10 years ago
* Jimmy Bales, an 86-year-old World War ll veteran, enjoyed visiting family and friends during his visit back to Graham County. He met with World War ll veterans Arvil Webster, Wayne Carringer, and John and Lavon Siler. Bales and John Siler played on the first football team at Robbinsville High School in 1939, until they graduated in 1941.
* A 21-point run in the third quarter by the Black Knights was more than enough to put the game out of reach for the Rabun Gap Eagles. Kelley Sherrill and Austin Hill scored two touchdowns each, leading Robbinsville to its second win of the season. Sherrill proved to be a valuable weapon, several times throughout the game.
“I think we’ve got a good team,” Sherrill said. “I see a lot more potential in this team than people give us credit for.”
25 years ago
* Robbinsville planned to host the annual Smoky Mountain Area Craft Workshop. It was the 26th year for the festival and was planned to be a unique experience for those interested in pursuing a new craft or perfecting one that they knew, so that they may in turn teach others. Some of these crafts were once a matter of survival.
* Giving up their summer vacations, band students Annie Morris, Matthew Slaughter, Tommy Chekelelee and Heather Holland attended a band camp at Mars Hill College. The students attended classes in conducting, theory, music, history, computer programming and were given a chance to play a second instrument. Mike Wilson, band director at Robbinsville, was impressed by the students’ efforts to improve their performances.
50 years ago
* The guests at the Fontana Village Resort never lacked for things to do. One of the most popular activities there swimming in Fontana’s Olympic size pool. There was also a separate wading pool for children.
* The Black Knights overpowered Swain, 26-20. Halfback Jacob Jackson and Dwayne Cable led the Knights to the hard-earned win. It was the first time that the Knights had beat Swain since 1964. Jacob Jackson ran the ball 18 times for 71 yards and caught four passes for 50 yards.
-Diane West