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vTo be a voice, and to allow the voices of our community to be heard.v Jan. 12, 2012 W Vol. 2, No. 2

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Yancey County News

By Jonathan AustinYancey County News

Quiet Reflections, a Halls Chapel retreat designed to provide “individual quiet time” for Christian reflection, has been sold for more than $1 million.

Details of the sale are limited, but a deed filed at the Yancey County Register of Deeds office notes that Guenther and Trixanna Penner, the long-time owners of the facility, sold the property to a Plano, Texas, partnership with the name Quiet Retreat, SLP LTD.

According to a website page outlining the Penners’ intent to sell, they wrote that “as a result of current economic conditions and ongoing maintenance needs to keep Quiet Reflections Retreat in a condition pleasing to our guests

and to God we are prayerfully looking for a way to transfer the retreat to others that will continue the ministry that God has provided.”

The Penners operated Quiet Ref lec t ions fo r 24 years , welcoming anyone to come find quiet time for reflection and prayer in a airy mountaintop chapel with tall windows facing the majestic Black Mountain range.

Cabins were available for overnight stays, but the site specifically was not intended for events, weddings, counseling or organized events.

According to the tax stamp, the sale price was $1,375,000.

Attempts to reach the Penners were not successful as their phone remained busy.

Quiet Reflections retreat sells for $1.375 million

By Jonathan AustinYancey County News

When Yancey County Board of Elections Chairman Charles McCurry asked Elections Supervisor Loretta Robinson on Monday morning if she was retiring, her response was, “When you clear my name up, that’s when I am going to retire.”

Others apparently thought differently, for moments later two staffers with the North Carolina Board of Elections walked in. “OK, Loretta, you’re suspended,” State Board Investigator Marshall Tudor said. “You’ll have to leave the premises.”

Robinson sat back and crossed her arms, seemingly caught off guard.

Tudor went on to say that Robinson had told state officials that she was going to retire Feb. 1, but as she wasn’t willing to commit to that, - based on her statement to McCurry - she was being suspended.

That, he said, or sign a statement of intent to retire that he had brought with him, and leave the office immediately and do not return.

Robinson balked, saying she had spoken with state BOE Executive Director Gary Bartlett, who knew she planned to retire.

Continued on page 14 State Board of Election investigator Marshall Tudor, accompanied by board staffer George McCue, rear, confront Yancey Board of Elections supervisor Loretta Robinson on Monday, telling her to either formally confirm her retirement or face suspension.

Jonathan Austin/Yancey County News

Comprehensive farm market reports

Duck hunting takes on a new meaning

Horse disease found in N.C.

Look inside for...

State forces Robinson’s retirement

Tim Hensley drives for the basket Monday in the Mountain Heritage-Mitchell game. See more of Brett Hopson’s great photos inside!

2 Jan. 12, 2012 • yanCEy COUnTy nEWS

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Mysterious, unexplained lights have randomly appeared for centuries along the Brown Mountain range northwest of Morganton.

A first-ever symposium this February aims to finally solve the mystery of this strange phenomenon.

On Feb. 11, noted author, radio host and paranormal investigator Joshua Warren of Asheville joins Dr. Daniel Caton, professor of physics and astronomy at Appalachian State University, to hopefully uncover a definitive explanation for the famous Brown Mountain Lights.

The symposium is a full-day event, running from 1-10 p.m. It includes dinner and a guided field trip to the Brown Mountain Overlook for nighttime exploration of the lights.

Burke County tourism director Ed Phillips has heard many interesting tales about the lights. So he created this symposium to take a serious – and fun – look at the phenomenon with the two foremost scientific experts on the Brown Mountain Lights.

“Joshua Warren and Dr. Daniel Caton are world-renowned researchers who have done extensive scientific studies of the

Brown Mountain Lights,” said Phillips. “Their passion for this topic is impressive, and I think folks will be surprised with their findings. We receive inquiries from all over

the world from people interested in the lights, and I hope this event will help satisfy their curiosities about our famous local legend.”

The symposium takes place from 1-5 p.m. at Morganton City Hall, followed by a 5:30 p.m. catered meal. At 6:30 p.m., attendees will load onto shuttle buses for a field trip up N.C. Highway 181 to the Brown Mounta in Overlook for two hours of viewing time.

C o s t i s $ 2 0 p e r p e r s o n , a n d hotel packages are

available for out-of-town attendees.

For information or to register for the symposium, call (828) 433-6793, or go online to www.DiscoverBurkeCounty.com.

Symposium seeks answers to the ‘Brown Mountain Lights’

Asheville radio host and paranormal investigator Joshua Warren will help lead a symposium seeking an explanation for the ‘Brown Mountain Lights.’

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the N.C. Food Safety and Defense Task Force are hosting a workshop Jan. 31 titled “Protecting Your Business, Preventing a Recall,” geared for small food businesses.

Topics to be covered include the economics of food recalls, a retail company’s perspective about a food recall, how to communicate with the public and your customers if a recall is needed, common and avoidable mistakes

in the food chain and a risk-based approach to preventing foodborne disease outbreaks. Speakers include officials from Food Lion, NCDA&CS and the N.C. Division of Public Health.

The workshop, which is designed for certified home kitchen food entrepreneurs, shared-use kitchen food businesses, food processing/packaging businesses and meat processing facilities, will be held at the Union County Cooperative Extension Building in

Monroe from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $20 and includes lunch and materials. The registration deadline is Jan. 22.

Checks should be made payable to NC Ag Promotions Inc., and mailed to Annette Dunlap, Agribusiness Developer, N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 1020 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1020.

For more information, contact Dunlap at 919-707-3117.

Workshop for food industry about preventing food-borne illness

Jan. 12, 2012 • yanCEy COUnTy nEWS 3

Opinion/Outlooks

Last week the year was launched on a low note with the passing of former State Representative Charles M. Beall of Clyde on New Year’s morning. Three days later on January 4, the General Assembly returned to Raleigh to consider overriding the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 9, a bill to repeal the state’s 2009 Racial Justice Act. In the early morning hours on Thursday, January 5, the Legislature left town after referring the Racial Justice Act to a special committee, but not before taking an unpublicized and likely unconstitutional vote to override the Governor’s veto of a bill that punishes teachers who are members of the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE). The Raleigh News & Observer referred to the 1:00 a.m. session as “Fright Night,” but whatever one calls it, the Legislature has gotten off to a stumbling start in 2012.

The Racial Justice act Revisited Republicans have argued against the

2009 Racial Justice Act as unnecessary but Governor Perdue, a death-penalty supporter, believes as many of us do that the state should have as many safeguards in place as possible to protect the integrity of the courts and prevent a person from being executed on the basis of race. As a result, she vetoed SB 9. Since her veto came after the Legislature had adjourned, the GOP leadership had three choices: (1) Let the veto stand; (2) return to Raleigh to vote to override the veto; or (3) meet and refer it to a committee.

The leadership chose to meet in a session that has very strict constitutional limits: The State Constitution prescribes that the General Assembly can meet to consider the single vetoed bill. The body is not empowered to take any other action. On Wednesday afternoon, the Senate voted to override the bill. The House lacked the three-fifths vote to override and, after several lengthy delays, referred the bill to a special committee to study racial discrimination in the court system. Under the State Constitution, the session should have ended at this point. Earlier in the day,

the Republican Majority Leader, Skip Stam, had agreed to take action on the Racial Justice Act and go home if the Governor with the support of the Democratic members of the House would agree to expedite the seating of Rep. Trudi Walend whose Statement of Economic Interest had been submitted on Wednesday morning. (This process usually takes from 7 to 10 days after the announcement of a nomination.) At 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening, two days after her nomination, Rep. Walend was sworn into office but the agreement was broken almost immediately.

Again, under the Constitution, the session should have ended after the special committee was appointed. Instead, the majority used the veto session to schedule another “special session” to after midnight on Thursday. While Democrats objected, and the Republicans exercised their 34th and 35th motions to “Call the Question” (cut off debate), they approved resolutions to consider any other legislation vetoed by the Governor.

Teachers Targeted When the new session convened after

midnight on Thursday, the GOP leadership decided to vote on the Governor’s veto of a bill that makes it more difficult for teachers to join one of their professional organizations, the North Carolina Association of Educators. It prevents members of the group from having their dues deducted directly from their paychecks, but this purely punitive legislation still allows many other professional organizations, including the State Employees Association of North Carolina, to continue the practice. Republican legislators, as explained in their Caucus last July by Speaker Thom Tillis, passed the bill in retaliation for the NCAE’s opposition to the GOP budget cuts and the organization’s opposition to the 5 Democrats who voted to override the Governor’s veto of the budget. (This year’s budget dropped North Carolina to 49th in the nation in K-12 spending per pupil and resulted in the layoffs of over 6,000 teachers, teacher assistants and school personnel throughout the

state.) The override passed with 69 votes, the minimum required because of the defection of two Democrats, Reps. William Brisson and Jim Crawford. The NCAE announced later Thursday morning that it would sue the General Assembly because the override was illegal on procedural grounds and it singled out the NCAE for retribution.

