This must be the place: What a way to ride, oh what a way to go
In March 2011, I was a 26-year-old freelance writer traveling down Interstate 87 in Upstate New York to one of…
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Another song, another mile: A conversation with Steve Gorman
In any rock-n-roll band, the unsung hero is the drummer. With a soaring singer and whirlwind guitar solos, the person…
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Big moves for Nantahala Brewing
Normally, when one hears the sounds of hammers and saws at 61 Depot Street in Bryson City, it signaled an…
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That path is for your steps alone: A conversation with Jay Blakesberg
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the images of Jay Blakesberg are worth a thousand notes. Initially…
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This must be the place: Some say you might go crazy, but then again it might make you go sane
Walking up to the Civic Center (aka: Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville) this past Sunday evening, the building was buzzing wildly…
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This must be the place: And no matter what may come to shine, the dream will always be mine
I awoke in the guest bedroom and it took me a few seconds to realize where I was. Tampa, Florida,…
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Can’t rock my dream face: Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee
For the better part of a quarter-century, Umphrey’s McGee has remained one of the most fundamental and innovative acts on…
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This must be the place: If I ever loved once, you know I never loved right by you
It had been several years since we’d sat down over a drink and chatted. An old friend and former lover,…
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Balsam Range offers ‘Gospel Collection’
Acclaimed bluegrass group Balsam Range has reliably featured gospel songs on each of their nine albums, making them an integral…
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Something old, something new: Traditional string act Frank & Allie release album
About a mile from downtown Bryson City, on a dirt road alongside the swift moving Deep Creek, sits a bungalow.…
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This must be the place: Could have been the Willie Nelson, could have been the wine
By the time you read this, it will have been my 35th birthday. Yep. It’s here. No doubt about it,…
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This must be the place: I never saw the end of the tunnel, I only saw myself running out of one
For my generation, Kobe Bryant was the torchbearer and living link between Michael Jordan and LeBron James. He was basketball…
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The ways and means of melodic connection: Singer-songwriter K.M. Fuller to play Innovation Station
K.M. Fuller isn’t afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, onstage and off. And it’s that exact honesty and…
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HART ‘Volunteer of the Year’
At the annual meeting of the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre Board of Directors on Jan. 21, HART Executive Director Steve…
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Haywood Arts receives large donation
On Jan. 13, J Gabriel, Moonlight and Garbo, and Tia Dana presented the Haywood County Arts Council with a $1,200…
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Jackson Arts design winner
The Jackson County Arts Council is proud to announce the 2020 T-shirt design winner is Josie Smoker.
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This must be the place: Breakin’ ties that you’d grown, catchin’ dreams from the clouds
I think the one of the hardest lessons in life is knowing when to cut bait on those who simply…
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HCC fiber graduate awarded Penland fellowship
Haywood Community College 2019 professional crafts fiber graduate Hannah Mitsu Shimabukuro was recently named a Penland School of Craft Core…
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This must be the place: Sunlight wakes me just to say let’s go to sleep now
The moment the song came onto my stereo, I was immediately transported to a time and a place somewhat foggy…
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Gathering of the souls: Beloved Sylva restaurant closes doors
Last Thursday evening, three days of celebration commenced within the walls of Soul Infusion Tea House & Bistro on the…
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In search of the sound: The best albums of 2019
Picking your favorite albums of any given year is a wholeheartedly subjective endeavor. You’re drawn to what immediately captures your…
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This must be the place: Life being what it is
Stepping out of my truck, I stretched my legs and proceeded to throw on my running clothes. It was nearing…
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Only slightly mad: A conversation with David Bromberg
David Bromberg doesn’t have time to wax poetic about life. But, more so he doesn’t have time to talk about…
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Sylva festival gets regional recognition
Southeast Tourism Society has named the Hook, Line and Drinker Festival in Sylva one of the STS Top 20 Events…
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Soul Infusion’s ‘Last Stand’
After some 18 years in business, there will be a special closing celebration for Soul Infusion Tea House & Bistro…
