SMN 11 01 17

Council debates alcohol in Cherokee Page 4

Asheville, Haywood chambers ink partnership deal Page 10

On the Cover:

After six years at the helm, Western Carolina University Chancellor David Belcher and his wife Susan discuss their recent financial commitment to the university and reflect on the emotional connection to the people of Western North Carolina. (Page 6) David and Susan Belcher show off their Catamount pride during WCU’s 2017 Homecoming parade. WCU photo

News

Alcohol permitting being debated in Cherokee ........................................................4

Joint work on Forest Service plan cost director his job ..........................................8 Asheville, Haywood chambers ink partnership deal ..............................................10

Canton alderman proposes hate speech ordinance ............................................12

New Swain library project hits roadblock ..................................................................14

Bryson ballot to include alcohol changes ................................................................16

Ousted Tribal Council chairman lands new job ......................................................17

Waynesville wastewater plant needs replacement ................................................19

Canton passes ‘Brunch Bill’ despite opposition ....................................................20 Education News................................................................................................................23

Opinion

Welcome to a rising tide of young candidates ........................................................24 A&E

Two WNC craft breweries win national medals ......................................................28

Outdoors

Field school instructors retire after 30 years in the Smokies ..............................42

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S UBSCRIPTIONS

Debating alcohol

Newly issued alcohol permits cause backlash against off-casino sales

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFFWRITER

Five years ago, Cherokee voters gave a decisive response on a referendum question asking whether they’d like to see the historical ban on alcohol sales outside casino property lifted on the Qualla Boundary, with 60 percent voting to keep Cherokee dry.

But in the last five months, alcohol sales have been popping up at various events and establishments on tribal land, a development that has infuriated some tribal members. These new permits were issued as the result of an intersection between tribal and state laws that allows for a handful of circumstances in which alcohol permits can be distributed outside the casino.

Councilmember Lisa Taylor, of Painttown, wants to see those permits disappear. Last week, she introduced a resolution asking for another referendum vote on the alcohol question.

“Numerous people in my community during my campaign approached me about this alcohol issue, and they felt like their voice was being silenced and they weren’t able to weigh in on the issue,” Taylor said in a follow-up interview. “So I decided to bring this resolution forward.”

The resolution, introduced during an Oct. 26 Tribal Council session, declares that “the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is a Sovereign Nation capable of establishing its own laws, rules and regulations,” that “it is

recognized that North Carolina’s law does not supersede our Tribe’s jurisdiction,” and that the current state of affairs “excludes” tribal members from voting on “the spread of alcohol within our communities.”

Therefore, it states, a special election referendum should be held to “answer the question of expanding alcohol sales to other business establishments outside of casino property on the Qualla Boundary.”

LEGALINTRICACIES

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has long kept its territory dry, but that situation shifted following the construction of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. Initially, the casino was dry as well, but it quickly became evident that the lack of alcohol was hurting business. A 2009 referendum had 70 percent of voters supporting alcohol sales at the casino — but only at the casino.

However, at that time the tribe didn’t have its own Alcoholic Beverage Commission, instead buying alcohol through the Swain and Jackson County ABC boards, which then reaped profit from the sales. The tribe set about forming its own ABC board, instated in 2011, and Council passed a law to put Cherokee in compliance with state laws regulating alcohol sales. Federal law puts all the authority for regulating these sales in the hands of the states.

But the 2011 law was incomplete on the state’s end, and a 2015 addition passed in Raleigh more clearly spelled out the authority of Cherokee’s ABC board, ensuring that it would have the same permitting authority as the state board.

The law also required that the Cherokee ABC Board adhere to state alcohol standards and adopt any future changes to state ABC law.

Following the 2015 changes, those state laws allow for a specific set of circumstances in which an alcohol permit may be issued without a referendum. Hotels and restaurants that are located within 1.5 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway are eligible, and one-time permits can be granted for festivals and events. Permits can also be granted for breweries, wineries and distilleries, though these establishments would not be allowed to serve any alcohol produced on tribal land without a referendum vote taking place.

While the state law allowing for such permits passed in 2015, the first permit was not

“Numerous people approached me about this alcohol issue, and they felt like their voice was being silenced and they weren’t able to weigh in on the issue.”

— Lisa

granted until May 2017. Former Principal Chief Patrick Lambert had refused to allow any such permits to be issued without a referendum vote first taking place.

“I am aware of the recent changes in the N.C. Law on the mileage marker on the Blue Ridge Parkway,” he wrote in a November 2015 letter to Collette Coggins, who chaired the ABC board at the time. “However, I do not recognize the authority of that law to override the power of a lawful vote of our people on the Referendum question. The referendum question passed by our people explicitly authorized alcohol sales only upon the property of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.”

NEWPERMITSISSUED

Following Lambert’s impeachment in May, Richard Sneed became the new principal chief and began issuing the types of per-

Taylor, Cherokee Tribal Council member

mits outlined in the state law. According to ABC Chairman Pepper Taylor, permits have been issued to three restaurants located near the Parkway — Wize Guyz Grille, Sassy Sunflowers Bakery & Café and Little Princess Restaurant. Additionally, a permit was granted for the Cherokee Blue Ridge Run motorcycle rally in September.

Sneed defended this action during the Oct. 26 meeting, telling councilmembers that refusing to issue these types of permits would put the tribe out of compliance with state alcohol laws, in which case the state could decide to yank all alcohol permits — including those given to the casino, which result in $20 million of revenue each year.

“You need to understand Tribal Council, if you pass this resolution you will put us out of compliance with North Carolina ABC law, and at that point they will revoke all permits,” he said.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH & FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH

Michael Gross, who is the attorney for Cherokee’s ABC board, told council that one of two things would likely happen if council voted to stop complying with the Blue Ridge Law. Either the state would stop allowing any ABC permits on tribal land, or it would take over the permitting function and issue permits to anyone who qualifies, regardless of where the business was located.

Some members of the audience expressed skepticism of that prediction.

“Believe me, there’s no way the state’s going to say, ‘We’re not going to give you the alcohol,’” said former Councilmember Teresa McCoy, referring to casino alcohol sales as a “golden goose” for the state.

IMPLICATIONS FORSOVEREIGNTY

Anti-alcohol sentiment is widespread on the Qualla Boundary, but it’s not ubiquitous.

“It’s unfortunate that we force our people to go to Sylva or Bryson to enjoy a beverage. Why can’t we sell it here? Why can’t we be making tribal levy off it?” asked Joey Owle, director of the tribe’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “Alcohol is here. It’s not going anywhere. Let’s handle this issue appropriately, either through a referendum or a councilmember bring in an ordinance change.”

For others, though, the core issue isn’t necessarily alcohol itself. It’s more about tribal sovereignty, and the degree to which tribal members see their voices reflected in the actions of their elected leaders.

“The people feel like their voice has been silenced in the past, dealing with things like the impeachment and the Grand Council,” Lisa Taylor said in an interview. “I don’t think 12 people should make that decision for the tribe. I think everybody should be included. Every tribal members that’s able to vote on this issue.”

Lisa Taylor’s comments echoed a statement McCoy made to council during the discussion.

“I think that a referendum is not a bad thing to do. It puts faith and trust back into the public who deserves it after what they’ve been through,” McCoy said.

“Whatever the people wants to vote on, that will be honored by this tribe,” added tribal member Becky Walker, of Birdtown. “It will be honored by this tribe.”

Besides, Walker continued, why should the state government get to decide where the tribe may and may not sell alcohol? If the EBCI is a sovereign nation, shouldn’t its people have the ultimate authority — not a legislature in Raleigh or a group of appointed ABC commissioners?

“I don’t understand how anybody that comes in here and has to have their budget approved by this body would tell us they have the authority to make decisions that are out of reach by our own people’s vote,” she said.

But there’s another side to the sovereignty issue. Pepper Taylor believes that the state law was a win for tribal sovereignty, not a loss. It solidifies the tribe’s right to run its own ABC Commission and accrue its own profits from sales on the Qualla Boundary,

rather than being forced to pass those profits along to Swain or Jackson.

“That’s who sold it and that’s who made all the money selling it to the casino, not the tribe,” Pepper Taylor said in an interview regarding the arrangement circa 2009. “The ABC stores in Jackson and Swain County made the money. In 2011 when we finally got this established so we could have our own commission, then we started making our money.”

That was a win for tribal sovereignty.

NEXTSTEPS

The discussion in council included quite a bit of back-and-forth about what the next step should be for addressing the alcohol issue. Should there be a referendum? Should the tribe start working with the state to amend the laws from its end? If a referendum were held, what would kind of authority would its results have, and what exactly should the question say?

“Alcohol is here. It’s not going anywhere. Let’s handle this issue appropriately, either through a referendum or a councilmember bring in an ordinance change.”

— Joey Owle, Cherokee Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources director

Everybody who spoke in council last week expressed support for holding a referendum vote. However, Sneed and Pepper Taylor both stressed the need to ensure any action of Tribal Council on the matter comports with the state law, in order to allow for continued alcohol sales at the casino.

Lisa Taylor moved to pass her resolution and get the ball rolling on holding a referendum, but the move died on the floor for lack of a second. Ultimately Tribal Council voted unanimously to table it for consideration in the December Tribal Council session.

“I think once this referendum goes, it will be what the people want and we’ll go from there,” she said in an interview. “I don’t know exactly how the people will vote on this, but I put my whole trust in our people to make a sound decision on it. The referendum is going to be a first step, because we need to know what the people want.”

With the results of the referendum in hand, it would then be easier to talk with the state about any laws that would potentially need to be amended to keep alcohol siloed on casino property — if that’s what the people say they want.

The plan is to hold a work session before the matter comes up for a vote again, though one has not yet been scheduled. Lisa Taylor requested that Chairman Adam Wachacha schedule it for an evening, when working people could attend, and hold it in a venue large enough to accommodate a crowd.

WAYNESVILLE TIRE, INC.

Taste of Local

As fall arrives in Western Carolina we know that there are fewer locally grown fruits and vegetables available but you can still support local at Ingles all year around by looking for these fresh local items at your Ingles store.

Produce: Sunny Creek Sprouts (Tryon), Smiling Hara Hempeh (Barnardsville), New Sprout Organic Farm (Swannanoa)

Bakery: Annie’s Breads, City Bakery, Dolci Do Maria (Gluten Free)

Deli: Unicoi Preserves (Sautee, GA), Roots Hummus (Asheville)

Meats: Hickory Nut Gap Farm (Fairview), Brasstown Beef (Brasstown, NC), Sunburst Trout (Waynesville)

Grocery: Look for the green “Local” tags on local food endcaps or displays at the front of the store. Local granola, hot sauces, BBQ sauces, bread mixes, and much more.

Frozen: Sunshine Sammies (Asheville)

Dairy: Laura Lynn Milk (West Asheville)

Don’t miss the next Taste of Local at Ingles in Weaverville on Weaver Blvd Thursday, November 16th • 3-6pm

Leading by example

WCU chancellor, wife give $1.23

million

for scholarships, reflect on Catamount identity

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFFWRITER

Through careers as students, teachers and administrators, David and Susan Belcher have marked the milestones of their lives in college campuses, but their 2011 arrival to Western Carolina University was the day they discovered their home.

“It was kind of instant. It was kind of love at first sight,” Susan said. “It’s not the (natural) beauty. It’s the people. And it’s the community also. This region takes care of each other, through and through.”

To the new chancellor and his wife, coming to WCU felt like coming home. Now, sixand-a-half years later, they’ve made a promise to seal their commitment to the Catamount Nation forever. On Oct. 12, the Belchers announced a pledge of $1.23 million — a blend of cash and an estate gift — to support a scholarship endowment after they have passed away.

It’s a decision that speaks to the core of their care for the region and its people, who often come from homes not capable of funding a college education.

“Western is a really affordable institu-

tion, but it doesn’t matter,” David said. “So many students in this area, they still have huge challenges to deal with these kinds of issues. So this is an opportunity for us to give back.”

“Scholarships will roll off of that endowment forever, in perpetuity, and that’s really important to us to know whatever we did in this lifetime will continue to help other people long after we’re gone,” Susan added.

While this pledge is the biggest scholarship commitment that the Belchers have made to Western, it’s not the first — or even the second. Two months after they arrived at WCU, they started an endowment scholarship for the honors college, with the first recipient graduating just 3.5 years later. And last year David surprised Susan — an opera singer whose career included teaching, singing and directing productions — by endowing a scholarship in the College of Fine and Performing Arts, which began this spring. The first recipient of that scholarship is senior music major Claire Lemke.

“While I was one of the first recipients of a scholarship supported by the Belchers, I will be only one of hundreds to come,”

Lemke said at the Oct. 12 luncheon where the $1.23 million gift was announced.

The Belchers made their announcement ahead of a public campaign called Lead the Way aiming to raise at least $20 million for endowed scholarships, a goal that Belcher has had in the cross-hairs since his March 2012 installation address. The intervening years have seen more than 200 new endowed

scholarships established.

“We share this with you, not to put ourselves in the spotlight, but to lead by example,” Susan said at the Oct. 12 announcement. “And, we are looking for partners to join us — partners who are willing to make gifts that will make a real difference to our students, partners who will dare to make gifts that will inspire others to give, partners who will join us and Lead the Way in helping our students to achieve the American Dream — partners like you.”

Mere weeks out from the announcement, it seems that the strategy is working.

Just 16 days after the Belchers announced their pledge, former WCU Board of Trustees Chairman Ed Broadwell announced that he and his wife Donna were promising $1 million in cash donations and an estate gift to the cause.

Fittingly, Broadwell made the announcement as he accepted the University’s Distinguished Service Award as part of the Homecoming 2017 activities.

It was the Belchers’ gift, he said, that inspired them to do it.

“I truly believe that higher education is the great equalizer and the key to upward individual economic mobility,” said Broadwell, retired CEO of HomeTrust Bank. “I truly believe that Western Carolina University — through the well-educated graduates that it produces — is vital to the social and economic development of Western North Carolina.”

BLEEDINGPURPLE

Western Carolina University is where the Belchers have planted their flag, but it’s far from being the first campus where they’ve worked or the first college town where they’ve lived.

Susan is from St. Louis, Missouri, while David is from Barnwell, South Carolina. Their careers have included more than a decade at Missouri State University and eight years at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock — both tenures substantially longer than the 6.5 years they’ve spent at WCU thus far.

But they’re both quick to say that there’s something special about WCU, a quality that goes beyond the magnetic beauty of the mountains and straight to the character of the people and communities that populate it.

“We worked at several universities together, and they’ve been great places to help and work with, but when we got here it was a place we loved. We feel like this is an area that needs help in so many ways,” David said.

The students are smart and equipped with a do-it-yourself energy you don’t find just anywhere. But at the same time, many of them come from families that have no way to pay for college, and it’s not uncommon for Western students to be the first in their family to seek a degree.

“I just found that after years of being here, I am a Catamount through and through,” Susan said. “I bleed purple more than any university I have been in some way affiliated with. I love this place, and I love the people.”

“This is a place that loves their families and their communities, but there are challenges in this area,” David said. “So for us we can’t do everything, the two of us, but we believe that education is one of the…”

“Silver bullets,” Susan said, filling in the words David was searching for.

“It is, in so many ways,” David continued. “This is a way that we can help these people.”

“Everyone helps in their own way. This just happens to be the way that we know we can do it,” Susan said.

With the Belchers, “we” is an often-heard word. David is the chancellor of WCU, but there’s no denying that leading the university is a team effort.

“So many students in this area, they still have huge challenges to deal with. So this is an opportunity for us to give back.”

— David Belcher

“She loves people and that’s who she is. I know I couldn’t have done anything that I have done here without her,” David said of his wife. “I do a lot of the work, the normal chancellor stuff. I work here, I work with the legislators and donors and alumni but Susan has been just — we’re just right with each other.”

“You complete me,” Susan said, laughingly repeating the famous line from “Jerry McGuire.”

It’s true though, she continued — both she and David are “people people,” but beyond that their skills are different and complementary.

“I could not do what the chancellor does. I’m not an administrator,” she said. “The vision that he brings to the university is

unique, and he articulates it so well. But I do feel that what I can do is support that vision. Both of us, David and I, are ‘people people’ — people persons — and for me it comes down to wanting to open up our home and our lives to the university, to the community, to the alumni, the donors and citizens that make this the great place that it is.”

UNITINGAREGION

The team effort has yielded a litany of notable results for Western Carolina over the last 6.5 years.

“Some of the ideas that we wanted to do five or six years ago have done really well. They’ve been going really well,” David said.

At his inauguration speech in 2012, David had laid out five promises to the WCU community — he was going to lead an administration that would develop the public-private partnership Millennial Campus, create a leadership academy for faculty and staff, organize an annual summer tour of the region for institutional leaders, convene a consortium of educational leaders from WNC and make fundraising for endowed scholarships the school’s number one philanthropic priority.

Five years later, tangible progress has been made on all five fronts.

A new Health and Human Sciences building stands in the Millennial campus, with a medical office building now in the planning stage. The university holds an annual leadership academy that graduates 12 WCU employees each year, with the capstone experience a weeklong bus tour giving participants the chance to experience firsthand the communities WCU serves, from Asheville to Hayesville. WNC’s educational leaders have banded together to improve the cross-institutional pathway from preschool to college, and the effort is playing out on a statewide level as well, with UNC President Margaret Spellings inviting David to serve on the My

ers of WNC’s educational institutions to talk about how their systems can work together more seamlessly.

“This has morphed not just in WNC, but throughout the state and I think in many ways throughout the country,” David said. “So it’s changed in some really exciting ways.”

That’s not to say that all the work is done. One of the focuses of David’s inauguration address was the need to improve compensation for WCU faculty and staff and stem the tide of experienced employees leaving for better-paid pastures.

“Here’s the issue. We’re doing what we can, but it’s not enough,” he said. “I’m just going to be direct. It’s important to us because this is about students.”

New issues have also arisen. There’s N.C. Promise, for instance, the program that will drive in-state tuition at WCU down to $500 per semester starting in fall 2018. The university has been working since the program was announced to anticipate and accommodate the increased interest from students statewide and other issues likely to result from the program’s implementation.

Enrollment is rising, spurring questions as to how WCU will grow to meet the need while still retaining the character that’s made it what it is.

In the 18 months since the diagnosis, his fight against cancer has had its ups and down, and he’s kept the university community informed of the major developments through a web page created for the purpose. In May 2016, he had a surgery at Duke University to remove the tumor, with 11 months of follow-up treatment afterward. The surgery was successful with no cancer initially detected afterward, but in August he faced a setback when a medical exam showed that the cancer had returned. David is now in the midst of a new round of treatment.

Through it all, he and Susan have had to grapple with the challenge of discovering a new normal, a sustainable way to live their lives while also hitting the cancer as hard as possible.

“Right after the diagnosis 18 months ago, my doctor said to Susan, ‘This will change him.’ And it was instant,” David said. “It was like suddenly you don’t know how much time you have. Honestly, that’s really the issue. So what’s the important stuff?”

“For me it comes down to wanting to open up our home and our lives to the university, to the community, to the alumni, the donors and citizens that make this the great place that it is.”

— Susan Belcher

Give for scholarships

WCU is seeking at least $20 million in endowed scholarships through its Lead the Way campaign, more details of which will be revealed when the public phase of the effort launches in 2018. Endowed scholarships live on in perpetuity, helping students pay for their education from the interest accrued while leaving the principal intact. Learn more or donate at give.wcu.edu.

Future N.C. Commission, a high-level task force formed to examine those pathways on a larger scale.

And, of course, more than 200 endowed scholarships have been created — including three funded by the Belchers themselves.

“There were so many activities and goals the chancellor had set in that (installation address), and it’s very gratifying as an institution that we’ve been able to say we’ve accomplished them,” said Melissa Wargo, WCU chief of staff.

“And they’ve morphed, and actually that’s better,” David said.

For instance, the goal about uniting lead-

And then there’s the Catamount School, the new middle school located at Smoky Mountain High School and run by WCU. The university was given only months to work with Jackson County Schools to plan its opening after a state mandate came down requiring its launch. Initially, university and school system leaders alike were wary of the implications, but two months into its first year of classes things seem to be going well.

“We decided, ‘You know what, this is an opportunity,’” David said. “Education is our thing. We’re looking at innovation in this area. This is an opportunity.”

“It’s the culture of yes, and that’s what I love about Western,” Susan added.

“If you look at centuries, people were here. They had very little. They said, ‘We’re doing it anyway,’” David said. “This is another opportunity to see that sort of chutzpah.”

FIGHTINGCANCER

During his first years on the job, David’s take on the chancellor’s job involved a seemingly endless flurry of activity, a never-ending push to get as much as possible out of every hour.

But about 18 months ago, that way of life came to a screeching halt when the Belchers received a diagnosis that would eventually send a ripple of dismay throughout the entire Western North Carolina community. In April 2016, doctors discovered that David had a small brain tumor, which later proved to be cancerous.

Just a day after the announcement, about 250 WCU students, faculty and staff gathered in the rain to rally in support of their beloved leader.

“It’s been difficult in some ways, but people have been amazing for us,” David said. “They’ve supported us, they’ve done anything they could have done.”

“Twenty-four hours in a day was not enough when David was chancellor (before the diagnosis),” Susan said. “Having to deal with a major health issue on top of it meant we needed 48 hours in a day, and that’s what we didn’t have.”

Even before the diagnosis, David said, his staff had been trying to get him to delegate more. He was trying to get there, but he was still working 60 or 70 hours a week — “we were having a great time” — when he found out about the cancer. Then, delegation became imperative.

“I have a great team at Western Carolina, so they took issues that they could have always done, but by delegating them, allowing them to take opportunities to do a lot of things that we need to do at Western Carolina University, that allowed me to have my focus around the big issues,” he said.

He’s still working with the legislature, the donors, the general administration. He’s just learned how to rely on his staff to take care of the rest and to work within the limits of his health. Some days are easier than others, and with his current treatment regimen he often finds himself leaving work after five hours or so to take a nap before resuming the workday once more.

“It changes a little bit my routine, but I’m working as hard as I can,” he said.

It’s been a hard year, there’s no denying it. And while David is quick to say he wouldn’t want to go through it again, he also knows that he’s seen the true colors of the university community where he lives and works in a way he wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.

It’s a region that takes care of each other, and when he’s needed it, its people have done their best to take care of him.

“When anyone has a life change like this, you become more grateful for support and kindnesses, and you become more aware of people around you and what they’re doing to make your life and the university’s life better and greater,” Susan said.

“If I wasn’t completely a Catamount before last year, if I just kind of wore purple, I began bleeding purple last year.”

Memorandum of misunderstanding

Collaborative work on Forest Service plan cost Martin his job

BY DON H ENDERSHOT CONTRIBUTINGWRITER

The former Southern Appalachian Regional Director for The Wilderness Society was the catalyst and key facilitator for a compromise and groundbreaking proposal for the Pisgah-Nantahala national forests that brought conservationists and recreational users together under one umbrella.

But that collaboration would eventually cost Brent Martin his job. A local activist and key donor — neither of whom had been involved in the collaboration — convinced The Wilderness Society to reverse its position and withdraw its support without even discussing the decision with Martin.

Martin subsequently refused to turn his back on all the work and trust he had built while working on the agreement and was forced to resign from his job.

Martin says the activist “… managed to get to one of the biggest donors in North Carolina and, in turn, the President of The Wilderness Society.” Martin was caught completely off guard by the reversal.

A LONGANDWINDINGROAD

The new management plan for the two national forests in North Carolina is still under development. But back in early December 2015, a coalition of 35 conservation and recreation organizations submitted a Memorandum of Understanding to the U.S. Forest Service as part of the ongoing plan revision.

The coalition was spearheaded by Martin, Northwest North Carolina Mountain Bike Alliance President Paul Stahlschmidt, Southern Off Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) Southeast Regional Director Tom Sauret, Pisgah Area SORBA Director Julie White and others.

According to a July 2016 story in Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine, a conversation between Martin and Stahlschmidt at a Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Partnership meeting in Asheville was the genesis for the MOU.

“At this meeting, a man named Paul Stahlschmidt approached me during a break to let me know that mountain bikers in his area had problems with two Wilderness Study Areas — Harper Creek and Lost Cove. He said that if the organization I work for — The Wilderness Society — attempted to get them recommended in the current management plan revision, to expect a lot of opposi-

tion,” Martin wrote in the magazine article.

“Something in his demeanor, though, was pleasant, and it was not the type of pronouncement that made me cringe. Instead, it was the beginning of a great friendship that ultimately resulted in a collective recommendation from over 40 organizations and recreation-related businesses recommending over 160,000 acres of National Recreation Areas for the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest and 109,000 acres of Wilderness,” according to Martin.

Stahlschmidt, who worked at Appalachian State University, and Martin eventually agreed to recommend these areas become part of a larger National Recreation Area. This designation would protect the conservation values [and] also allow mountain biking and all other recreational uses such as horseback riding, hiking, camping, climbing, whitewater paddling, fishing and hunting.

Martin said they and others also agreed on new Wilderness Area recommendations.

Martin told The Smoky Mountain News that many people were involved in crafting the language for the MOU. Some of those include Stahlschmidt, Sauret, White, Ben Prater, formerly of Wild South and currently southeast program director for Defenders of Wildlife, Zachary Lesch-Huie, southeast regional director of the Access Fund, Brian Payst, president of Carolina Climbers Coalition and Kevin Colburn, national stewardship director for American Whitewater.

“We made sure that the language was carefully crafted to everyone's liking, and we spent a tremendous amount of time with the language on Harper Creek/Lost Cove, mainly to ensure that the areas would stay protected as WSAs [Wilderness Study Areas] until a

congressional designation could be made for an NRA [National Recreation Area], and that the area’s roadless protection would always be insured, no matter what,” said Martin. “There was also significant language regarding the potential for Wilderness for the areas, and that we could still have mountain biking within the areas that would be outside of what acreage might be designated.”

Many heralded the MOU (which can be viewed at http://mountaintrue.org/text-ofmou/) as precedent-setting.

Vernon Felton wrote in the January 2016 edition of Outside Magazine’s “Cycle Life” section:

“‘It’s truly a win-win situation,’ says Tom Sauret, executive director of SORBA, the southeastern division of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). ‘This allows us to add the highest level of protection possible to the parts of Pisgah and Nantahala best suited to it, while still allowing for mountain biking in places where it’s been popular for decades. It’s proof that we can work together.’”

