MURPHY
Rotary unveils a ‘Peace Pole’
The Rotary Club of Murphy invites the community to attend the dedication of a Peace Pole at 11:30 a.m. Monday at the historic L&N Depot, 4 Railroad St.
This dedication ceremony follows the global initiative encouraged by Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick, who has called upon Rotary Clubs worldwide to recognize and promote peace through the installation of Peace Poles in their communities.
The Peace Pole, a handcrafted monument displaying the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth,” will feature this universal prayer for peace in four languages: English, Spanish, Cherokee and Gaelic, reflecting the region’s cultural heritage.
“This Peace Pole stands as a visible reminder of our commitment to fostering understanding and harmony in our community and around the world,” said Jacqueline Egli, president of the Rotary Club of Murphy.
The dedication ceremony will include remarks from local Rotary officials, community leaders, and representatives from the cultural groups whose languages are featured on the Peace Pole. Light refreshments will be served after the ceremony.
The Peace Pole Project was started in Japan by Masahisa Goi in 1955 and has since spread worldwide, with more than 250,000 set in nearly every country on Earth.
Details: Call Egli at 407-463-5943 or email info@rotaryclubofmurphy.com.
ANDREWS
DMV opening on Saturdays
Beginning Saturday and running through Aug. 23, Cherokee County’s N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles office at 1440 Main St. will be open Saturdays from 8 a.m. until noon for walk-in appointments only.
Visit NCDOT.gov. to set an appointment for another day or to check required documents.
PEACHTREE
Julie’s Place makes article
Find out how Julie Wilkins connected with Mountain Bizworks, a community development financial institution based in Asheville, that helped her access funding and make her dream come true to open Julie’s Place, 30 N.C. 141.
“Mountain Bizworks was a godsend,” Wilkins said in a May 22 report on The Appalachian Voice.
CDFIs like Mountain BizWorks are place-based, mission-oriented credit unions, banks, loan funds, venture capital providers or microloan funds that support economic growth and stability in traditionally underserved or overlooked communities.
Details: Visit appvoices.org/2025/05/22/cdfis-economic-first-responders/
MURPHY
Columnist reads poetry
You’re invited to a poetry reading by local author Mary Ricketson at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at the Cherokee County Arts Council, 33 Valley River Ave. downtown.
Everyone is welcome to come and bring a friend. Ricketson writes a monthly column, “Woman to Woman,” for the Cherokee Scout.
Featured will be poems from Ricketson’s 2022 book, Precious the Mule, along with other selected poems old and new. There will be a time for discussion as well as a reception of food and drink.
Ricketson wrote Precious the Mule in response to a sudden and growing connection with her neighbor’s prize Arabian mule, who was injured in a freak and unusual way.
“I visited the mule often, followed his story and grew to love the mule I had previously only passed by,” she said in a release. “I felt deeply. I began to write, my feelings grew and I kept writing. I nourished a universal feeling of kindness, human compassion and hope. A relationship can grow simply by caring and connecting.”
MURPHY
Sonograms free Choice
Choices of Western North Carolina – the Murphy Pregnancy & Planning Center – at 1262 Andrews Road is offering free sonograms every Tuesday.
The direct link for appointments is choicesofwnc.com/sonogram.
Details: Call 828-835-3444 or email info@choicesofwnc.com.
MURPHY
Town saying bye to Elkins
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A family picnic will be held Sunday, June 8, under the pavilions next to the Rock Gym at Konehete Veterans Park. The time is still to be determined.
Ona Elkins, an AmeriCorps worker who has spent the last year working with the Town of Murphy, is leaving soon, and the picnic is a chance to for parents and students to thank her being the leader of the Mayor’s Rising Stars program and other services to the public.
This is an event for parents to come and express their appreciation for her leadership. The focus is on how Elkins’ journey with AmeriCorps has helped the community.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St. Live-streamed on the Town of Andrews’ Facebook page.
- Murphy Town Council meets at 5 p.m. Monday at Murphy Electric Power Board, 5 Wofford St. downtown. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Chairman’s Forum meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Bellview Community Center, hosted by District 4 commissioner and board Chair Dan Eichenbaum.
COMING SOON
- Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at Central Office, 2230 Airport Road in Marble. Live-streamed on the school district’s YouTube channel.
- Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority meets at 4 p.m. Monday, June 9, in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
- Cherokee County Board of Health meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 9, at the Cherokee County Health Department, 228 Hilton St. in Murphy.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown.