AWARD WINNER In 1966 and 1967 the Democrat won 10 State Press Assn, awards for General Excellence, Excellence in Typography, Local News, Advertis ing, Columns and Photographs. WATAUGA DEMOCRAT An Independent Weekly Newspaper . . . Seventy-Ninth Year of Continuous Publication BOONE WEATHKB 19*7 HI La Mar. 7 58 26 Mar. 8 46 20 Mar. 9 59 23 Mar. 10 66 33 Mar. 11 69 49 Mar. 12 61 51 Mar. 13 69 45 Snow given to nearest hall-inch. 232 tr. 38 132 VOLUME LXXIX—NO. 37 BOONE, WATAUGA COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1967 10 CENTS PER COPY 22 PAGES—2 SECTIONS Area Meet Decries Auto Junk BY RACHEL RIVERS A tax for all unlicensed (junk) cars which can be seen from primary or secondary roads could be a solution to a pro blem nationwide in scope. The suggestion was posed by James Allen Jr. of Alleghany County at a meeting of the New River Valley Development As sociation Monday night in Boone. The three-county or ganization, including Ashe and Watauga, centered its attention on measures to prevent further obstruction of natural beauty. Removal of junked cars being prohibitively expensive, a yard containing some 500 auto hulks on an access to Sparta may have to stay, and while it might be shrouded by rows of pines, ways might be found to pre vent other junk and trash heaps from growing at roadside. G. R. Andrews, president, said the Automobile Association says some 600 million cars will De salvaged tnis year, ne add ed that junk-heaps, stripped of all saleable parts, once sold for scrap metal value, but no long er can be given, in exchange for getting them hauled away. Landscape Architect Henry C. Hammon, in an address in January, told the Association that four junk yards are to be removed from Watauga, one from Alleghany, but no satis factory arrangements had been made in Ashe County. The Federal Highway Beau tification Act, he said, makes available limited funds for pro grams emphasizing control of advertising along rights-of way, control of junk yards, beautifying surrounding areas, enhancing scenic beauty, con structing rest stops and simi lar areas away from munici palities. F uture plans for Watauga in clude two rest areas and three •cenic overlooks. MONEY? The junk-yard problem in the three counties may well become a thing of the past. On a motion by Clyde R. Greene, Representatives of the counties will be asked what can be done through the Gen eral Assembly. Zoning might be an effective measure, as the tax per junked car might be. Mrs. Stella Anderson of Ashe County commented on the early success of a “250” beauti fication contest which already has attracted participation of 10 communities. (continued on page two) NEW HORIZON FOR FARM INCOME —The recent organization of the Wa tauga Livestock Market, Inc., should be a milestone in the Connty’s farm-income progress. Availablity of a year-around market to local cattlemen will stimulate interest in cattle production and produce a needed income-hike. Primary breeds in the area are Herford, short horn and Angus. Charolais, a French breed, is making a debut and has been crossed With Qther breeds. At any rate, a rela tively quiet scene is destined to become active as cattle take back the important role they had here in the 1950’s. (Staff photo) Watauga Livestock Market Names Officers, Sets Sales Watauga Livestock Market, Inc., Monday night scheduled three cattle sales for fall and called on the electorate for a slate of directors and officers. County Agent L. E. Tuck willer asked the stockholders for a sign-up of at least 500 Joe Minor Is Given Weather Bureau Award A ten-year service award was presented Last week to Joe C. Minor, co-operative weather observer in Boone for the U. S, Weather Bureau. Winston L. Hurst, field aid, made the pre sentation. This is the second award made to an observer in Watauga In recent months. Hurst pre sented Blowing Rock observer Ernest Hayes a lapel pin in January. He has served that community 10 years also. Both men keep records on rainfall and snow at their sta tions and note the high and low temperatures daily. Rainfall reports are telephoned to the weather bureau at Huntington, W. Va#, and temperature re cords are mailed there. Records of all volunteer ob (continued on page two) calves for a calf sale planned tentatively for Oct. 17. About 1,000 head would be sold, he guessed, and cattlemen were urged to get calves sale ready. Steer sales are set for Sept. 15 and Oct. 20 and some 2,000 head are expected to go under the mallet. At the end of the Courthouse meeting, $43,625 in stock sub scriptions had been paid and only $3,800 was still outstand ing. Investors are encouraged to purchase stock in the year around operation while it’s still available. Temporary officers Mack Brown (president) and A. T. Adams (secretary-treasurer) were joined on the official slate by Charles Blackburn, vice-president of the organi zation. Directors elected for three years are Lewis Norris, H. W, Mast Jr., Charles Blackburn and Ernest Sims. Two-year directors are Mack Brown, Council Henson, Joe Shoemake and Boyd Miller. Serving terms of one year each: Fred Critcher, Floyd Ayers and V. C. Shores. Brown said all signals are “go” in the new venture and that the sale barn should be under construction on the Rutherwood site in April or May. Cove Creek Riding Club To