Editor’s note: The “Top ten moments of 2009” was compiled following the opinions and advisement of the staff of the Jefferson Post. The order of the selections and the commentary that follow are that of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the newspaper and Heartland Publications. Readers are encouraged to comment on the following selections and share their own most memorable moments of 2009.

Few Ashe County residents could remember a more interesting, intriguing, and perhaps a more appalling year than 2009. Many locals became shocked to learn that a murderer was truly lurking in their midst, and they may have also felt relieved to know that local authorities are working diligently to put these types of individuals behind bars. The community also learned that longstanding businesses and community institutions can survive and flourish by adjusting with the changing of the times. Perhaps most importantly though, the citizens of a tightly woven mountain community learned that it is possible to withstand adversity and hardship in an ever changing world and still thrive under tremendous pressure.

10. The Ashe County Chamber of Commerce officially began operations anew at the corner of South Jefferson Avenue and West Main Street in July. The Chamber’s new home provides the staff and visitors 1,800 square feet of floor space, which dwarfs the visitor center’s predecessor by a thousand feet. Executive Director Cabot Hamilton explained that the additional floor space will allow the chamber to “better serve” its members by providing more room for brochures, which serves as a way for the members to market themselves. The downtown location has also attracted a variety of visitors from “off the mountain.” In the month of October, the chamber logged 1,792 visitors, including 239 on Oct. 24. That one day total is higher than some monthly totals in the winter months of 2004 and 2005.

“It kind of goes back to that old real estate motto. Location, location, location is everything,” Hamilton said.

9. In October, AF Bank traded in its familiar burgundy and white logos for a new look, as a county financial mainstay underwent a rebranding. The transformation ultimately spelled out a new name for the financial institution: LifeStore.

The rebranding, bank officials said, changed the company’s direction and focus to one that is designed to secure the bank’s interest as well as the customers and communities it serves. In over 70 years of service to the High Country and surrounding area, the institution has changed its title 15 times. Bank President and Chief Executive Robert Washburn said that the rebranding was necessary in order to secure the company’s vitality in a continuously shrinking market that has seen a recent influx in bank mergers and a reduction of insurance agencies nationwide. Washburn added that the process will have little effect on the banks customers as checks with the AF Bank logo will still be accepted and the company’s Web site domain will have customers redirected to the new site.

8. Gwen Ashley becomes the first woman to serve on the Jefferson Board of Alderman.

She replaced former Alderman Max Yates who had to relinquish his position on the board because he became ineligible to serve due to a move outside of the Jefferson City limits. Ashley had ran for a spot on the board in the past but lost by a close margin. Town officials said that Ashley was chosen to serve the town because of her interest in the position and also because she was considered to be a “very qualified person.”

7. Donnie Johnson retired as Superintendent of Ashe County Schools following nearly a decade of service to the school system. After a lengthy search for his replacement, the school board narrowed its search for his replacements down to three candidates with former Ashe County Middle School Principal Bobby Ashley being one of those finalists. Following a public meeting, the board voted in favor of hiring Dr. Travis Reeves who had formerly served as Principal at East Guilford High School. Reeves, an Alleghany County native, holds a Master’s Degree in School Administration from Gardner-Webb University and later became certified as an education specialist in school administration from UNC-Greensboro.

6. Each spring, the North Carolina Governor’s office is bombarded with requests from high schools all across the state, hoping that the governor will honor at least one lucky school the opportunity to have him or her preside over the school’s graduation. This year was Ashe County High School’s term, as Gov. Bev Perdue provided inspirational words to graduating class of 2009. Perdue explained to the class, the challenges that lay before them in an economy that will provide few new employment opportunities in a “scarce job market.” One central theme that Perdue attempted to drive home to students was the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity and learning how to highlight the triumphs in life over the hard times that they will likely face.

“Perseverance is the key in the 21st century to a happy and productive life,” Perdue said. “Those people who never give up at the end of the day are the ones that make a real difference.”

Look in Friday’s edition for the “Top five moments” of 2009 as the Post will revisit the climatic conclusion of Frederick Hammer’s triple murder trial and how local authorities put to rest the case of missing Crumpler man, Jimmy Blevins. The completion of the Ashe County Public Library expansion and renovation project will be highlighted as well.