The Cherokee Indian Legend of The Cedar Tree A long time ago when the Cherokee people were new upon the earth, they thought that life would be much better if there was never any night. They beseeched the Ouga (Creator) that it might be day all the time and that there would be no darkness. The Creator heard their voices and made the night cease and it was day all the time. Soon, the forest was thick with heavy growth. It became difficult to walk and to find the path. The people toiled in the gardens many long hours trying to keep the weeds pulled from among the corn and other food plants. It got hot, very hot, and continued that way day after long day. The people began to find it difficult to sleep and became short tempered and argued among themselves. Not many days had passed before the... 02/17/2010

Looking back on the 2009 MLS Overview we see that Home sales were upby 34 closings from the 2008 MLS totals, but the Land sales were down by 63.Click HERE to see the Jan 2010 Residential Market Report If we can assist you in finding your mountain home or land in theNC, GA or TN Mountains visit us at www.MountainLivingTeam.com   02/17/2010

What Do You Need To Know About Radon in the NC, GA and TN Mountains? Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that is released naturally occurring in the granite and shale soils prevalent in our area. High levels of Radon Gas is wide spread in the mountains of North Georgia, Western North Carolina and Southeast Tennessee. The US Surgeon General warns us that exposure to high levels of radon is second leading cause of lung cancer. The gas enters your home by migrating through the foundation, and through small cracks and other small holes in your home's foundation. Be-Radon-Safe has some of the best information and links on Radon available so make sure to check out their Radon Sites & Links Radon Remediation  Mitigation, Repair, Diagnotics, Consulting Simple and proven methods are deployed when... 02/15/2010

      Last year in mid-February here in Murphy, North Carolina I wrote a blog about seeing my first daffodil of the season.  Today, the headline on my Yahoo home page says that 49 of our 50 states have show on the ground somewhere.  Let's face it, they could hold the Winter Olympics in Washington, DC this year if snow was the only requirement! When I went back and read about last winter, I was amazed to find that I spoke of it being unusually harsh.  That seems like an understatement now.  Snow on Friday afternoon sent the kids home from school early and sent everyone else in town to the grocery store where I think they were all ahead of me in line!  Now we have snow in the forecast for tonight as well.  Although I hail from Michigan, where summer is defined as "two bad days of ice fish... 02/14/2010

2010 Annual 4-H Plant Sale The Cherokee County NC Cooperative Extension office in Murphy, NC is now taking orders for their 2010 4-H Plant Sale. Each year the NC Cooperative Extension has this plant sale to raise money for 4-H programs in our area.   This year they are offering the following and have different varieties to choose from. Trees: Apple, Cherry, Pear and Flowering Cherry.Bushes/Plants: Blackberry, Blueberry and Grapes. For more information on varieties of each plant or tree and exact prices, please contact the extension office or see this INFO SITE TO PLACE YOUR ORDER: Come by our office, call us at 828-837-2210, fax it to 828-837-2172, or mail it to NC Cooperative Extension, 39 Peachtree St., Suite 103, Murphy, NC  28906.  This is a fundraiser and there is no guarantee on p... 02/12/2010

   There may be snow flurries in the air but for the Business Women of Cherokee County, it's time to think SUMMER.  Planning is already underway for the group's big event in Murphy, North Carolina - the 4th of July Hometown Celebration and parade.    President Jamie Keener announced at the annual membership meeting that last year's event was the most successful ever, drawing record crowds.  Proceeds from this event fund the group's community projects, including the Princess Closet, which recently held a ribbon cutting at its new location.  "The Princess Closet offers formal dresses and accessories to disadvantaged middle and high school girls who might miss the opportunity to attend their prom or formal dance were it not for this service," Keener explained.  " Tammy Fleisher, owner of D... 02/12/2010

Antica Roma Caffé has just opened in Murphy, NC. Yes, it’s like a little piece of Italy in downtown Murphy now. Lee and I stopped in for an Espresso and a Nutella Frutta Crepe to share while we were passing through town today. It was heavenly; a freshly made from scratch crepe, hazelnut spread, powder sugar, fresh whipped cream and bananas. Of course we had such a hard time picking just one of the delicious desserts that we had to take home three! Don’t worry – we’ll try not eat them all tonight.   They just had their official ribbon cutting yesterday with the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and we’re really looking forward to their upcoming Wine Tasting night with samples of assorted Panini’s, pastries and wines from Italy. Antica Roma Caffe 828.837.5300OPEN MON thru SAT 8am - 6pm1... 02/11/2010

The Princess Closet has a new home located in the Digital Creations Building in Murphy, NC. The Princess Closet was started by the Business Women of Cherokee County, NC and is open to Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties for young ladies in need to find a wonderful dress for their school formal dances. They have so many beautiful dresses in all sizes, lengths and colors to choose from. If you need a special clutch or jewelry to go along with your gown, they've got a great assortment to give you a little extra sparkle too. The young ladies are charged a $30 fee and when the gown is  returned they get $15 back. The remaining $15 is used to have the gown dry cleaned and returned to the Princess Closet. Please call 828-837-1163 for your appointment to visit Princess Closet. 02/10/2010

As you travel through Murphy, NC on Hwy 64 you'll notice the road construction, building and new sign going up. Tractor Supply will soon be opening a new store located in Murphy and very convenient to our neighboring GA and TN residents. This will not only bring more jobs to Cherokee County, but Tractor Supply is one of our favorite places to shop for tools, home decor, clothing, garden, farm and animal supplies. Murphy, NC is growing!   02/09/2010

