ANDREWS
Christmas parade set
The town will present the annual Andrews Christmas Parade, with the theme “Whoville & the Grinch,” starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday on Main Street through downtown.
Everyone is welcome to attend the annual nighttime event. Candy will be thrown from vehicles, so please keep a close eye on children along the parade route. If you can’t make it in person, the Town of Andrews plans to stream the parade via Facebook Live.
Details: Visit andrewsnc.org or call 828-321-5111.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Ranked in Tier 1
The N.C. Department of Commerce released the county tier designations for 2024 last week, and Cherokee County remains in Tier 1 – the lowest.
The designations, which are mandated by state law, determine eligibility and guidelines for several different grant programs that assist in economic development. Neighboring Clay County is in Tier 2, while Graham County is in Tier 1.
The 2024 rankings are based on an assessment of each county’s unemployment rate, median household income, population growth and assessed property value per capita. The law calls for 40 counties to be designated as Tier 1, 40 counties to be designated as Tier 2 and 20 counties to be designated Tier 3.
Hurting Cherokee County’s ranking is the fact that the county’s median income of $44,211 is well under the state average of $61,997. In addition, the local population only grew 0.06 percent in the last year.
Details: nccommerce.com/grants-incentives/county-distress-rankings-tiers.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Angel Tree ends soon
The 32nd annual Angel Tree Project is underway. The deadline to return an unwrapped gift to one of these locations is Sunday.
These angels are specific to Cherokee County foster children for Christmas gifts. Every gift goes directly to the child listed on the card. There is no budget to purchase Christmas gifts for foster children, so this is their only means of having a wonderful childhood Christmas memory.
Angels are located in the following local businesses:
- In Andrews: Walgreens.
- In Marble: Mountain Credit Union.
- In Murphy: BP of Murphy, Burke’s Outlet, Cherokee Cellars, Cherokee County Courthouse, Walgreens, Walmart.
- In Peachtree: Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital, Julie’s Place Restaurant.
Details: Call Andria Duncan at 828-837-7745, Ext. 255, or visit the Angel Tree Project page on Facebook.
MARBLE
Adoption fees change
The Valley River Humane Society recently changed adoption fees at the animal shelter, 7450 U.S. 19. They are:
- Dogs: $100.
- Small dogs and puppies under 6 months: $150.
- Cats: $30.
- Kittens under 6 months: $40.
In addition, the shelter is also requesting wet canned food at this time. There are plenty of animals looking for forever homes, and monetary donations are also accepted to help create for them.
Details: Call 828-837-2304 or visit valleyriverhumanesociety.org.
MURPHY
Columnist mannequin
Anngee Quinones-Belian, a humor columnist and staff correspondent with the Cherokee Scout, will be in the front window of Marketplace Antiques, 41 Peachtree St. downtown, from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec.16, to play the part of a living mannequin.
Quinones-Belian will attempt to remain as motionless as a dress shop figure, but can she remain still while watching people walk past, unaware of her public presence? Or will they stop and stare back?
Perhaps folks will attempt to make her laugh, as Mayor Tim Radford tried doing in 2022. Joining her in the window this year will be a well-known but secret guest from the community.
Details: Call 828-837-1060.
BRASSTOWN
Donate to dye garden
The Cory Brown Memorial Dye Garden was created at John C. Campbell
Folk School in 2019 by Donna and Cliff Brown in memory of their son, Cory Brown.
Donna and Cliff are longtime friends and supporters of the folk school. Donna has been an instructor since 2008, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in fiber arts and the natural dyeing process.
The purpose of the dye garden is to bring people together, and it has become a space where students and instructors can gather resources for their class, learn about natural dye plants and share seeds with community members interested in starting their own gardens.
Cory’s aunt, Vicki Paret, said, “There is joy in the garden and in putting your hands in the dirt.” Honoring Cory’s spirit, which was kind, welcoming, accepting, gentle, creative, adventurous and full of boundless love, the garden transfers that joy to anyone who visits or uses it.
A dedication was held in May. Since then, more than 20 people have donated to continue to grow the dye garden. You can, too.
Details: folkschool.org.
MURPHY
New board for chamber
The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors on Nov. 21 approved nominees for the upcoming election.
The nominees will serve a four-year term if elected. The nominees include two current board members willing to serve a second full term, Brandon Brown and Kelly Roberts. Two new nominations were Bethany Chaney, director of John C. Campbell Folk School, and former chamber director Sherry Raines representing The Cable Co.
This adheres to the chamber of commerce’s by-laws, according to a release. The election for the 2024 board of directors will be held Tuesday, Dec. 19.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority meets at 2 p.m. Monday in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
- Cherokee County Board of Health meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Cherokee County Health Department, 228 Hilton St. in Murphy.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown.