10 years ago
* Repaving of Rodney Orr Bypass was scheduled to begin, as part of a complete makeover of the main thoroughfares. The work was funded through grants from NC STEP program for rural towns. The center of the bypass should have raised medians with plantings, according to Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Smith. Update: There are no medians – rather, a central turning lane for travelers wishing to access businesses on either side of the road.
* Rainy weather put a damper on the county’s Ramp Festival. The annual festival – which was the main fund raiser for the year for the Graham County Rescue Squad – sold 400 less plates than the previous year and netted $6,500 for the event, down from $7,000. The contribution from area churches of $1,000 each saved the festival from being a total washout.
* The Robbinsville Road Runners were a group of young ladies, grades 3-6, ran for nine weeks and culminated on May 11 at a 5K in Cherokee. Each girl set their own goal, which included placing in the top three, to be able to run the entire race.
25 years ago
* Graham County elections were moving into the electronic age. For the first time in the county’s history, ballots were counted by Airmack Tabulators, instead of humans. The large blue box, equipped with special lids, electronically read the ballots and counted votes as they were placed in the box.
* Three bikers drove through Jackson, Swain and Graham counties, leading law officers on a chase that hit 130 miles per hour. All three bikers were caught after running several road blocks. The chase took place on Hwy. 28 between Almond and Stecoah during a high-traffic period. Robert Sessions was later booked into Graham County Detention Center, under a $3,500 secured bond.
* Graham County’s Special Olympians had their day in the sun, with exceptional students each wearing a commemorative t-shirt and smile. Everyone broke into applause when Graham County Schools was chosen “Winner of the Best Banner,” a handmade quilt and frame. The regional Special Olympics was held at Swain County High School.
50 years ago
* Members of the Robbinsville football, basketball, softball and track were honored at the annual athletic banquet. There were 29 specially-awarded athletes, including 25 seniors. Tony Howell from the football and baseball teams was the Most Outstanding Boy Athlete of 1972-73, and Linda Waldroup was the Most Outstanding Girl for basketball and softball.
* Hugh David Allen of Robbinsville High School entered the Mathematics Contest and won third place, after entering the Geometry Division. As a sophomore, Allen had competed with contestants from 36 schools, with 11 contestants being from Robbinsville High School. Bobbie Carpenter was the group sponsor.
* The grand-prize winner of the 9.5 horsepower, Johnson motor from the Fontana Village Resort Spring Fishing Contest was James Fercana of Ohio. Fercana also received a check for $100 for landing the largest fish of the first week, a 6-pound 15-ounce largemouth bass. The contest was sponsored by Fontana Village each April.
-Compiled by Diane West