Change to qualifying youth age for delayed harvest trout waters

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will open 30 trout streams and two lakes classified as Delayed Harvest to trout harvest on June 6. They will remain open through Sept. 30.

On the first Saturday in June, anglers may begin harvesting trout from Delayed Harvest waters. From 6 a.m. until noon, fishing in those waters is limited to youth only.

Intricate influences: Carolina Detour to play Merlefest

When she was just in elementary school, fiddler/vocalist Lake Carver graced the cover of the Down the Road magazine, an annual publication put together through a partnership between The Smoky Mountain News and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area based in Asheville. 

And much like her current life, Carver was heavily invested in the music scene in her native Wilkes County, finding herself headlong in local jams, all while soaking in as much knowledge and technical ability as possible. 

Play ball: Haywood softball players celebrate reopening of Helene-damaged field

It’s been over a year and a half since the hollow ping of softball bats has rung out over Waynesville’s Dutch Fisher Field, but on April 13, teams again enjoyed the chance to kick up some dust on their favorite diamond. 

When Hurricane Helene decimated the area in September 2024, many community institutions lost so much. Mountaineer Little League lost two fields, including Dutch Fisher.

Youth backpacking ministry joins Lake Junaluska

Lake Junaluska and Wilderness Trail, a long-time adventure and backpacking ministry, have joined forces to launch a new satellite program at Lake Junaluska June 6–11.

Based in Troutdale, Virginia, with an office at First United Methodist Church of Waynesville, Wilderness Trail has a 39-year history of leading backpacking trips for middle school and high school students in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in Virginia.

Voices in the Laurel spring registration

The Voices in the Laurel choirs have announced that spring registration is now open and the organization invites new/returning singers from Haywood, Buncombe, Jackson and Swain counties to be part of its 30th season. 

Play ball: Waynesville little league field opens up over a year after Helene

Last September, when Hurricane Helene brought flooding to much of the region, the little league baseball field behind the Waynesville Elks Club was swamped by several inches of water, dugouts were destroyed and lights were carried downstream along with tons of other debris. But now, hundreds of thousands of dollars and hundreds of person-hours later, action has returned to that hallowed diamond. 

Girls on the Run welcomes new executive director

Girls on the Run of Western North Carolina (GOTR WNC) announced the appointment of Stacie Marlowe as its executive director. A Henderson County native and long-time advocate for youth development, Marlowe steps into the role with a passion for empowering girls and a strong background in youth development programming and nonprofit leadership. 

WCU instructor, local nonprofit partner on entrepreneurship camp for underserved youth

A Western Carolina University instructor of management will be leading a weeklong entrepreneurship and leadership camp for underserved youth in Western North Carolina to help them get an early jump on learning some of the steps necessary for starting a business. 

Blue Ridge School hosts soccer camp

Jackson County’s Blue Ridge School is offering a soccer camp at its field.

The camp will run from 8 a.m. to noon from May 28-30. Ages 6-12. Cost is $60 per day, and registration is open through May 26. 

Jackson County Rec hosts youth ‘Archery 101’ course

Kids ages 10-14 in Jackson County will have the chance to learn the ins and out of archery.

The course will be held from 2-5 p.m. May 17 at the Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center. 

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