By Jonathan AustinYancey County News

A decorated Marine veteran was shot in his Cove Mountain Road home last Wednesday and died Thursday after being transported to Mission

Hospital by air ambulance.

Sheriff Gary B a n k s a n d Cpl. Jonathan Casteel rushed to the home o f Wi l l i a m Morrow Jr. , 44, after a 911 call came into t h e Ya n c e y C o u n t y E m e r g e n c y O p e r a t i o n s

Center reporting a self-inflicted shooting. They found Morrow on his bedroom floor, unconscious with a bullet wound to the head.

EMS arrived to transport Morrow as Banks began the investigation. According to a press release, the sheriff “determined from what he observed at the residence that this incident did not appear to be a self-inflicted wound.”

Morrow’s ex-wife, Robyn Ann Wilson Morrow, 41, was at the scene and she was the person who had made the 911 call.

Banks asked her to accompany an officer to the sheriff’s office, where she and investigators would be able to speak. According to the press release, “once at the sheriff’s office she freely gave a statement” that she had shot Morrow. “She did not give a reason, but did state that it was not in self defense.”

Robyn Morrow was charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with the intent to kill. When the victim died she was charged with murder.

She is being held in the Yancey County Jail under no bond.

Morrow was retired from the Marine Corps who had served tours in Operation Desert Storm and later in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. He had retired from the Marine Corps. He was the father of two sons, both of whom are serving in the military.

The sheriff’s office contacted the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to assist in the murder investigation.

$1

Dec. 26, 2013 • Vol. 3, No. 52Brush Creek - Burnsville - Cane River Crabtree - Egypt - Green Mountain - Jacks Creek Pensacola - Price’s Creek - Ramseytown - South Toe

v Recipient of the E.W. Scripps Award for Distinguished Service to the First Amendment v

Yancey County News www.yanceycountynews.com vTo be a voice, and to allow the voices of our community to be heard.v

682-9510

By Jonathan AustinYancey County News

Ask 12 people the status of the Yancey-Mitchell high-speed Internet project and you get a dozen different answers. Some confidently say “I read it was finished!” but then they can’t point to a single resident who has been hooked up to the broadband system financed with millions of dollars in federal stimulus funds allocated in 2010.

So what is the deal? Is high-speed Internet anywhere near finished?

“Yes, it’s on; Yes, It’s working. But we can’t install it,” said Country Cablevision project manager Dean Russell. We’re waiting on (federal) paperwork approval to connect it.”

The system is working well at the new facility off Sawmill Hollow Road, where fiber-optic links bring the high-speed signal to the area from Asheville and Marion. Connections have been strung to as much as 70 percent of Yancey County, Russell said, but Country Cablevision can’t move forward and actually connect customers to the high-speed system because the federal funding agency – the Agriculture Department – has yet to release

See Page 5

Morrow dies in home shooting; ex-wife charged

Yancey Florist provided and decorated the Christmas tree in the main hallway of the Yancey County courthouse. “We certainly appreciate the generosity of the folks at Yancey Florist for adding to the festive season here at the courthouse both for the employees and the public,” said County Manager Nathan Bennett.

High speed Internet is working. You just

can’t get itCountry Cable

awaits Washington’s OK to begin paying Internet installers

2 DEC. 26, 2013 • YANCEY COUNTY NEWS

WHO WE AREThe Yancey County News is the only independent

newspaper in Yancey County. It is owned, operated and published by

Susan Austin ........ Advertising/PublisherJonathan Austin ........... Editor/Publisher

who are the sole participants and members of

Yancey County News LLC127 W. Main Street

Burnsville, NC 28714

828-691-0806 or 691-0807jonathan@yanceycountynews.com

susan@yanceycountynews.com

The Yancey County News (USPS publication No. 3528) is published weekly for $25 per year in Yancey County, $35 per year out of county. Published by Yancey County News LLC, Periodicals postage paid at Burnsville, NC.

Postmaster: Send address changes to: Yancey County News, 127 W. Main St., Burnsville, NC 28714

Printed in Boone by the Watauga Democraton recycled paper.

To be a voice, and to allow the voices of our community to be heard.

vRecipient of the 2012 Ancil Payne Award for Ethics in Journalism and the Tom and Pat Gish Award for

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Peace on Earth; Good Will Toward Men

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from

Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed ...

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Gl o r y t o God in the h i g h e s t ,

a n d o n e a r t h peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

DEC. 26, 2013 • YANCEY COUNTY NEWS 3

No other weekly newspaper in the nation has won an E.W. Scripps Award, the Ancil Payne Award and the Gish Award for courage, tenacity and integrity in rural

journalism! Subscribe now and read one of the nation’s best community newspapers.YES, begin my subscription to the Yancey County News! (InYancey - $25; Out-of-county $35.) Mail this coupon and

your check to: The Yancey County News, 127 W. Main St., Burnsville, NC 28714

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T h e N e w Beginnings Diabetes Se l f -Managemen t Program will be having a class for people who have diabetes or who are borderline diabetic on Wednesday, January 29, from 9-4:30 at the Yancey County Health Department.

A team made up of

a family physician, eye and foot doctors, a nurse practitioner and a registered dietitian wi l l be on hand . Lunch is provided. R e g i s t r a t i o n a n d physician referral is required. To register or for more information please call (828) 682-6118 ext 37.

M a y l a n d Community College h a s a p p e a r e d o n another list of the top community colleges in the United States. This ranking was compiled by Create a Career, an organization for career information and educational resources.

Mayland was ranked 16th out of the 25 best community colleges in the United States, based on a comparison of several studies and ratings of community colleges as well as factors such as overall quality, reputation, s t u d e n t s u c c e s s , program availability and student support.

“This latest ranking further establishes Mayland in the top 1 percent of community colleges nationwide,” s a i d M a y l a n d Community College president Dr. John Boyd. “I say with great pride on behalf of our trustees, faculty, staff and students that

Mayland was the only North Carolina community college on this list.”

Mayland reaches over 10,500 credit and noncredit students in Mitchell, Avery, and Yancey Counties, and supports 27 academic and technical programs delivered across its main Mitchell Campus in Spruce Pine and sa t e l l i t e l ea rn ing centers in Avery and Yancey Counties.

Create a Career is an independent o rgan iza t ion tha t provides important, relevant information to help job seekers and students make informed choices. The o rgan i za t i on utilizes their years of experience and expertise in the fields of higher education and careers to recommend t h e a p p r o p r i a t e education programs for each career requiring secondary education.

Mayland honored with another ‘top school’ list

Mountain Heritage High School held their annual College Application Day on Nov. 21, and it was a great success! The goal of this program is to get more students applying to North Carolina colleges early in their senior year.

During this event, students could apply to any of North Carolina’s 58 community colleges, 36 independent co l l eges , and 16 s t a t e universities in which they are interested. Some students also used their time to apply to a few out of state colleges and universities as well.

As part of the CFNC-CACRAO college access initiative, 81 high school seniors at Mountain Heritage applied to over 140 colleges and universities in North Carolina on this day. An added benefit for students

who applied during this week was that 38 NC colleges and universities waived their application processing fees, which can be anywhere from $25 - $75. For Mountain Heritage seniors who applied on College Application Day, the total savings to those students was $4,065!

Principal Kevin Huskins and College Application Week Event Site Coordinator Suzanne Gavenus would like to thank the following people who volunteered by helping our students fill out their applications throughout the day: Eric Klein, GEAR UP; Andrew Johnson, UNC-Asheville; Michelle Musich and Jackie Wemple, Mayland Community College; Carolyn Kuzell, Mars Hill University; Mandy P ike , Mon t rea t College; Becky Garland, A-B Tech CC; Caleb Sherrill, State

Employees Credit Union and Patty Angel, Diane Canipe and Debbie Cromeans, Wells Fargo.

For more information about College Application Day at Mountain Heritage High School, please contact Suzanne Gavenus at 682-6103 sbgavenus@yanceync.net. To hear more about our GEAR UP program, you can contact Student Coordinator Dora Smith at 284-9536 dorasmith@yanceync.net or Family and Community Liaison Eric Klein at 284-9914 ericklein@yanceync.net .

You can visit the Counseling Department website for many helpful college planning, applying and f inancing resources at:

https://sites.google.com/a/yanceync.net/counseling-department/

Diabetes class announced

Kids who read the newspaper get better grades

Students save thousands on college applications

Margaret Banner MortimerMargaret Banner Mortimer, 92, of

Newland, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Gladys McLaughlin Banner of Banner Elk; her brother, Tom Banner, and, her husband, Sam Mortimer. She is survived by her daughters, Martitia Mortimer of Newland and Read Marie (Badger) Underwood of Altamont; grandchildren Andrea Underwood of Greensboro and Gordon Underwood of Bakersville, and a great granddaughter, Caroline Underwood of Bakersville.

In addition to a lifelong career in the insurance industry, Margaret served on the Board of Trustees of Cannon Memorial Hospital for 19 years and served on the Board of Hospice of Avery County, where she later volunteered for both organizations.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, Dec. 26 from 5 - 7 p.m. at the Dickson Gallery location on the main level of Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville.

Memorials be made to Medi Home Hospice, PO Box 1357, Newland, NC 28657.

Ocie Hensley PenlandOcie Hensley Penland, 92, of Horton

Creek, died Friday, Dec. 20, 2013, at Brookside Rehabilitation & Care. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Bascombe and Elvia Austin Hensley, and the wife of Charles Liston Penland, who died in 1990. She was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Edna Dean Penland; a son, Charles W. Penland; a daughter, Wilma Jean Adkins; and grandsons Roderick Lee Adkins and William Michael Morrow Jr.

Surviving are a daughter, Linda Penland of Burnsville; daughter-in-law Mary Penland of Gray Court, S.C.; five grandchildren: Renee Adkins Richard and husband, Chad, and Deborah Lynn Adkins, both of Simpsonville, S.C., Charles W. Penland Jr. of Woodruff, S.C., Robert Martin Penland of Gray Court, S.C. and Amanda Morrow Hensley of Burnsville; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great- grandchildren; two sisters: Essie Boone of Weaverville and Nellie Thomas of Hickory; and two brothers: Dan Hensley and wife, Sue, of Marion and Hartcel Hensley and wife, Sue, of Asheville.

Funeral was Sunday at Elk Shoal Baptist Church on Hardscrabble Road, of which she was a member. The Rev. Stacey Elkins officiated. Burial was in the John Metcalf Cemetery on Horton Creek.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Yancey County, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714, or to Elk Shoal Baptist Church, 823 Langford Branch Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.

Junior HughesJunior Hughes 94, of Bennett Cove

Road, Green Mountain, passed away Dec. 19, 2013, at Mission Hospitals Memorial campus. He was a son of the late Roe and Bertha Tipton Hughes and a native of Mitchell County. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He was self employed as a painter.