The ‘we’ Sauret refers to includes the Wilderness Society, which has not, historically, been a champion of mountain biking in America’s wilderness.

“‘What we’re trying to do here is protect a very special place,” said Martin, southern Appalachian regional director of the Wilderness Society. “If we’re going to do that, we have to stop looking at one another as enemies. We can oppose each other and gain nothing or we can build the middle — a bigger constituency for the environment — and gain so much more.’”

Stahlschmidt said as president of

Northwest N.C. MTB Alliance he was at the Forest Service planning meeting to advocate for members.

“Our position was simple,” said Stahlschmidt. “We need more trails — we don’t have enough access.” According to Stahlschmidt, only 22 percent — or 61 miles — of the Grandfather Ranger District’s 267 miles of trails are designated for bike usage. In the 49,000-acre Wilson Creek Area that includes Harper Creek and Lost Cove, only 24 percent — or 18.6 miles — of the 78.8 miles of trails are designated for mountain bikes. He said without access there was no way his group could support wilderness designation for Harper Creek and/or Lost Cove, but that Martin’s collaborative plan offered both — wilderness and access.

“It made sense to support wilderness where wilderness was appropriate and support access where that was appropriate,” Stahlschmidt said. And he noted that IMBA was also enthusiastic about the collaboration.

“The national office said this had never been done before,” said Stahlschmidt.

He also praised Martin’s leadership during the collaborative process saying, “Brent had more experience than anyone at the table.”

That might be because Martin cut his teeth on forest planning.

“I survived a very contentious forest planning process on the Chattahoochee National Forest that took almost seven years,” said Martin. “It was extremely divisive and the result was business as usual with everyone in his or her corners. Successful in that everyone was equally unhappy. I envisioned a process where we would build trust over the plan with ultimately successful implementation

without appeals and conflict.”

Martin has a long history of outdoor advocacy. Besides 10 years as Southern Appalachian Regional Director for The Wilderness Society, Martin previously served as associate director at the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee (now Mainspring Conservation Trust) and as executive director of Georgia ForestWatch. Martin is also a recipient of the Southern Environmental Law Center's James S. Dockery Southern Environmental Leadership Award.

SOWHATHAPPENED

TOTHE MOU?

Martin said The Wilderness Society knew he was working on an MOU with mountain bikers since its inception.

“I was given nothing but accolades for it and it was held up as an example of how we should be working with the mountain bike community nationally,” said Martin. “This was around the beginning of the Sustainable Trails Coalition, and its attempt to rewrite the Wilderness Act to allow mountain biking. IMBA was a great partner in this MOU, as were the other chapter groups, which was contrary to the STC position. It was in many respects groundbreaking.”

Martin also said that TWS was still on board when the MOU was submitted to the Forest Service.

“Absolutely. But then things began to go

Wilderness Society had growing concerns about the MOU only when he brought it up with TWS leadership.

“… after Fred Stanback forwarded John's email about it to the conservation, funder, media universe. They were still supportive following this, but after about a year of it I was told to scrub our website of any reference to it, as John had effectively gotten to TWS leadership,” Martin said.

Martin reached out to Wilson at the request of TWS.

Luke Kinsland, aquatic supervisor at the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department, was recently certified as an Aquatic Facility Operator by the National Certification Board and National Recreation and Park Association.

To become AFO-certified, individuals must pass a nationally-administered examination, which tests knowledge in the following areas: mechanical concepts

awry. The MOU caught the attention of John Wilson, whose family owns The Blowing Rock attraction in Blowing Rock,” said Martin. “He is a businessman and filmmaker. He has worked with different land trusts and conservation organizations plus created a documentary on Harper Creek and Lost Cove. Wilson apparently felt the MOU would increase the chance the two areas would lose WSA designation and therefore not be eligible for permanent wilderness designation.

According to Martin, Wilson formed Friends of Harper Creek and Lost Cove Wilderness and submitted comments to the Forest Service opposing the MOU.

Martin said that he had never heard of Wilson and that Wilson had not been to any of the Forest Service planning meetings and that he “… had no idea what was going on with the Forest Service plan revision, the Forum or the MOU partners.”

Martin said Wilson contacted Fred Stanback, one of The Wilderness Society’s largest donors in North Carolina, “… and other friends of his in Appalachian Voices and his land trust friends. This blew things up, and led to the Southern Environmental Law Center leaving the MOU. It also led to John's campaign to turn TWS leadership against me.”

He said that besides contacting Stanback, Wilson also contacted TWS President Jamie Williams and succeeded in getting Stanback to meet privately with Williams.

According to Martin, he found out The

involved in the functioning of a swimming pool; familiarity with all systems, equipment and peripherals that are required to contain, circulate and filter, and heat and treat swimming pool water; ability to perform preventative maintenance and basic repairs; competence in all areas of water chemistry pertaining to pools; and, knowledge of risk management practices.

“We are very proud of Luke,” said Rhett Langston, director of the department. “He worked very hard to get this honor and we are very pleased to bring the citizens of our area the highest possible service we can offer.”

“I worked seriously to bring him and the mountain bike/recreation community back to the table to renegotiate,” said Martin. “John was clear that it was his way or the highway regarding these two areas [Harper Creek and Lost Cove], and expected me to take his position before going back to the table. I would not, but did let him know that I was starting with a blank slate again with it all. This did not satisfy him, so he went back to the TWS president, who changed our position without even talking to me about it. This ultimately cost me my job, as I refused to simply switch positions and stab the multiple partners who had worked so hard on this in the back.”

The Smoky Mountain News reached out by phone and/or email to The Wilderness Society, Jamie Williams, John Wilson and Fred Stanback regarding the MOU, private meetings and whether or not the MOU had any bearing on Martin’s departure from TWS.

The only response received was from Melyssa Watson, vice president for conservation at TWS.

“The Wilderness Society is committed to working with all stakeholders to achieve the best possible outcome in the NantahalaPisgah National Forest Plan revision,” Watson wrote. “We have worked hard with a variety of interests to find areas of agreement on how best to manage the national forest in a way that meets the needs of many people. The Forest Service has not been receptive to including many of the ideas embodied in the MOU. Given this reality, we will be evaluating other ways to impact the outcome of the forest plan and continue to work with a wide range of stakeholders to advance our shared priorities where possible. We look forward to continuing to ensure that areas of high conservation and recreation value receive the protections they deserve.”

And with regard to Martin: “Regarding Mr. Martin, we do not discuss matters that relate to our personnel.”

The only people that know for sure what went on behind closed doors are Jamie Williams, John Wilson and Fred Stanback. What we have is Martin’s account of how closed meetings with TWS leadership, major donors and influential constituents resulted in a change of policy and a decision to walk away from what many in the conservation arena considered a precedent-setting MOU that was years in the making, one that supported more than 100,000 acres of new wilderness in the Nantahala and Pisgah national forest and more than 150,000 acres of National Recreation Areas — and this with no explanation to Martin and/or the partners that crafted the MOU.

Asheville, Haywood chambers to ink economic development deal

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER

The economies of Haywood and Buncombe counties are and have been intricately linked for some time now, but a forthcoming agreement between them will soon formalize an economic development partnership designed to move both counties forward in a more efficient, more effective manner.

“This is a first, and we think it’s a great trend because we think it’ll strengthen our regional economy and that’s important for all of us,” said Kit Cramer, president and CEO of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. “Haywood approached us, CeCe Hipps did, about a relationship on business recruitment and we think that’s pretty exciting because we’ve got quite an infrastructure already built here in Ashville.”

Basically a consulting agreement, the deal will outsource some of the Haywood Chamber of Commerce’s economic development functions to AACC.

“Asheville has a great reputation around the country, and that brand has been built by years of marketing work,” Cramer said. “Our folks have a lot of expertise. We’re one of the few economic development units that are accredited by the International Economic Development Council.”

Sometimes, Cramer said, the AACC’s sevenperson economic development arm will encounter opportunities that aren’t quite appropriate for the Asheville area, where developable land is relatively scarce, and relatively expensive, but a nationally recognized cachet continues to draw residents and businesses.

Rather than lose that opportunity to another state or another region, it’s in F

Asheville’s interest to bring Haywood County’s assets to the table.

“So when our folks are going out to visit with site selectors, they will include Haywood properties in the portfolio, and will provide that information,” Cramer said. “If we see an RFP come across, we will then go to the Haywood Chamber and say, ‘We have this opportunity, are y’all interested in pursuing it?’ And we’ll work together on that, because our folks have expertise in responding to pitches of that nature, but we would rely upon the Haywood professionals and the business community to participate.”

Cramer likened the situation to a basket of apples.

“We present the basket of apples, and the clients choose from among them,” Cramer said. “It’s not often that the apples in Haywood County are similar to the apples in Buncombe County — there’s

about how urban areas are doing well and how rural areas aren’t as much,” Cramer said. “Businesses want customers and workers from the entire region, so it makes sense to me that we would collaborate and try to do that as efficiently as possible and build upon the investment that’s already there.”

As of press time the agreement hadn’t officially been executed, but Cramer said she expects little or no opposition during an Oct. 31 meeting where a vote would authorize the two groups to begin negotiations on the scope and the cost.

“There’s a good, better and best model,” Hipps said of possible versions of the deal that would range in cost from $50,000 to $150,000 to the Haywood Chamber.

“This is a bold, outside-the-box model. Everybody has been really positive about this.”

— CeCe Hipps, Haywood County Chamber of Commerce

some big differences in them. As a result, that’s great from a project perspective because that means that projects that might not work for us will work for other areas including Haywood, so we think that makes sense that we would work together.”

Haywood County Commissioner Mike Sorrells said discussions of a partnership have been underway for a while, and that the partnership holds a lot of merit.

“Economic development is becoming more regional,” Sorrells said. “Over half of our people travel there every day for work.”

“We’re very interested in ensuring that the region prospers, because we are all inextricably linked,” Cramer said. “Forty percent of our workforce comes from surrounding counties, so it’s really important that those surrounding counties do well.”

President of the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce CeCe Hipps thinks the partnership will give area residents “a better deal.”

“They have resources at their fingertips,” Hipps said. “We’ve been partnering with them for years on other things, so it’s not like we’re entering into a partnership with strangers.”

Business retention efforts will still be handled locally, but points of collaboration are also a focus, Cramer said, especially in regards to entrepreneurship.

“We’ve been working hard to develop the economic infrastructure for entrepreneurship in this community, an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and that’s to everyone’s advantage,” Cramer said. “It doesn’t have a particular land border on it, so we’re hopeful we can be helpful to one another in that regard.”

The contrasting nature of Haywood’s rural versus Buncombe’s urban setting is also of note. Although strong, Haywood County’s economy is far different, and of a far different scale than Buncombe’s is.

“There have been discussions in this state

What Haywood gets in any case is that representation by the AACC, as well as regular, robust reporting to ensure Haywood taxpayers are seeing results from the expenditures.

“We’ll know what’s in the pipeline, and what stage of the process the projects are in,” Hipps said.

Although the clients behind the projects are usually confidential, certain facts would be available, including their economic sector, the number of potential jobs they might bring and the average wages they’ll pay.

Reporting will include whether the client is simply a lead, has become a prospect, or has advanced to the site visit stage.

After an initial ramp-up period that would involve data collection and consultation with the Haywood Chamber, the agreement would likely begin in January.

“We’re humbled and honored that the Haywood Chamber’s leadership feels like they would like to work with us,” Cramer said.

But the economic development romance between the two chambers may not be exclusive, over the long-term.

“Yes, we would like to talk about relationships with other chambers if they felt it was appropriate,” said Cramer.

The possibility of other surrounding counties banding with Buncombe in an economic development agreement similar to Haywood’s demonstrates the continuing regionalization of economic development Sorrells mentioned.

As state funding for regional economic development partnerships dries up, smaller communities — even smaller than Haywood — have found it difficult to continue to gain a seat at the table.

Hipps, however, is confident the partnership will contribute to the Haywood Chamber’s overall mission “to provide the resources necessary for business success, economic vitality and a sustained quality of life.”

“This is a bold, outside-the-box model,” Hipps said. “Everybody has been really positive about this.”

Time, place, manner

Free speech at center of Confederate flag proposal

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER

The South’s oldest Labor Day parade birthed a controversy this year that the parade’s founders probably didn’t foresee, but the nation’s Founding Fathers probably did.

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is perhaps the most cited — and most misunderstood — component of liberty enshrined in that document, but it has long had its limits.

Those limits are about to be tested in the tiny Western North Carolina town of Canton, where a proposed policy penned by an alderman that would prohibit the display of certain symbols and imagery — including the Confederate flag — during municipal parades will soon be heard.

Whatever the result, the proposed policy will not only measure the public’s appetite for further government regulation of speech, but will also measure the changing public perceptions of Confederate memorabilia well below the Mason-Dixon line.

A PROMISEKEPT

Within an hour of arriving home from the 111th Canton Labor Day Parade Sept. 4, Canton Alderman Dr. Ralph Hamlett had already received several emails.

in the nation — seem inevitable.

Although the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, a few months ago marked a turning point in how Confederate monuments are viewed across the nation, real momentum in the flag issue began a few years earlier.

On June 17, 2015, 21-year old domestic terrorist and white supremacist Dylann Roof walked into a historic African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina, and murdered nine people during a prayer service, wounding three more.

Roof said he’d deliberately targeted the church in hopes of starting a race war; after his subsequent arrest, he was convicted of 33 federal hate crimes and in 2017 was given the death sentence for the murders.

Before and during his trial, photos of Roof emerged showing him burning American flags, and waving Confederate ones.

But just days after the shooting and likely in response to the association of that flag with Roof’s crimes, major corporations — some with Southern roots — quickly moved to distance themselves from the issue.

Walmart stopped selling Confederate flags on June 22, 2015; the next day, NASCAR issued a statement reminding fans of its longstanding policy barring the use of the flag in events. Municipalities and local parade committees across the South soon followed suit.

Many, or most, municipalities have such policies, which like Hamlett’s cover both the mundane (”entrants must abide by a signed parade slot and assembly time”) and the obvious (“parade entries must follow the directions of all parade officials and law enforcement”).

Hamlett’s prohibits the display of “any image or content that includes nudity, profanity, lewdness, illegal drugs, violence, obscenity, hate, [or] racism.”

It further prohibits “anything that is vulgar, sexually explicit, insulting or offensive to

bachelor’s degree from Western Carolina University; his most recent publication, according to Brevard College’s website, was on racism and he teaches First Amendment coursework to government students.

“I tried to exercise caution in drafting the ordinance because I’m a strong supporter of First Amendment rights,” said Hamlett. “I understand that individuals embrace certain symbols. And while I might disagree, I would respect their right to have, to possess, and to show them.”

“The emails were from people in the parade, and they were people of color,” said Hamlett, an associate professor of political communications and advisor of the debate society at Brevard College. “They thought that the flags were sanctioned by the town of Canton. And rightfully so, they were hurt.”

Long a tradition across the South and certainly no stranger to the North, display of the Stars and Bars has been near-ubiquitous in American society since the defeat of the Confederacy in 1865 — a perplexing and unique historical instance where the promulgation of imagery from a defeated rebel army was not only allowed, but in many cases, state-sanctioned.

“I wrote a response to those emails immediately,” Hamlett said. “And in that response, I made a promise that I would make sure that language which could be identified as hate language would be prevented at other municipal parades. This is the culmination of that promise that I made to those individuals.”

Hamlett’s proposed policy would have been unthinkable 111 years ago, and possibly even 11 years ago; today, such proposals — of which Hamlett’s is among the first of its kind

That Christmas, Natchitoches, Louisiana, Mayor Lee Posey banned the Sons of Confederate Veterans from displaying the flag at a parade.

In January 2016, the world’s largest nonmotorized parade — at the Fort Worth Stock Show, in Texas — did the same.

In 2017, a Melbourne, Florida, councilwoman moved to defund parades on the Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Veterans Day due to Confederate imagery, and the City of Paducah, Kentucky, limited parade entrants to groups representing the United States, again upsetting the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

“Hate speech, or any type of speech that offends — in the past, we really didn’t have to say anything about it because things were different,” Hamlett said. “We have become, in my opinion, rather contentious and somewhat divided. We see it even in the office of the President, with his tweets, which are bullying.”

The proposed policy is formally titled “Canton Municipal Parade Rules and Regulations.”

Canton hosts a Labor Day and Christmas parade each year, and despite having an application process, does not currently have an entry policy; Hamlett’s proposed policy lays out a few dozen stipulations, along with enforcement guidelines and varying levels of sanction for violators.

“This is a municipal event, and sponsored by taxpayers’ money.

And with what we do, we should represent all the people, and if anyone feels that it’s a hostile environment, that they’re not welcome, we don’t want that. We want to treat people well. All people.”

— Ralph Hamlett, Canton alderman

any ethnic, religious, political or other identifiable group or individual, or that may incite violence.”

“Most of the ordinances that I looked at did not have an item in there that covers speech,” Hamlett said. “Most of them deal with the throwing of candy into the crowds, or cleanup after horses, or types of vehicles or decorations, but none, save a couple, did I see with what is included in this.”

To characterize Hamlett as a killjoy or fuddy-duddy interested in legislating morality isn’t quite accurate. The Canton native has a Ph.D. from Louisiana State University, a master’s degree from UNC-Greensboro and a

Courts have long held that even outrageously offensive speech can oftentimes be protected, just as philosophers have long held that the speech most outrageously offensive is the speech most in need of protection.

But the First Amendment appears poorly understood by many — it guarantees rights not granted by any government, but instead acknowledges these rights as inalienable from all people; it upholds the unabridged freedom of speech and press, and guarantees the rights of peaceable assembly and redress of grievances.

Nevertheless, it only applies in government settings, and only outlines what the government can’t prohibit — it doesn’t guarantee you freedom to endanger others with your speech, it doesn’t guarantee you immunity from the consequences of your speech and it certainly doesn’t guarantee you the right to argue with trolls on Facebook or Twitter.

Even though the federal government can’t outright “prohibit” or “abridge” speech doesn’t mean that it also can’t prohibit certain types of speech, like the classic case of yelling “Fire!” in a crowded theater.

Hamlett said that while drafting his policy he talked to the Anti-Defamation League, a U.S.-based nonprofit founded in 1913 that calls itself “the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency.”

Headed by former Obama staffer Jonathan Greenblatt, the ADL seeks to “secure justice and fair treatment to all citizens alike, and to put an end forever to unjust and unfair discrimination against and ridicule of any sect or body of citizens,” and, according to Hamlett, opines that his proposed policy would likely pass Constitutional muster if challenged in court.

The standard that would likely be applied to any challenge of the policy refers to a Vietnam-era Supreme Court case concerning 19-year-old Paul Robert Cohen, who in April 1968 wore to the Los Angeles Courthouse a jacket bearing the words, “Fuck the draft.”

“People were visibly upset,” said Hamlett. Cohen was sentenced to 30 days for disturbing the peace, but the conviction was thrown out in a 5-4 decision because Cohen’s vulgar display of profanity was not alone compelling enough to convict.

“But that case,” Hamlett said professorially, “that case said you could put limits on speech according to time, place and manner.”

Canton’s next town board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 9, and as of press time an agenda was not yet available, so the proposal may or may not again be heard on that day.

And it wasn’t the first.

Accordingly, Hamlett’s proposal takes into consideration the time, place and manner of speech in determining appropriateness, and indeed advises that “advocates for causes that may fall outside the nature of celebratory events designed for diverse family audiences” can ask the town for an appropriate venue in which to do so.

“It is not preventing people from exercising their First Amendment rights,” Hamlett said. “They still have that, and I’m very cautious about that.”

THE DECIDER

As Orwellian as it may sound, someone ultimately has to decide what is prohibited by the proposed policy and what is not; it’s notable that Hamlett’s proposed policy doesn’t anywhere mention the Confederate flag itself.

A statement on the ADL’s website, though, says that, “today the use of the Confederate flag is often controversial. While a number of non-extremists still use the flag as a symbol of Southern heritage or pride, there is growing recognition, especially outside the South, that the symbol is offensive to many Americans.”

play of the flag is racist or white supremacist in nature.”

However, the flag is still listed among 177 other hate symbols in the ADL’s General Hate Symbols Database, along with other Nazi symbols, Ku Klux Klan imagery, Pepe the cartoon frog and a variety of acronyms, hand signs and numbers like “1488” (the 14 represents the number of words in a popular white supremacist credo, and the 88 stands for “Heil Hitler,” both words beginning with the eighth letter of the alphabet.)

That hate symbol designation would place the flag squarely in the category of prohibited items if Hamlett’s proposed policy is adopted.

According to Hamlett, town parade officials will be entrusted to monitor entrants.

“It’s going to be up to them to make a call — a call which is informed, using reasoning,” Hamlett said. “It’s not arbitrary and capricious. It’s got to be content-neutral.”

we should represent all the people, and if anyone feels that it’s a hostile environment, that they’re not welcome, we don’t want that. We want to treat people well. All people.”

THEDECISION

Hamlett’s proposed policy comes at an odd time, logistically speaking.

It was first introduced during a town board meeting Oct. 26, but no action was taken so that Town Attorney William Morgan could have further time to scrutinize the proposal.

Canton’s next town board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 9, and as of press time an agenda was not yet available, so the proposal may or may not again be heard — with or without Morgan’s opinion — on that day.

The ADL, which did not respond to requests for comment, does go on to include one big caveat — that “because of the continued use of the flag by non-extremists, one should not automatically assume that dis-

Defining obscenity has been neither easy nor enviable; as Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart said regarding a 1964 obscenity case, Jacobellis v. Ohio, “I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description [of pornography] and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it, and the motion picture involved in this case is not that.”

Stewart also ruled with the majority in the Cohen v. California case and in a further obscenity case, Miller v. California.

“The design here is not to target one symbol and excuse all the rest,” Hamlett said. “The design here is to have the municipality have a celebratory parade, whether it’s Labor Day or Christmas, and not to confuse people with, ‘Is the Town of Canton sanctioning certain symbols?’”

A marijuana leaf, for example.

“In North Carolina, that is an illegal activity at the present time,” Hamlett said. Hence, such symbols wouldn’t be allowed under his proposed policy.

Unless, the proposed policy reads, adherents to that cause — or other causes, no matter how popular — plan an appropriate time, place and manner for their event.

That obviously continues to leave open the door for groups like those that marched at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville to schedule a similar event in the town.

So what happens when the Ku Klux Klan comes calling in Canton?

“And if that did happen, we would allow it,” he said. “We would — with limits based on time, place and manner.”

Hamlett says he keeps revisiting that mantra — time, place, manner.

“This is a municipal event, and sponsored by taxpayers’ money. And with what we do,

But Canton Mayor Mike Ray declined to seek re-election this year, as did Alderwoman Carole Edwards; Alderman Zeb Smathers is running uncontested to replace Ray, and four candidates are seeking those two seats on the board of aldermen.

Election Day is Nov. 7, but election results won’t be certified by Nov. 9, and the next illfated meeting falls on Thanksgiving, so the town has tentatively scheduled a swearing in ceremony for Nov. 29 — an informal meeting at which no further town business will be conducted.

That means if nothing happens Nov. 9 with the current board of Mayor Ray, Edwards, Hamlett, Smathers and Gail Mull — who helped Hamlett with the proposed policy and said of it, “we just felt like we needed this” — the regularly scheduled meeting of Dec. 14 is the next opportunity for Mayor Smathers, Hamlett, Mull, and Carl Cortright, Brent Holland, James Markey and/or Kristina Smith to consider it.

Hamlett and Mull — who don’t face reelection until 2019, if they so desire — are definite yes votes, depending on what comes from Morgan’s diligence.

Mayor Smathers would only vote in the case of a tie between the two new board members and Hamlett and Mull.

Alderman Smathers, however, might have to stake out a position.

Given the lull in municipal government around the holidays and the likelihood of the subsequent Dec. 28 meeting being cancelled, coupled with Smathers’ announcement of an ambitious work session that will lay out a years-long plan for Canton, added to the fact that the status quo of the town’s 2017 Christmas parade will remain unchanged because applications have already been submitted, it’s conceivable that the time, place and manner of inappropriate speech in Canton could remain ambiguous well into 2018, just as it was 111 years ago.

Swain library project hits roadblock

Fundraising committee can’t get commitment from county

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR

As much work as they’ve put into planning and fundraising, the Marianna Black Library Campaign Planning Committee still can’t get Swain County commissioners on board with the financial commitment that comes along with a new library.

Members from the new library planning committee and architect Keith Hargrove presented their latest vision for the new library to commissioners last week. The last presentation the committee brought to the county in August 2016 was met with hesitation, and commissioners asked them to go back to the drawing board to reduce the size and cost of the project.

“Since last fall we’ve been working very hard to put together a well thought-out comprehensive plan for the library,” committee member Ellen Snodgrass told the board. “We listened to your concerns about the size and space for the Fontana Regional Library staff that’s always been housed in our facility.”

Since receiving a land donation specifically for a new library in 2014, the committee has been working toward making that dream a reality. The donors — Don and Toni Davidson — donated 9 acres on Fontana Road with the stipulation that a new library must be constructed within seven years or the property will revert back to them.

With three and a half years remaining on the timeline, the library committee is working on meeting its $1 million fundraising goal, but members say it’s nearly impossible to get larger donations without a concrete financial commitment and a project timeline from the county.

Snodgrass told commissioners they basically started the design process over in an attempt to get the size and cost down. The design presented last year was a $7.2 million project to build a 34,000-square-foot facility. The plan presented last week reduces the size by 25 percent to about 25,000 square feet.

The new design includes a computer lab, community room, conference room and restrooms that can be accessed by the public after library hours. An open floor plan in the center of the building will house the fiction, non-fiction, large print books and periodicals. The perimeter of the building includes a designated teen area, study rooms, a children’s area, a large room for indoor programming, space for outdoors programs and staff offices.

Commissioners also expressed concern last year about paying the additional cost to build in office space for the Fontana Regional Library staff in addition to

Mariana Black Library staff. Mariana Black is part of the regional library system that includes libraries in Macon, Swain and Jackson counties and the regional staff has always been housed in Bryson City.

Snodgrass said the regional library board would be amenable to split up the staff between the Macon County Library in Franklin and the Jackson County library in Sylva to remove the total financial burden from Swain County. IT and computer server staff would move to Franklin, outreach staff with the Reading Rover program would

Conceptual drawings of the proposed new Mariana Black Library in Bryson City. Donated illustrations

Madison County library project cost was about $190 a square foot, he said the most current estimates are more like $225 a square foot — putting the total project cost over $5 million for Swain County.

