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September 16-22, 2026 Vol. 28 Iss. 16

Swain sheriff candidates discuss competing visions Page 4 Sylva Pride returns with downtown parade Page 13

CONTENTS On the Cover: The Haywood County Fair has long been a draw for visitors and locals alike, offering rides, exhibits, food, competitions, and a look at the importance of agriculture on the local economy. This year, the fair will offer free admission one day for fourth-grade students and one day for senior citizens. (Page 24) Bob Scott photo

News Swain sheriff candidates discuss competing visions ................................................4 Macon commission candidates talk local issues ........................................................7 Kyra Doster appointed Swain finance officer ............................................................11 FRL trustees spar over late fee policy ........................................................................12 Sylva Pride returns with downtown parade ..............................................................13

Opinion Here I am in a reverse mid-life crisis ............................................................................14 Letters to the Editor ..........................................................................................................14

A&E Live performance schedule heats up at WCU ........................................................16 Bluegrass legend plays Cataloochee Ranch ............................................................20

Outdoors

September 16-22, 2026

The Joyful Botanist: A Blazing Star of Fall ................................................................26 Cowee School hosts Spotfin Art and Nature Gathering ......................................27

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September 16-22, 2026

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Swain sheriff candidates discuss competing visions BY LILY LEVIN STAFF WRITER epublican incumbent Brian Kirkland and Democratic challenger David Southards will face off for Swain County Sheriff in the General Election, a race defined in part by how Kirkland came into the position. In late July 2025, Kirkland was selected to replace disgraced former Sheriff Curtis Cochran, who’d racked up myriad criminal charges related to the alleged sexual assault of three women. Cochran’s case is ongoing in state and tribal court. Since his departure, Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith and Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit have also left office amid a cloud of alleged misconduct. Meanwhile, little is known about wandering officers in North Carolina — booted from one department as a disciplinary measure only to be hired by another agency — because termination or resignation don’t trigger decertification, the only publicly available law enforcement record. However, research has shown wandering officers are riskier hires, as previous violations raise the likelihood of future instances. With that in mind, The Smoky Mountain News first asked each candidate to outline their employment history. Kirkland from 2002 to 2004 was a Swain County deputy under Sheriff Bob Ogle’s leadership. But he left after two years to serve as officer for the Cherokee Indian Police Department. He cites better pay as the reason for the move. The several-month break in employment between both agencies, due to what he said was a prolonged hiring process, was supplemented by a part-time gig at Bryson City Police Department. In 2011, he returned to Swain County Sheriff ’s Office (SCSO) and served under Cochran. Kirkland has been working with Swain County ever since his return and said throughout his career, he’s faced no disciplinary problems. “If I had issues with these departments, I don’t think they’d be working with me,” he explained. Kirkland’s campaign is motivated by the place he calls home. “I grew up here. I went to school here. My kids went to school here. I love this community, always have, and I just want to be able to make a difference in a good way,” he said. With an incumbency advantage as well as general popularity in a red-leaning district, Kirkland seems the favorite. Nonetheless, Southards conveyed a strong vision for the

sheriff ’s office, and like his opponent, won his primary by landslide margins. He said his candidacy is the result of what he’s accomplished during his tenure. “I feel like over the whole 28 years that I’ve treated everybody fair. I’ve had to charge people. I’ve had to take a lot of people to jail, but also that same people I could walk up to them in Walmart and shake their hand,” said Southards. In 1998, he was sworn in as SCSO deputy. A divorce drove his decision to leave the department and work for Cherokee County Schools in 2010, something he said ultimately wasn’t the right fit. Southards returned to SCSO and opted to work part-time for Western Carolina University after finishing out the school year. He recounted that by 2014, he and Cochran had “fallen out.” “It was a felony that Curtis Cochran committed, and it was reported, and I was interviewed for about three hours, and nothing came of it. I gave [the district attorney’s office] names, and they done absolutely nothing,” he said. Southards stuck with the job until November of that year but left when Cochran was reelected to pursue an associate’s degree from Southwestern Community College. Throughout that time, Southards worked with kids with developmental disabilities and served part-time for WCU’s police department. After obtaining his degree in 2012, he transitioned into a full-time role at the university, where he worked for five years. An old colleague and friend, he said, had offered an assistant chief position at the fledgling Andrews Police Department. He stayed on until his retirement in 2022. Southards, who still has a part-time security gig at a local hospital, said he’s never had any disciplinary issues. He said that since retiring, he finds time for the community as a cold weather shelter volunteer and newly appointed board member at Four Square Community Action, Inc., a multi-county nonprofit “committed to opening doors for eligible low-income individuals and families by providing advocacy, services, and resources to increase selfsufficiency.” He’s coached little league, basketball, and the shooting team. Kirkland has served on a variety of county committees, as well as the state employee’s board, though he was more eager to discuss how he’s served the community as its sheriff. He said when Cochran left office, he worked to rebuild the pub-

lic’s trust, successfully pursuing funding for body-worn cameras. “It forces [our deputies] to treat people good because they know they’re being recorded, and also it tells one side of the story, so people can’t just say, ‘Well, this happened and this happened,’” Kirkland posited. “The cameras are not going to lie.” Body cameras have strong support as an accountability measure, but they’re not considered a public record in North Carolina and can only be released under a court order. Kirkland has also pursued an initiative called Community Impact Team, which involves approaching communities from which dispatchers received the most 911 calls. “What I mean by partnership — just being seen in a community is a deterrent to crime,” he said. Officers also encouraged folks to call about anything suspicious, even if they weren’t sure what was going on. Kirkland said the office’s call volume has dropped over the past year. Other programming Kirkland has helped coordinate includes the first-ever Cops and Kids event, which the department plans to continue; a Swain County National Night Out facilitating connections with the public; and a scam education session SCSO has presented 30 times to local groups. Southards proposed two additional initiatives, saying there’s a need within the Qualla Boundary for law enforcement dedicated to domestic violence work, which existed when he first started. If elected, he’d ensure at least one female investigator would be assigned to such cases. Southards would also like to implement a program he said is already underway in Transylvania County in which Student Resource Officers mentor middle school students identified as “struggling” by the Department of Social Services and Juvenile Services. Most outings — like a rafting trip, for example — would take place during the summer, when both child and officer have fewer responsibilities. Spending priorities are largely how Southards contrasts himself with Kirkland. He was quick to point out how during this year’s budget cycle, the county accrued a $2 million deficit (that figure is closer to $5.8 million, based on prior SMN reporting). While the Democratic candidate values training, he said there are countless free community college sessions in the region officers should complete. Kirkland defended his decision to attend a North Carolina Sheriff ’s Association Conference in Myrtle Beach — a decision that drew scrutiny — for its unique vendor and networking opportunities. “I get my deputies into as much specialized training as they can get because I want them to be very proficient at their jobs,” he added. Southards criticized Kirkland’s decision to

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September 16-22, 2026 Smoky Mountain News

ties of drugs to buy tax stamps, which are purchase a more expensive Ford Expedition then affixed to substances permanently. If instead of a Ford Explorer. The difference in found in possession of drugs without these 2026 starting prices between the two modstamps, law enforcement notifies the state els is about $26,000. Kirkland argued an North Carolina Department of Revenue Expedition makes traveling “more feasible,” (NCDOR). NCDOR then calculates fees and noting that he’s often on the road to meet penalties, 75% of which are funneled into with different agency partners. the reporting agency. A drug tax can apply “You got to remember the outfit of an even if a person’s case is dismissed. Expedition is not near as much as (the) outKirkland also commended his work this fit of an Interceptor because all mine has is past year to develop partnerships with other blue lights,” he said. agencies, especially in drug enforcement But according to Southards, the sheriff operations. has also paid a pretty penny to outfit his vehicles. Southards questioned why SCSO needs a drone, technology he said is rarely used and comes with a hefty price tag. The sheriff said his department takes out its $20,000 drone in suspect pursuits and search and rescue missions. “Even if we’re conducting a search warrant at a residence, we can get a drone up above it, and we can sort of see what things are happening before our deputies do … (to ensure) they’re not getting ambushed or walking into something blind,” he added. Kirkland also touted a body armor purchase that replaced outdated gear and his role in starting a new K9 program. “The amount of drug seizures we’ve got with that canine in the past year has been incredible. You know that just from the drug asset money that we’ve Brian Kirkland. File photo been able to get back from drug seizures, it’s paid for itself many times over,” “There’s not one person around here, Kirkland explained. Civil asset forfeiture, including myself, that can’t say drugs which North Carolina peror alcohol has impacted somebody in mits upon conviction, mandates all seized funds their family or a friend that they be directed to the public school system. However, know. Everybody here has that one through a partnership with person within their family or friend federal agencies known as equitable sharing, local network that that’s fell victim to departments can legally take property pre-convicsubstance abuse or alcohol abuse.” tion — and will get back — Brian Kirkland 80% of what they’ve seized. According to critics, this “We probably got one of the best relaloophole creates financial incentives for tionships we’ve ever had with Cherokee property seizure. Annual profits for local Tribal. We work with Cherokee County on a agencies are in the millions. If property is regular (basis),” he said. wrongfully taken, re-acquisition involves Swain and Cherokee counties and hiring an attorney, another associated fee. Cherokee Indian Police Department have Another way SCSO makes money is “if joined forces to create what is basically a we get drug seizures, the IRS comes … the SWAT team with weekly training, the sheriff IRS actually taxes people for drugs,” explained, adding that the team recently Kirkland said. North Carolina is part of the seized a kilogram of methamphetamine durminority of states that still has a 1980s-era drug tax, or Unauthorized Substances Tax. It mandates individuals with certain quantiSEE SWAIN SHERIFF, PAGE 6

sioners removed three detention center positions to increase pay for the remaining officers but that those spots have been re-instating a traffic stop. But Kirkland emphasized ed. not all SCSO resources are put toward drug He admitted that among those incarceratenforcement. ed are people transferred from Graham and “There’s not one person around here, Vance counties, though he maintained the including myself, that can’t say drugs or jail has recently upped its nightly per-head alcohol has impacted somebody in their prices. family or a friend that they know. Everybody Kirkland also told SMN he just signed a here has that one person within their family $10,000 contract with Guardian or friend network that that’s fell RFID, paid with commissary-derived victim to substance abuse or money, which will simplify rounds alcohol abuse,” he said. and likely enable permanent wristKirkland would support a band scanning. Advocates have said drug and alcohol court allowing wristbands supply verifiable informaone’s record to be expunged for a tion on inmate medications, movelow-level offense after years of ment, and activities, while critics good behavior, though he said contend such a measure merely criminal record diversion is a increases tech surveillance within a question for the district attorspace that’s already confined and ney’s office. Southards, alternamonitored. tively, is on board with diversion Replacing the jail control board treatment and community servhas been another necessary upgrade, ice programs for minor drug viohe said, since it allows officers to lations like simple possession of oversee operations, communicate marijuana and said he has through intercoms, and view every already talked to District Court pod area. Judge Justin Greene about this Southards argued these advances proposal. Drug diversion proshould not take precedence over the grams have been shown to signifreal, physical needs of detainees and icantly reduce recidivism. staff. Kirkland said his office “That should come last — the already promotes treatment, technology. I think you’re missing the though in a different context. For point there if you don’t address the example, SCSO on Saturday, needs of the detention officers and Sept 19, will hold a sponsored the folks in jail,” he said. community event with over 50 David Southards. File photo While the jails’ air conditioning vendors related to rehabilitation had been an issue that Southards and care services. Additionally, “I feel like over the whole 28 years that said indicated a lack of prioritization he said the office is talking by Kirkland, it has been fixed. Still, through a contract that would I’ve treated everybody fair. I’ve had to Southards isn’t satisfied. allow mental health profession“That’s something that should als to accompany officers in the charge people. I’ve had to take a lot of immediately be addressed with the case of mental health-related dispeople to jail, but also that same county commissioners,” he patches. This adheres to a model explained, noting the jail was runcalled Crisis Intervention Team, people I could walk up to them in ning box fans for weeks. which reduces arrests of people “To me, there’s no excuse for the in mental crisis and connects Walmart and shake their hand.” jail not being up to code,” he added. them to relevant services. — David Southards Kirkland said backup fans were “We’ve also started the 12used at most a few hours while a unit step programs with NA, which is was down. Meanwhile, he said, the jail is holding Narcotics Anonymous, and AA, which is “[There would] be somebody here fairly folks from other counties that aren’t part of Alcohol Anonymous. Those programs startquickly for at least a temporary fix,” he said. the federal Marshall service. Until the jail is ed just a few months ago in our jail to help Southards also advocated everyone be fully staffed, he wants to put a stop to this with that as well,” he explained, adding that screened for medications like Suboxone, a practice. under his leadership, the department treatment for opioid users, when first enterKirkland disputed the claims around brought Sunrise Community for Recovery & ing custody. staffing, noting there’s but one or two openWellness, a recovery community organiza“Our medical provider at this point will ings. At some point, he recounted, commistion spanning from Western North Carolina

