Nearly 400 members of Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band will travel to Pasadena, Calif., to march in the internationally televised 2011 Rose Parade.

The band is scheduled to appear at the 49th position in the parade, which begins at 11 a.m. on Jan. 1.

“The Rose Parade is seen by millions of people from around the world, and the Pride of the Mountains will be serving as marching musical ambassadors for Western Carolina,” said Bob Buckner, director of the WCU Pride of the Mountains Marching Band. “It’s a role we accept as a high honor, and we are ready to take on the challenges — both logistical and financial — of transporting our students, their instruments and other equipment to California.”

Three trucks will carry the band’s instruments, uniforms, equipment and even band member’s luggage to California in order to save about $40,000 in checked baggage fees. Students loaded the trucks Monday, Dec. 20, and will fly to California starting Dec. 28.

At the Tournament of Roses Bandfest on Thursday, Dec. 30, which friends, family and fans can watch online via a webcast available for $8.50, the band will perform its halftime show “Rock U.”

During the Rose Parade, the band will perform the song “You” by California ska band Suburban Legends, a local favorite in Orange County. Matt Henley, assistant director of the WCU marching band, said the music selection came about as he was thinking about the parade’s theme, “Building Dreams, Friendships and Memories,” and remembered a story about Suburban Legends.

After a member of the group, trombone player Dallas Cook, died in a traffic accident, Suburban Legends held a memorial concert and directed proceeds to Cook’s high school marching band in Huntington Beach, Calif. Cook had credited his experience in high school band for much of his passion for music.

Moved, Henley contacted Suburban Legends about the possibility of playing the group’s song in the parade and building a friendship.

“We love Suburban Legends’ music, and we are excited to play their song ‘You’ in Dallas’ memory and send the message that, like him, we love band too,” said Henley. “We arranged the song for marching band, and that is what we will play on TV as we go around the corner in the parade. Part of our goal was to build a friendship from East Coast to West Coast, and we hope to get the chance to meet members of Suburban Legends while we are there.”

Band members have said they are both excited and nervous to perform in front of so many people. More than 700,000 are expected to attend the parade, and more than 51 million people are expected to watch the internationally televised event on TV.

“I’m actually marching in the Rose Bowl (which will be) watched by a billion people. That is a lot of stress. A lot of eyes would be on me if I fall or trip,” said Candace Rhodes, a freshman music education major from Georgia, in a video she submitted in a WCU video contest, before willing it not to go wrong. “It won’t happen. It won’t happen. It won’t happen.”

When Jeffrey Throop, president of the Tournament of Roses Association, visited WCU’s band in September, he predicted the Pride of the Mountains would be a hit in California.

“I can already tell, you are going to blow everybody away. It’s just so exciting to see you and to see your style. I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Throop, who has observed more than his fair share of marching bands during his affiliation of 36 years with the Rose Parade. “I can’t wait to show you off to everyone, to the world.”

Follow the Pride as they travel to Pasadena at roseparade.wcu.edu.

The legendary Appalachian Trail grew by 1.9 miles in 2010.

Every December, the latest mileage and shelter information for the 11 official guides to the AT is updated from volunteers who are constantly improving the trail. Volunteer Daniel D. Chazin of Teaneck, N.J., pulls all the information together, a task he’s been performing since 1983.

This year, due to relocations  and re-measurements, increases were reported for: Massachusetts-Connecticut (0.2 mile), New York-New Jersey (0.9 mile), central Virginia (0.1 mile), and Tennessee-North Carolina (0.9 mile), while the southwest Virginia mileage was reduced by 0.1 mile.

The new official length of the AT is 2,181.0 miles.

“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s 2011 Data Book is an essential planning resource for any Appalachian Trail hiker; whether they are out for a day hike or hiking the entire length from Maine to Georgia,” said Brian B. King, publisher of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Each year, the $6.95 Appalachian Trail Data Book is a top-selling official guide to the longest continuously marked footpath in the world. It condenses into 96 pages the high points of the series of guidebooks and maps. Information is presented at a glance in the same geographic units as the guides, with elevations for major points. Shelters, campsites, water sources, road crossings, supply sources, off-trail lodging, eateries and post offices are all easy to identify in the Data Book.

For more information about the 33rd edition of the Appalachian Trail Data Book or to purchase a copy, visit www.atctrailstore.org or call 888.287.8673.

The University of North Carolina at Asheville and the U.S. Forest Service are joining forces to boost awareness and understanding of threats to forest health.

The joint venture will team UNCA’s advanced computer modeling and imaging capabilities with Forest Service research expertise to develop web-based resources that make threats to forest health readily visible and comprehensible.

The agreement, effective through June 2015, extends the ongoing collaborative efforts between UNC

Asheville’s National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (NEMAC) and the Forest Service Eastern Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center (EFETAC).

“Our team’s passion is helping diverse interest groups visualize and understand complex scientific data in creative ways,”NEMAC Director Jim Fox said. “The goal of the NEMAC-EFETAC collaboration is to deliver critical information and tools to the people who need it, when they need it.”

NEMAC will contribute unique skills in computer modeling and programming, database management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and education and outreach to the joint venture. These include CRAFT (the Comparative Risk Assessment Framework and Tools), a forest planning and decision support system; the Forest Threat Summary Viewer, a database of forest threat information and images; a prototype Early Warning System, a satellite imagery-based monitoring system for detecting unexpected forest changes; EFETAC’s online portal (http://www.forestthreats.org) and related communication materials.

For more information about NEMAC, visit www.nemac.unca.edu.

Early registration is now open for the 2011 Organic Growers School Conference on March 5-6 on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Asheville campus.

More than 1,500 farmers, gardeners, chefs, food activists and consumers are expected to attend what has become the largest sustainable living conference in the Southeast.

Topics covered include fruit production, urban farming, primitive skills, all about poultry, gardening, farming, food preservation, cooking, herbs, sustainable forestry, Alternative energy and more.

For more information about the conference — to attend, exhibit or sponsor — email Meredith Leigh McKissick at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Western North Carolina Wildlife Advocates will meet from noon to 3 p.m. on Jan. 7 at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center.  

North Carolina Rep. Ray Rapp, D-Mars Hill, will present his ideas for increasing funding and manpower for wildlife law enforcement officers. The group will also discuss the N.C. Wildlife Federation’s “Responsible Sportsman Doctrine” as a tool for educating hunters and encouraging responsible behavior.

The WNC Wildlife Advocates want to form a coalition of concerned citizens, conservation organizations, hunters, wildlife enthusiasts, law enforcement officers, wildlife experts, and elected officials to seek creative and proactive solutions to reduce human/wildlife conflicts and conserve mountain resources.

The meeting will convene at 12:45 p.m. after lunch, which will be available at the noon for $8.95 at the Terrace. Reservations required for lunch. Call 828.258.2667 for more information.

To the Editor:

The local radio station in Sylva, WRGC, has reported that the unemployment rate in Jackson County increased by one tenth of a percent from 7.2 to 7.3 in October.

Unemployed workers in Jackson County have received over $18 million in unemployment benefits since November of last year. And yet, when HR 6419 Emergency Unemployment Continuation Act came to the floor of the house on Nov. 18, Heath Shuler was the only North Carolina Democratic representative to vote no.

Rep. Shuler was the only N.C. democrat to vote no on other recent votes: HR 1742, the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act; HR 1736 to accelerate relief for victims of the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile (see www.govtrack.us/congress/votes).

It appears that these votes follow other no votes on bills that offer relief to citizens of North Carolina: HR 2749 (Food Safety Regulation Amendments); HR 1256 (FDA Oversight of Tobacco Products); HR 1 (“The Stimulus Bill”); HR 1931 (Hate Crimes Expansion); HR 3162 (SCHIP-State Children’s Health Insurance Program); HR 7081

(United States-India Nuclear Agreement); HR 4872 (Health Care Reconciliation Act); HR3590 (Health Care Insurance Law Amendments).

