ArtWalk has been positive
I just want to take the time and share my experiences with Donna Duval from the Murphy ArtWalk.
We have participated the last two years, and have only had pleasant interactions with Donna. I can imagine it being stressful when local shops don’t convey the information to her when they let a friend set up in front of their store, and she already has another vendor placed there.
I scoured TikTok to find this infamous viral video and could immediately tell that Rain was manipulating the situation and context of the video to sell books. I have seen her speak with a vendor set up next to us by the Urban Salon, who refused to give Donna her information. Donna was not rude at all, and never asked the lady to leave.
As a small business owner who is active in vendor events all over the area, I would just like to speak up on behalf of the positive experiences that we have with Donna and the ArtWalk.
Jereme Overton, Murphy
The writer is owner of the Bigfoot Refinery Beard Co.
Let’s choose kindness 1st
Call me naive or anything else you care to. I believe that most of us are kind, loving. Maybe I’m wrong.
I was tremendously offended by the last paragraph of Perry Reece’s letter in the Feb. 7 edition of the Cherokee Scout, where he likened President Joe Biden to a cow paddy. I am not offended because it was Biden, mind you. I would be offended if someone said it about former President Donald Trump. I would be offended if it was said even about someone I disliked.
What has happened to us? When did we become so hateful?
If you wouldn’t say something mean spirited to someone’s face, don’t say it here. Don’t say it on Facebook or on X.
What happened to the Golden Rule? Can we all step back for a moment and breathe deeply? Can we stop stoking the fires of hate? Is this what we were brought up to be? Is this really how we want to be? Do we really want our heads and emotions to rule us? Doesn’t it feel better to lead from your heart?
Surely, I am not alone in this. Am I?
Remember, we are all manifestations of the One. That Lake is like a great body of water. If I remove a bucket of water from the Lake, is it any different from the water in the Lake? It may look different because of the color of its bucket, red or blue, but it is still the same water.
In the same way, this is us. We are all in a different bucket but we are all of the Lake, we are all that same water.
Let’s pull the weeds from our garden. Try to remember: Choose kindness first.
If this is our approach to life we will leave this world with a beautiful, sweet smile.
David Bellino, Murphy
Criticism was unfair
I wanted to take a moment to express my support for Donna Duval, who has received unfair criticism in regards to the Murphy ArtWalk event.
As a business owner who has actively participated in the event, I can attest to Donna’s professionalism and excellent organizational skills. It is clear that she devotes a significant amount of time and effort to making the event a success each month.
While I understand the ArtWalk is a public event, it is important to follow the rules and regulations set forth by officials. If someone were to sell a book on the sidewalk without permission or proper permits, they would be asked to leave. I believe Donna was justified in her actions, and it is unfortunate that she has been unfairly criticized for following the rules.
It is worth noting that the video in question was not filmed during the event in December, which raises questions about the timing of its release.
The application process for ArtWalk is straightforward, and the rules are clearly stated. Allowing some to bypass these rules would be unfair to everyone else and lead to chaos.
In conclusion, it is unfortunate that Donna has been the target of negative attention. She deserves recognition and praise for her hard work and dedication to the ArtWalk, which brings joy and excitement to the community each month.
Kellie Miller-Ambrosino, Murphy
The writer is the owner of Kokomo’s Sweets & Treats LLC in Murphy.
Duval does good things
I am a resident of Murphy and was introduced to Donna Duval in 2021 as director of the Murphy Art Walk.
My daughter had just graduated from high school out of state, and we moved here shortly before she headed to college.
As a practicing artist, Donna encouraged my daughter to show her art here publicly. Donna not only encouraged our daughter’s participation but encouraged her evolution as an artist as well.
When my daughter is out of state in college, Donna has encouraged us as parents to show here art, and it has brought us more fully into this community of which I am native but returned to after many decades away.
My experience with Donna and those around her are encouraging and nurturing, but also acutely concerned for both the success of the events and their participants. I and my family are forever indebted to her friendliness and acceptance, and it seems to me that she is so intertwined with the success of the event.
I truly admire what I have seen from Donna.
James Bradley, Murphy
Our troops are in harm’s way
Here we go again, Afghanistan 2.0.
Our inept defense team – consisting of John Kirby, assistant press secretary; Antony Blinken, secretary of state, who was referred to as unqualified by John McCain; and defense secretary Lloyd Austin, who was AWOL for a week– stated that the Afghan withdrawal had 13 dead and 58 injured.
President “Sleepy” Joe Biden, his unreliable vice president and Jake Sullivan, the national security advisor, are the group that put our troops in harm’s way.
As of now, three are dead and 30 injured, some seriously, in the latest attack.
A retired general stated that Biden said his heart was heavy when he heard of the attack in Iraq. I didn’t think he had a heart when I saw him checking his watch as they were solemnly taking the bodies out of the plane.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkus has said many times that the Southern border of the United States is secure.
I wonder if these people, who are in charge of our safety, agree with his thinking when millions of illegals have crossed the border
I would like to thank winking Kirby, inept Blinken and nodding Biden for keeping us safe from the bad guys.
William Poprosky, Andrews