North Carolina Newspapers

The Smoky Mountain Times Voiume 86— Number 28 ) Bryson City, North Caroiina - Thursday, Aprii 17,1969 Around Town The outstanding job done by the Swain County Rescue Squad during the recent Fontana drownings is taik of the town and we too must commend the iocai unit for their tireiess and unseifish efforts put forth during the nme of need. * * * The Swain County Athietic Association wiii have an "on the field" meeting Friday night at 6:30. Directors and official are urged to attend. * * * The Lions Ciub wiM hoid their regular meeting tonight at 7:15 in the dining room of the Swain Hotei. * * * We don't know if you've noticed the difference around town. But in case you have, we thought we wouid pass on the lack of young people this weekend is due to the fact the Swain High Seniors class is in Washington, D. C. on their ahnual "Trip to Washington." *** ; The State Highway Patrol reports only one accident in Swain County this week. While making 8 contacts, one was charged with speeding. Also reported were five other hazardous moving violations and 2 non-hazardous violations. There were no charges of drunk driving and no pedestrian violations. The Department patrolled 1,240 miles in the County from April 7 through 13th. Soffba!) Reeling Set Friday The Swain County Athletic Association will try once more to get the '69 softball season off the ground and start in some direction this Friday afternoon at 6:30. All officers, board of directors and team representatives are urged to be present at 6:30. The meeting will be held on the softball field behind Dent's Cafe, and is open to the public. Team entrance fee must be paid by the first of May with the first game scheduled for the 19th. A special reminder to all jnen over 35 and interested in playing on a senior team, please call or drop by and see Rev. Bowden at the First Baptist Church. Two or more senior teams are planned this season. Members of the more than a dozen rescue squads out on the Fontana Lake Sunday morning, are shown above as they take a break between trips Swain County Commissioners Hoici Regular /Month/y /Meeting The Swain County Board of Commissioners met Monday, Aprii 14th, this being a regular monthiy meeting in iieu of the first Monday, as the first Monday was a iega! holiday. All members were present. Mr. Jack Lyday of the Extension Office met with the Board to discuss the forthcoming bond election. Mr. Lyday pointed out the importance of an election as soon as possible so that an application for federal grants could be processed should the election be approved. Planning Board, said, "It is of the utmost importance that we hold this election at the earliest possible date. We are only hurting ourselves and our county by not having water and sewer facilities available to prospective industrial firms." Mr. Lyday went on to say that Mr. Bob Goforth, State Representative for Commerce and Industrial Expansion, is working hand-in-hand with the Swain County Planning Board and has assured the Board of 100 per cent cooperation in locating new industrial plants once the park is made available by the county. In other action, Mr. Leroy English of the Welfare Department met with the Commissioners and presented the Welfare Department Financial Statement for the month. The Commissioners approved a motion to up-date the Swain County Law Library. The existing iibrary was donated to the County by Superior Court Judge Thad Bryson. Odeii Shuier noted, "The County is fortunate to have such a fine iibrary. ft wouid be a shame to stand by and iet it get outdated when it is to our advantage to keep it updated." A motion was made and approved that a resolution from the Commissioners be sent to the Swain County Rescue Squad for a job weM done in regard to the recent drownings. It was also approved for the County to make a donation to the rescue squad during their current drive to raise money to purchase new equipment. The resolution made by the Commissioners states: "Be it resohred that this Board and aii citizens of this county are deepiy indepted to the Swain County Rescue Squad for their outstanding and unseifish endeavors in recovering the bodies of Dougias Watkins and Reba Debty, drowning victims in Fontana Lake, and that said squad and aii others aiding them shouid be commended." The motion was passed by unanimous consent of aii members. With no other business on hand, the Commissioners adjourned. The next reguiar monthiy meeting wiii be heid Monday, May 5th. Loco/A//roc/fon$ Wm Na/Zono/ Recogn/f/on Bryson City tourist attractions and facilities have won national recognition in the newest edition of the country's best seiiing tourist guidebook, the 1969 Mobi! Travel Guide, now on saie at Mobii stations and bookstores. Out of aii the cities and towns in the U. S., oniy 4,208 were considered to have enough tourist appeal for inciudion in the guide. Local tourist attractions cited by the Mobii guide include Nantahala National Forest, and Fonatan Dam. In addition to giving information on where to go, Apr*/ 20 thru 26 Set As/c/e As Naf/ona/ iL*ib)f C!