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WCU announces schedule for Mountain Heritage Days

For more than 50 years, Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Days has celebrated the music, stories, and traditions of Appalachia — and this year the energy is bigger than ever. The weeklong festival will be held Sept. 2126. Experience a vibrant gathering filled with live 6 music, traditional dance, cultural showcases,

to Charlotte, into the jail and signed a contract with Vaya Health, a public managed care organization serving counties across central and Western North Carolina, for mental health services. But detention center conditions make up the bulk of Southards’ criticism. He said discussions he’s hard with former and current staff have led him to believe the “biggest [problem] in the jail is understaffing.”

artisan crafts, delicious food, and fun for all ages. It’s a fresh, high-spirited take on a beloved tradition — and a chance to celebrate the heart and soul of the mountains together. Events include craft demonstrations, live music, a 5K, and a car show. Festivities will begin Sept. 21 with a People of Colonial North Carolina opening reception from 2:30-5 p.m. at the Mountain Heritage Center, and will end with an afternoon concert on Sept. 26. For more information, visit mhd.wcu.edu or email mhd@wcu.edu.

not provide the medicated assistance,” Kirkland said, adding that staff has discussed this step. That might be because Kirkland’s jail nurse isn’t licensed to provide Suboxone. Kirkland said it’s not feasible to go outside the detention center for such medications because the current nurse is typically the only medical staff present. While she’s filled in by doctors and physicians’ assistants at least weekly, coverage must be provided around the clock. But Southards argued that, by law, if someone enters custody with a Suboxone prescription, the detention center must be able to fill it. Indeed, people with opioid use disorder are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and failure to provide necessary medication not only increases overdose risk but also violates this protection. Southards said under his leadership, staff would determine if those in custody are on Medicaid, which could help mitigate MOUD expenses. Kirkland’s jail has not been taking this measure. “I don’t think [Medicaid pays] for jail services,” he said. That’s always been the case; however, North Carolina’s Section 1115 Reentry Demonstration waiver was recently approved, initiating a phased rollout of Medicaid reimbursement for jail- and prison-provided MOUD within the final 90 days of a sentence for certain individuals. On the staff end of jail conditions, Southards would ensure new employees are paired with seasoned officers “before they’re turned loose on their own,” which would be accompanied by training opportunities. Kirkland said that’s already the case. “Just like our deputies, we want our jailers to be trained and understand how big (the) responsibility (is) that they have as being a detention officer,” he said, mentioning a new jail lieutenant who works with the administrator to fill out paperwork and conduct training. Southards advocated for another morale booster: upping the salary. When Cochran was in charge, he said, the “upper echelon of the deputies” received a sizable raise, while the detention officers hardly got anything. Southards would like to pay jail staff better, especially given the rising cost of living. Kirkland framed this measure as a longsought win — something they’d “fought with the county forever (about).” He said step raises for every department position had been factored into the pay chart.

File photo

See where the five challenger candidates stand on data centers, Flock cameras, and more BY ALEX PERRI STAFF WRITER ix candidates are running for three positions on the Macon County Board of Commissioners. The Smoky Mountain News met with these candidates

agreeable tone of the commissioner meetings lately rather than any single policy. “I’m a deal maker instead of an arguer,” Lunn said, describing podium exchanges in which residents raised concerns and got argument rather than answers. “I think the commissioners are working for the people, is what I thought, and not fighting with the people.” He added, “You have to have an answer for [constituents] instead of an argument.” His campaign motto is “A New Voice for Macon County.”

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Macon commission candidates talk local issues

who volunteers at free vaccination clinics and supports no-kill shelters. On data centers, Lunn wants regulations as strict as state law allows, citing water quality, land use, and utility costs. “I don’t want this land messed up,” he said. “Bigger (energy) demand means bigger bills, and people can’t afford that.” He also supported defunding the county’s Flock cameras. “You have to go with what the people want,” he said, though he would consider automated license plate readers again under tighter limits on data retention. On the library system, he said Macon County Public Library leadership favors the split from the FRL, though he would review the finances before the decision is finalized.

Three Macon County Commission seats are up for grabs this year. File photo

RUSS LUNN Democrat Russ Lunn says he decided to run for the Macon County Board of Commissioners over what he sees as a dis-

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Lunn grew up in Connecticut, was drafted Lunn also said he would improve transout of college, and served in the Army in parency and criticized the board’s use of closed Vietnam. He then went to work as a reconnaissessions. sance pilot with the National Security Agency, “They have a lot of closed-door meetings at a career he said spanned 26 years. After retirthese commissioner meetings, and the people ing, he opened a construction company in aren’t allowed to find out what was said at Sylva and has lived in a home those meetings,” he said. He he built in Macon County for argued that the pattern shows 10 years. up in the board’s voting record, When asked what he sees which he said lands at 5-0 as the county’s biggest chalbecause the disagreement (if lenges over the next four years, there was any) happened out of Lunn pointed to seniors, famipublic view. lies, and small businesses. “I think that the people “Our seniors, families, and have the right to know,” he small businesses need a little said. “We’re making decisions more help,” he said, adding for the people.” that senior services are not yet Lunn also opposes adding on the board’s agenda. He also Russ Lunn. Donated photo at-large seats. “Five commiscasts himself as a fiscal consersioners is enough,” he said. vative on the strength of his He also wants board business record. “I never bankrupted a busiappointments vetted on qualifications rather ness. I made sure my people always had a paythan friendships. “I want to put people in check,” he said. Lunn is also an animal-welfare advocate SEE MACON CANDIDATES, PAGE 9

September 16-22, 2026

to discuss their platforms, backgrounds, and where they stand on some of the important issues facing their would-be constituents. All five spots on the board are held by Republicans, and three Democrat challengers hope they can persuade voters to go blue in a county that swayed 68% in favor of President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. These candidates spoke about their views on some hot-button, county-level issues such as data centers, redistricting, capital projects, Flock cameras, and the Fontana Regional Library system. Lone incumbent, District 1 representative John Shearl declined to speak with SMN over the phone or in person for this article.

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coming year is roughly the price of a new elementary school and could fund one there that are qualified,” he said. If elected, without additional cost to taxpayers. he said, the commissioner seat would be his Bell also named an undersized county only work. jail that forces Macon to pay Cherokee, “If I become a commissioner, my job will Swain, and Clay counties to house inmates; be that and that only,” he aging courtrooms; a senior said. center in the old public library building that he called not ADA-friendly; and a regional shortage of mental health services as ERRY ELL top issues. He is firmly opposed to Terry Bell, a 50-year vetdata centers, citing water, eran of public education, is noise, and light impacts on asking voters to send the a tourism-dependent econofirst Democrat to the board my, and he wants Macon to of commissioners in four coordinate regulations with years. Bell, who began teaching Terry Bell. Donated photo Swain, Jackson, and Cherokee counties rather in Waynesville in 1973 than draft them alone. before moving to his native Bell would vote to leave the FRL system, Macon County in 1978, is running on a saying County Manager Warren Cabe conplatform built around public education, vinced him Macon can run a standalone public safety, and county budgeting. He library for a negligible cost increase. He taught at Macon Middle School and opposes moving to five single-member disFranklin High School, served as Franklin tricts, arguing at-large voting keeps comHigh’s assistant principal from 1983 to missioners accountable countywide. 1988, and was principal at Union Elementary, East Franklin Elementary, and Macon Middle School before moving to the ELLIE C ONNEL URNS central office as director of auxiliary servicRepublican Kellie McConnel Burns is a es and Title I director. Macon County native with 29 years in He retired in 2009, then went to work banking. Her family roots in the county run the next day for Macon County governback several generations, and she has dediment, where he spent five years shepherdcated much of her time to service initiaing more than $50 million in school contives. She heads up the Sweet Carolina struction projects for the county manager. Music Festival, benefiting the Smoky He retired for good in 2020. “I think I’m qualified. I’m honest. I have Mountain Pregnancy Care Center, co-leads the 828 Treasure Quest for the KidsPlace, plenty of experience working with people and has organized benefits for neighbors and with money,” Bell said. “And I love Macon County. I wouldn’t want to live any- with cancer. She hopes Macon County voters see her where else.” decades-long banking career as the qualifiBell said declining support for public cation that matters most in a race about education pulled him into the race. The money. school system’s budget request came in “I feel like the oversight of a $69 million roughly $2.6 million short this cycle, a gap budget requires financial discipline, careful he attributes largely to state and federal analysis, and a commitment reductions outside commisto accountability,” Burns sioners’ control. He pointed said. “When it comes to to teacher recruitment as finances, I feel like it’s the sharpest consequence. important to have someMacon County pays a 2% body who knows what local supplement, he said, they’re doing.” while neighboring Haywood On data centers, Burns is County pays 9%. “It doesn’t a strong opponent. take long to figure that one “I think Macon County out,” he said. is the last place that you Bell is urging voters to would want to put a data approve the quarter-cent Kellie McConnel center,” she said. “Our natusales tax on this year’s balBurns. Donated photo ral resources and the beauty lot, which he estimates of our landscapes — the last would generate $2.2 to $2.4 million in new revenue, some of it available thing that we need in Macon County is a data center.” for schools. Macon County currently has She stopped short of endorsing sweepone of the state’s lowest property tax rates ing zoning changes, preferring to go at 27 cents. On capital needs, Bell praised the nearly through the legal channels, and warned that “if we try legal precedents that’ll affect $136 million Franklin High School project other business owners, we need to be super now under construction and said his next careful and look at the legal ramifications priority is East Franklin Elementary, with of that.” an original structure dating to 1952 that has significant problems. He said a $34 milSEE MACON CANDIDATES, PAGE 10 lion state grant pot expected to open this

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priorities. On jobs, Burns pointed away from recruiting industry: “I think we have to start thinking outside the box and capitalize on a market that’s untapped here, which is the remote jobs.”

When asked about the county’s decision to remove Flock cameras, Burns framed the issue as a balance. “With so many legitimate concerns from our constituents about a potential Fourth Amendment violation, we have a responsiYLAN ASTLE bility to slow down,” she Dylan Castle is the said, adding that any youngest candidate on the approved technology must ballot for Macon County “protect both public safety Commissioner and is a pasand the rights” of residents. tor, first responder, chapBurns wants a 10-year lain, father, husband and capital plan covering aging former vice chairman of the county buildings and loomMacon County Republican ing projects. Party. The Republican said “I think building costs he felt God leading him keep increasing exponentialwhen he made the decision ly,” she said. “So, if we’re just to run for office saying we’re going to let it He grew up homejust rot to the ground and schooled in the county and then rebuild it, that’s not a Dylan Castle. Donated photo traces his entry into politics smart, common-sense to teaching history and govapproach. I think we need to ernment at a local Christian be proactive and take care of our buildings.” school, where students pressed him on the She supports the quarter-cent sales tax gap between the civics he described and the and wants to push long-term to shift the government they saw. burden off homeowners. He began speaking at county and school “I really don’t feel like the government should have a right to tax your primary resi- board meetings around the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and has attended dence,” she said. them in the years since. Burns also sees expanding homestead “That kind of gave me hope that, like at exemptions and creating an alliance with least at the local level, politics does in fact other Western North Carolina boards of work,” he said. commissioners to push through pro-WNC If elected, Castle wants to improve policy at the state and federal levels as top

