10 years ago
* The Stecoah Valley Center held its 14th Annual Harvest Festival. An estimated 2,000 visitors attended the event. “Everyone in the community came together for our most successful festival ever”, said Beth Fields, Stecoah Valley Center Executive Director. The highlight of the entertainment was the performance of “Balsam Range.” The outdoor stage was hopping all day, also with performances from local bands. “It is a Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center mission to support the community and preserve mountain traditions,” said Fields.
* The Robbinsville Middle School cross country girls team won the first-ever state championship. “These girls have been absolutely great all season,” said coach Rance Shuler. “One key to their success is not only their attitudes and hard work, but their parents who made them come to practice.” Shawnda Martin was the leader for the team all season and won every race for the year. The new course record during the conference race – won by Robbinsville – was set by Martin. She finished with a time of 14:05.55.
25 years ago
* More than 500 people crowded the parking lot at the Unicoi Crest Overlook for the dedication of the Cherohala Skyway. Among them was Wayne Carringer of Robbinsville, a veteran who survived the Bataan Death March. The official opening of the road brought scores of leaf lookers. Projections from the U.S. Forest Service estimated that five million cars a year would use the skyway. Charles Hall, master of ceremonies, said that the skyway was originally supposed to go to Murphy. But someone pointed out the treasures of the national forests between Tellico Plains and Robbinsville, so the skyway took off.
* The Junior Varsity Black Knights football team terminated the Murphy Bulldogs, 44-16. All 44 points were scored on the ground. The Knights defense only allowed one touchdown early in the first quarter and one late in the fourth. Defensive standouts were John Pressley and Dustin Eller. Robbinsville’s points was accounted for by seven players: Josh Waldroup, Diamond Rattler,, Benji Williams, William Adams, Steven Freeman, Kaleb Williams and James Teesateskie.
50 years ago
* According to John Derks, Cheoah District Ranger, the weekend was the peak season for fall colors in Graham County’s portion of the Nantahala National Forest. The colors appeared to be the best in several years. Derks also added that this was the best time to get out and enjoy the National Forest roads. Picnic facilities were available at Snowbird, Joyce Kilmer and Cheoah Point.
– Diane West