The Sylva Herald

07/23/2025

The 16th season of Concerts on the Creeks continues with a performance by Suns of Stars from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, July 25 at Bridge Park in Sylva.

Orbiting Asheville’s music scene since late 2023, Suns of Stars has built a loyal following with their electrifying fusion of traditional and contemporary bluegrass, infused with the soul of jam-band improvisation.

The group is rooted in the trio of Alex Bazemore (guitar), Jackson Chisholm (upright bass), and Johnny Humphries (mandolin), son of local bluegrass legend Don Humphries.

Recently, Suns of Stars expanded their lineup with the addition of Alex Ball on fiddle and Jason Flournoy on banjo – further amplifying the band’s energy and stage presence.

Their shows are marked by harmonies, improvisation and a massive repertoire of songs – including a steadily growing collection of original music.

Concerts on the Creek finished No. 6 in the USA Today’s Top 10 Best Outdoor Concert Series events for 2024.

These events are free with donations encouraged. Everyone is welcome. Dogs must be on a leash. No smoking, va**ng, coolers or tents allowed. Bring a chair or blanket. There will be food and beverage vendors on site.

For more information, please contact the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at 586-2155, visit their page, or visit their website at www.mountainlovers.com.

07/22/2025

07/21/2025

Summer Evening in Webster continues at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 27 at Webster Methodist Church with Susan Pepper, a ballad singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter.

Pepper has been performing concerts and teaching workshops for over two decades and built a repertoire of songs that celebrate Appalachian traditions. She also illuminates the storied banjo tradition with her renditions of old and new songs on a variety of banjo types.

A meal will be served from 4:30-6 p.m., consisting of a hamburger, chips, baked beans and bottled water for $10.

07/20/2025

Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority is experiencing some issues with water levels and needs their customers' cooperation to keep water flowing. Tap the photo, and read the letter for more details.

07/14/2025

JC Sports Hall of Fame tix are available

The deadline to purchase tickets for the Jackson County Athletic Hall of Fame banquet is noon Friday.

The 31st banquet is set for 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at Southwestern Community College’s Burrell Building.

This year’s inductees are Spencer Fisher, who is retired after a career in mixed martial arts, and Major League Baseball pitcher Zebby Matthews.

Outstanding senior athletes will be honored from Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountain high schools, and the 2018 SMHS baseball team will be recognized.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through Venmo or by check.

The Hall of Fame is seeking contributions to help with expenses. Sponsorships are $325 and memberships are $30, but all levels of giving are acceptable. Checks for tickets or donations should be made out to Jackson County Athletic Hall of Fame and mailed to Hall of Fame Treasurer, 52 Rose St., Sylva, NC 28779.

For more information about tickets call 506-5395. If there is no answer, leave a message.

07/07/2025

First Baptist Church offers program on su***de prevention

Su***de Prevention will be the topic of the first of four educational opportunities planned by First Baptist Church of Sylva.
The program will be held from 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 20, at the church’s Mission and Fellowship Center. Keri Hill will be the facilitator.

The program will focus on “question, persuade and refer.” Those trained in QPR learn how to recognize warning signs of a su***de crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone for help.
Hill serves as volunteer coordinator and chaplain for Veterans Services of the Carolinas, a ministry of the Asheville-Buncombe Community Christian Ministries.

She is also a member of ABCCM’s Shepherding Team, where her primary role is to engage with churches across the state to teach mental health first aid and su***de prevention. An ordained chaplain, Hill is pursuing a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy from Campbellsville University.

Future program topics will be Enhancing Senior Living on Aug. 24, When We Disagree (Resolving Conflict) on Sept. 28, and Good Grief: Mourning Meaningfully on Oct. 26. All of those programs will also be from 2-3:30 p.m. in the MFC. Dr. John Ritchie will be the facilitator.

“The church in the United States was a catalyst for national literacy,” said the Rev. Dr. Joe Yelton, First Baptist’s pastor. “Did you realize that Sunday School was initially a Christian church effort to teach literacy to a largely illiterate working class? Scriptures were used as textbooks, and the hour before congregational worship was set as the time, thus ‘Sunday School.’

“Today, education within the church is more essential than ever,” he added. “Not only do we need to learn and understand the Scriptures, we also need to educate ourselves about the anticipated challenges we face as human beings.”