Survivors include his wife, Anna Mae Peterson Hughes, of Green Mountain; three sisters; Thelma Wilson, of Erwin Tenn., Betty Renfro of Green Mountain, and Joyce Garland of Jonesboro, Tenn., a brother, Kimsey Hughes, of Green Mountain, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a sister; Madeline Foster, and brothers Elmer and Buck Hughes.

Funeral was Sunday in the chapel of Henline – Hughes Funeral Home with Burnie Jones officiating. Interment followed at Bennett Cemetery with The North Carolina Honor Guard conducting military graveside honors.

Sidney ‘Junior’ BaileySidney D. “Junior” Bailey, 85, of

Burnsville, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013, at the Yancey House. A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Dewey and Dorothy McCurry Bailey. He was preceded in death by brothers Handy Bailey, Bill Bailey and Nick Bailey.

Sid was an Army veteran of World War II. He was of the Baptist faith. He was part owner of Bailey and Phillips Drywall Company until his retirement, when he then started a lawn care service and worked at the Yancey County Recycling Center.

Surviving are his wife, Peggy Fox Bailey; two sons, Brady Bailey and wife, Amy, of Lexington, and Rodney Bailey and wife, Sheila, of Hardscrabble; one grandson, Aaron Bailey of Lexington; sisters Nancy King of Asheville, Doris Wilson of Kingsport and Dora Barrington of Florida; and special niece, Leanne McCurry Bass of Denver, N.C. Several other nieces and nephews also survive.

No services are planned at this time and sympathy cards are appreciated, but the family requests no flowers, food or visits at this time please.

William Michael Morrow Jr.Sgt. William Michael Morrow Jr., USMC

(Ret), 44, died Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013. A native of Yancey County, he was an veteran of Operation Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. Will was a recipient of numerous awards and medals, including the Bronze

Star for valor, and three Navy and Marie Corps Achievement Medals for valor. His maternal grandmother, Ocie Hensley Penland, passed away Friday, Dec. 20, 2013.

Surviving are two sons: Ben Morrow and wife, Chelsea, and Tyler Morrow; parents Mike Morrow and wife, Sharon, and Linda Penland; two sisters: Amanda Hensley and Michela Boone; brother Brian Morrow,; paternal grandmother Opha Hylemon Morrow; and two granddaughters, Madalyn Morrow and Zoey Morrow, all of Burnsville. Numerous aunts, uncles and other family members also survive.

Funeral was Monday in the chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. The Rev. Bobby Ray was to officiate. Burial was to be in the John Morrow Family Cemetery, with military honors by members of the Marine Corps.

4 DEC. 26, 2013 • YANCEY COUNTY NEWS

Obituaries

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Your RepresentativesSen. Richard Burr (R)

Washington address: 217 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510

Phone: (202) 224-3154 - Fax: (202) 228-2981Asheville: Federal Building, 151 Patton Ave., Suite 204

Asheville, N.C. 28801Phone: (828) 350-2437 - Fax: (828) 350-2439

Sen. Kay Hagan (D)Washington address: 521 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510Phone: (202) 224-6342 - Fax: (202) 228-2563

Asheville address: 82 Patton Ave., Suite 635Asheville, N.C. 28801

Phone: (828) 257-6510 - Fax: (828) 257-651411th Congressional District

Rep. Mark Meadows (R)Washington address: 1516 Longworth House Office

BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515Phone: (202) 225-6401N.C. Elected Officials

N.C. Senate District 47 Sen. Ralph Hise (R)Address: N.C. Senate

16 W. Jones St., Room 1026Raleigh, N.C. 27601-2808

Phone: (919) 733-3460 and (828) 766-8329Email: Ralph.Hise@ncleg.net

N.C. House District 118 Rep. Michele D. Presnell (R)Address: N.C. House of Representatives

16 W. Jones St., Room 1025Raleigh, N.C. 27601-1096

Phone: (919) 733-5732 and (828) 682-6342Email: Michele.Presnell@ncleg.net

DEC. 26, 2013 • YANCEY COUNTY NEWS 5

Bad weather is usually not an outdoorsman’s friend. Extreme cold, high winds and heavy precipitation either in the form of rain, sleet or snow just makes for a miserable experience with little chance of success to boot.

This very reason is why I grew up disliking, no the proper word is actually hating, duck season. For whatever reason, it was the only time ducks would actually fly during shooting light. My dad would drag me out to the swamps or impoundments well before the break of dawn where we would throw out plastic decoys in frigid waters and hope for something to fly by.

Now I was a fairly decent shot regarding dove hunting, but ducks were a different story. Ducks provided a very small window of opportunity to get a shot off. With dove, I could watch them fly in for several minutes, point the muzzle and swing the shotgun through the bird while pulling the trigger and watch the bird fold up and fall. Ducks, especially in the swamps, required an instantaneous ‘snap’ style shot. And with inexperience combined with the pure speed

of the waterfowl’s flight, I often ended up empty handed.

Dad on the other hand, well he had no problem. One of the best wingshooters I have ever seen, he could put a bird down with ease. After many, many years of watching how he shoots, I figured out how he was successful. He always kept a watchful eye out for the skies. He also knew his limits. Birds over the treetops were a

no shot situation. If a bird snuck in on him and he did not get a chance to get the barrel up in position cleanly, he would hold off the shot as well. When he did shoot, he always followed through the shot and he never shot more than twice unless he had downed one bird and was trying to get a second and missed a shot. That was rare though. Not the part about downing one bird and going for a second but the missed shot part. He figured if he had to

shoot a third time the bird was probably too far away.

