10 years ago
* Graham County was close to sealing a deal with Stanley Furniture that would give the county 36 acres in Long Creek. The property was to be used for a multi-use outdoor facility according to county planner, Andy Cable. The park would be called the Young American Recreation Park. This multi-use park would have a 1.8 mile walking/running trail, filled with natural beauty. “Our county is projected to grow and we want to make this a place where people want to stay”, said County Manager Greg Cable. “A recreation complex was in the top five from a list of resource gaps in 2012.” “This gap will be addressed by the new Park, allowing citizens to choose a better quality of life.”
* During the 2012 Christmas Holiday period from 12 a.m. December 24th through 11:59 p.m. on December 25th, two people were killed in traffic accidents. Year-to-date troopers had investigated 5,545 collisions attributed to alcohol impairment. “Our troopers will be very vigilant in locating and removing impaired drivers off of North Carolina highways, as we approach the New Year”, said Colonel Michael Gilchrist, commander of Highway Patrol. “Our goals is to provide a safe driving environment for all motorists.” Citizens could contribute to highway safety by reporting impaired and erratic drivers by dialing *HP or *47 on a cellular phone.”
25 years ago
* After serving at the Snowbird Health Clinic for 17 years, Betty Wolfe celebrated her early retirement Dec. 22, 1997, at the Snowbird Recreation Center. Wolfe began her career in the Southwest, which helped in accumulating the years that she needed for early retirement. “I guess the nicest thing was to come back and work with my people, since I was originally from here,” said Wolfe. “I think the only challenge is that your own people expect more of you than someone else who is not from here.”
* Few parts of Graham County saw the 4-8 inches of snow that was predicted, but the snow that came stayed for well over 24 hours. Barns, bare trees and meadows were transformed by the blanket of white into a visual delight. At times, the sun shone through the clouds, throwing stark shadows on the snow.
-Editor’s note: A Graham Star for 50 years ago was not available.
-Compiled by Diane West