Health Fair Offers Many Health, Learning Experiences

Murphy Medical Center will host a Health Fair on August 14 from 7 am – 2 pm, in conjunction with the WNC Business Expo/Job Fair which starts at 9 am.  The three-county event will be held at the Coats American building at 115 Palmer Lane, in Marble, NC.

This year’s Health Fair will be the largest yet, featuring 15 tables representing all departments of the hospital, along with Murphy Group Practice, Good Shepherd Home Health & Hospice, PARC, the Foundation, and the Nursing Home.

Medical staff will be available throughout the day to answer questions and provide health screenings.   “Murphy Medical Center is privileged to serve this community, and we are excited that so many of our employees and physicians are volunteering their time to make this health fair successful,” stated Mike Stevenson, CEO. “ I hope the public will take advantage of the information and significant savings on health screenings that will be available.  Health screenings have been proven to save lives by their early detection of health problems.”

Attendees will leave the Health Fair with a wealth of information on how to manage and optimize their health.  In addition to reduced-cost health screenings, attendees can participate in a free “Know Your Numbers” health assessment which includes height, weight, body fat, blood pressure, blood glucose, and other important information.

A special feature this year includes free breast exams from 7-9 am, conducted on site in a private exam room by Nurse Practitioner Kay Hayes.  Skin cancer screenings will also be available.

The “Meet Our Medical Staff,” booth will give attendees the opportunity to meet our medical staff and learn more about their specialties.  The program includes several presentations followed by question and answer sessions.

The Foundation of Murphy Medical Center will also offer the opportunity to pre-register for the “Two Hours from Anywhere” Road Race, to be held September 18.

Staff will be available to provide information on diverse topics, such as diabetes education, dietary education, pediatric services, and pre-natal education, in addition to information on home health services, hospice, advanced directives, Lifeline, and nursing home services.  Information on radiology, orthopedic, rehab, cardiac rehab services, and PARC will also be available.  Expectant parents can learn about free pregnancy and childbirth classes offered by the hospital’s Family Tree program, and register to win a new infant car seat.

Blood work will be available at reduced fees.  Anyone intending to have lab work done should remember to fast (no eating or drinking, except water) for at least 8 hours prior to testing.    The free Body Fat Analysis also requires fasting and no caffeinated drinks prior to testing.  All tests involving fasting will run from 7 – 11 am.  Other screenings not dependent on fasting will continue until 2 pm.  Light refreshments will be available after testing, for those who have had blood work done.

CUTLINE: Anne Cluff, left, of PARC, and Vance Ingle, Rehabilitation Manager (right), check over the Body Fat Analyzer in preparation for the upcoming Health Fair.  Body fat analyses will be part of the free “Know Your Numbers” health assessment offered at the August 14 event.

Come to the gazebo on the Hayesville Square from 7 to 9 pm Friday, July 30^th for the next event in the Hayesville Summer Concert Series sponsored by the CCCRA.  The concert is free and will feature the High Country Harmonizers and Smoky Mountain Melodies.

The High Country Harmonizers is a men’s barbershop chorus and members of the Barbershop Harmony Society.  They perform in the area at various functions and nursing homes.  Recently they attended a baseball game in Rome, GA where they sang the National Anthem.  Though non-profit, they have two regular fundraisers each year.  One is Singing Valentines in February where, for a modest fee, one of their quartets will personally deliver a flower and a box of candy plus sing two love songs.  The other fundraiser is an annual performance featuring two hours of songs and comedy.  This year’s performance will be held at the Young Harris College auditorium on September 11.

Bring your chairs and come for an evening of good music and fun with your friends and neighbors.  And, be sure to bring your appetites and enjoy the hot dogs, chili dogs, frito pies, sodas and desserts offered by the Hayesville JV Cheerleaders as their fundraiser for uniforms and camp.

The picture was taken at an ‘Oasis’ performance at the Methodist Church in Blairsville, Ga.  We give several performances throughout the year plus an annual performance that will be held at Young Harris College this September 11.

Murphy Medical Center Foundation is seeking sponsors for its twentieth annual ‘Two Hours from Anywhere’ 5K Challenge, two-mile Heart Walk and Kids’ Fun Run.  The September 18 event is a fundraiser supporting installation of a breast cancer detecting Digital Mammography Imaging System.

