GrahamCounty

The Robbinsville Tourism Authority is hosting the inaugural Cigar Box Guitar Festival this weekend.

The Robbinsville Tourism Authority is hosting the inaugural Cigar Box Guitar Festival this weekend.

Striking a universal cord

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
A two-day event that will feature music at four venues, a variety of vendors and plenty of activities for children is quite the undertaking. But the caveat that all of the festivities will cost exactly nothing?
It has been just over a year since Joel Crisp passed away, but his mother Donna has refused to let his life-long battle with epilepsy go away quietly. Her advocacy has made it to the state level, where a recent bill was introduced to help bring awareness to SUDEP. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

It has been just over a year since Joel Crisp passed away, but his mother Donna has refused to let his life-long battle with epilepsy go away quietly. Her advocacy has made it to the state level, where a recent bill was introduced to help bring awareness to SUDEP. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

SUDEP law passes House

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Karl Gillespie Robbinsville – Joel Crisp was just 24 years old when he suffered a fatal epileptic seizure in his sleep.
Robbinsville High School’s Lisa Keener has been named the North Carolina History Day Teacher of the Year.

Robbinsville High School’s Lisa Keener has been named the North Carolina History Day Teacher of the Year.

‘To remain ignorant of history is to remain forever a child’

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Robbinsville High School is determined to help students reach maturity – and with teachers like Lisa Keener, they are succeeding. Keener was recently named as the 2023 North Carolina History Day Teacher of the Year, for the high school division.
Confetti and Silly String filled the upper reaches of the Robbinsville High School gymnasium Friday, as the Class of 2023 celebrated their graduation. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Confetti and Silly String filled the upper reaches of the Robbinsville High School gymnasium Friday, as the Class of 2023 celebrated their graduation. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

87 afforded diplomas

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Robbinsville – Tears were shed, fond memories recalled and – more importantly – 87 girls and boys transformed into women and men before the collective eyes of those gathered inside the Robbinsville High School gymnasium on Friday.
As evident from the bottom row of bleachers at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium, support for the seating area has caused a significant shift in the alignment of the arrangement, which has Graham County Schools exploring other venues to play “home” football games this fall. Note the large gap between the two bottom sections and the off-center meeting points of the row above.

As evident from the bottom row of bleachers at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium, support for the seating area has caused a significant shift in the alignment of the arrangement, which has Graham County Schools exploring other venues to play “home” football games this fall. Note the large gap between the two bottom sections and the off-center meeting points of the row above.

Big Oaks football unlikely this fall

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Robbinsville – ‘This should be good,’ quipped Graham County Board of Education Chair Rodney Nelson.
The Seabin has been a welcome addition to the continued beautification efforts of Fontana Lake. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

The Seabin has been a welcome addition to the continued beautification efforts of Fontana Lake. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Mission: keep Fontana Lake beautiful

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Fontana Dam – Nestled in-between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Nantahala National Forest of Western North Carolina, Lake Fontana forms the southern border of the Great Smokies.
Haylee Crisp (left) and Erica Daniels have been best friends since kindergarten, so it is fitting that both sit atop the Robbinsville High School Class of 2023. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Haylee Crisp (left) and Erica Daniels have been best friends since kindergarten, so it is fitting that both sit atop the Robbinsville High School Class of 2023. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

1 valedictorian ... 2 salutatorians?

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Robbinsville – The road to academic excellence is often filled with a myriad of stops and starts. Think about the journey: 12 years. A lot can happen in 12 years.
The Cody Family Scholarship was afforded to 19 different Robbinsville students at May 16's Academic and Scholarships program. All names are listed from left. Front row: Delaney Hooper, Lindsay Brittain, Emma Harrison, Erica Daniels, Michael Yan, Dirk Cody, Dana Adams, Destanee Trammell, Kensley Phillips, Montana Adams, William Cable and Caleb Turpin. Back row: Elizabeth Boyle, Alex Knight, Logan Hooper, Mackenzie Brooks, William Carpenter, Abigayle Lancaster, Lorin Hogsed, David Lovingood and Brock Adams.

The Cody Family Scholarship was afforded to 19 different Robbinsville students at May 16's Academic and Scholarships program. All names are listed from left. Front row: Delaney Hooper, Lindsay Brittain, Emma Harrison, Erica Daniels, Michael Yan, Dirk Cody, Dana Adams, Destanee Trammell, Kensley Phillips, Montana Adams, William Cable and Caleb Turpin. Back row: Elizabeth Boyle, Alex Knight, Logan Hooper, Mackenzie Brooks, William Carpenter, Abigayle Lancaster, Lorin Hogsed, David Lovingood and Brock Adams.

Over $1.3 million awarded to seniors

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Robbinsville – Less than two weeks before their days in high school come to an emotional close, the Robbinsville High School Class of 2023 learned how much aid they will receive to further their education. Over $1.
Newly-appointed Graham County Department of Health Director Donna Stephens announced that plans are being explored to renovate the former Green’s Foodway into a new fitness center. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Newly-appointed Graham County Department of Health Director Donna Stephens announced that plans are being explored to renovate the former Green’s Foodway into a new fitness center. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Local fitness center discussed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Tallulah – One universal consensus between residents is that a fitness center in Graham County is desperately needed. Donna Stephens agrees – and is looking to make the dream a reality.