NBHS – North Buncombe High School Band Director Andrew Shelton has left the home of the Black Hawks for the home of the Lions, the Mars Hill University Lions that is.
Shelton has been hired as director of bands and instructor of music at his alma mater where he graduated in 2007. He fills the position opened with the retirement of long-time band director Mike Robinson. Shelton did his graduate studies at the New England Conservatory and Columbus State University. He has served as the North Buncombe High School band director since 2012. Read more...
“We are very excited to have one of the most knowledgeable and energetic young band directors in our state as the new Director of Bands at Mars Hill University,” said Teresa Sumpter, chair of Mars Hill’s music department.
“His bands at North Buncombe High School have been award-winning in the marching, jazz, and concert venues. Andrew is an exceptional musician and we are delighted to welcome him back to Mars Hill,” Sumpter added.
READ THE COMPLETE STORY IN THIS WEEK’S TRIBUNE
Last week’s headlines
70 years on their way to forever together
By Clint Parker
Weaverville – Ormand and Daphne Williams received friends and family at the Brian Center in Weaverville as they celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary Sunday (June 25).
Ormand, 94, whose parents were from Weaverville, was born in South Carolina as his dad was working for the YMCA, but moved back to the Weaverville area when he was three or four years old. Ormand is a veteran of World War II and served in the Army.
In 1944 he was wounded in Italy and sent back to the states. He went to Kentucky to attend college at Berea College. While there he met Daphne Miller, a college sophomore, from West Virginia. They were married on June 28, 1947.
Was it love at first sight? “Oh yeah, it sure was!” said Ormand with Daphne, 93, by his side chuckling and adding, “Yeah it was. Still is.”
Asked what they owe the longevity of their marriage to, Ormand said, “Well we both believe in the Lord and I think that has a lot to do with it.” Read more...
The Williams had five children, all but one of whom are still alive, and two of the children still live in Weaverville, said Annette, one of the Williams’ daughters who lives in Mills River.
“Myra, my sister who died, I remember when my son-in-law met her, he said something like, ‘Tell me about your parents.’ and she said. ‘Let me tell you, my daddy loves my mother,” said Annette, adding, “We weren’t allow to sass them.”
Daphne came to the Brian Center sometime before Ormand because of dementia. Annette said her daddy would come everyday and set with Daphne for hours before leaving at lunch to go home and eat a bite and get his mail and then return to Daphne’s side
Some months ago, Ormand had foot surgery and had come to the center for rehab. When he got better and they told him he was clear to go home he told them, “I think I’ll just stay here with Daphne,” said Annette. “I think he found it was a lot easier to just stay together,” she said with a laugh.
The Williams have rooms next to each other, but Annette says her daddy doesn’t stay in his much, but usually ends up in a sleep recliner in Daphne’s room.
Past headlines
Woodfin chief back in battle with old foe
Woodfin – Woodfin Police Chief Brett Holloman is a fighter, as a 27-year member of the department. He’s battled crime every day at work and along the way he’s fought another foe...cancer.
According to the story as told by Melissa, Holloman’s wife, on a gofundme.com page, Holloman “...is many things: a father, a friend, a son, a brother, a husband and a poppa!”
“Several years ago Brett found himself in a fight he never saw coming - Leukemia! He was young, had two small children, a wife, and many other responsibilities, but the only way for survival was a Bone Marrow Transplant,” says Melissa.
Holloman found a donor for a transplant, but Melissa says he “fell in the 3% of people whose graft doesn’t completely take! Brett has been battling cancer and transplant issues for 20 years!”
Since February of this year Holloman has been in the hospital six times, with varying lengths of stay from one week to three consecutive weeks each time. “He was very, very sick and things really didn’t look to offer a positive outcome. His doctor even had some serious concerns about survival,” says Melissa. The stays have taken a toll personally and financially.
Two of the stays since February have been to travel to Baptist Hospital. “He has a place on his head that needs to be removed, he may potentially need knee surgery again and all of this will continue to keep us both out of work! He has elevated liver functions, an elevated thyroid, weak kidneys and allover pain and discomfort! He is on oxygen at home and still at times struggles to breathe,” explains Melissa. Read more...
“To add to it all, Brett was recently diagnosed with a tumor in his mouth!! It is a rapid growing one and will cause issues quickly!! The prognosis is not good, but we are trying to remain positive!! The Doctors have given him six months to a year,” says Melissa. “He has the option for surgery to have the tumor removed, at Baptist Hospital, but once it is removed he is not able to have chemo or radiation to help with the fight!! So, surgery is his only option and there is no guarantee.”
On top of these troubles, just last week “...he fell and broke his pelvis in two places so surgery has been delayed which, in turn, will allow the tumor to grow!! We could potentially come out of our window for surgery waiting on his body to heal, but I know the Lord is in charge of everything,” Melissa writes.
“I ask that you please keep Brett and our family in your thoughts and prayers as we continue through this fight. Brett has a long, long way to go to get past this latest battle,” says Melissa.
Anyone wishing to help with the gofund drive can do so at https://www.gofundme.com/3x2mefk.
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