April 22, 2016 Coats Museum News
The calendar displayed that it was December of 1957 and the people in the Coats area were reacting to the date by having Christmas events. The Coats FHA had enjoyed a Christmas party. Lesley Johnson had played his guitar rendition of “Tammy” and “Blue Christmas”. The FFA members who served at the party were Lesley Johnson, Stacy Williams, Charles Langdon, Edward Turlington, Ronnie Pollard, Billy Pope, Fred Strickland, Wallace Penny, Kenneth Ennis, Jerry Lee, Larry Williams, and Harry Roberts (Daily Record Dec. 17, 1957).
The Oakdale HD Club also celebrated by honoring the club’s president, Mrs. Glenn Morris, with a covered dish supper. A band composed of Don Ennis, Joe Ennis, Dwight Ennis and Gary Denning rendered Christmas music. Becky Ennis accompanied a trio consisting of Linda Ennis, Freda Adams, and Judy Barefoot. Ronald Allen and Mike Ennis read poems. Mrs. Rena Ennis, a charter member, was present (Daily Record Dec. 21, 1957).
The churches were not out of the loop in celebrating the season. The Senior Class at Prospect had their Christmas party and Mr. Tony Upchurch was chaperone. Those at the party were Wanda Page, Mary Page, Jean Stephenson, Wayne Avery, Peggy King, Faye Avery, Sarah Bunn, Larry Avery, Jerry Walston, James Johnson, Charles Johnson, Julius Lane and Max Avery.
The day had arrived for the wedding of Rebecca Johnson and Robert Joseph Delucchi who were married at the Coats Baptist Church. Sybil and Ann Beasley presented music. The bride wore a blue suit and her attendant, Lois Messer, wore a gray one. Elsewhere, Misses Judy and Pam Stewart spent Christmas with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Stewart (Daily Record Dec. 27, 1957).
It was a new year-1958-the year in which the space and missile race heated up. The first American satellite, Explorer, was launched by an Army Jupiter-C rocket from Cape Canaveral and went into orbit. The merger of Egypt and Syria created the United Arab Republic. Nikita Khrushchev became Soviet premier in addition to the first secretary of the Communist Party.
The hula-hoop created a craze of historic magnitude but died as quickly as it had started. Permanent press woolen clothing was new. Computers were making in-roads into science, business, and industry. The new model cars were the longest and lowest yet. Unemployment reached nearly eight percent. The cost of mailing a letter first class was four cents. The three cent stamp had gone into effect in 1932. It was the peak year for the drive-in movie. The top 1 percent of the population enjoyed 9 percent of the nation’s disposable income (Dickson, Paul, From Elvis to E-Mail. Springfield, Massachusetts: Federal Street Press, 1999).
What does the top one percent enjoy today in 2016? This I do know. In the Coats Grove township area, Dr. Donald and Mrs. Moore had combined work and fun as they had choir practice and a social at their home. The Jr. GA”S of the Baptist Church had a party also at the Donald Moore home before they went caroling at homes in Coats. Mrs. Haywood Roberts had the YMA party at her house. Several local students had returned to college after the Christmas break in Coats. They were Lea Joy Johnson, Patsy Stewart, Ted Penny, Billy Barnes, Lacy Barnes, and Joyce Faye Johnson.
Bob Kelly and his family had visited Mrs. Lucy Kelly. Godfrey and Ann Beasley had spent Christmas with his mother, Mrs. T.O Beasley. Is Mr. T.O. Beasley dead in 1957?
I do know that the Lillington basketball teams defeated the Coats Jackets. In the girls’ game, the Coats Jackets lost 63-35. Julia Whittington was top scorer for Coats while Sue Holder and Gayle Johnson scored six each. In the boys’ game, the Coats team was defeated by 59-45. Harold Dixon was top scorer with 19 points (Daily Record Jan. 6, 1958).
John L. Johnson, 64, a retired farmer of Willow Springs, had died at his home following a heart attack. He was the son of the late Ben F. and Mary Alice Johnson of rural Coats. He was formerly with the NC Highway Department and served as an elder at the Providence Presbyterian Church near Angier. Johnson was survived by his wife, Mary Lambert Johnson who was daughter of the late Ron Lambert, surveyor of the town of Coats. He had three sons-Rudolph, Garland and Oris Johnson and two daughters-Mrs. Acy Johnson and Mrs. Ray Jones. One surviving brother was Jonah C. Johnson of Coats and two sisters were Mrs. Molly Dixon and Mrs. Nolie Johnson of Coats. Mrs. Florence Barnes and Joe Johnson were deceased siblings.