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September 16-22, 2026

transparency on the board of commissionty commissioner, is running again for the ers and better communicate issues to conMacon County Board of Commissioners. stituents. She wants voters to know she isn’t a politiOn the county’s capital plans, Castle cian. She’s a planner. urged commissioners to space out major Her public service began on the county construction rather than stack it. He school board and carried her to the comdescribes himself as a fiscal conservative mission for a single term in the late 1990s who doesn’t advocate for increasing taxes and early 2000s, alongside Harold Corbin, or spending “extravagant” amounts of father of Sen. Kevin Corbin, on a board money, but that he thought conservatives split three Democrats to two Republicans. needed to be more strategic about their She credits that mix with building two spending. schools and the local greenway inside four “I think conservatives, often we make years. ourselves look like we’re just cheap, like we She spent the following decades in mindon’t want to spend money, we don’t want istry, retiring in 2023. Greene entered this to tax, we don’t want to do this, and it’s race reluctantly, after two commissioners kind of the cheap outcome,” Castle said. “I opted not to run and younger prospects she want to make sure that whatever we do, recruited told her the timing wasn’t right. we’re at least getting our money’s worth. “Somebody needed to give Macon So, I’m not opposed to spending money if County citizens a choice,” she said. it’s best bang for your buck, but I don’t Her pitch now is about the board itself, want to just throw money just because it’s which she says has grown “kind of cohebigger either.” sive.” On the issue of data centers coming to “Nobody has all the right answers,” Macon County, Castle is firmly opposed. Greene said. “When you’ve got a diverse “I think geographically it just doesn’t group, you come up with a better solution.” make any sense here,” he said. “If someOn capital projects, Greene said a new body wants to do it, go find a different East Franklin Elementary School, a justice community.” center, more space for the board of elecCastle was a vocal opponent of the tions and a new senior center all need to be county’s Flock cameras as well. addressed at some point, but debt service, “My ultimate argument was the fact that much of it tied to the new Franklin High the county commissioners and the sheriff School, leaves little room to break ground take an oath to uphold and defend the soon. Instead, she would convene a group Constitution, not to uphold and defend to sequence the projects, revive the ecomaking their jobs easier, or preventing nomic development committee, and crime, or any of those expand a thinned planning things,” he said. board. He would not revisit the “I’m not saying that I technology. would be able to get those “I would be very leery of things built in four years,” bringing any type of system she said, “but I think that back, Axon or any of it,” he they ought to be planned said. and ready to go.” When it comes to backAffordable housing is ing the plan for the county where she sees the clearest to exit the FRL system, opening for outside money: Castle said finances would state and federal grants to drive his vote on leaving the help developers absorb FRL system, not ideological upfront costs for roads, Janet Jacobs Greene. Donated photo water, and sewer, so teachsquabbles. On redistricting, he ers, nurses, and deputies wants an authoritative ruling on constitucan find homes. tionality first. On data centers, Greene backs strong “First of all, it’s not something that regulation, arguing the county’s tourism needs to be rushed into,” he said. “And I economy makes it the wrong place for think our responsibility is to the voters and them. not potential candidates.” “They’re necessary in our society, but When asked for his closing pitch, Castle not for our area,” she said. pointed to his faith and his record as a pasOn Flock cameras, she favors strict limtor, business owner, first responder and its on how surveillance data is used and chaplain. penalties for misuse. “We have to get righteous people in in Greene mourns the dissolution of the order to get righteous decisions,” he said. FRL but says absorbing services may prove cheaper for the county. On redistricting, she’d wait for 2030 ANET ACOBS REENE census data and insists any new map strengthen the voices of Highlands and Democrat Janet Greene grew up in her parents’ Main Street businesses in Franklin, Nantahala. Greene is campaigning without a webwatching her father (a town board memsite, using Facebook to explain ballot ber) ask what Macon County would need amendments and county business. decades out. That question, she says, still “I am an old-fashioned mountain values interests her more than politics. Greene, a retired United Methodist min- person,” she said. “I believe in faith, in servister, long-time Democrat and former coun- ice, in generosity.”

BY LILY LEVIN STAFF WRITER wain County Commission on Sept. 9 held a brief emergency session to swear in Finance Officer Kyra Doster, who had secured the $1 million bond the appointment required. At a Sept. 1 commission meeting, Doster was approved in a 5-0 vote as interim finance officer. She previously served as finance officer for the Town of Franklin and has worked at least 30 years for the local government.

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Doster appointed Swain finance officer

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September 16-22, 2026 Smoky Mountain News

Swain County, in its Resolution Appointing County Finance Officer, cited “ongoing financial obligations that must be timely processed and paid, including payroll, debt service, contractual obligations, vendor payments, and other lawful obligations,” as a testament to the urgent need to fill the position. A second resolution to designate authorized signatories for county checks and drafts named and authorized Doster as a signatory “for checks and drafts drawn on Swain County’s official depositories.” A commissioner-appointed deputy finance officer was also authorized to sign said items “in the absence of, or otherwise authorized by, the Finance Officer.” The county manager was designated and authorized as draft and check countersigner, with an alternate countersigner designated by chair of commissioners. Both resolutions passed, and the Sept. 9 meeting adjourned within minutes. Commissioner David Loftis was not present.

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FRL trustees spar over late fee policy BY KYLE PERROTTI NEWS EDITOR s Macon County weighs whether to leave the Fontana Regional Library System, FRL trustees continue to push for policy changes that would require taxpayer dollars for attorney review. Such was the case during the Sept. 14 meeting at the Macon County Public Library, where Board Chair Bill McGaha recommended exploring a change to how overdue fees for books and other items are handled. Such fees have accumulated over the last decade and a half, McGaha said, to the tune of over $200,000. This is a common issue for libraries nationwide. While the chair argued for a policy that would prioritize accountability, some systems have gone the other direction. Wake and Mecklenburg counties in North Carolina have done away with fines altogether. Others have instated amnesty programs, which supporters aver promotes the return of long-overdue items and increased library usage. The different paradigms led to a debate between McGaha and Trustee Justin Greene, appointed to the board to represent Swain County after former Trustee Cynthia Womble left at the beginning of July. FRL since 1944 supported libraries in Swain, Macon, and Jackson counties, but in July Jackson officially withdrew over concerns regarding LGBTQ+ content and the notion that it could run its own system using less taxpayer money. In June of this year, Macon County began the same process. If that comes to fruition in July 2027, it will trigger the dissolution of the FRL system. At the time Macon voted to provide a notice of withdrawal, Commissioner Barry Breeden requested that the system refrain from making any policy changes as the county navigates ramifications of leaving FRL. Fontana has been further plagued by a pending lawsuit filed by Swain County related to the system’s attempt to redistribute “surplus funds” to member counties, including Jackson. A judge has already issued an injunction prohibiting the system from “taking any action whatsoever, directly or indirectly, in furtherance of, pursuant to, or arising from the FRL board’s May 12, 2026 action authorizing or directing the distribution, transfer, disbursement, allocation, or conveyance of funds or assets to Jackson County, Macon County, and or/Swain County.” Ahead of the discussion regarding overdue fees, three people offered public comment expressing to the board that they didn’t think it was prudent to consider policy changes that require attorney review when the system is staring down a potentially costly lawsuit and dissolution. “I would like to just remind members of this board, especially those that were appointed by our Macon County commissioners, that at the June 9 meeting of our

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September 16-22, 2026

board of commissioners, Mr. Breeden, who is the liaison for our library, said that it was his wish that FRL make no new policies during this transition period that Macon County is leaving the FRL as appointees of our commissioners,” said Heather Dombroskie. “I think that is something that you should respect his wishes on. I also don’t think that it behooves taxpayers to be spending tax dollars to ask the attorney on new policies.”

Macon and Swain counties following dissolution. “I really don’t think the counties want to have that kind of loss either, so whatever we can do now might be useful to them … and there are some things that it will take a little bit of time and effort,” he said. Greene, who is also a district court judge, said that Swain County’s Mariana Black Library Board, of which he’s a member, firmly opposes such a move.

time, McGaha was in the camp that believed that without accountability a lot of people would simply never return books, he said. Greene noted that he’s not entirely opposed to recuperation of fines and fees, he didn’t want to see MBL bound by the policy after the FRL dissolution. “You’re trying to put something into play that is really unnecessary,” he said. “They’re not asking for it this morning. They would love to get it back, but there are

FRL Board Chair Bill McGaha, left, explains his desire for an overdue fee policy change to Trustee Justin Greene, right. Kyle Perrotti photo While the circulation committee is responsible for the overdue fee policy, it was McGaha who explained the impetus for the request. He was recently made aware of a $3 overdue feed he’d been hit with. However, he’d received no notice of the fee until he went to check out a different book. He said he was advised that his library card wouldn’t be impacted until his fees reached $25, so there wasn’t any reason to pay it. McGaha wondered how many others were in similar situations, so he asked for relevant statistics and found that there are 9,405 people with outstanding fees totaling almost $234,000. The lowest fee was 25 cents while the highest was $920. McGaha considered that it would be difficult to get that money back, aside from perhaps the highest fees that collection agencies may find worth their time to pursue. “Our policy doesn’t protect us against some types of folks who will do types of things like this,” he said. McGaha asked the circulation committee to brainstorm with administrative staff to outline changes that could be reviewed by the board’s attorney, Austin Von Henner. He also addressed public that the board is wasting time and taxpayer dollars to craft policies for a system that may not be around in less than a year, arguing that an effective policy would carry over to

“We don’t need to reinvent the wheel and ask this attorney for more money now when you all are walking out the door … and we’re already having trouble meeting budgetary constraints,” he said. Greene mentioned other options, including amnesty and doing away with fees and fines. He also said enacting the new policy would be “contrary to the sentiment that Macon County” expressed. In addition, he argued that outstanding overdue fees simply aren’t enough of an “emergency” to pursue. McGaha was taken aback by Greene’s fervent rebuttal to his suggestion. “I’m not quite sure, Justin, what you consider an emergency,” he said. “The lawsuit that we’re facing,” Greene clapped back. “Well since it’s your county that sued us, perhaps you can get them to do something about that,” McGaha said. “I think there’s one person standing in the way of that,” Greene said, seemingly referring to McGaha, who as board chair can drive a board conversation to drop the surplus-fund reimbursement plan. Redirecting to the matter at hand, McGaha explained that the board had previously considered a stricter overdue fee policy and that there were some who considered eliminating fines and fees. At that

other means to do that, whether it’s amnesty, whether it’s issuing letters that don’t cost money and don’t have to go through this review with this attorney, to draw another policy that that we don’t need and don’t want.” Newly hired interim director Jeffery Hall, who brings 30 years of experience to the role, joined the conversation, stating that he wrote a chapter in a book on library collections that discusses overdue fees. He said many libraries across the country are in a similar position and that most of the time, it isn’t worth pursuing those fees. Even taking someone to small claims court can be an expensive endeavor, and the money often isn’t recouped anyway, even if a collection agency is brought in, he said. In many cases, it simply punishes families already struggling to get by. “In my opinion, we might be punishing those who actually follow the rules … because there are families who have multiple children that might check out 50 items at a time, and I don’t think we can prevent people from being dishonest through this policy change,” he said. Because McGaha was calling for the committee and system leadership to investigate potential solutions and a policy change wasn’t on the table, there was no vote on the matter.

