An Independent Weekly Newspaper ...... Eighty-First. Year Of Continuous Publication
BOONE, WATAUGA COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY, MAY, 8, 1969
10 cents
Bhu Ribbon Winner
The Democrat ii tint place win
am in State Pres, Aaan. General
*««llence Competition this
year—the third time in tour
is*- yeore.
VOL. LWI-NO.44 • "
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BOONS WEATHER
. “• HI Lo Pr«. too» *M
Apr. 29 « 48 JOB
Apr. 80 88 38
toy 1 87 30
toy 2 70 34
toy 8 7588
toy 4 85 84 ■' ‘S •..
toy 5 80 48
24 PAGES-2 SECTIONS
assess a
A F AMILY AFFAIR—In wbut he term* "the highlight of our cereer", Rufus Ed mis ten an] Us
we, Jane, were admitted to the North Carolina Bar in a ceremony held in Mecklenburg Superior
-Sf1* ^ Storiette. Standing with the coigde and making the request was Sen. Sam Ervin. Pre
siding at the occasion was Ervin’s son, Sam J. Ervin m. ‘Tm told that this unique father-son.
husband-wife admission ceremony was a first for North Carolina," EdmUten says. In Wash
Ugton, D. C, he and Ms wife were employed by the government by day while studyiiw at UgMtor
ttetr law degrees from George Washington University, Rufus worked on Sen, Ervin's staff,
HU wife, the former Jane Moretz, was a legislative specialist tor the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration, Both are native Wataugans who plan to return to North Carolina
soon to be ‘country lawyers". Getting their law degrees two years ago in the District of
Columbia, the couple continue their work with the government. On Ervin's subcommittee staff,
Edmisten has been specialist on Indians' rights legislation. Durii* the Senator's last campalgmte
was a traveling political aide. (Hat* Daniels photo)
Holshouser Opposes ®
Doctoral Plan For ASU
The N, C. House of Rep
resentatives last week voted 82
lor and 47 against a bill which
will give Appalachian State Uni
versity the authority to make
application to grant doctoral de
grees In areas in wMchltquali
fles alter 1972.
The Mil now wQl go to the
Senate.
Only one Republican vote was
listed in favor of the legisla
tion. Having opposed the bill or
second reading Tuesday, James
Johnson R-Cabarrus, reported
ly changed Ms stand and was the
lone Republican to vote for the
measure on final reading.
James Holshouser Jr., Wa
N»» president ol tbs Watauga Ugh Sc tool studentbody is Jackie
Benson OeftX HI* supporting ameers <readli« from left) are
N*nc,G”e“* "**"* %
Henson New Head
WHS Student Body
Student! at Watauga High
School have c. acted Jackie Hen
aoo to serve aa student body
president In 1968-70,
Jackie defeated Jamea Bodges
and Randy Marsh in a school*
wlde election laat week. Jackie
is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack
Benson of Route 1, VUas, and
las bean a member of the stu
tter! council for three years.
Other officers elected are
Bobby Denton, vice-president;
Nancy Greene, secretary; and
Lucille Welbom, treasurer.
Bobby la the son of Mr. and
Mrs, Robert Denton of Stadium
Drive, Boone, Nancy's parents
are Mr. and Mrs. G, Perry
Greene of Boone and Lucille
is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
John Welborn,Grand Boulevard,
Boone. All three of these of
ficers have served one or more
years on the student council.
Mondnettoos made for student
body officers In class msstlnga
resulted in 18 candidates torths
four major offices. In addition
to the three candidates tromthe
winning sonior class tor presi
dent. there were three candU
dates from the rising Junior
class for vice-president, Tbay
were Ben Thalhaimer, Eddie
Furr and Bobby Denton,
Nominations for secretary in
nddttaou to Nancy Greene were
Beth Dixon, Joe Greene, Denny
Miller, Susans Miller and
Louise Shook. . 4
Statists nominated tbMifte. ■ •
tab tor tr—urm BmmIi
Bra* Mil, FU1 Ginn, SarMi
Hayes, Warren Merab, mu.
Triplett, Danny Trbatte add
Lucille Walborn.
CConttnuad on pace two) V
tauga County*b representative
and chairman of the Republican
Party in North Carolina, led the
(Sop's block vote against the
bill which would apply to the
state’s four regional univer
sities—ineluding Appalachian In
.Boone.
Mervlewed Monday by the
Democrat, Holahouser said he
felt that Associated Press,
.tte.tot and
listing James Johnson as for
the bill. "I don’t think any
of the Republicans voted for
it,” he said.
"The turmoil Is causing more
and more concern In the Legis
lature. 1 think the package in
toto could lead to a complete
reorganization of the higher
education structure In the next
General Assembly.”
Rep. Holshouser explained the
“package” had tbreepartst Up-^
grading Asheville-Blltmore
and Wilmington to UNC at
Asheville and Wilmington; mak
ing Pembroke the fifth regional
adversity in the state; and now
seeking to gain doctoral pro
grams for Western Carolina,
East Carolina, North Carolina
A & T and Appalachian State.
“I think the thing that con
cerns most legislators is that
we’re getting ready to spread
ourselves so thin in higher ed
ucation and will necessarily
have to spend so much money
in It that it’s going to cause
serious damage in efforts to
provide quality education In the
elementary and high schools—
where the majority of students
are."
.« (Continued on page two)
Becldenta at Stowing Rock
an tains to the polls today
{Tuesday) to alaet a mayor
and members of the town coun.
dl tor two year term*.
Due to the Demoent’a early
Tueaday evening prau time
aleetton raeulta are not carried
in tUa edition. However, the
Blowing Rocket at even data,
will be carrying datalla of the
•taction. £' - .
Hayden Pitta and BUI WIU
liama oppoeed jfuad Mayor
Robert Hardin.
Pitta wUl be looking to gain
the three additional rote* thatbe
toat by in the 1967 election,
which Ml the closest in Blow,
ing Rock history. Mayor Hardin
waa elected for Ida eighth term
by a narrow 199 to 196 rote
in that election. The third can.
dtoete, BUI WUUama, preeu
dent at the Chamber of Com.
merce, is expected to offer
atroog opposition in Ma first
tdd at public office, , ‘
On the baUet for City Conn.
liilSf-' V •
,4. ... ■ '„,V vt v. /
-\ ’«•?' ’it a •• ... .'I •'
cllmen will be the three Inc urn.
bents end five other candidates.
C. L. Dula, Msrshsll Trmris and
Andrew Nlmmo, the Incumbents,
wUl Join Ralph Andrews, Lewis
Lents, Tom Greene, Howard
Barnwell and David Greene on
the ballot.
C. L. Dula bee the longest
period of time on the council
while Trevie and NLnmo are
■eeldng their second term of
office. Both tailed to make the
ballot at the recently held oon
veotion, Marshall Travis tar
Mayor and Mmmo for the cow
ell. After missing the ballot
hgr a narrow margin tor Mayor,
Travis filed for council.
The only other candidate to,'
hold office before is Ralph An
drews who will be seeking the
seat be held on the council la
1M7 end 1M9. Leads Lents,
Tom Greene, Howard Barnwell
and David Greene will be seek!,
log office for the first
Most cf the 50# eligible voters
■re aspeetad to go to the polls.
Dr. Richards
Is Chosen By
Bd. Education r
Dr. Swanson Richard*, who
believe* students should be pre
pared tor a lifetime of continu
ing education. Is the new super
intended at the Watauga Coimty
Schools.
Dr. Richards, a 38-year-old
Surry County educator, was as
sured Us formal appoiUmscd
from the Watauga County Board
cf Education Monday. He suc
ceeds W. Guy Angell who re
tired Jan. 1 after 14 years
service.
Dr. Richards' appointment
was described as "another step
In upgrading’' the county sys
tem, according to John H. Hol
lar, chairman of the county
board.
The appointment Is effective
July 1. Until then Dr. Richards
will be In town on weekends com>
suiting with acting Superlntarw
dent Willis Mo red.
Dr. Richards was born In
Surry County. He was graduated
In 1952 from Appalachian State
University with a bachelor of
science degree In science and
physical education. In 1957 ha
received from ASU the mas ten
degree In school administration,
guidance and counseling. He
earned Us doctorate at Florida
Slate University In school aA
^§Znee**i9«2 he tas’beatTiC
aoclate superintendent of Surry
County Schools, s system with
some 8,000 students.
NEW CHALLENGE
The superintendent-elect
tees a significant new challenge
ahead tar today’s public school
student: “He must be equipped
for a lifetime of continuing
education.’’
Dr. Klcharda predicts that the
mange student may well be
faced with the needs to change
his course of work an average
of three times after he goes out
into a world Increasingly charg
ed with technology.
“This means he must be
equipped for a lifetime of con
tinuing education,'’ Dr. Rich
ards explains. "Be must be
educationally retralnaUe in the
basic skills of the day,’’ be
adds.
The new Watauga school chief
sees the fundamentals of edu
cation as more Important than
ever for students. “And perhaps
most imports:* In the new day
will be Ms ability to get along
with others in a changing en
vironment,’' he says.
Hollar, in presenting the new
superintendent, said “We con
tinue to be interested In nothing
but the best for the children
at Watauga Courty ... We
work always for the best so the
schools will have a total pro
gram for the child.’’
Hollar referred to Dr. Rich
ards selection by the board as
a “renewed effort to further up
grade the schools.’’ He added
that if anyone stands In the way
ct such progress, “the position
will be eliminated.”
Dr, W. H. Flemmons, ASU
president, paid tribute to both
the board and its choice. He
(Eotdnued on page two)
OB, XOC HARDS
FULL HOUSE, PLUS—These are 19 of the children of Mr. ami
Mra. Spencer Miller of Route 1, DeepGap,aa they gathered with
their parent* last September. In front are Ricky 13, Casey S,
Jane 7, Jack 4, Vance 12 and Dannie 11. Standby are Dallle,
Darlene 16, Texle, 20, Annie 25, Sally 32, Georgia 33, Aline
Mrs, Miller, Mr, MUler, Staley 28, Barney 24, Bill 23,
IS and Stanley 27. .