As always, I am a firm supporter of education and teachers and will side with them over political maneuvers that harm them and their students. I will continue to follow this issue and let you know more as it develops. Moreover, I will refrain from any commentary on these midnight machinations, other than to call attention to the fact that three Democrats were not present when the vote was taken because one, Rep. Larry Womble was in the hospital in critical condition as a result of a car accident, and two others, Reps William Wainwright and Dewey Hill, had to leave late Wednesday evening due to illness and exhaustion.

Listening Sessions Please plan to attend one of the two

remaining Legislative Listening Sessions scheduled in January: One is on Saturday morning, January 13, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Spring Creek Community Center in Madison County. Another is on Tuesday, January 24, from 7 to 9 p;.m. at the Celo Community Center in Yancey County.

Around the District It was highly informative to meet with Ed

Wilson of Spring Creek and Lloyd Young of Automated Plastics East in Waynesville on Friday, January 6 to discuss a “guardian Escape Device” that could give firefighters an extra 19 minutes of air in the event their oxygen were to run out in a burning building. On Friday evening, my wife Dorothy and I attended the dinner to honor long-time friend Steve Hill for his 34 years of service as head of the Thomas Wolfe Memorial in Asheville.

Ray Rapp’s weekly report from the Legislature

G i f t s c a r d s a n d certificates are popular holiday presents for friends and loved ones. But recipients can be in for a rude shock if they wait too long to use them.

Under federal law, gift cards must retain their full value for a year, but then merchants can begin chipping away at the card’s value through fees. That one-year waiting period on fees expires on the anniversary of the date the card was purchased, not the date you received it . The fees must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed on the card and at the time of the card’s purchase. Your gift card

also can’t expire for at least five years.

The law doesn’t apply to gift certificates issued in paper form only. Those can expire or lose value due to fees at anytime. Also, deals you purchase online through websites like Groupon or Living Social don’t necessarily have the same protections as gift cards.

Another threat to a gift card’s value is store closure: if the merchant goes out of business before the card is redeemed, the gift card holder could be out of luck. In some cases, the person who purchased the gift card may be able to get money

back if they paid by credit card.

It’s also wise to keep up with your gift card’s value. Some scam artists steal the numbers from gift cards on display racks. Once someone purchases the card and puts money on it, the scammer goes online and spends the money. When the person with the real gift card tries to use it, there won’t be any money left on it.

If you feel that you have been treated unfairly by a merchant that issued a gift card, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division by call ing 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.

Attorney General gives guidance on gift cards


ObituariesBennie Dean Maney

Bennie Dean Maney, 59, of Prices Creek, passed away Saturday, January 7, 2012, at his home. A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Kenneth and June Hughes Maney.

Surviving are his wife: Marilyn Elkins Maney; a sister: Deborah Crain of Burnsville; and, brothers: Steven Maney of Vicaville, CA and Eddie and Ricky Maney of Burnsville.

Funeral was Tuesday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. The Revs. Philip Garland and Stacey Elkins officiated. Burial was in the Academy Cemetery.

Boyd AyersBoyd Ayers, 66, of Green Mountain,

went home to be with the Lord Monday, January 9, 2012, at his home. A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Crawford and Lou Mae Bailey Ayers. He was also preceded in death by a sister: Tilda Bennett; and, brothers Vernal, Hobert, Ott, Jerry and Jack Ayers. Boyd was a member of Covy Rock Free Will Baptist Church.

Surviving are his wife of 30 years Linda Ayers; a daughter, Missy Austin and husband, Kenny; a son, Michael Boyd Ayers and fiancée, Heather Callahan, all of Green Mountain; grandchildren Tyler, Megan, Ty, Kash and Zachery; three sisters: Marie Laws of Green Mountain, Mary Lee Masters of Erwin, Tenn., and Betty Stump of Burnsville; and two brothers: Tom Ayers of Green Mountain and Floyd Ayers of Bakersville.

Funeral wasThursday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home with the Revs. Tommy Murphy and Ronnie Whitson officiating. Burial was in the Will Hughes Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Yancey County, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714, or Gideons International, P. O. Box 264, Burnsville, NC 28714.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Hospice of Yancey County for their care.

Jay BlackJay Black, 60, of Bakers Creek, went

home to be with the Lord Friday, January 6, 2012, at his home. A native of Yancey

County, he was a son of the late Frank and Juanita Black. Jay retired from the N. C. Department of Corrections after 30 years of service, was a member of West Yancey Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years, and a member and Past Master of Burnsville Lodge #717 A.F. & A.M.

Surviving are his wife of 41 years: Becky Hughes Black; a son, Michael Black and wife, Mary Beth; two grandsons: Avery and Ryan Black, all of Burnsville; three sisters: Shirley Jean Carroll and Mildred Elkins of Marion and Geneva Pate of Crossnore.

Graveside service was Monday in the Elmer Byrd Family Cemetery on Bakers Creek. The Rev. Dick Westbrook officiated.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Yancey County, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714, or Gideons International, P. O. Box 264, Burnsville, NC 28714.

Betty Jane Peterson WhitsonBetty Jane Peterson Whitson, of Green

Mountain, went to meet her Lord at her home on Friday, January 6, 2012. She was welcomed by her husband, Ivan Whitson, her parents, Lola and Jim Peterson, sisters, Polly Garland and Jean Hayes, and brother, Dick Peterson.

Betty is survived by a son, Ivan Blaine Whitson and wife, Grace, of Green Mountain; daughters Vickie Hoyle and husband, Wally, of Spruce Pine, Becky Whitson and husband, Mike, of Burnsville, Pansy Hensley and husband, Tommy, of Green Mountain, and Sally Price and husband, Steve, of Johnson City, Tenn.; nine grandchildren: Alechia Shinn, Ivan Andrew Hoyle, Matthew Whitson, Kellie Chapman, Beth Sutherland, Marc Whitson, Adrian Whitson, Jonathan Hensley and Benjamin Price; a step-grandchild Heather Price Hughes; nine great-grandchildren: Caleb Hoyle, Kendall Chapman, Mattie Shinn, Carter Hoyle, Eli Shinn, Addison Sutherland, Mylee Chapman, Eden Sutherland, and Braxton Whitson; two sisters: Maggie Cardwell of Houston, Texas and Margaret Yelton of Travelers Rest, S.C.; and four brothers: Monroe, Homer and Tommy Peterson, all of Travelers Rest, and Paul Peterson of Greenville, S.C.

She was a lifelong member of North

Bend Freewill Baptist Church of Green Mountain, and attended faithfully before becoming ill. She taught varying age groups of Sunday School classes for many years. Betty loved the Lord, her church family, and her community. She enjoyed more than anything to be able to help someone in some way.

For a great part of her life Betty and her family farmed for their living. In 1965 she began working for WAMY Community Action and continued for 36 years. She loved her job and helped many people during the course of those years.

Betty enjoyed traveling, and during the course of her life, she and her children traveled much of the United States and Canada.

Betty Whitson was a wonderful mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend.

Funeral was Sunday n the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home with the Revs. Tommy Hensley, Roger Laws and Rodney Deyton officiating. Music was provided by Debbie Deyton and Betty’s grandchildren. A graveside service was Monday in Peterson Hill Cemetery.

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

The family would like to express sincere appreciation to Betty’s lifelong friends, Kaye Smith, and Linda Hamby, for their wonderful care and help during her last days.

Susie BallSusie Ball, 37, of Piney Hill, passed

away unexpectedly Saturday, January 7, 2012, at Mission Hospitals Memorial Campus.

A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of Stergial Hensley of Burnsville and the late Judy Murphy Hensley. She was an employee of Baxter Health Care.

Surviving, in addition to her father, is her husband of 15 years, Willie Ball; sisters Julie Kuykendall and husband, Jeremy, of Old Fort, and Tonya Wingo and husband, Jimmy, of Asheville; a brother, David Hensley of Burnsville; her maternal grandmother, Helen Murphy of Micaville; and, a nephew, Grayson Kuykendall.

Funeral was Tuedaty in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. The Rev. Steve Robinson officiated. A graveside service was Wednesday in the Ben Ball Family Cemetery on Banks Creek.

Janet HooverJanet A. Browning Hoover, 64, of Arden,

died Dec. 31, 2011.Janet passed away peacefully after a

long and brave battle with cancer. She was formerly of the Indian Creek area of Burnsville. She was the dedicated and loving wife of Rob Hoover, who survives and misses her dearly.

Survivors also include her children: Lisa Hoover Johnston of Enka, Tony, and wife, Donna of Burnsville, Duane of Weaverville, and Lucas of Billings Mont.