Is this what being “moderate and centrist” means? Is this what the citizens of Western North Carolina really want? I would much rather see a journalist explore in detail Shuler’s rationale for his no votes than the “love fest” article in a recent edition (“Calculated gamble, Shuler’s House leadership run thrusts him onto the national stage,” Dec. 1 SMN).

I would also like to see good definitions of moderate and centrist. If voting against initiatives that have the possibility of improving the lives of people — espeically children — is what a “big tent” means, then I want no part of it.

Linda Watson

Cullowhee

To the Editor:

Give the wealthy $700 billion over the next decade?

Absolutely, say the Republican politicians led by Rep. John Boehner. It would be unfair to allow their tax rates to return to the pre-Bush rates. Giving the rich more money will help the economy. Really? How has it helped the economy the last 10 years?

David Stockman’s (budget director under Ronald Reagan) says, “Let the temporary tax reduction expire for the wealthy.” It would cost $700 billion over the next decade if extended. Stockman says over the past 10 years while the rich have benefitted from reduced taxes how has it helped the economy? Hello?

Warren Buffett and Bill Gates also say let the temporary tax reduction for the rich expire. They believe the rich should help pay to reduce the deficit.

The rich spend their money on stocks, bonds and real estate. The middle class spends theirs on goods and services that help everyone, including the wealthy. Leading economists Thomas Piketty and Emmanuel Saez agree.

But, my friends, remember that the Republican politicians receive large donations from the rich. Wake up America.

Ron Rookstool

Maggie Valley

To the Editor:

Whether it be a deficit or a debt, no amount of money owed a creditor is a good thing; not on the federal, state, or local level. Unfortunately, for too long it has been much too easy for us to borrow when we should have saved instead. The fiscal conservatives have been there for many years. Mores the pity that they have been ignored by both parties, the bureaucrats (un-elected office holders) who manage the government on a day-to-day basis, and the vast majority of the American people who are too busy watching “Dancing with the Stars.” Consequently the piper will come to collect his due, soon.

Unlike “Astroturf,” which is essentially a tool of public relations/publicity campaigns, authentic grassroots movements don’t arise, grow, and become powerful overnight. This is especially true when apathy in participation in government has been overwhelming for so long.

How could a county manager be able to get away with the irregularities and abuse that he has for so long? How could a board of commissioners be able to spend our county into backbreaking debt otherwise?

Ask yourself, “when have I gone to, sat and listened, and sometimes used the public comment period (our First Amendment rights!) at a county commissioners meeting? Did I want something from the commissioners, or did I go because it was the right thing to do? Have I participated in a meaningful way?”

Previously on the federal level, any surpluses were merely on paper and only affected the deficit, not the growing debt. Americans of all stripes are only just waking up to the fact that the deficit and the debt (two different wolves) have been enormously increased by unscrupulous elected and un-elected office holders who have not been following the Constitution. For this citizen, it makes me wonder if anybody else has read (and understands) the socio-political contract between us and our government? And do they care?

But take heart; for the truly concerned individuals lamenting the pending demise of our republic, there’s always as a last resort Locke’s “appeal to Heaven” to achieve a restoration of the founder’s vision of what we still could be.

Carl Iobst

Cullowhee

Steam engines are coming back to Western North Carolina, thanks to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.

The railroad announced that in coordination with Rail Events Inc., it has closed on the purchase of a steam locomotive — #1149 — and a Bud Rail Diesel Car — RDC-1. Additionally, the railroad has obtained nine passenger coaches from the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad Preservation Society in Unity, Maine.

The locomotive and coaches have been winterized and will remain in storage for the winter. They will come to Bryson City, where the railroad is headquartered, in late spring 2011. Minor repairs are needed — two boilers will be renewed, which means disassembly of the smoke box and reinstalling a throttle.

Locomotive #149 is a Swedish locomotive built in 1913 and exported to the U.S. in 1994. It is a coal-burning locomotive with a 4-6-0 wheel configuration and a 5,000-gallon coal tender. The locomotive was rebuilt and re-tubed in 1998 under Federal Railroad Administration standards. The locomotive and passenger coaches have a Swiss coupling system and will operate together as a train set.

The RDC “Budd car” is capable of seating up to 84 passengers and is equipped with controls on each end. It has two 275hp diesel engines and has #6 airbrakes with D-22 brake valves. The RDC may be coupled with additional passenger coaches.

“Having been with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for the past 23 years, I have seen the operation grow and expand the passenger rail-tourism industry with our successful special events,” Kim Albritton, vice president and general manager, said in a prepared news release. “I, along with my staff at GSMR, are exploding with excitement and the many opportunities that restored steam service will provide, not only to the railroad but to the region of Western North Carolina.”

The Waynesville Planning Board said this week it will hold off on adopting a major update to the town’s land use plan until February at the earliest, and will delay voting even then if it thinks citizens still want time to digest the plan and offer suggestions.

“I will say that people have told me that if we vote at this meeting it would prevent some from commenting,” said planning board member Jon Feichter at the Dec. 20 meeting. “I would be in favor of waiting until at least Feb. 21 to vote.”

Other planning board members agreed to wait until then at the earliest.

“I think we can tentatively schedule it for then, but it can wait until later if that’s what we need to do,” said board chairman Patrick McDowell.

Town Planning Director Paul Benson also said that there should be no rush to adopt the revisions.

“It is my recommendation that you vote when you feel comfortable with it. Tonight would be too early,” said Benson.

Benson told board members he would like them to delay voting and take public comment at its next couple of meetings.

The updates to the town’s land development standards have been in the works for more than a year. Waynesville hired a consulting company that has been working with a town committee to update the land-use standards that were originally adopted in 2003. Nearly 40 meetings have been held, and result of that work was presented to town citizens at two public meetings in late November and early December.

Benson prepared a package of all the comments for the planning board, but he said two issues raised by the public stood out: one, criticism of the revision that will remove the mandate that parking be on the side and in backs of buildings in commercial areas; and two, complaints about the new plan’s allowable density and height.

The board did not discuss any changes to the original proposal in response to public comment from the two public meetings.

Feichter did bring up one problem that he said might need to addressed: the stipulation that redevelopment of existing structures did not have to meet the new standards as long as the revision was to less than 50 percent of the existing structure. He said some could take advantage of this if there was not a time limit put in the regulations saying how long a period there had to be between renovations.

Benson suggested that saying a year must pass between renovations would likely solve this problem, but the board did not adopt any change.

The Haywood County Board of Commissioners is accepting applications for the following boards:

Haywood County Board of Health – This board is a policy-making, rule-making and adjudicatory body for the Haywood County Health Department. The Board adopts rules necessary for the purpose of protecting and promoting public health. The regular meeting for the Board of Health is held at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month.
The Health Board has four vacancies in the following specialties: registered nurse, veterinarian, pharmacist, and medical doctor.

Tourism Development Authority Board — The function of this board is to oversee the operations of the Tourism Development Authority in the collection and disbursement of occupancy tax from Haywood County accommodations and in the promotion of tourism in Haywood County. The TDA Board has one vacancy for an owner or operator of a hotel, motel or other accommodation with 20 units or less, to serve remaining term ending Dec. 31, 2012. The board meets at 3:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

Application forms may be downloaded from the Online Services section of the county website, www.haywoodnc.net; or picked up from the County Manager’s Office, Haywood County Courthouse, Third Floor, 215 North Main Street, Waynesville, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Completed applications may be returned to the County Manager’s Office or attached to an email to Rebecca Morgan, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 31. For more information contact the County Manager’s Office at 828.452.6625.

The Small Business Center of Haywood Community College will offer a free seminar entitled, “Organizing your Work and Life — a Great Way to Start the Year!” from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 6, on campus on the first floor in the Student Center.

This workshop will be an entertaining and useful way to start your year, get organized and finally understand the best way to set and achieve your goals. The workshop will cover the three main areas of disorganization: time, information and workspace management. Time management includes: creating effective calendar systems, setting value-based goals, using follow-up systems that work and understanding the difference between “preparation and procrastination.” Information management includes: mastering your inbox, tracking important projects, critical decision making and going from “piles to files.” Workspace management includes: the number one tip for keeping your desk clean, what to put on your desk and why and how to use the “5 second rule” to know if your system is working.