Sylva Pride 2026 Full Schedule:

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Breadhead’s Tiki Shack from 6-9 p.m. BY ALEX PERRI Much of the success of the Sylva Pride STAFF WRITER festival over the years can be attributed to owntown Sylva will bustle with energy the growth of the local drag scene, said and color Sept. 18-20, as the town’s LeBlanc. Pride Festival returns after a two-year Last month, local drag king Kalab Klass hiatus. was crowned Mr. Sylva Pride at the Mx Sylva “I’m super excited,” said Sylva Pride Board Member Paige LeBlanc. “I fully expect Pride Drag Pageant, and he will lead Sunday’s parade as this year’s Pride ambasthis to be — not that it’s a competition, but sador. He chose Queen’s “I Want to Break it kind of is — the best Sylva Pride yet.” Free” as the song for his winning performIn July, Sylva town commissioners ance and said he liked that the song spoke to approved a request for the parade’s tempothe idea that people don’t need to be put rary road closure permits on the condition that Sylva Pride pay for half of the associated into boxes or forced into categories. Klass said he is a little nervous to be leadcosts. ing the parade this year, but he is excited to After receiving the green light for the use his platform to champion causes he parade, Sylva Pride immediately began cares about. fundraising, and thanks to an anonymous donor, the organization has raised enough money to cover both their half and the town’s half of the festival expenses. Riding the high of the anonymous donation and securing permitting with the town, the community is feeling a wave of momentum heading into Pride weekend. Town commissioners shot down Sylva Pride’s requests for a parade permit in 2024 and 2025, citing safety concerns and Local drag king and recently crowned Mr. Sylva Pride, Kalab Klass, will constraints on lead this year’s parade starting at 2 p.m. in downtown Sylva. Donated photo manpower, but critics have said the decisions “I’m very excited to see the parade come were undergirded by anti-LGBTQ+ sentiback,” Klass said. “The parade is basically just a ments among conservative town leaders. celebration of all of us individuals who make up This year, with the help of more progresthis part of our community. I’m really hoping sive town commissioners Perry Matthews we see a lot of people walking with their pride and Sam McGuire, the pride parade has flags, walking with their friends — ones they returned, and many see growing local supcame with, and new ones they may make while port as a sign of good things to come. they’re at the festival.” “To finally get it in its full form like this, He first became introduced to the drag with a parade back, is just such an affirmascene around 2023, when North Carolina legistion of the love and the celebration of queer lators were considering a drag ban, and he people that Sylva has shown to endorse,” attended a local “Mad for Drag” event in said LeBlanc. protest. This year’s festival theme is “Rainbow Klass said he had been between friend Rodeo.” Festival events start Friday evening groups at the time and looking for community. with a Pride Mass at St. John’s Episcopal At the event, he saw not only his first drag king, Church from 6:30-8 p.m. and end with a but also another Eastern Band of Cherokee parade afterparty on Sunday night at

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Sylva Pride returns with downtown parade

Indians member doing drag. Klass himself is an form to promote mutual aid events, create more inclusive opportunities for gathering ECBI member and said the event inspired him beyond the nightlife scene, and build hope to consider taking part in the artform. “Just seeing everybody take part in this part through meaningful connection with community. of themselves, that they were happy and open “After watching to celebrate and this whole town share with their change after the community, that last 30 years, I was honestly somehave seen how peothing that I strugple come in and gled within myself made their influFriday: to find,” Klass said. ence, and I have • Pride Mass at St Johns — 6:30-8p.m. “I was like, maybe seen how people • Drag Karaoke at Neon Moon — 9p.m. to midnight if I kind of nose have left and how into this a little bit, their influence and Saturday: I can learn a little absence have • Chalk Walk: noon to 5 p.m. more about myself, affected the area,” • Drag Brunch at Breadhead’s: 1-2 p.m. try to find myself, he said. “Seeing and see if this will • Read In at JCPL: 1-3 p.m. who has come in help with some of • Rainbow Market at Calliope: 4-8 p.m. and has done what the things that I’m has been interestgoing through in Sunday: ing and has partialmy life.” • Sylva Pride 2026 Festival at Bridge Park: Noon to ly inspired me to Now, just three 6 p.m. try and make, at years after that • Drag Performances least, somewhat of night, Klass has • Journey Among Men: 4 p.m. a change myself clinched the crown • Pride Parade: 2-3 p.m. since I grew up for Mr. Sylva Pride • After Party at Breadhead’s: 6-9 p.m. here and I don’t and has been able foresee myself leavto connect with the ing anytime soon.” various parts of his gender identity and mixed The weekend has been the product of Indigenous and European heritage in new and months of planning meetings and legwork creative ways. He hopes to use his platform to from volunteers and organizers that LeBlanc help others find belonging in the local queer community that was there for him when he and Klass say is indicative of a local communeeded the same thing. nity that supports the local LGBTQ+ comKlass is also passionate about using his plat- munity and beyond.

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Smoky Mountain News

Here I am in a reverse mid-life crisis T

The slow death of community To the Editor: C.S. Lewis once stated that “The greatest evils in our history have been the result of gradual changes.” Sometimes the death of a community can’t be attributed to one single event, but to many deeds of immorality spread over time. One of these could be the referendum for countywide alcohol sales in May 2012. Another could be the broad acceptance of dispensary and vape stores peppered throughout our area. Perhaps another is the slow-growing brewery and nightlife culture that eerily resembles Asheville’s nightlife. Still another could be the introduction of a social district in Sylva, opening the door for public drunkenness in our streets. The upcoming Sylva Pride festival (Sept. 18-20) is undoubtedly one of these events. Hosting this festival speaks greatly to the moral decline of Sylva and the lack of true Christian leadership among our county decision makers. The audacity to name anything at this event “family friendly” is a mockery of what true family is. Sometimes issues like this come before the county in sheep’s clothing — increased tourism, greater tax revenue, eco-

waited for clean water to return. For me, the one silver lining of that terrible natural disaster was having him back under our roof, even if it was only for two weeks. During that fall, my heart was heavy. I felt a deep sense of existential malaise, missing him and spending a lot of time reflecting. Did I do a good job as his mom? Did we do enough? Did he learn all the important lessons? If you’ve dealt with the empty nest syndrome when kids go away to college, I’m sure you understand. It’s a very similar feeling. Eventually, we all got into the swing of things with him at a new school. Each day, each month, each year becomes easier. Now, he’s a senior, and the school has been a blessing. Columnist It’s allowed him to develop into the best version of himself as an athlete, a student and a young man. He’ll be attending the University of Oregon next year on a cross country/track scholarship and the thought of him being all the way across the country isn’t bothering me as much as one would think. I know it’s because we’ve had this transition period of him already being away from home during the week. It feels like God went before us and planned this out, knowing we needed a bit of a trial run before he ultimately landed in faraway Eugene. Throughout these past three years with him away at boarding school, I never had a mid-life crisis, despite the heartache and reflection. In fact, I feel like I experienced the opposite. Recently I read an article about a man who was having a “reverse mid-life crisis,” and that’s a much better term for what I’m feeling. A reverse mid-life crisis is reaching a calm, contented place

Susanna Shetley

he first time I learned about a mid-life crisis was in a 1980s movie where the lead male actor emotionally breaks down in middle age and dyes his hair, buys a sports car or has an affair. Sometimes it’s the woman who has the mid-life crisis. She may have an affair of her own, get plastic surgery, or go on a shopping binge. I remember watching those movies as a young person, feeling like mid-life was eons away. Now, I’m 46-years old, around the same age as the characters in these films. I’ve not had a mid-life crisis per se, but in the fall of 2024, I experienced a bout of existential malaise, a similar but different concept. Both propel a person to reflect upon their life choices and face mortality. The difference, in my opinion, is that a mid-life crisis is action-driven while existential malaise is more of an emotional state. A couple of years ago, my older son transferred from our local public high school to a boarding school in Asheville. He is a talented distance runner and this school and coach are renowned for developing nationally-ranked runners and teams. The school is also academically rigorous. His transfer was exciting for all of us, and it was the best choice for him. He boards on campus during the week then comes home on the weekend. He started the new school his sophomore year. The first week he was away was soul crushing. I tried to put on a brave face, but not having him home day in and day out was beyond disorienting for me, a mom whose life heavily revolved around motherhood and my children’s activities. I knew my boys going away to college would be hard, but my son transferring to a boarding school during high school was unexpected. I wasn’t emotionally prepared. About a month after the school year started, we were slammed by Hurricane Helene, and he came home for two weeks while they repaired the damage to campus and Asheville

LETTERS nomic development, etc. — but make no mistake, this wolf comes as a wolf. With these thoughts in mind, I pray that the Christians in our community will make wise voting decisions in November. It’s time to turn on the light instead of getting used to the dark. Anthony Burger Sylva

where you seek the opposite of the frantic searching often equated to a traditional mid-life crisis. Instead of buying a new car or new house or new handbags, you want to get rid of stuff and make your home clean, organized, and cozy. Instead of going out and partying or sowing your wild oats, you want to cook at home, stop drinking alcohol, and enjoy quiet evenings with those you love. The only component of a mid-life crisis that’s affecting me is reaching my potential as a writer. I don’t want to celebrate my 80th or 90th birthday and feel like I’ve slacked when it comes to the written work I’ve produced. Though I’ve written six novels over the past five years, they’re all still inside of my computer. It’s time I get my fiction stories into the world, so for the past year, I’ve been studying the world of publishing, querying and working to acquire a literary agent. Sure, we can all look back and wish we did certain things differently or made other choices about this or that, but what can we do about the past at this point? The past is an illusion, so there’s no sense wasting energy on what cannot be changed. Instead of feeling shame or guilt, I try to honor the positives from years gone by — the memories, the good choices, the successes, the growth, the healing. The great news is we have control over our future choices and actions. Life truly does fly by. I still have a lot to learn, but one thing I know for sure is that I don’t want to pass away with creative magic left inside of me. If you’re starting to feel restless and think you need a new car or a new job or a new spouse to feel better, stop and think again. Be curious about your feelings and do some deep reflection. Maybe everything you need is under your nose and you just need to alter your perception or pivot your actions. (Susanna Shetley is a writer and editor who lives in Haywood County. susanna.b@smokymountainnews.com.)

• Tariffs that cost all our households. • A war with Iran that won’t go away. • The pain of more expensive gasoline.

We just want to feel loved To the Editor: The gifted and recognized poet, Maya Angelou, once wrote, “I’ve learned people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I believe many of us ordinary people are not feeling good about the following: • The Oval Office slathered in gold. • The East Wing plans that look like a royal palace. • The historic Rose Garden paved over to look like a country club patio. • A new helipad of granite. • The Reflecting Pool debacle.

• The increased cost of groceries. • A tax break for the wealthy. • The increased costs associated with Affordable Care Act insurance plans. • The ongoing alienating of our allies. • The renaming of The Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario. • Reduced opportunity for children to have school lunches. • The demeaning of women.

• Allowing ICE to kill and arrest American citizens. • Promoting a UFC match on the White House grounds. • Sponsoring a Grand Prix car race in Washington. • Placing one’s name on The Kennedy Center. • Attempts to make voting more difficult while weakening the value of Black persons’ votes. • Spending millions of our tax dollars on refurbishing a “gift” plane. • Redesigning the structure of Navy war ships and their launch systems. We all grieved the recent death and loss of the talented Dolly Parton. Possibly the favorite of her multitude of melodies was “I Will Always Love You.” Again, I believe many of us will never forget how our president and his followers have made us feel. What we are seeking is the feeling that our leadership “Will Always Love Us.” Dr. Mike Cordle United Methodist Minister, Retired Highlands

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The Kruger Brothers. File photo

What’s cooking in Cullowhee?

The live performance schedule heats up at WCU BY GARRET K. WOODWARD ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR very semester, Western Carolina University in Cullowhee showcases world-class entertainment from a wide gamut of realms — music, dance, theatre, oratory — that’s available to students and the general public alike. The beauty of what’s offered up at the John W. Bardo Fine & Performing Arts Center (aka Bardo Arts Center and BAC Performance Hall) is the mere fact that the facility is able to provide such high-quality entertainment right here in our own backyard. Support the arts in your community. Support academic institutions providing creative programming. Support personal growth in turbulent times. Here’s what’s just around the corner at the BAC Performance Hall:

ration and innovation that forms the core of the American musical tradition. Their original music is crafted around their discerning taste, the result unpretentious, cultivated, and delightfully fresh. The Soluna String Quartet is a dynamic new ensemble composed of violinists Mariya Potapova and Jonathan Urizar, violist Cameron Rehberg, and cellist Ashlee Booth, based out of Asheville. The group is committed to performing classical masterworks of the chamber music repertoire and to delving into contemporary works across genres that may not be heard as often. The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Ice,” “Naked,” “Me Talk Pretty One Day,” “Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim,” “When You Are Engulfed in Flames,” “Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls,” “Calypso,” and “HappyGo-Lucky.” The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m.

• Thursday, Oct. 29: “An Evening with David Sedaris” With more than 16 million copies of his books in print, Sedaris has become one of America’s preeminent David Sedaris. Anne Fishbein photo humor writers. • Thursday, Sept. 17: The Bardo Arts Center The The Kruger Brothers & performances for the event feaSoluna String Quartet 2026/2027 academic year are tures a Since their formal currently underway. To note, live readintroduction to American each performance begins at ing of audiences in 1997, The 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise new Kruger Brothers’ remarknoted. material, able discipline, creativity, For more information, a an audiand their ability to infuse full schedule of events at ence question-and-answer sesclassical music into folk music has resulted in a WCU and/or to purchase ticksion, and book signings unique sound that has made them a fixture ets, visit wcuarts.universitytbefore/after the event. within the world of acoustic music. ickets.com. You can also conBeloved for his personal In their ever-expanding body of work — featact the box office at the essays and short stories, turing Swiss brothers Jens Kruger (banjo and Bardo Arts Center by calling Sedaris is the author of vocals), Uwe Kruger (guitar and lead vocals), 828.227.2479 or emailing the New York Times bestsellers and Joel Landsberg (bass and vocals) — The bardoartscenter@wcu.edu. “Barrel Fever,” “Holidays on Kruger Brothers personify the spirit of explo-

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night away, meeting a host of enchanting and exotic characters. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.

