Briefs

Community almanac

Come out to Hempfest

This Saturday, April 20, the Pied Piper will host Hempfest in Dillsboro’s Montieth Park from noon to 7 p.m. The event will feature local craft and art vendors, live glass blowing, live music from Twelfth Fret, food from Dogs on Wheels. There will also be hourly raffles, a drum circle from 2-4 p.m. and a “community light up” at 4:20 p.m.

Brasstown hosts monthly food pantry

The Brasstown Community Center, partnering with Matt's Ministry, will be hosting its monthly Food Pantry on April 18 from noon to 2 p.m. for individuals or families experiencing food insecurity.

If anyone could benefit from some supplemental food, they are welcome to attend. Brasstown Community Center is located at 255 Settawig Road in Brasstown.

Sylva Rotary Club pancake breakfast

The Sylva Rotary Club is inviting people to a pancake breakfast with all the fixings at the club's fundraiser on Friday, April 26. Breakfast will be served from 7-9:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, located at 77 Jackson St. Tickets are $10 each and are available from any Rotarian or at the door. Free delivery is available for orders of five or more. To place an order, or for more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Pisgah to hold Volleybuff Showdown

Pisgah High School’s Honors Sport and Event Marketing II class will host the 2024 volleyball tournament in the Pisgah gym on Friday, May 10.

“This event is a great opportunity to raise money for United Way of Haywood County, Pisgah’s DECA chapter, volleyball program, and SGA while giving young men at every grade level the chance to compete in a fun and competitive event,” said junior Jake Lowery.

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Teams in this showdown are coached by members of the current JV and Varsity volleyball teams.

“Volleybuff is a unique way to compete to see who is the top dog. I hope all our work pays off,” said senior Kole Smathers.

The Sympleaf Sport Volleyputt promotion during the championship match will feature a chance for one lucky constant to take home a grand prize of $10,000. The contest is open to anyone over the age of 14. Potential contestants will have the opportunity to register in the gym lobby. Tickets can be purchased online via the GoFan website. Admission is $5. Concessions and door prizes will also be available. The first match of the tournament will begin at 4:30 p.m.

UCM's Walkathon a success

United Christian Ministries expressed its deepest gratitude to everyone who participated in the third-annual Walk 4 Jackson, the “Superhero Stroll,” on March 23.

Thanks to the donations and support, the church raised over $8,000 for its food pantry and crisis assistance programs.

“We are grateful to the Summit Church Band for their uplifting music, Smoky Mountain Kettle Corn for their delicious donation, Andrew Beck for his artistic face painting, and to everyone who donated items for the raffle,” a news release said.

Arc of Haywood receives client services grant

The Arc of Haywood County, a nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, announced a $16,000 grant from the Evergreen Foundation.

The grant will be instrumental in furthering the Arc’s mission by providing critical transportation services to clients. With the new vehicele, the Arc will be able to expand its programs and offerings, enabling clients to access essential appointments, community activities and opportunities that contribute to their independence and empowerment.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Evergreen Foundation for their investment in our mission,” said Amma North, community living coordinator at the Arc. “This new vehicle will not only transport our clients, but it will also transport dreams, independence and community connections. Thanks to their generosity, we are moving toward a brighter future for the individuals we serve.”

Free sports physicals at HRMC

Haywood Regional Medical Center and Haywood Sports Medicine will host their annual sports physicals for area middle and high school student-athletes Thursday, May 16, with corresponding times for each school. The physicals are free, and insurance is not required.

Physicals for each school will be held at the following times on May 16 at Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center:

• Canton Middle School: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

• Bethel Middle School: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

• Waynesville Middle School: 4:30-5:30 p.m.

• Tuscola High School: 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Rising 6th grade student-athletes need to attend the date for the representing school they will be attending in the coming school year. Participants must have all required forms with them signed by parents and completed to receive their physical. It is not necessary to sign up for an appointment, just come anytime during the allotted time frame for your representing school. Contact your school’s front office for registration paperwork and further information or questions.

Any student-athlete that does not participate in this free event will have to consult their primary care physician or pediatrician to obtain their sports physical evaluation. Need to find a local provider? Call 800.424.DOCS (3627) be connected with a provider.

Pie-Makers Take the Stage at the Peacock

The Scribes on Stage 2024 series at the Peacock Performing Arts Center in Hayesville presents another stage production again honoring the local old-time festival, LIES and PIES at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 27.

With this year’s stage evening production of LIES and LIES of tall tales, big fibs, music and stories will include a pie-making silent auction with local merchants providing pies for the evening.

Bidding for the scrumptious home-made pies will start as the doors open to the Peacock at 7 p.m. and continue at intermission. Pie winners will be announced after intermission, so everyone will take their pies home right after the night’s performance. The highest bid gets the pie. All proceeds are donated to the Peacock for up-coming special projects. Everyone is invited to join family and friends for this evening of entertainment and fun.

Tickets and information are available at the Peacock box office, 301 Church St in Hayesville. 828.389.2787 or thepeacocknc.org.

