yancey county news 20912

www.yanceycountynews.com

Brush Creek - Burnsville - Cane River Crabtree - Egypt - Green Mountain - Jacks Creek Pensacola - Price’s Creek - Ramseytown - South Toe

vTo be a voice, and to allow the voices of our community to be heard.v Feb. 9, 2012 W Vol. 2, No. 6

50cents

By Jonathan AustinYancey County News

A former employee of the French Broad Electric Membership Cooperative has been arrested and charged in what the Madison County sheriff described as a check-kiting scheme.

Madison County Sheriff Buddy Harwood said Betty Waldroup Taylor, 48, of Alexander, was served with a corporate malfeasance warrant on Wednesday. He says the charge stems from the allegation that Taylor fraudulently moved funds between her personal account and French Broad Electric’s banking account for four years.

He said Taylor also illegally accessed funds from her Buncombe County church. Harwood said Taylor

may have misused about $173,000 in the scam.

Investigators say the misuse of funds had occurred at least as far back as January 2008. They said the fraud did not negatively impact any customers’ bill payment. They said Taylor did not work in the Burnsville office of the cooperative.

Taylor was arrested on one charge, but “each act over that four year period could be a charge. But you’re talking about hundreds and hundreds of charges,” Harwood said.

Additional charges are possible, though at this time the district attorney has told law enforcement to seek just the one warrant.

The warrant was served on Taylor Wednesday. She surrendered to authorities and was released on an unsecured bond.

Former FBEMC cashier faces malfeasance charge

By Jonathan AustinYancey County News

A Yancey County man who retired as a Mitchell County conservation agent has been arrested and charged with embezzlement.

Cliff Vinson, 55, of 159 Harmony Lane, Burnsville, was charged with felony embezzlement after the Blue Ridge Resource Conservation & Development Council performed an audit of expenses and discovered that at least $15,000 was missing.

The warrant accuses Vinson of embezzling the money while he was an employee of the council. Mitchell County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Detective Andy Ward said no receipts could be found for numerous uses of Vinson’s debit card from when he served as the seven-county coordinator for the council, which operates under the direction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“He used it to buy food, clothes and other personal items,” Ward said, as well as to withdraw cash at automatic teller machines.

Continued on page 13Nobody shoots basketball photos better than Brett Hopson, who captured this intense image during the Heritage-Madison game Tuesday. See more of Brett’s images inside.

Photo by Brett Hopson

Yum! Chocolate & pomegranate

A bowhunters style of Valentine’s Day

Farmers! Prices from the market

Look inside for...

Felony charge of embezzling

Yancey County News

Jonathan Austin/Yancey County NewsWork has begun on the East Yancey Sewer extension, and these pipes are stacked near Micaville for use in the project.

2 Feb. 9, 2012 • yANCey COUNTy NeWS

EVERY DAY, your neighbors are calling, writing or dropping in our office to plop down $25 to subscribe to the Yancey County

News! Why? Because they say they’ve never had a newspaper like this in Yancey County, and they appreciate it!

(And we appreciate them!) So if you want to subscribe, just fill out this form and mail it in!

YES, begin my subscription to the Yancey County News! (Out-of-county subscription submit $35.) Mail this coupon and your check to: The Yancey County News, 132 W. Main St., Burnsville, NC 28714

NAME: __________________________________________________________

MAILING ADDRESS: ______________________________________________

TOWN: _____________________________ STATE: __________

PHONE NUMBER: ____________________________________

Schools

Teachers achieve national board certification

A subscription to the Yancey County News makes a great gift for someone

away at school or out of town! Subscribe online

@ www.yanceycountynews.com

Teachers achieving National Board Certification pictured with the Board are Kelly Boone (CRMS), Wade Shehan (EYMS) and Denise Marlow (MHHS) (not pictured Belinda Burleson (M/ST) Achieving 10-year renewal of National Board Certification, pictured below, was Shelly Bailey. not pictured is Dawn Robinson.

The Yancey County Board of Education has approved a proposal to switch East Yancey Middle School and Burnsville Elementary School to natural gas.

The move came at the boards’ monthly meeting after Donna Harmon of Piedmont Natural Gas presented a cost-saving proposal to the board that would convert the two schools to natural gas and eliminate fuel oil and propane.

Harmon said the move would not only provide a cleaner energy source, but also has the potential to save the school system thousands of dollars each year.

Natural gas prices have plummeted more than 80 percent in less than three years, and the U.S. Department of Energy expects annual wellhead prices for natural gas to remain below $5 per thousand cubic feet through 2023.

Natural gas prices had been above $10 per thousand cubic feet as recently as 2008, but the projected prices reflect continued industry success in tapping the nation’s extensive shale gas resource, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Energy.

The board approved the move to switch the schools to natural gas.

In other business:

• The board reviewed final drawings and color selections of the Cane River and East Yancey Middle Schools Health Center Additions. Drawings will be released for bid on February 10, 2012. There will be a pre-bid conference on February 20th at East Middle School at 4:00 p.m. Bids will be opened Thursday, March 1, 2012 at the Yancey County Schools Central Office Board Room. Construction of the Centers should be complete by mid-September, 2012.

• The Board received a budgetary update from Finance Officer Robbie Renfro of the expenditures year-to-date. “Through careful spending and scrutiny of expenditures, the school system is on target to complete the school year as budgeted,” she said. Renfro also reminded the Board that Federal EduJobs

grant of $591,000 that has been used to retain positions will expire this year.

• The board heard that, through community donations and the fundraising efforts of the Mountain Heritage JROTC, a new, lighted 50-foot flag pole will soon be installed at Mountain Heritage High School. Broward Flag Company was selected and approved by the board for this project.

• The Board of Education recognized the following staff for obtaining National Board Certification: Kelly Boone, Cane River Middle School; Wade Shehan, East Yancey Middle School; Belinda Burleson, Micaville/South Toe; and Denise Marlow of Mountain Heritage High School.

Also recognized were Shelly Bailey and Dawn Robinson, both of Clearmont Elementary School, for receiving their 10-year renewal of their National Board Certification.

Yancey County Schools recently completed a Gang Awareness Presentation. Superintendent Dr. Tony Tipton says a YCS task force was created to ensure that Yancey County Schools’ staff stays current on national trends in the area of gangs and gang activity.

“Even though we aren’t experiencing a lot of winter weather so far this year, we are constantly trying to improve and

expand our website and services to staff, students and parents,” Dr. Tipton wrote in his Superintendent’s Report. He said new top tab on the www.yanceync.net website “Closings & Delays” has links to WKYK, WLOS and the YCS Facebook page to assist parents, students and staff in learning about school closings and delays. Also included on this drop-down tab is the newly released inclement weather guidelines.

Tipton also noted that State Sen. Ralph Hise will visit the central office on Feb. 17, to speak with school staff. Hise is scheduled to appear at 2 p.m.

Feb. 9, 2012 • yANCey COUNTy NeWS 3

Opinion/Outlooks

Disinvesting in education is not reformLegislative leaders in North Carolina have

a problem. People are beginning to understand that dismantling public education is an important part of their agenda.

And that is not a popular position. People still believe in public schools, despite years of misleading but well-funded attacks on them by the think tanks on the Right in Raleigh and Washington.

The General Assembly has provided ample evidence of the disdain for public education this session. The budget fired teachers and teacher assistants, slashed funding for textbooks and supplies and locked thousands of at-risk kids out of nationally recognized preschool programs.

Funding for mentoring and professional development for teachers was drastically cut. Support for the N.C. Teaching Fellows was abolished.

The overall cuts dropped North Carolina to 49th in the nation in per pupil spending. Funding for public schools as a percentage of the state’s General Fund is the lowest in more than 40 years.

Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger responded to criticism of the budget last summer by claiming that Republicans reformed

education.But disinvesting in education is not reform.

It is a damaging blow to a system already struggling with a shortage of resources that makes it difficult for teachers to do their jobs.

And while it’s tough for Republicans to dance around their disinvestment in schools, that’s not their only problem in their appeal to voters.

They just don’t want to cut funding, they want to destroy traditional public education. And that’s not hyperbole.

House Speaker Thom Tillis confirmed it at a recent town hall in Asheboro. Here’s how Tillis responded to a question about teachers and public schools.

“I understand that Majority Leader Stam has said that his goal would be to ultimately eliminate public schools and I categorically disagree with that for a variety of reasons. Right now with him being Majority Leader and me being Speaker, I like my chances.”

Bizarre as it is, that’s Tillis actually confirming that the elected Majority Leader of the Republican House wants to eliminate public schools.

Stam introduced a voucher scheme last year that he promises to revisit next session.

And Tillis has more than Stam to explain. The Republican majorities in the House and Senate not only lifted the cap on charter schools, they voted to allow for-profit companies to set up virtual charters in North Carolina.

The Cabarrus County Board of Education recently voted to approve a virtual charter school run by K-12, Inc. An audit of K-12’s virtual charter in Colorado found the state paid $800,000 to the company for students who never enrolled or lived out of state.

That’s a funny way to show support for traditional public schools, to give taxpayer money to for-profit corporations to educate kids online with little or no accountability.

Republicans don’t really seem to have any second thoughts about their deep cuts to education or giving public school money to private corporations. It’s more than a plan, it’s fulfilling a deeply held philosophy.

Their only worry is that the public figures out what they are doing. That’s why you can expect more disclaimers and flowery speeches from Tillis and his colleagues about much they really do support public schools.

But nobody’s buying it. Their record is disturbingly clear.

“Prescr ibed f i res are important for managing forests and wildlife habitat, and for reducing the risk of harmful wildfires throughout North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

P r e sc r i bed f i r e s a r e conducted to protect the public and sustain forestlands. Fueled by grass, leaves, pine straw and other forest debris, low-intensity fires once occurred naturally every few years in f i re-adapted ecosystems across North Carolina. T h e s e f i r e s reduced buildup of dangerous fuel — such as pine straw, sticks and other forest litter — that put people and communities in jeopardy from wi ld f i r e . They a l s o r e d u c e d competition from invading species and added nutrients back into the soil, allowing native plants and animals to thrive.

“Unburned forests can experience an unnatural buildup of shrubs and dead wood, endangering native plants and animals due to the lack of food, habitat and conditions needed for them to exist,” said State Forester

Wib Owen. “Prescribed fire is a safe forest management tool used for native fire-adapted ecosystems and fire-dependent species.”

Burning the same tract of land every three to seven years reduces the buildup of vegetation, decreasing the

chance of severe wildfire. Without these recurrent burns, fuel buildup can lead to large, uncontrollable wildfires. Smoke from wildfires usually has a greater impact on communities and carries more pollutants than smoke from controlled burns, Owen said.

