The Mountaineer

It’s nearing the end of a year spent largely in a recession, and charitable giving is down.

Did you know? with Paul Viau

If you are a regular reader of my column, you know me as a rugged, bounce-sheet-wearing, beer-toting, avid-recycling, outdoorsy sort of guy.

The Historical Society of Haywood County is featuring a new exhibit honoring Haywood County veterans in its museum in room 308 of the Historical Courthouse.

owntown Waynesville has become a little more festive with red ribbon wraps and bows on the lamp posts and lights in the trees along Main Street, but the holiday spirit will really hit the streets this weekend.

Rendition of Shakespeare in fine form in Waynesville

Hamlet’s in Haywood in fine style.

HART’s splendid production of Shakespeare’s masterpiece is not your father’s Hamlet.

As a chaplain at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva and a pastor for several years before that, the Rev. Jack Hinson has seen and prayed over many of life’s troubles.

Roy “French” Kirkpatrick has been in love with music for most of his life, playing guitar and banjo in assorted groups like Tall Timbergrass and at many festivals in Haywood County and beyond.

Gospel singing is coming to Canton.

The Rough Creek Cloggers, a nonprofit organization, is hosting gospel singing once a month at the Colonial Theatre. The performances are free to the public, with a love offering accepted. 

Paul Viau gets an all-access look into Steeplechase Toffee

First of all, I must apologize for the timing of this column. No doubt you already have a ton of Halloween candy hanging around the house, and the kids are bouncing off the walls. And here I go planting more sugarplum fairies in your head.

he 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway will officially get underway Nov. 12, with students from Cherokee schools participating as part of the launch.

CULLOWHEE — At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, the Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University will be transformed into a live radio studio very similar to one used by CBS radio station KNX in Hollywood 65 years ago to broadcast the most popular Armed Forces Radio show to GIs during World War II: “Command Performance, USA!”

The Haywood Arts Regional Theatre will mark the conclusion of its silver anniversary season with one of its most ambitious projects — William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” 

The Haywood County Arts Council will present Gypsy Bandwagon in concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Haywood County library auditorium in Waynesville. The concert is part of the Sunday Concert Series at the library, which is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Haywood County Library. 

The Land of the Sky Barbershop Chorus will present its annual celebration of harmonious hilarity in the Tuscola High School auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. This year’s show is entitled “Shtick to Singing!!”

The Rev. Jack Hinson and Kim May, both of Waynesville will participate in Celebrating the Written Word, Catch the Spirit of Appalachia’s annual writers’ booksigning and reception. 

Railroad Red 2007

Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon

Graham Beck Wines – South Africa

Alcohol Content: 14.5%

Price: $11.99

Selecting public art to be displayed outdoors for a generation or more sounds like a daunting challenge, but the Waynesville Public Art Commission makes it look like a breeze.

Friday’s concert is free

North Carolina resident Christa Wells, writer of Natalie Grant’s emotional hit, “Held,” and Curb Records writer Nicole Witt, who has written for Rodney Atkins, Diamond Rio, George Strait, Terri Clark and other notable country artists, have embarked on the Love Makes Music Tour, which launched with a Homes for Hope benefit concert in Charlotte.

I hope I didn’t put everyone to sleep last week — what with all that talk of yawning and all — because this week is your fall planting wake up call.

Preview shows are popular

When we’re not rehearsing, we’re presenting programs for service clubs, book clubs, dinner clubs, writers’ groups, churches and high schools. Usually it’s director Steve Lloyd, Adam Kampouris (Hamlet) and I.