Newspapers / The Cherokee Scout (Murphy, … / Dec. 21, 1967, edition 1 / Page 1
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US8*** *J*gk?6 **** The Cherokee 'Oterokee County's Best S*H*r" Scout and Clay County Progress Volume 78 ? Number 22 Meipby, Mm* CmIIm December 21t 1967 14 Pf ? Tl?l? W? k rcogi Mimwm AT MUNPMY. NOKTH CAMOUMA Excursion Into Christmas (Editor's note: The follow ing article by Mr*. Barber* Sampson was written when she was a student at Carson New man College. She submitted It (or publication at the time it was written, but It was turned down. The article has been published In the current Usue of "Friends" mag azine. Mrs. Sampson Is now the Journalism teacher at Hlwassee Dam High School.) By Mrs. Barbara Sampson CHRBTMAS EVE Is no time for tears, but 1 was crying. Great wet drops stole down my cheeks, soaking my col lar. 1 bit back a gulp and squared my shoulders, trying to be brave. But how can you be brave when you have just had your whole world yanked from under you? Again I re-lived the moment of no more than fifteen min utes before when Dr. Hoffme ier had dealt his blow: "Let this be the last lesson, Marcle," he had ordered gruffly. My stammered why brought the wreck of dreams that had been close and real since the first time I tucked a violin under my chin and .pulled a bow quaverlngly a cross the strings. "I can teach you no more," he had said. "Your technique Is perfect. You are a machine playing a violin flawlessly-but there is no heart-no soul." He waved a wrinkled old hand to silence my protest. "I do not mean you are a heartless girl. You are kind and good. You have done all I have asked, but 1 cannot teach you soul. That will come, or It will not come. Perhaps it is only that you are young. One grows with living." I'd stumbled out, my violin clutched under my arm. For ten years-ever since 1 was a small girl- I had come three times a week to the stuffy little room where the once famous old man condescended to take pupils, but only pupils with promise. Now 1 was denies, shut out; the tech nically perfect little violln playlng machne thatDr.Hoff meier would no longer permit to come for lessons. AS I SHUFFLED along the street, I felt the cold, sharp sting of snowflakes on my cheeks. Snow on Christmas eve-the perfect touch -and yet I had no joy in thinking of white Christmas, the shining tree, laughing with my parents and younger brothers and sisters. Gone was even the excite ment of the family trek to the candlelighting service at the church in the dim darkness of early Christmas morning.. Now all the world was dark, dire, ugly, with no future with my violin carrying me to heights that I had dreamed of for so long. The streets narrowed, be coming crowded. I realized this as a man jostled me, almost knocking the case from my hand. He caught it firmly, saying "Sorry." I looked into a working-man's face, etched with worry lines. "That would have been the final straw," he said. "Everything's gone wrong lately, but if I'd had to try to replace your instrument..*' I ??No harm done," I murmured, trying to smile reassurlnarlv. The shock of seeing someone else made me look .round. Then 1 reallied my feet had led me into a sec tion of the city where the poor huddled together In need and hunger. The feet hurrying by wore broken, run-overshoes that made me shiver with shared discomfort. A pair of wore scarlet sandals suddenly rushed by -a dancer racing to her Job at the cheap dance hall at the end of the street. Two small children clung to gether before a toy shop, noses tight against the frosty glass. A broken man slouched at a lamppost. Somehow I knew that In all the world he had no place to go, no one to wish him Merry Christmas. A girl no older than 1 strug gled up the street, a fat baby In one arm, a huge, pink, stuffed poodle In the other. She slipped, and. In protect ing the baby, dropped the toy to the wet pavement. 1 scoop ed It up quickly and wiped It clean. "I don't think It's hurt," I said, helping her get It safely settled again In the crook of her arm. "No.' she said gratefully. You picked It up so quickly before It could be ruined. This is Earl's first Christmas, and this was all we could give him." . "And your love," 1 heard myself say. and I saw an almost angelic smile blossom on the other girl's face. ^ "That was goodl" a tremb ling old voice spoke close to my elbow. "Your heart, it is kind, yes?" "1 don't know." I whispered. remembering Dr.Hoffmeler's words. ? "Of course you know, scoffed the old man with the funny walrus mustache. "You know in your heart what Christmas Is. 1 watch you standing here, seeing us who do not have enough, and your heart shows in your face. You would do all. and yet you think you can do nothing. And so you suffer. You will always suffer, wanting to help everyone, never knowing that to wipe off a plush dog and remind a little mother that love is a great gift is also a great gift." .... ??You are wonderfully kind," I whispered, wonder ing if this was living. If this -was experiencing, so that I might no longer be mechani cal but a living, breathing violinist. ??You look at my package. You wonder what It Is, yes 7" A chuckle wrinkled his face. "I am very old, my dear, but also wise. I have learned that heart Is the only gift one can give. These are bananas. Only bananas some would say. Yet my Rosa