As I became an adult I began to appreciate duck season more. While I am still not fond of the cold, I did have clothes that could keep me warm for longer periods of time. I still stretch my shots at times but my misses are fewer and further between now. I understand what to listen for and what to look for in the sky. I understand

where the birds will come in to a decoy set. These tidbits are less knowledge and more wisdom. I learned from hunting, not from listening to others. It is not that I was not listening to more experienced hunters. It is just I did not understand fully.

I see that with others also. I have seen decoy sets laid out all wrong. Not because the hunter did not try to set them up correctly. In fact, they were likely trying to do exactly what they read in a book or magazine. But when they finally get it, when the light finally turns on, the success beams from hunter. Limits are taken and with fewer shells spent. The excitement from the new found wisdom carries over into future hunts.

And that bad weather is no longer a bad day.

Bill Howard teaches hunter education (IHEA) and bow hunter education (IBEP) in North Carolina. He is a member of North Carolina Bowhunters Association and Pope & Young, and is an official measurer for both. He can be reached at billhoward outdoors@gmail.com.

Bill Howard’s

Outdoors

Hunter wisdom carries on in future hunts

From the front

funds to pay installers.“We’ve connected a couple of places to test,

but they’re not on. We cannot install anybody, so no, there’s nobody on,” he said.

When Russell says 70 percent of the county is wired, then what is the 30 percent awaiting fiber? “Everything from basically the (Quality Plus) station to the county line east is what is left,” he said. That means Micaville, South Toe. Windom, Newdale, Busick, Halls Chapel, Seven Mile, Blue Rock and other areas south of U.S. 19 on the east side of the county are awaiting connections. “We’re working in Double Island right now,” Russell said. “We’re almost complete. That’s all that’s basically left

for Yancey,” though there may be “a pocket here and there” without fiber access.

Country Cablevision has installed 113 ‘nodes’ in Yancey and Mitchell to link communities to the high-speed broadband system, Russell said. Each node can carry connections for a couple of hundred customers.

He said contracts are signed with installers to take the fiber from those nodes to customers who want to be connected. When Washington frees up funds to pay the installers then Country Cablevision wants to be installing “a minimum of 100 customers a week,” Russell said. “If we see the demand is for more, then of course” the number of installers will be increased to grow that number, he said.

“We’re going to do it systematically, by

node.”Once an order is received the installers

will string fiber from the nearest node to the customer’s home or business. “They’ll come out and install the fiber optics to the outside of the home,” he said. Within 10 days the fiber will be installed inside with connections for Internet and possibly television and telephone.

But he warned that it could be two years for some residents in the above mentioned southeast county neighborhoods to get their community node installed. “It’s a five-year project. We have to be done by September 2015,” he said. Initially the job was to be completed within three years, but “there was a two year extension due to government delays and red tape,” Russell said.

By Jonathan AustinYancey County News

T h e f i b e r o p t i c connections that have been strung across our community will provide Internet ‘horsepower’ seen in few communities in the nation, Dean Russell of Country Cablevision said Friday.

“Burnsville is probably one of the most high-tech little towns in America” now, due to the investment of millions of dollars in a network of fiber connections. But delays and paperwork have slowed the final step of bringing the fiber into area homes.

But the building on Sawmill Hollow Road - called the ‘head end’ of

the system - is filled with 21st Century connections and redundancies that will provide wide-ranging Internet service to both Yancey and Mitchel l counties.

Country Cablevision has conducted large-scale tests to gauge the capabilities of the f iber network, Russell said. “We have done a test at Glen Raven and it worked really well there.” He said engineers asked Glen Raven to load up as many connections as possible. “We put 42 computers on it,” all strung to a tiny fiber that – with its plastic coating - has a diameter slightly greater than that of dental floss.

He said Glen Raven managers told him the

high-speed connection was fast and steady. “So we do know we can put a large amount of computers on” and it won’t be bogged down.

On Friday he invited me to wirelessly log on to the system at the head end building. To test the speed I accessed an email that included two large PDF attachments. I had sent the email a couple of days prior and it had taken three minutes or so for the PDFs to transmit. On Friday I addressed the email again and hit send. There was no blink, no icon saying it was processing or uploading. The email was sent in less than a second.

Next we went online to download a lengthy video.

Dean clicked the mouse and the movie download was finished in about two seconds. How did we know? Because the entire movie was available for viewing; nothing was buffering and he immediately was able to click to both the beginning of the movie and to the end of it and view it.

Yes, it took about two seconds to download a movie.

Another great benefit of the new fiber optic system is that it has battery and generator backup at the head end building, but each house will also have a minor battery backup that will allow residents to maintain Internet connections for up to eight hours if the power is out. Of course that will

only work on laptops or pads with internal batteries, but the fact that the power can go ou t and you maintain Internet access is a tremendous asset for residential and commercial customers alike.

Russell said Country Cablevision can’t yet spend money advertising the high-speed Internet availability, but the company’s updated website exists off line and is ready to activate once approval comes from Washington. He also said the company would like to know who wants to be connected, and would appreciate hearing from residents who know they want to be connected to the new system.

