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Community almanac

Volunteers clean up Lake Junaluska

Lake Junaluska hosted 150 volunteers who gathered Saturday, Feb. 24 to help pull debris from the lake and roadway entrances to the property during the annual Community Lake Cleanup.

Some of the many participants were from a local Girl Scout troop, Tuscola High School, Starbucks partners, families, individuals and members of The Junaluskans and Haywood Waterways Association.

“There were lots of people, and I was excited to see all of the kids who showed up,” said Christine O’Brien, program manager for Haywood Waterways Association.

The annual Community Lake Cleanup takes place during Lake Junaluska’s annual water drawdown to remove silt that builds up over time from Richland Creek, which flows into the lake. Lowering the water level allows removal of the silt and related maintenance, which are necessary to maintain an appropriate amount of depth and sustain the lake ecosystem.

The event is organized annually by The Junaluskans, who work in conjunction with Lake Junaluska staff and in partnership with Haywood County and Haywood Waterways to host the event. The Junaluskans are a volunteer organization of Lake Junaluska residents and other people who love Lake Junaluska. Haywood Waterways is a nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining and improving water quality in the Pigeon River Watershed of Haywood County.

For more information about Lake Junaluska, visit lakejunaluska.com.

Related Items

Civil War Roundtable hosts program in Raleigh

The Western N.C. Civil War Round Table begins its 2024 series of programs on Monday, March 11 at 7 p.m. with Ernest Dollar. The program will take place at the Haywood County Public Library in. It is free and open to the public.

“Between Heaven and Hell: Raleigh in the Last Days of the Civil War” is the title of Dollar’s presentation. It will look at the chain of events that led to Raleigh’s surrender to Gen. Sherman and his army.

The WNC Civil War Round Table meetings will continue on April 8 with a program to be announced. On May 13, Dr. Sharon Roger Hepburn of Radford University will speak about the letters of John Lovejoy Murray of the 102nd U.S.C.T. and on June 10, Dwight S. Hughes will present on joint operations Army and Navy at the battles around Vicksburg, Mississippi. All meetings are free and open to the public. More information about programs and field trips with the Roundtable can be found at wnccwrt.com.

Franklin welcomes new RE/MAX office

 RE/MAX Elite Realty has announced new ownership of one of the most productive real estate brokerages in the area. Candice Sunderhaus, Katelyn VanderWoude and Shelly Rewis are the new owners. The brokerage was previously owned by Becky Ramey, June Tassillo and Teresa Murray, who handed over the keys in January.  

“The agents at RE/MAX Elite Realty have a proven record of providing five-star service to their clients for years,” Rewis said. “We’re confident we’ll continue to build on the reputation as one of the most respected brokerages in our market area.”  

The office is located at 1296 East Main St. in Franklin. For more information or to set up an appointment, call the office at 828.349.4600 or visit propertyinfranklin.com.

Join the Friends of the Library scavenger hunt 

National Read Across America Day is celebrated on March 2, Dr. Seuss's birthday.  

Residents are invited to join the Haywood County Friends of the Library as they celebrate the fun and value of reading by participating in their Main Street Waynesville scavenger hunt between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Cards are available at the Friends Used Book Shop, or from any of the readers on Main Street.

Everyone who locates all the readers will receive a prize from the Friends Used Book Shop. All completed entries will also be eligible for a drawing for a gift certificate from Blue Ridge Books.

Read Across America Day, sponsored by the National Education Association, is the nation’s largest celebration of reading. More than 45 million readers, both young and old, are expected to pick up a book and read.

The Friends Used Book Shop is located at 101 W. Marshall St, Waynesville and open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To receive more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Genealogical Society for discuss ‘Big Bear’

Swain Genealogical Society will host a discussion on “Big Bear” a.k.a. Yonah Equah on March 7. The presentation will be delivered by Don Casada, who in retirement has written extensively on researching and writing about the region in an effort to preserve its history.

Much of the area now identified as Bryson City was first mentioned in eyewitness accounts in the journals of Col. James Grant and Capt. Christopher French, recorded during the Grant Expedition against the Cherokees in 1761. The Grant forces burned the corn and destroyed the Cherokee town of Tuckareetchih located here and departed thru a ford; that ford was later named Bear Ford, for Yonah Equah or Big Bear, one of the Cherokee signers of the 1798 Treaty of Tellico.

With the 1819 cession treaty, Big Bear was granted a 640-acre tract which covered most of today’s Bryson City and was the only such grant given in what is now Swain County.  