“Improved detection in women ages 40-50 and reduced radiation levels for all women are just two of the benefits of Digital Mammography. But it’s a large capital expenditure; one that will be particularly difficult in this year in which we’re projecting to provide $12 million in uncompensated care to our patients,” said Kathi Osborne, Foundation Director.   “When businesses and individuals donate to this event, they’ll be helping the people of their own community for years to come,” Osborne stated.  “Folks can feel good about contributing to quality local healthcare by donating to the road race.”

The non-profit hospital is accepting tax-deductible donations through the event date.  To be included in event promotion materials, donations should be submitted by August 13.

“We’re also looking forward to everyone showing up in strong force to run or walk to help bring this equipment to their community,” said Osborne.  “The registration fee, which includes a t-shirt for the participant, helps offset the cost of producing the event.”

The event begins at 9:00a.m. at the Nursing Home entrance at the rear of the hospital.  Awards for top male and female runners and walkers in a range of age groups will be presented.  A free Kids’ Fun Run follows the adult challenge and all children will receive participation trophies.

The pledge form and registration form for the ‘Two Hours from Anywhere’ event are available in the lobbies and cafeteria at Murphy Medical Center and online under ‘News’ at www.murphymedical.org.  For more information about sponsoring or participating, contact Osborne at 835-7506.

CUTLINE: Participants at the start of the 2009 ‘Two Hours from Anywhere’ road race.

Renee Marquess Bowden is from Prince Frederick, MD, and now resides in Knoxville, TN with her two precious sons Jacob and Jackson Bowden. She is currently employed for the past 12 years with Business Machines Company as an Accounting Clerk.

Spc. Douglas Ware is from Murphy, NC.  His parents are Ruth and Terry White and Warren Hogan.  Doug is currently serving with the US Army 10^th Mountain Division 1-10 Aviation based out of Ft. Drum, NY; as a Black Hawk Mechanic.  He has been deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and is being deployed shortly to Afghanistan again to serve our country.

The wedding is to be held in August in Chesapeake Beach, MD with family and friends in attendance.

MBC Students Achieve Academic ExcellenceDeans and Honors List

Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia is pleased to recognize students whose work has earned them a place on the Dean’s and Honors Lists. This honor is reserved for degree candidates who have maintained high grade point averages over a semester (of at least 12 credit hours of work or more). Students qualify for Honors List with grade point averages of 3.75-4.0. Dean’s List honorees earn 3.50-3.74 grade point averages.

We salute:

►Jessie Agatha Blekfeld-Sztraky of Hayesville

Daughter of  Mr. Frank Bradley and Ms. Margit Blekfeld-Sztraky

of Hayesville, NC

Vulcan Materials Company recently made a gift to the “Nurture Our Roots” Campaign of the Community Council of the Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center.  The announcement was made by Malcolm Wardlaw, Manager of the Company’s Blairsville Operations.

“We at Vulcan Materials are pleased to continue our annual support of the good work of our neighbors at the GMRE Center.  Vulcan Materials places a high priority on being a good corporate citizen.  Although our corporate budget is tight in these economic times, we were determined to find a way to continue our commitment to the Community Council.  Its programs and activities provide a valuable service to students and adults in Union County and the region and are worthy of our support”, said Wardlaw.

Vulcan Materials Company leads the industry in the production of construction aggregates.  Their Blairsville operation, which was purchased by Vulcan in 1999, dates back to 1960.  It is one of 162 stone quarries owned by the company.  The Blairsville operation provides aggregates for building and maintaining infrastructures such as highways, water and sewer systems and residential, commercial and industrial building construction.

In receiving the gift, Joe Garner, Superintendent of the GMRE Center, said, “We especially appreciate the continuing generous support of Malcolm and his associates at Vulcan Materials this year.  Malcolm went above and beyond in securing this gift and we are very grateful to him.  The Community Council and the GMRE Center staff are fortunate to have Malcolm and Vulcan Materials as partners with us in service to the region.”

The Community Council has the three emphases of Education, Outreach and Preservation.  When it completes its sixth year of operation on June 30, the Council will have served over 20,000 students and adults in the five-county service area of Fannin, Towns and Union, GA and Cherokee and Clay, NC through its programs and activities.  The latest of its nine preservation projects is the conversion of the 1935 WPA-built cannery into an Interpretive Center.

Photo Caption:

(Left to right): Malcolm Wardlaw, Manager of Vulcan Materials Blairsville Operations; Joe Garner, Superintendent, GMRE Center.

