Cherokee County NC Blog

Gov. Mike Easley announced that the official, free, 2008 North Carolina Travel Guide is available.

The new guide includes a special pull-out map of the state and details on activities that can be shared by the entire family, grandkids to grandparents.

You can get a copy of the guide by calling 1-800-Visit NC (800-847-4862) or on the web at www.visitnc.com, or you can go directly to the page to request a copy of the 2008 North Carolina Travel Guide.

Mountain Little League will hold baseball signups for coaches pitch (ages 7-8), minor league (ages 9-10), and major league (ages 11-12).

You can sign up at the following sites:

• Ranger - from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Monday, January 28, 2008; Tuesday, January 29; and Thursday, January 31. Contact Eddie Allen.
• Martins Creek - from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Friday, January 18, 2008, and Thursday, January 24.
• Murphy - from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Friday, January 25, 2008; from 10:00 am until noon on Saturday, January 26, 2008; from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Friday, February 1; and from 10:00 am until noon on Saturday, February 2.
• Murphy girls softball will hold signups at the same times.
• Peachtree - from 10:00 am until noon on Saturday, January 26, 2008; from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Thursday, January 31; and from 10:00 am until noon on Saturday, February 2, 2008.

There are no T-ball signups set, yet.

The cost is $40.00 for the first child and $25.00 for the second child in any family.

Organizers said parents need to bring a copy of the child’s birth certificate and ID for themselves to the signups.

The Hiwassee Valley Pool and Wellness Center will be offering a Water Arthritis Aquatic Class from 10:00 am until 11:00 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The cost is $2.00 per class. The programs is a medically-approved, warm-water class program, with water temperatures at 84 degrees.

The program is designed specifically for people with arthritis to ease pain, lessen stiffness, build cardiovascular endurance, tone muscles, and improve joint flexibility.

For more information, call Geri Heier at 828-835-3700.

Appalachian Highland Games Inc. will host the fourth annual Robert Burns Dinner at 6:30 pm on Friday, January 25, 2008 at the Ballroom, 51 Hiwassee Street, in downtown Murphy, NC.

The evening will feature fine dining with a selection of entrees and other food provided by Doyle’s Cedar Hill Restaurant.

There also will be music and entertainment, including the traditional “Address to the Haggis.”

Everyone is invited to attend, whether or not they have Scottish ancestry.

Seating is limited and by prior written reservation received by noon on Monday. Reservation forms and further details about the dinner can be obtained in Murphy, NC, at Doyle’s, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, Curiosity Bookstore, Murphy Public Library. In Andrews, NC, see Andrews Public Library, and Polished Gem.

In celebration of the life and works of Robert Burns, Scotland’s most famous poet (born January 25,1759 and died July 21, 1796), dinners have been held annually on or about his birthday for about 200 years.

Burns wrote more than 250 poems, more than 350 songs, and hundreds of letters, but is probably best known for “Auld Lang Syne” which is sung annually at New Years.

He is the most popular poet on the face of the planet, and thousands of Burns dinners are held around the world each year, organizers said.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast is set for 8:00 AM on Monday, January 21, 2008, at the Texana Community Center.

The guest speaker will be the Rev. Louis Grant from Asheville.

Tickets for adults are $5, children under 11 are $2.50. Tickets will be sold at the door the morning of the breakfast.

For more information, call 828-835-2007.

Come celebrate Independence Day in downtown Murphy, NC and in Konehete Park on Wednesday, July 4, 2007.

Events will be held all day from 8:00 am until after dark when you can watch the Grand Finale Fireworks Show!

You’ll find tasty food and refreshing drinks for sale, and your family can enjoy a full day of activities. Arts and crafts will be on sale by our talented artists and you can purchase perfect gifts for friends and family - or for yourself!

Activities Schedule

8:00 am: 5K run in the park

9:00 am: Men’s softball tournament

10:00 am: Dog show and parade

11:00 am: Fishing tournament in the park

12:00 noon: Peanut drop in the park

12:00 noon: Car show (from noon until 5:00 pm)

1:00 pm: Wheels and Walking Kids Parade

2:00 pm: Float parade starts at L&N Depot

All day: Live music on two stages, food booths, arts and crafts booths, field games.