High speed Internet hookup delayed by more red tape

Analysis: Quick check shows broadband may be blazingly fast

6 DEC. 26, 2013 • YANCEY COUNTY NEWS

Merry Christmas from Now offering free CUTS

with COLOR!Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

B u r n s v i l l e Elementary School S t u d e n t C o u n c i l p r e s i d e n t G a b e Tip ton , and v ice p r e s i d e n t , T h e o Antinori, present a check for $140 to Reconciliation House Director John Miller, while members of the Student Council, the Ambassador Program, and representatives from the Girls on the Run program look on.

Student Council a n d S t u d e n t Ambassador members chose Reconciliation H o u s e f o r t h e i r community project this winter. They collected clothes, jackets, winter boots, scarves, hats and food. The students also organized a “hat day” at school to raise the money that will go towards the fuel fund at Reconciliation House. “We wanted to help people in our community,” said Theo Antinori.

They raised $110 and the Gir ls on the Run Program at Burnsville Elementary School ra ised an additional $30 from

their community bake sale that they decided t o c o n t r i b u t e t o Reconciliation House as well. This was a whole school effort!

Students give gift for Reconciliation House

Hello my name is Kerry. I am a Border Collie/ Boxer mix. I

am great with other dogs. I would be good with any hu-man as long as they have en-

ergy like me! Hurry in to meet me today! If I have found a

home please look among our other lovable pets!

Call the shelter at 682-9510 for more informa-tion on these or other pets, or plan to visit us at 962 Cane River School Road.

Buy Yancey County News at Mitchell-Yancey Habitat

for Humanity Restore563 Oak Ave., Spruce Pine

and Habitat keeps half of the money!

Open Tues – Fri, 9-5; Sat 9-2

The Yancey County News is the ONLY 100 PERCENT locally owned newspaper in Burnsville! Support local owners by subscribing to one of the most trusted and honored weekly newspapers

in the nation!Ask about specials when you buy a yearly subscription!

Call 691-0807 or 691-0806

Come out for a walk!

High Peaks Trail Association will lead walkers on a stroll around downtown Burnsville on Sunday, Dec. 29, with a focus on local history. Hike leader and amateur historian Jake Blood will point out local landmarks of historical significance, while providing fascinating anecdotes and details from our community’s colorful past.

T h e 1 . 5 - m i l e stroll will be at a leisurely pace, but walkers should dress appropriately for our winter weather. The group will gather on the Burnsville Town Square at 1 p.m., returning there after the 2-hour stroll.

DEC. 26, 2013 • YANCEY COUNTY NEWS 7

and Happy New Year! Drs. Steen, Snyder and staff

Homemade bread, desserts and

specials every day!Breakfast

7-11 a.m. Mon.-Sat.Lunch

11 a.m. - 32p.m. M-Fri.

Open for dinnerThursday,

Fri. & Sat. 5-9 p.m. Make plans

now for New Year’s at

Mary Janes!Bob Early

Jazz Quartet!8 p.m. - midnighton New Year;s Eve!

Typical Mountain Boys, Bluegrass at its best! Friday 12-2 pm

Open Mic Night - Fri 7-9 This Saturday 7-9 pm

Richard Banks Band!114 East Main St.

678-9362To order baked goods,

or for reservations

By Steve GunterD e a n o f A d u l t Education

I’ve been blessed and honored to work in the field of Adult Education for over 20 years now, and I can honestly say that I have probably learned more from our students than they ever could have from me. They’ve taught me invaluable lessons in courage, persistence, dedication, and focus, and my life is all the richer for having spent time learning at their side. Because of what I have done for those two decades, people often ask me about next year’s changes to the adult education tes ts and what i t will mean for adult learners. There’s a lot

of talk and confusion a b o u t w h a t i s happening, so I hope t o c l e a r t h a t u p with some answers.

I t ’ s true — the tests are being changed and updated to reflect what is happening in our schools today. These updates happen every ten or fifteen years, and every time they do, people worry about whether the changes might prevent them from earning their high school equivalency. The first piece of good news I’d like to share is that the answer is no — the new tests may be

different, more contemporary and reflective of a current h igh school education, but the core skills still boil down t o r e a d i n g c o m p r e -h e n s i o n ,

mathematics , and writing skills. That won’t be changing. What is changing, however, is that there are only four test areas now, where before there were five, and that test candidates will take those tests at a computer rather than with pencil and paper. Math is still math — numbers still add and multiply the same way they did — but students will now be recording their

answers with a mouse and keyboard instead of with a pencil. In the New Year, our preparation classes will still be operating with caring, dedicated instructors (teaching traditional skills along with new ones). Our classes will, as always, remain completely free of charge, but the testing fee will be going up. For the 2014 tests, there will be a $30 charge for each of the four new tests.

The best news I have to share is that we now have a new option for adult learners hoping to earn the high school credential — the Adult High School Program. This new program allows students to “pick up where they left off” by earning the credits they still need in order to complete the North Carolina high school diploma. Graduates of this program begin by transferring in the credits they have from their previous school experience and leave with a full high school diploma as well as a grade point average (GPA) and a fully-developed plan for their future. Plus, the Adult High School diploma can be customized to help students get a head start on that future, with electives available for numerous areas of study, including health care for those interested in nursing

or other related fields. Best of all, the Adult High School Program is completely free. We are proud to introduce this new program for adult learners, and we are confident that this option will prove to be an incredible new opportunity for Tri-County residents who are looking for a fresh start.

