Your Guide to Murphy, NC and Andrews, NC Fourth of July Celebrations

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There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration. Families come together for cookouts, enjoy community festivals, and then gather to watch some amazing fireworks – often in their local community. Here in Cherokee County, we’re fortunate to have some terrific Fourth of July events in Murphy, NC and nearby Andrews. Read on for a snapshot of both towns’ Fourth of July festivities.

MURPHY, NC FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION IN KONEHETA PARK
492 Connahetta Street, across from the Hiwassee Valley Pool & Wellness Center
Again this year, Murphy’s popular Koneheta Park will host the town’s annual Fourth of July Celebration. Throughout the day, food vendors will serve up tasty hot dogs, hamburgers, bratwursts, pork barbeque, and kettle corn. When you’re ready for dessert, nosh on a funnel cake or sno-cone. After you satisfy your stomach, browse a good selection of locally made crafts.

If you’re looking for good family-friendly entertainment, you’ll find enticing activities for both children and adults. Kids will enjoy the face painting station, and they’ll burn off some energy on the jumping toys. Or, enter your youngster(s) in the kids’ fishing derby.

For adults, the horseshoe tournament offers some good-natured competition with friends and others from your community. Plus, read on for details of several events that will attract visitors of all ages. Then, cap off your Fourth of July celebration with live music and a memorable fireworks display. Continue reading “Your Guide to Murphy, NC and Andrews, NC Fourth of July Celebrations” →

60th Anniversary Wagon Train Re-enacts Region’s Colorful History Near Murphy, NC

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Settling your family in a new location is always an adventure. You find that perfect home in a beautiful spot, arrange for professional movers, and pack your personal effects in carefully labeled boxes. On the big day, you arrive at the new home, ready to resume your active life while getting acquainted with your community.

Original Wagon Train Travelers Faced a Challenging Journey
But what if you embarked on that move with everything you owned in your vehicle? And you rode on deeply rutted roads often mired in mud and obstructed by fallen trees? During the late 1800s, many western North Carolina families traveled this way, making the trek from Asheville to Murphy, NC or stopping at a town along the way. Some travelers ventured as far as eastern Tennessee or northern Alabama.

Hardy travelers endured these bone-jarring trips in no-frills wooden wagons with uncomfortable seats and no air conditioning. Their companions rode along on horseback, fully exposed to the often-nasty weather conditions. In other words, neither form of transportation offered much in the way of creature comforts. Continue reading “60th Anniversary Wagon Train Re-enacts Region’s Colorful History Near Murphy, NC” →

Outdoor Kitchens Provide Your Murphy, NC Home with All-Season Entertaining Options

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When it comes to fun summer get-togethers, grilling hot dogs and burgers with family and friends just can’t be beat. You fire up the family bbq, smokers, charcoal or propane grill in the backyard, fill a table with tasty sides and desserts, and sip sweet tea or a cold one while you relax in a comfortable chair.

After Labor Day Weekend, however, the summer bbq often winds down and everyone moves inside for the season. But with a nicely equipped outdoor kitchen, you can enjoy many meals outside for most of the year. Learn how to give your Murphy, NC home a pleasant backyard cooking and entertaining space that still fits within your budget.

21st CENTURY OUTDOOR KITCHENS SERVE TWO PURPOSES
Modern outdoor kitchens and grills are a relatively recent phenomenon, gaining prominence during the 2008 recession. Cash-strapped consumers, who started cooking at home to save money, often enjoyed a cookout on the deck or patio. At that time, a grill and basic serving amenities comprised a simple outdoor kitchen. Then, as families sought ways to enhance their home’s value while providing more of a “vacation feel,” they gradually transformed their outdoor kitchens into extended living and entertaining spaces.

Today, new construction and remodeled homes often include some version of an outdoor kitchen. Although the bbq and grills remain popular, this coordinated cooking complex often features stylish countertops and cabinets, plus refrigeration and an onsite sink. Specialty equipment can include a built-in smokers, food warmer, ice maker, and even a nicely equipped bar center. Continue reading “Outdoor Kitchens Provide Your Murphy, NC Home with All-Season Entertaining Options” →

Guide to Viewing the Total Solar Eclipse in Murphy, NC

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Total Solar Eclipse | Monday August 21, 2017

If you’ve constructed a personal “bucket list,” you might have listed such items as “spend a months time in Australia” or “travel to all 50 states before you turn 50.” Chances are, crossing off some goals would take considerable time, and might also require a healthy budget.

