The next Winter Barn Dance at the Bascom in Highlands is scheduled for 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 26. The evening will be to honor veterans and tickets are $5 per person. Admission for honorees is complimentary. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

828.526.4949 or visit www.thebascom.org.

The 9th Annual “Whole Bloomin’ Thing” Spring Festival Committee is now accepting applications from local growers, artisans, and wellness-and-nature-related professionals for this year’s event, to be held on Saturday, May 7, in Waynesville’s Frog Level.

E-mail to request an application. Applications are due March 31.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Tuckasegee Tavern, a new tavern on Depot Street in Bryson City, is opening its doors for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, featuring musical guests Aaron Plantenburg and Larry Barnette.

The bar will also host a Relay for Life Benefit on Saturday, March 19, with music by DJ Kevin Parker and their Grand Opening Party is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, featuring Big House Radio, with special guest Kenton and Kelly.

Weekly events include movies at 9 p.m. each Monday, karaoke with The Big Choago at 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and team trivia from 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays.

828.388.9880 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Groovy Movie Club will show the film “Secretariat“ at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 18, at the home of Buffy Queen in Dellwood. A mostly organic potluck dinner will precede the screening at 6:15 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

The Groovy Movie Club meets the second or third Friday of every month to show excellent films, both feature and documentary, with a message. A discussion will follow.

828.926.3508 or 828.454.5949 for reservations and directions or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The following statement was issued by the Swain County Board of Commissioners after the DSS board failed to take action Tuesday night to suspend employees named in an SBI investigation:

The Swain County Board of Commissioners is extremely disappointed with the actions of the Department of Social Services Board. During the last Commissioner’s meeting the Board asked the DSS Board to temporarily suspend employees that had been named in the investigation.  This is a procedure that is followed in most Counties in North Carolina.  It has never been the intention of the Board of Commissioners to accuse anyone of wrong-doing, but suspending the employees would help authorities with the State conduct an unbiased investigation and have more flexibility to do their job.

These suspensions would help DSS regain the trust of the community.  The Commissioners feel that the DSS board members are not working for the citizens of Swain County. The DSS Board did not vote on this issue at their Tuesday night meeting.  The Board of Commissioners feel that the needs of the children should have more priority than the needs of the Director or employees.

Therefore, the Commissioners urge all the current DSS Board members to immediately resign, so that these positions can be filled with people who are not afraid to put the best interests of children and families of Swain County first at all times.

Biologists recently confirmed white-nose syndrome at a third site in North Carolina, meaning two counties are now positive for the disease that has killed hundreds of thousands of bats in the eastern United States.

The disease was confirmed late last month in Yancey County. It was previously discovered in a retired Avery County mine and in a cave at Grandfather Mountain State Park.

“We knew that white-nose syndrome was coming and began preparing for its arrival, but we have a lot of work to do to address the impact of this disease on bats and our natural systems” said Chris McGrath, wildlife diversity program coordinator in the N.C. Wildlife Commission’s Wildlife Management Division.

While much remains to be learned about white-nose syndrome, there is evidence that people may inadvertently spread the fungus believed to cause the disease from cave-to-cave. Therefore, the most important step people can take to help bats is staying out of caves and mines.

While there are no known direct human health effects of the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome, the impact upon humans, other wildlife, and agriculture as a result of declines in bat populations could be substantial. Bats play a significant role as night-flying insect predators.

At this time, the fungus appears to grow on bat skin in the cave environment during hibernation. Infected bats may spread the fungal spores to other bats and roosts during the warmer summer months; however, the fungus only grows in a narrow range of temperatures (41 to 56 degrees Fahrenheit) in high humidity conditions.

The Rev. Daniel P. Matthews of Waynesville has been selected as the new board chair of Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the first from North Carolina since the regional organization’s inception in 1993.  

Matthews and his wife, Deener, own and operate the Swag Country Inn on the border of the national park in Haywood County. They also serve on the foundation board of the Haywood Regional Medical Center. Matthews is rector emeritus of New York City’s Trinity Episcopal Church on Wall Street, and currently serves as trustee and co-chair of the development committee for The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City.

Matthews’ 17-year tenure with Trinity included serving as an advocate for and commentator on the church’s post-Sept. 11 mission, which included a 24-hour center of refuge and relief for eight months after the attack. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his leadership during that period.

Other changes to the board of Friends of the Smokies include the election of Nancy Daves of Knoxville, Tenn., as a director. Stephen W. Woody of Asheville, founding vice chair, now serves as treasurer. Dale Keasling of Knoxville is vice chair, and Knoxville’s Kay Clayton is the board secretary.

Friends of the Smokies in a nonprofit organization that has raised more than $31 million to support educational programs, historic preservation projects and more.

Visit the organization’s website at www.friendsofthesmokies.org/aboutus.html.

Western North Carolina Alliance has put together a panel of experts to talk about white-nose syndrome, a disease that threatens our bat population.

