yancey county news nov. 21

By Jonathan AustinYancey County News

As the region’s artists gear up for the crafts tour, some are scratching their heads, distressed over a letter many have received from the county tax administration seeking information on the business personal property used by the artists and small businesses.

The note reminds the business owner that they must fill out a business personal property listing abstract, which will be used to determine the amount of taxes due on the property in 2014.

Some artists have told this newspaper they

fear they are being singled out for the business personal property tax, and wonder if other small businesses are receiving the letters.

Denise Cook, executive director of the Toe River Arts Council, said the council is “trying to understand what is happening to our artists” as they stress over the property reporting requirements. “The artists want to do things the right way. They really want to be in compliance with the law,” she said.

Representatives from TRAC have met with county tax officials to better understand the requirements for artists in reporting on their business personal property. “They said

you have to report everything; supplies and inventory,” Cook said.

She said the tax requirement makes artists and craftspeople have to determine “how you define yourself. If you’re going to sell something, then the state and the county say you are required to fill out this form.”

Cook said a focus on taxing the materials used to create art “makes it hard for the people who just sell occasionally. It kind of discourages small business development, but on the flip side, why should certain sectors be exempt? It is a double-edged sword.”

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$1

Nov. 21, 2013 • Vol. 3, No. 47Brush Creek - Burnsville - Cane River Crabtree - Egypt - Green Mountain - Jacks Creek Pensacola - Price’s Creek - Ramseytown - South Toe

v Recipient of the E.W. Scripps Award for Distinguished Service to the First Amendment v

Yancey County News www.yanceycountynews.com vTo be a voice, and to allow the voices of our community to be heard.v

Mulch those leaves for a great garden

Defending the animal shelter

Traffic has been diverted off of South Main Street in Burnsville so crews can repave the street. Town workers were busy Monday removing old asphalt and leveling the road surface. Traffic is diverted onto West and East Main Street, or onto East-West Boulevard.

Look inside for...

mountain crafters’ co-opHandmade Stocking Stuffers and Custom-made Gift Baskets

127 W. Main St., Mon-Sat : 11-5

Enjoy theSudoku!

Tax letter rattles some area artists

They say things get better with age. After two decades, and almost 40 tours, “they” are right as the Toe River Arts Council kicks off their 20th year of Studio Tours in Mitchell and Yancey counties, December 6-8.

The Toe River Studio Tour is one of the largest and longest running studio tours in the country; you will find craftspeople and artists in nearly every medium, many tops in their field - from clay

to glass, fiber to paper, two and three-dimensional work, soap to candles, jewelry, metal, recycled and waiting to be used.

The tour is a free, self-guided trip that will lead you to the scores of unique galleries situated between Mt. Mitchell and Roan Mountain.

What better way to spend a weekend than to meander along the bright yellow lines in the road looking for the red and white studio tour signs, witnessing cerulean

blue skies, dusted white peaks, and noticing the slight nip on the tip of your nose as you open the car door, and the smell of fires blazing in the clear, fresh air. Meet the artists, see where they create and where they live. Our small communities offer an array of galleries, studios, and other special businesses you won’t want to miss. It’s a weekend of visual magic.

The Toe River Studio Tour happens just twice a year - the first

weekend in June, the first weekend in December, when the weather’s not too hot nor too cold and the rain and snow seem to take time off, at least for part of the weekend. The Tour lasts three days. In case you want a head start and a first look, it begins Friday at noon. Studios are cleaned and open, usually with snacks and a smile. It closes at 4 p.m. when visitors are invited over to the Spruce Pine TRAC Gallery

See page 3

By Jonathan AustinYancey County News

Trial is scheduled for Dec. 2 in Yancey County Superior Court in the case of John Herbert Pritchard and whether he committed second-degree murder in providing another man with drugs that killed him.

A N o v e m b e r 2011 indictment accused Pritchard, 62, of providing morphine to Jonathan Russell Whitson Jr. in March 2011.

See Page 3

Pritchard murder trial set

TRAC gears up for 20th year of tours

2 nov. 21, 2013 • yAnCEy CoUnTy nEWS

WHO WE AREThe Yancey County News is the only independent

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Susan Austin ........ Advertising/PublisherJonathan Austin ........... Editor/Publisher

who are the sole participants and members of

Yancey County News LLC127 W. Main Street

Burnsville, NC 28714

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A failed policy that must be abandoned

TheWall Street Journal has received the E.W. Scripps Award for Distinguished Service to the First Amendment. So has the newspaper you are reading

right now. The New York Times has been honored with the Ancil Payne Award for Ethics in Journalism. So has the newspaper you are reading right now.

“The Yancey County News is the quintessential great rural newspaper.”- Roy L. Moore, dean of the College of Communication at Middle Tennessee State University

I have read letters to the editor elsewhere, and it seems some good people are angry with one another. I don’t know the staff at the Yancey County Animal Shelter very well but what experience I have had with them has been positive. Jane Mummert has kindly heard me

out when I went to her about some neglected horses. There wasn’t much the animal shelter could do but they did lend a sympathetic ear.

But when it was within their power to help, they did. Several of my animals have been spayed and neutered at greatly reduced cost and most recently, free! The rabies clinics that are offered are very much appreciated, and who can say how much suffering those low-cost shots prevent. And a few times I’ve had to take an animal to them that I had found and could not keep. I was so very thankful that a shelter was available. Maybe some of the animals I have taken to them were not adopted, but I’m sure that if left to fend for themselves the end would have been much worse than what it was in the hands of compassionate people.

I can’t say I have found any faults with the local shelter but I suppose there are some, but I am confident they do the best they can. The tough choices that have been made concerning the animals’ lives have been mentioned in others’ letters to the editor, and my heart goes out to the little critters that must suffer loss, but at times heartbreaking decisions must be made.

I have had to make a few myself and maybe I have been judged harshly, but my decisions did not come easy and not without a lot of pain myself. To this day I grieve for some of the things I’ve had to do. I can’t say how much heartache there is for the good people at the shelter who must make these kinds of decisions on a regular basis. I don’t think I would be strong enough.

The question I am asking is, why are there still so many stray and abandoned animals after years of the shelter offering discounted and even free spay and neuter clinics?

If everyone with pets took a little more responsibility and made the trip to the animal shelter to have their pets fixed, perhaps the freezers that were mentioned in the Times Journal would not be necessary. So please have your pets fixed; they can live a full and happy life without offspring and it would prevent so much animal suffering, and, I’m guessing, the all-too-frequent heartbreak of the great people who accept the responsibility of the misplaced or unwanted pets.

Loretta Ferguson

By Frank R. Baumgartner Recently, former President Jimmy Carter

called for the abolition of the death penalty based on continued and significant evidence that, just as in 1972, the application of our ultimate punishment is as arbitrary as a lightning strike. North Carolina’s recent repeal of the Racial Justice Act was designed to remove an important barrier to the resumption of executions, on hold since 2006. But the state, like the nation, is unlikely to return to the days of greater use of the ultimate punishment.

Nor should it. The death penalty has become almost

purely symbolic, applied only in extremely rare instances, and in a limited number of legal jurisdictions that seem to have little in common except that they differ from the vast majority of the United States in their occasional use of capital punishment. The majority of death sentences since the modern resumption of the death penalty in 1976 come from only two percent of U.S. counties. The vast majority of counties, nationwide, have never witnessed an execution.

In North Carolina, from 1976 through 2011, over 21,000 homicides occurred. But during that period there were only 43 executions: just one execution per 489 homicides, or 0.2 percent. Why so few? Actually, the North Carolina numbers are not far from the national average. Nationally, we often have 15,000 to 20,000 homicides each year, but we consistently execute fewer than 100 people per year. Death is simply not the penalty for murder, and it never has been.

When the Supreme Court ruled the application of the death penalty to be unconstitutional in 1972, its focus was on the “arbitrary and capricious” nature of its application. The decision prompted a massive overhaul of

the nation’s death penalty system, including innumerable reforms in North Carolina. However, even the most well-intentioned reforms have not succeeded in making the death penalty’s application equitable.

