Western Carolina University will welcome prospective students and their families and friends to campus when the university holds its second open house starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10.

Hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Admission, the open house gives visitors a chance to tour the campus, learn about the university’s academic programs and extracurricular opportunities, and find out the important details of topics such as financial aid. The day’s activities will begin with registration and an academic fair located around the concourse of WCU’s Ramsey Regional Activity Center. Following a 10 a.m. welcome session in the main arena of the Ramsey Center, prospective students will have a chance to engage in more in-depth academic sessions led by WCU faculty members. Tours of campus in late morning will be followed by an information fair, where visitors will be able to find out about the many activities, student organizations and services that are available for WCU students.

Lunch will be available at university dining facilities and prospective students can redeem their free lunch voucher at Courtyard Dining Hall or the A.K. Hinds University Center food court.

openhouse.wcu.edu or 828.227.7317 or 877.928.4968.

Maggie Valley Area Lodging Association is once again donating turkey dinners to Haywood County residents this year, which will be distributed at the Haywood County Department of Social Services in Clyde starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20.  

“We are very happy to announce that we have 200 dinners to give away this year to those who need them. We also welcome donations from the community to provide even more boxes this year,” said Phillip White, a member of the association.

The dinners are provided to serve those in need who might not have the means to provide a Thanksgiving dinner for themselves or their family. To receive a turkey dinner box, contact your Social Services representative at 828.452.6620. The Social Services worker will then refer the client’s name to a master list, depending on availability.

To donate turkey dinners, call 828.926.3539.  

Second annual benefit auction for the Haywood County Fairgrounds will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 3 at the fairgrounds.

Donated items for the auction will be accepted beginning at 1 p.m., with the auction scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Items of every description may be donated. Ed Johnson, of Hot Springs, will be the auctioneer. Concessions will be available. For pick-up or delivery of donated items at other times, call Richard Messer at 828.400.1528.

828.456.3575 or 828.400.1978.

21st annual Haywood County Motorcycle Parade and Toy Run will take place at noon Saturday, Nov. 10, starting at Canton’s Town Hall.

This year’s route will take riders up N.C. 110 to Bethel and then turns toward Waynesville on U.S. 276. After turning on Main Street in Waynesville, the parade will continue to Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley. The event provides new toys to deserving children in Haywood County. Toy and cash donations are accepted. All proceeds serve children in the county. In the previous 20 years, motorcyclists have distributed more than $128,000 dollars to various helping agencies in Haywood County.

All toys are distributed through a joint effort of Haywood County Department of Social Services, the Salvation Army and Haywood Christian Ministries. Cash awards are made to nonprofit agencies, including K.A.R.E., The Open Door and R.E.A.C.H. Applications for proceeds from the parade are handled through the Haywood County Department of Social Services.

Donations from non-parade participants may be mailed to: Haywood County Toy Run c/o Cecil Yount, 160 Bethel View Heights, Waynesville, N.C. 28786.

Kids Against Hunger will host a 30,000-meal packing event starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at First Christian Church of Franklin on Bellview Park Road.

Volunteers will package food for hungry families. The items include a nutritious mixture of soy, rice, vegetables, vitamins and minerals. Volunteers are needed to help with the packages.

828.524.6840.

North Carolina Department of Transportation will perform work on two tunnels in the Pigeon River Gorge on Interstate 40 in Haywood County starting next week. 

From Monday, Oct. 29 until Friday, Nov. 2, work will be performed on the tunnel located on I-40 West between Exit 7 (Harmon Den) and the Tennessee border. On Monday, Nov. 5, and Tuesday, Nov. 6, work will be performed on the tunnel located on I-40 East between Exit 7 and Exit 15 (Fines Creek). 

The hours of work will be 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Each day, traffic will be reduced to a single lane at the tunnel site. The work will involve completing a clean of the tunnels’ drainage systems.

To make up for school being cancelled on Tuesday, Oct. 30, Haywood County schools will have class from 8 a.m. until noon, Saturday, Nov. 3 if weather is permitting.

According to Bill Nolte, associate superintendent, the school district misses about eight days per year due to weather. A cut in the number of teacher workdays, typically used to make up days of school missed for weather, has forced administration to use other options, such as Saturday school. The start and end dates imposed by the state legislature on North Carolina schools further restricts scheduling flexibility to make up lost days. Saturday school is typically not used when school is missed late in the week because there is less time to adjust schedules and weather conditions are typically still uncertain.

A Texas hold’em tournament will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 1 at The Classic Wineseller in downtown Waynesville.

All proceeds from the event go to support Haywood County Arts Council programming. First-place winner receives a donation tax credit letter. Buy-in is $100 per person.

828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership is sponsoring a workshop, “The ABC’s of Group Tours,” in two locations to support tourism partners and other businesses that want to develop more group tour business.

On Nov. 6, the workshop will be held at Relia’s Garden Restaurant at the Nantahala Outdoor Center near Bryson City. On Nov. 7, the workshop will be held at the Old Rock School in Valdese. Both workshops will be from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The workshops will be limited to 30 people. The cost is $20, which includes lunch. Reservations are required.

828.298.5330, ext. 303 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

White Knoll High School marching band from Lexington, S.C. was named grand champion at the 12th annual Tournament of Champions, an invitational competition held at Western Carolina University on Oct. 20.

Hickory Ridge High School of Harrisburg won the North Carolina Roll of Honour, which is awarded annually to the band from North Carolina with the highest score in finals competition.

