To the Editor:

A recent letter writer has gone over the top with the surreal allegation that the Republican Party is without Christian principles. This letter writer’s M.O. is to point out some problem in society, quote some remote facts, and then try to transfer blame to the Republican Party or Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin. Instead of paying for legitimate political ads, these Democrats flood the “Letters to the Editor” every week.

The usual ploy is to claim that the Republicans will take away your government benefits. Fortunately, most people understand the ploy, and they re-elected Sen. Davis, one of the finest men I have met in this area. This is the first time I have heard this particular person stoop to use religious principles against a political party. He is correct in his assumption that “Christians are enamored with the Republican Party” as most of us are unhappy with the on-the-job training in the presidency, poorly negotiated trade deals, and the dangerous treaty with Iran. We want change in Washington. 

The rich are already paying almost all of the taxes, and that fact is easy to research.

Jim Sottile

Franklin

To the Editor:

Seventeen pages of your Oct. 7 issue (including the cover) were dedicated to “Women in Business,” more than 25 percent (one quarter) of your newspaper.

Congratulations. You have confirmed that America has accomplished what Abraham Lincoln is credited with having said could not be done: we have strengthened the weak by weakening the strong. Lincoln’s implied reasoning was, of course, you cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong and expect acceptable or beneficial results.

Be that as it may, the war on women is officially over, the war on men is in full progress and gaining momentum across the nation.

For those of us who have sons, grandsons and great grandsons, that’s not good news. I have 10 great grandsons, the oldest of which has (or soon will) enter the workforce. These young men have some well-placed cow chips in their paths of which they have no knowledge and that I will not have the chance to teach them (from my own experience of having stepped in most of them) how to avoid.

David L. Snell

Franklin

To the Editor:

The BB&T Distinguished Professor of Capitalism at WCU has responded to my letter regarding BB&T bank’s practice of funding pro-corporate professors on college campuses across the country. I did not name the professor, as it was not my intention to denigrate his reputation, as I am sure he is a well-qualified professional or he would not have gotten the position.

The fundamental problem, however, is the system in which giant corporations can install those who agree with their political viewpoint into our public educational institutions. By definition, this act makes our universities less public and more controlled by private forces and motivations.

Further, why should those with an overabundance of money be able to get their views over-represented in a public university? This is the same issue as that of the US Supreme Court ruling of Citizens United: that in an under-regulated market, the wealthy and powerful have disproportionate influence on our government and society. This ruling reverses a great American tradition of one person, one vote.

As our media is corporate-owned, the information they present on their news shows reflect their corporate bottom line. This is why, in spite of his success in fundraising from millions of small donors, in the huge crowds at his events, his performance in the debate, and his soaring poll numbers, Bernie Sanders is either attacked or ignored by the corporate media news. 

In his letter, the professor suggested that censorship is the appropriate way to deal with criticism (such as mine), and in an under-regulated market, BB&T could buy up all the local newspapers and make this a reality.  

We The People stand no chance against the whims mega-corporations unless we elect representatives to stand up against that power, just like the checks and balances designed into our government. Corporate power, unchecked, is more dangerous than political power, as the corporations now control our government against our interests.

Those corporations don’t want Bernie Sanders for President, as he would work to restore the balance of private and public power, as he has done throughout his career.

Corporate tyranny is tyranny nonetheless.

Dan Kowal

Franklin

To the Editor:

I am writing to express my support for the re-election of Gavin Brown as mayor for Waynesville. I don’t reside in the Waynesville voting district but I have known Mayor Brown for many years and have witnessed his leadership during my professional career. He encourages open dialogue and new ideas, inspires harmony in working with colleagues, and provides direction in areas of economic development.

I believe he will continue to uphold the integrity of all Waynesville’s commercial districts while promoting growth and preserving the unique character of each.

Mayor Brown brings a lifelong passion for his hometown and with that a sincere desire to do his best in serving the people of Waynesville.