Our state has executed 43 individuals for murder since 1976. Collectively, these condemned inmates killed 56 victims. Forty-two percent of people murdered in North Carolina during that time were black men. However, only one person has been executed for the crime of killing a black man. (A second was executed for killing three individuals, one of whom was a black man.) Forty-three percent of the victims of those executed in North Carolina were white women, even though white females represent only 13 percent of homicide victims during this period. In our state, people who kill white women are 40 times more likely to be executed than those who kill black men, based on the numbers from 1976 to present.

Recent litigation associated with the now-defunct Racial Justice Act demonstrated that blacks were systematically excluded from juries in capital trials at significantly higher rates than whites. The response of the legislature was to rescind the legislation in hopes that executions could resume. But we should recognize that the death penalty has never been used as the punishment for homicide. Rather, it has always been targeted at only a miniscule subset of homicides. The process is highly selective and subject to geographic disparities. The death penalty is also far more costly than the alternative punishment of life without the possibility of parole, and is used so rarely as to render moot any possible deterrent effect. More than 100 individuals, including several in our state, have been exonerated after being sentenced to death. This discovery of innocence has transformed the debate. Further, in North

Carolina as in most states, the vast majority of death sentences imposed by the courts are later overturned on appeal. Only about 20 percent of those sentenced to death nationwide have been executed. The more likely outcome is that the sentence is later changed to life in prison without parole. Rather than continue this costly and racially-charged symbol, we would all be better off with abolition.

The Gallup poll recorded the lowest level of support for the death penalty in 40 years, based on its recent survey. Sixty percent (60 percent) of Americans say they support the death penalty, a sharp decline from the 80 percent support registered in 1994. When Gallup has asked respondents to choose between the death penalty and life without parole as a sentence for murder, less than 50 percent of Americans expressed support for the death penalty (Gallup, Oct. 29, 2013).

There is, of course, little chance that our current legislative leaders in Raleigh will move away from their stated enthusiasm for the death penalty. But as more Americans recognize that the system is costly, arbitrary, ineffective, prone to error, and biased in terms of the race, class status, and gender of the victims, capital punishment will disappear. That trend has already begun. Six states have abolished the death penalty in the past six years, and many more, including North Carolina, have not carried out an execution in years. It is only a matter of time before our state recognizes that the death penalty is a failed policy that must be abandoned. When it does, it will be a victory for the due process of law and equal protection for all victims of horrible crimes.

Frank R. Baumgartner is the Richard J. Richardson Distinguished Professor of Political Science at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Reader sees reasons to defend animal shelter

nov. 21, 2013 • yAnCEy CoUnTy nEWS 3

Your RepresentativesSen. Richard Burr (R)

Washington address: 217 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510

Phone: (202) 224-3154 - Fax: (202) 228-2981Asheville: Federal Building, 151 Patton Ave., Suite 204

Asheville, N.C. 28801Phone: (828) 350-2437 - Fax: (828) 350-2439

Sen. Kay Hagan (D)Washington address: 521 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510Phone: (202) 224-6342 - Fax: (202) 228-2563

Asheville address: 82 Patton Ave., Suite 635Asheville, N.C. 28801

Phone: (828) 257-6510 - Fax: (828) 257-651411th Congressional District

Rep. Mark Meadows (R)Washington address: 1516 Longworth House Office

BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515Phone: (202) 225-6401N.C. Elected Officials

N.C. Senate District 47 Sen. Ralph Hise (R)Address: N.C. Senate

16 W. Jones St., Room 1026Raleigh, N.C. 27601-2808

Phone: (919) 733-3460 and (828) 766-8329Email: [email protected]

N.C. House District 118 Rep. Michele D. Presnell (R)Address: N.C. House of Representatives

16 W. Jones St., Room 1025Raleigh, N.C. 27601-1096

Phone: (919) 733-5732 and (828) 682-6342Email: [email protected]

No other weekly newspaper in the nation has won an E.W. Scripps Award, the Ancil Payne Award and the Gish Award for courage, tenacity and integrity in rural

journalism! Subscribe now and read one of the nation’s best community newspapers.YES, begin my subscription to the Yancey County News! (InYancey - $25; Out-of-county $35.) Mail this coupon and

your check to: The Yancey County News, 127 W. Main St., Burnsville, NC 28714

NAME: ___________________________________________MAILING ADDRESS: ______________________________________________

TOWN: _____________________________ STATE: __________ PHONE: ___________________ EMAIL: __________________________

From the frontwhere, from 5 to 7 p.m., you can meet the participating artists, see a sample or two of their work, enjoy a glass of wine, and some refreshments. The exhibit is set up geographically, so plans can be made and routes outlined for the next two days.

After the reception, visitors are invited upstairs to the TRAC Arts Resource Center (ARC) for a special performance by Michael Reno Harrell, who will kick off the tour and the holiday season with his award-winning songs and stories.

The tour continues both Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 5 p.m. On Sunday, you’ll leave, senses filled with the smells and sounds of the season and back seat filled with holiday gifts for you, your friends and family. There are over 75 places to stay in the area, from a couple of motels to bed and breakfast inns to cabins in the woods for two to ten.

To take the tour all you need is the comprehensive 44-page guide, which you can pick up at either TRAC Gallery or at stores and businesses around the region. It lists all the participants, their art (with a representative image), directions and contact information, and five maps that will lead you right to their doors.

Come spend a weekend in the mountains. “Do the Tour!” Experience what makes folks want to come back again and again, what makes those premier artists call this region home, and why aging is a good thing in studio tours.

TRAC is a non-profit organization founded in 1976 to promote the arts in Mitchell and Yancey counties. For more information about the Arts Council’s programs and to get more

information about the Holiday Studio Tour, visit the website, www.toeriverarts.org, call 828-682-7215 (Burnsville) or 828-765-0520 (Spruce Pine).

For tickets to Michael Reno Harrell’s performance, stop by or call either gallery. Tickets are $10 in advance/$12 at the door. The Arts Resource Center is wheelchair accessible.

From the frontWhitson, 29, was

found dead at a home off English Branch Road. He died of an overdose, according to the autopsy.

T h e s t a t e h a s s u b p o e n a e d t h e medical examiner, Dr. Brent Hall, to give testimony in the trial.

T h e s t a t e h a s also issued an order compelling the Charles G e o rg e Ve t e r a n s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n M e d i c a l C e n t e r i n A s h e v i l l e t o p r o v i d e m e d i c a l records that provide mater ial evidence “should they indicate t h e p r e s c r i p t i o n , administration, or other availability to the defendant of controlled substances that may have been involved in or connected to the drug-related charges and second-degree murder charge.”

Pritchard was taken into custody Dec. 1,

2011, though initially released on bond, he is now in jail.

Court records show Pritchard will also be tried on several felony drug charges, inc luding for the sale and delivery of controlled substances, delivery of drugs, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver schedule II drugs, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances, and felony probation violation.

P r i t c h a r d h a s p r e v i o u s l y b e e n convicted of felony d r u g c h a r g e s , according to court records.

In January 2011 he was convicted of delivery and sale of schedule II drugs, possession with intent to distribute schedule II drugs, and maintaining a dwelling for the use of controlled substances.

Pritchard murder trial set for Dec. 2

Galleries prepare for the tour

The local chapter of The Compassionate Friends will be holding their Annual Candlelight Memorial Service on Sunday, December 1, 2013 at 3pm at the Spruce Pine United Methodist Church. The Compassionate Friends is a support group for parents,

siblings and grandparents who have experienced the loss of a child of any age from any circumstance.

Families are welcome to participate in this service even if they are not able to attend the monthly group meetings. Please bring a picture and/

or memento to be placed on the memorial table during the service. There will be a time for refreshments and fellowship following the candlelight service. Contact Tressa Dayton 828-765-4889 or Teresa Emory 828-284-2287 for more information.

County governments and nonprofit groups pursuing farmland preservation projects have until Dec. 16 to apply for funding assistance from the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. About $1.7 million is available through monies appropriated for the 2014-15 budget year by the General Assembly.