Prescribed burn managers receive extensive training to ensure that they are careful to pro tec t sur rounding communities and the land they are managing with fire. Managers create a burn plan for the fire, which includes smoke management details,

f i r e con t ro l measures , acceptable fuel moisture and weather parameters, and the necessary equipment and personnel required to safely conduct the burn. The plan also details how the forestlands and ecosystem will benefit from the fire.

‘Prescribed Fire’ awareness weekIn September, I

had the misfortune of suffering a stroke in my home.

I would l ike to express my heartfelt thanks to the South Toe First Responders. They were kind and efficient and got me the help I needed as quickly as they could. We are all very lucky to have well trained and caring people nearby.

I want to express my gratitude to the Celo Health Center physicians, staff, board, and patients. Everyone has been very kind.

Thank you to my family for all their hard work and loving care. Because of them I am able to be in my home. I feel blessed to be so loved, especially by my son, Aaron.

Lillian Huskins

Letter of thanks


Obituaries

Mary Lou burleson WilsonMary Lou Burleson Wilson, 73, of the

Bowditch Community, peacefully went to be with the Lord, Thursday, February 2, 2012.

A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Edd and Addie Hall Burleson. She was the wife of the late Billy Joe Wilson. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Tommy Burleson, and a niece, Lynette McKinney. Mary Lou enjoyed sewing and gardening.

Surviving are her sisters, Linda McKinney, of Burnsville, and Meritta Good, of Mars Hill; sister-in-law, Libby Burleson of Marion; and nephews and nieces Edwin Burleson, Tony Good, Kristyl Mace, Anthony Mace, Hope Good and Nicholas Burleson.

Funeral service was Sunday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home with the Rev. Jim Shoupe officiating. Burial was in the Casie Thomas Family Cemetery.

Gabra Parker BurrisGabra Parker Burris, 63, of the Pleasant

Gardens Community, in Marion, went home to be with the Lord, Monday, February 6, 2012 at her home surrounded by her family. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Avery and Merle Carroll Parker. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, James Parker. She attended Refuge Baptist Church in Marion. Gabra devoted her entire life to her family.

She is survived by her husband, Gary L. Burris; a daughter, Denita H. Wyatt and husband, John, of Marion; two sons: Marty Willis and friend, Angela, and Chris Willis

and wife, Randa, both of Marion; a stepson: Gary L. Burris II, and wife, Karen, of Grover; three sisters: Donna Gibson and husband, Carson, of Spruce Pine, Mildred Hollifield and husband, Tommy, of Tallahassee, Fla., and Sheila Baldwin of Boca Raton, Fla.; four brothers: Zeke Parker and wife, Doris, of Marion, Howard Parker and wife, Lillian, Jackie Parker and Harlon Parker and wife, Cherrie, all of Burnsville; three grandsons: Bradley Wyatt and wife, Whitney, of Spruce Pine, Logan and Laken Willis of Marion; one granddaughter: Austin Willis, of Marion, and a step-granddaughter, Eliza Grace Burris of Grover; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services was Thursday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home with the Revs. Ronnie Gentry and Tony Laws officiating. Burial will be in the Carroway Cemetery.

Genevieve MillerGenevieve Miller, 88, of Burnsville, went

to be with the Lord, Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at Four Seasons Elizabeth House in Flat Rock.

A native of Mitchell County, she was a daughter of the late Jerome and Lula Cook Buchanan and the wife of Arthur Miller who died in 1983. She was of the Baptist faith and loved Elsie Bush’s Sunday School class at Mtn. Village Apartments.

Surviving are her daughters: Barbara Pittman and husband, Tommy, of Burnsville, and Shelba Murdock and husband, Gary, of Brevard; sons Jerry Miller and wife, Jo Ann, of Penrose, and Larry Miller and wife, Lisa, of Johnson City; brothers: the Rev. Ray Buchanan of Oak Ridge, Tenn., and the Rev. Dean Buchanan and wife, Jean, of Knoxville; a sister-in-law, Lockie Grindstaff of Green Mountain; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home, with the Rev. Shannon Owen officiating. Burial will be in the Phillips Cemetery at Red Hill.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Four Seasons Elizabeth House, 581 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731 or Meals On Wheels, P. O. Box 546, Burnsville, NC 28714.

Terry Dee ‘Tadpole’ SilverTerry Dee “Tadpole” Silver, 57, of Bowditch,

went home to be with the Lord Monday, February 6, 2012, at his home surrounded by his family.

A native of Yancey County, he was a son of Geraldine Waycaster Silver of Burnsville and the late Dee Silver. He was a member of Crabtree Baptist Church and a retired member of the Newdale Volunteer Fire Department.

Survivors, in addition to his mother, are his wife of 37 years, Cathy Carroll Silver; two sons: Jamie and Joseph Silver of the home; a brother, the Rev. Jackie Silver of Burnsville; a sister, Pat Jones of Avery County, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were Wednesday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home, with the Revs. Dale Banks and Michael Banks officiating. A graveside service was Thursday in the Bowditch Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Yancey County, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.

Margery Woody GrindstaffMargery Woody Grinestaff, 85, of Brush

Creek, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 2, 2012, at her home.

A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Grayson and Florence Gardner Woody, and wife of the late Dennis Grinestaff, who passed away in 2003. She was also preceded in death by three sisters: Dorothy Taylor, Delphia Elliott and Flaude Davis; and five brothers: Howard Woody, Frank Woody, James Woody, Winford Woody and Wilford Woody.

Surviving are her six children: Sandy Tipton and husband, Ronnie, of Mine Fork, Keith Grinestaff of Green Mountain, Larry Grindstaff and wife, Debbie, of Poplar, Timmy Grindstaff and wife, Mary Ann, of Green Mountain, Pat Grinestaff of Spruce Pine and Priscilla Hicks and husband, Ted, of the home; a sister, Venus Mull of Morganton; a brother, Paul Woody of Morganton; 10 grandchildren: Ronnie Tipton Jr., Scotty Tipton, Patrick Keith Grinestaff, Shannon Grindstaff, Crystal Norton, Dennis Grindstaff, Tiffany Grindstaff, Patrick Grinestaff Jr., Denise Morgan and Christopher Hicks; and 15 great-grandchildren: Candice, Lucas, Kaleb, Jayden, Sophia, Skyler, Hayden, Zackary, Mariah, Raine, Jacob, Kishia, Dereke, Nicole and Kaylee. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral was Sunday in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Lawrence Glenn officiating. Burial followed in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Ronnie Tipton Jr., P.J. Grinestaff, Christopher Hicks, Dennis Grindstaff, Patrick Grinestaff, Shannon Grindstaff and Scotty Tipton. Honorary pallbearers were Jacob Grindstaff, Dereke Huskins and Skyler Grinestaff.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Donna Hughes and all the staff at Hospice of Yancey County, and also a special thank you to Crystal Robinson with the Yancey County Cap Program. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Yancey County 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714 or Yancey County Cap Program 200 Medical Campus Drive, Burnsville, NC 28714.

Ruth Barnett BryantRuth Barnett Bryant, 77, of the Big Creek

Community, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, February 3, 2012, at the Brian Center of Spruce Pine.

A native of Mitchell County, she was a daughter of the late Park and Mae Laughrun Barnett and the wife of Everett Bryant, who passed away in 2003. She was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Pamela Dawn Bryant. She was a member of Big Creek Freewill Baptist Church. Ruth loved to cook.

Surviving are her daughters: Kathy Bryant and Debbie Wheeler and husband, David, of Burnsville; sons: Stanley Bryant of Burnsville, Lynn Bryant and wife, Lisa, of Erwin, Tenn., Dexter Bryant and wife, Karen, of Marion and Michael Bryant and wife, Shari, of Erwin, Tenn.; sisters: Sarah McCurry and husband, Freddie, of Erwin, Tenn., Dorothy Cooper

Feb. 9 2012 • yANCey COUNTy NeWS 5

and husband, Ernest, of Huffman, Texas, Pat Harrell and husband, Buster and Peggy Bennett all of Erwin, Tenn.; brothers: Everett Lee Barnett, A.J. Barnett and wife, Faye and J.C. Barnett and wife, Charlotte, all of Erwin, Tenn.; eight grandchildren: Amber Wheeler, Mista Bryant, Miranda Schwock, Julie Keplinger, Tiffany Bryant, Ashley Bryant, Cameron Bryant and Michele Bryant and three great-grandchildren: Jase, Rachel and Lucas Keplinger. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral was Monday in the Chapel of Yancey Funeral Services, with the Rev. Donnie Bryant officiating. Graveside services were Tuesday in the Adkins Cemetery on Big Creek.

Glenn BurlesonThe Rev. Glenn Burleson, 83, of the

Stameytown community, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, February 6, 2012, in the Life Care Center of Banner Elk.

A native of Avery County, he was a son of the late Coleman and Lula Shook Burleson and the husband of Wanda Hunnicutt Burleson. He was also preceded in death by sisters, Jeanette Benfield and Elzora Dale; brothers: Demry and C.L. Burleson. Glenn was assistant pastor at Big Meadows for a number of years, pastored Stameytown Baptist Church for three years, was the chaplin for the Avery/Mitchell Prison for 17 years, then pastored Fairview Baptist Chruch for 17 years until his declining health. He was very dedicated to the Lord’s work.

Surviving is his loving and dedicated wife of 57 years, Wanda Hunnicutt Burleson; daughters: Glenna Hughes and husband, Kenneth, of Ingalls, and Luanne Buchanan and husband, Joe Ray, of Minneapolis; son, Glenn Burleson Jr. and wife, Jackie, of Roan Mountain, Tenn.; sisters, Lucille Buchanan and husband, Lawrence, Martha Benfield all of Pyatt, Mary Johnson, Nora Lail and husband, Fred, and Barbara Young and husband, Johnny, all of Morganton. A host of nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services were Thursday in the Big Meadows Baptist Church with the Rev. Josh Calvert and the Rev. Jeff Brewer officiating. Burial was in the Stameytown Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Western Carolina Chapter, PO Box 601444, Charlotte, NC 28260-1444.

