Finding meaning in life’s twists and turns
 

Finding meaning in life’s twists and turns

I recently experienced a visual about worrying. It was a mountain where the highest point is the peak of worry.
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Waynesville Town Council Member Anthony Sutton speaks at a political event in Asheville. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

LGBT candidates look to build on last year’s successes

Hoping to build on the momentum of a successful off-year election cycle, even amid violent threats, members of Western North…
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Funding gaps for affordable housing persist even with Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. DFI photo
 

Jackson explores solutions to housing crisis

The Development Finance Initiative has continued to work on feasibility analyses for affordable housing in Jackson County since its housing…
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Vilsack offered remarks to a large crowd of NCAI members at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino’s exhibition center. NCAI photo
 

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture visits Cherokee

Last week, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians welcomed Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to the exhibit hall at Harrah’s…
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Haywood County budget passes without tax increase
 

Haywood County budget passes without tax increase

Commissioners voted unanimously June 3 to accept Haywood County Manager Bryant Morehead’s proposed annual budget which, in spite of inflation,…
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No tax increase for Jackson
 

No tax increase for Jackson

Jackson County is set to approve its budget next week, funding county operations for the coming fiscal year without a…
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Swain County to vote on alcohol sales
 

Swain County to vote on alcohol sales

Swain County Board of Commissioners added a referendum to November ballots that will allow residents to vote on the on-premises…
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Joey Robinson
 

JCPS announces new principal for Smoky Mountain High School

Jackson County Public Schools announced that current assistant principal Joey Robinson has been named the new principal at Smoky Mountain…
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Emily Ferguson (left to right) Taylor Sollie, Jacob Mills and Rylee Shoaf received scholarships ranging from $1,000-$3,500. Haywood County Farm Bureau photo
 

Haywood Farm Bureau awards scholarships

Established more than 20 years ago, the Haywood County Farm Bureau scholarship program assists graduating seniors who have a financial…
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Learn about Ukraine in Haywood County
 

Learn about Ukraine in Haywood County

On Thursday, June 13, 2024, David Crane, author, scholar and international prosecutor, will provide insights on the implications of the…
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Haywood Meals on Wheels seeks help
 

Haywood Meals on Wheels seeks help

After Covid, Haywood Meals on Wheels lost volunteers and was forced to drop meal deliveries to three days per week.…
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Where art and science meet: ‘Darwin and the Art of Botany’
 

Where art and science meet: ‘Darwin and the Art of Botany’

Charles Darwin was many things, but in the classic sense of the word, he was not an artist. Lacking in…
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Haywood Community Band grows to regional ensemble
 

Haywood Community Band grows to regional ensemble

The Haywood Community Band will perform at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 16 at the Maggie Valley Community Pavilion, 3935…
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The new arch frames downtown Waynesville, a bustling town of more than 10,000.
 

Word from the Smokies: Iconic arch returns to downtown Waynesville

The air buzzed with excitement as the crowd gathered in downtown Waynesville, North Carolina, on Saturday, June 1. A standing-room-only…
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Tribal Council voted June 6 to legalizes the sale and consumption of cannabis on the Qualla Boundary.
 

EBCI Tribal Council approves adult recreational cannabis

About nine months after members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians voted overwhelmingly to legalize the sale of marijuana…
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Located in Sylva, Blue Ridge Bootleg Roastery & Coffee Shop provides high-quality beans and a delightful atmosphere in the heart of the Jackson County town. Donated photos
 

Country coffee: Blue Ridge Roastery opens in Sylva

Situated in the heart of downtown Sylva, Blue Ridge Bootleg Roastery is the newest home for coffee drinkers, country music…
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A remedy for the spring-time blues
 

A remedy for the spring-time blues

There are always seasons in life when you feel the need to get away from your day-to-day, and I have…
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DeWayne Barton will speak in Waynesville June 13. File photo
 

‘Conversations with Storytellers Series’

As part of the “Pigeon Community Conversations with Storytellers Series,” social entrepreneur, veteran and visual and performing artist DeWayne Barton…
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Percussion Discussion Africa will play Waynesville June 13. File photo
 

Folkmoot LIVE! celebrates African culture

Folkmoot USA is pleased to present “An African Cultural Experience,” which will feature Percussion Discussion Afrika and Chinobay at 7…
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Art fundraiser for local schools
 

Art fundraiser for local schools

The annual QuickDraw art fundraiser will once again be held in-person from 4:30-9 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at Laurel Ridge…
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'The Gods of Comedy' will be at HART through June. Donated photo
 

HART presents ‘The Gods of Comedy’

A special stage production of “The Gods of Comedy” will be held at 7:30 p.m. June 27-29 and 2 p.m.…
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A recent piece by HCAC artist member Rose Hardest. Donated photo
 

Haywood Arts ‘Pets’ exhibit

The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) will unveil its latest exhibit, “Pets,” with an opening reception from 6-9 p.m. Friday,…
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Russ Wilson will play Waynesville June 8. File photo
 

‘Mouth of the South’ returns to Classic Wineseller

Jazz/swing duo Russ Wilson & Hank Bones will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at The Classic Wineseller in…
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‘Darwin and the Art of Botany’
 

‘Darwin and the Art of Botany’

Local author Jim Costa will present his new book, “Darwin and the Art of Botany: Observations on the Curious World…
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Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling
 

Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling

The Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling will be held from 7-9 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays through Oct. 31 at…
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Looking forward to SMN in 2049
 

Looking forward to SMN in 2049

This week SMN is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a business. As we mark the milestone, this industry is changing…
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The SBX-1 platform features a 280-foot dome in the middle. Wikimedia Commons photos
 

