Scholarship honors parents
The Marcel & Ellie Lalone Scholarship was started in honor of my mom and dad. Parents are so important in the life of a child. They even put up with me.
My message to all parents who have supported, encouraged and guided your children is to say good parenting. Thank you for advocating for the arts.
To all the young folks who are displayed in the Cherokee County Arts Coalition’s show, thank you and keep doing your art. Push yourself to create, explore, challenge and enjoy
your artwork. Find that special niche that is yourself.
Thanks to the people who generously contributed to this scholarship fund that made this possible. I’m honored to present the Marcel and Ellie Lalone Scholarship to Early College High School senior Laci Jump.
Mike Lalone, Murphy
Surgery team did great job
I was the guest of a surgeon, Dr. Michael Nerney, and Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital in Peachtree on April 27. I have never been treated better at any hospital.
Every nurse was professional and personable, tending to my every need. The attending physicians explained their function completely, making sure I was comfortable with their role.
Needless to say, my surgery was completely successful.
I would recommend Dr. Nerney and this hospital to anyone. No need to go to Blairsville, Ga., Franklin, Sylva or Asheville for medical care. We have an excellent source here at home.
Don Wade, Marble
Don’t go all electric here
Two words: Electric grid.
This issue is far from over, folks. We need to stand up on this and whomever is elected needs to know this.
We as Americans first feel uneasy with 100 percent of everything on our electric grids. Secondly, we want choices. We want our old classic cars to have fuel in our future, we want electric car by choice. And, thirdly, we want open minds to future fuel options with space technology.
Let’s have respect for our electric grid along the way. The Americans feel going all-electric is an electric grid killer. There will be a breaking point, I’m sure, since we are only at 1 percent electric; 99 percent more seems like an awful lot for extensions or upgrades.
America must vote for choices and not go 100 percent electric. It’s up to us the American people to stand up for our future. Electricity is at stake here with going too much on the grid. Balance is key.
Shelley Dietrich, Murphy
Andrews gets floral baskets
Dear beautification project sponsors:
We write this letter to say thank you for your sponsorship toward the Town of Andrews Beautification Project. The 1,800 residents of Andrews and all western North Carolina truly appreciate your contribution and efforts in making Andrews a town of beauty.
We are pleased to report a total of 93 businesses, civic clubs, individuals and churches are participating this year for a total of $20,925 in donations.
The flower baskets will be hung in early May, weather permitting. Thank you.
James Reid, mayor, Town of Andrews
Gayle Horton, president, Andrews Chamber of Commerce
Bill Anderson, beautification project coordinator
Playing ball sticks around
I enjoyed David Brown’s column (“The good and bad of baseball” in the May 3 edition of the Cherokee Scout).
My memory of my baseball youth is my torn rotator cuff, which bothers me every minute of every day – and I’m sure that can be attributed to the million or so fastballs that I threw 70 years ago.
J.B. Robert, Hothouse
Education challenges
This letter is a wake-up call for people in Cherokee County about our schools. There is no school that can prepare any child for humiliation after being bullied or obtaining any kind of injury or illness that will change the life of a child in an instant.
What seems to be a problem is the government is pushing for licenses to be obtained after receiving a certificate or diploma, which is hard on some children.
Even though I am adult, I should know – I am proof. The people of Cherokee County should already know our taxes are up. We need to think, why weren’t these schools thought of when the tornado came through or the population was rising?
The next question is where is the money for our schools at? Nobody mentions that money at all. If learning is so important, ask yourself, did Jesus or God have a degree on paper to be a carpenter?
Thank all the people who passed the N.C. Lottery.
Willena Helton, Murphy
Trump still over Biden
President Joe Biden’s adult life has been that of a corrupt politician. He has never had a real job. This, of course, is true in his present position as president of the free world.
Biden left hundreds of Americans, as well as thousands of our allies, in the debouched Afghanistan departure; 13 military members were killed.
That’s much worse than name-calling, which the left is good at doing.
Biden lifted President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Biden’s administration is weak. Their only defense is to lie to help themselves to keep power and control of us. The deep state is trying to stop Trump.
Why? He’s for us, the regular faith, freedom and family lovers, the true Americans who love this country as he does. Trump gave us secure borders, energy independence, best economy in 50 years and lifted ridiculous regulations on businesses, with more opportunities for blacks and Latinos.
He brought the number of military in Afghanistan down from 14,000 to 2,500 and had a plan, in time, to take Americans and allies out first, take the $80 billion worth of equipment down to everything, keep
the prisoners locked up, keep the Pagram airfield base and leave the 2,500 military in Afghanistan for their protection. He left a playbook, but Biden did it his way, which was a disaster.
Biden reversed everything Trump put into effect. If someone was deliberately trying to destroy our country, they could not do a better job than Biden, who has made the wrong decision on everything he has touched. You help the American people by telling them the truth.
Trump did more good for this country than the last four presidents combined even with all the drama the left put him through. Biden has yet to do anything vaguely resembling a good job.
Republican Cherokee County folks, don’t be afraid to speak the truth, get out and vote like it is your last free vote. It may be if we don’t fight for our country and our rights, which they are trying to take away. This is a free country, still.
Wanda Russ, Andrews
Many people are oblivious
Great job, Mary Mason. Your ad in the Cherokee Scout’s May 3 edition was right on. It boggles the mind how so many people are oblivious to the absolutely obvious, whether they are totally irrational, delusional or choose to be unaware.
As the saying goes, “There are none so blind as those who will not see.” In any case, disaster not only lies ahead, it is here now.
These people are easy prey for government leaders whose goal is to control. I would urge everyone to pray for wisdom to perceive the heinous evil that exists and turn from it instead of accepting the sinister manipulation surrounding us.
Erwin W. Lutzer explains this in his book, No Reason To Hide.
Scripture Matthew 15:14 reminds us to, “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” That’s exactly where this country is headed – into a big, black abyss without any human way to climb out.
Yet, we have been warned of this deception. Scripture Isaiah 5:20 states, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.”
Though I love chocolate, there is no earthly reason I would sell my soul for it. Will you?
Tamara Phillips, Murphy
Xylazine new drug problem
Xylazine is a veterinary tranquilizer that is not approved for human use. It also goes by the names “tranq,” “tranq dope” and “zombie drug.”
Xylazine is an issue because it is being “cut” or diluted with other chemicals in street drugs to increase profit. Xylazine is worrying because it causes dangerous wounds that spread and worsen quickly. These wounds can happen no matter how the drug is used.
These wounds have been found in people that are snorting, injecting or smoking, and it is critical to get medical attention because it is difficult for these wounds to heal on their own. The wounds are painful, but even worse, if they go untreated, it can lead to amputation because of a scaly dead tissue called eschar.
In Philadelphia, 90 percent of the dope samples tested returned positive for having Xylazine. Xylazine is a non-opioid tranquilizer now linked to fentanyl overdose deaths. When someone is overdosing on Fentanyl, Naloxone is administered.
When Xylazine plays a factor in the overdose, because it is a non-opioid tranquilizer the narcotic reversal does not impact Xylazine that depresses a person’s breathing. This is causing Naloxone to become less effective and the number of overdoses to increase.
The FDA recently restricted the import of Xylazine. For details, visit www.narcononnewliferetreat.org/blog/the-dangers-of-benzodiazepines.html.
Matthew Goodson, Denham Springs, La.
The writer is with Narconon New Life Retreat Drug Education & Rehabilitation Center.