Mrs. Melvin Avery was resolved to honor Miss Delphia Bailey who had died on January 18, 1957. The resolution was from the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church (Daily Record Jan. 9, 1958).
The evening classes continued for the ladies in the Coats School district in the Home Economics Department. This “Moonlight” school of the 1950’s offered a class in Dried Flowers Arranging given by Mrs. John Allen McLeod. Mrs. I.W. “Bill” Whittington, 68, of Buies Creek, had died Wednesday in Watts Hospital. He was the son of the late Joseph and Susan McLamb Whittington. J.C. and Jodie Whittington of Coats were survivors. On a happier note, Mr. and Mrs. Gordan Brook Stephenson of Coats announced the birth of a son, Michael Curtis. Mrs. Stephenson was the former Margaret Doreen Bennett.
Do any of you recall the mobile units for x-rays to detect tuberculosis? One was set up near the First Citizens Bank and the photographer took a picture of Oakdale’s 75 year-old Mrs. Rena Ennis as she waited her turn (Daily Record Jan. 15, 1958).
The time had arrived again for sanitary scores to be posted by the Harnett County Health Department. Do any of you recall ever going into the following establishments which were listed in the paper: Barefoot’s Steakhouse, Bill’s Grill, Carson and Hack’s, Clyde’s Grill, City Market, Coats Market, Earl’s Self Service, D&E Market, Ryals Market, and Gauldin’s Abattoir?
Were the following items after Christmas specials being offered in Dunn and Lillington? A luxurious reclining chair was $39.95 while bed sheets (Fieldcrest) were $1.61 each at Prince’s. Luxurious? Do we use that adjective to describe furniture in 2016? What was the minimum wage in 1958 for those prices seem cheap? Could one even purchase a decorative pillow for a recliner or hand towel or box of tissue for those prices today?
This I do know. Two babies arrived at Good Hope Hospital in Erwin. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond A. Messer welcomed a daughter. Mrs. Messer was the former Emily Darlene Norris. The second newborn belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Donnie D. Pollard who announced the arrival of a son, Donnie D. Pollard, Jr. Mrs. Pollard was the former Peggy V. Maness. Was she a twin (Daily Record Jan. 27, 1958)?
W.H. Byrd of Lillington had been appointed Harnett County Manager of the ASC Program. He was the son of Mrs. Gertrude Turlington and the late Sam Byrd of Bunnlevel. A Coats connected note is that Gertrude was the daughter of former Harnett County Sheriff Willie H. and Lizzie Penny Turlington of the Turlington’s Crossroads area.
The area women were really supporting the Home Economics classes at Coats because it was reported that 64 women had shown up to learn about dried flowers arrangements from Mrs. John Allen McLeod. Mrs. Harold Jernigan won the door prize. FHA members Barbara Pope, Joyce Johnson, Patricia Collier, and Mary Wilmoth served refreshments and acted as babysitters. “Selection and Fitting of Foundation Garments for all Figures” was scheduled for the January 27th to be taught by Miss Eva Coor and Mrs. Britt of Belks).
A note of appreciation goes to those who have brought by wedding and 50th anniversary pictures for our latest wedding and vintage clothes exhibits. Looking at the 69th wedding anniversary picture of Charles and Dorothy Denning, it is hard to believe that they are even 69 years old. Thanks goes to Janet Wilson for bringing the pictures by the museum and to Tommy and Judy Ennis, Mary Ellen Lauder, Peggy Robinson, Becky Adams and others for helping our collection grow. Thanks, Hope Moore for loaning the blue garter for display in our wedding traditions exhibit.
Thank you, Ralph Denning, for honoring your mom, Hautense Denning Ennis, with a memorial donation to our Coats Museum Endowment. What a wonderful way to ensure the future of the museum. Thank you Lynda Butler for spending hours cleaning the water fountain on the square after the winter ice devastated the painted surface.