The Tournament of Champions is an annual event hosted by WCU’s award-winning Pride of the Mountains Marching Band. Each year, more than 3,000 high school musicians from across the Southeast come to E.J. Whitmire Stadium on the WCU campus to compete. Twenty-one bands from four states took part in this year’s event.

Bands were evaluated by six expert judges from across the United States who consider how well each band plays, marches and entertains the audience, while additional adjudicators rank drum lines, drum majors and auxiliary units.

Western Carolina University quarterback Troy Mitchell (#10) rushes in for a successful two-point conversion during the fourth quarter of the Oct. 27 match against Appalachian State University.

Singer/songwriters series continues

The next “Songwriters in the Round” event will take place Nov. 3 at the Balsam Mountain Inn.

Renowned southern songwriters Steve Williams, Wil Nance and Wood Newton will be taking the stage, intimately performing alongside a gourmet dinner served by the inn. The evening is $45 per person, which includes dinner, show, tax and tip. Reservations are now available.

828.456.9498.

Tracing the source of mountain music

Guitarist Henry Queen will perform at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 at the First Thursday Old-Time and Bluegrass Jam Series in the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University.

Queen’s performance will focus on the journeys of songs across oceans and through time. A member of the award-winning Queen Family Band of the Johns Creek community, he specializes in the claw-hammer banjo and mountain-country guitar. It will be followed by an 8 p.m. jam session, in which local musicians are invited to participate. Pickers and singers of all ages and experience levels are invited to take part in the jam sessions.

The concerts and sessions will continue at the Mountain Heritage Center through the fall and winter, with programs from 7-9 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. The events are free and open to the public.

828.227.7129.

Library to host community jam

A community music jam will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. Anyone with a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle or dulcimer (anything unplugged) is invited to join. Singers are also welcome. The event is free and open to the public.

The jam is facilitated by Larry Barnett of Grampa’s Music in Bryson City. Normally, he starts by calling out a tune and its key signature, and the group plays it together. Then everyone in the circle gets a chance to choose a song for the group to play together. The community jams offer a chance for musicians of all ages and levels of ability to share music they have learned during the years or learn old-time mountain songs.

The music jams are offered to the public each first and third Thursday of the month, year round. Marianna Black Library, a member of the Fontana Regional Library, is located in downtown Bryson City at the corner of Academy and Rector. 

828.488.3030.

Carvers to hold show on parkway

Western North Carolina Carvers will hold its annual show Nov. 3/4 at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 385) in Asheville.

Registration for competitors will be form 8:30-10:30 a.m. Nov. 3. The show is open to the public 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 3 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 4. Competitors will pick up their entries from 4-5 p.m. Nov. 4.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.252.6877.

Pottery workshop at SCC

Heritage Arts Institute will be holding a pottery workshop from 5:30-9 p.m. Nov. 5 at Southwestern Community College-Swain Center on Almond Road in Bryson City. The event is held in conjunction with the WNC Pottery Festival.

Travis Berning, Alysha Baier and David Long will be demonstrating their pottery making and glazing techniques at the workshop. Anyone may participate in the workshop. There is no cost to attend, but please bring a potluck dish to share (Dinner is at 5:30 p.m.).

WNC Pottery Festival will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 3 on Front Street in Dillsboro. More than 40 artists from 14 states will be selling both functional and decorative pottery. There will also be raku demonstrations and a wood kiln opening at Tree House Pottery. Admission is $3.

828.488.6413.

Tony Award-winning play hits HART

Critically acclaimed “August Osage County” will be performed on select dates in November at the HART Theatre in Waynesville. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9, 10, 16, 17 and 3 p.m. Nov. 11, 18.

“August Osage County” tells the story of a family coming together under extreme conditions when someone has gone missing. As you meet each member, they present one image. As is true with most people, the longer you spend the more you know and, in this case, the darker it gets. It received the 2008 Tony Award for “Best Play”.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $8 for students. There will be special $6 discounted tickets for students during the Sunday matinees.

828.456.6322 or www.harttheatre.com.

In conjunction with the choral music department of Tuscola High School, singer/songwriter Mackenzie Leigh Wilson will hold an album release party for her debut record, “The Start” at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Tuscola High School Auditorium.

‘Beethoven Project’ series continues

The second performance in Western Carolina University’s “Beethoven Project” will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Coulter Building Recital Hall.

The concert will feature Beethoven Sonata Nos. 2 and 7 and “Theme and Variations” for violin and piano by Olivier Messiaen. Bradley Martin, WCU associate professor, will perform on piano along with Justin Bruns, assistant concertmaster from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, on violin. 

“The Beethoven Project” will run through the spring semester at WCU and will feature the performance of all 10 Beethoven violin sonatas.

The event is free and open to the public.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.227.3726.

Choral concert at WCU

Western Carolina University School of Music will present the Fall Choral Concert at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1 in the Coulter Building Recital Hall.

Featured student ensembles are the University Chorus, Early Music Ensemble and Concert Choir. The choirs will be conducted by Michael Lancaster, director of choral activities at WCU. The performance is free and open to the public.

828.227.7242.

Fall jazz festival wraps-up

Finishing up a month-long festival of jazz and food, The Classic Wineseller and Satin Steel Jazz will present the Steve Davidowski Duo at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at The Classic Wineseller in downtown Waynesville.

Tickets include dinner from Angelino’s Piattino Ristorante in The Classic Wineseller and a three-hour show. Reservations/tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Dinner and music begins at 7 p.m.

