LIVINGinMACONThe Franklin Pre##

BSECTION

FridayApril 1, 2016

Ryan Hanchettnews@thefranklinpress.com

Trading in mountain sunrises for beach sunsets was no easy decision for Ryan Sherby.

At the end of the day, the chance to live a life of sun, sand and sailing was too big of a draw to walk away from.

Sherby will be leaving his post as the executive director of the Southwestern Commission at the end of April. The Southwestern Commission is the council of government for North Carolina’s Region A, which is composed of Macon Haywood, Jackson, Swain, Clay, Graham and Cherokee counties.

For the past nine years, Sherby has helped local government offi-cials and business leaders make hundreds of important decisions regarding planning, funding and executing regional projects as a Region A employee.

“I have loved the work and I am proud of what the commission has accomplished during my time as the executive director,” Sherby said. “Of course, the accomplish-ments of the organization would not have been possible without our excellent staff and the coop-eration of our elected officials in the seven western counties.”

In 2012, Sherby was saddled with the unenviable task of fol-lowing Bill Gibson, a well-known figure who spent 40 years with the organization, as the interim executive director. The interim tag was removed from Sherby’s title in 2013.

Following his last day on the job, Sherby and his wife will be off to Hope Town, Bahamas where their 37-foot sailboat is waiting at an oceanside dock.

“Everything is great with this organization professionally and great with my family personally, but I feel like I am ready for a big life change,” Sherby said. “I have a little bit of wanderlust, I will admit, but I really have loved my time here and working for Region A and the Southwestern Commission.”

A fond farewell

Sherby’s final commission meeting took place on Monday at the Boiler Room in Franklin. What started out as a business meeting quickly turned into a jovial going away party.

“Ryan asked me not to make a big deal out of his retire-ment at his final meeting, so I decided to make a really big deal,” Southwestern Commission Chairman Kevin Corbin joked on Monday night. “I know that every one of our executive committee members has a gift for Ryan, and we all want to wish him the best in his next adventure.”

Each of the executive com-mittee members took a moment to honor Sherby and present him

a sailing-related gift from their respective county or town.

“We could use more Ryan Sherbys in our political pro-cess and in public service in general,” Canton alderman and Southwestern Commission Treasurer Zeb Smathers said.

“I may be the young buck on this board, but I learned quickly the importance of Ryan’s work and the lengths that he was will-ing to go to in order to get things done,” Smathers said. “We are all missing time with our families, little league games, etc. to be here in the name of public service, and Ryan embodies that ideal as much as anyone.”

Cherokee County com-missioner Cal Stiles presented Sherby with a new life vest as a retirement gift. The life vest came with a funny story as a bonus.

“A couple of years ago Ryan was canoeing on one of our local rivers and he received a citation because he forgot to put on a life jacket,” Stiles said. “I can’t in good conscience send a man out on a sailboat in the ocean with the concern in the back of my mind that he may not have a life vest.”

Hayesville Mayor Harry Vaughn pointed to Sherby’s work ethic and his energy level as two of the primary reasons that he was so successful as the execu-tive director of a regional govern-ment organization.

“I have been so impressed over the years with Ryan’s ability to jump into a project and work to get it done,” Vaughn said. “That kind of enthusiasm is infectious

within an organization, and I think his willingness to lead by example and fully commit him-self to the project at hand has been vital to our success.”

Franklin Mayor Bob Scott added that the Town of Franklin would miss Sherby’s ability to provide leadership on projects, as well as his knack for helping town and county officials come together to accomplish goals that cross municipal and county boundaries.

A lasting legacyFollowing Sherby’s send-

off by the executive commit-tee, Corbin turned the tone back to business and presented the committee’s findings regarding a potential successor to fill the executive director position.

The committee’s recommen-dation was a welcome sight for Sherby.

“After much consideration, the executive committee has chosen to recommend Sarah Thompson for the executive director’s posi-tion as of April 25, 2016,” Corbin said. “We had several qualified candidates and we came to the unanimous conclusion that Sarah was the right choice.”

The executive committee met on March 10, following Sherby’s submission of a resignation letter and opened the application peri-od, which ended on March 24. A total of 11 potential employees submitted a resume and were considered.

Thompson, a former chair of the Jackson County planning board with a master’s degree in public affairs from Western

Carolina University, current-ly serves as the Southwestern Commission’s director of plan-ning and development.

“Sarah is an obvious choice and a very capable person to be the next executive director,” Sherby said. “The organization is in a good place, and Sarah will be a great fit to lead Region A into the future.”

