Lighting the way Dillsboro celebrates illuminating festival in December
Every year for more than a quarter century, the village of Dillsboro transforms itself into a quintessential Christmas scene, warm…
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WCU hosts January dulcimer weekend at Lake Junaluska
Western Carolina University will sponsor its fifth annual Mountain Dulcimer Winter Weekend beginning Thursday, Jan. 7, and continuing through Sunday,…
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Thanksgiving in the mountains: Memories and food from the past
By Karen Dill • Special to the Smoky Mountain News My memories of Thanksgiving in the mountains are of simple…
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Tickets soon available for Garrison Keillor appearance at WCU
Tickets go on sale Monday, Nov. 30, for an appearance at Western Carolina University by Garrison Keillor, host of the…
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Pride of the Mountains band and receives marching’s highest honor
Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band has been awarded the prestigious Sudler Trophy, the nation’s highest and…
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Lessie Williams performance to benefit library fund
Lessie Williams, a well-known and nationally recognized gospel singer, will give a concert of inspirational music at 7 p.m. Oct.…
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Old houses, spirits and comfort food
By Karen Dill • Special to Smoky Mountain News October is a glorious month. Brilliant colors dot the mountains against…
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Sylva ColorFest showcases work of regional artists
Downtown Sylva will host ColorFest: Art of the Blue Ridge from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 24. The event…
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Public art and community involvement
When Wayne Trapp made his proposal to the WPAC last April, he suggested that rather then depict actual countries in…
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Photographer George Schober returns to Gallery 86 with collection of nature photography
The Haywood County Arts Council’s Gallery 86 will host the exhibit, “Natural Perspectives,” featuring the photographic work of Vietnam veteran…
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Downtown Waynesville prepares for a new arrival
The Waynesville Public Art Commission will celebrate the installation of “Celebrating Folkmoot,” their third commissioned public art piece, on Nov.…
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Waynesville welcomes Apple Harvest Festival
The 21st annual Haywood County Apple Harvest Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17,…
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A little hometown appreciation
Country music recording artist Matt Stillwell will return to his roots Thursday, Oct. 15, for a hometown Homecoming week concert…
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Lorraine Conard to unveil ‘Riding on Your Wings’ at Colonial Theater Oct. 17
Local singer-songwriter Lorraine Conard celebrates the release of her new CD, “Riding on Your Wings,” with a release party to…
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September in the Mountains: Homecoming, Watergate Salad, and the possibility of change
September in the mountains is an emotionally poignant time as it signals the end of summer and the beginning of…
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Local illustrator part of upcoming Open Studios Tour
James Lyle is an internationally renowned illustrator and artist whose work appears in comic books, in campaigns for major corporations,…
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Recipes, 9/30/10
Watergate Salad • 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix • 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, with juice…
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WCU announces 2009-10 theater season
The department of stage and screen is kicking off Western Carolina University’s 2009-10 “Mainstage” theater season with the hip, dark…
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WCU marching band director honored with national award
Bob Buckner, director of Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band, is one of the first two recipients…
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HCC crafts students awarded fine arts scholarships
Four Haywood Community College Professional Crafts students, representing each field of study, were recently awarded Gateway to the Arts Scholarships.…
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Preserving craft and livelihood: Successful Quilt Trails of WNC coming soon to Haywood, Macon
By Julia Merchant • Contributing Writer Take a drive through the countryside of Western North Carolina, and you’ll likely notice…
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Follow the yellow brick road
• The Craft Heritage Trails of Western North Carolina are collected in a travel-size book that leads visitors on eight…
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NC’s tourist trails
An Internet search for tourism trails spawns a list of results including biking in Texas, rail travel in England, a…
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Acclaimed fiber artist to exhibit, teach at The Bascom
An exhibition by critically acclaimed fiber artist Cat Chow opens with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept.…
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‘Let Them Know’ delves into ‘70s underground punk scene
The Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers returns to Western Carolina University at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, with “Let…
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Ripe tomatoes and other simple pleasures
By Karen Dill • Special to The Smoky Mountain News August in the Appalachian Mountains is a time to enjoy…
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The Bottle Rockets fly into WNC
By Joe Hooten • Guest Writer Americana-roots music has seen its fair share of imitators since its revival in the…
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Methane-powered foundry opens at JCGEP
The Jackson County Green Energy Park recently opened the first landfill methane-fueled art foundry in the world. “Because of the…
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An eye for mountains: An Ansel Adams of the Smokies, George Masa was one of the greatest photographers of his era. So why have so many people never heard of him?