828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

Renowned pianist set to play church

Critically acclaimed pianist David Troy Francis will perform at 3 p.m. Nov. 4 at the First Baptist Church in Waynesville. The concert is a “donate-what-you-can-afford” event.

Francis was born in Memphis and is best known for his steadfast championing and performance of contemporary American music. Now living in Asheville, he is an esteemed concert pianist and recording artist as well as a respected composer, arranger and accompanist. Among his many accolades, he has been nominated for “Best Score” by the Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle Awards and awarded three consecutive ASCAP Plus Awards for musical excellence.

Franklin parade seeking applicants

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce has entry forms available for the 2012 Christmas Parade. With “A Country Christmas” as this year’s theme, the parade is scheduled for 3 p.m. Nov. 25.

Judging of the floats will begin promptly at 2 p.m., and prize money will be awarded.

Terry Bradley will be this year’s Grand Marshall. Bradley served 30 years on the Franklin Police Department and was chief of police for 18 of those years. Each entry can choose its own location to disband. No Santas are allowed on any float other than the traditional Santa float, which signifies the end of the parade. Candy cannot be thrown but is allowed to be handed out by walkers alongside the float. ATVs or motorcycles are prohibited. Businesses wishing to purchase the use of a commercial float may do so again this year at a cost of $500. Entry fees are $25 for all entries.

www.franklin-chamber.com or 828.524.3161.

Waynesville parade deadline nearing

Titled “Dreaming of a White Christmas,” the annual Waynesville Christmas Parade will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 3. The deadline for parade applicants is noon Nov. 16.

The parade route starts at Walnut/Main Street, proceeds south on Main Street and ends at the intersection of Haywood/Main Street.

No Santas are allowed on any float other than the traditional Santa float, which signifies the end of the parade. Candy cannot be thrown but is allowed to be handed out by walkers alongside the float. Large vehicles are prohibited. Full rules, entry fees and applications can be found online.

828.456.3517 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or www.downtownwaynesville.com.

Nickelodeon’s favorite characters celebrate autumn and going back to school on the big screen during family movie at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Dora embarks on an expedition to rescue her class’s hamster; Blue joins the soccer team and learns the alphabet; and the loopy “Yo Gabba Gabba” gang celebrate Halloween. The Wonder Pets return to the classroom for a new school year, and Mel throws a “super swell dance party.”

The movies are free to the public and projected onto an 8-by-10-foot screen, with a theater sound system. The library will also be giving away one free movie check out voucher to each patron who attends the event.

828.488.3030.

Denise Drury, interim director of the Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum, was recently named to the North Carolina Museums Council board of directors and will serve as arts section chair.

As chair, Drury is charged with taking the pulse of what’s happening at art museums across North Carolina and using that information to create programming for the annual meeting and content for the arts section listserv. Drury moderates the recently revived listserv, which enables NCMC arts section members to post questions, comments and suggestions

NCMC works to enhance public education by improving the administrative, interpretive and collections practices of museums, historic sites, science centers and related facilities in North Carolina.

The Blue Dragon Tae Kwon Do Expo will be held at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at the MedWest Health and Fitness Center in Waynesville.

Kids Advocacy Resource Effort (K.A.R.E.) will host its 3rd annual Festival of Trees fundraiser and live auction at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at Laurel Ridge Country Club.

The event will begin with a cocktail hour and live music by Marc Pruett of Balsam Range and his wife Anita. Voice in the Laurels will also perform several holiday selections. Dinner will be served with a live auction to follow. All proceeds will directly benefit K.A.R.E.’s programs, which provide services to child victims of abuse and their families. Tickets can be purchases by phone or online.

828.456.8995 or www.karehouse.org.

The newly formed Haywood Area Wholistic Integrative Practitioners group (known as HAWIP) is throwing a silent auction and reception at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at Where Angels Gather, a holistic retail store and education center at 124 Miller St. in Waynesville.

HAWIP members are actively gathering donated items and gift certificates from local businesses and service providers/practitioners. Donations will be accepted until Nov. 8.

In addition to the auction, the event will include food, door prizes, and entertainment by local musicians.

All funds raised will go to K.A.R.E., a local organization dedicated to relieving the suffering of abused and neglected children through counseling, education and compassion.

Anyone with questions or donations can call 828.558.4139 or 828.246.2682 or 828.550.7685.

The November meeting of The Sylva Garden Club will be held at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 6 at The Tuckasegee Trading Company in Sylva.

Refreshments will be served, and the meeting will begin at 10 a.m. The program will be “Create a Wreath Workshop.” After the business meeting, members and guests will travel to Larry Haskett Wholesale Christmas Tree Farm in Tuckasegee for a workshop on creating your own personal Christmas wreath. The cost of workshop is $15, which should be paid that day. This will include all materials. Attendees are encouraged to bring embellishments to add to their wreath.

The Sylva Garden Club meets the first Tuesday of every month (September-May) and is open to the public.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

“Once in a Lifetime,” a satiric look back at the Golden Age of Hollywood will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8-10 in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

Students and faculty members from Western Carolina University’s athletic training program finished the 2012 Mountain Jug Run for Research in record time, completing the 175-mile relay run from Boone to Cullowhee in 29 hours, nine minutes and 17 seconds.

It is time to pack up and move indoors. Saturday Nov. 27 marks the last weekend of the season that the Jackson County Farmers Market will be held outdoors. The market is located in the Bridge Park parking lot from 9 a.m. to noon.

An all-day workshop put on by the Growing Minds Farm to School program will help schools connect with local farmers and teach children the importance of healthy, locally grown food Nov. 10 at University of North Carolina Asheville’s Sherrill Center.

