10 years ago
* Memorial Day is a time to remember those who answered the call of duty and went to battle for freedom of the United States. The three Ammons brothers, Ernest, Hardie and Oliver – sons of the late sheriff, John A. Ammons – and Laura Carolina Hyde, along with friend Jack Morphew, answered that call and joined the Army during World War I. Morphew was an attorney, practicing law in Graham County for many years, along with his father, Thomas Arthur Morphew.
* Tracey Trammell and Jaron Byers won the Ed Jackson MVP High School Athletic Award at the R-Club banquet. Trammell received a full ride to the UNC-Asheville to play basketball for the Lady Bulldogs. Ayers was accepted into the Mars Hill football program and played for the Lions. The Judy Nichols Sportsmanship Award went to Megan Silvers, who was a leader for her team. Robbinsville had one of its most successful athletic years ever and the coaches were looking forward to the following years.
25 years ago
* Shadows were cast from stormy weather upon the courthouse during the annual Memorial Service ceremony. A colorguard led by Arvil Webster and Jim Bowman posted flags to open the ceremony. Leonard Lloyd spoke about issues facing our society. “It makes us proud to stop and think about those we served with, those who didn’t make it back,” said Lloyd. “These memories are with us here today. They are not buried in a cemetery. We survived because we have a deep-seated faith in our Creator.”
* Robbinsville had a night to shine, when several athletes carried away many trophies. Bucky Ayers received MVP awards for baseball and track, as well as one of the R-Clubs’ outstanding athletes awards. Pam Beasley received an MVP award for volleyball, basketball and also an outstanding R-Club award. Tara Williams received the Miss Hustle Award for volleyball and basketball sportsmanship and a scholastic award. Special awards were given to Billy Queen by football coach Rex Smith, for supporting the team over the years.
50 years ago
* The first Robbinsville High School student graduates were pictured in the June 4 edition of The Graham Star. They were Claude Moody, Alma Tatham Rogers, Marion Morphew Ingram, Edna Eller Harris, Edna Moody Carringer, Alowayne Slaughter Orr, Pearlie Crisp and Harry Griffith. The graduation occurred on May 2, 1924.
* Lowell Snider was congratulated by assistant coach John Wike, after signing a Grant-In Aid with Western Carolina University. The head football recruiter for Catamounts football, Wike stated, “I am tickled to death to get a boy of Lowell’s caliber right here in western North Carolina. He is not only an outstanding athlete, but an outstanding student as well.” Pictured were Lowell’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Snider, coach at Robbinsville high school Bob Colvin and Wike.
– Diane West