ONE FEATHER STAFF

     “Git r’ done!”  exclaimed Tony Wolfe as his name was called to receive a certificate at the annual Qualla Boundary Special Olympics program banquet held at Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel on Tuesday, Feb. 21. 

Special Olympics athlete Tony Wolfe (left) receives a Certificate from Lana Lambert, Qualla Boundary Special Olympics program coordinator, during the program's annual banquet on Tuesday, Feb. 21. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather photos)

    “I just want to thank everyone in the community for their support,” said Wolfe who is a long-time Special Olympics athlete. 

     The Qualla Boundary program was very active in 2011 and participated in numerous events including hosting the Far West Spring Games for the second year in a row.  Qualla athletes also participated in the SONC (Special Olympics North Carolina) Cheerleading Tournament, SONC Western Basketball Tournament, SONC Summer Games, SONC Western Bowling Tournament, UNC Basketball Clinic, SONC Annual Leadership Conference and several other events. 

     “2011 was a great year for the local program,” said Lana Lambert, Qualla Boundary Special Olympics program coordinator.  “The athletes and coaches had the opportunity to participate in a number of sporting events at local, area, and state level.  We also got to participate in some other activities as a group.  That was a great chance for us to become closer to each other and form relationships with other community programs. 

Special Olympics athlete Will Poolaw is all smiles as he receives his Certificate from Lambert.

     “As the coordinator, it was very exciting to me for our group to participate in the Cherokee Runners Moonlight Race and for our program to be able to help Special Olympics Missouri who lost their state office and three athletes in the Joplin tornado. In 2011, the Qualla Boundary program also saw the largest number of registered athletes participating in at least one sport.  I hope to see the number of athletes increase in 2012 and I hope that we can introduce new sports to the program.  Thank You Cherokee for supporting the Qualla Bounday Special Olympics!”

     Each athlete that represented the Qualla Boundary during 2011 received a certificate at Tuesday’s banquet including:  Amber Beaushaw, Gil Biello, Jeffrey Cox, Nicky Etters, Blake French, Nathan Gaddis, Courtney George, Destyni Johnson, Robert Kanott, Anthony Lansing, Gabby Milholen, Shasta Owle, Will Poolaw, Heather Quinn, John Queen, Emily Roberson, Jennifer Roberts, Blair Sinnen, Jacee Smith, Thomas Smith, Danielle Taylor, Eddie Taylor, Daniel Tramper, Andy Watty, Tsali Welch, Dakota West and Tony Wolfe. 

     Hosting the Spring Games was a large endeavor and the sponsors of the event were recognized on Tuesday. 

Bronze Level Sponsors – Cherokee Enterprises, Inc.; Cherokee Historical Association; Cherokee Runners; First Citizens Bank; Glenville Cashiers Rescue Squad, Inc.

Silver Level Sponsors – Cherokee Indian Police Department DARE program; Owle Construction, LLC; The Sequoyah Fund, Inc.; Walmart of Sylva

Gold Level Sponsors – Cherokee Electrical, Inc.; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel

Big Cove Rep. Perry Shell (left) and Yellowhill Rep. David Wolfe (right) receive the Gold Level Sponsorship plaque from Lambert on behalf of the EBCI.

     Big Cove Rep. Perry Shell and Yellowhill Rep. David Wolfe received the Gold Level Sponsorship plaque on behalf of the EBCI.  “I don’t think there is a single more important program that we sponsor than the Special Olympics,” said Rep. Shell. 

     For more information on the Qualla Boundary Special Olympics program or to volunteer, contact Lambert 497-9827 or lanalambert@ymail.com.

     See a photo gallery (42 photos) from this event:

https://theonefeather.com/photo-galleries-2/

2012-Summer-Camp-Registration-packet

HEALTHY CHEROKEE

     We all have busy lives and that means we spend a lot of our time in vehicles.  Smoking in cars can lead to the build of poison inside the car which can be harmful to children. 

