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To the Editor:
I have an idea for reducing the cost of the footbridge at the end of the Cullowhee Greenway. Use the I-beams from the old U.S. 23/74 highway bridge in Willets. They were good enough to handle loaded dump trucks, so any crew of equipment operators could cook up a way to use those monsters for a people-bridge; and it would save the cost of disposal.
Chris Bogardus
Cullowhee
To the Editor:
To get past the emotionality regarding the Virginia Battle Flag, we need to examine its history and use through time. The reality is that the flag was created as a symbol to support the fight for slavery.
To argue that slavery was not a core issue of the Civil War is to ignore the historical facts. One economic analysis estimated that the dollar value of the slaves in the South was greater than the value of all the industries of the North. Even a gradual phasing out of slavery would have been a huge economic loss for slaveholders. The articles of secession issued by the states from South Carolina to Texas prominently mentioned slavery as a core reason for secession. After the war, the flag became a symbol for continued suppression of African-Americans.
Later, the Battle Flag was prominently installed in capitols and other locations in southern states in the 1960s during the desegregation and civil rights movements. The flag was a symbol for continued segregation and opposition to civil rights.
What is undeniable is that throughout its history the flag was the symbol for white supremacy — a core belief supporting slavery. The flag continues to be used as a symbol for the doctrine of white supremacy through to the present day. Skinheads and other extremist groups consistently display the Battle Flag as a symbol of their cause. It is no coincidence that the Battle Flag is often presented with the Nazi swastika by white supremacists since both flags are symbols for white supremacy.
The Battle Flag has no obvious relationship to Southern music, dance, food, dress, customs or any other aspects of Southern heritage. It is a symbol for opposition to racial equality and maybe general defiance. The Battle Flag is no more a symbol of Southern heritage than the swastika is a symbol of German heritage. Both are symbols from sad periods in history and should be relegated to museums. There they can remind us of chapters in history that should not be repeated.
Norman Hoffman
Waynesville
To the Editor:
When Bill Clinton was president, Hillary assumed authority over health care reform. Even after threats, she couldn't get a vote in a Democratic congress. The cost to taxpayers was $13 million.
Clinton gave Hillary authority over selecting a female attorney general. Her first two selections were Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood — both were forced to remove their names from consideration. Next was Janet Reno — Bill described her selection as “my worst mistake.” Reno made the decision to gas David Koresh and the Branch Davidian sect, resulting in dozens of deaths of women and children.
Bill then allowed Hillary to make more recommendations. She chose former law partners Web Hubble for the Justice Department, Vince Foster for the White House staff and William Kennedy for Treasury Department. Her selections went well: Hubble went to prison, Foster (presumably) committed suicide and Kennedy was forced to resign.
Hillary then recommended a friend, Craig Livingstone, for Director of White House security. When Livingstone was investigated for improper access of 900 FBI files of Clinton enemies (Filegate) and widespread use of drugs by White House staff, Hillary and the president denied knowing Livingstone, and denied knowledge of drug use in the White House. Following this, the FBI closed its White House Liaison Office.
Hillary was in charge of the "bimbo eruption" and scandal defense. Some of her decisions were:
• She urged Bill not to settle with Paula Jones. They settled.
• This led to the appointment of Ken Starr as Special Prosecutor. And $80 million of taxpayer money was spent, Starr’s investigation led to Monica, which led to Bill lying about his affairs.
• Hillary’s game plan resulted in the impeachment by the House of Representatives.
• Repeating, “I do not recall,” “I have no recollection,” and “I don't know” a total of 56 times while under oath kept her from being indicted.
• After leaving the White House, Hillary was forced to return $200,000 in White House furniture, china and artwork that she had stolen.
Then there’s Whitewater, Travelgate, Rose law firm billing records, and The Clinton Foundation
Three hundred and fifty words can’t cover it all.
Bruce Gardner
Waynesville
To the Editor:
The problem of how to fund driver's ed could be easily solved. Since when did it become the responsibility of schools to teach our children to drive? Give that duty back to parents where it belongs and end the discussion.
My father taught me to drive beginning at age 9, so by the time I was 16 and old enough to have a license my father drove the family's 1948 Chevrolet to meet the inspector. I sat behind the wheel, the inspector sat beside me. My dad sat (shaking) in the backseat.
The inspector then proceeded to determine whether I knew how to drive and was qualified to have a license. When he thought my father had had enough he told me to drive back to the police station, handed me my temporary license, and said ... "You did good, kid, drive safely, enjoy yourself."
Here I am, still driving 60 years later, one speeding ticket collected over 40 years ago on the left coast.
