Prominent Latina storyteller Carolina Quiroga will join the “Conversations with Storytellers’ series at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center in Waynesville.

Quiroga delivers bilingual tales designed to bridge cultural gaps, drawing on myths, fables and personal stories. Her work aims to foster empathy and understanding through multicultural narratives. 

The Waynesville Recreation Center announced the return of its annual free “Spring Fling” community event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 16. This family-friendly celebration will take place on the Recreation Center green space.

This rain-or-shine event is completely free and open to families, children and community members of all ages. 

Extension master gardener volunteers of Haywood County have divided their perennials, rooted cuttings and started plants. Hundreds of plants will be available, including house plants, herbs, natives, perennials, shrubs and more.

Second Hand Treasures will include a wide assortment of gently used garden items, tools, artwork and books. 

Editor’s note

As Tony Dillard notes in this guest column, we’ve printed two other opinion pieces over the last two weeks by Waynesville aldermen Chuck Dickson and Jon Feichter regarding this annexation and the issue of whether these housing developments fit into the character of Waynesville. It’s unusual for The Smoky Mountain News to then give this much space to a third opinion piece, but given the importance of this issue — how will we grow — we decided to give Mr. Dillard the opportunity to voice his concerns. To note, Dillard is a private citizen in Waynesville.

— Scott McLeod, SMN Editor 

As spring takes hold across Western North Carolina, property owners are stepping outside to assess winter’s toll — downed limbs, overgrowth, drainage issues, and land projects waiting to begin. For many in Haywood County and beyond, that seasonal reset starts with a call to Haynes Tree & Excavation.

Based in Waynesville and serving nearby communities like Clyde, Maggie Valley, and Canton, the family-owned company has become a go-to resource for everything from storm cleanup to full-scale land preparation.

As North Carolina braces against a surge in large-scale data center development, a new bill filed by Rep. Lindsey Prather (D-Buncombe) aims to redraw the rules governing how those facilities use electricity, consume water and tap into public subsidies.

In filing the bill, Prather noted that she was inspired by a 12-month moratorium passed in the Town of Canton in February, but also that the bill was “crowd-sourced.”

As Sexual Assault Awareness Month comes to a close, Haywood County is witnessing a powerful moment of continuity, collaboration and commitment to ending violence. 

On April 27, REACH of Haywood County officially purchased the longtime home of KARE at 1159 North Main Street — a transition that reflects far more than a change in ownership. It is a passing of purpose, a shared mission and a promise that survivors of sexual violence will never be left behind. 

Protecting children from harm requires a coordinated, informed, and proactive approach. KARE House, a children’s advocacy center in Haywood County, is dedicated to supporting children and families affected by abuse, neglect or exploitation. This work is carried out through comprehensive services including outreach, advocacy, specialized interventions and a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach designed to put children first. 

Waynesville is inviting residents to attend a second open house for its parks  and recreation Master Plan on from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, at the Waynesville Recreation Center.

Following an initial round of public input earlier this year, this second open house will give community members an opportunity to review draft recommendations shaped by that feedback and help refine priorities that will guide improvements and investment in Waynesville’s parks and recreation system over the next 10 years. 

I appreciate my colleague taking the time to explain his vote (“Why I voted to annex Queen’s Farm,” April 22 SMN) to annex Queen’s Farm. These are the kinds of decisions that deserve a full and open discussion. 

We agree on many of the challenges facing our community. Growth is happening. Affordable housing is scarce. And we have a responsibility to provide services without placing an unnecessary burden on taxpayers.

Where we differ is on what this decision represents.