Children at Agelink’s after school program proudly show their healthy smiles with Mr. Gross Mouth after learning the effects of tobacco use. Shown from left to right and front to back: Janna Girty, McKinsey Cochran, Middle: Jaelyn Lossiah, Kai Saunooke, Kensen Davis. (Photo courtesy of Healthy Cherokee)

     Secondhand smoke contains “more than 2,000 chemical, including hundreds that are toxic and about 70 that can cause cancer (http://www.cancer.org/index, 2011).”  Children that are exposed to secondhand smoke are more and likely unaware of the harm of the exposure. 

     “In children, secondhand smoke causes the following:

•Ear infections

•More frequent and severe asthma attacks

•Respiratory symptoms (e.g., coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath)

•Respiratory infections (i.e., bronchitis, pneumonia)

•A greater risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (http://www.cancer.org/index, 2011)”

      Even as an adult who has never smoked, you are still a great risk for heart disease and lung cancer when exposed to secondhand smoke.  Thankfully, the passing of laws that have banned smoking in restaurants, work places and other public places has decreased the exposure of secondhand smoke (http://www.cancer.org/index, 2011).

     Children learn by example.  As parents and guardians, it is our job to keep our children healthy.  Children are our future.  For information on smoking and how to quit you can contact Healthy Cherokee at (828)-497-7460.

Resources and Helpful Links:

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/TobaccoCancer/secondhand-smoke

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/general_facts/index.htm

http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

 Office on Smoking and Health

 E-mail: tobaccoinfo@cdc.gov

 Phone: 1-800-CDC-INFO

For help to stop smoking:

1-800-QUIT-NOW

QuitlinNC.com

Works Cited

(2011, November 14). Retrieved January 24, 2012, from http://www.cancer.org/index: http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/TobaccoCancer/secondhand-smoke

     RUTHERFORDTON – The Cherokee Braves varsity wrestling team took third place overall at the NC 1A West Wrestling Regionals held at Isothermal Community College in Rutherfordton on Saturday, Feb. 18. 

Cherokee’s Tavi Rivera (right) wrestles an opponent during the NC 1A West Wrestling Regional Championships on Saturday, Feb. 18. Rivera went 4-0 on the day and won the championship in the 160lb. division. (Photo courtesy of Berdina Standingdeer)

     Tavi Rivera, Will Bird and Sam Wahnetah all won regional championships and move on to the 1A State wrestling tournament this Saturday, Feb. 25 in Greensboro.  Colby Yanez and Cain Oocumma also qualified for Saturday’s state tournament by placing second and fourth respectively in their weight classes. 

     West Wilkes won the team championship with 172.5 points followed by Mitchell 141, Cherokee 137.5, East Surry 123.5 and Robbinsville 109.5.  Other Smoky Mountain Conference teams included: Swain, 8^th place, 73.5; Rosman, 12^th, 62; Murphy, 14^th, 45; Hayesville, 16^th, 32.5 and Andrews, 17^th, 29. 

     Full Braves results are as follows:

120lb. – Austin Padilla

- pinned by Levi Richardson (Mitchell) at 5:02

- lost by forfeit to Tyler Duty (Mt. Airy)

126lb. – Levi Swearengin

- won decision (8-6 OT) over Austin Lequire (N. Wilkes)

- pinned by Jorge Lima (W. Wilkes) at 1:10

- pinned Darius Harris (Cherryville) at 1:52

- won decision (9-4) over Harley Rash (Avery)

- pinned by Colten McKinney (Mitchell) at :21

132lb. – Cain Oocumma, 4^th place

- won by technical fall (18-2) over Tristan Mabry (Mt. Airy)

- lost by technical fall (17-1) to J.J. LaPlant (W. Wilkes)

- pinned Devin Rowe (Mitchell) at :51

- won decision (5-2) over Jess Haney (Robbinsville)

- won decision (10-3) over Daniel Hayes (Cherryville)

- lost by forfeit to Sean Webb (Swain)

138lb. – Jaron Bradley

- lost decision (6-1) to Paul Roche (Hayesville)

- won decision (12-5) to Brad Schweikert (Hendersonville)

- pinned by Logan McKinney (Mitchell) at :35

145lb. – Colby Yanez, 2^nd place

- pinned Josh Gragg (Avery) at 3:39

- won major decision (17-3) over Jimmy Spear (East Surry)