“We have 86 county voluntary agricultural districts across the state and 50 county-wide farmland protection programs. We want to encourage more preservation efforts through the

trust fund,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

The fund’s purpose is to support projects that encourage the preservation of qualifying agricultural, horticultural and forest lands to foster the growth, development and sustainability of family farms.

“Less than two percent of the world’s population currently farms, and our population continues to grow,” Troxler said. “It is imperative that we preserve farmland to meet the growing demand for food.

“Nor th Carol ina farms and forests are the bedrock

foundation for our state’s $77 billion agribusiness industry.”

Grants can be awarded to secure agricultural conservation easements on lands used for agricultural production; to support public and private enterprise programs that promote profitable and sustainable agricultural, horticultural and forestland activities; and for the development of agricultural plans.

Applications and guidelines for the current funding cycle are available at www.ncadfp.org or by calling 919-707-3071. Applications are due by 5 p.m.

Farm preservation grant deadline nears

Compassionate Friends schedule memorial service


Reece B. TiptonReece B. Tipton, 61, of Burnsville, died

Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013 at his home.A native of Yancey County, he was a son

of the late Briscoe Tipton and Georgia Ann Griffith Tipton. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Arnold Tipton.

Reece was a loving, generous and caring man who loved his family and friends and reading his Bible. He enjoyed fishing and watching TV, especially the show Lizard Lick Towing.

Surviving are his sons, Billy Tipton of Marshall and Adam Tipton of Asheville; daughters Melissa Hudgins and husband, Mark, of Burnsville, and Marrisa Bonham and husband, Jason, of Asheville; brothers Dean Tipton and wife, Sherry, of Green Mountain, Darrell Tipton and wife, Rebecca, of Burnsville, Norman Tipton and wife, Sandy, of Green Mountain, Elmer Tipton and wife, Barbara, of Green Mountain and Elbert Tipton and wife, Jackie, of Hickory; sisters Wanda Cannon and husband, Michael, of Burnsville, Doris Edwards of Burnsville, Helen Cannon of Burnsville and Ruth Martin and husband, John, of Spruce Pine; and grandchildren Alex, Isaac, Samantha, and Crystal Hudgins and Autumn, Brody and Elijah Tipton. Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Private graveside service was Monday. A memorial service was to be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 19, in the Chapel of Yancey Funeral Services. The Rev. Joe Brown was to officiate. The family was to receive friends from 5 p.m. until the service hour at the funeral home.

Donations may be made to the funeral home to help with funeral expenses.

Virginia Hensley Griggs Virginia Hensley Griggs, 85, of

Burnsville, passed away Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, at her home surrounded by family.

A native of Burnsville, she was a daughter of the late Carl and Stella Wright Hensley. She was preceded in death by her sister Lucille Harris, and son-in-law Frank Carroll.

Virginia retired from the Yancey County School System after 44 years of service as cook and manager at Burnsville Elementary School. She was a member of West Burnsville Baptist Church.

Surviving are her husband of 69 years, D.T. Griggs; two daughters: Gloria Wilson and husband, Larry, of Burnsville and Diane Carroll of Micaville; three sons: Tommy Griggs and wife, Daphne, Darryl Griggs and wife, Cathy, and Randy Griggs and wife, Kristy, all of Burnsville; nine grandchildren: Angie Parker and husband, Jermaine, Candi Fox and husband, Mike, Cindy, Casey, Derrick, A.J., Kaleigh, Tiffany and Frank; five great-grandchildren: Brandon, Maci-Drew, Jazmyne, Kenyon and Griffen; two sisters: Irene Souther and Hazel Souther of Burnsville; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral was Monday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. The Rev. Charlie Carroway officiated. Graveside services was Tuesday morning in the McCracken Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Yancey County, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714, or Yancey Senior Citizens Center, 10 Swiss Avenue, Burnsville, NC 28714.

Betty Goforth WoodyBetty Goforth Woody, 75, of Hanging

Rock Road, died Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, at her home.

A native of Avery County, she was a daughter of the late Brown and Goldie Ingram Goforth and wife of 42 years to the late Robert Lee Woody, who passed away in 1996. She was a member of Yellow Mountain Baptist Church.

Surviving are her daughters: Brenda Queen and husband, Shelby, of Spruce Pine, and Sharon Hendry and husband, Bryan, of Manchester, Ky.; sons Robert Lee “Junior” Woody of Spruce Pine and Richard Allan Woody and wife, Misty, of Spruce Pine; brother Billy Ray Goforth and wife, Norma, of Newland; five grandchildren: Chrystal Byrd, Gary Edwards, Amanda Edwards, Tristin Mason and Noah Woody; eight great-grandchildren: Kelsey Byrd, Charles Byrd, Keaton Byrd, Adrianna Edwards, Dalton Towe, Taven Edwards, Kelby Pitman and Colby Pitman and a great-great grandson, Hudson Huskins.

Funeral was Sunday in the chapel of Yancey Funeral Service. The Rev. Jude Hughes and Rev. Brent Price officiated. Burial was in the Yellow Mountain Cemetery.

Jimma Kylie Yelton Our sweet baby girl in heaven, Jimma

Kylie Yelton, was born and became one of Jesus’ angels on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013, at 9:30 p.m. at Mission Hospital.

Surviving are her parents, Kyle Yelton and Martina Demick Yelton and a sister, Matanna Yelton, all of Burnsville; uncles Logan Gortney and Nicholas Yelton of Burnsville; aunt Chloe Gortney of Burnsville; maternal grandparents Terry and Tina Gortney of Burnsville; paternal grandparents Shawn Huskins and Beckey Yelton of Burnsville; and great-grandparents Sharon Letterman of Burnsville and Terry and Debbie Carter of Spartanburg, S.C.

A memorial service will be held at a later date and will be announced by Yancey Funeral Services.

William ‘Bill’ PattersonWilliam “Bill” Patterson, 87, of

Burnsville, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

A native of Iredell County, he was a son of the late Theodore and Lillian Johnson Patterson. He was also preceded in death by three sisters and one brother.

Bill and Phyllis had a fun and adventurous life traveling all around the world, living in Australia for two years and Singapore for three years. After Bill retired in 1989, they continued traveling out west and camping for many years. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed fishing, was an avid golfer and was a part of one

of the first clean-up efforts in Hiroshima, Japan.

Surviving is his wife of 56 years, Phyllis Patterson; daughter Katina Williamson and husband, Tim, of California; son Billy Patterson and wife, Debbie, of Kentucky; ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Memorial service was Friday at Higgins Memorial United Methodist Church. The Rev. Wes Sharpe and the Rev. Joe Bennett officiated. Military honors will be conducted by the Sgt. E. L. Randolph, Chapter #57 D.A.V.

Memorials may be made to Higgins Memorial United Methodist Church Kitchen Fund, 101 North Main Street, Burnsville, NC 28714.

Judy Ruth ClarkJudy Ruth Clark, 66, of Bill Allen

Branch Road and Tacoma, Wash., died Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, in Burnsville at the home of her mother and surrounded by loving family. She was born September 15, 1947, in Durant, Okla., the youngest daughter of John Albert Clark and Christine Hudson Clark. She was preceded in death by her father and a nephew, Thomas David Barton.

Judy is survived by her mother, Christine “Granny” Hudson Clark; two sisters, Jeannette Frances Clark Maddox of Burnsville and Carole Ann Clark Vrooman of Texas; three daughters: Christine Denise Hanson and husband, Kelly; Renee Simmons and husband, Robert and their two children, Sarah Renee Simmons and Noah Allen Simmons, of Maple Valley, Wash.; and Roxan Hartwig of Tacoma; two sons, Joshua Thomas Hanson and Wesley Hanson of Alaska; and nieces and nephews.

Judy was an avid gardener and loved the outdoors. She lived in Anchorage, Alaska for 25 years and enjoyed hiking on the glaciers and watching the moose and grizzly bears. She was a home care provider in Tacoma and was also employed by a landscaping company.

Services will be held on a glacier in Alaska at a later date.

Dewey ‘Joby’ SilversDewey ‘Joby’ Silvers, 80, of Hickory

Lane, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013. He was a son of the late Thor and Florence Hensley Silvers of Flag Pond, Tenn. Dewey worked for Contel and GTE Telephone companies for 32 years and was a member of Burnsville Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years.

