December 22, 2023 Coats Museum News
As we look at our calendar in 2023, we see that Christmas for 2023 is only three days away, but-in 1993, the date on the Daily Record printed that it was October 26, 1993.A young woman, only 46, had died after a long illness. Shelia G. Hughes, of Route One, Coats was a native of Durham and had worked as an instructor for the developmentally disabled adults at HPE. She was instrumental in the establishment of a client computer lab at the center.
Funeral services were held at the Freedom Chapel Church with Rev. Bobby Caudle officiating. Burial was in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Surviving her was her husband Bobby G. Hughes and five children: Joy Moody, Teresa Maize, Michael Glenn, Matthew and Jimmy Hughes (Daily Record Oct. 26, 1993).
Who can remember how many times the Coats IGA has been expanded? This was the third time and a grand ribbon cutting occurred with Carlie C. McLamb, M.T. and Doris Strickland, Mack McLamb and Rodney Godwin to cut the ribbon.
The store opened in 1979 with 8500 square feet and in 1982 it was enlarged to 12,000 square feet and the 1993 addition brought the footage up 18,000 sq. feet (Daily Record Oct. 27, 1993).
Principal Phil Ferrell of the Coats School presented Delores Royals with a plaque being voted the Coats Teacher of the Year. The Coats Chamber of Commerce also honored Delores and the other teachers with a reception of the Senior Center. The soft spoken teacher had taught for 26 years and was mother of Patricia who was Coats class valedictorian and went ahead to graduate from Wake Forest University (Daily Record October 27, 1993).
The Coats Town Commissioners were elected and how excited everyone was that Gale Spears, the first black candidate to be elected, had received the second most votes with 119 behind Darrell Smith with 158. Frances Avery received 112 while Margaret House rolled in 104. Tim McKinnie ran unopposed as mayor.
How did Gale feel about her win? She commented, “I feel great! This was just great for Coats. They have elected the first black without redistricting”(Daily Record Nov. 3, 1993).
Who remembers when ACT, a company on the move, had offices on Main Street? The company had a ribbon cutting for its corporate offices. On hand for the event was Kent Hudson, President and CEO and Carsie Denning, Jr., Vice President of Technology. Also on the program were US. Representative Bob Etheridge, N.C. Senator Elaine Marshall and Harnett County Chairman of the Board of Commissioners H.L. Sorrell, Jr.
Who remembers when there was a Western Auto Store in Coats? Do you recall who operated it? The November 8, 1993 edition of the Daily Record printed that Chester Ennis, 79 had died. He was a graduate of Buies Creek High School and had attended Campbell College. Mr. Ennis was very active in the Coats Baptist Church where he was secretary of the Sunday school for 50 years. He was a former deacon and a choir member.
His services were held at the Coats Baptist Church with the Rev. Jesse Mooney officiating. Burial was in the Coats City Cemetery. His wife, Edna Ennis, survived him. His only child was Kenneth Wayne Ennis (Daily Record November 8, 1993).
This writer cannot think of Kenneth without recalling his great skills on the basketball court in 1961.
Congratulations were extended to Ann Little for receiving her real estate license to be a sales representative with the James Little Real Estate. Belle in her “Notes” also acknowledged that Robert McAfee of Coats had won $500 first prize in the Nathan Burham Memorial Competition at the CU Norman A. Wiggins School of Law.
Who remembers this? Coats landlords and residents were very upset about late night parties occurring at houses rented by Campbell students. . Not only were the students very loud but they were disrespectful of property and to individuals who approached them about the 2:00 -3:00 AM parties. Terry Abney, Jerry Weaver, and Larry Thornton asked for the board to take some action to control the situation before someone was hurt (Daily Record Nov. 12, 1993).
Mike and Sheree Ammons announced the birth of their son, Matthews Wayne at BJMH. Maternal grandparents were Condary and Pat Ellis (Daily Record Nov. 15, 1993).
Who remembers when there was a Wilson Cleaners and Coats Florist in Coats? Do you recall where they were located? The Colonial Corner was formerly a gas station that had been renovated into three businesses. About forty people showed up to support Dan and Debbie Grieder (Daily Record Nov. 17, 1993).
Belle’s Notes sent congratulations to Bonnie Lee Pope for being chosen Cub Leader of the Year. Elsewhere, Joan and Bennie Harmon had moved into their beautiful new house on Abattoir Road (Daily Record Nov. 16. 1993).
Do you have a good dog story? It seems that everyone loves one and W.A. and Margaret Surles had a good one about a dog named “Josh”. W.A. operated and owned 4 Friends Pizza on Washington Street. Josh would go to the establishment everyday and bark at the door until Margaret or W.A. would take him some pizza. When he ate his pizza, he would go to his favorite spot until this owner would come up and say “Josh, it is time to go home.” Josh would hop into the back of the truck and travel the half mile to his home at Robert and Jeanette Peasant’s (Daily Record Nov. 18, 1993).
Does anyone remember Josh? I bet this is a name you will recognize. Forest Clay Fleming was one of the first code officials in the state to qualify for the first certificate available in the inspection fields. Does that surprise you? It doesn’t me –those Fleming kids have good DNA on both sides.
When one does something they love, it really doesn’t seem like work. I love writing about the history of Coats and the many activities that have been saved via the Daily Record. The people become like family as I have written about their births, marriages and deaths. I have written about folks from Coats that I have never heard of even though I taught school there for 25 years.
Hence, I am so flattered when folks write me notes saying they buy the paper on Friday just for the article or that they have never missed a column. By the way they are nearing 800 now.
It was wonderful to feel well enough to visit the volunteers at the museum yesterday. Lots of visitors dropped in so the volunteers were at their best sharing our Coats heritage. My daughter’s mother- in -law and sister- in- law have recently moved from Phoenix, AZ and Mitchell, SD to the Governor’s Club in Chapel Hill. I think they were impressed with our small town museum. Thank you also goes to Louise for her outstanding monetary support of our museum in honor of H.L.
I send a special thank you to one of my readers, Dot Byrd. I needed your letter this week. Thank you for the contribution toward our next museum building project. We can do this if others will step forward also. Lorena and Ralph Denning are also amazing as they continue to give such strong support to the honor the volunteers- Thank you to all who gave donations at the Christmas Party-it was a special day seeing all those who have made a difference at the museum’s growth since 1995 when it was opened to the public as the Coats Museum.
As we look at our calendar in 2023, we see that Christmas for 2023 is only three days away, but-in 1993, the date on the Daily Record printed that it was October 26, 1993.A young woman, only 46, had died after a long illness. Shelia G. Hughes, of Route One, Coats was a native of Durham and had worked as an instructor for the developmentally disabled adults at HPE. She was instrumental in the establishment of a client computer lab at the center.
Funeral services were held at the Freedom Chapel Church with Rev. Bobby Caudle officiating. Burial was in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Surviving her was her husband Bobby G. Hughes and five children: Joy Moody, Teresa Maize, Michael Glenn, Matthew and Jimmy Hughes (Daily Record Oct. 26, 1993).
Who can remember how many times the Coats IGA has been expanded? This was the third time and a grand ribbon cutting occurred with Carlie C. McLamb, M.T. and Doris Strickland, Mack McLamb and Rodney Godwin to cut the ribbon.
The store opened in 1979 with 8500 square feet and in 1982 it was enlarged to 12,000 square feet and the 1993 addition brought the footage up 18,000 sq. feet (Daily Record Oct. 27, 1993).
Principal Phil Ferrell of the Coats School presented Delores Royals with a plaque being voted the Coats Teacher of the Year. The Coats Chamber of Commerce also honored Delores and the other teachers with a reception of the Senior Center. The soft spoken teacher had taught for 26 years and was mother of Patricia who was Coats class valedictorian and went ahead to graduate from Wake Forest University (Daily Record October 27, 1993).
The Coats Town Commissioners were elected and how excited everyone was that Gale Spears, the first black candidate to be elected, had received the second most votes with 119 behind Darrell Smith with 158. Frances Avery received 112 while Margaret House rolled in 104. Tim McKinnie ran unopposed as mayor.
How did Gale feel about her win? She commented, “I feel great! This was just great for Coats. They have elected the first black without redistricting”(Daily Record Nov. 3, 1993).
