Cherokee County NC Blog

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.

Ann Castle, assistant vice president of Appalachian Community Bank, recently donated $500 to Kenny Garland, principal of Hiwassee Dam High School.

This donation will be used to offset the cost of a new display case located in the high school gym, which will promote student achievement, college awareness, and the athletic accomplishments of the school’s students.

The Murphy, NC, office of Appalachian Community Bank, FSB, is located at 3000 West US 64, Suite 123, Murphy, NC 28906.

You can reach the bank by phone at the following numbers: 828-837-4150, Fax: 828-837-4150, Anytime Access (Toll Free): 1-888-493-2722.

ELLIJAY, Georgia, April 25, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) — Appalachian Bancshares Inc. (Nasdaq:APAB), the holding company of Appalachian Community Bank, today announced the grand opening of its new federally chartered thrift subsidiary, Appalachian Community Bank, F.S.B. The thrift’s operations are based in McCaysville, Ga.

Appalachian Community Bank, FSB, has completed the acquisition of Appalachian Community Bank’s existing banking center in McCaysville, and its loan production offices in Ducktown, Tenn., and Murphy, N.C., which have become full-service banking centers. The McCaysville office is located at 109 Blue Ridge Drive, the Ducktown office is located at 125 Five Points Drive and the Murphy banking center is located at 3000 West US 64.

“With the opening of our thrift operations, we can now deliver our full range of customer-focused community banking products and services to fast growing communities beyond the borders of our traditional North Georgia markets,” said Chief Executive Officer Tracy R. Newton. “We also are better positioned to become strong supporters of the communities that surround our new locations in southeastern Tennessee and western North Carolina.”

The new thrift offers customers a full array of community banking products and services, including checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, commercial and consumer loans, real estate financing, mortgage lending and other financial products.

“This important milestone gives us a great deal of flexibility for the long-term growth of our company,” said Joe Moss, president and chief operating officer. “Being able to branch into any state at a relatively low cost will allow us to strategically grow our banking franchise where and when it makes the most sense.”

About Appalachian Bancshares Inc.

Appalachian Bancshares Inc., based in Ellijay, Ga., is the $758 million-asset bank holding company of Appalachian Community Bank, a state-chartered bank organized under the laws of the State of Georgia, and Appalachian Community Bank, F.S.B., a federally chartered thrift. Through its subsidiaries, Appalachian Bancshares provides a full range of community banking services to individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, real estate developers, contractors and farmers. Appalachian Community Bank, which also operates under the trade name of Gilmer County Bank, has full-service banking offices throughout North Georgia in Ellijay, East Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Blairsville, Chatsworth and Dawsonville. Appalachian Community Bank, F.S.B. has full-service banking offices in McCaysville, Ga., Ducktown, Tenn., and Murphy, N.C. The common stock of Appalachian Bancshares is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market, under the symbol APAB. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.apab.com.

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.

(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.

The Cherokee County NC Chamber of Commerce is planning its first Fish Fry and Boat Show in hopes of “reeling in tourists and new chamber members,” chamber Executive Director Sande Kimball said.

The boating extravaganza is set for Saturday, June 23, 2007 at the TVA boat ramp in downtown Murphy, NC. Activities will spill over into the L&N Depot on Hiawassee Street.

The show will open at 10:00 am and end at 4:00 pm. There is no cost to attend.

Fish sandwiches, cole slaw, and a drink will be served between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. The fish fry will be $6.00 per person.

The Longhouse Restaurant is doing the fish fry for this event to benefit the chamber.

Participating in the boat show so far are Smith Power, Nick’s Marine, High Country Canvas, and Appalachian Outfitters.

Some vendors will have boats in the water and will give demonstrations.

While in town for the boat show, Kimball said to be sure to walk into the historic downtown area of Murphy, where many businesses will be open, including a farmers market, gift and antique shops, restaurants, and more.

(Murphy NC)

Jo Crowe, owner of Appalachian Land Co. and new member of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, recently presented a check for $1,000 to immediate past Chamber board president Marvin Raper for the Chamber’s building fund.

Framing on the conference room and office space addition began the week of January 16, 2006.

Attending the presentation were Chamber board member Bill Vespasian; Barbara Hughes, Chamber ambassador; Jo Crowe; Chamber board member Betsy Lane; Marvin Raper; and Chamber Executive Director Sande Kimball.

The Chamber’s building fund has reached $60,000, including cash and donations.

For more information, call 828-837-2242.

(Clyde NC)

(Baltimore, MD) HandMade in America and Haywood Community College partner with the Arts Business Institute (ABI) to present an art business boot camp March 3-5, 2006 in Clyde, North Carolina. Returning for a fourth consecutive year, Haywood ABI brings fresh faculty and a new perspective this year.