However, you can easily achieve one of your “bucket list” goals on Monday August 21, 2017. If you’re in Murphy, NC (or nearby) on that afternoon, you’ll be a visible spectator for a not-to-be-missed celestial event for the ages: a total solar eclipse. Even better, you’ll be in one of the best viewing spots on Earth. Read on for your guide to this once-in-a-lifetime eclipse.

ENJOY THIS SOLAR ECLIPSE SNAPSHOT
Because most of us haven’t ever seen a solar eclipse, here’s an easy-to-understand explanation of what will happen on August 21, 2017. First, let’s note the timeframe, as the most exciting action will occur in less than 20 minutes. At 2:33 p.m. EDT, the total solar eclipse begins in North Carolina. At 2:49 p.m. EDT, this spectacular cosmic event comes to an end.

In a nutshell, here’s what happens during a solar eclipse, according to NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration). First, it’s common knowledge that the Moon orbits the Earth. Sometimes, the Moon’s orbit places it between the Sun and the Earth, preventing (at least some of) the Sun’s light from reaching the Earth. When this happens, a solar eclipse takes place. On August 21, Nasa has confirmed that most of North America will experience a 2-3 hour partial eclipse, in which the Moon partially blocks the Sun’s rays.

Halfway through this total solar eclipse event, millions of people who live within a 70-mile-wide swath from Oregon to South Carolina and peeking into Georgia, will experience a very short visible total eclipse, in which the Moon, in it’s path, will completely blocks the Sun’s rays from view. Depending on your location, the total eclipse will only last a maximum of 2 minutes and 40 seconds. Continue reading “Guide to Viewing the Total Solar Eclipse in Murphy, NC” →

8 Tips for Getting Your Murphy, NC Yard Ready for Outdoor Entertaining

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With Memorial Day Weekend fast approaching, the summer cookout and barbeque season is almost here. If your Murphy, NC yard and deck have been looking a bit worn after the winter months, here are 8 easy tips that will help get them in shape for those festive get-togethers.

Clear Your Driveway and Walkways: Give your guests a warm welcome by providing a clear path to the party. Use a leaf blower or broom to remove leaf debris and/or grass from your driveway and walkways. Besides creating a favorable first impression, your guests won’t have to pick leaves and grass from their flip-flops.

Line Your Walkways with Solar Lights: If your party will extend into the evening hours, make it easy for your guests to navigate your property in the dark. Line your driveway and walkways with inexpensive solar lights, giving your landscape a “starry” look without breaking the bank.

Spruce Up the Lawn and Garden: If your lawn looks a bit unkempt, mow the grass and/or rake up leaf debris before the party. Take a walk around the property, and address any holes or other trip hazards.

In the flower or vegetable garden, remove any dead plants, and keep up your weeding work. Although you’re not striving for perfection, your guests will enjoy a nicely kept garden as much as you do. Continue reading “8 Tips for Getting Your Murphy, NC Yard Ready for Outdoor Entertaining” →

Fun Activities For Seniors In Murphy, NC and Cherokee County

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Local fun activities for seniors are as diverse as the folks who enjoy them. For starters, you’ll often find ladies and gentlemen enjoying biscuits or waffles at their favorite Murphy, NC breakfast eatery. Next, some seniors might hit the grocery store or make the rounds of the local thrift shops. Other residents browse through books and DVDs at the Murphy Public Library, while hobby fans stock up on supplies for their latest projects.

Seniors who prefer group activities also have some attractive options. Whether they engage in gentle exercise with like-minded workout buddies, or socialize with friends and neighbors at a favorite gathering spot, they can enjoy those pastimes right in their local community. Looking at the big picture, Cherokee County offers some enticing choices for every taste. Continue reading “Fun Activities For Seniors In Murphy, NC and Cherokee County” →

Tips for Entertaining Kids During Christmas Break

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Kids and Christmas break go together like peanut butter and jelly. Whether the youngsters are part of the elementary school set, or have recently joined the ranks of middle schoolers, they probably view their Christmas/New Year’s vacation in much the same way. In other words, they plan to sleep late and lounge around playing with their tech devices all day.

However, you have considerably different plans for the kids’ time away from school. You’ve compiled a list of enticing home-based activities, along with suggestions for three Murphy, NC community field trips. If the weather cooperates, you might even take the youngsters to the great outdoors. Simply speaking, you intend to get them off the couch and give them a Christmas break they won’t forget.