The presenter is Sarah Kirkish, owner of WorkLife Organization. Kirkish has over 18 years of project management experience in corporate America. She is a certified Coach and Professional Organizer. She helps busy professionals simplify their lives from the inside out with her down-to-earth coaching and interactive workshops.

For more information or to preregister for this free seminar, call the Small Business Center at 828.627.4512.

Listeners to WWNC-AM can hear a broadcast of the Western Carolina University presentation of the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24.

“We’re looking forward to airing it,” said Brian Hall, director of programming with Clear Channel in Asheville. “It will be a good way to kick off the Christmas programming.”

WWNC-AM is at 570 on the radio dial and also is available for streaming online at www.wwnc.com. The one-hour “A Christmas Carol” will lead into the station’s Christmas Eve holiday music programming, an annual tradition on the typically talk-radio station.

The radio presentation is a recording of “A Christmas Carol” as it was performed live on stage at WCU in early December. Steve Carlisle, associate dean of the Honors College, was the show’s director; Bruce Frazier, Carol Grotnes Belk Distinguished Professor of Commercial and Electronic Music, was the musical director. Don Connelly, associate professor and head of the Department of Communication, produced the show. Students in departments across campus were involved in the collaboration.

The performance was a re-enactment of the Campbell’s Playhouse adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” from 1938 and included live sound effects, a 20-piece orchestra and an eight-person choir. It even starred Arthur Anderson, who reprised his role as the Ghost of Christmas Past from the original Orson Welles 1938 radio production.

For more information about the WWNC-AM broadcast of “A Christmas Carol,” contact Hall at 828.257.2700.

In 2011, The Bascom in Highlands will be open year round. In January and February visit us on Fridays and Saturdays and take part in a variety of activities.

Spend “Saturdays at The Bascom” and discover Art Cinema. Beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturdays, enjoy a schedule of great afternoon movies.

• Jan. 7 – Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Impassioned Eye

• Jan. 15 – The Art of the Steal

• Jan. 22 – The Agony and the Ecstasy

• Jan. 29 – F for Fake

• Feb. 5 – Georgia O’Keeffe

• Feb. 12 – Surviving Picasso

• Feb. 19 – Camille Claudel

• Feb. 26 – Sunday in the Park with George

Relive the fun and spirit of Highlands’ past at the nostalgic Winter Barn Dances. Honoring educators on Jan. 22, police, firefighters and EMS on Feb. 26 and veterans on March 26, the dances are from 7-10 p.m. and feature live entertainment. To purchase tickets ($5) or for more information call 828.526.2112 or visit www.winterinhighlands.com.

Greg Newington returns to The Bascom on Jan. 28-29 for “Photography for Lovers.” Part of Highlands Romance Weekend, learn how to add a sense of romance to your photos using light, filters and Photoshop.

The Bascom winter hours from Jan. 7 to April 2, Fridays and Saturdays only, are 10 a.m.-5 pm. For more details on all Bascom winter activities, visit www.thebascom.org or call 828.526.4949.

In the tradition of his German heritage, brewmeister Dieter Kuhn of Heinzelmannchen Brewery has crafted a specialty beer for the Christmas season.

Heinzelmannchen’s Merry Gnome ale debuted Dec. 17 and will be available at the brewery in downtown Sylva through the end of the year.

The Merry Gnome is a cocoa-flavored dark porter, spiced with brandy-soaked dark cherries.

“Our other seasonal beers are traditional beers that are lighter in flavor and have more affinity to be paired with food because they are not overpowering,” said Kuhn. “However, our Merry Gnome is a chocolate-flavored porter infused with dark cherries marinated in brandy during fermentation, giving a chocolate-cherry flavor profile with a warming finish.”

Kuhn had considered crafting a Christmas brew for several years, and figured the timing was right this holiday season.

“People always want something new and different. We’ve had success with our specialty beers and I wanted to step out and add a Christmastime beer to our lineup,” Kuhn said. “It’s a time of year when we want to give thanks to our customers and invite them into our brewery and share our success with them.”

In December, Heinzelmannchen Brewery is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and closed Sundays. For brewery info, visit: www.yourgnometownbrewery.com, or call 828.631.4466.

The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad’s version of The Polar Express™ will continue running through Dec. 24.

The round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the “North Pole” to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board The Polar Express™, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell.

Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot.

In 1985, Chris Van Allsburg wrote The Polar Express™, a story of a magical train ride on Christmas Eve. The train takes a young boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus.

Ticket prices begin at $39 for adults and $26 for children ages 2-12. Children under 2 years old ride complimentary. For more information and reservations call 800.872-4681 or visit us online at www.GSMR.com.

Crown Class ticket prices are $49 for adults, $36 for children 2-12 and $10 for under two years. First-class seating upgrades are available. Each guest will receive a deluxe serving of warm cocoa in a souvenir Polar Express™ mug and other treats in addition to the standard offerings. Ticket prices for first class are $59 for adults and $41 for children. Children under 2 years old are $10. The Polar Express™ Christmas Eve Limited ticket prices are $50 and children 2-12 are $37. First class seating upgrades are also available. Adult ticket prices are $72, children 2-12 are $50 and $16 for under two years.

Smoky Mountain Trains Museum admission is included with all train excursion tickets. Without train excursion admission is $9 for adults and $5 for children.

A two-time Grammy-nominated songwriter and a Grammy winning singer will host a New Year’s Eve show at the Balsam Mountain Inn that will showcase jazz, folk, blues, Americana and other styles of music.

Casey Kelly’s hits include “Soon” (recorded by Tanya Tucker), “Cowboy Rides Away” recorded by George Strait (who still closes all his live concert shows with it), “Anyone Who Isn’t Me Tonight” (recorded by Kenny Rogers/Dottie West), and “That Road Not Taken” (Joe Diffie). Other hits include: “Only Game In Town” (America) and “Somewhere Down the Line” (T.G. Sheppard).

Kelly is also a successful session player and singer. He has performed concerts and club gigs throughout the U.S. and Europe with artists like Arlo Guthrie, The Beach Boys, The Carpenters, Fleetwood Mac, Gordon Lightfoot, The Grateful Dead, Hall And Oats, Jackson Browne, Jimi Hendrix, Randy Travis and many more.

Leslie Ellis won a Grammy as a vocalist (with Celine Dion) on “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic. She has performed on “Six Times Around the Sun” (CBS TV mini-series Perfect Murder, Perfect Town) and is starring in a new film “My Name is Wallace.”

All inclusive tickets are $78 per person and include the show, a 2011 champagne flute, a split of champagne, party favors, buffet dinner and beverage. Wine, beer, and mixed drinks may be purchased at table. The buffet starts at 8 p.m. with seating every 15 minutes and the show is from 9 p.m. until midnight.

For information and tickets call 800.224.9498

Rush of Fools, a Birmingham-based Christian band, will perform at Lake Junaluska New Year’s Ministries with Young People (MYP) INFUSE Ski celebration for youth on Dec. 31.

Local youth and churches are invited to attend the New Year’s concert. Tickets are available for $15.

Part of Ministries with Young People at Lake Junaluska’s INFUSE New Year’s Weekend, Dec. 31 through Jan. 2, Rush of Fools will share the stage with This is Luke and Rev. Jasmine Smothers.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and the New Year’s celebration will begin at 8 p.m., lasting until midnight. Visit www.myp.lakejunaluska.com/infuse-special or call 800.222.4930 to purchase concert tickets or for more information about INFUSE Ski weekends at Lake Junaluska.

A local group has raised more than $10,000 to support local, state and national efforts to bring back that mighty giant, the American chestnut tree.

The Cataloochee Branch of The American Chestnut Foundation sponsored its first annual Chestnut Saturday and fundraising dinner in September. More than 500 people joined in the festivities which were held at Cataloochee Ranch, which boasts an outstanding chestnut breeding orchard.

