Office Happenings
At Appalachian Land Company we share common values and common goals. As we work together in the Real Estate industry, we have developed a strong team approach to every transaction. In daily life at Appalachian we operate as a family—caring for one another and sharing both the good times and the sad. We put into practice the Biblical admonition from Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” As a matter of fact, if you have the opportunity, take a look at Romans 12:9-21. Those verses clearly spell out how we try to live—with love and peace in all of our relationships.
Like any family, we have had our times of joy and times of sorrow over the last year. Here are some of the major happenings at Appalachian Land Company.
Feed The Children Fundraiser
Group will hold fund-raising dinner Saturday, March 28th, 2009.
STAR Touring & Riding Association is raising $7,200 in order to bring one of the Feed the Children trucks to Cherokee County. A truck would be loaded with $75,000 to $100,000 worth of food and supplies and all of it will stay right here in Cherokee County, STAR Touring secretary Rhonda Stone said.
The $7,200 will pay for the driver, gas, etc., with the truck coming from the Oklahoma City Christian organization. The truck would contain dry goods, cans of food, pasta and other staples.
Tony Stone, president of Chapter 402, has seen Feed the Children trucks arrive at other cities in the nation and unload the their needed goods.
“It is a very emotional event,” he said.
“We ball our eyes out every time we see it,” Ms. Stone said. “This would be the first time for Cherokee County.”
STAR Touring is an international family riding organization. Although the main focus of the organization is the Star Motorcycle line manufactured by Yamaha, all brands of motorcycles are welcome. The Murphy chapter has about 25 members.
Feed The Children sends emergency cross-country 18-wheelers full of nutritious food and personal care items to families in communities hit hardest by the economic downturn.
STAR Touring & Riding Association is a leading contributor to Feed the Children worldwide.
The Murphy chapter will hold a fund-raiser from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Brasstown Community Center on Settawig Road. A spaghetti dinner is $5. There will be a 50/50 drawing, raffles, door prizes, an auction, and an auto and bike show.
For tickets or to donate call Stone at 361-7334 or e-mail him at stonecoldstar@hotmail.com
Once the $7,200 is raised, Feed the Children will contact the Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services, which will pre-screen potential recipients of the goods. The recipients will be provided vouchers for the number of boxes they can pick up. If food supplies are left over, it will go to Cherokee County food banks and children’s charities, Stone said.
“Once we raise the money, we will set a date for the truck,” he said. “I’d also like to get a truck for Clay County.”
On Wednesday, January 14, we celebrated the retirement of Carole Maddox, one of our support staff at Appalachian Land Company. It was one of those happy/sad occasions: happy for the new activities Carole will be pursuing and sad because we will miss her!
For the last two years Carole has been designing Appalachian’s newspaper and magazine ads, copywriting most of our print materials, and overseeing our marketing and public relations activities. Now, she feels the Lord calling her to volunteer her time to public relations, fund raising and grant writing for two non-profit organizations.
Carole will be working locally with Christian Love Ministries here in Murphy. Christian Love has a residential recovery facility offering hope and help to men and women battling addictions. The other organization is Change A Life International, headquartered in Lima, Peru. Change A Life works with the poor in Lima and in jungle communities to help them grow food under difficult conditions and improve their health and quality of life. Carole and her husband, Bob, are also on the Board of Directors of Change A Life, with Carole serving as Board President.
Sounds to us that Carole may be busier than ever! We wish her good success in her new endeavors.
Karen Pope is Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors
“Rookie of the Year"!
Karen Pope, one of our Real Estate Agents here at Appalachian Land Company, has been named “Rookie of the Year” by our local Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors. This award is given to the agent with the most productivity in their first year as a real estate agent.
David Hilton, President of the Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors is shown here presenting Karen with Her "Rookie of the Year" award plaque at the organization's Christmas banquet.
