Admin
Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties all reported an increase in lodging tax revenue last fiscal year, compared to the prior year, though in some cases the hike is due to tax increases rather than an increase in travelers.
Acclaimed gospel group The Inspirations will host the Singing in the Smokies fall color festival at 6 p.m. Oct. 17-18 and 1 p.m. Oct. 19 at Inspiration Park in Bryson City.
On Thursday, performances include Martin, Squire & Ray Dean, The Inspirations, Squire Parson Trio and Kingsmen. Friday will showcase the Old Fashioned Singing Chuck Wagon Gang, Walkin By Faith, and The Inspirations. Saturday will present the Family & Friends Tour, Josh Jordan Family, The McKameys and The Inspirations.
Tickets are $20 per night, with children 12 and under admitted free.
Actress Barbara Bates Smith and musician Jeff Sebens will showcase the works of author Ron Rash during “A Rash of Stories” at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Waynesville Public Library.
The program of varied selections in an informal format encourages audience feedback. The selections have been adapted by Smith from the collections Nothing Gold Can Stay, Burning Bright, Chemistry and Other Stories, and The Night the New Jesus Fell to Earth.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Free.
828.356.2507.
“The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD” will be shown at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center in Highlands.
MET opera stars serve as hosts for the HD series, conducting live interviews with cast, crew, and production teams, and introducing the popular behind-the-scenes features. Altogether the worldwide HD audience is given an unprecedented look at what goes into the staging of an opera at one of the world’s great houses.
“The Met: Live in HD” series is made possible by a generous grant from its founding sponsor, The Neubauer Family Foundation. Global corporate sponsorship of “The MET: Live in HD” is provided by Bloomberg. HD broadcasts are supported by Toll Brothers.
For tickets, visit www.highlandspac.org.
828.526.9047.
Catman2 will host “The Cat’s Meow Auction” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.
The largest no-kill, cats-only shelter and adoption center in Western North Carolina, Catman2 seeks donations from local businesses and individuals to help raise money for the ever-rising cost of caring for nearly 100 homeless cats. All donations are tax-deductible. A list of items for auction and advertisements are at www.catman2.org.
828.293.0892.
Acclaimed clay artist and University of Georgia emeritus faculty member Ron Myers will give demonstrations and talks on the subject of ceramics Oct. 16-17 at Western Carolina University.
The Alash ensemble will hold a special performance featuring the ancient tradition of throat singing at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University.
Twenty-five top high school marching bands from six states will compete at Western Carolina University’s 13th annual Tournament of Champions invitational at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at E.J. Whitmire Stadium in Cullowhee.
The comedic play “The Dixie Swim Club” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11-12, 18-19 and 21 and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 13 and 20 at the Smoky Mountain Community Theatre in Bryson City.
Beginning Oct. 1, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will implement delayed harvest regulations on 33 trout waters in 18 counties in Western North Carolina.
With funding from the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, WNC AgOptions will give $153,000 to farmers in the western part of the state next year.
Farmers looking to expand and diversify their operations have until Dec. 13 to submit an application for a $3,000 or $6,000 grant. In its 10th year, the grant program was created to help tobacco farmers branch out into other sectors of agriculture.
WNC AgOptions provides grants to a 22-county region of Western North Carolina. Since 2004, more than 350 grants, amounting to about $1.6 million, have been awarded. The grants have been used to buy greenhouses, refrigeration units and other equipment.
WNC AgOptions grants are awarded by WNC Communities, a nonprofit organization. Applications for next year’s grant cycle are available online and at local cooperative extension centers. Applicants should contact their local extension agents by Nov. 1 for assistance and support.
Research at Western Carolina University on DNA sequencing used in crime labs has gotten a $718,000 grant from the National Institute of Justice.
Mark Wilson, director of the Forensic Science Program at WCU, has been evaluating new DNA sequencing instrumentation for use in crime laboratories.
The grant will not only support the research but also provides scholarships for three graduate students working on related projects to help with the work, which builds on previous DNA sequencing done at WCU.
The work is of particular interest to faculty and scientists who are involved with the global Illumina Forensic Genomics Consortium, which is led by Wilson and top scientists specializing in the area of forensic DNA analysis.
“The research we perform is discussed by the consortium and has the potential to impact forensic crime labs across the country when this technology is incorporated into casework,” said Brittania Bintz, a forensic research scientist at WCU.
828.227.3680 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has established its first sister park arrangement with Khao Yai National Park in Thailand.
