10 years ago
* A 95-year-old man from Florida was rescued by local officials after falling and becoming very sick on the Appalachian Trail. After two hikers discovered the injured hiker, they ran up to Yellow Creek Gap to get cell service. Cliff Moody and a hiking companion had intended to hike to Fontana. Late afternoon, Moody fell on some rocks and injured his leg. After being rescued by squad members and transported to Yellow Creek Gap, Moody’s hiking companion – a doctor – said that he would see that Moody received medical attention.
* Around 2,000 spectators traveled out to Maple Springs to watch the second SCCA, “Chasing the Dragon Hill Climb.” The 2.2-mile course drew in drivers from all across the United States to compete in what was becoming a main attraction in the county. “The drivers enjoyed meeting everyone and signing autographs for the kids,” said Ted Theodore, SCCA event manager. “Many drivers and workers liked it here so much, they said they would be coming back in the near future for some relaxing time with their families.” Around 50 drivers competed.
25 years ago
* The sudden resignation of Noel Marsh as town clerk – and the subsequent discovery of his alleged embezzlement of more than $50,000 – made auditing the Town of Santeetlah for 1995-96 a challenge. The town learned of a “clean opinion” of its financial operations from the town auditor Rebecca Maennle Garland, after she stated that there were some negative points in the report due to embezzlement. “The town fully cooperated in their investigation and recovery,” said Garland. Also, suggestions made to the council from Garland to help resolve this situation were quickly adopted. Update: Today, Garland is the finance officer for Graham County.
* Seventy-seven Graham County citizens came together in an effort to beautify the Main Street area, known as “Operation Neat Street,” after receiving a $3,800 grant from the Appalachian Regional Council to be used for a community project. The idea for a clean-up came from a Waynesville Economic Restructuring Specialist, on a resource team that had visited Robbinsville in May, along with the Graham County Celebration 2000 planning committee.
50 years ago
* Members of the Graham County and Stecoah rescue squads assembled on Stecoah Mountain to organize a search for a 16-year-old boy who was reported missing. The boy and his brother – from Jacksonville, Fla. – were separated after leaving Stecoah Gap en-route to Deep Gap in Bryson City, by way of Yellow Creek Gap and Fontana. The older brother decided to turn back, while the younger continued to Fontana. When the older boy didn’t show up at the meeting place, the younger one called the rescue squads. The search was paused at 1:30 a.m., only to resume late the same evening. At press time, the boy had not been found.
* The 1972 Centennial Parade was expecting exceptional floats. The drivers of the floats would help the parade committee get the units in order. J. Ralph Jenkins, Parade Chairman; Mack Huffman, Parade Marshal; Modeal Walsh, Lowell Crisp, Edd Corpening and Booth Crisp, Jr. – each commission members – helped in the line-up. Jenkins was hoping for “a parade to remember.”
-Compiled by Diane West