Students and professionals in outdoor education fields will partake in the annual Adventure Education Conference, Nov. 2 at Western Carolina University. The conference, hosted by the WCU parks and recreation management program, will offer interaction through presentations and networking opportunities.

The event’s theme is “Twenty Years of Adventure.” Workshops, exhibits, presentations and hands-on learning opportunities — many of them in outdoor settings — are featured throughout the conference. The keynote speaker at 9:30 a.m. will be WCU’s Winford “Windy” Gordon, assistant professor of psychology.

The Adventure Education Conference began at Western Carolina with students in the Parks and Recreation Majors Club in 1992.

Registration is $25 for students or $30 for non-students and includes catered breakfast and lunch. Door prizes will be given.

This year, the conference is sponsored by Falling Creek Camp for boys in Zirconia. and Camp Merrie Woode for girls near Sapphire. 828.227.3843 or 828.227.3844 or 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..

A birder, ecologist and forester will lead a guided fall hike through Waynesville’s 8,600-acre preserved watershed from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3.

Naturalist and birder Don Hendershot and Blair Ogburn of Balsam Mountain Trust will talk about the flora and fauna. Peter Bates of Western Carolina University’s forestry department will answer questions about the watershed property and forest management plan.

The 8,600-acre preserved tract is the source of Waynesville’s drinking water and is typically off limits to public recreation. The tract rises from Allens Creek in South Waynesville up the steep mountain slopes to the Blue Ridge Parkway, a total elevation gain of 3,000 feet to the 6,200 foot peak of Richland Balsam.

The creeks running through the watershed feed a 50-acre reservoir that provides water to 18,000 residents of the town of Waynesville and Haywood County. Participants must be able to hike downhill for 3 to 5 miles at a moderate pace. Hikers should bring rain gear, snacks, and birders should bring their binoculars. No pets allowed. These hikes have become increasingly popular, and advanced registration is required. 828.452.2491 or townofwaynesville.org.

Free hunter safety courses will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 5-7 on the Haywood Community College campus. Participants must attend the three consecutive evenings to receive their certification.

The HCC’s Natural Resources Division and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission will offer the classes. There are no age limits. Pre-registration is required.

www.ncwildlife.org or 828.627.4521.

Haywood Community College’s Timbersports Team took first place by a landslide at the John G. Palmer Intercollegiate Woodsmen’s Meet held at the Cradle of Forestry earlier this month.

Bicycle Haywood NC and Haywood County both received top awards from a national planning organization for their bicycle advocacy work.

The creation of Haywood County’s Comprehensive Bicycle Plan and Health Impact Assessment helped Bicycle Haywood clinch top honors in the “Comprehensive Planning, Multijurisdictional or Regional Project” category from the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association .

The methods used to develop the Bicycle Plan included several innovative efforts to identify the bicycling needs for the rugged mountain environment in Haywood County and to establish a countywide framework for implementation of a connected bicycle system linking the county’s four towns, its natural areas, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and adjacent counties.

Bicycle Haywood NC for its initiative in formed ways to organize and pay for a countywide bicycle plan without monetary contributions from local governments and for paid attention to all levels of cycling ability and its emphasis on the health and economic benefits of cycling.

The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee will host its fall celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at Rainbow Springs along the Upper Nantahala River in Macon County.

The day includes music, activities for kids, an aquatic insect hunt, a plant exhibit and cultural demonstrations. The land trust’s annual conservation awards will be presented at 11:30 a.m. All activities are free, including chili, hotdogs and dessert.

From Franklin, take U.S. 64 West towards Hayesville for 13 miles. Take the second driveway on the left after you pass the intersection with Old 64 (the road that goes to Standing Indian Campground). Look for LTLT Event Signs.

828.524.2711, ext. 304 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Library showcases author for book discussion

 Kimberly Brock will do a presentation based on her novel, The River Witch, at 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. Brock will read selections from the book and take questions from the audience.

A mystical southern tale set in the Sea Islands off the South Carolina/Georgia coast, ballerina Roslyn Bryne loses her career and suffers a tragic miscarriage, her grief sends her into a desperate exile to the mystical Manny’s Island where she rents a lonely house that once belonged to a conjure woman. But instead of solitude, Roslyn is confronted with the audacious, motherless Damascus Trezevant and an unforgettable summer follows.

828.586.2016 or www.fontanalib.org.

Writer celebration in Dillsboro

Catch the Spirit of Appalachia will showcase local writers during “A Writer’s Celebration” at 6 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Carriage Room of the Jarrett House in Dillsboro.

By the end of the year, Catch the Spirit of Appalachia will have published nine new books by local writers. This brings the total of published books by the nonprofit organization to 66 books since 1996. To celebrate this achievement, “A Writer’s Celebration” will include a reading performance, refreshments and book signing for the authors of the books they’ve recently published. The program will consist of original prose, poetry and song from Jack Hinson, Sophia Brooks, Jean Frady, Marlene Dillon, Victoria McDonald, Jim Staggers, Linda Dickert, Betty Brown, Ray Carpenter, Pam Dengler, Janie McKinley, Terry Michelsen and Barbara Woodall.

There will be a reception and book signing to follow at 7 p.m.

