This feature mines our archives for what was going on this week in local history.
Forty years ago this week, Marion’s Ricky Jaynes (left) made his professional debut a successful one on a wild card of prize fighting at East McDowell Junior High School’s gym. In this photo, he scores a left jab against Butch Peoples of Norfolk, Va., during their six-round heavyweight fight at East. Jaynes sent Peoples to the canvas with a series of jabs, opening a cut over his right eye and bloodying his nose, in the second round. After Jaynes was declared the winner, a brawl erupted when Peoples threw a wild right at Jaynes just as Jaynes offered his hand in sportmanship. It took police, fight officials and several other boxers several minutes to separate the two and restore order.
Women also got their chance at some prize fighting at East McDowell Junior High School. In this photo, Rutherfordton’s Micki “Two-Gun” Capps (left) backs up Shelby’s Susie “Slug” Melton with a hard right hand during their four-round fight at East McDowell Junior High. Melton won a split-decision victory. “Marion has some real fine boxing fans,” said the promoter of the matches.
During the week of April 29, 1986, a ground-breaking ceremony was held at the Senior Center on Crawford Street for the new outdoor recreation activity area. At the ceremony was (from left) Mayor Everette Clark, Senior Center Director Shirley Arrowood and Glenn Slick of First Federal Savings and Loan, which donated the land. The new outdoor area would have shuffleboard and croquet.
Old Fort Elementary held its Heritage Days celebration. Students were invited to dress up in clothes representing the rich heritage of the town and take part in a costume contest. These kindergarteners were the winners in their division of the contest. They were (clockwise, from front) Patrick Bagwell, Laura Finley, Lisa Moore, John Hall, Brandon Hensley and Kate Langley.
Sgt. Mike Brock of the N.C. Highway Patrol stood back as a driver hits an obstacle during a Bus Rodeo for all of the McDowell County bus drivers. This event, held by the Woodmen of the World at McDowell High, promoted driver education and safety and was the first of its kind to be held in McDowell.
Donnie Tipton was one of the bus drivers taking part in the Bus Rodeo at McDowell High. This event, held by the Woodmen of the World, promoted driver education and safety and was the first of its kind to be held in McDowell. He is negotiating a curve in a bus driving skills contest.
Gov. Jim Martin visited McDowell High where he addressed the student body. The governor fielded questions from the students after a visit with members of the McDowell Chamber of Commerce. Martin told chamber officials that the Marion bypass would be under construction sooner than the state plans called for in 1986.
4-H Club member Scott Brackett hugged his calf. He raised this calf as part of the Calf Chain project, which was sponsored by the McDowell Agricultural Extension Service.
McDowell Hospital officials inspect the AirCare helicopter. At the time, the hospital was looking at the long-range possibility of hooking up with the system, which came out of Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. The helicopter was equipped to handle most life-threatening situations.
Officials at McDowell Technical Community College held a ground-breaking ceremony for a new Business and Industry Development Center, which would be constructed next to the main campus on N.C. 226 South.
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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.