Meet Tonight A meeting of the Cove Creek Riding Club will be held at 7:30 p. m. Thursday at the Cove Creek Elementary School. Persons desiring to become members are invited and mem bers who have not paid dues will be asked to do so, to finance club projects. Production Horn In West Involves Fiscal Struggle The struggle involved in pro ducing Boone’s outdoor drama is revealed in a report from Herman W. Wilcox, general manager. The approved budget for operating “Horn in the West” this summer calls for $86, 967.50, or $1,553 for each of 56 performances. In order to break even, Wilcox explains, all income must average this amount. “One can see the big gamble in such an operation,” he says, “and why it takes the concert ed effort of everyone connected with the production.” LIABILITIES The N. C. State Auditor’s report for 1966 shows the ob ligations of the Southern Appa lachian Historical Association, comptroller of the drama, ar»J shows why the Association has been unable to meet bond ob ligations. The report’s liabilities and deficit section lists accounts payable at $7,947.02, long-term liabilities (in default) accrued interest on bonds at $26,484 and bonds payable at $55,175. Several years ago, even after receiving $10,000 from the N. C. Contingency and Emergency Fund, the Association had to call on citizens of Boone to endorse notes, and in some cases, pay to the Association a percentage of these notes to clear the current year’s oper ation deficit. (State funds were available only if the drama showed a deficit.) The report for 1966 shows a final deficit of $37,040.46. The Association has not re quested State funds for sever al years, Wilcox notes, for the drama has broken even or, in some cases, showed a net pro fit with which to reopen the drama the following year. RESERVE FUNDS? Condition of many of the buildings on the grounds will mean considerable repairs in the near future. The manager says this could wipe out all the Association’s reserve funds. “These are just a few factors explaining why the drama must be promoted throughout the cal endar year ... to appeal to all traveling people possible to include the drama in their plans/’ he says. Another serious problem the Association faces is the future cast for the drama. The budget calls for salaries totaling $46,000 for all cast and production employees. Ward Haarbauer, who will di rect this summer’s drama, says he ran into problems in the recent try-outs. He was out bid for the better prospects by the State's two other dramas and other area dramas. Wilcox says the budget simply would (continued on page two) Banquet Is Sell-Out Beautification Is Not Sissy, Leaders Are Told Watauga United Fund Meeting Next Tuesday The Watauga County United Fund will have its annual meet ing at noon Tuesday at the Gateway Restaurant. Repre sentatives of participating a gencies are expected to be there. Wade Wilmoth, president, says board members will be elected to replace those whose term expires in 1970. Officers for 1967-68 will be elected and reports given by the secretary and treasurer. All interested citizens are invited to attend. Two Laundries In City Robbed Two coin-operated laundries in Boone were robbed Thursday night, according to Chief of Police Hubert Thomas. He sus pected that both thefts were committed by the same person or persons, because the method of taking the money was the same. Change was taken from the electric coin-changers without breaking the locks, Thomas said. A small hole was drilled through the vaults in each es tablishment .apd,. an object stuck through the hole to trip the mechanism. No arrests had been made Tuesday morning, but investi gation is continuing. The laundries robbed were Scenic Laundry on Hardin Street, and Coin-Op Self-Ser vice Laundry on the comer of King and Hardin Streets. Federal Income Tax In Watauga Over $2,500,000 How much money will resi dents of Watauga County be con tributing to the Federal coffers on or before tax day, which is April 17th this year, in the form of personal income taxes? The Government counts on their offerings being well above what they were last year, when local tax payments came to some $2,252,000. That was the approximate amount turned in last April, as determined by a breakdown of collections from the State of North Carolina as a whole. The statewide total, according to the official figures, was near ly $834,000,000. This included income taxes paid through with holding. The size of the increase ex pected this year is indicated in the Federal budget, presented to Congress in January. It pre dicts that individual income taxes in the current fiscal year will reach $62.2 billion na tionally, as compared with actual receipts in the past fis cal year of $55.4 billion. (continued on page two) The trophy in the Optimist Oratorical Zone Contest is presented to Bob Melton, left (Dula photo) Bob Melton Is Winner Optimist Speech Tourney The topic of this year's Op timist Oratorical Zone Contest was “Patriotic Citizenship Needs Optimism.” A Watauga High School sophomore. Bob BARNEY HAMPTON Hampton Is Co. Coroner The Watauga County Board of Commissioners appointed Barney Hampton County coro ner, effective March 7. Hamp ton has been employed by Reins Sturdivant 10 years, work ing under Richard Kelley, form er coroner. There were no