Sharron Donnahoe

Maggie Valley

To the Editor:

Congratulations to legendary banjo player Raymond Fairchild for his induction into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame, and congratulations to his dedicated wife, Shirley. Also, and thanks to The Smoky Mountain News for writing a long overdue story on a local legend.

In 1986 or ‘87, the Haywood County Arts Council held “Raymond Fairchild Day” with the county commissioners doing a proclamation and the Arts Council hosting a well-remembered event. I was the Arts Council’s first full-time executive director and everyone associated with the council was pleased to be able to honor one of our own, as well as bring in unique programs. The performance and presentation was held at the old Strand Theatre site and Raymond filled the house with appreciative fans.

Gene and I have been to the Opry House in Maggie, too  I agree with writer Garret K. Woodward that not many people are usually present, but for those who go, it’s great music. Raymond isn’t easy to read — never has been, probably never will be. But when I was in his home planning the Arts Council event or sitting at the Opry House, I found him to be a most gracious host as well as an entertaining one.   

Haywood County has some outstanding talent. Join in letting them know we are grateful for their sharing of these beautiful gifts,

Jackie Bolden

Clyde 

Leaders of Western Carolina University, Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital announced the expansion and formalization of a partnership focused on ensuring access to quality health care in North Carolina’s westernmost counties.

Jonnie Cure, a challenger in the Waynesville mayor’s race, has a history of liens, unpaid property taxes, foreclosures, small claims and personal bankruptcy over a 20-year span.

Saturday, October 31st – 8am-3pm (registration 7am) 

Doubletree Hotel Asheville – 115 Hendersonville Road, Asheville

A celebration of all things fall will be held noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Nantahala Outdoor Center. 

North Carolina came in fifth nationwide in a recent ranking of states that added jobs in clean energy and clean transportation in the second quarter of 2015. North Carolina added 700 jobs tied to the sector.

According to the national nonpartisan business group Environmental Entrepreneurs, nearly 10,500 clean energy and clean transportation jobs were announced nationwide during the second quarter of 2015.

The full report is available at bit.ly/1LE0QNr. www.cleanenergyworksforus.org. 

The N.C. Department of Environment Quality, formally known as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, now has a blog dedicated to the agency’s news and views on environmental issues in the state and nation. 

Accessible from DEQ’s home page, the Environmentally Speaking blog aims to keep readers informed about topics such as energy, air quality, coal ash and more. 

portal.ncdenr.org/web/guest/denr-blog.

After receiving more than three months’ worth of rainfall in the course of one week, North Carolina is not experiencing any drought conditions for the first time since May 12. 

As of Sept. 29, more than two-thirds of the state was experiencing drought or abnormally dry conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Portions of Haywood, Jackson, Swain and Macon were classified as “abnormally dry,” with some parts of Haywood and Jackson experiencing moderate drought. 

The Oct. 6 map, however, shows a state completely devoid of drought and dry conditions. Between those two dates, some areas of the mountains received more than 10 inches of rain, prompting fears of widespread flooding and mudslides, which, fortunately, proved unfounded. 

A serious boxwood disease known as boxwood blight, Calonec­tria pseudonaviculata, has been confirmed on the Highlands Plateau in Macon and Jackson counties, and homeowners are being encouraged to remove diseased plants.

The disease causes leaf loss and decline of boxwoods, and once introduced it’s difficult and costly to control. Spores can be spread through contaminated plant material, garden tools or clothing. The telltale signs of infection include brown leaf spots, black streaks on green twigs and leaf drop starting at the bottom of the plant. 

Because the disease can’t be effectively controlled once underway, removal of diseased plants is recommended. However, the pathogen will survive in the soil for five to six years after plant removal. 

For comprehensive recommendations, visit www.ext.vt.edu/topics/agriculture/commercial-horticulture/boxwood-blight/ or your local Cooperative Extension Center. 

The North Carolina Legislature did not renew the state’s solar tax credit, which will now expire on Dec. 31. 

Thanks to an Eagle Scout project from 14-year-old Talbryn Porter, the Lake Junaluska walking path is now sporting new mile markers.

