Thanks, all. I'm building a blanket chest (approx. 36" x 18" x 18" or somesuch). I've used maple from a local lumberyard, but had to join it because it was fairly narrow -- 12" or so. And I'll be happy to do that with the cherry, but was hoping to find something wide enough (20") to avoid that. And yes, acclimation to our relatively low humidity is a concern. I may just have to bite the bullet and purchase a larger stock -- 50+ bdft -- I'm sure I'll find a use for the rest of it. 4' lengths would actually be ideal.
I purchased some beautiful cherry from a small mill in Illinois a few years ago for a desk for my late wife, but I can't get in touch with them.
Again, thanks.