Dewey is survived by his wife of 59 years, Shirley Shelton Silvers of Burnsville; a son, Faron Silvers of Burnsville; a daughter, Debbie Burke of Simpsonville, S.C.; two granddaughters; two grandsons; three great-granddaughters; two great-grandsons; a sister, Dell Ledford of Erwin, Tenn.; four brothers, Harold, Jack and Worley Silvers of Flag Pond, and Luther Silvers of Longmont, Colo.

Funeral was Saturday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Burial was in the Pate Cemetery on Bee Log Hill Road.

Obituaries


‘Tis the season when the stores will be packed and the streets will be filled with hopeful shoppers in search of that perfect gift.

With the release of the new video game consoles that are guaranteed to lock your kids (and some adults) into near comatose states as they stare at the screens while only taking breaks for school and maybe sleep, here are a few alternative ideas of bonding ideas rather than purchased possessions.

Anyone who has ever been in Scouts will likely remember when all the packs come together at some camp located near a lake. One of the highlights of the weekend is always the canoe races. Canoes can be rented for cheap and provide for joyful and interesting times. The venerable Old Town canoe has floated many a youngster over the years. A long paddle on the water is sure to brighten any kid’s outlook, and for good measure give the canoe a rock side-to-side a couple of times.

Another event that is sure to please involves some raw chicken. I know, your face is probably squinting with your nose all crinkled up as you read that sentence. But if you put a little bit on a hook and toss it in the water

your kid will be amazed by what comes for it.

F o r e v e n more fun, go at night and set up a bonfire. When the rod tip gets hit with a hard thump and the strange creature with the flat mouth and tentacles s t r e t c h i n g from its face is surfaced, there i s n o d o u b t that both you and your kid wi l l examine t h e c a t f i s h with a sense of

wonderment.While the fire is burning, we shouldn’t

let it go waste. A staple of any good trip that includes a fire includes chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows. I know somehow when those three ingredients are combined over an open flame the woods fairy sprinkles some type of pixie dust overtop and it becomes a necessary food group. Heck, even if the fish do not immediately bite, the s’mores will be fine in passing the time until they do.

Near many of the lakes, rivers and streams

you can find a good field. After the farmers have cultivated the land and turned the soil another magical thing happens. In fact, it has almost become a lost art. At some point and time in a child’s life they all wish to visit the past. Not the past as in yesterday or even last year, but of times long, long ago. Amateur archaeologists is what we used to call ourselves. We would dream of digging and finding the next great monstrous dinosaur. Of course we never found one, but we did find other artifacts of equal intrigue, at least for a kid. There were many days we spent arrowhead hunting. Sometimes we would find finely chiseled rock that left no doubt to its purpose. Other times, we were just wishful and accepted that the small triangular shaped granite with a sharp side may be one. Either way, it ended up in our small tote bag or pocket as an addition to the collection.

There are numerous other activities that you can initiate to create special times with your kids, but the key is to spend those moments together. As each seems like a product of time in our hurried lives, they are but a just a moment in our overall life. However, they can be a moment remembered and cherished forever.

Bill Howard teaches hunter education and bow hunter education 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 [email protected].

Bill Howard’s

Outdoors

Gifts can be special time with the kids

Committee to Elect

Tammy R. McEntyre Yancey County Clerk of Superior Court

Invites you to their ‘Kick Off Dinner’ Saturday, Nov. 23. Drop in 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.

Come join the fun at the new Pensacola VFD building, NC 197-S - in the home community

of Tammy R. McEntyre!

Join us for some good country cookin’!

• Pinto Beans• Cornbread

• OnionsPlus all the ‘fixins’

you want!

Open invitation to ALL musicians, pickers and singers! We’ve invited a few of our friend just to get the party

started:• Ron &

Minnie Powell• The Allen Brothers

• Brandon & Alan ThomasonPaid for by Tammy McEntyre


Hi my name is Shade. I am a 1-year old Irish Wolf-hound/ Lab mix. I am great with other dogs and I love to play! Did I mention that I am well on my way to being housebro-ken?Hello my name is Spade. I am Shade’s twin brother. I think Shade forgot to mention that we would really like to get adopted together. Hurry in to take your new twins home today!

Call the shelter at 682-9510 for more informa-tion on these or other pets, or plan to visit us at 962 Cane River School Road.

The N.C. Forest Service’s Urban and Communi ty Forestry Program is accepting entries for its 2014 Arbor Day Photo Contest through Feb. 28.

The contest is open to North Carolina students in fifth through 12th grades, including public, private and home schools.

The theme is “Young and Old.” “The theme reflects not just the beauty of North Carolina’s trees and forests, but also the values and benefits that many generations have enjoyed,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

The competition will be

divided into fifth through eighth grades and ninth through 12th grades. A panel of judges will select a winner from each division and one grand prize winner. Honorable mentions may also be awarded.

Winners of each division will receive $50 and a tree to plant on their school grounds. The grand prize winner will receive $150, a tree to plant at school and a framed reproduction of the winning photo.

To enter, participants should download and complete an entry form, and include a caption and photographer’s

statement. One photo per photographer may be entered.

Entry forms and a list of submission requirements can be found under the Urban and Community Forestry link on the N.C. Forest Service website at http://ncforestservice.gov.

Schools may select up to six best photos for entry.

Winners will be selected and notified by March 14. Prizes will be awarded at the N.C. Arbor Day celebration on March 22 in Raleigh.

For more information, contact Jennifer Rall at 919-857-4849 or [email protected].

An 18-year-old is in jail charged with two counts of felony statutory rape, according to warrants filed with the clerk of court.

Reynoldo Romero, of 667 John Henry Road, Burnsville, was arrested on warrants issued Nov. 12. One warrant was sought by R. J. Shuford of Burnsvi l le Pol ice Department, while the second was sought by Brian Shuford of Yancey County Sheriff’s Office. Both felony warrants were issued by Magistrate T.M. Hall.

According to the warrants, Romero is accused of twice h a v i n g s e x w i t h a 13-year-old girl between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, 2013.

In an unrelated case, a Burnsville man was arrested on a felony

Romero charge of obtaining p r o p e r t y b y f a l s e pretense.

James Paul Young, 32, of 36 Henson Lane, Burnsville, was accused of taking money from Maphra Miller Copas “by means of false pretense which was calculated to deceive and did deceive.”

According to the warrant, Young told the woman he would take $50 and her car and would get her a car battery. “He took the money and her car and did not replace battery in (the) car.”

Students invited to enter photo contest Teen charged with rape

M a y l a n d Community College is pleased to announce that Glen Raven, Inc . ha s made a commitment to support the construction of M a y l a n d ’ s n e w Anspach Advanced M a n u f a c t u r i n g School.

“ M a y l a n d Community College c e l e b r a t e s G l e n Raven’s long history in Yancey County,” s a i d M a y l a n d Community College President John C. Boyd. “Glen Raven’s recent commitment will lead to the naming of the Glen Raven Classroom in the Anspach Advanced M a n u f a c t u r i n g School.”

T h e A n s p a c h A d v a n c e d M a n u f a c t u r i n g School will house equipment including mult iple types of welding machines, a plasma cutter, bending m a c h i n e s , S o l i d Works programming, scanners, and a 3-D printer. Training at the facility will prepare students to sit for the American Welding Society’s national certification exam. Students will have the ability to utilize state-of-the-art equipment to develop superior design skills. Use of a 3-D printer will enable students to realize, troubleshoot, correct and build their designs.

“We believe in endless possibilities and that no idea is a bad idea,” said Glen Raven, Inc. of Burnsville’s Plant Manager Wendell

Wi l son . “We a re always looking to the future and the needs that the future holds. We are conscious of the legacy that we as a company want to leave behind. That is why we welcomed this opportunity to make a contribution to the Anspach Advanced M a n u f a c t u r i n g School.”

