April 3, 2015 Coats
Museum News
Last week I asked if anyone knew where the congregation of the Coats Methodist Church met in 1952 before they moved into the building formerly occupied by the Coats Baptist Church across from the today business -Gray Flex. Did any of you know that the congregation had held their regular church service at the community house (building) in Coats on the first Sunday night and the third Sunday morning? Sunday school was held every week (Daily Record March 11, 1952).
Were any of you a member of the Coats Fellowship Club? That group met in the Coats Café in March of 1952 and after a delicious meal prepared by owner Ted Malone, they heard an inspirational talk on “The Value of Manual Arts” by Bertha Westbrook who explained that many students could not do as well as others in a formal education. She suggested they could excel in manual arts. Did she convince the group to help promote the change? I do know that Mrs. Vann’s pupils were happy to have her back in school after being ill at home for a week according to the paper (Daily Record March 11, 1952).
The Oakdale Club had a meeting in the clubroom with Mrs. J.A. Ennis presiding. Mrs. Preston Ennis was welcomed as a new member. The group planned a cake sale at Mr. Johnson’s store in Benson (Daily Record March 12, 1952).
Elsewhere another Home Demonstration Club, the Goodwill Club, had met at their community building in Barclaysville with Mrs. Joe Stewart presiding. Mrs. Gwen Flowers and Mrs. C.C. Adams gave reports. A demonstration on freezing and cooking frozen foods was presented and an entire meal was cooked and served from frozen foods. Mrs. Floyd Blalock was welcomed back into the club (Daily Record March 17, 1952).
All of you who were farmers, did you ever cure tobacco with an automatic Peerless Tobacco Curer? According to the Purdie Company in Dunn, they used one-third less oil and saved the farmer time and money (Daily Record March 17, 1952).
Do you remember reading a few weeks back about the contest in Coats for guessing how many kernels of corn were in a freezer in order to win a Bulova watch worth $125.00? Otis Coats won the watch by guessing 78,269 grains of corn when the real count was 78, 568. Do you remember who had counted the grains originally?
This I do know. The Harnett County Grand Jury went on record to favor the long-range plan for school building which Superintendent G.T. Profit said would cost 2 million dollars. The jury also asked that fire extinguishers be checked in all schools and that fire drills are held one or two times a month.
Some of our readers have shared information about wrecks involving high school students from Coats. Is there a reader out there who remembers the wreck that occurred at the intersection of 421 and 55? According to the paper report, Joel Hough, Frederick Bryd, and Henry Jackson were taken to the hospital for injuries and lacerations.
Back in town, Mrs. W.E. Nichols headed up the Coats Red Cross Drive for 1952. Mrs. Percy Parrish, Mrs. Gladys Phillips, Mrs. Mattie Highfill, and Mrs. Blue Williams served on the drive for the school. Citizens were urged to send potatoes, corn or eggs to the school by their children if the family was short of cash (Daily Record March 19, 1952).Do you wonder what they did with this produce.
I do know that the process of keeping items cold had come a long way. Earlier methods of tying a rope around the neck of a jar and submerging it into a well or spring were gone. The process of having a block of ice in an icebox to prevent spoilage was a method of the past. The electric refrigerator was a popular household necessity in the 40’s and 50’s. Now in 1952, a new refrigerator was on the market. It was equipped for “Tri-matic Defrosting” and was made by International Harvester. Its operation was as simple as ABC. The appliance could be automatically, manually or conventionally defrosted (Daily Record March 21, 1952). Did anyone have one of these refrigerators?
Do you recall reading about Tommy Johnson, the popular student and ball player at Coats? Tommy was home from the US Army to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Johnson. Elsewhere several couples from Coats attended the Masonic Banquet in Dunn. They were the Eugene Stewarts, Guy Stewarts, Haywood Roberts, Milton Bryants, Marvin Johnsons, Carl Houghs, and the Vic Lees. Several other former residents had returned to Coats for short visits. Named were Mr. and Mrs. Earl Ragan of Durham and Miss Laura Pope from ECC (Daily Record March 24, 1952).
The Educo Club met at Coats and decided not to have a “County Field Day” for lack of interest. Who remembers reading about field days back in the 1920’s when there were still “field” schools in the county; however, the event was not named for them? There was definitely lots of interest in a play that was being presented by the junior class. The cast was announced in the paper. The roles were Mrs. Collins-Faye Dean Moore; Mr. Collins-Bobby Stephenson; Kathy-Willie Carol Honeycutt; Elsie-Jean Pope; George- C.L. Hough; Bill Connor-Floyd McLamb; Hank Stevens- Russell Lamm; Kay Masters-Kathleen Cobb; Diane-Glenda Parrish and Muriel Atler-Marilyn Yarley.
