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.

The Cherokee County Health Department will hold a four-week program on why it is necessary to eat well and how to eat well even when one is suffering from a chronic illness or other medical condition.

The workshop will meet at the Penland Senior Center on Alpine Street in Murphy, NC, from 10:30 am until 11:30 am beginning on Tuesday, January 22, 2008, and continuing on January 29, February 5, and February 12.

Everyone is invited. There is no cost.

Call the Cherokee County Health Department at 828-837-7486 for more information.

A Breast and Cervical cancer clinic is available at the Cherokee County Health Department, 228 Hilton Street, Murphy, NC 28906.

Women, age 50 and older, may call Kim McPherson, coordinator, at 828-837-7486, ext. 218, to see if they are eligible for a free or low-cost breast exam and mammogram.

The Cherokee County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service and the Office of Economic Opportunity of Catholic Social Services are sponsoring a free financial fitness workshop on Tuesday, January 22, 2008.

The workshop will be held from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm at the Hiwassee Valley Pool and Wellness Center in Murphy, NC.

The first 25 people to register for the workshop will receive a free dinner, too.

The event will include topics on budgeting, holiday debt, and tips for the upcoming tax season.

Professionals from the community will present information and strategies for financial management. A credit counselor also will be available to answer questions.

This is a good opportunity for all who have concerns about their financial situation or who would like to get the new year started on a positive track with planning and budgeting.

To register, call Claudie Burchfield at 828-835-3535 or email him at cmburchfield@charlottediocese.org or call Teresa Wiley at 828-835-2210 or email her at teresa_wiley@ncsu.edu .

The Cherokee County Center and the Clay County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will be offering Extension Master Gardner training starting on Monday, February 11, 2008 and continuing on Mondays and Wednesdays through Monday, March 31, 2008.

The training will be held at the Brasstown Community Center starting at 9:00 am each session and lasting until 1:00 pm. A tuition fee of $75 will be collected on February 11, 2008, to cover expenses.

Becoming an Extension Master Gardner has certain responsibilities and an obligation to donate a certain amount of community service. Interest has been high and seating is limited.

Want a laugh or two? You know you’re a Master Gardner when…

If you would like to participate in this rewarding and unique learning experience, call 828-837-2210.

John C. Campbell Folk School Director Jan Davidson received the 2007 North Carolina Award for Fine Arts in November 2007.

The North Carolina Award is the highest civilian honor the state can bestow. Jan Davidson has been the director of the Folk School since 1992 and the school has gone through a period of revitalization largely because of his leadership, vision and hard work.

“These awards are our most prestigious civilian honor and are given to those North Carolinians whose contributions to the state are enduring and truly significant,” said North Carolina Governor Mike Easley. “We are fortunate to live in a state with so many outstanding individuals who, through their leadership, their talents and their time, have helped make North Carolina a better place to live.”

Also, read the article about Jan Davidson from the Cherokee Scout.

A free workshop will be held from 8:30 AM until 10:30 AM on Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at the Cherokee County Department of Social Services on Peachtree Street in Murphy, NC.

The meeting is sponsored by the Latino Outreach Project of the 30th Judicial District Domestic Violence-Sexual Assault Alliance, Inc.

The workshop will cover the basics about helping Hispanic victims of abuse and their families.

For more information, call 828-452-2122.

The US Small Business Administration will host an SBA Community Express loan program workshop on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at Tri-County Community College.

For more information, call 828-225-1844.

The Cherokee County Transit Service is planning to expand passenger capacity and to move into its own facility.

From the January 9, 2008 edition of The Cherokee Scout: “Cherokee County Transit provides transportation for all county citizens, [Transit Transportation Director Kathleen] Stone said. There has been a misconception that the service is only for senior, but anyone can call, she said.”

“The service makes daily trips to Murphy, Andrews, Marble, and Peachtree. Scheduled trips are made to Asheville, Waynesville, Clyde, Sylva, Franklin, Turtletown, Blairsville GA, Robbinsville, Hayesville, Atlanta GA, Chattanooga TN, Knoxville TN, Gainesville GA, Hendersonville, and airportts. It isn’t a taxi service, Stone said. The average notice for a trip is 24 hours. For trips to an airport or for a medical service, as much notice as possible is requested. Call 828-837-1789 for details.”

John Dilbeck said, “A couple of years ago, we were having car troubles and the Cherokee County Transit Service was a huge help transporting Mom to her doctors appointments. The drivers were all friendly and helped Mom get onboard in her wheel chair, which they carefully secured. Even on these curvy mountain roads, she felt safe. We appreciate all the help they offered us when we needed it.”

From The Cherokee Scout: “Residents and business owners are invited to see the preliminary copies of the newly updated Flood Insurance Rate Map on Tuesday, January 15, 2008, at the Cherokee County Courthouse. The maps will be on display beginning at 6:00 pm, and a presentation on the material will begin at 6:30 pm.”

“The new maps can be viewed before the meeting at either the county mapping/GIS office at 39 Peachtree Street or in the mapping office at 59 Hiwassee Street. The offices are open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.”