Cherokee County NC Blog

In its ongoing effort to bring practical courses to the community, One Dozen Who Care, Inc. announces the return of its Creative Writing series, and the new Internet and email class, both set to begin in June, 2007.

The four-week Internet and email class will be offered from 6-8 pm on Mondays and 2-4 pm on Wednesdays during June.

This class will focus on the principles of navigating the Web, using popular search engines, customizing Internet options, and security issues. Beginners are encouraged to register.

The third installment of the Creative Writing series will focus on convincing dialogue.

Classes will meet at the One Dozen Who Care office at 65 Wilson St, Suites 6 and 7, in Andrews, NC 28901.

One Dozen Who Care, Inc. is located between the Pizza Place and Dollar General.

To register, or to get more information about other course offerings, call Yakini Cooley at 828-321-2273.

One Dozen Who Care is a non-profit community development corporation.

Carol Harting of ERA Carolina Mountain Homes has successfully completed the e-PRO course to become one of the select few real estate professionals to earn the prestigious certification offered by the National Association of Realtors.

The e-PRO certification course is an educational program unlike any other professional certification or designation course available, and is comprehensive and interactive. It is specifically designed to provide real estate professionals with the technology tools needed to assist consumers in the purchase or sale of a home.

With more than 70 percent of consumers beginning their real estate research on the Internet, e-PRO certified agents have the experience and expertise to meet the demands of today’s buyer and seller.

“The real estate industry has undergone a fundamental change over the past several years,” Harting said. “A majority of consumers are taking the time to conduct their own research prior to contacting an agent. In turn, real estate professionals must be knowledgeable of how technology can assist them in serving the needs of the buying and selling public.”

The exclusive e-PRO certification course is presented entirely online and certifies real estate agents and brokers as Internet professionals. Because of its innovative design, students are able to complete the course at their own pace, when and where they want, via any Internet connection. The course is designed to help realtors stay at the leading edge of technology and to identify, valuate, and implement new Internet business models.

Once completed, the e-PRO certified real estate professional joins the ranks of a special community of highly skilled and continuously trained professionals who provide high quality and innovative online-based real estate services. Consumers can identify the e-PRO through the exclusive e-PRO Internet Professional logo.

Both the content and the delivery platform were created by San Diego based technology company InternetCrusade.

The course instructs participants in the professional use of email, the development of an interactive website, and the use of online research tools. Graduates use the skills they have acquired to provide clients information on properties for sale, local communities, and the local real estate market.

For more information, email Carol Harting at carolharting@hughes.net or call her at 828-644-5566.

Mickey Maennle has joined First Citizens Bank, located in downtown Murphy, NC.

Maennle is a financial consultant based in the branch located at 22 Hiwassee Street, Murphy, NC 28906.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Western Carolina University in 1988.

Founded in 1898, First Citizens operates 340 branches in more than 200 cities and towns in North Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Headquartered in Raleigh, NC, the bank has $15.9 billion in assets.

Ann Carroll, an associate broker with Western Carolina Real Estate Co., Inc. who has been with the company since March 2006, was awarded the Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) professional designation by the Senior Advantage Real Estate Council of Murphys, California.

Seniors Real Estate Specialists help seniors make wise decisions about selling the family home, buying rental property, managing the capital gains and estate tax implications of owning real estate, obtaining a reverse mortgage, moving to a senior community, and other issues. By earning the designation, Carroll has demonstrated that she has the knowledge, experience, and expertise to be a Seniors Real Estate Specialist.

The Senior Advantage Real Estate Council tracks the special issues and needs of senior property owners and provides education to realtors who make seniors an important focus of their business. The designation was introduced in 1997 and is nationally recognized.

Contra Dance with Diane Silver & Double Dave and the Dixie Doughnuts - June 2, 2007 - 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Admission: $5 for adults, $2 ages 12-18, $1 Children under 12

Location: Community Room, Keith House

Part of our twice monthly community dance series. Diane Silver is a popular caller from Asheville, NC, who travels nationally.

The band, also from Asheville includes David Hayes (guitar), David Polechko (fiddle), Kris Wallace (mando), and Terrell Jones (bass).

Beginners, singles and couples welcome.

Beginners should come promptly at 8 pm, since we start with easier dances and more teaching.

For more information about the John C. Campbell Folk School, its classes, crafts, and events, call 828-837-2775 or 1-800-FOLK-SCH (800-365-5724) or visit www.folkschool.org.

Their website has more information about the school, the Craft Shop, and their Concerts, Dances, and Events.

Ted Cooley - June 1, 2007 - 7:30 pm

Admission: Free, donations welcome

Location: Festival Barn

A native of southwestern Viirginia, Ted Cooley has a master’s degree of education in storytelling from East Tennessee State University.

