St. Patrick's Day in Murphy NC Featuring The Bear Notes

If you and your family will be enjoying the beautiful weather in the mountains this weekend then you might be looking for something to do for St. Patrick's Day.  On Sunday, March 17th the all girl Celtic Band "The Bear Notes" will be playing at The Daily Grind and Wine in downtown Murphy.

Formed in 2006, The Bear Notes are based out of Brasstown and Murphy, North Carolina.  You will see Linda Allen playing the fiddle, Amy Johnson on bodhran, guitar and vocals, Nancy Beach on guitar, mandolin, mountain dulcimar and vocals and Amanda Burts on recorder and accordian.  They present a special blend of Scottish/Irish music and are sure to have you dancing an Irish Jig - even if it's just in your seat!

For more details, give The Daily Grind and Wine a call at 828-835-7322.  Better  yet, stop by and ask and, while you're there, enjoy one of the incredible sandwiches, paninis or wraps on the menu.

The ladies have just recorded their second LIVE CD so make sure and ask how you can get a copy!

Whatever you do this St. Patrick's Day - have fun and drink responsibly!

Cyndi

Murphy NC Christmas Parade

If you’re enjoying some “peace in the mountains” this weekend, don’t miss the Muphy NC Christmas Parade.

You won't see any professional floats or fancy marching bands. No, this parade is what small town America is all about: local schools, businesses, organizations and individuals getting together to celebrate the holidays with home made floats and hand-printed signs, passing out Candy and having a great time!!

The parade starts at 2pm at Valley Village Shopping Center on Andrews Road (across from KFC) and winds through Downtown Murphy.  Spectators will begin to line the streets early with little faces eager to crab a peppermint and, hopefully, a glimpse of Santa.

The holidays are upon us - take time to enjoy - mountain style!

Cyndi

My Funniest Story?

Yes, it’s funny NOW!  But if my memory serves me, it wasn’t so darned funny as it was playing out.  

Murphy North Carolina, where we lived at the time, is a quaint small town with a “historical downtown district” full of centuries old buildings.  It’s the kind of Mayberry type downtown in which people like to stroll the streets window shopping.  Back when we owned our own office, it was situated in a prime location just off the square with huge picture windows.  Needless to say we posted all our listings in the windows and captured lots of “lookers” who quickly became buyers.  We even trained our agents on how to approach the window shoppers and convert them!

But, back to the story!  Early one evening when all the agents had gone home and Bill and I were at the office.  A lovely couple stopped at the windows to browse.  We both went out and started a conversation with them and, before long, Bill hopped into their car (they had two small dogs) to go and look at a couple of homes.  About an hour later they reappeared having found the home of their dreams -- the problem was, it wasn’t listed but appeared very vacant.  A little research and I found the owner in Florida and we placed a call. Yes, she wanted to sell and was even thinking about listing.  Right there on the phone the buyers made her an offer and she accepted.  We wrote up the contract, faxed it down to her (don’t laugh, this WAS about 10 years ago) she signed it and faxed it back.  

Ok, so far nothing remarkable right!!  This is where it gets funny.  The buyers are so excited they want to take ME back to see the house.  So this time we all jump in their car.  After showing it to me and making all kinds of plans, they took us to dinner.  So far, so good.  Keep reading.

After dinner, Bill and I get in the car and drive home. It’s late and I’m tired so I start to get undressed and, voila, that’s when it happens - my backside and legs start to itch and welts start appearing.  As a few minutes pass, it just keeps getting worse.  I’m talking LOTS of SPOTS!!! Suddenly it hit me - they were CHIGGERS!!!!  The buyers dogs had been playing in the woods while they were falling in love with their new home and then rode back to the office in the same seat that I later sat in.  Chiggers are notorious for hanging out quietly until disturbed - like when one gets undressed!!

There were hundreds of bites and,if you know anything about these little pests, you’ll know it can take up to a week (or, in my case, longer) for the itching to subside.  At times it was almost unbearable and everywhere I went I had to refrain from scratching my bottom!!   I researched how to get rid of them and, unfortunately, there aren’t many good cures.  All our friends recommended nail polish so I thought we’d give it a try.  Imagine poor Bill with a bottle of pink nail polish (it’s all I wear) painting hundreds of little spots “you know where”.    Even worse, imagine ME with all those pink spots!!

The good news - the property closed and the clients became wonderful friends!

Cyndi

First Time Home Buyers - Another Happy TEAM DAVES Buyer

One of the things that we love about this business getting to help a first time home buyer realize the joy of home ownership.  We got to see that happen today when Keith and Desiree closed on their new home here in Murphy, North Carolina.

Our adventure with Keith and Desiree started a little over a month ago when Desiree was referred to us by a fellow agent in one of the Coldwell Banker High Country Realty regional offices.  Desiree had done her homework and had found a HUD foreclosure being offered at any incredible price.  HUD foreclosures can be some of the most difficult, especially for the first time home buyer.  Their rules and regulations for submitting offers are very complex and must be strictly adhered to in order to have your offer considered. Can you imagine losing the home of your dreams simply because the documents were sent in the wrong order, or signed in the wrong color ink?