loves them so that with them -and me she will have a good Christ mas." "Let me give her some thing," I cried, and then I ? felt my cheeks name at my crudeness in the face of a greatness I did not have. "Things money can buy, we do not need now, my child," he assured me, and I was relieved that he was not hurt at my presumptuousness. I "Out of your heart you may give us one thing: PUy 'or us. 1 live in the fist ?hove. My Ross Is st the window, watching snd waiting for me. Plsy snd she will hear. snd It will be s great thing for our Christmas." I almost cried out Dr. Hoffmeler*s words bitterly. But then I knelt snd unbuckled the esse snd lifted out my violin. These were good people, kind people. They listening with their hearts, would supply sll that my play ing Iscked. The dear little msn and his Ross should hsve their gift from me. Pray erfully, | itfWd ^ ftmU. iar dark wood, tucked it unttor my chin and rested my cheek against Its satin smoothness. Drawing the bow, I drifted into the strains of "Silent Night." "My desr. I g0| j llft the windowl Together, my Ross snd I shall shout 'Brsvol Bra vol* louder than all the rest." The bow was moving up ward, downward, sweeping me along with the unspeakable beautiful, throbbing strains of song. Before the spell was woken, someone celled for O Holy Night," snd I drifted into its piercing besuty. Nev er once did my violin grow I'lEIIf < after another called for an old favorite Little Town of Bethle hem," "It Came upon the Midnight Clear," "The First Noel," "Angels from the Realm* of filorv," I do not know how long I stood there, carried along by the magic ot my violin and its inspired bow. I hsd seen the faces crowded about me, eager and happy, but now I sud denly realized that the side walk. the street itself, was jammed with people, all with the holy light of Christmas on their faces. Tbey were like the faces I saw in church on that Bles sed Morn. And as my bow whispered to a stop, there was a great breath of ap plause, the throbbing of voices and hands. And above all the others. 1 heard the thin ola voices from the window above: "Bravol Bravissimol An Artist- a great artlstl" They were talking about me me-the perfect machine. I did not try to hide the tears In eyes as I looked at all the glowing faces that shouted to me, 'Thank you and God bless you." I choked as I called back as loudly as I oould so all might hear, "No-no-do not thank me. it Is I who must thank you for the most wonderfulChrlstmas gift 1 have ever received." 1 left then, quickly and qui etly. One night cannot const itute a lifetime, but it could be a start at least to uncter standing what the maestro meant. After the New Year I would return to him . 1* would play for him my medley of carols, closing my eyes, recalling my Christmas audi ence. And then I would ask him what 1 must do. He would have an answer, and in my heart, I knew where the answer would lead me. Letters To Santo Clous Dear Santa, 1 think I have been a good boy this year. Will you please bring me a swingster. II you don't know what a swing ster is, it is a record player. Well this is about all this year. Thanks a lot Santa. I'll write you again next year. Good* by for now. Your friend, Dwayne Kilpatrlck P.S. We have a fire in the fireplace. Come through the door. Dear Santa Claus, For Christmas I want a record player. And lots of records. I have been a good little girl. Don't forget other girls and boys. 'Jimmy my brother has been good, too. He wants a tent, tractor and motorcycle. Some children don't get nothing. U they don't get nothing I don't want anything. Loye Always, Lynn Bateman Dear Santa Claus, I have been good. Please bring me a racing ear set. Thank you Santa Claus, Joseph Davidson Ball. Dear Sanu Claus, I like you and bring me some toys. I have been good at school. Please brlig me a gun and some skates. I want ? etch-a-sketch and a paint set. Thank You Sanu. Kenneth Dean Payne Dear Sana Claus, I have been good, please bring me a stove, and doll. Thank you. Brenda Coffey Dear Santa: 1 have been food. Please bring me doll and hula hoop. Tara Garrett Deer Santa Claus: I have been good. Please bring me go-cart. Thank you. Ivan Hog sad Dear Santa Claus: 1 have been good. Please bring me hula-hoop. Thank you. Anne Dear Santa Claus: I have been good. Please bring me an etch-a-sketch, Ava Sue Crowe Dear Santa Claus: I have been good. Please bring me doll slates, a radio and an etch-a-sketch. Stacle Dear Santa Claus: I have been good. Please bring me a doll and a hula hoop. Thank you. Dimple Ingram Dear Sanw Claus: I have been food. Please bring me a hula-hoop and doll clothes. Thank you. Blaine Ladford Dear Santa Claus: 1 have been good. Please bring me guitar. Thank you. Tommy Green Dear Santa Claus, I have been good. Please bring me a paint set,- Thank you Santa Claua. Barry Payne Dear Santa Claua: I have been good. Pleaae bring me a hula-hoop. Piano THIS TRACTOR-TRAILER RIG overturned on US 19-129 In the Rhodo section east at Andrews Tuesday morning. The driver, Thurman Penix, SO, of Asheville, was treated at District Memorial Hospital. Penix told the Highway Patrol he was travelling east and was forced off the road by an unidentified motorist. In another accident, Mrs. Helen Kivel of Andrews suffered undertermined injuries Wednesday morning when her car struck a tele phone pole on