19 Children To Gather For
Mother’s Day Chicken-Dinner
HAPPY MOTHER—Mn, Spencer Miller beam* ae Mr. lailer bold! one at their grandchildren.
Suele Greer. With them is Jack, their yoingest child.
School Budget $300,000;
Music ProgramSln Doubt
K the Watauga public aebool
music program la continued ot
ter tbla school pear, It’ll be up
to local financing to keep ltallve.
Etpreesiona of Support tor
the program were voiced Mon
day night tay parents who at
tended the county school board’s
public meeting held In the court
house. Some 100 patrons at
tended the session.
Interlum School Superinten
dent Willis Morels explained
that federal financing of the pro
gram has been questioned, leav
ing Its continued existence lap to
local funding.
The question was a highlight
of discussion during an open
masting scheduled by the board
under a new policy of holding
regular meetings at nights so
that the public may attend.
Board Chairman John {{.Hol
lar used the occasion to intro- '
dues Dr. Swanson Richards, the
board’s choice to bceome super
intendent oo July 1.
Its board also anted on g,
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number of routine mitten end
beard parents’complaints about
discipline problem* on school
bueee.
Concern that federal support
of the muaic program mold be
terminated at the eul of this
Mbool year mere confirmed by
Mo ret*. He explained tint the
program’* funding baa been
charged to Title One allocation
under the federal aid to «nura- ,
bon program.
But Morels noted tbettachnl
cally Tide One finds may be
•pent only in the specific area
of educationally deprived stu
denta. "But we have used this
find on broad programs and
bare strewn it all over the achool
students, be said.
Mo ret* said that sue hgeoeral
use of the Tide One finds is
hard to dafend under federal
regulations. Therefore, Ms of
fice hes found it increasingly
dWicnlt to hold the program.
Coaseqnsetly, the board cf
' ’ J
education, seeking to continue
the program, has Included it
In Its budget request present
ed Monday to the WaUuga Coun
ty Board of Commissioners,
Mo rets estimates that the
program would cost the county
UP to (20,000 a year. It Includ
es three teachers' salaries pba
other expenses.
The school hoard budget re
quest for 1960-70 totals (30V
(43, some (100,000 more than
the current budget. The fate of
the program will not be known
udll county commissioners
bare received all departmental
budget requests and arrived at
a total reeommaoded county
budget within the meant of Hi.
county funds available.
Several of the parents Indies,
ted they plan to eoriact the
goody commissioners to urge
the music program be Included.
Routine business handled by
he board Included denial of a
request tor school bus service
(Tontliand oa page tap) g
. i! , ■
K you were a mother of 20
children, what would you nut
must for Mother’s Day?
That’s rigid! You’d ward all
20 offsprings around your aklrts
while you try them chicken for
a huge Mother’s Day dinner.
Nothing less.
And for Mrs. Spencer Miller
of Route 1, Deep Gap, aba’ll
get her wish; 19 of her 20
children will be nninchlng on
her fried chicken Sunday.
That’s the way It’s been tor
more than 25 years at the one
big, Mg annual event.
And Mrs. Miller’s eyes glint
of another big thrill for mothers
everywhere on this special day.
“They all bring me presecds,
too," ahe confides.
But Ifa well after lunch be
fore ahe has time to open every
present. It takes a full morning
of cooking to be prepared to
serve dinner to some 50 people.
(Usually all 21 grandchildren
are not the re J
She probably won’t plan a
menu for the crowd. Just cook
what's in the pantry—plus three
or four chickens.
tub Millers' seven-room
home is located on Wildcat
Road, some three miles sotdh
of tbs Blue Ridge Park say.
Tbs main section of the house ia
tbs old hit. Paron School. Id
ler added mote rooms as
tbs family grew.
Mrs. idler, like any losing
mother, knows more about bar
children than their father. She
knows the birth date of each st
the 20 living children. (Another
child is deceased).
The youngest is Jack, who'll
be five years old May 17. The
oldest is Aline, M, who lives
Just over the line in AsheCoun
ty. Nine of the children lhra
at borne now.
Mrs. Miller, 40, admits that
Sunday (May 11) will probably
be tbe first Mother's Day that
a note of sadness may slip into
her morning of cooking.
Ed, It, will not be home.
His father took him to Boons
April 20 where he tuned Mm
over to the Watauga draft board.
Ed is the first Millar eon to be
accepted by the Army,
Mrs. Miller reflects; "I didn’t
like it a bit but there’s nothing
[ can do about It."
But Mr. Miller beUsvea the
aacitemeut of the day will ease .
ter longing. He says, “She's
ilways as happy as can be when
Mother's Day comas 'round.'* :
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