Murphy NC 28906

The Cherokee County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service and the Office of Economic Opportunity of Catholic Social Services are sponsoring a free financial fitness workshop on Tuesday, January 22, 2008.

The workshop will be held from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm at the Hiwassee Valley Pool and Wellness Center in Murphy, NC.

The first 25 people to register for the workshop will receive a free dinner, too.

The event will include topics on budgeting, holiday debt, and tips for the upcoming tax season.

Professionals from the community will present information and strategies for financial management. A credit counselor also will be available to answer questions.

This is a good opportunity for all who have concerns about their financial situation or who would like to get the new year started on a positive track with planning and budgeting.

To register, call Claudie Burchfield at 828-835-3535 or email him at cmburchfield@charlottediocese.org or call Teresa Wiley at 828-835-2210 or email her at teresa_wiley@ncsu.edu .

Johnny Prather, owner/broker of Western Carolina Real Estate Co., Inc. in Murphy, NC, recently presented a check for $1,000 to the US Marine Corps Reserves Toys For Tots foundation.

Marjorie Thaggard, local Toys for Tots coordinator, and Ron Eichholz, who will be taking over for Thaggard this year, accepted the check.

The money was used to buy Christmas presents for Cherokee County children.

If you would like to donate toys to Toys for Tots, go to their Donate Toys page and select your state from the drop-down box. Then find the local community organization nearest you.

An Enchanted Evening, a musical review fundraiser to benefit Alzheimer’s Association of North Carolina, will begin at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday evenings, June 22-23, 2007, at Mountain Vista Inn in the banquet room.

Admission is $10 and includes a drink and dessert.

For tickets and more information, call 828-837-9047 or 828-837-2242.

The fifth annual Dog Parade and Show will begin at 10:00 am on Wednesday, July 4, 2007, sponsored by Lisa DiCuffa of Century 21 Foxfire Realty Group.

Entrants will meet at Wings and Things, located near Murphy Elementary School, in Murphy, North Carolina.

The entry fee is $5.00.

Proceeds will benefit the Valley River Humane Society. Lisa serves on the Advisory Board of the Valley River Humane Society and donates $100.00 to them on every real estate sale.

For more information, call Lisa DiCuffa at 828-361-6060.

Understand the damage caused by family violence.

Recognize the warning signs of children suffering from family violence.

Support efforts to help children and their families, and to end family violence.

Lend a helping hand - and make a difference in a child’s life!

REACH, Inc., is an agency providing services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in Cherokee County, NC. They are located at 203 Peachtree Street, Murphy, North Carolina. Their mailing address is PO Box 997, Murphy, NC 28906.

24 hour crisis line: 828-837-8064.

You can find a bargain and help support REACH by patronizing their Thrift Store at 115 Tennessee Street, Murphy, NC 28906, which is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm and on Saturday from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm.

Proceeds go to battered women and children.

Music To My Ears, a store featuring new, used, and vintage stringed instruments, has a Blueridge BR-70 acoustic guitar (valued at $950) and they want you to have a chance to win it.

Register at 1897 Blairsville Hwy, Murphy, NC 28906.

The drawing will be held on July 3, 2007.

Proceeds to benefit REACH, Inc.

For more information, call 828-837-2888.

Guest chef night from 5-9 pm on Thursday, May 31, 2007, at The Longhouse restaurant will feature Father George Kloster of St. William Catholic Church.

Cost of the three-course dinner will be $13.99, with $2 per plate going to local Christian charities.

For more information, call The Longhouse restaurant at 828-837-1762.

Jo Crowe, owner of Appalachian Land Co. and new member of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, recently presented a check for $1,000 to immediate past Chamber board president Marvin Raper for the Chamber’s building fund.

Framing on the conference room and office space addition began the week of January 16, 2006.

Attending the presentation were Chamber board member Bill Vespasian; Barbara Hughes, Chamber ambassador; Jo Crowe; Chamber board member Betsy Lane; Marvin Raper; and Chamber Executive Director Sande Kimball.

The Chamber’s building fund has reached $60,000, including cash and donations.

For more information, call 828-837-2242.

Johnny Prather, owner of Western Carolina Real Estate Co., Inc., recently presented a $1,000 check to Glenda Stiles, local Special Olympics coordinator.

The money will be used for the 2006 Spring Games, which start at 10:00 am on Friday, April 28, 2006. This is the first time in eight years that the games will be held in Cherokee County and the first time Andrews, NC will host the Spring Games.

Special Olympics is the second recipient of the company’s designated “Giving Back to the Community” budget for 2006.

For more information the Special Olympics, call Glenda Stiles at 828-837-2722, ext. 216.

The Murphy, NC Police Department will be raising funds for the NC Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics 2006 through February 24, 2006.

Local police officers are offering Torch Run hats, shirts, and magnets for minimum donations. These items are available at the police department.

Donations can also be made by placing change in jars that are on the counter tops of several local businesses.

There will also be a spaghetti dinner offered from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm on Friday, February 24, 2006, in the Murphy Elementary School cafeteria. Tickets are on sale for $5 a person at the police department.

For more information, call Charles Kilby at 828-837-2214.