Bristol Ave. in Andrews. District Memorial Hospital declined to release in formation on her condition. (Photo by Sue Morrow) Rep. WlleyA.McGlameryof Hayesville announced Wed nesday that he will seek re election to the North Carolina Housee of Representatives from the 49th District next year. The district includes Cher kee. Clay, Graham and Macon Counties. McGlamery represented Clay Cunty in the 1965 term of the General Assembly and was elected to the four county district for the 1967 session. "My interest in seeking an other term is that I have built up seniority and exper ience that will enable me to receive top committee assign ments where 1 can work for i he many services neeued in our district," McGlamery said. He cited roads, schools, welfare programs and the ex pansion of Western Carolina University and Tri County Technical Institute at Peach tree as the things he is most interested in working for. He added that the Community Col lege system should be expand ed to this area. McGlamery Seeks Another House Term Glamery said he "worked with the sponsors of the bill that raised death benefits from $12,000 to $15,000 under workman's compensation and raised the weekly maximum benefit from $37.50 to $42 under the state unemployment act" In the 1967 General Assembly. He pointed out that he ser ved on a special appropria tions committee that re commended pay increases for school personnel above Gov ernor Dan Moore's budget fig ures. "I will continue to work to repeal the lien law against our old people over 65 years of age," McGlamery said. "This law is a burden on our coui.ties to foreclose to collect and over 80% of the money reverts to the Federal and State Governments," he added. Murphy Library Holiday Schedule The Murphy Carnegie Pub lic Library holiday nchedule has been announced hy Ml** Josephine Helghway. She laid the library will be closed from Deremlier 23 through December 28 for Christmas. It will reopen on Friday, December 29. The New Year holiday will be observed by the library on January 1 and 2. "Those wishing to check out books or use the library facilities should keep these dates In mind," Miss Helgh way said. She pointed out that many books and publications are available in the library which would be helpful In planning Christmas and holiday programs. Use Complete Addresses During the Christmas rush, the postal service carries more mall than most countries do In a year. Postmaster- Joe Ray re quests that all people sending mail to those living on rural routes include the box number in the address. This aids In the sorting of mall. "We expect a record break ing nine billion pieces of mall to be delivered across die country this Christmas and cooperation by the mailing public in shopping and ma 11 ta| early and the use of ZIP codes will mean there is virtual assurance that all holiday mail will be delivered on tlnw,"he said. McGlamery pledged to work to bring teacher salaries in line with neighboring states and raise the pay of low in come state employees. Citing his past record, Mc year. Medicare will than pay 80% ($4 out of $5) of the re maining reasonable charge*. "Because of ? special rule, called the 'carry-over rule,' some people do not even have to have medical expenses tot alling $50 to file a claim for payment. This rule is ex plained on Page 21 of your green Medicare Handbook. "If you have any question as to whether certain medical expenses are, or are not, covered by Medicare ? or If you simply don't know how to file a claim for payment, or have delayed filing for any other reason ? get in touch with our office now. "H you yourself cannot telephone or call in person, have someone call or come in to the Social Security Office for you (with your Medicare card and the itemized bills). Your Asheville office is lo cated at SOSouth French Broad Avenue, Asheville, N. C. Telephone 252-8773." Wet Christmas? Dream on if you're flunk ing of a white Christmas. There were indications Monday of a wet Christmas season in the Murphy area. That heavy rain that fell several times during the day added up to 2.5 inches in the 12 hour period from 6 a.m. to ? p.m. at the rain gauge at Hlwassee Dam. Social Security Offers Help In Filing Claims All older people In Die Ashe vllle district office area .covered by the medical or "doctor bill" insurance part of Medicare, who have had medical expenses of over $50 In 1966 or 1967 ? but have not filed claims for payment on these expenses ? should contact the Social Security Office for any help needed in filing these claims right away, James E. Robertson, Social Security district manager, de clared Tuesday. Robertson strongly advised all such Medicare beneficiar ies to "get In touch with us without delay, since there is a time limit for filing these claims for benefits under Part B of Medicare. Particularly for medical expenses incurred in 1966 this time limit is fast approaching." He explained that as a gen eral rule such claims for payment must be filed "no later than the end of the cal endar year following the year In which the medical services are furnished." He reminded Medicare beneficiaries that in general they are responsible for the first $50 (the "deductible") of covered expenses In the and doll. Dear Santa Claus: I have been good, p lease bring me hula-hoop and doll. Thank you. AnltaReece Dear Santa Claus: I