And this is only the beginning of the new projects and services available to our community. The new Adult Ed Online Program has now launched for students who want to be able to extend their learning o p p o r t u n i t i e s b y studying at home via the internet. We also have an online student support community as well as our new Caree r Pa thways p r o g r a m , g e a r e d toward helping our students successfully enter a high-demand job field.

Sure , a l o t i s changing, but that’s the nature of our world — and in order to prepare us all for that world of tomorrow, education has to grow and change alongside it. Mayland’s Adult Education program is leading the way, working to make the path ahead easier for residents of our community. We were the first school in the state to adopt a new adult education scoring system and

the first to launch c o m p u t e r - b a s e d testing. Now we are excited to step forward o n c e a g a i n w i t h exciting opportunities and interesting new programs to offer r e s i d e n t s o f o u r communities. What will never change, of course, is that our team still brings a warm, s t u d e n t - c e n t e r e d approach to our work — that and the fact that we believe, now more than ever, in the talents, skills, and bright futures of our students.

A n y o n e w i t h questions or wanting more information about any of our programs, or anyone trying to figure out how to take that next step into the future, is encouraged to call us at (828) 766-1208. We are eager to tell you about what we’re doing and to help you figure out where you, and your future, fit in.

Thoughts on the changing adult education system at Mayland

You have to wonder what the topic was, to elicit such a reaction of disbelief. Let’s hope it wasn’t anything about reindeer, or Santa.

8 DEC. 26, 2013 • YANCEY COUNTY NEWS

Q: I home school my two children, ages seven and nine. The school day lasts from 8:30 in the morning until two o’clock in the afternoon, after which they usually do homework for an hour or two. During homework time, they are constantly coming to me, asking me to go over material we’ve already covered during school. This is preventing me from getting my own work done. I find myself being frequently interrupted and have to admit I’ve lost it on a couple of occasions. What should I do?

A: You should tell your children that after two o’clock in the afternoon you are no longer their teacher — you’re their mother and you don’t intend to re-teach material you taught during school.

Look at it this way: If they were attending “regular” school they wouldn’t have access to their teacher(s) after school hours. Likewise, in your home schooling situation, they shouldn’t be able to have “teacher” on demand after school hours. As things stands, they don’t have to give you their full attention during the school day. Furthermore, you’ve given them permission to come to you any time they experience the slightest amount of frustration concerning homework. That circumvents the development of perseverance, which, as

Living

with

children

Helping make children respect the parent-teacher

you will recall, is one of homeworks Seven Hidden Values. Under the circumstances, the effectiveness of home schooling is significantly reduced and your stress level is significantly increased. If you don’t put an end to this, you’re going to continue to have periodic cerebral meltdowns.

This is a mother-child boundaries issue, as are many if not most contemporary parenting issues. Instead of you being in control of whether, at any given time, you are in the role of mother or teacher, you’re allowing your children to make that determination. In any relationship, clearly defined boundaries are essential to mutual respect. Without those boundaries, one party will begin to take advantage of the other person and take her enabling for granted, as your kids are clearly

doing. In the vernacular, they’re manipulating you, but not consciously. They’re simply doing what you’re allowing them to do. You open the gate, they run through it.

The solution to this problem is for you to establish clear definitions of what your children can and cannot expect from Mom after school. Begin by limiting the number of school-related questions you will answer after two o’clock to two per child (maybe three for the younger one). Tell them that after they’ve finished as much of their homework as they can (and not before), each of them can bring you two (or three) questions, but that you’ll spend no more than a total of 10 minutes per child answering them. After the 10 minutes, they’re on their own.

I guarantee that if you enforce this dispassionately, your kids will (a) begin to pay better attention during school hours and (b) eventually all but stop asking after-school questions. And you’ll be able to get your Mom-work done. Independence in a parent-child relationship is always a mutual thing.

John Rosemond answers parents’ questions at www.rosemond.com.

Week of 12/23/13 - 12/29/13

Edited by Margie E. Burke

Answer to Last Week's Sudoku

HOW TO SOLVE:

Copyright 2013 by The Puzzle Syndicate

Difficulty : Medium

Get the only locally owned Yancey County newspaper! Subscribe online

at www.yanceycountynews.com

MHHS to honor Barry Johnson for his years of service and stellar career as basketball coach at high school

Mountain Heritage High School will be honoring Coach Barry Johnson on Friday January 10, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. in the gymnasium.

The ceremony will take place in between the varsity girls and varsity boys basketball games.

Coach Johnson had a stellar career at Mountain Heritage accumulating 454 wins

and 27 conference, t o u r n a m e n t a n d r e g i o n a l championships in 28 years.

All former coaches, players and parents are invited to be a part of the celebration.

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATORHaving qualified before the Clerk of the Superior Court of Yancey

County as Administrator of the Estate of Walter Blanchard Garland, deceased, this is to notify all persons having claims against the estate of said decedent to present them, duly itemized and verified, to the undersigned administrator on or before April 1, 2014, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All persons indebted to the estate of said deceased are hereby requested to make prompt settlement with the undersigned.

This the 19th day of December, 2013.Dale W. Hensley, Administrator

Estate of Walter Blanchard Garland, deceasedP. O. Box 1570

Burnsville, NC 28714 Dec. 19, Dec. 26, 2013; Jan. 2 & Jan. 9, 2014

DoneRite Lawncare All lawn care needs, Snow removal, firewood supplies and much more.

Call 284-0032and have it DoneRite!