Although Big Bear disposed of his land in the early 1820s, his name continued to be associated with the land for decades beyond. Even today, there are still property boundaries which trace to Big Bear’s Reserve line.

The presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center, 45 East Ridge Drive, Bryson City. Conversation and refreshments will follow the presentation. Attendance at the genealogical society’s monthly meetings is free of charge, but donations are greatly appreciated.

Check out small businesses resources

Thinking about starting a business in Haywood County or growing an existing business? Take advantage of the programs, services and resources provided by the Small Business Center.

The North Carolina Community College’s Small Business Center Network facilitates an economic impact in all the state’s counties each year and ranks number one in the U.S. for total business seminars and participants. In addition, the network helps start an average of over 650 businesses every year and works to create and retain 4,750 jobs annually for North Carolina. Visit ncsbc.net for more information.

Haywood Community College is part of the North Carolina Community College System and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges.

Founded in 1965, it is an open-door institution with the mission of serving the educational needs and economic growth of our community by promoting lifelong student learning and success. This includes programs for Haywood County high school students through Career and College Promise and Haywood Early College. The college campus, a designated arboretum, boasts one of the most beautiful college campuses in the state with an iconic mill pond, seasonal dahlia and rhododendron gardens, an 18-hole disc golf course and a walking trail.

HRMC to host Medicaid registration events

Haywood Regional Medical Center and Haywood County Health and Human Services are hosting two free Medicaid registration events in late January and early February. Community members will be able to verify their eligibility and apply for benefits.

The first event will be held 5-8 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Waynesville branch of the Haywood County Public Library.

The second event will be held 5-8 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Canton branch of the Haywood County Public Library.

Attendees are asked to bring their latest bank statement, social security number, driver’s license or ID and a pay stub, as these items will be required for the application process. Anyone already receiving Medicaid benefits need not attend these events.

Transportation to either event can be arranged through Haywood County Transit by calling 828.565.0362.

Expanded eligibility started Dec. 1 and adults 19-64 who are earning up to 138% of the federal poverty line (singles earning about $20,000 per year or families of three earning about $34,000 per year) may now qualify.

Calls for more donations amid blood shortage

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years.

The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving procedures are not put on hold.

Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations — such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone — can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in, and in recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products — among the most transfused blood types — to hospitals.

To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1.800.RED.CROSS (1.800.733.2767).

The Red Cross and the National Football League are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to give blood or platelets and help tackle the emergency blood shortage. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. For details, visit redcrossblood.org/superbowl.

Nantahala Health Foundation welcomes new members, officers

Nantahala Health Foundation recently welcomed three new volunteer board members, expanding its membership from 12 to 15. New board members are Clarissa Ashe of Sylva, Ann Lukens Murphy of Murphy, and Paul Worley of Murphy.

In addition, Graham County School Superintendent Angie Knight of Robbinsville was re-elected secretary of the health foundation. Jane Kimsey of Franklin, was elected treasurer. Roger Plemens of Franklin, was reelected as vice chair. Lisa Leatherman, of Franklin, one of the original members of the board, was reelected for a second year as chair.

“It is an honor to have served as a founding member — and now chair for a second year — of Nantahala Health Foundation,” Leatherman said. “The opportunity to partner with nonprofits, agencies, local governments and community leaders in the six westernmost counties in Western North Carolina to influence the health and well-being of fellow citizens is humbling and motivating.”

Remaining board members are Alison Cochran of Bryson City, Ollin Dunford of Forest Hills, David Garrett of Whittier, Debbie Mauney of Brasstown, and Barbara “Sunshine” Parker of Sylva.

Library announces new designation

The Canton Branch of the Haywood County Public Library has announced it has been designated as a Family Place Library, the first in North Carolina. Family Place Libraries is a nationwide program in 32 states and over 500 libraries.

Family Place Libraries become vital centers for early learning, parent engagement, family support and community connectivity, ensuring that children get the best start in life.

People can join the Canton Branch for two five-week programs every year, designed for young learners and their caregivers.

During each program week, a community specialist will be present for caregivers to connect with and receive guidance on various topics, including early literacy, health and nutrition and behavioral intervention.

Children and their adult caregivers can also enjoy the Early Learning Space at the Canton Branch, a specially designed space for families to interact, read and play, and where adults will find a curated collection of parenting books available for checkout.