Who remembers when ACT, a company on the move, had offices on Main Street? The company had a ribbon cutting for its corporate offices. On hand for the event was Kent Hudson, President and CEO and Carsie Denning, Jr., Vice President of Technology. Also on the program were US. Representative Bob Etheridge, N.C. Senator Elaine Marshall and Harnett County Chairman of the Board of Commissioners H.L. Sorrell, Jr.
Who remembers when there was a Western Auto Store in Coats? Do you recall who operated it? The November 8, 1993 edition of the Daily Record printed that Chester Ennis, 79 had died. He was a graduate of Buies Creek High School and had attended Campbell College. Mr. Ennis was very active in the Coats Baptist Church where he was secretary of the Sunday school for 50 years. He was a former deacon and a choir member.
His services were held at the Coats Baptist Church with the Rev. Jesse Mooney officiating. Burial was in the Coats City Cemetery. His wife, Edna Ennis, survived him. His only child was Kenneth Wayne Ennis (Daily Record November 8, 1993).
This writer cannot think of Kenneth without recalling his great skills on the basketball court in 1961.
Congratulations were extended to Ann Little for receiving her real estate license to be a sales representative with the James Little Real Estate. Belle in her “Notes” also acknowledged that Robert McAfee of Coats had won $500 first prize in the Nathan Burham Memorial Competition at the CU Norman A. Wiggins School of Law.
Who remembers this? Coats landlords and residents were very upset about late night parties occurring at houses rented by Campbell students. . Not only were the students very loud but they were disrespectful of property and to individuals who approached them about the 2:00 -3:00 AM parties. Terry Abney, Jerry Weaver, and Larry Thornton asked for the board to take some action to control the situation before someone was hurt (Daily Record Nov. 12, 1993).
Mike and Sheree Ammons announced the birth of their son, Matthews Wayne at BJMH. Maternal grandparents were Condary and Pat Ellis (Daily Record Nov. 15, 1993).
Who remembers when there was a Wilson Cleaners and Coats Florist in Coats? Do you recall where they were located? The Colonial Corner was formerly a gas station that had been renovated into three businesses. About forty people showed up to support Dan and Debbie Grieder (Daily Record Nov. 17, 1993).
Belle’s Notes sent congratulations to Bonnie Lee Pope for being chosen Cub Leader of the Year. Elsewhere, Joan and Bennie Harmon had moved into their beautiful new house on Abattoir Road (Daily Record Nov. 16. 1993).
Do you have a good dog story? It seems that everyone loves one and W.A. and Margaret Surles had a good one about a dog named “Josh”. W.A. operated and owned 4 Friends Pizza on Washington Street. Josh would go to the establishment everyday and bark at the door until Margaret or W.A. would take him some pizza. When he ate his pizza, he would go to his favorite spot until this owner would come up and say “Josh, it is time to go home.” Josh would hop into the back of the truck and travel the half mile to his home at Robert and Jeanette Peasant’s (Daily Record Nov. 18, 1993).
Does anyone remember Josh? I bet this is a name you will recognize. Forest Clay Fleming was one of the first code officials in the state to qualify for the first certificate available in the inspection fields. Does that surprise you? It doesn’t me –those Fleming kids have good DNA on both sides.
When one does something they love, it really doesn’t seem like work. I love writing about the history of Coats and the many activities that have been saved via the Daily Record. The people become like family as I have written about their births, marriages and deaths. I have written about folks from Coats that I have never heard of even though I taught school there for 25 years.
Hence, I am so flattered when folks write me notes saying they buy the paper on Friday just for the article or that they have never missed a column. By the way they are nearing 800 now.
It was wonderful to feel well enough to visit the volunteers at the museum yesterday. Lots of visitors dropped in so the volunteers were at their best sharing our Coats heritage. My daughter’s mother- in -law and sister- in- law have recently moved from Phoenix, AZ and Mitchell, SD to the Governor’s Club in Chapel Hill. I think they were impressed with our small town museum. Thank you also goes to Louise for her outstanding monetary support of our museum in honor of H.L.
I send a special thank you to one of my readers, Dot Byrd. I needed your letter this week. Thank you for the contribution toward our next museum building project. We can do this if others will step forward also. Lorena and Ralph Denning are also amazing as they continue to give such strong support to the honor the volunteers- Thank you to all who gave donations at the Christmas Party-it was a special day seeing all those who have made a difference at the museum’s growth since 1995 when it was opened to the public as the Coats Museum.