900 square ft. 3 bdrm., 1 bath, laundry room, small yard, kitchen/dining/living room is one room. Small stove. Beautiful area. email: ronm2u@hotmail.com 828 551 9775

House For Rent in town, 3 BDRM, 2 Bath, 2 story house, large BM, Fireplace, Central Cooling/Heating Pump, Garage, Decks, Balconies/ Patio, Fully Fenced, Appliances with Washer/Dryer. $900/Month.

No pets preferred. Call (828) 682-7499 .For Rent in town Burnsville large one bedroom apt. lots of cabinets, first floor $400 per month. $100 security and 1st 30 days free with 6 mo. lease. Call for details. 865-306-0111.House For Rent, kitchen with lots of cabinets & bar, DR, large living room with fireplace and wood stove insert, large master bath with private bath , 2nd bedroom with private bath, w/d hook up in basement. Deck overlooking pond. In town (Burnsville) in small apt complex consisting of 5 units. Oil hot air furnace. Rent $550. 865-306-0111.

FOR SALE Boxwoods for Sale. $10 each. 828.208.0406.

SERVICESAdult day care - Heritage Adult Day Retreat located just west of Burnsville offers low cost affordable quality day care for your loved one giving you the opportunity to take care of yourself and things you need to do without worry. Qualified/caring staff. Grants available. For information please call 828-682-1556Free Manure – Will load. Clear Creek Ranch. 675-4510Roof Leak? Call Brad at

Tip Top Roofing, 25 years+ experience. Residential, commercial roof repair and maintenance, roof coatings, gutter repair, roof inspection. References. 682-3451Sewing alterations. Call 208-3999.Low Interest Loans to Qualified Home Owners for Any home improvement projects. 828-273-0970Will clean your home or business. Call 208-3688.

DEC. 26, 2013 • YANCEY COUNTY NEWS 9

Week of 12/23/13 - 12/29/13

ACROSS1 Clothing for

Claudius5 Word with fall

or pick10 Racetrack

figures14 Egg, to a

biologist15 Linenlike fabric16 Wild West

shootout time17 Paltry18 Worthless talk19 Type of list20 Speak clearly22 Afghan, e.g.23 "Wishin' and

Hopin'" singer Springfield

24 Match, in poker25 Diet no-no28 Corn serving29 Burro's basket33 Tackle a tome DOWN 32 Take more 51 Poker hand35 Hard to miss 1 Heavy reading? Time? 52 Top spot37 Projecting 2 Baker's need 34 The Ten 53 Raised, as

window 3 Wise one Commandments bulldogs39 One of Pooh's 4 Modify, as a bill 36 Number in a 54 Send to the

pals 5 Guild member Dickens title gallows40 Promotional item 6 Airborne force 38 Antisocial sort 55 Broadway 41 Doofus 7 Island town in 42 Root beer brand disaster44 After the buzzer "Jaws" 43 Wyeth or 56 Castaway's 45 Lockjaw 8 Prime for picking Warhol home46 Playground 9 Golfer's peg 47 Elmore 57 Within earshot

game 10 Without delay, Leonard's "___ 58 Therefore48 Kitten sound to a Brit Shorty" 60 Winter bug49 Flight segment 11 Armoire feature 50 Baby's woe50 Sitting Bull, e.g. 12 Extinct bird52 Can't stand 13 Wintry weather55 PBS news 21 Snooker stick

program 22 Guiding principle59 Jagged peak 24 Place for eggs60 Openly defy 25 Weather system61 Rehab 26 Condor's home

candidate 27 Slangy opposite62 Bill of fare of 'tis63 No-good sort 29 Ship captain's 64 Refinery residue place65 Advantage 30 Steel girder66 Shoe part 31 High-society 67 Day saver group

The Weekly Crossword

Answer to Last Week's Crossword

by Margie E. Burke

Copyright 2013 by The Puzzle Syndicate

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16

17 18 19

20 21 22

23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

33 34 35 36

37 38 39 40

41 42 43 44

45 46 47 48

49 50 51

52 53 54 55 56 57 58

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65 66 67

A C I D S W A G E S H A GR I M E A R R A Y P O L LT A P S N O M D E P L U M ES O R O R I T Y C O A R S E

E L A T E B A S SR O S A R Y S U N S H A D EI R A T E S N I D E D E NF I R E D A I L Y O M I TL E I E R U P T S P I C EE L O N G A T E T A T T E R

U R G E D A V I TJ A B B E R F O R E M A S TI R R I T A T I N G I N T OV I A L C A N O E S C A RE D G E E X E R T M E R E

LAND FOR SALESouth Toe land for sale 5.5 acres off Colberts Creek Road. Creek frontage, borders National Forest , privacy, mixture of lush rhododendron, pines and hardwoods, level to moderate grade, south/southeast exposure, garden spot, view of Black Mounta ins , beau t i fu l rock formation, active springs with spring boxes and pipe, and close proximity to South Toe River and Carolina Hemlock Recreation Area. At least 3-4 potential house sites. Transferable septic permit already obtained. Electric close by. We are selling in order to buy a larger parcel (10-15 acres) and will consider land swap option. Asking price: $84,900. We would love to answer any questions you have or

meet with you to show you this beautiful property. Contact Lisa at 828-208-1221.The Gift that keeps on Giving$4,000/acre Mountain Property. Great views, Some riverfront, streams,. Most have easy access with level to moderate slope. Commercial frontage along US-19. Deer Park Lake, Diamond Lake, Rabbit Hop Road, Penland Road, close to Penland School of Craft. Call Woody Ryan 828-208-1985Carolina Mountain Realty.

