10 years ago
* The Heritage Festival was hot, but entertaining for all. About 5,000 attended the two-day downtown event. Several new events were added to the lineup, but the most popular was the Moonshine Still, demonstrated by Jim Tom Hedrick, a retired moonshiner. An actual still was set up, but instead of producing corn liquor, only water was the process, much to the dismay of some.
* The new green curriculum of the Forest Service’s Job Corps expanded employment opportunities for its graduates, helping to revitalize local economies and enhance the mission of the agency, said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is associated with the National Forests of North Carolina and have served currently with 68 students. In 12 months, the centers had graduated 4,263 students, better preparing them to enter the job market.
25 years ago
* Through prayers and hard work, a dream came true for more than 100 registered participants, as they braved the heat of newly-laid asphalt to drive wagons, horses, buggies and mules across the Cherohala Skyway to celebrate its opening. The gathering of almost 200 people at Beach Gap, for the ribbon cutting, symbolized the completion of the Skyway.
* The U.S. Forest Service, in cooperation with the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission, held the annual Kids Fishing Derby. Brandy Bevins was the big winner with an 18-inch brook trout, weighing 13 pounds, 4 ounces. Blevins was in the 7-to-12 year age class top winner and for 5-to-7 year age group was Kaylee Shope who also caught an 18-inch brook trout. Other winners of the day included Randy Blevins, Katie Shope, Jacob Hamby, Cori Hyde, Travis Anderson, Larry Wilson, Jordy Sellers, Jeremy Adams and Bo Bo Cable.
50 years ago
* A Graham Star for this week was unable to be located.
-Diane West