Calendar of Events

Alzheimer's Support Group of Murphy meets the 1st Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Murphy Senior Center. Contact Laura Harris at 828-644-0680 for more information. Also meetings every second Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Senior Center in Hayesville.

The Cherokee County Alcoholics Anonymous has scheduled meetings as follows: Tues. 7 p.m., in the back of the Episcopal Church of the Messiah Located across the street from the Cherokee Scout and the Verizon building on the corner of Central & Church Street; Sat. noon at the 409 building; Thur. 8 p.m. St. William's Catholic Ch., Murphy; Wed. 8 p.m., United Methodist Church, Andrews, in the fellowship hall; Tues. noon, Thur. noon, Fri. 8 p.m.; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Hayesville; Sat. 8 p.m. First Methodist Church, Downtown Hayesville. For a complete area meeting schedule and information, call 837-4440.

Domestic Violence Support Group REACH of Cherokee County offers a free confidential support group to women whose lives are, or have been affected by domestic violence. The group meets every Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the REACH office in Murphy. Please call (828) 837-2097 for more information.

The Compassionate Friends is a self-help, non-profit organization that offers that offers friendship and understanding to bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings meets at 7 p.m. every third Thursday each month at the Senior Center in Murphy. Call Maxine Arne at 837-0425, Mabel Cooke at 837-6871 or Vicky Sullivan at 837-9168 for details.

Friends Sharing Grief Saturdays at 10 a.m.If you've lost someone close to you, or know someone who has, please call us to find out more information about our weekly GriefShare seminar/support group. Located at the Penland Senior Center 69 Alpine Street Murphy, North Carolina. Please call Carol at 835-3802 for more information. Sponsored by Truett Baptist Association.

Tops Weight Loss "Take Off Pounds Sensibly" in Murphy meets on Mondays at 5 p.m. at the Glen Mary Hall, Andrews Road. For more information, call 837-4587. Two Tops clubs meet in Andrews on Mondays. The morning club meets in Valleytown Baptist Church Fellowship Hall at 8:45 a.m. weigh in, meeting at 9 a.m. Call 321-5242 for more information. The evening club, which meets at Christ Community church, weights in at 5 p.m. and has a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Call 321-3040 or 321-1422 for more information.

Friends Sharing Grief is for anyone who has lost someone close to you. We know it hurts and we want to help. Please join us the 1st and 3rd Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Macedonia Baptist Church on Hwy. 64 W. to Wolfcreek Rd. Please call Carol Skweres at (828)-835-3802 for more information. We also meet every Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Murphy Senior Center. These events are sponsored by Truett Baptist Association.

DAR meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of Jan.- May and Sept.-Nov. at 2 p.m. at the Harshaw Chapel in Downtown Murphy. For more information contact Joan Wallace at 837-0876 or Margaret Warner at 837-8777 or 837-2644.

The Blue Ridge Mountains Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) meets the third Monday of each month at various area restaurants. All active duty, retired and reserve military and public health service officers, and warrant officers are invited to attend. For information please contact one of the following individuals, in North Carolina: For information please contact one of the following individuals, in North Carolina: John Bayne at 828-389-9427 and in Georgia: Jim Reynolds at 706-379-6601.

Attention HAMs and wannabe HAMs North Georgia Tri-State A.R.C. (Amateur Radio Club) meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Branan Lodge in Blairsville. All of our meetings are open to the public. For more information, call Don Deyton at 706-781-6665.

Brasstown Potluck The Brasstown Community holds a potluck supper and meeting on the third Thursday of each month, 6:30 p.m., Brasstown Community Center, 255 Settawig Road, Brasstown.

Flying Club. The Over mountain Flyers meets the second Saturday each month at the Andrews-Murphy Airport from 9 a.m. to noon. For information, call 837-3468.

Hiwassee River Valley Kennel Club: Meetings are held at 7 p.m. the first Monday of each month at Brother's Restaurant on Hwy 64 in Murphy, NC. We invite all those interested in pure bred dogs and canine activities to attend. Call President Kit Miracle @ 706 492 5253 or Peggy Moorman @ 828 835 1082 for details.

North Carolina Writers' Network meets the first Thursday each month at TCCC at 7 p.m. in the Board room for reading and critiquing of each other's poetry writing. For more information call Richard Argo at 828-837- 5500.

The Experimental Aircraft Association - local tri-state EAA Chapter #1211 meets the third Thursday, 7 p.m. of each month at Blairsville airport. If interested, contact Jim Olson @ 828- 557-2446.

The Far West Small Scale Agricultural Action Team meets the second Monday of each month in the St. Andrews Lutheran Church community room, Andrews. For information, call Mary Janis, 828-389-1913 mjanis@ meyecomputer.com

Business Women of Murphy meet every Thursday, 8 a.m. at the Peachtree Restaurant, across from Murphy Medical Center. New members are welcome. Call Marie Speigel for information. 835-8821.