Smokies Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson and Khao Yai National Park Superintendent Krissada Homsud signed the arrangement today at a ceremony in September.
The two parks share a number of similar resources, such as biodiversity, and concerns. Both parks are the most visited National Parks within their country and face challenges brought by visitor use and nearby development, poaching and pollution. Both parks are popular for wildlife viewing, streams and waterfalls, and lush mountain forests.
“We are honored to form this unique partnership with Khao Yai National Park, which shares so many similarities with the Smokies,” said Park Superintendent Ditmanson. “There has already been an incredible exchange of information.”
Currently, Homsud is traveling in the United States with a group of nine park managers from Thailand through a U.S. Department of State professional exchange program. The participants have met this week with park managers, biologists, entomologists, educators and historians.
“Great Smoky Mountains National Park shares many similarities with Khao Yai, but the Smokies are one step ahead in public involvement in caring for the park and we look forward to learning from their staff,” said Homsud. “In Khao Yai, we still have problems with encroachment and poaching.”
The Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the recipient of the 2013 Exceptional Environmental Education Program award.
This month, the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the dedication of NASA’s Rosman Satellite Tracking and Data Acquisition Facility.
The River Rescue Rodeo held on the Tuckasegee River in Dillsboro last weekend attracted a host of paddling teams to test their river rescue skills, including swift-water rescues, throw rope competitions and a knot-tying rodeo.
More than 60 volunteers removed 3,740 pounds of trash from Richland Creek in Haywood County Saturday, Sept. 21, during this year’s Big Sweep stream clean up.
Slam poetry champion, teacher and coach Matthew Cuban will present a spoken-word workshop at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, in the Hunter Library at Western Carolina University followed by a reception and performances by Cuban and the WCU Truthwriters at 4:30 p.m.
Cuban is a three-time grand champion of the Southern Fried Poetry Slam, one of the largest poetry slams in the nation. The workshop and performance is co-sponsored by WCU’s Hunter Library and Office of Intercultural Affairs.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.227.3423.
Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation’s 5th annual Furry Friends Benefit Bash will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, at the Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville.
The evening will feature food and live music. A silent auction will include vacation packages, special dinners and an art workshop. In addition, the auction offers golf, dining, spa packages and unique items for people and their pets. The event will be a sit-down dinner, plus a cash bar.
Tickets may be purchased for $50 per person at Sarge’s Adoption Center in Waynesville. Table sponsorships are available for $450, for a reserved table for eight.
828.246.9050 or www.sargeandfriends.org.
The new printing/binding studios of SpeakEasy Press will hold an open house from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, at Riverwood Studios in Dillsboro.
Haywood County’s own Balsam Range won album of the year for “Papertown” at the 2013 International Bluegrass Music Awards this past weekend in Raleigh.
Jammin’ at the Millpond will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at Haywood Community College in Clyde.
Weaver Susan Morgan Leveille, owner of the Oaks Gallery in Dillsboro, was named one of the recipients of the North Carolina Heritage Award.
First United Methodist Church in Sylva will celebrate its 125th anniversary with a Homecoming on Sunday, Oct. 6. Bishop Larry Goodpaster will deliver a sermon at a 10:30 a.m. church service in the sanctuary, followed by a luncheon in the Christian Life Center. All are invited, whether church members or not.
To the Editor:
The enthusiasm was very evident!
The Waynesville Public Art Commission would like to thank everyone who came to the Friday, Sept. 6, dedication celebration for the art created by Grace Cathey for the downtown mini-park’s final piece “Wildflowers of the Smokies.” Cathey was very happy that so many were there to enjoy the unveiling of her beautiful wall panels. We would also like to note that Bee Balm and Butterfly Weed, two of the three plants depicted in the metal art, are growing in the mini-park as well as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The commission would also like to thank everyone who contributed financial support, as well as all the artists who helped our fundraising efforts to bring this striking addition to our downtown collection.
The mission of the Waynesville Public Art Commission is to engage the community and enrich public spaces through original public art that celebrates Waynesville’s unique, historic, cultural, natural and human resources. The mission statement has two words in particular — original and unique — that are the guiding force behind our decisions on the subject matter for each of our calls for artists. Without a doubt, with your help we have fulfilled our mission and look forward to future art endeavors with you.
All of our public art is entirely funded by public donations, so they truly do belong to you, the people of Waynesville. With this artwork we have wonderful visual images of the values we wish to celebrate and cherish. If you are interested in donating, volunteering or learning more about the WPAC, call the town at 828.452.2491.
