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The Meridians were rumored to invade Great Smoky Mountains Event Park and take over the kingdom June 21, 2024. This year, the Atlantian Army stands guard as they are ready to defend their homeland.

The Meridians were rumored to invade Great Smoky Mountains Event Park and take over the kingdom June 21, 2024. This year, the Atlantian Army stands guard as they are ready to defend their homeland.

‘Rumors of war’ call to arms

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Last year’s rumors of war proved false, but this year is said to be the year of many battles. The Atlantian Army stands guard with swords and ancient weapons to defend its homelands against Meridian invaders.
SMT photos/Sara Eisinger. Buttermilk Farms Antiques & Auction seats nearly 200 people during its monthly auction Saturday, May 24. Meanwhile, Susan Leading Fox, owner, ran a successful cake auction fundraiser to thank fire crews.

SMT photos/Sara Eisinger. Buttermilk Farms Antiques & Auction seats nearly 200 people during its monthly auction Saturday, May 24. Meanwhile, Susan Leading Fox, owner, ran a successful cake auction fundraiser to thank fire crews.

Buttermilk Farms collects $2,605 for fire dept., Forest Service

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Buttermilk Farms Antiques & Auction has vowed to make a significant contribution to Bryson City Fire Department and North Carolina Forest Service in coming days. Owner Susan Leading Fox ran a cake auction fundraiser to thank fire crews Saturday, May 24.
Submitted photo. Shown is the Swain County Heritage Museum taken from last fall.

Submitted photo. Shown is the Swain County Heritage Museum taken from last fall.

TDA sets public hearing on budget

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
A public hearing on the Swain County Tourism Development Authority Budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year is scheduled for Wednesday, June 11 at noon. Its fiscal year is July 1 through June 30.
Tammy L. Davis, Swain County HOP Director, stands behind the HOP program as it provides food, housing, transportation and safety support to those in need. The program was excluded from the state’s biennial budget.

Tammy L. Davis, Swain County HOP Director, stands behind the HOP program as it provides food, housing, transportation and safety support to those in need. The program was excluded from the state’s biennial budget.

Saving HOP could save money

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
The Healthy Opportunities Pilot program was excluded from North Carolina’s biennial budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. “Both the House and Senate have not included provisions to fund this program for the next two years,” said Parker Chatham-Wolter, executive director of Restoration House WNC.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Landon Blake Coday (left to right), Emma Nicole Houston, Ronald Vincent Arch and Bryan Aguilera watch a slide show of memories and hear from Swain County School staff during a graduation ceremony at Swain Arts Center June 1. Swain Academy graduated 14 students during the school's first graduation ceremony.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Landon Blake Coday (left to right), Emma Nicole Houston, Ronald Vincent Arch and Bryan Aguilera watch a slide show of memories and hear from Swain County School staff during a graduation ceremony at Swain Arts Center June 1. Swain Academy graduated 14 students during the school's first graduation ceremony.

A new beginning

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Swain Academy graduated 14 students, 11 of which walked under Swain Arts Center’s bright lights to receive their diplomas during a commencement ceremony Sunday, June 1. The class of 2025 served as Swain Academy’s first graduating class, separate from Swain County High School.
Submitted photo. Members of the Swain County High School Class of 2025 celebrate as they complete graduation on May 29. 121 students walked across the stage to receive their diplomas during the ceremony.

Submitted photo. Members of the Swain County High School Class of 2025 celebrate as they complete graduation on May 29. 121 students walked across the stage to receive their diplomas during the ceremony.

Maroon Strong

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
One hundred and twenty-six Swain County High School students graduated and approximately 121 walked across Swain County Memorial Stadium to receive their diplomas Thursday, May 29.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Molly Shaw, The Wild Fern owner, browses through stickers with “Papahoney Mike” aka grandpa and his grandkids Saturday, May 24. Other customers flocked inside to browse Solmate Socks and other American made products.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Molly Shaw, The Wild Fern owner, browses through stickers with “Papahoney Mike” aka grandpa and his grandkids Saturday, May 24. Other customers flocked inside to browse Solmate Socks and other American made products.

The Wild Fern moves into theatre’s storefront

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
The Wild Fern has found new home for its seemingly endless array of American made products at a Smoky Mountain Community Theatre storefront on Main Street, set to open mid-June. This comes as the theatre makes continuous strides towards its grand opening, two to three years from now.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Joan Stocker designs bracelets with size-11 delicate glass Japanese beads during a demonstration at Heritage Festival in Bryson City Saturday afternoon. She will be back in Bryson City celebrate and sell at Freedom Fest.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Joan Stocker designs bracelets with size-11 delicate glass Japanese beads during a demonstration at Heritage Festival in Bryson City Saturday afternoon. She will be back in Bryson City celebrate and sell at Freedom Fest.

Beubelot Beading at Heritage Fest

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Beads and string in hand, Joan Stocker looked downward at thousands of size 11 delicate glass Japanese beads, demonstrating how to bead bracelets at the Heritage Festival Saturday afternoon. All the while, she wore a huge smile.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Pharmacist Ameer Adam prepares to open third Mark’s Pharmacy location at Valley Village Shopping Center Friday, May 23.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Pharmacist Ameer Adam prepares to open third Mark’s Pharmacy location at Valley Village Shopping Center Friday, May 23.

Family-owned pharmacy opens in Bryson City

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Mark’s Pharmacy is set to open a third location where Bryson City Pharmacy once operated at Valley Village Shopping Center in mid-June. “We are a family-owned business and customer service is what we are known for,” said Ameer Adam. “We get to know people like family.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Lori McDonald of Lori and the Freightshakers plays its last song on the Unplugged Pub stage Saturday, May 24. Last weekend marked the end of a four-and-half-year era.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Lori McDonald of Lori and the Freightshakers plays its last song on the Unplugged Pub stage Saturday, May 24. Last weekend marked the end of a four-and-half-year era.

Unplugged Pub era comes to end

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Last weekend marked the end of a four-and-half-year era, which might not seem long enough, but countless new friendships and romantic relationships blossomed under disco lights. Unplugged Pub is co-owned by Mary Wilson, Marilyn Lampard, Michael Bradley and Nancy Jones.