*'y Wee/c The National Library Week program 'is sponsored by the National Book Committee, in Cooperation with the American Library Association, to provide effective channeis for citizen action in developing lifetime reading habits and Library resources. The week of April 20 to April 26 has been set aside as National Library Week. With reading and library development as its theme, the National Library Week Program enlists the support of community leaders at the local, state and national levels. It dramatizes the importance of the library as a democratic institution providing free access to adequate information for all - a guaranty of the right of free inquiry and expression in America. Each of the Presidents since the program began has joined their fellow citizens in supporting the National Library Week Program. They have understood its message: that each individual should have free access to adequate information. America has awakened to the fact that an informed community makes for a strong nation. Citizens of North Carolina can be proud of their 352 public Libraries. Largely supported by local, county, and city funds, these libraries have provided reiativeiy good iibrary service to the peopie. Pertinent factors in the success that has been achieved are the estabiishment of regiona! iibrary systems such as the one in our community; the dedicated efforts of a hard core of highiy quaiified iibrarians; and the continued interest and support of iibrary oriented and concerned citizens and civic groups throughout our ioca! communities and the state. Of equai importance are the outstanding services of the North Caroiina State Library in providing centra! purchasing and processing of books; in coordinating an exceitent inter iibrary ioan program; in maintaining a statewide teiephone reference service which is the first of its kind in the nation; in supervising and aiiocating Federa! assistance funds; and in providing guidance and assistance on a wide variety of other probiems which daiiy face ioca! and regionai iibrarians. Despite aii the great efforts of the state and ioca! administration, the State LegiSiative Commission studying state iibraries conciuded that much is yet to be done in order that iibrary needs of the state are met. To that end, the Legisiative Committee has requested that the State Government have as its goal a one million dollar increase per year extra for the state libraries, and that eventually the state would assume equal responsibility with local government for public library support. At the present time, the counties and cities contribute 73% of the cost of supporting the public library system. The state aid is 10%; Federal aid and private donations make up the remaining 17%. All friends of libraries recognize the pressing need for additional funds and are hoping for the Legislature to provide the needed money. Locally, our community can be proud of its drive to get a new library building. Much has been contributed to date by our interested citizens not only in money but in time and effort. Mr. Bertram King, the architect for the new building, is busy on the working plans. Time for bids is drawing closer. Ground breaking should not be too far away. AH the dedicated people who have worked for the cause of better libraries in Swain County and throughout the State of North Carolina deserve the thanks of all. Their hope will be for the increased use by the local citizenry of these new and better facilities to be provided. the boohs Mst over 23,000 places to eat and sleep with each one rated on a one to five star basis. One star indicates "good, better than average." Five means "one of the best in the country." Only 35 establishments have five star status in the new edition. Check marks indicate palces considered to be outstanding values. All ratings are revaluated each year. Ratings are based on reports from a crops of trained inspectors, local and regional consultants and an analysis of the over 100,000 peices of reader mail received by the editors. The books also have road atlases, city maps, auto tours and a wealth of other travel information which families can use to plan their vacation travels in advance. According to Mobil's travel experts, advance planning can substantially reduce vacation costs and insure travelers ofgetting the best value. Guest certificates bound into the books are good for discounts of up to 50 percent at a number of popuiar tourist attractions. The guide is pubiishepn seven 300-page regionai editions and is now in its eieventh year of pubiication. It averages about a miiiion copies soid each year. Pre-Sthoo! Registration Set At Aiarka Registration for students who wiii be six year of age by October !5, !969, in the Aiarka Schooi District wiii be Aprii 25 between the hours of 8:30 and i!:30. Each chiid must be accompanied by a parent. Immunization and birth certificates are required for schooi records. Registration