Janet had four grandchildren: Sam and Troy Johnston, Leah Edwards and husband Evan; and Katrina McIntosh and husband


ObituariesKyle; and one great-grandchild, Brantyn Edwards.

Survivors also include a sister, Cathy Lundy and husband, Dick; nieces Corrine Ingmire and husband, Art, and Elycia Hoover; nephews Kenny Lundy and Greg Hoover, and brother-in-law Dave Hoover and wife,Candy.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations be made to the Hospice of the donor’s choice.

Gladys Ogle PetersonGladys Ogle Peterson, 84, of Fairview

Avenue, Asheville, died Wednesday, January 4, 2012, at John F. Keever Solace Center.

She was born Dec. 11, 1927, to Dominion Ray and Herbert Ogle. Gladys was also preceded in death by her first husband: Garland Autrey, who passed away in 1973; two sisters: Johnsie Robinson and Janet Bailey; a brother, Corner Ogle; sister-in-lawCora Ogle; and a brother-in-law: Stanley Bailey. She was a member of Mt. Mitchell Baptist Church.

Surviving are her husband of 34 years: Virgil Peterson; a sister, Ann Blevins and husband, Lewis, of Burnsville; five nieces: Donna Honeycutt, Virginia Ann Long, Jean Calloway, Janice Marie Freck, and Delphine Bryan; two nephews: Randall Blevins and Dennis Bailey; and a brother-in-law, Herman Robinson, of Asheville.

Funeral was Friday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. The Rev. Tim Campbell officiated. Burial was in Autrey Cemetery.

George R. Goodson Sr.George R. Goodson, Sr., 63, of Blue

Rock Road, passed away Thursday, January 5, 2012 at his home.

A native of Sparta, Tenn., he was a son of the late George and Geraldine Goodson. He was preceded in death by a son, George Ralph Goodson Jr.; and two grandchildren: Jessica and Joshua Hare.

He had been a resident of Yancey County for 18 years.

Surviving are his wife of 41 years, Linda Ervin Goodson; children Paul Goodson of the home, Larry Stanley of Lebanon, Tenn., Lisa Duncan of Booneville, Michael Merriman of Candler, and Darryl Merriman of Fletcher; and two grandchildren: Tabitha and Patrick Merriman.

Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home is assisting the family. No services are planned.

Margaret HarlemMargaret Harlem, 78, formerly of Green

Mountain, went home to be with the Lord, Monday, January 2, 2012, at Yancey House Assisted Living.

A native of Flushing, N.Y., she was a daughter of the late Charles and Margaret Buhl O’Keefe, and the wife of James Harlem Jr., who died in 1999. Margaret was past president of Bayard Cutting Arboretum of Long Island, N.Y.

Surviving are brothers Neal O’Keefe and wife, Barbara, of Bayside, N.Y, Howard O’Keefe and wife, Rosemary, of Bethpage, N.Y and Eugene O’Keefe of Perkasie, Penn.

A funeral mass Wednesday in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, of which she was

a member. Burial was in the Academy Cemetery.

Dennis Blaine WilsonDennis Blaine Wilson, 55, of Spruce

Pine, passed away on Monday, January 9, 2012, at his home. A native of Mitchell County, he was a son of Eva Lloyd Wilson of Hickory and the late Bill Dewayne Wilson.

Surviving are his wife, Sarah Sued Cook; sons Aaron Scott Cook and Jacob Brian Cook both of Spruce Pine; brothers Danny Wilson of Lincolnton, David Ray Wilson of Hickory and Dustin Wilson of Burnsville; and sisters Donna Cook of Lincolnton and Destiny Wilson of Hickory.

Funeral was Wednesday at Berry Chapel Baptist Church. The Rev. Bobby Joe Green officiated. Burial was in the Berry Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Mitchell County, 236 Hospital Drive, Spruce Pine, NC 28777

James ‘Bodie’ HughesJames Anthony “Bodie” Hughes, 58, of

Bill Allen Branch, went home to be with the Lord after a courageous battle with cancer on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.

A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Ray and Nell Hughes. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Kegley and brother, C.D. Hughes. Bodie worked as a lumber grader for over 40 years working for Banco Lumber until 2005 where he went to work with Parker Lumber. He loved watching sports, especially football and reading and studying his Bible. He attended the Church of God of Prophecy.

Surviving are his sisters: Rebecca Kegley, Mary Martha Blevins and husband, Harold, and Debora Barnett and husband, Wade, all of Burnsville; brothers J.R. Hughes and wife, Jewel, of Spruce Pine, the Rev. Russell Hughes and wife, Margaret, and Bill Hughes, of Burnsville, and Bobby Hughes of Hickory. Several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews also survive.

Funeral was Saturday in the chapel of Yancey Funeral Service. The Rev. Robert Norris will officiate. Burial will follow in the Youngs Chapel Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorial donations in Bodie’s honor may be made to Gideons International at PO Box 264, Burnsville, NC 28714.

Rita ‘Tracy’ BradfordRita “Tracy” Bradford, 47, of Fletcher,

died Thursday, January 5. 2012, in Spartanburg Regional Hospital. A native of Buncombe County, she was a daughter of Fred Bradford of Charleston, S.C. and the late Hannah “Judy” Burrell Fowler. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Alma Bradford Wynn-Hodges, and a brother, Eddie Bradford, who died January 1, 2012.

Tracy was of the Baptist faith who loved to watch movies.

Surviving is her father, Fred Bradford and wife, Marvel, of Charleston, S.C.; daughter Christina Bradford of Charlotte; sister Shannon Bradford Mills; and two granddaughters: Xtiyauna Davis and Diamond Caldwell. A host of relatives and

friends also survive.Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m.

on Saturday, January 14, in the Chapel of Yancey Funeral Service. The Rev. Eugene Dodd will officiate. Burial will be in the Bradford Cemetery on Upper Bailey Branch. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to Yancey Funeral Service, 378 Charlie Brown Road, Burnsville, NC 28714 to help with funeral expenses.

albert Clarence Bolles Albert Clarence Bolles, 97, of Hobson

Road, Bakersville, passed away January 11, 2012, at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville.

He was born in Washington County, Vermont to the late Highley and Ida Huntington Bolles. He was a carpenter. He was a Marine veteran and a member of the New Day House of Prayer.

Survivors include: his wife, Tola Cook Bolles of Bakersville; a son, Mark Bolles and wife, Dianne, of Spruce Pine; daughter Melanie Ford and husband, Tom, of Texas, stepsons Sam Snyder of Nebo, Robert Snyder of Hickory, Larry Snyder of Burnsville, and Randy Snyder of Spruce Pine; four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren, and seven step great-grandchildren.

Funeral was Thursday in the chapel of Henline-Hughes Funeral Home. Interment will be Friday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m., in the Cook Cemetery on Cook Town Road.

Memorials may be made to New Day House of Prayer, C/O Linda Gouge, 7166 Hwy 261, Bakersville, NC, 28705.

Mary Magdalene Whitson

Mary Magdalene Whitson, 89, died January 4, 2012. She is the wife of Walter Whitson for 71 years. She was the daughter of the late McKinley and Laura Jones Edwards. She was a Homemaker and a Member of Peterson Chapel Church.

She was preceded in death by a son, Larry Whitson, a granddaughter, Reasia Holman, a great-grandson, Matthew Gwyn, five brothers, and son-in-law, Roger Bryant.

Surviving, in addition to her husband, are three sons, Rev. Roy Whitson and wife, Nancy, of Green Mountain, Ray Whitson and wife, Brenda, of Unicoi, Tenn; the Rev. Donald Whitson and wife, Ramona, of Dandridge, Tenn., daughter Brenda Bryant of Burnsville; 17 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; and daughter in law Cindy Whitson of Green Mountain.

Funeral was Saturday in Bakersville,The Rev. Denny Wilson and Rev. Roy

Whitson officiated the service. Interment followed in the Whitson Family Cemetery on Big Brush Creek Road.

Henline-Hughes Funeral Home is assisting the Whitson family.


UaRa Racing

By Tony Stevens2011 Rookie of

the Year, George Miedecke came from a successful racing background, much like Poole. The Australian competed in the Ute division in Australia, t h e e q u i v a l e n t o f t h e N A S C A R C a m p i n g Wo r l d Truck Series when c o m p a r e d t o t h e A u s t r a l i a n V 8 Supercars.

In fact, Miedecke holds the track record at the Bathurst (Mount Panorama) circuit for those cars. In 2010, he ran his first year in late model stock cars and quickly tasted success, claiming a couple of victories including the prestigious Bobby I s a a c M e m o r i a l at Hickory Motor Speedway.

After coming out of the box with a runner-up finish, Miedecke claimed his first of four Sunoco poles at Kingsport during the second event of the season. He led the first few laps and gave up the lead to Kyle Grissom. As the laps wound down, he stalked Grissom, closing back in on the leader in every corner. When the white flag was displayed, Miedecke made a move in turn one, but contact between him and the No. 31 sent Grissom spinning and meant that Miedecke, by UARA rules, was relegated to the end of the lead lap.

