 Dollars ($750.00).

6. The Property is being sold “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Substitute Trustee, Noteholder, nor attorneys, employees, or authorized agents or representatives of either Substitute Trustee or Noteholder make any warranty relating to title, possession, quiet enjoyment, or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the Property and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way related to such conditions are expressly disclaimed. The Noteholder has reserved the right to withdraw the sale up to and until the deed is delivered by the Substitute Trustee.

7. The Property will be sold subject to all unpaid taxes and special assessments.

8. The Property being sold is all of that Property described in the Deed ofcally set forth above. It is the intention to extinguish any and all rights or

interests in the Property subordinate to the Deed of Trust.

9. An order for possession of the Property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the County in which the Property is sold.

10. Additional Notice Where the Property is Residential with Less Than 15 Rental Units, including single-family residential real property: Any person who occupies the Property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the Notice of Sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

11. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statues Section 45-21.8, the sale of the Property may be made by whole or by tract in the discretion of the Substitute Trustee. Further, the Substitute Trustee may offer for sale any and all personal property as permitted by the Deed of Trust in

accordance with North Carolina General Statutes Sections 25-9-604, 25-9-610, and 25-9-611, in whole, as individual items, or together with the Property as the Substitute Trustee determines is appropriate in the Substitute Trustee’s sole discretion. This notice is intended to comply with the requirements of North Carolina General Statutes Sections 25-9-607 and 25-9-613 providing for the disposition of personal property in connection with a foreclosure of real property. Mortgagor is entitled to and may request an accounting of the unpaid indebtedness secured by the Deed of Trust.

12. Any successful bidder shall be required to tender the remaining balance of the successful bid amount in cash or the Substitute Trustee tenders to such bidder, or attempts to deliver to such bidder, a deed for the Property. Should such successful bidder fail to pay the full balance of the successful bid at that time, that bidder shall remain liable on the bid as provided by North Carolina General Statutes Section 45-21.30.

13. The purchaser of the Property shall pay the Clerk’s Commissions in the amount of $0.45 per $100.00 of the purchase price (up to a maximum of $500.00), required by Section 7A-308(a) (1) of the North Carolina General Statutes. If the purchaser of the Property is someone other than the Deed of Trust, the purchaser shall also pay, to the extent applicable, the land transfer tax in the amount of one percent (1.0%) of the purchase

price.

14. If the Substitute Trustee is unable to convey title to the Property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are of a bankruptcy petition

of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the Substitute Trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Substitute Trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

15. The Property is being sold subject to all prior and superior: (i) deeds of trust, (ii) liens, (iii) unpaid taxes, (iv) restrictions, (v) easements, (vi) assessments, (vii) leases, and (viii) other matters, if any, which, as a matter of law, survive the foreclosure of the Deed of Trust, provided that the inclusion of this clause in this Notice of Substitute Trustee’s Sale of Real Estate shall not be deemed to validate or otherwise effect to any such matter or other right which, as a matter of law, does not survive the foreclosure of the Deed of Trust.

16. Any person who occupies the Property pursuor tenancy may have additional rights pursuant to the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act.

17. This is a communication from a debt collector. The purpose of this communication is to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose,

except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection. If you are under the protection of the Bankruptcy Court or have been discharged as a result of bankruptcy proceedings, this notice if given to you pursuant to statutory requirement and for informational purposes and is not intended as an attempt to collect a debt or as an act to collect, assess, or recover all or any portion of the debt from you personally. THIS the 16th day of June, 2026.

William Richard Boyd, Jr. Substitute Trustee

474 Mountain Cove Road Waynesville, North Carolina 28786 (828) 646-7308

Dates: July 15, 2026 and July 22, 2026

35574-11

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.26E000302-430

Carolyn H. Davis, having

of the Estate of Robert Steve Davis of Haywood County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before Oct 15 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment. Executrix

Hines Davis, PLLC 95 Depot Street Waynesville, NC 28786

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Case No.26E000353-430

Mary Jan Metcalf, having -

istrator of the Estate of Richard Joe Metcalf, Jr of Haywood County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons hav-

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

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

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee Water & Sewer Department, will receive sealed bids until 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the Cherokee Water & Sewer Department, 1840 Paint Town Road, Cherokee, NC 28719 to furnish labor, materials, and equipment to repair Acquoni Rd. and Big Cove Rd. following replacement of water and sewer lines. Proposed work

asphalt paving, sidewalk construction, and curb & gutter construction per

PDF plans and bidding documents may be obtained by emailing Joel Setzer, PE, at jbsetzer@ jmt.com. Documents will be available no later than July 13, 2026. A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held at 10:00 a.m., August 5, 2026, at the Cherokee Water & Sewer Department. jbsetzer@ jmt.com

Announcements

Call Today! 1-877-920-7405

1 Reserves of stock

9 Person applying a mail stick-on

16 Understands

20 Actress Palicki of “Friday Night Lights”

21 Popcorn personage Redenbacher

22 Out of the wind, nautically

23 Start of a riddle

25 Watson of “Little Women”

26 Was bested

27 Rug threads

28 Emo of zany comedy

30 Crafty plans

34 Arnaz of “I Love Lucy”

35 Have in mind

36 King, in Paris

37 Riddle, part 2 41 Unhappy

44 Almonds, e.g.

45 See 63-Across 46 Jamaican music genre

47 Alpine climber's

51

60 “The Taking of -- 123” (2009 film)

61 Check casher, e.g.

62 Pre-2001 space station

63 With 45-Across, informed on the

68 Al who drew the Yokums

For fear that

To the extent that 75 Bern's land, to the French

77 Australia Zoo owner

79 Not as messy

80 Harvest

81 “The Flight Attendant” star Kaley

82 Bandoleer, informally

83 Drink infusing device

84 Cutoff cry from a film director

85 Long to undo

90 Out with one's sweetie

92 Hint-providing columnist

93 “My thoughts exactly”

94 Alternatives to GIFs or JPEGs

96 Hulk Hogan's 1980s org.

99 Isaac of sci-fi

100 Actress Drescher

101 Sings in the Alps, perhaps

106 Perez of film

107 Quaint reply of denial

108 Canoodles, in Cambridge

110 Determines the sum of

111 Street rep

112 Hawk's home

116 Plato's “H”

117 Hog's home

118 Vivacity

119 “Little” actress Issa

ANSWERS ON PAGE 26

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Auction

PUBLIC AUCTION Saturday, August 1, 10 a.m. 201 S. Central Ave. Locust, NC Tools, Vehicles, RV’s, Mower, Guns,

SUDOKU

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Business Opportunities

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee Water & Sewer Department, will receive sealed bids until 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the Cherokee Water & Sewer Department, 1840 Paint Town Road, Cherokee, NC 28719 to furnish labor, materials, and equipment to repair Acquoni Rd. and Big Cove Rd. following replacement of water and sewer lines. Proposed work

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August 5, 2026, at the Cherokee Water & Sewer Department. jbsetzer@ jmt.com

Employment

HIRING FOR EVENT

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