In 1948, a weaving operation opened in Burnsville and focused

on nylon and polyester used in a wide array of products, from luggage to sail cloth. Through the years and changing economy, Glen Raven’s ability to identify and lead niche market segments contributed greatly to the company’s continued success. Today, the Burnsville facility weaves fabrics u sed i n m i l i t a ry and fire retardant products, sail boat

sails, and fabrics used in creating official American flags.

T h e A n s p a c h A d v a n c e d M a n u f a c t u r i n g School will support the continued growth and expansion of the local workforce in the manufacturing industry by providing highly trained, high-quality graduates, including welders and Associate Degree Applied Engineers.

Glen Raven contributes to Anspach manufacturing school


Homemade bread, desserts and

specials every day!Breakfast

7-11 a.m. Mon.-Sat.Lunch

11 a.m. - 3 p.m. M-Fri.(11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sat.)Now open for dinnerWednesday, Thursday,

Fri. & Sat. 5-9 p.m. Entertainment

Wednesday 7-9 p.m. Pete McWhirter

& Friends! Thursday 6:30 p.m.Quizzo Trivia!

Typical Mountain Boys, Bluegrass at its best! Friday 12-2 pm

Open Mic Night - Fri 7-9

This Saturday 7-9 pm

Bob EarlyJazz Quartet114 East Main St.

678-9362To book you holiday

parties, to order baked goods, or for reservations

Buy Yancey County News at Mitchell-Yancey Habitat

for Humanity Restore563 Oak Ave., Spruce Pine

and Habitat keeps half of the money!

Open Tues – Fri, 9-5; Sat 9-2

From the frontThe letter to business owners begins

by defining what must be listed on the tax abstract. “What is business personal property?” the letter asks. It is “all property used in connection with the operation and production of income that has not been classified as real.”

Some artists say they have been told that definition means they must list things like toilet paper, and Cook said some long-time artists have belongings in the studio that aren’t ‘used’ in connection with production but may still have value. “They’re supposed to count everything,” Cook said. For painters, is that “every brush? Some artists have ‘sentimental’ brushes” that aren’t used but are kept for emotional reasons, she said.

Artists also fear they may be singled out for the tax because they take part in events like the bi-annual gallery tour.

Jeff Boone , the county tax administrator/assessor, said the list of businesses was provided to the county by the N.C. Department of Revenue.

“Every year, counties receive from the North Carolina Dept. of Revenue lists of businesses that report sales and use” and corporation or incorporation, Boone wrote in an email to the newspaper. “This is for counties to verify that they have all businesses listed that report to North Carolina.”

In August 2011, the county commission signed a contract with Tax Management Associates of Charlotte to perform a program verifying the accuracy and completeness of business

personal property listings forms filed with the county tax administrator. At the time, county leaders said business personal property tax listings are a self-assessed tax in Yancey County, “and therefore must be examined periodically to ensure equity and uniformity in the tax base.”

But this week Boone said the tax letter that has been mailed out “is not part of the TMA contract.”

Cook said artists of crafters who are confused about the letter they received from the tax office can visit the tax office to discuss the issue, or “you can come and talk with us. We’ve talked to the people at the tax office. We’ve talked to our accountant. We can share what we’ve learned.”

Tax office says letter doesn’t target artists

Mountain Heritage Cougar Daulton Buchanan and two Shelby players look for the wayward football during the Cougar’s first round playoff game at Shelby. The Golden Lions defeated the Cougars 58-8.

Photo courtesy David Grose

Kids who read the newspaper

get better grades in school!


The mother of a 4-year-old boy shared an interesting story with me the other day. At age 2, her son began chewing meat to the point where it became liquid, but would not swallow. The parents became worried and began attempting various means of persuading him to swallow. Nothing worked, which increased the parents’ anxiety and, likewise, the energy they put into the swallowing project.

Finally, the mother read a book of mine in which I describe a technique I developed called “The Doctor.” It’s actually a modification of an approach to children developed by Milton Ericson, an outlier psychiatrist whose offbeat, creative work has never been given its due in the mental health community.

Full disclosure: Whenever, in this column, I have written about this technique, mental health professionals have complained that it may well cause children to be anxious about real doctors. To that, I can only say that over the perhaps 20 years that I’ve disseminated this recommendation concerning various problems involving young children, not one parent has ever reported that a child developed doctor anxiety. Furthermore, the “cure” rate of childhood fears, anxieties, and even major behavior problems has been remarkable.

The method involves simply telling the child in question that The Doctor has said that the problem, whatever it is, is due to lack of sleep. Therefore, until the problem has

Living

with

children

Kids do odd things. Usually it is not a problem

completely disappeared for a certain period of time, or on any day that the problem occurs, the child must go to bed immediately after the evening meal. Other privileges can also be made part of a package of consequences, but early bedtime usually does it.

Concerning the meat-chewing 4-year-old, the parents told him, “We visited with a doctor today and told him that you chew meat and won’t swallow it. He told us that this happens when a child isn’t getting enough sleep. He told us that when you chew meat and won’t swallow it, that you have to go to bed right after supper.”

That evening, the child had to go to bed right after supper. From that point on, he has chewed and swallowed, chewed and swallowed, chewed and swallowed. No problem since.

There are four points to the story, the first of which is that if the parents’ had consulted a mental health professional, there is some

likelihood the child would have become afflicted with a disorder of some sort - sensory integration disorder, perhaps. When a problem becomes a disorder, it is rarely, if ever, cured in a day.

The second point is that the mother now realizes her anxiety was one reason - perhaps THE reason - why the problem worsened over a two-year period. When children develop problems, they need parents who are authoritative, not anxious. Anxiety and authority are incompatible. The former cancels the latter.

The third point is that the mother’s anxiety reflected the now-ubiquitous tendency of parents to “think psychologically” about problems that arise in or with their kids. This sort of thinking prevents problem-solving - not sometimes, but always - because the question “Why is this happening?” prevents a parent from focusing on what to do about it. The “Why?” question induces what I call “disciplinary paralysis.”

The fourth point is that we seem to have forgotten that children do odd things sometimes. These odd things do not necessarily indicate a problem. Sometimes, odd is nothing more than odd.

Family psychologist John Rosemond answers parents’ questions on his web site at www.rosemond.com.

Week of 11/18/13 - 11/24/13

Edited by Margie E. Burke

Answer to Last Week's Sudoku

HOW TO SOLVE:

Copyright 2013 by The Puzzle Syndicate

Difficulty : Easy

Get the only locally owned Yancey County newspaper! Subscribe online

at www.yanceycountynews.com

Firefighters were making progress on containment lines for the Table Rock wildfire in the Linville Gorge, officials said.

Recent rains have slowed progression of the fire, but concerns still exist over a section of uncontained line along the southern fire flank. Crews continue to improve contingency lines along Forest Road 118 and the US Forest Service property line. There is still a large area of unburned fuels between the active fire and those lines. A concern is that fuels in those areas could re-ignite uncontained portions of the current fireline perimeter.

The strategy is to monitor fire progression and ensure resources are in place if the fire moves south. Infrared aerial photos will be taken this morning to look for hot spots along the firelines. Patrols did notice an increase in heat Monday as the winds picked up and fuels began to dry out.

Work will continue on structure protection within the Outward Bound Camp. Crews working with the camp will reduce fuels around buildings and eliminate fire hazards. North Carolina Forest Service personnel are assisting with land owner contacts

and providing advice on how to improve defensible space.

Fire size remains the same Tuesday, with 2,275 acres burned to date and 40 percent containment. No additional structures are threatened and no additional injuries or accidents to report. There are 193 personnel working on the fire and the Type 3 Incident Management Team will transition with the Type 2 Team throughout the day.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. However, fire investigators would appreciate talking with the group who were camping at Table Rock Picnic Area last Monday, Veteran’s Day. Investigators believe this group has information that would aid in the investigation. A reward may be offered for substantial information regarding this investigation and persons should contact Law Enforcement Officer Jason Crisp at 828-442-2470 or the Grandfather Ranger District at 828-652-2144.

For information on the latest road and trail closures, visit the National Forests in North Carolina website. Visitors should check the website before planning a trip to the gorge.