DREAM UP SOME INDOOR ACTIVITIES
Start a Scrapbooking Tradition. Remembering Christmas Day – and all your family’s holiday gatherings – will be more fun when you view the event’s photographs. So, invite the kids to create a scrapbook of this year’s festivities. After you print out the best pictures, set up a table with paper, markers, and lots of decorative supplies. Include child-friendly materials such as glitter and stickers. Then, let the kids’ imaginations run wild, and encourage them to unveil the result during a special family dinner.

Design an Indoor Painting Studio. Painting seems to unleash the creativity in everybody – regardless of their age. Kids seem to especially enjoy this art form. Turn a spare room into a painting studio, covering the space with plastic and removing any objects you’d like to keep spatter-free. Then, equip your young artists with washable paint and large paper sheets. Provide a space where they can proudly display their finished artwork.

Set Up a Kids’ Talent Show. Everybody enjoys a family talent show, especially if there are prizes involved. So, announce that you’ll host a family talent night where each child can showcase their performance skills. Singing, dancing, feats of strength – it’s all on the table. Encourage the kids to practice beforehand, and award a special prize to the winner(s). Take video of the occasion, and watch it again over a family pizza party.

Host a Living Room Campout. Although camping in the woods is off limits during the winter, kids will enjoy a living room camp-out just as much. Announce the trip in advance, and set up your tent (or make one with blankets and chairs) in a corner of the living room. If space doesn’t permit, move the event to the family room. Plan some kid-friendly campfire games, tell stories, and make s’mores on the stove while you stay toasty warm.

GET OUT IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Explore Your Local Library. Although you might not realize it, your nearby library is full of hidden treasures. Besides books, you’ll find music and movies suitable for all ages. Even better, the library has many comfortable chairs (and very likely a kids’ reading section), so you and the youngsters can enjoy some quality reading time while you’re there.

For a change of pace, send the kids on a library-based scavenger hunt. In other words, they must find several books written on a given topic or destination. Each child receives points for every book they score. The child with the most points wins a highly desirable prize.

Embark on a Museum Visit. In downtown Murphy, NC, the Cherokee County Historical Museum can help kids connect to the area’s history while offering up a bounty of fascinating artifacts. In fact, the Museum features a 5,000-piece Native American artifact collection, with each item found in Cherokee County.

The Cherokee County Historical Museum is conveniently located at 89 Peachtree Street, near the courthouse and police station. When you arrive, take note of the bear and eagle figures near the entrance. Ask a museum docent about the animals’ role in Cherokee County history.

Put On Your Volunteer Hats. When kids (and adults) become consumed with holiday activities, needs of elderly or less-fortunate neighbors can fade into the background. To focus on what really matters, introduce children and teens to age-appropriate volunteer work. You’ll enjoy sharing the experience, and your kids might receive satisfaction from helping others.

In Cherokee County, numerous non-profit groups would appreciate your (and perhaps the kids’) help. As another option, offer to make meals (or run errands) for an elderly or under-the-weather neighbor. If you find a good fit, arrange a regular volunteer stint for you and the youngsters.

HIT THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Enjoy a Winter Nature Walk. If the weather cooperates, bundle up the kids and head out for a forest nature walk. Keep your young companions’ interest by giving them a purpose for their trek. For example, ask them to find different types of trees or bird calls. When you get home, research their finds via the Internet. Enjoy viewing the tree photos or listening to bird calls over hot chocolate.

Begin a Birdfeeding Hobby. With plants and seeds in winter hibernation, birds have a tough time finding food. So, provide them with some tasty snacks by making a batch of bird seed cookies. Find your recipes on the Internet, and ask the kids to help you hang the treats in your backyard. After watching your avian visitors flock to their winter feast, identify each species with a bird book or via Internet research.

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – ilovemurphy.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

Come Enjoy These Murphy, NC Christmas Celebrations

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Good old-fashioned Christmas celebrations just never go out of style. You circle the date on the calendar, pile the family into the car, and head to your town center to view the annual Christmas parade. Or, maybe you gather at a local church for a special musical program or Live Nativity experience. Here in Murphy, NC, we’re lucky to have several community holiday events during the month of December. So round up your family and friends, and make this a Christmas season you’ll remember for years.