Johnnie Lee CrainJohnnie Lee Crain, 65, of Burnsville, passed

away on Monday, February 6, 2012, in the John F. Keever Solace Center. He was a son of the late Earlis and Jenny Silvers Crain and husband of Mary Williams Crain. He was also preceded in death sisters: Dora Robinson and Louise Phillips. He was a knife maker and wood worker. Johnnie loved to hunt and living in the mountains.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Williams Crain; son, Johnny Lee Crain Jr.; stepdaughters: Catherine Surrett and J.D. Bryant of Burnsville, Carolyn Sue Phillips of Swannanoa, and Charlene O’Kelly of Marion; stepsons: Ray Surrett and wife, Diane, of Weaverville and Charles “Dale” Surrett of Swannanoa; sisters: Margaret Young and husband, Robert, Ennis Hardin all of Burnsville, Joyce Riddle of Weaverville and Theresa Collins and husband,

Kenneth, of Nebo; brothers: Tommy Crain of Weaverville, Albert Crain and wife, Pauline, of Marion, and Kenneth Crain of Nebo; 17 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral service was Thursday in the Chapel of Yancey Funeral Services, with the Rev. Don Mitchell officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to John F. Keever Solace Center, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813 .

Pender Donald HarrisPender Donald Harris, 70, of Burnsville,

went home to be with the Lord, Saturday, February 4, 2012, at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine.

A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Milburn and Eliza Guinn Harris. He was a former employee of Coats America. Pender enjoyed fishing and visiting with his friends at Lil Smoky Restaurant and was loved by all.

Surviving are his wife: Abigail Carroll Harris; a brother: Hershel Harris and wife, Violet, of Burnsville; two sisters: Betty Crowder and husband, Ken, of Swannanoa and Lana Wright and husband, Robert, of Spruce Pine; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral was Tuesday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home with the Revs. Scott McIntosh, Curtis Carroll and Frankie Reves officiating. Burial was in the Eddie McMahan Cemetery at Low Gap.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Yancey County, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.

Ethel Norman DeckerEthel Norman Decker, 82, peacefully left

this world for her heavenly home on February 7, 2012, at the Carolina Village Medical Center in Hendersonville.

She was born in Yancey County in 1929, but had called Spruce Pine home most of her adult life and had lived at Carolina Village since 2009.

She was the oldest child of the late Fred and Pansy Howell. She was married three times: to Carl Greene, who died in 1954, to Brown Norman, who died in 1990, and to Joe Decker, who died in 2008.

Tootsie, as she was known by her family and many friends, was a gracious hostess, and the many people who came to visit could count on a sincere welcome, good food, and good

fellowship. Even strangers who stopped to take pictures and admire her beautiful flowers were given a warm welcome and tour of her garden.

She was a member of Bear Creek Baptist Church for most of her life and a member of First Baptist Church of Spruce Pine. In addition to teaching Sunday school, she also volunteered for Hospice.

Survivors include four children: Karen and husband, Mike Hoover, of Black Mountain; Carla Howell of Spruce Pine; Mike Norman of Miami Beach, Fla.; and Richard and wife, Sherry Peacock, of Plano, Texas; four grandchildren: Heather and husband, Scott Osteen, of Black Mountain; Shelley and husband, Tim Keith, of Fletcher; Keegan and wife, Samantha Anderson, of Spruce Pine; and Mindy and husband, Darin Kleinsmith, of Spruce Pine; and five great-great grandchildren: Sage Osteen, Izabel Keith, Carlee Anderson, Magdalena Anderson, and Cooper Kleinsmith.

She is also survived by seven brothers and sisters: Betty McKinney of Burnsville, Gary and wife, Peggy Howell, of Weaverville, Joyce Elliott of Asheville, Mary and husband, Jack Greene, of Marion, Jim and wife, Mary Howell, of Spruce Pine, Ken and wife, Peggy Howell, of Burnsville, and Melody and husband, Doley Bell, of Hendersonville many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

A celebration of her life was held at Webb Funeral Home on February 7, 2012 with the Rev. Chris Rathbone officiating.

Those who wish may send memorials to any of the following: Carolina Village Employment Appreciation Fund, 600 Carolina Village Road, Hendersonville NC 28393; First Baptist Church,125 Tappan Street , Spruce Pine, NC 28777, or Four Seasons Hospice, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.

Obituaries


by Wink bodenhamerT h e U A R A i s

f u l l s p e e d w i t h preparations for the 2012 race season. There will be new teams and new faces coming to the plate with just as much determination as the seasoned veterans that will be making their return in 2012. Three such young guns will be Ben R h o d e s , D i l l o n Bassett and Devin Jones.

Ben Rhodes is a 14-year-old from Louisville, Ky., who has signed on with Marcos Ambrose Motorsports for the 2012 season. Rhodes is filling in the seat left vacant by 2011 UARA Rookie of the Year George Miedecke. Rhodes will be contending for the title in the UARA for 2012. The car will be maintained by Jamie Yelton’s Fat Head Racing with legendary NASCAR crew member Lee McCall serving as Crew Chief. “I am look ing fo rward t o d r i v i n g f o r Marcos Ambrose Motorsport,” said Rhodes. “It has been an honor getting to know Marcos this season, and I cannot wait until I drive for his team full time.” Rhodes has been doing extensive testing with the FHR team during the off season in preparation for the upcoming season.

Di l lon Basse t t has his sights on the Rookie of the Year title as well. Bassett began his racing career at age 8 in the Bandoleros. He progressed to the Legends and then the Limited Late Models. He now is stepping up to Late Model Stocks at the age of 14. Bassett is a sophomore at Union G r o v e C h r i s t i a n School in Winston-Salem. Bassett is no

stranger to the podium at Championship B a n q u e t s . H e jus t c la imed the winning prize in the Limi ted d iv is ion for Ace Speedway and received all the hardware that goes with that this past Saturday. He is very active in school sports when he isn’t sitting in the drivers seat of a race car. Bassett will have the strong support of his family present at each event.

One of his toughest competitors will be big brother, Ronnie Bassett Jr., who will have his sights on the championship. It will be an exciting and interesting year for the Bassett Racing team.

Devin Jones is 17-year- old and an 11th grade honors student at Lake Norman High School.

Jones raced karts in California kicking off his racing career.

He ran karts from 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 0 7 . H i s family moved to the Charlotte area in 2007, and he moved up to the Legends cars at age 13. In 2008 Jones ran his first Pro Challenge race. He has competed in Super Late Models and the PASS series. 2011 found Jones r u n n i n g i n L a t e Models Stocks. His goal is to be the 2012 UARA Rookie of the Year and to win

the coveted UARA Championship. Jones has great ambitions but he will not be alone in this quest.

The UARA takes this time to reflect on two past Champion Matt McCall and congratula te h im and Meredith Adler McCall on their recent nuptials. Wishing them the very best in their new l i fe adventure.

T h e U A R A -STARS will be in

action March 17 at the famed Hickory Motor Speedway.

F o r m o r e information on the UARA, visit them online at www.uara-stars.com or call (828) 692-3833.

F a n s c a n a l s o follow the series on Twitter (@uarastars) or Facebook (United A u t o R a c i n g Association)

UARA Racing

Young guns ready to test their mettle on the track

Three young guns are ready to take to the track in the coming UARA season. Dillon Bassett, above, at the wheel of an Impala. Below left, Devin Jones ran his first pro challenge race in 2008. Below right, Ben Rhodes, 14, already has the look of either a champion or a model.


WNC Regional Livestock Center, Canton. Weighted Average Report for Monday Feb 6, 2012Cattle Receipts: 134 Last Week: 208 Last Year: No sales - Slaughter cattle trended mostly steady. Feeder cattle trended 4.00 to 6.00 higher.Slaughter cows made up 24 percent of the offering, slaughter bulls 6 percent, replacement cows 7 percent, other cows 1 percent, and feeders 63 percent. The feeder supply included 43 percent steers, 38 percent heifers, and 19 percent bulls. Near 19 percent of the run weighed over 600 lbs.Feeder Steers Medium and Large 1 - 2 Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price 1 205-205 205 232.50 232.50 1 250-250 250 170.00 170.00 2 305-340 323 208.00-219.00 213.20 5 350-395 370 182.50-211.00 192.42 4 400-435 415 177.50-191.00 186.62 2 505-505 505 171.50 171.50 2 560-570 565 150.00-168.00 159.08 1 745-745 745 140.00 140.00 Small 1 - 2 1 275-275 275 140.00 140.00 1 395-395 395 140.00 140.00 Full Medium and Large 3 1 335-335 335 150.00 150.00 1 370-370 370 167.00 167.00 1 435-435 435 155.00 155.00 1 745-745 745 126.00 126.00 Brahman X Holstein Large 3 1 190-190 190 92.50 92.50 4 200-222 215 110.00-117.50 115.75 1 395-395 395 110.00 110.00 1 900-900 900 75.00 75.00 1 990-990 990 70.00 70.00 1 2225-2225 2225 69.50 69.50Feeder Heifers Medium and Large 1 - 2 Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price 3 265-280 273 162.00-182.50 173.36 2 325-335 330 173.00-175.00 173.98 2 370-390 380 137.00-150.00 143.33 5 425-445 434 145.00-157.00 152.56 6 450-495 463 132.00-150.00 141.31 4 520-535 528 134.00-150.00 144.57 3 550-585 572 135.00-143.00 139.41 1 645-645 645 125.00 125.00 1 705-705 705 126.00 126.00 Small 1 - 2 1 415-415 415 130.00 130.00 Medium and Large 3 1 215-215 215 130.00 130.00

Feeder Bulls Medium and Large 1 - 2 Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price 1 440-440 440 173.00 173.00 6 460-495 486 148.00-166.00 159.45 5 610-635 615 138.00-141.00 140.38 2 650-650 650 140.00-141.00 140.50 1 830-830 830 121.00 121.00Bred Cows Medium and Large 1 - 2 Young Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price 6 605-890 768 625.00-825.00 773.86 Per Head 1-3 Months Bred Medium and Large 1 - 2 Middle Aged 1 1500-1500 1500 985.00 985.00 Per Head 7-9 Months Bred Medium and Large 1 - 2 Aged 1 1395-1395 1395 900.00 900.00 Per Head 7-9 Months Bred

Slaughter Cows Breaker 70-80% Lean Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price 5 1230-1365 1310 72.00-84.00 76.63 High Dressing 5 1535-1730 1630 73.50-82.00 77.35 High Dressing Boner 80-85% Lean 1 780-780 780 61.00 61.00 1 840-840 840 46.00 46.00 Low Dressing 3 1010-1225 1112 62.00-70.00 66.92 7 1030-1275 1191 71.00-78.00 73.67 High Dressing 1 1210-1210 1210 40.00 40.00 Low Dressing 2 1405-1495 1450 68.00-69.00 68.52 1 1405-1405 1405 76.00 76.00 High Dressing Lean 85-90% Lean 1 1055-1055 1055 61.50 61.50 2 1040-1180 1110 35.00-40.00 37.34 Low Dressing