The calendar displayed that it was December of 1957 and the people in the Coats area were reacting to the date by having Christmas events. The Coats FHA had enjoyed a Christmas party. Lesley Johnson had played his guitar rendition of “Tammy” and “Blue Christmas”. The FFA members who served at the party were Lesley Johnson, Stacy Williams, Charles Langdon, Edward Turlington, Ronnie Pollard, Billy Pope, Fred Strickland, Wallace Penny, Kenneth Ennis, Jerry Lee, Larry Williams, and Harry Roberts (Daily Record Dec. 17, 1957).
The Oakdale HD Club also celebrated by honoring the club’s president, Mrs. Glenn Morris, with a covered dish supper. A band composed of Don Ennis, Joe Ennis, Dwight Ennis and Gary Denning rendered Christmas music. Becky Ennis accompanied a trio consisting of Linda Ennis, Freda Adams, and Judy Barefoot. Ronald Allen and Mike Ennis read poems. Mrs. Rena Ennis, a charter member, was present (Daily Record Dec. 21, 1957).
The churches were not out of the loop in celebrating the season. The Senior Class at Prospect had their Christmas party and Mr. Tony Upchurch was chaperone. Those at the party were Wanda Page, Mary Page, Jean Stephenson, Wayne Avery, Peggy King, Faye Avery, Sarah Bunn, Larry Avery, Jerry Walston, James Johnson, Charles Johnson, Julius Lane and Max Avery.
The day had arrived for the wedding of Rebecca Johnson and Robert Joseph Delucchi who were married at the Coats Baptist Church. Sybil and Ann Beasley presented music. The bride wore a blue suit and her attendant, Lois Messer, wore a gray one. Elsewhere, Misses Judy and Pam Stewart spent Christmas with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Stewart (Daily Record Dec. 27, 1957).
It was a new year-1958-the year in which the space and missile race heated up. The first American satellite, Explorer, was launched by an Army Jupiter-C rocket from Cape Canaveral and went into orbit. The merger of Egypt and Syria created the United Arab Republic. Nikita Khrushchev became Soviet premier in addition to the first secretary of the Communist Party.
The hula-hoop created a craze of historic magnitude but died as quickly as it had started. Permanent press woolen clothing was new. Computers were making in-roads into science, business, and industry. The new model cars were the longest and lowest yet. Unemployment reached nearly eight percent. The cost of mailing a letter first class was four cents. The three cent stamp had gone into effect in 1932. It was the peak year for the drive-in movie. The top 1 percent of the population enjoyed 9 percent of the nation’s disposable income (Dickson, Paul, From Elvis to E-Mail. Springfield, Massachusetts: Federal Street Press, 1999).
What does the top one percent enjoy today in 2016? This I do know. In the Coats Grove township area, Dr. Donald and Mrs. Moore had combined work and fun as they had choir practice and a social at their home. The Jr. GA”S of the Baptist Church had a party also at the Donald Moore home before they went caroling at homes in Coats. Mrs. Haywood Roberts had the YMA party at her house. Several local students had returned to college after the Christmas break in Coats. They were Lea Joy Johnson, Patsy Stewart, Ted Penny, Billy Barnes, Lacy Barnes, and Joyce Faye Johnson.
Bob Kelly and his family had visited Mrs. Lucy Kelly. Godfrey and Ann Beasley had spent Christmas with his mother, Mrs. T.O Beasley. Is Mr. T.O. Beasley dead in 1957?
I do know that the Lillington basketball teams defeated the Coats Jackets. In the girls’ game, the Coats Jackets lost 63-35. Julia Whittington was top scorer for Coats while Sue Holder and Gayle Johnson scored six each. In the boys’ game, the Coats team was defeated by 59-45. Harold Dixon was top scorer with 19 points (Daily Record Jan. 6, 1958).
John L. Johnson, 64, a retired farmer of Willow Springs, had died at his home following a heart attack. He was the son of the late Ben F. and Mary Alice Johnson of rural Coats. He was formerly with the NC Highway Department and served as an elder at the Providence Presbyterian Church near Angier. Johnson was survived by his wife, Mary Lambert Johnson who was daughter of the late Ron Lambert, surveyor of the town of Coats. He had three sons-Rudolph, Garland and Oris Johnson and two daughters-Mrs. Acy Johnson and Mrs. Ray Jones. One surviving brother was Jonah C. Johnson of Coats and two sisters were Mrs. Molly Dixon and Mrs. Nolie Johnson of Coats. Mrs. Florence Barnes and Joe Johnson were deceased siblings.
