Summer is here at the Highlands Nature Center, with a variety of summer day camps and half-day camps. Look through the offerings to find one that will fit your family:

• Amazing Animals, aimed at children 7 to 10, will feature hands-on activities and field observations to study different animal groups. July 28-31. 

• WOW! — Worlds of Wonder, aimed at children 4 to 6, will feature plenty of time outside with nature games, hikes through the woods, critter searches and exploration in the pond and stream. Aug. 4-7. 

• NatureWorks, aimed at children 8 to 11, will showcase the inner workings of “Mother Nature” through interactive games and activities, covering everything from the different parts of a forest to the adaptations of predators. July 14-17. 

828.526.2623 or www.highlandsbiological.org.

See the special camp category in the calendar of The Smoky Mountain News for more day camps around the region.

James Veteto has a theory that seeds are a link to the past, connecting one generation to the other, not merely little packets of DNA but also shared human heritage.

It’s official: North Carolina Appalachian Trail license plates sales have crossed the $1 million mark.

The Blue Ridge Parkway will take its place on U.S. currency with a special quarter design this summer, as part of the the U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters Program, a series honoring one site or park in each state.

A ranger-guided hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway this Friday will mark the beginning of summer for the high-elevation road as its ranger-led programs for the public gear up for the season.

The Front Street Arts & Crafts Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 20, in downtown Dillsboro.

The Taste of Scotland & Celtic Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 20, in downtown Franklin.

Jazz performance planned in Waynesville

Jazz pianist Marquita Someliana will perform at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at the Haywood County Public Library in Waynesville. Someliana is a singer-songwriter who enjoys performing jazz, Americana and other genres. 

Free. 

www.haywoodarts.org. 

Acclaimed bluegrass act Darin & Brooke Aldridge will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, June 19, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville.

To the Editor:

There has been recent news coverage and public discussion about the plans for the new Haywood County animal shelter, the need for a new shelter, and the impact of a new shelter on the county budget. We have been informed that the budgetary impact of the new shelter will not become a reality in the 2015-16 budget year.  

The planning for the shelter is being done by the Animal Services Advisory Committee, county commissioners and selected experts, but it is mostly behind the scenes. A needs assessment needs to done before the planners grapple with designing the basics. When there is a more firmly framed plan, a public hearing will be scheduled.

The needs assessment is a critical piece in the planning for a new shelter and must include facts, which include the numbers of animals, the pattern of ebb and flow of animals entering, staying, leaving, and being euthanized, how the work of (or lack of work) animal welfare nonprofits impacts the shelter past, present and future. It also needs to consider such pragmatic issues as current legal minimum standards of building a shelter in the 21st century, availability of water, sewer and power utilities. And it should include future needs that will allow our new shelter to operate for 20 to 30 years and will assure the health and safety of the animals and the people who work in the shelter.    

I’ve been advised that the needs assessment will not take place until late July, so now is the time for the public to let commissioners know what we expect to see, what we expect will change and what we want to be in place when the new shelter becomes a reality. Our taxpayer dollars will be paying for the new shelter, so it is only right that the resulting plans provide the services we believe will benefit the animals in our community.

Our current shelter is physically inadequate for the animals and the staff and has been for many years.

• High noise levels stress animals and people. (I’d be willing to bet OSHA noise standards for workers are not met.)

• There is not enough space to process animal intakes.

• There is no privacy for management and human resources work which makes for poor personnel management.

• Space to quarantine sick animals is non-existent. This practically assures that euthanasia is the go-to option for sick animals.

• Animal housing spaces, particularly for cats, are inadequate by modern standards and cause stress; which leads to illness; which becomes yet another reason to euthanize animals.

Although most households in the county have at least one domestic pet and there are large numbers of households that have many (all of whom can call on the department’s services), the budget for Animal Services is less than 1 percent of the county budget.

Our shelter staff is paid poorly and we get the service equivalent. This is evidenced by a high staff turnover of the shelter staff. The most recent open position has a salary of less than $24,000 per year. And the staff is supposed to be available 24/7!

County commissioners have refused for the last several years to hire an administrative person for the shelter. That means the phones aren’t answered for a large number of calls. It also means that shelter must be closed during the standard work day if animal services calls require all officers to be in the field. Some-thing must be done to keep the shelter open and responsive to the public during regular business hours. Volunteers?

The public does not get the service it expects because the staff is too poorly trained and there are too few of them.

