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Since its formation in 2005, the Cherokee Scout’s annual Readers’ Choice contest is just one way your local newspaper shines a positive spotlight on our business community. We’re fortunate to have such a wide variety of companies, both large and small, serving our rural area.
If you missed it inside last week’s edition, you can still pick up a copy of the 2022 Readers’ Choice special section at the Scout’s office in downtown Murphy. We typically keep copies on the front counter all year long as a reminder of all the good things happening in our local economy. This year, we will also be publishing the winners’ photos on our social media pages, giving them even more positive attention.
Another thing the contest has been good for over the years is a few laughs. This year was no exception, as more than one person with a sense of humor had something interesting to share – even if they didn’t necessarily mean for it to be funny.
- Under Home Health Agency, one clever voter wrote in “mom’s chicken soup.” No argument here.
- For Best Crypto Mine, someone voted it “worst business of all time.” I guess that depends on whether you’re getting a check from one.
- Another person later asked whether Best Drug Dealer would be a category next year. Come to think of it, maybe we should do that – then turn over all the results to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for a closer investigation.
- The Best Roofing Company, according to someone who sounds like they’ve been there, is a “tarp and bungee cords.” I’m not sure if that’ll pass inspection, but during a storm you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes.
- For Best Chicken, one poultry fan voted for “check the fridge.” They must do some serious marinating and grilling in that house.
- Under Best Fries, while Burger Boy was an easy call for me with their tantalizing tots, Wag-a-Bag – usually known as a gas station and convenience store – finished almost as high as Mickey D’s. That little local secret is apparently out.
- The Cherokee County Fair received a few votes for Best Attraction, even though it hadn’t actually happened yet when the ballots were cast. You have to love that sense of proactive optimism.
- Under Best Bakery, one person wrote in “home.” That same person may also have written in “mom” under Best Chef/Cook. (It was nice to see that the late Doyle Smith still received a vote.)
- Dad finally got for his due under Best Financial Advisor, with “mom and dad” receiving a few votes.
- I even received a vote for Best Educator. Even if that was a parody pick, I appreciate it.
- However, my favorite vote came under Best Optometrist for “Eye Can Balm (sic).” Since we could figure it out phonetically, the ballot was indeed counted for Dr. Dan Eichenbaum.
- Under Best Government Official, someone wrote in, “Hippy because he’s getting out.” The only person happier than this guy about that is probably Gary Westmoreland himself. Overall, there were fewer votes cast in this category than in any other, which says something about the state of politics today.
- The most votes in any category went to Decker’s Flea Market in Ranger, which was sold in the last year. The new owner wants to make it even better, so that should be good news for the folks who buy and sell there. He also is in the process of opening the convenience store at the intersection of U.S. 19/64/74/129.
- Several other businesses did extremely well in total number of votes, including Ingles in Murphy, Cook’s Carpet, Cherokee Guns, United Community Bank, the Henn Theatre, Living Waters Books & Bibles, and both Townson-Rose and Ivie Funeral Homes. The loyalty shown to businesses that have served families well in the past is very noticeable when the counting begins.
Congratulations to all of the winners, and to everyone else better luck next year. Use this as an opportunity to figure out how you can take your business to the next level in the years to come.
We’re here to help.
David Brown is publisher of the Cherokee Scout. You can reach him by phone, 837-5122; email, dbrown@cherokeescout.com; or on Twitter @daviddBstroh.