Kids who want to lend a hand toward feeding the hungry can help harvest the season’s left-over apples from a Waynesville orchard during a special picking day on Saturday, Oct. 17, organized by the Haywood Gleaners

A nocturnal, kid-friendly Halloween event will give visitors a rare glimpse of Chimney Rock State Park at night, 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24.

To the Editor:

When I moved to Waynesville in 1987 the library was the pride of the mountains. It was even better than Raleigh’s, where I had lived three decades. Forty-five percent of the county population is over 39, so more reading material is needed for an older population. After I returned from living in Texas the past seven years, I was dismayed to see the library down at the heels. 

The computers especially were a problem. They are very heavily used, usually by unemployed 20-somethings applying for jobs online, students who cannot afford their own computer, by seniors, and by visitors who are traveling and won’t tote a printer to a motel room. They are old, say 20 years. In fact, the operating system is no longer supported by Windows.

The staff is always kind, patient and helpful, so I asked what was going on. It seems that attempts to upgrade or supervise the computers are lacking. Software to upgrade has been on the shelf for a while, maybe even as long as a year. I offered, since I taught it at SCC, to install it myself. No, no one can touch it. Maybe they could get an intern from WCU? No, the intern came from HCC and didn’t do it.

I checked with a state legislator and learned that libraries just received substantial upgrades of funding, but clearly funds are only part of the problem. I plan to see the county commissioners about this. But thank you for printing my letter and letting others know.

Cornelia S. Cree

Waynesville

To the Editor:

As the tribal elections drew closer and closer, it became fairly obvious early on that Patrick Lambert would become the new principal chief of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. Speculations on where outgoing Chief Michell Hicks might go next and what changes Lambert might bring spread like wildfire.

After Lambert became chief-elect, Chief Hicks was offered and accepted a position as commissioner of the Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise, the intermediary board between council and the casino; the same position Lambert left to run for chief.

Within 48 hours of Lambert taking office, not only was this offer rescinded, but rumors of the firing of the entire commission followed. Lambert filed a lawsuit against the old Council for the pay raises and back-pay issue of last year. For the last week, the people have told stories of losing their jobs, culminating in the phrase “Lambert is cleaning house.”

And though the people rejoice at the news of suing the old council for the allegedly illegal pay raises, they miss the bigger issue: Chief Hicks refused to hear protests from enrolled citizens in Council, breaking millennia of Cherokee tradition.

It has always been the way of the Cherokee to allow any person of the age of reason to speak before Council. In the old days, Council could not adjourn until anyone and everyone who wished to speak had been heard, and decisions were made by consensus, keeping the next seven generations in mind. 

While some enrolled members are pleased with Chief Lambert’s rapid change, others are already calling for his impeachment, going so far as to protest outside the Council House only yesterday (Thursday, Oct. 8) during the annual Fall Festival.

The outrage over financial mismanagement should be secondary to the outrage of the bucking of tradition. It isn’t.

Just last week, Elder Amanda Swimmer addressed Tribal Council over an issue of her estate. Her first language is Cherokee, and she addressed the Council in the Cherokee Language. Council assigned Beloved Woman Myrtle Driver to translate Swimmer’s address because … none of them spoke Cherokee fluently. 

The Cherokee culture is an endangered creature. Have we, as a People, become so complacent and entitled to care more for political and financial gain than for our language and tradition? 

While other nations of Indian Country battle for basic human rights as running water and electricity, the Eastern Cherokee bicker amongst each other about how to manage a multi-million dollar industry. 

While the Navajo require their Chief to speak Navajo fluently to be eligible to run for office, the EBCI Tribal Council does not have a single Cherokee speaker among them. 

Sequoyah is the only man in recorded history to create a writing system without first being literate. His creation of the Syllabary led to the first bilingual newspaper in the USA: The Cherokee Phoenix out of New Echota, Georgia, created by Rev. Worcester and Elias Boudinot was published in English and Syllabary. The Cherokee Star was the first bilingual magazine, published in Tahlequa, Oklahoma. 