The committee had raised about $100,000 toward its $1 million goal just through smaller fundraising events, but Snodgrass said several people had pledged large donations that will only be collectable with the county’s support.

“We want to partner together. We’ve committed to raising $1 million and we have

“We’re going to continue to move forward and we hope to come back to talk about a conditional pledge situation,” she said after commissioners were silent for a few moments after the presentation. “We are absolutely committed to making this happen.”

Commissioner Roger Parsons finally spoke up saying his recent tour of the Marianna Black Library showed an obvious need for a new facility. The current library was constructed in 1970 and is only 9,000 square feet.

“It’s an outdated place we’re in now,” he

“We had the county’s commitment for a new library in the other counties.”

— Karen Wallace, Fontana Regional Library

move to Sylva and the four administrative staff members would stay in Swain.

“Mariana Black would still be the hub for shipping and receiving — all books would come here first, which means our citizens will still get books very quickly,” Snodgrass said.

Hargrove, who has worked with many communities to design new libraries, showed conceptual drawings of the new library. With high ceilings and a lot of glass to let in natural light, he described the building as “dramatic” and something the community would be proud to see as they’re driving up Fontana Road.

Hargrove said construction costs have increased over the last five years. While the

individuals ready to give but they need a project to give to,” Snodgrass said. “Basically we need your backing — we need your commitment — that’s why we’re here. We paid for the architect out of our funds and feel like we’ve done as much work on our side as we can at this point.”

It’s also difficult to find grants for infrastructure projects, especially without support letters from a county partner. Most granters these days are looking to fund the last dollars of a project and not the first dollars needed. Snodgrass told commissioners it would help if they’d write a letter of support or at least give the committee a deadline date for a decision to be made so the committee could work toward getting pledges.

said. “It would be nice to find funding to help and partner with them.”

“I see the need myself but it’s an awful lot of money — those things aren’t cheap,” said Commission Chairman Phil Carson.

Commissioner Danny Burns asked if the county’s grant writer could get involved in looking for grants.

County Manager Kevin King said a grant writer was already looking into it, but like Snodgrass mentioned, brick and mortar grants are few and far between.

Another library committee member asked if looking for a developer to do the project and lease it back to the county might be an option.

King said that was a possibili-

ty if the right developer was found, but the county would still have to have money to pay the lease.

Commissioner Ben Bushyhead said the library planning committee should be answering those questions and bringing solutions to the board instead of asking the board to do that work. He added that he still didn’t understand what kind of commitment the committee needed from the county commissioners.

Snodgrass said it wasn’t so much of a financial commitment needed right now, but at least a declaration the county is willing to partner on the project would be helpful.

“The answer is yes. The one thing you said that I like is that ‘We’re dedicated to this no matter what y’all do,’ which says to me you’re not standing there asking us to do everything,” Bushyhead said.

The committee members couldn’t seem to get commissioners to understand that donors weren’t willing to commit large donations without knowing the county is going to proceed with the project at some point.

Carson said he thought the county made a commitment when the land was donated in 2014.

“Everybody sitting here would love to see a new library and we hope that comes to fruition but none of us want to raise taxes to do it — we have to find additional funding,” he said. “I thought when I accepted the property that was a commitment that we’d help y’all find additional funding. And let’s just be honest — not everyone in the county thinks we need a new library. There’s some division in the community — not everyone uses the library.”

Committee members admitted that was true, but they are also convinced more people would want to use the library if a new library was able to offer programs and services the current library can’t because of its small size, limited parking and old technology.

Burns asked how other counties paid for their new libraries.

Karen Wallace, director of Fontana Regional Library, said Jackson’s new library was done inside the old historic courthouse and included a large addition. The Friends of the Library group raised over $1.5 million in donations and grants while the county funded the remainder of the $8 million project.

Macon County’s library in Franklin was built from scratch in a more modest design about 10 years ago — the Friends group raised over $1 million and the county funded the remaining piece of the $5.5 million project.

Since libraries are considered public buildings that are maintained by the county, donors expect library projects to be supported by the county government.

“We had the county’s commitment for a new library in the other counties,” Wallace said.

Swain County does contribute annually to the Mariana Black Library but not as much as other counties. Macon County spends about $1 million a year to support three branches in the county, which equates to about 2.1 percent of the total budget.

Jackson County budgets about $1.2 million a year for two branches, which is about 1.8 percent of the total budget. Swain County budgets about $200,000 a year for one branch, which is about 1.4 percent of the total budget.

Snodgrass asked the board if one of the commissioners would be willing to serve as a liaison on the library committee so an open line of communication could continue. Commissioners said they’d talk it over and let the library committee know next month.

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Swain coalition pushes for tobacco-free parks

BY J ESSI STONE

Aproposed policy to make the Swain County Recreation Center a tobaccofree property may not be a slam dunk with all of the county commissioners.

The Coalition for a Safe & Drug Free Swain County presented the commissioners with a draft ordinance a few months ago to make the rec park tobacco-free, but it got tabled. Last week, Tobin Lee, the tobacco prevention specialist for Region A, made a presentation to commissioners about why the county recreation center should be smoke or tobacco-free.

“More than 14,200 die every day from tobacco usage in the U.S.,” Lee said. “The biggest impact at preventing the start of using tobacco is to increase the price of product or increase taxes on them, which is a difficult thing to do, but another item that helps is implementing tobacco-free policies.”

When looking at tobacco use data from Swain County, Lee said 18 percent of the population smokes and 5.7 percent uses smokeless tobacco. He also said Swain has a high percentage of women smoking while pregnant — about 25 percent — and only Clay and Graham counties have a higher percentage than Swain.

“We spend $3.8 billion in health care costs related to smoking in North Carolina,” he said.

While the rate of smoking among youth has been down in past years, Lee said electronic cigarettes are normalizing smoking again for youth.

“We want to make it harder for them to start smoking by putting these policies in place,” Lee said. “When it comes to parks and rec, the whole idea is to promote healthy parks, healthy activities and community wellness.”

Besides wanting to encourage adults and youth not to start smoking, Lee said secondhand smoke is also an issue with allowing people to smoke at the recreation center even in outdoor settings. Lastly, cigarette litter is a huge problem that pollutes the air, ground and water and is dangerous if ingest-

ed by a small child or an animal.

It’s also important to be consistent. Since the Swain County Schools and all their ball games are tobacco-free, Lee said it makes sense for that message to be the same at other county recreation facilities.

Commissioner Kenneth Parton, who had concerns about the draft ordinance several months ago, said he’d like to know how the community feels about implementing such a policy. The county is in the middle of updating its parks and recreation master plan and part of that includes collecting surveys from the community members regarding the facilities and programs.

“I’d like to wait until the surveys come back because that’s one of the questions on the survey for parks and rec — whether it should be smoke-free or not,” he said. “I’d also steer away from the fines — we have employees that work on the grounds that use tobacco.”

A coalition member said the county could designate an area out of view from

Bryson ballot to include alcohol changes

In addition to voting for alderman candidates, Bryson City residents will have a chance to weigh in on the town’s alcohol permitting ordinance when they go to vote Nov. 7.

The ballot will include a referendum regarding a change to the town’s ordinance regulating on-premise and off-premise sales of beer and wine. For retail stores in Bryson City to sell and serve beer on premises, they have to obtain an ABC permit and operate as a private club with a membership fee.

If the change is approved by voters, retail establishments would only have to obtain a license to sell beer, which would save business owners $600 a year. The cost of an onpremise beer license is $400 a year compared to $1,000 a year for a mixed beverage license. Voters will be asked whether they are for or against allowing the on-premise and off-premise sale of malt beverages and whether they are for or against allowing the onpremise and off-premise same of wine.

The Bryon City Board of Aldermen approved placing the referendum on the ballot in a 3-to-1 vote with Alderman Janine Crisp being the only opposition.

children for employees to be able to use tobacco.

Parton said it also wouldn’t be fair to give employees a designated smoking spot without giving parents a designated smoking area. He added that people still smoke and use smokeless tobacco at school functions even though it’s a tobacco-free campus. While he’d be OK with designating the recreation center as “tobacco free,” he said he wouldn’t be in favor of enforcing the designation or issuing fines for violating the ordinance.

“It’s gonna get ugly if you give someone who’s been paying taxes for many years a $50 ticket for smoking, but I want to wait to see what the survey says,” he said. “You don’t want to run off a whole group of people.”

Lee said its common for these types of policies to include fines for violations, but to his knowledge, a fine has yet to be issued. He says it’s more about having leverage if needed.

Parton continued by saying that everyone on the board probably grew up with their families smoking tobacco.

“Tobacco is a part of our heritage whether you like it or not,” he said.

“Yeah, and my grandfather died of lung cancer,” Commissioner Roger Parsons interrupted.

Parsons said he was on the school board when the school system voted to be a tobacco-free campus and from his experience it hasn’t stopped people from going to the ballgames.

“I have no problem making the rec center tobacco-free,” he said. “It’s a no-brainer for me not to have tobacco around our youth.”

The commissioners said they’d take it into consideration and see what the survey results showed.

Ousted Tribal Council chairman lands new job

Bill Taylor to represent tribe in Raleigh, D.C.

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFFWRITER

Former Tribal Council Chairman Bill Taylor is now settling into a new position as the tribe’s governmental affairs liaison after Principal Chief Richard Sneed hired him in October.

“This is his first week, and he has been just crushing it all week,” Sneed said in an interview Oct. 20. “Every project I give him he’s on it, and he’s doing a great job. It’s a great hire as far as I’m concerned.”

Not everybody is so happy about Taylor’s new employment situation. Former Councilmember Teresa McCoy, of Big Cove, wrote a scathing commentary on Facebook following the announcement — the post has since been removed — and alluded to the issue during comments made to Tribal Council during a session Oct. 26.

“When we allow people who have taken from this tribe to walk around, take jobs, be promoted, it causes problems in this community,” she said.

Taylor suffered a definitive loss in his bid for re-election to Tribal Council this year following his leadership during an exceedingly contentious political term that included the controversial impeachment of former Principal Chief Patrick Lambert and the launch of an FBI investigation into doings at the Qualla Housing Authority, of whose board Taylor was a member.

Following this year’s Primary Election, Taylor — who was at the end of eight years on Tribal Council — advanced to the General Election with a margin of just two votes, and during the General Election he finished fourth out of four candidates for Wolfetown Tribal Council, with a share of the votes nearly 20 percent less than the top vote-getter.

However, Sneed said, Taylor’s eight years of experience on Tribal Council and rapport with political leaders in Raleigh and Washington, D.C., are valuable assets well worth a place on the tribal payroll.

“People can say what they want, but at the end of the day it’s about relationships. It’s government-to-government relationships, and I don’t know anybody better at it (than Taylor),” Sneed said. “I’m not going to cast him by the wayside because he didn’t win his election.”

Sneed made his esteem for Taylor known during his farewell remarks to outgoing councilmembers at the 2015-2017 council’s final meeting Sept. 28, telling Taylor it had been “an honor” to serve with him and that his “wit lightened things up when it was needed, but when it was business it was all business.”

Taylor’s job description will involve being the go-between for the tribe’s lobbyists in D.C. and Raleigh. Current tasks include working to get the tribe’s lands in Tennessee, currently held under an easement, into the

tribe’s federal trust, and working with the Blue Ridge Parkway to get a Verizon tower servicing the Qualla Boundary installed in an area that will fall within the Parkway’s viewshed.

Sneed said that Taylor’s job description is very similar to the Secretary of State position filled by Terri Henry under the Lambert administration, though with a lower salary. Sneed would not reveal Taylor’s salary, saying that information is private per personnel policy.

Lambert has spoken out against Taylor’s

now as a newly created position,” Lambert said in an interview.

Lambert appointed Henry to the new Secretary of State position later in 2016, introducing her to Tribal Council during its August 2016 meeting. He created the position by changing the title of an existing appointed position, which he decided he didn’t need. However, the action became a sticking point for some Tribal Council members during the impeachment process, when they said that Lambert had illegally created a position without securing Tribal Council approval or getting the required signature of the vice chief, who at the time was Sneed. Lambert had countered that a title change with no salary fluctuation didn’t require any action from Tribal Council to become effective and that the vice chief did not have to sign off on political appointments.

In Lambert’s view, his hire of Henry was basically the same as Sneed’s appointment of Taylor — except that in Lambert’s case, a Tribal Council led by Taylor had pounced on the action and claimed it to be illegal, fueling the fire for impeachment.

In an interview, Sneed said that Lambert was within his rights to hire Henry as he did. Like Henry’s, Taylor’s hire was not signed off on by the vice chief, as the position was appointed.

Sneed said that Tribal Council did approve Taylor’s position as part of the budget process. That process finished with the budget’s final passage on Sept. 28, Taylor’s last full meeting as chairman.

It’s government-to-government relationships, and I don’t know anybody better at it (than Taylor). I’m not going to cast him by the wayside because he didn’t win his election.”

— Principal Chief Richard Sneed

hire, saying that it points to a double standard in the way Tribal Council treated him and Sneed.

In 2016, Lambert, who was principal chief at the time, and Tribal Council, chaired by Taylor, got into an argument over where the intergovernmental affairs budget should be housed after then-Councilmember Travis Smith introduced a resolution that would have moved the budget from the executive office’s purview to sit under the legislative office. Taylor voted with the majority in favor of the resolution during the March 2016 Budget Council session and stuck by that position the next month when he voted with the minority to override Lambert’s veto of the measure.

Amid negotiations over the issue, Lambert had agreed to remove three positions from his intergovernmental affairs budget in exchange for Tribal Council keeping the budget under his office.

“Bill (Taylor), he wanted that budget under himself, whether it be as chairman or

“I did appoint somebody, and she has actual credentials,” Lambert said of Henry. “She’s on U.N. committees. Plus she has a J.D. degree. She has not only credentials from her work, but also education. Bill Taylor has neither of those things.”

Sneed agrees that there are similarities between Henry’s hire and Taylor’s hire — but he sees the comparison differently than Lambert. Sneed said that Lambert’s decision to appoint Henry was perfectly legal but pointed out that, as is the situation with Taylor, it was also an instance of a principal chief bringing an ousted Tribal Council chair on staff. Before her hire by the Lambert administration, Henry had served a term as chairwoman of Tribal Council but lost reelection in 2015 following a tumultuous term in which Tribal Council granted itself a $10,000 pay raise that many in the community decried as illegal.

“It’s only an issue because she’s making it an issue,” said Sneed, referring to McCoy’s comments. “But the hypocrisy is it wasn’t an issue when Patrick Lambert did it. He did the exact same thing and she (McCoy) was fine with it.”

Taylor did not return a request for comment on this story.

The Town of Waynesville’s aging wastewater treatment plant is in need of serious upgrades. Haywood GIS illustration

Jackson to downsize TDA board

The Jackson County Tourism Development Authority Board will shrink from 15 members to nine following a unanimous vote from the Jackson County Commissioners Oct. 16.

Wastewater treatment plant has urgent needs, huge price tag

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER

For the second meeting in a row, consultants presented the Waynesville Board of Aldermen with some unpleasant realities about the town’s critical infrastructure.

Waynesville’s wastewater treatment plant was built in 1965 and has an electrical system and controls that are both “outdated and deteriorated,” according to Ted Orrell, managing partner of Utility Technology Engineers-Consultants.

It was that same firm that two weeks prior suggested the town raise rates for electric customers by 12 percent to cover increasing energy costs, but this time, the needs are different and the cost is far greater.

Almost $19 million will be required to construct a new, state-of-the-art plant, Orrell told the board Oct. 24; to put that into perspective, the town’s entire yearly budget is right around $30 million.

But the improvements can’t wait — the plant handles about 3 million gallons of wastewater per day from the local sewer system, but that can sometimes swell to almost 9 million gallons, as it did during a prolonged rainstorm Oct. 23.

Many of the electrical components of the plant can no longer be replaced because they’re so outdated; town staff, Orrell said, have had to resort to ordering used parts off the internet.

So outdated is the plant that staff sitting in the plant’s office have no way to tell if it’s even working, without physically checking each stage of the process — listening for the telltale hum of a pump, or spotting motion in the water itself.

A number of physical concerns are also present at the site, where bowed retaining walls and broken railings create a safety catastrophe just waiting to happen.

The analogy of the family car was tossed about several times during the meeting, to lend a sense of scale to the issue.

Like a car, the wastewater treatment plant is something that’s taken for granted, because it’s always there when it’s needed, but it won’t last forever and can’t be repaired continuously because old parts are harder and harder to come by. A brand new car costs $19,000 but the family income is only about $30,000, and the family has about $5,000 in savings for disasters or major, unexpected expenses.

But as with car shopping, the town does have some less cost-effective options that will keep things moving at a far lower price.

The $19 million figure Orrell quoted is for a brand new plant that uses UV light to disinfect water, rather than chlorine gas, a dangerous chemical that requires strict on-site safety measures. Continuing to use chlorine knocks a few hundred thousand dollars off the cost of constructing a brand new plant, which in either case would have a life expectancy of 50 years.

Modifying the existing plant with UV technology would cost $14 million and have a life expectancy of about 20 years, however, some equipment would still need to be replaced over that span.

Modifying the existing plant utilizing chlorine again knocks a few hundred thousand dollars off the price tag, but presents similar replacement costs over 20 years.

The bare minimums suggested by UTEC engineers amount to either a $4.6 million or $5.8 million retrofit and would extend the life of the plant by 5 to 10 years.

UTEC’s report was taken into consideration by the board, which took no action on it; figuring out how to pay for the improvements will come next, possibly in conjunction with an imminent comprehensive plan overhaul planned by the town.

“We simply are streamlining and making the TDA more compatible with other counties in North Carolina, and we think this will benefit the TDA and ultimately the county,” TDA board chairman Robert Jumper told commissioners.

The TDA has been discussing a reduced board size since 2014, not that long after its 2012 formation. The ordinance setting up the TDA outlined the specific business sectors and regions of the county that each member must come from, and finding people willing to fill all those positions has proven difficult.

Of 30 counties surveyed in a recent study the TDA commissioned, Jackson’s board is the largest, Director Nick Breedlove told commissioners during a Sept. 12 work session.

“It does make it a challenge for recruitment,” he said.

Five of the current board members will see their terms end in December, and there’s also one vacancy on the board that’s remained unfilled, Breedlove said. By letting the outgoing members rotate off without replacing them, the county can easily achieve the smaller board size.

Going forward, the board will include two representatives from lodging properties in northern Jackson County, two representatives from lodging properties in southern Jackson County, two representatives from lodging properties with at least 10 rooms, one tourism-related business representative, one representative from the Cashiers Chamber of Commerce and one representative from the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.

Previously, the board had included 10 representatives from lodging properties, broken down by region of the county and type of property, and three members from retail, tourism-centric business, broken down by region of the county. Each chamber of commerce also had a representative.

During its early years, the TDA had no staff associated with it, the volunteer board members dividing all the work between them. However, Breedlove was hired as director in January 2016, taking on the bulk of that workload.

— By Holly Kays, staff writer

A 7,000 square-foot retail space (in blue) is planned near Canton’s Ingles on Champion Drive.

More retail space coming to Champion Drive

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER

Planning board officials recommended and the Canton Board of Aldermen/women approved plans that will bring an additional 7,000 square feet of retail space to the town’s rapidly growing Champion Drive corridor just south of Interstate 40.

The triangular parcel, which county records show is owned by the J.N. Powell, Jr. Family Limited Partnership, is assessed at $337,500, totals 1.8 acres and is already zoned for commercial use; it sits on the west side of Champion Drive, just across the street from the gas pumps at the nearby Ingles grocery store.

Canton alderman dispels anti-veteran rumors

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER

In an unusual move, Canton Alderman Ralph Hamlett took time at the Canton Board of Aldermen/women meeting Oct. 26 to address rumors that his recent actions suggest he does not support veterans.

“Normally when I hear rumors, I don’t dignify them with a response, especially rumors about my character. I know who I am, but more importantly, who I try to be,” Hamlett said at the start of the meeting. “But last week, I heard rumors which I think

Jesse Gardner of Asheville-based Civil Design Concepts presented the planning board with details of the proposed development Oct. 25; while the tenant is still confidential, Gardner’s firm often works for clients similar to Family Dollar, Dollar General and Dollar Tree.

Gardner told the planning board that the project was still in the due diligence stage, during which zoning and other permitting issues are addressed. If all goes well, ground may be broken at the site as early as March, and after an eight-month build, the tenant could end up taking occupancy about a year from now.

Whoever that ends up being, they’ll join the bustling commercial district that lies just north of Canton’s downtown; the recent recruitment of Western Carolina Freightliner from Asheville to a nearby site is the most recent economic development victory for the town, which has seen strong growth in both its downtown and Champion Drive corridors of late.

demand my response.”

The situation stems from a Sept. 28 request by The Mountaineer newspaper for the Town of Canton to purchase a special commemorative advertisement in honor of Veterans Day.

At that time, Hamlett asked how much of the $500 advertisement would go toward helping veterans, but a Mountaineer reporter at the meeting who doesn’t work in advertising didn’t have an answer.

Days later, Hamlett received an answer from The Mountaineer in the form of an email.

“We would love to be able to donate money back into the community, but unfortunately we do not have the kind of proceeds in selling ads,” the email reads,

Brunch ordinance passes over opposition in Canton

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT STAFF WRITER

After weeks of public comment, opposition by religious leaders and appeals by the local business community, a controversial “Brunch Bill” ordinance passed the Canton Board of Aldermen/women Oct. 26.

The motion, made by Alderman Ralph Hamlett and seconded by Alderwoman Gail Mull, passed by a vote of 2 to 1, with one abstention.

“I think it’s a conflict or has the appearance of being a possible conflict, and that’s why I will abstain,” said Alderman Zeb Smathers, whose family owns the building in which the Southern Porch restaurant and bar operates; Southern Porch owner Nathan Lowe had previously spoken out in favor of the ordinance.

Canton’s brunch ordinance allows alcohol to be served or sold, both on-premise and off-premise, on Sundays at 10 a.m. rather than noon.

Town attorney William Morgan said that the abstention still counts as a ‘yes’ vote, effectively leaving Alderwoman Carole Edwards as the only opponent of the measure.

Edwards, however, did not go silently into that good night — nor did Mayor Mike Ray, even though Ray as mayor votes only in case of a tie and thus did not get to cast a vote on the ordinance.

Neither Edwards nor Ray decided to seek re-election this year, and are both on their way out; their last meeting in their current positions will be Nov. 9, but that didn’t stop them from leaving some parting comments after the measure was passed.

“I oppose it,” Edwards said. “And if I might just add a comment to that, I’m a deacon in my church and have had quite a few people approach me about this. I want to applaud Bryson City [where a similar measure failed] because, it doesn’t really matter to me that we lie between Asheville and Waynesville [where the measure has been adopted], and that the passage of this

according to Hamlett. “If we could get sponsorships and donations we would certainly give back to an organization that provides veterans benefits.”

Hamlett said he’d hoped for another answer, so when the issue came up at the next board meeting Oct. 12, based on that answer, Hamlett voted against the town buying the ad. He was joined by Alderwoman Gail Mull; Alderman Zeb Smathers was not present at the meeting.

Voting for it was Alderwoman Carole Edwards, who rhetorically opined that not buying the ad sent the message that the town didn’t support veterans, despite Hamlett’s position that the ad didn’t actually support veterans, either.

“Using taxpayer money for an ad that speaks of the Town of Canton’s support for

is banking upon that, that we need to fall in line with these other two municipalities.”

The argument had been raised by distillery owner Dave Angel during public comment weeks prior that with Asheville and Waynesville already on board, Canton might lose business to the two towns.

“I’ve had people share with me that they thought that was not something that our town needed,” Edwards continued. “I feel the same.”

Indeed, there are few venues in Canton that would benefit from the ordinance currently, but Angel and Lowe both brought up the signal such an ordinance sends to business owners who might be considering Canton as a location for their brewery, distillery or fancy brunch spot.

A proposed ordinance is still outstanding in Maggie Valley, where some opposition has been heard.

“This has passed and is now a change to our ordinance,” said Mayor Mike Ray after the vote.

But Ray also added, “I do not think this is necessary for our town.”

Edwards is thus far the first and only elected official in Haywood County that has voted against a brunch ordinance, but others may soon join her; although a similar ordinance passed Waynesville unanimously, a proposed ordinance is still outstanding in Maggie Valley, where some opposition has been heard.

Haywood County itself has not yet heard a proposal for a brunch ordinance, and likely won’t; two of the five commissioners have already indicated they wouldn’t support such an ordinance. Haywood’s remaining municipality — the Town of Clyde — has taken no action, either.

veterans when these dollars do not go directly to veterans, that troubles me,” he said.

But that line of reasoning was lost on some, who apparently began circulating the rumor that Hamlett’s vote was actually a vote against veterans.

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Hamlett said. “If you look on my father’s headstone where he is at rest, you would see that he was a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, serving in both the Army and the Navy. He also retired from the National Guard.”

Further driving home his point, Hamlett produced a $500 check from his own pocket and asked the town board to authorize him to purchase the ad with his own personal funds.

That motion passed unanimously.

Swain dedicates Old 288 Park to Monteith

Swain County commissioners recently held a dedication ceremony to officially rename the Old N.C. 288 Park after David Monteith. Monteith, who passed away in March, served as a Swain County commissioner for nearly 20 years and was actively involved in a number of important projects in the community, including the park on Old N.C. 288. Monteith’s wife Ellen, local and state politicians, family, and friends were all present at the dedication to honor his memory.

Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday

Astronomers at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) remind the public that at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5, Daylight Saving Time in the United States ends and every should set their clocks back an hour to Standard Time.

Mediation training offered

Mountain Mediation Services is offering its Community Mediation Training Nov. 8-10.

In this 21-hour training, participants learn the mediation process and are equipped with the tools needed to effectively deal with conflict and develop productive resolution.

The training is being held at the Southwestern Planning Commission, 125 Bonnie Lane, Sylva. The number of participants is limited and space must be reserved by Wednesday, Nov. 1. The tuition fee of $250 covers instruction plus manuals, handouts and refreshments.

For additional information about the training, contact Betty McRae at 828.341.5717. To register and reserve your spot, call 828.631.5252 or register online at www.mountainmediation.org.

