Organizations with notices in the calendar are asked to advise the Cherokee Scout when changes are necessary by emailing news@cherokeescout.com. For a complete listing, visit cherokeescout.com.
FOOD BANKS
The Cherokee County Sharing Center food pantry, the county’s largest food bank, serving all of Cherokee County, is behind First Baptist Church of Murphy, 517 Hiwassee St. Distribution days and times are noon-2 p.m. Mondays and Fridays. Qualified “neighbors” can receive food twice a month. Details: Call 828-360-4041 or 828-837-2615.
RESEARCH
Family History Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the church’s building on N.C. 141 in Peachtree is available for researching family trees. Details: Call 828-837-8509.
VETERANS
Murphy Chapter 73 of Disabled American Veterans and the Ladies Auxiliary meets at 5 p.m. the third Monday each month in the Veterans Building, 65
Drew Taylor Road in Peachtree.
Joe Miller Elkins American Legion Post 96 meets the first Monday of each month in the Veterans Building, 65 Drew Taylor Road in Peachtree. Breakfast starts at 9 a.m. followed by the meeting at 10 a.m. Details: Call Bob Strawhecker at 727-432-4474.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 96 meets at 10 a.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Joe Miller Elkins Veterans Building, 63 Drew Taylor Road in Peachtree Details: Contact Paulette Smithmeyer, president, at 828-837-9141 or email murphyunit.96.ala@gmail.com.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7620 in Andrews meets at 10 a.m. every third Tuesday of each month at the VFW Post at the corner of First and Oak streets in Andrews. They will host coffee from 9-11 a.m. every Tuesday. Details: Call Scott Ramler, commander, at 407-718-9485 or email vfw7620@dnet.net.
Blue Ridge Mountain Chapter of Military Officers Association of America is comprised of services who have served our country as commissioned officers in the military or U.S. Public Health Service. Members may be active, inactive, reserve or retired. The local chapter, which serves western North Carolina and north Georgia, meets the third Wednesday of each month at different locations. Details: Call Doug Huthwaite at 910-476-7961, email drhuthwaite@gmail.com or visit moaa.org/chapter/blueridgemountains.
Warriors Veteran Outreach meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at 46 Valley River Ave., downstairs from The Mason Bar in downtown Murphy. All veterans and patriots are welcome. Details: Call 828-557-6881 or visit WarriorsVeteranOutreach.com.
CLUBS
Martins Creek Community Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month at the community center, 4605 Martins Creek Road. Gospel singings are held the fourth Saturday of each month from March through October. Details: Call John Bandy at 828-361-0193.
Peachtree Community Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month. Details: Call Danny Rich at 828-837-4199.
Hiwassee Dam Community Club meets at 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month. Details: Call Jane Stiles at 828-644-5382.
Grape Creek Community Club on Joe Brown Highway meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of March, June, September and December. Details: Call Nancy Helms at 828-837-3638.
The Unaka Community Club meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month. Details: Call Holly Willis, president, at 828-557-8246.
Bugs & Brews – Unaka Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the local Trout Unlimited Chapter, gathers for free fly tying sessions from 6-8 p.m. the second Monday of each month at Valley River Brewery, 71 Tennessee St. in downtown Murphy. Bring your own gear and share some fish stories and fly tying skills. The intent is to teach those who want to or are just learning and enhance the skills of those that already tie. Keep it simple. Details: Call Robert Allen, president of Unaka Chapter Trout Unlimited 201, at 678-699-1409.
Trout Unlimited Unaka Chapter will hold its monthly meeting from 6-8 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month at Valley River Brewery, 71 Tennessee St. in downtown Murphy. Its mission is to bring together diverse interests to care for and recover rivers and streams, so our children can experience the joy of wild and native trout and salmon. Everyone interested in the protection of our wild trout and their habitat as well as conserving our local natural resources are encouraged to attend. Details: Call chapter President Robert Allen at 678-699-1409.
Mountain High Hikers offers three hikes each week: Tuesdays, a long hike from 8-10 miles and a shorter hike of 5-8 miles; and Thursdays, a leisure hike from 4-5 miles. The group also does trail maintenance on more than 100 miles of local trails. Details: Visit mountainhighhikers.org.
