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Wednesday, 29 December 2010 20:45

A family full of marriage, but not quite bliss

Editor’s note: This George Ellison column was first published in December 2004. Most everyone agrees that marriage is a noble institution. But even in the best of situations it can be, at times, a demanding proposition. Some folks seem to…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 20:44

Holiday recycling hits Haywood

Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, Americans throw away 25 percent more trash than any other time of the year, which amounts to 25 million tons of trash. Following are some tips on how to reduce waste and consider energy…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 20:43

Swimming lessons to start in the new year

The Aquatics Department of Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center will begin the 2011 group swim lesson lineup with the winter session, Jan. 14 and 15, through March 4 and 5. Group swimming lessons are available for children of all…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 20:42

Viticulture conference coming to Candler

The North Carolina BioNetwork BioBusiness Center in Candler will host the first annual North Carolina Conference on Sustainable Viticulture on Feb. 23. The conference will feature speakers from throughout the U.S. who will share information on how to grow grapes…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 20:42

Fees waived and free screenings at HRHFC

Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center is waiving the usual initiation fee on six-month memberships as a holiday gift to the community. The special is valid through Jan. 7. For more information call 828.452.8080. A highly trained member of the…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 20:40

The Naturalist's Corner: 2010 through the Naturalist’s Corner’s window

Correction: Last week’s story regarding the Balsam CBC stated that dinner after the count would be at the Sagebrush. Wrong! The fine people at Bocelli’s will graciously be putting up with a bunch of tired, noisy birders. This year is…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 20:38

More Blue Ridge Parkway viewshed protected

The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) recently protected Blackrock Ridge in northern Jackson County, a striking and important component of the Plott Balsam Mountains. The Plott Balsams, which reach 6,000 feet in elevation, tower above Waynesville, Sylva and Cherokee. Blackrock…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 20:36

Group to discuss ‘Time and Again’ at public library

The next Book Ends book discussion group will be held at the Jackson County Public Library on Thursday, Jan.13. The book selection is Time and Again by Jack Finney. Time and Again is told in the first person by Simon…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 20:21

In new novel, outlook is grim without technology

Let me begin this review by confessing that I never heard of E.M.P. (Electromagnetic Pulse), and I was distressed to learn that its destructive potential has been readily acknowledged by both the Pentagon and the White House (Newt Gingrich wrote…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 20:18

A fine time to order seeds

One of my favorite annual events is set to take place Jan. 15. I share this information now because it takes time to mentally sort through a garden. Additionally, preparing a seed order often proves the highpoint of the gardener’s…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 20:11

Property values affected election and are a looming problem

By Mark Jamison • Guest Columnist During the recent election for county commissioner in Jackson County, both sides made reference to property taxes. The challengers — who ended up sweeping out the incumbents — claimed, to some derision, that Jackson…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 20:10

Contra dance in Jackson Jan. 9

The next Second Sunday Contra Dance will be held at the Barkers Creek Community Building from 3-5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 9. Contra dancing will begin at 3 p.m. There will also be a potluck dinner following the contra dance, starting…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 20:09

Elderly Brothers ring in New Year’s at Legion

The Elderly Brothers will perform on New Year’s Eve at American Legion Post 47 in Waynesville. The Elderly Brothers have been playing together for more than 40 years. “Our group originally started playing together over 40 years ago,” said band…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 20:09

Chocolate lovers, head to Bryson City Feb. 12

The Friends of the Marianna Black Library will host the 4th Annual Chocolate Cook-Off from 2-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, at the Bryson City Presbyterian Church. The Friends are looking for the best chocolate dessert in Western North Carolina…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 20:08

Gary Carden to present Old Christmas Traditions program at library

Storyteller and author Gary Carden will present a program titled “Old Christmas Traditions” at 7 p.m. on Jan. 4 at the Jackson County Library. During the program Carden will regale the audience with stories of bygone traditions such as serenading…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 20:07

Learn the art of bookmaking Jan. 6

Phyllis Jarvinen of Sylva will demonstrate and teach a mini-workshop on book arts and book binding at the Art League of the Smokies meeting at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 6, in the lobby of Swain County Center for the…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 20:05