Friday December 2 at 6 p.m.
Town of Murphy: Lighting of the Tree
Murphy’s town square will again host its much-anticipated “Lighting of the Tree” event. This family-friendly program includes children’s music and dance groups, and the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a kids’ Jingle Bell Walk. To cap off this memorable evening, Santa Claus will arrive on a festive-looking fire truck. Busy Valley River Avenue will be closed for the evening, giving everyone plenty of room to enjoy the fun.

Saturday Dec. 3 at 11:00 a.m., Sunday Dec. 4 at 7:00 p.m., and Monday Dec. 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Murphy First Baptist Church
: 40th Annual Singing Christmas Tree
517 Hiwassee Street
, Murphy, NC
Share in a community Christmas tradition by viewing the Murphy First Baptist Church’s Annual Singing Christmas Tree. Now in its 40th year, the Tree features a “Find Us Faithful” theme presented by about 45 talented singers positioned on a 40-foot-high tree. While you listen to favorite songs from the Tree’s history, you can watch the Christmas story unfold before your eyes.

To create the Singing Christmas Tree, volunteers spent considerable time building and assembling the tree inside the church. Singers devoted many hours to rehearsals, blending their voices into soaring melodies and harmonies. Everyone’s hard work culminates in a memorable Christmas musical event you’ll want to experience every year.

Saturday December 3 at 2 p.m.
Murphy Hometown Christmas Parade
Bundle up the family, and get ready to enjoy a wonderful small-town Christmas parade. Beginning at the Valley Village Shopping Center, the parade route winds through downtown Murphy, ending at First Baptist Church across from McDonald’s. Choose your favorite vantage point, bring some chairs and hot chocolate, and prepare to experience some old-fashioned family fun.

Although parade participants vary every year, you’re likely to see marching units and floats sponsored by children’s groups, non-profit organizations, and local businesses. This year, The Poltrock Team will join in the fun, waving to parade-goers from the team’s “Santa’s Workshop” float. Come on out and greet them!

Friday December 16 & Saturday December 17 from 6 -8 p.m. (Drive Through)
Shepherd of the Mountains Church: Live Nativity
Providence Lane, Murphy, NC
With a calendar full of holiday parties, gift buying, and cookie baking, it’s easy to forget the real meaning of Christmas. Fortunately, Murphy’s Shepherd of the Mountains Church reminds us of the enduring value of the Christmas story, presenting a Live Nativity on its Murphy, NC campus every year since 2013.

Given as a community ministry, Shepherd Church’s Live Nativity re-creates the Christmas story using characters such as wise men, shepherds, angels, and even live barnyard animals. The much-loved manger scene is the highlight of the experience. This year, view the Live Nativity while you stay warm and comfortable in your vehicle. Note: The Live Nativity is free of charge, but donations are accepted.

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – ilovemurphy.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

Choosing Your Special Family Christmas Tree

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Picking out that special Christmas tree can turn into a fun family excursion. You put on jeans and boots, pile in the car or truck, and head to the Christmas tree lot of your choice. While you’re there, you’ll probably walk past dozens of likely candidates, looking for one that’s just the right size and shape. You’ll know the perfect tree when you find it, and you know the lights and decorations will make it look even better. Here in our mountain community, you have two outstanding Christmas tree sources – one just a stone’s throw from downtown Murphy, NC. So clear a spot in the house, retrieve your tree stand from storage, and get ready to add some Christmas spirit to your home!

ROTARY CLUB OF MURPHY, NC
If you like to continue annual traditions – and want to help out a worthwhile cause – consider purchasing your fresh-cut Christmas tree from the Rotary Club of Murphy. This well-known service organization focuses on projects that benefit our local community, and the Rotary’s Christmas tree sales help to provide funds for those programs.

Finding the Rotary’s Christmas tree sales operation is easy, as the group sets up shop in the same location every year. As you turn off Highway 64 (also called the four-lane) into the Murphy Ingles shopping center, you can’t miss the cluster of Christmas trees opposite the Taco Bell restaurant. Every day from 1:00-5:30, you’ll find a friendly Rotary volunteer ready to help you select a tree to give your home that special holiday glow.

SOUTHERN TREE PLANTATION, INC.
There’s nothing like getting your Christmas tree from an old-fashioned tree farm. If that sounds appealing, take a short drive to Southern Tree Plantation, located at 2226 Owltown Road in nearby Blairsville, Georgia. (706) 745-0601. From November 30th through December 23rd, visit the farm Monday through Friday from 1:00-5:30. Saturday hours are 10:00-5:30, and Sunday hours are 1:00-5:30.