We should be demanding that these issues be addressed at the same time the new shelter is planned because:

• Veterinary science, shelter management procedures and public awareness of animal welfare (particularly on abuse and euthanasia) issues has changed drastically in the last 20 years.

• Shelters around the country have evolved from the post-war dog pounds to true shelters where abandoned and stray animals can be cared for and released alive through adoption and/or foster care.  

• Shelters throughout the country are using innovative tools and public/private partnerships to address problems to increase live release rates.

• We need to have qualified animal services and operations staff in place who are committed to a humane approach in dealing with the community, the animals, and the owners and those who report problems, and who are willing to serve the community by finding non-lethal solutions to animal welfare issues.

Here is where government of, by and for the people begins. Let county commissioners know what you want for a new shelter, share your ideas and concerns at the twice-monthly meetings, at public hearings, or write to or email them. There are many of you who have volunteered at the shelter here or in our jurisdictions or have dealt with them as volunteers for animal welfare organizations who can use your experience to influence the ultimate product. 

Even our human services professionals should weigh in because they have knowledge on the impacts of animal/family abuse that should feed into policies and procedures. Without the benefit of the whole community's collective wisdom the county commissioners may not get a big enough picture to assure that we get our tax money’s worth in 2016-17 and beyond.  

Penny Wallace

Waynesville

To the Editor:

It has appeared for a long time that the American people have turned into a flock of sheep being led where ever our leaders wish to take us. The headline on page 16 of this The Smoky Mountain News last week indicates that Macon residents are no different than the balance of the country.

The headline "Lower Values Lead to Higher Taxes in Macon" is simply astonishing. That a lowering of the value of real estate in a county should automatically mean higher taxes means the politicians have finally got their constituents where they want them. Our leaders no longer need to worry if their policies lead to the wealth of their constituents being reduced. They just raise the taxes when that happens! This is unbelievable.

Ordinary citizens have to tighten their belts when times get hard. Apparently, that is not to be expected from politicians. They will simply raise taxes by 28 cents to 35 cents (an astounding 25 percent increase) to support a budget increase of 2.5 percent.

A strong case can be made that the governments at all levels in the country has spent us into deep trouble as well as promoting policies (sending the bulk of manufacturing overseas) that have set the middle class back 20 years or more. Apparently, the politicians will not have to even bother apologizing. Just move on to greater spending!

Bart McPherson

Glenville

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern 

Whether it is teaching a Pilates or karate class or performing massage therapy, much of the work at Abel Wellness revolves around restoring balance to the body.

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern 

Relaxing through methods such as massages and skin care treatments is not just a luxury. Rather, it is part of taking care of the body and pursuing wellness.

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern

Jackie Beecher wants clients to feel empowered in making decisions about their health when they come to Nurture Wellness Studio.

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern

As a doctor of naturopathy, Michelle Sanderbeck said one of her main concerns is finding the underlying cause of her patients’ problems rather than just treating the symptoms. 

Health organizations throughout Western North Carolina offer a variety of programs and services to promote wellness among residents.

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern

It’s a myth that yoga is reserved for only the most acrobatic of people. And that’s good news considering the amount of stress that is often part of everyday life, said Jay MacDonald, a registered yoga teacher out of Waynesville.

A mother and son are back to safety after spending a night lost in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

Christy Barns, 40, and her son Casey, 16, were visiting the park from Wisconsin and hiking the Forney Creek Trail. But near sunset on Sunday, June 7, Christy sent a text to family members saying they were lost and needed help. Rangers soon found the Barns’ vehicle at Clingmans Dome and launched a ground search Monday morning. 

By 2 p.m., the pair had been found in good condition along the trail. The search involved 30 National Park Service employees, with 15 of those actively searching the field along trails where the two were believed most likely to be found. 

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern 

A bear attack that happened Saturday night in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has left many people in the area puzzled over the events of the attack. Many said they have never heard of something like this happening. 

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern

Teresa Williams’ eight years on Western Carolina University’s Board of Trustees has come to a close, and at her final meeting, board members thanked her for her contributions to the university.

QUESTION: What is the difference between field corn and sweet corn?

ANSWER: First, let’s start with the fact that there are 6 different types of corn and they fall into two categories – SOFT or HARD corns based on the amount of hard or soft starch in the kernel.

Volunteers willing to work hard in the backcountry are sought to form this year’s Smokies Wilderness Elite Appalachian Trail Crew, a mobile group of trail maintainers that works sections of the Smokies more than 5 miles from the nearest road.