Let’s end this nonsense about fees and professionals and classrooms. Place the responsibility (and accountability) where it belongs, on the parents; we'll all be the richer for it.
David L. Snell
Franklin
To the Editor:
USA Today has reported that on average there were 96 cases of a white police officer killing a black person each year between 2006 and 2012. At least 392 people have been killed by U.S. police so far in 2015; at least 1,101 in 2014; at least 2,260 since May 1, 2013. Between 2003 and 2009, the Justice Department reported that 4,813 people died while in the process of arrest or in police custody.
These are not just numbers. Each represents a living, breathing American citizen, a member of the human family, a brother or sister. In the midst of all the otherwise deserved celebration of "liberty and justice for all" this Independence Day season, these numbers — and the snuffed-out lives they stand for — cause one to wonder how we can be "proud to be an American."
Doug Wingeier
Waynesville
By Gibbs Knotts & Chris Cooper
A longstanding social science finding holds that collective public opinion is fairly sticky on most issues. In other words, the public’s views do not change very much — and when opinions do shift, the movement tends to be fairly slow. Public opinion does not change over the course of a day, week or month, but rather occurs over years or decades, if it moves at all.
The recent debate over the Confederate flag might seem to challenge this narrative. A little more than two weeks ago, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory’s press secretary, Josh Ellis, said that the governor supported a ban on specialty license plates featuring the Confederate battle flag. According to Ellis, this change was “due to the recent Supreme Court ruling and the tragedy in Charleston.”
The new agritourism guide for Haywood County is out, highlighting farmers markets, plant nurseries, pick-your-own farms, roadside produce stands, Christmas tree farms, farm-to-table restaurants and shops that sell products made from locally-grown items.
“The 2015 Agritourism Guide has been designed to appeal to a vibrant and diverse traveler, from empty-nesters to modern families, while highlighting the rich farming and agricultural heritage of our county,” said Tina Masciarelli, Buy Haywood Project Coordinator.
The new guide even includes a hand-illustrated hiking map, panoramic photograph of Purchase Knob and never-before-published recipe for grilled sirloin with fresh fig salsa.
Buy Haywood, a project of the Haywood Advancement Foundation, puts the guide out each year as a way to promote all that Haywood has to offer those interested in the growing sector of agritourism. Hailed as a “primary force” in the modern economy, this kind of tourism focused on agriculture and local products draws millions of visitors to North Carolina each year.
The free guide is distributed at all Haywood County Visitor Centers, the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce, and many sites throughout the county listed at www.buyhaywood.com.
The tally of people who have hiked the entire 1,150-mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail reached 50 when Lorie Hansen, of Hendersonville, took her final step along the trail.
The “Smokin’ in the Valley” Western North Carolina BBQ Festival will be from noon to 9 p.m. July 24 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 25 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.
Americana ensemble Steph Stewart and the Boyfriends will perform as part of the “Summer Concert Series” at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 30, in the Central Plaza at Western Carolina University.
The 6th Annual Hillbilly Woodstock will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 31-Aug. 1 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.
Trails in the Forney Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park outside Bryson City will be closed this summer for a trail rehabilitation project.
The work will use mechanized equipment to re-establish trail surface, install drainage features and build log structures.
Lakeshore Trail from the Tunnel Trailhead to White Oak Branch Trail will be closed through July 23; White Oak Branch Trail will be closed from July 27 through Aug. 20; Forney Creek Trail, from White Oak Branch Trail to Jonas Creek Trail, will be closed Mondays through Thursdays only, Aug. 24 through Sept. 24.
865.436.1297.
A newly completed greenhouse project in Cherokee earned the tribe recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency this summer.
If you’ve heard rumor of an ecological catastrophe called white-nose syndrome, a lecture at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at the Highlands Nature Center will fill in the details.
From shitakes to goats to greenhouses, farms and gardens in Jackson County will let the public in for a behind-the-scenes look at their growing operations during the annual Jackson County Farm Tour July 25 and 26.
The Haywood County Arts Council’s “Gallery & Gifts” (formerly Gallery 86) is hosting its annual ArtShare exhibit Aug. 4-31 in downtown Waynesville. ArtShare is a fundraising exhibit of fine works of art, both original and prints, which have been donated, or consigned with the Haywood County Arts Council for the purpose of financially underwriting the ongoing operating costs of the nonprofit organization. They are currently accepting donations through July 30.
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New Western North Carolina pieces on loan from the collection of Rodney Leftwich will be displayed at the Shelton House’s Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts in Waynesville.