The program will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, at the University of North Carolina in Asheville at the Humanities Lecture Hall.

The panel will discuss how white-nose syndrome is being treated, implications of the infestation and what it means to the rest of us. An audience question and answer will follow the panel discussion.

On hand will be Bill Stiver, a wildlife biologist for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; Chris Nicolay, an associate professor of biology at UNC Asheville; Dan Henry of the National Speleological Society an Flittermouse Grotto of Western North Carolina; Susan Loeb, a research ecologist for the U.S. Forest Service’s Southern Research Station; Ben Prater, associate director of Wild South; Gabrielle Graeter, a wildlife diversity biologist for the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission; and Sue Cameron, a wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The panel will be moderated by Susan Sachs, Education Coordinator at the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

White-nose syndrome was recently identified in WNC’s bat population, the first appearances of the illness in this state. This disease is believed to be caused by a fungus, Geomyces destructans, which is estimated to have killed more than a million bats in the eastern United States between 2006 and 2010. The disease can kill up to 100 percent of bat colonies during hibernation and could result in the extinction of numerous bat species 828.258.8737 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A free workshop will be held March 25 on the voluntary agricultural district programs and farmland protection planning for counties and municipalities.

The workshop (rescheduled from March 18) will be at the Haywood County Center in Waynesville from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Topics will include and overview of estate-tax changes, farmland protection plan development, agritourism and other economic development opportunities, nuisance protection, condemnation and eminent domain.

These workshops are for board members, program staff, planners, farmers and others from counties and municipalities with these type programs, or those considering adopting such programs.

www.ncadfp.org/2011_VAD_Workshops.htm.

While there is no fee for this workshop, there is a voluntary lunch donation.

A St. Patrick’s Day “green” fundraiser is set for Saturday, March 12, from 6-9:30 p.m. at Nantahala Brewery in Bryson City.

The brewery is on Depot Street. There will be Irish music by Bean Sidhe (“Banshee”), plus Celtic jamming. Bring a covered dish to share. Cost is $10 for members of the Watershed Association of the Tuckasegee River; $15 for others. There will be a cash bar.

Reservations are appreciated but not required. 828.488.8418 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Don’t have a greenhouse, or worried your cat will destroy any new plants? Then get an early start on this year’s garden by letting the folks at Old Armory Recreation Center Greenhouse take on your plants.

The greenhouse will open March 14 at 7 a.m. Trays can be rented at a cost of $5 per tray. The maximum allowed is five trays per person.

Hurry, because only 200 trays are sold. You provide the seeds. Trays will be watered everyday, and you can check on your plants during operating hours. The hours are Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

This program is conducted on a first come first serve basis. Reservations must be made in person at the facility.

828.456.9207 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Still haven’t checked out the national treasure of hiking trails in our backyard in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Or haven’t ventured beyond one or two trailheads?

Join Friends of the Smokies hiking enthusiast and author Danny Bernstein and a panel of Smokies hikers at REI in Asheville at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, to learn more about the ins and outs of hiking in the Smokies. From a leisurely stroll along the Oconaluftee River to a two-night backpack along the Appalachian Trail, our adventurous panel has endeavored to hike all the trails in the Smokies.

Western Carolina University’s Hunter Library will have hundreds of books, DVDs, CDs and other media on sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 16.

Fiction and nonfiction, reference materials such as encyclopedias and dictionaries, children’s books, an assortment of maps, and books in the sciences, technology, social sciences and humanities will all be on sale.

Prices will be 25 cents for paperbacks and $1 for hard copies. Only cash purchases will be allowed.

Visitors coming to WCU for the sale may park in any available campus parking space, except for reserved spaces.

To the Editor:

As a resident of Sylva, a dog lover, and a volunteer for several local rescue groups, I am astonished that any reasonable person would oppose the very basic protections that regulating commercial dog breeders would offer to their breeding dogs.

At puppy mills in North Carolina, dogs are literally crammed into tiny wire cages, denied even basic veterinary care, exposed to extremes of heat and cold, and given no exercise or human attention. Opposition groups are attempting to divert attention from one basic fact: puppy mills are cruel and the way these dogs are treated is wrong. Dogs are companion animals and were never meant to be bred or treated this way. Reasonable regulations will crack down on puppy mill abuses by establishing common sense and COMPASSIONATE standards for the basic care of dogs. Puppy mill operators are motivated by one thing:  MONEY. They do not care about the welfare of the animal, nor do they care about the health of their breeding dogs, or the offspring for that matter. Offspring are sold to an unsuspecting and uneducated public despite the truth about these torture chambers for canines.

Animal shelters are already at full capacity and rescue groups (who are all nonprofit and rely on volunteers, donations and fundraisers) continue to be overwhelmed with unwanted pets. Every time a “puppy mill” location is shut down, or they feel the need to purge themselves of worn out and elderly breeding dogs, these same shelters and rescue groups are then burdened with the task of caring for these animals, as well as finding them suitable homes.