“A hero of mine once said that if there’s a gap and you don’t go for it, you’re no longer a racing driver. So I figured I better be a racing driver,” Miedecke joked later in the year after the Kingsport race. “It was something I learned from and it helped to teach me about the limits of these cars and how they change over the course of 150 laps. I still sorta look at that one as the one that got away, however, because we were good that night, really good. It would have been awesome to have won in our second start.”

As a development driver for Marcos Ambrose Motorsport under the Fat Head Racing banner of Jamie Yelton, Miedecke impressed many of his competitors with his quick adaptation to UARA-style racing and the higher-horsepower cars. In true rookie style, however, Miedecke learned not only about the cars, but also about himself and his crew during his maiden voyage through late model stock car racing’s toughest series.

“The hardest part for me this year was starting out with a bang like we did and then still not having any wins to show for it,” said the Australian pilot of the No. 9 Jeld-Wen Australia/Stanley Tools Ford. “There was a point this year where I realized that I was the problem and I was holding us back, and that was hard to admit. I had to go to (crew

Rookie of the Year Miedecke returns to Australia

chief) Lee (McCall) and say ‘Look, I haven’t been giving you the feedback I needed to and I think I’m the reason we’ve gone in the wrong direction.’ That was hard. It set us back probably three or four races, at least. But once we got past that, things started going forward again.”

Just as he started the year, Miedecke ended the year strong, claiming three more Sunoco poles to win the season-long Sunoco Most Poles award, and ending the year with a solid fourth place run at Rockingham. Much to his chagrin, however, Miedecke still

did not visit victory lane. Miedecke won 12 of 15 Rookie of the Race Awards during the season as well. He also was named Holley Performer of the Race three times, won the Circle Wheel Award five times, Sonic Award three times, Phantom Racing Award two

times, WP Racing Shocks Award two times, Racing Electronics Second to None award, Swift Springs Award and the Joe Gibbs Driven Award. Quite a big accomplishment for the rookie of the year champion.

“Man, I really, really wanted to get a win for my guys. I wanted one for myself, too, but my guys worked way too hard this year for us not to get a win,” Miedecke said after the season finale at Rockingham. “I had a really bad-ass car (at Rockingham) but just couldn’t get by Kyle (Grissom) because there was no grip up top and behind him I kept losing the nose. I understand what Marcos and the Cup guys mean now when they talk about aero-push. But it was a great year, and there are so many

things I’ve learned this year that will help me throughout the rest of my racing career.”

While there were rumors of Miedecke moving up to the K&N Pro Series or the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2012, he surprised everyone by moving home to Australia just a week after the conclusion of the 2011 season. A road course specialist, as he showed in his near-victory at New Jersey Motorsports Park in an ARCA car for Venturini Motorsports, Miedecke had opportunities in his homeland.

“I really missed home, especially after going back for a few weeks during the Bathurst 1000,” said Miedecke. “Marcos (Ambrose) and I are really close and he’s done a lot for my racing career thus far. With the success I’ve had in the States, it opened a lot of doors for me both there and back home. Hopefully, if all goes well, I should be driving in the FujitsuSeries in 2012, that’s basically the equivalent to the Nationwide Series in the US.

“I won’t rule out coming back to the States, because I think with the right opportunity, I could certainly do well in the higher levels of racing there,” Miedecke added. “UARA, like I’ve said before, has taught me so much that I can use, even in the highest levels of racing in Australia. To me, as someone who’s been around international motorsports for nearly my entire life, there really isn’t much better of a proving ground for young drivers like me than the UARA. I mean, look what it’s done for my career.”

As in years past, the graduates of the UARA-STARS have aspired to greatness in other series of racing. Miedecke’s Fujitsu efforts will be of interest to series fans as well because, although it involves twisty-style race courses, it is still considered one of the highest forms of motorsports in the world.


State market summary for farmersFollowing is a summary of market prices and conditions of NC farm products for January 11, 2012 reported by the Federal-State Markets News Service of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. All livestock is state reported.

CATTLE: Mt. Airy-Cattle Receipts: 613. Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 360-380 lbs (364) 155.00-166.00 (162.16); 415-435 lbs (425) 145.00-158.00 (151.35); 450-470 lbs (463) 145.00-150.00 (146.62); 538-538 lbs (538) 153.50 (153.50); 570-595 lbs (583) 142.50-144.00 (143.23); 605-625 lbs (615) 140.00-143.50 (141.84); 653-695 lbs (661) 124.00-136.50 (133.87); 757-757 lbs (757) 120.00 (120.00). Small 1-2 255-275 lbs (263) 110.00-134.00 (124.86); 350-385 lbs (370) 102.00-139.00 (125.17); 600-645 lbs (628) 117.00-136.00 (125.44). Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 371-385 lbs (374) 130.00-137.00 (135.46); 415-446 lbs (444) 132.00-145.25 (144.52); 450-480 lbs (459) 126.00-141.00 (136.74); 505-548 lbs (535) 130.00-135.50 (131.59); 551-555 lbs (552) 128.00-132.00 (129.44); 611-649 lbs (637) 115.50-122.50 (118.74); 700-710 lbs (708) 108.50-114.00 (109.86). Small 1-2 200-235 lbs (214) 102.00-119.00 (108.15); 255-272 lbs (266) 92.00-122.00 (111.37); 315-345 lbs (331) 94.00-120.00 (110.20); 455-495 lbs (475) 120.00-121.00 (120.52). Feeder Bulls: Medium and Large 1-2 423-448 lbs (439) 144.50-153.50 (146.87); 450-490 lbs (466) 142.00-148.50 (147.86); 505-545 lbs (533) 131.00-142.00 (139.61); 550-555 lbs (550) 127.00-133.00 (132.57); 610-647 lbs (641) 121.50-129.00 (124.55); 735-736 lbs (736) 104.00-121.25 (118.79); 750-750 lbs (750) 119.00 (119.00). Small 1-2 400-405 lbs (403) 110.00-130.00 (119.94); 460-485 lbs (479) 100.00-140.00 (123.13); 455-485 lbs full (470) 85.00-100.00 (92.74); 510-540 lbs (531) 100.00-110.00 (107.34); 560-590 lbs (571) 114.00-124.00 (119.46); 610-645 lbs (630) 106.00-112.00 (109.01); 705-740 lbs (723) 97.00-101.00 (98.95). Bred Cows: Medium and Large 1-2 Young 905-995 lbs (947) 710.00-730.00 per head 4-6 months bred (723.38). Medium and Large 1-2 Young 950-1040 lbs (998) 800.00-890.00 per head 7-9 months bred (852.85).1055-1160 lbs (1103) 685.00-860.00 per head 4-6 months bred (777.01). 1010-1100 lbs (1055) 800.00-860.00 per head 7-9 months bred (830.85). Slaughter Cows: Breaker 70-80 percent lean 1065-1385 lbs (1205) 67.50-80.00 (72.81); 1115-1235 lbs low dressing (1175) 59.00-65.00 (61.85); 1425-1665 lbs (1530) 68.50-79.50 (75.24). Boner 80-85 percent lean 880-890 lbs (885) 68.00-73.50 (70.73); 725-885 lbs low dressing (805) 59.00-66.00 (62.85); 920-1395 lbs (1137) 67.00-79.50 (72.79); 1000-1360 lbs high dressing (1163) 80.50-87.00 (83.59); 1430-1760 lbs (1553) 70.00-80.00 (75.79). Lean 85-90 percent lean 805-1305 lbs low dressing (1036) 42.00-64.00 (55.71). Other Cows: Medium and Large 1-2 Middle Aged 1060-1135 lbs (1085) 62.50-65.50 (64.36). Small 1-2 Young 675-785 lbs (740) 70.00-87.50 (77.97). Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade 1-2 1015-1290 lbs (1153) 80.00-88.00 (84.48); 1215-1455 lbs high dressing (1345) 93.00-98.00 (94.69); 1250-1365 lbs low dressing (1308) 72.00-78.00 (75.13); 1555-1960 lbs (1753) 79.50-90.50 (87.15); 1610-1945 lbs high dressing (1741) 91.50-95.50 (92.94); 1630-1975 lbs low dressing (1803) 75.00-78.00 (76.36). Cows/Calf Pairs: (4) Small 1 and 2 735-795 lbs young to middle age cows with 75-100 lbs calves 500.00-740.00 per pair. Medium and

Large 1 and 2 1000-1015 lbs young to middle age cows with 185-300 lbs calves 1220.00-1375.00 per pair. Baby Calves, per head: Holsteins 30.00-85.00. Goats, per head: (56) Slaughter and Replacement Classes: Kids: Selection 1 60-80 lbs 125.00-160.00; Selection 2 20-40 lbs 20.00-27.50, 40-60 lbs 40.00-70.00, 60-80 lbs 100.00; Selection 3 40-60 lbs 20.00-30.00. Yearlings: Selection 2 60-80 lbs 77.50, 80-100 lbs 65.00. Does/Nannies: Selection 1 50-70 lbs 67.50, 70-100 lbs 100.00, 100-140 lbs 100.00-125.00; Selection 2 50-70 lbs 30.00-40.00, 70-100 lbs 50.00-85.00, 100-140 lbs 75.00-82.50. Wethers: Selection 1 100-150 lbs 130.00. Bucks/Billies: Selection 1 100-150 lbs 125.00, 150-250 lbs 150.00-175.00; Selection 2 100-150 lbs 95.00.

