March, the month of renewal. Those cheery daffodils make us so hopeful that Spring is around the corner. We had some very chilly days this past winter season, but somehow there is just hope of renewal as the days warm up and there are more signs of the impending spring!
We are excited to inform you of our upcoming event on Sunday, March 30th, 2025, the Brasstown Community Center will be hosting its “Poor Man’s Dinner”! The dinner will run from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. We will be serving potatoes, pinto beans, cole slaw, corn bread, and dessert. The cost will be $5.00 per person. You can either eat here with us or take a to go plate. This year we will be having something new, music will be provided by Larry Shoeman and his Brasstown Balladiers. This will be an extra special treat. Come and join your neighbors and have some good ole food and friendship. Hope to see you all there. If anyone is interested in helping out in any way, please let me know. This is usually a well attended event.
The Board is busy planning projects to be done at our community center. Our front doors are in need of replacement. We are currently looking into the cost for new doors and the installation fee. We are also in need of an additional storage building. The committee is looking into the cost involved in building one. Once we get the prices for these improvements we will look into applying for a grant and see what might be available for us.
Our Brasstown Food Pantry continues to go well. We usually service between 50-70 individuals, who select food for between 150-190 family members. We continue to get excellent support from our community. We have some really wonderful volunteers who help to have the event move along smoothly. Once again anyone from Clay or Cherokee County who is experiencing food insecurity and is in need of some supplemental food is welcomed to attend. We are most appreciative to Matt’s Ministry and the Clay County Food Pantry for their generous support.
With Manna’s warehouse being destroyed by the flood as a result of the hurricane, they have had to move to a new location. Unfortunately, they have moved a little further away from us and the truck is arriving a little later than it used to. Therefore our hours have changed. The Pantry hours of operation are from 11:30 am- 1:00pm. Hope to see you there. If you can not make it to our Pantry, be aware that The Clay County Food Pantry(2278 Hinton Center Road, Hayesville) is in operation on Friday from 9:00-12:00, and Matt’s Ministry (123 Cabe Rd., Hayesville) is operational on Saturdays between 9:30-12:00. Both of their missions are the same as ours and that is to provide supplemental food to those who need it.
We ran into a slight delay of our pantry on February 20th. The weather was icy in Asheville and so they informed us there would be a two hour delay in the arrival of our truck. If the weather looks somewhat iffy on a day the pantry is scheduled, please tune into WKRK radio. I will ask Donna Lynn to share information about any delays. I will also post it on the Brasstown NC Community Facebook page. Kindly check one of those places if you have any concern about the weather and its effect on our pantry.
While Manna delivers most of our food, Mr. Mike Smith used to go to Cummings, GA to pick up bread and baked goods for our Food Pantry. In fact he would drive into Cummings, GA five to six times a week to pick up bread for several other food pantries in our area. I regret to share that Mr. Smith suffered a mild stroke and was in a local hospital. Needless to say he will no longer be picking up bread for us. Mr Sullivan from the Clay County Food Pantry is trying to find volunteers who will go to Cummings and pick up bread for their pantry and ours on Wednesdays so we will have it on Thursday. We all wish Mr. Smith well and will always remain thankful for his kindness in providing bread for our pantries.
Our Pantries in March are scheduled for March 6th sponsored by Matt’s Ministry, and March 20th sponsored by Clay County Food Pantry. We will have a special guest with us at the first pantry in March. Ms. Kim Terrell from the Clay and Macon Co-Operative Extension Services, will prepare a meal from the foods that will be delivered to our pantry. Shoppers will be able to sample the dish. Ms. Terrell will have a recipe for those interested in duplicating her meal as well as some healthy tips for all of us. She will come every other month to our pantries and give us meal ideas and healthy tips!
Don’t forget if you need supplemental food between our scheduled pantries you are welcome to go to Clay County Food Pantry on Friday and Matt’s Ministry on Saturday. (See time above)
Just a little reminder, with the warmer weather coming our way, don’t forget to have your children or grandchildren come out to our new playground and try it out. Its located directly behind our Center. It was purchased and put in place by grants provided by Grannie’s Attic and Walmart.
Also don’t forget our Pot Luck Dinner (its always the third Tuesday of the month), March 18th at 6 pm. Pack up your family and a favorite dish or dessert and come join your neighbors for good food and a fun time.
For our auto racing enthusiasts, the Tri County Racetrack will be reopening. The first race is scheduled for March 22nd. For further information, check out their Facebook page, “Tri County Racetrack”.
Remember Daylight savings time begins on Sunday, March 9th. Set those clocks ahead one hour. Spring forward, Fall back.
While it always so nice to be in this area, the Spring is such a special and beautiful time here. Enjoy! Keep an eye on our center. The Master Gardeners (Elizabeth Love and helpers), keep us so beautifully surrounded with plants and flowers. There is always something beautiful blooming here!
I’d like to welcome a number of folks who were recently added to our list of those receiving our newsletter. I hope you will find this informative. Hope you will join us at our community dinners so we can meet in person.
Your Crier,
Linda Snyder Gibson