In addition, because these castoff animals are not socialized properly, many have behavioral issues as well as medical issues. It costs taxpayers a lot of money for the shelters to take care of these issues. Not to mention the emotional strain this adds to shelter workers and the rescue organizations. It affects our communities beyond what you could imagine.

Honestly, I am embarrassed with our country at large regarding the fact that we even allow “man’s best friend” to be kept under these conditions, knowing how inhumane it is. Responsible breeders carefully breed their dogs to improve the genetics and positive attributes of their canines, and, typically are very particular about the homes their dogs are placed in. They actually care for their dogs.

I urge anyone who loves animals to contact your legislators and ask them to regulate commercial dog breeders and require them to pay taxes like all other N.C. businesses. I would also encourage you to familiarize yourself with what a puppy mill really is, if you do not know. If you’re not appalled and repulsed, then check your pulse.

Patricia Thomas

Sylva

To the Editor:

To the taxpayers, business owners and residents of Maggie Valley, I personally apologize to each and everyone of you for my behavior during our Feb. 15 town meeting. Needless to say I was very angry with the other board members regarding several issues that were not being shared with the public prior to this meeting. My actions may have been wrong, but my meaning was true.

I take great pride in serving the people sitting on the board of alderman in Maggie Valley. I will not sit on this board with blinders on, and I will not be someone’s puppet. Again, I apologize for my behavior but please understand. I serve the people, not the board.

And when all is said and done, what Maggie does not need is cover-ups, liars and sexual harassment. We need to strive for the future, for clinging to the past will only dim the fortunes of today. And the truth will stand when nothing else will.

Phil Aldridge

Maggie Valley

To the Editor:

There is a battle going on in the U.S. Congress for the soul of our country. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget which, if enacted, would plunge our economy back into recession.

According to The Washington Post, Moody’s Analytics economist Mark Zandi, who was John McCain’s economic advisor, stated that the bill just passed by the U.S. House would cause 400,000 U.S. citizens to lose their jobs this year and 700,000 by the end of 2012. Economists from Goldman Sachs confirmed the estimate of massive job losses and a slow down of growth. The House budget also eliminates or drastically curtails programs that enable us to breathe clean air and trust in the safety of our food and water. However, it does allow for $4 billion in subsidies and tax breaks for oil companies, who reported record profits last year.

The Guardian/UK and Reuters recently released reports about U.S. corporate tax dodgers. For example, Bank of America, who received a $45 billion bailout from taxpayers in 2008, paid zero federal income taxes in 2009. Bank of America, like many other large American corporations, hides many of its profits in overseas tax havens and makes use of tax loopholes.  

The redistribution of wealth has been incredibly successful in the last 30 years. The highest-earning 1 percent of the U.S. population increased its share of income from 9 percent to 19 percent, helped by tax breaks and loopholes which can be exploited by the rich. Workers’ wages have been stagnant or falling for at least 30 years. Many of the super rich use their windfall profits to invest in China, India, hedge funds, and to buy politicians and influence elections. At a time of national economic crises, corporations and the super rich are able and should contribute far more in taxes. Instead the House budget will remove protections for the poor and middle class while protecting corporations and the rich.

Of course we must address our country’s long-term debt. However, even the bipartisan deficit commission warned against drastic measures while our economy is still fragile. I don’t want to leave my grandchildren with an insurmountable national debt, but, even more so, I don’t want to leave them a third world country with a few filthy rich haves, the rest of us as have-nots, where it is not safe to drink the water.

Carole Larivee

Waynesville

The predicament surrounding the arena began when Monroe Miller — the county’s leading critic who regularly lambasts commissioners at their meetings and via email on any and every topic — filed a complaint with the North Carolina Department of Insurance, decrying the lack of code-standard restrooms at the arena.

The arena had been up-and-running since 2006, when County Building Inspector Bruce Crawford granted a temporary certificate of occupancy. The building was safe — sprinkler systems were solidly in place — and the only piece of the puzzle remaining was bathrooms. Crawford signed off on the temporary permit, hoping that they would be finished in a year, tops.

In the meantime, port-a-potties were brought in for events, and there were other bathrooms on site in two multi-purpose buildings.

But then the economy began to slouch noticeably, then grind to a veritable halt, and the project — like so many others — ran out of money and the port-a-potties slowly became more permanent fixtures.

Years passed and, though the site wasn’t up to code, the general safety wasn’t in question and although the temporary permit was going on five years.

When Miller filed the complaint, the state insurance department in turn called Crawford and quizzed him on the temporary permit, which Crawford was then forced to withdraw.

According to Crawford, the building codes are not exactly cut-and-dry. The code provision that allows for temporary permits only says they can be issued for a period of time, with no specifications about what that period may by.

