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SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain Middle School student Gabriel Ameh plays Connect Four at the Swain Senior Center with United States Air Force Vet. J.B. Jacobs Thursday, April 10. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students chose community service clubs, ranging from board games to hunting and fishing, photography and drama.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain Middle School student Gabriel Ameh plays Connect Four at the Swain Senior Center with United States Air Force Vet. J.B. Jacobs Thursday, April 10. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students chose community service clubs, ranging from board games to hunting and fishing, photography and drama.

Service Learning Day

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Swain Middle School instituted its first-ever Service Learning Day as part of its Lighthouse School Leader in Me program last Thursday. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students chose community service clubs, ranging from board games to hunting and fishing, photography and drama.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Father and son duo Dewight Winchester and Dewight Winchester II.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Father and son duo Dewight Winchester and Dewight Winchester II.

Burger King out; Catamount Travel Center moves in

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Father and son duo Dewight Winchester and Dewight Winchester II purchased the building that was once home to Burger King Friday, April 11. The 3,500-square-foot structure on approximately two acres of land off Veteran’s Boulevard is now under the ownership of Winchester Property Management.
Photo/Elliott Pritchard. Abelino Correa, Huskey’s Paint & Design employee, repainted the Swain County Heritage Museum clock Monday, April 14. He was joined by Miguel Lucas.

Photo/Elliott Pritchard. Abelino Correa, Huskey’s Paint & Design employee, repainted the Swain County Heritage Museum clock Monday, April 14. He was joined by Miguel Lucas.

Heritage Museum gets fresh coat of 'lipstick'

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
The historic Swain County Heritage Museum has received a fresh coat of paint just in time for tourist season. Huskey’s Paint & Design was commissioned to paint the approximate $31,050 project, paid for by Swain County Tourism Development Authority.
Submitted photo. Celebrating the Jackson County Spring Games in 2024. The Special Olympics will rock the Swain County High School football field following a parade next Friday.

Submitted photo. Celebrating the Jackson County Spring Games in 2024. The Special Olympics will rock the Swain County High School football field following a parade next Friday.

Special Olympics superheroes

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
The Special Olympics Far West Games is sure to rock the Swain County High School football field following a parade Friday, April 25. This year’s theme is superheroes.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Sprang Thang party lineup is official at Harmony Hall of Lands Creek Log Cabins where the Fronrath family (from left) Robin, Sue, Wyatt aka Big Foot, Jessie and Fin Fronrath, and Kyle (not pictured) prep for the 4th running, fun-filled weekend of jams, food trucks and socialization.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Sprang Thang party lineup is official at Harmony Hall of Lands Creek Log Cabins where the Fronrath family (from left) Robin, Sue, Wyatt aka Big Foot, Jessie and Fin Fronrath, and Kyle (not pictured) prep for the 4th running, fun-filled weekend of jams, food trucks and socialization.

Sprang Thang 2025

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
The Sprang Thang party lineup is official at Harmony Hall of Lands Creek Log Cabins where the Fronrath family preps for their 4th annual fun-filled weekend of jams, food trucks and fellowship.
Photo/Elliott Pritchard. Bryson City on the afternoon of Monday, April 14. Sarah Conley, Swain County Tourism Development Authority Executive Director, was optimistic about this year’s tourist season.

Photo/Elliott Pritchard. Bryson City on the afternoon of Monday, April 14. Sarah Conley, Swain County Tourism Development Authority Executive Director, was optimistic about this year’s tourist season.

Hope for tourism

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
There has been talk around town about lower-than-average tourism numbers, but Sarah Conley, Swain County Tourism Development Authority executive director, remains optimistic. “I don’t see a reason to worry right now,” said Conley.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Ariana Kirkland, 6, plays Bingo with family and friends during this year’s Spring’O’ Bingo Night at the Swain Middle School gymnasium Saturday, March 29. The event raised more than $10,000.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Ariana Kirkland, 6, plays Bingo with family and friends during this year’s Spring’O’ Bingo Night at the Swain Middle School gymnasium Saturday, March 29. The event raised more than $10,000.

Spring’O’ Bingo Night raises $10K

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Swain Middle School Principal Ryan McMahan was beyond grateful to bring in more than $10,000 at this year’s Spring’O’ Bingo Night Saturday, March 29. “The money goes directly to our school, whether it’s planners, school supplies or things for the classrooms,” said McMahan.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Tommie Eaton, Thomas Bynum, Norma Bynum, Anastasia Bynum, Katie Cope, Monica Brown, Ruben Barajas, John Whitefield, Tito Herevia, Bill Hamilton, Isaac Herrin, Mike Drinkwater, Ricky Sanford, and Toby Allman.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Tommie Eaton, Thomas Bynum, Norma Bynum, Anastasia Bynum, Katie Cope, Monica Brown, Ruben Barajas, John Whitefield, Tito Herevia, Bill Hamilton, Isaac Herrin, Mike Drinkwater, Ricky Sanford, and Toby Allman.

Wize Guyz Grill holds grand opening ribbon cutting

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Wize Guyz Grille kicked off its grand opening with the Swain County Chamber of Commerce in a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday, along with prizes and food discounts Saturday afternoon. It has been nearly one month since the 5,000-square-foot restaurant opened on Main Street.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. The Tuck and Table is under construction on Everette Street Friday, April 4. The restaurant will include a full bar, upper and lower dining, outdoor seating and dining, riverwalk, conference area and entertainment space.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. The Tuck and Table is under construction on Everette Street Friday, April 4. The restaurant will include a full bar, upper and lower dining, outdoor seating and dining, riverwalk, conference area and entertainment space.

The Tuck and Table coming soon

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
A modern rustic style, multi-level bar and grill with outdoor seating over the Tuckasgee River could open as early as June, but an official date has yet to be determined.
Submitted photo. Ricky Sanford, president of the Smoky Mountain Community Theatre Board at the Pictures with the Easter Bunny fundraising event late March of last year in Bryson City. The 2024 Pictures with the Easter Bunny event raised $700.

Submitted photo. Ricky Sanford, president of the Smoky Mountain Community Theatre Board at the Pictures with the Easter Bunny fundraising event late March of last year in Bryson City. The 2024 Pictures with the Easter Bunny event raised $700.

Theatre progresses: Easter bunny to drop by April 18

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Smoky Mountain Community Theatre Board of Directors and its president Ricky Sanford have revealed progress made toward futuristic visions of a resurrected performing arts and motion picture hub.