Nancy Markoe will lead the weekend with an inspiring keynote address, sharing her lessons learned as a successful art potter and American craft gallery owner. Says Markoe, “Like most artists, I never intended to own a gallery. I was focused on the day-to-day of making. Now that I have walked a mile in gallery owner shoes, I know things I never knew as an artist traveling the show circuit. I hope to help Haywood attendees open their eyes to a new connection between making great work and passionately selling to collectors.”

Other weekend workshop faculty include glass artist and author, Milon Townsend; web expert, Mark Zelis; American Craft Council exhibitor, Luann Udell; and Carol Summers, planner of the HandMade in America Guidebooks series.

Haywood ABI registration cost of $150 includes morning and afternoon meals, workshop materials, a full notebook of handouts and source material, and discounts for sponsoring supplier programs and services. Limited scholarships are available. Those who register early will be paired with a mentor for a free, one-on-one business counseling session.

Established in 1994, HandMade in America works in partnership with more than 20 local, regional and state organizations to support the creation of traditional and contemporary crafts in the region, to protect natural resources and to promote community development. To learn more about HandMade in America, call 828.252.0121, email bettyhurst@handmadeinamerica.org, or go online to www.handmadeinamerica.org.

Haywood Community College is located on the college campus in Clyde, NC, just a few miles west of Asheville and right at the edge of the Smoky Mountains. It was begun in recognition of the strong heritage of craft in the region. The college wants to create a place where students can learn the basics of their craft media as well as how to transform that craft into a business. To learn more about Haywood Community College, call 828.627.2821 or go online to www.haywood.edu/index.php.

Arts Business Institute (ABI) is an independent non-profit organization serving the educational needs of individual artists through traveling workshops across the U.S. and Canada. To learn more about ABI workshops or to register, call 1.800.224.5106, email alishavincent@comcast.net, or go online to www.artsbusinessinstitute.org.

(Asheville, NC)

(PRWEB) February 1, 2006 - The Asheville art scene is booming. Each year, more galleries and art shows appear. Artists continue to flock to this area, and it’s now has one of the largest concentration of artists in the United States. The top 2006 events to see regional arts and crafts have been named by RomanticAsheville.com, an online guide to Asheville in the Blue Ridge Mountains. For all the details, go to www.romanticasheville.com.

February 17-19, 2006, Arts & Crafts Antique Show and Conference: For the past nineteen years, arts and crafts enthusiasts (including new collectors, veterans, curators, craftsperson, authors, builders, architects, designers, editors, and bungalow owners) have traveled to the famous Grove Park Inn resort for this show.

April 7, June 2, August 4 and October 6, 2006, Center City Art Walk: Dozens of galleries in downtown Asheville stay open late on these Friday evenings to showcase new shows and artists. Stay for dinner at one of the 50+ restaurants downtown.

April 29-30 and November 4-5, 2006, Weaverville Art Safari: The charming village of Weaverville, 10 miles north of Asheville, is the home and workplace of many artists. This self-guided driving tour takes you to artists’ studios, often tucked away in the scenic mountain valleys of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

May 12-14 and October 20-22, 2006, Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF): Celebrate music, discover community, and experience culture in a beautiful lakefront setting near Black Mountain (about 12 miles from Asheville). Enjoy five stages of music, purchase handcrafts and folk art, dance, listen to the Poetry SLAM, attend healing arts workshops and camp onsite.

June 10-11 and November 11-12, 2006, River District Artists Studio Stroll: Tour the studios, meet with the artists and purchase artwork. Within just a few blocks is an eclectic mix of creative artists, ranging from traditional to cutting-edge.

June 10-11 and December 2-3, 2006: Toe River Studio Tour: Tucked in the lush mountains about an hour north of Asheville is an amazing collection of artists and craftsmen and the acclaimed Penland School of Crafts. More than 100 fine artists and crafts people in every medium open their studios for a self-guided cultural adventure.

July 20-23 and October 19-22, 2006: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands: This show, held in the Civic Center in downtown Asheville, has been an eagerly anticipated event in the mountains since 1948. The fair showcases work by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, with over 900 members throughout the mountain regions of nine states. Members’ work must be juried and accepted by a committee of peers, based on quality, design and craftsmanship.

July 28-30, 2006, Bele Chere: Hundreds of artists display their creations at the largest free outdoor street festival in the Southeast. The streets in downtown Asheville are filled with 300,000+ visitors enjoying eight stages of music and plenty of food and art. Arts Park features fifty of the region’s premier artists.

August 5-6, 2006, Village Art & Craft Fair: Held on the grounds of the Cathedral of all Souls in Biltmore Village near the entrance to the Biltmore Estate, the fair hosts 125 artists from 20 states representing the full spectrum of craft media, including jewelry, ceramic, wood, fiber, metals, two-dimensional art and more.

For more details on these events and art galleries in the Asheville area, go to www.romanticasheville.com/Art_Guide.htm.