Regional

The setup for a Jeff Foxworthy performance in 2020 is very ordinary: a stool, a water bottle and a microphone. A simple set for a simple man. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

More than just a redneck

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Cherokee – It has often been said that comedians get their best material from their everyday lives. Jeff Foxworthy subscribed to that very formula in 1984, and 36 years later the Hapeville, Ga., native is still creating new ways to solicit laughter from his audience.

Cathy Wilde, Jannell Canerday and Lorinda Jones (from left) – better known as Na Skylark – will perform at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown on Friday, Feb. 21.

Na Skylark coming to Brasstown

News Staff

Friday, February 14, 2020

Brasstown – Na Skylark will perform a Friday Night Concert at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C., 7 p.m. on Feb. 21. The show will be held in the Keith House. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

Lady Knights head coach Lucas Ford speaks to his team during a timeout Monday against Murphy. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Smoky Mountain Conference basketball tournament schedule

Kevin Hensley

Friday, February 14, 2020

Rosman – The Smoky Mountain Conference released its basketball tournament bracket yesterday. The annual event – being held at Rosman this year – has been pushed back one day from its original start date, as it will begin today and conclude Friday, Feb. 21.

Two games, two wins

Kevin Hensley

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Robbinsville – For the first time this season, the Black Knights strung together back-to-back wins. A big conference victory over Rosman (2-18, 1-10) on Tuesday, Feb.

Early success not enough

Kevin Hensley

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Robbinsville – The second meeting of the season between Murphy and Robbinsville was surrounded by a lot of hype. For the first quarter, it appeared the Lady Knights had things well in-hand. For the remaining three quarters, the Lady Bulldogs proved different.

Robbinsville Middle School’s Kage Williams (left) and Koleson Dooley pause between bouts at Saturday’s state championship tournament in Concord. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Williams becomes 2X champ

Kevin Hensley

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Concord – It was a long day, but the end result made it worth the wait. Robbinsville Middle School’s Kage Williams and Koleson Dooley competed in the 38th annual Junior High State Championship Tournament, which was held Saturday at Carolina Courts.

Fink finishes 2nd at state

Kevin Hensley

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Concord – In just the second year of the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s Women’s Invitational, Robbinsville made a statement.

Robbinsville’s Kyle Fink controls Mount Airy’s Eric Olvera during the second round of the 1A state duals on Feb. 4. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Knights fall in Western final

Kevin Hensley

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Newland – Robbinsville High School’s dual-team wrestling season came to an abrupt end on Feb. 6, when the Black Knights fell in the 1A Western Regional Finals at Avery County High School.

'Boomers' of a different breed

Robbi Pounds

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

While the false feud between young millennials and aging boomers continues, western North Carolina has another boomer debate: why do we call the tiny American red squirrels of the mountain “boomers?” And do they really bite bits off of gray squirrels?

“Devil Anse” Hatfield and “Ole Ran’l” McCoy were celebrities in their day.

'Hillbilly' stereotype sparked by famous feud

Robbi Pounds

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Around 300 miles from Graham County, over 150 years ago, a Union Civil War veteran was murdered, triggering a family feud that “yellow journalists” would use to define an entire region and all of its inhabitants.