The same edition announced the “Honor Roll”. In the 9th Grade Billy Barnes, Glenn Lewis, and Charlotte Ferrell were listed. T.J. Barnes, Donald Blalock, Bobby Smith, Dunbar Stewart, Larry Barnes, Connie Mason, Franklin Westbrook, Mary Florence Moore, Katherine Rigsbee, Allie Mae Barnes, Helen Sears, Margie Sorrell, and Ann Pleasant were entered on the 10th Grade list. On Grade 12, the list showed Edna Avery, Sue Langdon, Peggy Senter, Dorothy Barnes, Delano Whittington, and Ruth Denning. Grade 11 was not given and Grade 9 appears very short (Daily Record March 24, 1952).
Frank Lewis, 35, a fuel oil dealer in Lillington, filed as a candidate for Harnett Register of Deeds. Lewis was the son of Mr. and Mrs. N.F. Lewis of Lillington and he was a graduate of Coats High School. Another former graduate of Coats High School, who went on to graduate from Strayer University in Washington, D.C., was married in Hyattsville, Maryland. Alice Anna Johnson, daughter of Jonah and Alice Thornton Johnson of Coats, married William Wells Beckett. He was son of Rev. and Mrs. E.W. Beckett of the First Methodist Church in Hyattsville. U.S. Congressman Bryan Dorn gave the bride in marriage and Mrs. Marshall Wright attended her sister. The groom was a student at the University of Maryland (March 26, 1952).
We get so many kind remarks from people about how much they have enjoyed reading the Heritage of Coats, N.C. which was the book that a few volunteers put their personal money and time to collect and compile the information to publish the 1100 page book. The spouses of those volunteers were remarkable in forgiving the fact that many nights there was no supper, no clean clothes and a disorganized house. The late Dennis Adams was one of those understanding husbands never complaining when Becky stayed up all night many nights, spent all day at the Daily Record library or made trips to Raleigh, Smithfield, Fayetteville and even to Virginia. Hence, it is not surprising that so many people have come forth to be supportive of Becky and the Coats Museum. These memorials for Dennis will help support the museum that Becky loves so much. We continue to be thankful for people like Eddie Vaughan, Billy and Peggie Pope, and Charles and Dorothy Denning who have given generous memorials for Dennis. We also appreciate those who are remembering the beloved Mary Stevens. Ruth Upchurch dropped by to give a memorial for Mary from the Gleaners Sunday School at the Coats Baptist Church. Aubrey Wood has had many memorials given in his honor. Peggie and Billy, thank you for also honoring the memory of Aubrey.
Last week I asked if anyone knew where the congregation of the Coats Methodist Church met in 1952 before they moved into the building formerly occupied by the Coats Baptist Church across from the today business -Gray Flex. Did any of you know that the congregation had held their regular church service at the community house (building) in Coats on the first Sunday night and the third Sunday morning? Sunday school was held every week (Daily Record March 11, 1952).
Were any of you a member of the Coats Fellowship Club? That group met in the Coats Café in March of 1952 and after a delicious meal prepared by owner Ted Malone, they heard an inspirational talk on “The Value of Manual Arts” by Bertha Westbrook who explained that many students could not do as well as others in a formal education. She suggested they could excel in manual arts. Did she convince the group to help promote the change? I do know that Mrs. Vann’s pupils were happy to have her back in school after being ill at home for a week according to the paper (Daily Record March 11, 1952).
The Oakdale Club had a meeting in the clubroom with Mrs. J.A. Ennis presiding. Mrs. Preston Ennis was welcomed as a new member. The group planned a cake sale at Mr. Johnson’s store in Benson (Daily Record March 12, 1952).
Elsewhere another Home Demonstration Club, the Goodwill Club, had met at their community building in Barclaysville with Mrs. Joe Stewart presiding. Mrs. Gwen Flowers and Mrs. C.C. Adams gave reports. A demonstration on freezing and cooking frozen foods was presented and an entire meal was cooked and served from frozen foods. Mrs. Floyd Blalock was welcomed back into the club (Daily Record March 17, 1952).
All of you who were farmers, did you ever cure tobacco with an automatic Peerless Tobacco Curer? According to the Purdie Company in Dunn, they used one-third less oil and saved the farmer time and money (Daily Record March 17, 1952).
Do you remember reading a few weeks back about the contest in Coats for guessing how many kernels of corn were in a freezer in order to win a Bulova watch worth $125.00? Otis Coats won the watch by guessing 78,269 grains of corn when the real count was 78, 568. Do you remember who had counted the grains originally?
This I do know. The Harnett County Grand Jury went on record to favor the long-range plan for school building which Superintendent G.T. Profit said would cost 2 million dollars. The jury also asked that fire extinguishers be checked in all schools and that fire drills are held one or two times a month.
Some of our readers have shared information about wrecks involving high school students from Coats. Is there a reader out there who remembers the wreck that occurred at the intersection of 421 and 55? According to the paper report, Joel Hough, Frederick Bryd, and Henry Jackson were taken to the hospital for injuries and lacerations.