- pinned Jubal Church (Mitchell) at 2:51

- lost decision (6-4) to Bryan Wallace (Hendersonville)

152lb. – Wade Wolfe

- lost major decision (11-3) to Daniel Bomar (Mitchell)

- pinned Alec Stuller (Hendersonville) at 2:11

- pinned Will McCraw (Thomas Jefferson) at 1:28

- won decision (8-6) over Landon Richardson (N. Stokes)

160lb. – Tavi Rivera, 1^st place

- pinned Zack Bennet (Hiwassee Dam) at :40

- won by technical fall (20-2) over Josh Pierce (Cherryville)

- won by decision (9-7) over Stephen Bomar (Mitchell)

- won by decision (2-1) over Jacob Fregia (East Surry)

170lb. – Taylor Davis

- pinned Travis Pugh (East Surry) at 3:36

- lost decision (11-5) to Malachi Beaver (Murphy)

- pinned Bobbi Pruitt (Robbinsville) at 2:04

- pinned Mark Anderson (Hayesville) at 2:07

- lost decision (8-5) to Alexander Vallitutto (Bishop McGuinness)

182lb. – Will Bird, 1^st place

- pinned Christian Atkins (Mt. Airy) at 1:28

- pinned Cody Howard (Murphy) at 3:54

- won by technical fall (18-2) over Dylan Gentry (Elkin)

- won by default injury over Samuel Mullenax (Rosman)

220lb. – Raymond Taylor

- lost decision (12-8) to Creed Lovin (Robbinsville)

- pinned Chandler Hull (Mt. Airy) at 1:53

- lost decision (11-6) to Cody Lefler (W. Wilkes)

285lb. – Sam Wahnetah, 1^st place

- pinned Dylan Reynolds (Cherryville) at 3:17

- pinned Chris Craze (Murphy) at :52

- pinned Dakota Bell (N. Wilkes) at 1:28

Tribal Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission

NOTICE

Adoption of Interim Rules

SUMMARY:  The Tribal Council of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has enacted Ordinance No. 768 (Sept. 8, 2011), an ordinance to govern the regulation of alcoholic beverages, to be codified as Chapter 18B of the Cherokee Code.  The Tribal Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (“Commission” or “TABCC”) is vested with authority to administer Tribal alcoholic beverage control law.  Under federal law, an Indian tribal government has the sovereign authority to regulate the introduction of liquor into Indian country, so long as the tribe enacts a tribal law that is in conformity with state law and that has been certified by the Secretary of the Interior and published in the Federal Register.  18 U.S.C. § 1161.  Ordinance No. 768 has been certified by the Secretary of the Interior and published in the Federal Register.  77 Fed. Reg. 5265 (Feb. 2, 2012).  To achieve conformity withNorth Carolina state law, Ordinance No. 768 incorporates by reference certain specific sections of state law codified in chapter 18B of the North Carolina General Statutes.  The specific sections of state law that are incorporated by Ordinance No. 768 are those specified in a state law, Senate Bill 324, enacted in June 2011.  Ordinance No. 768 (Cherokee Code section 18B-112(e)) provides:  “The Tribal Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission shall adopt the rules of the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission regulating retail outlet activity.”  This interim rule is intended to fulfill that mandate. 

In addition to the requirement to adopt rules regulating retail outlet activity, Ordinance No. 768 also authorizes the Tribal Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission to adopt rules and procedures for the issuance and enforcement of ABC permits.  Cherokee Code § 18B-203(a)(4).  This interim rule includes such procedural rules, which are adapted from the rules of the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.

DATES:  The rules take effect upon publication of this notice.  Comments[1] on the rules will be accepted until March 23, 2012.  The Commission does not currently plan to hold a public hearing on these rules but may do so if written comments indicate a sufficient level of interest to warrant a hearing.

