Susan Ward/Contributing Photographer Winners of the Bloody Mary Contest on July 27 on Murphy’s River Walk are (from left) Paxton Thorn & Julia Hungerford of Nocturnal Brewing Co., second place People’s Choice: Dawn Naum & Eric West of Tattered Tartan Pub, third place judges vote and third People’s Choice; Eli Skalisky, Blaze Mann and Grace Blackman, judges vote winners from Murphy Chophouse; Daniel Scayola, Autumn Budiana and Leslie Ortiz DeGerolamo with The Mason Bar won People’s Choice and also took secon

Photos by Nicole Wright/Staff Correspondent The Blue Stage in downtown Andrews held two reunion shows with finalists and winners from Andrews Idol seasons one and two to showcase their summer reopening. Week one, held June 8 included (from left) Nathan Melton, Allen Walker, Renee Pellom, Kenneth Lyons, Andrew Cody, Emily Franklin, Kevin McCall and Gage Hill.

Photos by Nicole Wright/Staff Correspondent Kelly Pierce-Bryant and co-workers (from left) Franklin Shook, Bryant, Jacqueline Hulse, Bridget Wilson and Jeff Murphy.

Retired local educator Arnold Mathews enjoys baking and folks love his cheesecake. He’s even shared his recipe in the back of a book he’s written, Pizza and a Fruit Tray, which is not a cookbook.

The Rev. Jonathan Hodges stands behind the pulpit at Murphy Presbyterian Church as their new pastor.

Photos by Jessica Webb/Smoky Mountain Times The Nantahala Community Development Club held its inaugural Arts & Crafts Festival on Saturday near the Nantahala River rafting launch site at the corner of U.S. 19/74 and Wayah Road. The event could easily be called a success, as the organization used its central location to draw from surrounding communities like Andrews, Bryson City, Franklin, Hayesville and Murphy. There was a steady flow of people visiting the tents that included a variety of handcrafted goods

Janice Deaton/Contributing Photographer Murphy High School 10th-grader Madilyn Allison takes a look at the free books and literature featured in The Good News stand outside Family Life Chiropractic Center at Lakeside Plaza. From the repurposed coin box donated by the Cherokee Scout and decorated by members of Murphy Seventh-day Adventist Church, free books and magazines present the good news of Christ’s salvation. Book titles including Hacksaw Ridge, The Marked Bible and A Thousand Shall Fall offer thrillin