Fire continues in Linville Gorge

Boys on the Track in Burnsville is an after-school, extra-curricular program for 4th and 5th grade boys that receive physical exercise (running/training), intentional instruction (teaching of life skills), and selfless service (giving back to our community). The program is based on the belief that every boy needs mentoring, confidence, success and skills.

“We created this program in response to the success we’ve seen with the Girls on the Run program” said Shane Cassida, Program Creator and K-12 Curriculum/Federal Programs Director, Yancey County Schools. “Special thanks

to the other volunteer coaches making this happen – Ron Wyant, Steve Grindstaff, Cleve Fox and Chris Sutherland.”

Graham Children’s Health Services was excited to get involved in this great program as well. “The boys will all run in the Burnsville Fit Families 5K this spring, along with the Girls on the Run program from Burnsville Elementary School” said Jodi Antinori, Instructional Coach, Burnsville Elementary School and Graham Children’s Health Services Board Member.

There are currently 30 boys enrolled in the program with at

least 10 on a waiting list. There has been a lot of excitement and enthusiasm at the school about BOTIB. “It’s exciting to get this kind of a response. We’ve partnered with the MAGIC after school program to provide healthy snacks and transportation. This

has been a wonderful school and community collaboration” said Cassida.

To make a donation or get involved with the BOTIB program, call Graham Children’s Health Services at 682-7899 or email [email protected].

Schools begin track program for boys in 4th and 5th grades

[email protected] 828 551 9775FOR RENT - Pensacola Rd, 3 bed/2bath home, close in for rent $875.00/mo. No Pets, No tobacco products. Background check & security deposit required. Available soon. CATTAIL PEAK REALTY INC. 828-284-2968.House For Rent in town, 3 BDRM, 2 Bath, 2 story house, large BM, Fireplace, Central Cooling/Heating Pump, Garage, Decks, Balconies/ Patio, Fully

Fenced, Appliances with Washer/Dryer. $900/Month. No pets preferred. Call (828) 682-7499 .HoUSE FoR REnT - Country private - Brick rancher of three bedrooms, 1 bath. Living, dining, kitchen, utility. Carport. Garden space. NO pets. $600 month. Owner-broker 828-678-3400For rent in town Burnsville large one bedroom apt. lots of cabinets, first floor $400 per month. $100 security and 1st 30 days free with 6 mo. lease. Call for details. 865-306-0111.House for rent, kitchen with lots of cabinets & bar, DR, large living room with fireplace and wood

stove insert, large master bath with private bath , 2nd bedroom with private bath, w/d hook up in basement. Deck overlooking pond. In town (Burnsville) in small apt complex consisting of 5 units. Oil hot air furnace. Rent $550. 865-306-0111.

ITEMS oR SALE Boxwoods for Sale. $10 each. 828.208.0406.

SERvICESAdult day care - Heritage Adult Day Retreat located just west of Burnsville offers low cost affordable quality day care for your loved one giving you the opportunity to take care of yourself and things you need to do without worry. Qualified/

caring staff. Grants available. For information please call 828-682-1556Free Manure – Will load. Clear Creek Ranch. 675-4510Roof Leak? Call Brad at Tip Top Roofing, 25 years+ experience. Residential, commercial roof repair and maintenance, roof coatings, gutter repair, roof inspection. References. 682-3451Sewing alterations. Call 208-3999.


Week of 11/18/13 - 11/24/13

ACROSS1 Hyperactive8 Geyser output

13 Medicinal mass14 Timeout spot16 Colony-crashing

creature17 Big name in

flatware18 Double-crosser19 In the

neighborhood21 Dainty drink22 Type of drum24 In a group of25 Clear a hurdle26 Make, as a

salary27 Washer cycle28 Montana mining

city29 ___ corde

(music)31 Contributing

component 2 Club for 33 Fruit farm 47 Finishes the 33 Ham it up miniature golf 34 Free will lawn37 Assassins 3 Pub fare 35 High standing 49 One way to play38 Like candlelit 4 Shower area 36 Kind of pool 50 Smart society

dinners 5 One of the 39 Going by bike 52 Watch over40 Wright wing? Jackson 5 43 More within 53 Type of guy41 Morgan's 6 Glacial mass reach 56 ___ whiz!

"Unforgiven" 7 Type of tile 45 X, to a bowler 58 Work on a tancostar 8 Take to task 46 Like old-time

42 Unit of force 9 Singer Orlando gasoline44 Wight or Skye 10 Poetic 48 Small clue palindrome49 Carp kin 11 Licorice-like 50 Toned down cordial51 Polished off 12 Dispute 52 Plowed land middleman54 Cleaning need 13 Analyze 55 Look-alike grammar57 Raymond Burr 15 Tupac, Nas,

role et. al.59 Museum guide 20 Brit's floor 60 Carved toggle coverings

from Japan 23 Contest hopeful61 Down-and-out 25 TV's "Elemen-62 Reacted to a tary" actress

pun, perhaps 27 Religious faction28 Jezebel's false

DOWN god1 Beethoven 30 Sound off

piece 32 Hightail it

The Weekly Crossword

Answer to Last Week's Crossword

by Margie E. Burke

Copyright 2013 by The Puzzle Syndicate

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15

16 17

18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25

26 27 28

29 30 31 32

33 34 35 36 37

38 39 40

41 42 43 44 45 46 47

48 49 50

51 52 53 54

55 56 57 58

59 60

61 62

A R M O R E D S K A T E DL E A G U E R M A N D E L AA G I L E L Y A L A D D I N

A L E S S N A P I T DE L M S F R A I L O I LL I E T I A R A A M U S EF A N T A S T I C Z E S T S

O U T B U SB A C O N U P P E R H A N DE V E N T N O I S E N U NT I N R E S E T M I C AT A T S E A T T I L LI T A L I C S B O O N I E SN O V E L T Y I N G E N U EG R O T T O D E A R E S T

LAnD FoR SALELAnD FoR SALE By oWnER: Fish, Swim, and Tube along beautiful section of native trout waters (Cane River)! 6.6 Acres (more/less) offering over 900 ft frontage along the river & easy access from state paved road (197 South). Flat meadow gently rises from river to ideal building sites! Take a look today! $85,000 FIRM! Call 828-284-0705 for more information. SoUTH ToE LAnD FoR SALE5.5 acres off Colberts Creek Road. Creek frontage, borders N a t i o n a l F o r e s t , p r i v a c y, mixture of lush rhododendron, pines and hardwoods, level to moderate grade, south/southeast exposure, garden spot, view of Black Mountains, beautiful rock formation, active springs with spring boxes and pipe, and close

proximity to South Toe River and Carolina Hemlock Recreation Area. At least 3-4 potential house sites. Transferable septic permit already obtained. Electric close by. We are selling in order to buy a larger parcel (10-15 acres) and will consider land swap option. Asking price: $84,900. We would love to answer any questions you have or meet with you to show you this beautiful property. Contact Lisa at 828-208-1221.

FoR REnT House For Rent: 16 minutes south of Burnsville off Hwy. 197. Catttail Creek Rd. $675/month plus utilities, deposit, pet deposit. Approx. 900 square ft. 3 bdrm., 1 bath, laundry room, small yard, kitchen/dining/living room is one room. Small stove. Beautiful area. email:

CLASSIFIEDSCALL 691-0806 TO RUN YOUR CLASSIFIED! $5 FOR 50 WORDS • CALL 691-0806 TO RUN YOUR CLASSIFIED! $5 FOR 50 WORDS

Towing Service

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Pay Fair PriceWill Pick Up Vehicle

Visit thesefine establishments for the Yancey County News Guy’s General Store • Poplar Grove • Appalachian Java • B&B Convenience Store •

Mountain Energy • Felicity’s Closet • Outside at Ingles •

Cruz Thru • Whitson’s General Store • Effler’s Store • Westall Grocery • Riverside Grocery • Habitat in Spruce Pine •

Price’s Creek Store • Stamey’s in Spruce Pine

MAYtimeCompost & Garden Soil

TopsoilWorm Castings

8 2 8 - 2 3 1 - 9 3 5 2www.maytimecomposting.com

Lena Rachel WeismanPersonal Massage Therapist

Come in for a soothing massage! Improve flexibility, circulation

and posture!828-284-6149 for appointment


America’s waste disposal sites are filling up. Landfills across the nation are being closed at an alarming rate. yet the volume of waste our soci-ety produces continues to increase. Twenty percent of the solid waste placed in landfills consists of yard and garden wastes such as leaves and grass clippings. Many states, including North Carolina, are ban-ning these wastes from landfills.