ADDRESS:  Written comments should be addressed to 738 Acquoni Road, Cherokee NC  28719 or PO Box 1804, Cherokee NC 28719.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Copies of the rules may be picked up at the Tribal Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission office, located on 738 Acquoni Road, Cherokee NC.  Contact numbers are 828/554/6372 or 828/554/6374.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background.  Under federal law, an Indian tribal government has the sovereign authority to regulate the introduction of liquor into Indian country, so long as the tribe enacts a tribal law that is approved by the Secretary of the Interior and that is in conformity with state law.  18 U.S.C. § 1161.  The Tribal Council of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has enacted Ordinance No. 768 (Sept. 8, 2011), an ordinance to govern the regulation of alcoholic beverages, to be codified as Chapter 18B of the Cherokee Code.  The Tribal ordinance establishes the Tribal Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (herein “Commission” or “TABCC”) and vests it with certain powers, including the power to “adopt rules and procedures for the issuance and enforcement of ABC permits” and to otherwise carry out the Commissions duties under the Ordinance.  (Cherokee Code section 18B-203).  To achieve conformity withNorth Carolina state law, Ordinance No. 768 incorporates by reference certain specific sections of state law codified in chapter 18B of the North Carolina General Statutes.  The specific sections of state law that are incorporated by Ordinance No. 768 are those specified in a state law, Senate Bill 324, enacted in June 2011.  Ordinance No. 768 (Cherokee Code section 18B-112(e)) provides:  “The Tribal Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission shall adopt the rules of the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission regulating retail outlet activity.”  This interim rule is intended to fulfill the mandate of section 18B-112(e).  In addition, portions of this interim rule carry out the Commission’s discretionary rulemaking authority under section 18B-203.

            The rules of the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (“NCABCC” or “State Commission”) (which are available on the State Commission’s website:  www.ncabc.com/legal/statutes_regulations.aspx) are codified in three subchapters of title 04 of the North Carolina Administrative Code (NCAC):  Subchapter 2R – Organizational Rules:  Policies and Procedures; Subchapter 2S – Retail Beer: Wine: Mixed Beverages: Brownbagging: Advertising: Special Permits; and Subchapter 2T – Industry Members: Retail/Industry Member Relationships; Ship Chandlers: Air Carriers; Fuel Alcohol.  Subchapter 2R is mostly concerned with matters other than retail outlets, although there are a number of provisions in Subchapter 2R that do concern retail outlets.  All of the provisions of Subchapter 2S relate to retail outlets.  The subject matter of Subchapter 2T is beyond the scope of the Tribal ordinance.  Accordingly, the provisions of the rules of the NCABCC that the Tribal Commission is required to adopt are certain provisions of Subchapter 2R and virtually all of Subchapter 2S. 

            In order to facilitate the use of the Tribal Commission’s rules by persons familiar with the rules of the NCABCC, the Tribal Commission has decided to use a system of numerical designation that corresponds to the system in the NCABCC rules.  In this interim rulemaking, the Tribal Commission’s rules are divided into two chapters:  Chapter 1 – Organizational Rules:  Policies and Procedures; and Chapter 2 – Regulation of Retail Outlets.  The rules in Chapter 1 are issued under the Commission’s discretionary authority.  The rules in Chapter 2 implement the mandate to “adopt the rules of the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission regulating retail outlet activity.”  Chapter 2 is divided into two Subchapters, designated R and S, to facilitate reference to the NCABCC rules. 

In the nomenclature of the NCABCC, each Subchapter is divided into “Sections.”  Each Section is further subdivided, and each numerically designated item under each section heading is referred to as a “rule.”  The Commission has decided to use the same nomenclature.  In the interim rules taken from Subchapter R of the NCABCC rules are designated with an “R” before the rule number in the Tribal rules; rules taken from Subchapter S of the NCABCC rules are designated with an “S” before the rule number.  It should also be noted that at many points the numerical designations of subsections are not consecutive.  The reason for this is that many subsections have been repealed from the State Commission’s rules.

The rules of the NCABCC regulating retail outlet activity have been adapted where appropriate so that they may be implemented by the Tribal Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.  For example, some of the changes are intended to make it clear that the regulatory body is the Tribal Commission rather than the State Commission.  Some of the changes have to do with the fact that the NCABCC system features local ABC boards, which serve as intermediaries between the State Commission and retail outlets, including stores, restaurants, and hotels.  There will be no such local boards in the TABCC system; rather, the Tribal Commission will generally perform roles that the NCABCC rules assign to local boards.  Thus, one frequent kind of change was to replace the words “local board.” For the most part, the functions that are performed by local boards in the State Commission’s system will be performed by the Tribal Commission, and the rules have been adapted accordingly.  For some functions performed by local boards, the draft interim rules authorize Tribal ABC stores to perform these functions. 