have been good. Please bring me a bicycle. Thank you Scott Scroggs Airport Bids To Be Opened Fridoy The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will open bids on Friday morning at the Courthouse for improve ments to theAndrews-Murphy Airport. The project involves land acquisition for airport develo pment and clear zones, and construction of a 4300-foot paved runway, stub taxi way and apron. A wind cone, segmented circle and runway markers are also Included. Total project cost Is esti mated by the engineers, John Talbert and Associates of Charlotte, at $280,000. Cher okee County holds options to acquire 82 acres of land in fee simple and 12 acres in easements for approach or clear zones. This acreage, which is slightly more than in the pre sent airport, will allow for future expansion of runways and aircraft parking and ser vice facilities. Financing of the airport im provements will he accomp lished with the assistance of a 50% grant from the Federal Aviation Administration and a grant of $43,999 from the Appalachian Regional Commi ssion. The voters of the county approved an airport bond re ferendum of $150,000 in Aug ust of 1966. The invitation to bid culmin ates two years of effort on the part of the Andrews Development Cor poration, the Cherokee County Rural Renewal Authority, and others to provide the trl state area -vlth modern air port facilities. Two Hour Parking Limit Enforced Police Commissioner Kenneth Godfrey announced this week that Murphy's two hour limit on parking meter spaces will be enforced. In a letter to downtown merchants and their employees, Godfrey pointed out that the town provides about 160 free parking spaces on the recently paved lot across from the County Jail and the lot behind the First Baptist Church. "We are now going to enforce the two hour limit on employees to use these lots as about one third of the meters or parking spaces are now being taken by employees who work several hours in town," Godfrey said. "Your cooperation ... will give the shoppers more time to do their shopping, thereby creating more business for everyone," he added. Godfrey pointed out that the two hour time limit "Is not a new ordinance. It has been effective since the meters were put in." Godfrey also saidbusiness men shoud not keep large sums of money on hand at night and over the weekends. He said this encourages burglaries and he has noted that several small towns in the area have had an increase in thefts recently. The police commissioner said this can be avoided in Murphy if the merchants will use the night deposit window at the bank. Zoning Change Request Denied The Murphy Planning Board voted last Thursday night to leave the Hilton, Harding and McClelland St. area In Its present residential two zoning ttatua. A group of residents of the area had signed a pptlrirlnn earlier requesting that the area he changed to resident ial one. The Board deferred action on the petition at a meeting on November 13 in order to ?tudy the petition and deter mine how many of the signers were property owners and what percentage of property owners desired a change. The Board learned that about one half of the proper ty In the area consists of apartments or single homes (or rent and, upon a motion by F. O. Christopher and a second by Ed Manchester, voted unanimously to recom mend that the area be left in its residential two status. A change in the zoning classification would have Marred future construction "f apartments in the area. The Board voted to defe? action on a request to change the zoning of the area of the King's cattle sale bam in Bealtown from residential two to a business classification. Dr. K.G.Keenum was elect ed chairman of the Planning Board. He replaces Joe Ray, who resigned for health reasons. Robbinsville Firemen Save Soldier's Life The life of Steve Phillips was saved by alert volunteer firemen when they responded to a call at the general store of Claude Hyde In Robbnsvllle on Monday. Firemen ana we red the call about 3 a.m. When they were able to enter the building some two hours later, they discov ered the unconscious body of Pvt. StevePhllllps under some baled hay In storage room of the store. He had been re ported missing earlier by his mother, Mrs. Claude Hyde. F Ire men had kept this part of the structure thoroughly doused in their efforts to pre vent the fire from spreading to the Hyde home. No one knew that Mrs. Hyde's son was anywhere In the building. He was taken to Andrews District Memorial Hospital where he was treated for smoke Inhalation, shock and exposure. At last report his condition was reported food. Claude Hyde, owner of the store, was sway on a hunting trip when the (Ire occurred. Mrs. Hyde told firemen that she had heard a noise be tween 2:00 and 3:00 a.m, and when she looked out the win dow saw flames coming from the store. A neighbor, Mrs. Henry Stiles, heard Mrs. Hyde's screams and called the fire department. The store was completely destroyed. At press time the cause of the fire was still unknown. Scout Office To Be Closed The Scout office will be closed Thursday, Friday and Monday In observance of the Christmas holiday. The office will also be closed Monday, January 1.
The Cherokee Scout (Murphy, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 21, 1967, edition 1
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