With less than two years gone since Tropical Storm Fred destroyed lives and property  along the Pigeon River in Haywood County, flood resiliency remains top of mind for local leaders.

During his 30 years living and teaching in Western North Carolina, Maurice Phipps has heard countless tales of tragedy and near misses set in the Southern Appalachian backcountry — people falling off waterfalls , shivering in the cold  while awaiting rescue after a wrong turn on the trail, or logging hair-raising experiences with wildlife .

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor | Go into any retail store and you will feel that you are already behind in buying gifts on behalf of Jolly Old Saint Nicholas.  As the retail industry sets you up to spend, spend, spend…I want to arm you with a secret feng shui weapon that will help you hold, hold, hold abundant energy in your home and bank account. I’m going to teach you to look for, identify, and shore up a major energy leak that most people feel but don’t know what it is or how to change it. I’m offering this info well in advance of Christmas as this remedy needs at least 30 days to take effect and I don’t want you to stress out during the most wonderful time of the year!