By Michael Beadle

Kathy Boydston was never one to sit quietly in retirement.

A veteran elementary school teacher, world traveler, mountain biker and marathon runner, she’s now keeping busy coordinating programs in Haywood County Schools that teach students about the importance of water quality.

A private research and public opinion firm was hired by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to measure public sentiment toward Sunday hunting — namely whether it should be allowed. North Carolina is one of the last states with a law banning hunting on Sunday.

Landowners in Jackson County are in the process of protecting 154 acres on Cowee Mountain from future development by placing the property in a conservation easement with the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee.

By Michael Beadle

Cyrano’s Bookshop in downtown Highlands may be all of 700 square feet, but that hasn’t stopped its new owners, Clair and Arthur Simpson, from setting up book signings for such nationally notable authors as Pat Conroy, Steve Berry, Sharyn McCrumb and Nicholas Sparks.

By Chris Cooper

I’m beginning to notice a relationship between the acquisition of “new” used CDs at my place of employment and my need to write in a “multiple CD” review format. Coincidence? I think not. But this week I was reminded, for the umpteenth time, that there is indeed a veritable smorgasbord of great music waiting to be heard out there.

NPR’s All Songs Considered Podcast

Admittedly, I’ve been slow to catch on to the iPod revolution. I received a green, personalized iPod mini almost two years ago, but just this month began puttering around on iTunes’s Podcast Web site to find a treasure trove of information.

The Francis Mill Preservation Society in Haywood County is gearing up for a major campaign to replace the metal wheel on the grist mill.

The following statement was provided to The Smoky Mountain News following a meeting of the Haywood Regional Medical Center Hospital Authority Board of Commissioners on Monday, Dec. 11.

By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer

With the announcement of plans to bring a new Wal-Mart Supercenter to Franklin, some say town aldermen have given away their only real bargaining chip that would aid negotiations to make the Big Box store more visually appealing — water and sewer rights.

By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer

The Town of Sylva has begun surveying the Fisher Creek watershed in anticipation of receiving a $3.5 million conservation easement to be awarded by the Clean Water Management Trust Fund.

By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer

Parking along Sylva’s downtown Main Street is a challenge.

The competition between Western Carolina University students to win a building contract at a Cullowhee church was just for fun, but the construction ideas and issues they pointed out recently were real — and appreciated.

Jan. 20, 1961. Inauguration Day. The words that stuck in the minds and hearts of all citizens: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” said President John F. Kennedy.

When the administration of George Bush argued Nov. 29 before the Supreme Court that the EPA did not have the authority to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, it was doing this country and its people a monumental disservice. In truth, it’s not a stretch to argue that the current administration’s premise in this case and its continued ignoring of global warming is detrimental to all of mankind.

“A Man for All Seasons”

Robert Bolt’s award-winning play was released as a movie in 1966, winning six Academy Awards that included Best Director and Best Actor.

By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer

The Craft Revival: Shaping Western North Carolina Past and Present Web site is located at http://craftrevival.wcu.edu.

Much of what is considered to be historic Appalachian art work began as anything but. The quilts and clay bowls, hand-wrought iron and homemade dresses were items made for their function.

By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer

The delivery of 3,000 gallons of B-20 biodiesel manufactured by Smoky Mountain Biofuels made Hop’s Gas and Grocery on Old Cullowhee Road the first station to offer a public biodiesel pump west of Asheville last week.

Here is a copy of the resolution, which was passed by the Medical Executive Committee on Dec. 6 and affirmed by a meeting of the medical staff on Dec. 12:

By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer

Two years have passed since the Jackson County Commissioners suspended their participation with the local Economic Development Commission, launched an internal investigation and audit of the EDC and EDC office and attempted to remove Tom McClure — the EDC Chairman, chairman of the county’s revolving loan committee and Chairman of the Jackson Airport Authority — from all county committees and appointments.

Jackson County Commissioners passed a resolution Monday night (Dec. 18) encouraging the state General Assembly to provide funding for the Land for Tomorrow program in 2007.

By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer

Macon County Commissioners unanimously approved a moratorium on high-rise development Monday, giving county planning and legal staff 11 months to write an ordinance that if adopted could potentially prohibit such development for a long time to come.

By Bill Rhodarmer

I read with interest a recent column in a local news publication concerning the high cost of a college education and the debt often incurred by students and families — up to $50,000 for a four-year degree. In the column, the editor indicated that the only way to lessen the high cost and associated debt was for the state and federal governments to become more involved in controlling costs and providing more student aid.

The last thing Macon County — or any of the counties west of Asheville — needs is a high-rise condominium development. Commissioners in that county made a wise move Monday to enact a moratorium on any construction over 48-feet in height. They made use of a common tool often employed by local governments who are looking out for the welfare of their constituency.