Appeals panel sends Kituwah LLC back to court: Lawsuit alleges theft of trade secrets from other tribally owned company

A lawsuit filed against Kituwah LLC that was initially dismissed is heading back to court after the 11th Circuit Court of…
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Waynesville’s public hearing for its annual budget will be held on June 11. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Waynesville budget will come down to the wire

A rare public impasse by Council Members over the Town of Waynesville’s proposed budget will leave things unsettled for the time…
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UNC Board of Governors repeals DEI policy
 

UNC Board of Governors repeals DEI policy

After the UNC Board of Governors approved a new policy on diversity and inclusion within the University of North Carolina,…
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A map of the Waynesville Inn and Golf Club’s recently  renovated course shows two areas, off the 10th and 12th  fairways where developers want to build 25 new homes. Raines Company photo
 

Waynesville Golf Club housing development stymied again

Amid complaints from neighbors, the new owners of the Waynesville Inn and Golf Club once again saw their proposed 12-unit…
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Generations of locals and visitors will upon arrival to Waynesville be greeted by a handsome decorative arch, just as in generations past. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Arch unveiled in Waynesville

June 1, 2024, was a historic day for a historic town, as members of Waynesville’s government and the Downtown Waynesville…
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Around $150 million in capital improvements are on the table in Macon County. File photo
 

Despite rising costs, new Franklin High School still on track

Despite increasing cost estimates, Macon County is in a good financial position to move forward with both the Franklin High…
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The tournament will be held at Haywood Community College’s disc golf course. Donated photo
 

HCC hosts inaugural Charity disc golf event

The Haywood Community College Foundation is hosting the inaugural Charity Disc Golf Tournament, Discs in the Dogwoods, from 8:30 a.m.…
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Haywood Rec offers hiking outings
 

Haywood Rec offers hiking outings

Haywood County Recreation is hosting a series of hikes throughout June. All hikes are subject to cancelation due to harsh…
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Franklin club hosts birding walks
 

Franklin club hosts birding walks

The Franklin Bird Club leads walks along the greenway on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. Walks start at alternating locations:…
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Hit the stream with Haywood Rec
 

Hit the stream with Haywood Rec

Haywood County Recreation is hosting various fly-fishing expeditions throughout June. 
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Zahner lectures begin June 13
 

Zahner lectures begin June 13

The Highlands Biological Foundation (HBF) announced the kickoff of its annual Zahner Conservation Lecture series. 
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Youth hiring event planned
 

Youth hiring event planned

The Town of Waynesville, in collaboration with NCWorks Career Center, will host a youth hiring event from 2-5 p.m. Friday,…
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An artist rendering shows what the completed Racoon Creek Bike Park might look like. Haywood County photo
 

Endless fun: Raccoon Creek Bike Park takes shape

For years, the old Francis Farm landfill was just that — a leaky, gassy problem that did little but sap…
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Frog Level will play host to Haywood County's first Pride event.
 

Pride parade prevails in Waynesville as opposition evaporates

A controversial email that led many to bring accusations of homophobia against two local business owners in Frog Level has…
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Tommy Stinson will play Franklin May 31. Garret K. Woodward photo
 

Fall apart together: A conversation with Tommy Stinson

Leaning back into his chair, Tommy Stinson tilts his head and gazes towards the sunset falling behind the Blue Ridge…
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Teresa Pennington is a featured artisan at ‘Art After Dark.’ File photo
 

Waynesville art walk, live music

A cherished gathering of locals and visitors alike, “Art After Dark” will launch its 2024 season from 6-9 p.m. Friday,…
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Two fine novels for spring reading
 

Two fine novels for spring reading

Two novels, one a classic Western set in 1885 Nevada, the other centered on Barcelona and the aftermath of the…
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City Lights poetry reading
 

City Lights poetry reading

Benjamin Cutler will launch his new book of poetry, “Wild Silence,” at 6 p.m. Friday, May 31, at City Lights…
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Outlaw Whiskey will play Bryson City June 1. Garret K. Woodward photo
 

Outlaw Whiskey returns to Bryson City

Haywood County rock/country act Outlaw Whiskey will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at the Unplugged Pub in Bryson…
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Contra dancing returns to Franklin June 1. File photo
 

Want to learn contra dancing?

There will be a contra dance class offered from 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at the Macon County Public Library…
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Revenue losses attributable to Pactiv top $1 million. A Shot Above photo
 

Mill closure looms large over Canton municipal budget

Administrators for the Town of Canton have presented a conservative fiscal year 2024-25 budget that seeks some sense of sustainability…
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Retired Command Sergeant Major Willard Dockery salutes the casket of Capt. Fred Hall during his funeral at Green Hill Cemetery last fall. Hall had been listed as missing in action for 54 years until his remains were finally identified early in 2023. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Veterans commemorated by JROTC cadets

Gloomy skies and pouring rain couldn’t stop a group of about 30 people from gathering at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park on…
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From left: Mayor Zeb Smathers, Mayor Pro Tem Gail Mull, alderman Tim Shepard, Alderman Ralph Hamlett, Alderwoman Kristina Proctor
 

Putting in overtime: Canton leaders work late to solve mill problems

Several notable things happened during the Town of Canton’s regular board meeting on May 23, but the meeting was perhaps…
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Sylva Pride held its first Pride parade in 2021. Hannah McLeod photo
 

Sylva declares June Pride Month

The Town of Sylva Board of Commissioners signed a proclamation last week declaring June to be LGBTQ Pride Month, just…
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