Hatley Memorial Tree Lighting

Valdese residents gathered on Tuesday to celebrate the annual Hatley Memorial Tree Lighting in front of Old Rock School. The special event pays tribute to Jim Hatley, who served as mayor of Valdese from 1999 to 2017. The town will continue celebrating the season today with the Christmas Parade winding through downtown beginning at 10 a.m. Emma Draughn, a longtime respected educator, will serve as grand marshal. She was also married to Jimmy Draughn, the mayor immediately preceding Hatley. More holiday happenings can be found in the Around Burke column on this page, as well as the event calendar on Page 16A.

Hatley Memorial Tree Lighting

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