Jan Griffin
former chairman,
Waynesville Public Art Commission
To the Editor:
The North Carolina Legislature has passed, and Gov. McCrory has signed, a bill requiring a photo ID in order to vote. This bill will disenfranchise a large number of voters in our state, especially the elderly (which includes the greatest generation, who saved our country for democracy) and the first-time voters. In addition, the bill eliminates one week of early voting, which has been extremely popular with older folks.
Some real examples: a friend is 94 years old. She served as a nurse in WWll, has always been very active in her church and community, her husband was a state senator for several terms. She has voted in every election since she was old enough, but now she can’t vote because she has no “valid” ID. Another friend is 87, has never driven because she is blind, she and her family have worked tirelessly for their church and community, but now she can’t vote.
The newspapers assure us that “free IDs” can be obtained at any driver’s license office. How does a 94-year-old woman or a blind woman locate an office and get there? What about the many older folks who do not see a newspaper or who missed the announcement on the news? What about those who were not born in North Carolina, and don’t have a birth certificate?
There will be thousands who make the effort to get to the polls, only to be told they are not eligible. Few people will go through the process of casting a provisional ballot, which may, or may not, be ruled eligible by the officials. Many restrictions on absentee voting have been lifted, creating more opportunities for fraud.
Recent redistricting, with changed boundary lines and split precincts, increases the likelihood that folks will go to the wrong precinct to vote. For years, they could fill out a conditional ballot, which, after verification, would be counted.
Under the new law, these votes will be thrown out. The elderly and minorities are most likely to be in this group.
With all the distractions today, many young people are turned away by politics, not realizing that politics affect every phase of our lives, or that voting is a precious right and a responsibility.
Currently, high school civics classes provide an opportunity to get them involved, and even provide pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds. In many cases, this will be the last opportunity to reach these kids. The new legislation totally eliminates this registration.
Things get even more complicated when a college student tries to vote!
Incidentally, these free IDs are estimated to cost North Carolina $823,200 in each of the first two years, and over $24,000 annually. All of this to fix a problem that all surveys indicate does not exist.
Is it a coincidence that the elderly, the young, and minorities tend to vote Democratic?
Margaret S. Ramsey
Franklin
By Doug Wingeier • Guest Columnist
Back in March, my wife and I, together with a couple from Brevard, paid a visit to Congressman Mark Meadows, R-Cashiers, in his Washington office. We were part of an event called Ecumenical Advocacy Days, in which some 750 members of faith communities from across the country spent a long weekend learning about issues of poverty and hunger, then fanned out across Capitol Hill visiting our legislators to urge passage of a Farm Bill that would:
Celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 28 by volunteering at DuPont State Forest to help clear a section of trail on Hickory Mountain Loop.
The service project will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and focus on an off-road mountain bike route. The work is of moderate difficulty and the hike to the project location is less than half a mile. The number of volunteers is limited to 50 and participants must be at least 12 years old. All volunteers will receive an REI T-shirt, while sizes and supplies last.
Workers are encouraged to bring water, snacks, work gloves, sun block, bug spray, tools, if possible, and wear closed-toe shoes. A light trailside breakfast and grilled lunch will be provided. Volunteers will meet at the Guion Farm access area before the workday begins.
Registration is required.
Haywood Community College has honored two Fish and Wildlife Management program students for their achievements in the field.
Jacob Longworth and Alex Wilson were recently awarded the 2013 Dave Dudek Wildlife Award. They are the first recipients of this award and its accompanying $250 scholarship.
The award is named for retired instructor and founding adviser of the HCC student chapter of The Wildlife Society, Dave Dudek.
The award, presented to two Fish and Wildlife students who are on track to graduate in the spring, recognizes leadership, scholarship, and dedication to the field.
Longworth plans to work as a wildlife biologist or wildlife officer after graduation and Wilson hopes to work to conserve and protect avian species.
828.627.4592.
Chimney Rock State Park has become North Carolina’s 70th tourist destination to earn recognition for its environmentally friendly practices, according to officials with the N.C. GreenTravel Initiative.
Chimney Rock Management LLC, which operates Chimney Rock, earned its place among N.C. GreenTravel locations by installing public recycling containers, using locally-produced food in the park restaurant, reducing water usage, installing energy-efficient lighting and appliances, removing invasive plants and increasing public environmental awareness.