Cherokee County Mountain Lions meet the first and third Tuesday of each month at Downtown Pizza, 6 p.m. New members are welcome.

Chapter J of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) meets the third Saturday of each month at Daniel's Steak House in Hiawassee. Lunch is at 11 a.m. and the meeting is at noon.Guests are always welcome, and we look forward to seeing participants from other chapters. For more information, contact Terry Kintz at 706-745- 9542.

Far West Mountain Economic Partners' Small Scale Agriculture Action Team meets at 6 p.m. the first Monday of every month at the Far West offices located at 452 Main Street in Andrews. All farmers in from Cherokee, Clay, Graham and Swain Counties and the Qualla Boundary are invited to attend. For details, contact Pat Love at 828-321-2929 or via email at fwpartners@verizon. net.

People of Faith Against the Death Penalty meets the 1st Monday each month at 7 p.m. at the Glen Mary House, next to St. William Catholic Church. For information, call 837-0867.

The Cherokee County Commisioners meeting will be held on the first Monday of each month at 8:30 a.m. and on the third Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Commissioners boardroom of the Cherokee County Courthouse, unless Monday falls on a holiday, or unless otherwise posted.

Valley River Civitan Club of Andrews meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., PJ's restaurant in Andrews. Visitors are welcome. For more information call Anita Davis at 361-1247.

The Board of Directors of the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition will meet at the Blue Mountain Coffee & Grill on Thursday, December 11 at 6 p.m. A meal and presentation of HRWC's 2008 accomplishments will be shared prior to a brief board meeting. Agendas and meeting summaries are available on HRWC's web site: http:// www.hrwc.net/hrwcboardmeetings. htm The HRWC office is located at 1853 NC Hwy 141 in the Peachtree Community of Murphy, and is open Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. Call HRWC at (828) 837-5414, toll-free (877) 863-7388 or email info@hrwc.net for more information.

The December business meeting of the Mountain Country Rod & Gun Club has been canceled. The next club meeting will be held Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 7 p.m. at the Penland Senior Center located at 69 Alpine Street in Murphy. We want to wish everyone a safe and joyous holiday season and thank you for all your wonderful support throughout the year.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY to be held from 5- 7 p.m. at Chestnut's Cafe, 493 Main Street, Andrews on Thursday, December 11, 2008 For fun we are planning to do a $5 gift exchange where each gift will be numbered at the door as you come in. You will be matched up to a number later. Your meal will consist of either sirloin tips or grilled chicken strips with a baked potato and salad with cobbler for dessert. The cost is $25 per couple and $12.50 for singles. You may bring your own spirits for the dinner, or you may purchase drinks such as ice tea, soda or wine from Chestnut's. Please let us know if you plan to attend the Christmas Party by sending a check with your dinner selection. Please make checks payable to Andrews Chamber of Commerce. You may also pay at the door, however please let the Chamber office know you will be attending.

On Fire Family Church is offering free gift wrapping in the Wal-Mart parking lot Friday December 12 and Saturday December 13 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. There is no charge and no donations will be accepted.

Benefit Horse Show - Union County Saddle Club featuring Speed Events and Team Roping on Saturday, December 13, 2008. Sign up at noon with a 1 p.m. start. Round Robin Team Roping to start between 3-4 p.m. $25. Come out and enjoy some hot dogs and hamburgers, homemade chili, soda, etc., bake sale, an auction, and a really good time! For more information contact Gerald Patterson at 706-897-7463 or Art Miller at 706-435-8298. Show Grounds are located at Hwy. 515 and Hwy. 325 in Blairsville, Ga. Proceeds to benefit the Cook family whose home and contents were recently destroyed by fire.

A benifit for Dan Ellis, who is undergoing treatment for brain cancer, will be at the Andrews/ Murphy Airport at 3 p.m. on Saturday December 13. All money raised will go to pay medical expenses. There will be BBQ dinner plates, hamburgers and hot dogs for sale, an auction, cake walk and singing. Please come and help support our airport manager and friend and Chamber board member. For more information call 321-5114.

Murphy Medical Center's Auxiliary will sponsor a Jewelry, Bath & Beauty Fair on Tuesday, December 16, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The jewelry fair will be held in the Travis E, Green Conference Room off the MMC lobby. 10K and 14K gold jewelry, sterling silver rings, chains, earrings, and charms will be available. (Most gold and silver jewelry priced at closeout prices). Also available will be bath, beauty and gift items plus $5 fashion jewelry. The public is invited to attend. All major credit cards will be accepted as well as cash and post-dated checks. Proceeds from the jewelry fair will benefit Murphy Medical Center's new gift shop construction.