When asked for comments on the award she has received, Karen said, “I am blessed and honored to work for Appalachian Land Company. My co-workers and the support staff have given me the benefit of their wisdom and moral support whenever I have needed it. My motto (which is much more than just a motto to me) is, ‘God is in charge of my business and my income.’ Every sale has been a blessing in such a tough year for Real Estate.
“I learned early in my adult life to work hard, treat people fairly, do not give up easily, and set goals! My husband and the son still at home have been great encouragers. They know how many hours I have put into the business to obtain these results. My husband has cheerfully gone with me to walk remote property or meet with clients at night.
“I am so grateful to my family, my co-workers and Appalachian Land Company,” she said in closing. “Their help and support are the keys to my having such a successful first year.”
Adopt-A-Family—Christmas 2008
In the spirit of the times, the staff of ALC decided that rather than exchange Christmas gifts, we would “adopt” a local family whose Christmas would be less than Merry without our help.
The family we selected is composed of Mom, Dad, and seven children ranging from toddler to high school students. Each person received the items on their personal “Wish List,” as well as a filled stocking and an age-appropriate Bible.
It warmed our hearts as the piles of presents grew, the stockings were filled, and food items were donated or purchased to provide Christmas dinner and groceries to stock the pantry.
Following a fun time of gift wrapping, the presents were stacked in front of our office Christmas tree and photos were taken for the office scrapbook. Thought we’d share our “Alternative Christmas” with you all as we send you our very best wishes for
A Merry Christmas & a Happy new Year!
Tony & Rhonda Stone Earn "Rising Star" Award
Rhonda Stone, Office Assistant to Real Estate Agent Sonya Reid at Appalachian Land Company and her husband, Tony, were recently presented the Rising Star Award by Star Touring and Riding Association at their national “Star Days” rally in Rogers, Arkansas.
The Rising Star Award is the first of three awards given by Star for going above and beyond the tenets of their mission statement (see below). Rhonda and Tony learned that a motorcyclist from Mississippi was in ICU in the Murphy hospital with a serious infection. They reached out to the man and his lady friend with many acts of kindness, including driving them to Chattanooga to rent a car for the trip back to Mississippi. Rhonda and Tony were nominated by their peers for the Rising Star Award as a result of their actions and they were then selected for this honor by the state and regional directors.
As stated in their mission statement, Star Touring and Riding Associations mission is: To pursue, promote and protect the interests of motorcyclists; To develop better and more enthusiastic relations between the general public, the media and the operators and riders of motorcycles; To encourage rider participation in events; To promote motorcycle safety and camaraderie among members; To promote organized events and in general, perform them in a lawful manner.
Tony and Rhonda moved to the Murphy area in September of 2004 from Valdosta, GA. After moving here, they began learning more about this beautiful area and the friendly people of Western North Carolina. After they discovered the wonderful roads that lead to great scenery, they decided in fall 2005 to buy a motorcycle. What they didn’t know was how this purchase would improve their quality of their life together as well as impact their friendships old and new.
Wanting to meet others who shared their passion for motorcycle riding, they attended their first Star Touring Rally in spring 2006. Soon they began looking into starting a Star chapter in Murphy. Their chapter application was approved and Star Chapter #402 was chartered in October 2007.
Congratulations on your award, Rhonda and Tony!
Happy New Home!
Congratulations!
We are so proud of our top-producing agents who were recognized by the Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors for their pursuit of excellence. Shown to the right are (l to r) Wayne Watson, Crystal Davis, Randy Dockery, Sonya Reid and Joey Reid. Well done, ladies and gentlemen!
We Welcome the Newest Family Member!
On January 27, 2008, the Appalachian Family celebrated the arrival of Pierson Nathaniel Hughes. Pierson is the son our Real Estate Agent, Steven Hughes, and his wife, Laura. Pierson is also the nephew of two other Appalachian agents, Joey and Sonya Reid. Steven and Laura are shown here opening baby gifts at the shower held to welcome Pierson to our family.