candidates for the County position in the fall election, so Hampton’s ap pointment will be until 1970, the end of the four-year team. The tuneraJ director gra duated from Cincinnati College of Embalmning in 1962. His wife is the former Deloris Storie and they have a son, Gregory, age 8. The Hamptons reside at 109 Cherry Brook Lane, Boone. Annual Easter Seal Campaign Is Launched The Watauga County Society for Crippled Children and Adults announces this week that its 1967 Easter Seal campaign will be headed by the Rev. Maurice Ritchie. Working with him in the county-wide effort will be Dr. James Greene. The Boone men report they have already launched the cam paign. Some 5,500 letters and seals have been mailed to Wa tauga residents, who are en couraged to use the self addressed envelopes to return their contributions as soon as possible. Gifts to the Easter Seal So ciety have been used to assist the crippled in body and mind of all ages. Last year, Wataugans con tributed some $1,000 to help those in need in the County. Mr. Ritchie expresses hope that they will give even more this Melton, handled the subject ex pertly, taking first place over Gordon H. Hampton of Hudson (second place), Byrnal Wade of North Wilkesboro(third), Ron ald Miller of West Jefferson and James Courtney of Lenoir. Son of Dr. and Mrs. J. R. Melton of Boone, Bob is coach ed by Miss Delila Lesley and sponsored by the Boone Opti mist Club. In April, he will participate in the district contest, winner of which will journey to Port land, Ore., for the international contest. Chairman of the zone contest was Gene Barrier, as sisted by District Lt. Gov. Jim Poarch. Bob received the trophy March 7 in Lenoir. MISS TERESA WILLIAMS Blowing Rock Student To Be Assembly Page An eighth grade student at Blowing Rock Elementary School has been selected to serve as a pagette in the N. C. House of Representatives Monday through Thursday of this week. Miss Teresa Williams, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Wayne Williams of Blowing Rock was selected on the recommendation of her teachers, Mrs. Truman Critcher, Don Shull and her principal, Howard Love. Rep. Mack S. Isaac of the 29th District also recommend ed Teresa for the March 13 17 term. London—The British govern ment has called for a cutback of Communist and Western forces along the Iron Curtain. “You’ve Got The Lumber, You Need Blueprint” “There’s no use to nickle and dime yourself to death with a petunia here and a canteen there, until you have a pro fessional plan. You’ve got the lumber, now all you need is the blueprint.” W. W. Tatgenhorst ad dressed a meeting of civic leaders Tuesday, as he prepared to tour the area before making his banquet speech Tuesday night at Holi day Inn. At presstime, the ban quet was reported a sell-out, with more than 300 tickets bought. The Sears Foundation Rep resentative told the luncheon meeting that beautification must not be a “sissy” thing, rather involve and denote civic de velopment, civic improvement, good citizenship and democracy. In a town over 1,000 popu lation, 20 per cent is sub standard housing or busi nesses,” he said. From this group comes only four per cent of the taxes while 46 per cent of the tax money is paid into it. He lauded Watauga High School, where that morning he delivered a vigorous address to the student body, and compli mented Dr. N. A. Miller, prin cipal, as one of the best known educators in the South. At WHS, Tatgenhorst ad monished students to use “what you have in your ability to ac complish. You’re the power structure group.” He pointed out that the 9 to 19 group is the largest and fastest growing in the country—“the greatest generation America ever pro duced.” The speaker lamented the fact that teenage citizens are hardly ever included in community improvement com mittees. ESTHETICS? Esthetics, he said, are secondary in beautification and improvement to developing a broader tax base and protect ing property investments. His tour Tuesday afternoon was to include a survey of service stations. “Eighty-one per cent of the people who stop here one time,** he admonished, “stop at a ser vice station, even before a mo tel.’* He noted statistics which show that a run-down service station in a well-traveled area can deplete business income 20 per cent in a given period. He cited another survey which showed “If you have an attraction here, which attracts 20 persons per day, in one year, this is equal to a $100,000 payroll.*’ For carrying out the sug gestions he would present that night, the Foundation official recommended considering in volvement of the four strata here —established citizens, active businessmen, youth and tourists. He cautioned the group that tourists are not just dollars and cents: “You owe them more than x-amount of service for x-amount of money,*’ in ex change for the good they can do the community. Gtizens, Inc., Meet Thursday The annual meeting of Wa tauga Citizens, Inc., and the annual meeting of Watauga De velopers, Inc., will be held jointly at noon, Thursday, March 16, at the Gateway Res taurant. Principal business will be to receive reports and elect of ficers, according to Stanley A. Harris Sr., secretary for both corporations. Members of both boerda are urged to be present.

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