Other Cows Medium and Large 1 - 2 Young Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price 1 810-810 810 86.00 86.00

Slaughter Bulls Yield Grade 1-2 Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price 2 1230-1325 1278 80.00-85.00 82.59 1 1220-1220 1220 89.00 89.00 High Dressing 2 1650-1705 1678 90.00-90.50 90.25 2 1520-1580 1550 98.00-100.00 98.98 High Dressing

Cows/Calf Pairs: (1) Medium 1 and 2 900 lbs middle age cows with 250 lbs calves 1035.00 per pair. Baby Calves, per head: Holsteins 60.00-70.00. Goats, per head: (8) Slaughter and Replacement Classes: Yearlings: Selection 3 60-80 lbs 10.00. Does/Nannies: Selection 1 50-70 lbs 107.50, 70-100 lbs 120.00. Wethers: Selection 1 70-100 lbs 97.50. Sheep, per head: (3) Slaughter lambs: Choice & Prime 20-60 lbs 40.00-52.50, 60-100 lbs 70.00. Slaughter ewes: Good 100-200 lbs 140.00

Source: NC Dept of Ag-USDA Market News Service, Raleigh�

Regional Market ReportsHarward Brothers Livestock Market, Turnersburg

Weighted Average Report for Monday Feb 6, 2012

Cattle Receipts: 922 Last Week: 1673 Last Year: 1185Slaughter cows trended steady to 3.00 higher, bulls trended mostly 1.00 to 5.00 higher. Feeder cattle trended mostly steady to 5.00 lower. Slaughter cows made up 23 percent of the offering, slaughter bulls 2 percent, replacement cows 2 percent, other cows 1 percent, and feeders 72 percent. The feeder supply included 28 percent steers, 43 percent heifers, and 29 percent bulls. Near 16 percent of the run weighed over 600 lbs.

Feeder Steers Medium and Large 1 - 2 Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price 3 215-240 230 182.50-200.00 194.21 8 250-295 276 172.00-205.00 186.44 20 305-345 336 178.50-210.00 185.05 20 350-395 374 160.00-200.00 180.26 6 400-445 422 165.00-201.00 179.86 5 450-470 465 169.00-178.00 172.77 3 515-520 518 147.00-162.00 156.98 5 550-585 566 152.00-164.00 159.38 5 600-645 622 140.00-147.00 143.56 2 750-750 750 124.00 124.00 Small 1 - 2 4 210-245 233 135.00-170.00 153.86 6 260-295 278 140.00-162.50 154.10 8 300-340 323 115.00-165.00 143.97 2 350-380 365 130.00-140.00 135.21 2 415-425 420 140.00-147.00 143.46 Medium and Large 3 2 250-290 270 159.00-162.50 160.62 3 370-390 382 110.00-150.00 137.07 2 555-585 570 120.00-149.00 134.12 Holstein Large 3 9 325-345 338 110.00-120.00 113.55 8 360-385 371 110.00-121.00 114.86 4 405-440 425 88.00-124.00 112.86 2 505-510 508 107.00-115.00 110.98 2 715-720 718 83.00-85.00 84.00

Feeder Heifers Medium and Large 1 - 2 Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price 9 250-295 268 147.50-175.00 159.05 11 300-345 327 145.00-167.00 156.18 21 360-395 380 145.00-173.00 154.65 42 405-449 429 140.00-172.00 155.82 29 450-495 471 141.00-167.00 151.09 20 500-545 524 141.00-152.00 146.67 9 560-595 581 134.00-144.00 138.52 10 605-640 629 127.00-147.00 130.82 7 655-695 669 115.00-128.00 122.21 2 905-905 905 99.00-105.00 102.00 Small 1 - 2 5 255-280 269 122.50-145.00 135.23 7 310-345 333 120.00-145.00 136.39 9 355-395 380 100.00-140.00 123.67 5 400-435 413 111.00-133.00 125.74 3 455-495 472 125.00-138.00 132.47 2 600-635 618 110.00-115.00 112.57 5 700-748 737 104.00-116.00 108.50 Medium and Large 3 3 350-365 357 130.00-140.00 133.27 2 430-445 438 112.00-115.00 113.53 3 700-740 722 95.00-115.00 104.88

Feeder Bulls Medium and Large 1 - 2 Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price 23 400-445 423 160.00-197.00 171.55

24 450-495 476 150.00-186.00 163.13 19 500-545 527 151.00-168.00 159.27 15 550-595 570 140.00-164.00 151.51 7 605-630 618 142.00-153.00 147.11 7 650-695 676 130.00-147.00 136.77 4 700-745 724 130.00-133.00 130.98 Small 1 - 2 10 405-440 425 110.00-155.00 139.20 6 455-490 473 110.00-143.00 134.01 4 515-540 531 106.00-130.00 123.96 6 555-590 576 120.00-138.00 128.61 4 605-630 618 116.00-135.00 122.85 Medium and Large 3 4 410-440 425 120.00-160.00 136.12 2 785-790 788 90.00-107.00 98.53

Bred Cows Medium and Large 1 - 2 Young Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price 3 835-855 845 640.00-730.00 672.98 Per Head 1-3 Months Bred Medium and Large 1 - 2 Middle Aged 2 1085-1125 1105 810.00-900.00 855.81 Per Head 4-6 Months Bred

Slaughter Cows Breaker 70-80% Lean Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price 7 980-1320 1167 74.00-82.50 79.47 2 1155-1355 1255 85.00-85.50 85.27 High Dressing 6 1455-1695 1586 74.00-82.00 79.80 3 1595-1910 1705 84.00-88.00 85.96 High Dressing Boner 80-85% Lean 9 805-880 854 69.00-79.00 76.03 51 905-1395 1140 70.00-83.00 77.12 5 1090-1195 1132 84.00-86.00 85.12 High Dressing 21 1410-1860 1534 71.00-81.50 76.80 2 1570-1880 1725 85.00-85.50 85.23 High Dressing 4 1430-1465 1449 67.00-69.50 68.12 Low Dressing Lean 85-90% Lean 9 605-795 722 40.00-63.00 51.75 Low Dressing 11 830-1340 1122 68.00-73.00 69.86 25 815-1335 1023 40.00-66.50 56.74 Low Dressing

Other Cows Medium and Large 1 - 2 Young Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price 2 975-975 975 72.00-84.50 78.25 Small and Medium 1 - 2 Young 3 765-875 832 80.50-90.00 83.98

Slaughter Bulls Yield Grade 1-2 Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price 5 1025-1355 1165 80.00-96.00 86.72 3 1150-1365 1238 99.50-104.50 102.77 High Dressing 2 1155-1360 1258 62.00-78.50 69.58 Low Dressing 3 1500-2135 1818 99.00 99.00 High Dressing

Cows/Calf Pairs: (1) Medium 1 and 2 940 lbs middle age cows with 75 lbs calves 900.00 per pair.

Baby Calves, per head: Holsteins 47.00-90.00.

Source: NC Dept of Ag-USDA Market News Service, Raleigh

Upstate Livestock Exchange, Williamston, SCReport for Monday Feb 6, 2012 - Cattle Receipts: 720 Last week: 710 Last year: 513 . Slaughter cows and bulls 1 -3 higher, Feeder steers and heifers 2 -4 higher. Slaughter cows made up 17 percent of the offering, slaughter bulls 2 percent, replacement cows 5 percent, other cows 1 percent, and feeders 75 percent. The feeder supply included 31 percent steers, 48 percent heifers, and 21 percent bulls. Near 11 percent of the run weighed over 600 lbs. (Figures in parentheses are weighted average weights and prices for each category)Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 215-245

lbs (225) 195 -212.50 (204.52); 260-295 lbs (280) 205 -221 (211.61); 300-335 lbs (319) 195 -217 (204.20); 350-395 lbs (374) 189 -209 (197.99); 410-435 lbs (421) 190 -199 (195.17); 455-480 lbs (468) 168 -180 (171.68); 510-515 lbs (513) 150 -159 (153.67); 550-570 lbs (560) 150 -159 (155.32); 610-615 lbs (613) 142 -145 (143.51); 755-760 lbs (757) 100 -105 (101.66). Small 1-2 165-175 lbs (170) 165 -175 (170 ); 200-230 lbs (208) 177.50-190 (183.73); 270-295 lbs (283) 192.50-197.50 (194.89); 305-348 lbs (332) 175 -187 (182.96); 355-375 lbs (365) 165 -175 (170.05); 410-430 lbs (421) 162.50-178 (169.14). Medium and Large 3 230-245 lbs (238) 150 -175 (161.42); 285-290 lbs (288) 145 -150 (147.52); 315-335 lbs (325) 162 -170 (165.88); 360-395 lbs (376) 77.50-150 (130.80); 433-440 lbs (435) 157 -160 (158.99). Holstein Large 3 300-325 lbs (312) 111 -116 (113.22). Holstein Large 4 330-345 lbs (338) 67.50-75 (71.17). Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 210-220 lbs (215) 165 -167.50 (166.22); 255-295 lbs (278) 178 -187 (181.34); 305-345 lbs (329) 162 -178 (168.02); 355-395 lbs (375) 155 -171 (161.88); 405-445 lbs (425) 156 -168 (161.03); 450-495 lbs (476) 144 -155 (149.03); 500-545 lbs (520) 133 -155 (144.91); 550-595 lbs (572) 135 -144 (139.09); 600-635 lbs (614) 130 -140 (133.50); 660-695 lbs (678) 123.50-127 (125.66); 715-745 lbs (730) 101 -102 (101.49). Small 1-2 155-195 lbs (175) 165 -167.50 (166.11); 220-230 lbs (223) 140 -150 (146.88); 265-275 lbs (269) 140 -150 (146.55); 320-340 lbs (334) 145 -155 (149.31); 355-370 lbs (363) 140 -149 (143.72); 400-440 lbs (426) 145 -150 (147.50); 460-495 lbs (476) 136 -140 (137.81); 505-520 lbs (513) 125 -125.50 (125.25). Medium and Large 3 150-190 lbs (175) 135 -140 (136.98); 230-245 lbs (238) 110 -125 (117.26); 310-340 lbs (331) 105 -120 (112.45); 355-390 lbs (377) 125 -130 (128.44); 400-425 lbs (415) 130 -140 (133.16); 465-495 lbs (480) 128 -131 (129.55);