Pride of the Mountains is California-bound

Nearly 400 members of Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band will travel to Pasadena, Calif., to march in the internationally televised 2011 Rose Parade. The band is scheduled to appear at the 49th position in the parade,…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 20:04

Waynesville Inn to play host to second-annual Winterfest

Haywood County residents looking to brave the ice and leave their firesides this January can find an afternoon of respite from the winter in Waynesville’s second annual Winterfest. The festival, themed Fire and Ice, is hosted by the Haywood County…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 19:55

Year in review 2010

Editor’s note: Here is The Smoky Mountain News’ annual Year in Review, but ours comes with a nod and a wink — and an award. News is serious and sometimes tragic, but in hindsight we can at least try to…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 19:54

North Shore Road funds in danger of disappearing

Battles in Congress are nothing new. Practically every day that the legislature is in session, there is a fight, argument or debate about something, some more trivial than others. But there’s one issue that residents of Swain County are watching…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 19:52

Less might mean more if developers respond to lot-size changes in Sylva

When Mountain Projects came calling on Sylva leaders earlier this year because the group wanted to build five affordably priced homes within the town’s limits, commissioners found themselves in the uncomfortable position of having to deny the request. The problem?…

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 19:37

Shuler selects a familiar face to help bid for national prominence

Andrew Whalen, an up-and-coming political insider who helped craft U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler’s entry onto the political scene five years ago, has rejoined the congressman’s staff. Whalen, 30, announced he would leave his position as executive director of the N.C.…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 20:54

Big fish of the Smokies

Each of us inhabits several landscapes. On the one hand, there is our everyday exterior topographic landscape. We call it reality. On the other there is our interior landscape … the world of imagination, dreams and nightmares. Whether we are…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 20:53

Appalachian Trail guide debuts 33rd edition

The legendary Appalachian Trail grew by 1.9 miles in 2010. Every December, the latest mileage and shelter information for the 11 official guides to the AT is updated from volunteers who are constantly improving the trail. Volunteer Daniel D. Chazin…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 20:52

Forest health takes teamwork

The University of North Carolina at Asheville and the U.S. Forest Service are joining forces to boost awareness and understanding of threats to forest health. The joint venture will team UNCA’s advanced computer modeling and imaging capabilities with Forest Service…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 20:51

Learn to garden organically at UNCA

Early registration is now open for the 2011 Organic Growers School Conference on March 5-6 on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Asheville campus. More than 1,500 farmers, gardeners, chefs, food activists and consumers are expected to…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 20:50

Wildlife Advocates to meet at Lake J

The Western North Carolina Wildlife Advocates will meet from noon to 3 p.m. on Jan. 7 at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. North Carolina Rep. Ray Rapp, D-Mars Hill, will present his ideas for increasing funding and manpower for wildlife law…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 20:49

The Naturalist's Corner: Invasion of the PUFIs

Don’t worry, PUFIs won’t harm you. They won’t even take you up to the mothership to probe and prod you and send you home with nothing but a vague recollection of bluish lights and otherworldly mutterings. PUFI is simply bird-nerd…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 20:46

National Audubon’s 111th Christmas Bird Count

Tis the season to be counting. The National Audubon Society’s century-old citizen-science prototype — the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) — began Dec. 14 and will run through Jan. 5, 2011. Area birders will join forces with counters across the state…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 20:44

Leavitt creates emotional story, realistic characters

In her previous novels — two of which, Coming Back To Me and Girls In Trouble, have been reviewed here — Caroline Leavitt showed an exquisite talent for bringing her characters alive on the page. These novels were marked by…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 20:39

Make love, not war, when you garden

This is a good time of the year to order seeds and plant carrots. That’s not a misprint: It’s an excellent time to plant carrots. Starting this week, if there’s a weather window allowing for it, go into the garden…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 20:38

Shuler isn’t doing much to win my votes

To the Editor: The local radio station in Sylva, WRGC, has reported that the unemployment rate in Jackson County increased by one tenth of a percent from 7.2 to 7.3 in October. Unemployed workers in Jackson County have received over…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 20:38

Let the tax cuts for the wealthy expire

To the Editor: Give the wealthy $700 billion over the next decade? Absolutely, say the Republican politicians led by Rep. John Boehner. It would be unfair to allow their tax rates to return to the pre-Bush rates. Giving the rich…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 20:37

Is anyone paying attention to government?

