10 years ago
* The N.C. Department of Commerce awarded Robbinsville a $750,000 “Development Block” grant for the Ford Street area of downtown. According to Alderman Jacky Ayers, “The grant money will be used to improve the area’s water and sewerage capacity, replacing the terra cotta pipe to improve the water service.”
* Ralph Hooper drowned in a boating accident at the Massey Branch Boating Access area. Hooper’s boat had slipped away into deep water, as he and his wife were trying to load it onto a trailer. Hooper jumped into the water to retrieve the boat, but went under and never surfaced. “People of Ralph’s caliber don’t come along everyday,” said Marshall McClung.
* Graham County’s legendary moonshiner, Jim Tom Hedrick signed for 14 more episodes of the popular “Moonshiners” series on the Discovery Channel. With more than four million viewers per episode, it was the top-rated cable show. He started his moonshining career at age 10, hauling sugar across Fontana Lake to a still in the Great Smoky Mountains.
25 years ago
* A contract between the Town of Robbinsville and the Graham County Sheriff’s Office had been prepared, but tabled at the board of aldermen meeting. Robbinsville had been without a contract for law enforcement since December 1997, but aldermen felt it necessary to check into possible cut-backs before committing. According to Commissioner Dale Wiggins, “The issue might not get resolved until a new sheriff takes office in January.”
* The Fontana Dam Jam was held at Fontana Village, as race No. 3 in the Cane Creek Cup Series. The Graham County Travel and Tourism Authority showed their support by offering $2,000 for the women racers. The race has gained international exposure.
* A photo taken from this area would be worth $1,000 to a local, as the grand-prize winner of “Rural Magic” – pictures of Country Living’s 2000 edition of the Southern States wall calendar. Each winning picture, along with the grand-prize winner, the $500, $250, $100 winners and others, would be featured in the calendar. Winning entries reflected the different seasons of the year in the rural area. Twelve winners were chosen.
-Compiled by Diane West