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Submitted photo. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women bracelets beaded for Atlanta Braves players by Appalachian Beader David Green at his Bryson City home April 3. Richard Sneed and Gracie Bird were also commissioned to bead bracelets for the Braves team to wear when they face off against the Cincinnati Reds at Truist Park May 5.

Submitted photo. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women bracelets beaded for Atlanta Braves players by Appalachian Beader David Green at his Bryson City home April 3. Richard Sneed and Gracie Bird were also commissioned to bead bracelets for the Braves team to wear when they face off against the Cincinnati Reds at Truist Park May 5.

EBCI artists bead bracelets for the Braves

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
When the Atlanta Braves face off against the Cincinnati Reds at Truist Park May 5, Braves players will sport Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women bracelets beaded by three Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians artists —David Green, Richard Sneed and Gracie Bird.
Submitted photo. Swain Middle School Teacher of the Year Heather Herron.

Submitted photo. Swain Middle School Teacher of the Year Heather Herron.

Swain Middle School Teacher of the Year

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
This year’s Swain Middle School Teacher of the Year is none other than eighth grade math teacher Heather Herron. Herron was nominated and voted on by fellow teachers and staff members. “I hope my peers selected me because they see I give my all to our students, school and faculty,” said Herron.
Submitted photo. Ava Albright, Swain High senior, won first place in poetry at Western North Carolina’s 2025 High School Creative Writing contest Tuesday, April 8. Albright’s award-winning poem is called “Where I’m From.”

Submitted photo. Ava Albright, Swain High senior, won first place in poetry at Western North Carolina’s 2025 High School Creative Writing contest Tuesday, April 8. Albright’s award-winning poem is called “Where I’m From.”

Ava Albright wins in poetry

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Ava Albright, Swain High senior, won first place in poetry at Western North Carolina’s 2025 High School Creative Writing contest Tuesday, April 8. Albright’s award-winning poem is called “Where I’m From,” which she wrote for Mr. Cutler’s Creative Writing class.
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.