Corbin noted that Thompson’s resume stood out due to her con-nection to the region and her intimate knowledge of the com-mission’s ongoing projects.

Also, as a former elected offi-cial having served as a commis-sioner for the Town of Sylva, Thompson understands the deci-sion making process of the com-mission members.

“I had a private conversation with Ryan when we were going through the resumes, and I asked point blank ‘Can she do the job?’” Corbin said. “He assured me that her skill set is comparable to his and that she is in a better place to take over this position than he was when we promoted him.”

The commission voted unani-mously to approve Thompson’s hiring.

“It will be hard to see Ryan leave, because I know that I can speak for the entire staff when I say he has been an incredible boss and an incredible leader,” Thompson said.

“I am committed to the region and I want to thank the commis-sion for giving me this opportu-nity. I hope to continue the work that Ryan has done as executive director in the years to come.”

Sailing off into the sunset

The prominent attorney, Gilmer Jones (1891-1963), made his mark on Franklin and Macon County in many ways. During the Depression, he

drew up the plan of liquidation and reorganiza-tion that saved the Bank of Franklin, which went on through many incarnations to serve the commu-nity. Wells Fargo is its successor in our town. Failure of the bank would have been cata-strophic for local

businesses and residents. Pulling it through those dark days was a sym-bolic, as well as a practical blessing for the county.

Jones also led successful efforts to raise money to save the Indian Mound. That drive famously involved the schoolchildren of Franklin, who contributed their pennies to the cause. The Macon County Historical Society, which Jones and others cre-ated as the vehicle for the drive, continues as an important force to this day.

According to an article about his life in Heritage of Macon County, Volume 1, Jones had just one year of college, but he “read law” with F.S. Johnston, passed the bar exam and went into the family law firm, which continues today as Jones, Jones, Key and Melvin. He married Maud Jacobs, an accomplished woman who, like her husband, contributed much to the community. They settled down in Franklin and raised four children. At various times, Gilmer served as mayor of Franklin, as solic-itor of the 20th Judicial District and as a member of the N.C. Bar Council, as well as holding other civic respon-sibilities.

Tragedy touches every life, and Jones was no exception. His mother died when he was 3, and he was sent to the country to be raised by elderly relatives. But, his real test came in 1946 when his eldest daughter, Nancy, drowned.

Jones published a small volume of poetry in her memory. It includes a brief biography of her life and sev-eral poems written by her father, as well as a story she liked to hear as a child, “The Legend of Wayah.”

Nancy was a remarkable girl. She was born at Camp Jackson, North Carolina shortly before the Armistice that ended World War I. Gilmer was serving in the Army there, but the young family soon returned to Franklin. She attended public school here, graduated from Franklin High School (at age 15), and then from Peace Junior College. She then entered Duke University School of Nursing. She was one of several bright, young Franklin women who entered nursing during the early 20th century. She entered the Red Cross nursing service and then the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. The Army sent her to England, where she served with the Duke army unit, Base Hospital Unit No. 65.

A photo of her, in her Army uniform, graces the frontispiece of the book.

At the time of her death, Nancy was studying journalism at New York University. Her dream was that she could use her gift of writing to gain higher respect for nurses.

She died in a dive into the Hudson River from a dock at a South Nyack, New York estate, on June 23,1946. The Ashville Citizen, in an obitu-ary, called it ironic that she died in a drowning accident, as she had saved two people from drowning in 1933.

With all this in mind, the final words of “Retrospect,” a poem her father wrote in December of the same year, seem terribly sad:

“Almighty God, give again to me“The faith once found at my

Mother’s knee.”Gilmer seems to have found sol-

ace in writing poetry after Nancy’s death. Here is the last verse of another of the poems, this one titled, “A Light, a Voice and a Song,” writ-ten in December 1946:

“Out of the past in crystal tones“Your voice sings tenderly,“And the light that was your

angel’s face“Still lights the way for me.”

A daughter, remembered

Photo submittedNancy Jones in the uniform of an Army nurse, about 1942.

Southwest Commission chief Ryan Sherby bound for Caribbean adventure

Press photo/Ryan HanchettMembers of the Southwestern Commission Executive Committee presented Executive Director Ryan Sherby (center) with several gifts during his last board meeting on Monday night. Sherby is retiring at the end of April and plans to spend his retirement sailing the Caribbean. Pictured from left to right are Hayesville Mayor Harry Vaughn, Macon County Commissioner Kevin Corbin, Sherby, Cherokee County Commissioner Cal Stiles and Canton Alderman Zeb Smathers.