After dark: Grand Finale Fireworks Show (rain date for fireworks only is July 5)

Stage 1

3:00 pm - 3:40 pm: Barbershop Quartet

3:40 pm - 4:00 pm: Ryan Dockery

4:15 pm - 4:45 pm: Dance Classics

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Bowery Boys Blues Band

6:15 pm - 6:45 pm: Tim the Magician and Butterfly the Clown

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Bowery Boys Blues Band

Stage 2

3:15 pm - 3:45 pm: Enchanted Valley Squares (Hiawassee, Georgia), Murphy Rounds (Dance)

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Sanctified

5:15 pm - 5:45 pm: Dance Classics

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Effigy

Sponsors

Stars and Stripes Sponsors

Curtis Signs

The Cherokee Scout

Firecracker Sponsors

The Cherokee Sentinel

Smoky Mountain Trophies

Tripps Outback

Sparkler Sponsors

Benchmark Realty and Construction

Carolina Buggies and Custom Golf Carts

Cricket Hollow Design

Indian Hills Spring Water

KIA of Murphy

WNC Visitor Center

Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the fun!

Call Marie at 828-835-8821 for more information.

Organized by The Business Women of Murphy, the Cherokee County Recreation Department and Town of Murphy.

Events and times are subject to change without notice.

Evening Dances During Dance Musicians’ Week - July 9-13, 2007 - Monday-Thursday 8-10 pm - Friday night after the concert

Admission free

Location: Community Room, Keith House

Enjoy free dances all this week with instructors and class members from our Dance Musicians’ Week.

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.

Bear Ridge Mall will hold their Grand Opening today in Andrews, North Carolina.

There will be lots of activities, music, food, and shopping for the entire family.

Every 30 minutes there will be a drawing for a free item or a discounted item. Every hour there will be a cash giveaway.

At 5:00 pm, the mall will hold the “Big Bear” big cash giveaway and you must be present to win this prize.

The event starts at 10:00 am.

At 11:00 am, there will be a peanut drop.

12:15 pm brings the Flag Ceremony with the VFW, Color Guard, US Marine Corps League, and the Boy Scouts. There will be a display of military uniforms from the Civil War era to the present. If you have any old, worn American flags, the US Marine Corps League will help you dispose of them properly.

All day long, you will find great shopping, arts and crafts, kids bounce house, face painting, balloons, games, magician and clown. Enjoy the pony and wagon rides.

There will be lots of food and great shopping.

Stage 1 will feature the Battle of the Bands from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

Beginning at 10:00 am, Stages 2 and 3 will feature magic shows and live music with the following groups performing for you:

Stage 2:

10:00 am - 11:00 am: Cracker Box Magic Show

11:15 am - 11:45 am: Brady Hughes

12:00 noon - 1:45 pm: Brother Henry

2:00 pm - 3:45 pm: Rob Tiger and Friends

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Bowery Blues Band

Stage 3:

10:00 am - 11:00 am: Bear Notes

11:15 am - 12:45 pm: Smoky Mountains Melody

1:00 pm - 1:45 pm: Magic Workshop

2:00 pm - 2:30 pm: Folk School Cloggers

2:45 pm - 4:00 pm: The Hitch Hikers

For more information, call Bear Ridge Mall at 828-321-2386

Mountain Country Rod and Gun Club will hold its regular monthly business meeting at 7:00 pm Tuesday, June 19, 2007, at the Penland Senior Center located at 69 Alpine Street, Murphy, NC 28906, across from the Murphy Public Library.

Club President Jeff Gustason will conduct a video presentation of the club’s participation in the U. S. Forest Service Fishing Derby and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Youth Fishing Rodeo.

The meeting is open to the general public. Everyone interested in youth activities is urged to attend.

For directions or more information on any of the club’s upcoming activities, call Glendon Gale at 828-835-9490.

Evening Dances During Dance Callers’ Week - June 18 - 22, 2007 - 7-9 pm - Monday-Thursday, after the concert Friday night

Admission free

Location: Community Room, Keith House

The dances will be from 7-9 pm Monday-Thursday nights and after the concert Friday night.

Beginners and experienced dancers welcome.

Beginners are advised to arrive promptly at 7 pm.

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.