January 22, 2016 Coats Museum News
Does anyone know what the highest tax rate that the Harnett County people have paid in county taxes? I do know that the rate was raised to $1.45 for $100 valuation according to the Daily Record July 26, 1956 copy. A part of this 10 cent increase was to support the school building program.
Who could be some of those children who might attend school at the Coats School? One might be Shelia Rose Williams whose birth was announced by Mrs. Eugene Jackson Williams who was the former Virginia Mae Ferguson. Mr. and Mrs. Willie Ray Guy also had a new daughter. Mrs. Guy was the former Hettie Irene Jernigan. The former Kay Barnes had a new baby. The proud parents were Mr. and Mrs. Leon Johnson. The Marvin Meadows family also welcomed the arrival of Deborah K. The new mom was the former Miss Fernie Ellen Pope. Mr. and Mrs. Tyrus Powell had a daughter who they named Cathy Lane. Mrs. Powell was the former Barbara Ann Byrd. Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Capps of rural Coats had a son to be a possible classmate to all those girls named above. The mother was the former Barbara Ann King (Daily Record July 26, 1956).
There was disturbing news outside of Coats on the Ellis Langdon farm. The prosperous farmer, 71, had lost hundreds of the fish in his pond. Poison was suspected (Daily Record August 3, 1956).
Warships were headed toward the “Suez Canal.”Folks back in Harnett spent time before the television to watch the “Briarhopper” show, “The Big Pay Off”,” Secret Storm”, “Name That Tune”, or the “Phil Silvers” show (Daily Record August 6, 1956).
Jurors were drawn for criminal court and O.L. Langdon, Carl Tripp, Joseph M. Williams, Clyde Smith, and Owen Matthews were summoned. George Brown, D.G. Darrock and John B. Ennis were called for their duty also (Daily Record August 7, 1956).
Shall we take a trip to the grocery store in 1956 and check out the prices on some random items. Fryers marked Grade A sold for 33 cents a pound. A quart of Clorox was 17 cents and a quart of Black Flag fly spray was 49 cents. A box of Tide (large box) was 29 cents. Questions-Were there aerosol cans in 1956? Did the customers have a choice of king-size, super-size, commercial and economical sizes?
I do know that it was time for school thoughts from parents and students for the 1956-57 school term and there was lots of concern from them because measles were everywhere in Harnett County (Daily Record August 21, 1956).
Campbell College awarded 42 summer session diplomas. Winter coats were on sale for $16.98. Are you thinking, “Baby, it’s August and it’s hot outside.”? Mr. Tobacco Farmer was welcomed to the Dunn market which might explain why a winter coat would be on sale in 90 degree weather. Buck Turlington and daughter Betty Jo were among those selling tobacco in Dunn. Prices were averaging $54 a pound. Under the Powell Bill, Coats would receive $5,380 in highway funds (Daily Record August 28, 1956).
Schools opened in Harnett County with 13,000 students. The handsome new South Harnett School near Bunnlevel had lost its principal on opening day. Principal Simmons committed suicide after being unable to reconcile with his wife (Daily Record August 28, 1956).
The senior year had finally arrived for the Class of 1957. Surely it seemed that the junior play, “The Ghost Business,” was presented only yesterday. All the fun and hard work pulling off the banquet “Hitch Your Wagon to a Star” were fond memories. The time had come for them to elect Billy Langdon, president; Ted Penny, vice president; Phyllis Barnes, secretary; Becky Pope, treasurer, and Sue Page, historian for class officers of 1957.
Certainly they knew the importance of choosing class rings and publishing the high school yearbook, The Echoing Memories. They chose good leaders to make the yearbook one that shared the achievements and activities of the forty-four seniors of the “Class of 1957.” The yearbook co-editors were Jo Ann Stephenson and Delores Harmon. Billy Langdon managed the business of the annual and had depended on Boyd Clayton to assist him. The support staff was Joyce Faye Johnson, Curtis Mason, Jeanette Daniel, Janice Lewis, Pat Stewart, Becky Pope, Sue Page, Ted Penny, Pat McGee, Lea Johnson, Ethel Jernigan, Becky Johnson, Gwen Dixon, Helen Turlington, and Charles Willis. This job was to preserve a sentimental journey for 1957.
A task which had to be taken care of immediately in the school term was the selection of superlatives for the annual. Becky Pope and James Weaver were voted the “Best All Around”, and Elaine Jones and James Weaver were selected “Most Studious”. The class thought that Janice Lewis and Charles Willis would be “Most Likely to Succeed”. Onest Johnson and Janice Grimes were the “Most Popular”. Phyllis Barnes and Curtis Mason were the choice for “Most Dependable”; Becky Johnson and Boyd Clayton had the gift to make people smile and hence were elected the “Wittiest”. Sue Page and Frederick Beasley were always the “Friendliest”. Pat McGee and Charles Willis were the “Cutest”. Joyce Faye Johnson and Joseph Fish were voted the “Most Athletic”. The “Beau and Belle” were Billy Langdon and Dorothy Stephenson. When things became dull or routine, it was Ethel Jernigan and Bennie McLeod who came forth as the “Most Original”.
Class members of 1957 can you recall your class flower and the names of the mascots? According to the yearbook, blue and white carnations were the flowers and Gail Hawley and David Ferrell were the mascots.
