Haywood NAMI offers 12-week course

A local affiliate of NAMI — National Alliance for Mental Illness — was organized in Haywood County 2007 by John and Suzanne Gernandt.

NAMI is a grassroots organization providing support, education and advocacy for families and for persons with mental illness such as clinical depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress and others.

Membership consists primarily of family members and friends of people who have mental illness, mental health care consumers, and mental health care professionals.

NAMI was established in 1970 in Wisconsin by parents of adults with severe and persistent mental illness who saw a need for peer support. NAMI now has approximately 220,000 members in affiliates across the country.

Along with regular support group meetings, NAMI sponsors a free, 12 -Week Family-to Family course that is a tsunami of information covering the nature and treatment of mental illnesses, coping skills, available services and resources. There is also a Peer-to-Peer course for consumers. All leaders are trained by NAMI and have had experiences as consumers or family members.

NAMI of Haywood meets the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.. at the First United Methodist Church of Waynesville in the Asbury Sunday School Room (use Academy Street entrance).

For more information visit www.naminc.org , or to sign up for the free 12-week course that will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, call (leave message) Suzanne Gernandt at 828.627.3838, Patricia Meyer at 828.456.6897, or Judy Sipes at 828.452.1068.

ECBI hires project manager for golf course

The Eastern Band of Cherokee has hired Jeremy Boone as the project manager of the new golf course development located near Cherokee.

Boone is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band and has experience as a golf course superintendent at the Smoky Mountain Country Club and with Granite Golf Management. Boone holds a masters of business administration and a bachelor of business administration from Montreat College as well as degrees in turfgrass management and landscape technology from North Carolina State University.

Boone will be working in conjunction with Landscapes Unlimited to construct the course.

“We are fortunate to have such a capable young man to provide oversight of this important project for the tribe. I am confident he will work for the best interest of the tribe to develop a top flight golf club,” said Vice Chief Larry Blythe.

“The development of the new golf course provides a new experience for our workforce, which will benefit our Tribe in the long-run. The new golf course will continue to expand our economic diversity which will benefit the Tribe as a whole in the future,” said Principal Chief Michell Hicks.

The golf course will open in 2009.

DSA begins planning for spring festival

The Downtown Sylva Association has begun planning for the 11th annual Greening Up the Mountains spring festival, which will take place on Saturday, April 26. Festival organizers are taking applications for food, retail, craft and non-profit vendors.

The downtown street festival draws thousands of visitors each year, and features hundreds of craft and food vendors, demonstrations and information from non-profit and civic groups, two music stages, a climbing wall, a 5K run, and more.

Originally started as an Earth Day celebration, Greening Up has historically included a focus on environmental protection. This year’s festival hopes to continue that tradition, and any environmental education and awareness groups are encouraged to participate. Festival organizers prefer that all booths be interactive in nature, and have activities above simply handing out literature.

Vendor space is limited, so those interested in participating are encouraged to apply early. Fees for applicants increase as the festival date draws nearer. Vendor applications are available to print out from the DSA website at www.downtownsylva.org, under events, or in person at the Hooper House (Chamber of Commerce) downtown.

For more information contact the DSA office at 828.586.1577, or email festival coordinator Larissa Miller at greeningupthemountains@gmail.com.

Junaluska group holds first Peace Conference

Eighteen months ago, a Lake Junaluska group led by Dr. Wright Spears wanted to do something about the silence of the United Methodist Church on the issue of peace. The seed that Spears’ planted will come to fruition Jan. 31–Feb. 2 during the First Annual Lake Junaluska Peace Conference.

“We had no idea what the seed of our hope would yield,” said conference planning chairman Garland Young. “We were a grassroots group of concerned peace advocates. We had no official status and no organization. What we did have was a deep concern and a dream.”

At 95 years of age, Spears — who was active in the Civil Rights movement — wanted to bring together people who shared a concern about world peace.

“My two remaining brain cells are bouncing off each other and are generating an idea. We need to have a Lake Junaluska Peace Conference,” said Spears. “The Church seems so silent. In the midst of a world so filled with violence and war, where is the Church’s voice?”

A half dozen people met with Dr. Spears, and the group soon grew to a dozen or so. The staff at Junaluska, led by Executive Director Jimmy Carr, gave its full support. Support and endorsements have come from many corners, including our bishops, the World Methodist Council, the Seminaries at Candler, Duke, Gammon and Asbury.

Among the sessions planned for the conference are:

• Welcome and purpose of the conferency, by Bishop James Swanson at 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 31.

• “Why has the UMC been so silent about the war in Iraq,” from noon to 1 p.m. on Feb. 1.

• “Building communities of nonviolence,” by Neal Christie, afternoon, Feb. 1.

Dozens of more sessions are planned.

The conference begins at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31, and all sessions will be held at the Harrell Center. The event is open to the public, but registration is required. A full schedule can be viewed at www.lakejunaluska.com/peace.aspx.