• Friday, Jan. 29: “Laugh For All the Wrong Reasons” “Laughing For All The Wrong Reasons” is a hilarious celebration of comedy, which draws from The Second City’s legendary archive of iconic sketches and songs, alongside the razorsharp improvisation that has defined the company for generations. This show dives headfirst into the material audiences love most. Unforgettable characters, classic moments, and bril“The Nutcracker.” File photo liantly irreverent comedy created by some of the most influential • Dec. 4-5: “The Nutcracker voices in entertainment: Catherine O’Hara, Tina (featuring Ballet Conservatory Fey, Keegan-Michael Key, Amber Ruffin, Stephen of Asheville)” Colbert, Tim Meadows, Bill Murray, Tim The Ballet Conservancy of Robinson, Eugene Levy, Adam McKay, and more. Asheville (BCA) trains dancers to The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. achieve their full potential by combining weekly technique • Thursday, Feb. 18: “Step Afrika! classes, frequent master classes, The Evolution Tour” and multiple performance Step Afrika! celebrates more than 30 years of opportunities. critically acclaimed percussive performance with Having crept downstairs at this groundbreaking program. As the world’s midnight on Christmas Eve to leading authority on the art form of stepping, play with her new Nutcracker Step Afrika! is committed to pushing the bounddoll, a young girl is swept up in aries of the tradition, exploring its nearly limitless fantasies of toy soldiers, giant artistic possibilities. rats, snow fairies, magic, and This production will feature exciting new mystery. After saving her beloved dance works alongside a performance shaped and Nutcracker from the King of refined through the Company’s longstanding colRats, she is whisked away to an laboration with South Africa. enchanted land and dances the The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m.

HOT PICKS BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

Ode to Aunt Moe, ode to those I (we) miss

The 16th annual “Youth Arts Festival” will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, in the Dillsboro Creative Arts Center (Jackson County Green Energy Park).

A special stage production of Michael Frayn’s “Noises Off” will be performed on select dates and times through Sept. 27 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

“50 Years of Art” with the Jackson County Arts Council will be held from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, in the Rotunda Gallery at the Historic Jackson County Courthouse in Sylva.

Mountain Life Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, in the Mountain Farm Museum at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

EVENTS Wednesday, Septemb ber 16 Dolly Forever — A Fundraiser e for Dollly’s Imagina i tion i Libr ib ary Dolly Parton Playlist • 10% of sales dontaed to Dolly’’ss Imagination Library 4pm - Midnight

Thursday, September 17 Kate Leigh Bryant Appalachian Folk • 8pm - 10pm

Saturday, September 19 Cloud Circut Trip-hop and fun covers • 8pm - 11pm

Scotsman Sc otsman Oktoberfest Oktoberf fest Saturday, Septembe er 19 - Saturday, Octobe er 4

Join us for the largest selectioon of Traditional and Authentic Germaan Ales & Lagers + German Food Speciials!

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Dockside at Lake Logan. Garret K. Woodward

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Smoky Mountain News

Thus, my family will soon be coming together for Moe’s memorial service later this month in Rouses Point. Relatives from around the community and across the country. Her ashes will be buried next to my grandparents in the same cemetery plot where my late cousin, Nate, is buried, and just within vicinity from other beloved faces I once knew in real time when they walked this earthly plane: old friends, former teachers, and local old-timers, etc. And, like clockwork, there will be a postservice gathering right down the road at American Legion Post 912 on Pratt Street. There will surely be plenty of Labatt Blue Light available, with drinks held high and in unison as we celebrate and remember Aunt Moe. Everyone will be dressed up and tears will be shed as we share our own interactions with her over the course of her life. But, we’ll be together, at least in that moment, which is what matters most. Currently, I’m sitting at my writing desk in my humble abode, just thinking about this past year as the summer winds down and slowly transitions to fall. I lost my best friend (Ben) earlier this spring, and now my aunt this summer. I’ve experienced a lot of loss in my years. A lot. So many damn funer-

als, so many taken far too early. The other day, a dear friend turned to me and said, “I don’t know anyone who has lost more friends and family members than you.” Truth. A hard pill to swallow by any measure. But, for me? I think that’s because I’ve been lucky enough to genuinely get to know so many vibrant and inspiring human beings in this wandering, pondering existence. So, this is the cosmic cost (I guess?) of knowing all these incredible figures in this (our) universe. It never gets easier. And the weight of their memories will never be something too heavy for me to carry. I don’t care, I’ll manage, you know? Ben and Moe. Those two really opened up a lot of deep feelings of not only them, but everyone else who is now long gone. They are these dusty memories on the shelves of my mind, utterly cherished and tightly held. Sadly, the memories get fuzzier around the edges with each passing year, where their familiar voices and laughter, their warm smile and their true self are things I try so hard to remember, to sincerely and truthfully keep close to my chest. As I venture back above the MasonDixon Line for the memorial service, my heart is very heavy, my mind restless and haywire. I struggle with making sense of things as I continue into my daily life and duties and things I need and have to do to survive in my own corner of the world. Regardless, I find such solace and personal resolve in knowing how unique and splendid these kind souls were, and remain in my heart of hearts. I remain. And so do you, too. Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.

September 16-22, 2026

y father, Frank, is 84 years old and he never calls me, at least on his own accord. We usually chat when I’m talking to my mother and he’s moseying around in the background of the conversation. He has a cell phone (old flip phone), but usually leaves it at my folks’ farmhouse whenever he ventures out. It’s always charging silently and unused next to his recliner in the back den. The only time Frank ever calls me is if there’s something urgent or he has bad news about a relative or someone close to our family who has passed away back home in my native North Country of Upstate New York. Well, he called me the other day, my smart phone vibrating loudly, the name “Frank” on the incoming call. A momentary chill shot up and down my entire body. “Garret, I have some bad news. Your Aunt Moe died today. Your mother told me to call you and tell you. She’s up at Moe and Chuck’s house right now helping out with what needs to be done,” my dad’s voice echoed from my speakerphone. My aunt has been battling muscular dystrophy for several years. She was only 64. At that moment, I was standing on my front porch and gazing out at the traffic on nearby Walnut Street in downtown Waynesville. In that fleeting space of hearing the news and processing it, memories flooded my field of vision. My Aunt Moe. Watching her cook all those delicious meals alongside my late grandmother during the holidays when I was a kid or grilling out with her worldfamous “beercan chicken” at our family’s former summer camp on Lake Champlain. There was her laugh, too, this kind of snort and cackle that, when triggered, would spur anyone within earshot to also giggle unison. And her deep love of music and film. She was something else. Soon, the family group message on Facebook began to light up. Message after message from other aunts, uncles, cousins and so on. This constant stream of remembrance, personal stories and tall tales galore. Everyone giving condolences to my Uncle Chuck, who’s also in the group message. Then, came a slew of photos everyone started sharing of Moe, as a young kid with her

whole life ahead of her all the way through early adulthood and her later years. There were lots of images of Moe and Chuck’s wedding. It was held on Sept. 17, 1988, at the Anchorage Inn on Lake Champlain in my hometown of Rouses Point, New York. The establishment burned down in 2007. All that’s left is an empty lot on Lake Street where the town used to congregate on weekends and for special occasions. The wedding photos were filled with ear-to-ear smiles on their faces, their horizon bright and unknown. The coming years brought them two daughters, Carleigh and Molly, these two cousins of mine that I’ve known most of my life. And we’ve stayed close over the years, thankfully.

The sixth annual Highlands PorchFest will be held from 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at a variety of local venues within the community.

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On the wall

HCAC’s ‘Go with the Flow’

Dillsboro ‘Youth Arts Festival’ The 16th annual “Youth Arts Festival” will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, in the Dillsboro Creative Arts Center at Jackson County Green Energy Park. Children’s activities, live artisan demonstrations and much more. Food will be available for purchase. Only satellite parking will be available on WBI Drive, with a free shuttle available. The event is free and open to the public. For information, call 828.631.0271 or visit jcgep.org.

Youth Arts Festival. Jackson County TDA photo • “50 Years of Art” with the Jackson County Arts Council will be held from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, in the Rotunda Gallery at the Historic Jackson County Courthouse in Sylva. Live music, food, demonstrations, and more. 828.507.9820.

Smoky Mountain News

September 16-22, 2026

• Bosu’s Wine Shop (Waynesville) will host a “Paint & Sip” at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22. 828.452.0120 / waynesvillewine.com.

• “Unrelenting: Cherokee People and the American Revolution” is currently being showcased at the Museum of the Cherokee People (MotCP) in Cherokee. A first-of-itskind exhibition centering Native voices, per-

spectives and creativity in response to the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the showcase features historic objects in conversation with works by Cherokee artists, merging cultural heritage, military history and contemporary art for a nuanced examination of a pivotal moment in Cherokee and American history. It will be on display through Dec. 30. General admission tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for children ages 6-12 and free for children ages 5 and under. MotCP offers free admission to members of federally recognized tribes and museum members. Student, educator, senior and military rates available. For more information, visit motcp.org.

On the street

‘Arts Weekend Haywood’ Creativity takes center stage Sept. 18–20 Haywood County’s rich handmade craft history during “Arts Weekend Haywood,” a countywide and its continuing craft tradition. celebration bringing together the Haywood Held Sept. 19-20, the Haywood County County Studio Tour, local galleries, artist Studio Tour is a free, self-guided experience demonstrations, exhibitions, live theatre, that opens the doors to artists’ working studios music, and more. across the county. It’s a chance to meet local Visitors can catch a show at the Haywood artists, see their creative processes firsthand, Arts Regional Theatre explore unique studio spaces, (Waynesville), enjoy live music and purchase original work through Rock for Relief at The directly from the makers. Current Tavern (Canton), explore While visiting the Haywood the Professional Crafts Alumni Handmade Gallery at 86 N. Main Exhibition at Haywood Street in Waynesville, be sure to Community College (Clyde), and check out the Haywood County visit galleries and creative Arts Council’s (HCAC) special spaces throughout the county. silent auction featuring wonderThe studio of Timothy Artist demonstrations will ful artwork and creative pieces. Charles Jacobs. HCAC photo Proceeds from the auction benetake place at Grateful Table, Cold Mountain Art Collective, fit the HCAC. Salmagundi Gallery, Green Hill Gallery, and Studio tour brochures, including a map of other locations. participating artists and locations, are availThe Shelton House barn will host a group of able at the Haywood Handmade Gallery and the studio tour artists, giving visitors a chance to Haywood Visitors Center at Lake Junaluska. meet artists and see their work. Guests can For complete event details, visit also tour Shelton House and learn about haywoodarts.org/studio-tour.

mediums and perspectives, highlighting the many ways artists experience and interpret the waterways that are such an important part of our comA new exhibition celebrating the beauty, sigmunity and landscape. nificance, and inspiration found “Water is such an integral in the waterways of Haywood part of life in Haywood County, County, “Go with the Flow” will and it has long been a source be on display through Nov. 2 in of inspiration for artists,” said the Haywood Handmade Gallery HCAC Executive Director Tonya at the Haywood County Arts Harwood. “‘Go with the Flow’ Council on Main Street in gives us a chance to celebrate Waynesville. the beauty of our waterways “Go with the Flow” brings while also reminding us of our together artwork inspired by the responsibility to care for them. Pigeon River Watershed and the We are excited to have many rivers, creeks and streams A work by Peter Brown. HCAC photo Haywood Waterways with us that shape Haywood County. during the opening reception to help connect the Artists were encouraged to explore water not only artwork with the real-world importance of protectas a physical presence, but also as a source of ing our local waterways.” movement, reflection, change, connection and The exhibit is free and open to the public. For inspiration. more information, visit haywoodarts.org. The exhibition features a variety of artistic

• “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.

ALSO:

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

• Marianna Black Library (Bryson City) will host “ArtWorks” at 1 p.m. every second Thursday of the month. Come create your own masterpiece. The materials for art works are supplied, and participants are welcome 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.