Family Resources is bringing Santa to town! Santa Claus will be taking your order and giving away goodies December 18 from 2-4 p.m. He will be at the Murphy Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall (Across From Wings N Things).

Kids' Party - Saturday, December 20, from 1-3 p.m. A visit from Santa, plus games, music, dancing, and refreshments. Call 1-800-FOLK-SCH or 828-837- 2775 for more information or visit www.folkschool.org. Free admission.

Bingo every Saturday night at the Andrews V.F.W. post. Early bird time is 5:30 p.m., regular time, 7 p.m. and the doors open at 3:30 p.m. There is also a snack bar. Bingo is open to everyone, bring a friend.

Story hour at The Curiosity Shop Bookstore, 46 Valley River Avenue, Murphy, on Saturday mornings from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bring your children or grandchildren and let them enjoy being read to. Call 835-7433 or 321-2242

Intermediate Bridge is being played at the Senior Center in Hiawassee on Mondays and Fridays, starting at 12:45. All players welcome. For more informa- tion please call 828-389-8065.

Peachtree Community Potluck supper first Tuesday each month, 6:30 p.m. at the Peachtree Community Center. Grocery bingo and games, 3rd Friday each month at 7 p.m.

Mountain High Hikers schedule two hikes each Tuesday, occasionally specialty hike, and regular trail maintaining trips- all in the mountains of North Carolina and Georgia. Check the web site: MountainHighHikers.org for schedule and meeting locations or call 828-389-8240 for information.

Brasstown Ringers Holiday Concert - Friday, December 12, at 7:30 pm. Call 1-800-FOLK-SCH or 828-837-2775 for more information or visit www.folkschool. org. Free admission, donations welcome.

Holiday Dance Party - Saturday, December 13, from 8-11 p.m. Free Community Contra & Square Dance. Bring refreshments to share. Call 1-800-FOLKSCH or 828-837-2775 for more information or visit www.folkschool. org. Free admission.

Ray of Light Clothes Closet. Sponsored by Vengence Creek Baptist Church.The hours are 2-6 p.m. on Thursdays at 1145 Vengence Creek Rd. Marble (Old Vengence Creek Baptist Church). All clothing donations are welcome.

Hanging Dog Missionary Baptist Church is in partnership with "There's Hope For the Hungry." We will be distributing boxes of non-perishable food at no cost to those in the community who have a need or might be going through a difficult time. The distribution will take place on Wednesday, the first of each month between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Hanging Dog Missionary Baptist Church is located at 3522 Hanging Dog Rd. (Hanging Dog community) Murphy, NC 28906. Call 828-837-5160 and Bo Ford is the Pastor.

Auction - First Assembly of God Church will hold an auction at "The Rock" in Andrews Thursday December 11 at 7 p.m. This is a fund raiser for their new building. Some of the items donated so far include guns, gun cases, motorcycle helmet and accessories, paintings, lamps, a washer, dryer, small refrigerator, and dinner for two at Doyles. The Rock is located at the West End Plaza by Super Saver. Donations from businesses would be welcomed and appreciated. Letters for tax deduction. For more information (to donate or attend) call 321-3777. www.firstagandrews. org

Andrews Annual Community Christmas Cantata is preparing to celebrate the season with two performances on Sunday, December 14, at 2 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church on Main Street. In addition, there will be a Prelude at the 2 p.m. performance; the talented Lutheran Allelluia Handbell Ringers will grace the state. Everyone is invited.

Oak Grove Baptist Church Choir will present their Christmas Cantata "Heart of Christmas" at 7 p.m. on December at Oak Grove Baptist Church on Airport Rd. They will also be performing at 7 p.m. December 14 at Faith Baptist Tabernacle.

Classes de ingles gratis. Tri County Community College. Ofrece classes de ingles como Segundo idioma (ESL Classes) Todos los Miercoles y Jueves De 9:00 a.m. a 12:00 p.m. En el local de Family Resources of Cherokee County. Ubicado en 70 Central Street Murphy, NC 28906. Para mayor informacion llame al tlefono No. (828) 837-3460.

Family Resources in collaboration with Tri-County Community College will offer ESL (English as a second language) classes every Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Classes will be held in the basement of Family Resources and are free to anyone wishing to participate. For more information call 837- 3460.

Knitting and Spinning Lessons: "From How to Knit to Knitting Design", Monday mornings 10 a.m. to noon and Monday evenings 7-9 p.m.

Spinning Saturdays", 9 a.m. to noon, once a month. Call Martha at Yarn Circle, 835-4592 for details.

Quilting Classes In Nonnie's Attic is quilting 100 squares in 100 days to help Andrews celebrate its 100th birthday. Join us each day at 1:30 p.m. and learn new quilt square. Call 321-2800 for more information.