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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.
Submitted photo. Lisa Towe (left to right), United States Navy Vet. Cynthia Womble, Maddie Haughn, Rosalind Ryan and Susan Roper at a Quilt of Valor ceremony to honor Womble’s 28-year military career at Marianna Black Library Tuesday, April 8. Womble retired as a Navy captain in 2017.

Submitted photo. Lisa Towe (left to right), United States Navy Vet. Cynthia Womble, Maddie Haughn, Rosalind Ryan and Susan Roper at a Quilt of Valor ceremony to honor Womble’s 28-year military career at Marianna Black Library Tuesday, April 8. Womble retired as a Navy captain in 2017.

Womble wrapped in Quilt of Valor

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
United States Navy Capt. Cynthia Womble was wrapped in a Quilt of Valor fashioned by the Swain Mountain Quilters during a special ceremony to honor her extensive 28-year military career at Marianna Black Library Tuesday morning.
Submitted photo. Mathematics Teacher Molly Lawless with her family in a recent photo at the U.S. Capitol. Lawless was selected as this year’s Swain County High School Teacher of the Year.

Submitted photo. Mathematics Teacher Molly Lawless with her family in a recent photo at the U.S. Capitol. Lawless was selected as this year’s Swain County High School Teacher of the Year.

Lawless named Swain High School Teacher of the Year

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Mathematics educator Molly Lawless was selected as this year’s Swain County High School Teacher of the Year, nominated and voted on by fellow-teachers. “I have spent years trying to create a space where students feel welcome, confident and inspired” said Lawless.
Photo/Kurstin Carroll. Catie Hogue-Millard holds son Thatcher in celebration of his second birthday at Darnell Farms March 2. Husband Chevy Millard has been by his family’s side throughout his wife’s health problems.

Photo/Kurstin Carroll. Catie Hogue-Millard holds son Thatcher in celebration of his second birthday at Darnell Farms March 2. Husband Chevy Millard has been by his family’s side throughout his wife’s health problems.

Miracle claimed

Sara Eisinger
Friday, April 4, 2025
Despite persistent head pain and worried mind, Catie Hogue-Millard faithfully smiled through a benefit on her behalf at Darnell Farms Saturday afternoon. “The intracranial pressure is really bad, so I can’t stand to even have my glasses on my head,” said Hogue-Millard.
Consul General of Israel for the Southeastern United States Anat Sultan-Dadon.

Consul General of Israel for the Southeastern United States Anat Sultan-Dadon.

Impact Church welcomes Consul General of Israel

News Staff
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Sara Eisinger sara@thesmokymountaintimes.com A tallit prayer shawl hangs over the wooden cross at Impact Church where Pastor Robert Owen and his wife, Melissa, uphold the deep Jewish roots of their Christian faith.
SMT photos/Sara Eisinger. Michelle Lasky, ambassador at Swain County Chamber of Commerce (left to right), Denene Wolf, gym receptionist, Bibi Pride, gym owner, Monica Brown, chamber president, Ricky Sanford, chamber administrative coordinator, and Anthony Tedesco, personal trainer, gather to cut the yellow ribbon at Bryson City Health and Fitness Saturday, March 29. The chamber currently works with approximately 260 business owners.

SMT photos/Sara Eisinger. Michelle Lasky, ambassador at Swain County Chamber of Commerce (left to right), Denene Wolf, gym receptionist, Bibi Pride, gym owner, Monica Brown, chamber president, Ricky Sanford, chamber administrative coordinator, and Anthony Tedesco, personal trainer, gather to cut the yellow ribbon at Bryson City Health and Fitness Saturday, March 29. The chamber currently works with approximately 260 business owners.

Chamber ambassador program returns

News Staff
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Sara Eisinger sara@thesmokymountaintimes.com Swain County Chamber of Commerce reintroduced its chamber ambassador program over the weekend, extending its first invitation to community volunteer Michelle Lasky.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Grumpy Bear Campground owners Jerry and Karen Ciullo stand outside six brand new 18-foot-tall teepees along Tuckasegee River Monday, March 24. Hurricane Helene flooded the campground last September, taking its teepees down river.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Grumpy Bear Campground owners Jerry and Karen Ciullo stand outside six brand new 18-foot-tall teepees along Tuckasegee River Monday, March 24. Hurricane Helene flooded the campground last September, taking its teepees down river.

Teepees ready for guests

News Staff
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Sara Eisinger sara@thesmokymountaintimes.com Jerry and Karen Ciullo sold everything they had, leaving behind the only life they had ever known, to build Grumpy Bear Campground. “We moved in 2016 and built it from scratch,” said Karen Ciullo. “The only thing that was here was this house.