Persons who are interested in filing comments on the interim rules are encouraged to contact the Commission for further information.

Mrs. Hall’s 4^th grade class at Cherokee Elementary poses in front of a mobile planetarium in the Chief Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center on Friday, Feb. 10.  Shown (left-right) front row – Zach Lossiah, Jamie Queen, Kolona Lillard, Chyan Pheasant, Rider Sneed, Paul Sadongie, Jalyn Welch; middle row – Jeremiah Pheasant, Jaelon Jumper, Mrs. Hall, Breanna Mangold, Acecia Lambert, Aia Johnson, Malia Davis, Deliah Esquivel, Jade Ledford, Taylin Bowman, Ella Montelongo, Devy George; back row – Nancy Maryboy, David Begay, Ms. Thomason and Mrs. Beck.  Maryboy and Begay, co-authors of Sharing the Skies, were visiting with the students as part of the school’s Native Writers Month.   (Cherokee Central Schools photo)

The Cherokee Termite Girls Travel League team poses with the tournament championship trophies they won on Saturday, Feb. 18.  The team also finished the season undefeated.  Shown (left-right) back row – Emma Stamper, Tamara Bennett, Elise Cooper, Jade Ledford, Tori Teesateskie, Me-Li Jackson, Jalyn Albert; front row – Raylen Bark, Jalee Panther, Naomi Smith and Carla Wolfe; kneeling – Jacee Smith.  (Photo courtesy of Janelle L. Maney)

     The book has already been translated into the Cherokee syllabary, is scheduled to print in February and should be available to the public in July, said Dawn Cusick, owner of EarlyLight, which specializes in science books for children and adults.

     The development is significant because it is the first step in a partnership that will help the Cherokee Language Program move away from self-publishing books and focus more on the work of language, said Hartwell Francis, program director. Francis and program coordinator Tom Belt worked together to translate and edit the book’s original text by Beth Fielding. The book was designed with the unicode font “Aboriginal Serif,” available for free download from languagegeek.com.

     The Cherokee Language Program helps produce materials for a Cherokee language immersion program on the Qualla Boundary for children from 6 months old through second grade. The program is an effort to keep alive the Cherokee language after findings indicated a small percentage of fluent speakers remained among members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and that most of the remaining speakers were older than 51.

     In the past, the Cherokee Language Program has produced two books in the Cherokee language, “Grouchy Old Woman” and “Spearfinger,” both based on Cherokee legend. It also has produced children’s books with the Eastern Band’s Kituwah Preservation and Education Program, which oversees the immersion program’s early childhood component and primary grade classrooms, called the Kituwah Academy. In addition, the Cherokee Language Program also has put books online in video form and that can be printed by individuals and is working with WCU programs in entrepreneurship and computer information systems to develop a Cherokee language learning application for mobile devices.

     Low-level academic books are a critical need for children learning Cherokee, said Bo Lossiah, a curriculum specialist at Kituwah Academy. “I need science books, social studies books, math books,” said Lossiah (pronounced “la-see”). Developing such work is painstaking, he said, because words sometimes don’t exist for the subject matter being covered. “The vocabulary is coming along slowly,” he said. “I’ve been working on ‘centimeter’ and ‘millimeter.’ We had a word for ‘meter’ but it wasn’t different from ‘yard.’”

     The publisher, who graduated from WCU in 2008 with a master’s degree in biology, envisions an audience for the book beyond schoolchildren. “I can’t imagine that tourists aren’t really tired of getting a T-shirt. The book seems like a great souvenir,” said Cusick, who founded EarlyLight after nearly two decades with Lark Books in Asheville. “The Cherokee syllabary is absolutely beautiful in its printed form. When you see it with the colors behind it, it’s just beautiful.”

     Info: Francis at hfrancis@wcu.edu or 828-227-2303.

- WCU

     The following was submitted by Donnie Owle, Manager of the Club’s Garage and Body Shop Departments as part of the Club’s 2011 Annual Report.  Information contained in the report is for the period July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.