Author debuts historical novel

Katherine Scott Crawford will read from her debut historical novel, Keowee Valley, at 2 p.m. Oct. 27th at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

In the spring of 1768, the Southern frontier was a treacherous place inhabited by the powerful Cherokee people. In Charlestown, 25-year-old Quincy McFadden receives news from beyond the grave. Her cousin, whom she believed to be long dead, is in fact alive, but being held captive by the Shawnee. Unmarried, bookish and plagued by visions of the future, Quinn is a woman out of place and this is the adventure she has long been waiting for.  

828.586.9499.

To the Editor:

First, I want to thank The Smoky Mountain News for co-sponsoring the political candidate forum held at the Jackson County Public Library on Oct. 15. It was perhaps the most meaningful forum of its type I’ve seen, with relevant questions posed and answered.

But, mostly I’m writing because I’d like to further the public discussion that began at the forum about climate change.  There are a growing number of people who feel an urgency about climate change and who are deeply troubled that this issue is not often part of the dialog in political campaigns or news coverage in general. Legitimate scientists who in the past were skeptical about climate change are rapidly coming to accept the alarming findings of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as the evidence has mounted and become overwhelming.

Climate change is real. It is mostly man-made. And it’s happening faster than we ever thought it would. As I mentioned at the forum, even a comprehensive study funded by the Charles Koch Charitable Foundation that was intended to disprove the reality of human-caused climate change proved the opposite and converted the team of 12 scientists who conducted the study into believers and climate activists (see Dr. Richard Muller, The Conversion of a Climate Skeptic, NY Times, July 28, 2012).

We are already beginning to feel some of the consequences of climate change. The ice caps are receding, glaciers are disappearing, sea levels are rising. There are low-lying islands that are already threatened. Tropical diseases and insects are moving northward. Invasive plants are threatening forests and farms. Extreme weather conditions are bringing drought to some areas, flooding to other areas, tornados to places that have rarely experienced them. But, the scientists who correctly predicted this would happen are now telling us this is just the beginning and it’s going to get worse unless we do something to reverse the buildup of carbon and methane in our atmosphere.

There is a misconception that climate change is only a national and international problem. Even The Smoky Mountain News reporter stated in the article about the forum that this question seemed inappropriate for local candidates to address. I couldn’t disagree more. Whatever happened to “Think Globally, Act Locally?” There are many things local elected officials can do to address climate change. I thought Mark Jones, candidate for commissioner, voiced some good ideas related to choices in transportation and the types of industry we invite into our community, for instance.

In addition, the scale and direction we’ll have to take to confront the climate crisis has the potential to generate a new industrial revolution around clean energy, clean transportation and energy efficiency. This can rejuvenate our economy and create millions of jobs. All levels of government will need to be involved. There couldn’t be anything more important than making climate change a priority issue during this campaign season. We have this responsibility toward ourselves and future generations.

Avram Friedman,

Canary Coalition executive director

Sylva

To the Editor:

As I was engaged in a peace vigil in front of the Haywood County Courthouse recently, a passerby said to me, “No, Obama!” I asked, “Why?” His reply, “He’s not a Christian.” I said, “Oh yes he is,” and started explaining. But he was gone.

It is perplexing why people will oppose one candidate on the fallacious belief that he is not a Christian, while favoring the other who belongs to what a prominent evangelical has called a “cult.” For those who base their vote on a candidate’s religion (I’m not among them), I offer this comparison:

When he lived in Chicago, Barack Obama was an active member of Trinity United Church of Christ, a mainline denomination. At that time it was the largest UCC church in the world. I knew this congregation well because they sent a steady stream of dedicated and able young people to the United Methodist seminary where I taught (and to other seminaries as well) to be trained for the Christian ministry. Here is their mission statement:  

“... called by God to be a congregation that is not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and that does not apologize for its African roots. As a congregation of baptized believers, we are called to be agents of liberation not only for the oppressed, but for all of God’s family. We, as a church family, acknowledge, that we will ... call men, women, boys and girls to the liberating love of Jesus Christ, inviting them to become a part of the church universal, responding to Jesus’ command that we go into all the world and make disciples!”

In contrast, a study of Mormonism reveals the following among their beliefs:  

There are two separate “flesh and bone” deities, Jehovah and Jesus, the gods of this universe. There are other gods of other universes, with one supreme “president god” over all. Each god has a harem of goddesses. Jehovah came to earth as Adam with one of his wives, Eve, for the purpose of populating this world. Later, Jehovah-Adam had sex with Mary to father Jesus. Jesus had many wives, including Mary and Martha of Bethany and Mary of Magdala. Jehovah was once a man like all human beings. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared in a cloud over America and preached. In 1827, the son of Mormon, Moroni, appeared to Joseph Smith and showed him a record written on golden plates. The writing was in “reformed Egyptian,” so a set of magic spectacles were provided that converted the inscriptions into English. This was the Book of Mormon, which is God’s last word, superseding (though not displacing) the revelations of the Bible and Jesus Christ.

When my wife and I served as Christian missionaries in Samoa several years ago, the Mormons there tried hard to convert us to their religion. They did not succeed with us, but they have converted thousands of Polynesian Christians to Mormonism over the years.

Mitt Romney is a Mormon. He was missionary in France for three years, trying to convert Christians to Mormonism. Later, he was a bishop for four years. One does not achieve such a high position without subscribing to their beliefs.

 By no means do I advocate voting based on a candidate’s religion. But I do strongly object to spreading misinformation about Obama not being a Christian — when in Washington he now attends the National Cathedral (Episcopal) — while promoting Romney, who is silent about his religious beliefs which include those mentioned above.

A word to the wise ....

