TapocoLodge

Members of the Graham County Fire and Rescue Squad work their way back to shore after rescuing James Vollmer following an accident that sent the area dentist into the Cheoah River on May 13. Photos courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Members of the Graham County Fire and Rescue Squad work their way back to shore after rescuing James Vollmer following an accident that sent the area dentist into the Cheoah River on May 13. Photos courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Andrews man rescued from river

Marshall McClung
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Yellow Creek – Graham County Fire and Rescue members and others were called out to perform a swiftwater rescue on the Cheoah River around 7:45 p.m., on May 13, when 911 dispatchers received word of a car in the water roughly three miles south of Tapoco Lodge on U.S. 129.
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.”

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

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

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.
Dave Crouch of Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, drove for three days to make it to Fontana Village in his 2011 Miata. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Dave Crouch of Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, drove for three days to make it to Fontana Village in his 2011 Miata. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Alotta Miata!

Randy Foster
Thursday, August 11, 2022
Fontana Dam – Undeterred by waves of heavy rain and a power outage spread over several days, Mazda Miata enthusiasts converged on Graham County for an annual four-day weekend of thrilling drives, camaraderie and opportunities to buy parts for their fiercely-loved, compact sports cars.
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

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.
Country music legend – and Graham County native – Ronnie Milsap visits with Virginia Zakroski at Meadow Branch Church on March 14. Milsap specifically asked for Zakroski to meet with him during his two-day stay in the county. Photo courtesy of Shaun Adams

Country music legend – and Graham County native – Ronnie Milsap visits with Virginia Zakroski at Meadow Branch Church on March 14. Milsap specifically asked for Zakroski to meet with him during his two-day stay in the county. Photo courtesy of Shaun Adams

Takin’ a stroll down Memory Lane

Randy Foster
Monday, March 28, 2022
Graham County native Ronnie Milsap took a break from touring for some reminiscing, during a two-day tour of his childhood home on March 14 and 15.
Kimberly Vaught, the beloved general manager of Historic Tapoco Lodge, passed away unexpectedly Jan. 10.

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.