DIRECT SOWS: (Eastern Cornbelt, live basis, plant delivered) 300-399 lbs 52.00-56.00; 400-449 lbs 47.00-56.00; 450-499 lbs 47.00-57.51; 500-549 lbs 55.50-60.25; 550 lbs and up 56.00-60.25.

IA/MN DIRECT HOGS: Barrow and gilts base market hogs, 185 lb carcass basis, plant delivered, trended 1.08 higher. Base prices ranged 72.00-85.00, with a weighted average of 83.50. The live price equivalent was 62.63.

STATE FARMERS MARKET: Farmers Wholesale Price: Beans, Round Green (25 pound box) 30.00; Beets (25 pound bag) 17.65; Cabbage, Pointed head and Round (50 pound crate) 12.00; Greens (bushel carton) Collards 9.00, Turnips 12.00-13.25, Spinach (25 pound box) 18.00; Peas, Crowder (bushel bag) 12.00-20.00, (bushel shelled) 24.00; Peanuts, Green (35 pound bag) 35.00; Sweet Potatoes (40 pound box) 14.00-21.75. Wholesale Dealer Price: Apples (traypack carton 100 count) WA Red Delicious (traypack carton) 31.65-33.95, WA Golden Delicious (traypack carton) 33.00-34.50, Granny Smith WA (traypack carton) 34.00-36.50, Gala WA 29.00-41.50, WA Fuji (traypack carton) 34.50-38.00, WA Pink Lady (traypack carton) 38.00-41.50; Asparagus (11 pound carton) 35.95-47.15; Bananas (40 pound carton) 21.50-27.05; Beans, Round Green (1 1/9 bushel carton) 31.65-36.95, Pole (1 1/9 bushel) 28.00-30.00; Beets (25 pound sack) 11.55-14.35; Blueberries (flat 12 1-pint cups 24.00-34.00; Broccoli (carton 14s) 21.35-27.50; Cabbage (50 pound carton) 11.95-14.35; Cantaloupe (case 12 count) 23.15-31.65; Carrots (50 pound sack) 15.75-22.95; Cauliflower (carton 12s) 25.65-35.00; Cherries (16 pound box) 48.00; Celery (carton 30s) 28.00-34.45; Cilantro (carton 30s) 19.65-25.95; Citrus: Oranges CA (4/5 bushel carton) 28.05-30.65, FL (4/5 bushel carton) 21.00-22.00; Pink Grapefruit CA (4/5 bushel carton) 22.00-25.05; Tangelos FL (80 count box) 25.00-26.95; Lemons (40 pound carton) 34.35-38.25; Limes (40 pound carton) 26.00-34.35; Oranges CA Navel (4/5 bushel carton) 23.00-28.25, FL Navel (64 count) 19.50-21.50, Tangerines (120 count) 24.00; Corn (carton 4 ½-5 dozen) Yellow 20.00-29.95, White (carton 4 ½-5 dozen) 22.00-25.75; Cranberries (24 12-ounce package) 24.50; Cucumbers, Long Green (40 pound carton) 20.00-28.00, Pickles (carton 40 pound) 21.45-30.00; Eggplant (25 pound carton) 21.00-24.00; Grapes, Red Seedless (18 pound carton) 28.50-39.35, White Seedless 33.50-41.50, Black Seedless 28.00, Red Globe 34.00; Greens, Collard (bushel carton/loose 24s) 10.00, Kale (carton/bunched 24s) 21.15-

21.85; Turnips, topped 11.85-14.65; Honeydews (carton 5s) 17.00; Kiwi(carton 117s) 14.65; Lettuce (carton 24s) Iceberg, wrapped 22.55-26.00, Greenleaf (carton 24s) 24.00-26.00, Romaine (carton 24s) 24.50-31.50; Nectarines, Yellow-white flesh (1/2 bushel carton) 22.00; Onions, Yellow (50 pound sack) Jumbo-15.45-20.00, White (25 pound sack) 14.50-15.00, Red (25 pound sack) 15.00, Green (carton 24s) 20.55-26.05, Sweet Onions (40 pound carton) 20.00-25.05; Peaches-Yellow-white flesh (1/2 bushel carton) 18.00; Peanuts, Green (35 pound bag) 51.00-53.00; Pears, Bartlett (16 pound carton) 27.00; Bell Peppers, Green (1 1/9 bushel carton) 20.05-25.75, Red (11 pound carton) 32.00, Yellow (11 pound carton) 32.00; Potatoes (50 pound carton) Red size A 18.00-24.35, Red Size B 25.00-28.00, White size A 15.00-18.65, Russet ID 19.35-20.45; Radishes (30 6-ounce film bags) 12.85-13.55; Plums, Red (28 pound carton) 22.00; Squash, Yellow Crookneck (3/4 bushel carton) 21.25-26.00, Zucchini (1/2 bushel carton) 16.00-19.00; Strawberries CA (flat 8 1-quart containers) 23.15-25.85; Sweet Potatoes, Orange (40 pound carton) 16.00-21.45, White (40 pound carton) 20.00-20.65; Tomatoes, vine-ripened extra large (25 pound carton) 17.15-21.45, Cherry (flat 12 1-pint containers) 15.15-18.05, Roma (25 pound carton) 20.00-23.00, Grape(flat 12 1-pint containers) 19.50-22.00; Turnips, topped (25 pound film bag) 11.55-14.35.

WESTERN N.C. FARMERS’ MARKET: (Wholesale Prices – Asheville) Apples (traypack carton) Red Delicious 30.00-32.00, Golden Delicious 30.00-31.50, Granny Smith 30.00-31.00; (bushel loose pack) Red & Golden Delicious, Stayman, Rome, Empire, Pink Lady 16.00-20.00; Bananas (40 pound box) 19.00-20.00; Beans (bushel) Snap 19.50, Halfrunner 31.00-32.00; Broccoli (carton) 18.50-24.00; Cabbage (50 pound bag) 9.50-12.00; Cantaloupes (carton 9-12 count) 17.25-18.00; Cauliflower (carton) 23.50-26.00; Citrus: Grapefruit 14.00-18.00, Lee Fruit 17.00-22.00, Navels 17.50-20.00, Oranges 15.00-18.00, Tangerines 18.00-22.00; Lemons (cartons 95 count) 25.00, (165 count) 28.00-32.00; Corn (crate) Bi-Color 18.00; Cucumbers (1 1/9 bushel) Long Green 25.00-28.00, Picklers (1 1/9 bushel crate) 32.00; Grapes (18 pound carton) Red & White Seedless 22.75-28.00; Lettuce (carton) Iceburg 18.75-21.00; Nuts (50 pound sack) mixed 125.00, Pecans 160.00; Onions (50 pound bag) Yellow Jumbo 13.75-14.00; Bell Pepper (1 1/9 Bushel carton) large and extra large 21.50-30.00; Potatoes, Irish (50 pound bag) 19.00-20.00, Russet 15.00-19.00; Squash (3/4 bushel) #1 Yellow Crookneck 22.00-23.00, (1/2 bushel) Zucchini #1 14.00-17.00; Strawberries (flat 8 1-pound) FL and CA 10.75-21.50; Sweet Potatoes (40 pound box) Red or Orange #2 12.00-16.00; Tomatoes (25 pound box) extra large and larger 14.00-17.50; Turnips (25 pound sack) 10.75.

N.C. BROILER-FRYERS: The market is steady and the live supply is adequate to meet the moderate demand. Average weights are heavy. The estimated slaughter for Wednesday in North Carolina is 2,471,000 head compared to 2,292,000 head last Wednesday.


T h e M o u n t a i n Heritage varsity boys cruised to a 77-51 victory over Avery on Tuesday, but the match-up last Friday against Mitchell was a nail biter to the end.

Playing at home, the Cougars led by 14 in the second half before the Mountaineers’ defense toughened, forcing turnovers and pulling back within two. Mitchell had the opportunity with only 2.2 seconds to play and down by two. But they couldn’t inbound the ball accurately

and the Cougars did, securing a 65-63 win before a packed house at Burnsville.

