This Saturday we have the opportunity to help those in need by simply opening our pantry and strolling to the mailbox. For the 21st year, the National Association of Letter Carriers is conducting their Annual Postal Food Drive – STAMP OUT HUNGER!  You may have seen the signs or even had a brown bag in your mailbox this week.

Last year, more than 41,000 pounds of food were collected in Haywood County for Haywood Christian Ministry, Salvation Army, Open Door, and the Community Kitchen.  These organizations provide the basic needs of 1000′s of local citizens each year.  This drive is vital to their ability to continue to help as the needs increase each year.

As someone that has had the opportunity to participate in the collection, weighing, organizing and distributing of the donations on this day….. I will say, it is an amazing site to see.  A simple act from each of us that will help so many!

So grab your cans, boxes, bags of food, and lets give those letter carriers and lot to carry on Saturday!

MAGGIE MOUNTAIN FITNESS – Leah Renier is a Nationally Certified Personal Trainer, Fitness, and Spinning instructor of twenty years. Her National Fitness Certifications include Pilates, Spinning, Kick Boxing, Prenatal Yoga, Boot Camp, and Strength Training. In addition to teaching fitness classes and personal training clients, Leah has been a high school cross-country coach, Anatomy and Physiology instructor, and a Physical Education teacher for grades K-5. She also enjoys studying martial arts and earned her Black Belt in Tae-Kwon Do in 2009. Formerly from Key West, Florida where she opened and operated her own successful fitness studio, Stay Fit Studio, Leah now resides in Maggie Valley with her husband and three beautiful daughters and owns Maggie Mountain Fitness.
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a system of exercises created by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th Century that focuses on core strengthening, connection to the breath, and proper form and alignment. Pilates will not only improve your body, but will also improve your overall health. The exercises create long and lean muscles, a strong core, and improve posture. Practicing Pilates regularly will improve your energy level, create strength and flexibility, reduce tension and pain, and relax your mind. Each exercise is taught with three variations to allow for students of all fitness levels to be successful.
What About Spinning and Other Classes?
Spinning is an energizing cardio class performed on a stationary bike meant to burn lots of calories and fat. The best part about this class is that YOU decide how hard you want to work…although you will be challenged! Yoga and Yogalates are also available and are wonderful strength oriented classes that promise a relaxing finish. Bones and
Balance is a light strength training chair class for all levels and ages…also great for those with injuries who want to gently get back into working out again.

SEE YOU AT THE GYM!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Jennifer Vincenzo McLucas Jennifer McLucas PR 828-335-2514| jenvincenzo@yahoo.com

Road through National Park to Cherokee, N.C., is Open

Repairs to U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountain National Park are Complete; Direct Link between Cherokee, N.C., and Gatlinburg, Tenn., is Re-established

CHEROKEE, N.C. (April 15, 2013) – The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) are pleased to announce that access to Cherokee, N.C., is as easy as ever now that repairs to U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road are complete. The road that directly links Cherokee to Gatlinburg, Tenn., reopened on April 15, 2013, after being closed for repairs because of a January landslide.

“U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road is a major artery for visitors coming from the Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so any time it is closed, our local businesses here in Cherokee feel the impact,” said Jason Lambert, director of the Cherokee Division of Commerce. “Park service officials immediately recognized the potentially devastating economic impact a prolonged closure would have on gate-way communities like Cherokee, and we are pleased that the park service moved quickly to get the road open as soon as possible, just in time for the tribe’s busy summer tourism season.”

Brooks Robinson, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort’s Senior Vice President and General Manager, agreed by saying, “We are also grateful 441 is opening several weeks ahead of schedule, and we look forward to providing a welcoming, resort experience for our guests from eastern Tennessee.”

Recognizing the importance of U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road as a vital economic link between North Carolina and Tennessee communities, the EBCI worked with park officials to offer an incentive proposal to motivate the contractor to complete the road repairs as efficiently as possible. Per the terms of the incentive proposal, $18,000 per day will be paid to the contractor for each day of completion prior to May 15, 2013, up to a maximum of $500,000. The amount donated by the EBCI applies to the first 14 days of the incentive period at the aforementioned rate.