At Southern Tree Plantation, you can choose and cut your own Christmas tree, or ask a tree farm employee to handle the tree cutting work. The farm offers several popular tree varieties, such as Canaan Fir (West Virginia balsam fir), Fraser Fir, Blue Spruce, or Norway Spruce. After you nail down your tree purchase, check out Southern Tree Plantation’s slate of family activities, available on both weekend days.

First, hop aboard the farm’s haywagon, and take a fun family hayride. You’ll meander through 60 acres of beautiful mountain country, and enjoy peaceful river and creek views. Or, try to outsmart the brand-new, super-tough wooden barnyard maze.

For younger children, Southern Tree Plantation offers weekend pony rides aboard the farm’s friendly little steeds. Or, maybe the kids would enjoy a trip on the Southern Tree Express, the new miniature train that runs on a road track. After you wrap up all the activities, gather the family for a visit to the marshmallow roasting station, where you can savor some tasty morsels while swapping tall tales.

Whether you snag your Christmas tree in Murphy, NC, or head over to Blairsville, GA to make your purchase, throw a family tree decorating party when you get home. Break out the hot cider and hot chocolate, and munch on mouthwatering cookies while you string the garland and hang the ornaments. Then, stand back and let the ooh’s and aah’s begin!

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – ilovemurphy.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

Murphy’s Chophouse Offers Steak and Seafood with a Fine-Dining Feel

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If you’re in the mood for a nice, juicy steak, but you don’t want to drive two hours to a big-city steakhouse, head over to Murphy’s Chophouse for a tasty meal that satisfies your palate. Conveniently located in the town of Murphy, NC, the Chophouse is just downhill from the First United Methodist Church, after you round the curve heading away from downtown. Murphy’s Chophouse offers lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, and serves up a Sunday brunch that combines classic breakfast dishes with tempting lunch bites. In other words, you can enjoy a Chophouse meal during any time of day.

When you arrive at Murphy’s Chophouse, you’ll see a white stucco-style building with crisp brown trim. During the warmer months, you can enjoy your drinks and meals on the inviting patio, located just outside the restaurant’s front door. If you’d prefer to dine indoors, the Chophouse’s warm gold walls and brown furniture complement the casual atmosphere.

Now, let’s get to the most important topic: the food. First, open up the enticing lunchtime menu, where you’ll find tasty appetizers, soups, and salads. Choose from three Chophouse burgers (including a bison bacon cheeseburger), or browse the extensive sandwich menu. For a change of pace, try a specialty plate, such as a smoked ham and cheddar quiche, fish and chips, or even a flame-grilled rib eye steak. Several gluten-free items are also available.

Next, let’s say you’ve arrived for an early bird dinner, served Monday through Thursday from 4 -5 p.m. Or, maybe you prefer to dine a bit later in the evening. Either way, the Chophouse’s fine-dining dinner menu offers plenty of tempting choices. Begin with an appetizer, hearty soup, or main-dish salad.

Next, satisfy your palate with a USDA beef selection, such as a filet mignon or slow-roasted prime rib. Or, select a fresh seafood entree, such as a shellfish platter, bacon-wrapped jumbo scallops, or Carolina mountain trout. Don’t forget the specialty selections, including the grilled quail and venison sausage and chicken scallopini. Two vegetarian pasta dishes are also available.

Best of all, you can top off your satisfying dinner with a delectable dessert. If you’re a chocolate fan, try the five-layer “Extreme Dream” dark chocolate cake. Or, consider the hot chocolate-caramel turtle cake and rich, creamy cheesecake. For a lighter touch, choose a tasty ice cream or sherbet. Enjoy your dessert with a cup of steaming hot coffee.

If you’ve always been a Sunday brunch fan, come enjoy the Chophouse’s signature brunch experience. Served from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., the restaurant’s sumptuous brunch includes traditional favorites such as Eggs Benedict and stuffed French toast, along with omelets and Sunday chopped steak.

Finally, if you’re searching for a private dining venue in Murphy, NC, Murphy’s Chophouse makes a very attractive choice. Whether you’re hosting a business meeting, greeting friends at a social get-together, or planning a wedding reception, the restaurant’s event planning staff can seamlessly coordinate the occasion. Customized menus, along with an award-winning wine list, make Murphy’s Chophouse an appealing option for a full range of events.

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – ilovemurphy.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team