Community groups honored in Macon

The Macon County Community Development Council recently held its annual awards dinner to recognize individual community development organizations and their accomplishments for this year.

This year's awards consisted of grants to organized communities for the purpose of continuing to improve their community. Receiving the awards were Upper Cartoogechaye, Otto, Nantahala, Holly Springs, Cullasaja, Clarks Chapel, Cowee, Carson and Pine Grove communities.

This year, Clark’s Chapel community named Lucinda Call as Young Woman of the Year. Cowee community named Gabe Pickens

as Young Man of the Year and Bailey Tucek as Young Woman of the Year.

Adult leadership awards were also presented. Named as Man of the Year and Woman of the Year were Chad Elliot and Susan Williams of Carson; Edwin and Joann Cabe of Clark’s Chapel; Charles and Susan Bryant of Cowee and Wayne and Janie Sutton of Holly Springs.

Gene Beasley was named Man of the Year and Vivian Jacobs Woman of the Year in Nantahala Community.

Harris, Swain hospitals to hold forums

Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital will hold community forums in Sylva and Bryson City to share updates on hospital services, expansions of services through the 2018 strategic plan, and results from the hospitals’ quality outcomes.

The first Bryson City forum is planned for 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Swain County Senior Center, 125 Brendle St.

The first Sylva forum is planned for 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Dec. 8, at the Jackson County Library.

Enrollment now open for health care

Open enrollment for 2018 Marketplace Health Insurance Plans is now under way through Dec. 15.

Mountain Projects is offering free, in-person, assistance to help people understand their options, update or create Marketplace accounts, and enroll in health coverage.

The Affordable Care Act is still the law. All consumers, new and renewing, should return to your Navigator during Open Enrollment to explore your options and enroll in health coverage. Plans and prices change every year, but it is more important than ever to make sure the plan you had in 2017 is still right for you in 2018.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call a Mountain Projects Certified Marketplace Navigator at 828.452.1447.

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WCU students dig up bones in Romania

Exhuming medieval graves in the Transylvania region of Romania, the legendary home of Dracula, sounds like fiction, but that is what a Western Carolina University bioarcheology research group did this summer.

The field school, under the leadership of Katie Zejdlik, WCU instructor of anthropology and sociology, examined how centuries of religious and political upheaval have affected burials within church walls and nearby cemeteries. Much of the WCU research centered round the excavation of an abandoned medieval church in the Transylvanian village of Patakfalva, often listed on maps as Valeni. Permission from descendants was obtained prior to any excavations.

Tuscola presents choral concert

Tuscola High School’s choral ensemble will present Classic Rewind: A Journey through Popular Music of the 20th Century on Nov. 4-5.

Presented in the format of a radio show, English teacher Rob Robles will serve as the host. The full ensemble will perform music throughout, including blockbuster hits “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Soloists will sing classics including “At Last,” “What a Wonderful World,” and “Faithfully.” Seniors Noah Hall and Liam Matthews will tribute Elvis and Elton John, while other soloists and small groups will sing other Billboard hits.

The two performances of Classic Rewind will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, in the Tuscola High School Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for the shows and may be purchased from any Summit member, or by calling 828.456.2408 ext. 6036.

WCU to hold

Open House event

Western Carolina University will throw open its doors for prospective students as the university holds Open House on Saturday, Nov. 4.

Open House gives visitors a chance to tour the campus, learn about the university’s wide array of award-winning academic programs, and find out the important details of topics such as financial aid. The day’s activities will begin with an information fair from 8:15 to 10 a.m. on the concourse of WCU’s Ramsey Regional Activity Center. Lunch will be available at all campus dining locations.

Registration for Open House and more information are available by going to openhouse.wcu.edu or by calling the Office of Undergraduate Admission at 828.227.7317.

SCC endowment scholarship set up

The William C. Kluttz Endowed Scholarship Fund was recently established at Southwestern Community College for nursing students, particularly those with a passion for supporting diabetes initiatives.

Kluttz’s great-granddaughter Stella Cole has Type I Diabetes and was hospitalized in the PICU for several days before eventually being diagnosed. SCC nursing student Evan Cann of Franklin was chosen as the first scholarship recipient. The endowment scholarship fund was created with Kluttz’s gift of $20,000 plus an additional $2,000 to be used as immediate awards before the fund begins to generate sufficient earnings to support scholarships.

For more information, contact Woods at 828.339.4241 or b_woods@southwestern.cc.edu.

Enroll in Parents as Teachers

Being a parent is hard work. In the first few years, children learn more — and at a faster pace — than at any other time in life. Be ready to parent by enrolling in the Parents As Teachers program, an evidence-based curriculum of child development information for parents of young children, prenatal to kindergarten.

Haywood County’s PAT is funded by SmartStart and participation is voluntary and free. Families who enroll in the service receive personal, one-on-one visits with a certified parent educator in their home. These educators visit families providing information for parents and sharing ideas for age-appropriate activities, developmental information, and books with each parent and child.

For more information or to enroll in Parents As Teachers, call KARE at 828.456.8995 or email Vanessa Arnold at varnold@karehouse.org.

Michael S. Price scholarship started

The Michael S. Price Memorial Scholarship was recently established through the Haywood Community College Foundation.

Price’s wife, Saralyn Price, along with his mother Nancy Calloway and step-father Terry “Pop” Calloway, decided the perfect way to honor Michael was to set aside funds for students who want to enter the field of law enforcement and take Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) classes at the College.

Michael Price’s history with HCC included the roles of both student and instructor. He taught in the BLET program and also attended classes for recertification annually.

For more information, call 828.627.4544, visit www.haywood.edu or pahardin@haywood.edu.

SCC students have writings published

Students in Southwestern Community College’s educational opportunities program can now add “published authors” to their list of achievements.

Through Their Eyes: The Quill Took Flight is a book of writings from English as a Second Language (ESL) and high school equivalency students. The book, which features poetry, fiction and non-fiction stories, has both an English version and the original work in the students’ respective languages.

In addition to Graham, Kay Wolf, SCC’s educational opportunities coordinator, served as translator and editor. Amy Russ, SCC’s developmental English instructor, also served as an editor.

Books can be purchased on Amazon.com.

Harrah’s awards WCU scholarship

Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos recently announced Madison Long as the inaugural recipient of the Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise Endowed Scholarship at Western Carolina University.

As a deserving recipient, Long has been awarded $1,250 to use towards educational expenses. Raised in Andrews, Long is the daughter of Carol Long, Total Rewards Supervisor at Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel. Madison is currently enrolled at Western Carolina University and is studying Marketing and Communications.

• Jesse Moore of Franklin — a Southwestern Community College graduate — was chosen as the recipient of the 2017-2018 Western Carolina University Chancellor’s Award. The award is a full scholarship that covers tuition and fees for two years.

• Haywood Christian Academy in Clyde has made a significant step forward in its multi-phase plan to consolidate the school on a single campus by paying off its mortgage. It was made possible by the generosity of donors. HCA will begin a capital campaign soon, which will enable the school to advance into the next chapter.

ALSO:

• The Cowee Community Development Organization recently contributed $1,000 to Iotla Valley Elementary School’s Leader in Me program.

• The Franklin High School Band recently received Superior ratings in all categories during the Georgia State Contest of Champions in Commerce. The band also received the Sweepstakes award and fourth place (Top 5 were less than 1.4 from each other), second place Colorguard and third place Drum Major with a high score of 88.14.

• Joshua Allison of Waynesville and Nathan Young of Clyde both received scholarships from Autobell Car Wash to attend Western Carolina University. The scholarship program is open to current Autobell employees who are graduating high school seniors or have received a high school diploma.

• Bobbi Mathews Carlton of Bryson City was recently sworn in as the student representative to Southwestern Community College’s board of trustees. Carlton is currently enrolled in SCC’s Health Information Technology program and is on schedule to graduate in May.

• Macon County Schools recently recognized Barry Woody of Franklin High School as Principal of the Year; Jenny Collins of Franklin High for Teacher of the Year and Theresa Welch at Macon Middle School for Support Person of the Year.

Welcome to a rising tide of young candidates

Local politics in Western North Carolina have long been dominated by the good ole boys. But like they say about winter in “The Game of Thrones,” change is coming. I’ve spent much of my career as a journalist — the past 25 years — covering the towns and counties west of Buncombe County, watching as local civic leaders made decisions that have had lasting effects on the region. Aside from Sylva — which has a long tradition of female leaders in politics and business — it’s been a game dominated by old white guys. First, let me say I’m comfortable using that phrase because, well, I’m part of that crowd. And even at 57, I am at times still one of the pups on some of the boards on which I serve. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we have had poor leadership. In fact, I could make a strong argument that they’ve done an above-average job. Our region has its challenges, but it’s doing well on many fronts and I believe we are relatively well positioned and well aware of how to meet future needs. And to be fair, it’s not just been old white men leading the way. As mentioned, Sylva has had some fine women mayors in Brenda Oliver and Linda Sossamon. And of course Jackson County’s own Gertrude Dills McKee was the first woman ever to serve in the N.C. Senate in the 1930s. And there have been other notable female leaders who have served this region. But I’ve heard a similar refrain many times over the past 25 years: where are the young people of the next generation who are going to be our future leaders?

To combat that challenge, several counties — Haywood in particular — have initiated leadership programs designed to teach early- and mid-career professionals about the different aspects of their communities. The goal, of course, is to show these people how important it is to take part in civic life and perhaps stoke an ember that could lead to a leadership role.

Editor Scott McLeod

It seemed for years, though, that much of the talk about encouraging young leaders was in vain with too few people taking up the challenge. Well things are changing, and you can look no further than this municipal election to see how fast.

A few numbers to show what I’m talking about: 39, 41, 36 — Franklin; 24, 28 — Bryson City; 33, 34, 38, 43 — Canton. Those are the ages of some of the candidates running for office in their respective towns. That’s the youngest slate of candidates for towns in this region that I’ve ever witnessed.

Here’s something else going on in Canton that is very rare in this region: three of the four candidates aren’t locals. So they are young and bring ideas from different parts of the country.

Our newspaper hosted a candidate forum at the Colonial

They’ve been dancing the whole time

The first time I met my stepfather I threatened to beat him up. My brother and I were both in on it. I was looking for reasons not to like him, and as most people know, when ye seek, ye shall find.

For one thing, I did not like his personality. He had the temerity to be nice and respectful, which I naturally interpreted as embarrassingly obsequious, so cloying that even shaking hands with him felt like putting my hand in a basin filled with warm maple syrup.

Even though I am nobody’s idea of a fashion plate myself, I managed to find fault with his wardrobe, a sort of faux woodsy ensemble: a flannel shirt, jeans that looked like they had been worn twice maybe, and a belt with a big brass buckle.

But it was his beard that truly ignited the

tinderbox of my paranoia. Combined with his thick tortoise-shell glasses, I thought the beard gave him the look of a man on the run from something or someone, a small-time grifter, traveling incognito, two steps ahead of his creditors, a court subpoena, and an angry wife.

These were the excuses I manufactured for not giving him a chance, but the real reason my brother and I were sitting in the living room we grew up in grilling him like a fivedollar steak was his “story,” which involved being high school sweethearts with my mother several spouses ago, a recent class reunion where they magically reunited, a whirlwind courtship consisting primarily of long distance phone calls, and now this sudden engagement.

It wasn’t as if we had a problem with our mother pursuing a relationship in the wake of our parents’ divorce. We were grown and wanted the best for them both, and by “best”

I mean a nice, polite, uncomplicated courtship that might go on for several years and include a lot of covered dish dinners at each other’s churches, picnics on assorted

LOOKING FOR OPINIONS:

Theater in Canton for the alderman candidates, and I can promise you that these hopefuls have more than youth going for them. The three who took part in the question-and-answer session (see the story at www.smokymountainnews.com/news/item/21037) were informed, intelligent and well spoken.

But here’s what struck me about that forum and those three candidates — Kristina Smith, James Markey, and Carl Cortright — who will be on the ballot in Canton: they all placed a very high priority on the sense of place that comes with living in a small town in a relatively rural area.

Now, that may not seem unusual when you have the usual slate of candidates who have roots going back generations in these the mountains. But, for transplants in their 30s, I was pleasantly surprised.

Perhaps I shouldn’t have been. It seems plenty of people who move here and those who have been here for generations want to protect a similar lifestyle. Let’s keep roads unclogged, let’s not build houses on every hillside, let’s take steps to encourage entrepreneurship and sustainable small businesses, let’s invest in education for our children, and let’s promote a civic life that encourages open dialogue.

It’s not time yet to ship the old white guys off to the nursing home just yet, but there’s little doubt we’re finally seeing that new wave of young leaders. Welcome.

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

overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and snapping beans on the porch swing.

News of this sudden engagement rattled our china cabinet, but good, sparking a frenzy of phone calls among family members center-

finest lawyer in town.

He agreed to everything, told us he “understood our concerns,” promised to treat our mother like a princess and be by her side for the rest of his days or the rest of hers and to take her dancing and to all the places she wanted to go and to see all the things she wanted to see.

It was a good speech, maybe a little too

ing exclusively on our mother having tragically fallen under the sway of this feckless Floridian phony, who we imagined had his beady eyes fixed on our brick ranch homeplace, our family-owned restaurant, our recently built cabin by the river, our whole damned inheritance. The whole thing was so transparent, so obvious, so desperate.

We accused him of everything but kidnapping the Lindbergh baby, and though we are not ordinarily violent men, we drew vivid portraits of the torture he would endure if he broke our mother’s heart or refused to sign an ironclad prenuptial agreement drafted by the

good, a little too pat. We drew more portraits for him. Broken, crumpled, and bloodied, his body left for stray cats to ponder in the back lot of the bowling alley.

Our mother wasn’t in the room, but she had the gist of it and wept when our interrogation finally ended. We didn’t want her to cry, but we didn’t want her new life wrecked either.

That was 26 years ago. For most of the years since, they worked side-by-side in the restaurant. If anything, Carroll worked longer hours, sending my mother home to rest whenever they weren’t slammed. Over the years,

If I could take back those things I said 26 years ago, I would. I could not have been more wrong about him. F

he got to know every customer by name and they all knew him.

After he moved in, it wasn’t long before he planted fruit trees all over our property. Every time I went home for a visit, there was some new project he was working on, something he wanted to show us. He fashioned a little knick-knack shelf out of wood taken from our grandparents’ old barn, and had a little brass plate with the place and date inscribed on it. Another time, he gave me a very nice walking stick he had carved himself.

Eventually, he and my mother joined the church just up the road, and he has been about as active and faithful a member as a body can be, arriving early every Sunday morning in order to prepare food for church members and visitors alike as they stream in before the service for sausage biscuits, eggs, coffee, and fellowship. A lot of Saturdays, he would go and help cut and haul wood for people who were having a hard time keeping their homes warm in the winter. Until my grandmother passed away a few years ago, he mowed her big yard whenever it needed mowing and ran errands to get whatever she needed.

As for the dancing and the travel, well, let’s just say that we all have an idea of how our life will be and for one reason or another it is not exactly what we had planned. He bought an RV about 15 years ago or so, and they made a short trip or two, but the long trips to the Grand Canyon and Yosemite never came to pass before he ended up selling it and using the proceeds to buy a band-

saw. The dancing, as it is for so many, is better in theory than practice.

The cancer first appeared several years ago in the form of a few growths in his bladder. He had them removed and in no time at all was back on his feet, serving biscuits, chopping wood, or working in the garden. Then the growths would come back, get removed again, and the process would repeat itself.

We’ve been through this a few times now, so when we got news that the cancer had spread and was now in several places in his body, we were all pretty stunned. He’s in treatment now, and though he has always handled the news of cancer’s return and the ensuing treatment with admirable stoicism, this time the pain and the potential implications are more difficult to bear.

Just a few weeks ago, he was thinking of getting a dog. Now, well, I guess we have to see about these treatments and lean hard on faith, perhaps the most important of all of the things he has spent the past few years building and working on.

If I could take back those things I said 26 years ago, I would. I could not have been more wrong about him. It is obvious that I would have found fault with any man who dared to love my mother. Carroll loved her, and loves her still. The man came through. He has been there right by her side, steady and true, year after year.

I was wrong about the dancing, too. It turns out, they’ve been dancing all along. (Chris Cox is a writer and teacher. jcrhiscox@live.com)

tasteTHE mountains

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

AMMONS DRIVE-IN

RESTAURANT & DAIRY BAR

1451 Dellwwod Rd., Waynesville. 828.926.0734. Open 7 days a week 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Celebrating over 25 years. Enjoy world famous hot dogs as well as burgers, seafood, hushpuppies, hot wings and chicken. Be sure to save room for dessert. The cobbler, pie and cake selections are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

BLOSSOM ON MAIN

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

BLUE ROOSTER SOUTHERN GRILL

207 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, Lakeside Plaza at the old Wal-Mart. 828.456.1997. Open Monday through Friday. Friendly and fun family atmosphere. Local, handmade Southern cuisine. Fresh-cut salads; slow-simmered soups; flame grilled burgers and steaks, and homemade signature desserts. Blue-plates and local fresh vegetables daily. Brown bagging is permitted. Private parties, catering, and take-out available. Call-ahead seating available.

BOGART’S

303 S. Main St., Waynesville. 828.452.1313 Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Carry out available. Located in downtown Waynesville, Bogart’s has been long-time noted for great steaks, soups, and

salads. Casual family atmosphere in a rustic old-time setting with a menu noted for its practical value. Live Bluegrass/String Band music every Thursday. Walking distance of Waynesville’s unique shops and seasonal festival activities and within one mile of Waynesville Country Club.

BOURBON BARREL BEEF & ALE

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

CATALOOCHEE RANCH

119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley.

828.926.1401. Family-style breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m. – with eggs, bacon, sausage, grits and oatmeal, fresh fruit, sometimes French toast or pancakes, and always all-youcan-eat. Lunch menu from 12 to 2 p.m. with fresh salads, homemade soups and sandwiches. In the evening, social hour begins at 6 p.m.; dinner is served at 7 p.m., with entrees such as seared salmon, oven-roasted chicken and cast-iron skillet pork chops, complemented by locally-sourced vegetables, homemade breads, jellies and desserts. We also offer fine wines and local craft beer. Please call for reservations and join us for mile-high mountaintop dining with a spectacular view.

CHEF’S TABLE

30 Church St., Waynesville. 828.452.6210

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

CHURCH STREET DEPOT

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

CITY LIGHTS CAFE

Spring Street in downtown Sylva. 828.587.2233. Open Monday-Saturday 7:30

a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tasty, healthy and quick. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, espresso, beer and wine. Come taste the savory and sweet crepes, grilled paninis, fresh, organic salads, soups and more. Outside patio seating. Free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly. Live music and lots of events. Check the web calendar at citylightscafe.com.

THE CLASSIC WINESELLER

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

COUNTRY VITTLES: FAMILY STYLE RESTAURANT

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

FERRARA PIZZA & PASTA

243 Paragon Parkway, Clyde. 828.476.5058

Open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 12 to 8 p.m. Real New Yorkers. Real Italians. Real Pizza. A full service authentic Italian pizzeria and restaurant from New York to the Blue Ridge. Dine in, take out, and delivery. Check out our daily lunch specials plus customer appreciation nights on Monday and Tuesday 5 to 9 p.m. with large cheese pizzas for $9.95.

FRANKIE’S ITALIAN TRATTORIA

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

FROGS LEAP PUBLIC HOUSE

44 Church St., Downtown Waynesville 828.456.1930 Serving lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; Dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Frogs Leap is a farm to table

restaurant focused on local, sustainable, natural and organic products prepared in modern regional dishes. Seasonal menu focuses on Southern comfort foods with upscale flavors. www.frogsleappublichouse.com.

GUADALUPE CAFÉ

606 W. Main Street, Sylva. 828.586.9877

Open 7 days a week at 5 p.m. Located in the historic Hooper’s Drugstore, Guadalupe Café is a chef-owned and operated restaurant serving Caribbean inspired fare complimented by a quirky selection of wines and microbrews. Supporting local farmers of organic produce, livestock, hand-crafted cheese, and using sustainably harvested seafood.

J. ARTHUR’S RESTAURANT AT MAGGIE VALLEY U.S. 19 in Maggie Valley. 828.926.1817 Open for dinner at 4:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. World-famous prime rib, steaks, fresh seafood, gorgonzola cheese and salads. All ABC permits and open year-round. Children always welcome. Takeout menu. Excellent service and hospitality. Reservations appreciated.

JUKEBOX JUNCTION

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

LOS AMIGOS

366 Russ Ave. in the Bi-Lo Plaza. 828.456.7870. Open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner Monday through Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy the lunch prices Monday through Sunday, also enjoy our outdoor patio.

MAD BATTER FOOD & FILM

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

MAGGIE VALLEY CLUB

1819 Country Club Dr., Maggie Valley. 828.926.1616. maggievalleyclub.com/dine. Open seasonally for lunch and dinner. Fine

tasteTHE mountains

and casual fireside dining in welcoming atmosphere. Full bar. Reservations accepted.

MOUNTAIN PERKS ESPRESSO BAR & CAFÉ

9 Depot St., Bryson City. 828.488.9561

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

NEWFOUND LODGE RESTAURANT

1303 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee (Located on 441 North at entrance to GSMNP).

828.497.4590. Open 7 a.m. daily.

Established in 1946 and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Family style dining for adults and children.

PATIO BISTRO

30 Church Street, Waynesville.

828.454.0070. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Breakfast bagels and sandwiches, gourmet coffee, deli sandwiches for lunch with homemade soups, quiches, and desserts. Wide selection of wine and beer. Outdoor and indoor dining.

RENDEZVOUS RESTAURANT AND BAR

Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center

70 Soco Road, Maggie Valley 828.926.0201

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

SAGEBRUSH STEAKHOUSE

1941 Champion Drive, Canton 828.646.3750 895 Russ Ave., Waynesville 828.452.5822. Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Carry out available. Sagebrush features hand carved steaks, chicken and award winning BBQ ribs. We have fresh salads, seasonal vegetables and scrumptious deserts. Extensive selection of local craft beers and a full bar. Catering special events is one of our specialties.

SALTY DOG’S SEAFOOD & GRILL

3567 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.

828.926.9105. Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. Full service bar and restaurant located in the center of Maggie Valley. Featuring daily $6 lunch specials and daily dinner specials such as $1 Taco Tuesdays and 45¢ Wednesday Wings. Backyard Bar is open every weekend thru October. Join us for every NFL game.

SMOKEY SHADOWS LODGE

323 Smoky Shadows Lane, Maggie Valley

828.926.0001. Check Facebook page for hours, which vary. Call early when serving because restaurant fills up fast. Remember when families joined each other at the table

for a delicious homemade meal and shared stories about their day? That time is now at Smokey Shadows. The menus are customizable for your special event. Group of eight or more can schedule their own dinner.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN SUB SHOP

29 Miller Street Waynesville

828.456.3400. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. A Waynesville tradition, the Smoky Mountain Sub Shop has been serving great food for over 20 years. Come in and enjoy the relaxed, casual atmosphere. Sub breads are baked fresh every morning in Waynesville. Using only the freshest ingredients in home-made soups, salads and sandwiches. Come in and see for yourself why Smoky Mountain Sub Shop was voted # 1 in Haywood County. Locally owned and operated.

SPEEDY’S PIZZA

285 Main Street, Sylva. 828.586.3800

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

TAP ROOM BAR & GRILL

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

TRAILHEAD CAFE & BAKERY

18 N Main Street, Waynesville.

828.452.3881 Open 7 days a week. You will find a delicious selection of pastries & donuts, breakfast & lunch along with a fresh coffee & barista selection. Happy Trails!

VITO’S PIZZA

607 Highlands Rd., Franklin.

828.369.9890. Established here in in 1998. Come to Franklin and enjoy our laid back place, a place you can sit back, relax and enjoy our 62” HDTV. Our Pizza dough, sauce, meatballs, and sausage are all made from scratch by Vito. The recipes have been in the family for 50 years (don’t ask for the recipes cuz’ you won’t get it!) Each Pizza is hand tossed and made with TLC. You’re welcome to watch your pizza being created.

WAYNESVILLE PIZZA COMPANY

32 Felmet Street, Waynesville.

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

New Sylva brewery opens

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER

With its grand opening last Friday, Balsam Falls Brewing Company becomes the third business of its kind in Sylva.

“[It’s] what I’ve always wanted to do, which was take one of my hobbies and turn it into a career,” said coowner/brewmaster Corey Bryson.

Born and raised in Sylva, Bryson bounced around the country before spending the last 16 years based in Tampa, Florida. A longtime and avid home-brewer, Bryson became very involved in the enormous craft beer scene that is at the heart of Tampa, eventually being certified as a judge in local competitions.

That spark of interest lit an internal fire to someday have a brewery of his own. When it was decided to launch the brewery, Bryson and his wife put everything on the line.

“It was a pretty big leap, sold our house in Florida, cashed in 401Ks, picked the brains of dozens of brewers, trying to learn from their mistakes and do things better,” he said.

Bryson yearned to someday return to Sylva, to set down roots with his family in the mountains of Western North Carolina, where now the downtown brewery is a real, tangible thing — a onebarrel system with room to grow soon to a three- or five-barrel system.

“[Already,] the local population [has been] extremely supportive — it’s very surreal,” he said. “[We want to] make sure we can continue to produce a variety of beers. Just keep doing what we’re doing. Our soft openings went really well. So, at this point, it’s keeping our systems running and keeping the beer flowing.”

www.facebook.com/ balsamfallsbrewing.

Currahee Brewing’s ‘Kawi,’ a coffee milk stout that won a bronze at The Great American Beer Festival in Colorado last month. Garret K. Woodward photos

Brewing success

Two WNC craft breweries win national medals

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER

With sunshine spilling into the taproom of Currahee Brewing Company in Franklin one recent afternoon, brewmaster Taylor Yates is all smiles. A hearty beverage raised high, the sun’s rays are a cherry on top of the big news currently floating around the facility.

“For us being so new, this is a huge thing,” he said. “We’re still trying to get established. Something like this on a national level just does wonders for us. When you’re new, it really gets you that exposure and notoriety you hope for.”

What happened was the announcement that Currahee’s “Kawi” won a bronze medal for “Coffee Stout or Porter” at The Great American Beer Festival held in early October in Denver, Colorado. With over 800 breweries and around 4,000 craft beer entries, the GABF is one of the premier competitions anywhere in the world.