"These are difficult times for everyone and especially those who own a business.  It's important that we support each other, whether it's a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen or just providing information on new marketing techniques." These comments by Vice-President Bonnie DuPree introduced the theme of a series of free workshops to the Business Women of Cherokee County at their annual networking meeting held last week in Murphy, North Carolina.  "Really successful people don't just live in the present," Bonnie pointed out.  "They imagine the future and visualize what their customers will want.  These workshops will benefit you whether you own a restaurant, retail store or work from home." "There are three things that you should be spending your time doing right now - MARKETING, MAR... 02/09/2010

  Free Concert at the John C. Campbell Folk School Brasstown, NC   Featured Concert: Buck & NelsonDate & Time: 7:30 pm - February 12, 2010 Admission: Free, donations welcome Location: Community Room, Keith House David Buchanan and Nelson Thomas, aka Buck & Nelson, have been performing music together since the mid 1970’s. They began learning the basics of music and playing string instruments in the basement of Nelson's parent's house. For the past 20 years they have also performed solo, with a number of other musicians, and at many venues including performing in “The Reach of Song” (Georgia’s Official Historical Drama). Their main instrument is the acoustic guitar, which they both flatpick and play fingerstyle. They also bring other instruments to perform on, including the mandolin, fidd... 02/08/2010

This was the old Pine Log steel bridge in Warne, NC. After they built the new concrete bridge this one was bought and moved over to a large farm property right next to a property we just closed on. The new owners just love having this next to their property on the Brasstown Creek.     02/06/2010

    Cherokee County, NC Residential Real Estate Market Report for January 2010 Residential New listings were 94, for a total of 972 Active, 5 Pending and 12 Sold.  Average sales price was $122,142. Average days on market - DOM was 191 days.   All statistical information used to create this report was obtained from the Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors MLS. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.   02/05/2010

Nantahala National Forest - Tsali Recreation Area in NC Tsali, an internationally renowned mountain biking facility, derives its name from a Cherokee hero martyred in connection with the infamous Trail of Tears, when thousands of Cherokee were rounded up for forced removal to Oklahoma. The historical record is impossibly murky, but Tsali and some members of his family were apparently executed by their own people, perhaps to placate military authorities, in the aftermath of a scuffle in which one or more U.S. soldiers were killed. Some accounts say Tsali willingly sacrificed his life so that some of his countrymen could remain amid their beloved mountains. In any case, he has become a symbol of Cherokee resistance to oppression. Tsali Recreation Area has always been a popular destination... 02/04/2010

This is one of my favorite trees in Murphy, NC. If you're in Murphy and headed over the the Murphy Medical Center, Tri-County Community College or the John C. Campbell Folk School you'll get a chance to see this pasture full of beautiful trees. This day there was a little cold mist and fog, but don't they have such character? Just another lovely site as you're driving or biking around the Cherokee County, NC mountains! If you'd like more information on the NC, GA and TM mountains visit www.LeeAndCarol.com 02/03/2010

January, 2010 home sales results are in for Murphy, North Carolina and Cherokee County and the low prices and historically low interest rates continue to entice buyers to make the move to our mountains.  Tax credits of up to $8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers are still available for homes under contract by the end of April. There were 18 sales and 19 pending contracts written in the month of January.  Inventory is declining twice as fast as new listings are coming on the market, with 175 homes sold, pending, withdrawn or expired, while 79 new listings were posted for the month. Sales results are typical for the month - in January, 2009, 19 sales were posted in the county.                                  Homes in the lower price range continue to outsell the more ... 02/02/2010

Happy Groundhog Day from Punxsutawney Phil! Every year, Punxsutawney, Pa., and the world wait eagerly to find out if the groundhog will see his shadow. If he dashes back from seeing his shadow, we're stuck with six more weeks of winter! If he sticks around above ground, then spring is around the corner. This year Punxsutawney Phil sent out a text letting all his friends get a “heads–up” on what the future weather holds for us. In case you missed getting in on that exclusive text list… SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER COMING OUR WAY!!!       02/01/2010

This flowing Junaluska Creek running through Andrews, NC is just one of the many NC creeks, lake and areas named after Chief Junaluska, the Cherokee chief who saved Andrew Jackson's life in the 1814 Battle of Horseshoe against the Creek Indians. Years later, Jackson betrayed his rescuer when he signed the Indian Removal Act, and in turn the great Cherokee leader earned the name we know him by—Junaluska, meaning "he tried repeatedly but failed."     01/30/2010

  Murphy, NC in the Mexican restaurant parking lot around 2pm and the snow is wet and starting to come down now, but not sticking. About an hour and a half later driving home you can really see it has gotten worse.   This next photo we're stopped on Hwy 64 west behind five other cars and the DOT truck who has stopped to pull another DOT truck off the side of the road - not a good sign. Already seen an SUV flip right in front of us and another pick-up truck flipped. Next we finally made it up into Wolf Mountain and we're headed down our street...almost home now.   Evergreens are just hanging and covered with snow. Finally made it home - Still snowing and more to come!Haven't seen this much snow since we moved to Murphy, NC back in 1997. Snowball fight anyone? 01/29/2010

How the Red Bird Got His Color   Cherokee Words:               wolf wa-ya raccoon gv-li bird tsi-s-qua brown u-wo-di-ge red gi-ga-ge red bird to-tsu-wa Gv-li loved to tease wa-ya. One day gv-li teased wa-ya so much that wa-ya became very angry. Wa-ya began to chase gv-li through the woods. Gv-li, being the clever animal that he is, kept ahead of wa-ya. Gv-li came to a river. Instead of jumping in the river, he quickly climbed a tall tree and peered over a branch to see what wa-ya would do next. When wa-ya came to the river, he saw the reflection of gv-li in the water. Thinking that it was gv-li, wa-ya jumped in and tried to catch him. Wa-ya continued to search for gv-li for such a long time that he became so tired he nearly drowned. Finally, tired and exhausted, wa-ya climbed up the riv... 01/28/2010