The demise of in Weaverville
BY Clint Parker
editor @
weavervilletribune.com
– COMMENTARY – ‘sports gambling’ Let me first start this column by saying that Weaverville is not a
seedy underworld of sports gambling in Western North Carolina with ties to the mob and other organized crime rings. No. Quite the contrary, what ‘sports gambling’ ( tongue in cheek) went on, that I knew of, was limited to a Super Bowl pool and a NCAA Tourna- ment pool, both of which are now deceased. With that said, and the fact that names and
places will not be mentioned here to truly protect the innocent from any shame that society or moral standards would place on those who ran said pools and those who participated in them, here is the story of what might be labeled Weaverville’s office pools. Numerous people have taken part in the office pools and it
might have been the best-known secret in the town. Something you do, but would not talk about in polite company. It seemed a shame that the long held annual pools should end without, so to speak, a grave marker especially since they had so long and distinguished run in the town, hence, the reason for this column. However, times change and businesses and people come and go.
One such business that is no longer with us, and I believe helped with the demise of the pools, was the center of some good clean
fun that operated not quite in the dark and not quite in the light and not for the profit of those who ran the town’s Super Bowl pool and, the other, who ran the NCAA Tournament pool. No, quite the contrary, it was about having fun and enjoying the
fellowship of others who have similar interest in the sports and the excitement of possibly winning a little money if you lucked out or had your brackets picked correctly or correctly enough to win. While we all hear district attorneys to state attorneys general
say this time of year that this is not considered gambling and is not a crime, we all know that there is a stigma attached to any form of ‘gambling’ and that people would, in a lot of cases, not want to be attached to said activity. Yet, when asked to recall about the nearly quarter century old
NCAA pool, the operator said that people all over town took part, from lawyers to lawmen, from town employees to town elected officials, cooks to clergy members and from businessman to busy- body journalist. Was thousands of dollars at stake and money that would alter
people’s lives? No, a few hundred dollars would be the best you could hope
for, and as little as $25, or most time, nothing but a fading hope and a team that lost. All that fun for a five spot. It’s gone now. Like the business where you would stop by to get the latest on where you stood in the brackets or where even a journalist I know, stopped by to pick up $50 for the $5 entry fee to the 2016 Super Bowl pool. Oh, there will be other pools that go on this year and fun will
still be had, but time and change had taken its toll on the most fa- mous of the sports gambling world in Weaverville. Rest in peace.
Scholar athlete of the week NBHS - This week’s Scholar Athlete is Jared
Snuffer. This will be Snuffer’s second time receiving this award. The junior plays baseball for NBHS. “I got into it by watching it on T.V.,” Snuffer said,
“and my dad helping me with playing and getting me where I need to be.” His positions on the team are pitcher and utility
player. Out of the two, Snuffer prefers pitcher because of the pressure and excitement that comes with the role. However, Snuffer doesn’t limit himself to just one or two positions on the field. “Wherever I can play, I play,” Snuffer said. “I pretty
much play wherever I can.” Snuffer has been playing baseball since he was five
years old, immediately falling in love with the sport. He tried basketball for a time, but preferred playing pitcher. Snuffer has played for the school all three years of his high school career, and plans on playing his senior year. “All the players are supportive and so are the coach-
es, all supporting me and everything we’ve done.” So far the team has been having a decent season and
is looking good for future games, according to Snuff- er. Looking to the future, college plays a super role in Snuffer’s goals both for his sport and academics. “Baseball has taught me to just stay calm,” Snuffer
said, “and do what you can do and when you can do it. Also to trust yourself to do what you can do.” Snuffer’s guardian is his aunt Patricia Snuffer. The
scholar/athlete of the week award is sponsored by Weaverville’s Bill Boughton, of Edward Jones.
Words to
Inspir
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. - MATTHEW 6:24 (KJV)
Te Leicester
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PO Box 2293 • Weaverville, NC 28787 Volume 15, Issue 11
The Weaverville Tribune Editor & Publisher
Clint Parker
editor@weavervilletribune.com www.weavervilletribune.com
Mail: P.O. Box 2293 Weaverville, NC 28787 Te Leicester Leader
PO Box 202 • Leicester, NC 28748 Volume 10, Issue 11
The Leicester Leader Editor & Publisher Clint Parker
editor@leicesterleader.com www.leicesterleader.com
Mail: P.O. Box 2293 Weaverville, NC 28787
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