for other schooi districts wiii be announced at a iater date. Swain Pieces Second in Beautification Program Swain High Schooi has been cited byGovemor Bob Scott for their beautification program in conjunction with the Governor's "Keep America Beautifu!" Contest. The second piace award was presented by Governor Scott during a iuncheon meeting in the Sir Waiter Raieigh Hotei in Raieigh. West Hendersonviiie High Schooi in Henderson County took top honors for their anti-iitter campaign. Lesiie Boney, Jr. gave the Governor a brief summary of Jackson Jaycee's Sponsor Dance The Jackson County Jaycee's wiii sponsor a dance Saturday night Aprii 26th in the Syiva Nationai guard Armory. Dance time 8 untii midnight. what the project consisted of. Boney said, "Swain High Schooi's beautification program inciuded the pianting of 900 pine seediings on the schoo! grounds, a roadside pick-up program, the beautification of the schooi parking faciiities, and a county-wide anti-iitter campaign." Miss Roseanna Tayior accepted the second piace award for Swain High. Members of the Swain High deiegation on hand for the presentation were Mrs. Phyiiis Ciaxton, 5th period Civics Ciass teacher and sponsor for the iocai ciean-up campaign, Janet Brooks, Sonja Ciine, Mike Burnette and Miss Tayior. Mrs. Ciaxton toid the TIMES that, "The beautification project wiii continue here in Swain County and the continued cooperation of everyone wiii be greatiy appreciated." One of the biggest dragging operations ever heid in Swain County ended Sunday morning about 11:25 when rescue workers puMed the body of Reba Debty from the icy waters of Lake Fontana. The discovery ended a 6-day search by the Swain County Rescue Squad and visiting rescue units from as far away as Buncombe County. The giris body was found tying on the bottom of Lake Fontana in approximate^ 50 feet of water some 40 yards from the south bank of the Tuckeseigee River. The 13 year oid gir) and a 22 year oid companion drowned Monday evening about 9 a.m. when a 12 foot boat in which they were riding with four other youths capsized. The body of 22 year oid Dougias Watkins was recovered Wednesday afternoon about 12:30. Watkins was found some 30 feet from the south bank in approximately 30 feet of water. Dragging operations began almost immediately Monday evening after four companions of the drowned victims were rescued from the coid water some two hours after the small boat capsized. When efforts to recover the bodies proved fruitiess Tuesday, a piea for heip went out to neighboring rescue units. - - - *. *- ***-<***-' - Visiting units, some 10 to 12 strong, search, Wednesday and rotated Thursday and Friday. An ai! out search, with heip from 14 units, was iaunched Saturday morning with visiting units as far as Buncombe and Haywood County as well as our next door neighbors Andrews, Nantahaia and Cherokee Town coming in to assist the wom, but never stopping, local unit. According to our count, at least 38 rescue boats were in the water at the time the second body was pulied from the water Sunday morning. Hoyt Owensby, a member of the Nantahaia Rescue Squad, recovered the body. Everyone we have talked to, including Sheriff Vincent Gasaway, Swain County Board of Commissioners, and the City Fathers have had nothing but high praise for the manner in which the Swain County Rescue Unit "bandied this emergency." Whiie the rescue unit was giving its time and effort, iocai citizens and merchants were on hand with a)! necessary items needed to support the dragging operations. Nantahala Rescue workers are pictured above. Hoyt Owensby, second from left, recovered the body of Reba Debty from the Fontana Lake Sunday morning. Volunteer Workers Named for County Cancer Drive The Swain County Cancer Drive started here Aprii !st. Neariy three weeks have passed and the drive is moving much siower than anticipated by voiunteer workers. According to Chairman Mrs. Ciairine Varner, oniy three donations have been received thus far. Heritage Quitting Corp. has contributed $ii3.83, Annie T. Hoyie $2.00, and Frank Otte $25.00. Mrs. Vamer feeis that it wouid speed things up if the peopie of Swain County "knew who they couid make their donations to". Mrs. Varner states that "if the readents of the county wouid piease have their donations ready when one of the voiunteer workers caiis on them, it wouid be a considerabie heip in a cause that means so much to our county and our heaith. Piease iet one cai! do. Don't make the workers make a second visit." Voiunteer workers for the '69 crusade and the areas are: Individuai ciubs: Whittier Community Ciub, Siivermine Community Ciub, Governor's isiand Community Ciub and the five community ciubs of Locaf Peop/e Confnbufe To Rescue Operaf#on Swain County residents joined hand in-hand with the iocai rescue squad in doing an outstandmg job during the recent drowning incident. Locai officials had high praise for the many citizens that joined in relentiessly giving of their time and finances during this time of