Chestnut Saturday was scheduled just prior to the Branch’s fundraising dinner. The day-long event featured crafts and vendors, live bluegrass and dancing, chestnut orchard tours, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, horseshoes, kids’ games and wildlife biologist Rob Gudger’s captive wolves. The Branch’s dinner featured entertainment and a live auction and the event was almost sold-out.

“Cataloochee Ranch is ideal for growing chestnuts,” said TACF board member Dr. Paul Sisco. “The high-elevation site is good because chestnuts are susceptible to another introduced pathogen, Phytopthora, which causes root rot; however, Phytopthora can’t survive freezing.”

Now in its fourth growing season, Cataloochee’s orchard will be tested in a couple of years for resistance to the blight, and the survivors will be backcrossed again. The trees growing there will be ready for introduction to the wild in 2015, Sisco reports.

“Despite two inches of rain that day [of the event], we were extremely pleased with the turnout,” says Judy Coker, owner of Cataloochee Ranch. “We’ve already started planning next year’s event which will be held the first Saturday after Labor Day. We were very fortunate to have partnered with the Haywood County Council of Garden Clubs and we worked with three outstanding groups, Mountain View Garden Club, Richland Garden Club and the Waynesville Council of Garden Clubs.”

Linda Boyd, President of the Waynesville Council of Garden Clubs said that while Council members were meeting at Cataloochee Ranch to plan a program, they learned about the ranch’s involvement with TACF. The Council decided quickly to help promote the rebirth of the American chestnut tree by participating in the Chestnut Day and gala fundraisers.

For information about the return of the American chestnut, visit www.acf.org.  To join the Cataloochee Restoration Branch of The American Chestnut Foundation call 828.926.1401.

Dr. Carolyn Ward of Asheville was recently named as head of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.

Ward replaces Dr. Houck Medford, a Waynesville native, who has served as the founder and CEO of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation since its inception.

Ward has been serving chief operating officer. Medford will continue to serve as a consultant to the Foundation.

Bob Shepherd, chairman of the board of trustees, praised Medford’s vision and dedication to preserving the beauty and culture of the nation's most visited national parks. The parkway extends 469 miles through 29 counties in North Carolina and Virginia.

“Our board is unanimous in expressing deep appreciation for Houck’s and K.B’s (his wife) perseverance over the years in creating and growing our foundation so that citizens and organizations can have a tax deductible conduit through which they can contribute in a meaningful way to enhancing the Blue Ridge Parkway,” Shepherd said.

A Swain County native now living in South Carolina has won several writing awards from the South Carolina Outdoor Press Association.

Jim Casada writes frequently about the Smokies and is a regular columnist in The Smoky Mountain Times in Bryson City and also contributes regularly to Smoky Mountain Living (a sister publication of The Smoky Mountain News).

Members of South Carolina Outdoor Press Association (SCOPe), their supporters and guests gathered at The Territories Saluda River Preserve near Lake Greenwood for their annual fall conference in November. The members of SCOPe represent South Carolina’s top outdoor communicators from magazines, newspapers, online media and television.

Casada’s awards include:

• Newspaper Feature, first place, “Living Off the Land: A Vanishing Way of Life.”

• Magazine Feature, third place, “Reflections On A Marvelous Madness”

• Column, first place, “In The Good Ol’ Summertime…”; second place, “Musings On Coons, Possums And Other Destructive Critters.”

• Non-game Outdoor Enjoyment, first place, “A World of Wonder: Wildflowers Along the Parkway;” third place, “The Pleasures of Pickin’ — Strawberries, That Is.”

• Editorial/Opinion, first place, “Only Hunters Are Able To Save Hunting;” second place, “Economic Woes And The Sportsman’s World.”

For more information, contact P.J. Perea, South Carolina Outdoor Press Association President, at 803.637.3106 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Supervisory Fisheries Biologist Steve Moore was recently recognized with two national awards for his leadership in native trout stream restoration in the Smokies and at national parks across the nation.

Moore recently received the Aldo Starker Leopold Medal by the Wild Trout Symposium and the Trout Unlimited Trout Conservation Professional Award.

Both awards recognize the more than 25 years of achievement by Moore’s in restoring populations of native brook trout to streams in the Smokies, and assisting with other projects including the restoration of bull trout to Crater Lake National Park (Ore.) and to North Cascade National Park (Wash.) and restoring Bonneville cutthroat trout to Great Basin National Park (Nev.).

Throughout the country, a combination of habitat degradation and extensive stocking of non-native fish species have taken a heavy toll on numerous species of native trout, which typically require cold, clear, pristine water for survival.  In many cases streams that may have been degraded by siltation or pollution have been cleaned up, but the native trout still need a helping hand to return.

According to Deputy Park Superintendent, Kevin FitzGerald, “One of the core missions of national parks is to preserve natural biodiversity which sometimes means restoring native plant and animal species which have been displaced from their historic homes by earlier human impacts,” said Deputy Park Superintendent Kevin FitzGerald.

In the Smokies, the brook trout was the only native species of trout, but they were crowded out of all but the most isolated high-elevation streams when — with the best of intentions —logging companies and early park managers released rainbow and later brown trout into Park streams in the early 20th Century.”

In the Smokies the brookies that remain in the headwaters face a double threat. They are squeezed between heavy competition from rainbows and browns downstream, and airborne acid deposition upstream that has made the water too acidic to support trout.  The key to preserving the Appalachian brook trout is to remove the non-native trout from selected segments of lower-elevation streams and then to assist the brookies in moving downstream into less acidic waters.

To be suitable for restoration, a stream segment must have a record of a pure brook trout population in the past and a waterfall or other barrier at the lower end that prevents non-native fish from returning back upstream. Restoration of each segment involves removal of the non-natives through either electro-shocking and/or chemicals.  Over the last 24 years of the Park’s Brook Trout Restoration Program, Park biologists — assisted by a small army of state fishery managers and volunteers from Trout Unlimited — have restored a total of 24.1 miles of stream to brook trout habitat.  

Restoring each segment involves close coordination of 20 or more biologists and volunteers who string nets, electro-shock and relocate the non-natives, add and monitor the chemicals used and add neutralizing agents at the lower end of the segment being restored.  

“Stream restoration is such a complex and labor-intensive process that the Park could never even attempt it without the financial support and/or hands-on assistance of all the neighboring entities such as Trout Unlimited, Tennessee Brookies, Friends of the Smokies, and the Tennessee and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commissions.” FitzGerald said. “Steve has become nationally-recognized master of planning these restoration projects and brokering together a huge number of partners to get them done. We welcome this opportunity to acknowledge this well deserved recognition of Steve and show our appreciation to all the partners that he has brought into the mix over the years.”

Cataloochee Ski Area continued a long tradition of holiday giving to the local community recently with its 9th Annual Can-U-Ski Food and Coat Drive.  

Cataloochee skiers and riders turned out in record numbers to participate in the area’s annual event benefiting Haywood Christian Ministries.

Thousands of cans of food and hundreds of coats were donated to the area during the event. All donations will be given to the local non-profit organization in order to stock its pantry for the Christmas holiday season.

Skiers and boarders from across the Southeast came to Maggie Valley to take part where ten cans of food or a winter coat could be redeemed for a free lift ticket for the day.

“What better way to start the season of giving than by giving back to your local community to folks in need.” said Chris Bates, Cataloochee Ski Area general manager. “We appreciate all of our guests who participated in this worthwhile event and thank them for their support.”

Many customers showed up at the ticket window on Sunday with more than the minimum required to be able to ski for free.

The so-called “Missing Link” of the Foothills Parkway in east Tennessee is now scheduled for completion by 2015.

Officials with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park say a $33.8 million contract has been awarded to the Lane Construction Company of Charlotte. The half-mile section of the road between Walland and Wears Valley, Tenn., includes three bridges.

The Foothills Parkway is a scenic parkway congressionally authorized in 1944. The parkway corridor is 72 miles long, but to date, only two discontinuous segments totaling 22.5 miles are completed and open. Administered by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Parkway parallels the Park’s northern boundary from Chilhowee Lake, Tenn., to Interstate 40 near Cosby, Tenn.

