The “North Carolina Glass 2025” showcase will run through Friday, Dec. 5, in the John W. Bardo Fine & Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. 

A packed slate of weekend events is on tap as Western Carolina University rolls out the welcome mat for alumni and friends to return to campus Nov. 7-8 for Homecoming 2025, including a parade and party in the university’s adopted hometown of Sylva. 

Recognizing the collaborators and contributors of the “Cherokee Language & Culture Exhibition,” a special reception for the showcase will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. 

Nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services will welcome Imani Perry as its 14th Annual Justice Forum keynote speaker on Oct. 23 in Asheville with a free watch party happening simultaneously in Cullowhee.  

The event is free, but registration is required. This event is made possible by presenting sponsors Jacquelyn and Bruce Rogow and others generous members of our community. 

To the Editor:

Last week at the Jackson County commission meeting, we heard some truly disturbing news about the ways the “Big Beautiful Bill” will affect Jackson County. Cris Weatherford, the Director of Department of Social Services, gave a breakdown of federal money our county is about to lose.

This program is available for boys and girls in second to eighth grade.

Register participants with the recreation center where they will be practicing, either Cullowhee or Cashiers.

The Town of Sylva was selected to be the host of the 2025 CycleNC Mountain Ride August 1-3, 2025, hosted by North Carolina Amateur Sports. Approximately 400 cyclists and their families from across the state will be attending. For this event, cyclists will be enjoying “go at your own pace” riding tours on country roads throughout Jackson County (and Swain County on Sunday). 

In a move that evokes imagery from the biblical battle between David and Goliath, the tiny Jackson County municipality of Forest Hills is fighting back against county commissioners for their vote to withdraw from the Fontana Regional Library system late last month. 

Registration has started for an adult kickball league in Jackson County.

Participants must be at least 14 years old to participate. The team fee is $150, and games are played Wednesday nights in Cullowhee starting Aug. 6. 

Western Carolina University Chancellor Kelli R. Brown announced on May 19 the selection of Kyle Pifer to serve as the director of athletics following approval of his contract by the university’s Board of Trustees during a special called meeting.