By Karen Martin

Staff reporter

kamartin@elkintribune.com

Crimes of theft and arson started out the top headlines in 2008. This in itself was a rarity for Elkin. Retirements, fulfilling lifelong dreams, a long awaited lift of burning bans in Surry and Yadkin counties and chickens who took up residence in a yard in Boonville and could not be shooed away made headlines in January.

An Elkin favorite, Cmarron Steakhouse closed its doors, a much loved Surry County Sheriff passed away and Elkin looked positively toward the future. Plans were initiated for the development of Wal-Mart and other shops on NC 268 and Lestine Hutchens took office as Elkin's new mayor.

The Chatham family lost Richard Gwyn Chatham, grandson of the founder of Elkin's textile empire.

Elkin became the first town in North Carolina to take advantage of the 2008 Urban Archery Program allowing deer hunting within the city limits and Ronda received matching funds fro additional fire and safety equipment.

Elkin Elementary school through the efforts of its principal, Tom Canton and the PTA received upgrades to the computers and new technology.

January also brought announcement of the closing of Smith-Phillips Building Supply in Elkin.

January also brought changes to The Tribune in a new design that incorporated a "At a Glance" column on the left side of the front page allowing readers to know what to expect inside the pages.

The first snow of the season fell on Thursday, Jan. 17, bringing one to three inches across the area.

The Foothills Arts Council started the year off with rehearsals for "Radio, T.B.S.", the first of several successful productions throughout the year.

Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital opened their new lab department providing new technology for patients.

The end of January brought a contract between Elkin and North Carolina University affiliated Small Business and Technology Development Center, (SBTDC), to develop a town-wide initiative to look at Elkin's special needs, concerns, and economic partnerships. The last week also brought the closing of another restaurant, MOM's, in downtown Elkin.

February brought two fatal plane crashes in the first week.

Filings for political races in 2008 started Feb. 11, and the burning ban went back into effect on Feb. 14, due to the drought conditions plaguing the area.

Economic development became a greater focus for the board of commissioners, Ronda received a $750,000 grant for Phase II of the new sewer system and Buck Shoals Vineyard tested their first apple brandy made with a copper still that was licensed earlier in Feb.

Elkin Creek Bar and Grille opened its doors in Feb. providing another choice for food and spirits in Elkin. The Reeves theater project received a grant from the Rural Development Center allowing progression of the renovation and Elkin's school board asked the county commissioners to speed up the funding for Phase II of the construction at EHS.

March came in like a lion with a storm that downed several large trees in Elkin and damaged a few houses leaving many without power until crews could could restore the electricity.

The FAC held its annual spring juried art show and the Yadkin Valley Clay works prepared to renovate a portion of the old Elkin Water plant to use as a studio for artists across the area.

Century 21 Hudspeth Properties looked forward to a good year in housing, remodeled their offices and held a grand opening.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters held their largest annual fund raiser exceeding the goal providing funds to help more children.

The Traphill library moved into its new building providing area residents with additional computers, media resources and books.

NCDOT announced a prospective date of early 2009 to begin the demolition of the Hugh Chatham bridge.

The annual Easter Egg hunt at the Elkin Municipal Pard was a tremendous success with perfect weather for all the children anxious to fill their baskets.

The end of March brought the start date for the renovations to the Elkin Public library. The Habitat for Humanity celebrated its 20th anniversary and Raffaldini Vineyards opened their Italian styled Villa tasting room. The month ended with showers without strong winds, going out like a lamb.

April began with discouraging news of a rise in unemployment rates for the county with numbers exceeding seven percent.

Elkin looked forward to a new fine dining restaurant with the announcement of plans for 21 & Main.

Plans for Fourth Friday events through the fall were announced and downtown was decked out with new banners on the light posts.

The SBTDC presented the plan and survey outlined for Elkin's economic development campaign.

Elkin's Municipal Park installed a new foot bridge with the funding culminating from a NCDOT enhancement grant, Elkin City School system funds and private donations.

The end of April brought a visit from former President Bill Clinton in his support of his wife's presidential campaign.

Vaughn-Bassett adopted a "green" recycling program contributing to keeping the county clean.

Elkin City Schools began the search for a new superintendent of schools after the resignation of Barry Shepherd in January.

May brought a new AVA designation for Swan Creek and Primary elections were held for local, state and national offices. With the announcement of the sale of The Lucky Break Pool Room to a Charlotte couple, Elkin looked forward to a new heritage gallery and studio.

May saw severe storms resulting in power outages and several small fires.

Elkin and Yadkinville signed an agreement for a connection that could supply water from Elkin to Yadkinville in an emergency.

Elkin celebrated a tremendous success with the seventh annual wine festival.

Mayor Lestine Hutchens received a "My Boss is a Patriot Award" and attended a National Guard training at Camp Shelby, Miss. after being nominated by Lloyd Payne, Elkin's town manager and a First Sergeant with the NC, 30th Div.

Fourth Friday events continued with music, pony rides and fun for all.

June brought a clean up of the Yadkin River by many volunteers, part of a National River Clean-Up program. Progression of the new commercial development along the NC 268 by-pass.

Hugh Chatham Memorial begin work on the additions to the hospital that will bring new technology and individual department suites for patient care.

Elkin was chosen for the site of the second of three poultry litter fueled energy plants to be built in N.C.

Elkin Public Library started the 2008 Teen Summer Reading Program and 21 & Main opened their doors to diners.

Former Mayor, Tom Gwyn, received one of the state's most prestigious awards, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for his commitment to public service in the areas of economic development and politics. Gwyn was recognized as a leader in the region and the community.

Elkin's Interface Fabrics cut hours in response to the national economic downslide.

Shadow Springs Vineyard opened and claimed the double AVA status in the area.

Planning Board Chirman, Jack Underdown, retired after 35 plus years of public service to Elkin.

Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital broke ground for the $48 million expansion slated to be completed in the spring of 2009.

The Tribune's editor, Lonnie Adamson, accepted a promotion within Heartland Publications, moving to the Jefferson Post in Ashe County as general manager and editor.

The end of June saw G & B Energy closing its retail gas/convienience store operations to concentrate on their propane, fuel oil, kerosene and fuel sales to commercial and agricultural businesses.

The Foothills Arts Council announced a new president, Susan Fulcher.

Fourth Friday events continued the struggle with weather to bring residents downtown to enjoy music, fun, games and shopping.

*The remainder of the year in review will appear in Monday, Jan. 5, 2009's paper.