To the Editor: Whether it be a deficit or a debt, no amount of money owed a creditor is a good thing; not on the federal, state, or local level. Unfortunately, for too long it has been much too easy…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 20:34

Hagan, Senate wrong on DREAM Act

Few things are as maddening to me as when politics gets in the way of doing the right thing. That’s just what happened in the U.S. Senate last week when the DREAM Act failed to pass. Worse, the Senate vote…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 20:34

“New” steam-powered train service planned for railroad

Steam engines are coming back to Western North Carolina, thanks to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. The railroad announced that in coordination with Rail Events Inc., it has closed on the purchase of a steam locomotive — #1149 — and…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 20:33

Wooten to serve as stopgap Jackson County manager

Chuck Wooten will become interim Jackson County manager for six months or so starting next month. Commissioners this week in a unanimous vote hired Wooten for $10,000 a month. Wooten retires Jan. 1 from Western Carolina University after 30 years…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 20:32

Board holds off on land use vote

The Waynesville Planning Board said this week it will hold off on adopting a major update to the town’s land use plan until February at the earliest, and will delay voting even then if it thinks citizens still want time…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 20:20

Tavern joins Haywood restaurant scene

A new tavern is set to make its debut this week in downtown Waynesville, featuring barbecue, beer, and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere in the Main Street space that was formerly Headlights Bar and Grill. Tipping Point Tavern is a joint…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:48

Town bows to transportation department’s superior knowledge

Town of Sylva leaders have sent a letter to the state Department of Transportation endorsing what supporters would like called a connector — and detractors a bypass — around N.C. 107. The letter was approved by unanimous vote last week.…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:47

Swain finance manager loses job, cites political activity

To Vida Cody, Dec. 6 didn’t seem unlike any other average Monday. She was the finance manager for Swain County, and with the new board of commissioners due for a swearing in, she expected an hour-long pause in her otherwise-busy…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:47

Commissioners seek applicants for Health, TDA boards

The Haywood County Board of Commissioners is accepting applications for the following boards: Haywood County Board of Health – This board is a policy-making, rule-making and adjudicatory body for the Haywood County Health Department. The Board adopts rules necessary for…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:47

Free seminar offers organization tips

The Small Business Center of Haywood Community College will offer a free seminar entitled, “Organizing your Work and Life — a Great Way to Start the Year!” from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 6, on campus on the first floor…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:46

Haywood chooses contractor for Wal-Mart project

Clyde’s old Wal-Mart is now on track to get a new life after Haywood County commissioners voted Monday to sign a contract with Murray Construction of Monroe for the renovations. The project had stalled earlier this fall after the first…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:45

An attorney for everyone

Jay Coward, newly hired to serve as Jackson County’s attorney, will receive $175 an hour, commissioners agreed in a unanimous vote this week. He’ll also serve the sheriff’s department when the sheriff and his deputies need legal advice. Coward, a…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:44

WCU tuition increase poses financial problems for students

A tuition hike spells additional hardships for many students at Western Carolina University, at least those who already find it difficult to scratch up the dollars needed to obtain a college degree. “I’m sure it’s going to be hard on…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:40

Missing maps provoke discussion at Macon steep-slope meeting

No one could specify exactly who made the decision to remove the maps or when precisely that occurred, but some members of a Macon group studying steep-slope safety want them returned to the county’s website. The taxpayer-funded Slope Movement Hazard…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:39

Lottery money put to bleachers, but grudgingly

A wide selection of bleachers at nearly every secondary school in Haywood County will get some repairs and replacements thanks to lottery funds approved by county commissioners, but the decision was not without contention from some on the board. Commissioner…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:33

County to pay fairgrounds loan

Haywood County commissioners will be stepping in to save the county’s fairground from the bank’s clutches after a vote at their Monday meeting. The fairgrounds have two loans taken out on their buildings, and since the county slashed the $150,000…

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:32

WWNC-AM to broadcast WCU’s ‘Christmas Carol’ on Dec. 24

Listeners to WWNC-AM can hear a broadcast of the Western Carolina University presentation of the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24. “We’re looking forward to airing it,” said Brian Hall, director of programming with Clear…

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