10 years ago
* Unfortunately, any plans for Graham County’s legendary moonshiner, Jim Tom Hedrick to have been featured on the Discovery Channel show “Moonshiners”, was scuttled. Hedrick was expecting to make $20,000 on the show, an amount that would cut into his Social Security and disability benefits. “I pulled out,” Hedrick said. The $20,000 payment would have caused him to lose his health and disability benefits, and was advised by the Department of Social Services that it wouldn’t be worth it. The retired moonshiner had even grown a beard to be prepared for the show.
* Robbinsville’s track teams remained undefeated. The boys beat Hayesville (77), Andrews, (76) and Hiwassee Dam (9) – with a team score of 106 – while the girls placed first with a score of 93 to Andrews’ 85, Hayesville’s 72 and Hiwassee Dam’s 11. “We’ve had a couple of miracles happen this week,” said head coach Ronny Carringer. “We had athletes running in events that they hadn’t planned on and going by the seat of our pants. I’m very proud of how well everyone performed.”
25 years ago
* Robbinsville’s new head football coach, Bruce Snyder, says he “was pretty impressed with how Robbinsville looked on tape.” Snyder had been assistant coach for eight years at Hendersonville High School, leading the team to two championships. He had an overall record of 24-19. He was hired on March 17 and signed a contract. He then met with the team on the following day and began teaching full-time April 7. “I’m just glad to have the opportunity to be a part of this community,” Snyder said.
* The Black Knights got things going against Hiwassee Dam by scoring four runs in the top of the first inning, as the baseball season opened with a score of 12-5. The inning was highlighted by a two-run homer by Jeremy Waldroup and Brian Jumper’s long home-run over the center field wall. The winning pitcher for Robbinsville was Brian Mitchell, who went over five innings, giving up only three hits and striking out nine. Drew Hill pitched a ⅓ of an inning and struck out the only man he faced.
50 years ago
* Sheriff Melvin Howell – along with four other individuals – were injured in a head-on collision, north of Robbinsville. Deputy Sam Shope stated that the sheriff was driving northward, when his car collided with a 1970 Dodge, operated by Larry Williams, 19, of the Yellow Creek Community. Both vehicles were demolished and all injured passengers were taken to District Memorial Hospital in Andrews. Deputy Holder was treated and released and only one other passenger was seriously injured with broken bones and lacerations. The investigation was ongoing.
* The new boating access area was available this season on Lake Santeetlah, for the enjoyment of boaters and fishermen. Avery Branch Boating Access Area, located on Joyce Kilmer road, was about 1½ miles east of Horse Cove Campground. It was constructed the previous year by N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, with the contractor being the J.C. Phillips Construction Company of Robbinsville.
– Diane West