African-American heritage at Hayesville museum, slave cemetery
Clay County residents joined with Western Carolina University representatives in celebrating the county’s African-American heritage with the opening of a…
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Light on my feet, ready to fly: Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver roll into Cherokee
To say Doyle Lawson has had a full career would be an understatement. Nowadays, Lawson is regarded as a pillar…
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This must be the place: Get me to the church on time
Editor’s Note: After heading to his native Upstate New York last week to give the eulogy at his aunt’s funeral,…
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Printmaking, photography and pottery
With a handful of new exhibitions now open and on view throughout the summer, the Western Carolina University Fine Art…
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Play me that mountain music
With Memorial Day right around the corner, the fun in the sun of summer in the mountains is here, ready…
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This must be the place: Going home and saying goodbye
The roaring of the plane engine shook me awake. Coasting into the skies over Newark, New Jersey, the flight was…
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Rivers that I’ve crossed: Unspoken Tradition rolls into Sylva
The key element of bluegrass music is the “unspoken” — in practice, in performance and in personality. Whether you’re 8…
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This must be the place: Ode to Steve Sutton — banjo legend, dear friend
It came as a shock that has had a ripple effect within music circles around Western North Carolina and beyond.
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Mountain Heritage Day named one of Southeast’s best
Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Day has been named as one of the top 20 festivals in the Southeast by…
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This must be the place: That face in the mirror? Own it.
I didn’t know what to say. Standing in the doorway of the music venue, he said it so casually.
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Turning to face yourself: Comedian Dave Stone comes to Franklin
It’s brutal honesty. Within the wide-spectrum of creative mediums, standup comedy may just be the most vulnerable and jarring of…
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The art of making it: HCC ‘Crafting Your Success’ summit
So, you have the talent, imagination and output of an artist. But, do you also have the drive, business savvy…
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This must be the place: ‘In my heart, I am just a boy …’
It was during the first sip of my second beer when it struck me. “Let’s go see Dave Davies.”
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Hazelwood Public Art finalists
The Waynesville Public Art Commission has selected three finalists from a field of eight applicants for its upcoming project in…
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Blue Ridge Big Band to play Folkmoot Friendship Center
It’s as timeless as the soundtrack of our lives, regardless of age. When you listen to big band music, you…
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This must be the place
It was immediately familiar. Stepping into the Canton Middle School last Friday morning, the sights, sounds and smells of the…
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SCC vital in brewery launch
In preparation for launching their new brewery, Mountain Layers Brewing in Bryson City, Kim and Mark Pettit had to understand…
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This must be the place: No time for eggplant parm, let’s talk the cosmos
I had just reached for the eggplant parmesan sandwich when it was asked. “What do you think about God?”
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Take it all in: The art of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA)
It’s about finding your center. Though they’re hundreds of miles from the closest ocean, the members of Sylva-based Positive Mental…
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This must be the place: You may be gone, but your impact remains
I remembered immediately. Scrolling through the Facebook stream on Monday afternoon, I came across a post from a dear high…
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Hop, skip and a pour away: Waynesville’s Leap Frog Tours
Stepping out of a large passenger van into the sunshine last Saturday afternoon, a group of around 10 people entered…
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Bryson City welcomes second brewery
Although the official “Grand Opening” is May 20 for Mountain Layers Brewing in Bryson City, the newest brewery in Western…
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HCC crafts students in Atlanta
Haywood Community College Professional Crafts students recently participated in the School-to-Market Program at the American Craft Council’s American Craft Show…
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One small step toward ending discrimination
North Carolina and its citizens are better off with HB2’s repeal. It’s a giant step forward, and despite criticism from…
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Admit it Tar Heel fans, you were squirming
I was all set to write another column on Donald Trump, who somehow seems more unhinged with each passing week,…
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We can’t trust anything Trump says
By Norman Hoffman • Guest Columnist A guest column by Joseph Trisha in the March 22 edition (www.smokymountainnews.com/archives/item/19589) makes a plea…
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Take the money out of politics
To the Editor: We the people of these United States deserve a better way to put into power those who…
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Employers should provide benefits
To the Editor: I have one thing to say to the business owners who feel that equal pay for equal…
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Why so much disrespect for Trump?
To the Editor: From where comes all this hate and disrespect directed at the President? I expect and respect differing…
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The president must be impeached
To the Editor: It’s terrible that such a thing has come to pass, that the “so-called President” must be removed,…
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One day we may have healthcare for all
To the Editor: Our Congressman Mark Meadows may have forgotten the needs of the voters who elected him. While Meadows…
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Get the money out of politics
To the Editor: We are loudly and frequently reminded of the many things that we are supposed to be afraid…
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Freshmen legislators are led astray
To the Editor: Like Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, and others before them, Rep. Mike Clampitt, R-Bryson City, and Kevin Corbin,…
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A conservative wants to conserve
To the Editor: I am a conservative. I conserve. A conservative wisely preserves, conserves and saves. A conservative secures and…
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Insubordinate public servants
To the Editor: If you were the boss of three employees (let’s call them Mark Meadows, Thom Tillis, and Richard…
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Trump still holds the upper hand
To the Editor: The media is crowing over this so-called big loss for Trump by having to postpone the elimination…
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This must be the place: The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
It was familiar, yet weird. Over the last two weeks I’ve crossed paths twice with my immediate family. Once down…
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The art of being in ‘the now’: Tony Award nominee, WCU professor Terrence Mann on acting, life
When you’re in the presence of Terrence Mann, you find yourself within reach of an energy — a vibe, perhaps…
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Hand-me-down reasons: The DuPont Brothers return to Waynesville
It’s needed now more than ever before. The place of the singer-songwriter in a modern world is a tricky spot.…
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This must be the place: Just when you found me, I’m gone
You don’t know me. In recent weeks, I’ve found myself saying that exact statement above to folks I love and…
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New Jackson Arts president
Gayle Woody has been named the new president of the Jackson County Arts Council.
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This must be the place: I was never cool. Then again, who is?
She is still a fox. Midnight. Last Tuesday morning. Wide-awake and in front of a large HD television at my…
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Dawg days of bluegrass: David Grisman picks on WNC
He’s the common denominator. When you look back at the career of iconic bluegrass mandolinist David Grisman, you’re diving deep…
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This must be the place: We won, but what’s the real prize?
Once they announce your name, you stand up and move towards the bright lights. Meandering around a sardine can ballroom…
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Through the fingertips, echoes the history
“You know, history becomes personal,” Reggie Harris said to a silent auditorium last Sunday afternoon. “These are our stories, and…
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This must be the place: I remember you, the one in the dusty photos
It came out of the blue. Sunday morning. My smart phone dinged next to my bed. I groaned, rolled over…
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Portrait of WCU’s Belcher unveiled
A future addition to Western Carolina University’s gallery of presidential portraits was recently unveiled for the first time as the…
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The weight of desire: David Joy releases second book
What would you do? A pile of drugs. A stack of cash. More money than you’ve ever seen in your…
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This must be the place: It’s midnight, do you know where you life is?
I finally had a moment of silence. After a raucous Saturday night attending the Perpetual Groove show at The Salvage…
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HCAC elects new members
The Haywood County Arts Council has elected three new members to its Board of Directors. The new members, who will…
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