A program featuring scaly reptiles as the stars will return to the Jackson County Public Library at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, June 25.

Volunteers are needed for a summer monitoring project involving up-close contact with birds.

The Women’s Work Festival in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will give a glimpse into the historical roles rural women held in their families and communities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 20.

The live stage production of “Dancing With The Stars: Live!” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at Harrah’s Cherokee.

Following a sold-out winter tour and the 10th Anniversary Season of ABC’s hit show “Dancing with the Stars,” “Dancing with the Stars: Live!” is going back on the road giving fans the opportunity to see their favorite stars dance live in their hometowns, visiting over 40 cities across America. Hosted by Dancing with the Stars All-Stars champion Melissa Rycroft, the ‘Perfect Ten Tour’ presents a one-of-a-kind touring production.

For tickets, www.harrahscherokee.com.

There will be a summer art camp held June 22-26 at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro.

Ages 4-6 will be 10 a.m. to noon, with ages 7-10 at 1 to 3 p.m. Campers will explore various creative techniques in drawing, painting and sculpture. Using professional and age-appropriate techniques, campers will create original works of art. Possibilities are endless, and include nature studies, paper mache, animal portraits, masks, fairy houses, self-portraits and landscape painting. 

Instructor will be Julie Jacobson, a master artist with over a decade of teaching experience. She is a certified North Carolina k-12 art teacher, occasional college professor, and enjoys sharing her love of art with people of all ages from pre-K to college.  

To sign up or for more information, contact Jacobson at 828.575.0270 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

“An Appalachian Evening,” a summer bluegrass/Americana weekly concert series, will return to the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center in Robbinsville.

The 2015 series will include The Snyder Family Band July 19, The Walking Roots Band July 25, Balsam Range Aug. 1, Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’Blues Aug. 8, The Jeff Little Trio Aug. 15, Henhouse Prowlers Aug. 22 and The Kruger Brothers Aug. 29. Season tickets are $150, with separate show ticket prices varying. 

www.stecoahvalleycenter.com or 828.479.3364.

The stage production of the classic Alfred Hitchcock thriller “The 39 Steps” will held at 3 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

A “BBQ & Brews Dinner Train” will be departing at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad depot in Bryson City.

The 109th Canton Labor Day Festival will be held Sept 5-7 at Sorrells Street Park in downtown.

Americana fiddler Alma Russ will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

To the Editor:

Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with all the scientific discoveries made on almost a daily basis, some of which are jaw dropping.

Earlier, we learned about the goat that was put in jail for car theft in Nigeria after they found out that he was in fact a human witch doctor who disguised himself as a goat to avoid prosecution. The last I heard the goat was still in jail and being obstinate by refusing to revert back to his human form. Certainly the FBI can utilize this information and may provide some clues as to the whereabouts of many criminals on the most wanted list.

In another earth-shaking (no pun intended) discovery, a politician in Pakistan has revealed that earthquakes in Pakistan are caused by women who wear jeans instead of gunnysacks to cover themselves. The discovery was announced at a press conference by one Maulana Rehman, a respected politician, and reported in the New Indian Express newspaper.

He went on to ascribe not only earthquakes to immodest women but the cause of inflation and power shortages. Just to demonstrate he is serious, he has called on the military to launch an operation against women.

Hmm, wonder how that new movie “San Andreas” would have turned out had the producers consulted with Mr. Rehman first. I haven’t seen the movie, but I must wonder just how many women in blue jeans were in the movie. All these years geologists believed that earthquakes were caused by underground faults and frankly, until now, I went along with their explanation. I now know better and attribute my new wisdom to a politician in Pakistan.

No doubt economists will be flocking to his door to learn about inflation and what to do about it. Even Duke Energy may consult with him about unexplained power outages.

But wait, have we forgotten the discoveries Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell revealed to us when they announced that the tsunami that killed some 230,000 south Asians years ago was a demonstration of God’s wrath at us folks in America. They also pointed out that the Twin Towers attack was God’s revenge on us, although they didn’t make it clear as to whether American women wearing blue jeans was the cause. Proof that God will kill folks in one tribe to get even with another tribe. So what’s new? ISIS is well known for killing each other or committing suicide in the Middle East to get even with us folks in America, all at God’s command.