WCU’s ‘Mountain Heritage Days’ A beloved long-time Western North Carolina tradition, the annual “Mountain Heritage Days” celebration will run Sept. 21-26 on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. The festival of Southern Appalachian traditions and culture is renowned as a showcase of bluegrass, old-time, and traditional music, as well as family activities, food vendors, artisan demonstrations, and the region’s finest arts/crafts booths.

Mountain Heritage Days. File photo

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, updates and a full schedule of events, visit wcu.edu/engage/mountain-heritage-days.

• Mountain Life Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, in the Mountain Farm Museum at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cherokee culture, live music, blacksmithing, sorghum milling, apple cider pressing, apple butter making, and more. Free to attend. A parking tag is required in the park. 828.497.1904.

ALSO:

On the table

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 Skyline Lodge. File photo around the Southeast on select dates, with the final gathering of the 2026 season being Tuesday, 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 skylinelodge.com.

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‘Under the Stars’ dinner at Skyline Lodge

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• 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/ranch-event.

• 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.

September 16-22, 2026

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

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host semi-regular craft brewery tastings. Free and open to the public. 828.246.9320 / blueridgebeerhub.com.

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

Smoky Mountain News

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

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

arts & entertainment

On the beat • 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 open to the public. 828.743.0215 / fontanalib.org/cashiers. • American Legion Post 47 (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic” 6:30 p.m. Mondays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.456.8691. • Appalachian Women’s Museum (Dillsboro) will host Ghost Pipe Sound Machine (Americana) Sept. 17 and Libby Rodenbough (singer-songwriter) Oct. 15. Both shows begin at 6 p.m. Admission is free. Donations appreciated. appwomen.org. • Assembly On Main (Waynesville) will host “Trivia Night” 6 p.m. Tuesdays and “Karaoke

begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.492.0249. 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 Justin Brown & Andrew Ross Sept. 18. All shows begin at 10 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 828.307.2160 / breadheadstikishak.com. 828.586.1237 / cdpjaxcountync.org. • Bryson City Brewing (Bryson City) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0085 / brysoncitybrewing.com. • Cataloochee Ranch (Maggie Valley) will host Darren Nicholson Band (Americana/bluegrass) Sept. 16, Brian Ashley Jones (Americana) Sept. 23 and a “Barn Dance” with Darren Nicholson Band (Americana/bluegrass) 4:30 p.m. Sept.

• Cut Cocktail Lounge (Sylva) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.631.4795 / thecutcocktaillounge.com. • Farm At Old Edwards (Highlands) will host the “Orchard Sessions” with Cruz Contreras (singer-songwriter) Oct. 7. 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. • Folkmoot Friendship Center (Waynesville) will host “World Drum Classes” every Friday at 2:30 p.m. (adults, free) and 4 p.m. (family friendly, all ages, free), “Waynesville Acoustic Guitar Group” 2-4 p.m. every second and fourth Saturday of the month (free) and semiregular live music monthly. 828.452.2997 / folkmoot.org. • Franklin Town Square (Franklin) will host a

Smoky Mountain News

September 16-22, 2026

Bluegrass legend at Cataloochee Ranch An acclaimed Americana/bluegrass act, the Darren Nicholson Band will hit the stage for an intimate performance during a “Barn Dance” at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at the Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley. A Grammy nominee and winner of 13 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards, Nicholson has taken his own brand of mountain music around the world. A regular for years on the Grand Ole Opry and a founding member of acclaimed bluegrass group Balsam Range, Nicholson now spends his time recording, writing new songs,and performing as a solo act. Admission is $30 per adult, $15 per child ages 3-11 and free for ages two and under. For tickets and reservations, visit cataloocheeranch.com/ranch-event.

Night” 7 p.m. Thursdays. Free and open to the public. 828.246.0839 / assemblyonmain.com. • Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host “Open Mic” 8-10 p.m. Thursdays. Free and open to the public. 828.631.1987 / balsamfallsbrewing.com. • Balsam Mountain Inn (Balsam) will host “Picking on the Porch” (open community jam) 6 p.m. Tuesdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.283.0145 / thebalsammountaininn.com. • Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host “Music Bingo Night” 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, The Blue Mountaineers (bluegrass) Thursdays, Chris Campbell (singer-songwriter) Sept. 18, Sneaky Pete Band Sept. 19, Jerry Gaff (singersongwriter) Sept. 25 and Doug, Lisa & Roberto Sept. 26. All music starts at 5 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.246.9320 / facebook.com/brbeerhub.

• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host “Karaoke Night” 9 p.m. Wednesdays, “Trivia” 7 p.m. Thursdays, “Open Jam” 10 p.m. Thursdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows are located in The Gem downstairs taproom and begin at 9 p.m. 20

Heath Rankin Sept. 25 and Kody Paul Sept. 26. 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 Travis Tritt (country) 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19. For tickets, visit caesars.com/harrahscherokee. • 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) 1-3 p.m. Saturdays, “Bluegrass Brunch” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, the “Salon Series” with Bobby Bare Jr. (singer-songwriter) 8:30 p.m. Sept. 24 ($41.84 per person, tax included). Reservations encouraged for all performances. 828.526.2590 / highlandermountainhouse.com. • Highlands Performing Arts Center (Highlands) will host Nu-Blu (Americana) 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26. 828.526.9047 / highlandsperformingarts.com.

Darren Nicholson Band. Courtesy of Jeff Smith Photography

25 ($15 per child ages 3-11, children under age two are free). All shows begin at 5 p.m. and admission is $30 per adult unless otherwise noted. For tickets and reservations, visit cataloocheeranch.com/ranch-event. • Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Jay Brown (piano/vocals) Sept. 18 and Brent LaCasce (jazz/piano) Sept. 25. 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. • Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center (Franklin) will host “Open Mic” at 6 p.m. every second Friday of the month and Ritchie & Rosie (Americana/folk) Sept. 20 ($15 adults, $7.50 kids). 828.369.4080 / coweeschool.org/concert-series. • Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host live music at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, “Music Bingo” 7 p.m. Thursdays and Somebody’s Child (Americana) 5 p.m. Sept. 26. Free and open to the public. 828.634.0078 / curraheebrew.com. • Current Tavern (Canton) will host the “Music at the Tavern” summer series with semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows

“Community Drum Circle” from 6-8 p.m. 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 Blackwell Tradition II Sept. 18 and Shortoff Mountain Boys (Americana/bluegrass) Sept. 25. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. highlandschamber.org. • Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host “Jazz On The Level” 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Shane Meade (indie/soul) 6 p.m. Sept. 18, The Mug Band 6 p.m. Sept. 19, Mike Hollon (singer-songwriter) 3 p.m. Sept. 20, Len Graham (singer-songwriter) 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24, Justin Brown (singer-songwriter) 6 p.m. Sept. 25, Long Way Ramblers (Americana) 6 p.m. Sept. 26 and Marley’s Chain 3 p.m. Sept. 27. Free and open to the public. 828.454.5664 / froglevelbrewing.com. • Happ’s Place (Glenville) will host Charles Walker Sept. 18, Dillon & Company Sept. 19,

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host “Monday Night Trivia” every week, “Open Mic” on Wednesdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows and events begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.586.9678 / innovationbrewing.com. • John C. Campbell Folk School (Brasstown) will host a “Community Jam” 7 p.m. Thursdays at the nearby Crown Restaurant and semi-regular live music on the weekends. folkschool.org. • Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park (Highlands) will host the “Highlands Heritage Jamboree” 1-7:30 p.m. Sept. 26. Live music from the U.S Fleet Forces Navy Band, Foxfire Boys and Darren Nicholson Band. Highlands Smokehouse will be serving barbecue. Family activities will also take place. Admission is free. Lawn chairs and blankets allowed. 828.526.5841 / highlandschamber.org/heritage-jamboree. • 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, Bryan & Al (rock/pop) Sept. 18, Grizzly Mammoth (rock/funk) Sept. 19, “Karaoke” Sept. 25 and Rotary Club Scholarship Fundraiser (with

live music) Sept. 26. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 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”

• Pickin’ On The Square (Franklin) will host Paradise 56 (rock/blues) Sept. 26. All shows begin at 6 p.m. at the Gazebo in downtown. Free and open to the public. franklinnc.com/pickin-on-the-square.html. • Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host “Karaoke” 7 p.m. Wednesdays, “Trivia Night” 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, “Open Mic” 6:30 p.m. on certain Fridays, Michael Robinson (singer-songwriter) 7 p.m. Sept. 18, Bo Bullman (singer-songwriter) 7 p.m. Sept. 19, Frances Eliza (singer-songwriter) 6:30 p.m. Sept. 22 and R.A. Nightingale (singer-songwriter) Sept. 26. Free and open to the public. 828.369.6796 / facebook.com/rathskellercoffeebarandpub.

Ready for Highlands PorchFest?

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 Vibes Kava Lounge (Waynesville) will host “Trivia Night” 7 p.m. Mondays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.246.9283. • Old Edwards Inn (Highlands) will host live music in the Hummingbird Lounge at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Free and open to the public. 866.526.8008 / oldedwardshospitality.com.

• Saturdays On Pine Concert Series (Highlands) will host Boogitherapi Sept. 19 and Darren Nicholson Band (Americana/bluegrass) Sept. 26. 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 (Sept. 23 and Oct. 7) and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.246.9585 / saucedwnc.com. • Scotsman (Waynesville) will host “Open Mic Night” every second Monday of the month with Bridget Gossett (sign-up at 6:30 p.m.), “Dolly Forever” fundraiser for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library 4 p.m. to midnight Sept. 16 (10% of sales will be donated), Kate Leigh Bryant (Americana/folk) Sept. 17, Cloud Circuit

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• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host “Open Mic Night” with Frank Lee every Tuesday, Mountain Gypsy (Americana) Sept. 18, Bird In Hand (Americana/folk) Sept. 19, Bridget Gossett (singer-songwriter) 6 p.m. Sept. 20, Troy Underwood (singer-songwriter) Sept. 25, Alma Russ (Americana/folk) Sept. 26 and Mountain Gypsy (Americana) 5 p.m. Sept. 27. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 / mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

• Salty Dog’s Seafood & Grill (Maggie Valley) will host “Karaoke With Russell” on Mondays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.926.9105 / facebook.com/saltydogs2005.

SEPTEMBER 24-27

September 16-22, 2026

The sixth annual Highlands PorchFest,” said CLE Executive PorchFest will be held from 1Director Meg Stevens. “Their 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at a partnership helps us celebrate variety of local venues within the music, community and welthe community. coming spirit that make Over 40 musicians will Highlands so special. We’re perform across 16 venues in excited for this year’s PorchFest downtown Highlands. The fesand look forward to bringing our tival is presented by the community and visitors together Highlands-Cashiers Center for for another unforgettable day.” Breeze Cable will play Life Enrichment (CLE) and the The event is free and open PorchFest. File photo to the public. For more informaHighlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC. tion and to view a full schedule “We’re incredibly grateful to Visit Highlands of artist and performance times, visit highfor their generous sponsorship and support of landsporchfest.com.

Where h Tr Traditio ion Meets e Tomorro o ow

arts & entertainment

• 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, The V8s (rock) Sept. 18, Prophets Of Time (rock/jam) “Album Release Party” Sept. 19 and Blue Jazz (blues/jazz) Sept. 25. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. 828.349.2337 / lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Peacock Performing Arts Center (Hayesville) will host Gnarly Fingers (Americana) Sept. 19 and “Songwriter’s Showcase #63” Sept. 26. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For tickets, 828.389.ARTS / thepeacocknc.org.

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arts & entertainment

On the stage

HART presents ‘Noises Off’ A special stage procompany is preparing duction of Michael to take on tour. With Frayn’s “Noises Off” will opening night rapidly be performed on select approaching, director dates and times through Lloyd Dallas is simply Sept. 27 at the Haywood trying to get his Arts Regional Theatre in actors through the Waynesville. show. Widely acclaimed as Unfortunately, one of the funniest there are still farces ever written, entrances to remem“Noises Off” gives audiber, props to track, ences a hilarious look at doors that refuse to the unpredictable world cooperate, and an of live theatre, where increasingly impormissed cues, forgotten tant question about The cast of ‘Noises Off.’ HART photo where, exactly, the lines, backstage rivalries and increasingly sardines are supdisastrous performances threaten to bring an posed to go. entire production crashing down. Tickets start at $19 per person, with The comedy begins during the final upgrades and discounts available. For more rehearsal of “Nothing On,” a delightfully information and/or to purchase tickets, visit questionable British bedroom farce that the harttheatre.org or call 828.456.6322.

