Bringing the world to Western NC
Rolf Kaufman was there, at the beginning, 35 years ago. Now approaching 88, he’s spent nearly 40 percent of his…
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Sunday Soiree brings flavor to Folkmoot
Last year’s inaugural Sunday Soiree featured the usual festive Folkmoot fun — drinks, dancing and heavy hitters on the stage,…
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Honoring the past, welcoming the future
High atop a mountain overlooking Haywood County, Annie Haslam Colquitt sits across a dining room table at The Swag. A…
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This must be the place: Finding Nirvana is like locating silence
Emerging from the Appalachian Trail on the North Carolina/ Tennessee state line this past Sunday afternoon, a hot southern sun…
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Constant evolution: Jam-rock act to play Highlands
In an era when rock-n-roll has seemingly taken a backseat to hip-hop and electronic acts — on the radio and…
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Plein Air Festival wins award
Southeast Tourism Society has Cashiers Plein Air Festival one of the STS Top 20 Events in the Southeast for July…
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Music to my ears: A conversation with Ricky Skaggs
At 63, Ricky Skaggs has spent just about 58 of those years completely enamored and immersed in that singular “high,…
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This must be the place: Don’t shoot the messenger, literally
It’s something that’s been in the back of my mind for a while now. When news broke last week of…
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Roadworks: Experiential Arts Opportunities
The Western Carolina University College of Fine and Performing Arts presents WCU Roadworks, a free outreach program offering experiential arts…
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New Waynesville gallery, pottery classes
Our Summerhouse Pottery, LLC opened its doors in a very familiar location in downtown Waynesville. The former studio of Dane…
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All-American mutt — Jamie Kent
As the music capital of the world, the bright lights of Nashville have always been a tough place to make…
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This must be the place: The heart has its seasons, its evenings and songs of its own
“If you see all the people playing corn hole in the driveway you’re at the right place,” the familiar voice…
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Everywhere I go is a long way from home: A conversation with Trey Hensley
Over the last few years, guitarist Trey Hensley and dobroist Rob Ickes have crisscrossed the country with their unique brand…
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This must be the place: No guarantees how long we’re going to be here, just enjoy life
I, like many of you reading this, was initially shocked and saddened to hear the news of the recent passing…
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Brighter days, where did they go?
When you find yourself in conversation with JJ Grey, you walk away from the interaction with a kick in your…
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This must be the place: We had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life
Hopping out of my truck, the intense sunshine and humidity of rural central Tennessee in early June slapped me right…
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Franklin art scholarship winners
Justus Leighton Bailey and Abbey Cecilia Siek are the 2018 winners of the Arts Council of Macon County’s $1,000 Arts…
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Belk to donate $20,000 to Haywood Habitat
A special presentation to Haywood Habitat for Humanity will be given at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 9, at Belk in…
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Pickin’ potties: Franklin council debates best bathroom options for events
Tempers flared at the Franklin Town Council meeting Monday night as board members tried to find a solution to a…
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‘Sore loser’ bill would block ballot access for some candidates
North Carolina Republicans were quick to congratulate the first minor political party to gain official recognition by the State Board…
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Cold Mountain Music Festival returns to Lake Logan
The second annual Cold Mountain Music Festival will return June 8-9 to the Lake Logan Conference Center. The festival will…
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Jackson sheriff recognized
Jackson County Sheriff Chip Hall was recently recognized by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee as a…
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WCU launches online dashboard of WNC
Western Carolina University has launched a new online information tool designed to provide easy access to recent economic trends in…
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WCU to get entrance sign
When you enter Western Carolina University from the four-lane, a green-and-white N.C. Department of Transportation sign is the only thing…
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Trustees endorse finalists for WCU chancellor
The Western Carolina University Board of Trustees has endorsed a slate of three finalists for the position of chancellor to…
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WCU celebrates steam plant funding
Western Carolina University got some good news last week when the state legislature approved a budget bill that includes $16.5…
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Cherokee votes no on alcohol
A referendum vote asking Cherokee voters to OK a tribally owned beer, wine and liquor store off casino property failed…
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Jackson wrestles with budget crunch
With the deadline to adopt a new budget drawing ever closer, Jackson County Commissioners are still deliberating how to handle…
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Swain to receive remaining settlement funds
According to an announcement from U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Swain County will finally receive the remaining $35.2 million owed…
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Jackson votes in favor of Blackrock conservation
A 441.5-acre piece of land high in the Plott Balsams is well on its way to being permanently conserved following…
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No small feat: Dwarfs wrestle with perception, performance
Perhaps not unique in that the reasons for both its popularity and its controversy are intertwined like the limbs of…
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Franklin approves tax increase
The Franklin Town Council unanimously approved its 2018-19 budget on Monday night, which includes a 4-cent property tax increase for…
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State budget aims to deliver more for less
Even though the process by which legislative changes to North Carolina’s $23 billion 2018-19 budget were made — shutting out…
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Everybody’s scared, everybody’s inspired: Shovels & Rope to headline Cold Mountain Music Festival
There’s a reason Shovels & Rope has evolved into one of the “must see” live acts in the music scene…
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Maybe believe: A conversation with Jon Stickley
When you dig into the music of The Jon Stickley Trio, you find yourself meandering farther down the rabbit hole,…
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This must be the place
I was thrown into the deep end. When I was 20 years old, I became a substitute teacher. I was…
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All-American bluegrass girl: A conversation with Rhonda Vincent
Hot off the heels of winning the Grammy for “Best Bluegrass Album” this past winter, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage…
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This must be the place: Chasing the American Dream of Breakfast
It’s the only way to eat breakfast. Two eggs, two slices of toast (cut into four triangular pieces), a side…
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WCU Concert Choir to perform in NYC
Performing at certain venues can be the highlight of a musical career, as if the stage itself shares a star…
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Least I got the blues: Justin Townes Earle on songwriting, Van Zandt
When two-thirds of your full name encompasses two-thirds of arguably America’s greatest songwriters, it’s pretty apparent you’ll follow suit —…
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Cry sweet tears of joy, touch the sky
Right around the point of the song “Beginnings” when Chicago singer/keyboardist Robert Lamm belted out the lyrics, “Time passes much…
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Collecting the fire within: Rising string act to headline Sylva festival
It’s one thing to play bluegrass, mountain and old-time music. It’s another thing to dig deep into the rich, intricate…
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This must be the place: Never take those mountains for granted
Standing in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one can’t help but feel refreshed, a return to…
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WCU marching band invited to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band will be enjoying one of the best things about Thanksgiving Day…
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Aw, shucks: Haywood County crafter keeps heritage craft alive, vibrant
You’ve probably driven by the Red Barn Greenhouse & Garden Center on Dellwood Road between Maggie Valley and Waynesville a…
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This must be the place: Never forget what you made, what made you
It seems like a race against time. As a longtime arts and entertainment editor, I find myself in the backwoods…
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Got to keep on travelin’, movin’ on down the line: A conversation with Ronnie McCoury
The charm and allure of bluegrass music resides in its seamless ability to have one foot in the sacred, traditional…
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This must be the place: Head for the whirling sands of your soul
Standing atop an Outer Banks fishing trawler, I gazed across the high desert of northwestern Nevada.
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Greening Up the Mountains 2018
The 21st annual Greening Up the Mountains Festival is Saturday, April 28, in downtown Sylva. The festival includes more than…
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