The only three indigenous languages used in both world wars were the Cherokee, Choctaw, and Comanche. And while the Navajo have broadcast the Super Bowl in their own language for the last 30 or so years, you’d be hard pressed to find a fluent Cherokee speaker in Cherokee, N.C. There are more Cherokee speakers in the United Kituah Band and the Cherokee Nation (Oklahoma) than there are in the EBCI. We lose 10 speakers a year as the elders pass into the next world.

So is it truly a surprise that Miss Mandy needed a translator to address her own Tribal Council?

ᎨᏗᏒᎳᏂᏩᏴᏫᎴᎢᎶᎩ

Cherokee

Editor’s note: It wasn’t Chief Patrick Lambert but the group “EBCI for Justice and Accountability” (spearheaded by a group of three Cherokee women) that filed the lawsuit over the controversial pay raises. The Tribal Council is actually the entity that shut down citizen debate in the council house, not Chief Michell Hicks. 

In his Oct. 7 letter to the editor, Franklin political activist Dan Kowal cautioned readers not to “buy the corporate charm offensive” coming out of Western Carolina University’s Free Enterprise Speaker Series. As WCU’s BB&T Distinguished Professor of Capitalism, I oversee the Speaker Series and would like to correct the inaccuracies in Mr. Kowal’s account.

Anthony “Tony” Lossiah, a Cherokee Indian Police Department patrol officer, died at Mission Hospital in Asheville on Tuesday, Oct. 6, after succumbing to complications stemming from an injury sustained while performing his law enforcement duties. Lossiah served the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the public at large as an officer for more than 17 years in many capacities.  

“Tony will be sorely missed. I can’t imagine what his wife, children and family are feeling throughout this loss. But I do know what it’s like to lose a friend and co-worker,” said Officer Ben Reed, who until recently served as police chief. “It’s certainly not easy, but God said His Grace was sufficient. Tony was certainly one of a kind and I have enjoyed knowing him and working beside him. My prayers are with the family. Please help me pray for our officers and our community.” 

After recently expanded testing continued to show elevated lead levels at Southwestern Community College’s firing range, college officials are going forward with the latest recommendations from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources to determine the precise project scope.

ECS Carolinas, LLP, an Asheville-based engineering firm contracted by SCC, is obtaining soil and sediment samples from an area near the Tuckaseigee River and downhill from the range to determine how far the lead has spread over the years. The college and ECS, acting in concert with NC-DENR’s counsel, will have the new samples tested while mapping out strategies for permanently remediating runoff and excavating the lead currently in the ground.

SCC has operated the range since the early 1980s on North River Road in Jackson County.

“We have relied on the recommendations of NC-DENR from the start to ensure that we handle this the right way,” said Dr. Don Tomas, president of SCC. “We met with NC-DENR officials last week (Oct. 2) to get their guidance on what we need to do next, and our response is to do exactly what they advise. Our goal is to resolve this situation as thoroughly and responsibly as possible.

The 19th Annual PumpkinFest will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, in downtown Franklin.

Country star Hunter Hayes will begin his “21 Tour” at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, in the Ramsey Regional Activity Center at Western Carolina University. 

Grammy Award-winning bluegrass supergroup Steep Canyon Rangers will perform at a membership concert for the Western Carolina University Friends of the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center in Cullowhee.

Question: I have diabetes, are sugar alcohols safe for me to consume? 

Answer: Sugar alcohols can be found in many sugar-free and no sugar added products like candy, cookies and cakes. Despite their name they are not a sugar or an alcohol.

The public is invited to join scientists and members of the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee for the annual Migration Celebration from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 10 at the Tessentee Bottomland Preserve in Otto.

Biologists from Southern Appalachian Raptor Research, Coweeta Long-Term Ecological Research program, Balsam Mountain Preserve and LTLT will capture, band and release migrating songbirds. Attendees will also participate in hands-on activities to catch, tag and release monarch butterflies as they migrate south to their wintering grounds in Mexico.

