Thankful for supporting arts
This is a thank you for the wonderful art articles that appeared in the Cherokee Scout’s May 7 edition. We are trying to build the arts up in this area and your staff, with your approval, did that so well.
Anngee Quinones-Belian’s article on the Murphy Art Walk and photos raised awareness on the Cherokee County Arts Council’s ability to showcase our open studio arts program to the public. We are grateful for her support of us.
Nicole Wright’s article was a great one-two punch for the arts as it combines all the things we are trying to do for the arts in this area. Especially noteworthy was her recognition of school artists. Her recognition of the Marcel and Ellie Lalone Scholarship was very positive and well appreciated. She took the time to recognize all of our students and public school art teachers.
We are appreciative of the parental support of our young artists and willingness to encourage our kids to create.
David Vowell and the Arts Council Board of Directors deserve a lot of credit for constant support and ideas that help provide these exhibits for our community. Thanks to the Arts Council for the support of the Open Studio Artist demonstrations and extra scholarship awards to the student artists during the Spring Fest.
Behind the scenes, Nathan Baerreis helps plan many events we do as president of the board and all-around art organizer. He, too, wears a lot of hats in the arts. Thanks, Nathan.
Another person we need to recognize is Becca McNabb for her ability to organize the Spring Festival. She had so many different things to bring together, which she did so well.
It was a great success. She combined the needs of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, Town of Murphy and entire county to pull this event off, which was a major accomplishment.
Please note that we are so thankful for all you do to support us though the Scout.
Mike Lalone and the Cherokee County Arts Council board and members, Murphy
Trump most corrupt threat
I just read Your Opinion Matters on page 5A in the May 14 edition of the Cherokee Scout about trusting the government. I can’t believe anybody would think that President Donald Trump was sent here by God to take over our country.
Trump absolutely the most corrupt president to ever be elected. He is running it like the Gestapo.
As an avid history person, all you have to do is look at Germany before World War II and see how they lost their democracy.
Trump is hands down the greatest threat to our country in its history.
Lee Daniels, Murphy
At least He’s entertaining
The Left thinks He’s the devil; everyone else is glad He’s tearing up the federal government.
Above all, He, personally, wants as much money as He can get. He’ll never show His tax forms, because they’re as full of as much tax evasion as anyone’s. In the 1990s, He got a law passed which allowed both Himself and his contractors,to get write-offs of up to a $100 million on the same losses. His crypto coins are being bought up, as are top dollar dinner tickets with Him.
Some of His proposals I agree with: no taxes on tips, Social Security and some pensions. I’d like a 40-mile-wide federal strip of land along the Southern border, full of water and gas pipelines, solar farms, desalination plants, with thousands of square miles of row crops, both countries competing for more successful development.
The second American Revolution began during His 78th birthday military parade on the 14th of June.
Seven days earlier, about 20,000 Indivisibles were parading for the No King Day March in Cicero, Ill., when 5,000 of His people with automatic weapons killed over 700 protesters. A week later, 280 million Americans, 90% of the country, came together to shut Him down, along with His Lousy Little despotic Tinker Toy Parade.
Within weeks, He resigned and left the country. All the states established constitutional conventions, and wrote and passed a dozen Constitutional Amendments, including setting up three powerful independent branches of government. The Senate was eliminated, with the House of Representatives becoming much more powerful and efficient: no longer could the House leader declare a single day to last for months.
The president no longer nominated Supreme Court Justices: each state sent their own representative Justice to the 50-member expanded Supreme Court. All elections became publicly financed, and Ranked Voting was instituted throughout the land, reducing the unfair powers of the two-party system.
And the country, politically, breathed a great sigh of relief, on No King Day, June 14, 2025.
Harry Holdorf, Blairsville, Ga.
Editor’s note: The capitalization is from the author.
Will the U.S. ever learn?
Comedian Jay Leno once said, “They talk about writing a constitution for Iraq … Why don’t they just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys. It worked for more than 200 years … And, hell, we’re not using it anymore!”
Is he right?
