10 years ago
* More than $12,000 was raised at the 10th Annual Cystic Fibrosis Beauty Pageant, which was held at Robbinsville High School. Coordinator Linda Buchanan was more than pleased with the results. “There’s no doubt in my mind that this money comes from their heart. It always amazes me at how generous people are in spite of their own difficulties,” Buchanan said. Mylee Hooper and Karcee Dooley were the top money raisers for the Cystic Fibrosis beauty pageant. In addition to the beauty and elegance of the contestants, the crowd was treated to entertainment and antics of several guests.
* Katie Williams, Madison Cole, Kadey Phillips, Cheyenne Orr and Ashton Orr traveled to Greensboro for the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s 1A state meet and brought home five All-State Awards. “They had great attitudes, gave it their best efforts and earned the respect of everyone with their performances. I couldn’t have asked for anything more from them,” said coach Ronny Carringer. “I don’t think people realize what a truly remarkable thing it was to have every single girl make All-State in every event and set new school records.”
25 years ago
* Tri-County Community College finally broke ground for the renovations to the Graham County Center. “There has been a few delays, but now we are ready to celebrate,” said Norman Oglesby, president of the College. The Graham County Board of Education deeded the former high school science building to Tri-County. It was renamed the Phillips Vocational Building. The future home of the center’s administrative offices, four class rooms, computer lab, testing center and library was in the Shope Administration Building.
* Coach Judy Nichols made the N.C. Distinguished Coach List and was presented a Distinguished Service Award by the N.C. High School Athletic Association in Chapel Hill. Nichols was recognized for starting the volleyball (coached 12 years) and softball programs at Robbinsville High (coached 27 years with a winning record of 368-104). The Lady Knights were conference champs for seven years. She also coached basketball for five years (with a record of 93-22) being the Outstanding 1A team in western North Carolina for three consecutive years, along with the Coach of the Year title for two years.
50 years ago
* The “Listening Session” at the Old Rock Gym discussed a choice of Alternate No. 1 of a N.C. Forest Service study, which would keep Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and the Slick Rock area under the management of the Forest Service. The session lasted until the early morning hours, with 80 people present to voice their opinions. Petitions were presented from 26 governmental and civic groups, recommending Alternate No. 1 to be adopted for this area. Leonard Lloyd, speaking for the citizens of Graham County, stated that the completion of Robbinsville/Tellico Plains Road was a matter of survival for Graham County. J. Smith Howell praised the Forest Service for the job it had done in the management of the area. “Gentlemen of the Forest Service,” Howell concluded, “We urge you to take immediate action for necessary steps to protect the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest in its present state and to immediately proceed with the construction of the highway.” The service planned to make recommendations after June 30, 1972, when a draft management plan would have been made.
-Diane West