Featured
From Our Archives: Here's a look back at this week in 1996
1 of 9
Twenty-three years ago this week, Clay Kilgore and Angela Hutchins, ninth-grade students in Ann Mabry’s class at East McDowell Junior High School, wrapped presents which were donated for Project Christmas. The wrapping paper was donated by the teachers and the parents. The students were told they would probably wrap around 300 gifts for Project Christmas.
Twenty-three years ago this week, Sonya Elledge of the McDowell County Public Library had the attention of these Glenwood Elementary students from Wanda Hester’s class. She used group interaction and finger puppets to tell them a story.
During the week of Dec. 22, 1996, McDowell High’s Jeremy Staton (center) signed a baseball scholarship with Montreat-Anderson College. Joining Staton at the signing were his mother Cindy (seated, left) and his father Danny (seated, right) as well as Titan Head Coach Dennis “Flea” Blake (standing, left) and Montreat-Anderson Head Coach Darin Chaplain (standing, right). Staton was a third baseman on McDowell’s squad the previous year, batted .296 and led the Titans with seven doubles. He was second on the team with 18 runs batted in. Staton, was recruited as a pitcher, posted a 4.19 ERA for the Titans the previous year.
Twenty-three years ago this week, McDowell Titan 130-pounder Sara McMann (right) tried to escape from an opponent during a wrestling match. The Titans placed eighth in the Owen Invitational Tournament Saturday. McMann earned a fourth-place finish.
During the week of Dec. 22, 1996, the Magorian family won a $500 shopping spree. The contest, a fund-raiser for the McDowell County Rescue Squad, was sponsored by Walmart and the Rescue Squad. Pictured at the presentation were Vincent and Tammy Magorian with Dean Wall of the Rescue Squad; Scott Fortenberry, assistant manager at Walmart; and the Magorian children, Casey, Tiffany, Elizabeth and Neal.
During the week of Dec. 22, 1996, Brittany McHone (left) and Lacey Bowman are really getting into the job of mixing up “reindeer nibbles” as Kalisa Mayberry looks on. The nibbles were soon to become kid nibbles as the children ate it up. This activity was held during Eastfield School’s Enrichment Week.
During the week of Dec. 22, 1996, Andrews Geyser near Old Fort resembled a huge ice sculpture after bitterly cold temperatures were felt in McDowell County.
During the week of Dec. 22, 1996, workers Bud Stamey, Charles Stockton, Dale Reese, Buzz Rometti and Gary Harris placed special lights on a sander truck with the city of Marion Department of Public Works. Both city and state crews were preparing for possible snow and a potential white Christmas.
During the week of Dec. 22, 1996, Santa Claus held Brandy Halley. She probably wasn’t old enough to fully appreciate her time with the famous gift-giver. In fact, little Brandy slept through her entire first visit. She was the youngest child in the Head Start PCC program at that time.