By Michael Beadle

Just because the temperatures drop and days grow shorter doesn’t mean you have to give up your exercise routine.

A statewide survey to gauge support for making hunting on Sundays legal revealed some interesting side statistics on outdoor recreation.

Something I’ve noticed over the years is that the longer you’re on this planet, the smaller said planet seems to become. This observation becomes especially true if you find yourself immersed in a particular field or occupation for a long time — paths that may have crossed long ago, seemingly by coincidence, inevitably find a way to cross again later.

Tell us about what you do. How did you learn what you do? What are your duties day-to-day? What about your job do you wish people better understood and why? How can people help you do your job better?

The proposed sale of U.S. Forest Service land to find money for counties who have lost revenue from declining timber sales is just a bad idea, a product of the Bush Administration’s fiscal indulgences rather than well thought-out land management policies.

Jackson County Commissioners last week strategically deferred making a decision about who would become the newest member of the Jackson County Airport Authority, in effect throwing out the list of names authority members submitted for approval.

Several years ago, as Christmas approached, I remember my youngest daughter saying, “I can’t imagine what I want for Christmas; I have everything I could possibly need.” She grew up and no longer says such things in anticipation of Christmas or birthdays.

Thursday night, the Haywood Regional Medical Center Board chose to breach the hospital’s contract with Haywood Emergency Physicians rather than consider mediation, as proposed by the medical staff.

This deserves emphasis, given the central role that public education plays in North Carolina political debate: our schools have vastly more resources to work with than they did a generation ago.

2006 was a big year for news in the mountains. From the economy to the world of politics, there’s been a lot of change. We’ve selected some of the best quotes from newsmakers in 2006 to help put the year in perspective.

By Rachel Tomlinson

With the winter season in full swing, dressing appropriately to prevent cold injuries is often overlooked, especially in regions where temperatures don’t drop far below 20 degrees.

The sickle-fin redhorse, a new species of fish recently discovered that dwells in only a handful of rivers in WNC, will be getting a boost from a $40,000 U.S. Fish and Wildlife grant.

The Smoky Mountain News Outdoors section has printed scores of news about the environment, adventure sports and outdoor activities in 2006. Of course, there was also a whole bunch of news about the people who take part in these activities or who have a passion for the environment.

Traditions

It’s over now, but the 24 hours between Christmas Eve afternoon, say around 6 p.m., and the evening of Dec. 25 have fallen into a ritual that is wholly and completely satisfying.

By Kathleen Lamont

The tradition of New Year’s Resolutions can be accurately traced to 153 B.C., although it could go back even further. At that time Janus, a mythical king of early Rome, was placed at the head of the calendar.

By Michael Beadle

Wintertime may not offer the best opportunities for fly-fishing, but that doesn’t mean fly fishers aren’t busy.

By Michael Beadle

What is art? What makes a relationship stand the test of time? How do you move on in life after one event turns everything upside down?

By Chris Cooper

Christmas is one of those times where there’s a surge of buying in the instrument market, and much of that buying involves some lucky kid (or adult) getting their first guitar. So what I’d like to do here is provide some insight into getting the most out of that initial phase of playing and learning, list what extras you really may need, and give a little insight as to what elements make up a “good” guitar.

Small, but Big

Something most retail stores do before a busy Christmas season is run some kind of “sales report” to determine what products were most popular through the year thus far.

By Sarah Kucharski

In January 2005, Jackson County Commissioners called in more than $1.2 million in loans issued to six local industries, suspended participation in the Economic Development Commission and launched an investigation of the commission’s financial records.

By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer

If there’s one thing economic development officials agree on, it’s that there’s no one right way to do it.

Creation of a one-half cent local option sales tax to support building needs at Haywood Community College and tax relief from spiraling property values are among the issues Haywood County commissioners are urging legislators to address when the North Carolina General Assembly convenes in January 2007.

A new public comment and meeting policy has been adopted by the Swain County Board of Commissioners. Here are some highlights:

New Year’s resolutions? Don’t believe in most of them, especially those that are akin to a miracle diet or those no-risk investments tips that keep junking up the inbox in our email program. A sound resolution is more of a decision to dedicate one’s self to hard work and perseverance, not capricious fantasizing about how one wishes things could be.

More than 300 people attended a public hearing on Land For Tomorrow in Asheville last week, overwhelming the expectations of those conducting the hearing. Some people drove for nearly two hours to come voice their support for the initiative.

By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer

Local Mediacom cable subscribers up late Friday night saw their ABC affiliate WLOS Channel 13 go dark at midnight, as the company and Sinclair Broadcast Group have failed to reach an agreement that would allow the cable provider to continue carrying Sinclair stations.

The business sector in Jackson County will benefit from the renewed efforts to establish a working Economic Development Commission.