Nonetheless, Desiree did everything we asked of her.  We stayed in almost constant contact via email and text until we knew her offer was submitted, received and accepted.  We helped her get approval to have the utilities connected (another HUD requirement) and even attended the home inspection since she was in Florida.  

Desiree arrived in town yesterday with her future mother-in-law, Stephanie, all prepared to close.  For those of you who follow our blog, you will recognize this story - when we arrived at the attorney’s office the package had not been delivered.  I remained calm, we worked through it and today Desiree and her future husband, Keith, are happy first time home buyers.

Congratulations to Keith and Desiree.  We wish you many years of happiness in your new home!!

Bill and Cyndi

This is the first in a series of articles to introduce you to some of the people, places and things in Cherokee County, North Carolina that we love.


Murphy, the county seat of Cherokee County, North Carolina is a quaint little town in the far southwestern tip of the state.  Bordered by Georgia and Tennessee, it is where the mountains meet the sky.  It is literally where more land is owned and maintained by the US Forestry Service than by private individuals.

When you visit Murphy, please make time in your schedule to visit Mountain Spirit Essentials conveniently located at 35 Tennessee Street in the heart of downtown.  

Owned and operated by Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist, Theresa Victa this Therapeutic Spa and Natural Health Center will soon become your favorite retreat.  Trained in Swedish, Neuromuscular, Myofascial, Trigger Point Therapy, Reiki and Medical Massage, you will find the perfect combination of pain relief, relaxation and rejuvenation.  Theresa  will customize a treatment for  “the whole you”  -  Body, Mind & Spirit.

My personal massage therapist for almost 9 years, Theresa has seen me through many aches and pains.   Imagine this - the lights are low and there is gentle music playing softly in the background.  You lie down on the temperature controlled bed and, before long, you will hear a soft tapping at the door.   Always maintaining your privacy and modesty, she will touch your body and mind in a way that you have never experienced.  She will know where you hurt even before you do!  You will walk away renewed, refreshed and totally at peace.  I can honestly say I have not spoken with one person who has had a session with Theresa who wasn’t pleased.  And remember, this IS a small town!

Don’t have time for a massage - enjoy one of her other many services such as a 30 minute Amazing Foot Treatment!  Or simply stop in and browse through some of the fun merchandise she carries in the shop.  You will find Sprayology - Homeopathic sprays, Young Living, Oshadi & EO Essential Oils, Organic and Wildcrafted Herbel Remedies (salves, sprays and oils) by Kathy’s Garden, Organic Teas, Candles, Soaps, Tye-Dyed T-Shirts, Locally Crafted Jewelry, PEACE Purses, T-shirts and Gifts, Hay House Books,  Cards and Videos, Tapestries & Curtains and MUCH MUCH MORE!!  

Staying in a cabin nearby for your vacation? Give Theresa a call and schedule a private session in the comfort of your own cabin. 

Mention this blog and receive 15% off your retail purchase.  New Clients will receive $10 off your first massage.

Mountain Spirit Essentials

35 Tennessee Street - Downtown Murphy

Phone - 828-835-3262

Follow Mountain Spirit Essentials on FACEBOOK.

Whether you are vacationing in Murphy, North Carolina or live here full time, you’ve got to check out the Downtown Farmer’s Market.   It’s held on the square in downtown Murphy every Saturday from now into Fall.  

This is THE place to come if you want to get a taste of what life here is like.  It’s laid back, friendly and you’re bound to make a new friend or two.  Plus, you can find everything imaginable from fresh fruits and vegetables to hand-made, one of a kind pottery.

There are fresh jellies, banana nut bread and home-made pickles, hand-crafted furniture and jewelry, local photography framed to perfection and so much more.

I visited the Farmer’s Market this morning and in less than 15 minutes, I tasted home-made banana nut bread, zuchinni bread, bread and butter style pickled squash and some of the best garlic pickles you’ve ever tasted.  I ran into three people I know AND, best of all, I got my mom a GREAT Mother’s Day gift.  

One of the friends I ran into was Lynne Wilson.  Looking for a new creative outlet Lynne has teamed up with local potter, Roy Bamfield, owner of Murphy Pottery and is now making her own pottery.  Her pieces are beautiful as are Roy’s.  They have many decorative pieces, but even better, they have usable pieces that you can actual cook in.  Brownie pans, pie plates and even a large lasagna pan.  All hand-crafted by either Roy or Lynne.  

Mom’s gift is a pie plate that Lynne made.  Hopefully she won’t read this until AFTER lunch tomorrow.

There’s a local photographer who takes pictures of wildlife, mountain views, waterfalls, barns, you name it.   They are beautifully matted and framed and, if you’re here on vacation perhaps one of these would be a great way to remember your visit to the mountains.

There was so much to see and, since I didn’t have time to see it all, I will definitely be making a return trip in the next couple of weeks.  It’s only May and I can already know what my family will be getting for Christmas.   

Promise you won’t tell, ok?