500-510 lbs (505) 51 -129 (99.77); 615-630 lbs (623) 108 -115 (111.46). Feeder Bulls: Medium and Large 1-2 400-440 lbs (418) 177 -188 (181.58); 450-495 lbs (472) 165 -178 (169.31); 500-545 lbs (523) 157.50-175 (164.46); 550-595 lbs (570) 149 -159 (153.53); 605-625 lbs (614) 140 -148.50 (142.50); 660-680 lbs (667) 138 -143 (140.31); 750-755 lbs (753) 116 -120 (118.01). Medium and Large 3 420-430 lbs (423) 145 -157 (152.70); 455-475 lbs (468) 110 -131 (118.07); 500-545 lbs (522) 135-142 (139.70); 665-690 lbs (678) 122 -125 (123.47). Bred Cows: Medium and Large 1-2 Young 820-855 lbs (832) 830 -895 per head 4-6 months bred (853.92); 955-1115 lbs (995) 785 -895 per head 4-6 months bred (860.85); 1200-1425 lbs (1333) 999 -1080 per head 4-6 months bred (1054.44). Medium and Large 1-2 Young 1025-1180 lbs (1090) 910 -970 per head 7-9 months bred (938.94). Medium and Large 1-2 Middle Aged 920-960 lbs (940) 800 per head 4-6 months bred (800 ). 1090-1090 lbs (1090) 780 -840 per head 7-9 months bred (810 ). Small 1-2 Young 610-710 lbs (670) 365 -435 per head 1-3 months bred (398.31). Slaughter Cows: Breaker 70-80 percent lean 1135-1395 lbs (1319) 82 -86 (83.61); 1410-1625 lbs (1522) 80 -87 (84.28). Boner 80-85 percent lean 990-1360 lbs (1167) 77.50-86.50 (82.16); 1145-1365 lbs high dressing (1250) 87 -91.50 (88.46). Lean 85-90 percent lean 735-790 lbs low dressing (763) 55 -67 (60.78); 805-1335 lbs (1093) 74 -80.50 (76.64); 805-1155 lbs high dressing (1006) 81 -83.50 (81.88); 820-1115 lbs low dressing (951) 57 -73.50 (65.98). Other Cows: Medium and Large 1-2 Young 675-885 lbs (801) 75 -85 (78.15). Medium and Large 1-2 Middle Aged 795-880 lbs (840) 60 -72 (67.35). Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade 1-2 1045-1435 lbs (1280) 93 -96 (94.71); 1710-1960 lbs (1809) 82.50-98 (94.87); 1580-1670 lbs high dressing (1625) 102.50-106 (104.30). (8) COW CALF PAIRS: Medium-Large 1-2 890-1190 lbs young-middle age cows with 80-285 lbs calves 900 -1230 , one at 1420 per pair.(48)GOATS: KIDS 1 20-40 lbs 40 -52.50, KIDS 1 40-60 lbs 60 -77.50, KIDS 2 20-40 lbs 30 -37.50, NANNIES 1 50-70 lbs 55 -65 , NANNIES 1 70-100 lbs 70 -80 , NANNIES 1 100-140 lbs 90 -100 , NANNIES 1 140-180 lbs one 167.50, BILLIES 1 70-100 lbs 95 -107.50, BILLIES 1 100-150 lbs 110 -125 , BILLIES 1 150-250 lbs 137.50-187.50.

Source: SC Dept of Ag-USDA Market News Service. ,

Tennessee Daily Composite Market Report, USDA-TN Dept of Agric Market News

Reported auctions on Monday, Feb 6, 2012 at Unionville.

Cattle receipts: 1,153

Trends: Compared to last week: Slaughter cows/bulls 2.00 to 3.00higher. Feeder steers/bulls 3.00 to 10.00 higher. Heifers 4.00 to 10.00 higher.

Slaughter Cows Boners 80-85 pct lean 70.00-79.00; Slaughter Cows Lean85-90 pct lean 65.00-73.00; Slaughter Bulls 1100-2200 lbs 83.00-91.00; Feeder Steers Medium and Large 1-2: 300-400 lbs 192.50-215.00; 400-500lbs 170.00-190.00; 500-600 lbs 150.00-179.00; 600-700 lbs 141.00-160.00;700-800 lbs 127.00-146.00. Feeder Bulls Medium and Large 1-2: 400-500lbs 170.00-187.50; 500-600 lbs 144.00-173.00; 600-700 lbs 129.00-150.00.Feeder Heifers Medium and Large 1-2: 300-400 lbs 157.50-180.00; 400-500lbs 150.00-169.00; 500-600 lbs 140.00-154.00; 600-700 lbs 124.00-145.50;700-800 lbs 120.00-134.00.

Source: Tennessee Dept of Ag-USDA Market News, Nashville, TN

Which markets offer Yancey farmers the best return on their investment? Should they head west, east or south? Agriculture and food industries accounted for $29,057,488 in Yancey County income in 2000, or 7.77 percent of the total county income. Livestock, poultry, and their products accounted for 23 percent of the total agricultural market. So this list recounts the prices in the last week at regional farm markets.


Photographs byBrett Hopson

Senior Night

M o u n t a i n Heritage High School honored senior winter sport athletes Tuesday. The school also recognized senior Alex Biggerstaff for exceeding 1 , 0 0 0 c a r e e r p o i n t s i n h i s varsity career as a Cougar.

GoCougars!


Photos by Brett Hopson

Food for thought for middle school

BreakfastPancakesCereal

Animal CrackersJuice/Fruit/Milk

LunchChix Fillet San’wich/Hamburger Steak/

Roll/SunBut’r S’Wich w/Jelly/Mixed Veggies/Potato Rounds/Baked Apples/Pineapple Bits/

Milk

Monday, Feb 6 Tues Feb 7 Wed Feb 8 Thurs Feb 9 Friday, Feb 10

BreakfastScrambled Eggs/

Toast/ CerealAnimal CrackersJuice/Fruit/Milk

LunchSloppy Joe’s/

Chix Quesadillas/Sunbutter w/Jelly

S’wich/Cali Veggies/Pinto Beans/Peaches/

PearsMilk

BreakfastPancake&Sausage

Stick/CerealAnimal CrackersJuice/Fruit/Milk

LunchLasagna/Roll/Chix

San’wich/ Sunbutter w/Jelly S’wich/

Salad/Corn/Fruit/Fruit Cocktail

Milk

BreakfastBreakfast Pizza

CerealAnimal CrackersJuice/Fruit/Milk

LunchBBQ San’wich/Fish San’wich/

Sunbutter w/Jelly S’wich/Slaw/B.

Beans/Applesauce/Mandarin Oranges

Milk

BreakfastSausage Biscuit


LunchChix Taco Salad/

Corn Dog/Sunbutter w/Jelly S’wich/Salad/Peas/Peaches/Pears/

Milk

What’s to eat at the elementary schools?

BreakfastChix Biscuit/Biscuit

w/JellyCereal/Animal

CrackersJuice/Fruit/Milk

LunchSloppy Joe’s/Chix

Quesadillas/Stuffed Crust Pizza/Cali

Veggies/Pinto Beans/Peaches/Pears

Milk

BreakfastPancake&Sausage Stick/ Breakfast

Pizza/CerealAnimal CrackersJuice/Fruit/Milk


San’wich/ Chix Tenders/Salad/Corn/Fruit/Fruit Cocktail

Milk

BreakfastWaffles

Breakfast PizzaCereal


LunchBBQ San’wich/Fish

San’wich/Stuffed Crust Pizza/Slaw/B.Beans/Applesauce/Mandarin Oranges

Milk


Pancakes/ CerealAnimal CrackersJuice/Fruit/Milk

Lunch Chix Taco Salad/Corn Dog/Chix

Quesadilla/Salad/Peas/Peaches/Pears/

Milk


Pancakes/CerealAnimal CrackersJuice/Fruit/Milk

LunchChix Fillet San’wich/Hamburger Steak/Roll/Chix Fingers/

Mixed Veggies/Potato Rounds/Baked Apples/

Pineapple Bits/Milk

BreakfastChix Biscuit/Biscuit

w/JellyCereal/Animal


LunchSloppy Joe’s/Chix

Quesadillas/Stuffed Crust Pizza/Cali

Veggies/Pinto Beans/Peaches/Pears

Milk

BreakfastPancake&Sausage Stick/ Breakfast

Pizza/CerealAnimal CrackersJuice/Fruit/Milk


San’wich/ Chix Tenders/Salad/Corn/Fruit/Fruit Cocktail

Milk

BreakfastWaffles

Breakfast PizzaCereal


LunchBBQ San’wich/Fish

San’wich/Stuffed Crust Pizza/Slaw/B.Beans/Applesauce/Mandarin Oranges

Milk


Pancakes/ CerealAnimal CrackersJuice/Fruit/Milk

Lunch Chix Taco Salad/Corn Dog/Chix

Quesadilla/Salad/Peas/Peaches/Pears/

Milk


Pancakes/CerealAnimal CrackersJuice/Fruit/Milk

LunchChix Fillet San’wich/Hamburger Steak/Roll/Chix Fingers/

Mixed Veggies/Potato Rounds/Baked Apples/

Pineapple Bits/Milk

Chowing down at Mountain Heritage

Monday, Feb 6 Tuesday, Feb 7 Wed., Feb 8 Thurs Nov Feb 9 Friday, Feb 10

Monday, Feb 6 Tuesday, Feb 7 Wed., Feb 8 Thurs., Feb 9 Friday, Feb 10

Friday, Feb 3



LunchTurkey Pie/BBQ

S’wich/Sunbutter w/Jelly S’wich/Baked Potatoes/Carrots/

Mandarin Oranges/Pineapple Bits

Milk

BreakfastSausage Biscuit/Breakfast PizzaCereal/Animal


LunchTurkey Pie/BBQ

S’Wich/Chix Tender Biscuit/ Baked

Potatoes/Carrots/Mandarin Oranges/

Pineapple BitsMilk

Friday, Feb 3

BreakfastSausage Biscuit/Breakfast PizzaCereal/Animal


LunchTurkey Pie/BBQ

S’Wich/Chix Tender Biscuit/ Baked

Potatoes/Carrots/Mandarin Oranges/

Pineapple BitsMilk

Friday, Feb 3

Teachers and principals! Share your good news here, for all to see! Email school news to [email protected]



Valentines for bowhuntersI publish an online magazine for bowhunters

each month called BowAmerica. For February’s issue, I had a couple of male bowhunters explain how they felt about their wives joining them in the outdoors. Both stories, coming from two different people from two different states, Wisconsin and Colorado, were remarkably similar.

The outdoors not only has a way of linking generations within a family together, but it helps build the bond between husband and wife. It has a way of breaking barriers, opening conversations, and adding trust. While the stories were biased toward bowhunting, it is the same whether it means hiking and camping together, fly fishing, or even bird watching and star gazing.

It allows the two to share interest in a common outlet. Where one may daydream about his next hunt, he now includes his spouse in the reel playing in his mind. She pictures herself with her husband laughing with excitement and joy as the two splash each other in a cool, clear mountain stream while hiking toward the pinnacle to view the world below.

The couple plans their trips together, each adding segments that they believe would increase the others enthusiasm and overall enjoyment of the quest. They sit at the table or beside each other on the couch discussing and plotting the coming weekend expedition.

While in the woods, water or field each learns about the other in much the same way a soldier learns about his comrades. The eyes are opened to what the other’s hopes and intentions are, and realize those hopes and intentions are usually dedicated to fulfilling

their mate’s goals more than their own.Both stories told of how much more the

man appreciated the woman after hunting together. I have spoken with the women and their sentiments are the same. The love of the outdoors can lead to love in the outdoors. Share your passion with the one you are passionate about. It could be life changing and relationship strengthening. And remember, Cupid is a bowhunter.

Bill Howard is an avid bowhunter and outdoorsman. He teaches hunter education (IHEA) and bowhunter education (IBEP) in North Carolina. He is a member of North Carolina Bowhunters Association and Pope & Young, and is an official measurer for both. He can be reached at billhoward [email protected].

Bill Howard’s

Outdoors

Here are UNC Asheville events taking place Feb. 15-26. Some events are listed under more than one category.

ART/CRAFT

Through February 24 - Annual Alumni Art Exhibit – Exhibition of works in various media by art graduates, Highsmith University Union Gallery. Free and open to the public, Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and 12-6 p.m. on Sundays, through February 24. Info: 828/251-6991 or http://cesap.unca.edu/about-gallery.

Through February 29 – Invitational Exhibition: Ceramic Artists Alice Ballard and Roger Dalrymple – Exhibition is on view weekdays 9 a.m.-6 p.m. in S. Tucker Cooke Gallery in UNC Asheville’s Owen Hall, free and open to the public. Info: 828/251-6559.

February 16 – Ceramics Workshop and Artist’s Talk with Alice Ballard – All-day workshop in conjunction with Invitational Exhibition featuring Ballard and Roger Dalrymple. Workshop begins at 9:30 a.m. in UNC Asheville’s Owen Hall room 143. Lunchtime artist’s talk at 12:15 p.m. in Owen Hall 302. Exhibition is on view weekdays 9 a.m.-6 p.m. through Feb. 29. in S. Tucker Cooke Gallery in Owen Hall. Sponsored by UNC Asheville Department of Art. Free and open to the public. Info: 828/251-6559.

February 23 – What’s Art Got to Do With It? A Discussion about Art and Activism – Features: Natasha Tretheway, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and Charles Howard Candler Professor of Engllish and Creative Writing at Emory University; Holly Iglesias, NEH Fellowship-winning prose poet and lecturer, UNC Asheville; Molly Must, founder, Asheville Mural Project; Caroline Wilson, UNC Asheville senior; Kaley Fry, UNC Asheville junior. Co-sponsored by UNC Asheville’s Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program and the NEH Professor of Humanities. 12:20 p.m., UNC Asheville’s Karpen Hall, Laurel Forum. Free and open to the public. Info: 828/251-6590.

Through February 28 – “Caprice,” by Vasily Polevoy – “Caprice,” an exhibition of mixed media pieces from Ukrainian artist Vasily Polevoy, through February 28 at UNC Asheville’s Blowers Gallery in Ramsey Library. Free and open to the public daily with some evening viewing hours. Info: 828/251-6436.

AUTHORS/SPOKEN WORDFebruary 16 – “Soul Café” – Features

poetry and music from Immovable Force at 8 p.m. in the Highsmith University Union Grotto. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by UNC Asheville’s Office of Multicultural Student Programs. Info: 828/251-6585.

February 19 – Writers at Home – This monthly series from UNC Asheville’s Great Smokies Writing Program continues with readings by Ann Barrett, Maryedith Burrell and Jessica Pepper, all students or graduates of the university’s Master of Liberal Arts program. 3 p.m. at Malaprop’s Bookstore and Café, 55 Haywood St., Asheville. Free and open to the public. Info: 828/254-6734.

UNCA calendar

T h e M i t c h e l l C o u n t y B o a r d of Education has scheduled a public hearing to get input on whether the district can close two small elementary schools.

“ W e h a v e been having some serious and difficult discussions about the future of our schools,” said Dr. Richard Spurling, as associate superintendent with Mi t che l l Coun ty Schools. The issue, he said, is that the student population in the county has decreased dramatically in the past few decades to the point where the county may not be able to keep all nine school operating.

The two that may be closed are Tipton Hill Elementary and Buladean Elementary, he said.

“We’re stretching ourselves so thin, we just don’t feel like we are giving our

students a quality education,” he said.

Spurling said the reasons are simple for consolidation

“We had 4,000 students in the system in early 1980s; we were a l a rge 3A school. Now, we’re one of the smallest 1A schools in the state” with a student count of just over 2,000.

“In 1983 we had 9 schools. We still have 9 schools. That’s the reason for these d i s cus s ions . I t ’s tough, because these are wonderful schools that do outstanding things daily.”

H e s a i d s o m e classes at Buladean h a v e o n l y f i v e students, while other elementary schools are packed.

Along with that, the county will lost hundreds of thousands of dollars at the end of the school year when federal stimulus funding ends. “We have to prepare. We have to be ready for these cuts. Its going to happen,” he said.

Could something s i m i l a r o c c u r i n Ya n c e y ? D r. Tony Tipton, the s u p e r i n t e n d e n t , doesn’t think so.

“We’ve had zero conversations about closing any schools,” he said. “One of the reasons Yancey County has been so successful ( in education) is because of our small schools.”

E v e n t h o u g h Yancey has the oldest school buildings still in use in the state, closing one isn’t on the agenda because such a move would create “impractical” travel issues, he said.

“The va lue t o t h e c o m m u n i t y ” to maintain each existing school is too important.

Mitchell considers closing two schools


CLASSIFIeDSWANTeD TO bUy10” - 12” Dewalt Radial Arm Saw, Wood Turning Lathe with variable speed and indexing head. Floor stand drill press with crank platform,16” band saw. Willing to pay for good value. 682-4439.______________________

Need Cash? Got Clothes, Furniture, Household Items? Planning a yard sale? Call 828-284-9449. I will buy good condition items. No calls on Sundays or after 8 PM.

FOR SALe4 Basenti Mixed Pups. ¾ blood, 3 months old. Dating from Bible times with child-like characteristics.

Extremely clever, agile and kinship to houdini. Can be trained to tree squirrells or anything that moves on the ground. Without fear, long life span, no body odor, short hair, 30 pounds. Black and white, red and white, or red, black and white.Vet checked and first shots. A good inside dog that doesn’t bark much. $220/each. 727-687-1733______________________

6.29 acres land plus 3 bedroom, 2 bath Mobile home for sale in Ramseytownship. Will finance with 10% downpayment. Listed at $110,000. 828-329-4958______________________ 1999 Toyota Camry, good condition, needs shocks. $1,950.00. Please call 828-208-7137

______________________Dune Buggy fo r sa le $ 2 , 5 0 0 . 0 0 O B O . 828.208.0406.______________________

Boxwoods for Sale. $10.00 each. 828.208.0406.______________________

The Following ITEMS LISTED FOR SALE: Please call 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.; noon to 2 p.m.; or 5:30 to 9 p.m.. We are both very deaf and after we hear the telephone ringing, it takes us a bit to get there, so let it ring for at least 8 rings before giving up. We are in our 80s so please bear with us! On all items, please call 828-682-4439We want to Sell:Fire Place Doors - accordian style (4 doors) tempered

glass, polished glass, 40” x 29”. $65. 828-682-4439

China Hutch - with built-in desk notch, beautiful dark pine, 3 drawers in upper hutch, and three in lower chest and desk. Interior built in light. 46” wide, 75” high, 18” deep. $85. 828-682-4439

Dining Room Table & 4 Chairs – light blonde butcher block table surface, 4’ x 30”. Like NEW! Only $65. 828-682-4439

Paintings – Oils, pastels, and water colors. Some large, some small, and some intermediate. Numerous needle point wall hangings. Art objects start at $45. All are framed and hanging. 828-682-4439

Oil Tank – 275 Gallon. Oval Tank, no stand, $35 828-682-4439

Generator – Black Max with Subaru motor, 6500 Watts Maximum, 5250 Watts running, 110 & 220 outlets. On steel factory built frame with pnuematic wheels. Has been used only for back-up power failure and monthly maintenance starting. $1,100 new. Price $575. 828-682-4439

Breast Drill – Antique, good working condition or display, jacobs chuck. Handy where no power is available and for outdoor jobs. Will handle large ship augers. $29. 828-682-4439

Water Tank – 250 Gallon, plastic, round, 40” x 45” discharge valve, clean out hole, $95.828-682-4439

Dining Table – Glass top, 45” diameter on central supported steel legs; four steel chairs, all steel parts are matte black. No seats on chairs. Will furnish wood seats, cut to your specifications for you to upholster if desired. $85.as described with seats, or $70 as is. Inside or Outside use.828-682-4439

Anti-freeze hose outlets or sometimes called yard hydrants - 3 available, 2 used, $25/each. 1 new, $35. All are in good working order, perfect for fire fighting or garden hose outlets, etc. They are plumbed to be about 3” above the ground at the valve handle or point of attachement of the hose.828-682-4439

Ladder - four section, foldable aluminum. Will lock in place in numerous configurations. Opens to about 12 ½ feet long. One configuration makes a very good acaffold support., another for a good picnic table support. Just throw a piece of plywood on it or a couple of 8’ planks and you are ready to eat! $40. 828-682-4439

Wheel barrow - s teel , standard pneumatic wheeled contractor’s barrow. Good shape, $35. Why buy a plastic trayed cheapie at $60-75 or more when you can have a good one for a lot less? 828-682-4439

Green house tables – 24” x 8 feet, black plastic with round plastic legs that can be cut off to any desired length. One slightly damaged on one corner, $10, another in good shape, $12, or both for $19. 828-682-4439______________________

PLEASE HELP Donation Fund has been set up at United Community Bank for Johnny Crain. Hardship Fund. Please help our Neighbor in Need.______________________

HeLP WANTeDHomemaker/companion caregivers needed. Part time/full time for Burnsville and surrounding areas. Must have clean background, pass a drug test, and have reliable transportation. (828) 665-3922______________________

Mitchell-Yancey Habitat would like a part time

Volunteer Coordinator, R e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e recruitment and coordination of volunteers for the ReStore and Worksite. Working with individuals organizations and churches. 20 hr per month at $10 hr. Computer and Good People skills required. If interested call Donna Thomas 828-766-9000______________________

CNA I and II positions available. Part time/full time for Burnsville and surrounding areas. Must have clean background, pass a drug test, and have reliable transportation. (828) 665-3922______________________

MISSING DOG2 Year Old Female White Husky. Answers to Eryn (Aaron) Has one blue eye and one brown eye. $100.00 REWARD if returned safely. Missing since January 20, 2012 from Burnsville area. Please call 828-682-6008 or 828-284-8661 if you have any information. Please leave message if no answer.