I must admit to missing out on some of these learned new discoveries. Had I known that big pharma was preventing people from learning about the power of garlic to kill cancer cells, I might have saved the lives of a few friends of mine who died of cancer.

Just shows that we all must keep up with the latest scientific discoveries and maybe have second thoughts about letting your wife wear blue jeans.

Bob Wilson   

Franklin

To the Editor:

As a pediatrician, it has been my privilege to serve the families of Western North Carolina for over 20 years. My colleagues and I are honored to be invited into your lives, to share your greatest joys, and sometimes your worst fears as we work together to ensure the health and safety of your children.

The climate of medicine has changed both nationally and locally. Our practice has adapted in order to continue to provide the excellent quality healthcare our patients expect and deserve. 

In 2013, we became a part of Mission Health System. This allows us to bring the expertise and resources of Mission Children’s Hospital to our community. By partnering with other medical providers in the region to form Mission Health Partners, we have become part of a movement to ensure all patients in the region continue to receive exceptional high-quality care.  

To better focus our time and resources, my colleagues and I have made the difficult decision to stop seeing patients at Harris Regional Hospital after Aug. 1. We will improve patient access in our Sylva and Bryson City offices with extended office hours and designated walk-in times. We will also provide newborn care for babies at Angel Medical Center in Franklin. Our patients will have access to the hospital-based pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists at Mission Children’s Hospital should they require hospitalization. Being a part of the larger Mission Health team has allowed Eestern North Carolina to leverage the training and broad expertise of one of North Carolina’s premier healthcare systems to promote women’s and children’s health.

As always, we remain committed to the care of our patients and access to a provider for after-hour emergencies is just a phone call away. We look forward to continuing to care for your families for many years to come.

Dr. Penny O’Neill

Pediatrician

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern 

The Canton Planning Board is considering a building maintenance ordinance that would regulate downtown commercial properties and hold owners to certain standards.

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern 

The North Carolina State Board of Elections held a public hearing last Thursday to allow people to comment on the proposed rules for North Carolina’s new voter identification laws. The hearing was the seventh of nine meetings held across the state.

QUESTION: What kinds of things do you do as the dietitian for Ingles? 

ANSWER: My job is primarily to inform consumers and our Ingles Markets associates about nutrition and food-related issues. I have been the Corporate Dietitian for Ingles Markets for almost 15 years!

Summer is here at the Highlands Nature Center, with a variety of summer day camps and half-day camps. Look through the offerings to find one that will fit your family:

• Amazing Animals, aimed at children 7 to 10, will feature hands-on activities and field observations to study different animal groups. July 28-31. 

• WOW! — Worlds of Wonder, aimed at children 4 to 6, will feature plenty of time outside with nature games, hikes through the woods, critter searches and exploration in the pond and stream. Aug. 4-7. 

• NatureWorks, aimed at children 8 to 11, will showcase the inner workings of “Mother Nature” through interactive games and activities, covering everything from the different parts of a forest to the adaptations of predators. July 14-17. 

828.526.2623 or www.highlandsbiological.org.

See the special camp category in the calendar of The Smoky Mountain News for more day camps around the region.

James Veteto has a theory that seeds are a link to the past, connecting one generation to the other, not merely little packets of DNA but also shared human heritage.

It’s official: North Carolina Appalachian Trail license plates sales have crossed the $1 million mark.

The Blue Ridge Parkway will take its place on U.S. currency with a special quarter design this summer, as part of the the U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters Program, a series honoring one site or park in each state.

A ranger-guided hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway this Friday will mark the beginning of summer for the high-elevation road as its ranger-led programs for the public gear up for the season.

The Front Street Arts & Crafts Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 20, in downtown Dillsboro.

The Taste of Scotland & Celtic Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 20, in downtown Franklin.

Jazz performance planned in Waynesville

Jazz pianist Marquita Someliana will perform at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at the Haywood County Public Library in Waynesville. Someliana is a singer-songwriter who enjoys performing jazz, Americana and other genres. 

Free. 

www.haywoodarts.org. 

Acclaimed bluegrass act Darin & Brooke Aldridge will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, June 19, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville.

