Tapoco

Raleigh hiker rescued on waterfall trip

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Tapoco – The heat and humidity may have been too much for 72-year-old Raleigh resident William Barnes, on a hike to Bear Creek Falls on July 14. Barnes and his wife had left on the hike near Tapoco Lodge sometime before 1 p.m.

Today, Tina Wesson (left, pictured with marketing director Erik Barnett) is the activities director at Tapoco Lodge. Over 20 years ago, she proved her outdoor prowess by winning the long-running competition show, “Survivor.”

She’s a Survivor

Latresa Phillips

Thursday, August 31, 2023

Tapoco – Survival is an instinct we all have at one time or another. Some are resilient and courageous in the face of danger, while others are brave enough to overcome hardship and misfortune.

Tapoco Lodge Mountain Spa’s Tiffany Duke (left) leads a yoga class through the “Peaceful Warrior” pose June 17. With her coming aboard several months ago, Duke has expanded her reach in the county to two different resorts. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘Healing, relaxing, therapeutic’

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Tapoco – Fontana Village Resort and Tapoco Lodge are nearly seamlessly connected by a 9-mile journey through Rhymers Ferry and Meadow Branch roads in the northeastern corner of Graham County.

Director Michelle Shiplet addresses participants in Nov. 17’s meeting of the Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team (GREAT). Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

GREAT draws leaders with visions for county

Randy Foster

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Tapoco – Several dozen community leaders were at Tapoco Lodge for a quarterly, general-membership meeting of the Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team (GREAT) on Nov. 17.

Valerie Frapp was recently named the new GM of the historic Tapoco Lodge, ending a 4-month vacancy for the role. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘This will always be home’

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, June 30, 2022

Tapoco – If you spend any time with Valerie Frapp, you will quickly learn just how much she loves Tapoco Lodge.

Injured hiker rescued above lodge

Marshall McClung

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Tapoco – Graham County 911 received a call from a couple around 4:30 p.m. on March 29, stating that they had found an injured woman lying in a section of the Slickrock Trail from the trailhead below Tapoco Lodge.

Kimberly Vaught, the beloved general manager of Historic Tapoco Lodge, passed away unexpectedly Jan. 10.

'More than a lodge keeper’

Randy Foster

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Tapoco – Historic Tapoco Lodge has been a Graham County landmark since it was built in 1930 and Kimberly Vaught – its general manager for just five of those years – left an indelible mark on the lodge, its staff, and its guests. Vaught, a 56-year-old resident of Robbinsville, died Monday, Jan.

Home destroyed by fire

Marshall McClung

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Tapoco – The home of the Christopher and Jennifer Tock family was completely destroyed by fire on Oliver Orr Road in the Cochran’s Creek area Dec. 7. The fire – which started around 3 p.m. – was thought to have been due to an electrical issue.

Jack D. Phillips

News Staff

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Jack D. Phillips, 93, died peacefully at his home in Springfield, Mass., on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Angel Hospital in Franklin, N.C., on Oct. 27, 1928, he was the eldest of four children of John Dillard and Erma Phillips.

A motorcyclist was flown out following a crash on Highway 129 near Tapoco Lodge on Friday. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Motorcyclist transported following Friday crash

Charlie Benton

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Tapoco – A motorcyclist was flown to a trauma center Friday, following an accident in Graham County on Friday. The accident occurred early in the afternoon on Hwy. 129, near Tapoco Lodge.