Thankful for event sponsors
The committee of the Welcome Home – a Tribute To All Who Serve would like at this time to say thank you to our sponsors for helping us make this year’s event one of the best so far. We could not have done this without your help. We don’t want to list them, as we would inevitably leave out some of the ones who gave.
We would also like to give thanks to all those who came out to help with set up, serving and clean up afterward. It’s a big task to undertake, and we appreciate all those who volunteered along with us to pull the event together.
John Ivie sponsors this annual event, and without him this event would not be possible.
A huge thank you to Ivie for all he does to make honoring veterans possible. A big thank you also goes to the George Lee and American Legion Post 532 of Hayesville for hosting the event.
We are planning another event in 2023. We hope you will continue to help sponsor us as we begin to plan for next year.
John Bandy, Murphy
Carl Maxwell, Hayesville
The writers are Welcome Home event chairmen.
Kindness in time of sorrow
I have recently lost a grandparent for the first time. My papa, Henry Stalcup, just gained his wings, and while my family and I were processing the hard goodbyes, imagining what life is gonna look like in the future and navigating grief ... I was also overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed by the ER staff at Murphy for allowing my family to write and be present. Overwhelmed by hospice getting my Papa home so he could be at peace and surrounded by the family they created.
Overwhelmed by the amazing care from Ivie’s Funeral Home during this time. Seriously, Ivie’s, I’m just blown away by your amazing graciousness, dignity, assistance and love during this time.
Overwhelmed by the police department, sheriff’s office and fire departments for coordinating traffic flow. Overwhelmed by the citizens and passersby who bowed heads, saluted and stopped as my sweet Papa drove by on the way to his final resting place.
Overwhelmed by Red Marble Church for hosting a meal at Mount Zion Church Fellowship Hall so our family could all come together before the reality of “normal” without our Papa hit.
There are so many others who truly stepped in for my family; and my sincere apologies for not listing specifically.
You never know how much a small country town can come together at the drop of a hat until you start walking through some of the hardest moments. However, our family was shown so much love, kindness, compassion and support as we said goodbye to the cornerstone of our brood.
Thank you all so much.
Michelle Stalcup Bell, Murphy
Sad, and surprised
This letter is in reference to the paid ad purchased by Rich Cassidy, Esq., and published in the Sept. 28 edition of the Scout.
I am surprised, disappointed and even saddened that you chose to publish a statement made by Adolf Hitler, paid ad notwithstanding, and worse yet, the president of the United States of America is pictured with the quote suggesting that he is its author.
This is beneath you as a reputable newspaper, Cherokee Scout.
Grace Taylor Carringer, Ranger Community Cherokee County
‘A family car story’
This is a story of a Dodge, vintage 1938
Its value was the center of much debate.
Inside a dusty tan
outside a pea soup green.
Riding down the street the rolling “pea”
Made quite a scene!
For his lovely garden Dad hauled “cow pies”
From the country on the “pea’s” backseat.
As a kid I hated to ride next to the stuff.
But my objections met with defeat!
Oh, the memories of the “pea!”
Mom and Dad in the front and in the back
Rode me –
A loving, “scent” – titillating family!
Jura McCarthy Ashley, Murphy
Success for the shelter
We had a beautiful day to help raise awareness of the needs pets have. It was successful for the Valley River Humane Society on many accounts.
We hosted a kiddie game area that was fun, plus there were prizes for all on three levels of skill. The young ones had something to do and each received a laminated bookmark teaching them the importance of spay, neuter and pet identification tags.
We would like to thank those who helped with our booth. First and foremost the Celebration of Pets Foundation, booth sponsors Wusan Wells, Ron Stonssell, Trish Chapin, Prints Plus, Tri-County Office Supply, Clay County Progress, Young Harris College Girls, New Life Baptist Church and the face painters – Hannah Cook and Caroline Brannan, who also helped with kids games; Mr. and Mrs. Cleaners janitorial service, and special thanks to Jasmine Rendall and all the great volunteers.
Also, thanks to all who came out to support our booth. Respect the human/pet bond. Thank you to booth coordinators, Mitzi Shepard and Lynna Dalton.
Debbie Graham, Hayesville
More love – and less hate
The Rich Cassady “guest column” in the Oct. 5 Cherokee Scout ranks up there with the most absurd guest columns you’ve ever published. I realize it’s linked to a paid advertisement, but what a shame that money can buy such nonsense.
Thank goodness for the wonderful historical and informative columns by Kandy Barnard with “Andrews Journaling” and Bruce Voyles with “The Roads Less Traveled.”
Please give us more like those (and a lot less hate).
Linda Ray, Murphy
Refund still not awarded
I was given a gift certificate in the amount of $100 signed by James Faulkner of Elite Hand Wash & Auto Detail to have my car washed, waxed and fully detailed. The certificate was purchased on Nov. 29, 2021, with an expiration date of Nov. 29, 2022.
I started trying to reach Mr. Faulkner in April and spoke with someone who said he would have Mr. Faulkner return my call. To date, this hasn’t happened.
When I call the number, I get a message telling me to leave my name and number and he will call me back, or I get a message that the mail box is full and cannot accept any more calls.
I wrote a letter on May 1 and taped it to the door, and still no response. The worker at the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce gave me another name and email address. I emailed that contact but never heard back.
My daughter found another number for Mr. Faulkner and spoke with him on May 11. He said that he remembered her coming in to purchase the gift certificate. He then told her that he was no longer in business, but would mail a refund.
It is now October, and we still do not have a refund. This will expire on Nov. 29, 2022, and then we will have no recourse with him.
I am at a loss as to how to appeal to this man and have him fulfill his promise for a full refund. One hundred dollars is a lot of money to lose, and I wonder just how many others are trying to get their money refunded. Perhaps seeing his name in the newspaper will shame him into fulfilling his promise for a refund.
Carole Johnson, Murphy
Change your hitching post
What hitching post are you hanging your faith on? Does your faith depend on what you think say and do? That this life is yours to choose your own destiny?
The world has a dim view of those who profess their faith in a living God. The world would have us believe that this life belongs to yourself so get all the gusto and pleasure you can. Life is better on the wild side so enjoy the moment.
Satan would love for us to believe that this world has much to offer and that there is no heaven or hell to be concerned about, so just carry on with your sinful life. Nothing could be further from the truth of what God your Creator says in His words from the Bible.
Billy Graham quoted from his devotion book called Day by Day:
In Texas they tell a story about a man who used to hitch his horse every morning in front of a saloon. One morning the saloonkeeper came out and found that the horse was hitched in front of the Methodist church. He saw the man walking down the street and called out, “Why is your horse hitched in front of the church this morning?” The man replied to the saloonkeeper, “Well, last night I was converted in a revival meeting, and I’ve changed hitching posts.
That’s what it means to be born again.
You can choose to hitch yourself to the ways of this old sinful world, but it gives you no hope, no faith, and no bright future to come. Many a person have chosen a broader pathway to destruction which leads to hell, but few find the narrow path that leads to heaven.
Put your faith in Jesus Christ and live a victorious life for eternity.
Frank Combs, Blairsville, Ga.