LIVINGinMACONThe Franklin Pre##

BSECTION

FridayApril 1, 2016

Ryan Hanchettnews@thefranklinpress.com

Trading in mountain sunrises for beach sunsets was no easy decision for Ryan Sherby.

At the end of the day, the chance to live a life of sun, sand and sailing was too big of a draw to walk away from.

Sherby will be leaving his post as the executive director of the Southwestern Commission at the end of April. The Southwestern Commission is the council of government for North Carolina’s Region A, which is composed of Macon Haywood, Jackson, Swain, Clay, Graham and Cherokee counties.

For the past nine years, Sherby has helped local government offi-cials and business leaders make hundreds of important decisions regarding planning, funding and executing regional projects as a Region A employee.

“I have loved the work and I am proud of what the commission has accomplished during my time as the executive director,” Sherby said. “Of course, the accomplish-ments of the organization would not have been possible without our excellent staff and the coop-eration of our elected officials in the seven western counties.”

In 2012, Sherby was saddled with the unenviable task of fol-lowing Bill Gibson, a well-known figure who spent 40 years with the organization, as the interim executive director. The interim tag was removed from Sherby’s title in 2013.

Following his last day on the job, Sherby and his wife will be off to Hope Town, Bahamas where their 37-foot sailboat is waiting at an oceanside dock.

“Everything is great with this organization professionally and great with my family personally, but I feel like I am ready for a big life change,” Sherby said. “I have a little bit of wanderlust, I will admit, but I really have loved my time here and working for Region A and the Southwestern Commission.”

A fond farewell

Sherby’s final commission meeting took place on Monday at the Boiler Room in Franklin. What started out as a business meeting quickly turned into a jovial going away party.

“Ryan asked me not to make a big deal out of his retire-ment at his final meeting, so I decided to make a really big deal,” Southwestern Commission Chairman Kevin Corbin joked on Monday night. “I know that every one of our executive committee members has a gift for Ryan, and we all want to wish him the best in his next adventure.”

Each of the executive com-mittee members took a moment to honor Sherby and present him

a sailing-related gift from their respective county or town.

“We could use more Ryan Sherbys in our political pro-cess and in public service in general,” Canton alderman and Southwestern Commission Treasurer Zeb Smathers said.

“I may be the young buck on this board, but I learned quickly the importance of Ryan’s work and the lengths that he was will-ing to go to in order to get things done,” Smathers said. “We are all missing time with our families, little league games, etc. to be here in the name of public service, and Ryan embodies that ideal as much as anyone.”

Cherokee County com-missioner Cal Stiles presented Sherby with a new life vest as a retirement gift. The life vest came with a funny story as a bonus.

“A couple of years ago Ryan was canoeing on one of our local rivers and he received a citation because he forgot to put on a life jacket,” Stiles said. “I can’t in good conscience send a man out on a sailboat in the ocean with the concern in the back of my mind that he may not have a life vest.”

Hayesville Mayor Harry Vaughn pointed to Sherby’s work ethic and his energy level as two of the primary reasons that he was so successful as the execu-tive director of a regional govern-ment organization.

“I have been so impressed over the years with Ryan’s ability to jump into a project and work to get it done,” Vaughn said. “That kind of enthusiasm is infectious

within an organization, and I think his willingness to lead by example and fully commit him-self to the project at hand has been vital to our success.”

Franklin Mayor Bob Scott added that the Town of Franklin would miss Sherby’s ability to provide leadership on projects, as well as his knack for helping town and county officials come together to accomplish goals that cross municipal and county boundaries.

A lasting legacyFollowing Sherby’s send-

off by the executive commit-tee, Corbin turned the tone back to business and presented the committee’s findings regarding a potential successor to fill the executive director position.

The committee’s recommen-dation was a welcome sight for Sherby.

“After much consideration, the executive committee has chosen to recommend Sarah Thompson for the executive director’s posi-tion as of April 25, 2016,” Corbin said. “We had several qualified candidates and we came to the unanimous conclusion that Sarah was the right choice.”

The executive committee met on March 10, following Sherby’s submission of a resignation letter and opened the application peri-od, which ended on March 24. A total of 11 potential employees submitted a resume and were considered.

Thompson, a former chair of the Jackson County planning board with a master’s degree in public affairs from Western

Carolina University, current-ly serves as the Southwestern Commission’s director of plan-ning and development.

“Sarah is an obvious choice and a very capable person to be the next executive director,” Sherby said. “The organization is in a good place, and Sarah will be a great fit to lead Region A into the future.”