About Cherokee

Explore trails of legends and adventure wrapped in authentic Cherokee culture brought to life in the stories, history, traditions, songs, dances, ceremonies and fascinating period dress of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Cherokee offers activities, packages and itineraries that make visiting an affordable pleasure for all ages and interests. Visit the new Oconaluftee Visitor’s Center. Enjoy cultural festivals and attractions, bonfires, camping, tubing, hiking, wading, biking, birding, waterfalls, water mills, a pioneer village, art galleries and shops, hotels and motor lodges, family fun parks, petting zoos, more than 30 miles of untamed trout waters, and Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. For more information about Cherokee, visit www.visitcherokeenc.com or call 800-438-1601.

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Maggie Valley’s Ghost Town in the Sky, one of North Carolina’s most unique amusement parks and family destinations, opened in 2012. Owner Alaska Presley worked diligently on getting the park prepared for a partial opening, Phase One. The first phase included the famous chairlift ride to Ghost Town’s all new “Level Fun”. The chairlift takes passengers 3500 feet up and back down the side of Buck Mountain, with breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains above and the valley below.
This year the Park will have their signature Wild West Town open along with gun fights and can-can girls, and much more.

Check out their website www.ghosttowninthesky.com for more information.

The Haywood Home Builders Association will hold its Spring Expo May 10 and 11 at the Waynesville Armory at 44 Boundary St.

Home builders and home buyers are invited to stop in to look over the latest remodeling/building products and ideas.

There will be special entertainment throughout the day, as well as educational programs.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, May 10 and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 11.

Attendees can register for an iPad giveaway, with the drawing at 3 p.m. Saturday. Vendors will also have giveaway items.

There is still an opportunity for vendors to participate.

To contact Haywood HBA:
Call: 454-0221
Email: info@haywoodhba.org
www.haywoodhba.org

The Town of Waynesville will have compost and double-ground mulch available for pickup 8a.m. to noon Thursday to Saturday, April 11, 12 and 13, at the town yard waste landfill. Fees are:

• Compost — regular pickup or trailer, $10 per load; tandem truck, $60 per load.

• Double ground mulch — small pickup truck, $ 10 per load; regular pickup truck, $25 per load; tandem truck $100 per load; Roll-off, $200 per load.

Additional fee of $10 or $20 will be charged for trailers (depending on size).

A limited amount of single ground mulch will also be available at $10 per load (to cover loading fee) regardless of truck size.

Payment must be made by cash or check. Town personnel will be available with a wheel loader to load pickups or trailers. Please be environmentally friendly — state regulations require that loads be covered.

The town yard waste landfill is located off Bible Baptist Drive, from Russ Avenue, near the bypass. Go straight through the gate at the end of Bible Baptist Drive and see the attendant.

The sale will be canceled in the event of wet weather as the site will be too muddy to operate heavy equipment. For information, call 456-3706.

We had some very unique visitors at the office this week.  They caused cars to swerve, slam on breaks, pull of the road, rubber-necking and a lot of camera’s being pulled out!

Spring Fling 2013

Location: Maggie Valley Pavilion
May 18, 2013; 7am-2pm • FREE ADMISSION to Bargain Hunters!

Event Profile: Spring Fling 2013 is a one-day community yard sale, Saturday, May 18 from 7:00am to 2:00pm.
Admission is free daily to all spectators and bargain hunters. Need to obtain items? Treasure Hunting in your blood? Spring cleaning in your future? Need to clean out your closets? We will supply a location to do just that! Attend or become a vendor at the Community Spring Fling 2013 Yard Sale! Charlie’s Wing House is donating Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Soft Drinks, Donuts, Etc., which may be purchased for a small price. All proceeds from food and booth spaces will go back into community programs such as additional yard sales, movie nights, etc..

Gate: Free Admission to Bargain Hunters or Spectators; Vendor booths $10/$15 – see below.

Bargain Hunters & Spectators: Treasures abundant …someone’s junk is another’s treasure and Gene Ferguson has agreed to auction some items. Bring your “auction” item, by 11:00am the morning of the event & Gene Ferguson will auction the item for you! Tentative auction time is 1:00pm. This is the place to find must have items at reduced prices.