Community garden seeks new gardeners

The garden is a 1.3-acre space located at 65 South Painter Road in Cullowhee. It consists of 28 garden plots, each measuring approximately 15 by 30 feet. Plot adopters agree to use only organic means to grow their vegetables and to donate half of what they grow to help address food insecurity in Jackson County. Last year the gardeners donated over 800 pounds of fruits and vegetables to places like the United Christian Ministries, the Community Table, and individuals dealing with food insecurity.

There is no cost in adopting a garden plot, and gardeners have access to tools, watering cans and almost everything they need to have a garden. They also have access to the greenhouse where they can start their spring plants. They are responsible for buying their seeds and/or starter plants, for maintaining their gardens, and keeping track of what they donate and how much.

Returning gardeners have the option of retaining their plots from the previous year, but every year a few plots become available.

People interested in adopting a plot can get an application by emailing Claxton at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Haywood Habitat for Humanity accepting homeowner applications

Haywood Habitat for Humanity is seeking qualified homeowners for homes located in Haywood County.  Applicants must attend one mandatory information session prior to application.  Information sessions are scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, at Waynesville First United Methodist Church, Wednesday Jan. 11 at The Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center and at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at Longs Chapel Church.

The home ownership program is not a giveaway program. Houses are sold at the organization’s cost with an affordable mortgage. Families are required to invest 300-400 hours of volunteer “sweat equity” into the construction of their home (depending on family size), and complete homebuyer education classes.

All applicants must be residents of North Carolina for a minimum of 12 months and living in Haywood County at the time of application. Applicants must exhibit need for affordable housing, ability to pay a monthly mortgage payment and be willingness to partner with Haywood Habitat in the building and homeowner education process.

For more information visit haywoodhabitat.org or call 828.452.7960.  

Nonprofit fuels household stability and quality of life

Anyone looking to sell an old vehicle may want to consider donating it to Working Wheels, a local nonprofit that can help a family move toward a better life.

The concept of Working Wheels is to provide affordable, reliable transportation options to working families and watch their life begin to change.

Working Wheels, based in Asheville and serving Buncombe and surrounding counties, is seeing a higher demand than ever before, and its growth has Executive Director Jamie Beasley feeling the pressure. 

Working Wheels partners with 17 local social service agencies that identify individuals who are facing a transportation barrier and are working to improve their lives.

The clients of Working Wheels consist of the essential workers of the regional economy. Program participants must be employed and most have children to support. 

The program provides two options for its clients — The Vehicle Repair Program which provides discounted repairs for people who can’t afford to fix a vehicle they already own, and The Vehicle Purchase Program, which provides reliable vehicles at an affordable price. 

Even if there is no spare vehicle to donate, there is still a way to help. People should consider making a gift to the Working Wheels Accelerator Fund, which supports the expansion and growth of the program so Working Wheels can meet the growing demand for services.

Donations of any kind are needed. Visit workingwheelswnc.org/donate or call 828.633.6888, ext. 8 to make a contribution. Checks can also be mailed to 76 Weaverville Road, Asheville, NC 28804.

For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit workingwheelswnc.org.

Smoke Stack Café and Catering opens

Smoke Stack Café and Catering recently joined the membership of the Franklin Chamber of Commerce with a ribbon cutting celebration. Smoke Stack is in the location of the former 4L Market at 61 South Patton Ave. in Franklin and is owned by Philip Lowe and Roland Mock.

According to a press release, Smoke Stack Café and Catering “brings the sizzle and excitement to your dining experience.”  

“Get ready to indulge in smoky delights that will make your taste buds do a happy dance, from tender bites to veggie treats,” the release reads. “Whether you’re hanging out in their dining room or having them cater your next shindig, they are here to serve up unforgettable moments and keep the good times rolling.”

The restaurant’s hours are Monday and Tuesday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesday through Friday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

Catering is available for any occasion, either at the restaurant in its private party room or at any location. 

For more information, call 828.369.0001 or visit  smokestack-cafe.com.

Jackson TDA director named ‘top-25 extraordinary mind’

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has selected Jackson County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Executive Director Nick Breedlove as one of its “Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization, and Distribution“ for 2023. This is the 21st year HSMAI has compiled the list, which annually recognizes exemplary achievement and leadership in the hospitality sales, marketing, revenue optimization and distribution.

Breedlove will join an exclusive list when he is honored by HSMAI at a reception in New York on Feb. 13, 2024.

The 2023 “Top 25” honorees were judged by a panel of senior industry executives for their recent work based on the following criteria: creativity and innovation, cutting edge sales or marketing campaigns, triumph in challenging situations, and/or efforts that resulted in dramatic gains.