“It’s validation. It’s your life’s work, your career, what you hope to achieve since you started home-brewing,” Yates said. “You kind of hit the big time, your hard work is paying off in spades. [With Currahee] being open for 18 months is the biggest thing, I think. It shows a lot of character — the key word is consistency.”

A coffee milk stout, “Kawi” uses farmerdirect coffee beans from Thrive Farmers (Roswell, Georgia), with the mindset being a double-whammy in terms of taste and potency.

“The beer sells itself,” said Currahee coowner Brandon Hintz. “[The beans are from] co-op farming, [where the farmers] could tell you where exactly on the mountain in Guatemala [the beans] came from.”

Yates is no stranger to the national spotlight. In 2014, he also won a gold medal with Moon River Brewing (Savannah, Georgia) at the World Beer Cup for “Dry Irish Stout.” With his tenure at Currahee, Yates has already proven himself as one of the top-tier brewmasters in Western North Carolina.

“We were always hungry, but GABF really lit a fire under us,” he said.

CANTONCOMEBACK

Two counties over in Haywood, Kevin Sandefur, co-owner/brewer at BearWaters Brewing Company in Canton, also “struck gold” at the GABF with a bronze medal in the “Belgian-Style Strong Specialty Ale” category.

“I was home having leftovers for lunch and my phone started going crazy,” Sandefur said of finding out about the win. “I thought, ‘Well, this is either a really good thing or a really bad thing.’ Something is either blowing up at the brewery or something good just

happened. I couldn’t believe it, I was shaking, freaking out.”

A fun play-on-words in regards to the nearby paper mill in downtown Canton, “Smells Like Money” is an ode to the pride that permeates the blue-collar mountain town, one built on industry and innovation.

“[This is a] bronze medal in a very competitive category. It gives us the foundation to build on, something to strive for, a great segue for developing better beers, a perfect foundation for us to go into the future with,” he said. “We feel incredibly fortunate that everything seems to be falling into place. [The] new location has been so incredibly welcomed by folks in the community coming here every day.”

Clocking in at 9-percent alcohol, “Smells Like Money” packs a punch as winter is now knocking on our door.

“It’s a really nice, complex Belgian strong ale,” Sandefur noted. “Traditional esters that you would find in a Belgian, great balance of malt body and high alcohol, plum and raisin notes. Smooth, robust mouth feel — warms you head-to-toe.”

Sandefur looks at the medal as a milestone — an important one — for a brewery that is finally finding solid ground after two years of uncertainty that eventually led to its relocation from Waynesville to Canton, an action that has already proven a successful one.

“Basically, it’s just confirmation for us that we’ve surrounded ourselves with the right people. We’re moving in the right direction,” he said. “This has always been a goal of ours since we’ve opened, to accomplish this level of quality with the product. It’s just putting the right people in place finally, and knowing that the team that you have is able to deliver — it just feels really good.”

This must be the place

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD

the sounds of Boston Red Sox baseball on radio station WEEI 850 AM. It’s not summer in New England without the voice of broadcaster Joe Castiglione narrating our beloved Red Sox, the life and times of a kid growing up. Whenever I hear Castiglione’s iconic voice, it’s as if time itself doesn’t exist, where everything is one moment, and for that one moment I can connect with that kid I once was, amid those summers so long ago, but never forgotten.

I swear, there is nothing — and I mean nothing — like a night game at Fenway Park in the heart of Boston. The great thing about being a Red Sox fan before 2004 (when they ended an 86-year World Series championship drought) was that it was pretty easy to get tickets. My dad and I would wander down to Lansdowne Street and try to scalp a couple cheap seats. My old man is the king of haggling, and we’d usually end up along the third base line, hot dogs and sodas inhand, all under $50 total.

Ah, Fenway. I get chills just even thinking about those epic battles I witnessed on the most sacred parcel of grass in all of New England. Two moments stick out vividly: Jose Canseco hitting a line-drive home run over the Green Monster in left field (though we know why now), and Red Sox star Carl Everett hitting a game-winning homer.

‘Take me out to the ball game…’

My first love. Baseball.

The quintessential American pastime. The thing of which childhood dreams are made. The playing grounds of heroes, either ready to be made or already part of the centuries-old lore surrounding a game that knows no bounds in its depths of imagination and sheer ability to capture yours.

When I was a kid, baseball ruled my entire life. It’s all I thought about, talked about, even dreamt about. I not only wanted to be a professional baseball player, I also wanted to be a professional baseball card collector.

HOT PICKS

1

The Highlands Food & Wine festival will be held Nov. 9-12 around downtown.

2

The WNC Pottery Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, in downtown Dillsboro.

3

Bluegrass icons Dailey & Vincent will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

4

The John C. Campbell Folk School’s Blacksmith and Fine Craft Auction from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, on the campus in Brasstown.

The last time I was at a game in Fenway was October 2004, right before the Red Sox won the title. While attending college at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, a couple friends of mine piled into my bench-seat pickup truck as we bolted up Interstate 91 to I-84 to I-90 to scalp some last-minute tickets for the game against the Baltimore Orioles.

And though that game was some 13 years ago, baseball has never left my soul. I try to catch as many minor league Asheville Tourists games as I can each season (especially “Thirsty Thursday”). Whenever I’m driving to-and-from home in New York during the spring or summer I spin the radio dial in search of a game, sometimes even trying to listen to WEEI online, the sights and smells of Maine immediately flooding my field of vision.

5

To this day, there’s easily tens of thousands of baseball cards still packed away in the attic of my parents’ tin-roof barn in Upstate New York. And those players of my 1990s youth always had the best names: Andy Van Slyke, Oil Can Boyd, Nomar Garciaparra, Moises Alou, Mickey Morandini, and so forth.

Beyond the fact summer meant a couple months of vacation from school, I was more excited about maybe catching a major and minor league game, atop my summer duties at left field for the Rouses Point youth team. Not long after school would release us into the curious abyss that is summer vacation, I’d find myself running around the large little league baseball diamond behind my hometown recreational center, a stone’s throw from Lake Champlain. My buddies and I, mostly kids from down my street, would ride our bicycles together from the southern end of town to the field in the

No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will host Johnny Monster Band (rock/blues) at 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3.

northeast corner. Sporting our uniforms, stirrups and cleats, we’d cruise along Lake Street, en route to a battle against the town likes Mooers Forks, Chazy or Champlain. At some point during our season, it would come time for me to disappear for a couple weeks. My family’s annual trip to the coast of Maine, a tradition that stills remains at the heart of my parents, sister and niece (and myself when I can get up there). This wasn’t any “10 T-shirts for $10” packed full of tourists Kennebunkport kind of thing. This was the real deal, way up the coast, past Portland, past Bar Harbor, pushing into the tranquil coves and white sand beaches of New Harbor.

And amid those peaceful, restful views and succulent caught-that-day lobster were

So, it’s no wonder how giddy I’ve become lately with this current World Series between the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers. Sure, my cherished Red Sox blew it in the playoffs, but at least those darn New York Yankees did the same, too.

This 2017 World Series has already been the stuff of legends. Pitching duels, late-game heroic home runs, wild base stealing and attacks at home plate. I’ve definitely been losing a lot of sleep this week staying up each night trying to catch all the action. Heck, Game 5 started at 8:20 p.m. Sunday evening and ended at 1:38 a.m. Monday morning, an absolutely incredible 13-12 extra-innings win by the Astros, where baseball freaks far-andwide rejoiced in one of the all-time great “instant classics” of the World Series.

I might not have a dog in this fight (Red Sox in 2018, y’all), but I sure do have a grin ear-to-ear each time I flick on the World Series, perhaps a tip-of-the-cap to that inner child who never grew up, never once giving up on someday playing left field in Fenway.

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

Alabama brings country to Harrah’s

Legendary country stars Alabama will hit the stage at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at Harrah’s Cherokee.

Alabama is the band that changed everything. They reeled off 21 straight number one singles, a record that will probably never be equaled in any genre. They brought youthful energy, sex appeal and a rocking edge that broadened country’s audience and opened the door to self-contained bands from then on, and they undertook a journey that led, 73 million albums later, to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit www.harrahscherokee.com or call 800.745.3000.

Harrah’s welcomes Sammy Hagar

Rock legend Sammy Hagar & The Circle will hit the stage at 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at Harrah’s Cherokee.

For almost 40 years, Hagar has been one of rock music’s most dynamic and prolific artists. From breaking into the industry with the seminal hard rock band Montrose to his multi-platinum solo career to his ride as the front man of Van Halen, the “Red Rocker” has set the tone for some of the greatest rock anthems ever written with songs like “I Can’t Drive 55,” “Right

Music series features Buncombe Turnpike

The 2017-18 “First Thursday Old-Time and Bluegrass Series” at Western Carolina University continues Thursday, Nov. 2, with a concert featuring the Asheville-based bluegrass band Buncombe Turnpike.

The band’s 7 p.m. performance in the ground-floor auditorium of H.F. Robinson Administration Building will be followed by an 8 p.m. jam session in which local musicians are invited to participate.

Buncombe Turnpike was founded by lead singer and bass player Tom Godleski in 1997, and other members of the current band include Darrell Earwood, guitar; David Hyatt, mandolin; Don Lewis, fiddle, Seth Rhinehart, banjo; and Korey Warren, mandolin. The group plays tunes ranging from traditional to

Now” and “Why Can’t This Be Love.”

Hagar has earned the highest respect of the music industry with a Grammy Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside Van Halen and is currently on his fourth platinum run with the super group Chickenfoot.

Along his journey, Hagar has also become a dedicated philanthropist, a New York Times best-selling author and auspicious entrepreneur.

Joining Hagar are Van Halen’s longtime bassist Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham and Vic Johnson. For tickets, visit www.harrahscherokee.com or 800.745.3000.

contemporary bluegrass, with some gospel and original songs thrown in the mix.

Sponsored by WCU’s Mountain Heritage Center, the First Thursday concerts and jam sessions will continue through next spring, with programs from 7 to 9 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. Upcoming concerts will feature the Haywood Ramblers on Thursday, Dec. 7, and Keith Shuler on Thursday, Feb. 1.

Musical tribute to veterans

Chuck Seipp (trumpet) and Randall Sheets (organ/piano) will hold an evening of virtuoso, entertaining and inspirational music at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Bryson City United Methodist Church.

Both musicians are from Washington, D.C. Their artistry resonates with the majesty and opulence of this classical music genre.

Randall Sheets and Chuck Seipp.

Sheets is the Ceremonial Organist for Arlington National Cemetery, as well as an active concert organist and pianist. Seipp is professor with Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia and is retired from The United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, D.C.

The Seipp/Sheets Duo program will feature several works written and arranged for them including Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto

Bryson City community jam

A community music jam will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

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

The events are free and open to the public. Pickers and singers of all ages and experience levels are invited to take part in the jam sessions, which also are open to those who just want to listen.

For more information, call the Mountain Heritage Center at 828.227.7129.

Civic Orchestra fall concert

The Western Carolina Civic Orchestra will present its annual fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, in the Coulter building on the campus of Western Carolina University.

The concert will feature a performance of the Mozart Oboe Concerto in C Major by WCU oboe professor, Brian Seaton. He has a combination of skills and experience rarely

and they will demonstrate the power and beauty of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.” Particularly fun for the audience will be “Carnival of Venice” with Seipp performing on six different trumpets as well as the iconic “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin for trumpet and piano.

The program will conclude with a tribute to veterans and the military including video presentations accompanying the performers.

Grampa’s Music in Bryson City.

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

encountered in the music industry. His training is a unique combination of performing; oboe making and countless hours devoted to the art of instrument finishing and repair.

The full orchestra will perform Leonard Bernstein’s Candide Overture and the Symphonic Dances, Op. 64 by Edvard Grieg.

The WCU School of Music sponsors the orchestra, which also receives support from the Jackson County Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The orchestra includes members from around the Western North Carolina region, including amateur, student and professional players; and welcomes new playing members each year.

The concert is free and open to the public. For further information, call the School of Music at 828.227.7242.

On the beat

Bluegrass greats to play Franklin

Bluegrass icons Dailey & Vincent will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

The duo has been hailed throughout the music industry as one of the most exciting, reputable and elite bluegrass bands in America, having won numerous awards for their uniquely contagious and riveting music, including: three Grammy Award

Nominations for the 2014 “Bluegrass Album of the Year,” 14 IBMA Awards as three-time “Entertainer of the Year,” threetime “Vocal Group of the Year” and “Album of the Year,” and four Dove Awards with three “Bluegrass Album of the Year” awards and “Bluegrass Song of the Year.”

With multiple appearances on PBS, RFD-TV and CMT and over 120 shows a year, Dailey & Vincent have been dubbed as the “Rockstars of Bluegrass.”

Tickets start at $22. For tickets, call 866.273.4615 or visit www.greatmountainmusic.com.

Native American exhibitions, symposium

In the WCU Fine Art Museum main gallery through Dec. 8 is the nationally traveling exhibition “Return from Exile: Contemporary Southeastern Indian Art,” curated by Tony A. Tiger, Bobby C. Martin, and Jace Weaver.

The exhibition features more than 30 contemporary Southeastern Native American artists working in a variety of media including painting, drawing, printmaking, basketry, sculpture, and pottery. “Return from Exile” is one of the first major exhibitions to focus on contemporary artists from tribal nations with an historical connection to the Southeastern United States. These include the so-called Five Civilized Tribes, the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, and Muscogee (or Creek), and Seminole, all of whom were forcibly removed in the 1830s to present-day Oklahoma as a result of the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The title of the exhibition represents the return of these artists to their ancestral homelands.

posium will be held on from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10, followed by a reception honoring the “Return from Exile” exhibition from 5 to 7 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public. The symposium includes a ticketed keynote performance from Canadian First Nation electronic music group A Tribe Called Red at 7:30 p.m. For details visit arts.wcu.edu/tribe.

The museum is also presenting “WCU Collects: Recent Acquisitions.” This exhibition showcases a selection of artworks

The WCU Fine Art Museum received a $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to host this exhibition and organize a one-day symposium focused on contemporary Native American art. Speakers include artists with work in the exhibition as well as local artists. The sym-

recently given to the museum and includes a number of artists not previously represented in the collection. The WCU Fine Art Museum stewards a collection of more than 1,500 artworks in all media — from painting and printmaking to book arts, sculpture, ceramics, and contemporary craft. www.wcu.edu.

‘Sunday at the Opry’

The “Sunday at the Opry” will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, at The Colonial Theater in Canton. Join the Opry for a special Veteran’s Day event in the heart of Canton.

Musicians Darren Nicholson, Jessi Stone, Lorraine Conard, J. Creek Cloggers, and more will perform as Grand Ole Opry greats for a fun afternoon of country clas-

sics in honor of those who have served. Tickets available at Eventbrite, by calling 828.452.0593, visiting the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville (86 North Main Street) or at the Colonial in Canton (no credit cards at this location). Sponsored by the Town of Canton. Cost is $15 (+ tax) for adults, $5 (+ tax) children. Veterans admitted for free (though a ticket is required to reserve your seat).

Piano lessons for senior adults

The Haywood County Arts Council’s popular “Mind the Music!” classes have extended registration for the fall session. If you are aged

• Andrews Brewing Company (Andrews) will host Troy Underwood (singer-songwriter) Nov. 4. All shows are free and begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.andrewsbrewing.com.

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Kevin Lorenz (guitar) Nov. 3, Joe Cruz (piano/pop) Nov. 4 and 11, Dulci Ellenberger & Kevin Williams (piano/guitar) Nov. 10. All shows are free (unless otherwise noted) and begin at 7 p.m. 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

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

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Back South (Americana/rock) Nov. 4. All shows are free and begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. There will also be a Community Rhythm Circle every Tuesday at 7 p.m. with free drum circle lessons at 6:30 p.m. www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will have an Open Mic night Nov. 1 and 8, and a jazz night with the Kittle/Collings Duo Nov. 2 and 9. All events are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.innovation-brewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host Dirty Dave Patterson (singer-songwriter) Nov. 3, Lance & Lea (singer-songwriter) Nov. 4, Shane Davis (singer-songwriter) Nov. 10 and Gopher Broke Nov. 11. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host Liz Nance & Friends (Americana) Nov. 4 and Frank & Allie (bluegrass/oldtime) Nov. 11. All shows are free and are from 6 to 9 p.m. www.mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.

55 and older and you wish to learn to play the piano, these classes are for you. The class will run for five weeks, starting the week of Nov. 6. Studies show that older adults who actively participate in music benefit in many areas of life, including physical, mental, psychological, and social. These lessons will be ideal for older adults that may have taken (or wished they had taken) piano lessons as children. Students are invited to learn in a no-stress environment, with small classes of only two to four people. The cost for the five classes is $60, plus a materials fee for a music book (less than $20). If you are interested in signing up for classes, email director@haywoodarts.org or call 828.452.0593. The number of classes/spaces offered is limited. For more information on Haywood County Arts Council programs and events, visit www.haywoodarts.org.

• No Name Sports Pub (Sylva) will host Karaoke w/Chris Monteith Nov. 1, Johnny Monster Band (rock/blues) Nov. 3, Log Noggins (rock/blues) Nov. 4, PMA (reggae/rock) Nov. 10 and 20 Watt Tombstone w/Styrofoam Turtle Nov. 11. All shows are free and begin at 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. www.nonamesportspub.com.

• Pub 319 (Waynesville) will host an open mic night from 8 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday with Mike Farrington of Post Hole Diggers. Free and open to the public.

• Salty Dog’s (Maggie Valley) will have Karaoke with Jason Wyatt at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, Mile High (classic rock) 8 p.m. Wednesdays, and an Open Jam with Rick 8 p.m. Thursdays.

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

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

• The Strand at 38 Main (Waynesville) will host an “Open Mic” night from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays. 828.283.0079 or www.38main.com.

• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) will host The Civic Orchestra Nov. 6, tuba player Douglas Black 5:30 p.m. Nov. 7, Faculty Recital Nov. 7, Trumpet Recital Nov. 8 and Briana McManus Senior Recital 7 p.m. Nov. 10. All events are free and begin at 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) in the Coulter Building. There will be bluegrass music at 7 p.m. Nov. 2 at the HFR Auditorium, free and open to the public, with an open jam at 8 p.m. www.wcu.edu.

On the street

Waynesville Christmas Parade applications available

The 2017 Waynesville Christmas Parade will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, on Main Street.

The parade is sponsored by the Town of Waynesville, Waynesville Kiwanis Club, and organized by the Downtown Waynesville Association. This year’s parade theme is “Christmas Smokies Style.”

Enjoy this annual community tradition as over 120 illuminated entries, dance academies, costumed characters, and local high school bands parade down historic Main Street celebrating the spirit of the holidays. Santa Claus makes a special appearance as the guest of honor.

Parade starts at First Presbyterian Church and proceeds down Main Street to Bogart’s Restaurant. All entries are required

to use lights. Applications are available by emailing info@downtownwaynesville.com or calling the Downtown Waynesville Association at 828.456.3517. The entry fees are $20 for nonprofit groups not entering the float contest, $25 for nonprofit groups entering the contest, and $30 for all commercial entries.

The nonprofit float contest awards are $175 for first place, $125 for second place, and $75 for third place. Commercial winners will receive a commemorative engraved plaque.

All applications must be returned to the Downtown Waynesville Association, 9 S. Main Street, second floor of the Police Department or mailed to P.O. Box 1409, Waynesville, N.C. 28786 by noon, Friday, Nov. 17.

Heritage Arts Holiday Festival

The annual Heritage Arts Holiday Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Southwestern Community College Swain campus.

Shop from a large selection of handcrafted items including pottery, holiday decorations, knitted items, jewelry, and more. Kids crafts: ornament decoration, raku firing demo and printmaking demo. Free admission. ncheritageartsfestival.wordpress.com/holiday.

On the street

Local World War II vet honored

Paul Willis, 96, a World War II veteran from Canton, was awarded the French Legion of Honor by the French Consul General, Louis de Corail, at a recent ceremony in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The Legion of Honor, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, is awarded for service to France and is its most prestigious honor. Willis and one other WWII Veteran, James Mynatt, from Knoxville, were presented the Knight’s Badge as a pledge of France’s eternal gratitude for their courage and fight, after risking their lives for the freedom of France and Europe during the war.

Technical Sergeant Willis was a member of Company G, 329th Infantry, 83rd Division, U.S. Army, and fought battles in the Normandy, Brittany, and Loire Valley campaigns in France. In all, he served for three years during the war and was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in the Battle of the Bulge. Other campaigns in which he saw action were the Hurtgen Forest, Central Europe, and Rhineland.

First Lt. James Mynatt was a B-24 Co-Pilot stationed in England during WWII, and flew two missions over Normandy, France on DDay, and also over Northern France and Germany.

Also present at the ceremony, which was held at the Sherrill Hills Retirement Community Theatre, were Amelie De Gaulle, grand niece of the late President of France, Charles De Gaulle, and officers of Alliance Francaise Knoxville. Consul General Louis de Corail, who represents France in six Southeastern states, including Tennessee and North Carolina, presented the award on

French Consul General Louis de Corail awards the Knight Medal of the French Legion of Honor to World War II veteran Paul Willis.

behalf of French President Emmanuel Macron. Willis, who worked at Champion Paper and Fibre Company before retiring, has remained active in the Canton community,

teaching Sunday School, speaking at school events, and writing poetry, some of which is about his war experiences. His most recent publication, Reflections Of A World War II Veteran, can be found at area bookstores.

Toys for Tots ride, rod run

There will be a “Ride and Rod Run” to benefit Toys for Tots on Sunday, Nov. 5, at Harrah’s Cherokee.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in the lower parking lot. Riders will travel to Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel through the Nantahala Gorge and back to the resort in Cherokee.

The cost is $15 per vehicle and $5 for additional riders or bring a new unwrapped toy and ride for free. No stuffed animals, please.

Participants receive a free barbecue lunch, live music, 50/50 raffle, and more. There will be awards for best rod and bike, plus awards for best rat bike and rat rod. This event is sponsored by Harrah’s Employees Reaching Out (H.E.R.O), Slingin’ in the Smokies, and the Will Hayes Band. All proceeds to benefit Toys For Tots.

www.harrahscherokee.com.

On the street

Highlands Food & Wine celebration

The Highlands Food & Wine festival will be held Nov. 912 around downtown.

• Thursday, Nov. 9: “Grand Tasting” at 7 p.m. at Kelsey Hutchinson Park.

• Friday, Nov. 10: “Truckin’” food truck gathering with live music by Dawes and Futurebirds from noon to 4 p.m. at Old Creek Circle. Food trucks include: Automatic Taco, Farm

• The “Uncorked: Wine & Dine Train Event” will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, departing from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.gsmr.com.

• “Letters to Santa” will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 10 to Dec. 23 at the Swain County Heritage Museum in Bryson City. Drop a line for Santa. Materials provided. Call the museum for Santa appearances: 800.867.9246.

• “Lighting Up Maggie Valley” will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Tree lighting, Santa strut contest, pictures with Santa, live music, food and coat donations, ugly sweater contest, and much more.

• “Guns and gun laws in America: Where are we headed?” will be the topic for the Franklin Open Forum at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, at the Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub in Franklin. Franklin Open Forum is a moderated discussion group. Those interested in an open exchange of ideas (dialog, not debate) are invited to attend. For more information, call 828.371.1020.

• “Laughing Balsam Sangha,” a meeting for Mindfullness in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, meets will meet from 5:30 to 6:30

to Fender, Brined & Cured, Backwood Bakery, Bun Intended, and The Velvet Cup, alongside James Beard nominee Elliot Moss with Buxton Hall Barbecue. Sip & Shop will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on and around Main Street. Wine Dinners & Small Bite Experiences beginning at 5 p.m.

• Saturday, Nov. 11: “Main Event” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Main Street. Sip & Shop will run from 11 a.m. to 4

p.m. on Mondays at 318 Skyland Drive in Sylva. Included are sitting and walking meditation, and Dharma discussion. Free admission. For more information, please call 828.335.8210, and “Like” them on Facebook.

ALSO:

• Sneak E Squirrel Brewing (Sylva) will host the Jackson County Corn Hole Association on Monday evenings ($5 buy in, 100 percent payout), Karaoke with Captain Moose from 7 to 11 p.m. on Tuesdays, Trivia at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and a Guitar Hero Tournament at 7 p.m. on Thursdays. 828.586.6440.

• There will be a free wine tasting from 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 4 and 11 at Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville. www.waynesvillewine.com or 828.452.0120.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 4 and 11 at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. www.papouswineshop.com or 828.631.3075.

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

p.m. on and around Main Street. Wine Dinners & Small Bite Experiences beginning at 5 p.m. “A Generous Pour” with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band at 8 p.m. at Kelsey Hutchinson Park.

• Sunday, Nov. 12: “Gospel Brunch” at noon at Kelsey Hutchinson Park. www.highlandsfoodandwine.com.

On the wall

Blacksmith, Fine Craft Auction to benefit Folk School

More than 150 craft, art and other unique items will be auctioned to the highest bidders at John C. Campbell Folk School’s Blacksmith and Fine Craft Auction from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, on the campus in Brasstown.

Event organizers report that craft and art from many of the class areas offered by the nonprofit Folk School will be represented in both the live and silent auctions.

“Bidding on creative ironwork, textiles, jewelry, clay, paintings, woodturnings, and other handmade items is a fun, entertaining way to support Folk School,” stated Kathi Osborne, development manager.

Long-time auctioneers Tim Ryan and Bob Grove will lead bidding on handcrafted items

On the stage

Life and death in 1980s New York

The Highlands Performing Arts Center will screen, “Live via Satellite,” the National Theatre of London’s production of “Angels in America” at 1 p.m. Nov. 4-5.

“Angels in America” is a unique twopart event; the two parts are two halves of the same story, so audiences need to see both parts to fully experience the show and see the whole story.

Set in America in the mid-1980s in the midst of the AIDS crisis, New Yorkers

We also offer Chip & Seal with Crushed River Stone. Works great on resurfacing driveways, gives a beautiful look & preserves existing drive-way by 5 to 7 years.

donated by instructors and other artists who support the school’s mission. Executive Director Jerry Jackson will emcee the event.

“Proceeds from the auction will help our school provide its year-round adult craft classes, community music and dance programs, and arts education programs for children,” Osborne said.