The release of 150 bats in Hannibal, Missouri, May 18 marked a milestone for the fight against white-nose syndrome, a disease that’s been decimating bat populations all along the east coast. 

The bats were the first to be successfully treated for white-nose, which is caused by a fungus that invades the bats’ nose, mouth and wings during hibernation, when their immune systems are nearly shut down. 

The treatment being tested is a common North American bacterium that releases gases inhibiting growth of the fungus causing white-nose. The bats’ release shows that it works. The question now is whether the bacterium would have other, undesired, effects on the cave environment. The fungus was first discovered in the U.S. in 2006 and popped up in North Carolina in 2011. Since then, little brown bat populations in Western North Carolina have dropped by an estimated 92 percent, with that number sitting at 78 percent for northern long-eared bats and 77 percent for tri-colored bats. 

The bats released in May survived wintertime exposure to the fungus causing white-nose syndrome, inspiring cautious optimism in those attending the bat release. 

“While more research is needed before we know if our current discovery is an effective and environmentally safe treatment for white-nose syndrome, we are very encouraged,” said the U. S. Forest Service’s Michael T. Rains, who directs the Service’s Northern Research Station and the Forest Products Laboratory.

The Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians will hold its grand opening Saturday, June 6, in Cherokee, marking a milestone in more than a year of planning, renovations and exhibit construction. 

Purchases at Waynesville’s Mast General Store Saturday, June 6, will help out with land conservation. 

For that day, the store will donate a percentage of its sales to the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy to support local land and water conservation efforts.

“Our conservation work directly impacts tourism as an economic driver in Western North Carolina communities,” said Cheryl Fowler, SAHC’s Membership Director. “We are grateful that many of our business partners have recognized this fact and pledged to ‘give back’ by donating a percentage of the day’s sales.”

Land Trust Day is held each year in conjunction with National Trails Day, the first Saturday in June.

The Pines Recreation Area on Lake Glenville is now open, featuring a new swimming beach, fishing pier, picnic area, signage, parking enhancmeents, vault toilets and a life jacket loaner board.

Legendary comedian and singer-songwriter Ray Stevens will be hitting the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 12, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

A regular on the Andy Williams Show, Stevens became a popular entertainer in the world of television and landed his own show, The Ray Stevens Show. His inspiring fame earned a lot of attention from other artists and allowed him the opportunity to work alongside greats such as Brenda Lee, Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley.

In the early 1970s, Stevens hit the Nashville music scene and recorded his gospel-inflected single, “Everything is Beautiful,” which earned him a Grammy award as Male Vocalist of the Year. He followed that with several other popular tunes including, “The Streak.” 

Tickets start at $42.

www.greatmountainmusic.com or 866.273.4615.

“Cherokee Friends,” Ani-Tsalagi Digali, is an exciting new program that will expand on visitors’ experiences within the community of Cherokee.

A wide array of adult art classes and workshops are now open to those interested at The Bascom in Highlands.

“Solitude & Mystery,” an exhibit showcasing for the work of John Julius Wilnoty will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at the Qualla Arts & Crafts gallery in Cherokee.

The 5th annual Appalachian Lifestyle Celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 13, in downtown Waynesville.

During the event, there will be local authors, artisan demonstrations and crafter booths including basket making, blacksmithing, quilting, weaving, wood working, wood carving, pottery and soap making.

Live music will be offered on both ends of downtown. Music groups include Michael Reno Harrell, Mean Mary, Whitewater Bluegrass, JAM Musicians, Radio Hill Boys, Mike Pilgrim, The Pressley Girls, Blackberry Jam, Haven Bryant, Jonah Riddle, Rob Gudger & Wolf Tales, Jim Bordwine and Productive Paranoia. The J Creek Cloggers and Southern Appalachian Cloggers will kick up their heels for crowd excitement. Star of the hit reality show “Hillbilly Blood,” Spencer Bolejack will also be onsite. Food vendors will feature barbecue, smoked sausage, fried apple pies, kettle corn and more.  

As well, in conjunction with the celebration, The Shelton House invites you to see a living history camp, reenactments and demonstrations on June 12-13. The reenactments will be part of the “Last Shot Fired” 150th anniversary remembrance of the end of the Civil War.

Volunteers are currently needed for set up and take down. The event is sponsored by The Downtown Waynesville Association.

828.456.3517 or www.downtownwaynesville.com.