The teen friends of the library meeting will be held at the Marianna Black Library at 3:30 on Thursday, Dec. 16. Teens are invited to come share their ideas about materials of interest to them, including what sort of programming they’d like to see at the library. There will be food, crafts, games, and much more at the meeting.

Don’t forget, there are volunteer opportunities for teens here at the library and also at Friends of the Library bookstore.

For more information, call 828.488.3030 or go to www.fontanalib.org/brysoncity.

Three professors from Western Carolina University who co-edited a work of collected historical writings about the Cherokee will sign copies of the book from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, in the Education and Research Center of the Museum of the Cherokee Indian in Cherokee.

William L. Anderson, history professor emeritus; Jane L. Brown, instructor of anthropology; and Anne F. Rogers, professor of anthropology, edited “The Payne-Butrick Papers.”

The annotated, two-volume set is available at the museum gift shop for $150.

Published recently by the University of Nebraska Press, the work is a collection of writings about the Cherokee from the 1830s, when John Howard Payne, an author, actor and playwright, and missionary Daniel S. Butrick, gathered information on Cherokee life and history, fearing that the cultural knowledge would be lost during the impending forced removal west. Butrick, who was a Baptist minister, lived with the Cherokees for a number of years and accompanied them when they were taken on the Trail of Tears.

Prior to the published version, the papers were available to researchers in a typescript that contained a number of errors, or by traveling to Chicago to read the original manuscript archived in the Newberry Library there, Rogers said. “The material is valuable because it provides information not only about the political and economic aspects of Cherokee life at that time, but gives insight into ceremonial practices, traditional beliefs and other components of their traditional culture,” she said.

The work is part of the Indians of the Southeast Series, which also includes “Demanding the Cherokee Nation,” a work by WCU associate professor of history Andrew Denson that examines 19th-century Cherokee political rhetoric to addresses the contradiction between the sovereignty of Indian nations and the political weakness of Indian communities.

For more information about the signing, contact Joyce Cooper, membership manager at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, at 828.497.3481, extension 305.

The Marianna Black Library will hold its next community jam from 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 16.

Anyone with a banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle (anything unplugged) is invited to join. Singers are also welcomed or you can come by to just listen.

The jam is facilitated by Larry Barnett of Grampa’s Music in Bryson City. Normally Larry calls out a tune and its key signature, and the group plays it together, but there’s also a chance for anyone to share with the group a song they would like to perform. The community jams offer a chance for musicians of all ages and levels of ability to share music they have learned over the years or learn the old-time mountain songs.

The music jams are offered to the public each first and third Thursday of the month. Marianna Black Library is located in Downtown Bryson City at the corner of Academy and Rector. For more information call the library at 828.488.3030.

The renowned Oak Ridge Boys will play at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 17 at the Smoky Mountain Performing Arts Center in  Franklin.

The Oak Ridge Boys have carved out a huge following with their unmistakable four-part harmony. They have produced dozens of hit songs including “You’re the One in a Million,” “I’m Settin’ Fancy Free,” “Sail Away,” and “Elvira.“

The group has earned just about every industry accolade available, including Grammy, Dove, ACM, and CMA awards. Their newest albums, “The Boys are Back,” and “The Oak Ridge Boys: A Gospel Journey,” are now available.

For ticket information visit www.greatmountainmusic.com or call 828.524.1598.

The Western Carolina Community Chorus will be joined by The Smoky Mountain Brass and Friends for a gala concert at 8 p.m. on Friday evening, Dec. 17. 

The performance will be presented in the Music Recital Hall, located in the Coulter Building on the Western Carolina University Cullowhee campus.

The two music groups will collaborate in presenting “Christmas Voices and Brass,” a medley of Christmas carols, old and new.  Many of the titles are familiar favorites, and all are being presented in settings composed and arranged by Richard Trevarthen and James Dooley, both retired professors of music at Western Carolina University.  Dooley, also long-time director of the chorus, will conduct the performance.

The Western Carolina Community Chorus is the oldest community choral group in western North Carolina. The organization is sponsored by Western Carolina University, the Jackson County Arts Council, and the Grassroots Program of the North Carolina Arts Council. Since its inception in 1970, it has performed some 80 concerts in fifteen different locations throughout the region.

There is no admission charge, but response to the chorus’ annual holiday concerts is generally excellent, and everyone should plan to arrive a few minutes early to ensure good seating.

The sixth annual Mountain Dulcimer Winter Weekend, sponsored by Western Carolina University, will be held Thursday through Sunday, Jan. 6-9, at the Terrace Hotel at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center.

Longtime music educators Elaine and Larry Conger will host this year’s event, which includes classes in mountain dulcimer taught by Anne Lough, Dave Haas and Joe Collins; bowed dulcimer with Ken Bloom; and — new this year — hammered dulcimer with Lough and Ruth Smith. Instruction also will be offered in waltzes for dulcimer, Native American flute music, fast Celtic tunes, hymns and more. The Congers, Miller, Marsha Harris and Will Peebles, director of the School of Music at WCU, will teach elective classes.

Registration for the event is now open at dulcimer.wcu.edu. Tuition for playing participants is $149 and includes all activities. A nonparticipant rate of $40 also is available, which includes attendance at jams, nightly events and Sunday morning singing. Reservations for accommodations should be made separately through the Terrace Hotel at 800.222.4930 or 828.452.2881. Some meals are included with accommodations.

For more information, contact Bobby Hensley of WCU’s Division of Educational Outreach at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.227.7397.

The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department will plan to offer a day camp for children in grades 1 through 5 at the Waynesville Recreation Center on days that school has been cancelled due to snow. The decision will be made by 8 a.m. that day depending on the availability of staff. Please call ahead to verify if the camp will take place.

The cost is $15 for members or $20 for non-members. Please bring a lunch, two snacks, a swimsuit, towel, warm clothes, sneakers, a quiet activity such as a book and an extra blanket. For more information or to register please call 828.456.2030 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Highlands-Cashiers Players are holding audtions from 3 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 19 and from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 20 for the performance of “You Know I Can’t Hear You When the Water’s Running” by Robert Anderson.

The collection of four unrelated, one-act comedy plays cover a range of topics: a director’s and producer’s difference of opinion on stage nudity, a couple shopping for twin beds after 25 years of marriage, parents discussing the sex education of their almost adult children, and an elderly couple with memory problems trying in vain to recall their earlier relationships. 

This play, with its amusing, lengthy title, was one of the most successful comedies in Broadway history. There are parts for men and women ages 25 to 70.

For more information call Donna Cochran at 828.526.2080

During the month of December the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City will continue to show family Christmas favorites. 

The movies are shown every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., are free to the public and projected onto an 8-by-10 foot screen, with a theater sound system. The library will also be giving away one free movie check out voucher to each patron who attends the movie.

Due to production studio guidelines, the library may not include movie titles in its print advertising. Please call the library 828.488.3030 for information on the movie, including its title.

On Saturday, Dec.18, the Marianna Black Library invites children of all ages to participate in making Christmas ornaments at 11 a.m. For more information call 828.488.3030 or go to www.fontanalib.org/brysoncity.

Balsam Range will perform a concert with Tony Rice and Bobby Hicks at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 17 at the Colonial Theater in Canton.

Balsam Range is renowned bluegrass band based in Haywood County whose members include Buddy Melton, Tim Surrett, Marc Pruett, Caleb Smith and Darren Nicholson. Each one has extensive music credentials, and each brings a well-rounded, unique contribution to the fresh sound of this new bluegrass band.

The Canton concert includes nationally known artists Tony Rice and Bobby Hicks for what Balsam Range’s web site is calling a “Christmas party.”

Admission is $15. For tickets and information call 828.235.2760 or visit www.balsamrange.com.

The Haywood County Public Library will hold its first ever Lego® construction contest at 9 a.m. on Jan. 29

Youth Services Librarian Carole Dennis had the idea for a Lego® contest partly based on her own children’s interest in the popular building block toys, and partly from reading about other libraries holding Lego® competitions. Another consideration was to have something for kids to do after the Christmas holidays during the winter days when other activities might be limited.

“There’s sometimes a letdown after the holidays and kids have been looking forward to Christmas so intensely all year, and then it’s over. I’m hoping this will help extend the fun of the holidays a bit longer,” said Dennis.

The library’s Lego® Extravaganza Contest will require pre-registration due to the limited amount of space available for construction and display in the library’s auditorium.  

“According to my best estimate, we’ll only have display space available for 30 projects,” explained Dennis. Registration forms are available in the Children’s Department of the Waynesville branch of the Haywood County Library. Rules for the contest will be posted on the library’s website (www.haywoodlibrary.org). The contest is open to children between the ages of 5-18 and children can enter as individuals or as a team.

“We’re trying to have some relation to books and reading, so for our first contest we’re asking kids to design a character, vehicle or scene from their favorite book or movie,” said Dennis. “That leaves a lot of room for creativity as a character can include a real or imagined person or animal, and a vehicle could be anything from a bicycle to a space ship.”

Dennis encouraged participants to plan ahead what they would make for the contest, as none of the building bricks can be assembled before the contest.

“The only way that I could make sure that the kids were doing all the work themselves was to have them do all the work here during the contest. We’ll give everyone two hours to build their entry here in the auditorium and then we’ll break for lunch. The judges will make their decisions and we’ll have the winners announced by mid-afternoon,” Dennis explained.

There is still a need for volunteers to serve as judges and Carole Dennis is actively seeking donations for prizes from area businesses.

“We’ve had a good response so far from several businesses offering incentives for all participants, but I would like to have some special gifts for the first-, second- and third-place winners in each of our five age categories,” Dennis stated.  

Parents, teachers and community leaders are encouraged to call Ms. Dennis at 828.356.2511 to volunteer as judges or timekeepers.

Winners of the Lego® Extravaganza Contest will also have the option of leaving their creations on display in the library’s downstairs display case beginning Monday, Jan. 31 through mid-February:

“If they can stand being without their Legos® that long,” said Dennis.  Children who have made Lego® constructions at home and are unable to participate in the contest, can contact Dennis at 828.356.2511 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if they would like to loan their creations for display in January.

Editor’s note: This letter was written by Waynesville’s planning director in response to Mary Lamb’s letter above.

Dear Ms. Lamb

Thank you for copying me on your message to Mayor Gavin Brown. I can’t speak for the mayor, but I was frustrated that most of your questions seemed to be aimed at attacking our process rather than genuine questions to gather information about the draft ordinance. Many people have worked very hard to produce the product that you have attacked even before understanding what it contains. My concern at both community meetings was that your insistent, repetitive and argumentative statements were dominating the meeting to the exclusion of comments from other citizens that pertained to the actual content of the ordinance.

Our steering committee was never intended to be demographically balanced. The criteria for selection was experience with the Town’s development regulations. All were appointed directly or indirectly by your elected representatives. All meetings of this committee were open and members of the media did occasionally attend.

As you have the opportunity to review the draft ordinance, I am hopeful that you will appreciate some of the changes even if you don’t agree with others. Please let us know what you don’t agree with, and how in your opinion it can be improved. That is the type of feedback that will be effective in making the ordinance better.

I’m sure you realize that all development ordinances represent compromise, so it’s unlikely that everyone will be completely pleased with the result of the revision. However, the objective of this process as I see it is to produce a set of development regulations that are more user-friendly and more importantly will make Waynesville a better place.

Paul Benson

Waynesville Planning Director

To the Editor:

Like so many other young couples, my husband and I felt so blessed when he landed a job in this area five years ago and we were able to move and start a family in Waynesville. We had looked at living in Sylva, but immediately were attracted to the historic character and charm of this dear town and seriously impressed with the well-thought out planning of the downtown, where we currently live. 

This interest in being a part of a vibrant, beautiful community led me to attend a meeting hosted by Paul Benson, planner for the town of Waynesville, on Tuesday in which the town’s newly drafted land development standards were presented to the public. Benson explained that over a more than two-year period, a committee appointed by our respected town board reviewed the old land development standards, coming up with a completely new document to be enacted into law — a document that would entirely replace our current standards. 

Mr. Benson said that only 10 percent of the current law would effectively be changed; however, the changes he discussed I found to be on very critical issues (parking, setbacks, landscaping, to name just a few). Many of these changes could alter the originally planned landscape, making it appear more and more like suburban strip malls and big box centers of larger cities, not the quaint mountain town we love and that tourists love to visit.

Residents wishing to make changes to improve and protect the character of their neighborhoods have been told that this review process would be their opportunity to organize and make changes.  But even after news outlets have advertised the public meeting times, the public still needs ample time to review, digest and discuss the more than 300-page document that is currently the law, along with the new 200-plus page document being proposed to supersede it. These documents are written in entirely different forms, making it very time-consuming to compare and contrast them. 

Currently, neither Mr. Benson nor his committee have offered the public an easy to read list of all changes from the old law to the new—only summaries they wish to highlight and that are admittedly incomplete.  They are putting the burden of review on the public, a process that again is complicated and lengthy.

Currently, the town planning board is set to begin discussion and possibly even vote on the new standards Monday, Dec. 20. This would only allow concerned citizens two and a half weeks (during the Christmas season) to review it. I would urge interested citizens to contact the Town Board and urge them to delay all voting on this plan until at least March to allow interested citizens time to read, meet and develop their own concerns for consideration.   

What is the vision of Waynesville’s residents for their future? A handful of men only have spent two years revising the original standards which were developed and adopted (in 2003) with both men and women actively involved. Allowing folks a couple of months to give feedback is not too much to ask. The standards adopted by the town greatly affect the beauty, character, economic development and general sustainability of our community. 

What you can do to help:

1. Email or call the Waynesville Aldermen, the chair of the Planning Board and the Town Planner and ask them in your own words to postpone any vote on adopting the Land Development Standards until at least March.

Mayor Gavin Brown, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 828.452.2491

Alderman Gary Caldwell, 828.456.3138

Alderman Elizabeth Feichter, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 828.456-6918

Alderman J. Wells Greeley, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 828.456.7288

Alderman LeRoy Roberson, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 828.456.7142

Town Planner Paul Benson, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 828.456.2004

Planning Board Chair Patrick McDowell, 828.508.4932

2. Attend the Waynesville Planning Board meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 20, in the upstairs room of the new downtown police station to ask the entire planning board to postpone their critical vote on this issue until at least March.

3. Forward this letter and info to anyone Waynesville residents you know who are concerned with Smart Growth, historic preservation and maintaining the character and charm of our community. Post information on any Facebook or other social networking site you regularly use to contact your Waynesville friends, family, co-workers and neighbors.

4. Contact me with your other ideas on how we can work fast to take advantage of this window of opportunity for making positive change in our community. A small group of concerned citizens is currently forming to carefully review the new plan and we would love your help.

Mary Alice Lamb

Waynesville

Robert “Rob” Hawk, a Whittier resident and the former community resource development agent in this region for the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, last month became the new county extension director for Jackson and Swain counties.

Hawk replaced Jeff Seiler, who retired in October 2009, after serving as county extension director in both counties for 10 years.

Hawk has held the position of community resource development agent, based in Waynesville, since 2004. He also has worked as an area extension agent for community development, based in Sylva (2000-2003) and as a community development, agriculture and 4-H Extension agent in Cherokee (1997-2000).

Hawk earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation and leisure administration from the University of Tennessee and a master’s degree in parks, recreation and tourism management, with a minor in public policy and resource economics, from N.C. State University.

The Smoky Mountain News asked Hawk a few questions about his plans for Jackson and Swain counties. Here’s what he said in reply:

Q: What administrative changes do you plan on making, if any?

A: Administratively there are no changes to be made at this time, due to a shortage in the budgets for additional staff. Hopefully in 2011 we can regain our family and consumer science extension agent back to the Swain County Extension Center.

Q: What special problems come for a director answering to commissioners and residents of two counties?

A: There is really not a problem serving two counties … I have been an area extension agent for the last 10 years covering 10 counties from Buncombe County west. There may be a slight challenge in doing everything administratively twice instead of once.

Q: There is no one on staff for the extension service in Jackson and Swain counties with particular experience dealing with livestock. Any plans to address this gap?

A: There are plans to hopefully hire a livestock agent in Macon County, who would also serve the counties of Macon, Swain and Jackson, the same area that is covered by the Jackson, Macon and Swain Cattleman’s Association. Until that happens I will cover livestock requests for Jackson and Swain counties. I realize the livestock folks have been without an agent to help them, so we will do our best to serve them in the future because livestock is very important to our two counties agriculturally.

Q: What special areas of interest do you bring to the job of director?

A: My interests are in community and leadership development, in which I provide facilitation and educational programs to help individuals and both public and private businesses to advance their business and mission through improving their leadership skills. Customer service and hospitality education is another interest of mine in working with the businesses in both counties. Another major interest is conservation education with the youth of both counties, and my goal is to help the youth learn to enjoy, appreciate and respect our great natural resources in the two counties.

Q: What is the overall goal of your office staff?

A: Extension educational programming and (answering) individual requests are our means for effectiveness and strength in Jackson and Swain counties. Our extension staff believes in being out in the community helping others learn how to help themselves, which helps makes better communities in both counties.

The Haywood County Board of Commissioners will hold two public hearings at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 20, in the Historic Courtroom of the Haywood County Courthouse.

The first public hearing will be for the purpose of receiving public input on a proposed Public Health and Solid Waste Awareness and Compliance Ordinance. The proposed ordinance was drafted by an advisory committee established by the board of commissioners in September. A draft of the proposed ordinance is available in the Recent Updates section of the county website, www.haywoodnc.net.

The second public hearing will be to receive input on a proposed modification to the Junaluska Fire Service District concerning the removal of Lakemont Condominiums from the district.

For more information contact the Haywood County Manager’s Office at 828.452.6625.

Conrad Burrell, a member of the state’s Board of Transportation and chairman of Southwestern Community College’s board of trustees, underwent surgery Monday for fractured vertebrae in his neck.

“The surgery went well,” Joel Seltzer, who oversees this region for the N.C. Department of Transportation, said. “He is resting after surgery and will be in the hospital for several days. It is unsure when he may be released. He is expected to make a full recovery.”

Burrell, who is a Sylva resident, tripped and fell down a set of stairs last week after a board of transportation function in Raleigh. He was taken to Wake Medical Center.

Burrell is long-time public servant in Jackson County who has served as register of deeds and a county commissioner in the past.

Jackson Paper Manufacturing hosted more than 45 local elementary students and their families at the company’s Christmas for Kids party on Dec. 11.

The guests were joined at the gathering by the children of employees of Jackson Paper. Staff at Jackson County’s elementary schools selected the students who attended.

“This annual event is a highlight of the Christmas season for us,” said Tim Campbell, President and CEO of Jackson Paper. “Our employees work all year long to make this party as special and memorable as possible, and we are so pleased to be able to include children from across our community.”

Party-goers enjoyed three hours of games and crafts, lunch and a visit with Santa Claus. Each child received a toy or game, a goodie bag and other prizes.

This is the ninth year that Jackson Paper has hosted Christmas for Kids. Party organizers were Human Resources Department staff Angie Rogers, Heather Stillwell and Renee Phillips, with help from 25 employees and family member volunteers.

Jackson Paper Manufacturing Co. is an independently-owned mill in Sylva that produces 100-percent recycled paper used by independent box manufacturers to make the fluted layer of corrugated boxes.

For more information on Jackson Paper, visit www.jacksonpaper-nc.com/.

The Maggie Valley Moonlight Race will return in 2011, once again enticing runners from near and far to lace up their sneakers in the dark.

“After a two-year absence, Glory Hound Events is proud to bring back this fixture of the Western North Carolina running scene,” said Greg Duff, race organizer. “Runners should be pleased to know that we are planning to restore some of the traditions of the past, as well as incorporate some modern aspects for the 30th running.”

Hosted by the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Moonlight Race will be held Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011. Those participating in the 8K race will gather at the Maggie Valley Fairgrounds for the race start and run the same course as was used in 2008, Duff said. The course takes runners 1.2 miles up the valley to Ghost Town, then 2.4 miles in the opposite direction, before returning them 1.2 miles to the finish line back at the fairgrounds.

“The Maggie Valley Area Chamber and Visitors Bureau is extremely pleased to bring back the Moonlight Race in August 2011 for its 30th year,” said Teresa Smith, Chamber president. “Runners from all over the world have flocked to the valley throughout the years to participate in the Moonlight Race, and the businesses are happy to have the boost to the local economy that participants provide.”

The first Maggie Valley Moonlight Race was held on Aug. 4, 1979, with more than 830 participants. From its start the nighttime race was popular with elite and amateur runners alike, some of whom traveled great distances and from other continents to participate. In its early years, the Moonlight Race’s sizable winner’s purse attracted internationally-recognized runners from as far away as Australia, New Zealand and Kenya. While prize money is no longer available, Moonlight runners continue to be challenged by the difficulty of this course, Duff said.

“The valley appears to offer a relatively flat course, but the climb toward the Ghost Town parking lot is a tough one,” said Duff.

“The town of Maggie Valley is excited to be working with Greg Duff of Glory Hound Events to promote the 30th running of the Moonlight Race,” said Audrey Hager, Maggie Valley’s director of special events and festivals.

Just as was the case in 1979, town officials hope the return of the Moonlight Race will bring visitors in close contact with Maggie Valley’s many businesses and hotels rooms. “We believe this important event will bring economic stimulus to the businesses and put Maggie Valley back on the map,” said Hager.

“We are grateful to the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce and the town of Maggie Valley for their complete support of this endeavor,” said Duff. “We look forward to once again seeing hundreds of people running in the valley this August.”

Major sponsors for the returning Moonlight Race to date include Mission Health Systems and The Smoky Mountain News. Registration for the event will open on Feb. 1, 2011. All event information, including a link to online registration, is being updated as it becomes available at www.maggievalleymoonlightrun.com.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will hold the 35th annual Festival of Christmas Past celebration from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11, at the Sugarlands Visitor Center.  

The event, sponsored in cooperation with Great Smoky Mountains Association, is free to the public.

This annual celebration of the culture of the Smoky Mountain people, with an emphasis on the Christmas season, was the brainchild of Glenn Cardwell, former Park Ranger and Supervisor at the Sugarlands Visitor Center, 35 years ago.  

“The Festival of Christmas Past has become an institution here at Sugarlands over the decades, much like Glenn himself,” said Kent Cave, North District Resource Education Supervisor. “We always look forward to sharing the traditions of Christmas’ past with Smokies visitors, and in that way continue a tradition of our own,” he added.

The festival will include old-time mountain music featuring the Lost Mill String Band, Boogertown Gap band, and South of the River Boys (who have been a part of the festival since its first years). Demonstrations of traditional domestic skills such as the making of baskets, traditional textiles, quilts, and apple butter will be ongoing throughout the day.  Other special programs include:

• 9:30 a.m. – “Old-fashioned Harp Singing” led by Bruce Wheeler, Paul Clabo and Martha Graham.

• Noon – Charles Maynard telling stories of the holiday season  

• 2 p.m. –  “Stories of the Past” session, presented by the Smoky Mountain Historical Society  

• 11a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. – “Memories Along the Trail” Costumed interpreters will lead a short walk from the visitor center and talk about life in the mountains during the holidays in the early days of the 1880s to the 1930s

The Sugarlands Visitor Center is located on Newfound Gap Road (U.S. Highway 441), two miles south of Gatlinburg. For more information call the visitor center at 865.436.1291.