Marianna Black Library prepares for summer

The Marianna Black Library in Bryson City is now releasing its dates for the Summer Learning Program 2024. Area children and parents can begin registering for a summer of reading and activities from June 10-15.

The Summer Learning Program 2024 theme is “Adventure Begins at Your Library.” The Reading Adventure is for seven weeks, from June 16 to Aug. 3. Children earn prizes every week for reading or being read to, for only 20 minutes a day. The library welcomes any feedback about what kind of programs and activities you and your kids would like to enjoy this summer.

There is also a STEAM based program called Discovery Club on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 3:45-5 p.m. for school age kids, ages 7-13. Also, for school age kids there is Creative Kids Art Club, on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, from 3:45-5 p.m. In this program, kids will enjoy using their creativity while engaging in arts and crafts.

Preschool Storytime Adventures are every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. This is an opportunity for kids ages 3-6 years old to enjoy plot-based stories, flannel storyboard time, silly songs with movements and other participatory activities.

Additionally, there is a new baby and toddler time called Bounce and Rhyme. This is on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 10:30 a.m.

The Marianna Black Library is located in downtown Bryson City, on the corner of Academy and Rector Street. Anyone who would like to sign up for a kids program or has any questions can contact Allison Reid at 828.488.3030, ext. 130 or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

New cell tower bridges coverage gap in Jackson

Thanks to a new wireless communication tower perched atop Southwestern Community College’s Jackson Campus, a strong digital signal has replaced the once “dead-zone” between Sylva, Cullowhee and Webster.

Scott Baker, SCC’s Vice President for Information Technology, worked with Vogue Towers over the past couple of years to get the new tower installed just above the college’s Summit Building.

Verizon Wireless contracted with Vogue, as one of its tower build partners, to find a solution for improved coverage in and around the campus area of SCC. Vogue is the asset owner of the structure and handled all aspects of leasing, permitting and constructing the tower. Coverage began streaming from the 180-foot spire on Dec. 29.

Space is available for other wireless carriers to add better service for their customers in the future. Vogue also provides tower space on its towers to emergency management services for no charge.

Compensation that the college receives from Vogue Towers for a ground lease will go into a fund to support student scholarships at Southwestern.

Haywood Young Democrats named Chapter of the Year

Last month, at the Young Democrats of North Carolina’s 89th Annual Convention, the Haywood County chapter was awarded the title of Chapter of the Year. This is the second consecutive year of the Haywood County Young Democrats receiving this award.

The award was presented by YDNC President Dorian Palmer and Vice President Anna Rios at a luncheon where Young Democrats from all across the state were present. Gov. Roy Cooper, Attorney General Josh Stein, Democratic State Party Chair Anderson Clayton and many other high-profile North Carolina politicians and candidates were also in attendance.

Migration of the Scots-Irish People to Western North Carolina

On April 15, the speaker series “Where We Live: History, Nature and Culture” will host a program on the immigration of Scots-Irish people to our area.

The program will use images and artifacts to showcase the 18th century migration of peoples from England and Ireland to North America. Many of these people eventually made their way to Western North Carolina, and many of their descendants are still among us today. During the presentation, we will discuss adaptations the Scots-Irish people made to the new places they found themselves in, in farming, textile production and other activities.

The speaker will be Education Associate Peter Koch of Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center. Koch holds an M.A. in public history from North Carolina State University and is on the boards of the WNC Civil War Roundtable and of Civil War Trails.

The program will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center in Franklin. The lecture series is designed to give people an opportunity to learn more about our local area, from many different angles, and to enjoy a pleasant, informative evening together.

WNC Community Enhancement Grants Awarded

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) awarded nine WNC Community Enhancement grants totaling $82,117 to support charitable organizations and eligible public agencies engaged in projects in downtowns or commercial corridors that enhance appearance, infrastructure, or the pedestrian experience. Here are the grants that were awarded to organizations within The Smoky Mountain News’ four-county coverage area:

• $10,000 to Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau (BGCP) for a beautification project along public sidewalks beside the organization’s building in Cashiers. BGCP is part of a community corridor that includes the Cashiers Fire Department, Fishes and Loaves food bank, Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center, The Village Green, Albert Carlton Library, outdoor ball fields, a playground, and a community dog park. Grant funds will support the purchase of (and thereby make permanent) an existing temporary art installation. The purchase is part of a larger effort to beautify landscaped areas adjacent to Frank Allen Road, including the establishment of a pollinator garden and the placement of a flagpole and American Flag.

• $10,000 to Town of Maggie Valley to purchase an addition to the Maggie Pavilion, which is located next to Town Hall. The new open structure will be placed adjacent to the present building to provide open air seating for pavilion events. Funds from the Town will be used to purchase new commercial grade picnic tables to be used below and beside the new structure. The Maggie Pavilion is used throughout the year for individual events, band concerts and group meetings.

To apply, organizations must be tax-exempt and located in the Qualla Boundary or one of the following counties in Western North Carolina: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania or Yancey. Priority will be given to projects located in rural or other under-resourced areas. The next deadline is June 10.

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