Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, a 501c3 nonprofit arts and heritage organization, has presented the Ammons Sisters as storytellers for 30 years in the school systems and public settings of the South.

By Jim Buchanan

By Dave Russell

Western Carolina University Athletics and Great Smoky Mountains Railroad have collaborated to create “The Catamount,” a renovated WCU themed rail car. The original rail car was named “The Michigan” and built in 1952 for the Penn Central line. In 2018, it was bought by GSMR for the Polar Expr…

The Cherokee Historical Association released a statement Monday about the 2020 seasons of “Unto These Hills” and the Oconaluftee Indian Village.

As America re-opens, Dillsboro opens in celebration with the Front Street Arts & Crafts Festival from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, July 18.

OK, I’m toying with the idea of moving back to Georgia and nailing my feet to the ground ... as the late humorist Lewis Grizzard once wrote. My reasons vary considerably from Grizzard’s but are nonetheless viable.

By Lynn Hotaling

Western Carolina University students and faculty will present William Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost” online via Zoom. The livestream is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday on several social media platforms.

By Freda Childers

Whittier author B.D. West has released a new science fiction novel “Wynter of Wolves.” West has been writing since age 15. She is best known for her poetry and her love for science fiction and local folklore, which can be seen in some of her writings, she said.

Triple Threat Performing Arts Academy competed against dozens of dance studios from around the state and area for top honors at Showstopper, the largest dance competition in the country.

An independent film, award-winning authors and student poets are just some of the highlights of this year’s Spring Literary Festival at Western Carolina University.

Lee Lyons will be visiting City Lights Bookstore at 3 p.m. Saturday to present her latest novel, “Southern Shamrock.”

After a 35-year career in the School of Music, John West will retire from Western Carolina University as he began ― with music.

A trio of Western North Carolina artists are the recipients of a North Carolina Arts Council grant.

By Sara Stanley

The Jackson County Green Energy Park opens the spring class schedule Saturday, March 7, offering hot glass classes and blacksmithing classes throughout the day.

During its recent annual meeting, the Jackson County Genealogical Society announced the winners of its three annual awards and installed officers for 2020.

I thought Siri would be my BFF because so many friends, neighbors and relatives vouched for the app. However, from the get-go Siri has turned out to be my worst nightmare!

By Benito Garcia-Garcia

By Beth Lawrence

Candice Littlejohn will be coming to City Lights Bookstore at 3 p.m. Saturday for a signing and discussion of her latest novel, “The Adventures of Dr. Dorothy Jarrod Volume 1: THE ORACLE.”

The Old-Time and Bluegrass Series at Western Carolina University continues at 7 p.m. Monday, March 2, featuring the Berea Bluegrass Ensemble.

The Sylva Photo Club’s program on Saturday is for anyone who just got into photography or would like a refresher on how to improve their photographic skills.

Live music is on the agenda at next week’s meeting of the Jackson County Genealogical Society.

Sapphire Valley Ski Area hosts the 14th annual Great Outhouse Races Saturday, Feb. 15.

Brian Knopp will visit City Lights Bookstore at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Western Carolina University Distinguished Professor Ron Rash has been awarded the 2020 Sidney Lanier Prize for Southern Literature from Mercer University. Rash is a poet, short story writer and novelist, whose writings reflect life in the Southern Appalachians.

Floyd Clown Sr., a family elder of Lakota war chief Crazy Horse, will join author William Matson from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, to discuss and sign their book “Crazy Horse: The Lakota Warrior’s Life and Legacy” at the Jackson County Public Library.

The Mountain Heritage Center holds the next concert in its annual First Thursday Old-Time and Bluegrass Jam series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6. Local band Frogtown will play at HomeBase on the Western Carolina University campus.

The Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at Bardo Arts Center will host a new exhibition – Time and Again: Glass Works by Kit Paulson and SaraBeth Post. The exhibition brings together two Penland-based artists whose works explore ideas about time, history, memory and the antique.