Cherokee County NC Blog

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 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.

The Cherokee County NC Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting at noon on Thursday, January 31, 2008, for Celebration Station in Peddler’s Village, US 64 West, in the Ranger community.

Snack sandwiches and drinks will be served to all who attend.

For more information, call 828-837-2242.

Mountain Valley Pac and Ship-It is under new ownership. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be hosted by the Cherokee County NC Chamber of Commerce at noon on Wednesday, January 30, 2008.

The business is at 1320 Blairsville Highway, Murphy, NC 28906.

For more information, call 828-835-9663.

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.”

Mark O’Connell has been elected as the first member of the advisory board of the United Way of Cherokee and Clay Counties.

O’Connell recently retired as the president and CEO of the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. He was a United Way executive for 37 years and served in that capacity for 18 years in Atlanta.

From the January 2, 2008 edition of The Cherokee Scout: “Financial World magazine honored the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta as one of the ‘Best Run Charities in America,’ and O’Connell is considered one of the outstanding non-profit leaders in the country. In his retirement, he has a special grant to develop a national leadership program.”

“He also was the first United Way chief executive officer to support the creation of 211, a special telephone number to provide quick information and referrals to health and human services organizations. The service is available to more than 200 million Americans in 41 states.”

Karen Borchers is the Executive Director for United Way of Cherokee and Clay Counties, North Carolina. Their address is P.O. Box 1658, Murphy, NC 28906.

They can be reached by Phone: (828) 835-7064 and Fax: (828) 835-3434.

You can pledge your donation to United Way of Cherokee and Clay Counties online.

All of the money raised by the United Way stays in Cherokee and Clay Counties and is used to help local people in their communities.

Donors can specify whether they want their contributions to be used to help people in Cherokee, Clay, or both counties.

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.”

Come see the newest project in Cherokee County, NC - the grand opening of the Mountain Morning retail store on Saturday, September 22, 2007 from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm.

Mountain morning products were established with the belief that the old crafts and unique skills that have been handed down through the generations are still in the hearts and hands of our people.

• Weekly classes offered in a variety of areas
• Over 600 items currently available
• Website coming soon for e-commerce

Mountain Morning
1158C Main Street
Andrews, NC 28901

At the corner of Main and Oak Streets, just east of Andrews Town Hall.

Phone: 828-321-2730
Email: mountainmorning@verizon.net

The store will be open Thursday through Saturday, 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. Office is open Monday through Thursday, 10:00 am until 5:00 pm.

Mountain Morning is the newest project of Far West Mountain Economic Partners.

A tradition of service, a future of commitment

• Affordable housing repair
• Financial literacy
• Area farmers market
• Free tax preparation
• Advocates of state earned income tax credit
• Regional visitors guide
• Gifts of Kindness product distribution
• Mountain Morning retail store

Far West Mountain Economic Partners
1158C Main Street
Andrews, NC 28901

Phone: 828-321-2929
Toll free: 877-321-2929
Fax: 828-321-2900
Email: fwpartners@verizon.net

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.