This feature mines our archives for what was going on this week in local history.
032121 archives p1.jpg
Twenty-five years ago this week, McDowell High student Jay Melton, left, gave a hug to high school band director Wayne Freeman. Thanks to Melton, Freeman was recognized as WBTV’s “Teacher of the Week.” “I got tears in my eyes,” said Melton. “I love helping Mr. Freeman.”
032121 archives p2.jpg
Twenty-five years ago this week, Sharon Smith of the United Methodist Church Women’s group presented a check for $520 to Shirley Arrowood to use for home-delivered meals in McDowell County. This was the 10th year the group had given a check. The amount was enough to add another person to the list for one year. The group had nine routes and 70 volunteers but was looking to add more.
032121 archives p3.jpg
Twenty-five years ago this week, teacher Martha Beck and some of her first-grade students look at fossils from the West Marion Elementary Student Museum of Natural History, a project developed by teacher Susan Bradburn.
032121 archives p4.jpg
Twenty-five years ago this week, Maleika Freeman and Carolyn Tilley, both fifth-grade students from Marion Elementary, were the winners of the annual Arbor Day Tree Booklet Contest. Both girls received books about trees from the Marion Tree Committee in recognition of their hard work.
032121 archives p5.jpg
Twenty-five years ago this week, the McDowell Men’s Industrial League tournament champions were Universal Bedroom Furniture. The members of the team were (front row, left to right) Leroy Jackson, Ryan Triplette, Charlie Gardin, Brandon Guzman and (second row) Brian Zimmerman, Johnny Russell, Shane Wright, Jeff Cordell and Billy Joe Chambers.
032121 archives p6.jpg
During the week of March 21, 1996, the McDowell Men’s Industrial League runners-up were Georgia Pacific. Members of the team were (front row, left to right) Joe Mulstay, Mark Robinson, Ronnie Morgan and (second row) Gus Giger, Sherman Forney and Herb Nanney.
032121 archives p7.jpg
LEFT: During the week of March 21, 1996, Marion Elementary School fifth-graders Ashley Hazelrig, Cameron Owenby, Townsend Stewart and Akievia “Kievi” Whiteside braved the cold temperatures to show off their green thumbs. The students celebrated the recent Arbor Day holiday with a presentation from Forest Ranger John Reese of the N.C. Forest Service. The tree planting was postponed from the previous week.
032121 archives p10.jpg
BELOW: During the week of March 21, 1996, Darrell Baggett, owner of Darrell Ford Mercury Inc., left, received the Ford Credit Partners in Quality award from Jim Moynes and Sandy King, both of Ford Motor Credit Co.
032121 archives p11.jpg
During the week of March 21, 1996, Marion Rotary Club’s Athletes of the Week were Travis Silver and Tasha Jackson. Silver, a senior, was a four-year Regional and three-year State qualifier in swimming. Jackson, a junior, averaged 10.8 points and 7.9 rebounds for the 23-5 Lady Titan basketball team that year. Making the presentation was Rotarian J.J. Laughridge.
032121 archives p12.jpg
During the week of March 21, 1996, this stretch of the U.S. 221 bypass was scheduled to have a lower speed limit of 45 miles per hour. A fatal crash occurred at the intersection of U.S. 221 bypass and U.S. 70 during the previous month. The speed limit was originally 55 miles per hour near the intersection. The change was expected to take about a month.
032121 archives p13.jpg
During the week of March 21, 1996, Mamie Crow, 70, of Newland caught this bass on a “rooster tail” during her fishing trip to Lake James. Crow said she usually reeled in bigger fish when the camera was not around.
032121 archives p14.jpg
During the week of March 21, 1996, Foothills Community Theater presented the play “Wiley and the Hairy Man.” These were the members of the chorus in the production. The play was scheduled to be presented at the MACA Arts Center in downtown Marion.