Haywood and Jackson County residents can attend free CPR training from the American Red Cross. Registration is open for “CPR Saturday,” which is sponsored by MedWest Carolina’s Healthcare. The event will be held with two classes at each location March 12 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Included in the class is traditional CPR training, which involves compressions and mouth-to mouth breathing techniques, as well as compressions-only CPR at some locations. Recent studies have reported that in many cases compression-only CPR can be as effective as traditional CPR in saving lives. In Haywood County, the class is offered at Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center and the Waynesville Recreation Center.

828.456.8141 or visit www.haywoodredcross.com.

HandMade in America is working with Bryson City as a part of its Small Towns program, which assists small towns in revitalization efforts.

A resource team with the nonprofit will visit Bryson City March 16 through March 18 to conduct individual and group interviews, and tour the town to collect information on the town’s assets and deficiencies. The information will be compiled into a report of recommendations on goals for improving the town. That report will be given to the mayor’s office to create an implementation strategy.

HandMade is seeking as much local participation as possible in gathering this information. Bryson City residents can attend a free, casual dinner Thursday, March 17 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Iron Skillet Restaurant. RSVP 828.488.3681.

Healthy Haywood will kick off its annual fitness challenge beginning March 14.

Registration is $10. Participants can attend a variety of fitness classes offered by local fitness centers and businesses. Participants are free to choose which classes to attend over the eight-week period.

Registration for the 2011 Fitness Challenge is March 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18. All registration days take place at the following locations and times:

• Urban Athletics on Monday, March 14 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center Tuesday, March 15 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Waynesville Recreation Center Wednesday, March 16 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Cooperative Extension, Thursday, March 17 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• The Fitness Connection Friday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event kick-off is Tuesday, March 22 at the Waynesville Recreation Center from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with chances to win gym memberships and restaurant gift certificates.

The mid-point event, Healthy Taste of Haywood, will take place April 19 at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center’s Harrell Center. Participants will learn how to make healthy dining choices and will taste healthy options from several local vendors such as Coffee Cup Café, Blue Rooster Southern Grill, Connie’s Kitchen, Bi-Lo Grocery, Smoky Mountain Café, Blue Ridge Books, Panacea, Food Lion, Kaninis, Nico’s Café, J. Arthurs, Los Amigos, The Patio, and Bocellis Italian Eatery.  

The grand finale event will be May 11 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Canton Armory.

Healthy Haywood is a program of the Haywood County Health Department and certified Healthy Carolinians Partnership.  828.452.6675 ext. 2272 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A mental health program at MedWest-Haywood hospital has been expanded to include the general population through a behavioral health outpatient program.

The program began as a counseling and support system for active and veteran members of the military.

The pilot program was funded by a U.S. Department of Defense grant through the Odum Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It expired in December 2010. MedWest recently received a $120,000 grant from the Evergreen Foundation and an $88,000 grant from Rural Hope to continue offering a psychiatric care department. These grants will provide equipment allowing faster patient evaluation and placement.

Admission priority for the Behavioral Outpatient Program is given to MedWest-Haywood referrals from the hospital’s emergency department or other units. Residents of Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Clay, Cherokee, Graham and Swain counties receive the next priority, followed by residents elsewhere in the state. 828.452.8999

The Arc of Haywood will be promoting advocacy for those with development disabilities in March.

This is to honor Development Disabilities Awareness Month.

A United Way agency, The Arc of Haywood was founded in 1976 in Haywood County and continues to serve and enrich the lives of individuals with development disabilities and their families. The Arc encourages the community to get involved through volunteering or donating to the cause. www.arcofhaywood.org.

The artwork of regional students will be on display as part of the 2011 Jackson County Youth Art Month exhibit, from March 14 through April 11, in the lobby of Western Carolina University’s Fine and Performing Arts Center.

A reception will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, April 10, with an announcement of prizewinners will be at 1:30 p.m.

The exhibit is part of Youth Art Month, an annual and national observance that emphasizes the value of art education for all. Some of the winning pieces will be added to WCU’s permanent Youth Art Month collection.

828.227.3598 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A program entitled The Thoroughly Modern Family is offered from 3 to 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.

The event is designed to be a fun, fast-paced event with presentations by local marriage and family experts with plenty of time for audience interaction to answer questions about how to keep marriages and families happy and healthy in the 21st century.

828.456.6000 to reserve a place.

The Macon County Public Library is calling for entries in its “Waking with Spring” Appalachian Trail photography contest. The competition is celebrating Franklin’s designation as an Appalachian Trail Conservancy Community. Any photographs of hikers, landscapes, or nature taken on the Appalachian Trail are accepted.

This contest is open to amateurs and all contestants are welcome. There is a junior category for under-16s and an adult category for everyone 16 and up. The top three winners in both categories will receive a prize and the snapshots will be judged by three local artists

For every $10 entry fee, up to three photos may be entered. Entries will be accepted until March 21. Photos will be on display at the Macon County Public Library until April 8.