FOR RENT House For Rent: 16 minutes south of Burnsville off Hwy. 197. Catttail Creek Rd. $675/month plus utilities, deposit, pet deposit. Approx.

CLASSIFIEDSCALL 691-0806 TO RUN YOUR CLASSIFIED! $5 FOR 50 WORDS • CALL 691-0806 TO RUN YOUR CLASSIFIED! $5 FOR 50 WORDS

DoneRite Lawncare All lawn care needs, Snow removal, firewood supplies and much more.

Call 284-0032and have it DoneRite!

Visit thesefine establishments each week to buy your copy of the Yancey County News! Guy’s General Store • Poplar

Grove convenience store • Appalachian Java • B&B

convenience store • Mountain Energy • Felicity’s Closet •

(Outside at) Ingles • Cruz Thru in Spruce Pine • Whitson’s

General Store • Effler’s Store • Westall Grocery • Riverside Grocery • Habitat in Spruce Pine • Price’s Creek Store •

Stamey’s in Spruce Pine • Hot Spot in Burnsville • Bantam Chef restaurant in Burnsville

MAYtimeCompost & Garden Soil

TopsoilWorm Castings

8 2 8 - 2 3 1 - 9 3 5 2www.maytimecomposting.com

The deadline for advertising in the New Year’s edition is Friday Dec. 27!Yancey County News

10 DEC. 26, 2013 • YANCEY COUNTY NEWSUnited States Department of Agriculture

INGREDIENTS:• ½ cup light butter• 2 cups chopped celery• 1 cup chopped onion• 2½ tsp dried parsley• 2 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced• 12½ cups 100% whole-wheat bread, cubed• ½ cup dried cranberries• 1 cup chopped apple• 1 tsp poultry seasoning• 1½ tsp dried sage• 1 tsp dried thyme• 1 dash garlic powder• ½ tsp ground black pepper• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth• 1 egg plus 2 egg whites, beaten

Melissa’s Slow Cooker St�ffing

Nutrition analysis by SuperTracker.usda.gov

My Recipe Details (per portion)Total Calories 151 Calories

Food Groups Grains 1½ oz Vegetables ¼ cup Fruit ¼ cup

Nutrient InfoCarbohydrate 21 gDietary Fiber 3 gSaturated Fat 2 gCholesterol 16 mgSodium 253 mg

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion, celery, mushrooms, and parsley to pan. Stir often until veggies are tender.

2. Combine bread cubes, cranberries, and apple in a large bowl. Pour veggies over bread cubes and mix gently.

3. Season with poultry seasoning, sage, thyme, garlic powder, and pepper. Pour in broth (just enough to moisten) and gently mix in eggs.

4. Transfer mixture to slow cooker and cover.

5. Set slow cooker to High for 45 minutes; then reduce heat to Low and cook for 4 to 8 hours.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

SERVES 16

Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion

MyPlateMyPlateHolidayHolidaymakeovermakeover

United States Department of Agriculture

INGREDIENTS:• 12 oz package of whole, fresh cranberries• 1 cup water• Juice of 1 orange• ½ cup sugar• 1 Granny Smith apple, chopped• 1 small onion, chopped• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes• ¼ tsp garam masala• ½ cup chopped walnuts

Julie’s Cranber�� Chut�ey

Nutrition analysis by SuperTracker.usda.gov

My Recipe Details (per portion)Total Calories 90 Calories

Food Groups Fruit ¼ cup

Nutrient InfoCarbohydrate 15 gDietary Fiber 2 gSaturated Fat 0 gCholesterol 0 mgSodium 2 mg

INSTRUCTIONS:1. Combine all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil.

2. Cover with a lid and reduce heat to low.

3. Simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Remove from heat and let chutney cool slightly.

5. Place in the refrigerator to cool completely.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

SERVES 12

Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion

MyPlateMyPlateHolidayHolidaymakeovermakeover

Concerned about the

Target security breach?

From Attorney General Roy Cooper

By now you may have heard the news that national retailer Target experienced a massive data breach that could affect approximately 40 million credit and debit card accounts.

A data or security b reach happens w h e n r e c o r d s containing personal information, such as Social Security numbers or credit card or bank account numbers, are lost, stolen or accessed improperly.

Just because your information was part of a security breach doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll become a victim of fraud or identity theft, but it does put you at greater risk.

T o p r o t e c t yourself:

• Check your credit and debit card accounts and report suspicious charges to your bank or credit card company immediately. Also, request a new card with a different n u m b e r a n d change any PINs or passwords for the affected account.

• C h e c k y o u r c r e d i t r e p o r t s . Once c r imina l s have your personal information, they may use it to open n e w a c c o u n t s i n y o u r n a m e . Everyone is allowed a free credit report per year from each of the three credit bureaus. Breach victims can also request a fraud alert from one of credit bureaus, and should consider a security freeze for maximum protection.

This breach is a reminder that we a l l need to wa tch accoun t s for unauthorized charges and monitor credit, especially during the holiday shopping season. For more tips on protecting yourself from crimes and scams, visit www.ncdoj.gov.

DEC. 26, 2013 • YANCEY COUNTY NEWS 11

More images from the Burnsville Christmas Parade!

Photos by Jonathan Austin/Yancey County News