Waynesville to vote on liquor by the drink

Liquor by the drink will be on the ballot for Waynesville’s elections in May, according to a decision made at the town’s board meeting on Jan. 22.

Mayor Gavin Brown, who made liquor by the drink a major platform of his recent campaign, told the town board he wasn’t asking for support or opposition for the issue — rather, he wants the board to let residents decide.

The vote passed unanimously.

“There will be plenty of time for public hearings,” Brown assured the board.

A vote for liquor by the drink was last placed on a ballot almost 17 years ago, Brown said.

Literacy Council plans tutor training

The Haywood County Literacy Council will hold its first volunteer tutor training for 2008 on Mondays, Feb. 4, 11 and 18 beginning at 2 p.m. at the Annex III building, 2143 Asheville Road, Waynesville (United Way building). Any interested persons 16 and older, or at least in ninth grade, are welcome to participate.

A separate workshop for previously trained tutors who wish to teach English as a Second Language will be held on Mon., Feb. 25 , from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Annex 111. A roundtable discussion for all tutors will be held on Mon., March 3 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For reservations or more information call 828.452.1695.

Volunteers are urgently needed for these elementary schools: Jonathan Valley; Clyde; Meadowbrook; and North Canton. A number of adults are also on the waiting list for services.

HCC seeks county OK for sales tax vote

Haywood Community College officials made an impassioned plea to county commissioners at their Jan. 22 meeting to place the quarter cent sales tax on the ballot in the May elections and dedicate the revenue stream to the college.

President Rose Johnson and chairman of the buildings and grounds committee Neal Ensley spoke to commissioners on behalf of the college.

“It is the responsibility of Haywood County and the residents therein to provide these resources,” Johnson said. “While the county has continued to fund the campus, it has not kept pace with the age of the facilities and growth of student enrollment.”

Johnson said the lack of funding has left college officials with a near-crisis situation.

“My staff and I ... we’ve run out of options. We absolutely don’t know where to put classes. We don’t know where to put student services,” she said.

Johnson said that while HCC is one of the top 50 fastest-growing community colleges in the nation for its size and makes an economic impact of $48 million to the local economy, it lacks the funding to repair roofs, replace flooring and lights, construct new classrooms, and address other pressing structural needs.

Each commissioner spoke in support of finding a revenue source for the college.

“Dr. Johnson, you hit a real good nerve with me when you said we have run out of options, and I think that’s true of us as a board as well,” said Chairman Larry Ammons.

“We have looked everywhere we can look,” agreed Commissioner Mary Ann Enloe.

Commissioners are set vote on placing the tax on the May ballot at their meeting Feb. 4.

New animal control ordinance passes

Jackson County residents will no longer be able to purchase a dog outside of Wal-Mart since commissioners approved amendments to the county’s animal control ordinance on Jan. 22.

For several months now the board of commissioners has been tweaking the ordinance to address several problems. One new component of the ordinance will outlaw the selling of dogs and cats outside public places. Also under the new ordinance, if a dog or cat is causing damage to property or is harassing livestock, residents can submit a written complaint to the county. An animal control officer will then address the complaint by completing an investigation.

The ordinance goes into effect March 31.

Southern Lumber site may become bus garage

Jackson County commissioners and the Jackson County Board of Education are exploring the purchase of the Southern Lumber property on Skyland Drive in Sylva.

School board officials are hoping to turn the former building materials store into a school bus maintenance site. A preliminary design of the facility was presented to board members and commissioners by Cort Architectural Group of Asheville.

The proposed design requires some renovation. The estimated cost is $2.1 million; however, this does not include the property purchase price.

Commissioners asked if both the county and the schools could use the site. According to the preliminary design there are 11,000 square feet of un-used space that could be utilized by they county for its vehicles.

The boards will discuss the proposal at a future meeting.

Rep. Haire takes part in CAP home visit

WestCare Home Health and Hospice is available to clients in Jackson, Swain, Macon, Graham and Haywood counties and provides daily assistance to people who have opted for home care rather than assisted living.

In many cases, clients receive a daily visit from a WestCare Health System certified nursing assistant and a regular visit from a registered nurse. They also receive a monthly visit from a Community Alternatives Program (CAP) case manager. The Community Alternatives Program is Medicaid-funded and provides services to adults who have significant health problems and are at risk for institutionalization. Each county in North Carolina has a maximum number of persons who may be served on the program each year.

“One of the assets of the whole program is that it allows people in their later years to remain in familiar surroundings, it enhances their quality of life,” said Rep. Haire, D-Sylva, who has supported continued state level funding of the CAP program.

Haire joined WestCare Home Health and Hospice Community Programs Director Genia Parris, Maryann Hildebrandt, CAN, and Melanie Ashe, RN, on a recent visit to see client Mildred Laws.

