The life story of Hendersonville resident Marge Cullen isn’t much different than that of many other retirement-aged Americans.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has been a lonely time for many senior citizens, especially those residing in an assisted living facility. 

A second affordable apartment development is coming to Siler Road after the Franklin Town Council approved a special-use permit. 

When Bryson Senior Living, an assisted living facility in Swain County, opens in January, a major void in the community will finally be filled.

It snuck up on me.

By Melanie Threlkeld McConnell • SMN Correspondent

Think of it as somewhere over the rainbow. 

You know the place, only this time not in Oz, in Waynesville, on Frazier Street, behind the parking lot of Sagebrush Steakhouse, in a non-descript building that’s 60-feet long and maybe half that wide. This is where the bluebirds sing, where happiness prevails. 

During rehearsal for her church’s band one Monday night, Paula McElroy called home to check on her 82-year-old husband who suffers from dementia. No answer.