The Wildlife of Murphy NC

When you come to Murphy NC, it’s common to wonder, “what kind of wildlife will I see?” It’s a great question and our area offers some wonderful wildlife.

Elk in the Smoky MountainsThe Famous: Yes, we have elk that are famous. Introduced in 2001, the National Park Service brought 25 elk to their new home in the Great Smoky Mountains. Later in 2002, another 27 were introduced. Today, there are an estimated 150-200 animals that are great to watch – and impressive to say the least. They’re herd animals always on the move and are never more than a short trip away and are commonly just North of Cherokee.

The Common: Our most common large animals you’ll see in your yard if your blessed enough to own a home in Murphy NC are deer and turkey. Many folks feed their deer and turkey in their back yard. Bucks, does, hens, and toms are great to watch and truly give you peace when you watch them.

The Small: We have the usual suspects like squirrel, raccoons, possums (who are made famous at Clay Logan’s Brasstown NC Possum Drop) , chipmunks, ground hog,  and a few others.

Are there bear in Murphy NC? Yes! There are. I’ve been here for 10 years and only seen two for a very brief moment. Jessica, my wife, is born and raised right here in Murphy and she doesn’t recall even seeing one! The fact is, you have little to concern yourself with. You’ll virtually never see them unless you go looking for them. Black bears are largely shy and do not want to be concerned with people. You’re more likely to see them as cabin decorations than to see them in real life.

What else could I see in Murphy NC? You can even find coyotes, bobcat, fox, swine, ground hog, skunk, and wolf (if you’re lucky! They’re endangered). All these are a rare treat to see.

Think you’ll enjoy the wildlife? We do! Want to own a home in the mountains of Murphy NC? We can help! Search our listings or contact us and let us know what we can do to help. Feel free to call – we’re here for you.

John Poltrock – Call The Poltrock Team – REMAX of Murphy NC – www.MyMurphy.comJohnPoltrock@gmail.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

Experience Our Famous New Year’s Eve Possum Drop This Year in Brasstown NC

If you always get a thrill when that glittery ball drops on New Year’s Eve – but you have no intention of heading to Times Square – join us for the mountain version of that memorable occasion. On Thursday, December 31, 2015, quiet little Brasstown, North Carolina (several miles from Murphy, NC) will host its 22nd Annual New Year’s Eve Possum Drop. This nationally famous event kicks off around 9:30 p.m., when several hundred to thousand hardy revelers gather at the Clay’s Corner station, right next to the John C. Campbell Folk School. This family-friendly evening is alcohol free, so bring the kids to enjoy it, too!

The festivities begin with toe-tapping bluegrass from the Barker Brothers, followed by Larry Witcher’s classic “Eulogy to a Possum” that always stirs the crowd’s emotions. Shortly after 10 p.m., the Guest of Honor arrives with considerable fanfare. As the lucky possum reclines in comfort, he enjoys a gospel music tribute and the much-anticipated Possum Idol Sing-Off.

Next, the Miss Possum Contest takes center stage. If you’re expecting a typical beauty pageant, where lovely young ladies glide across the stage in gorgeous evening gowns, you’re barking up the wrong tree. Instead, you’ll see several lumberjack types who likely drove their pickup trucks to the event – except they’re all decked out in frills and glitter. Believe it or not, they’re all competing for the coveted “Miss Possum” crown. This event defies description – you just have to see it in person. After the whoops and hollers die down, enjoy a “Tribute to Our Service Men and Women,” quite appropriate for this highly patriotic region.

As midnight approaches, excitement builds for the big Possum Drop. This year, station owner Clay Logan plans to lower a live opossum, who views all the hoopla from his cozy decorated Plexiglas box. In contrast, Logan was compelled to use a fake possum during the 2014 event, after an animal rights group’s legal action blocked him from using a live animal. However, this year the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation that brought a real possum back into the picture. The animal rights group challenged the new law, but a North Carolina Superior Court Judge ruled in the possum’s favor.

Now, you might be wondering about the possum’s pre-event accommodations. Because this sluggish marsupial is the main attraction, Clay Logan ensures that his newfound friend gets the star treatment for several days before the show. Mr. Possum gets a nice comfy bed and tasty meals, and he doesn’t have to worry about becoming a Murphy, NC area traffic statistic. In other words, the possum lives high on the hog. And just in case you wonder, we support the use of the opossum! It gets the red carpet treatment making it the luckiest possum possible.

Finally, the clock strikes the midnight hour, and Clay Logan happily lowers his possum to welcome the New Year. The crowd erupts into roars and applause, and there are lots of hugs and kisses to go around. Brilliant fireworks fill the Brasstown, NC sky, and another Possum Drop goes into the record books.

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

Happy New Year 2011 From Murphy NC!!

The first work day in 2011 has officially began, and it is a time for us to get a kick start on the New Year and truly enjoy the opportunities before us. As I get ready to officially hit the grindstone, I thought I would share our New Year’s with you and even some pictures from it.

This year we celebrated the rolling in of 2011 at the famous Possum Drop in Brasstown NC at the famous Clay’s Corner! It was a LOT of fun and was even featured on CBS’s Sunday Morning television show yesterday! The live redneck drag show, great music with banjo pickin’, a FANTASTIC fireworks show, and of course, Opie the Possum, and all the other spectacles make for one of the most fun and unique celebrations in the United States – and it’s right here in Brasstown (which is only 5-10 minutes from Murphy NC). Right at midnight, Opie the Possum was lowered and the crowd of at least a thousand people cheered! Clay Logan, the man behind the Possum Drop, did a wonderful job this year and even remembered to remember our Veterans and those lost at war.

With that said, I hope you enjoy the pictures and we hope to see you here in Murphy NC this year! We’re here for your real estate needs, so if there’s anything we can do to help, we’re only a call away.

You may click the pictures below to view larger versions.

John Poltrock – The Poltrock Team at REMAX in Murphy NC – www.MyMurphy.com – JohnPoltrock@gmail.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496