Mrs. Melvin Avery was resolved to honor Miss Delphia Bailey who had died on January 18, 1957. The resolution was from the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church (Daily Record Jan. 9, 1958).
The evening classes continued for the ladies in the Coats School district in the Home Economics Department. This “Moonlight” school of the 1950’s offered a class in Dried Flowers Arranging given by Mrs. John Allen McLeod. Mrs. I.W. “Bill” Whittington, 68, of Buies Creek, had died Wednesday in Watts Hospital. He was the son of the late Joseph and Susan McLamb Whittington. J.C. and Jodie Whittington of Coats were survivors. On a happier note, Mr. and Mrs. Gordan Brook Stephenson of Coats announced the birth of a son, Michael Curtis. Mrs. Stephenson was the former Margaret Doreen Bennett.
Do any of you recall the mobile units for x-rays to detect tuberculosis? One was set up near the First Citizens Bank and the photographer took a picture of Oakdale’s 75 year-old Mrs. Rena Ennis as she waited her turn (Daily Record Jan. 15, 1958).
The time had arrived again for sanitary scores to be posted by the Harnett County Health Department. Do any of you recall ever going into the following establishments which were listed in the paper: Barefoot’s Steakhouse, Bill’s Grill, Carson and Hack’s, Clyde’s Grill, City Market, Coats Market, Earl’s Self Service, D&E Market, Ryals Market, and Gauldin’s Abattoir?
Were the following items after Christmas specials being offered in Dunn and Lillington? A luxurious reclining chair was $39.95 while bed sheets (Fieldcrest) were $1.61 each at Prince’s. Luxurious? Do we use that adjective to describe furniture in 2016? What was the minimum wage in 1958 for those prices seem cheap? Could one even purchase a decorative pillow for a recliner or hand towel or box of tissue for those prices today?
This I do know. Two babies arrived at Good Hope Hospital in Erwin. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond A. Messer welcomed a daughter. Mrs. Messer was the former Emily Darlene Norris. The second newborn belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Donnie D. Pollard who announced the arrival of a son, Donnie D. Pollard, Jr. Mrs. Pollard was the former Peggy V. Maness. Was she a twin (Daily Record Jan. 27, 1958)?
W.H. Byrd of Lillington had been appointed Harnett County Manager of the ASC Program. He was the son of Mrs. Gertrude Turlington and the late Sam Byrd of Bunnlevel. A Coats connected note is that Gertrude was the daughter of former Harnett County Sheriff Willie H. and Lizzie Penny Turlington of the Turlington’s Crossroads area.
The area women were really supporting the Home Economics classes at Coats because it was reported that 64 women had shown up to learn about dried flowers arrangements from Mrs. John Allen McLeod. Mrs. Harold Jernigan won the door prize. FHA members Barbara Pope, Joyce Johnson, Patricia Collier, and Mary Wilmoth served refreshments and acted as babysitters. “Selection and Fitting of Foundation Garments for all Figures” was scheduled for the January 27th to be taught by Miss Eva Coor and Mrs. Britt of Belks).
A note of appreciation goes to those who have brought by wedding and 50th anniversary pictures for our latest wedding and vintage clothes exhibits. Looking at the 69th wedding anniversary picture of Charles and Dorothy Denning, it is hard to believe that they are even 69 years old. Thanks goes to Janet Wilson for bringing the pictures by the museum and to Tommy and Judy Ennis, Mary Ellen Lauder, Peggy Robinson, Becky Adams and others for helping our collection grow. Thanks, Hope Moore for loaning the blue garter for display in our wedding traditions exhibit.
Thank you, Ralph Denning, for honoring your mom, Hautense Denning Ennis, with a memorial donation to our Coats Museum Endowment. What a wonderful way to ensure the future of the museum. Thank you Lynda Butler for spending hours cleaning the water fountain on the square after the winter ice devastated the painted surface.