Parris says WestCare Home Health & Hospice currently serves 240 clients in Western North Carolina, with 38 of those as CAP clients. Forty aides and home care companions and six full-time registered nurses serve WestCare’s home health clients.

For more information on the services call 828.586.7410 or 1.800.417.5888.

WestCare seeks hospital artifacts

WestCare Health System is looking for artifacts from the history of Harris Regional Hospital or the general history of medicine to include in a new display case lining the hospital’s main hallway.

The display at Harris Regional Hospital will be similar to the exhibit in the lobby of Swain County Hospital and will include photos, books, instruments and uniforms. Items may be loaned to the hospital or donated. The display case will be locked at all times.

The exhibit currently includes medical books donated from the collections of Dr. Ralph Morgan, Dr. Murray T. Jackson and Dr. Hilton Seals.

Harris Regional Hospital dates back to 1925 when two community physicians established a small hospital to serve their patients on Court House Hill overlooking the town of Sylva. The hospital was later purchased by the Duke Endowment and Colonel C.J. Harris, who donated it to the community. C.J. Harris Hospital was renamed Harris Regional Hospital in 1994 to reflect the facility’s reach in the community.

In 1997, WestCare Health System was formed through the merger of Harris Regional Hospital and Swain County Hospital.

For more information contact the Marketing and Public Relations Department at 828.586.7404.

Developer, county discuss erosion fines

Officials at Balsam Mountain Preserve, a 4,500-acre development in Jackson County, are trying to reach an agreement with county officials for violating the county’s erosion and sediment laws.

Commissioners went into closed session at their Jan. 22 meeting and decided to postpone a decision until their Feb. 4.

Balsam Mountain Preserve was fined $300,000 for violating the county’s laws when they it was constructing its golf course. Since being fined, BPM officials having been working with the county to reach a settlement.

Osment appointed to lead historical society

“When I returned to western North Carolina to begin a new career in public history, I never dreamed the opportunity would come up to serve as Executive Director of an organization like the Cashiers Historical Society,” commented newly-appointed Executive Director, Timothy Nane Osment, “Without doubt this is one dynamic group! I’ve met a good many board members already, and am very impressed with their commitment to the mission of the Cashiers Historical Society. Planning is already underway for many exciting programs and new initiatives this year.”

Osment was born in Ft. Worth, Texas, but grew up in Sylva. After a successful career in the hospitality industry, he earned his BA in History at the University of North Carolina-Asheville and is in his final semester in the Public History Masters Program at Western Carolina University. He has been in a leadership position for several regional history ventures including The Monteith Farmstead Restoration in Dillsboro, The Florence Mill Oral History Project in Forest City, and most recently the exhibition “Shaper’s of Culture: Appalachian Women in the Early 20th Century” currently on display at the Hooper House in Sylva.

“One of the things we’re most excited about is the opportunity Tim’s appointment brings for increased collaboration with several academic departments at Western Carolina University as well as the Mountain Heritage Center and Hunter Library,” said Selection Committee chairman, Eleanor Welling. “It was the high praise for Tim’s work by professors at Western that convinced us Tim was the right person for this job.”

‘Vagina Monologues’ stages Feb. 5

Western Carolina University and the Women’s Center will present Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, and 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, in the performance hall of the Fine and Performing Arts Center on the Western campus.

The play, staged by an all-female cast of students and staff from Western, is in recognition of V-Day, a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. Students in the United States and around the world perform “The Vagina Monologues” each year as part of the V-Day education campaign.

“The Vagina Monologues” is a series of monologues by women that explore the spectrum of female sexuality. Ensler, a playwright, performer and activist, wrote the play in 1996 after interviewing more than 200 women.

Advance tickets for Western’s V-Day production of “The Vagina Monologues” are on sale in the A.K. Hinds University Center, Room 319. Tickets also will be available at the door. Admission costs $15, or $5 with a WCU student identification card. For more information, contact Caroline Pendry in the Women’s Center at womenscenter2@wcu.edu or call (828) 227-7450.

Financial aid available

College financial aid officers will be available at 56 locations across North Carolina, including Southwestern Community College’s Jackson and Macon Campuses, on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 9 a.m. until noon to help high school seniors and families complete and submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms.

The FAFSA is required to be considered for all federal and most state financial aid, including scholarships and grants, for college, according to Suzy Gregory, SCC’s financial aid officer.

High school seniors are encouraged to register through College Foundation of North Carolina for the FAFSA Day Program most convenient for them. A list of all locations and registration is available at CFNC.org/fafsaday or by calling 866-866-CFNC toll-free.

In preparation for completing the FAFSA, participants should bring both the student’s and parents’ federal 1040 tax forms for 2007 to FAFSA Day.

For more information about planning, applying or paying for college, visit CFNC.org or call toll-free 1-866-866-CFNC. Locally, call Gregory on SCC’s Jackson Campus at 586-4091, ext. 315, or Fairley Pollock on the Macon Campus at 369-7331.