Local

Mary Ann Shea shows off the new Story of Fontana Dam interactive display in the Heritage Museum.

Mary Ann Shea shows off the new Story of Fontana Dam interactive display in the Heritage Museum.

TDA welcomes new museum games, EV charging stations

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Electric vehicle charging stations can now be found in the parking lot behind the Swain County Heritage Museum on Main Street. The museum has recently added a few new activities for kids, as well.
At Smoky Mountain Boatworks in Bryson City on Thursday, March 23, a Catamaran boat was flipped over by a crane, with inspectors intending to come by this week to make sure it’s ready for sailing in Albemarle Sound for passenger trips.

At Smoky Mountain Boatworks in Bryson City on Thursday, March 23, a Catamaran boat was flipped over by a crane, with inspectors intending to come by this week to make sure it’s ready for sailing in Albemarle Sound for passenger trips.

Bryson City boat gets flipped for journey

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The upside-down Catamaran boat gleamed in the sun at Smoky Mountain Boatworks as the crane got ready to flip it over. The boat, built entirely at Smoky Mountain Boatworks in Bryson City, is the second of two contracted by HarborTowns Inc.
SMT photo/Larry Griffin - Swain County High theater instructor Nicole Huett is ready for opening night of Legally Blonde.

SMT photo/Larry Griffin - Swain County High theater instructor Nicole Huett is ready for opening night of Legally Blonde.

Swain County High theater opens this weekend

Swain County High theater instructor Nicole Huett is ready for the new opening of the student production of “Legally Blonde” at the Swain Arts Center this Friday, March 24 – especially since until recently, it seemed like the COVID -19 pandemic had killed live theater for good.
The Restoration House on Academy Street, pictured, is a safe haven for those in need of help with various things. It’s currently trying to raise funds to replace the flooring at its Sweet Dreams shelter, which offers housing for those in need.

The Restoration House on Academy Street, pictured, is a safe haven for those in need of help with various things. It’s currently trying to raise funds to replace the flooring at its Sweet Dreams shelter, which offers housing for those in need.

Restoration House raising funds to repair shelter floors

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Restoration House’s Sweet Dreams shelter, which serves as a place to sleep and eat for those experiencing homelessness in Bryson City, is in need of repairs.
Barry Tetrault, co-owner of High Test Deli, remembers the early period of the pandemic as a confusing time.

Barry Tetrault, co-owner of High Test Deli, remembers the early period of the pandemic as a confusing time.

Business owners, professionals recall the fear & uncertainty of early Covid-19 pandemic

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The world changed in March 2020 in Bryson City the same ways it did in the rest of the world, as the Covid-19 pandemic forced everyone to retreat to their homes for fear of contracting the deadly respiratory illness.
Angry Elk Brewing owners Greg and Sharon Wasik are glad their brewery has been gaining popularity in the area outside Cherokee.

Angry Elk Brewing owners Greg and Sharon Wasik are glad their brewery has been gaining popularity in the area outside Cherokee.

Angry Elk Brewery capitalizes on ‘prime location’

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Traveling visitors on U.S. 441 will find Angry Elk Brewing Co. just outside of Cherokee - a new brewery trying to add craft beer to the area, which owner Greg Wasik said was sorely lacking there until now.
West Swain Volunteer Fire Department and several supporting agencies fought a house fire in Mystic Lands subdivision in the Nantahala Gorge on Thursday, March 2.

West Swain Volunteer Fire Department and several supporting agencies fought a house fire in Mystic Lands subdivision in the Nantahala Gorge on Thursday, March 2.

House fire at Mystic Lands

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   West Swain Volunteer Fire Department arrived at a large home at Mystic Lands just after 4:40 p.m. on Thursday, March 2. The home was vacant at the time, and a property caretaker had gone by the house and saw smoking coming from it and called it in.
Kiosks, like these two pictured at Oconaluftee Visitor's Center, are one of the ways visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park can purchase parking passes, which are now required for anyone parking for more than 15 minutes.

Kiosks, like these two pictured at Oconaluftee Visitor's Center, are one of the ways visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park can purchase parking passes, which are now required for anyone parking for more than 15 minutes.

Smokies parking fees now in effect

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Those who arrived at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Wednesday, March 1 were greeted by bulky green kiosks from which they could now buy parking passes to visit the park.