The event is part of a nationwide effort to track migration routes, populations and survival of monarch butterflies, an iconic pollinator species. Cost is free, though donations are gladly accepted to help pay for SARR and LTLT’s nature educational programs. 

Attendees should wear long pants and shoes that cover the toes. Bring water, snacks and a camera. To reserve a place for your family, contact Jason Love at 828.524.2128 ext.113 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Directions to LTLT’s Tessentee Bottomland Preserve, 2249 Hickory Knoll Road, Franklin, N.C.: From downtown Franklin, take U.S. 23 S/U.S. 441S/Georgia Road. In 5.2 miles, turn left onto Riverside Road. In .5 miles, turn right on Hickory Knoll Road and travel 1.7 miles to Preserve on the right.

The Healthy Haywood Fitness Challenge will kick off Monday, Oct. 12. 

The program — which runs through Nov. 23 — gives participants six weeks to visit the 17 participating venues up to 24 times for a price of only $10. Each venue has its own rules for what is available to Healthy Haywood members, but all allow some opportunity to experience what is offered there. 

Five sign-up opportunities are scheduled:

• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at the Waynesville Recreation Center, with free fitness journals handed out. A special kickoff will be held 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. that day, with free pedometers. 
• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Haywood County Cooperative Extension, with free frisbees. 
• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center, with free water bottles. 
• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at Urban Athletic Training Center, with free jump ropes. 
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at The Fitness Connection, with free stainless steel water bottles. 

All freebies are on a while-supplies-last basis. 

Participating venues are Angie’s Dance Academy, Body Lyrics Belly Dance, CrossFit2311, CrossFit Haywood, CrossFit Yona, Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center, Maggie Mountain Fitness and Massage, Maggie Valley Wellness, Old Armory Rec Center, Raqs Beledi Bellydance Studio, Smoky Mountain Sk8Way & Fun Zone, Susan’s Sassy Slimdown, The Fitness Connection, Urban Athletic Training Center, Waynesivlle Recreation Center, Waynesivlle Wellness and Youth Kung Fu. 

828.356.2272 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. www.healthyhaywood.org. 

A recreation of what a campsite from 100 years ago would look like will be on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Cradle of Forestry in near Brevard. 

Visitors will see fires ignited by flint, steel and friction, old-style campfire cookery, four different styles of period shelters and traditional camp tools in use. 

The event is inspired by Smokies founding father Horace Kephart and his 1906 book Camping and Woodcraft. “Camping in the Old Style” will be presented by the Traditional Outdoor Skills Program from The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia. 

Traditional camping display included with price of admission, $5 for adults and free for youth under 16. America the Beautiful, Every Kid in a Park and Golden Age passes accepted. The cradle is located along U.S. 276 near Brevard.

828.877.3130 or www.cradleofforestry.com.

A hike taking in the views from Purchase Knob in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as the secret hideaways of The Swag Country Inn’s Nature Trail will show off autumn’s best on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

An afternoon of fly-fishing related clinics for disabled veterans will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians in Cherokee. 

The day, organized by Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, will include clinics in fly tying, casting and knot tying. Healing Waters is an organization dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled veterans and active military service personnel, achieved through fly fishing, education and outings. 

Free. 828.788.0034. www.flyfishingmuseum.org.

A nationally recognized bonsai tree expo will be held Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville.

Kim DeLozier, conservation program manager for the eastern U.S. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, won the title of Wildlife Conservationist of the Year from the North Carolina Wildlife Federation during this year’s Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards. 

DeLozier retired from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2010 after 32 years working in wildlife management, dealing with everything from nuisance bear management to reintroduction of elk and red wolves. 

Awards, given in 20 different categories, represent a who’s who of conservation stalwarts including agency professionals, elected officials, academics, nonprofit leaders and emerging youth leaders.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s district ranger for the Tennessee side of the park, Steve Kloster, has been named chief ranger for the park.

