Things and Stuff: 08/29/02

Notes from our business community
- and everywhere else

BESSIE MAY & CO....

is featured this week in our Business Spotlight. The Main Street store is celebrating its first anniversary with daily specials and a free gift with each purchase Monday, Sept. 2, through Saturday, Sept. 7. Stop by and register to win a Scroll Puff Rocker from Chicago Textile.

WESTERN CAROLINA...

Chrysler is celebrating its seventh anniversary with some great deals. See their ad for more information.

ANNIE'S NATURALLY BAKERY ...

Main Street will close for vacation Tuesday, Sept. 3, and reopen Tuesday, Sept. 10. For information, call 586-9096.

RENOWNED STORYTELLER...

Donald Davis will perform a series of programs and teach a storytelling workshop to benefit outreach programs of Fontana Regional Library. He will be at the Jackson County Public Library Saturday, Sept. 14, at 11 a.m. and at the Carlton Library in Cashiers that night at 7 p.m. Davis's storytelling workshop will be Friday, Sept. 13, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Jackson County Family Resource Center in Webster. Cost of the workshop will be $25. Davis, a native of Haywood County, is the author of 11 books and more than 20 audio recordings.

"MOBILE GRACELAND"...

visit to Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Hotel Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 7 and 8. Marking the 25th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, Mobile Graceland is a museum-quality exhibit featuring authentic Presley memorabilia that spans the superstar's unparalleled career and much of which has never been displayed outside Memphis, Tenn.

The collection - housed in an ultramodern 53-foot-long, 18-wheel semi - contains jewelry, clothing, instruments and other artifacts as unique as the man who owned them. The exhibit, which offers a glimpse of the extensive Elvis experience visitors enjoy at Graceland each year, also includes rarely seen archival photographs of the legendary recording artist and four listening and viewing stations.

Mobile Graceland is appearing exclusively at 22 Harrah's casinos.

Admission is free to adults 21 and older who have a Total Rewards Membership at Harrah's Cherokee. Times are from noon to 10 p.m. both days.

For more information, call 1-800-HARRAHS or visit online at www.harrahs.com.

THANKS TO...

Mark Crowe of Cherokee for allowing The Herald to use one of his photos from the 50th anniversary celebration at Oconaluftee Indian Village.

FORMER SYLVA PHYSICIAN...

William Aldis was in town this week. Dr. Aldis, who now works with the World Health Organization, will soon return to the African nation of Malawi. Look for more about Dr. Aldis in an upcoming Ruralite Cafe.

SOHO GRILL...

and Racquet Club sends its thanks to everyone who ate seafood and supported the United Christian Ministries fund-raiser last Thursday at the Cullowhee eatery. The event raised $250 for UCM. SoHo owner/chef Charles Greer said folks seemed to enjoy the fresh seafood so much he's decided to make every Thursday night a seafood night.

JIM ALLMAN...

found a red balloon in his yard last week from Washington County, Tenn. Originally, he thought it was from some event nearby until he called the toll-free number on the balloon and confirmed that it had been released at the fair there, traveling the air currents across the Smokies to land in his Webster yard. Stop by his Nationwide office on Main Street and he will tell you all about it.

THE CHALET INN...

in Whittier is among 37 bed and breakfasts in North Carolina that will participate in Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse stores nationwide campaign, "Celebrating America with American Tradition." Prizes include 500 two-night bed and breakfast stays with participating members of Bed & Breakfast Inns online (www.bbonline.com). The Chalet Inn is owned by George and Hanneke Ware.

IN OBSERVANCE...

of Labor Day, Jackson County Public Schools will be closed Monday, Sept. 2. The school system's administrative offices will also be closed.

ANYONE CAN BE A PHILANTHROPIST....

Do you have a desire to give back to your community or honor a family member or a person who has helped you in the past? The Jackson County Community Foundation can help anyone be a philanthropist. The foundation has begun establishing special funds or specified charitable purposes as well as a Jackson County General Endowment Fund. As the principal grows, the interest is used to make grants to serve a wide range of charitable purposes in Jackson County. Proceeds from the fund are used to support human services, education, health, arts, religion, civic affairs and the conservation and preservation of historical, cultural and environmental resources.

Donors may add to an existing and or create an endowment fund of their own with the foundation handling the legal procedures and paper work. For information, call 586-4616.