During the 1970s Leftwich, an area native and potter, became interested in the historical pottery traditions of Western North Carolina. He collected examples, studying their forms, glazes, methods of manufacture, and makers, eventually amassing a collection of over 500 examples of locally made folk and art wares.
Pottery produced in the mountains was varied and often unique. Functional and art pottery was made in a variety of shapes and glaze combinations, partially due to the influx of potters from different traditions. Potters west of Asheville around Candler came mostly from South Carolina. Weaverville area potters immigrated from the Catawba Valley tradition south of Hickory, and the Brown family of potters of Arden came from Georgia. Art potters came from Tennessee and elsewhere. Unusual forms include face jugs, ring shaped jugs, foot warmers, and even crude folksy pottery dolls probably made for a potter’s children.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
www.sheltonhouse.org or 828.452.1551.
The Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival, one of the longest running chamber music festivals in the United States, presents its 46th season to the listeners of Western North Carolina.
The festival will continue with concerts at 7:30 p.m. 26 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre. There will also be a show on Aug. 2 at the First United Methodist Church. Both venues are in Waynesville.
George Pope (flute), Cynthia Watson (oboe), David Bell (clarinet), Lynn Hileman (bassoon), Inessa Zaretsky (piano), J. Frievogel (violin) and Rachel Frievogel (cello) performing “Mostly Russians” on July 19. “In Debussy’s Footsteps” by the Jasper String Quartet will hit the stage on July 26.
Ticket prices are $25 for individual tickets and $100 for a series ticket. Students age 25 and under are admitted free with appropriate student ID.
www.swannanoachambermusic.com or 828.452.0593.
The 50th annual Macon County Gemboree will be held July 23-26 at the Macon County Community Building in Franklin.
The “Smokin’ in the Valley” Western North Carolina BBQ Festival will be from noon to 9 p.m. July 24 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 25 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.
Jazz Mountain will perform at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 19, at the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Franklin.
I was a little apprehensive.
Strolling into The Strand at 38 Main this past Friday evening, the buzz around downtown Waynesville was the premiere of “Chasing Grace.” A faith-based thriller, the film was shot in town and around Haywood County. But, how would it fare on the silver screen?
By Hannah McLeod • Guest Columnist
We all have those memories that lurk in the back of our brain, the hazy, maybe-real-maybe-not memories from the time before we gained a sense of self. For me, those memories include being twirled around by, hugged and kissed by, or photographed with, people from all over the globe. While at two-and-a-half I had little idea of what was going on, the sights, smells, and energies of Folkmoot USA were enthralling.
Before I was born — while she was still pregnant with me and then with my brother — my mother has been taking us to Folkmoot performances. An avid traveler herself, she understood that Folkmoot was the perfect way to journey around the world with three toddlers in tow. As I grew and became aware of what the festival was, who these people were that looked so ravishing in foreign garb, and what it meant to have them here, Folkmoot turned into a spectacle that I couldn’t wait to be a part of. It was incredible to sit in the audience and watch, but I thirsted for more.
• A new art museum gift shop, FAMShop, has opened in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center on the Western Carolina University campus, close to the Fine Art Museum galleries.
The shop offers a wide variety of works created by students, faculty, staff members, alumni and friends of the university. Work-study students, staff members and volunteers operate it.
FAMShop hours during the summer are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
828.227.3591.
Several individuals and business owners were recently recognized during the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner and awards ceremony. Pisgah Inn received the Special Business Recognition; Waynesville Automotive received Business of the Year; Frog Level Brewing received Entrepreneur of the Year; Elevated Mountain Distilling Co. won the Business Start-Up Competition; Laura Tragesser received Ambassador of the Year and Kate & Brian Birthright received Volunteers of the Year.
Leadership Haywood graduates included Brian Beck, Douglas Burchfield, Seth Hendler-Voss, Jeremy Morrison, Amie Owens, Timothy Petrea, Kari Rinn, Anna Rogers, Sarah Wenzel and Melissa Tinsley.
www.haywoodchamber.com or 828.456.3021.
Shaw Industries recently donated more than 2,700 board feet of lumber to The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee that will be used to help restore a historic farmstead on LTLT’s Tessentee Bottomland Preserve property in Otto.
The donation is the second given to LTLT in a two-year period from Shaw. The first round of lumber was used to restore the decking for a new front porch; the most recent batch will be used to restore the battens on the 100-plus year old farmhouse.
LTLT has also received donations from Lowe’s Home Improvement, Lewis Penland, and countless hours of time from volunteers assisting with labor.
