Aug. 21, 1986
* The Robbinsville Black Knight Marching Band needed to raise $10,000, in order to cover travel expenses associated with a selection to play at Walt Disney World in April 1987. A special account has been set up for donations at the local Wachovia bank.
* North Carolina Department of Transportation officials unveiled signage revealing the planned extension of U.S. 74 from Asheville to Chattanooga. At the time, U.S. 74 traveled west from Wilmington to Asheville. “The extension of the existing US-74 will mean that motorists traveling from North Carolina’s mountains to her seas will have the luxury of using one major freeway,” said department secretary James E. Harrington. Update: All projects begin with the best of intentions. Today, “Corridor K” is a familiar foe to travelers on N.C. 143 in Graham County.
Aug. 21, 1980
* As part of The Graham Star’s front-page hype surrounding the imminent beginning to the 1980 Black Knights football season, the varsity cheerleaders were pictured. The Star’s own Latresa Webster Phillips was featured as a senior co-captain of the squad; other members were Melissa Adams, Suzy Collins, Kimm Brock, Benita Lloyd (the other co-captain), Robin Nelms, Marsha Davis, Tonia Reighard, Susie Davis and Eve Davis.
* The annual Graham County Clean-Up was set to launch at the Massey Branch Boat Ramp. Aluminum cans were going to be purchased for 20 cents; 24 cans were estimated to weigh a pound. Proceeds were going to be divided among the participating organizations. Update: Aluminum today will net an individual roughly 46 cents pound.
Aug. 21, 1970
* A joint resolution requesting that a road between Robbinsville and Tellico Plains be constructed was signed by local government bodies and civic clubs. The document was sent to Rep. Roy Taylor, along with other federal officials. Update: The road came to fruition as the “Cherohala Skyway” and opened in 1996.
* The Robbinsville Grange held a meeting, with North Carolina Grange State Membership Chairman Robert H. Caldwell appearing as the special guest. Update: The organization still exists today, but a local chapter does not.
-Compiled by publisher/editor Kevin Hensley.