Doug Wingeier,

Waynesville

To the Editor:

A candidate forum was held in Sylva on Oct. 15, 2012. The forum was sponsored by the Macon County League of Women Voters, Canary Coalition, Occupy WNC and The Smoky Mountain News.

There were two candidates participating in the forum for Jackson County Commission, two for N.C. House District 119, and two for N.C. Senate District 50. The sponsors of the forum asked questions that were answered, in turn, by each of the candidates. In a nonpartisan fashion, Republicans and Democrats alternated answering first or second, for each of the positions.

The forum was enlightening and it was readily apparent that most of the candidates were well prepared to answer each of the questions and clearly stated their positions on the issues.

Some questions were presented to only the candidates for Senate, incumbent Jim Davis, R-Franklin, and challenger John Snow. Their answers to the questions were informative and revealing. The contrast between these two gentlemen was astounding.

Jim Davis was forceful, erudite and concise. His answers consisted of facts, ideas and specific solutions. Davis was direct, explicit and coherent.

John Snow, on the other hand, was halting, hesitant, and by the end of the evening, appeared to be very weary. Some of his answers consisted of facts, but also much digression and lots of paraphrasing. Snow tended to ramble, rephrase, and simply restate, over and over, the same thought.

Snow needed to have a question repeated, even after it had been answered by others. He admitted that he did not answer the question on climate change. When answering the question on women’s issues he spoke very softly, looking at the moderator, not the audience, the entire time.

Jim Davis gave a two- to three-minute answer to a question regarding genetically modified food. When it was Snow’s turn to answer he simply stated, “I agree with him.” The next question was regarding Amend-ment 10 and it was Snow’s turn to answer first. He declined. Davis answered the question first.

Our state senator needs to have the ability and capability to represent us effectively. The job is demanding and rigorous, requiring robust energy. It’s not just the mental demands that are challenging, but also the physical demands — driving back and forth to Raleigh can sap one’s strength.

Voters have a right to know if a candidate is able to fulfill the duties of the office. Davis certainly appears to be up to par. Was Snow, like our president during the first debate, unprepared, off his game, simply having a bad night? You be the judge. View the Sylva video at http://thunderpigblog.blogspot-.com/2012/10/video-of-sylva-candidate-issue-forum.html#.UIBxnrQuSdI

Gail Chapman

Otto

To the Editor:

Campaign advertising is all around us. Much of it is in the form of attack ads meant to make us vote against particular candidates. These ads are full of misstatements and just plain lies. Behind the attack ads is money, and behind the money is that old devil greed.

When an ad is focused on making one of the candidates look bad, we need to consider some questions.

1. What is this? It’s an attack ad. There may or may not be truth in it, but if there happens to be any, there’s no way you can tell it from the lies.

2. Who paid for it? A super-rich corporation and/or people with special interests involving money to protect. They may be hiding their identities behind patriotic-sounding names chosen to make it seem that they represent ordinary people.

3. What do they want? They want to elect candidates who will help them to get even richer at the expense of the rest of us. They want fewer social services and less effective education. They want more deregulation, tearing down laws that protect ordinary people.

4. Why should we care? Particularly on the local and state levels, we can have a real influence. There are some good candidates here. Your vote is important to help them to get elected, to protect your interests and those of your family.

5. What should we do? When an attack ad reaches you, there are two good choices. One is to ignore it. The other is to vote for a candidate who is the victim of a large number of attacks. With so much money being spent against the candidate by special interests, he or she must be a good person that they are afraid will win.

Sandra A. Lovegrove

Franklin

To the Editor:

Mitt Romney continuously switches positions to appease his audience. I am citing only a few examples. In the January presidential debate, he said the Supreme Court should overturn Roe v. Wade, but now says he was never pro-life and he supports women’s rights (oops, he changed his position again yesterday). He said he did not want to join the military and go to Vietnam, but now wishes he had. Says he does not want to privatize Social Security, but now says it is the easiest place to cut by using vouchers. Says he wants a 20 percent tax rate for everybody and to eliminate taxes on capital gains and that this will not lower taxes on the rich? He firmly believes in “the trickle down” effect.

He absolutely refuses to release any tax returns prior to 2010, but stated he has always paid about a 14 percent tax rate. However he did not claim all his charitable contributions in 2011 because his tax rate would have dropped below 14 percent. He invests much of his fortune overseas to avoid paying taxes. Says he is not concerned about 47 percent of American because they are leeches. Now he says he is concerned about the 100 percent.

Sheldon Adelson will personally donate $100 million to the Republican campaign and expects nothing in return? Romney’s wealth exceeds the combined wealth of all presidents’ wealth combined since Nixon. And he can identify with the middle class?

This is an important election so please exercise your right to vote.

Ron Rokstool

Maggie Valley

To the Editor:

The economy is the largest accident ever designed by man. We think we can’t control it, but we the people do. Unfortunately, it’s human nature that is in control and not our logic. 

Trickle-down Reaganomics is one attempt at control. The idea is to give tax cuts to people that don’t need them.  These people will then invest that money in their businesses, if they have one. They will hire workers, if they need them.  They will buy more and better equipment, if it’s need, etc.  This spending will end the recession. If you are having trouble comprehending the efficiency of this, some might ridicule you for not having an advanced degree in economics.

Taking a look at it from what really controls the economy, human nature, it is easier to understand. Indulge me with just one small example. Let’s pretend we are rich. We own businesses that like most are limping along. Demand for our products is down. We are eking out a profit only because payroll and expenses have been cut. Things are OK, but any dip in the economy would likely mean a loss or even bankruptcy. 