Catch the Spirit of Appalachia will be hosting a day of Western North Carolina culture from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 14, at the Folkmoot USA Fellowship Hall in Waynesville.

American Gonzos will perform as part of the Summer Concert Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 11, in the Central Plaza at Western Carolina University.

To the Editor:

First, and foremost, I want to thank you for the article in The Smoky Mountain News, your May 27 edition on page 10, regarding the new bistro opening in Dillsboro.

Please allow me to make a few corrections that I feel necessary. The title was “Greek Bistro opens in Dillsboro;” my preference would be “A New Bistro in Town. ” I am uncomfortable with the title Greek Bistro. Our bistro is not exclusive to Greek dishes.

The first line, “A taste of Greece arrived in Dillsboro last week with the opening of Coach’s,” is incorrect. Dillsboro has had for 15 years a family owned Greek restaurant, Kostas, just across the street and has served some outstanding dishes for many years with many happy clients, one of those being myself, and other members of my staff at the Jarrett House and Coach’s.  

Constantine Roumel

Dillsboro

To the Editor:

Have you noticed when officeholders (elected or unelected) are attempting to wiggle out from responsibility for some scandal they always say “to the best of my recollection …?” Despite the statement that “I do not believe anyone shirked their responsibility,” all of these (and more) pronouncements are so much gobbledygook coming from the Jackson County manager. He can’t hide the fact that it has always been (and still is) his job to know what his department heads are doing and to take appropriate action by voice (face-to-face is best) and memorandum to insure that they not only know what their job duties are, especially regarding enforcement of county ordinances, but to make sure that they perform these mandated duties.

The evidence strongly suggests that this minimum level of management skills has not been performed by the county manager for some time. Perhaps never. And he’s putting $10,000 a month of yours and my money in his pocket for over four years now — laughing all the way to the bank!

I laughed out loud several times as I read The Smoky Mountain News piece (“Jackson to contract audit of permitting department”, SMN, May 27, 2015) about how the chairman and other commissioners were desperately trying to assign blame to the chosen scapegoat (Tony Elders) despite the fact that the county manager verbally claims that the responsibility for enforcement of the mountain hillside and development ordinance hasn’t been assigned to anyone, ever.

The latest round of political chicanery which erupted upon news of this latest scandal breaking strongly indicates to me that the chairman is worried about this latest embarrassment sticking to him and derailing his grandiose future political aspirations. I would be worried, mister chairman, as you “doth protest too much, methinks” in that your casting false aspersions upon Elders by intimating that the audit that you’re going to spend perhaps $50,000 of taxpayer money on is not an investigation (when it really is) but also by using this as an attempt to misdirect and cover up your responsibility for not insuring that the county manager is actually doing his job. This is an exercise in juvenile political gamesmanship, ultimately futile, and certainly fiscally irresponsible.

Upon learning that one or both of the department heads (Green and Elders) weren’t performing their duties regarding the hillside and development ordinance, the county manager should have immediately determined just exactly who was responsible for enforcing the ordinance, spoke to both of the department heads face-to-face, and sent both a memorandum in regards to how the manager’s policy. But no, it doesn’t seem that this minimum level of management was performed.

The chairman of the county commissioners is also to blame for not ensuring that the county manager was doing his job. Oh well, what is new there? 

This is common sense government? I don’t think so. But not to worry there will be even more exciting uncommon scandals to come and even more comedic entertainment provided to Jackson County political observers. You can’t make this stuff up. It’s the “greatest show on earth!” Which side are you on?

Carl Iobst

Cullowhee

Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will have free opportunities to attend UNC Asheville as part of an instructional credit agreement that was signed by the university and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

The agreement, signed in English and Cherokee, will reserve up to 10 admissions slots for new, incoming, academically qualified EBCI members each semester. The EBCI will cover the students’ cost of attendance and UNC Asheville will grant in-state residence status to all students receiving full EBCI scholarships.

UNCA will assist students in forming an American Indian Science and Engineering Society Chapter and faculty will begin collaboration on curricular programming opportunities such as Cherokee language instruction and courses in Native American Studies.

Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, executive director of the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, submitted her resignation to the board and staff effective July 6. 

An enrolled member of the EBCI, Clapsaddle will return to the classroom as a teacher at Swain County High School and continue her creative writing. 

“Annette brought her intelligence and skill set to the position and served the CPF well. We are sad she is leaving but happy she is going back to teaching and inspiring our young people,” said Luke D. Hyde, chairman of the CPF’s board.