One step we can take toward solving our waste disposal problems is to make use of lawn and garden wastes instead of dumping them. Through the process of composting, these organic wastes can be recycled to produce a natural material that can be used in gardens, landscapes, and flower beds.

When mixed with soil, compost increases the organic matter con-tent, improves the physical proper-ties of the soil, and supplies essential nutrients, enhancing the soil’s abil-ity to support plant growth. Com-post can also be applied to the soil surface to conserve moisture, con-trol weeds, reduce erosion, improve appearance, and keep the soil from gaining or losing heat too rapidly.

One way to dispose of yard and garden wastes is to haul them to municipal or county composting facilities. Many homeowners, how-ever, find it more convenient and economical to compost these ma-terials in their own backyards. In either case, the finished compost can be mixed with soil or used as a mulch for gardens, landscape beds, or lawns.

Why Compost?Gardeners have used compost for

centuries. Composting is an efficient method of breaking down organic materials into an end product that is beneficial to soil and plants. Add-ing yard and garden wastes directly to the soil without first composting them has some undesirable effects. For example, if large quantities of uncomposted leaves are incorpo-rated into the soil, the microbes that work to decompose the leaves will compete with plant roots for soil nitrogen. This competition can re-sult in nitrogen deficiency and poor plant growth. Increased populations of the microbes can also deplete most of the organic matter in the soil, leaving the soil with less struc-ture than before.

When materials such as leaves and grass clippings are compos-ted, however, a microbial process converts them to a more usable or-ganic material. Adding composted material reduces the competition for nitrogen. Composted material is also much easier to handle and mix with soil than uncomposted material because of its finer texture. Furthermore, improvement of the soil’s physical properties — such as increased infiltration, better drain-age, and greater water holding ca-pacity — usually occurs more rap-idly when composted materials are added.

Decomposition of organic mate-rial in a compost pile depends on

maintaining the activity of decom-poser microbes. Any factor that slows or halts the growth of these microbes also slows the compost-ing process. Efficient decomposition occurs when aeration and moisture are adequate, when the particles of waste material are small, and when the proper amounts of fertilizer and lime are added.

AERATIONMicrobes require oxygen to de-

compose organic wastes efficiently. Some decomposition will occur in the absence of oxygen (that is, under anaerobic conditions); however, the process is slow and foul odors may develop. Because of the odor prob-lem, composting without oxygen is not recommended in residential ar-eas unless the process is conducted in a fully closed system (such as the plastic bag method described later under “Composting Structures”).

Mixing the pile once or twice a month will provide the necessary oxygen and significantly hasten the composting process. A pile that is not mixed may take three to four times longer to produce useful com-post. A well-mixed compost pile also reaches higher temperatures, helping to destroy weed seeds and disease-causing organisms (patho-gens).

MOISTUREAdequate moisture is essential

for microbial activity. Materials in a dry compost pile will not decom-pose efficiently. If rainfall is limited, the pile must be

watered periodically to main-tain a steady decomposition rate. Enough water should be added to completely moisten the pile, but overwatering should be avoided. Excessive moisture can lead to an-aerobic conditions, slowing down the degradation process and caus-ing foul odors. The pile should be watered enough that it is damp but does not remain soggy.

Approximately 50 to 55 percent moisture on a weight basis is a good starting point. The compost is with-in the right moisture range if a few drops of water can be squeezed from a handful of material. If no water can be squeezed out, the materials are too dry. If water gushes out, they

are too wet.PARTICLE SIZE

The smaller the organic waste, the faster the compost will be ready to use. Smaller particles have much more surface area for a given volume and thus are more rapidly broken down by microbes. Materials can be shredded before they are added to the pile. Shredding is essential if brush or sticks are to be compos-ted. In addition to speeding up the composting process, shredding re-duces the volume of the compost pile. A low-cost method of reduc-ing the size of fallen tree leaves is to mow the lawn before raking it or to run the lawn mower over leaf piles after raking. Raked piles should be checked to ensure that they do not contain sticks or rocks that could cause injury during mowing. If the mower has an appropriate bag at-tachment, the shredded leaves can be collected directly.

FERTILIZER AND LIMEMicrobial activity is affected by

the ratio of carbon to nitrogen in the organic waste. Because microbes require a certain amount of nitro-gen to live and grow, a shortage of nitrogen slows the composting pro-cess considerably. Materials high in carbon but low in nitrogen, such as straw or sawdust, decompose very slowly unless nitrogen fertilizer is added.

Although tree leaves are higher in nitrogen than straw or sawdust, they still decompose more rapidly when nitrogen fertilizer or wastes that are high in nitrogen are added. Grass clippings are generally high in nitrogen; when mixed properly with leaves, they speed decomposi-tion. Poultry litter, manure, or blood meal can be used as organic sources of nitrogen. Otherwise, a fertilizer with a high nitrogen analysis (10 to 30 percent) should be used. Other nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium are usually present in ad-equate amounts.

During the initial stages of de-composition, organic acids are pro-duced and the acidity (pH) of the compost drops. At one time it was believed that adding small amounts of lime in the early stages would maintain and enhance microbial ac-tivity during this period. However,

lime converts ammonium nitrogen to ammonia gas, removing nitrogen from the pile. Although adding lime may hasten decomposition, the loss of nitrogen from the pile often off-sets the benefits. Lime is not neces-sary for degradation of most yard wastes. Finished compost is usually alkaline (with a pH between 7.1 and 7.5) without the addition of lime. In many areas, the water used to moist-en the compost pile is alkaline and may also help to raise the pH (re-duce the acidity) of the compost. If large quantities of pine needles, pine bark, or vegetable and fruit wastes are composted, additional lime may be necessary to reduce acidity.

Materials for CompostingMany organic materials are suit-

able for composting. Yard wastes such as leaves, grass clippings, straw, and nonwoody plant trimmings can be composted.

Leaves are the dominant organic waste in most backyard compost piles. Grass clippings can be com-posted; however, with proper lawn management, clippings do not need to be removed from the lawn. If al-lowed to remain, they will decay and release nutrients, reducing the need for fertilizer.

If clippings are used, they should be mixed with other yard wastes; otherwise they may compact and restrict airflow. Branches and twigs greater than 1/4 inch in diameter should be put through a shredder or chipper first. Kitchen wastes such as vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells may also be added.

Sawdust may be added in mod-erate amounts if additional nitrogen is applied. Approximately 1 pound of actual nitrogen (6 cups of am-monium nitrate) is required per hundred pounds of dry sawdust. Wood ashes serve as a lime source; if used, they should be added only in small amounts (no more than 1 cup per bushel or 10 pounds per ton of compost). Excessive amounts re-sult in loss of nitrogen from the pile. However, wood ashes do contribute high levels of potassium to the com-post. Crushed clam or oyster shells, eggshells, and bone meal also tend to reduce the acidity of composts. Ordinary black-and-white newspa-per can be composted; however, the nitrogen content is low, slowing the decomposition rate. If paper is com-posted, it should make up no more than 10 percent of the total weight of the material in the compost pile. It is better to take newspapers to a community recycling center. Other organic materials that can be used to add nutrients to the pile include blood and bone meal, livestock manure, prunings from nonwoody plants, vegetable and flower garden refuse, fruit and vegetable scraps from the kitchen, hay, straw, and lake plants. Livestock manure and poultry litter can be added to pro-vide nitrogen. About 100 pounds of poultry litter provides 1.8 pounds of nitrogen.

Next week: Materials to avoid in a compost pile.

The leaves are on the ground, so mulch them

NOv. 21, 2013 • yAnCEy CoUnTy nEWS 11

Chowing down at Mountain Heritage

Food for thought for middle school

What’s to eat at the elementary schools?