The silent auction begins at 1 p.m. and the live auction starts at 2 p.m. Both will be held in Keith House at the Folk School on Brasstown Road in Brasstown.

Admission is free and seating is by general admission. For more information, visit www.folkschool.org/auction or call 828.837.2775 (ex: 111).

grapple with life and death, love and sex, heaven and hell. The exceptional cast includes Andrew Garfield, Denise Gough, Nathan Lane, James McArdle and Russell Tovey.

This new staging of Tony Kushner’s multi-award winning two-part play is directed by Olivier and Tony award winning director Marianne Elliott (“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime” and “War Horse”).

Tickets are $22 for adults, $19 for HPAC members. Tickets are available at the door, online at www.highlandspac.org or by calling 828.526.9047.

Pine needle ornament workshop

The monthly Creating Community Workshop will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, in the Atrium of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

Do you like to use a needle and thread? In combination with long leafed pine needles, participants will make a red and green holiday ornament with a natural look. Hand strength and good eyesight are important for a successful project, but prior experience with pine needles is not required.

Joyce Lantz began making baskets over 20 years ago, starting with white oak and moving to honeysuckle and eventually to pine needle. She has taught continuing education classes, museum classes, and in various programs in Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina. Natural materials are favorites. She is a dedicated Dogwood Crafter.

is a member of Fontana Regional Library (www.fontanalib.org).

WNC Pottery Festival

The immensely popular WNC Pottery Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, in downtown Dillsboro.

Showcasing the work of more than 40 master potters from 13 states. A variety of clay art styles will be presented. The event is juried and the lineup of potters is secondto-none. The “WNC Clay Olympics” and lighting of the wood-fired kiln will be held on Friday, Nov. 3

Admission is $5. For more information, call 828.631.5100 or call 828.586.3601.

‘It’s a Small, Small Work’ exhibit

This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library. The Jackson County Public Library

Macon vet portraits, ceremony

The Macon County Art Association is having a 10-day show of the 2017 class of local Veteran portraits painted by its members for the vets in the community.

On the wall ALSO:

The public is invited to come to the Uptown Gallery 34 West Main Street in Franklin to view the portraits. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will be presented to the families on Veteran’s Day at the gallery after the parade at noon Saturday, Nov. 11.

For more information, contact the gallery at 828.349.4607

Fine Art Museum new acquisitions

The Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at the Bardo Arts Center is pleased to present the exhibition “WCU Collects: Recent Acquisitions” through Jan. 26 in Cullowhee.

This WCU Collects exhibition showcases a selection of artworks recently given to the museum and includes a number of artists not previously represented in the collection. The

This program is free of charge. This class is limited to 10 people. For further information and to sign up for the class, call the library at 828.586.2016.

WCU Fine Art Museum stewards a collection of more than 1,500 art objects in all media — from painting and printmaking to book arts, sculpture, ceramics, and contemporary craft.

As the museum continues to research and interpret the collection, purchases and gifts expand and strengthen its holdings. New acquisitions find their way into the collection through a variety of routes and particularly through the generosity of donors.

All WCU Fine Art Museum exhibitions are free and open to the public. For further information, visit go.wcu.edu/wcucollects or call 828.227.3591.

The WCU Fine Art Museum boasts four art galleries with exhibitions year-round. The Museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. www.wcu.edu.

‘Carolina Snowflake’ workshop

Dogwood Crafters will be offering a “Carolina Snowflake” workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Nov. 15, at the Dillsboro Masonic Lodge.

David Jordan, a member of Dogwood Crafters Co-Op, will be the instructor. The

The Haywood County Arts Council annual show, “It’s a Small, Small Work,” will be held Nov. 3 to Dec. 23 in HCAC Gallery & Gifts in Waynesville.

The show provides a unique opportunity for budding artists to exhibit their work, as well as the opportunity for more seasoned artists to test their boundaries.

All pieces submitted are exactly 12” or smaller in every dimension, including base,

snowflake, a three- dimensional star made from basket reed, could be hung in a window or on a tree. Cost for the class is $5.

To register to attend, call Dogwood Crafters at 828.586.2248 by Nov. 9.

• There will be a “Glass Pumpkin Class” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. $40 per person. Time slots are 45 minutes and participants will make one pumpkin in that time. For more information or to register, visit www.jcgep.org.

• Franklin Uptown Gallery is holding a new exhibit reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at 30 East Main Street in Franklin. Come to meet and support the local artists who create exceptional paintings, jewelry, woodcarvings and other unique items. All are welcome to attend. For information, contact the gallery at 828.349.4607.

• Mad Batter Food & Film (Sylva) will host a free movie night at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For the full schedule of screenings, visit www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com.

• The Waynesville Fiber Friends will meet from 10 a.m. to noon on the second

matting, and frame. All art work is for sale, priced at $300 or less, and must have been created in the last two years. Commission will be the gallery’s usual 60 percent (artist) to 40 percent (HCAC) split.

The Haywood County Arts Council’s small work show was launched in 2008 to demonstrate that original artwork is affordable and fun. Most businesses, homes and apartments can accommodate smaller works of art — and the show promotes buying local and regional work to help support artists in Western North Carolina. www.haywoodarts.org or 828.452.0593.

Saturday of the month at the Panacea Coffee House in Waynesville. All crafters and beginners interested in learning are invited. You can keep up with them through their Facebook group or by calling 828.276.6226 for more information.

• “Paint Nite Waynesville” will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursdays (Nov. 2, 16, 30) at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. Sign up for either event on the Paint Night Waynesville Facebook page or call Robin Arramae at 828.400.9560.

paintnitewaynesville@gmail.com.

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

• A “Youth Art Class” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday at the Appalachian Art Farm on 22 Morris Street in Sylva. All ages welcome. $10 includes instruction, materials and snack. For more information, email appalachianartfarm@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.

Book of poetry has a disturbing beauty

If the saying “timing is everything” is true, then John Lane’s new collection of poems by Mercer University Press is right on time.

Titled Anthropocene Blues after the new scientific term for the new geological age we’ve just entered into, these poems are told from the perspective of a traveling geologist as he sings the blues of our epoch in a Keatsian voice and about how we humans are taking ourselves down along with everything around us.

This is not an apocalyptic book about the collapse of human existence on the planet, but it is a wakeup call, which has been the role of the poet for many millennia as the harbinger of good and bad news. In these 62 pages traveling from the Abacos to Hangzhou amidst puff mud and dead cordgrass, we witness rivers intoxicated with dioxide, deep floods, books made of wood pulp rotting on shelves, cliffs of Croatian limestone, island beaches littered with empty bathtubs, the remains of rampant wildfire, landfills and business districts of decay. Here we meet Walt Whitman, Byron and Mary Shelly sifting through the rubble for subject matter for their poems.

On the other side of the Anthropocene coin we have poems such as “Cirque of the Towers” and a dreamlike trip to Wolf’s Head, Pingora and Mitchell Peak in the Wind River Range in Wyoming; the elucidated landscape along the Hudson River shore; Cumberland Island; Key Largo; a Dixie Hummingbirds concert in Spartanburg, South Carolina; maypops and songbirds in the deep South swamps.

For the naturalists, there are quotes and references to and by W.C. Sebald, Peter Mattheissen, E.O. Wilson, Aldo Leopold. And for poetry lovers there is A.R. Ammons, Auden, Robert Haas, Nikki Finney and Robert Frost.

John Lane will be at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov.10 read from, discuss and sign copies of his book.

So this book has a little something for everyone, which is typical of John Lane’s style and holistic view of the world and of life.

Contrary to the idea that people are “the planet’s boss” and “emperors of the air,” instead what we have is a Jackson Pollack painting of

How to access WCU digital archives

places and ideas. A collage of Robert Turner meets Buddha and Thomas Berry in a novel by Dan Brown.

This is a pageturner in the sense that there’s something new and different to be discovered on every page. A new experience and exploration as we humans move ever closer to The Sixth Extinction.

In Anthropocene Blues Lane wants us to look at our shortcomings but also wants to show us the beauty that surrounds us and how different our lives could be if we would but acknowledge our limitations and embrace our surroundings instead of destroying them. In “The Geologist

Anticipates the End of Time” Lane writes:

“Where there is water there is magic. Where there is magic there are always frogs ,especially in the tropics twenty

species call like sharp whistling voices of lost Mayan

gods —The distended yellow eyes of the holy tree frog, royal digits, open mouths like burial urns.”

And in “Erosion” he asks:

“Is geology the story we should put our hominid minds to?

Is the Anthropocene us or are we all? Is geology poetry?

Is the latest species’ cha-cha toward oblivion our unrattled success?

Is this age the joke our sapien ancestors wouldn’t get?”

Much like Thelonius Monk’s “Blues For Tomorrow” and “Blue Monk,” Anthropocene Blues hits many unexpected sharps and flats. It takes us into places we didn’t expect to go. Yet, we come to the end of Lane’s literary tune feeling uplifted, enlightened, albeit disturbed. Only a poet could pull this off, and according to the many endorsements contained in this book Lane would seem to have succeeded.

But the reader has to be the judge of that. So don’t just take my word for it, let’s let Mr. Lane have the last word. I leave you with the last stanza from the poem “The Geologist Anticipates the End of Time”:

Trust the scripture of travel, of mystery and diversity, the frog night come back strong of animal voices of a thousand worldly gods. Live with contrast. Go south to learn. Make your way home, changed, through sloughs, past the shell-blue Caribbean, pale pink condominiums, and praise the holy sun distended above the Gulf —

Thomas Crowe writes book reviews for Smoky Mountain News and is the author of several books of poetry including Radiogenesis and Learning To Dance. He lives in the Tuckasegee community of Jackson County and can be reached at newnativepress@hotmail.com.

“Navigating WCU’s Digital Resources” will be the Jackson County Genealogical Society program at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, in the Community Room of the historic Jackson County Courthouse in Sylva. Western Carolina University Special and Digital Collections Librarian Elizabeth Skene will demonstrate how to access and use the thousands of documents, photographs, and other rare and unique materials available online through Western Carolina University. This community research tool is invaluable for anyone interested in or seeking information about Jackson County and the surrounding region. All JCGS events are free of charge and the public is welcome. Refreshments at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit them on Facebook or call 828.631.2646.

City Lights open mic

The NetWest program of the North Carolina Writers Network will host an open mic night at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

Folks are encouraged to bring their poetry or short pieces to share. Sign-ups begin at 6:45 p.m. for 10-minute reading session. The North Carolina Writers’ Network connects, promotes, and serves the writers of this state. They provide education in the craft and business of writing, opportunities for recognition and critique of literary work, resources for writers at all stages of development, support for and advocacy of the literary heritage of North Carolina, and a community for those who write.

www.ncwriters.org.

Writer recounts brain injury, healing

Author Deborah L. Schlag will recount the complicated, challenging process of living with and recovering from a traumatic brain injury at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

Her new memoir is Becoming the Healer: The Miracle of Brain Injury. It was January 2003 when Schlag, a mother of five, successful small business owner and active member of her community, would see her life change forever. What began as an ordinary commute to take her two younger children to school quickly turned into a nightmare after a devastating accident left Schlag with a traumatic brain injury, or TBI.

Written with heartfelt candor and informative detail, Becoming the Healer is Schlag’s personal account of her eight-year journey of what she rightfully calls “miraculous recovery and transformation.” She writes openly and honestly about the impact of the car accident on her, her family, and about the injuries that she sustained.

Thoroughly researched, Becoming the Healer is packed with information, references, recommendations and insights into many non-traditional treatments that aided Schlag in her recovery. The book stands alone as an invaluable guide for TBI sufferers and their loved ones. Schlag both informs and inspires with an accessible story of her tragic injury, written in personal, non-technical medical terms, and her experiences helping others achieve their own recovery.

“No matter what you are experiencing in your life, you have choices,” Schlag writes, “the attitude you handle it with, how you handle your experience, what you take away from it and how you can help another with what you learned through it.”

To reserve copies of the book, call City Lights Bookstore at 828.586.9499.

us at:

Catalyst for adventure

Field school instructors reflect on three decades in the Smokies

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFFWRITER

The Smoky Mountain Field School was only a couple years old when Joel Zachary came on as an instructor in 1980. Kathy Zachary — then his girlfriend, now his wife — joined him in 1983, and the field school has been part of their lives ever since.

“We like to say that the success of the program is due to the instructors we have that are so enthusiastic about their topics,” Kathy said. “They have a passion for teaching and sharing, so the person who signs up to take a course really gets that contagious enthusiasm that the instructor shares.”

This year marks the field school’s 40th anniversary, a partnership of the University of Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that aims to give people a chance to experience the park in the company of experts in fields such as botany, geology, dendrology, orienteering and everything in between. More than 20 experts teach more than 50 non-credit sessions in each March through November season, using the park as a classroom to enhance their students’ understanding of the natural world.

“A lot of people that enjoy going out with our instructors not only learn with them, but

trip with the travel company they run.

The Zacharys have no plans to stop teaching field school courses, but at this point they’re looking forward to having some more time for other pursuits after stepping back from the director’s role. The plan is for those functions to be absorbed by the field school’s existing full-time staff.

Joel has a few books in his head he’d like to write, and Kathy’s still weighing her options, though it’s a fair guess that they’ll both stay busy.

In addition to the field school, they lead trips through their travel company Great Outdoors Adventure Travel — GOAT, for short — exploring the wilderness in a variety of settings, including Alaska, where they spend three months each year. They also cowrote Bears we Met: Short Stories of Close Encounters, and often find themselves asked to give talks and presentations.

But the field school occupies a special place on that list of commitments. It’s been a long-term relationship, and a fruitful one.

“Kathy and I were always very free to comment that some of the most treasured friends we have, we’ve met through the Smoky Mountain Field School, and that is absolutely the truth,” Joel said.

“Some of the most treasured friends we have, we’ve met through the Smoky Mountain

Field School.”

They are grateful to have built a career that allows them to spend so much time in the great outdoors, but equally so to spend that time in the company of likeminded people who are eager to share their passion for exploration.

— Joel Zachary

they also feel a degree of safety,” Joel said.

There are plenty of people who like the sound of spending a night in the woods or hiking through forests inhabited by bears and wild hogs but would never dare to plan such an adventure on their own. With a seasoned instructor leading the way, they’re good to go.

“Sometimes it’s the catalyst that develops that lifelong love of hiking, backpacking, whatever it is,” Joel said.

For the past six years, the Zacharys have been serving as directors of the field school, as well as instructors, working to expand the course offerings to provide a more varied array of topics. This November will mark their retirement from that role, but not from the field school, and certainly not from the world of outdoor leadership.

“We do way too much is what it boils down to,” Kathy laughed during a phone interview as she and Joel drove home from a weeklong

For many of the field school participants, hiking is something they enjoy but not something they have the chance to do on a regular basis. The Zacharys enjoy seeing the transitions that can take place over the course of a few hours or a few days.

For example, Joel said, he’ll frequently have the hiking group pause when he spots a deposit of animal droppings, showing them the pieces of bone and hair that indicate what that animal’s last meal was.

“Some people are kind of grossed out by that, but by the end of the day they’re packed with Ziplocks, taking them home with them,” he said. “They’ve found that’s a learning tool.”

Those moments are exciting, but others are notable for a whole other reason. When leading a group of five, 10, 15 or 20 strangers through the woods, Joel and Kathy are responsible for their safety, and that can be a heavy burden — especially when someone comes unprepared.

Check out the field school

The Smoky Mountain Field School is a partnership of the University of Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that offers a variety of non-credit courses taught by expert instructors amid the beauty of the Smokies. The season runs March through November. Course listings are online at www.smfs.utk.edu.

865.974.0150 or smfs@utk.edu.

Cradle to close for winter

The Cradle of Forestry in America will open for the last time in 2017 on Sunday, Nov. 5, before closing for the winter.

The Cradle offers indoor interpretive exhibits and outdoor walking trails, as well as The Adventure Zone, a collection of hands-on indoor and outdoor activities designed to help people with autism

“People might think they’re prepared, and sometimes they may be kind of experienced in what you’re doing,” Joel said. “They’re worried about bears or mountain lions or stepping on a snake, and we’re worried about you dying of hypothermia.”

A backpacking wardrobe made of cotton can be dangerous with the temperature drops and rain falls — in the Smokies, hypothermia-related injuries are far more common than wildlife-related ones. It’s Kathy and Joel’s job to make sure everyone is as prepared as possible, and they must also be ready to deal with the myriad situations that can arise during an adventure in the backcountry.

“You have to take care of that weakest person, the person that has that issue,” Joel said. “And it could happen to one of us.”

With the advent of hiking boots featuring glued-on soles, rather than stitched like the old-school ones, an issue they’ve seen more and more is hikers’ soles peeling off mid-hike.

“We’ve had some hikers where both soles came off so they’re basically walking on their sock. And that’s a big deal,” Joel said.

The first time it happened, they were leading a group on a weeklong, 40-mile backpacking trip.

“On mile 3, the first sole came off,” Kathy said.

“And our shuttle had already dropped us off, so there was no going back,” Joel added.

“And a few miles later, the second one came off,” said Kathy.

They’ve developed a system for dealing with the issue. Both Kathy and Joel now carry a long set of shoe laces to wrap around

become active in the outdoors and gain a better understanding of the natural world.

$5 for ages 16 and up; free for youth; American the Beautiful, Golden Age Passport and Friends of the Cradle passes accepted. The Cradle is located along U.S. 276, about 35 miles south of Waynesville.

errant soles, keeping them at least temporarily attached to the boot before it’s necessary to stop and rewrap. It’s never convenient, but at least it keeps hikers from being forced to walk over sticks and stones in their socks.

“We’ve never had a broken bone. We’ve never had severe bleeding or a snakebite,” Joel said. “But we take it very seriously, and we try to look after our folks and make them aware of what they’re doing and what they’re getting into.”

In a region with ample opportunity for outdoor recreation and a variety of free or low-cost guided outings to choose from, it can be hard to convince people that paying for a course taught by an expert is worth their while.

“There’s a lot of competition for these kinds of things,” Joel said.

But the Smokies Field School has certainly landed some winning courses. The fly fishing and orienteering classes have proven popular, as has an offering that allows people to experience the Smokies’ iconic synchronous firefly display in the company of an expert.

As to how many people have experienced the Smokies through the lens of the field school over its 40 years of existence, the Zacharys haven’t added that number up — though they can say it’s easily in the thousands. Joel said that he’d recently started a tally of the number of people he and Kathy had taken into the park — a figure that doesn’t include outings led by other instructors — and stopped counting at 3,000.

“If we helped change the behavior of people around bears or taught people to leave no trace or gave people incentive to get off the couch and get out there, that’s a worthy contribution,” he said.

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

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

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

Visit cwhemp.com for more info.

Highlands Biological serves as living laboratory

A dozen students studying everything from mountaintop forests to river basins are currently living at the Highlands

Biological Station, enrolled for the semester through the UNC-Chapel Hill Institute for the Environment.

Institute for the Environment students take stream data. Donated photo

This year, focus is on the “Health of the Headwaters” initiative, in which students examine issues through their coursework in relation to the Blue Ridge Escarpment headwater streams and groundwater dynamics. Students live and study at the biological station from late August through mid-December, with an emphasis on fieldwork and experiential learning. They’re also required to complete an internship with a local organization or independent study with a faculty member.

Hikers gather in front of the Lakeshore Trail tunnel. Donated photo

HBS Associate Director Sarah Workman, Ph.D., serves as field coordinator.

Photo club changes name

The Cold Mountain Photographic Society has changed its name to the Waynesville Photography Club but is keeping its desire to help beginning and advanced photographers alike improve their skills.

The club’s meeting night has changed as well, now gathering on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. on the second floor of the Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center in Clyde. The next meeting is Nov. 20, with the public welcome to attend. Waynesvillephotoclub@charter.net.

{Celebrating the Southern Appalachians}

Explore Fontana’s north shore

A 9.4-mile hike along the North Shore Road Loop will explore autumn terrain and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s complicated history on Tuesday, Nov. 14.

Gracia Slater, two-time member of the Smokies 900-mile club and dedicated trail caretaker, will lead this Friends of the Smokies hike. Those interested in seeing the famous tunnel on Lakeshore Trail will have the chance to walk through it and learn about the flooding of N.C. 288 and

five communities following the TVA’s construction of Fontana Dam in the 1930s. The hike will also include a stop at Woody Cemetery.

$20 for members; $35 for nonmembers, with one-year membership included. Donations benefit Friends of the Smokies’ Trails Forever Program, which funds trail crews to reconstruct high-priority trails in the park. Sponsored by Mission Health. Sign up at Hike.FriendsoftheSmokies.org.

Look out from Mt. Cammerer

Smoky Mountain Living celebrates the mountain region’s culture, music, art, and special places. We tell our stories for those who are lucky enough to live here and those who want to stay in touch with the place they love.

Subscribe or learn more at smliv.com

A strenuous 11.1-mile hike to Mt. Cammerer in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will take off at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, from Waynesville.

The trail gains a modest 549 feet in elevation to a maximum altitude at 5,054 feet — offering a five-star view that gets even better with a climb to the deck of the stone Mt. Cammerer fire tower. Offered by Waynesville Parks and Recreation. $8 for members; $10 for nonmembers. Sign up at 828.456.2030.

Spend two nights on a trail

Hike Shining Rock

A hike in the Shining Rock Wilderness Area will be offered 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, through the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department. Open to ages 8 and up, the group will meet at the Cullowhee Recreation Center. Shining Rock is located within the Pisgah National Forest in Haywood County.

$5. Register at rec.jacksonnc.org.

A backpacking excursion Sunday, Nov. 12 through Tuesday, Nov. 14, will explore the Twentymile area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including Shuckstack Fire Tower, Doe Knob and Gregory Bald.

Wildland Trekking will guide this Great Smoky Mountains Association event, with the hike starting and ending at Twentymile Ranger Station. The two-night route includes 16.9 miles, one fire tower, one knob and two balds.

$225 through Nov. 1; $300 through close of registration Nov. 7. Sign up at http://conta.cc/2iFKYm6.

WCU biologist wins international award

Highlands Biological Station Director James Costa recently traveled to London to receive the silver Alfred Russel Wallace medal recognizing his contributions to the study of the 19th-century naturalist.

Wallace, best known for co-discovering the principle of natural selection with Charles Darwin, is recognized by science historians as one of the most important scientists of the modern period.

Costa is the third recipient of the silver Wallace medal, the Wallace Memorial Fund’s highest award. Costa’s contributions to Wallace scholarship —including two books published by Harvard University Press and numerous scholarly and popular articles about Wallace’s life, thought and relationship to Darwin — were cited as reasons for his winning the award.

In addition to directing the Highlands Biological Station since 2005, Costa has been a professor of biology at Western Carolina University since 1996. His latest book is Darwin’s Backyard: How Small Experiments Led to a Big Theory

WNC paddler enters hall of fame

Paddling legend Bunny Johns was inducted into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame this fall for her sport-changing facilitation of how the process, technique and safety of whitewater paddling instruction are taught and shared across the USA.

Johns won this year’s Advocate category, bestowed during a reception Saturday, Oct. 21, at Nantahala Outdoor Center in Swain County. She supported and guided a period of profound transformation of whitewater kayaking instruction in her roles as an American Canoeing Association instructor trainer and chairwoman of the Training Committee, and as department head, vice president and president of NOC between 1976 and 2000. Johns was also an accomplished racer, winning the Gold Medal in C2 Mixed at the 1981 World Whitewater Championships in Bala, Wales, with partner Mike Hipsher.

Other inductees included Nikki Kelly, of New Zealand, and Julie Munger, of the USA, in the Explorer category; and Bill Masters, founder of Perception Kayaks, in the Pioneer category.

www.iwhof.org.

Ginseng growers to gather

A forum on growing American ginseng, with a focus on producing for the domestic market, will be offered noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Madison County Cooperative Extension Center in Marshall, with a networking event to follow.

Presented by the N.C. Ginseng Association, the forum will feature a panel of speakers including Susan Leopold, Ph.D., of United Plant Savers, N.C. House Representative John Ager, Robert Eidus of N.C. Ginseng and Goldenseal, Phyllis Light of The Appalachian Center for Natural Health, and Gary Kauffman of the U.S.

Forest Service. Topics will include acquiring ginseng seed, value-added products, laws and the new forest management plan under development in Western North Carolina. A networking event will follow from 6-8 p.m. at the Sweet Monkey Café and Bakery.

$30, with local snacks, jiaogulang tea and ginseng tea provided. Register at http://bit.ly/2yak90s or mail checks to N.C. Ginseng Association, Attn: Robert Eidus, 300 Indigo Bunting Lane, Marshall, N.C. 28753.

www.facebook.com/NCGinsengAssoc.

Waynesville seeks input on parks

A survey looking for input on Waynesville’s parks is now online.

The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department is encouraging people of all ages to participate. The survey is available at www.waynesvillenc.gov/online-survey. 828.456.2030.

Find backyard birds

An inside look at local birding hotspots and easy-to-spot avians will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, in the Community Room of the Jackson County Public Library.

Tim Carstens, an avid birdwatcher who has lived in Western North Carolina since 1990, will present the program “Birds in Your Backyard and Beyond,” offering places and methods to better find, observe and identify birds in WNC and elsewhere.

Carstens was a librarian at Western Carolina University from 1990 to 2016 and is spending his retirement hiking, paddling and bird watching throughout WNC.

Free and co-sponsored by Friends of the Jackson County Public Library. 828.586.2016.

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital will hold community forums over the next couple of months to share updates on hospital services, expansions of services and results from the hospitals’ quality outcomes. Swain’s forum is from 3:30-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Swain County Senior Center in Bryson City. Harris’ is from 10 a.m.-noon on Friday, Dec. 8, at the Jackson County Library in Sylva. www.myharrisregional.com, www.myswaincommunity.com or 586.7000.

• Southwestern Community College will host a Veterans Day celebration at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9, in Myers Auditorium on SCC’s Jackson Campus. Jamie Pendergrass, Army veteran and SCC human services technology student, will serve as keynote speaker. www.southwesterncc.edu or 339.4000.

• A Veterans Day Celebration is scheduled for Nov. 11 at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds. 508.2657.

• Applications are now available for the Waynesville Christmas Parade, which is at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 4, on Main Street. Registration ranges from $20-30. info@downtownwaynesville.com or 456.3517. Applications are due by noon on Friday, Nov. 17.