Let’s pretend an income tax break puts $50,000 in our hands. We want to invest it, but how? More inventory? Inventory on hand is barely moving. Another employee?  Too costly. More advertising? Foolish. Purchase more equipment? We are getting by with what we have. Another product line or service? Potential profit could be years away. The competition is not significantly investing big in anything; why should we?

What to do with the $50,000? No problem; we’re rich. We have financial advisors. They are all too happy to invest our money in the market, and they are right. Financial investments are making money. Although it will earn only a few percent, there is little chance of total loss. Even a 30s-style crash would not mean a total loss of investment like bankruptcy. Our bonds and hedge funds have protection from loss anyway. The only jobs created or protected are those of the money managers themselves. Call it, “No stockbroker left behind.”

Think these advisors are only after commissions. Take a look at where top financial experts in the huge banks are putting their banks’ money. Remember the bank bail out money? Remember the money given to banks so that they could refinance folks’ underwater mortgages? Many legislators would not vote for the measures until restrictions were removed, saying that the bankers knew best what to do with the money. They did; the money went right into financial investments. It paid off big. They got big bonuses. Unfortunately, the poor homeowners behind on their mortgages received only pennies of the money intended for them. 

You can risk your $50,000 in your tottering business. As for me, I will follow the smart money. I will invest it, perhaps in financial institutions helping rich people invest tax cut money. When conditions warrant, my $50,000 plus interest will be available for my business.

Still thinking income tax cuts for the rich will restart the economy? Good luck. Don’t spend your pretend $50,000 all in one place.

Warren Riley

Franklin

To the Editor:

Mark Meadows and Romney-Ryan believe business can exist and prosper without government, that business owners build their businesses on their own. Obama’s message is that business owners rely on public funded infrastructure to move goods to market, public education to train workers, and public health programs to protect the community and maintain a healthy workforce. He believes that public and private sectors work together to move this country forward.

On the other hand, Meadows and his Republican colleagues hope to dismantle public institutions: privatize schools, prisons, etc. They wish to deregulate banking and Wall Street by overturning Dodd-Frank and create the same scenario that collapsed the economy in the first place. Romney would allow the too-big-to-fail banks to crash and burn rather than use Dodd-Frank’s systematic approach that is less of a shock to the economy of the U.S. and the world.

Romney’s and Meadows’ economic plan moves us in the wrong direction. They would also defund regulatory agencies that protect the workplace, the food we ingest and the air we breathe. They say they’re going to increase oil drilling and natural gas fracking without environmental safeguards. They say gasoline prices are going to be lower as a result. You know that’s untrue by the mere fact that oil companies are exporting gasoline overseas right now. Unless Meadows and Romney are going to nationalize the oil industry to keep American crude here, the product is going to the highest bidder. 

The Romney-Ryan budget has been declared immoral by the Catholic Church. Mark Meadows proudly claims himself a devout Christian but supports the Republican platform that essentially takes from the poor to give to the rich.

The average CEO of a major corporation makes roughly 300 times his lowest paid employee. In the 1960s it was 30 times and the wealthy paid a tax rate of 60 percent. Since Reagan-Bush the corporate elites have whittled it down to less than 36 percent and the country has been going deeper in debt. Due to offshore accounts, some corporations don’t pay any federal tax.  Romney pays a mere 15 percent federal income tax. The unions, representing the middle class, have been and are being systematically attacked by Republican lawmakers across the nation while our wages remain stagnant and our buying power eroded.  The middle class decline in wages and benefits began with Reagan-Bush and are sure to continue with Meadows and Romney-Ryan if elected. Paul Ryan even wants to do away with the minimum wage and it ain’t because he wants businesses to pay you more.

Bill Hodge

Otto

To the Editor:

It is November, which means it is election time. As we all know election time means campaign time. I believe the front page headline from the Asheville Citizen-Times that read “Local Political Ads Get Uglier and Costlier” did a good job of summing up the feelings of most citizens about campaign signs and advertisements. 

I personally find all of the small signs that are placed on the side of the roads not only visually unattractive but very close to annoying. I find it worse to see four or five signs in a row from the same candidate within 25 feet of one another.

This especially goes towards Marty Jones. On multiple occasions while driving through Jackson County I see this happening with him. He has gone as far as nailing them to multiple trees along the side of the road. Is that even permissible? Now, not only are you forced to see them while driving down the road, some people are forced to see them as they walk out of their house every morning.

I thought those were bad enough, but Marty took that to another level when placing his larger picture signs in the Cashiers Commercial district. Those signs are not only visually polluting this beautiful mountain city, they are just plain illegal. In the Cashiers Commercial District signs are only allowed to be 12 square feet. His signs are well over that size. As someone who is running for commissioner I expect that person to either set an example or minimally abide by the standards set.

I do not think of an aspiring leader as someone who would knowingly break county ordinances to obtain votes. If someone cannot follow ordinances already in place, what would a person do as a commissioner trying to put ordinances in place and run a county that over 40,000 people call home? Marty Jones, who proclaims himself as the right Jones, is simply wrong!  

 Brian Humphreys

Cashiers

To the Editor:

Seldom do I cross party lines in politics. However, there is one Republican candidate I will vote for: Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin. My reason is that during his term in office he has been committed to serving those in this area and statewide who have disabilities, whether those disabilities are mental or physical or a combination. We are seeing a higher number than ever with disabilities and these citizens should not be ignored. A strong advocate is needed within the state legislature to assure their rights are protected and services not diminished. Mr. Davis has proven himself as a strong and very concerned advocate for this segment of our population.