Archibald D. Murphey Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution meets at 2 p.m. the second week of each month. Details: Call Gretchen Wurth at 828-361-8481 or Michele Altenderfer at 828-644-0923.
Bellview Community Development Center, 270 Old Bellview Road in Murphy hosts several monthly events, including the regular business meeting, 6 p.m. the second Monday of every other month; grocery bingo, 7 p.m. the second and fifth Friday of each month; bluegrass/gospel singing, 6 p.m. the third Saturday of each month; MANNA food boxes are distributed from noon-2 p.m. every other Thursday of the month for anyone who needs one; experienced line dancing, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Everyone is welcome. The center is also available for rent. Reservations are required. Details: Call Linda May, 828-361-5723, for availability.
Cherokee County Indian Community Club meets at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the community building, 828 Airport Road in Marble. Details: Call Frank Herron at 828-403-8016.
Ranger Community Club, 155 Little Ranger Road, meets at 7 p.m. the first Friday of each month. Details: Call Mandy Taylor at 828-557-1918.
Brasstown Community Center, 255 Settawig Road, meets at 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of every month, starting with a potluck dinner. Bring a covered dish. Details: Call Melvin Cantrell at 828-557-1453.
Texana Community Development Club meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of each month, unless it is a holiday. Details: Call Eurial Turner at 678-438-9922.
Marble Community Center hosts the “Biggest Loser” weight loss club meeting at 6 p.m. every Tuesday, and free line dancing classes from 7-8 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. Details: Call Pam at 828-360-4136 or Tony at 828-360-6751.
The Rotary Club of Murphy meets from noon-1 p.m. every Monday at Mariolino’s Italian Restaurant, 1164 U.S. 64 W., Murphy. Details: Email President Kaddee Close at kadeerotary@gmail.com.
NARFE meets at 9 a.m. the third Wednesday of each month at Hayesville Family Restaurant. Details: Call Bill Dailey at 828-389-4720.
Tri-State Gem & Mineral Club meets at 1:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at Hayesville Senior Center on Ritter Road.
Details: Call Beverly Adkins at 828-389-9946; Susan Bartt at 706-896-9525; or Nancy Powell at 423-338-2035.
Mountain Computer User Group meets at 6 p.m. every second Monday in the Goolsby Building on the campus of Young Harris (Ga.) College off of U.S. 74. Details: Call Jim Bell at 828-837-6456; John Yandell at 404-310-5113; or visit mcug.org.
Mountain Country Rod & Gun Club meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Choices – Murphy Pregnancy & Family Center, in the former Sears building at 1262 Andrews Road in Murphy. Details: Write P.O. Box 813, Murphy, NC 28906; or call Jeff Gustason, club president, at 828-516-9997.
Smoky Mountain Stamp Club meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Murphy Public Library, 9 Blumenthal St. downtown. Details: Call 828-837-5105 or 828-837-6651.
Mountain Magic Table Tennis Club meets at 6 p.m. Thursdays at the Pine Log Baptist Church fellowship hall in Brasstown. Ping-pong players are welcome. Details: Call Lee Holland at 828-389-0924.
Mountain Coin Club meets every second Tuesday at North Georgia Technical School, 121 Meeks Ave. in Blairsville, Ga. The business meeting begins at 6:15 p.m., followed by an educational program and auction. Details: Call Ron Langer at 828-361-0052.
The Murphy Business Association meets from 6-7 p.m. the first Tuesday after the first Monday of every month at the Murphy Art Center, 33 Valley River Ave. downtown.
The Tri-State Volunteer Examination Team/W4VEC, an FCC sanctioned organization authorized to conduct testing for individuals seeking to acquire a ham operators license, offers Amateur Radio Licensing testing on the second Saturday of each month in Murphy and the fourth Tuesday of each month in Andrews. Pre-registration is required. Details: Visit appalachiaarc.org and select “licensing” at the top of the home page; email Chuck Reid at k4cnr92@gmail.com; or call George Willbur at 239-778-6549.
The Appalachian Saint Andrew’s Pipes and Drums bagpipe band meets weekly at 9 a.m. Saturdays at St. Clare’s Episcopal Church in Blairsville, Ga., for instruction and rehearsal. The
band is actively recruiting pipers and drummers, both experienced and beginning. Anyone with a serious interest in learning the Great Highland bagpipe or Scottish drums is invited to visit a rehearsal session. Details: 678-670-2757 or 770-833-5411.