• Registration is underway to sign up an entry for the 43rd annual Cashiers Christmas Parade, which is at noon on Saturday, Dec. 9. http://tinyurl.com/y94jp8yd.

• Folkmoot is organizing a trip to Greece that will depart Dec. 26 and return on Jan. 3. To register or get more info: http://folkmoot.org/Greece or 452.2997.

B USINESS & E DUCATION

• Registration is underway for the spring semester at Haywood Community College. Classes start Monday, Jan. 8. 627.4500 or haywood.edu.

• Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center will offer Women’s Business Luncheons from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the Franklin Chamber of commerce and at the same time on Thursday, Nov. 2, at SCC’s Jackson Campus in Sylva.

• Mountain Mediation Services will offer Community Mediation Training from Nov. 8-10 at the Southwestern Planning Commission in Sylva. $250 tuition covers instruction, manuals, handouts and refreshments. Registration deadline is Nov. 1. 631.5252 or www.mountainmediation.org. Info: 341.5717.

• “Climate Adaptive Design: Building Science Meets Climate Science” is scheduled for 8:15 a.m.-4:45 p.m. on Nov. 3 at The Collider in Asheville. Learn how to make buildings more sustainable. $195 for AIA (American Institute of Architects) members; $225 for nonmembers. Student and government discounts available. Register and get more details: http://bit.ly/2z988nX. Info: info@aiaasheville.org. Preand post-conference events (“Design with Climate: A Personal History” and “New Belgium Brewing Sustainability Tour”) are set for 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 2-3, respectively. Register: http://bit.ly/2idnUux.

• An Open House for prospective Western Carolina University students will start with an information fair at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, on the concourse of WCU’s Ramsey Regional Activity Center. Preregistration and info: openhouse.wcu.edu or 227.7317.

• A Hunter Safety Course will be offered two more times from 6-9:30 p.m. on Nov. 6-7 and Dec. 18-19 on the Haywood Community College Campus, Building 3300, Room 3322, in Clyde. Participants must attend both nights to receive certification from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Preregistration required: www.ncwildlife.org.

All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted.

• A Life @ Western program entitled “Asheville Symphony” with David Whitehill is scheduled for Nov. 7 at Western Carolina University’s H.F. Robinson Building Auditorium. For people over 50. life@wcu.edu or 227.3022.

• Western Carolina University will host a Global Spotlight Series event focusing on issues involving indigenous people from 4-5:30 p.m. on Nov. 8 in the Multipurpose Room of the A.K. Hinds University Center. Two speakers will focus on Cherokee-related topics while a third will be about “Aboriginal Australians.” 227.3860 or jsschiff@wcu.edu.

• Registration is underway for a financial education class on “Understanding Credit,” which will be offered by OnTrack from 6-7:30 p.m. on Nov. 9, at the Waynesville Recreation Center. Preregistration required: 452.7960.

• “Navigating WCU’s Digital Resources” will be the topic of the Jackson County Genealogical Society meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9, at the historic Jackson County Courthouse in Sylva. Led by Elizabeth Skene, WCU special and digital collections librarian. Info: 631.2646 or search for the group on Facebook.

• Sara Jenkins will review “Small is Beautiful: Economics As If People Mattered” by E.F. Schumacher at the Lake Junaluska Book Review Committee meeting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, in the Susan Todd Lounge of the Harrell Center at Lake Junaluska.

• Registration is underway for an Agribusiness Summit that will be held from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Haywood Community College. Presented by HCC’s Small Business Center and regional agribusiness partners. Two tracks will be offered: “How to Start a Food-Based Business” and “How to Grow a Food-Based Business.” Register or get more info: http://SBC.Haywood.edu or 627.4512.

• Small business owners can find materials and services to support business growth at Fontana Regional Library’s locations in Macon, Jackson and Swain Counties. Computer classes and one-on-one assistance also available. 586.2016 or www.fontanalib.org.

• A meeting of current and former employees of the Waynesville plant of Champion/Blue Ridge/Evergreen is held at 8 a.m. on the first Monday of each month at BoJangles near Lake Junaluska’s entrance.

• One-on-one computer lessons are offered weekly at the Waynesville and Canton branches of the Haywood County Public Library. Lesson slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Canton and from 3-5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Waynesville Library. Sign up at the front desk of either library or call 356.2507 for the Waynesville Library or 648.2924 for the Canton Library.

FUNDRAISERSAND B ENEFITS

• United Christian Ministries will have fundraisers at the following days, times and locations – with 10 percent of all proceeds going to help Jackson County families in need: 5 p.m.-closing on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at Wendy’s of Sylva; 4 p.m.-closing on Thursday, Nov. 9, at Coach’s in Dillsboro; and 4-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Pizza Hut of Sylva.

• Tickets are on sale now for a “Middle Eastern Friendship Dinner” and short film, “Bon Voyage,” that will be offered starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17, at Folkmoot Friendship Center as part of Western Carolina University’s International Education Week in

Waynesville. Tickets: $15 for adults; $10 for students. 452.2997 or Folkmoot.org.

VOLUNTEERS & VENDORS

• REACH of Haywood County will hold training for other nonprofits, businesses and faith-based organizations from 9:30-11:45 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, at the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office in Waynesville. REACH is a domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse intervention and prevention agency. 456.7898 or bqreach@aol.com.

• The Good Samaritan clinic of Haywood County seeks volunteers to help uninsured patients receive medications, vision care and other health and spiritual-related services in Waynesville. Clinic is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday. 454.5287 or crocco@gcshaywood.org.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking volunteers to assist rangers with managing traffic and establishing safe wildlife viewing areas within the Cataloochee Valley area. To register for training or get more info: karl_danforth@nps.gov.

• Haywood Regional Medical Center is currently seeking volunteers of all ages for ongoing support at the hospital, outpatient care center and the Homestead. For info and to apply: 452.8301, stop by the information desk in the lobby or volunteer@haymed.org. Anyone interested in becoming a hospice volunteer can call 452.5039.

• STAR Rescue Ranch is seeking volunteers to help with horse care, fundraising events, barn maintenance and more at the only equine rescue in Haywood County. 505.274.9199.

• Volunteer Opportunities are available throughout the region, call John at the Haywood Jackson Volunteer Center today and get started sharing your talents. 3562833

• Phone Assurance Volunteers are needed to make daily or weekly wellness check-in calls for the Haywood County Senior Resource Center. 356.2816.

H EALTH MATTERS

• The Autism Society of North Carolina, Macon Chapter, will meet from 5-6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5, at Bethel Church in Franklin. Opportunities for families of children and adults with autism to meet, share and learn. RSVP: maconchapter@autismsociety-nc.org or 419.392.7370.

• A diabetes management education opportunity for senior citizens will be offered from 4-6 p.m. on Mondays from through Nov. 6 at First Baptist Church of Waynesville. Info: 356.2272.

• CarePartners Bereavement Department will host a “Surviving the Holidays” workshop from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Nov. 7 and from noon-1 p.m. on Nov. 14 at 68 Sweeten Creek Road in Asheville. For those coping with grief. Info and reservations: 251.0126.

• Lauren Page, a physical therapist at Haywood Regional Medical Center, will be the presenter for a meeting of Parkinson’s Support in the Mountains at 3 p.m. on Nov. 9 at the Jackson County Department on Aging in Sylva.

• A support group for anyone with MS, family & friends meets monthly at 6:45 p.m. on the3rd Tuesday of each month at the conference room of Jackson Co. Library in Sylva. No Fee, sponsored by National MS Society. Local contact: Gordon Gaebel 828-293-2503.

• “Laughing Balsam Sangha,” a meeting for Mindfullness in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, meets will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays at 318 Skyland Drive in Sylva. Included are sitting and walking meditation, and Dharma discussion. Free admission. 335.8210, and “Like” them on Facebook.

Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for:

■ Complete listings of local music scene

■ Regional festivals

■ Art gallery events and openings

■ Complete listings of recreational offerings at regional health and fitness centers

■ Civic and social club gatherings

•”Breastfeeding A-Z” will be offered for expectant mothers from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday Nov. 9 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. Taught by Board-Certified Lactation Consultants.

MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses or 452.8440.

• “Your Amazing Newborn” classes will be offered for new parents from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday Nov. 16 at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses or 452.8440.

• A “Walk With A Doc” program is scheduled for 10 a.m. each Saturday at the Lake Junaluska Kern Center or Canton Rec Park. MyHaywoodRegional.com/WalkwithaDoc.

• Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACA) meets at noon on Saturdays at the First United Methodist Church Outreach Center at 171 Main St. in Franklin. 407.758.6433 or adultchildren.org.

• Western Carolina University’s student-run, Mountain Area Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic will be open from 6-8:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. 227.3527.

• • The Jackson County Department of Public Health will offer a general clinic from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 587.8225.

• A Food Addicts Anonymous Twelve-Step fellowship group meets at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays at Grace Church in the Mountains in Waynesville. www.foodaddictsanonymous.org.

• Big Brother/Big Sister, a one-evening preparation class for children who are about to greet a new baby into their family, is offered for children ages 3-10 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. 452.8440 or MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses.

• Mothers Connection, an ongoing social gathering for mothers and their babies, meets from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Thursdays excluding holidays at Haywood Regional Medical Center. 452.8440 or MyHaywoodRegional.com/ParentClasses.

• A support group meeting for those with Parkinsons Disease and their caregivers will be held at 2 p.m. on the last day Wednesday of the month at the Waynesville Senior Resource Center.

• A support group for anyone with Multiple Sclerosis, family and friends meets twice each month: at 2 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month in the Heritage Room at the Jackson County Senior Center in Sylva and at 5:30 p.m. on the second Thursday at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Info: 293.2503.

• A monthly grief support group sponsored by The Meditation Center meets at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at The Meditation Center at 894 East Main Street in Sylva. Info: www.meditatewnc.org or 356.1105.

• Inner Guidance from an Open Heart will meet from 68 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at The Meditation Center at 894 East Main Street in Sylva. Info: www.meditate-wnc.org or 356.1105.

• Free childbirth and breastfeeding classes are available at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva. Classes are

offered bimonthly on an ongoing basis. Register or get more info: 586.7907.

• A free weekly grief support group is open to the public from 12:30-2 p.m. on Thursdays at SECU Hospice House in Franklin. Hosted by Four Seasons Compassion for Life Bereavement Team. 692.6178 or mlee@fourseasonscfl.org.

• A Men’s Night Out will take place at 6:30 p.m. on the third floor of the hospital. on the first Wednesday of each month at The Meditation Center at 894 E. Main St. in Sylva. www.meditate-wnc.org or 356.1105.

• A free, weekly grief support group will meet from 12:30-2 p.m. on Thursdays at the SECU Hospice House in Franklin. 692.6178 or mlee@fourseasonscfl.org.

• “ECA on the Move!” – a walking program organized by Jackson County Extension and Community Association – meets from 9-10 a.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. It’s an effort to meet the American Heart Association’s recommendation of 10,000 steps per day. 586.4009.

• A Tuesday Meditation Group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Franklin.

R ECREATIONAND FITNESS

• Pickleball, a cross between tennis, badminton and ping-pong, will be offered from 9 a.m.-noon on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Old Hazelwood Gym in Waynesville. $3 per visit, or $20 for a 10-visit card. 452.6789 or drtaylor@haywoodnc.net.

• Open play and practice for adult coed volleyball will be offered at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays through September at the Waynesville Recreation Center. $4 per person for nonmembers; free for members. 456.2030. dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov or 456.2030.

• Yoga is being offered at the Fitness Connection in Waynesville. First class is free. Info: 476.0179 or 550.1640.

• ZUMBA! Classes, are offered from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesdays, at the Canton Armory. $5 per class. 648.2363 or parks@cantonnc.com.

• Tai chi is offered from 10:45-11:45 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center. It’s also offered from 1-2 p.m. on Thursdays. Taught by Bill Muerdter. For info about the classes or HRHFC memberships and offerings, call 452.8080 or visit MyHaywoodRegional.com/Fitness.

• Ultimate Frisbee games are held from 5:30-8 p.m. on Mondays at the Cullowhee Recreation Park. Organized by Jackson County Parks & Recreation. Pick-up style. 293.2053 or www.rec.jacksonnc.org.

• The Wednesday Croquet Group meets from 10 a.m.noon at the Vance Street Park across from the shelter. For senior players ages 55 or older. 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Pickleball is from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday nights at First Methodist Church in Sylva. $1 each time you play; equipment provided. 293.3053.

• Cardio Lunch class will meet from noon-1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Waynesville Recreation Center. For ages 16 and above. Cost is regular admission fee to the rec center or free for members. 456.2030 or tplowman@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Flexible Fitness class will meet from 4:30-5:15 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Waynesville Recreation Center. For ages 16 and above. Cost is regular admission fee to the rec center or free for members. 456.2030 or tplowman@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Pump It Up class will meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Waynesville Recreation Center. For ages 16 and above. Cost is regular admission fee to the rec center or free for members. 456.2030 or tplowman@waynesvillenc.gov.

• The Canton Armory is open to the public for walking from 7:45-9 a.m. on Monday through Friday unless the facility is booked. 648.2363. parks@cantonnc.com.

• Pickle ball is offered from 8 a.m.-noon on Mondays through Fridays at the Waynesville Recreation Center. 456.2030 or www.waynesvillnc.gov.

S PIRITUAL

• Registration is underway for the Interfaith Peace Conference, which is Nov. 16-19, at Lake Junaluska. Affirming the community of Abrahamic faiths (Christians, Jews, Muslims) and other religious traditions to advance the work of reconciliation and peace. Lodging and meal packages available. www.lakejunaluska.com.

P OLITICAL

• “Guns and Gun Laws in America: Where Are We Headed?” will be the topic of the Franklin Open Forum at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6, at the Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub in Franklin. Open exchange of ideas, dialog, not debate. 371.1020.

• Tickets are on sale for the 25th annual Charles Taylor Holiday Dinner, which is Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Crown Plaza Resort in Asheville. Taylor is the longestserving Republican U.S. Representative in WNC history (1991-2007). Tickets: $60. Checks can be mailed to Charles Taylor, P.O. Box 7587, Asheville, NC 28802. Info: 243.2187 or tasmothers@yahoo.com.

• The Haywood County Libertarian Party is now meeting at Blue Ridge Books on Main Street from 4:30-6 p.m. every second Monday of the month. These meetings will be for discussion on current events, and are open to the public.

• A lunch-and-discussion group will be held by the League of Women Voters at noon on the second Thursday of each month at Tartan Hall of the First Presbyterian Church in Franklin. RSVP for lunch: lwvmacon@wild-dog-mountain.info or 524.8369.

AUTHORSAND B OOKS

• The NetWest program of the North Carolina Writers Network will host an open mic night at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. Folks are encouraged to bring their poetry or short pieces to share. Sign-ups begin at 6:45 p.m. for 10minute reading session. www.ncwriters.org.

• Author Deborah L. Schlag will recount the complicated, challenging process of living with and recovering from a traumatic brain injury at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. To reserve copies of the book, please call City Lights Bookstore at 586.9499.

S ENIORACTIVITIES

• The Haywood County Arts Council’s popular “Mind the Music!” classes have extended registration for the fall session. If you are aged 55 and older and you wish to learn to play the piano, these classes are for you. The class will run for five weeks, starting the week of Nov. 6. The cost for the five classes is $60, plus a materials fee for a music book (less than $20). director@haywoodarts.org or 452.0593. www.haywoodarts.org.

• A Life @ Western program entitled “American Politics” with Chris Cooper is scheduled for Nov. 14 at Western Carolina University’s H.F. Robinson Building Auditorium. For people over 50. life@wcu.edu or 227.3022.

• The Mexican Train Dominoes Group seeks new players to join games at 1:30 p.m. each Tuesday at the Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 926.6567.

• A Silver Sneakers Cardio Fit class will meet from 1011 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Waynesville Recreation Center. For ages 60 and above. Cost is regular admission fee to the rec center or free for members. 456.2030 or tplowman@waynesvillenc.gov.

• Book Club is held at 2 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800

• Senior croquet for ages 55 and older is offered from 9-11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Vance Street Park in front of Waynesville Recreation Center. Free. For info, contact Donald Hummel at 456.2030 or dhummel@waynesvillenc.gov.

• A Hand & Foot card game is held at 1 p.m. on Mondays at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

• Pinochle game is played at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2813.

• Hearts is played at 12 p.m. on Wednesdays at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2813.

• Mah Jongg is played at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays at Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2813.

K IDS & FAMILIES

• A kids’ nature discovery program will be offered to ages 3-5 and kindergarten through third grade through the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department. Younger ages will meet at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays (Nov. 15 and Dec. 20) at Cullowhee Recreation Center. The older ages meet at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays (Nov. 15 and Dec. 20). $10 per child. Pre-register: www.rec.jacksonnc.org.

• The “Polar Express” will depart Nov. 10-11 and 1722 from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot in Bryson City. For more information on departures or to purchase tickets, click on www.gsmr.com.

• “Letters to Santa” will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 10 to Dec. 23 at the Swain County Heritage Museum in Bryson City. Drop a line for Santa. Materials provided. Call the museum for Santa appearances: 800.867.9246.

• “Lighting Up Maggie Valley” will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Tree lighting, Santa strut contest, pictures with Santa, live music, food and coat donations, ugly sweater contest, and much more.

• A “Youth Art Class” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday at the Appalachian Art Farm on 22 Morris Street in Sylva. All ages welcome. $10 includes instruction, materials and snack. For more information, email appalachianartfarm@gmail.com

• Registration is underway for Lake Junaluska’s winter youth retreats, which start Dec. 29. Register or get more info: 800.222.4930 or www.lakejunaluska.com/winteryouth.

K IDSFILMS

• “CARS 3” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 and 7 p.m. on Nov. 11 and Nov. 17 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. FREE

• A family movie will be shown at 10:30 a.m. every Friday at Hudson Library in Highlands.

FESTIVALSAND S PECIAL EVENTS

• “Art After Dark” will be from 6 to 9 p.m. the first Friday of the month (May-December), in downtown Waynesville. Each Main Street transforms into an evening of art, music, finger foods, beverages and shopping as artisan studios and galleries keep their doors open later for local residents and visitors. www.waynesvillegalleryassociation.com.

• The immensely popular WNC Pottery Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, in downtown Dillsboro. Showcasing the work of more than 40 master potters from 13 states. A variety of clay art styles will be presented. The event is juried and the lineup of potters is second-to-none. The “WNC Clay Olympics” and lighting of the wood-fired kiln will be held on Friday, Nov. 3. Admission is $5. 631.5100 or 586.3601.

• The Highlands Food & Wine festival will be held Nov. 9-12 around downtown.

• The annual Heritage Arts Holiday Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Southwestern Community College Swain campus. Shop from a large selection of handcrafted items including pottery, holiday decorations, knitted items, jewelry, and more. Kids crafts: ornament decoration, raku firing demo and printmaking demo. Free admission. ncheritageartsfestival.wordpress.com/holiday.

F OOD & D RINK

• Registration is underway for the Thanksgiving Buffet at Lake Junaluska. Event is Nov. 23. Reservations required. www.lakejunaluska.com.

• Sneak E Squirrel Brewing (Sylva) will host the Jackson County Corn Hole Association on Monday evenings ($5 buy in, 100-percent payout), Karaoke with Captain Moose from 7 to 11 p.m. on Tuesdays, Trivia at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and a Guitar Hero Tournament at 7 p.m. on Thursdays. 586.6440.

• “Brown Bag at the Depot” – an opportunity to gather with neighbors – is at noon every Friday at Sylva’s newest park at the corner of Spring and Mill Street along Railroad Ave. For info, contact Paige Dowling at townmanager@townofsylva.org.

• Graceann’s Amazing Breakfast is 8-10 a.m. every Tuesday in the Sapphire Room at the Sapphire Valley Community Center. $8.50 for adults; $5 for children. Includes coffee and orange juice. 743.7663.

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

• A game day will occur from 2-9 p.m. every third Saturday of the month at Papou’s Wine Shop & Bar in Sylva. Bring dice, cards or board games. 586.6300.

• A wine tasting will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Saturdays at Papou’s Wine Shop in Sylva. $5 per person. www.papouswineshop.com or 586.6300.

• A free wine tasting will be held from 1-5 p.m. on Saturdays at Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville. www.waynesvillewine.com or 452.0120.

• A wine tasting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays The Classic Wineseller in Waynesville. Free with dinner ($15 minimum). 452.6000.

ON STAGE & I N CONCERT

• Legendary country stars Alabama will hit the stage at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at Harrah’s Cherokee. www.harrahscherokee.com or 800.745.3000.

• Buncombe Turnpike, an Asheville-based bluegrass band, will perform at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2, as part of the First Thursday Old-Time and Bluegrass Series at Western Carolina University’s H.F. Robinson Administration Building in Cullowhee. Jam session follows at 8 p.m. 227.7129.

• Bluegrass icons Dailey & Vincent will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Tickets start at $22. 866.273.4615 or www.greatmountainmusic.com.

• The National Theatre of London’s production of “Angels in America I &II” will be presented at 1 p.m.

on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 4-5, at Highlands Performing Arts Center in Highlands. Tickets: highlandspac.org, at the door or 526.9047. $22 for adults; $19 for HPAC members.

• The Western Carolina University Civic Orchestra will present its annual fall concert at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6, in the School of Music Recital on the campus of WCU in Cullowhee. 227.7242.

• Rock legend Sammy Hagar & The Circle will hit the stage at 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at Harrah’s Cherokee. www.harrahscherokee.com or 800.745.3000.

• A trumpet and organ duo, Chuck Seipp and Randall Sheets, will perform at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Bryson City United Methodist Church.

• The “Sunday at the Opry” will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, at The Colonial Theater in Canton. Local musicians Darren Nicholson, Jessi Stone, Lorraine Conard, J. Creek Cloggers, and more will perform as Grand Ole Opry greats for a fun afternoon of country classics in honor of those who have served. Tickets available at Eventbrite, by calling 452.0593, visiting the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville (86 North Main Street) or at the Colonial in Canton (no credit cards at this location). Cost is $15 (+ tax) for adults, $5 (+ tax) children. Veterans admitted for free (though ticket required to reserve your seat).

CLASSESAND PROGRAMS

• Three metal-working courses will be offered in November with local metalsmith William Rogers: Blacksmithing basics, hammered copper and mobile wind sculpture. For families, groups of friends, couples and children. Afternoon classes from 3-6 p.m.; evening classes from 5:30-8:30 p.m. For info and to register: RogersMetals@gmail.com or 293.3777.

• “Touching the Face of History: The Story of the Plott Hound, North Carolina’s Official State Dog” will be the presentation for the next meeting of the Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 2 at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center in Bryson City. Directions and info: www.swaingenealogy.com.

• “Scots: The Backbone of Western North Carolina” will be the topic of an eco-forum at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 3 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Franklin. Meet –and-greet at 5:30 p.m., and covered dish at 6 p.m. 524.3691 or SandiDonn2@yahoo.com.

• A “Make Your Own Glass Pumpkin” workshop is scheduled for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Jackson County Green Energy Park. Time slots are 45 minutes; Cost is $40. Learn basics of working with glass, some history on glass blowing and safety guidelines. Ages 13-18 may participate with parent present. Register: 631.0271. Info: www.jcgep.org.

• The John C. Campbell Folk School’s Blacksmith and Fine Craft Auction from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, on the campus in Brasstown.

• A “Hammered Metal Ornament” workshop will be offered from 10-11:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 6, at the Dillsboro Masonic Lodge. Retired art teacher and current Dogwood Crafter Joan Marsden will be the instructor. Use aluminum wire to bend and shape stars, hearts and trees. $9. Register: 586.2248.

• The N.C. Humanities Council will present “The Way We Worked” – a collaboration with the Smithsonian Institute Traveling Exhibition Service – through Nov. 7 at the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. A celebration of 150 years of America’s Workforce. www.nchumanities.org.

• The monthly Creating Community Workshop, Pine Needle Ornament, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, in the Atrium of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. With needle and thread in combination with long leafed pine needles, participants will make a red and green holiday ornament with a natural look. (www.fontanalib.org). This program is free of charge. This class is limited to 10 people. 586.2016.

• Registration is underway for a basket-making workshop featuring local crafter Junetta Pell. Learn how to make a Beauty of Autumn Basket from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 26-27. $25. 586.4009.

• A “Women in the Woods” series will be hosted by the N.C. Cooperative Extension in Haywood County from through mid-November. Sessions are Nov. 3 and Nov. 17. Facilitated by Dr. James Jeuck of Haywood Community College. More info or to register: 456.3575.

• Registration is underway for a holiday card making class that will be offered by Southwestern Community College from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursdays through Nov. 16, at SCC’s Macon Campus. $55 cost includes materials. Register or get more info: 339.4657 or www.southwesterncc.edu.

• Sign-ups are underway for the 26th annual Haywood Arts Regional trip to broadway, which is May 10-13. Cost is $1,575 per person. $500 deposit due by March 1; balance due April 1. HART, P.O. Box 1024, Waynesville, NC 28786.

• Waynesville Fiber Friends welcomes fiber artists of every kind: crochet, knitting, cross-stitching and more, from 10 a.m.-noon on the second Saturday of each month at Panacea Coffee House in Waynesville. 276.6226.

• Appalachian Art Farm will host a free art session from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Community Table in Sylva. 273.9682 or MyriahStrivelli@gmail.com.

• The High Country Quilt Guild meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the First Methodist Church in Waynesville. www.highcountryquilters.wordpress.com.

• The Bryson City Lion meet at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month at the Iron Skillet in Bryson City.

• “Paint Nite Waynesville” will be held at 6:30 p.m. every other Thursday at Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. There will also be “Painting at the Porch” at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Southern Porch in Canton. Sign up for either event on the Paint Night Waynesville Facebook page (search event: Brush N. Brew) or call Robin Smathers at 828.400.9560. paintnitewaynesville@gmail.com.

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

• Coloring Club will be hosted on the second Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m. at Canton Library. Color pencils and color pages supplied. For ages 8 to 108. 648.2924.

• Beginners Chess Club is held on Fridays at 4 p.m. at the Canton Public Library. Ages 8-108 invited to participate. 648.2924.

• Cribbage is at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the Maggie Valley Inn. 410.440.7652 or 926.3978.

• An Antique, Vintage & Handcrafted Flea Market starts at 8 a.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 3029 Soco Road in Maggie Valley. Bring your own table/tent. Spaces rent for $10 a day or $25 for all three days.

