Things and Stuff: 02/27/03

Notes from our business community
- and everywhere else

CELEBRATIONS BRIDAL...

and Formal Wear is featured this week in our Business Spotlight. Celebrations, located across from the Sylva Fire Department, is the place to go for all the latest formal wear for this year's proms. For more information, see their ad on the back page of this section.

THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HOTEL...

and Suites, currently under construction in Dillsboro, is expected to open around March 27. Buddy and Susan Owens are the owners of the new hotel, and Judy Jones will be the manager.

THE GOLF RANGE...

will open Saturday, March 1, at Western Carolina University. Hours will be from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily. See their ad in this edition to save $1 on your next bucket of golf balls. PGA pro Bobby McKee says he's looking forward to seeing everyone. For information, call 293-3514.

SYLVA MEDICAL CENTER'S....

south entrance off Hospital Road (the one closest to Harris Regional) is closed and will remain closed until further notice. Patients are asked to continue to the north entrance to access Sylva Medical Center.

BETTY JEAN (FLAKE) SINK...

is seeking photos for a scrapbook she has been asked to make for the Cullowhee High Class of 1953's 50th reunion this year. She needs copies of photographs of class members and their families both during high school and current photos. Anyone willing to share photos for the project should send them to Betty Jean Sink, 707 Archdale Drive, Lexington, N.C. 27292. Her phone number is (336) 249-9897 if you'd like to call her or need more information.

THE CENTER FOR...

Rural Strategies is concerned that a new show from CBS - a remake of "The Beverly Hillbillies," which will feature a real family from the rural South - will reinforce negative stereotypes. More information on the controversy can be found in a special advertisement on page 3C of this edition or online at www.ruralstrategies.org.

MOUNTAINLOVERS.COM...

the travel and tourism website for Jackson County, has been revised and upgraded. The new site provides more detailed information for tourists, including lodging and dining specials.

"It's very user friendly. Things are easier to find, and the information is more clearly laid out. With a few clicks, you can receive all the information that we send in the mail," said Josh Meduri, webmaster for the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. "There are also many statistics and important numbers, such as demographics, climate, elevation and facts about local communities."

For additional information, visit the chamber's website at www.mountainlovers.com or call 586-2155.

STORYTIME...

at City Lights on Saturday, March 1, will feature a Cajun/Mardi Gras theme. For more information about this free event for parents and children, call the bookstore at 586-9499.

A SAVERS' CREDIT....

part of federal tax cuts passed in 2001, became effective Jan. 1, 2002. This little-known provision of the tax bill could add up to income tax savings for local residents who contribute to 401(k) retirement plans, according to Jack Turpin of Flexible Benefit Administrators in Charlotte, administrator of Jackson County's employees' 401(k) plan. To find out if you are eligible for the savers' credit, call Turpin at (704) 521-6400 or visit Flexible Benefits' website, www.fba401k.com.

ALLEN WHITE,...

son of Harry and Betty White of Sylva, is serving as a U.S. Army surgical nurse in Afghanistan. He says his unit is the busiest it has been since it served in Korea, except now they are treating a lot of Afghanis, many of whom have been injured due to recent military action and its aftermath. In addition to treating wounded Afghanis, his unit spends much of their spare time helping the people. One need is for wool blankets to help the Afghanis keep warm.

Allen has asked for help, and First Presbyterian Church of Sylva is collecting donations to be used to buy and ship blankets to Allen and his unit. A source has been found for wool blankets at a cost of $9 each, and it costs about the same to ship them to Afghanistan.

If you would like to buy a blanket to send to Allen, please make your contribution to First Presbyterian Church and send it to 46 Presbyterian Drive, Sylva, N.C. 28779 with a note indicating it is for the Blanket Project. If you have wool blankets that you would like to contribute, bring them to the church or call 586-4256 to arrange for them to be picked up. Be sure they are clean and ready to use. The effort will continue through March 31.

A 1986 Smoky Mountain High graduate, Allen graduated from Western Carolina University in 1992 with a degree in nursing. He served in the Gulf War with the 210th Military Police. His wife, Kristen, and son, Owen, are living at Fort Knox, Ky., while he is in Afghanistan.

For more information, call Betty White at 586-4641.