The Appalachian Beekeepers Club meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of each month inside the Konehete Veterans Parks & Recreation Office Building, 699 Connahetta St., next to the old Rock Gym in Murphy. Details: Visit appalachianbeekeepers.com.
The Farwestern North Carolina Gourd Patch group meets at 10 a.m. the third Wednesday of each month, March through November, at the Shooting Creek firehouse/community building. Details: Call Lynn Trocchia, president, at 828-389-1034.
Awake America Prayer Meetings are held at 11:59 a.m. the third Thursday of every month at the Cherokee County Courthouse in Murphy. Join elected officials, pastors, community leaders and concerned citizens as they meet to pray for our nation, its leaders and revival for America. Details: Facilitator Ron Gosselin on Facebook or email ronpoet@gmail.com or see awakeamericaprayermeetings.org.
The Brasstown Woodturners Guild meets at 9:30 a.m. the first Saturday of each month at the Cherokee County Arts Council, 33 Valley River Ave. in downtown Murphy. Details: Michelle Grimes, 321-536-1418.
Scrapbooking/Craft group will meet from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every third Monday of the month in the Friends of the Library Community Room at Mountain Regional Library, 698 Miller St. in Young Harris, Ga. Bring your own supplies. Details: Call Nancy Rowland at 678-618-8735.
FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Ranger Volunteer Fire Department will meet at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday and third Monday of each month at the fire station. Volunteers are welcome. Details: Call secretary Mandy Francis at 828-557-1918.
Hanging Dog Volunteer Fire Department has general membership meetings at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the station.
Wolf Creek Volunteer Fire Department meets at 6:30 p.m. every first Monday of each month at the Wolf Creek Fire Station/Hot House Community Center, 18835 U.S. 64 W. Meetings are open to the public and everyone within Wolf Creek’s district is encouraged to attend. Details: Call Fire Chief Kevin Watkins at 828-361-0615.
Brasstown Volunteer Fire Department has training meetings at 6:30 p.m. every Monday. Details: Call 828-837-2819.
LODGES
Marble Springs Lodge 439 AF&AM meets the
first Saturday in each
month at the Lodge Hall, 12 Bluff Road in Marble. The meal starts at 6:30 p.m. followed by the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Details: Call Master Greg Allred at 828-361-0279.
Cherokee Lodge 146 AF&AM meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of each month at 1105 Martins Creek Road west of Murphy.
EASTERN STAR
Andrews Chapter No. 15 Order of the Eastern Star holds its Stated Communication the second Monday of each month at Andrews Masonic Lodge on Locust Street. They gather at 6 p.m., and the meeting starts at 7 p.m. Details: Call Worthy Matron Donna Adams at 828-361-2142, or Worthy Patron Mitch Jenkins at 828-371-5998.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Good Shepherd Hospice is in need of volunteers to provide support for families and patients in Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties. Volunteers can provide respite for caregivers, read, color, talk or just sit with patients, sing or provide music, or share any other skill. Details: Call the Good Shepherd office at 828-516-1100.
The Autism Society of North Carolina, Cherokee County chapter, meets at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday each month at Kids in Stride. There will be no meetings in June or July. Details: Call Melissa Zenz, regional chapter coordinator, at 419-392-7370.
The Multiple Sclerosis support group will meet at 12:30 p.m. the second Saturday of each month at Julie’s Place in Peachtree. Details: Call Christy Goings at 828-837-9118.
A support group for diabetics on insulin pumps or insulin dependent diabetics meets at 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month at Moss Memorial Library in Hayesville. Details: Call Keven Schnur at 828-389-9757; or email DiabeticSupport@aol.com.
Moms in Touch meets from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesdays to pray for children and schools. Details: Call 828-837-0706.
A parent/advocacy support group meets the second Tuesday of the month to focus on seeing that special-needs children get the help they need in school. Details: Call Ellie or Randy Nehr at 828-837-0999.
Family Caregivers’ support group meets at 2 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at Brasstown Manor, 108 Church St. in Hiawassee, Ga. Details: Call 828-835-9987 or 828-389-1145.
Cancer support group meets at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month in the community room of United Community Bank, at the corner of U.S. 64 and N.C. 69 in Hayesville. Details: Call Janet Curns at 828-389-0295.
Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup serving western North Carolina, north Georgia and southeastern Tennessee has moved its office to 40 Town Square, Suite E., in Blairsville, Ga. Office hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Details: Call 706-400-5531, 24 hours a day; email AAMountainIntergroup@gmail.com; or visit AAMountainIntergroup.org for a complete list of area meetings.
Narcotics Anonymous will meet at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Free Methodist Church, 422 Valley River Ave. in Murphy. Details: Call 828-644-0127.
Al-Anon meets from 10-11 a.m. every Saturday at First United Methodist Church, 73 Valley River Ave. in Murphy. The meeting takes place in the fellowship hall of the education building next to the church. Details: Call Carol Robinson at 828-342-5616.
Narcotics Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays in the fellowship hall at Andrews United Methodist Church on Chestnut Street. Details: Email jackyregli@gmail.com or call 828-360-5530.
Drug/alcohol addiction – call Renewed Hope Ministries in Peachtree. Details: Call 828-837-7086.
Overeaters Anonymous meets at 9 a.m. Saturdays at Free Methodist Church on Valley River Avenue, across from the Murphy Post Office. Details: Call Caroline Swan at 224-436-1738.
12-Step Program Overeaters Anonymous meets at 6 p.m. every Monday at Andrews Public Library. Details: Call Diane at 828-835-2287.
Cocaine is becoming more available. Finding pure cocaine is next to impossible so dealers have been cutting drugs by adding fentanyl to expand their supply and increase their profit. Fentanyl-laced cocaine can lead to a deadly cocktail. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, Narconon can help you take steps to overcome addiction. Details: Visit narcononnewliferetreat.org/blog/cocaine-cut-with-fentanyl.html or call 800-431-1754 for free screenings and referrals.
Codependents Anonymous, offering a 12-Step Recovery Program, meets from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Rivers of Peace, RCO 166 Josh Hall Road, Suite 4 in Blue Ridge, Ga.
Reach Cherokee-Graham County is a domestic violence and sexual assault
organization serving this area. Reach office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office is at 1994 U.S. 64 W. in Murphy. The crisis line, 828-837-8064, is available 24/7. Details: Call Dana Allen, 828-837-2097.
Free weekly Wellness Recovery Action Planning workshops, offered by Meridian Behavorial Health Services, meet from 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Smoky Mountain Building in Hayesville and 4-6 p.m. Thursdays at the Meridian Building in Marble. Details: Call the center’s central office in Sylva at 828-631-3973, Ext. 1431; or the Marble center at 828-837-7466, Ext. 2331.
Postpartum Depression support group meets from 10-11:30 a.m. every first and third Wednesdays at the Family Resource Center in Ranger. There is no charge. Speakers are available upon request. Details: Call 828-828-837-3460 or 828-557-1016.
Friends Sharing Grief, a support group for anyone who has lost someone close to them, meets at 2 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of each month at Macedonia Baptist Church on Wolf Creek Road, one-fourth mile south of Wolf Creek Corner on U.S. 64 West. The group also meets at 10 a.m. every Saturday at Penland Senior Center on Alpine Street in downtown Murphy, sponsored by the Truett Baptist Association. Details: Call Carol Skweres at 828-835-3802.
4HisGlory Ministry Healing/Recovery Service, a Bible-based, non-denominational service for those dealing with any of life’s struggles, meets at 7 p.m. Mondays at Shiloh Church on Winchester Cove Road in Hayesville. Details: Call 828-389-1180.
A support group for anyone dealing with lupus is available 24 hours a day. Details: Call 828-644-9807.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness Appalachian South, a local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the Out Reach Center on West Main Street in Franklin. Details: Call 706-970-9987 or Ann Nandrea at 828-369-7385.
The Community Breastfeeding Information & Support Gathering for all families in western North Carolina meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of each month at the Smoky Mountain OB/GYN office, in the main lobby across from Harris Hospital in Sylva. There is no charge. Refreshments will be served. Details: Call Stephanie Faulkner at 828-506-1185, or Teresa Bryant at 828-587-8214.
A free virtual support group for those impacted by disabilities meets from 6-8 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of every month via Zoom. Details: Email Karen Moree at div.dis.consultants@gmail.com for a Zoom invite.