This feature mines the McDowell News archives for what was going on this week in local history.
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Thirty-eight years ago this week, artist Don Balke of Dysartsville created this winning entry in the N.C. Zoo’s poster contest. Balke’s poster won a competition against 200 other artists. The painting advertising the state zoo would be reproduced as a poster and sold in the zoo’s gift shop. Balke said he often supports local charities with his artwork and his painting for the zoological society follows that tradition.
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A towplane from Bermuda High Soaring School in Chester, S.C., pulled a sailplane up high over Lake James. The school held a two-week session at Shiflet Field in Marion every March when pilots from all over the world came here to soar over McDowell County. The location near Mount Mitchell made it a great place where sailplanes could achieve great altitude.
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A glider pilot on a short final approach prepared to make a whispering landing on the grassy strip at Marion’s Shiflet Field. Bermuda High Soaring School in Chester, S.C., held a two-week session at Shiflet Field in Marion every March when pilots from all over the world came here to soar over McDowell County.
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The Little Miss McDowell pageant was held at East McDowell Junior High School with Lucretia Mabe, daughter of J.R. Mabe of Nebo, winning the 1987 crown. The previous year’s queen Lyndsey Hardy is shown standing underneath the arch. The 14 contestants, from left to right, were Haley Drury, Amber Clark, Angela Sigmon, Jamie Mosteller, Crystal Love, Stacy Nodine, Luzette Smith, Tara Smith, Wendi Huskins, Lucretia Mabe, Carrie Turnbull, Emiley Luther, Alicia Harris and Lauren Waters.
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Titanette junior guard Katrina Willis handled the basketball at a game. She was a passing whiz the previous season helping the Titanettes to a 21-6 record. The Lady Titans played inspirationally before losing to the talented Asheville Lady Cats 72-71.
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Jayne Reid worked at Shiflet Field in Marion taking names and departure times for sailplane rides. In the back seat of the glider was Tom Elmore, a retired National Airlines pilot who was an avid sailplane enthusiast. Bermuda High Soaring School in Chester, S.C., held a two-week session at Shiflet Field in Marion every March when pilots from all over the world came here to soar over McDowell County.
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During the week of March 4, 1987, David Huskins of the Smokehouse Restaurant, poured the national drink of the South, iced tea, into a dispenser at his eatery on the five lane. Huskins was one of the restaurant owners in town who knew that iced tea was the No. 1 beverage among McDowell sippers, who consumed hundreds of gallons of it every day.
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Titan senior standout Wes Silvers hoped to play basketball in college the next year after three good seasons with the McDowell boys’ team. Silvers averaged scoring in double figures his last two seasons at McDowell High.
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A city of Marion public works employee took a risky walk in the process of turning off the water behind the Roses store building at the Lady Marian Plaza. The retaining wall behind the store collapsed onto Roses building on Feb. 28 due to heavy rains and the business had to remain closed as a result.
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Local Little League President Harold Medford, left, talked with District 7 Administrator Joe Cook from Lenoir at the Marion Community Building. Cook was in town to speak to the Rotary Club of Marion about the Little League Baseball program in McDowell County.
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Nationally syndicated columnist Cal Thomas spoke to the Marion Christian Women’s Club and the After Five Club at McDowell High School. The conservative Christian columnist’s articles appeared in the nation’s largest newspapers and he frequently appeared as a commentator on national TV news programs.
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Auditions were held for “OPRY!,” the spring production of MACA’s 1986-1987 season. This tribute to the Grand Ole Opry and authentic country music featured performers like Icard’s Allen Craig, who impersonated the great Hank Williams. The directors of the show still needed piano players, banjo pickers and male vocalists. “OPRY!” would be presented in the auditorium of East McDowell Junior High School.
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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.
This feature mines our 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.