Corbin noted that Thompson’s resume stood out due to her con-nection to the region and her intimate knowledge of the com-mission’s ongoing projects.

Also, as a former elected offi-cial having served as a commis-sioner for the Town of Sylva, Thompson understands the deci-sion making process of the com-mission members.

“I had a private conversation with Ryan when we were going through the resumes, and I asked point blank ‘Can she do the job?’” Corbin said. “He assured me that her skill set is comparable to his and that she is in a better place to take over this position than he was when we promoted him.”

The commission voted unani-mously to approve Thompson’s hiring.

“It will be hard to see Ryan leave, because I know that I can speak for the entire staff when I say he has been an incredible boss and an incredible leader,” Thompson said.

“I am committed to the region and I want to thank the commis-sion for giving me this opportu-nity. I hope to continue the work that Ryan has done as executive director in the years to come.”

Sailing off into the sunset

The prominent attorney, Gilmer Jones (1891-1963), made his mark on Franklin and Macon County in many ways. During the Depression, he

drew up the plan of liquidation and reorganiza-tion that saved the Bank of Franklin, which went on through many incarnations to serve the commu-nity. Wells Fargo is its successor in our town. Failure of the bank would have been cata-strophic for local

businesses and residents. Pulling it through those dark days was a sym-bolic, as well as a practical blessing for the county.

Jones also led successful efforts to raise money to save the Indian Mound. That drive famously involved the schoolchildren of Franklin, who contributed their pennies to the cause. The Macon County Historical Society, which Jones and others cre-ated as the vehicle for the drive, continues as an important force to this day.

According to an article about his life in Heritage of Macon County, Volume 1, Jones had just one year of college, but he “read law” with F.S. Johnston, passed the bar exam and went into the family law firm, which continues today as Jones, Jones, Key and Melvin. He married Maud Jacobs, an accomplished woman who, like her husband, contributed much to the community. They settled down in Franklin and raised four children. At various times, Gilmer served as mayor of Franklin, as solic-itor of the 20th Judicial District and as a member of the N.C. Bar Council, as well as holding other civic respon-sibilities.

Tragedy touches every life, and Jones was no exception. His mother died when he was 3, and he was sent to the country to be raised by elderly relatives. But, his real test came in 1946 when his eldest daughter, Nancy, drowned.

Jones published a small volume of poetry in her memory. It includes a brief biography of her life and sev-eral poems written by her father, as well as a story she liked to hear as a child, “The Legend of Wayah.”

Nancy was a remarkable girl. She was born at Camp Jackson, North Carolina shortly before the Armistice that ended World War I. Gilmer was serving in the Army there, but the young family soon returned to Franklin. She attended public school here, graduated from Franklin High School (at age 15), and then from Peace Junior College. She then entered Duke University School of Nursing. She was one of several bright, young Franklin women who entered nursing during the early 20th century. She entered the Red Cross nursing service and then the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. The Army sent her to England, where she served with the Duke army unit, Base Hospital Unit No. 65.

A photo of her, in her Army uniform, graces the frontispiece of the book.

At the time of her death, Nancy was studying journalism at New York University. Her dream was that she could use her gift of writing to gain higher respect for nurses.

She died in a dive into the Hudson River from a dock at a South Nyack, New York estate, on June 23,1946. The Ashville Citizen, in an obitu-ary, called it ironic that she died in a drowning accident, as she had saved two people from drowning in 1933.

With all this in mind, the final words of “Retrospect,” a poem her father wrote in December of the same year, seem terribly sad:

“Almighty God, give again to me“The faith once found at my

Mother’s knee.”Gilmer seems to have found sol-

ace in writing poetry after Nancy’s death. Here is the last verse of another of the poems, this one titled, “A Light, a Voice and a Song,” writ-ten in December 1946:

“Out of the past in crystal tones“Your voice sings tenderly,“And the light that was your

angel’s face“Still lights the way for me.”

A daughter, remembered

Photo submittedNancy Jones in the uniform of an Army nurse, about 1942.

Southwest Commission chief Ryan Sherby bound for Caribbean adventure

Press photo/Ryan HanchettMembers of the Southwestern Commission Executive Committee presented Executive Director Ryan Sherby (center) with several gifts during his last board meeting on Monday night. Sherby is retiring at the end of April and plans to spend his retirement sailing the Caribbean. Pictured from left to right are Hayesville Mayor Harry Vaughn, Macon County Commissioner Kevin Corbin, Sherby, Cherokee County Commissioner Cal Stiles and Canton Alderman Zeb Smathers.