CBC Shop Department – Annual Report
(July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011)
 

     The Boys Club’s Shop/Body Shop occupies a 60,000 square foot building on the Club’s main campus. The building contains a state-of-the-art down draft paint booth, full-service wash bay and two mobile lifts capable of lifting school buses, motor coaches, etc.  The lifts can sustain a weight of 18,000 lbs. per post x four posts (72,000 lbs. or 36 tons).
 

     The purpose of the Shop is to provide repair and maintenance for all vehicles including privately owned vehicles and the Club’s fleet of approximately 120 vehicles and equipment.
 Primary Purpose – Boys Club Fleet
Secondary Purpose – Tribal Entities
Other – Privately Owned Vehicles
 

     The Body Shop provides body work and repairs for all vehicles with priority given to Club vehicles and equipment.
 

     The Boys Club also provides fuel for all Club and Tribal vehicles.  The Shop uses software called Petrovend that can track fuel usage and maintenance, calculate mileages per vehicle, and provide other specific custom and filtered reports.
 

     The Shop has 13 employees, including Shop Manager, Assistant Manager, Parts Supervisor, Shop Technician, Mechanic, Mechanic Specialist, Parts Controller/Service Writer, Bus Washer/Detailer, Bus Washer, Skilled Shop Worker, Body Shop Supervisor, and Two Body Shop Technicians. The Shop Department also had two OJT students this past summer – Cory Walkingstick and Raymond Montelongo who did an outstanding job.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNTIES
     The Club’s Construction and Facilities Department has an opening for a Lead Mason and for a Carpenter’s/Electrician’s Helper.  See Tiff Reed at the Club’s HR office for an application and/or job description.  Deadline for turning in applications is Thursday, February 23.

CONGRATULATIONS and CONTINUED GOOD LUCK!
     Congratulations to the Lady Braves Basketball team for winning the first round of the State Playoffs by defeating Hendersonville 90-51.  The Lady Braves play North Wilkes on Wednesday night at Cherokee.
     Congratulations also to the Varsity Braves Basketball team for advancing in the first round of the State Playoffs by defeating Allegheny on Monday night.  The Braves will play Highlands at Highlands on Wednesday night.  We Wish Both Teams the Best of Luck!  Go Braves!

AGELINK FUNDRAISER A SUCCESS!
     The staff, students and parents of Agelink want to thank everyone who participated in the fundraiser for the students’ spring/summer field trips.  The Chili Stack held on Friday raised over $500.  If you would like to make a donation to assist with these trips, please see Tammy Bradley or Kitty Taylor at Agelink or call 497-6726.

     He is survived by his parents  Joseph and Sherry (Henry) Moody and by his wife: Jessica(Bradley) Moody, two daughters Madalyn  Moody and Cassandra  Bradley of the home, and one sister Tonia Biddix and husband Tommy. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

     A funeral service is planned for Friday, Feb. 24, 2012 in the Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Service.  The Rev. Eddie Stillwell, Rev. Earl Holden and Rev Forman Bradley will officiate. The family  will receive friends from 6-8pm Thursday at the funeral home. An online registry is available at www.appalachianfuneralservices.com

     Of the extra $30 annual fee for the specialty tag, $20 goes to Friends of the Smokies to support a variety projects and programs in the North Carolina portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, bringing in over $430,000 in 2011. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited National Park in America, and one of the few that does not charge an entrance fee.

     “Every year, our plate buyers make a significant impact in Great Smoky Mountains National Park,” said Friends North Carolina DirectorHollyDemuth. “They help deliver Parks as Classrooms programs to thousands of North Carolina school kids, and support the protection of the Smokies’ black bears and elk, to name a few.”

     For more information about getting your own Friends of the Smokies specialty license plate, visit http://www.friendsofthesmokies.org/coolstuff.html or your local NC license plate office.

     Since 1993, Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a park partner nonprofit organization, has raised more than $37 million to support educational programs, historic preservation projects, conservation of natural and cultural resources, and wildlife research and protection in the Smokies.