To the Editor:

There has been recent news coverage and public discussion about the plans for the new Haywood County animal shelter, the need for a new shelter, and the impact of a new shelter on the county budget. We have been informed that the budgetary impact of the new shelter will not become a reality in the 2015-16 budget year.  

The planning for the shelter is being done by the Animal Services Advisory Committee, county commissioners and selected experts, but it is mostly behind the scenes. A needs assessment needs to done before the planners grapple with designing the basics. When there is a more firmly framed plan, a public hearing will be scheduled.

The needs assessment is a critical piece in the planning for a new shelter and must include facts, which include the numbers of animals, the pattern of ebb and flow of animals entering, staying, leaving, and being euthanized, how the work of (or lack of work) animal welfare nonprofits impacts the shelter past, present and future. It also needs to consider such pragmatic issues as current legal minimum standards of building a shelter in the 21st century, availability of water, sewer and power utilities. And it should include future needs that will allow our new shelter to operate for 20 to 30 years and will assure the health and safety of the animals and the people who work in the shelter.    

I’ve been advised that the needs assessment will not take place until late July, so now is the time for the public to let commissioners know what we expect to see, what we expect will change and what we want to be in place when the new shelter becomes a reality. Our taxpayer dollars will be paying for the new shelter, so it is only right that the resulting plans provide the services we believe will benefit the animals in our community.

Our current shelter is physically inadequate for the animals and the staff and has been for many years.

• High noise levels stress animals and people. (I’d be willing to bet OSHA noise standards for workers are not met.)

• There is not enough space to process animal intakes.

• There is no privacy for management and human resources work which makes for poor personnel management.

• Space to quarantine sick animals is non-existent. This practically assures that euthanasia is the go-to option for sick animals.

• Animal housing spaces, particularly for cats, are inadequate by modern standards and cause stress; which leads to illness; which becomes yet another reason to euthanize animals.

Although most households in the county have at least one domestic pet and there are large numbers of households that have many (all of whom can call on the department’s services), the budget for Animal Services is less than 1 percent of the county budget.

Our shelter staff is paid poorly and we get the service equivalent. This is evidenced by a high staff turnover of the shelter staff. The most recent open position has a salary of less than $24,000 per year. And the staff is supposed to be available 24/7!

County commissioners have refused for the last several years to hire an administrative person for the shelter. That means the phones aren’t answered for a large number of calls. It also means that shelter must be closed during the standard work day if animal services calls require all officers to be in the field. Some-thing must be done to keep the shelter open and responsive to the public during regular business hours. Volunteers?

The public does not get the service it expects because the staff is too poorly trained and there are too few of them.

We should be demanding that these issues be addressed at the same time the new shelter is planned because:

• Veterinary science, shelter management procedures and public awareness of animal welfare (particularly on abuse and euthanasia) issues has changed drastically in the last 20 years.

• Shelters around the country have evolved from the post-war dog pounds to true shelters where abandoned and stray animals can be cared for and released alive through adoption and/or foster care.  

• Shelters throughout the country are using innovative tools and public/private partnerships to address problems to increase live release rates.

• We need to have qualified animal services and operations staff in place who are committed to a humane approach in dealing with the community, the animals, and the owners and those who report problems, and who are willing to serve the community by finding non-lethal solutions to animal welfare issues.

Here is where government of, by and for the people begins. Let county commissioners know what you want for a new shelter, share your ideas and concerns at the twice-monthly meetings, at public hearings, or write to or email them. There are many of you who have volunteered at the shelter here or in our jurisdictions or have dealt with them as volunteers for animal welfare organizations who can use your experience to influence the ultimate product. 

Even our human services professionals should weigh in because they have knowledge on the impacts of animal/family abuse that should feed into policies and procedures. Without the benefit of the whole community's collective wisdom the county commissioners may not get a big enough picture to assure that we get our tax money’s worth in 2016-17 and beyond.  

Penny Wallace

Waynesville

To the Editor:

It has appeared for a long time that the American people have turned into a flock of sheep being led where ever our leaders wish to take us. The headline on page 16 of this The Smoky Mountain News last week indicates that Macon residents are no different than the balance of the country.