828.524.3600 or www.fontanalib.org/franklin.

The Gamma Zeta chapter of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity at Western Carolina University will host a chili and handcrafted ceramic bowl fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 12.

The fundraiser is to benefit Heifer International, which is hard at work providing self-sustaining aid to families in the United States and around the world.

This event features chili and handcrafted ceramic bowls created by WCU students and local artisans. Each bowl comes with a free meal. Music will be by Losing Lizzy.

The menu includes traditional and vegetarian chili, hotdogs or chilidogs, cornbread, and dessert and will take place on the grounds of the law office of Michele D. Smith, 76 New Dawn Lane (behind Snappy Lube).

For more information or donations contact Hayden Smith at 615.604.9244 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Haywood County Arts Council will present its 13th-annual Student Honors Recital at 3 p.m., Sunday, March 13, at the Performing Arts Center in Waynesville.

A cookies and punch reception will take place immediately following the recital.

The annual concert features students from the Arts Council’s afterschool Junior Appalachian Musicians program, as well as high school participants in Haywood County’s Poetry Out Loud program.

828.452.0593 or www.haywoodarts.org.

A Cherokee Music Day is coming to Cherokee Central School on Wednesday, March 16, with a full slate of free concerts and hands-on interactive instruction between North Carolina Symphony members and students.

The day begins with two small ensemble concerts, a band master class and classroom visit with North Carolina Symphony Associate Conductor Sarah Hicks. The full symphony will perform a free education concert for elementary and middle school-age students, after which students can meet symphony musicians and try out some of the orchestra’s instruments for themselves.

The education concert asks students and teachers “What Makes Music Music?” with a rich and engaging musical lineup. The events are closed to the public.

Jessica Nalbone at 919.789.5461 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. www.ncsymphony.org/education

Local author Johnnie Sue Myers will be at Sylva’s City Lights Bookstore at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 12, for a presentation and tasting promoting her recent cookbook, The Gathering Place: Traditional Cherokee Dishes, Wild Game Recipes & Preparation Tips, and Southern Appalachian Cooking.

The book features traditional favorites from wild game to country ham with red eye gravy, poke salad and corn pudding.

828.586.9499 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A benefit for Asheville’s Rathbun Center will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 18, at The Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

Groups participating are the Rye Holler Boys, Dueling Piano Players, WestSound, and Sherri Lynn and the Mountain Friends Band. Special emcee for the evening will be Franklin’s own Mrs. Patti, who will entertain with a special brand of comedy and storytelling.

Tickets are $12, and all proceeds will be donated to the Rathbun Center, whose mission is to keep families together during times of critical illness by providing lodging and other supportive services, free of charge, for patients and their caregivers who are in Asheville for medical treatment.

Haywood County’s Quilt Trails project will unveil three quilt blocks at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, beginning at the Shook-Smathers House in Clyde. Ceremonies at Lil’s and the Haywood Institute building will immediately follow the Shook-Smathers unveiling.

The Shook House block was designed by Martin Webster and is based on a concept developed by Clyde resident Sara Queen Brown.

The Quilt Trail concept is based on similar projects in other North Carolina countie, where quilt squares are painted on wood and installed on barns, public buildings, shops and other buildings around the community.

828.452.0593 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. www.haywoodarts.org.

The Swain County Department of Social Services board has agreed to meet with the Swain County commissioners to discuss whether DSS employees and officials should be suspended due to an ongoing criminal investigation of the agency.

The two boards will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 3, at the Swain County Administration Building.

A majority of the Swain County commissioners have asked the DSS board to suspend  with pay employees named in a State Bureau of Investigation probe until the investigation is concluded.

So far, only one of the employees named has been put on leave – Craig Smith, a social worker with the agency since 2006, who was directly involved in falsifying records following the death of a child, according to an SBI search warrant. However, Smith told investigators he was acting on orders from his boss. Smith also told investigators that the DSS director and program manager knew he had never followed up on whether the child saw a doctor, even though he had fabricated a report to the contrary.

Two outreach sessions for members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to develop a 10-year “legacy plan” for tribal lands, environment and natural resources have been setup by the tribe’s Natural Resources Department.

The sessions will be conducted on two dates:

• March 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for Snowbird/Cherokee County at the Robbinsville High School cafeteria.

• March 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for Cherokee at the Fairground Multipurpose Building.

Participants, through facilitated discussions, will have an opportunity to voice their visions and concerns, and also review the results of a community survey and youth/elders meetings conducted in late 2010.  

Staff from the Natural Resources Department will provide a storyboard presentation on the status of the plan, and on how tribal members’ voices will become part of that vision. Refreshments will be provided. 828.497.1898.