A highly regarded leader and expert in the tourism industry, Breedlove is known for his innovative approach and strategic vision. As the former youngest elected mayor in North Carolina, he was appointed executive director of the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority in 2015, transforming the destination into an economic powerhouse, generating almost half a billion dollars in annual visitor spending from a $2 million budget.

“I am deeply honored to accept HSMAI's 'Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization and Distribution' recognition,” Breedlove said. “This honor reflects not only personal achievement but is also a testament to the collective efforts and the dynamic work culture we have nurtured at the Jackson County TDA. The success we have achieved as a team has been instrumental in earning this honor, and I look forward to celebrating with my industry peers and fellow honorees this February.”

In addition to the “Top 25” reception, Breedlove will be featured in an HSMAI special report, receive a personalized award and henceforward be recognized as a “Top 25 Extraordinary Mind in Hospitality Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization and Distribution.”

HCC receives grant for the childcare facility

The Dogwood Health Trust recently awarded a $500,000 grant to support the Regional Center for the Advancement of Children located on the Haywood Community College campus. Open to the community, this center provides five-star childcare to the youngest students on campus.

This grant will support operations of the facility including hiring four additional full-time staff members, purchasing supplies needed for the center, improving collaboration between the RCAC and the college’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) program, and increasing the number of staff receiving ECE teaching credentials.

The center is the region's only state-of-the-art early childcare laboratory, with classrooms and observation rooms for early childcare students and faculty to teach and learn. Funding from the Dogwood grant will be used to purchase equipment and supplies for faculty in our Early Childhood Education program.

With the additional staffing, this grant funding will help the center reach full capacity by the end of the grant cycle. The Regional Center for the Advancement of Children is positioned to provide ongoing childcare for the families in our community through our on-site facility while also helping the rest of the region fill workforce needs and early childhood professional gaps through comprehensive training.

Job applications are now being accepted for teachers at the Regional Center for the Advancement of Children and can be found at schooljobs.com/careers/haywoodedu.

Pilot grant program supporting WNC communities announced

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and Dogwood Health Trust are partnering to launch the WNC Community Enhancement Program that will award grants to charitable organizations and eligible public agencies to fund projects in downtowns or commercial corridors that enhance appearance, infrastructure or the pedestrian experience.

CFWNC will administer the program and will award grants up to $10,000 for projects not exceeding a total cost of $50,000. Dogwood Health Trust provided the funding for the one-year pilot. Grants will be reviewed and announced quarterly.

To apply, organizations must be tax-exempt and located in the Qualla Boundary or one of the following counties in Western North Carolina: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania or Yancey. Priority will be given to projects located in rural or other under-resourced areas.

“WNC Community Enhancement grants can help build, rebuild or refresh community spaces that foster connections and economic development,” said CFWNC Scholarship and Program Officer Lezette Parks who will manage the program. “In general, funded projects will be stand-alone, rather than part of a larger project, and we anticipate that most will address beautification or infrastructure improvements.” 

Those interested in applying can learn more at cfwnc.org.   

CFWNC awards educational grants to Jackson Schools

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina recently awarded grants totaling $7,329 to Jackson County schools from the Learning Links grant program. The grants provide local teachers with funding for activities designed to make required coursework engaging and relevant for their students.

Five Learning Links grants will support projects at Jackson Community School, Smokey Mountain Elementary School and The Catamount School. The grants will fund hands-on field trips, materials for a garden project, art materials for an art exhibition, an immersive Titanic learning experience using Lego Robotics and VR technology, and a variety of items needed to run a full-length play in May 2024. Additionally, two grants to Mountain Discovery Charter School totaling $2,000 will provide funds for materials for a Reading-Writing Workshop and funds to purchase hand tools so students can create functional objects.

“The Learning Links grant program continues to thrive,” said Lezette Parks, Scholarship and Program Officer. “Teachers are constantly finding ways to engage their students. Based on the applications, the theme for this year is experiences - inside and outside the classroom. Teachers are planning creative projects and field trips that demonstrate to students that learning is exciting and impacts their lives. Students are encouraged to stay in school when they can apply what they learn in the classroom to the world around them.” 

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina inspires philanthropy and mobilizes resources to enrich lives and communities in eighteen counties in Western North Carolina.  Last year, the Foundation facilitated $34 million in charitable giving.  

For more information, contact The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina at 828.254.4960 or visit cfwnc.org.

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