By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern
Primary care physicians play a key role in the health care system, often addressing patients’ health concerns before their conditions require the more specific knowledge of a specialist.
Starting Friday, July 10, blasting operations will cause temporary morning closures on a rural stretch of Interstate 40 in Haywood County near the Tennessee border.
QUESTION: Why aren’t all of your gluten free items on one aisle at my Ingles store?
ANSWER: There are several reasons for this:
Ingles founder, Robert Ingle, always had the goal of buying as much as possible from local farmers and vendors/suppliers. That motto has continued over the past 50 years. Many of our customers don’t realize that the majority of Laura Lynn products come from companies based in states within about 250 miles of our Corporate offices and Distribution Center in Black Mountain NC.
To the Editor:
The news of the last couple of weeks brings into sharp focus the divided world we live in. No longer do we have a common language or ethic to guide our thoughts or actions in this complex world.
Let's take just one example of this disconnect — religious freedom. This country was founded on the principal of the freedom of religion. For some, it means that there should be no restriction on the practice of one's religion. For others it means that the state should not promote one religion over another. These, however, are not the same thing.
If there were no restriction on religious practice then the government could not ban animal sacrifice or slavery; the legal bondage of women; or laws against interracial marriage. At one time or another all of these ideas have been justified as deeply held religious beliefs. If the state had not acted to ban these practices, it is, in effect, promoting one person's religious beliefs over another.
If the laws of a society regarding religion are up for a vote then, for instance, the City of Detroit could pass a law requiring head scarves on all women, or the city of Boston could fund Catholic schools with tax dollars, or Amish communities could prohibit cars on their public roads, or Salt Lake City voters could say only Mormons could be city officials. Such laws would clearly favor one religion over another. The same can be said about a law allowing an elected county clerk to refuse to issue a marriage license to a gay couple because of the clerk's deeply held religious belief.
Our founding fathers knew how destructive these kinds of religious laws could be. Article VI, paragraph 3 of the United States Constitution states that, “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." It took many years for the removal of all state sponsored churches in these new United States. But the founders understood the tyranny of a state-sponsored religion. The excesses of religious intolerance in the colonies and Europe's endless religious wars were fresh in their minds. The Revolutionary War was fought, among other things, to separate the 13 colonies from the King George, and his state-sponsored Church of England. Apparently that fight is not quite over.
Louis Vitale
Franklin
A $3,360 grant from The Fund for Haywood County will allow Haywood Waterways Association to do some work on the greenway at Lake Junaluska.
The funds will go toward stabilizing the shoreline and maintaining the lake for recreational purposes.
“The Lake Junaluska shoreline stabilization project is helping protect water quality,” said Haywood Waterways director Eric Romaniszyn. “Before, there was an eroding shoreline causing excess dirt to wash into Lake Junaluska. Now, thanks, in part, to The Fund for Haywood County, there is less sediment and better water quality.”
The Fund for Haywood County, an affiliate of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, is a permanently endowed fund to meet local needs. www.fundforhaywoodcounty.org
A man paddling in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park last Wednesday (July 1) died after his kayak capsized.
Kenneth Worthington, 53, from Apex, was paddling the Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River on the Tennessee side of the park when his kayak flipped. His friends pulled him from the river, but Gatlinburg police and firefighters — who responded to the emergency call along with park rangers — were unable to resuscitate him.
Information about water safety in the park is available at www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/watersafety.htm.
DockDogs to be held in Cherokee July 10-12, will showcase three days of leaping dogs doing tricks in mid-air while jumping into a pool of water.
Backcountry trails and campsites are open again in the Hazel Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the first time since a black bear attacked a teenager sleeping in a hammock.
A program titled “4,000 Reasons to Love (and Protect) Native Bees” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at the Highlands Nature Center as part of the Zahner Conservation Lecture Series.
Mountain Wildlife Days will return to Sapphire Valley Resort outside Cashiers July 17-18 this year, bringing plenty of opportunity to learn about — and meet — the creatures that call Western North Carolina home.
The classic stage production Oklahoma! will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. July 16-18, 23-25, 30-31 and Aug. 1 and at 3 p.m. July 19, 26 and Aug. 2 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.
The Glenville Area Historical Society “History Tour” will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 18.
“Chasing Grace,” a faith-based, family thriller filmed in Haywood County, will make its premier at 8 and 10 p.m. July 10 at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville.
The story takes place present day. A tragic accident threatens to destroy a pastor's family and sets into motion a complex betrayal between two brothers, while exposing secrets no one wants to face. Based upon the Amazon hit, Discovering Grace, author David Temple weaves a dramatic tale in his debut novel with this screenplay adaptation.