Western North Carolina Wildlife Advocates — including Wild South, Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, the Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance, and representatives from Mountain Wildlife Days, among others — will will gather at 1 p.m. on Friday March 11 at Haywood Community College’s main campus auditorium to discuss and hear presentations regarding wildlife.

Participants will discuss their approach to wildlife education and some of the opportunities available in WNC. Upcoming and ongoing wildlife events and projects will be shared along with unique wildlife educational approaches currently being utilized by some educators.

The meeting will also include a panel and audience participation of the current political climate at both the state and national levels regarding conservation of wildlife. Some important legislation, recently passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, will be examined.

In addition, a continuing effort will be made to hear the concerns of the residents and visitors to WNC regarding wildlife and related issues at this and future meetings.

Wildlife Advocates meetings are open to both individuals and organizations in WNC. A sign up process to present concerns is available prior to each meeting or by contacting Ben at Wild South 828.258.2667 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For a detailed agenda of the March 11 meeting contact John Edwards at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The WNC Nature Center’s “NC Elk Experience” trip to Cataloochee Valley will take place on Tuesday, March 15.

Tickets are $18 for Friends of the WNC Nature Center and $20 for others. Those who purchse tickets should meet at the Nature Center at 2 p.m. in the classroom for a one-hour presentation on elk ecology and biology. Vans will take participants to and from Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, returning to the Nature Center by around 8 p.m.

Tickets are available on a first come-first served basis. Snacks are served in the vans. Guests may elect to drive their own vehicles at a reduced rate ($10 per person).

Call Keith to purchase tickets or with questions at 828.298.5600, ext 305.

Want to become a volunteer in the Smokies, wear a uniform and help visitors figure out where they are?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is recruiting volunteers to help staff the new visitor contact station at Clingmans Dome when it opens on Friday, April 1.

Volunteers are needed to assist in educating visitors about the park and to provide recreational and trip planning information and directions to other destinations. You get to walk up to the Dome Tower as part of your shift.

Volunteers will be working alongside Smokies’ employees. Each volunteer is asked to work at least one four-hour shift per week at the information desk and roving the trail to the dome tower. The hours are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April through November. A five-hour orientation and training sessions will be given this month, on March 19.

828.497.1904.

Registration begins this week for the second-annual Blue Ridge Breakaway bike ride, which is scheduled for Aug. 20. The cycling event brought more than 300 riders to Haywood County last year.

The event will feature a century (105 miles), metric century (65 miles), a 40-miler and a 24-mile ride. All routes will begin at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, located off Interstate 40 and U.S. 23/74. Riders will explore the mountain valleys near the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Pisgah National Forest and in the shadow of Cold Mountain. The century ride will also include 30 miles on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.

According to a review on active.com from a 2010 participant, “This (the Blue Ridge Breakaway) was an awesome event.  The entire experience exceeded all my expectations. It was superbly organized. The route was picturesque, challenging, and traffic was light.  I cannot say enough good things about the way this ride was put on.  The volunteers were so gracious and supportive. I can’t wait until next year’s event.”

Riders can pre-register online at www.blueridgebreakaway.com.  Additional route descriptions, maps, and cue sheets are also available online.

Anyone interested in helping design, build or use a trail at Jackson County’s new Department on Aging campus in Webster are urged to attend a workshop on Tuesday, March 15.

The workshop will be in the conference room at the Department on Aging building. A brief presentation on the project will be given at 6:30 p.m., and attendees are invited to drop in until 8 p.m. to provide feedback on the conceptual design, proposed amenities and programs under development.

Jackson County was awarded a $60,000 grant from the Health and Wellness Trust Fund of North Carolina to increase active living resources and physical activity for its citizens. The trail at the Department on Aging is one site under the Creating Access to Active Living – On Your Side of Town program that the project team has created. It will feature a safe, walkable loop trail, picnic areas, community garden spaces and other amenities as prioritized by public attendees and project partners.

The program will also tackle countywide access needs, including the design and distribution of walking and cycling maps, events and programs and policy initiatives at the community and government levels.

828.293.3053 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Waynesville Recreation Center is looking for lifeguards, with a training course on tap for this month for those who do not have certification.

Lifeguards must be at least age 17.

A pre-test for the course will be held on March 9 at 6 p.m. at the Waynesville Recreation Center. This will consist of swimming 300 yards using the free style and breaststroke, retrieving a brick from the deep end of the pool and swimming back with the brick in one minute and 30 seconds. Class times for the course will be discussed at the pre-test.

Interviews for available positions will be conducted for those who successfully complete the course.

828.456.2030 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Jody Kraner (aka JadriAnna Lee), author of Northern Lights: A Journey to Insight, will appear for a reading and discussion at City Lights in Sylva at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 5.

The book includes a card set and instructions for doing readings from them. Kraner explores the body/mind/spirit connection from the particular perspective of dog mushing as a journey of personal discovery.

Kraner will be accompanied to the event at City Lights by her dog, Jadrinna, who helped inspire the book and cards.

