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 […]
WCU rings in the holiday season
The holiday spirit was in full swing Thursday, Dec. 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the University Center, as students, faculty, staff and their families enjoyed the Holidays on the Plaza. This holiday event was hosted by Chancellor Kelli Brown, Mr. Dennis Brown, and the Chancellor’s Division in partnership with the Department of Campus […]
WCU art students create books for Cherokee learners
Story co-produced with Madison Pait WCU art students create and donate books for Cherokee learners in WCU’s Introduction to Printmaking course. “We’re partnering with the Cherokee learners to create a children’s book. And the hopes for this book is for all of the students in the class to create a picture that sort of symbolizes […]



