This feature mines our archives for what was going on this week in local history.
Thirty-five years ago this week, approximately 50 children enjoyed an evening of stories and songs at the second annual Night of 1,000 Stars program at the McDowell County Public Library in Marion. Several local dignitaries read books and sang songs to the children during the 90-minute program.
During the week of April 14, 1991, ground was broken in North Cove for the $1 million Village Center at Blue Ridge Country Club. At the ceremony were (from left) Dennis Murphy, surveyor R. Larry Greene, architects Bradley Dowdy and David P. Moses Jr., developers Ann and Russ McNutt, County Manager Chuck Abernathy, contractor Perry Bartsch Jr., engineer Gary McGill, landscape architect Bob Grass, engineer Joel Storrow of McGill Associates in Asheville and Dale A. Hamlin.
Katie English encouraged legendary pro wrestler Paul Jones to put Ivan Koloff in a headlock at the National Guard Armory. She also offered Koloff a baby bottle for his troubles. Jones and Koloff were in a six-man tag team match at the Armory. Proceeds from the bout benefitted the Old Fort Youth Activities Association.
Professional wrestler Ivan Koloff was taunted by fans Nicholas Kuykendall (foreground), Josh Piercy and their friends at the pro wrestling match at the National Guard Armory in Marion. Koloff and wrestler Paul Jones headed up the card that evening. Proceeds from the bout benefitted the Old Fort Youth Activities Association.
McDowell County’s Todd Bennick flew high in the qualifying round at Pro-Supercross race at Charlotte Memorial Stadium. Another rider crashed into Bennick in a separate 125-heat as he attempted to move into second place and he did not qualify for the main event race. Bennick narrowly missed the 125-main event in Charlotte.
Thirty-five years ago this week, McDowell County celebrated Earth Day. Community activists were handing out information and answered questions about recycling. Eight-year-old Erica Stamey (left) received info about the need to recycle and what can be recycled. Clean County System Coordinator Donna Stevens and mascot Buddy Beaver were busy spreading the word about caring for the environment.
Old Fort Mayor Bob Wilson stood at the gate blocking the public’s access to Catawba Falls. Wilson and the Old Fort Chamber of Commerce petitioned the government to open an access road to the waterfalls. Landowners had placed a gate over the only road leading to the Old Fort attraction. The road crossed private property before getting to government-owned land, where the falls are located. The falls are now a part of the U.S. Forest Service.
McDowell Senior Games participant Kathleen Queen prepared to push a disc along a shuffleboard court at the Senior Center. Queen was just one of many McDowell seniors who competed along with athletes from Rutherford and Cleveland counties in a practice tournament. The shuffleboard event was a prelude to next month’s Senior Games.
The Pinewood Derby at the 1991 Scout Show produced four winners and an alternate. They were first-place winner Brian Arrowood (back), second-place winner Chris Addison (center left), third-place winner Kevin Lail (center right), alternate Matthew Massengale (bottom left) and fourth-place winner Thomas Tyo (bottom right). As county winners, the boys advanced to the regional Pinewood Derby held in Hickory.
Preschoolers Amanda Elledge, Caitlin Hunter, Heather Yountz and Tyler Cook enjoy “Night of 1,000 Stars” at the McDowell County Public Library in Marion.
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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 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.
