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Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:39

Lottery money put to bleachers, but grudgingly

A wide selection of bleachers at nearly every secondary school in Haywood County will get some repairs and replacements thanks to lottery funds approved by county commissioners, but the decision was not without contention from some on the board. Commissioner…
Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:33

County to pay fairgrounds loan

Haywood County commissioners will be stepping in to save the county’s fairground from the bank’s clutches after a vote at their Monday meeting. The fairgrounds have two loans taken out on their buildings, and since the county slashed the $150,000…
Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:32

WWNC-AM to broadcast WCU’s ‘Christmas Carol’ on Dec. 24

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…
Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:31

‘Saturdays at The Bascom’ Program

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…
Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:31

Heinzelmannchen debuts Merry Gnome Christmas Ale

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…
Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:30

Polar Express now departing from Bryson City

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…
Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:29

Wide spectrum of music slated for Balsam Mountain Inn’s New Year’s Eve celebration

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…
Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:28

Rush of Fools take the stage at Lake Junaluska INFUSE 2011

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…
Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:24

RTCAR: Enabling artisans to preserve tradition

In the storefront of Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, shelves and tables are laden with handmade baskets that shimmer dully with a multitude of brown hues. From deep walnut umber to the blanched eggshell of white oak and the glinting…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:34

Noticing the little things of winter

Editor’s note: George Ellison, like many in the mountains, was snowed in and unable to get an internet connection. This column was first published in The Smoky Mountain News in 2005 I’m sure you’ve noticed it’s the little things that,…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:33

Cataloochee group raises more than $10,000 for chestnut restoration projects

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:32

Houck Medford steps down from Foundation

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:31

Casada takes home writing awards

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:29

Smokies fish expert, Steve Moore, earns national recognition

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:28

Cataloochee collects coats, food for the needy

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:27

Foothills ‘missing link’ set for 2015 completion

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:25

The Naturalist's Corner: A heartfelt thanks to the Stanbacks

I received an email last week from Ida Phillips, communications director for Audubon North Carolina, announcing that Lea Island, a barrier island in Pender County was close to being permanently protected: “One of the last undeveloped barrier islands in North…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:23

Mixing business with birding

A recent program brought together business owners and outdoor enthusiasts who shared a common desire — to promote birding while also taking advantage of its potential economic impact Rob Hawk, the new Jackson and Swain County extension director for the North…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:10

Swain library to hold meeting for teenagers

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:05

A dark story about death, love and loss

Dear readers, if you decide to purchase this amazing novel, please consider the following advice: forget George Romero and the multitudes of lurching zombies that have become common fare in both films and novels. Purge your mind of ravenous, decaying…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:05

WCU professors publish historical Cherokee writings

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:03

Marianna Black invites musicians to jam Dec. 16

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:02

Oak Ridge Boys to perform in Franklin

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.…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:01

Smoky Mountain Brass to join chorus in concert

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:00

WCU sponsors dulcimer workshop at Junaluska

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:59

Day camps planned for snow days

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:58

Auditions for ‘You Know’ planned for Dec. 19

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.…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:58

Christmas family movies at Marianna Black

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,…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:55

Balsam Range to play Canton’s Colonial Dec. 17

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:53

Library contest to feature Lego® creations

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:47

Sparking newfound interest in poetry: Inaugural Haywood Poetry Out Loud District Competition puts prose in the mainstream for local students

In a crowded high-school classroom last Friday, under bright fluorescent lights, a little over 50 people crammed into hard, plastic chairs and desks or stood tucked into corners. A mix of the young and old, students, teachers and adults, they…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:43

Bitter cold makes routine memorable

Sunday, 6 a.m.: Get out of bed, stagger downstairs and start grinding coffee beans. What’s that white sheen through the window? Oh goodness, it must have snowed overnight! I should have moved my car. Stupid weather forecasters — they said…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:42

New regulations are a compromise

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:41

Residents need time to review zoning changes

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:38

Jackson’s new leaders have room for improvement

A bit of a stumble out of the gate can be forgiven among newcomers in any endeavor, but that stumble also means more intense scrutiny is likely to follow. That’s exactly what happened with the new Jackson County commissioners, and…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:37

Sylva “back street” plans moving forward: Grant application due Feb. 10

Three years ago, Holly Hooper and sister Heather Menacof had saved enough money to invest in new windows for the lower part of their popular outfitter store in Sylva, Blackrock Outdoor Company. Then the economy tanked. The sisters were forced…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:36

Jackson County library taking shape

The completion date for Jackson County’s new library is just three months away, but the likelihood the project really will be finished then isn’t that great, construction Manager David Cates of Canton-based Brantley Construction acknowledged late last week. Additional construction…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:33

WCU, Forest Hills continue hammering out Town Center concept

Looming budget cuts to the state’s higher education system won’t interfere with Western Carolina University’s goal of creating a town to call its own, the man tasked with drawing up a project agreement said this week. Tom McClure, director of…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:32

Q&A with Jackson-Swain Extension Director

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:32

Commissioners to hold public hearings Dec. 20

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:31

Burrell recovering after fracturing vertebrae

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:30

Macon planning board uproar subsides

Planning board members in Macon County this week voted against a plan that would have seen their group expand from 11 to 13. “I sat on a board once that had 25 people, the chairman had to break us out…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:28

A changing of the guard at Lake Junaluska: Methodist center with deep Haywood roots works to re-invent itself

Almost a century after its inception, Lake Junaluska Assembly is still a pillar of Haywood County’s heritage, an organic, integral part of its landscape. During those years, the conference center has grown and changed with the region and the times.…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:27

Maggie Valley tries ‘flowery’ marketing idea

Maggie Valley is in the midst of a makeover. The town is taking steps to spruce itself up, modernize and, just maybe, attract a few new visitors and investors. Last month, the town’s aldermen voted unanimously to accept a set…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:26

Jackson Paper host party for local school children

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…
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 20:14

Lomo owners sell to Atlanta entrepreneur

The inside of Waynesville’s 44 Church Street does not, today, bustle with life, warmth and the scintillating scent of food wafting through the air, as it once did. The former home of the storied Lomo Grill is cold and empty;…
Friday, 10 December 2010 18:02

SMN obtains draft agreement between WCU, Forest Hills

A draft agreement between Western Carolina University and the Village of Forest Hills calls for a referendum on mixed drinks, beer and wine if the tiny incorporated community agrees to help create a new “Town Center” for its large neighbor.…
Wednesday, 08 December 2010 21:09

Images etched in memory for a lifetime

I am fascinated by those images from the natural world that remain with us for a lifetime — almost as vivid as when first exposed — while most simply fade away. I have sometimes tried to capture in prose or…
Wednesday, 08 December 2010 21:08

Popular Maggie Moonlight Race returns in 2011

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…
Wednesday, 08 December 2010 21:07

35th annual “Festival of Christmas Past”

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…
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