The Sylva Photo Club will host seminars covering “GIMP” and “Lightroom” at the Cullowhee Methodist Church on the Western Carolina University campus.

“GIMP” will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 10. “GIMP” is a free software photography-editing program and has some of the features of Photoshop. Roger and Lisa Bacon will cover some of the manipulations commonly used to enhance photos; selecting, cropping, lightening, darkening, gradient fills, and the uses of layers. Several photos will be used to illustrate the techniques. They will also teach Movie Maker and Google Photos, which are free programs that could enhance your photo editing experiences. Movie Maker is good for making slide shows with or without video clips. Google Photos is for sorting, editing, and storing (free cloud) photos. A brief introduction to each program will also be given. Members are free, visitors a $5 donation applied towards a membership.

Lightroom will be a special full-day seminar presented by Robert McAnally from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 17. McAnally has spent 40 years working with computers and 20 years with film photography. In 2002, when he converted to digital photography, he started using Photoshop 7 with the first Windows Lightroom. The cost for this full day seminar, including lunch, is a $40 donation for visitors (not applied to membership) and $35 for members. Reservations are required for the full-day seminar. Please send email or phone and provide name, phone number, and email so that the reservation can be confirmed.

Membership to the Sylva Photo Club is a $20 donation; $10 for students per year. 

sylvaphotoclub.wordpress.com or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.293.9820.

The Lake Junaluska Singers will perform their fall concert 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, and at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Stuart Auditorium.

A 16-voice professional ensemble, the group serves as the Ambassador choir for the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church and of the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. They began in 1954 and have performed nationally and internationally for conferences, dignitaries and major events. Their music ranges from classical choral and contemporary works to gospel, folk and musical theater styles.

Tickets start at $17.50.

www.lakejunaluska.com/events/singers. 

Acclaimed gospel group The Inspirations will host the ‘Singing in the Smokies’ fall color festival at 11 a.m. Oct. 15-17 at Inspiration Park in Bryson City.

Thursday performances will include The Inspirations and The Kingsmen. Friday will showcase the Old Fashioned Singing Chuck Wagon Gang, Troy Burns Family, and The Inspirations. Saturday will present the Family & Friends Tour, Archie Watkins, The McKameys and The Inspirations.

Tickets are $20 per night, with children 12 and under admitted free.

www.theinspirations.com. 

A Little Taste of Local will offer samples from locally owned restaurants and markets on Oct. 13 at Champion Credit Union in Canton.

Some of the local favorites participating include Waynesville Soda Jerks, Black Bear Café, Fat Belly’s, The Imperial, Nettie’s Bakery and Papertown Grill. They will also be joined by KT’s Orchard and Apiary, Shady Brook Farms and Duckett’s Produce as market vendors.

“We are blessed with so many locally-owned restaurants and fresh local vendors in the area,” says Noralynn Gudger, Marketing and Communications Manager with Champion Credit Union. “We wanted to find a way to help them gain exposure and give our members and the community a chance to try what they have to offer.” 

The local food showcase is a part of the CU Lunch Local initiative. Understanding how each and every dollar spent locally can impact the entire community, they wanted to find a way to encourage that spending. 

“Champion Credit Union believes wholeheartedly in supporting the communities that support us,” says Jake Robinson, President of Champion Credit Union. “This market is a great way for us to show that support.”

www.championcu.com. 

A regional breast cancer charity truck show, “Beards for Boobs,” will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Cherokee Expo Center. 

In an effort to raise breast cancer awareness and funds for local charities. Southern Charm Traditional Wear, located in Cherokee, will host the event. 

“Western North Carolina has been so great to our business and this event is just one way we can give back to our community,” said Scott Jacobs, owner of Southern Charm. “Breast Cancer impacts the lives of so many people we know and love. Just about everyone knows someone, whether it be a family member, a friend, or a neighbor, who has been impacted by this disease and this event is just our way of helping reduce that impact here in Western North Carolina.”