September 16-22, 2026

ON THE BEAT, CONTINUED FROM 21

Smoky Mountain News

Concert Series” with local singer-songwriters on select dates on the weekends. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.482.1581 or trailborn.com/highlands.

(trip-hop/jam) Sept. 19, Holler & Crow (Celtic/world) 3 p.m. Sept. 20, Bo Bullman (country gold) Sept. 24, Hello My Dear (Americana/blues) Sept. 26 and Trippin’ Up The Stairs (Celtic/world) Sept. 27. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.6292 / scotsmanpublic.com. • Slanted Window Tasting Station (Franklin) will host Adam & Joe (Americana) 6 p.m. Sept. 11, “Music Bingo” 2 p.m. Sept. 12, Jamie Rasso (singer-songwriter) 4 p.m. Sept. 13, Tim Austin (singer-songwriter) 6 p.m. Sept. 18, R.A. Nightingale (singer-songwriter) 4 p.m. Sept. 20, Generations (Americana) 6 p.m. Sept. 25 and Michael Kitchens (singer-songwriter) 4 p.m. Sept. 27. 828.276.9463 / slantedwindow.com. • Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (Franklin) will host John Schneider (singer-songwriter) 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24 and

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Departure (Journey tribute) 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26. Tickets now available, with seating upgrades offered. 866.273.4615 / smokymountainarts.com. • Smoky Mountain Dog Bar (Waynesville) will host “Open Mic Night” 5-7 p.m. Fridays. Free and open to the public. 828.246.0726 / smokymountaindogbakery.com. • Stubborn Bull (Highlands) will host “Live Music Monday” each week with local singersongwriters, including Breeze Cable Sept. 21 and Madison Owenby Sept. 28. All shows begin at 5:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.200.0813 / the-stubborn-bull.com. • Tattered Tartan Pub (Andrews) will host “Trivia Night” 6:30 p.m. Fridays, “Karaoke” 8 p.m. Saturdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.835.2199. • Trailborn (Highlands) will host its “Carolina

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• Twisted Spoke Food & Tap (Maggie Valley) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.926.1730 / facebook.com/twistedspokerestaurant.

ALSO:

• Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host “Bluegrass Music” with Nitrograss 6 p.m. Wednesdays, “Karaoke” 9:30 p.m. Fridays, “Music Bingo” 7 p.m. Sundays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.526.8364 / theuglydogpub.com.

• Western Carolina Brew & Wine (Highlands) will host David Lloyd (singer-songwriter) Sept. 26. All shows begin at 1 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.342.6707 / wcbrewandwine.com. • Whiteside Brewing (Cashiers) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.743.6000 / whitesidebrewing.com.

Lazy Hiker to rock out

• Valley Cigar & Wine Company (Waynesville) will host the “Tuesday Music Social” 4 p.m. weekly, Chad Bowden (bluegrass/country) 2 p.m. Sept. 20, Bridget Gossett Duo (rock/blues) 5 p.m. Sept. 25 and Raphael Graves Trio (Americana) 2 p.m. Sept. 27. 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 semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows and events begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.926.7440 / valley-tavern.com. • 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 a “Jazz Jam” with The Highlands Horns 6 p.m. Sept. 16, Lucas Smith (singer-songwriter) 3 p.m. Sept. 18, Rail Town (Americana) 2 p.m. Sept. 20, Tim Austin (singer-songwriter) 3 p.m. Sept. 25 and Jordan Denton (singer-songwriter) 2 p.m. Sept. 27. Free and open to the public. 828.482.5573 / thevineyardathighholly.com. • Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host “Trivia Night” 7 p.m. Mondays, “Karaoke Night” 8 p.m. Thursdays, with semi-regular DJs and live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 9 p.m. 828.456.4750 / facebook.com/waternhole.bar.

Prophets of Time. File photo Jam-rock ensemble Prophets of Time will host an “Album Release Party” at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Sylva. A multi-genre blending rock band hailing from the mountains of Western North Carolina, the Prophets of Time are composed of six freewheeling spirits, the culmination of which being an energetic live show built around danceable rock-n-roll music. The show is free and open to the public. For more information, call 828.349.2337 or click on lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Yonder Community Market (Franklin) will host “First Friday Classic Country: Jim Austin & Friends” (Americana/country) 6 p.m. each month (Oct. 2) and the “On the Lawn at Yonder” live music series with David Childers & The Serpents (Americana) 4 p.m. Oct. 11. Admission by donation. Family/dog friendly. 828.200.2169 / eatrealfoodinc.com.

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On the shelf

SEPTEMBER R 19th SEPTE EM MBER R 23rd

Thomas Crowe

Water,”and “Itchy Robes and Painful Organ Music,” Rishi Waterman takes us through those early years of trial and tribulation, yet all the while living a life of “plain living and high thinking, embracing the beauty and protection of nature.” More descriptively, many pages later, he shares these early memories: “One thing I loved about our pioneer community was its aliveness, a type of ecstatic spirit that seemed to frolic around us as we stayed connected to the natural world. For a while, we lived in a deep furrow; our hearts were woven into the earth. Outdoors was magic, homemade by God. Those of us who worked with the cows smelled like cows. Those who cut wood smelled like wood. Those who cooked smelled like smoke.” If the physical manual labor wasn’t enough, the young members of the Krishna community had to deal with almost constant aggravation and literal life-threatening attacks from gun-toting, conservative members of the local community and a police force who referred to the Vrindaban community members as “the funny farm.” This antagonism continued to eventually include lawsuits and surveillance by the FBI and other federal agencies. But despite it all, Waterman and the growing community continued to survive and thrive. “It became more than West Virginia. Our leader wanted us to embrace a cosmic reclamation of the earth at a very deep level and to connect deeply with nature, to be in her embrace. Most of us were spiritual homebodies, enjoying our cloistered life,” he writes as the years pass by, from memory to the page. By the 1980s, the number of members of New Vrindaban was in the hundreds, and they owned well over a thousand acres of land. In my mind, Rishi Waterman’s “Children of a Harsh Bliss” is a spiritual and generational classic. I don’t know of a better historical account of the Hari Krishna movement in the United States. It’s a memoir that reads like good fiction and kept this reader’s interest always moving forward from page to page until I was finished and was wanting more. (Thomas Rain Crowe is the author, editor and translator of more than 30 books, including the multi-award winning nonfiction nature memoir “Zoro’s Field: My Life in the Appalachian Woods” (2005). He lives in the rural enclave of Tuckasegee in Jackson County.)

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Smoky Mountain News

with a few others, the work on building a self-sufficient community from scratch. As he says in the early stages of the book, “Soon I would be with the Krishnas and in the country. Living off the land in a spiritual community was everything I had wanted for some time.” He goes on to write, “In those early days, most of us were in our teens, many psychedelically floating out of the political and cultural explosion of the sixties, seeking shelter in a spiritual and agrarian lifestyle. We were also Prabhupada’s children, dedicated to carrying forward the mission of our teacher, who saw the immediate need to create an off-the-grid spiritual community.” And as a local remembered, “The hippies came in here in the late ’60s and early ’70s, with long hair and colorful costumes, the ladies floating around, trying to live off the land, and in many ways, just wanting to be country folks. They melted in. But the Krishnas had shaved heads and crazy-looking robes. They worshiped idols and gods and ate cow silage and did not kill their cows or eat meat.” Having lived in a similar fashion in my own life, what Waterman set out to undertake was daunting, to say the least. During his tenure in the New Vrindaban community, Waterman, now known as Rishi, undertook such jobs during his tenure there including as a builder, plumber, cook, night watchman, launderer, herdsman, news editor, palace builder, medical doctor, justice of the peace, and priest. All without training or backround. With chapter titles for those early years like “Did the Cows Eat My Acid?” “When We All Smelled Like Strawberry Fields,” “Mast Mash and Keroscene Cures,” “Bathing in Ice

WILL BE SHARING HIS DEBUT NOVEL

Haughey, Leidner at City Lights The following readings will take place at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva: • Jim Haughey will share his debut novel, “The Broken Season,” at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. Set on the eve of the Civil War in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the novel follows Irish immigrant laborers carving a tunnel through granite while facing death from accidents, disease, violence, and drink. When a laborer is condemned for murder, a priest arrives to hear his final confession but uncovers a secret more dangerous than the crime itself. • Mark Leidner will share his new poetry collection, “Elegy for Pangea,” with Timothy Willis Sanders, Megan Boyle, Blake Butler, and Ellie Goins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23. The collection explores faith, grief, money, myth, parenting, and poetry through poems that are mystical, satirical, personal, and often disconcerting. The readings are free and open to the public. For more information, visit citylightsnc.com or call 828.586.9499.

September 16-22, 2026

uring the 1960s and 1970s, I remember seeing Hari Krishnas in the ‘streets of San Francisco,’ New York and at airports with incense in the air, chanting, dancing, praising God in their orange sarongs and pantaloons with close-shaved hair. This seemed almost typical for a time when the hippie generation was in full swing. But these Hari Krishna young people were not hippies and were on a very different path, albeit that they, too, were Writer all about peace and love. Knowing little or nothing of Hindu spirituality or culture, I often wondered what these young people of my generation were into and up to, and what their lives were like. Having just read Rishi Waterman’s new memoir “Children of a Harsh Bliss (My Life As a Hari Krishna),” now I know. Having lived, now, in Asheville and Black Mountain since 2004, in his 292-page memoir Waterman takes us into and inside his life as a Hari Krishna in their community in West Virginia which he helped to create in 1971 and where he lived as a devout follower of the Hindu god Krishna for a little over 30 years. We start out with David Waterman at the end of his teenage years and having just read the “Bhagavad Gita,” hitchhiking across the American continent from San Francisco to Colorado and to Florida, where he hears of an intentional community being started in the mountains of West Virginia. Curious to the core, he travels up the Southern Appalachian mountains and arrives in the rural community of Marshall County, near Wheeling, West Virginia. There he begins,

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Outdoors

Smoky Mountain News

Fun for all ages

Haywood County Fair spotlights local youth, senior citizens BY GARRET K. WOODWARD SMN EDITOR ach year, right before the gates to the Haywood County Fair open to the public, the event reveals its special attractions to two select groups of people from our community: local fourth graders and area senior citizens. “For me, it's a full circle moment to get to offer this to our community. I attended ‘4th Grade Day’ as a fourth grader, and now I get to run it for today's fourth graders,” said Sally Dixon, county extension director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension. “It's so important to connect our young people to our agricultural heritage. And it's also a great community outreach from N.C. Cooperative Extension.” This go-round, the free-of-charge “4th Grade Day” will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24. In past years, over 550 fourth graders from local schools were involved in the event, with around 620 expected to attend in 2026. To note, Dixon is also part of the 4-H Youth Development for the NCCE. “Our first priority is to keep this field trip easy and fun for the teachers,” Dixon said. “And so, the chaos has to be managed to ensure everyone has a safe and fun day. That involves a lot of work that has to happen down to the minute to make the magic come

Haywood County Fair The annual Haywood County Fair will take place Sept. 24-27 at the Smoky Mountain Event Center in Waynesville. The fair will run 5-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 per day for adults, $5 for ages 6-12, and free for ages 5 and under. General admission tickets are valid for Friday through Sunday only. Tickets can also be bought at the fair gate (cash only). To note, Thursday gate admission will be per car load at a rate of $25. Midway rides not included in gate admission. For a full schedule of activities and/or purchase tickets, visit haywoodcountyfair.com.