Harvests of sweet corn, tomatoes, and other produce wrapped up weeks ago, but Haywood County farmers still have plenty to offer this holiday season — everything from Christmas trees and wreaths to smoked trout and other meats.

“Many shoppers connected with local farms and farmers last holiday season,” said Anne Lancaster, project assistant for the Buy Haywood program, which promotes high-quality farm products to community-minded consumers. “This year, we are featuring even more ways for local residents and visitors to get ready for the holidays right here in Haywood County.”

Other Haywood County farm products available this holiday season include poinsettias, honey, smoked tomato jam, and tomato sauces. For more details about these products, as well as retail purchase information, shoppers can go online to www.buyhaywood.com/listings.

The Buy Haywood project is managed by the Haywood County Economic Development Commission, and it receives support from the Golden LEAF Foundation, Haywood Advancement Foundation, Johnson’s Packing House, Haywood County TDA, Bethel Rural Community Organization, and the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project.

Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley is off to another strong start to its season.

“We’ve been open since Nov. 6,” said Cataloochee General Manager Chris Bates. “We have a base of anywhere between 18 to 80 inches. And the weather for snowmaking looks great for the next couple of weeks.”

Currently there are 11 trails and three lifts operating over a groomed surface.

Despite a lot of equipment upgrades during this offseason, Cataloochee ticket prices will remain the same for this season and all of the ski area’s great programs like Family Day, which starts Jan. 12, will be in place.

According to Bates, last Sunday’s partnership with Haywood Christian Ministries drew its largest crowd ever.

“And we are happy to be able to partner with them to make a difference in the community,” he said.

Additions to enhance skiing at Cataloochee this year include 30 new snowmakers and two new grooming tractors. Bates said the advance in equipment and computerization since Cataloochee revamped in 2004 has been amazing. “It’s like going from a car that gets 18 miles to the gallon to one that gets 35 miles to the gallon.”

The new equipment and dip in temperatures are really aiding Cataloochee’s snowmaking abilities. “We can make snow at 28 degrees,” Bates said, “but with the new equipment and technology, when the temperature falls to 7 degrees, like now, our capacity increases 25 fold.”

Cataloochee also boasts over 4,000 sets of snow sports equipment. According to Bates that includes 700 new pairs of rental skis.

To the Editor:

I was surprised to find my views somewhat misstated in Quintin Ellison’s column, “Kephart, Transplants and the Debate over Legitimacy” (http://www.smokymountainnews.com/news/item/2789-kephart-transplants-and-the-debate-over-legitimacy) in the Nov. 24 edition. After thinking about it over the weekend, I decided to comment on some of the worst distortions.

In my view, the heart of the current controversy is not the fact that Horace Kephart drank (and therefore represented a flawed and undependable source of information), but that Kephart’s fervent admirers steadfastly denied that he drank at all.

Now, Ms. Ellison acknowledges that Kephart “was a drunk” and concludes “So What?” In my opinion, we would not be having this controversy if someone had made that frank admission from the beginning. When I first began to run into the distinction between the way Horace was characterized by his neighbors in Swain County, and the reputation he acquired as a skilled and eloquent spokesman for the culture and tradition of Appalachian people, it quickly became evident that Kephart’s character was being augmented and enriched.

I heartily agree that the fact that the man had a fondness for moonshine has absolutely nothing to do with his contributions — not only in preserving our language and traditions, but in being the driving force for creating the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

However, in their enthusiasm to present the man in a favorable light, “someone” decided that he didn’t drink at all.

A decade ago, a talented young musician named Daniel Gore, who is based in Oregon, came to see me.  In essence, he wanted me to write a play about Kephart. Quite frankly, I was delighted.  At the time, Gore had an album, “Ways That are Dark” that was based on Our Southern Highlanders (one song for each chapter in the book). He gave me an advance and I started writing, but before I could finish the first act, we were at odds. 

I had mentioned the fact that Kephart met Granville Calhoun at the Medlin depot “drunk as a skunk.” Gore told me that Kephart’s family would not tolerate any mention of his drinking since they believed such accusations were totally false. Wow! There was a conclusion that was contrary to local history. 

I made a half-hearted attempt to write a version that Gore would accept, but I failed. I explained to Gore that, in my opinion, a man’s flaws gave him a richness of character, and that by overcoming his alcoholism (which was just one of his flaws, mind you), Kephart was more deserving of praise than had he been a teetotaler. Ah, but no, a stuffed and proper Kephart was already being ushered on stage.

Now, here is the sad thing about this issue. Buried somewhere in all of those distortions was a marvelous man. A drunken and bawdy Kephart sitting before a roaring fire with Quill Rose and a half-dozen bear-hunters and ballad-singers and moonshiners is a vibrant and exciting person. A man smelling of moonshine and sweat among his friends is far more appealing than this solemn and pompous fellow that is being celebrated now. Methinks I detect a faint smell of sanctity and b.s.

I can’t respond to much that I find in Ms. Ellison’s “setting the record straight.” I certainly never denied that Kephart could write, nor was I so foolish as to conclude that he could not write about mountain folks since “he was not from here.” I do feel that apt as his conclusions frequently were, he sometimes missed the point, and yes, it is because he was not a product of the culture that he attempts to define. His desire to “entertain” his readers often lead him into exaggerations and unfounded conclusions.  On occasion, he was just plain wrong. He was a “discerning outsider” .... a quality that he shares with many of his most ardent fans.

I heartily concur with Ms. Ellison’s recommendation that the best source to determine Kephart’s gifts and flaws is Our Southern Highlanders.

Gary Carden

Sylva

To the Editor:

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is proposing high-impact road modifications for N.C. 107 and is planning to build a new $132 million highway through our county.

Thursday, Dec. 9, is the last day to submit comments, concerns, ideas and suggestions related to the NCDOT proposed options for major work on N.C. 107. To find out more about the NC 107 Connector, visit the DOT website at www.ncdot.gov/projects/nc107connector/.

Your comments are extremely important. If you have not already done so, please take a moment to send in your comments about these road projects before the end of the day, Dec. 9, to the following addresses:

• Mr. Derrick Lewis, P.E., NCDOT-Feasability Studies Unit, 1534 Mail Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1534. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Mr. Mark Reep, P.E., Florence & Hutcheson Inc., 5121 Kingdom Way, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27609. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please make multiple copies of your comments and send a copy to each of our elected representatives and to the local media. Smart Roads would also appreciate a copy of your comments and concerns.

If you would like to get more involved or would like detailed information about these and other transportation issues affecting our community, please visit the Smart Roads website at: www.smartroads.org

Jason Kimenker

Sylva

Mary Selzer received the “Library Friend of the Year” award at the North Carolina Public Library Directors Association meeting in Chapel Hill on Dec. 2.

Karen Wallace, director of the Fontana Regional Library, nominated Selzer for this award.

“Mary Otto Selzer is an extraordinary volunteer in the Friends of Jackson County Main Library (FOJCML) in Sylva,” wrote Wallace in her nomination. “Through her creative and dedicated leadership, she has lifted the Friends organization to a new level of excellence …. Moreover, her guidance has enabled the FOJCML to successfully drive a fundraising campaign for the new Jackson County Public Library Complex that has raised over $1.8 million for furnishings, fixtures, and equipment.”

The Macon County League of Women Voters will sponsor a program on the Natural Areas Inventory of Macon County at 12:15 p.m. on Dec. 9.

The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) works to identify and protect the best examples of the state’s natural areas. For the last two years Ed Schwartzman, inventory biologist with NCNHP, has been working in Macon County, exploring the peaks and valleys looking for unique places and documenting them in order to promote their conservation.

From the high summit of Standing Indian to the granite domes of Highlands and across the Cowee Mountains to the Little Tennessee River valley, Schwartzman has turned up populations of rare plants, animals, and unique habitats such as bogs and old-growth forest. He will show pictures and discuss these special areas and how landowners, researchers, and the public benefit from knowing about them.

The program will be held at Tartan Hall in Franklin. Lunch is available at noon, by reservation. Call 828.371.0527 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The program will begin at 12:15.

The public is invited.