Labor of lust: A talk with Grammy winner, banjo phenom Kyle Tuttle
When it comes to bluegrass banjo, you’d be hard-pressed to find as vivacious and voracious a picker-n-grinner than Kyle Tuttle.
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Creating health for the earth and humanity
Recently, I was told about a book titled “The Design Pathway For Regenerating Earth” (Earth Regenerators Press, Barachara, Columbia, 2021,…
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Letters From the Smokies
Great Smoky Mountains National Park librarian/archivist Michael Aday will present his book, a collection of correspondences, “Letters From the Smokies”…
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Different ways to look at love
I had a book in mind to review for Valentine’s Day, but was hesitant to reveal the choice to my…
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Rash inducted into NC Literary Hall of Fame
With a list of novels, five books of poetry and seven collections of short stories, Ron Rash has garnered a…
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Casting into the future: A conversation with Woody Platt
On his latest single, “Broke Down Engine,” singer-songwriter Woody Platt teamed up with bluegrass icon Del McCoury.
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An encouraging book about democracy
In the year 2020, we lived with a pandemic and a hotly contested presidential race. Strong feelings made their appearance,…
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A Nordic escape for American snow days
With the winter season upon me, I couldn’t help but seek out a book to fit my longing for cold…
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I am one of you forever: Remembering WNC literary icon Fred Chappell
In a November 2022 interview with The Smoky Mountain News, storied writer Fred Chappell, a Haywood County native who was…
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A life immersed in the written word: Questions posed to the late Fred Chappell
Editor’s Note: Over his tenure here at The Smoky Mountain News, Arts & Entertainment Editor Garret K. Woodward has had…
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Remembering Fred: Frazier, Rash, Burnette
Editor’s Note: A renowned Western North Carolina writer, Charles Frazier burst onto the worldwide literary scene with his seminal 1997…
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War, persecution and manhood: three books
Cold weather means more time indoors, and more time indoors means more time for books. Here are three for the…
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Ready to try theater?
The Haywood Arts Regional Theater in Waynesville is currently offering a wide variety of classes in the theater arts for…
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A portrait of an Appalachia upbringing
For those of you who don’t know her, Julia Nunnally Duncan is an award-winning freelance writer and author of 11…
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An artist's legacy: New database contributes to study of George Masa's photography
Angelyn Whitmeyer might be the last person you would expect to contribute to ongoing research surrounding a Japanese photographer who…
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Fun with weird data, poetry, and history
Suppose, like some of us, you find yourself needing a quick word fix. You’ve got the jones for something to…
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A year in review: the best albums of 2023
Editor’s Note: Since August 2012, Garret K. Woodward has held the position of arts and entertainment editor for The Smoky…
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Come what may: poetry for the new year
In a recent online search, I came across “Good Riddance, But Now What?” by that master of light verse, Ogden…
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The true story of a teacher who defied Hitler
In 1933 Germany, headmistress Anna Essinger was ordered by the newly-elected Nazi party to fly a Nazi flag above her…
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‘Spark of the Eagle Dancer’ extended
Western Carolina University is delighted to announce its recent exhibition “Spark of the Eagle Dancer: The Collecting Legacy of Lambert…
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Five strings of fury: New book spotlights Haywood banjo legends
In the mid-1960s, when Bill Allsbrook was a med school student at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, he decided…
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Fingers like lightning: A Haywood County banjo retrospective
Editor’s Note: Since first rolling into Haywood County in August 2012 to start work as the arts and entertainment editor…
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Kaleidoscope of creativity: Haywood artisan offers her craft onstage, on the wall
Performer. Writer. Director. Instructor. Photographer.
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The unfailing connection of a classic novel
I have always been a fan of old books. There’s a comfort I find in between the pages of a story…
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