The Haywood County Fair is a beloved tradition in Western North Carolina. Bob Scott photo

Want to go? A special offering by the N.C. Cooperative Extension, the free-of-charge “4th Grade Day” at the Haywood County Fair will be held at 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Sept. 24, at the Smoky Mountain Event Center in Waynesville. The following day, from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Sept. 25, “Senior Day at the Fair” will take place. Presented by the Haywood County Senior Resource Center, anyone over the age of 55 is invited to come and experience all the fun of the Haywood County Fair. For more information, visit haywoodcountyfair.com.

alive.” Several stations are set up for the students to experience, including milk and cookies with milk from local farms, asking farmers questions about their profession, beekeeping, recycling, chick hatching, soil layers, and interactions with community partners from local EMS and law enforcement. “Our mission is to strengthen our community and our local food systems,” Dixon said. “And we can't do that if we don't intentionally reach out to the people of Haywood County to make that happen.” The following day, from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Sept. 25, “Senior Day at the Fair” will take place. Anyone over the age of 55 from around our backyard is invited to come and experience all the fun of the Haywood County Fair. “Anyone (over 55) can just show up. We’re prepared for anywhere from 100 to 250 people,” said Michelle Claytor, senior services manager at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center. “We provide prizes and snacks. Some of the people bring their lunch and stay the entire time, some people just come for part of it.” Claytor pointed out that local seniors are appreciative of the opportunity to enjoy the fair during the day, in that many of the attendees don’t have to worry about driving at night to and from the fair. “If they want to go back with their family and friends later on, they can,” Claytor said. “But, for those who don’t drive at night, it’s great. And they get to see a little preview of the fair, so it’s kind of special for them.” For the HCSRC, the fair continues to represent a bountiful partnership for the organization, one that connects the dots of our community, especially when all sorts of avenues of people and purpose come together to help one another. “It’s another way to do outreach and let people know we’re here,” Claytor said. “Because a lot of times, surprisingly enough, we don’t get a lot of people that come here until right when they need us. So, it’s nice for us to do some outreach and give back.”

outdoors

Autumn is one of the busiest times at the park. Donated photo

Autumn is in the air in the Great Smoky Mountains As autumn approaches, Great Smoky Mountains National Park looks forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy its worldrenowned fall foliage. The changing leaves, cooler temperatures, wildlife viewing, and special events bring in a high volume of visitors, congested traffic and limited parking. Check out the tips below to navigate the crowds and make the most of fall in the Great Smoky Mountains.

1. EXPLORE A PATH

2. HIKE SMART The park has more than 800 miles of trail to explore. Research your hike ahead of time, know your limits, and check trail conditions before heading into the park. Pack the 10 Essentials, and don’t forget to display your parking tag on your dashboard before you hit the trail. Autumn weather in the Smoky Mountains can be unpredictable. Before you come to the park, make sure you’re dressed for the weather and wear layers. The park’s higher elevations can be 20

IN THE PARK • Mountain Life Festival The annual Mountain Life Festival will be held at 10 a.m. on Sept. 19 at the Oconaluftee Mountain Farm Museum. This free event showcases interactive cultural demonstrations such as blacksmithing, sorghum molasses processing, live music and more. Registration is not required. • Stitching Bee During the Mountain Life Festival on Sept. 19, seasoned quilters and first-time sewers can bring their own materials or use provided supplies to make a quilt block at a Stitching Bee at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. This event is also free to attend. • Daisy Town Day Have you ever wondered what historic Elkmont looked like in its heyday? At Daisy Town Day, you can get a feel for what this mountain retreat looked and felt like before the creation of the national park. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 7, volunteers in historical clothing will share stories, music and images of the historic Daisy Town area in Elkmont. • Plein Air Smokies – Tremont Institute As fall foliage turns the mountains into a work of art, join the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont for Plein Air Smokies. From Sept 19-26, this event brings nationally acclaimed artists to the park to capture the landscape, light and beauty of the Southern Appalachian Mountains through plein air painting. Whether you want to watch artists work, put brush to canvas, or take a one-of-a-kind painting home, there’s something for the artist or art enthusiast in everyone. To see the full list of fall activities, visit the park calendar online at nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/calendar.htm.

Smoky Mountain News

Popular destinations like Cades Cove, Kuwohi, and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail will be busy, and roads will likely be congested. Consider starting your day earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon and plan on your journey taking longer than normal. Check out the traffic and travel tips for the best times to be in the park and avoid the crowds during your visit. For scenic drives to see the autumn foliage, try Foothills Parkway and make sure to stop by Look Rock Observation Tower to see sweeping views of the mountains without the crowds. Hikers should consider taking some lessvisited trails. West Prong Trail, the Cosby Nature Trail in the Cosby area or Chasteen Creek Trail are beautiful places to see the foliage and will take you off the beaten path.

3. ENJOY FALL EVENTS

September 16-22, 2026

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degrees colder than the lower elevations, so bring warm clothes, especially if you plan on visiting the Newfound Gap and Kuwohi areas.

The Joyful Botanist BY ADAM BIGELOW

A Blazing Star of fall s summer’s heat gives way to cooler days, a playful dance of colors on the roadsides and in the meadows of Southern Appalachia mimics autumn’s hot and cold nature. Fall flowers tend to bloom in warm yellows and oranges, cool blues and purples, or, as is the case with many Asters (Symphyotrichum & Eurybia spp.), display both purple and gold on the same flower. Among the various hues of purple flowering plants in the fall, such as the lightly colored Joe Pye Flowers (Eutrochium spp.) and the deeply purple flowers of Ironflower (Vernonia spp.), one of my favorite fall

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Smoky Mountain News

a and more!

Puzzles can be found on page 30 These are only the answers.

Appalachian Blazing Star (Liatris squarrulosa) showing its beauty in fall. Adam Bigelow photo

blooms is the Blazing Star (Liatris spp.), also called Gayfeathers. Blazing Stars got this common name from the tall spikes of the species called Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) said to resemble the streaking tail of a comet crossing the sky. This is also a nod to fact that comets used to be called blazing stars, similar to the shooting star name. Blazing Stars begin blooming at the end of summer, and some species will stay in bloom through the first frost, usually around mid-to-late October. Their purple spikes rise out of the meadow like candles on a birthday cake. While you can’t blow out their flowers, you can make a wish on their fluffy brown seeds. Like many members of the Aster Family

(Asteraceae), Blazing Stars have hard seeds attached to fluffy tufts that spread the seeds around with the help of the wind. The wind-dispersed seeds float far from the parent plant, helping to ensure that they can find suitable ground to grow. These seeds are basically attached to tiny parachutes and float away in the breeze. There are over 40 species of Liatris that grow in North America, according to the Biota of North America Program (BONAP). Of those, 13 live in North Carolina and 10 can be found growing in the Mountain Counties, according to Vascular Palnts of NC website. Some of those mountainous Blazing Stars are hard to come by, including the federally threatened Heller’s Blazing Star found on and near Grandfather Mountain. Others are much more common, like the aforementioned Dense Blazing Star and the Shaggy Blazing star (Liatris pilosa), which can be found in all but 27 of North Carolina’s 100 counties. This species is common in the Piedmont and much rarer in the mountains. Blazing Star plants are not just showy wild species. They are commonly used in landscaping and native plant gardens. Their showy and beautiful flowers often star in the late summer flower bed. Liatris plants are also important members of a wildlife garden, as they are the host plant for the Liatris Flower Moth, whose caterpillars feed on liatris flower petals, and the Liatris Borer Moth, whose larva eat the stems of Liatris. These two insects are not pests but rather co-evolved and mutual species that “grew up” learning to feed on Liatris. As the comet’s arc of time moves us further from summer and fully into fall, look for the purple stalks of liatris in farm fields or meadows. If you’re lucky, you might just spy a rarer species like the beautiful Appalachian Blazing Star (Liatris squarrulosa) featured in this week’s photo. (The Joyful Botanist leads weekly wildflower walks most Fridays and offers consultations and private group tours through Bigelow’s Botanical Excursions. bigelownc@gmail.com.)

Learn about the Franklin Farm Hub On Monday, Sept. 21, the series, “Where We Live: History, Nature, and Culture,” will present the program Franklin Farm Hub: Providing Food and Land Access. Over 20% of households in Macon County experience food insecurity even as the prices of food continue to rise. At the same time, farmers in our region face difficulties ranging from farmland loss to challenges in infrastructure, and markets. Learn how the Franklin Farm Hub

The festival not only allows guests to see how sorghum is made but also a chance to taste the final product. Donated photo

Tipton-Haynes historic site hosts Sorghum Festival 19th century barn throughout the day. The historic cave will be open for everybody of all ages to explore and find their inner spelunker. Local food trucks will be on site for visitors to enjoy a picnic lunch. There will also be several local vendors selling homemade crafts. There will also be several hitand-miss engines from the East Tennessee Antique Engine Association. Admission with breakfast is $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, and kids under 3 are free. Without breakfast, admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children. As always, members of the Tipton Haynes Historical Association are free. Sorghum molasses grown and made at the site will also be available for purchase — $16 per quart, $8 per pint, and $4 per half-pint. For additional information, call 423-926-3631. Tipton-Haynes is located at 2620 South Roan St. in Johnson City.

Birding in Franklin

Cowee School hosts art and nature gathering The Cowee School will host the inaugural Spotfin Art and Nature Gathering Sept. 25-26 in Franklin. The event will celebrate the venerated yet imperiled mascot of the school known to scientists as Erimonax monachus. The event will feature an art exhibit opening reception, workshops with artists and writers, field outings with local guides,

vendor tables and a keynote address from author Zelda Lockhart. In addition there will be a pre-event discussion with fisheries biologist William O. Mclarney on the disputed Needmore tract on Thursday, Sept. 24. The cost to attend is $25. Register at checkout.square.site/merchant/mls3rp9edf 42e/checkout/4clfu7xebjuc33xeatr6yhyf.

Check the park website for up-to-date information on road closures and construction.

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20266

OCT 17th 10 10am-5p 5 pm

Smoky Mountain News

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. Schedule for upcoming walks: • Sept. 23, meet at the Salali Lane parking lot. • Sept. 30, meet at the Macon County Library 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.

Continuing through the end of the month, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will conduct multiple projects on the Gatlinburg Spur that will require single-lane closures. Visitors driving between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge during the closures can expect traffic delays. For the safety of park personnel and other travelers, please drive with extra caution. On Sept. 21-30 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., single-lane closures are scheduled for the north and southbound lanes near Huskey Grove Bridge for utility work. The park plans to start single-lane closures on the southbound lanes and then

shift to the northbound lanes. The single-lane closure will affect the tunnel in the northbound lane. Work is scheduled to conclude for the day at noon on Sept. 25 and will not occur over the weekend.

September 16-22, 2026

The 27th Annual Sorghum Festival will allow visitors to observe sorghum cane being processed into molasses using a mulepowered and hit-and-miss powered mill from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site in Johnson City. During the morning hours, the mule will be out turning the cast iron rollers, squeezing out the delectable juices to be boiled down into molasses. Come early, as the sorghum crew will be crushing the sorghum cane and boiling the sweet juices throughout the morning and into the early afternoon hours. The sorghum breakfast from 8-11 a.m. will feature biscuits with gravy or sorghum, sausage, bacon, eggs, oatmeal, grits, and drinks. Visitors can also enjoy touring the historic structures of the property that will take you back to the 1800s. Local bluegrass and folk music will be played within the

Gatlinburg Spur lane closures planned

is working at the intersection of these issues, addressing food access while supporting local farmers in Western North Carolina. In this presentation, Chris Peterson, the manager of Franklin Farm Hub’s community farm, will discuss the organization’s charitable food programs already making an impact as well as the development underway and his hopes for the future of their 94-acre community farm in the heart of downtown Franklin. The program will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center, at 51 Cowee School Drive in Franklin. Admission is free and open to the public.

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NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION Case No.26E000203-490 Connie S. Dycus, having TXDOL¿HG DV WKH $GPLQLVWUDWRU RI WKH (VWDWH RI Jerry D. Dycus RI -DFNVRQ &RXQW\ 1RUWK &DUROLQD WKLV LV WR QRWLI\ DOO SHUVRQV KDYLQJ FODLPV DJDLQVW WKH (VWDWH WR SUHVHQW WKHP WR WKH XQGHUVLJQHG RQ RU EHIRUH Dec 16 2026 RU WKLV QRWLFH ZLOO EH SOHDGHG LQ EDU RI WKHLU UHFRYHU\ $OO SHUVRQV LQGHEWHG WR VDLG (VWDWH SOHDVH PDNH LPPHGLDWH SD\PHQW Administrator Connie Dycus 705 W Main Street Sylva, NC 28779 NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION Case No.26E000189-490

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ANSWERS ON PAGE 26

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September 16-22, 2026

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September 16-22, 2026

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Smoky Mountain News September 16-22, 2026