Teachers, do you want another way to show

how great your students shine? Then send the news of their success

to this newspaper, your local newspaper!Send news and photographs to

[email protected]

Santa Claus is

Comin ‘

To Town

Friday, December 6 , at 6 pm- 8 pm

Burnsville Town Center

Sponsor By: Yancey County / Burnsville

Chamber of Commerce

BreakfastChix BiscuitWG Cereal

WG Toast/JuiceFruit Cocktail

Milk

LunchHamburger Steak

Roll/Chix Taco SaladTossed Salad/Refried Beans/Baked Apples

Fruit CocktailMilk

Monday, Nov 25 Tues, Nov 26 Wed, Nov 27 Thurs, Nov 28 Friday, Nov 29

Giving Thanks today, for all of

our many blessings filled with Love, Laughter, Family and Community

Happy Thanksgiving from the Yancey County

News

BreakfastHam BiscuitWG Cereal

WG Toast/JuiceApplesauce

Milk

LunchPizza Stix w/Marin

Ham&Cheese S’wich/ Sunbutter

S’wich/CornSweet Potato PuffsPeaches/Cranberry

Crunch/ Milk

BreakfastSausage Biscuit

WG CerealWG Toast/JuicePineapple Bits

Milk

LunchHot Dog/Baked

Ham/Mac&CheeseCornbread/Sunbutter S’wich/Baked Beans

Slaw/PearsCherry Crisp

Milk

Giving Thanks

today for all of our many blessings

filled with Love, Laughter, Family and

Community


News



Milk


Ham&Cheese S’wich/Corn

Sweet Potato PuffsPeaches/Cranberry

Crunch/ Milk



Milk

LunchHot Dog/Baked

Ham/Mac&CheeseCornbread

Baked BeansSlaw/Pears

Cherry CrispMilk

Giving Thanks today for all of our

many blessings filled with Love,

Laughter, Family and Community


News



Milk


Ham&Cheese S’wich Corn

Sweet Potato PuffsPeaches/Cranberry

Crunch/ Milk



Milk

LunchHot Dog/Baked

Ham/Mac&CheeseChix Quesadilla

CornbreadBaked BeansSlaw/Pears

Cherry CrispMilk



Milk


Roll/Chix Taco SaladChix Tenders

Tossed Salad/Refried Beans/Baked Apples

Fruit CocktailMilk

Monday, Nov 25 Tuesday, Nov 26 Wed, Nov 27 Thurs, Nov 28 Friday, Nov 29

Monday, Nov 25 Tuesday, Nov 26 Wed, Nov 27 Thurs, Nov 28 Friday, Nov 29

Friday, Nov 22

BreakfastBreakfast Pizza

WG CerealWG Toast

PeachesJuice/Milk

LunchPepperoni PizzaSpaghetti/Roll

Sunbutter S’wichSalad/Broccoli

Pears/Fruit CocktailMilk


WG CerealWG Toast

PeachesJuice/Milk

LunchPepperoni PizzaSpaghetti/RollTossed Salad

BroccoliPears/Fruit Cocktail

Milk

Friday, Nov 21


WG CerealWG Toast

PeachesJuice/Milk

LunchPepperoni PizzaSpaghetti/Roll

Chix Fillet S’wichTossed Salad

BroccoliPears/Fruit Cocktail

Milk

Friday, Nov 22



Milk


Roll/Chix Taco SaladTossed Salad/Refried Beans/Baked Apples

Fruit CocktailMilk

Ingles ROP 10x16 Yancey County News (Runs Week of 11-17-13 through 11-30-13) 4/C - NC

HONEYSUCKLE WHITEGRADE A FROZEN TURKEYS 10/24 Lb. Average Weight SAVE 1.11 Lb.

SWEET POTATOES SAVE .51 Lb.

SAVE 5.56 ON 2

SAVE .20 ea.

LAURA LYNN™WHOLE ASPARAGUS SPEARS 15 Oz.

SAVE 1.00 ea.

WHITE LILYFLOUR OR CORN MEAL 5 Lb. -Selected Varieties

SAVE 1.40 ea.

CHINETPLATES 15-35 Count - Selected Varieties

SAVE 3.50 ea.

FOLGERSLARGE CANNED COFFEE 27.8-33.9 Oz. -Selected Varieties

SAVE UP TO 3.36 ON 2 SAVE 6.00 ea.

REYNOLDSPARCHMENT PAPER OR FOIL WRAP 35-75 Square Feet -Selected Varieties

COTTONELLEBATH TISSUE 18 Count -Selected Varieties

$998 ea .

$698 ea .

$198 ea .

$198 ea .

SAVE 2.50 Lb.

TYSONBONELESS SKINLESSCHICKEN BREAST Family Pack

$198 Lb.

47¢ Lb.

$248 ea . SAVE 2.10 Lb.

WHOLE BONELESSPORK LOIN

Lb. $198

2/ $6 for

2/ $6 for

MAYFIELD SELECTS OR REDUCED FATICE CREAM 48 Oz. -Selected Varieties(Excludes Yogurt)

47¢ Lb.

Limit 1 Offer With $50 Minimum Purchase In A Single Transaction!

See Store For Details!

SAVE UP TO 4.90 ON 5

PEPSI FAMILYOF PRODUCTS 2 Liter

SAVE UP TO 9.90 ON 5

PEPSI FAMILYOF PRODUCTS Limit 5 - 6 Pack - 16 Oz.

$5 5/for

$10 5/for

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ingles Will Be Open All Day On Thanksgiving!

Expect More From Your Local Store!

$1 in Groceries* = 1 Point

*

Visit the Ingles Family Gathering

Spot on theIngles website for easy family friendly recipes

from some of our regions favorite food bloggers.

SAVE 6.50 ON 10

GREEN GIANTCANNED VEGETABLES14.5-15.25 Oz. -Selected Varieties

10/ $6 for

SAVE .80 ea.

DIXIE CRYSTALSSUGAR 4 Lb.

$188 ea.

SAVE 3.98 ON 2

DUKE’S MAYONNAISE32 Oz. -Selected Varieties

$198 ea . SAVE .96 ON 2

LAURA LYNN™BUTTER16 Oz. -Selected Varieties

2/ $6 for

ea . 98¢ SAVE 1.00 ea.

LAURA LYNN™CREAM CHEESE BRICKS8 Oz. - Selected Varieties

A m e r i c a n O w n e d & O p e r a t e d !Visit Us At www.ingles-markets.com or FIND US ON FACEBOOK! FIND US ON TWITTER!

NONE SOLD T0 DEALERS. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES AND CORRECT TYPOGRAPHICAL AND PHOTOGRAPHIC ERRORS.For Store Locations, Or For Store Numbers Visit: www.ingles-markets.com Or Call Our Customer Service Number : 1-800-635-5066

Reusable Gift Card

WE ACCEPT:

For complete Double Coupon Policy See store for detai ls. Certain other restrict ions and l imitations apply.

UP TO 50¢DOUBLE COUPONS

EVERYDAY

Prices good November 17 through November 30, 2013.

Sunday

24NOV

Sunday

17NOV

Tuesday

26NOV

Tuesday

19NOV

Thursday

28NOV

Thursday

21NOV

Monday

25NOV

Monday

18NOV

Wednesday

27NOV

Wednesday

20NOV

Friday

29NOV

Friday

22NOV

Saturday

30NOV

Saturday

23NOV

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Offer Valid Through 11-30-2013.AdvantageMail™ Member Price!

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PEPPERIDGE FARMSTUFFING 12-14 Oz. - Selected Varieties

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30 DAY SUPPLYOver 400 Generic Prescriptions!

See Pharmacist for complete details!

$3*Advantage Card required.

*$5 Individual membership fee per year

*$10 family membership fee per year

Ingles Advantage Prescription Club

GenericPRESCRIPTIONS

Don’t Forget To Relink Your Ingles Advantage

Card To the School Of Your Choice!

www.ingles-markets.com

yancey county news nov. 21

Documents

business personal property

regions artists

county tax administration

county tax officials

tax letter

business owner

small business development

toe river studio tour