About 1 in 8 U.S. women, about 12 percent, will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. This year alone, an estimated 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 60,290 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer. Women aren’t the only ones at risk. About 2,350 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men in 2015. A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000.

The cost to attend “Beards for Boobs” is free. To enter a vehicle in the truck show, the cost is $15 in advance and $25 at the gate. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the Pretty in Pink Foundation. 

www.southerncharmwear.com or 828.497.7981.

The Masters of Illusion “Believe The Impossible” professional magic Halloween showcase will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Harrah’s Cherokee.

Grand illusions, levitating women, appearances and vanishes, escapes, comedy magic, sleight of hand and beautiful dancers are just some of the events during the performance.

Masters of Illusion is a huge stage phenomenon born from the multi-award winning television series Masters of Illusion and from the World Magic Awards, which is recognized as the International Academy Awards of Magic. 

One of the exciting features of this magical experience is that the entire audience participates in a mind-boggling illusion and some lucky individuals even get picked to assist with illusions onstage. The award-winning cast has been brought together to perform live to its Masters of Illusion’s huge worldwide television audience. 

Tickets start at $7.50.

www.harrahscherokee.com.

The production of “Over the River and Through the Woods” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22-24 and at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 18 and 25 at the Highlands Performing Arts Center.

The 26th Annual Leaf Lookers Gemboree will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 16-17 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Macon County Community Building in Franklin.

The 32nd annual Church Street Art & Craft Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, on Main Street in downtown Waynesville.

To the Editor:

October is the last month for donations to the 2015 Coats for Kids of Jackson County Coat and Warm Clothing Drive. In addition to donating, you can help by participating in two fundraising events this week to benefit the nonprofit, now in its seventh year of helping Jackson County children stay warm.

The first event will be from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, at Two Chicks Boutique, 1336 East Main Street, Sylva. As part of Two Chicks Boutique’s grand opening, 10 percent of the proceeds of sales that day, as well as a silent auction inside the store, will go to help Coats for Kids. 

The second event is from 8 a.m. until noon this Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Jackson County Farmer’s Market in Sylva, when folks may bring new and gently used children’s warm clothing items to donate.

If you have new or gently used children’s items to donate such as coats, warm clothing, hats, gloves, shoes, and scarves, you can also drop off items through Oct. 31 at Sylva Wal-Mart (inside store, on household side), Cullowhee United Methodist Church, or Sylva Habitat for Humanity Re-Sale Store. Also needed are donations of unopened packages of diapers, wipes and new socks and underwear. Monetary donations may be sent to the nonprofit at Coats for Kids of Jackson County, P.O. Box 164, Cullowhee, N.C., 28723. All donations help to ensure local children stay warm this winter. 

Distribution Day will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Sylva First United Methodist Church. Items will be available free of charge for any parent/guardian who needs warm winter items for their children. Children must be present to receive items and distribution is a first come-first serve event. While supplies last, families will also receive a gift card for food. 

For more information about Coats for Kids of Jackson County, contact Director Christy Rowe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the Coats for Kids office at 828.293.3678.

Rose Garret

Sylva

To the Editor:

This week we’ve heard from the BB&T Distinguished Professor of Capitalism at Western Carolina University, hyping the corporate dog and pony show at WCU on Oct. 5, preaching the morality of the free market.

According to Wikipedia: “The BB&T Corporation (Branch Banking & Trust) is the 10th largest commercial bank in the United States, based in Winston-Salem, with around $200 billion in assets.

“In late 2008 the bank accepted $3.1 billion in bailout money through the sale of its preferred shares to the U.S. Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

“In May 2008, the BB&T Charitable Foundation had given 25 U.S. colleges and universities ‘several million dollars’ to fund programs promoting Ayn Rand’s work and economic philosophy.”

My question is, why would a business, whose goal is to maximize profit, give away several million dollars to 25 universities, especially right before receiving federal bailout money?

That money is hard at work at WCU and around the country, funding corporate propaganda, trying to convince us that behemoth corporations are looking out for our best interests. 