• The Adult Coloring Group will meet at 2 p.m. on Fridays in the Living Room of the Macon County Public Library in Franklin. An afternoon of creativity and camaraderie. Supplies are provided, or bring your own. Beginners are welcome as well as those who already enjoy this new trend. kmoe@fontanalib.org or 524.3600.

• Haywood County Arts Council is inviting artist members to participate in its annual Artist Member Show. Download a show contract/inventory sheet from www.haywoodarts.org. Send completed forms to gallery@haywoodarts.org or P.O. Box 306; Waynesville, N.C. 28786.

• The Jackson Rangers Camp 1917 will hold monthly meetings at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at the Barkers Creek Community Center. Members are being sought to participate in honor guard graveside events and honor Confederate soldiers. The Confederate Rose, a ladies auxiliary group that supports active members, meets at the same time and location. 736.6222 or jrcamp1917@hotmail.com.

• “Stitch,” the community gathering of those interested in crochet, knit and needlepoint, meet at 2:30 p.m. every first Sunday of the month at the Canton Public Library. All ages and skill levels welcome. www.haywoodlibrary.org.

• The Sew Easy Girls meet from noon-3 p.m. on the first Monday of every month at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Office’s conference room. Learn how to sew. 586.4009.

• A community art group meets at 10 a.m. every Wednesday at the Hudson Library in Highlands. 828.526.3031.

• A writer’s group meets at 1 p.m. every Thursday at Hudson Library in Highlands. 526.3031.

• Free one-on-one technology help is offered every Tuesday and Thursday morning at Hudson Library in Highlands. Call 526.3031 to make an appointment.

ARTSHOWINGSAND GALLERIES

• Franklin Uptown Gallery is holding a new exhibit reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at 30 East Main Street in Franklin. Please come to meet and support the local artists who create exceptional paintings, jewelry, woodcarvings and other unique items. All are welcome to attend. 349.4607.

• Linda Dickinson’s display of black-and-white photography is being displayed at the Canton Public Library Meeting Room in Canton. Show is entitled “Waynesville and Environs, a Black & White Perspective.” 648.2924.

• The Macon County Art Association is having a 10-day show of the 2017 class of local Veteran portraits painted by its members for the vets in the community.

The public is invited to come to the Uptown Gallery 34 West Main Street in Franklin to view the portraits. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will be presented to the families on Veteran’s Day at the gallery after the parade at noon Saturday, Nov. 11. 349.4607

• The Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at Bardo Arts Center will host the exhibit “WCU Collects: Recent Acquisitions” through Jan. 26. 227.3591.

• Exhibit “Conversation/What Remains” featuring artists Rachel Meginnes and Kelly O’Briant will be on display through Nov. 19, at Penland Gallery near Spruce Pine. 765.6211 or penland.org/gallery.

• Artists are sought to participate in the Haywood County Arts Council’s 10th annual small work show “It’s a Small, Small Work,” which is scheduled for Nov. 3-Dec. 23 in the HCAC Gallery & Gifts in Waynesville. $20 per artist entering the show. Application and info: www.haywoodarts.org, info@haywoodarts.org or 452.0593.

• In the WCU Fine Art Museum main gallery through Dec. 8 is the nationally traveling exhibition “Return from Exile: Contemporary Southeastern Indian Art,” curated by Tony A. Tiger, Bobby C. Martin, and Jace Weaver. The symposium will be held on from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10, followed by a reception honoring the “Return from Exile” exhibition from 5 to 7 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public. The symposium includes a ticketed keynote performance from Canadian First Nation electronic music group A Tribe Called Red at 7:30 p.m. arts.wcu.edu/tribe.

The museum is also presenting “WCU Collects: Recent Acquisitions.” This exhibition showcases a selection of artworks recently given to the museum and includes a number of artists not previously represented in the collection. www.wcu.edu.

• New artist and medium will be featured every month

at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville. 356.2800.

FILM & S CREEN

• “Same Kind of Different as Me” will be Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. at The Strand on Main in Waynesville. See website for tickets and pricing. www.38main.com.

• “Thor: Ragnarok” will be playing at 7 p.m. on Nov. 2, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. and 9:40 p.m., Nov 4 at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9:40 p.m., Nov. 5 at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m., Nov. 6-10 at 7 p.m., Nov. 11-12 at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m., Nov. 13-16 at 7 p.m. at the Strand on Main in Waynesville. See website for tickets and pricing. www.38main.com.

• “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” will be playing at 7 p.m. on Dec. 14, 7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m. on Dec. 15, 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m., 9:55 p.m., on Dec. 16, 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m., on Dec. 17, and at 7 p.m. on Dec. 18-21 at the Strand on Main in Waynesville. See website for tickets and pricing. www.38main.com.

• “Spiderman: Homecoming” is playing at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 3 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. FREE.

• “The Glass Castle” will be showing at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 9 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. FREE.

• “Atomic Blonde” will be showing at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 16 at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. FREE.

• Free movies are shown every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Mad Batter Food & Film in Sylva. Madbatterfoodfilm.com.

Outdoors

• Tim Carstens will present “Birds in Your Backyard and Beyond” at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2, in the Community Room of the Jackson County Public Library. 586.2016.

• A Spay/Neuter Clinic is offered from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays at 182 Richland Street in Waynesville. As low as $10. 452.1329.

• Rumble in the Rhododendron is Nov. 4-5 in Cherokee Enterprise Waters in Cherokee. 359.6110.

• A nature photography workshop is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5, at Chimney Rock State Park. Led by professional photographer Chuck Hill of Hendersonville. $100 cost includes lunch and a Chimney Rock Park annual pass. $75 for passholders. Register: 625.9611.

• The Tuckaseigee River Chapter (No. 373) of Trout Unlimited meets at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the United Community Bank in Sylva.

• Tickets are on sale now for the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s 20th anniversary celebration, which is Nov. 9 at Biltmore. Dinner, drinks and awards ceremony. Tickets: $100 and available at brpfoundation.org/20yearsstrong or 866.308.2773.

• Registration is underway for the Ginseng Marketplace, which is from noon-5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 258 Carolina Lane in Marshall. Hosted by the N.C. Ginseng Association. Tickets: $30. Register: http://tinyurl.com/yd4t75sp.

COMPETITIVE E DGE

• The N.C. American Bike Trials Series is Nov. 3-5 at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Swain County. Registration: 1-2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, $15 to $150, depending on category. www.noc.com/events/northamerican-trials-series.

• The Conquer the Mountain Half Marathon is set for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, from the Tassee Shelter of the Little Tennessee Greenway in Franklin. Proceeds will benefit the Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care Center.

The race cut-off time will be 1:30 p.m. $45 for individuals; $60 for two-person teams. Prices increase after Oct. 28. www.active.com.

• The Kickin’ Asphalt 5K/10K starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, in downtown Murphy. The route travels through historic downtown with the 10K route heading out and back to take in the countryside. $20$30, depending on age or distance. www.active.com.

• Registration is underway for the Cherokee 5K Turkey Strut, which is Saturday, Nov. 18, beginning and ending at Kituwah Mound near Bryson City, starting at noon Saturday, Nov. 18. Hosted by Cherokee Choices, the run welcomes everyone from avid runners to walkers, with a variety of age groups offered. Proceeds will benefit the Cherokee Braves Booster Club, which supports athletes at Cherokee Central Schools. www.runsignup.com.

• Registration is underway for the Cold Turkey 5K, which starts at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 23 in Franklin. The Little Turkeys FUN! Run/Walk for kids will begin at 9 a.m. with the 5K starting at 9:30 a.m. The route goes along the Little Tennessee Greenway. A portion of the funds will go to a nonprofit in Macon County, to be announced at a later date. $25. www.active.com.

FARMAND GARDEN

• The Sylva Garden Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, in the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church of Sylva. Guest speaker is Adam Bigelow, who will speak on “Native Replacements for Invasive Landscape Plants.”

• Local farmers can stop by the Cooperative Extension Office on Acquoni Road from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every fourth Friday to learn about USDA Farm Service Agency programs in the 2014 Farm Bill. Info: 488.2684, ext. 2 (Wednesday through Friday) or 524.3175, ext. 2 (Monday through Wednesday).

• The Macon County Poultry Club of Franklin meets at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Cooperative Extension Office on Thomas Heights Rd, Open to the public. 369.3916.

FARMERS MARKET

• The Jackson County Farmers Market will have market from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays at The Community Table. Info: 393.5236. jacksoncountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com or website jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org.

• A community tailgate market for local growers is open from 3-7 p.m. every Wednesday at The Village Green Commons in Cashiers. 734.3434, info@villagegreencashiersnc.com or www.villagegreencashiersnc.com.

H IKING CLUBS

• The Haywood Waterways Association and trip leader Steve Winchester will lead a hike along the Boogerman Trail on Nov. 4 in Cataloochee Valley. Free for members; $5 donation for nonmembers. Reservations: christine@haywoodwaterways@gmail.com or 476.4667.

• Waynesville Parks and Recreation is leading a strenuous 11.1-mile hike to Mt. Cammerer at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 549 feet of elevation gain. $8 for members; $10 for nonmembers. 456.2030.

• Wildland Trekking will guide a Great Smoky Mountains Association backpacking excursion from Sunday through Tuesday, Nov. 12-14, in the Twentymile area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 16.9 miles. $225 for those who register by Nov. 1; $300 through Nov. 7. http://conta.cc/2iFKYm6.

• Friends of the Smokies will hike the North Shore Road Loop on Tuesday, Nov. 14, in the Great Smoky Mountains. 9.4 miles; 1,350-foot elevation gain. Led by Gracia Slater. $20 for members; $35 for new members. Register: http://Hike.FriendsoftheSmokies.org.

MarketPlace information:

The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 every week to over 500 locations across in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties along with the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. For a link to our MarketPlace Web site, which also contains a link to all of our MarketPlace display advertisers’ Web sites, visit www.smokymountainnews.com.

Rates:

■ Free — Lost or found pet ads.

■ $5 — Residential yard sale ads,

■ $5 — Non-business items that sell for less than $150.

■ $15 — Classified ads that are 50 words or less; each additional line is $2.

If your ad is 10 words or less, it will be displayed with a larger type.

■ $3 — Border around ad and $5 — Picture with ad or colored background.

■ $50 — Non-business items, 25 words or less. 3 month or till sold.

■ $300 — Statewide classifieds run in 117 participating newspapers with 1.6 million circulation. Up to 25 words.

■ All classified ads must be pre-paid.

Classified Advertising:

Scott Collier, phone 828.452.4251; fax 828.452.3585 classads@smokymountainnews.com

AUCTION

AUCTION – NOV. 11 –Central NC Homes on 63+/- Acre Farm. 5+/- minutes to I-85/40 Hillsborough, NC. United CountryRogers Auctioneers, Inc. www.RogersAuction.com 919.545.0412 NCFL7360

AUCTION: PSNC ENERGY.

Utility Equipment & Trucks

Backhoe Loaders, Trenchers, Service Trucks, Pickups & More. 11/11 @ 10AM | Gastonia, NC ON-SITE & LIVE ONLINE BIDDING Website: www.motleys.com Ph: 804.232.3300 Ext.4 NCAL #5914

MACHINE SHOP LIQUIDATION SALE

November 3rd, 4th, & 5th, 2017. 300 Church St. Blackstone, VA 23824. Lathes, Mills, Presses, Bearings, Shelving & lots of Tools. WWW.DEMPSEYANDCO.COM or 434.294.3942

ONLINE AUCTION

AUCTION

SOLD!ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION In over 100 newspapers across the state for only $375. Call your local newspaper or Wendi Ray at NC Press Services, 919.516.8009 for more information.

BUILDING MATERIALS

HAYWOOD BUILDERS Garage Doors, New Installations Service & Repairs, 828.456.6051

100 Charles St. Waynesville Employee Owned.

NEED A WALK IN TUB?

Getting in and out of the tub can be easier than ever before. Walk in Tubs are designed to prevent slipping with textured mats and hand rails. They also have and textured pads to keep your head above water. Call Today for More information. 855.789.3291

Construction Equipment & Trucks. 10/24, 5 PM - 11/01, 11 AM. Excavators, Dozers, Road Tractors, Loaders, Dump Trucks, Trailers & More! BID ON-SITE: 3600 Deepwater Terminal Road, Richmond VA Visit: www.motleys.com or call us at 804.232.3300 Don’t Wait! VAAL#16

For Sale, located in Maggie Valley, NC. Call 828.734.1665 for more information.

EMPLOYMENT

AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINING –

Get FAA Technician certification.. Approved for military benefits. Financial Aid if qualified. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866.724.5403

SAPA

BROWN TRUCKING -

Is looking for Company Drivers & Owner Operators. Brown requires: CDL-A, 2 years of tractor trailer experience OTR or Regional (Multiple states) in the last 3 years, good MVR and PSP. Apply at: www.driveforbrown.com or Contact Brandon Collins 919.291.7416.

SAPA

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS

RAILROAD IN BRYSON CITY

Is currently hiring! We currently have vacancies for Event Staff to work on THE POLAR EXPRESS, Property Maintenance Worker, Parking Attendant, Ticket Agent and Retail Sales Associate. Earn train passes, retail & food discounts, passes to area attractions and more! Full Job Descriptions and Applications are Available at: www.gsmr.com/jobs You may also get an application from the Bryson City Depot.

LOCAL DRIVERS WANTED!

Be your own boss. Flexible hours. Unlimited earning potential. Mustbe 21 with valid U.S. drivers license, insurance & reliable vehicle. Call855.750.9313

SEEKING AN INDIVIDUAL

To Provide Direct Client Services for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence, to Create and Support a Fundraising Plan for Jackson County Victim Services, and to Develop and Implement Education, Marketing, and Outreach Materials. If Interested, Please Submit a Resume to REACH of Macon County, PO Box 228 Franklin, NC 28744 or Send to: reach@reachofmaconcounty.org

NUCLEAR POWER TRAINEE

Paid Training, great salary, benefits, $ for school.Gain valued skills.No exp neededmedical/ dental, vacation. High School grads ages 17-34. Call MondayFriday 800.662.7419 SAPA

HOME WORKERS!!

Easy Legitimate Work, Great Pay! Assemble Products At Home And Other Mystery Shopping Opportunities Galore - No Experience Needed. For More Details, Send $2.00 With A Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope to: Publishers Market Source, P.O. Box 1122, Merrillville, IN 46411

SHEBA - A BEAUTIFUL BRINDLE GIRL ABOUT 4-5 YEARS OLD. SHE KNOWS BASIC COMMANDS, LIKE "SIT TO SAY PLEASE", AND WALKS NICELY ON LEASH. HER ONLY ISSUE IS RESOURCE GUARDING WITH OTHER DOGS, AND SO SHE'LL NEED TO BE AN ONLY DOG IN HER NEW HOME. OTHERWISE SHE IS AN ABSOLUTE LOVE BUG AND ALREADY ONE OF OUR FAVORITES!

ALINA - A BEAUTIFUL DILUTE CALICO GIRL ONLY ABOUT ONE YEAR OLD. HER COLORS ARE GRAY, PEACH AND WHITE, GIVING HER A VERY SOFT APPEARANCE. SHE IS SWEET AND LOVING TO US AT THE ADOPTION CENTER, BUT MAY NEED A FEW DAYS TO ADJUST TO A CHANGE IN ENVIRONMENT WHEN SHE GETS ADOPTED.

GOT CANDIDATES?

Find your next hire in over 100 newspapers across the state for only $375. Call Wendi Ray at NC Press Services for more info 919.516.8009.

DRIVE WITH UBER.

No experience is required, but you'll need a Smartphone. It's fun and easy. For more information, call: 1.800.655.7452

FTCC -

Fayetteville Technical Community College is now accepting applications for the following positions: Assistant Registrar, Assistant Blackboard System Administrator, Chemistry Instructor, Spanish Instructor, Construction Observer (Part-time), Surgical Technology/ Sterile Processing Instructor (Parttime), For detailed information and to apply, please visit our employment portal at: https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.com Human Resources Office Phone: 910.678.7342Internet: http://www.faytechcc.edu

An Equal Opportunity Employer

GOT YOUR EARS ON?

Find your next driver by advertising statewide in over 100 newspapers for only $375. Call Wendi Ray at NC Press Services for more info 919.516.8009.

AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINING -

Get FAA certification to fix planes. Approved for military benefits. Financial Aid if qualified. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866.441.6890

SOCIAL SECURITY

Disability Benefits. Unable to work? Denied benefits? We Can Help! WIN or Pay Nothing! Contact Bill Gordon & Associates at 1.800.670.4805 to start your application today!

FURNITURE

COMPARE QUALITY & PRICE Shop Tupelo’s, 828.926.8778.

HAYWOOD BEDDING, INC.

The best bedding at the best price! 533 Hazelwood

LAWN AND GARDEN

BORING/CARPENTER BEE TRAPS No Chemicals, Poisons or Anything to Harm the Environment. Handmade in Haywood County. 1 for $20, 2 or More for $15 each. 828.593.8321

From

$4397.00 - Make & Save Money with your own bandmill- Cut

any

ready to ship!

1.800.578.1363

In

Info/DVD:

SPAY/NEUTER 828.452.1329 Prevent Unwanted Litters! The Heat Is On! Spay/Neuter For Haywood Pets As Low As $10. Operation Pit is in Effect! Free Spay/Neuter, Microchip & Vaccines For Haywood Pitbull Types & Mixes! Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 12 Noon - 6 pm 182 Richland Street, Waynesville

REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCEMENT

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised on equal opportunity basis.

LAND FOR SALE?

Reach buyers across the state in over 100 newspapersfor only $375. Call this newspaper or Wendi Ray at NC Press Services, 919.516.8009.

LEASE TO OWN

1/2 Acre Lots with Mobile Homes & Empty 1/2 Acre + Lots!

Located Next to Cherokee Indian Reservation, 2.5 Miles from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. For More Information Please Call 828.506.0578

SAVE YOUR HOME!

Are you behind paying your MORTGAGE?Denied a Loan Modification? Is the bank threateningforeclosure? CALL Homeowner’s Relief Line now for Help844.359.4330 SAPA

SOUTHPORT, N.C. FOR SALE,

Waterfront resort hotel condominiums. Pre construction prices. Amazing views. Private fishing pier. Full kitchens. Waterfront swimming pool. Cooke Realty 910.616.1795 contactcooke@gmail.com

LAKE JUNALUSKA 2/BR 1/BA

Great Location! No Smoking! Lease is Required, $675/mo. For more information please call or text me at: 828.246.0682

STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT GREAT SMOKIES STORAGE

Conveniently located off 19/23 by Thad Woods Auction. Available for lease now: 10’x10’ units for $55, 20’x20’ units for $160. Get one month FREE with 12 month contract. Call 828.507.8828 or 828.506.4112 for more information.

CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE FOR YOU

1 Month Free with 12 Month Rental. Maggie Valley, Hwy. 19, 1106 Soco Rd. For more information call Torry 828.734.6500, 828.734.6700 maggievalleyselfstorage.com

ITEMS FOR SALE

CHAMPION SUPPLY

Janitorial supplies. Professional cleaning products, vacuums, janitorial paper products, swimming pool chemicals, environmentally friendly chemicals, indoor & outdoor light bulbs, odor elimination products, equipment repair including household vacuums. Free delivery across WNC. www.championsupply.com 800.222.0581, 828.225.1075.

COMMERCIAL RESTAURANT EQPT.

For Sale: Imperial Electric Convection Oven, Globe 20 Qt. Mixer, Bavier 72” Sandwich Unit, 74” Tor Rey Refrigerated Display Case, Glass Front Dry 48” Display Case, Globe Deli Meat Slicer, Plus Lots of Smalls (Scales, Choppers, Etc.), 8- 2Top Tables & 2- 6Ft. Tables. Call 828.646.0303 For More Information & Prices. Serious Buyers Only Please.

Wilkes Co., NC Selling: Sat, Oct. 14 @ 11am NCAL#685 336.789.2926 RogersAuctionGroup.com

Haywood County Real Estate Agents

Beverly Hanks & Associates beverly-hanks.com

• Ann Eavenson - anneavenson@beverly-hanks.com

• George Escaravage - gescar@beverly-hanks.com

• Billie Green - BGreen@beverly-hanks.com

• Michelle McElroy - michellemcelroy@beverly-hanks.com

• Marilynn Obrig - mobrig@beverly-hanks.com

• Steve Mauldin - Smauldin@beverly-hanks.com

• Brian K. Noland - brianknoland.com

• Anne Page - apage@beverly-hanks.com

• Brooke Parrott - bparrott@beverly-hanks.com

• Jerry Powell - jpowell@beverly-hanks.com

• Catherine Proben - cproben@beverly-hanks.com

• Ellen Sither - ellensither@beverly-hanks.com

• Mike Stamey - mikestamey@beverly-hanks.com

ERA Sunburst Realty - sunburstrealty.com

• Amy Spivey - amyspivey.com

• Rick Boarder - sunburstrealty.com

Keller Williams Realty kellerwilliamswaynesville.com

• The Morris Team - www.themorristeamnc.com

Lakeshore Realty

• Phyllis Robinson - lakeshore@lakejunaluska.com

Mountain Home Properties mountaindream.com

• Cindy Dubose - cdubose@mountaindream.com

McGovern Real Estate & Property Management

• Bruce McGovern - shamrock13.com

RE/MAX — Mountain Realty remax-waynesvillenc.com | remax-maggievalleync.com

• Holly Fletcher - hollyfletcher1975@gmail.com

• The Real Team - the-real-team.com

• Ron Breese - ronbreese.com

• Landen Stevenson - Landen@landenstevenson.com

• Dan Womack - womackdan@aol.com

Rob Roland Realty

• Rob Roland - rroland33@gmail.com

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Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine. Answers on Page 48

The quandary that is book shelving

The books have once again piled up in stacks up to three feet high in many corners of the house. It’s time to get organized. Easier said than done. Un-shelving and reorganizing and re-shelving books is tricky business, with multiple options that can be endlessly fascinating and frustrating. But it’s an innocent species of self-therapy that I look to — for the most part.

The bookseller-author Larry McMurtry, one of my favorite novelists, is my mentor in this regard. I have a four-foot long shelf of almost all of his books.

McMurtry has for years operated Booked Up — a vast emporium of rare and used books that comprised nearly 400,000 volumes housed (according to subject matter) in four or five separate buildings in his hometown of Archer City, Texas, which is located in the middle of nowhere many miles south of Wichita Falls. Getting there isn’t easy or scenic, unless you’re partial to scrub and mesquite, but more than worth the effort.

In addition to well-known novels like Lonesome Dove, McMurtry has written two memoirs about book selling, collecting, reading, and related matters: Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen (1999) and Books (2008). Having grown up on a hardscrabble farm outside Archer City, McMurtry thinks of his bookselling and book collecting as “book herding” — as opposed to the actual “cow herding” his father practiced. In Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen, he contemplates the mysteries of book shelving:

“Both in my library at home and in my bookshops I have a hard time hewing to any strict philosophy of shelving. Shelving by chronology (Susan Sontag’s method) doesn’t always work for me. The modest Everyman edition of The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle refuses to sit comfortably next to Leonard Baskin’s tall Beowulf, and exactly the same problem — incompatibility of size — crops up if one shelves alphabetically.

Susan Sontag, on a visit when all of my books were in the old ranch house, found that she couldn’t live even one night with the sloppiness of my shelving. She imposed a hasty chronologizing which held for some years and still holds, in the main.

Susan’s principles notwithstanding, I make free with chronologies when the books seem to demand it. My Sterne looks happier beside my DeFoe than he looks next to his near contemporary Smollett, so Tristram Shandy sits next to Moll Flanders rather than ‘Peregrine Pickle.’

“Despite a nearly infinite range of possibilities in the matter of book arrangement, I’ve noticed that most people who really love books find ways of shelving them which respect the books but clearly reflect their own personalities.”

Nevertheless, after several lengthy descriptions of various arrangements he had

BACK THEN

encountered through the years in distinguished personal libraries, McMurtry allowed in closing that: “I have long been a disciple of the Dusty Miller school of book shelving. Dusty Miller was a much admired London bookseller, who when asked how he arranged his books, replied that if he bought a short fat book he tried to find a short fat hole.”

My home library (there’s another one in Bryson City) consists, in reality, of various stacked shelves and bookcases scattered at nine strategic locations throughout the house, including the bedroom and the kitchen. I don’t know how many books there are in the house, and I don’t want to know. I would estimate, conservatively, that there are several tons worth. The house shifts, as if situated on a fault line, each time I relocate a bookcase.

My wife fears it’s only a matter of time before a bookcase makes an appearance in the bathroom. That would, in fact, pose an interesting bibliographic proposition. What sort of books should be shelved in one’s bathroom?

My present system has been scientifically formulated. Authors are sorted and shelved according to subject categories. All of a given author’s titles have to go in one place — they can’t be divided up. This can be difficult. Does, for instance, Lawrence Durrell belong with the British travels writers or the British novelists? As I am not an admirer of Lawrence Durrell’s novels, he is currently placed among the travel writers, a genre in which he excels.

Pre-1900 books are arranged chronologically. More recently published titles are arranged alphabetically. Never stack books on top of books that have already been properly shelved. Try to avoid shelving books at floor level, where various critters that love books reside; that is, they love to gnaw on or burrow tunnels in their innards.

No, I haven’t read all of the books in my home library or the ones in my office in town, which also requires reorganization.

“Have you read all those books,” I’m sometimes asked.

Now why would anyone want to have read all of the books they possess? I feel good knowing they’re there waiting for me to get around to them at the appropriate time. And I will.

No, I don’t regret buying a single book I’ve ever purchased. I do regret each and every one that I’ve ever disposed of. And I hold bitter grudges against all those who have never returned books that I loaned them.

I have a horrible memory, getting worse. To this day, however, I can visualize exactly where certain books I desired but couldn’t afford were shelved as long ago as 1965 in remote bookstores scattered throughout the South in places like Nashville, Birmingham, Tupelo, Abbeville, Hodges, Madeira Island, Buxton, and so on. Book collection and read-

ing and shelving and rearranging have been a most enjoyable part of my life. I can trace this inclination with certainty to when I was very young and mother purchased books and read them to me and then let me shelve them in a small green bookcase beside my bed. (George Ellison is a naturalist and writer. He can be reached at info@georgeellison.com.)

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