News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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"

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.

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.

‘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.