Festival on the Square

Hayesville, NC.

Save the Dates!

Saturday, July 10-10a.m. -4 p.m.

Sunday, July 11- 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Arts, Crafts, Food, Fun and Music

Schedule of Entertainment

Friday Night 7 p.m. Music and Dancing!

1st Set- Square and Round Dancing

Bob Dalsemer and Band- Branch Cats

( Bob does calling and Instructing)

2nd Set- EZ Street Band with Rick Moss

Saturday- 10a.m.

1. Bear Notes

2. Clogging Sweet hearts and Sweet tarts

3. Corn Bread Ted and the Butter Beans

4. John C. Campbell Cloggers

5. Buck and Nelson

6. Martin Breedlove- Pat List & Keith Layton of Knarly Fingers.

Sunday

1. David Anderson, David Brose and Sukoshi Rice

2. Trees Leaves

3. Pat List and Keith Layton of Knarly Fingers

By Julie Chautin

Contributing Writer

You don’t have to go to Italy to experience an unforgettable vacation.  Tim Pratt has donated a weekend stay at a cabin in Vineyard Creek Estates to Friends of Murphy Library’s auction on August 7 at Bob Grove Auctions. The Silent Auction begins at 5 p.m. followed by the Live Auction at 7 p.m.

Pratt experienced an “aha” moment during a trip to Italy several years ago.  He stayed at a bed and breakfast in Tuscany – with its own vineyard.   Then he developed his upscale log cabin development off Joe Brown Highway in Unaka, and planted a hillside with, what else, rows of grapevines.   Now homeowners wake to see the Traminette and Cabernet Franc grapes of Vineyard Creek Estates sparkle in the early morning sunshine.

Among the other items at the auction are gift certificates for ClassyGroundcovers.com, Atlanta Waverly Renaissance Hotel, Copper Door Restaurant in Haysville and Blue Ridge Mountain Railroad.  Chef and cookbook author Paula Deen even sent one for her Savannah restaurant, The Lady & Sons, along with books and photos.

And several of the gift baskets at the auction will contain a bottle of Vineyard Creek Estates wine made with those special grapes.  Donations are still gladly accepted.  Call 837-2417 for more information.

Photo by Julie Chautin

Vineyard Creek Estates developer Tim Pratt (left) along with homeowners Kathy and Tom Downes show how the grapes are progressing in their community vineyard off Joe Brown Highway.  Pratt has donated a weekend cabin stay to the Friends of Murphy Library August 7 auction at Bob Grove Auctions.  Call 837-2417.

Lake Chatuge Hiawassee Rotary

Lake Chatuge Hiawassee Rotary recently hosted two local students who attended the “Rotary Youth Leadership Awards ” conference. Ross Miller and Corbin Gilfilian had much to share with Rotarians about their experiences at the conference.

Located in the mountains of Northeast Georgia, Rotary6910 RYLA is an all expense paid conference that connects an elite group of youth. Leadership activities that both developed and expose character include hiking the rim of Tallulah Gorge, whitewater rafting the Chattooga River and both high and low ropes courses. Lodging and dining accommodations are provided by Tallulah Falls School.

The message is ready to be sent with the following file or link attachments:

Corbin Gilfilian Towns County High

Ross Miller Hayesville High

CLAY COUNTY PROGRESSIVE DINNER

Those of you with a gourmet palate, listen up! Clay County Food Pantry is working with the Churches of Clay County to bring you a fantastic Progressive Dinner over 3 nights—July 23, 24 and 25.

Enjoy hors d’ oeuvres on Friday evening, the 23^rd, at Hayesville First United Methodist Church.  Then it’s onto Oak Forest Methodist Church for a delicious seated dinner on Saturday, July 25.  The finale will be a selection of scrumptious on Sunday, July 25th at Meadow Grove Baptist Church.

All three churches have tickets for sale.  Other Hayesville sale locations are Phillips and Lloyd Book Store, Rob Tiger Department Store, United Community Bank, First Citizens Bank, and Nantahala Bank.

The ticket for all three nights is $50.00 per person.  If you cannot make all three, come to the Friday night reception or desserts on Sunday.  Each of these events is $15.00 per person.

Remember the proceeds will help keep the Food Pantry open year round, and your support is greatly appreciated.

For further information, please call Claudia Bannon, Event Chairperson, at 828-389-1715.