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This must be the place: Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road
It was around midnight when I crossed the Mason-Dixon Line. With Maryland now in the rearview mirror, I pushed into…
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Haywood Arts calendar now available
The Haywood County Arts Council has announced the eight local photographers who have been selected for publication in the 2020…
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Nocturnal Brewing offers fine ales in Hayesville
For a place that was dry just a decade ago, Clay County is now home to one of the finest…
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This must be the place: There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars
Give or take, it’s about 1,010 miles from Waynesville, North Carolina (my current home) to Plattsburgh, New York (my hometown).…
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Viva Arts Studio becomes creative hot spot in Sylva
Standing in a two-bay garage in downtown Sylva last Friday afternoon, Victoria Shufelt was putting the final touches on a…
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This must be the place: Roads that we abandon and others that we take
As the decade comes to a close, I sip this cup o’joe in a quiet coffee shop in a small…
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Arnold Hill album release shows
Americana/rock act Arnold Hill will be hitting the stage at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at the Lazy Hiker Brewing…
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Arnold Hill releases new album, offers holiday shows
Amid the plethora of talented bluegrass, Americana and string acts in Western North Carolina, the idea of a rock trio…
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Waynesville coffee shop gets national recognition
Orchard Coffee in downtown Waynesville was recently recognized as one of “The Best Coffee Shops in America: 2019” by Food…
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This must be the place: Can’t I live while I’m young?
It was about halfway into the quirky tune “My Sweet One” when the memories started to flood my field of…
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Orchard Coffee welcomes popular songwriters
Last Saturday evening at Orchard Coffee in Waynesville, two nationally acclaimed singer-songwriters stepped in front of microphones and projected their…
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This must be the place: And what it all comes down to, is that everything’s gonna be fine
My eyelids fluttered open and it took me a couple moments to realize that I was in my apartment and…
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Since I laid my burden down
In just seven years together, the members of Sister Sadie have risen into the upper echelon of the modern bluegrass…
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This must be the place: Often I have thoughts and dreams, lying silent on my tongue
With the recent “10-year challenge” on Facebook — where folks compare photos of themselves from 2009, as a way to…
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Finding the beauty within: Green Orchid Soap
Tucked in the depths of Wall Street in Waynesville, the Green Orchid Soap Co. is meant to be found by…
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This must be the place: No fear or shame in the dignity of your experience, language and knowledge
When I was a kid, my parents would talk to anybody. Literally anybody. Though my little sister was somewhat embarrassed…
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Folkmoot ‘Mountain Memories’ series
Folkmoot is proud to partner with the Mountain Memories organization and Waynesville’s own Bob Plott to launch the Mountain Memories…
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This must be the place: Don’t ever let life pass you by
With over 2,000 folks piling into the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in downtown Asheville for Incubus on Thursday evening, those in…
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Don’t ever let life pass you by: Incubus roars through Asheville
With over 2,000 folks piling into the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in downtown Asheville for Incubus on Thursday evening, those in…
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This must be the place: Roads that we abandon and others that we take
When I lace up my running shoes lately, I’ve found that I usually need to add a windbreaker on top…
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Don’t sweat the small stuff – just play: A conversation with Jimmy Herring
Longtime guitarist for legendary rock act Widespread Panic, Jimmy Herring’s sole focus as a musician is — and has always…
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WCU professor in Appalachian music, migration film
Musicians, not actors, propel a recently-released movie about hard times in Depression-era Appalachia that is gaining recognition and awards on…
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HCAC Studio Tour, logo winner
The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) is pleased to announce the winner of the Haywood County Open Studio Tour logo…
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This must be the place: Drifting back down to earth at the peak of beauty
It was right around 3 p.m. when I knew I had to escape. Sitting in the Panacea Coffeehouse in the…
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The poetry of freedom
One of the most alluring and enduring qualities of the art of poetry is the vast spectrum of forms it…
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