This feature mines our archives for what was going on this week in local history.
Forty-two years ago this week, the play “Inherit the Wind” was presented by Foothills Community Theater in the main courtroom at the McDowell County Courthouse. In this scene, defense lawyer Henry Drummond (played by Gene Moffitt) questions prosecuting attorney Matthew Harrison Brady (played by Bob Gourley) as the judge (played by Jim Neal) looks on. The three actors were among the total 53 local performers in the play. “Inherit the Wind” is based on the Scopes Monkey trial in 1925. During that historic event, a teacher was put on trial for teaching evolution in the public schools. At the time, this subject matter was considered controversial for McDowell County. This theatrical production, directed by Sandra Epperson, was probably the only time a play was ever presented in the courthouse.
During the week of March 10, 1984, Lisa Martin stepped carefully along the sleet-covered sidewalk along East Court Street up the steep courthouse hill. A winter storm had dumped nearly two inches of ice and snow in McDowell County, closing schools and making driving hazardous.
The McDowell News published this photo of East Court Street taken from the top of courthouse hill.
These McDowell High School students were awarded first- and second-place ribbons in the Science Fair. They were (left to right, bottom to top) Gail Epley (second), Lora Poole (first), Julie Brown (second), Eric Tillman (second), Jeff Duncan (first), Dawn Thomas (second), Leigh Marston (first), Jay Abernathy (second), Scott T. Smith (first), Richard Seagle (second), Matthew Hollifield (first), Kent Brown (first) and Bryant McEntire (second). Unavailable for photo was Glenda Burleson.
The Hair Company was a new salon that opened in the Front Porch on U.S. 221 North near the entrance to Hankins Road. The salon boasted “one of the most inviting business atmospheres around.” The spacious salon offered manicures, pedicures, cosmetic applications, lash and brow tints as well as traditional hair care and styling. The operators were (left to right) Pam Sisk, Kay Winters Butler, Dianne Campbell, Judy Butler and Ronda Ledford.
A winter storm dumped nearly 2 inches of ice and snow on McDowell County, closing schools and making driving hazardous. At the intersection of U.S. 70 and U.S. 221, cars navigated on the ice as a DOT truck scraped the pavement.
Amy Clontz (No. 34) of the McDowell High Lady Titans guards the Hunter Huss Lady Huskies in the opening round of the District 10 tournament in Morganton. Clontz scored 15 points as the Lady Titans beat Huss 64-63.
The McDowell High Titans advanced to the Western 4-A Conference tournament semifinals by downing the Asheville Cougars 67-57 in the first round. In this photo, Steve Conley floated to the basket while a Cougar defender tried to block the shot from behind. Conley scored 11 points in the game.
The Naval Reserve Association recently presented the McDowell High NJROTC a naval library, valued at approximately $500. The books were placed in the high school library for all the students to use. At the presentation (from left) were Cmdr. Alan Murray, Assistant Librarian Marie Washburn, Capt. Vincent J. Colan (president of the western North Carolina chapter of the Naval Reserve) and Cdt. Cmdr. David Byrd.
Martha Hollifield of Foothills Waterbeds on U.S. 221 North said her new business offered a full line of waterbeds and waterbed accessories, including linens. The bed shown is a king-sized canopy waterbed. She said many of her customers are those who have sought help for back problems and some doctors prescribed the use of a waterbed.
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This feature mines our archives for what was going on this week in local history.
This feature mines the McDowell News archives for what was going on this week in local history.
This feature mines our archives for what was going on this week in local history.
