12 The Cherokee Scout PAGES , ^ _ and Clay County Proyross 15* Per Copy Volume 79 - Number 12 - Murphy, North Carolina, 28906 ? Second Class Postage Paid At Murphy, North Carolina ? Thursday, October 22. 1970 BEAT THE DEVILS!!!! Kitchen Staff Posed at the buffet bar, ready to serve customers at Bear Paw Inn are Norma Jean Allen, waitress; head chef Thomas (Tiny) Vinson; and second chef Edna Marie Reid. (Staff Photo) Resort Village New Look By Wally Avett Staff Writer The old Hiwassee Dam village wears a new name now and is getting a face-lifting to go with it, soon to emerge as the bright, new Bear Paw Resort. Named for nearby Bear Paw Creek, the village recently became the property of an Atlanta dentist, Dr. Robert M. Bretches. A homeowner in the private section of the village for the past six years, Dr. Bretches lost no time in beginning the renovation. First on the agenda was a thorough cleaning job and the new owner reported that 700 dumptruck loads of trash were hauled off to a landfill before any other work was done. Then his crews went to 'work on the main lodge building. The lodge was the dining hall and the 43 cottages housed workers about 30 ?years ago when the Hiwassee Dam was under construction. Now parts of the lodge have seen the ceilings dropped and new paneling put in and a restaurant, Bear Paw Inn, has opened for weekend business in the building. The lodge also houses a gymnasium where square dance meets and their activities are held and another large room which may be converted to a banquet room. There is a swimming pool behind the lodge. The old school building has been torn down and Dr. Bretches would like to see a summer boys camp on the site. Negotiations with a boys camp group are going on presently and a camp at Bear Paw may be a reality by next summer. The campers could make good use of the pool and also of the tennis courts located near the lodge. Remodelling of the cottages is the major project for Bear Paw, according to Dr. Bretches. Available for rent overnight, or by the week or for even longer periods, they have screened-in porches, cramped interiors and many are in need of painting. However, the Bear Paw plan calls for them to be changed into chalet-type cottages and the three or four which have completed the transformation are very attractive. The Chalk White and Tourist Court Green colors of the 1940's are gone and in their place are pastel yellows and natural rustic tones, light and lively. Gone also are the screened porches. The remodelled cottages sport modern open decks. And partitions have been removed on the inside to make a roomy combination of kitchen-dining - living room. Paneling has been installed, along with new ceilings and electric heaters. Dr. B retches says when the renovation of all the cottages is complete, Bear Paw plans "to go out after business and be very competitive" with other resorts. He hopes to attract conventions, conferences, seminars and business meetings of all types. He adds that he wants to cooperate w^hthe Chamber of Commerce in Murpny in advertising Bear Paw, since it will be mentioned in location as being "near Murphy, N.C." Dr. Bretches also plans to steer customers to his resort through gas stations in and around Murphy, both with brochures and word-of-mouth advertising. He says he also wants business from Murphy and much will depend on the patronage of the Bear Paw Inn during the Winter by the people of the Murphy area. "We want to cater Christmas parties, anniversary parties, bridge parties, any kind of event," he said. And much of the inn's reputation will ride on the kitchen skills of Thomas M. Vinson of Birmingham, an able chef who weighs nearly 400 pounds and goes by the nickname of "Tiny". "We won't be using any frozen stuff," Tiny says. "It'll be fresh meat and fresh seafood." He also bakes his own yeast bread andturns out genuine homemade pies for the Bear Paw Inn menu. "Tiny is an excellent cook," Dr. Bretches said. "We'll be able to give Cherokee County a variety in food it just hasn't had before." Democrats Hear Lloyd At Rally Attorney Leonard Lloyd of Robbinsville ripped into the Republicans in revival meeting -erms Saturday evening and his iateners enjoyed every minute >r it. The occasion was a democratic rally at the Rock 3ym in Murphy, attended by jarty faithful from Clay, Cherokee and Graham bounties and Lloyd was the 'eatured speaker. Lloyd used the phrasing of a weedier as he talked of sonverts, Republicans who join be Democratic party, and 'backslidin" Democrat' ioming back to the folc delivered with plenty of spirit ind humor, it was exactly what be Democrats wanted to hear ind they dapped and cheered it every turn. He was critical of President