SeRVICeSAttention Snow Birds! Do you find yourself wondering if the beautiful mountain home you leave empty as you fly “south” for the cold winter months is safe, well maintained and protected? Wouldn’t you feel great if you knew your house were safe in the hands of a mature, professional house sitter? And what if that person would then be will ing to fly to your additional home for those hot summer months as you return to the beautiful mountains of Yancey County? If this is an appealing idea, please drop an email to [email protected]. Please use the subject line House Sitter.______________________

Sewing alterations. Call 208-3999.______________________

N e i g h b o r s h e l p i n g Neighbors, a Bolens Creek Community Project. Call 208-3999.______________________

Laura Lanier, B.A. Certified Teacher. Mult isensory Language Tutor, Orton-G i l l i n g h a m Tr a i n e d . 81 Summertrees Lane, Burnsville. 828-682-4174______________________

Low Interest Loans to Qualified Home Owners for Any home improvement projects. 828-273-0970______________________

GRADING EXCAVATING HAULING - RICE Grading and Hauling: Land Clearing, Roads, Ponds, Home Sites, Erosion Control, Gravel, Fill Dirt, Mulch, Septic Systems & Repair, Retaining Walls. FREE ESTIMATES. ______________________

Firewood for sale! Call Tim Rice Burnsville 828-284-2979______________________

Give the gift of reading! Subscribing to Yancey County’s ONLY LOCALLY OWNED newspaper. Only $25 a year in Yancey/$35 outside the county.

Call 678-3900 to sign up NOW!


By John RosemondQ: My 5-year-old daughter is in

“rehab” for some listening issues at school. When she comes home with a note from her teacher indicating one or more of these incidents at school, she is confined to her room for the rest of the day. What should I do if she is constantly calling me, wanting to ask me something, wanting me to get something for her, and so on? She isn’t coming out of the room, but she is constantly trying to engage me. It’s driving me nuts.

A: Since you didn’t specify the nature of your daughter’s “listening issues,” I don’t know if I’d have suggested that particular form of rehabilitation, but let’s assume I would have. In that event, I’d have recommended the following:

1. You and the teacher should get together and define these so-called “listening issues” as concretely and concisely as possible. A lack of specificity makes it nigh unto impossible for this age child to understand the expectations, in which case any rehab program is going to do nothing but frustrate her. In turn, her repeated failures are going to frustrate both you and the teacher. This is how young children get referred for special attention and you want to make every effort to avoid going down that road.

2. Don’t work on more than specific problem at a time. Expecting too much of a child too soon is a common mistake that dooms rehab programs of this sort to failure. Target one problem behavior and “cut your losses” in other problem areas for the time being. When that one problem is pretty much cleared up, move on to a second problem, and so on. This approach will require a good amount of patience from you and the teacher, but the attempt to build Rome in a day is going to create additional problems and solve none.

3. At least initially, your daughter

needs to be given a “margin of error” concerning whatever problem she’s working on. For example, if the target behavior is “talking while the teacher is talking to the class,” and that tends to happen, say, three times a day on average, then your daughter needs to be given a free pass the first two time that occurs in a given day. When she’s managing to stay out of her room pretty reliably, then the margin of error can be reduced from two to one.

That sort of organized approach is going to give your daughter a much greater chance of success, and keep in mind that success does not build on repeated experiences with failure. If after being put on a behavior rehab program, a child experiences a lot of failure right out of the gate, then she is very likely to give up. You certainly don’t want that.

Concerning the fact that she calls out to you from her room, I’d give her a margin of error there too. Tell her that you will respond to the first two calls, and make sure you do so cheerfully and helpfully. Then tell her that although you will continue to respond to her calls (again, cheerfully and helpfully), the third call will result in 30 minutes being shaved off her normal bedtime, the fourth call will result in one hour shaved off, and so on.

Above all else, once you chart a course, stay the course!

Family psychologist John Rosemond answers questions at rosemond.com.

Living

with

children

Define your daughter’s ‘listening problems’ with care

Family

From the frontThe losses total $15,000, Ward said, though

the agency has not completed its audit.“They’re continuing to dig. It’s potentially

a lot more in depth than what we’ve got so far,” Ward said.

When confronted with the evidence, Ward said Vinson admitted that he owed the council money, and that he had used his debit card for inappropriate purchases.

“He tried to explain it,” Ward said. “He did admit that he owed some money. A lot of his justification didn’t make good sense.”

Ward said the debit card uses included purchases at Sam’s Club. He said there was

evidence for numerous charges, but that so far the charges have been consolidated into one felony case. “He made some bad decisions,” Ward said, but there was no evidence of any rational explanation for the use of the debit card for personal items.

“He’s going to have to pay restitution, I’m sure” the detective said.

Vinson was arrested by officers of the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department, Ward said. He was released on $10,000 unsecured bond.

Vinson, who worked as a distr ict conversationalist for 32 years, worked as the agency coordinator to “secure grants for soil

and water conservation projects,” according to the USDA website. Most recently, he was the point man on the effort to remove a dam from the waters of the North Toe River near Spruce Pine.

Vinson was the Blue Ridge Resource Conservation & Development Council coordinator for Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties. According to the agency website, the job involves working “to achieve a balance between rural economic development and natural resources protection while working toward a goal of community sustainability.”

Longtime caonservation worker faces felony charge

Y a n c e y C o u n t y Commissioners met in closed session Tuesday night to discuss the lawsuit and mediation between the county and the Mountain Air Country Club, the development corporation, and Settlers Edge LLC, but didn’t address the topic when they returned to public session.

“We took no action,” said Commission Chairman Johnny Riddle.

Earlier in the evening the commission had a rather routine meeting in which they approved the sheriff selling or trading some surplus vehicles, approved some tax refunds for property owners overcharged on their property tax, and approved a budget revision for the Council on Aging.

The Council on Aging told the board that it had received some additional federal funding and would spend that money at the Senior Center.

The board also heard a brief report from Jane Lentz, the executive director of WAMY Community Action.

In publ ic comment , Bill Grover criticized the removal of the director of the election office, and suggested that the board of elections had already picked

a new director before any job interviews had occurred.

B o b C a r e y s p o k e about what he said is the overbearing control of the Western Highlands Network in how it oversees mental health cases. He said the publicly funded agency is moving to require that staff and board members sign non-disclosure agreements about actions taking place at mental health service providers, and he felt such a move was too much for an agency paid for with tax dollars.

Lois Herb asked the commission whether there were county laws to help make “people clean up the trash around their homes.”

She was told that while the county does not have specific laws, the state does and that the county waste office should be able to assist her.

The board received a year-to-date budget report, and was told that the East Yancey Sewer extension project has begun with land clearing in the Micaville area.

They were told that budget planning has begun, with departments being asked to sculpt their budget needs for the next fiscal year.

Commission OKs surplus sales; takes no action on Mountain Air

Celebrated novelist and poet Sandra Cisneros takes the stage in Asheville on Friday, March 2, at 7 p.m., at UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Auditorium. An Evening with Sandra Cisneros is free and open to the public and will include a book-signing and reception.

As the winner of numerous literary awards, Cisneros is

best known for her highly acclaimed coming-of-age novel “House on Mango Street,” which has sold more than two million copies worldwide and is required reading in schools across the country. Her other works include the multi-award-winning short-story collection, “Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories.”

Noted writer to speak


IN THe GeNeRAL COURT OF JUSTICe, yANCey COUNTy, NORTH CAROLINASUPeRIOR COURT DIVISION

Administrator / executor notice

Having qualified as executor of the estate of Edward Francis Belmont of Yancey County of North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before 19th day of April 2012 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment.

This the 19th day of January 2012.

Brenda Dargan3945 Heavenside Ct.Orange Park, Fla. 32073 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2012



Having qualified as executor of the estate of Frank E. Macpherson of Yancey County of North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before 19th day of April 2012 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment.

This the 19th day of January 2012.

Gwendolyn Green Macpherson151 Turkey Trot Lane Atty: Staunton Norris PA

burnsville, NC 28714 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2012

NOTICe OF SeRVICe OF PROCeSS by PUbLICATION

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

COUNTY OF YANCEY

GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION FILE NO.: 12 CVD 11

Cordella Lee Fox, PlaintiffVs.

Alvin Patrick Ayers, Defendant

TO: Alvin Patrick Ayers

TAKe NOTICe that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above entitled action. The nature of the relief sought is as follows: Absolute divorce.You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than 7 March 2012, being 40 days from the date of the first publication of this Notice and upon your failure to do so, the Plaintiff will seek the relief sought by the pleading.

This the 19th day of January, 2012.

