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Gear Guide 2012: Blackrock Outdoor Company
Hammocks by Eagle’s Nest Outfitters — $55 to $80 These hammocks are a great gift for anyone simply looking to…
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Gear Guide 2012: Nantahala Outdoor Center Wesser
GoPro Hero3 Camera: Black Edition — $400 If you’re tired of showing boring vacation photographs and videos to friends and…
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Gear Guide 2012: Outdoor 76 Franklin
Outdoor 76 t-shirts and “828” caps — $22 to $26 If you fish local, hike local or kayak local, then…
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Gear guide 2012: Mast General Store
Sawyer Squeeze Filter — $60 This may be the best, and last water filter, you ever buy. The new filter…
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Holiday gear guide to the rescue: SMN serves up goods bets for the outdoors person on your shopping list
For outdoors enthusiasts, Christmas brings but fleeting respite from the cold, dark days of winter — with the promise of…
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Bringing out the horror of teen angst
In recent years, there has been a kind of Swedish literary invasion in America, especially in the horror genre. Perhaps…
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The fiscal cliff is already in our rearview mirror
By Kenn Jacobine • Guest Columnist Washington is full of drama. Americans are constantly being treated to high political suspense.…
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Taking advantage of our unique attributes
The recently announced plans for a Blueways Trail focusing on the recreational uses of Western North Carolina’s waterways is one…
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Franklin merchants run afoul of festival planning protocols
Some downtown merchants in Franklin have clashed with town leaders in recent weeks over a perceived lack of support for…
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On the job with Franklin’s Main Street director
Franklin’s Main Street Program has found itself in an uncomfortable spotlight in recent weeks as Franklin merchants have complained that…
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Newspaper says advertising was pulled after critical news coverage
A side drama playing out in the downtown Franklin fracas involves an unusual public display of the tension that often…
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Downtown discord prompts call for renewed collaboration
Both sides in a downtown Franklin dispute have pledged to work together after publicly locking horns in recent weeks. “It…
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Despite student pleas, WCU hikes tuition again
Western Carolina University’s Board of Trustees approved an 8 percent increase in tuition next academic year — much to the vexation…
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Professors struggle with increased class sizes
While Western Carolina University’s budgets have been shrinking in recent years, its class sizes have been growing.
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New dental clinic should bring a smile to WNC
Citing a statewide shortage of dentists, East Carolina University is opening 10 clinics across North Carolina with the mission of…
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DOT negotiates buyouts for Haywood interchange
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is in the middle of buying nearly 40 Haywood County properties that stand in…
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County leaders ponder whether Cashiers could support ABC store
A Jackson County resident has taken it upon himself to show county decision-makers that a Cashiers ABC store is a…
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Most Bryson City business owners OK with county financing train improvements
Most Everett Street business owners support Swain County’s pending investment in the privately owned Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, but some…
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HCC hopes to finally choose president in January
The Haywood Community College Board of Trustees will meet on Dec. 19 to interview eight candidates who hope to be…
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Adopt a pet, hang a stocking at animal shelter
Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation is holding its “Home for the Holidays” promotion, in which “Youth For Sarge’s” members make Christmas…
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Feds help local students stay in school
Southwestern Community College has been awarded a nearly $1.3 million grant under the Upward Bound Programs from the U.S. Department…
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Work grant to train poker dealers
Southwestern Community College will launch a training program for live game dealers, in conjunction with Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort,…
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WCU earns grant to train family nurses
Western Carolina University’s School of Nursing is the recipient of nearly $700,000 in federal grant funding to help address a…
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‘Mother Jones’ returns to the stage
An encore performance of “Mother Jones,” a monologue written by Gary Carden, will be staged at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec.…
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Rediscovering your inner child
Each day, James Bandy and Clifton Coleman hangout with soldiers, princesses, dinosaurs and aliens. Their domain is Blast From The…
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Toy stores play on: Online shopping, chain stores take a toll on the local toy store scene
If you have it, they will come. That’s the philosophy for the small facet of independent toy stores remaining in…
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Liars Bench hosts Nashville singer/songwriter with local roots
The Liars Bench presents “A Foxfire Christmas with Randy Flack” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, in the Mountain Heritage…
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What’s on tap for December’s Sylva Art Stroll
The final downtown Sylva Art Stroll of the year will feature luminaries to light the way at 5 p.m. Friday,…
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‘Rotunda Gallery’ art exhibit comes to historic courthouse
Western North Carolina artist Norma Hendrix will hold an opening exhibit of her work from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.…
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Mural project aimed at renewal
A mural project called “On Hallowed Ground” aims to honor the heritage of Dillsboro, showcase artistic talents and lend a…
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The appropriately named 'blue darter'
When I was a boy my favorite sport was baseball. I was a pitcher. I didn’t have any idea where…
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Little Tennessee heralded for wildlife spotting
The Little Tennessee River in Macon County landed a spot on the N.C. Wildlife Federation’s “top nine” list of spots…
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Is the chestnut making a comeback?
Volunteers and scientists planted 200 American chestnut seedlings in the Nantahala National Forest that are hopefully blight resistant in efforts…
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Land trust protects entrance to protected area
In November the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy purchased 89 acres at the southern end of the Yellow Mountain State Natural…
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Over the fiscal cliff – and into the abyss
First Mate McConnell: “Cap’n the ship is headed straight for that iceberg and there’s no way we kin stop her…
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Scouting a Smokies Blueway Trail: Recreation abounds, but knowing where and how to tap it can be a mystery
The mountains rising above the valleys have long been the main attraction for tourists planning a trip to Western North…
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The stuff of dreams: Important 20th century poet discovered in new book
As the poet Yvan Goll lay in a hospital in Paris dying of leukemia, a continuous line of some of…
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Waynesville brings Christmas downtown with packed performance line-up
Downtown Waynesville will be hosting “A Night before Christmas” from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. The event…
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Christmas shows take the stage at Smoky Mountain Performing Arts Center
From WWII Christmas memories to an audience sing-along, the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts is bringing a full…
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A cappella holiday show comes to WCU
Vox Audio takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts…
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'A Christmas Carol' hits HART
Charles Dickens’ classic work “A Christmas Carol” is coming to the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville this month.
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‘Nutcracker’ ballet to grace WCU’s stage
Holiday classic “The Nutcracker” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, in the John W. Bardo Fine and…
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WCU art majors stage year-end exhibit
Art students from Western Carolina University will exhibit their work through Friday, Dec. 14, at the WCU Fine Art Museum.…
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Christmas, craft beer & charity
For Clark Williams, it’s all about giving back. Owner of Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville, Williams is celebrating not only…
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HCC appreciates fire response
To the Editor: The following letter was sent to firefighters, first responders, and law enforcement personnel for all those who…
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Displaying Confederate flag is not illegal
To the Editor: It is apparent that history is still being written and revised by the victors and their descendants.…
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North Carolinians have it right
To the Editor: BINGO! Most North Carolinians caught on that Barack Obama’s economic failures are not so much ineptness but…
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New writer launches a promising literary career
Since the publication of Wiley Cash’s debut novel A Land More Kind Than Home earlier this year, I have been…
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A small but important investment in public transit
It may seem a relatively unimportant issue, but in truth it is very symbolic because it recognizes a reality that…
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Rewarding students with fast-food coupons raises concerns
Some schools are thinking twice about the long standing practice of passing out fast-food coupons to children as rewards.
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