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A dry September means fall color forecast is looking up
The outlook for a bright leaf season is improving, as Western Carolina University fearless fall foliage forecaster Kathy Mathews has…
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Timbersports team chops its way toward season opener
Orange chaps clipped around their legs, Rankin Fender and Zac O’Connor square off inside the sawdust-and-bark-filled woodshed at Haywood Community…
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The end is near — now what?
When the novel, The Leftovers came out several years ago, it was an immediate success. (Oprah gave it a significant boost…
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Want to learn how to make a gingerbread house?
The Franklin Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Bakery will offer a How To Create A Gingerbread House seminar at…
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Open call for Bryson City Chili Cook-Off
The 24th annual Bryson City Chili Cook-Off will be held Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Depot.
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Sylva celebrates its quasquicentennial
The Town of Sylva will hold its 125th anniversary celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, in…
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Canton’s Colonial Theatre receives international praise
The historic Colonial Theatre in downtown Canton has been nominated for a Momentum Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association…
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Minick brings folk, country to Strand
Folk/rock/country singer Chris Minick will perform at 7:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville.
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This must be the place
Claire Lynch likes to blur lines. Born and raised in Upstate New York, she eventually moved away, crossing the Mason-Dixon…
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The heartbeat of a community
It never ceases to amaze Lorraine Conard. “It’s a little bit magical,” she said. “You walk in and there’s this…
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Let’s show real respect for teachers
By Jim Hunt • Guest Columnist Earlier this year, I called for a state commitment to raise teacher pay to…
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Let your voice be heard at the ballot box
To the Editor: By this means I thank N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, for presenting the fracking forum in Macon…
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Fracking debate needs more research, facts
To the Editor: The letter writer on fracking in the Sept. 17-23 issue of The Smoky Mountain News appears to…
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Why textbooks matter even now
To the Editor: Although Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, and his fellow Republicans Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, and Rep. Michele Presnell,…
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Fracking is a ticking time bomb
To the Editor: As someone with 25-plus years of experience in water and wastewater equipment design, manufacture and installation, I…
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Burning the couch and chair, now that’s practical
Tammy is out in the yard burning the couch. There is no telling where this will end. All by herself,…
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A conversation with Ty Pennington
Ty Pennington is a celebrity carpenter best known for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” a show that involved lightning-quick remodels of…
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Community rallies for three-day makeover of Hazelwood prison
It was a scene that any fan — or casual viewer — of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” would find familiar.…
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N.C. House candidates Queen and Clampitt draw distinctions during debate
N.C. Rep. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, and Republican challenger Mike Clampitt are on a similar mission. Each is trying to…
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Cullowhee development standards have been drawn up; will the community buy-in?
Cullowhee is the fastest growing area of Jackson County. The growth owes much to Western Carolina University and is evidenced…
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Macon approves final school officer position
All 11 Macon County schools will now have their own school resource officer, called an SRO, after county commissioners voted…
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Dillsboro sells Duke property to Jackson County
The quiet, early morning streets of Dillsboro seemed still asleep as the town board ambled in. They arrived one by…
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Swain sees three-way race for sheriff
With Election Day nearing, Odel Chastain seemed pretty relaxed. “I’m sitting on my porch with my feet thrown up, watching…
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Jackson candidates drill down on fracking
The three Democratic challengers in the Jackson County commissioners race took the sitting commissioners to task for their inaction on…
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Game on: Jackson commissioner candidates go to the mat in three-on-three race
Three challengers for Jackson County commissioner opened with a strong offensive charge at a candidate debate last week, rarely letting…
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District attorney race pits colleagues against each other
Jim Moore and Ashley Welch have been on the same team for years, working side-by-side in the district attorney’s office…
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A prolific year for buckeye productions
A large buckeye tree overhangs and supports the swinging gate leading into our property. Thereby, we have the opportunity to…
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Timbersports team to take on competition
Chopping, sawing, axe throwing, tree climbing, log rolling and more will be on tap during an intercollegiate Woodsmen’s Meet Saturday,…
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Forestry to Forest Festival coming up at Cradle of Forestry
The Cradle of Forestry’s Forest Festival Day will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. More than…
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Smokies celebrates Wilderness Act
Ed Zahniser, son of the man who was widely regarded as the father of the Wilderness Act, will speak at…
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NOC recognized as top 100
Outdoor USA Magazine named Nantahala Outdoor Center, located outside Bryson City, as one of the top 100 outdoor specialty retailers…
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Franklin loves the AT, and the AT loves Franklin
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy recently recognized a passel of Franklin businesses and organizations for their support of the Appalachian Trail,…
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A bevy of 5K’s this fall
As the weather cools down, the competitive edge will be heating up in the running communities of Western North Carolina…
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Down by the water: Waynesville Rec gets busy with $25,000 worth of paddling equipment
“I’m gonna mark the spot with an X, right here,” says Tim Petrea, program supervisor for the Waynesville Parks and…
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A realist writer examines uncomfortable topics
“Evil is no more at an end than History, and so long as there are men there will be no…
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‘Elemeno Pea’ comedy hits WCU stage
A comedy set in Martha’s Vineyard that explores a wealthy world of infinity pools, Bentleys and yacht clubs with men…
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Fall, art comes alive at ColorFest
The 6th Annual ColorFest: Dillsboro Fine Arts & Crafts Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday,…
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Demonstration of printmaking with photopolymer plates
Frank Brannon, Jr., proprietor of SpeakEasy Press in Dillsboro, will present “How to Make and Print Photopolymer Plates” for Art…
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Taste of Sylva returns
Featuring local food, music and children’s activities, the 5th annual Taste of Sylva culinary tour will run from 1 to…
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Music, fall camping at Barnaroo
The 5th annual Barnaroo fall music festival will be held Oct. 4 at Franny’s Farm in Leicester.
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Claire Lynch to play Cataloochee Ranch
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Claire Lynch will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley. Long recognized…
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Balsam Range to command the Colonial stage
Acclaimed bluegrass/gospel group Balsam Range will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the Colonial Theatre in Canton. The…
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Jake Owen to perform at Harrah’s
Country megastar Jake Owen will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at Harrah’s Cherokee. Tickets are $45 and $55. 800.745.3000…
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This must be the place
It’s a lot harder than it looks. Stepping up to the first tee of the disc golf course at Grand Targhee…
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Tapping into Macon County
Dale Heinlein never thought he’d set down roots in his hometown of Highlands. “Living in Atlanta, in suburbia, with the…
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Use better science to support position
To the Editor: Ironically, the executive director of an organization named for the sacrificial bird used in mining operations endorses…
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Nikwasi Mound belongs to people of Macon
To the Editor: The deed to the Nikwasi Mound states that, “the mound shall be preserved for the citizens of…
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U.S. also commits acts of barbarism
To the Editor: We have chosen war yet again because we have deemed someone else’s behavior to be barbaric; in…
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North Carolina’s great balancing act
To the Editor: Since they took over control of the North Carolina Legislature, there has been a great cry among…
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Cutting taxes not always the best way to lead
To the Editor: A candidate for the county commission wants to cut your taxes. That is the basis for his…
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