Nycole R. Howard.Attorney for PlaintiffPost Office Box 746Burnsville, North Carolina 28714(828) 682-4955

Published: January 26, February 2, 9, 2012.___________________________

Advertisement for BidsSealed proposals will be received until 3:00 P.M. March 1, 2012 for single prime contracts in the Con-ference Room of Yancey Coun-

ty Schools, 100 School Circle, Burnsville, North Carolina 28714. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud beginning at 3:00 P.M. March 1, 2012, for the furnishing of labor, material, and equipment entering into the construction of Student Health Centers, Cane River and East Yancey Middle Schools.Pursuant to General Statute 143-128 and Executive Order #150, The Yancey County Board of Edu-cation invites and encourages par-ticipation by businesses owed by minorities, women, the disabled, disabled business enterprises and non-profit work centers for the blind and severely disabled. This project is federally funded from a grant through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, therefore, the general contractor and all subcontractors must meet the contract provisions associated with the grant, as described in the General Requirements. Complete plans and specifica-tions for this project will be open for inspection in the offices of Ar-chitectural Design Studio, P.A., 90 Church Street, Asheville, North Carolina 28801 after Friday, Feb-ruary 10, 2012. General Contrac-tors who intend to submit a bid may obtain a full set of plans with a refundable deposit of $200. De-posit checks should be made out to Architectural Design Studio. Digi-tal plans and specifications in PDF format may be purchased for $50. Hard copy plan sets may be pur-chased for $150.Contact ADS at 828-252-0355 for details on purchasing plans and specifications or ordering plans and specifications using a deposit.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on February 20, 2012 @ 4:00 P.M. This Pre-Bid Conference will be held at East Yancey Middle School, 285 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, North Carolina.The Yancey County Board of Edu-cation reserves the unqualified right to reject any and all propos-als.Signed: The Yancey County Board of Education Rhonda Boone, Chair___________________________

Surplus Property Sale

The Yancey County Board of Education is offering for sale, by sealed bids, various lots of used furniture and equipment at the old school bus garage located behind the Parkway Playhouse. Items can be seen daily, beginning Monday, February 13, 2012, during normal business hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bid sheets will be available at the Yancey County Board of Edu-cation or at the Yancey County Schools Transportation Building. All bids are to be returned to the Yancey County Board of Educa-tion, 100 School Circle Drive, Burnsville, NC 28714 by noon on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, Attention: Kenny Renfro. Bids may be mailed or hand-delivered. Pending official approval, all bids are final (no upset bids).Payment in full by cash or certi-fied check must be made prior to removal of property. The Yancey County Board of Education re-serves the right to refuse any/all bids. All items purchased “as is”. For more information, contact the Yancey County Schools Transpor-tation Office at 682-2167.

Legal Notices



Having qualified as executrix of the estate of Ed Adkins of Yancey County of North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before 8th day of May 2012 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment.

This the 7th day of February 2012.

Sandra L. Deyton138 Country Club Road Atty: Staunton Norris

Unicoi, TN 37692 2/9, 2/16/ 2/23, 2/30 2012

The 2nd Annual N o r t h C a r o l i n a C o n f e r e n c e o n S u s t a i n a b l e Viticulture will be he ld Wednesday, Feb. 22, at Warren Wi l s o n C o l l e g e . The goal is to assist people in learning about growing grapes as sustainable as possible in North Carolina and provide an a l ternat ive to tobacco for many local farmers. The program is being sponsored by Jewel of the Blue R i d g e Vi n e y a r d

and the Sustainable A p p a l a c h i a n Viticulture Institute of Marshall NC.

T h e g r a p e i s the world’s most important fruit crop. Globally, grapevines cover more than 20 mill ion acres, producing some 60 million tons of fruit, 80 percent of which is made into wine. For winemaking purposes at least, the grapevine thrives between 30-50 degrees latitude and is grown on a l l c o n t i n e n t s

except Antarctica. WinesVinesDATA, the research arm of Wines & Vines magazine, identified 7,345 wineries now operating in the United States, up by 450 wineries or 6% from a year ago. Vineyards/wineries is the fastest growing industry in North Carolina that provided an economic impact of more than $1 billion in NC last year.

C o n f e r e n c e s p e a k e r s w i l l include Alan Staton

from Zirconia NC & John Kinnaird f rom Mars H i l l . They are members of the French Broad Vignerons. Alan and John will be sharing their experience over the past few years with some cold-hardy grape varieties they have been growing and using to make wine.

Rudy Mullis from H i n n a n t F a m i l y Vineyards in Pine Level wil l speak about how to make neutraceuticals from grapes. Western North Carolina provides about 70 percent of the herbs and natural products that go into the neutraceutical/health products made in the USA. North Carolina is one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. Over 6,000 plant species grow in the southeastern USA. 3000 grow in North Carolina. 2500 of the plants grow in the mountain counties

Warren Wilson hosting vitaculture conference

of NC. These products provide income for thousands of farmers/gatherers.

The conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. and run until 4:30 p.m. Registration is $40 in advance or $50 walk-in. Registration includes lunch, coffee break refreshments, handouts, and free parking. Online payment of registration is now available at http://www.JeweloftheBlueRidge.com/ - click on the registration link near the Warren Wilson College logo.


yes, there are benefits to chocolate!By Medea L Galligan MS Nutrition

Good news for all of you that love to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and those of you that are chocoholics (myself included). Chocolate is a healthy superfood that is bursting with antioxidants. However, to reap the health benefits, you have to choose the right chocolate: chocolate that is pure, 100 percent organically grown, and minimally processed. Real, raw chocolate, that is unprocessed cacao from fermented cacao beans, is full of vitamins and minerals that are high in antioxidants. Additionally, it benefits your heart, helps increase alertness and improves mood – all with very little caffeine.

Exactly what makes raw chocolate so healthy as opposed to generic milk chocolate? In its natural state, chocolate is bursting with antioxidants to fight radicals, even more than fruit, vegetables, tea or wine! Raw chocolate contains a plethora of micronutrients that our body desperately needs, such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc, as well as B vitamins thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin, niacinamide (B3), panthotenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), vitamin C, vitamin E, and Omega 3 fatty acids, and is one of the richest food source of antioxidants that neutralize free radicals – rogue oxygen molecules that can accelerate aging and cause numerous health problems.

Dark Chocolate Lowers Blood PressureChocolate aids in relaxation of blood

vessels so your blood easily travels where it needs to.

According to Dr. Dirk Taubert, MD, Ph.D, and his colleagues at the University of Cologne, Germany, dark chocolate — not white chocolate — can lower high blood pressure. Taubert’s study involved six men and seven women aged 55-64 who had been diagnosed with mild high blood pressure — on average, systolic blood pressure (the top number) of 153 and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) of 84. Every day for two weeks, they ate a 100-gram candy bar and were asked to balance its 480 calories by not eating other foods similar in nutrients and calories. Half the patients got dark chocolate and half got white chocolate. Those who ate dark chocolate had a significant drop in blood pressure (by an average of 5 points for systolic and an average of 2 points for diastolic blood pressure). Those who ate white chocolate did not.

Heart Protection

Another study compared how blood platelets responded to a flavonol-rich cocoa drink with 25 grams of semi-sweet chocolate pieces and a blood-thinning, 81-milligram aspirin dose. The research found similar reactions to the two from a group of 20- to 40-year-olds: both the drink and the aspirin prevented platelets from sticking together or clotting, which can impede blood flow. In conclusion, flavonol-rich cocoa and chocolate act similarly to low-dose aspirin in promoting healthy blood flow. Reducing the blood’s ability to clot also reduces the risk of stroke and heart attacks.

Antioxidants in Dark Chocolate

Cornell University food scientists found that cocoa has nearly twice the antioxidants of red wine and up to three times those found in green tea. Antioxidants are substances that inhibit oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen and peroxides, and that include many held to protect the living body from the deleterious effects of free radicals. Examples include beta-carotene, vitamin C, and alpha-tocopherol. A

40-gram serving of milk chocolate contains about 400 milligrams of antioxidants, the same as a glass of red wine, according to research published by Joe A. Vinson of the University of Scranton, Pa. ( Ref.: Vinson JA, Proch J, Zubik L. Phenol antioxidant quantity and quality in foods: cocoa, dark chocolate, and milk chocolate J Agric Food Chem. 1999 Dec;47(12):4821-4.)

Dark chocolate has more than 13,000 ORAC units and milk chocolate has about 6,700, according to the Chocolate Manufacturers Association in McLean, Va . U n s w e e t e n e d powdered cocoa starts out with almost twice as much antioxidants as dark chocolate, but when it’s diluted with water or milk and sugar to make hot chocolate, the flavonoid total per

serving plummets to about half that in milk chocolate. (Ref.: Miraglio A, Chocolate’s Potential for Health Benefits Nutrition Notes May 2001.)

Serafini’s study: Serafini’s included seven healthy women and five healthy men aged 25-35. On different days they each ate 100 grams of dark chocolate by itself, 100 grams of dark chocolate with a small glass of whole milk, or 200 grams of milk chocolate. An hour later, those who ate dark chocolate alone had the most total antioxidants in their blood; and they had higher levels of epicatechin, a particularly healthy compound found in chocolate. The milk chocolate eaters had the lowest epicatechin levels of all.

Longevity: Fesearchers from the Harvard School of Public Health found that those who eat chocolate and sweets up to three times each month live almost a year longer than those who eat too much or those who steer clear of junk altogether. (Ref. Lee IM, Paffenbarger R Life is sweet: candy consumption and longevity BMJ 1998; 317: 1683-1684.)

Important Information on Chocolate

• Dark chocolate is higher in flavonoids

than milk chocolate. The way that cocoa powder and chocolate syrups are manufactured removes most flavonoids. Raw, organic cocoa and chocolate only offer the health benefits listed above.

• Choose rich, 100 percent organic chocolate and cocoa. Milk may interfere with the absorption of antioxidants from chocolate and may therefore negate the potential health benefits that can be derived from eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate. Therefore, choose dark chocolate and enjoy it in moderation.

• Chocolate Recipe Substitution: When a recipe calls for chocolate, use dark chocolate (usually less sugar) or even better, raw cacao powder. To substitute 1 oz of unsweetened chocolate, use 3 Tbsp of dry cacao + 2 Tbsp of raw sugar or agave syrup + 1 Tbsp of unrefined coconut oil.

Here is an anti-oxidant rich, heart-healthy, and delicious treat that you can make for your loved ones this Valentine’s Day!

Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 60 minutes Yields: 8 servings Ingredients:2 pomegranates (seeds only)1 10 oz bag of high quality organic dark

chocolate chips (at least 60 percent cacao) OR2 cup raw cacao powder, ½ cup unrefined

coconut oil, and ¼ cup agave syrup (all available at a health food store or on-line)

1 pint fresh strawberries1 bunch fresh mint

Directions:1. Melt chocolate on

stove.2. M i x i n

pomegranate seeds until fully covered in chocolate.

3. Spoon ou t in d r o p p i n g s o n t o a parchment lined baking sheet.

4. P l a c e i n t h e refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

5. Remove f rom refrigerator and arrange on platter with fresh strawberries and fresh mint leaves.

6. Serve and enjoy with your loved one or ones!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Medea L Galligan, a local holistic health coach, earned her Masters of Science i n N u t r i t i o n f ro m O k l a h o m a S t a t e

University, and also attended the Institute for Integrative Nutrition’s Health Coach Training Program, located in New York City. Since 1998, she has helped thousands of people of all ages improve their health and well being through support and encouragement, exploring which foods are right for them, and assisting them in bringing back the joy of cooking and eating. Visit www.HealthyLifestyle Concepts.com for more information.

yancey county news 20912

Documents

county coordinator

yancey county newsevery

buncombe county church

creek burnsville

betty waldroup taylor

charge stems

burnsville office

corporate malfeasance