The headline "Lower Values Lead to Higher Taxes in Macon" is simply astonishing. That a lowering of the value of real estate in a county should automatically mean higher taxes means the politicians have finally got their constituents where they want them. Our leaders no longer need to worry if their policies lead to the wealth of their constituents being reduced. They just raise the taxes when that happens! This is unbelievable.

Ordinary citizens have to tighten their belts when times get hard. Apparently, that is not to be expected from politicians. They will simply raise taxes by 28 cents to 35 cents (an astounding 25 percent increase) to support a budget increase of 2.5 percent.

A strong case can be made that the governments at all levels in the country has spent us into deep trouble as well as promoting policies (sending the bulk of manufacturing overseas) that have set the middle class back 20 years or more. Apparently, the politicians will not have to even bother apologizing. Just move on to greater spending!

Bart McPherson

Glenville

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern 

Whether it is teaching a Pilates or karate class or performing massage therapy, much of the work at Abel Wellness revolves around restoring balance to the body.

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern 

Relaxing through methods such as massages and skin care treatments is not just a luxury. Rather, it is part of taking care of the body and pursuing wellness.

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern

Jackie Beecher wants clients to feel empowered in making decisions about their health when they come to Nurture Wellness Studio.

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern

As a doctor of naturopathy, Michelle Sanderbeck said one of her main concerns is finding the underlying cause of her patients’ problems rather than just treating the symptoms. 

Health organizations throughout Western North Carolina offer a variety of programs and services to promote wellness among residents.

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern

It’s a myth that yoga is reserved for only the most acrobatic of people. And that’s good news considering the amount of stress that is often part of everyday life, said Jay MacDonald, a registered yoga teacher out of Waynesville.

A mother and son are back to safety after spending a night lost in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

Christy Barns, 40, and her son Casey, 16, were visiting the park from Wisconsin and hiking the Forney Creek Trail. But near sunset on Sunday, June 7, Christy sent a text to family members saying they were lost and needed help. Rangers soon found the Barns’ vehicle at Clingmans Dome and launched a ground search Monday morning. 

By 2 p.m., the pair had been found in good condition along the trail. The search involved 30 National Park Service employees, with 15 of those actively searching the field along trails where the two were believed most likely to be found. 

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern 

A bear attack that happened Saturday night in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has left many people in the area puzzled over the events of the attack. Many said they have never heard of something like this happening. 

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern

Teresa Williams’ eight years on Western Carolina University’s Board of Trustees has come to a close, and at her final meeting, board members thanked her for her contributions to the university.

QUESTION: What is the difference between field corn and sweet corn?

ANSWER: First, let’s start with the fact that there are 6 different types of corn and they fall into two categories – SOFT or HARD corns based on the amount of hard or soft starch in the kernel.

Volunteers willing to work hard in the backcountry are sought to form this year’s Smokies Wilderness Elite Appalachian Trail Crew, a mobile group of trail maintainers that works sections of the Smokies more than 5 miles from the nearest road.

The release of 150 bats in Hannibal, Missouri, May 18 marked a milestone for the fight against white-nose syndrome, a disease that’s been decimating bat populations all along the east coast. 

The bats were the first to be successfully treated for white-nose, which is caused by a fungus that invades the bats’ nose, mouth and wings during hibernation, when their immune systems are nearly shut down. 

The treatment being tested is a common North American bacterium that releases gases inhibiting growth of the fungus causing white-nose. The bats’ release shows that it works. The question now is whether the bacterium would have other, undesired, effects on the cave environment. The fungus was first discovered in the U.S. in 2006 and popped up in North Carolina in 2011. Since then, little brown bat populations in Western North Carolina have dropped by an estimated 92 percent, with that number sitting at 78 percent for northern long-eared bats and 77 percent for tri-colored bats. 

The bats released in May survived wintertime exposure to the fungus causing white-nose syndrome, inspiring cautious optimism in those attending the bat release. 

“While more research is needed before we know if our current discovery is an effective and environmentally safe treatment for white-nose syndrome, we are very encouraged,” said the U. S. Forest Service’s Michael T. Rains, who directs the Service’s Northern Research Station and the Forest Products Laboratory.

The Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians will hold its grand opening Saturday, June 6, in Cherokee, marking a milestone in more than a year of planning, renovations and exhibit construction. 

Purchases at Waynesville’s Mast General Store Saturday, June 6, will help out with land conservation. 

For that day, the store will donate a percentage of its sales to the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy to support local land and water conservation efforts.

“Our conservation work directly impacts tourism as an economic driver in Western North Carolina communities,” said Cheryl Fowler, SAHC’s Membership Director. “We are grateful that many of our business partners have recognized this fact and pledged to ‘give back’ by donating a percentage of the day’s sales.”

Land Trust Day is held each year in conjunction with National Trails Day, the first Saturday in June.

The Pines Recreation Area on Lake Glenville is now open, featuring a new swimming beach, fishing pier, picnic area, signage, parking enhancmeents, vault toilets and a life jacket loaner board.

Legendary comedian and singer-songwriter Ray Stevens will be hitting the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 12, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

A regular on the Andy Williams Show, Stevens became a popular entertainer in the world of television and landed his own show, The Ray Stevens Show. His inspiring fame earned a lot of attention from other artists and allowed him the opportunity to work alongside greats such as Brenda Lee, Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley.

In the early 1970s, Stevens hit the Nashville music scene and recorded his gospel-inflected single, “Everything is Beautiful,” which earned him a Grammy award as Male Vocalist of the Year. He followed that with several other popular tunes including, “The Streak.” 

Tickets start at $42.

www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

“Cherokee Friends,” Ani-Tsalagi Digali, is an exciting new program that will expand on visitors’ experiences within the community of Cherokee.

A wide array of adult art classes and workshops are now open to those interested at The Bascom in Highlands.

“Solitude & Mystery,” an exhibit showcasing for the work of John Julius Wilnoty will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at the Qualla Arts & Crafts gallery in Cherokee.

The 5th annual Appalachian Lifestyle Celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 13, in downtown Waynesville.

During the event, there will be local authors, artisan demonstrations and crafter booths including basket making, blacksmithing, quilting, weaving, wood working, wood carving, pottery and soap making.

Live music will be offered on both ends of downtown. Music groups include Michael Reno Harrell, Mean Mary, Whitewater Bluegrass, JAM Musicians, Radio Hill Boys, Mike Pilgrim, The Pressley Girls, Blackberry Jam, Haven Bryant, Jonah Riddle, Rob Gudger & Wolf Tales, Jim Bordwine and Productive Paranoia. The J Creek Cloggers and Southern Appalachian Cloggers will kick up their heels for crowd excitement. Star of the hit reality show “Hillbilly Blood,” Spencer Bolejack will also be onsite. Food vendors will feature barbecue, smoked sausage, fried apple pies, kettle corn and more.  

As well, in conjunction with the celebration, The Shelton House invites you to see a living history camp, reenactments and demonstrations on June 12-13. The reenactments will be part of the “Last Shot Fired” 150th anniversary remembrance of the end of the Civil War.

Volunteers are currently needed for set up and take down. The event is sponsored by The Downtown Waynesville Association.

828.456.3517 or www.downtownwaynesville.com.

Catch the Spirit of Appalachia will be hosting a day of Western North Carolina culture from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 14, at the Folkmoot USA Fellowship Hall in Waynesville.

American Gonzos will perform as part of the Summer Concert Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 11, in the Central Plaza at Western Carolina University.

To the Editor:

First, and foremost, I want to thank you for the article in The Smoky Mountain News, your May 27 edition on page 10, regarding the new bistro opening in Dillsboro.

Please allow me to make a few corrections that I feel necessary. The title was “Greek Bistro opens in Dillsboro;” my preference would be “A New Bistro in Town. ” I am uncomfortable with the title Greek Bistro. Our bistro is not exclusive to Greek dishes.

The first line, “A taste of Greece arrived in Dillsboro last week with the opening of Coach’s,” is incorrect. Dillsboro has had for 15 years a family owned Greek restaurant, Kostas, just across the street and has served some outstanding dishes for many years with many happy clients, one of those being myself, and other members of my staff at the Jarrett House and Coach’s.  

Constantine Roumel

Dillsboro