By Michael Beadle There’s a view on the way up to Clingmans Dome, an overlook where a maze of finger-like…
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Slow cookers converge for Franklin BBQ festival
The Mountain High BBQ & Music Festival will be held at the Macon County fairgrounds Aug. 7-8. Gates open at…
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Indie film brings big economic boost: From stunt pilots to bar scenes, movie producer weaves local people and places into script
Western North Carolina has seen its share of Hollywood productions. But unlike many of the other movies filmed here, “Road…
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Qualla’s art goes worldwide
Known for its legendary craftsmanship, Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, Inc. just launched its new website, www.quallaartsandcrafts.org. For the first…
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Junaluska Assembly’s long-time musical maestro calls it a career with Aug. 8 performance
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer The year was 1954. An up-and-coming singer named Elvis Presley was beginning his musical…
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Recipes, 7/29/09
Zach’s Barbecue Pork: Zach takes a Boston Butt pork shoulder — the cheaper cut of meat the better. He marinates…
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Cookouts, lightning bugs, and the relatives
By Karen Dill • Guest Writer July brings warm and often muggy weather to the usually cool mountain glens. It…
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Hard work takes place off Folkmoot stages
By Andre A. Rodriguez Each morning of the Folkmoot festival, the members of Shalom Israel Ashdod spend at least one…
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Heliker & Lahotan Foundation’s WNC connection keeps the creative vision alive
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer Gaily colored petals of long-stemmed Cosmos flowers lilt along on the sea-swept winds that…
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Folkmoot experience shared across generations of performers
By Andre A. Rodriguez Twenty-five years after their father represented the Netherlands at the first Folkmoot festival, a second generation…
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Heritage, naturally
By Joann B. Poindexter • Special to The Smoky Mountain News The Franklin Folk Festival will celebrate the region’s cultural…
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Cold Mountain Heritage Tour attracts many to the rich stories woven into Haywood County’s history
By Michael Beadle On a quiet perch atop Bethel Cemetery, two unmarked graves are all that’s left of a pair…
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Public Art Commission paver design coming to fruition at new police station
The plaza at the entrance to the new Waynesville Police Station is nearing completion. Workers are placing the final touches…
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Recipes, 6/24/10
Rainbow trout with lemon caper sauce: Grill filleted trout over medium-hot coals. Baste with butter and fresh herbs (parsley, chives,…
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Sunburst: Fantasy and Reality
By Karen Dill Sunburst. The word evokes a magical image. Yet, in my childhood community of Bethel, Sunburst was simply…
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Out like trout
Anybody who knows any thing about Western North Carolina is aware of the bountiful rivers and stream waters that paint…
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Craft Revival Project receives funding from Cherokee foundation
The Cherokee Preservation Foundation recently awarded $87,700 to Western Carolina University’s Craft Revival Project to continue the university’s Cherokee crafts…
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Woman turns passion into beneficial career
When Suzanne Wilson’s job was eliminated last December, she quickly found a new career, one that would allow her to…
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Artists’ renderings of Smokies benefit National Park
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer The misty mountaintops and bubbling creeks of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have…
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Pennington recreates scenes of the Smokies
As a little girl, Teresa Pennington of Waynesville looked forward to Sundays all week. After church, her family would venture…
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