S e n i o r A l e x Biggerstaff led the Cogars with 18 points in the conference match-up, while lead Eli Buckner scored 1 7 . T h e C o u g a r girls lost Tuesday’s Conference game 74-68 to Avery, but beat Mitchell at home Friday 67-51.

Weather permit-ting, the Cougars are scheduled to visit Madison High School Friday night.

Varsity boys take two wins in conference play


Heritage photographs by Brett Hopson


Do you have great photographs of a memorable family events? An anniversary, birth, graduation or other special moment?

Share them with us and we’ll show the world.And if you just have a great photograph, share that as well to let everyone see your

photographic skills!Email them to Jonathan@yanceycounty news.com

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

Food for thought for middle school

No School!

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Monday, Jan 16 Tues Jan 17 Wed Jan 18 Thurs Jan 19 Friday, Jan 20

BreakfastPancake & Sausage

StickCereal

Animal CrackersJuice/Fruit/Milk

LunchLasagna/Roll

Grilled Chix S’wichSunbutter w/Jelly

S’wich/SaladCorn/Fruit

Fruit CocktailMilk

BreakfastBreakfast Pizza

CerealAnimal CrackersJuice/Fruit/Milk

LunchPork BBQ S’Wich

Fish S’WichSunbutter w/Jelly S’wich/Slaw/B.

Beans/ApplesauceMandarin Oranges

Milk

BreakfastSausage Biscuit


LunchChicken Taco Salad

Corn DotSunbutter w/Jelly

S’wich/SaladPeas/Peaches

PearsMilk

BreakfastPancakeCereal


LunchChix Fillet S’Wich/

Meatball Sub/Sunbutter w/Jelly

S’wich/Mixed VeggiesPotato Rounds/Baked Apples Pineapple Bits

Milk

What’s to eat at elementary schools?


StickBreakfast pizza


LunchGrilled Chix S’wich

Lasagna/Chix Tenders

Roll/SaladCorn/Fruit

Fruit CocktailMilk


WafflesCereal



Fish S’WichStuffed Crust Pizza

Slaw/B.Baked Beans/Applesauce

Mandarin OrangesMilk


PancakesCereal


LunchChixTaco Salad

Corn Dog/Chix Quesadilla/

Salad/PeasPeachesPears Milk


PancakesCereal


Lunch Chix Fillet SandwichMeatball Sub/Chix

Fingers/BiscuitMixed VeggiesPotato Rounds

Spiced Baked Apples Pineapple Tidbits

Milk

No School!



StickBreakfast pizza


LunchGrilled Chix S’wich

Lasagna/Chix Tenders

Roll/SaladCorn/Fruit

Fruit CocktailMilk


WafflesCereal



Fish S’WichStuffed Crust Pizza

Slaw/B.Baked Beans/Applesauce

Mandarin OrangesMilk


PancakesCereal


LunchChixTaco Salad

Corn Dog/Chix Quesadilla/

Salad/PeasPeachesPears Milk


PancakesCereal


Lunch Chix Fillet SandwichMeatball Sub/Chix

Fingers/BiscuitMixed VeggiesPotato Rounds

Spiced Baked Apples Pineapple Tidbits

Milk

No School!


Chowing down at Mountain Heritage

Monday, Jan 16 Tuesday, Jan 17 Wed., Jan 18 Thurs Nov Jan 19 Friday, Jan 20

Monday, Jan 16 Tuesday, Jan 17 Wed., Jan 18 Thurs., Jan 19 Friday, Jan 20

Friday, Jan 13



LunchTurkey Pie/BBQ Rib S’Wich/Sunbut’R w/jelly San’wich/Baked

Potatoes/Green Beans/Mandarin

Oranges/Pineapple Bits/

BreakfastBreakfast PizzaSausage Biscuit


LunchBeef Tacos/Fish

Nuggets/Cornbread/Chix Quesadilla/

Salad/Pinto Beans/Pineapple Bits/

Mandarin Oranges/Milk

Friday, Jan 13

BreakfastPancake&Sausage

StickBreakfast Pizza


LunchBeef Tacos/Fish

Nuggets/Cornbread/Chix Quesadilla/

Salad/Pinto Beans/Pineapple Bits/

Mandarin Oranges/Milk

Friday, Jan 13


Duck hunting takes on new meaningWe finally had a brief spell of truly cold

weather, and with that, duck season has been ushered in. When I was younger, I actually hated duck hunting. The cold weather, the preparation of decoys, boats, and warm clothing was just too much for a young fellow with lots of energy and little patience to endure. However, with age, I have come to respect the passion a waterfowler exudes for his quest.

If you are a waterfowler, aka duck hunter, you are at the top of your game. There are many varieties of ducks, geese, mergansers, and coots and one must learn flight patterns and silhouettes, sounds and calls of each in order to be both successful and lawful. North Carolina not only limits on each, but also on each breed. So you have to be able to distinguish a mallard from a black duck from a pintail from a wood duck. And do this while they fly at 40 mph in wind, rain, and cold. Yes, it is not for the beginner.

I no longer look at duck hunting as a burden. I see it as a challenge and a thrill. While I know what I could see fly in the area I hunt, I still wait with anticipation for what may come down the flyway. Did I get a drake (male)

with vibrant colors, or did I bring down a hen (female).

While I consider myself, well, AWFUL at calling, it still sets my heart beating when I see a high flyer take a turn to my lame excuse for a ‘come back’ call and cup its wings for a landing in the decoy spread. Oh, and

the surprise when the universe is abuzz with honks and cackles from a large flock of Canadians can really p u m p t h e b l o o d through your body. My hunting buddy and I sat with excitement this weekend when two different flocks of geese decided to merge just in front of our blind. One came in from 10 o’clock, the other f rom 2

o’clock to form a large group of low flying heavyweights in the waterfowl world, and we could hardly hear the shotguns fire from the riot they were causing. Keep this part a secret, as it could ruin my reputation as a decent hunter…out of five shots between the two of us, all we got was feathers raining down upon us as the geese continued over top as if we were more of a nuisance then they were. (I will keep my hunting buddy’s name anonymous for the same reason, so we will just call him Adam for this story).

We did bring in some birds though. One of which has to be classified as one of the most beautiful waterfowl in the world. In fact, a quick Google search of the words beautiful and waterfowl had this one listed in several lists. While most hunters in the know will list the mandarin as the most beautiful duck, the wood duck is listed right there with it. Another fact, the wood duck is so proliferate in North Carolina, it is called the Carolina duck in most of North America. It’s green, black, and white crest and magnificently painted bill of red, yellow, black, and white makes it stand out against most others. They prefer the swampy areas, are congenial, and have a unique call compared to others. A whistler, it has a short, high pitched blast and can be heard from a good distance away. It is not the ‘quack’ most associate with ducks.

Fortunately, as I have come to love the waterfowler’s life, I have been able to experience this creature one on one. Just another reason to participate with nature.

Bill Howard is a Hunter Education and a Bowhunter Education Instructor, a wildlife representative and the BCRS program chairman for the North Carolina Bowhunters Association, and an avid outdoorsman. He can be reached at billhoward [email protected].

Bill Howard’s

Outdoors

Outdoors

For Sale2002 Jeep Wrangler, new rag top, brakes, tuned

and ready for the road or dirt! Women owned and babied! 4 Cyl., auto 4 x4, 78K Miles, $9,950

OBO. Call 910-620-7365.

The neurologic form of equine herpesvirus, EHV-1, has been confirmed in a North Carolina horse. The horse, from a Rockingham County stable, was taken to the College of Veterinary Medicine at N.C. State University upon becoming ill, and directly quarantined to the equine isolation unit of the hospital.

“We have been fortunate that we’ve not seen this particular form of this common virus in North Carolina to date, even though it has been increasing in frequency throughout the country for almost a decade now,” said State Veterinarian

David Marshall. “We are working with the College of Veterinary Medicine and with the stable to implement biosecurity measures and minimize the risk of further spread.”

EHV-1 is highly contagious among horses, but poses no threat to humans. It most often causes respiratory infections in young horses, but different strains can also pose neurologic problems, which the affected N.C. horse exhibited. The virus also can cause abortion in pregnant horses or neonatal death. Vaccines are available that protect horses from most

forms of EHV-1, but not from the strains that cause neurologic problems.

Biosecuri ty measures to protect horses include quarantining facilities that are suspected to house EHV-1-exposed horses. Water and feed buckets should be disinfected and not shared. Stalls and trailers should also be cleaned and disinfected regularly to prevent the spread of disease. New additions or those returning from shows and exhibitions should be isolated for 3 weeks prior to comingling with other horses upon returning home. Horse owners should also talk with

Virus affecting horses found at N.C. stabletheir veterinarian to determine a vaccine schedule.

More information about EPV-1 and how to prevent the virus can be found at www.ncagr.gov/vet/

Disease Alerts.htm. Questions regarding College of Veterinary Medicine protocols may be referred to David Green at 919-513-6662.