Hyde will lead a transition committee to begin a national search for a new executive director. 

www.cherokeepreservation.org.

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern 

A great restaurant at a great location in a great town — it’s all part of The Imperial’s appeal, according to the restaurant’s assistant manager Monte Bumberknick.

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern 

Some opponents of North Carolina’s new voting law claim it negatively impacts college students because of provisions that cut the early voting period and do not allow students to use their campus photo identification cards as a valid form of identification to vote. Students at Western Carolina University were asked their thoughts on the new law.

QUESTION: I noticed that CELLULOSE is listed as an ingredient in my shredded cheese. What is that? 

ANSWER: Cellulose is part of the cell wall of all plants and is classified as a carbohydrate. Humans cannot digest cellulose so it’s is known as an indigestible or insoluble fiber. If you’ve ever taken a fiber supplement you might have seen cellulose listed as an ingredient.

Western North Carolina was well represented in the round of annual conservation awards bestowed by the state’s 24 land trusts. 

The N.C. Land Trust Awards recognized 11 individuals or organizations for efforts to protect the state’s land. Among them were:

• Paul Carlson of Franklin, who just ended 18 years as executive director of Land Trust for the Little Tennessee, which he founded. 
• Carolina Mountain Club, whose volunteers have poured hours of labor into trail building and maintenance. 
• Sheila Gasperson, a long-time employee of the Blue Ridge Parkway who has staunchly supported land protection projects along that corridor.

A coalition of trail-loving organizations will join forces to celebrate National Trails Day with an opportunity to work on the Appalachian Trail Saturday, June 6.

A draft plan for sustainable river access on the upper segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River is now open for review. 

The plan stems from a years-long fight to allow paddling on the upper waters of the Chattooga, ending a longstanding ban. Opponents had feared paddlers would diminish the wilderness experience and cause lasting environmental damage to the river, but in 2012, the decision to end the ban was finalized. Now the U.S. Forest Service must determine the specifics of how the river may now be used. 

Included in the plan is a decision to replace 19 miles of “eroding, unsafe, unmaintained user-created trails crisscrossing the banks of this wild and scenic river” with 1.63 miles of “sustainable foot trails,” said Chattooga River District Ranger Ed Hunter.

In North Carolina, those trails include:

• 0.28 miles at the Greens Creek put-in.
• 1.2 miles at the County Line put-in and take-out.
• 400 feet at the Bullpen Bridge put-in and take-out.

The plan will soon embark on a 45-day formal objection period, which is expected to begin with legal publications in area newspapers this week. 

The plan is online at www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=42568.

The Mt. Le Conte Backcountry Shelter and trails to the popular Cliff Tops area have re-opened following closure due to a May 17 encounter with an aggressive bear.

The Solarize WNC program — an effort to connect people interested in converting to solar energy with the resources to do so — is starting to see some success, with one solar contract signed and two more pending.

Coal will no longer be the cornerstone of power production in Asheville when Duke Energy completes a newly announced $1.1 billion plan to retire its coal-fired power plant and construct a natural gas plant and solar farm in its place. 

The switchover, planned to be mostly complete by the end of 2019, will increase the plant’s capacity from 376 to 650 megawatts — important given that Duke Energy Progress’s Asheville service area has doubled over the last four decades, forcing the company to import about 400 megawatts of power during peak demand.  

Despite the increased production, pollution is expected to decrease. Mercury output will be eliminated, sulfur dioxide will decrease 90 to 95 percent, water withdrawal by 97 percent, water discharge by 50 percent and nitrogen oxide by 35 percent. Carbon dioxide emissions will decrease by about 60 percent per-megawatt-hour. 

The new station will also be cheaper to run, costing about 35 percent less based on today’s natural gas prices. 

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is applauding the move.

“Ceasing to burn coal at this plant, in combination with the planned cleanup of the plant’s coal ash storage ponds under the Coal Ash Management Act of 2014, will dramatically lower the risks this plant’s toxic coal ash poses to the river and reduce air pollution,” said Stephen A. Smith, the organization’s executive director. 

However, Smith pointed out, Duke has not specified the size of the solar farm to be installed. He encourages them to invest in something substantial. 

“We remain hopeful it will be a truly substantial investment in solar,” he said. “As other utilities have demonstrated, solar power can be effectively used to reduce the amount of natural gas burned during daylight hours.” 

Gourd artists from around the world will again be ‘gathering’ at the 13th annual Gourd Artists Gathering and Art Festival May 29-31 in Cherokee.