10 years ago
* A Graham County veteran was honored at the Oath of Service Wall in Fayetteville. Lots of fanfare heralded the park’s grand opening, as war veterans from as far back as World War II stood at attention. Among them was Arvil Webster, one of Graham County’s own. Webster was selected to have his hand cast in bronze for display on the Oath of Service Wall.
* For many football fans, the advertisement in The Graham Star for a football coach caused a mild panic stir. Robbinsville had gone through several head football coaches during the last decade, it seems. Graham County native Dee Walsh had came back to lead the team three years prior. Fans were glad to find out that Walsh was continuing his reign as football coach, after the county’s board of education agreed to renew Walsh’s contract. After his retirement in December, according to state law, Walsh was ineligible to coach or teach again for six months, following his retirement. “I am glad to have him back,” said Superintendent Chip Carringer.
25 years ago
* Graham County’s Heritage Festival covered all of Independence Day weekend. Veterans and men dressed in Civil War costumes led the parade through Robbinsville. Principal Chief Joyce Dugan, Grand Marshal of the parade and council member Marion Teesateskie were escorted by Debra Pitch of the new Anchor Mortgage. A reception for Dugan followed the parade. Toni Coradetti was the Heritage Festival Director.
* Showing some Olympic pride was Bell Cooper, 91 years young, who played the mother of “Nell,” in the movie of the same name. She was present in Cherokee when Marshall McClung came through, carrying the Olympic torch. Accompanying her from Robbinsville was her granddaughter, Deborah Odom, great-granddaughter Lesley Cody and great-great grandson Zane Cody. McClung wanted all of the people of Graham County to know how honored that he felt to have represented them in the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay.
50 years ago
* Robbinsville saw nearly $2 million change hands at the Land Auction, then was halted by Bemis Hardware Lumber Company, when the price of land dropped below $120 an acre. The 15,500 acres of land, located in Little Snowbird of Graham County, went on the auction block with a bidding beginning at $800 an acre. The land sold for a total of $1,940,000, when it was all broken up and sold to individuals.
* Duke-bound Mark Manuel, football whiz from Robbinsville, topped the Smoky Mountain Babe Ruth League All-Star selections, named by officers and managers. Eighteen players and four alternates were picked from five teams. Manuel was named as the Western North Carolina top small-school athlete. Gary Johnson and Eddie Taylor received this for over the past two years. Jerry Cagle, another top athlete of western North Carolina was selected as he was a three-sport star.