Ciacadas in horror novel
Hey, Anngee Quinones-Belian, I love your “Time for a Smile” column. Everyone can use a little humor.
One time you spoke of the cicadas. Well, when I am in my yard that makes me ask myself, “Am I in a Stephen King horror story?”
Keep the funny coming.
Fred Bernhardt, Murphy
Above and beyond call
International traveling in Covid-19 times is not easy. Prior to receiving permission to enter the Unioted States, an ESTA, a National Interest Exception to Presidential Proclamation 10143 and a negative PCR-test conducted less than 72 hours earlier are mandatory.
Prior to boarding the plane from Atlanta to Paris, a Sworn Statement To Abide by the Rules For Entry Into Metropolitan National Territory “shall be presented to the transport companies before boarding and to the border control authorities, together with the certificate of a negative virology screening (PCR) test conducted less than 72 hours earlier.”
Hence, our first visit on June 1 to the Cherokee County Health Department in Murphy to make an appointment for a Covid test on June 3 at 9 a.m. We were informed it was not sure the results would be available before our departure on June 5.
On top of that, anything that could digitally go wrong, went wrong (Murphy’s Law). On June 4, we paid another visit to the CCHD in an effort to find out more about the LabCorp app.
Unfortunately, due to the global GDPR regulations, we could not download the app. At one point, half of the CCHD team got involved. The lady assisting us with the digital mess asked Health Director David Badger, who took the necessary time trying to find a solution to procure us with the necessary test reports.
Finally, he decided to do it “the old-fashioned way” by coming to the CCHD on Saturday and put the test results (provided they had arrived) in an envelope ready for us to pick up on our way to Atlanta.
Badger went above and beyond his duties to help in time of need by coming into the office on Saturday to get our test results allowing us to fly home.
K. Deschodt-De Vos, Belgium
Eagles parents thank sponsors
The parents of the junior/senior class of Hiwassee Dam High School would like to thank all of the following sponsors for making it possible for us to host a prom for our students this year.
Without your donations, this would not have been possible. We truly live in a great community here.
Dickey McCay Insurance, Mark and Tammy Brooks, Susan Guess, HayeCo Custom Homes, Mortgage Financial Group,William Dockery Logging, Sharon Dockery, Townson Used Cars, Roger Adams Construction, India Adams Productions, Rollins Construction, Family Auto Sales, Papa’s Pizza, Mtn Insurance, Peaceful Trails, Serenity Mtn, Jan’s Needful Things, Urban Salon, Glitz & Glamour, Joe Wood, Jennifer Williams, Amberlee Holderfield & Kelli McManus, Southern Charm Spa’tique, Hailey Townson and Sanders Contracting.
Gina Sanders, Hiwassee Dam
Why graduate with the rain?
Why would Murphy High School choose to hold a graduation ceremony in the rain at 9 p.m., even though a rain date had been previously set. It’s not as if the rain was a surprise pop-up shower, as evening storms had been predicted for the entire day.
The heavy rains, accompanied by thunder and lightning, started rumbling through Cherokee County around 6 p.m. Graduation was even pushed back from
8 p.m., while rain showers continued to fall.
Everyone I have spoken to were surprised and baffled at the same time that the ceremony was not postponed. When we realized the call wasn’t coming, we headed to the school in the pouring rain, still in disbelief.
Upon arriving, visitors were informed it was pushed back, yet this updated information was never passed on. Parents, families and friends were kept in the dark, sitting in cars and dodging rain showers while waiting. With the weather alert of heavy rain in the area, no one imagined the ceremony would go on.
Students were led onto the field, and opening speeches given during a slow drizzle. Families brought tarps, towels and umbrellas to make an attempt at staying dry. Students had to go onto the field and dry their seats, only for them to become wet again before ever reaching them.
Maybe I am uninformed and there is a logical reason, but I am at a loss for words. If any representative from the school can provide an answer, it would be greatly appreciated.
This was a special day for
families, friends and students, as they worked hard to arrive at this destination in their lives. Some students will move on to other graduations, and the memory of this event will fade, while others will not. This may be the only graduation ceremony they attend.
Dianne Jackson, Murphy