Archives for December 2022

Home Base helping with housing during holidays

Originally published in the Western Carolinian When a student needs food or shelter for the holidays, where do they go? Since the dorms are closed, where can they stay? HomeBase is here to help!  HomeBase, a ministry of Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, provides resources and support for all students. The ministry has a list […]

The unseen scars of veterans

Originally published in the Western Carolinian Unseen Scars, an event to break the stigma of what veterans go through and to raise awareness of the mental health resources that veterans need, was hosted on Nov. 9 in the UC Theater.   Student Veterans Association (SVA), the WCU Military Services and DegreePlus hosted this event where a panel of veterans […]

Karaoke night at O’Malley’s

Story co-produced with Sadie Kennedy In the cold, dark months of winter, a warm glow of music and glee barrels from a place where locals and travelers alike join to eat, drink and be merry. Wednesday and Friday night karaoke at O’Malley’s Pub and Grill is a holiday highlight for all to enjoy. Open since […]

The power of cinema to keep community

In a divisive time, with heated political and social climates, anything that creates unity is valuable. Theaters could play a great role in this than we realize. Greg Israel, the owner of Sylva’s “Catamount Cinemas” and “Smoky Mountain Cinemas” in Waynesville, says “Theaters create social opportunities and unify people in many ways.” Israel, among many […]

The steam-powered magic behind local “Polar Express”

The magical “Polar Express” train ride has returned to Swain County for December, but what is the true “magic” according to some passengers and crew members? Since 1988, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, otherwise known by its reporting mark “GSMR,” has served as a major North Carolina tourist attraction and sees nearly 200,000 visitors yearly. […]

Transgender day of Remembrance vigil

Candles and emotional speeches marked the yearly Transgender Day of Remembrance where people from all communities gathered to celebrate the lives lost to transgender violence.   Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day of memorial held yearly on Nov. 20. On WCU’s campus where they have held this memorial for over six years, community members […]