This feature mines the McDowell News archives for what was going on this week in local history.
Forty-eight years ago this week, a cheering crowd of about 5,000 people — including people from McDowell County — greeted President Jimmy Carter at the Asheville Airport when he came to western North Carolina and campaigned for fellow Democrats. The bands from McDowell, Enka, West Henderson and Pisgah high schools filled the air with music for the presidential visit. The McDowell News was there to witness and photograph the event. The president’s visit to western North Carolina took place right after he had concluded the historic Camp David Accords with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.
A cheering crowd of about 5,000 people — including people from McDowell County — greeted President Jimmy Carter at the Asheville Airport when he visited the mountains to campaign for U.S. Senate candidate John Ingram and incumbent U.S. Rep. Lamar Gudger. The McDowell News was there to witness and photograph the event. The president’s visit to western North Carolina took place right after he had concluded the historic Camp David Accords with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. This photo by The McDowell News shows a close-up view of President Carter.
During the week of Sept. 22, 1978, the new Pizza Hut was open for business in Marion. Jesse Frazier of Morganton was the manager.
Former Major League pitcher Lou Brissie (right) visited West McDowell Junior High School and presented media coordinator Ruth Elliott (center) with several sports-related books for the school’s Media Center. Brissie, who formerly pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics and Cleveland Indians, also visited McDowell High, where he talked with the Titan pitchers. Brissie had just joined United Merchants in the areas of industrial and public relations. West McDowell Principal Wayne Silver (left) was present for the donation.
The McDowell High Titans were so far undefeated, having just won over Mitchell 14-0. This photo shows Titan running back Tony Daniels, who was going full speed on defense in the game against the Mitchell Mountaineers.
More than 2,000 people attended the first annual McDowell County Bluegrass Festival at the Agricultural Center on N.C. 226 South. The 12-hour festival featured Carl Story and the Rambling Mountaineers, Raymond Fairchild and the Smokey Mountain Boys, J.L. and the Country Squires, Bruce Moody and the Blue Grass Gentlemen, Piney Knob Blue Grass Band, Clay Ledford, The Southern Mountain Boys and the White House Community Cloggers. Ted McKinney of Marion was the promoter who had the idea of holding a festival in McDowell.
During the week of Sept. 22, 1978, Dreema Searcy (left) and Francine Walker Dillingham (right), both seniors at McDowell High, were commended for their participation in the 24th annual 1979 National Merit Scholarship Program. The program recognized a student’s outstanding performance on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test-National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. They are joined by guidance counselor Jacqueline Adams.
Folks were looking forward to the McDowell County Agricultural Fair and Exposition. It was set for Sept. 26-31 at the fairgrounds on N.C. 226 South. There would be 32 rides and booths along the midway. This was one of the rides planned for the county fair, which was sponsored by the Marion Jaycees.
West Court Baptist Church dedicated its new 15,000-square-foot building. Homecoming and dedication services were held in September 1978 as the church members moved from the old church into the new building next door. In this photo, the Rev. Billy Bryant and the Revs. Frank Barlow and Howard Cabe are shown at the dedication.
The Keywanettes met at the Marion Community Building and were presented with their official charter by the Marion Kiwanis Club. In the picture are (from left) Steve Little, Kiwanis Club adviser; Terri Weatherbee, Keywanette secretary; Loretta Bailey, faculty sponsor; Tami Sigmon, treasurer; Rachel McCall, vice president; and Cindy Plyler, president.
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This feature mines the McDowell News archives for images and articles from 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.