828.586.9499.

Smoky Mountain Living magazine has issued a call for photos for its next issue, which will hit the stands in April and May. The magazine prominently features images from across the southern Appalachians in each edition. Photo essays adhere to the issue’s overall theme. With the coming of spring, the April/May edition focuses on growth in all its various forms.

SML covers the southern Appalachians and celebrates the area’s environmental riches, its people, culture, music, arts, history, and special places. Each issue brings the Appalachians to life. Published six times each year, SML is a magazine for those who want to learn more about where they live and those who want to stay in touch with where they love. The magazine will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

To submit photos to SML for consideration, email images to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Photos must be sent as high-resolution files and should be original works taken from around the region. Deadline is Saturday, March 5.

For more information about Smoky Mountain Living, call 828.452.2251, visit smliv.com, or become a fan at facebook.com/smliv.

For Waynesville seniors, the old armory recreation center now offers exercise for more than just the body.

The new Brain Gym system, installed thanks to a grant garnered by Haywood Community Connections, will help offer a place for the town’s seniors to work out their minds and bodies, as well as enrich their social lives and improve nutrition.

Parks and Recreation Director Rhett Langston said that the system would be the key feature in transforming the armory into a center for seniors. The program would offer them a place to go, socialize and play games like Wii bowling and tennis on two large flat screens and download mental-agility games on the room’s seven computers.

“Within the next few weeks we hope to be up and running,” said Langston. “This is a wonderful opportunity to partner with other organizations in Haywood County to provide opportunities for our seniors.”

The computers and Wii gaming consoles are up and ready, said Langston, and the only hold-up now is getting the flat screens in place.

Though the specific hours aren’t yet nailed down, Langston said that there would be a staff member on hand to help seniors learn the systems, download games to the computers and get the most out of the new features.

In the evening, the building will continue to be a multi-use facility.

— By Colby Dunn

An Urgent Care Center will open in August at Wal-Mart Plaza in Sylva.

The location of the MedWest’s new urgent care center will in a building currently occupied by Rent-A-Center. That business is scheduled to relocate May 1 and renovations on the building are expected to begin immediately after that, said Jeff Lee, director of MedWest’s Urgent Care Centers.

Urgent care centers are primarily used to treat patients who have an injury or illness that requires immediate care, but is not serious enough to warrant a visit to an emergency department.

The 3,770-square-foot facility has space for eight examining rooms, as well as X-ray and full lab services. The center will create a need for 14 medical positions, including two physicians, two physician assistants, two medical assistants, two registered nurses, four radiology and lab technicians, and two office assistants.

Hours for the center will be 8 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with consideration of having the center open seven days a week.

The Haywood County Meals on Wheels program is seeking volunteers in the Fines Creek community to deliver nutritious meals to the elderly, homebound or disabled residents. Volunteers are asked to contribute approximately one hour each week starting at 10:30 a.m. 828.356.2442 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

By Quintin Ellison and Colby Dunn • Staff writers

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is forced to rely on state social workers when it comes to protecting the tribe’s children from abuse and neglect.

That might change in the wake of Aubrey Littlejohn’s death. Some on the reservation are calling for the tribe to set up its own child- and adult-protection agency. Under the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act, the tribe has the ability and federal right to do just that.

“I’ve been standing before tribal council ever since I’ve been in this position saying we need to take care of our own kids,” said Regina Rosario, program supervisor for Heart-to-Heart, a child-advocacy organization that works with tribal victims of child abuse.

This possibility was under discussion by tribal members and officials even before Aubrey’s death, Rosario said, in meetings held by the council’s social services committee.

Until — and if — that happens, the tribe and various county social service agencies must work together. Cases of suspected child abuse are handled by either Jackson or Swain counties for their respective portions of the reservation.

While Swain County DSS refused to speak to reporters about their role in Cherokee Bob Cochran, Jackson County’s DSS director, said the relationship between his county and the tribe is like any relationship in life: it requires good-faith work and thought.

“You have to maintain it,” Cochran said. “We also try to recruit and keep Native American staff. But, even when we can’t, we work hard to have our folks posted down there (in Cherokee) so they can develop those relationships.”

Cochran has six employees assigned to Jackson County’s portion of the reservation. Some are enrolled members of the Eastern Band. Five of the six Cherokee-dedicated workers report to an office each day that is physically located on the Qualla Boundary.

Although federal law does stipulate that states dealing with American Indian tribes must bear the cost of providing those services, Cochran said he was “quite confident the state is not paying for it entirely.”  A variety of federal funding flows into the state’s social services programs, he said.

There are certain complexities for those agencies working with Eastern Band members. When children are removed from an unsafe situation, for example, DSS must try to place those children into Indian families.

“Basically, we work with the tribe in doing that,” Cochran said. “But … I do have the discretion, if I disagree with a recommendation of the tribe, to place the child elsewhere.”