- Friends of the Smokies

                Individuals must have two forms of indentification with one being photo identification such as a driver’s license, state ID, Tribal ID, military ID, et.  Other acceptable forms of identification include a social security card or a birth certificate. 

                Info:  497-5071

- Cherokee Agency Fire Management Program

     Avi Askey will be lecturing on invasive plants and how to eradicate them.

     Ila Hatter is an interpretive naturalist, artist, storyteller, and wild crafter with more than 30 years experience teaching the cultural heritage of native plants.  Ila is publisher of “Roadside Rambles”, a wild foods cookbook, and a video series: “wild Edibles and Medicinals of Southern Appalachia and Mountain Kitchen”.  She hosted three Folkways programs for PBS/UNC-TV, and has appeared on CNN, Turner/South, RFDTV, and A&E.

     There are more plant species here than in the entire North American continent including Canada. The indigenous people knew which plants were “the Good Plants” for food, medicines, and household use.  In many cases they shared that knowledge with the incoming settlers.  Even today we can enjoy having those plants, trees, shrubs, in our home landscape. There are flavors that cannot be bought, home remedies at hand, and interesting folklore to share.

     This lecture is free and open to the public.  Info:  Sequoyah Birthplace Museum at 423-884-6246 or seqmus@tds.net.

- Sequoyah Birthplace Museum

     Surviving children, Claudette Williams of New Waverly, Texas, Ben Parker of Cherokee, Bob Parker of Cherokee. Grandchildren, Angie Whitley of Lufkin, Texas, Joey Moore of New Waverly, Texas, Claudette Conner of Cherokee, Jayson Dale Parker-McCoy of Cherokee, Roxanne Parker, Kaitlyn Parker, and Jeremy Parker, all of Cherokee, Bo Parker of Florida. 7 great-grandchildren. Sisters, Betty DuPree, Eustie Chandler, Mary Jane Letts, Bertie Cooper; one brother, Bob Craig. Very special friend, Annie Dale Lawrence of Cherokee.

     Claude and Jean Parker owned and operated Parker’s Drive-In in Cherokee. Visitation was held at the Macedonia Baptist Church in the Soco Community. The family received friends Saturday, Feb.18, 2012 starting at 5pm. Service was held Sunday, Feb.19, 2012 at 2pm, also at the Macedonia Baptist Church.

     The Cherokee One Feather is available as a forum for any opinion or point of view concerning issues of general interest.  Letters should be typed, exclusive to the One Feather. Letters must be signed and should include a name, address and phone number.  Letters may not exceed 250 words.  Letters exceeding the word limit will not be accepted for publication.  Only the name and town (if writer resides outside of Cherokee) will be printed.   Letters critical of specifically-named minor children will not be published. 

      Unsigned letters will not be considered for publication at all.  The One Feather will not accept poetry submissions as a letter or requests for pen pals.

      If you wish to submit a commentary longer than 250 words, the subject matter must be pre-approved by the Editor and should be on one topic.  Commentaries submitted that were not pre-approved will not be accepted.

Loraine Johnson (left) , of Mountain Mediation , poses with Jo Blaylock, vice president of Human Resources and External Relations at Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Hotel. (Harrah's Cherokee photo)

               Mountain Mediation Services promotes peace and collaborative resolution of conflicts. They also provide affordable, quality services in the areas of family, neighborhood, business, and other community conflicts as an alternative to judicial conflict resolution.  

                In addition, Mountain Mediation Services provides community education in conflict prevention and positive resolution skills. They serve seven western counties of North Carolina, including Swain, Jackson, Cherokee, Clay, Haywood, Macon, Graham and the Qualla Boundary.  

                Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel has a sponsorship policy in place that supports a Code of Commitment and upholds a philanthropic view of supporting the communities where employees work and live. Target giving areas include organizations related to health, senior citizens, education, diversity, cultural resource development and civic programs.

                “We are proud to support the efforts of Mountain Mediation Services and other charities that make a difference to others and makes our communities stronger,” said Jo Blaylock, Vice President of Human Resources and External Relations.  

                For more information on the services offered at Mountain Mediations, visit www.dnet.net/mtnmediation. For further information on Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel, visit www.harrahs.com.

- Harrah’s Cherokee