need. We have been asked to give a special thanks to the individual women and to the Woman's Auxiliary and the Eastern Star women for their donation of time and food to feeding the targe numbers of rescue workers during their 6-day search. Local merchants joining the contribution list were the Bryson City Ice Plant (all ice used during the operation), and the Pepsi Cola, Coca Cola, Nehi Bottling and Sealtest Milk Companies for their contributions of drinks and milk. Also, the A & P, the P & J Market, Winchester's, Brendle's and Sandlin's Grocery for grocery items. Thanks go to Sneed's and Dent's Cafe for their contributions and to all the many chruches and individual families that participated in providing the necessities of an effective rescue operation. In addition to food and drink, a cash donation was taken up by the Sheriff's Department to provide necessities such as gas and oil for the outboard motors, for hooks, ropes,chains, and other material needed in the dragging operation. A total of $299.90 in cash was collected. After expenditures a balance of $138.63 was turned over to the Rescue Squad to be used for the purchase of new equipment. Individuals and merchants making cash donations were, Tom Gibbs $5.00, H. H. Smith $1.00, Janice White $1.00, Sherry Jenkins $1.00, James Calhoun $5.00, Robbie Robbinson $1.00, Fay McLean $2.00,Mid Town Service Station $5.00, O'Neal Muse $5.00,John Dyre $1.00, Harold Orr $1,00, Lillian's Flower Shop $5.00, Riverside Barbershop $5,00, Your Home Store $2.00, and Kelly Bennett $10.00. Head Start Registration Registration for Head Start will be held April 21st through 25th every day from 9:00 a. m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Red Cross Office in the Bryson City Courthouse. Any parent wishing his child to attend Head Start this summer should register this week. If your child is not registered, he will not be able to attend. He must be six years old before October 15th to attend. The child does not have to be present to register. This registration is for Head Start only, not Pre-School. Bank empioyees $7.25, George Owens $5.00, V.N.Gasaway $5.00, Sam Bowers $5.00, M. C. Ciose Hardware $5.00, Johnny Schuier $5.00, Macon Furniture Mart $5.00, Dr. Woody.$i.00, Haroid Jenkins $5.00, Otis Sitton $5.00, John Breediove $5.00, Cari DeHart $i0.00, John DeHart $!0.00, J. D. Rochester $5.00, Cain's Auto $5.00, R. D. Sutton $i0.00, Cioer Uphostery Shop $2.00, Ciines Esso $3.00, Gienn Jenkins $2.00, and C. R. Crawford $i.00. Robert Kirkiand $i.00, Swain Motors $5.00, Vance Wiggins $i.00, Robert Randaii $5.00, Sam Decker $L00, Cabie Guif $5.00, Smoky Mountain Tire Shop $5.00, Parkway Barber Shop $L00, Dan Wood $5.00, Dick Ensiey $2.00, Smith's Grocery $5.00, Linda Lowe $L00, Mitcheii Grocery $5.00, Suzie Simonds $2.00, Maude Staicup $2.00, Wiiia Amburn $i.00, Bit) Bumgarner $5.00 ,Fara Lee Rickman $2, Swain Drug Store $5.00, and Rite-Way Cieaners $5.00. Caroiina Buiiding Suppiy $25.00, John Cope $5.00, Eunice Beauty Shop $5.00, Western Auto Store $3.00, Jack D. Schuier $i.00, Marshaii Smith $2.00, Sossamon Furniture $5.00. L. C. Crisp $5.00, Perbee Bennett $3.00, Paui Douthit $2.00, Stevenson 66 $5.00, Bes-Berger $4.00, Beik's $5.00, Swain Eiectric $5.00, Z.V. Howes $i.00, and Sneed's Restaurant $8.65. Cherokee. Individual workers are: East Main Street, Jeanette Weich, West Main Street, Maggie Warren; North Everett Street, Bianehe Anders and Susie Simonds; Swain County Hospital, Jean WHson; East Highway, Jean Varner; Deep Creek, Rev. Jack Hyde; Toot Hoiiow, Ciara Mae Watson and G. A. Giris; and Kirkiands Creek and Shepherds Creek, Gienn Thomas and Boy Scouts. Airport Hiii, Ann Jenson; Magnavox, Eimer Miiier; Fairiane, Biii Wiison; Seaitest , James Coggins; Pepsi Coin, LuciUe Brintnaii; Ariingon, Mrs. Waiiace Caihoun; Aiarka, Lyndon Coniey and Boy S&ruts; Lauada, Edna Wikie; Hospitai Hiii, Louise Cammaratto; Bryson Avenue and Bryson Waik, Dot Lyday and 4-H; and Spring Street, Mrs. Foster Lane. JobCorp Mrs. Roger DeHart; Bryson Branch, Gienn McKinney and Ernestine Coieman; Highway West, Ruby Burreii; Baptist Chruch Street, Frances Bates; and Biack Hiii, Mrs. C. A. Casada, and Schooi House Hiii, Mrs. Vincent Thomas. Spring Seeding Sign-Up Chne$ Tuesday, Aprii 15 marked the Hnai date farmers couid request and receive ACP cost sharing assistance for materials to be used in doing spring seeding. Aprii 15 was also the Hnai date for piacing appiications for the home garden practice. The garden practice is for iow income farmers who are iargeiy dependent on the farm for their iiveiihood. According to Ciemmie C. Lovin, ASCS Office Manager, other practices are avaiiabie as iong as funds are. Such other practices inciude time for grasses and iegumes, time and fertiiizer for improvement of pastures an; hay, the drainage practices, timberstand improvement and spraying pastures with chemicals. Miss Lovin urges aii farmers to report use of materiais to the ASCS office just as soon as practices are completed.