The Appalachian Pastel Society will meet Jan. 14 from 10 a.m-noon. After a short meeting, join us for a ”paint-around” in which participants can bring an

easel, board, and pastels; WNC Ag Center, Youth Building, Fletcher.


CLaSSIFIEDSWanTED

attention 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? How would you feel if you know your home was safe in the hands of a mature, professional house sitter, who would then be willing to fly “south” for those hot summer months as you fly “north” back 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.

SERVICESCrafters wanted for new upscale gift shop in Burnsville. Rent your own booth!! $15 per linear foot per month. Depth of Booth varies. We sell your products – 100% profit of your crafts goes back to you. Call immediately for your application! 828-678-0059.

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

MISCELLanEOUSAdvertise your items FOR SALE in the Yancey County News! Only FIVE Dollars for FIFTY WORDS! Call Susan to place your ad today! 678-3900.

FOR HIREHave horses? Need Help? Looking for horse farm work. 40 years experience in all aspects of horse

care. Call Cindy, 828-682-7868

FOR RENTSmall 2 bedroom, 1 bath house near downtown, not HUD approved, no pets. References and deposit. $450 month. Call 682-6102 or 674-6266.

FOR SALE6.29 acres land plus 3 bedroom, 2 bath Mobile home for sale in Ramseytownship. Will finance with 10% downpayment. Listed at $110,000.

HELP WANTEDMature, Dependable person to help handicapped individual with light housekeeping duties. Four hours, twice monthly in Green Mountain area. Must like dogs. References required. 682-9425.

PLEASE HELP

A fund has been set up at United Community Bank

for Johnny Crain. Johnny is in the last stages

of Leukemia and Bone Cancer.

He has no insurance. Please donate if possible.

Is your subscriptionup for Renewal??

Now that we are having our ONE YEAR Anniversary, (!!) It’s time to think about renewing your

subscription to the ONLY LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER in beautiful

YANCEY County! We are grateful to the ones who have already done so, and look forward to a maintaining our relationship with

the many friends and supporters we have made throughout this year

past! Please call or stop by our office – 132 West Main Street, in beautiful

downtown Burnsville! 678-3900.


By John RosemondQ: Our oldest son,

age eight, has recently started saying that he has no friends, no one likes him, he’s no good at anything, and so on. None of this is true, mind you. He’s a good kid who does well in school. We are at a loss as to where this is coming from. His younger brothers are bothered by hearing it as well, and we worry about the effect on them. This has been going on for a couple of months now. We’ve tried talking to him, and we’ve tried ignoring him. Nothing works. What should we do?

A: This problem is more common than most people might think. It’s an example of the fact that human being have a proclivity for manufacturing dramas concerning their lives. In these personal soap operas, the person in question is a victim of social forces, circumstances, or personal limitations that are beyond his or her control (supposedly) and are preventing him from living a fully satisfying life. Everyone reading this column knows someone who fits this description, a chronic complainer who refuses to grow up and claim full responsibility for his or her life. They seem to believe they are entitled to happiness when - as all truly responsible people know - happiness is something one claims.

Children are especially prone to this sort of self-destructive thinking. They are drama factories. In the child soap opera - your son’s, for example - the most common themes are “nobody likes me” and “I can’t do anything right.” In most cases, there is no basis in fact for these complaints. At most, they are gross exaggerations of normal problems of living that everyone experiences to one degree or another.

The more attention people pay to the child’s complaints, the worse they will become, and dangerously so. Researchers have established that if a person repeats a certain negative self-characterization often enough, he will eventually begin to

believe it’s true. So whereas your son’s statements are not factual, his mental health is in danger.

You must stop talking to him about these statements. Paradoxically, attempts to prove to him that none of his self-deprecations are true will only make matters worse. On the other hand, and as you’ve discovered, ignoring them is impossible. When the child in question is not yet 11 years old, the recommendation I usually make is for the parents tell the child that they talked to a doctor who has a lot of experience with children who keep making negative statements about themselves that aren’t true. The doctor said it means the child isn’t getting enough sleep and is watching too much television. Until the statements have completely stopped for a continuous period of two weeks, the doctor says your son has to go to bed, lights out, at 6:30, even if that means cancelling an activity, and can’t watch television or play a video game.

The word “continuous” is important. If, for example, your son does not make any statement of self-complaint for 12 days, but says he hates himself on day 13, the two weeks starts over. The idea is to get him to stop making these self-dramatic statements and therefore stop thinking self-destructive thoughts.

I f th i s approach does not resul t in s ignif icant improvement within a month, that may indicate a more serious problem. In that case, I would recommend that you make an appointment with a professional who specializes in child mental health issues.

Psychologist John Rosemond answers questions at rosemond.com.

Living

with

children

Make effort to help sonin his ‘personal soap opera’

Family

By Dr. Mike WaldenCooperative Extension

This year - 2012 - is a big election year, and as a result, we’ll hear much discussion about economic issues. Indeed, most political analysts say economics will be front and center in the many election campaigns.

In this column, I will not discuss specific issues, like how to reduce unemployment, methods to lower the federal deficit and reforms to the health care system; all very important topics.

Instead, I want to step back and look at the big picture, at four overarching, basic economic themes that are at the root of most of our specific policy discussions and differences. Then, as always, I’ll let you decide what path to follow.

Efficiency vs. equity. Efficiency and equity are two concepts most people can support. Efficiency means we get the most for our resources; in other words, we use our resources effectively.

Equity implies some fair distribution of resources among households. Most of us don’t want people to go hungry, to be unsheltered or to suffer from lack of medical care.

However, two disagreements emerge f rom th i s s eeming consensus. First, how far should equity be pushed? How many resources should be redistributed from the haves to the have-nots?

Second, what will redistribution of resources in the name of equity do to efficiency? To what degree will those receiving assistance be less motivated to make changes to their lives - where they can -- that will allow them to use their talents and capabilities fully and increase their self-sufficiency? And will redistribution motivate the haves to reduce their work effort?

While most people will support efficiency and equity, there can be a clash between the two.

Proportional vs. progressive taxes. With proportional (or “flat”) taxes, taxes paid per dollar of income are the same for all dollars. For progressive taxes, the rate of tax paid per dollar rises as the person earns more dollars.

Supporters of each think their position is fair. Flat tax fans say the system is simple, and that the ultimate test of fairness is to treat every item - here, dollars - the same.

Pushers of progressive taxes use two arguments. First is a practical point about ability to pay. They state that people with more income can simply afford to pay a greater percentage of income in taxes without hurting their ability to afford necessities.

Second, they say an extra dollar of income to a richer person is worth less than an extra dollar of income

to a poorer person. So following this idea, equalizing taxes between richer and poorer people requires the rich pay taxes at a higher rate.

One reason there’s so much disagreement about taxes is there’s not much middle ground in these positions.

Public vs. private. One of the deepest divisions in policy debates is over the role of government. At one end is a very limited view of government, sometimes summarized in the phrase, “If it’s listed in the yellow pages, government shouldn’t do it.” Essentially, this view is that government shouldn’t do anything that private, profit-seeking companies can do. If government does perform these functions, private promoters say, it will simply supplant private efforts and will cost more.

At the other end of the spectrum are those who take a broader view of government. Here, government’s role is to provide or support all essential - or necessary - functions for life, such as food, housing, transportation and medical care. Government can either directly produce these services (for example, building roads), or government can subsidize the services (as with Medicare and Medicaid).

Free Market vs. intervention:

Should the economy be allowed to move at its own pace, in good times and in bad, or should the federal government intervene to smooth out the bumps in the business cycle? This is a long-running debate, but one that has been elevated in recent years.

The free marketers claim only the unrestrained actions of profit-seeking businesses and satisfaction-led consumers ultimately give the highest standard of living for the greatest number of people. Further, they state that government simply doesn’t have the resources or the knowledge to effectively change free market outcomes, and attempts to do so will only be detrimental.

Fans of government intervention may concede the long-run benefits of the free market, but they do see failures. Specifically, economic downturns (recessions, depressions) may be self-correcting, but the process can take a long time and be at a high cost.

Keep these core debates in mind when you evaluate different proposals for the economy. This will be a year when we will all decide.

Dr. Mike Walden is a William Neal Reynolds Professor and North Carolina Cooperative Extension economist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics of N.C. State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

You Decide: What are the big economic issues?


The Salvation

Army store in

Burnsville has

FREE winter coats!If you need a winter coat,

drop by the store on West

Main Street.

A Public Service

Of The

Yancey County News

From the front“Why this?” Robinson asked,

holding up the statement.BOE staffer George McCue

responded, “to verify that you are retiring Feb. 1.”

Robinson argued that she would retire on Feb. 1, but the state appeared to want her intention down in writing.

It turned out that the state board voted unanimously in December to remove Robinson from the her position in Yancey, either through retirement or a formal suspension.