NC GreenTravel, a N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources program launched in October 2011, recognizes tourism-oriented businesses for their accomplishments in environmental stewardship. In addition to lessening environmental impacts, research has shown that environmentally friendly businesses reduce operating costs and are more profitable without sacrificing the comfort of guests.
While several other states have created programs to certify “green” hotels, the N.C. GreenTravel Initiative gives recognition to hotels, restaurants, museums, parks, attractions and other tourism-related businesses.
The French Broad Rifles club will host a Primitive Black Powder Muzzleloading shoot Oct. 4-6 near Marshall.
It’s a big weekend at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, Sept. 27-29, with its Guest Appreciation Festival, the U.S. Slalom Nationals, and a big water release on the Upper Nantahala.
The annual Chief’s Challenge one-mile run and walk benefit for victims of childhood cancer will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, before the Cherokee Indian Fair parade. The event will take participants through downtown to the Cherokee Immediate Care center adjacent to the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort parking lot.
Registration takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the day of the event, at the Cherokee Phoenix Theatre parking lot or online. Registration is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 years and younger. Proceeds will go to the Madison Hornbuckle Children’s Cancer Foundation.
The first 300 participants will receive a swag bag with T-shirts, water bottles and more, donated by local businesses and tribal programs. The day also features a host of activities for participants before the event, including a magic show, games, and art activities.
The Madison Hornbuckle Children’s Cancer Foundation is a non-profit foundation that provides financial support to the families of children with cancer. Information about the foundation can be found online at nc-cherokee.com/madison-hornbuckle-foundation.
Registration and event information are available at www.runsignup.com/race/nc/cherokee/chiefschallenge1milesprint.
The U.S. Forest Service is promoting its fall foliage webpage, which features scenic drives and other areas in the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests for visitors to enjoy this autumn.
The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department will offer a beginner’s disc golf class for youth ages 8 to 17. The class will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. each Tuesday in October at the Waynesville Disc Golf Course on Vance Street in Waynesville.
A group of friends have come together to create a non-profit entity to operate a new pottery school in the Macon County Heritage Center at the old Cowee School.
Watercolor and oil painter Jo Ridge Kelley will demonstrate oil painting techniques in a naturescape for Art League of the Smokies at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Swain County Center for the Arts in Bryson City.
Voices in the Laurel will hold auditions for “Laurel Strings,” a new string ensemble open to students in grades two-12 in area counties who are currently taking private lessons in violin, viola, cello or bass or have taken at least two years of lessons in the past. Auditions will be held by appointment through Sept. 27. First rehearsals will begin on Oct. 1 in Waynesville.
The ensemble will meet on Tuesdays at First Baptist Church in Waynesville and will perform both a winter and spring concert in conjunction with Voices in the Laurel. The ensemble will also perform at the Voices in the Laurel “I Heart Disney” Valentine Concert in February 2014.
Sarah Smith, the director of the ensemble, has been teaching private lessons in Haywood County since arriving from the Raleigh area more than two years ago. She has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Huntington University in Indiana and has spent 12 years teaching public school choir, drama and music. She has taught violin and piano privately for the last 17 years.
919.272.1359 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Acclaimed musician/folklorist Lee Knight will perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Jackson County Public Library Complex in Sylva.
The Boho Stage Show will bring aerial trapeze, circus acts, belly dancing, hula-hooping and other eccentric forms of performance art for two shows — one at 2 p.m. and one at 7 p.m. — on Saturday, Sept. 28, at The Strand on 38 Main in Waynesville.
To the Editor:
The North Carolina legislature has passed, and Gov. McCrory has signed, a bill requiring a photo ID in order to vote. This bill will disenfranchise a large number of voters in our state, especially the elderly (which includes the greatest generation, who saved our country for democracy) and the first-time voters. In addition, the bill eliminates one week of early voting, which has been extremely popular with older folks.
Some real examples: a friend is 94 years old. She served as a nurse in WWll, has always been very active in her church and community; her husband was a state senator for several terms. She has voted in every election since she was old enough, but now she can’t vote because she has no “valid” ID. Another friend is 87, has never driven because she is blind, she and her family have worked tirelessly for their church and community, but now she can’t vote.
The newspapers assure us that “free IDs” can be obtained at any driver’s license office. How does a 94-year-old woman or a blind woman locate an office and get there? What about the many older folks who do not see a newspaper or who missed the announcement on the news? What about those who were not born in North Carolina and don’t have a birth certificate?