Back in town, Mrs. W.E. Nichols headed up the Coats Red Cross Drive for 1952. Mrs. Percy Parrish, Mrs. Gladys Phillips, Mrs. Mattie Highfill, and Mrs. Blue Williams served on the drive for the school. Citizens were urged to send potatoes, corn or eggs to the school by their children if the family was short of cash (Daily Record March 19, 1952).Do you wonder what they did with this produce.
I do know that the process of keeping items cold had come a long way. Earlier methods of tying a rope around the neck of a jar and submerging it into a well or spring were gone. The process of having a block of ice in an icebox to prevent spoilage was a method of the past. The electric refrigerator was a popular household necessity in the 40’s and 50’s. Now in 1952, a new refrigerator was on the market. It was equipped for “Tri-matic Defrosting” and was made by International Harvester. Its operation was as simple as ABC. The appliance could be automatically, manually or conventionally defrosted (Daily Record March 21, 1952). Did anyone have one of these refrigerators?
Do you recall reading about Tommy Johnson, the popular student and ball player at Coats? Tommy was home from the US Army to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Johnson. Elsewhere several couples from Coats attended the Masonic Banquet in Dunn. They were the Eugene Stewarts, Guy Stewarts, Haywood Roberts, Milton Bryants, Marvin Johnsons, Carl Houghs, and the Vic Lees. Several other former residents had returned to Coats for short visits. Named were Mr. and Mrs. Earl Ragan of Durham and Miss Laura Pope from ECC (Daily Record March 24, 1952).
The Educo Club met at Coats and decided not to have a “County Field Day” for lack of interest. Who remembers reading about field days back in the 1920’s when there were still “field” schools in the county; however, the event was not named for them? There was definitely lots of interest in a play that was being presented by the junior class. The cast was announced in the paper. The roles were Mrs. Collins-Faye Dean Moore; Mr. Collins-Bobby Stephenson; Kathy-Willie Carol Honeycutt; Elsie-Jean Pope; George- C.L. Hough; Bill Connor-Floyd McLamb; Hank Stevens- Russell Lamm; Kay Masters-Kathleen Cobb; Diane-Glenda Parrish and Muriel Atler-Marilyn Yarley.
The same edition announced the “Honor Roll”. In the 9th Grade Billy Barnes, Glenn Lewis, and Charlotte Ferrell were listed. T.J. Barnes, Donald Blalock, Bobby Smith, Dunbar Stewart, Larry Barnes, Connie Mason, Franklin Westbrook, Mary Florence Moore, Katherine Rigsbee, Allie Mae Barnes, Helen Sears, Margie Sorrell, and Ann Pleasant were entered on the 10th Grade list. On Grade 12, the list showed Edna Avery, Sue Langdon, Peggy Senter, Dorothy Barnes, Delano Whittington, and Ruth Denning. Grade 11 was not given and Grade 9 appears very short (Daily Record March 24, 1952).
Frank Lewis, 35, a fuel oil dealer in Lillington, filed as a candidate for Harnett Register of Deeds. Lewis was the son of Mr. and Mrs. N.F. Lewis of Lillington and he was a graduate of Coats High School. Another former graduate of Coats High School, who went on to graduate from Strayer University in Washington, D.C., was married in Hyattsville, Maryland. Alice Anna Johnson, daughter of Jonah and Alice Thornton Johnson of Coats, married William Wells Beckett. He was son of Rev. and Mrs. E.W. Beckett of the First Methodist Church in Hyattsville. U.S. Congressman Bryan Dorn gave the bride in marriage and Mrs. Marshall Wright attended her sister. The groom was a student at the University of Maryland (March 26, 1952).
We get so many kind remarks from people about how much they have enjoyed reading the Heritage of Coats, N.C. which was the book that a few volunteers put their personal money and time to collect and compile the information to publish the 1100 page book. The spouses of those volunteers were remarkable in forgiving the fact that many nights there was no supper, no clean clothes and a disorganized house. The late Dennis Adams was one of those understanding husbands never complaining when Becky stayed up all night many nights, spent all day at the Daily Record library or made trips to Raleigh, Smithfield, Fayetteville and even to Virginia. Hence, it is not surprising that so many people have come forth to be supportive of Becky and the Coats Museum. These memorials for Dennis will help support the museum that Becky loves so much. We continue to be thankful for people like Eddie Vaughan, Billy and Peggie Pope, and Charles and Dorothy Denning who have given generous memorials for Dennis. We also appreciate those who are remembering the beloved Mary Stevens. Ruth Upchurch dropped by to give a memorial for Mary from the Gleaners Sunday School at the Coats Baptist Church. Aubrey Wood has had many memorials given in his honor. Peggie and Billy, thank you for also honoring the memory of Aubrey.