Things and Stuff: 06/22/00

Notes from our business community
- and everywhere else

THE SYLVA HERALD . . .

newspaper and printing plant will close Tuesday, July 4, to allow employees to celebrate Independence Day with their families. Early deadlines will be in effect for the July 6 issue of The Sylva Herald. All news, including society, should be submitted by 2 p.m. Friday, June 30. Deadline for both classified and display advertising will be Monday, July 3, at noon for the July 6 edition.

BRIAN BENSON . . .

son of William and June Benson of Cullowhee, has been elected a first-level officer of Wachovia Bank in Asheville. He is an assistant manager. Benson joined Wachovia in 1997 as a retail management associate. He also has held the position of personal banker. He assumed his current position in last July. Benson earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Western Carolina University.

LOCAL ELVIS . . .

impersonator Chris Monteith cut the ribbon on the nostalgic Starlight Motel's new Elvis theme room Saturday, June 17. New owners Cathy Stillwell Gibson (right) and Gail Stillwell Cooper hosted the event, which featured a free performance for approximately 100 fans. Dressed in peddle pushers and bobby socks, tourists and locals sipped bottled Coca-Cola with peanuts, popped bubble gum and "be-bopped" to the '60s tunes. The two sisters purchased the motel in August 1999 and are reviving its nostalgic '60s image, including the special Elvis room with Jacuzzi.

GARY CARDEN'S . . .

interview on the PBS show North Carolina Now is now scheduled to air Friday, June 23, at 7:30 p.m.

A BARBECUE . . .

fund-raiser for 1-year-old Kasey Maney will be held Saturday, June 24, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Burger Shak in Sylva. The $5 dinner includes chopped pork barbecue, slaw, baked beans, bread and a drink. Carry-outs will be available. Proceeds will go towards the family's medical expenses.

CITY LIGHTS . . .

bookstore will hold an American Girls journal-keeping workshop Saturday, June 24, at 2 p.m. The event is for all young girls who have ever thought about starting a diary or journal, whether they are familiar with the American Girls series or not. Journals will be provided. The event is free, but participants are asked to call and reserve a spot. Those attending should bring their favorite pen or pencil. For more information or to make a reservation, call City Lights at 586-9499.

FAMILIES . . .

can experience "Storytelling on the River" this summer at Blue Ridge Outing in Whittier. Parents and children can learn about the art of storytelling and hear tales of this area from local storyteller Amy Garza, who will encourage parents to learn to share their own stories with their children. After the story sessions, families can raft the Tuckaseigee together with Blue Ridge Rafting, an outfitter that specializes in taking families with younger kids whitewater rafting. A take-home kit, "How to Become a Storyteller for Your Kids," will be available. For information, call Bob Mattingly at Blue Ridge Outing, 586-3510.

MARK YOUR . . .

calendar now for "Miss Lucy's Picnic" Sunday, July 2, at 4:30 p.m. A Webster tradition for more than 50 years, this year's event will be held at Moore House, which is the home of Sue Monroe located beside the Webster Post Office.

THOSE SEEKING . . .

a memento of legendary Sylva writer John Parris might want to attend the estate auction Friday, June 23, at 6:30 p.m. at Thad Woods' auction house in Balsam. For more information, see the legal advertisement elsewhere in this issue.

MELANIE AMMONS . . .

daughter of R.L. and Bessie Ammons of Sylva, is now a sales account manager with Allied Diagnostic Imaging Resources Inc. in Lawrenceville, Ga. A recent graduate of the University of South Carolina with a bachelor's degree in biology, Melanie has experience with radiology. While attending college she worked as a veterinary technician, making and developing animal X-rays. Though based in Lawrenceville, Melanie travels extensively to the Midwest and Florida as part of her work with Allied's dealers. She's looking forward to going out on the road, she said. "My goal is open up more sales opportunities for Allied in my territory," she said.