There will be thousands who make the effort to get to the polls, only to be told they are not eligible. Few people will go through the process of casting a provisional ballot, which may or may not, be ruled eligible by the officials. Many restrictions on absentee voting have been lifted, creating more opportunities for fraud.
Recent redistricting, with changed boundary lines and split precincts, increases the likelihood that folks will go to the wrong precinct to vote. For years, they could fill out a conditional ballot, which, after verification, would be counted.
Under the new law, these votes will be thrown out. The elderly and minorities are most likely to be in this group.
With all the distractions today, many young people are turned away by politics, not realizing that politics affect every phase of our lives, or that voting is a precious right and a responsibility.
Currently, high school civics classes provide an opportunity to get them involved, and even provide pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds. In many cases, this will be the last opportunity to reach these kids. The new legislation totally eliminates this registration.
Things get even more complicated when a college student tries to vote!
Incidentally, these free IDs are estimated to cost North Carolina $823,200 in each of the first two years, and over $24,000 annually. All of this to fix a problem that all surveys indicate does not exist.
Is it a coincidence that the elderly, the young, and minorities tend to vote Democratic?
Margaret S. Ramsey
Franklin
By Dawn Gilchrist-Young
I’m writing this because I teach three sections of senior English at Swain High School, where I’ve taught English in grades nine through 12 for almost 15 years. However, I can only say I’ve loved what I do for 14 of those years, and that’s because my first year in public education left me neither time nor energy to ponder the luxury of how I felt about my work. Having no time to reflect is typical for a first-year public school teacher.
Western North Carolina’s educational institutions must re-emphasize the importance of mathematical skills at all levels — from basic addition and subtraction to advanced statistics, analysis and predictive modeling — if mountain students are to succeed in the modern workforce.
A 5K race will be held on the campus of Western Carolina University in conjunction with Mountain Heritage Day festivities.
The race will start at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, with check-in and race day registration from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. at the Stillwell Science Building on the WCU campus. The course will take runners on a partial tour of the WCU campus, including past the signature fountain at the campus center. The route offers a mix of flatland and hills. A course map is available online. The race is open to runners, joggers and speed walkers; all participants should be able to complete the race within 50 minutes.
Awards will be presented to first place male and female runners and the top three male and female runners in each age category, including 17 and under, 18-31 and 31 and over.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.283.0203 or www.claws.wcu.edu/sma/5K.
No junior women’s freestyle kayaker in the world was better than Stecoah resident Rowan Stuart recently at the ICF Canoe World Championships — a freestyle boating competition.
The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee will host its first Fish Frenzy, a kayak and canoe fishing tournament, Saturday, Sept.28, at the Tsali Boat Ramp on Lake Fontana.
In time for peak hurricane season, Duke Energy is going mobile with its lake level information.
The smart phone-friendly website can be accessed at www.duke-energy.com. The default menu shows an option for “Lakes and Recreation.” Duke Energy’s lake information web pages include recreational water release schedules, lake levels and alerts. The page attracts thousands of hits each month when heavy rainfall causes high water at lakes managed by the company.
“We’ve provided this information for years, knowing how important it is to people who live near the lakes and to those who use them for recreation,” said Duke Energy spokesperson Lisa Hoffmann. “This enhancement will make popular lake information even more accessible.”
Lakeside residents are encouraged to monitor weather forecasts and check for lake level alerts when heavy rains are in the forecast. The public also can check real-time lake levels and special updates, 24 hours a day, online or over the phone.
www.duke-energy.com/lakes/levels.asp or 800.829.5253.
A group of raptors will be featured at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at The Village Green Commons in Cashiers.
For homeowners with bear problems, the B.E.A.R. Task Force is hosting a program to keep the persistent beasts away.
A $1,000 grant given to the Elk Bugle Corps in Cataloochee Valley of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be used to buy gear for the new bike patrol.
The grant from the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority to Friends of the Smokies went to help fund the Elk Bike Patrol and get volunteer riders some key pieces of equipment.
The money provides uniform shirts, bike shorts and pants, safety mirrors, repair kits, and radio gear. The bicycle volunteers, like Stefanie McIntosh of Asheville, help control traffic while dealing with elk-caused jams and answering visitor questions.
“Being on a bike allows us to respond quickly during high traffic times and during visitor emergencies,” McIntosh commented.
The TDA grant also supplies additional uniforms for the Elk Bugle Corps who rove valley on foot and in the volunteer vehicles, so that visitors know where to turn for information.
