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FROM THE ARCHIVES
HERE’S A LOOK BACK AT MCDOWELL COUNTY THIS WEEK IN 2001
MIKE CONLEY
During the week of Sept. 15,2001, the Marion City Council
honored Joe and Modean “Mo” Frisbee as the Citizens of the Month
for September. Joe Frisbee worked for many years in Marion with
Biltmore Dairy, Smith Furniture and Western Auto. His wife Mo was
known for her musical performances with the Sunset Girls Trio and
her playing of the piano. She played the piano for the Marion
Rotary Club and taught music to many local students. Councilman
Lloyd Cuthbertson, left, selected the Frisbees for this honor.
Mayor Everette Clark, right, presented them with a certificate.
MCDOWELL NEWS ARCHIVES PHOTOS
McDowell High School’s NJROTC walked away with plenty of
first-place trophies at the annual Newton-Conover Field Meet. The
cadets captured nine out of 13 possible first-place standings and
finished first overall.
Members of the Marion Moose Lodge and employees of the Marion
Minimum Security Unit were on Lake James and marked the trashiest
spots for the annual Big Sweep. Al Reel; Ted Laney; Linda Anderson,
an officer at the prison; and Perry Franklin, a unit manager at the
prison, found this huge pile of bottles and cans near a
campsite.
BELOW: McDowell Titans quarterback Justin Dalton was set to make
an option pitch to Matt Reel. The Titans scored on the play, their
second play from scrimmage, and went on to a 28-0 victory over the
R-S Central Hilltoppers.
LEFT: Gas prices throughout the nation rose after the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks. In McDowell County, prices jumped 20 cents a
gallon or more at some local stations while others held steady.
Twenty-five years ago this week, different generations enjoyed
the sounds of country and bluegrass music each Friday night at Old
Fort Mountain Music. Musicians played inside the Rockett building
and in the parking lot.
RIGHT: Twenty-five years ago this week, Sharon Smith, left,
treasurer and newsletter editor for the McDowell Woman’s Club,
received the GFWC-NC Newsletter Award for women’s clubs in North
Carolina. This was the third year in a row the McDowell Woman’s
Club won this award on the district and state level. Pictured with
her is GFWC-NC State President Teresa Lee.
This feature mines the McDowell News archives for images and articles from this week in local history.
Walk for Recovery event held in McDowell
Event kicked off Recovery Month
MIKE CONLEY
This Walk for recovery on Saturday, Sept. 5, kicked off National
recovery month in McDowell County.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
On Saturday, Sept. 5, the McDowell Partnership for Substance Awareness sponsored the annual "Walk for Recovery" event.
This event kicked off National Recovery Month in McDowell County. This year, the walk was ambitious by any standards. The route started from Mauney Memorial Park in Old Fort and was completed at Resilience Ranch south of Marion, according to a news release from the McDowell Partnership for Substance Awareness.
Teams recruited from MPSA, partners and supporters were asked to walk one mile of the 10-mile route. Representatives from six MPSA partners and supporters showed up at Mauney Memorial Park shortly after 8 a.m. and began walking or disbursing to their assigned stations along the route. Team No. 1 was comprised of representatives from Freedom Life Ministries, Killian Consulting of Western North Carolina and a student from McDowell Technical Community College. The team started walking at 8:30 a.m. and said they were going to do the entire route.
A second team from McDowell Youth Forward/ RHA-Prevention Services committed to walking six miles of the route and were transported to the halfway point to begin their walk. To ensure the safety of the walkers, Deputy Hernandez from the McDowell County Sheriff's Office provided coverage at three key intersections along the route. David Grant of Freedom Life Ministries provided a variety of support services to the walkers, including vehicle support, placing mile markers along the route, checking with teams and offering water, and providing transport from Resilience Ranch back to Old Fort, where personal vehicles were parked, according to the news release.
At the conclusion of the Walk for Recovery, McDowell County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman Lynn Greene offered words of encouragement to the teams and shared a message of hope for those impacted by substance use and mental health challenges. Greene read a proclamation from the McDowell County Commissioners declaring September as Recovery Month across McDowell County.
Resilience Ranch, home of the GOAT Collaborative, hosted the Walk for Recovery, according to the news release.
More Recovery Month events:
The 2026 Walk for Recovery is the first of three planned events for Recovery Month:
■ Wednesday, Sept. 16, through Saturday, Sept. 19: "The Art of Recovery," a pop-up gallery at McDowell Arts Council Association, Main Street, Marion, is an outcome from the MPSA Expressive Arts Program facilitated by Lynn Underwood of Old Fort, an expressive arts therapist. Artwork is created by individuals impacted directly or indirectly by substance use disorder or mental health challenges. On Saturday, Sept. 19, in the Greenlee Theater at MACA, a variety-type show of "performance art" begins at 7 p.m.
■ Saturday, Sept. 26: The grand finale of Recovery Month is the annual Blue Ridge Recovery Rally. This year, the Rally is being held at 635 Baldwin Ave., Marion. This is a family-friendly celebration to recognize the resilience, determination, courage and commitment of those who choose recovery every day. The celebration offers something for everyone: a kids' zone with a bouncy house, crafts and games; the Phoenix area for corn hole and other fun activities; information booths hosted by MPSA partners and supporters; the school banner contest; and a mini art display from the Art of Recovery gallery show. The stage area will be a place for entertainment, recognition of the 2026 Recovery Champions, cardboard testimonies and other activities. Activities will cease at 7 p.m. as we welcome Jamie Torres and Billy James, this year's headliner entertainers.
For more information, visit the McDowell Partnership for Substance Awareness Facebook page or contact Kitty Geouge Wilson at kitty@mcdowellpsa.org.
Nebo man charged with kicking open front door of house
MIKE CONLEY
Lewis
A Nebo man is accused of kicking open a front door at a house in McDowell County.
Jason Ray Lewis, 50, is charged with felony breaking and entering to terrorize/injure, misdemeanor second-degree trespassing and misdemeanor resisting a public officer.
On Friday, Aug. 28, deputies with the McDowell County Sheriff's Office responded to a residence off Biggerstaff Loop following a report of a breaking and entering, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.
The victim said Lewis came to his house while he was sleeping and kicked open the front door. Lewis then left the area on foot and returned to his nearby residence, according to the news release.
Video footage provided by the homeowner confirmed that Lewis had committed the act, the sheriff's office said. Deputies went to Lewis' home, where he barricaded himself inside. After giving Lewis multiple commands to step outside, deputies entered the residence and arrested him.
Lewis received a $21,000 secured bond, according to the news release.
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