A court can overrule a DSS director’s decision.

Usually, it doesn’t come to that, Cochran said. The tribe and DSS generally find mutually satisfactory care situations. DSS workers and Cherokee’s Family Support Services conduct joint house studies, and are comfortable working closely together, Cochran said.

David Simmons of the National Indian Child Welfare Association said that the agency’s work has shown, however, that tribally run child protective services are more successful at locating and dealing with neglect and abuse than their state or local counterparts.

This, said Simmons, isn’t because state agencies are always sub-par or lacking in their dealings with tribal children, but because tribal agencies are able to take a more tailored, culturally oriented approach that larger agencies just can’t.

“They have knowledge about the community that the state or county program is not going to have access to,” said Simmons. “They’re going to know more quickly, be more knowledgeable about what kinds of interventions are going to be successful. They have a better success rate, usually, at being able to develop resources. They take more cultural approaches to the work.”

Simmons, however, also notes that it’s impractical to expect all tribes to take up their own DSS work.

“Child protective services is one of the more expensive services to operate,” said Simmons. “You can’t do it halfway, too many things rely on that.”

The tribe hasn’t formally announced whether it intends to reassess the relationship with local DSS agencies, but Rosario said she intends to reintroduce the idea of tribal child protection at this month’s tribal council meeting.

Indian Child Welfare Act

The Indian Child Welfare Act is a federal law that governs the relationship between state social-services departments and Native Americans. The act includes the following language:

• Nothing in the act shall be construed as preventing the emergency removal of an Indian child in order to prevent imminent physical damage or harm to that child.

• The act specifies tribal courts have exclusive jurisdiction of children who reside on the reservation. If the child does not reside on a reservation, the jurisdiction must be transferred to tribal court.

• In an action leading to a foster care placement or in any termination of parental rights action affecting an Indian child who doesn’t reside on the reservation, the parents, guardian or custodian may petition for transfer of jurisdiction to a tribal court.

• At any time during proceedings of a foster care placement, the Indian custodian and Indian tribe have the right to intervene in the proceedings.

Western Carolina University is laying off 10 employees in April as it struggles with the projected loss of approximately $8.6 million in state funding.

The 10 workers are employed in several divisions across the university.

University leaders say they anticipate eliminating another 15 other positions by July, of which three are staff and 12 are fixed-term faculty or administrative.

The job cuts are necessary to help the university continue to operate as efficiently as possible and protect its academic core, said Chancellor John Bardo.

The university will be making significant cuts in its operating budget, which includes supplies, materials and equipment.

Departments have been instructed to limit the inventory of supplies and materials to no more than one month’s supply. New subscriptions, memberships and contracted services not essential to current operations may not be processed. Equipment budgets and purchases have been frozen, travel has been severely limited, and all hiring has been frozen with the exception of positions that are deemed critical.

Some faculty may be reduced from full-time to less-than-full time – for example, some department heads on 12-month contracts may have their terms reduced to nine months –Other changes under consideration are the possible reorganization of departments and colleges, the use of a limited number of academic buildings for summer classes to help reduce utility costs, and other measures designed to reduce heating and cooling expenses.

“The Thoroughly Modern Family,” a program aimed at giving advice on how to provide happy and healthy marriages and families in the 21st century, will be held from 3 to 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.

Dr. Lynne Barrett, a psychologist in Waynesville will discuss positive aging strategies that help individuals and families make the most of the challenges faced as they age.

Dr. John Curtis will be giving away copies of his relationship building ToolKit and will use his book, “The Business of Love,” to talk about his approach to build success in relationships using concepts from the world of business.

Direcor of the Mountain Center for Pastoral Counseling, Dr. Diane Stamey will answer audience questions and Dan Yearick, LPC-S, a licensed counselor will present five traits that parents can instill in children to foster healthy growth into adulthood.

Reservations are requested. 828.456.6000

The Tye Blanton Foundation is hosting its annual blood drive from 12 to 5 p.m Sunday, March 6, at Canton Central United Methodist Church. The event is held in memory of Trooper Shawn Blanton and his son, Tye.

In previous drives, the foundation has collected 329 units of blood and saved nearly 1,000 lives. The Tye Blanton Foundation is the only nonprofit in Western North Carolina created specifically for premature babies.

Appointments for the drive are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. 828.550.6853.

The League of Women Voters of Macon County will hold a program Thursday, March 10, on fair elections, presented by Democracy North Carolina.

The group is a non-partisan organization. Democracy NC conducts original research into such topics as big money campaign donations and their effects on election outcomes, advocates for change, promotes strong ethics in government, and provides leadership training.

Jenn Frye, associate director of Democracy North Carolina, will speak about the impact of the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling on the 2010 elections, and discuss other current threats to election reform in North Carolina.

The program will take place at Tartan Hall in Franklin. Lunch is available at noon by reservation. 828.371.0527 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..