Since the recession (caused by the big banks, resulting in millions of Americans losing their jobs and/or homes), almost all of the U.S. economic growth has gone to the top 10 percent. Wages/buying power are stagnant, actually at early 1970s levels counting inflation, while corporate upper management bonuses rocket skyward. The only way working families survive is to go further into debt, and the big banks profit from that with their credit cards. It’s a vicious cycle for us, a profitable one for them.

To be clear, I am all for small c capitalism, mom-and-pop shops, honest competition and entrepreneurs. But when a company amasses billions of dollars, buys lobbyists and gives untold millions to buy politicians and installs propagandists at our universities, we have a fundamental problem that undermines our democratic republic.  

This is why I’m voting for Bernie Sanders for president, and other candidates who are willing to take on the big banks, big corporations and corruption in general. Our founding fathers did not envision us living in a corporate oligarchy. 

Dan Kowal

Franklin

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will celebrate the completion of the new $80 million, 150,000-square-foot Cherokee Indian Hospital building in Cherokee with a ribbon cutting and tour 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. 

“We believe the new building will help us foster an environment of wellness so our patients don’t just come to us when they are sick, they come to us as friends and partners in wellness,” said Casey Cooper, a tribal member who has led the hospital as CEO for the past 10 years.

The new pharmacy department will open for service Monday, Oct. 19, with the rest of the hospital seeing patients beginning Nov. 16. 

The project has been nearly two years in the making through a partnership between the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority, Design Strategies and Robins and Morton Construction Company. 

Candidates for the Waynesville town board faced off in a forum last week before a packed crowd in the Haywood County historic courtroom.

Women climbing the corporate ladder or owning their own businesses is nothing new, and in fact North Carolina is among the nation’s leaders in this area. Still, those we interviewed for a series of stories on women in business say they sometimes face unique challenges as they move toward an era where the playing field is more level than ever before.

Weather Hazard: An Upper Low moving across our WNC Mountains, coupled with Hurricane Joaquin will produce heavy rain and wind gusts in Haywood County.  From now through Monday morning communities south of Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Clyde and Canton can expect about 10” of rain, while the municipalities and northern communities can expect about 7” of rain.  Wind gusts of 20-30mph are possible, with the highest gusts over our mountain tops.

Expected Vulnerabilities

• Trees down
• Power Outages 
• Intermittent flash flooding in low lying areas along rivers and streams
• Possible debris flows in drainages and particularly in areas with disturbed and exposed soils where rainfall may accumulate.

Recommended Actions

• Everyone should maintain close contact with ever changing weather conditions.
• Be aware of potential hazards around your home, work place and travel paths.
• Stay away from flooding water and wear a personal flotation device when operating nearby.
• Be prepared for extended periods of power outages.  Do not call 911 for power outages, call the appropriate power company.
• The majority of fatalities associated with flash flooding are due to attempting to drive through standing water.  Even shallow moving water can make tires a flotation device!  2 feet of water can float a 3000lb car.
• Rapidly moving water and debris can lead to trauma.
• Broken electrical, water, gas and sewer lines can result in severe injuries.
• Look for tilted trees, poles, fences, walls and holes on hillsides.
• Be extra cautious at night when it is harder to see flood dangers.
• Emergency Agencies- Travel around your communities, make a list of potentially hazardous areas and/or vulnerable citizens.  Provide them with good preparedness advice.
• Extra staffing of all agencies will be helpful.
• All swift-water rescue teams on standby, once the team leaders have an inventory and roster, share your numbers with the 911 Communications Center.
• Emergency Management staff will be on duty throughout the weekend.  Call the non-emergency line to 911 Communications to speak with them.
• Ensure shelter teams are on standby and prepared.  IF activated, the location is our HHS facility (Old Walmart) on Paragon Parkway.
• NCDOT and municipalities should continue ensuring all culverts; ditches and storm water systems are clear of debris and open.  Maintain emergency access of all highways, streets and roads for emergency egress and ingress.