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SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Vaughn Benner, retired US Army chaplain, pays tribute to fallen soldiers during a remembrance ceremony at the memorial monument in front of Swain County Visitor Center and Heritage Museum on Monday afternoon. Benner delivered the invocation and benediction.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Vaughn Benner, retired US Army chaplain, pays tribute to fallen soldiers during a remembrance ceremony at the memorial monument in front of Swain County Visitor Center and Heritage Museum on Monday afternoon. Benner delivered the invocation and benediction.

Freedom is not free

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
The Military Veterans of Swain County helped residents and visitors remember what Memorial Day is truly about during a heartfelt remembrance ceremony at the memorial monument in front of the Swain County Visitor Center and Heritage Museum on Monday afternoon.
Submitted photo. Danny Weber and Jennifer Odom Weber love on their dog, Tiger, at Highlands N.C. in Nov. 2023. Jennifer Odom Weber lives with Lupus.

Submitted photo. Danny Weber and Jennifer Odom Weber love on their dog, Tiger, at Highlands N.C. in Nov. 2023. Jennifer Odom Weber lives with Lupus.

Living with lupus

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
May is Lupus Awareness Month — a time to spread awareness, educate and act. The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million Americans have some form of Lupus. Although Lupus strikes mostly women (90%), men, children and teenagers can also develop Lupus.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Susie Q Gourds artist Susan Davis shows gourd art to interested buyer Mitchell Russoti at Railfest in Bryson City Saturday, May 17. Davis will return to sell colorful gourds of all shapes and sizes during Freedom Festival.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Susie Q Gourds artist Susan Davis shows gourd art to interested buyer Mitchell Russoti at Railfest in Bryson City Saturday, May 17. Davis will return to sell colorful gourds of all shapes and sizes during Freedom Festival.

Susie Q Gourds: Creating works of art

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
The “Q” in Susie Q Gourds stands for quality, said the one and only Susan Davis, nationally renowned for gourd art. Davis sold gourds of all shapes, sizes and dimensions from a stand at Railfest in Bryson City over the weekend.
Photo/Sara Eisinger. The Town of Bryson City Meter/Billing Planning committee meets at Town Hall to plan for upcoming Advanced Meter Infrastructure system Monday.

Photo/Sara Eisinger. The Town of Bryson City Meter/Billing Planning committee meets at Town Hall to plan for upcoming Advanced Meter Infrastructure system Monday.

Town to tap in to new water meter systems

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
The Town of Bryson City Meter/Billing Planning committee met at Town Hall to exchange information regarding the new Advanced Meter Infrastructure system Monday. Russell Ball, Water Treatment Plant supervisor, said AMI meters allow for two-way communication between the water plant and customers.
Book cover for "Land of Blue Shadows"

Book cover for "Land of Blue Shadows"

Fryemont Inn hosts book signing

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Monica Brown, co-owner of the Fryemont Inn, is honored to host a book signing and wine tasting open house to introduce “Land of Blue Shadows: Mountain Life in Verse & View,” written by late WNC poet and naturalist George Ellison, featuring the impressionistic paintings of his wife, Elizabeth...
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Pastor Kevin Linkinhoker with 12 varieties of peanut brittle to collect funds for church repairs after a large tree fell through its roof in January.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Pastor Kevin Linkinhoker with 12 varieties of peanut brittle to collect funds for church repairs after a large tree fell through its roof in January.

Pastor’s family sells peanut brittle to finance church

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Stocked with 12 varieties of homemade peanut brittle, in true Americana fashion, Pastor Kevin Linkinhoker accompanied his wife, Sylvia, and their daughter, Mykah, on the streets of Everett and Main over the weekend. “We’ve been selling for 28 years,” said Linkinhoker.
Submitted photo. Sixth grade student Elsie-Mae Clayton earns first place for her ‘Federal government and the broken promises’ project in the individual exhibit category at the North Carolina State History Day competition at University of North Carolina Greensboro May 3. Clayton will represent Swain County in Washington D.C. where her work will be displayed at Smithsonian National Museum June 8-12.

Submitted photo. Sixth grade student Elsie-Mae Clayton earns first place for her ‘Federal government and the broken promises’ project in the individual exhibit category at the North Carolina State History Day competition at University of North Carolina Greensboro May 3. Clayton will represent Swain County in Washington D.C. where her work will be displayed at Smithsonian National Museum June 8-12.

‘Federal government and the broken promises’ at Smithsonian

News Staff
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
For the first time in Swain Middle School history, sixth grade student Elsie-Mae Clayton will represent Swain County at National History Day with her presentation on the “Federal government and the broken promises” in Washington D.C.
Submitted photo. Dr. Elena Ashburn, senior education advisor for education policy to Gov. Stein, reads to West Swain Elementary students Monday, May 19. Dr. Ashburn’s visit was prompted by an invitation from Governor’s Teacher Advisory Committee member Lydia Sale, Regional Teacher of the Year.

Submitted photo. Dr. Elena Ashburn, senior education advisor for education policy to Gov. Stein, reads to West Swain Elementary students Monday, May 19. Dr. Ashburn’s visit was prompted by an invitation from Governor’s Teacher Advisory Committee member Lydia Sale, Regional Teacher of the Year.

Learning about Swain Schools

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Dr. Elena Ashburn, senior education advisor for education policy to Gov. Stein, toured Swain County Schools to meet with students and faculty Monday. Ashburn’s visit was prompted by an invitation from Lydia Sale, Regional Teacher of the Year.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Remnant Restoration founders Michael and Rochelle Kramer lead a group of Christian missionaries in prayer on the corner of Mitchell and Everett streets Saturday, May 10. The couple will celebrate their five-year wedding anniversary May 28.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Remnant Restoration founders Michael and Rochelle Kramer lead a group of Christian missionaries in prayer on the corner of Mitchell and Everett streets Saturday, May 10. The couple will celebrate their five-year wedding anniversary May 28.

Prayers over Bryson

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Traveling “coast to coast with the Holy Ghost,” Remnant Restoration founders Michael and Rochelle Kramer led a group of Christian missionaries to Bryson City last week, preaching on the corner of Mitchell and Everett streets Saturday.
Submitted photo. Native-Brews Tap & Grill opens on Everett Street in Bryson City the first week of June.

Submitted photo. Native-Brews Tap & Grill opens on Everett Street in Bryson City the first week of June.

Native-Brews comes to Everett Street

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
One of  the first Cherokee women-owned breweries in the state is expanding to Bryson City. Native-Brews Tap & Grill opens on Everett Street the first week of June.