David Redman

Sylva

The presidential debates of the 2012 election are now behind us. Barack Obama, the Democratic incumbent president running for re-election, and Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee and former governor of Massachusetts, made their pitches to the voters who watched them engage one another for almost five hours on three separate occasions.

A Haywood Community College political science class got a good dose of the mechanics of voting by running a voter registration booth on campus.

“These students did this on their own time,” said Greg McLamb, HCC Lead History instructor. “Voting in one of the most important things we can do as American citizens so seeing the registration process firsthand was a great service learning project for them.”

The MedWest Health System Chaplaincy Service, Haywood Community Connections and Mountain Projects are hosting a free Caregivers Unite support group meeting from 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Senior Resource Center of Haywood County in Waynesville.

The Caregivers Unite support group gives caregivers an opportunity to share feelings and lessons learned as caregivers and receive information and tips.

The Caregivers Unite support group meets the last Tuesday of each month at the Senior Resource Center at 81 Elmwood Way off Russ Avenue.

Both short-term and long-term caregivers are welcome, and the group is open to people caring for individuals with all types of medical illnesses.

828.356.2816.

The Golden LEAF Foundation and Swain County are hosting a community forum at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at Room at the Business Training Center at 45 East Ridge Road in Bryson City.

The purpose of the forum is to discuss the Golden LEAF Foundation’s Community Assistance Initiative, which offers funding for economic improvement projects.

The Community Assistance Initiative is a grant-making process targeting economically distressed counties across North Carolina and is currently being launched in Swain County. The forum is an informational session to review the program and the process.

888.684.8404 or www.goldenleaf.org or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The newly formed Haywood Area Wholistic Integrative Practitioners group (known as HAWIP) is hosting a silent auction and reception 6:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at Where Angels Gather, a holistic retail store and education center on 124 Miller St. in Waynesville.

HAWIP members are actively gathering donated items and gift certificates from local businesses and service providers/practitioners. Donations will be accepted until Nov. 8.

In addition to the auction, the event will include food, door prizes, and entertainment by local musicians.

All funds raised will go to K.A.R.E., a local organization dedicated to relieving the suffering of abused and neglected children through counseling, education and compassion.

Anyone with questions or donations can call 828.558.4139 or 828.246.2682 or 828.550.7685.

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The Maggie Valley Area Lodging Association is once again donating turkey dinners to Haywood County residents this year, which will be distributed at the Haywood County Department of Social Services in Clyde starting at 10 a.m. Nov. 20.

“We are very happy to announce that we have 200 dinners to give away this year to those who need them. We also welcome donations from the community to provide even more boxes this year,” said Phillip White, a member of the association.

The dinners are provided to serve those in need who might not have the means to provide a Thanksgiving dinner for themselves or their family.

To receive a turkey dinner box, contact your Social Services representative at 828.452.6620. The Social Services worker will then refer the client’s name to a master list depending on availability.

To donate more turkey dinners, call 828.926.3539.

•••

Western Carolina University will welcome prospective students and their families to campus when the university holds its second open house starting at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 10.

Hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Admission, the open house gives visitors a chance to tour the campus, learn about the university’s academic programs and extracurricular opportunities, and find out important details about topics such as financial aid.

Activities will begin with registration and an academic fair located around the concourse of WCU’s Ramsey Regional Activity Center. Following a 10 a.m. welcome session in the main arena of the Ramsey Center, prospective students will have a chance to engage in in-depth academic sessions led by WCU faculty members.

Tours of campus in late morning will be followed by an information fair, where visitors will be able to find out about activities, organizations and services that are available for WCU students.

Lunch will be available at university dining facilities, and prospective students can redeem their free lunch voucher at Courtyard Dining Hall or the A.K. Hinds University Center food court.

openhouse.wcu.edu or 828.227.7317 or 877.928.4968.

Jazz festival continues in Waynesville

The Classic Wineseller and Satin Steel Jazz continue their month-long jazz series with the Michael Jefry Stevens Duo at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 in downtown Waynesville. Besides music, the evening also includes dinner from Angelino’s Piattino Ristorante, located in The Classic Wineseller. The series culminates with the Steve Davidowski Duo on Nov. 3.

Reservations are $25 per person in advance and $30 at the door.

828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

Community band to do tribute

Haywood Community Band will present a special concert honoring the memory of their founding director Bob Hill at 3 p.m. Nov. 4 at the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville.

The event will feature several musical pieces that were favorites of Hill’s, which includes “Honor March,” directed by friend Dick Travarthen, a retired professor of music from Western Carolina University. The band’s four directors will each direct a piece of music.

828.456.4880 or www.haywoodcommunityband.org.

Choir to perform nocturnal themes

Voices in the Laurel presents “Music of the Night” at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at the First Baptist Church in Waynesville. The entire concert is based on nocturnal themes, with all three Voices in the Laurel choirs performing, as well as some special guests.

A few of the choral numbers will include the Treble Makers singing a song called “Bones”, in which the young singers sing and play instrumental soundscapes. Chamber Choir will sing “Old Abram Brown,” “Dance to the Stars and the Moon” and the Celtic melody “The Voice.” The highlight of the choral presentation will be selections from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway sensation “Phantom of the Opera.”

This is the first concert in the series this year Ticket are $15 per person or $50 for a season pass (includes four concerts).

www.voicesinthelaurel.org or 828.335.2849.

World-class ventriloquist and musician Taylor Mason will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.