10 years ago
* The 11th Annual Cystic Fibrosis Beauty Pageant was held at Robbinsville High School, raising more than $22,000 for the foundation. The year’s theme was “Southern Belle,” as Laney Scism and Tammy Arrowood’s Star’s of Tomorrow Dance Studio trained the girls for their performances. The winners were: Ryleigh Jones (3rd grade), Chloe Burchfield (grades 4-8) and Salina Waldroup (9-12). Linda Buchanan was the event’s coordinator.
* An 84-year-old Almond man, Dean Davis, was struck by a vehicle and killed while riding his bicycle. It was 1-of-2 fatalities over the weekend, as the N.C. Highway Patrol reported that 63-year-old Suwanee, Ga., resident Roger Hanebrink lost control of his 2003 Honda Motorcycle after crossing the center line and hitting a tree. Both victims died at the scenes of the crashes. An investigation into Davis’ continued.
* The Robbinsville JV Knights took it to “the house” from the opening kick-off against Rosman and didn’t stop until the final buzzer, winning 30-0. Tank Rattler started the Knights’ run with a 60-yard kick-off return.
25 years ago
* Four years prior, Graham County’s Malcom George reunited with Lt. Martin J. Watkins and the medic that treated both George and Watkins, Raymond Pilgrim. George received a Purple Heart well after his service, due to George signing a statement during his discharge of receiving no injuries – although he had spent three years in the hospital from gunshot wounds. Fifty-three years later, George did receive his award when the Assistant Secretary of Army, Karl Schneider stepped in and overturned the denial.
* As Fontana Village grew, they continued to add 20 full-time employees. According to the general manager David Kerr, Fontana was ready to expand with retail outlets, cycling center for mountain and road bikes, with expansions for mountain-bike trails and providing “interpretational nature,” by developing the historical nature of the village, including a bookstore. The projects began in April 1999.
* The hometown crowd watched the Black Knights take the field in a 21-7 win to Fannin County, Ga. The game was slow until the second quarter, when Robbinsville’s Israel Weeks recovered a fumble and Sterling Crisp carried it in, to put the Knights up 6-0.
-Compiled by Diane West