Film locations included The Classic Wineseller, Pisgah High School, Town of Waynesville building, First Baptist Church, and other locations around Haywood County.
The film will also be have regular showings at 4 and 7 p.m. July 11, 2 and 4 p.m. July 12 and 7 p.m. July 14-15. Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for children ages 12 and under.
"Chasing Grace" was produced by Temple’s Film & TV production company, Catalyst Pictures, LLC in association with N2ition Cinema. Catalyst Pictures is developing a variety of films ranging from family and romance, to documentaries and horror. They are in early talks about a possible sequel; likely adapting Temple’s second novel, Stealing Hope.
The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority’s Film Office assisted in the location scouting and services rendered during the making of this film.
There will be a pottery studio tour during the inaugural Dillsboro Arts & Crafts Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 18, in downtown.
Acclaimed bluegrass acts Town Mountain and The Snyder Family Band will perform July 18 at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center in Robbinsville.
Unto These Hills bridges past, present
The Unto These Hills outdoor drama will run at 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday through Aug. 15 at the Mountainside Theater in Cherokee.
The acclaimed outdoor drama traces the Cherokee people through the eons, through the zenith of their power, through the heartbreak of the Trail of Tears, finally ending, appropriately, in the present day, where the Cherokee people, much like their newly re-scripted drama, continue to rewrite their place in the world.
General admission tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-12 and free for children under age 5. Reserved tickets also available.
866.554.4557 or www.visitcherokenc.com.
Cherokee bonfire features tales, history
The ceremonial Cherokee bonfires will run from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Sept. 5 at the Ocoaluftee Island Park in Cherokee.
Spend an evening with the Cherokee people by a roaring fire. Listen as Cherokee storytellers in period dress from the 17th century spin tales of days gone by, myths and mysteries passed down through the ages and talk of the history. Learn Cherokee survival skills and experience the dance.
Your hosts will provide light refreshments, which include marshmallows for roasting and drinks. Guests sit by the fire near the Oconaluftee riverside enjoying a unique and entertaining experience.
The bonfires are free and open to the public.
800.438.1601 or 828.359.6492 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
By Wil Shelton • SMN intern
Visitors of the Qualla Boundary now have the opportunity to experience Cherokee culture in a new, interactive way.
The Cherokee Friends, a program through the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, funded by the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, aims to offer visitors a taste of Cherokee culture, as well as promote various sights around the community.
Nearly 100 people gathered on June 24 below the steps of the old Jackson County courthouse in Sylva for a vigil organized by the Jackson County Branch of the NAACP.
The vigil was to to honor those who died June 17 when Dylann Roof entered the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, and killed nine African-Americans. The case is being investigated as a racially motivated hate crime. The NAACP’s position is that this act of terrorism was directed at the African-American community.
After Rev. Porter Barringer, associate from Liberty Baptist Church, opened with prayer, Dr. Enrique Gómez, president of the NAACP area branch, presented the main address.
Branch members from Franklin, Selma Sparks and Dan Kowel, read short biographies honoring the lives of each person — among whom were religious leaders, service members, teachers, librarians, recent college graduates — each a member of Mother Emanuel church and a cornerstone of their community.
Participants then kept a 20-minute, candlelit and silent vigil to reflect on the meaning of the event.
Gómez stressed afterward that a vigil is not sufficient to address the racism and violence in our society. “We have just begun,” he continued, “to overcome the legacy of centuries of slavery and racism. Each of us has an obligation to go back to our institutions, workplaces, friends and families and confront racism wherever it shows up.”
A video of the vigil can be seen at www.jacksonncnaacp.org/2015/06/just-begun/.
Signups for town elections opened Monday, but as of Tuesday afternoon only three people had put their hat in the ring for Sylva’s four open seats.
Ginseng collectors have until July 15 to put their names in the hat for the U.S. Forest Service’s annual lottery for ginseng harvest permits.
The lottery system has been in place since 2013, when a marked reduction in wild ginseng numbers led the Forest Service to change its permit process. The decline was likely due to poaching, said Forest Service botanist Gary Kauffman, as ginseng is highly sought after in East Asia as a tonic.
The number of ginseng plants of harvestable size has decreased by 45 percent on forest lands, Kauffman said.
A permit, of which 136 are issued, allows a person to harvest as much as 3 wet pounds of wild ginseng in the ranger district where the permit is issued within the two-week season of Sept. 1-15.
Call or visit a ranger office to register for the lottery. Email requests not accepted.