Vendors: Booth Space is available @ $10 for outside 10’ x 10’ area and $15 for inside 10’ x 10’ area, (while supplies last; inclusive of one table). Forms may be obtained in person at Maggie Valley Town Hall or downloaded online at www.townofmaggievalley.com   ALL VENDORS MUST FILL OUT A FORM with payment in full and submit this to Town of Maggie Valley Festival Division; 3987 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley, NC 28751. Checks may be accepted at Town Hall until 5/8/2013. After that date, all payments must be made at the Maggie Valley Community Center in the form of Cash, or Cashier’s Check.
Vendor Contacts:
Through 5/17/2013 – Contact Town Hall Administration at 828-926-0866 (9am – 5pm)
5/18/2013: Dan Massey – Onsite Vendor Contact (beginning 5am)
5/18/2013: Tammy Wight – Onsite Auction Coordinator (beginning 5am)

Rain Date Policy: The community yard sale goes on Rain or Shine.

Conduct
• Please be respectful of others. As an agent and/or representative of Maggie Valley Pavilion, discourteous and/or inappropriate acts will not be tolerated.
• Show directors reserve the right to remove any vendor violating the guidelines.

Pets: No pets are allowed at the Maggie Valley Pavilion during the Community Spring Fling 2013 Yard Sale. (Exception-Service Pets with proper paper work.) Pets are disallowed at all Town of Maggie Valley events.

Different Bulbs: Truths Behind Home Lighting
Incandescent, halogen, florescent, and compact florescent (CFL) bulbs are all commonly found in homes across the country. Each of these light bulbs has its own set of pros and cons, and certain bulbs will serve a purpose in different rooms throughout your home. If you’re contemplating updating your lighting, or if you simply aren’t getting the light you need in certain rooms, here is a breakdown of the aforementioned bulbs and how they can be used in your home.
Incandescent
The incandescent light bulb is the most commonly used bulb in the household. Part of the reasoning behind this is their relatively low cost. Incandescent bulbs offer a warm, inviting light which complements skin tones. These bulbs tend to last approximately 1,000 hours, and can last even longer if used with a dimmer switch. However, it should be noted that incandescent bulbs aren’t very energy-efficient, and if you care about going green in your home, there are better bulb options for you.
Halogen
Halogen light bulbs are a variation of incandescent bulbs. They are known for their ability to provide “white light,” which is the closest we can get to natural daylight. Under halogen light colors appear significantly sharper, and these bulbs can also be paired with a dimmer switch. While halogen bulbs are more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs, they burn at a much higher temperature and are a more expensive option. However, if you choose to use halogen bulbs in your home, you must handle them with care. Even the smallest amount of oil from your hands can create a “hotspot” on the bulb. This hotspot can lead to increased heat in the area, which can lead to the bulb exploding. Halogen lights are commonly used in recessed cans and under cabinets.
Florescent
Florescent light bulbs come in a wide array of sizes and variations, though a majority of them are large, rectangular-shaped bulbs that fit into ballasts specifically designed to house the florescent bulbs overhead. Florescent bulb ballasts hold your bulb in place while also regulating how much power the bulb receives. Your florescent bulb will provide you with a cold, flat blue light. This type of light is often considered harsh, and because it attempts to replicate daylight, you cannot use a dimmer switch with these bulbs. These bulbs work well in larger rooms, such as an attic or basement. However, if you are doing a lighting project, you most likely will want to steer clear of florescent light bulbs.
CFL
One of the most energy-efficient lighting options available is the compact florescent light bulb. CFL bulbs are not equipped with a heating filament to generate light. Rather, these bulbs use electricity to heat mercury vapor within the light bulb in order to produce ultraviolet, and then visible light. According to EnergyStar, CFL light bulbs use about 75% less energy than your traditional incandescent bulb, and they last roughly six times longer. While you’ll need to spend a little more up front on compact florescent bulbs, you are guaranteed to make that money back in the long-run.

Lighting accounts for close to 10% of your household energy costs, which can easily reach $150 a year in electricity costs. While this may not seem like a sizable cost, it is more than enough to consider more energy-efficient options. With just a little bit of planning, you can properly light your house and reduce your utility costs. Take control of your lighting today and replace your lighting with a more efficient option.
Rachael Jones is a blogger for DIYMother.

If you are looking for a place to take your kids on an Easter Egg Hunt, there are plenty of events in Haywood County!  Click on the link below to a list put together by the Mountaineer.

The Mountaineer Easter Activities!

Easter Sunday Brunch at Lake Junaluska!

Easter Sunday Brunch at Laurel Ridge Country Club!

Easter Sunday Brunch at Maggie Valley Club & Resort!