When she didn’t answer McCurry’s question, she apparently sealed her fate.

In fact, she told Tudor that she had already filed her paperwork for retirement at the end of the prior week, formalizing her intent to leave.

But no one apparently told McCurry nor the state board of elections, so they forced the issue.

Robinson’s comment about having her name cleared referred to a 2011 vote by the county Board of Elections asking that the state remove her based on allegations of wrongdoing.

On Monday, she repeatedly asked to be given the names of individuals who had complained about her, but both Tudor and McCurry told her that information couldn’t be released

pending the conclusion of a criminal investigation of the use of absentee ballots in the 2010 General Election.

In fact, Robinson was told Monday that the SBI would be questioning her.

Tudor and McCue had brought copies sealed files to be given to Robinson and to county leaders if they were forced to suspend her, and they handed one of the packets to her when it appeared she was not going to sign the retirement statement. But when she agreed to sign, they asked for closed file to be given back to them.

In a quickly initiated conference call with Bartlett, in Raleigh, she asked if she could keep the envelope. Bartlett said she could, but that the other copies would also be distributed.

She ended up giving it back unopened, with assurances she can get a copy at a later date.

But still she equivocated, seemingly not sure whether she should sign the intent to retire or take the suspension.

“I knew this would be little petty stuff,” she said, apparently referring to the envelope which Tudor said was evidence against her that supported her suspension. “No, ma’am,” Tudor replied.

There might have been times, she said, when in her official capacity “I might not have crossed my Ts or

dotted my Is...”Tudor stopped her. “I’m not going

to insist that you sign anything. You reached Mr. Bartlett” and talked to him. “In any rate, you need to leave the premises.”

To spur her on, McCurry and Boardmember Gary Boone brought the local election board back into session and voted for her to leave the office, with full pay until her date of retirement.

“It’s a motion (for her to) leave the premises now.”

Board Secretary Grace Whitson was not present, and the motion, made by Boone, passed 2-0.

Then Robinson agreed to sign the retirement statement and leave. “Make me a copy, OK?” she said. Then she gathered some personal belongings and walked out the door.

McCurry later said he thought the state investigator would not have come in to confront Robinson if she had acknowledged, when asked during the meeting, that she did plan to retire at the end of the month.

After she left, McCurry began efforts to change the locks on the office door. A locksmith arrived Monday afternoon to put new locks on the door.

State move forces Robinson’s retirement

It can’t be! Susan Austincannot be turning (gulp) ..... celebrating

.... aging ..... nearing ..... fearing .....(fifty???)

NO WAY!Forest Service to Hold Trails Workshop in Mars Hill

The USDA Forest Service National Forests in North Carolina will hold a workshop next week

in Mars Hill regarding the agency’s Trails Strategy initiative. The workshop will be held on January 19 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. in the Peterson Conference Room, Blackwell Hall, at Mars Hill College.

T r a i l u s e r s o r group members are encouraged to register this week using the registration form posted online at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5343920.pdf


By Medea L Galligan This half-moon winter salad

with sesame dressing is a great way to cook and eat locally grown winter squash!

Ingredients1 cup delicata squash, sliced

into ¼ inch half moons3-4 shitake mushrooms, sliced

thin1 tbs coconut oil, melted over

a bowl of hot water1 bunch bok choy, cut into bite-

sized pieces1 tbsp. maple syrup¼ cup rice wine vinegar½ cup toasted sesame oilSea salt to tasteSesame seeds, lightly toasted

in dry skilletDirectionsCoat delicata squash half moons

with coconut oil and sea salt, and cook in large skillet on medium

heat until soft (10-15 minutes). Drizzle shitake mushrooms with coconut oil and sea salt.

Lay shitake mushrooms in another skillet and sau tee until crispy. Mince shitake mushrooms a n d s e t aside. Whisk maple syrup, v i n e g a r , t o a s t e d

sesame oil and sea salt. Toss chopped bok choy and roasted squash with dressing. Garnish with crispy shitake bacon bits and toasted sesame seeds, and enjoy!

Medea L Galligan, a local holistic health coach, earned her Masters of Science in Nutrition

from Oklahoma State 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 C o n c e p t s . c o m f o r m o r e information.

Half Moon Winter Salad with Sesame Dressing winter salad is refreshing and filling

In THE GEnERaL COURT OF JUSTICE, yanCEy COUnTy, nORTH CaROLInaSUPERIOR COURT DIVISIOn

administrator / Executor notice

Having qualified as Executor of the estate of Joseph Harold Black 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 30th day of March 2012 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. all persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment.

This the 30th day of December 2011

James A. Black32 anderson RoadWeaverville, nC 28787 Jan. 5.12.19.26/, 2012

Massage for Feet and Hands (12 Hours) Learn how to give a relaxing and stress relieving massage for hard working hands and feet. This course includes an introduction to reflexology for self-care, making your own aromatherapy salt scrub for a luxurious foot spa at home and more. Taught by Louise Devine Loveland, massage and bodywork practitioner since 1988. Class begins January 17, at 6 PM at Mayland Community College’s Yancey Campus. For more information visit www.mayland.edu and click on the Continuing Education link or call 682-7315.

Intro to Google Docs (22.5 Hours) NEW! Dive into the exciting world of Google Docs to gain marketable skills and experience in both personal and business environments. With just an internet connection and a browser, Google Docs enables you to create different types of documents, easily share and make changes to them in real-time with others, and store them online - all for free! No class 2/14. Class begins January 17, at 6 PM at Mayland Community College’s Yancey Campus. For more information visit www.mayland.edu and click on the Continuing Education link or call

682-7315.

Cake Decorating Basics (22.5 Hours)Learn to bake and shape cakes, plus make buttercream icing, then use tools such as bags, couplers, and tips to decorate. Techniques will include creating leaves, pompom flowers, piping gel pattern transfer, as well as various border and flower designs and dimensional decorating. A supply list is given to students at the first meeting of class. Cakes will be baked at home and brought to class for decorating. Class begins January 17, at 6 PM at Mayland Community College’s Yancey Campus. For more information visit www.mayland.edu and click on the Continuing Education link or call 682-7315.

Massage (24 Hours) Learn therapeutic massage techniques that can be used to enhance skills for personal or professional use. The course is especially recommended for personal use with family members or for health care workers in a supervised setting (Occupational Therapist, Nurses and Nursing Assistants) employed in a hospital, nursing home or outpatient clinic. Please note: this course will not provide you with certification or eligibility for licensure to provide professional therapeutic massage. Class begins January 19, at 6 PM at Mayland Community College’s Yancey Campus. For more information visit www.mayland.edu and click on the Continuing Education link or call 682-7315.

Welding - MCC Certification (96 Hours)This course will teach three major processes; SMAW, GMAW, GTAW (stick, mig, and tig welding) and cutting processes. Power sources, wire-feed setup, maintenance, shielding gases, and safe practices will be covered. Lecture, demonstration, and practical applications will be used in this course. Students in this class may be eligible for Project Skill-Up scholarship funds. Preregistration is required. Class begins January 23, at 6 PM at Mayland

Community College’s Yancey Campus. For more information visit www.mayland.edu and click on the Continuing Education link or call 682-7315.

Wine 101 (12 Hours) NEW! Find a newfound admiration for this incredible product of nature while tasting the differences in body, tannin, and sweetness of wines. Each evening, while tasting several varieties, you will learn the basics of wine: a brief history of wine from ancient to modern, how wine is made, how to understand the label, tips for pairing food and wine, and much more! Class held at “Burnsville Wine and…” Class begins January 26, at 5:30 PM at Mayland Community College’s Yancey Campus. For more information visit www.mayland.edu and click on the Continuing Education link or call 682-7315.

Defensive DrivingThis program trains motorists in the principles of defensive driving and is made available by the District Attorney through Mayland Community College, Mountain Professionals, Inc., and the Safety and Health Council of North Carolina. You must register on or before 4:30PM the day of the class. Class MUST have a minimum of 5 students paid and registered to make. Classes will be canceled if class minimum isn’t met. When you come to register you must have the following information ready: driver’s license, social security number and citation (ticket).There is a non-refundable $65 class registration (cash or money order only) fee. Students 16-18 years of age must have a “Dual Enrollment Form” filled out prior to receiving a certificate. Class will be held January 30, from 5:30-9:30 PM at Mayland Community College’s Yancey Campus. For more information visit www.mayland.edu and click on the Continuing Education link or call 682-7315.

Classes scheduled for Mayland in Yancey County


Happy Sweet 16 Emily Penland!

Love, Mom, Dusty, Jordan, Alex,

Grandmamma, and Granddaddy!

Closed for January and part of February!

Watch our window for change in February!

Felicity’s Closet

ycn_011212

Documents

quiet retreat

individual quiet time

state officials

halls chapel retreat

penners intent

board staffer george

statement of intent

quiet ref lec t ions