How many lives have ended by another shooting. A monster without a motive enters a school and opens fire on innocent children. Before the smoke clears, the national media begins screaming for gun control.
Teachers and students across the country are taking to the streets in protest of guns. How do you debate gun control with people who eat soap pods and are confused by which restroom to use? Jim Jones killed 918 people with a pitcher of Kool-Aid. Should it be banned as well?
In countries like the former Soviet Union, China and Germany, 56 million defenseless people were rounded up and exterminated in the 20th century because of gun control. Switzerland, on the other hand, issues every household a gun and trains every adult on its use. Switzerland has the lowest gun-related crime rate of any civilized country in the world.
Of the 20 highest causes of death in the United States in 2016, guns failed to make the list. The No. 1 killer (by far) was abortion. It almost doubled No. 2, heart disease. The leading baby killer is Planned Parenthood, which received half-a-billion in taxpayer money. Why not ban the No. 1 killer and use the money to protect our schools instead?
What is the solution? The Second Amendment says a well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Where does it require a permit or limit the kind of arms one might bear? What were our founders thinking when writing this amendment?
God help us as a nation.
Ed Huber, Copperhill, Tenn.
Help out our animal friends
New Digs for Dogs, under the direction of Terry Drinkut, has been involved in various projects so far this year.
Along with several rescue groups, we assisted in an animal abuse situation; now this dog is in a safe environment, getting healing and socializing to be adoptable. We have been helping cats and kittens to get medical care and surgery to prevent pet overpopulation.
We would like to take this opportunity to recognize individuals and nonprofits who support our ongoing success.
Pat Kern volunteers weekly for the Valley River Humane Society’s animal shelter in Marble, while Chris Graham helps monthly. Both provide ongoing maintenance.
Bonnie Cater works on spay and neuter projects nearly everyday. Jan Mierke is our treasurer and secretary, and we appreciate her time, talents and dedication.
These are the individuals and non-profits who have helped us in 2025, financially or by donating much-needed food and medical care:
Granny’s Attic Thrift Store, Pat and Jeannette Kern, Deborah Kenyon, Chris and Debbie Graham, Bonnie Cater, Susan Wyman, Trish Chapin, Sandy Hazen, Terry Drinkut and Martin Barros, Terry Morkovsky, Animal Rescue Financial Support, Bruce and Jan Mierke, Katz N Dawgs helping hands and George Lindsey.
With summer fast approaching, always provide pets with plenty of fresh water. Spay and neuter your pets. Adopt from the humane society or local rescue groups, volunteer and donate to help animals in need.
For details to volunteer, call 828-389-6126 and leave a voice message.
Debbie Graham, Hayesville
Come one, come all!
The carnival barker’s call! “Come one, come all! Party with Arty, he’s 10-feet tall!”
A foray into a ludicrous display hoping for the day they get their way by turning Murphy into a roadside attraction.
Who is this faction taking such action, usurping power and creating a dour image to represent the heart and soul of Murphy?
The carving in and of itself is not the issue. The grandiose manner in which it is being sold is. A “monument,” really?
Perhaps putting it on a rotating pedestal in the center of the roundabout would solidify the delusions of grandeur for those taking over the town.
All in favor say aye ...
Ron Gaynor, Murphy
Quote of the week
“Some people can read War and Peace and come away thinking it’s a simple adventure story. Others can read the ingredients on a chewing gum wrapper and unlock the secrets of the universe.”
– the late Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor in Superman Delivered 1K pounds to eat
The U.S. Post Office held its annual food drive to feed the hungry. The local postal carriers collected a thousand pounds or more of food for the Cherokee County Sharing Center food pantry.
Also receiving some of the food collection was Moore House Ministries in downtown Murphy.
Sande Kimball, Murphy
The writer is with the Cherokee County Sharing Center.
Thankful for postal drive
A super huge thank you to all letter carriers on May 3 for gathering the food on their routes. And the people of this community who donated all this effort and supplies.
God bless you all from Moore House Ministries. Be proud of yourselves.
Donald Hale, Murphy
The writer is with Moore House Ministries in Murphy.