He did his appreticeship in Appalachian music hanging around the jam sessions in Jim Lloyd’s barbershop in Rural Retreat, VA.

Ted plays guitar, mandolin and fiddle.

He currently teaches Appalachian music in the JAM program at Martin’s Creek School.

For more information about the John C. Campbell Folk School, its classes, crafts, and events, call 828-837-2775 or 1-800-FOLK-SCH (800-365-5724) or visit www.folkschool.org.

Their website has more information about the school, the Craft Shop, and their Concerts, Dances, and Events.

I want to thank my friend, Jerry Chautin, for alerting me to an article in the New York Times, A Basket Case in North Carolina, written by David Rakoff, and published on May 20, 2007.

In this article, the author talks about taking a week-long class at the John C Campbell Folk School, in Brasstown, NC.

Originally, like most men, he wanted to experience the thrill of blacksmithing, of smiting hot steel and shaping it into new forms with fire, hammer, and anvil, but (for reasons he details in the article) he changed to taking a basket weaving class.

As a true lover of the Folk School and all that goes on there, I felt the resonance of reading what I know to be true about the Folk School experience, not just what happens when taking a class and learning a new skill, or improving your ability to create pieces of art in your chosen craft.

Mr. Rakoff talks about the unexpected moments of silence and “getting into the zone” that artists strive for while transforming the vision in our minds into the item in our hands.

This is one of the best articles I’ve read about the Folk School, and I recommend it to you. I don’t know how long the New York Times keeps these articles archived, so maybe you should read A Basket Case in North Carolina, now.

(For more information about the John C. Campbell Folk School, its classes, crafts, and events, call 828-837-2775 or 1-800-FOLK-SCH (800-365-5724) or visit www.folkschool.org.)

(From the Folk School Website:)

The new Blacksmith studio fundraising campaign has begun!

Timber framers from all over will gather at the Folk School for an old fashioned barn raising!

The John C. Campbell Folk School is proud to announce plans for an annex to the historic Blacksmith Shop, originally dedicated to Francis Whittaker in recognition of his two decades of teaching and demonstrating at the school.

Whittaker, known as the “Dean of American Blacksmiths,” devoted his life to keeping the art of blacksmithing alive in this country and the existing studio stands as his symbolic legacy. But, while Blacksmithing has long been the most popular of some 50 programs the Folk School offers, the shop has suffered decades of wear and its space is no longer adequate for the size and diversity of classes such a premier program should offer.

The solution is to renovate the Whittaker Studio and to build an annex with the help of the Timber Framers Guild, which has offered to assemble close to 80 timber framers to do a traditional barn-raising in June 2008.

Fundraising for the project kicked off with a $1000 gift from longtime instructor Lou Mueller. Clay Spencer, nationally known blacksmith and fixture at the school also donated $1000. Not to be outdone, Don Neuenschwander, a long time student and friend of the Folk School from Indiana, donated $5000. Julie Clark, Folk School blacksmith instructor, donated $10,000!

While the full architectural plans have not been finalized, the project cost is estimated at an ambitious $500,000. With the strength and spirit of the Blacksmithing community, we are confident the goal can be met. Ours is a community that is resourceful, creative and, like the Folk School, dedicated to the spread of knowledge and education about blacksmithing.

Please contact Susi Hall, Development Manager, at susi@folkschool.org or at 828-837-2775 ext. 118 to contribute or to discuss making a gift and Paul Garrett, Resident Artist for Blacksmithing, at pdg86@hotmail.com or 828-835-8441 with ideas to assist with the project.

Learn more about the new Blacksmithing annex on the Folk School’s website.

The new documentary Sing Behind the Plow: John C. Campbell Folk School, explores the 82-year history of the Folk School through interviews with various scholars on Appalachia, Folk School personnel, and archival photos, footage and recordings.

Even people who know and love the Folk School may not know who John C. Campbell was. Who were the founders Olive Dame Campbell and Marguerite Butler Bidstrup? How did the local people build the school? Who was Fred O. Scroggs? How did Denmark come into the story? These are some of the questions this program tries to answer, while setting the Folk School’s story in the larger context of what was happening to the nation and the world during those years.

Funding was provided by United Community Bank.

Following its premier on UNC-TV, the documentary will be available for purchase on DVD from the Folk School’s Craft Shop.

For more information about the John C. Campbell Folk School, its classes, crafts, and events, call 828-837-2775 or 1-800-FOLK-SCH (800-365-5724) or visit www.folkschool.org.

Their website has more information about the school, the Craft Shop, and their Concerts, Dances, and Events.

Guest chef night from 5-9 pm on Thursday, May 31, 2007, at The Longhouse restaurant will feature Father George Kloster of St. William Catholic Church.

Cost of the three-course dinner will be $13.99, with $2 per plate going to local Christian charities.

For more information, call The Longhouse restaurant at 828-837-1762.