10 years ago
* The 75th anniversary of the re-dedication of Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest was held at Rattler Ford Campground, near the forest entrance. Special guest speakers were Congressman Heath Shuler, Principal Chief Michell Hicks, Kevin Anton and keynote speaker John Covell, author of “Joyce Kilmer: A Literary Biography.” The event commemorated the dedication of 3,800 acres of forest service land in Graham County to poet Joyce Kilmer, author of the poem “Trees”, who was killed in World War I.
* The Mountain Swim League held its conference championship swim meet in Franklin and featured teams from all across western North Carolina. Although Graham County only sent six swimmers, they managed to pick up nine medals. Eight second-place medals went to Jordan Pavelka, Dylan Rogers, Ben Wiggins and Isaiah Phillips. Pavelka also earned a gold medal in the 100-yard breaststroke, putting in his best personal time of his career.
25 years ago
* North Carolina voters had an opportunity to pass a $1.5 billion bond referendum for school construction. “It would give Graham County approximately $2 million,” said Donald Andrews, superintendent of Graham County Schools. Kyle Boone was contacted to give an assessment and estimate. “We’ve asked him the cost-feasibility of removing this building, compared to saving this building,” Andrews said. “As we all know, although this building may be vacated, old buildings bring a lot of sentimental value to the community.”
* With the 1996 Black Knight football season only a month away, the Quarterback Club started its yearly membership drive. The cost was $100 per person or $150 per couple and included a season pass to all home games, reserved parking at the stadium, and a hat or sweatshirt. The Quarterback Club’s Board of Directors were Dick Blevins, Tammy Holloway and Pam Knott.
50 years ago
* The local draft board continued to register and re-classify men. “Selective Service Director, Curtis Carr, stressed the importance of explaining their draft calls in the near future and that the Congress is not likely to affect any registrant’s chance of being drafted,” Mariann Hicks – manager of the board – stated. The Defense Department had asked Selective Service to draft 16,000 men in July and August in 1971.
* Some 35 boy scouts, six leaders and seven vehicles of Troop No. 5 of Jacksonville, Fla. arrived in Robbinsville to start a two-week hike of the area and the Appalachian Trail. Some of the boys pictured here were Kevin Hrabal, Bill Anna, Tom Bauman, David Hanley, Sean O’Brien, Paul Knight, Jimmy Claxton, Daniel Bratcher and committeemen Tom O’Brien and Jim Claxton. Bob Coyle was Scoutmaster.
– Diane West