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Editor’s Note: During 2020, The SNAP will celebrate its 140th year of covering Stanly County people. In honor of 140 years, The SNAP will offer a glimpse at events of 40 years ago and beyond.

Friday, June 27, 1980

Civitan Leader

Jim Lee Ritchie of Richfield on Wednesday became president of Civitan International.

The Stanly man was elected president-elect of the multi-nation service club organization at the 1979 convention held in Atlanta.

Ritchie became the second member of the Richfield Club to hold the international presidency in the past 16 years. Francis Essic was president during the time he was coach at Pfeiffer College and a member of the Richfield Club.

Ritchie, a graduate of Pfeiffer College, heads the Pfeiffer-North Stanly Water Association. He has been active in the civic and political life of Richfield, serving on the town council since 1965 and as mayor eight years. He helped to organize the Richfield-Misenheimer Fire Department.

Librarian Leaves

Sue E. Darden tendered her resignation Monday as director of the Stanly County Public Library, effective, July 25, which will be her last day on the job.

On Aug. 4 she will begin her new duties as assistant director of the Kirn Library in Norfolk, Va.

She came here in January 1973 as assistant director and was advanced to director in August 1976 following the resignation of Margaret Johnston as director.

County Taxes

The Stanly County Commissioners Monday night approved a county budget for 1980-81 which will require a three-cent tax rate increase. The county-wide tax rate was 73 cents per $100 valuation.

The budget includes $500,000 for the construction of a new National Guard armory.

Albemarle Taxes

There will be no tax increase for the city of Albemarle this year.

The City Council Monday night passed on first reading the budget for 1980-81 setting the tax rate at 45 cents per $100 valuation, the same as last year.

Miss Stanly County Fire Queen

Thirteen fire departments have entered contestants for Miss Stanly County Fire Queen, the largest number ever.

Contestants are Tammy Sue McLaurin, Ridgecrest VFD; Chris Hartsock, Bethany VFD; Penny Munson, Rocky River VFD; Amy Whitley, Oakboro Rural VFD; Londa Cox, Aquadale VFD; Angie Almond, Locust VFD; Kelly Kepley, Endy VFD; Lori Kimrey, New London VFD; Bonita Cannon, Richfield-Misenheimer VFD; Carol Goodman, Oakboro City VFD; Carla Calloway, East Side VFD; Teresa Bennett, Millingport VFD; and Stephanie Gray, Norwood VFD.

Oakboro’s Fourth of July Celebration included The Yellow Rockers, a group of cloggers, a greasy pole climb, the fireman’s duel, a tractor pull “tug of war,” a street dance and more activities.

R.C. Hatley served as master of ceremonies and Fred Kirby was grand marshal of the parade.

Friday, June 25, 1965

Civitan Leader

An Albemarle girl would spend the next two months with a Turkish family in Istanbul as an American Field Service exchange student.

Sandy Kelley, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Kelley, was leaving for New York and would sail aboard the M.V. Seven Seas for Rotterdam, The Netherlands. From there, she would be flown to Turkey, where she would live with Mr. and Mrs. Mehmet Ozalp and their two children.