With many tasks behind them, it was time to attend to other club matters. James Weaver was elected president of the Student Council; Jerry Huff was the vice president and Ann Godwin served as secretary. The “Spotlight” staff had prepared to write about the happenings in the school each month. Pat Stewart was editor and served with Joyce E. Johnson, Sybil Beasley, Jeanette Daniel, Delores Harmon, Ethel Jernigan, Vickie Lou Lee, Barbara Pope, Lea Joy Johnson, Jo Ann Stephenson, Sue Page, Joyce Jones, Barbara Stewart, Julia Ann Whittington, Janice Lewis, Bernie Mack Byrd, and Carson Gregory, Jr.
The FHA girls had elected Linda Parrish, Joy Dan Clayton, Norma Lee Johnson, Julia Whittington, Joyce E. Johnson, and Sybil Beasley to support President Joyce Faye Johnson and Vice President Patsy Byrd. In the FFA organization, Billy Langdon was vice president under Joseph Fish, president. Tony Pope, Donnie Dorman, Edward Stone and Carson Gregory, Jr. served on the slate of officers for 1956-57.
Ann Weaver and Jerry Peede won Mr. and Miss America of Coats School while Lois Jernigan Page crowned the Miss Coats High of 1957 (Echoing Memories 1957). Who was she?
We have had some interesting display items brought into the museum the last two weeks. Paul Parker donated a Coats Yellow Jacket cheerleader suit worn possibly by a little mascot. Stewart Akerman brought in Christine Parrish’s collection of graduation cards for the CHS Class of 1941 and a cotton sheet with Erwin on a label. Did the Erwin Mills weave sheets? Ann Lamm Beasley has given a variety of items belonging to her husband Godfrey Beasley who was not only an outstanding military officer and mayor of Coats but also a gifted artist. The visitors will be so impressed when these items go on exhibit in March.
The Coats Senior Center has been around for a long time and several of their members were involved in the creation of the Coats Museum. Not only that, but Mrs. Belle Williams’ “Notes from Coats” in the Daily Record and her granddaughter Rebecca Williams’ newspaper column “Coats Corner” were two of our sources for collecting Coats history. Jason and Rebecca, grandchildren of Belle and Thomas Williams, visited last Sunday bringing the bass tub made by Garry Williams for his dad Thomas to play in the Swinging Elders at the Senior Center. The bass tub and a baby picture of Thomas will be on loan to the museum.
Thank you goes to all of these donors and lenders of artifacts which enrich our museum exhibits. We also truly appreciate those individuals who continue to donate money for the operation of the museum. Among those is Mary Ellen Johnson Lauder who has given memorials for Herbert and McClellan Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Lauder, Sr., Annabelle Stewart, and Edward Turlington. Ann L. Beasley has remembered her brother, Hobert Lamm, and her classmate, H.A. Turlington, Jr. with memorials. Tommy Ennis brought by a memorial from his CHS Class of 1958 honoring the memory of their classmate Kenneth O’Neal. A final thank you goes to Juergen D. Schall for his 2015 contribution to the museum.
Does anyone know what the highest tax rate that the Harnett County people have paid in county taxes? I do know that the rate was raised to $1.45 for $100 valuation according to the Daily Record July 26, 1956 copy. A part of this 10 cent increase was to support the school building program.
Who could be some of those children who might attend school at the Coats School? One might be Shelia Rose Williams whose birth was announced by Mrs. Eugene Jackson Williams who was the former Virginia Mae Ferguson. Mr. and Mrs. Willie Ray Guy also had a new daughter. Mrs. Guy was the former Hettie Irene Jernigan. The former Kay Barnes had a new baby. The proud parents were Mr. and Mrs. Leon Johnson. The Marvin Meadows family also welcomed the arrival of Deborah K. The new mom was the former Miss Fernie Ellen Pope. Mr. and Mrs. Tyrus Powell had a daughter who they named Cathy Lane. Mrs. Powell was the former Barbara Ann Byrd. Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Capps of rural Coats had a son to be a possible classmate to all those girls named above. The mother was the former Barbara Ann King (Daily Record July 26, 1956).
There was disturbing news outside of Coats on the Ellis Langdon farm. The prosperous farmer, 71, had lost hundreds of the fish in his pond. Poison was suspected (Daily Record August 3, 1956).
Warships were headed toward the “Suez Canal.”Folks back in Harnett spent time before the television to watch the “Briarhopper” show, “The Big Pay Off”,” Secret Storm”, “Name That Tune”, or the “Phil Silvers” show (Daily Record August 6, 1956).
Jurors were drawn for criminal court and O.L. Langdon, Carl Tripp, Joseph M. Williams, Clyde Smith, and Owen Matthews were summoned. George Brown, D.G. Darrock and John B. Ennis were called for their duty also (Daily Record August 7, 1956).
Shall we take a trip to the grocery store in 1956 and check out the prices on some random items. Fryers marked Grade A sold for 33 cents a pound. A quart of Clorox was 17 cents and a quart of Black Flag fly spray was 49 cents. A box of Tide (large box) was 29 cents. Questions-Were there aerosol cans in 1956? Did the customers have a choice of king-size, super-size, commercial and economical sizes?
I do know that it was time for school thoughts from parents and students for the 1956-57 school term and there was lots of concern from them because measles were everywhere in Harnett County (Daily Record August 21, 1956).
Campbell College awarded 42 summer session diplomas. Winter coats were on sale for $16.98. Are you thinking, “Baby, it’s August and it’s hot outside.”? Mr. Tobacco Farmer was welcomed to the Dunn market which might explain why a winter coat would be on sale in 90 degree weather. Buck Turlington and daughter Betty Jo were among those selling tobacco in Dunn. Prices were averaging $54 a pound. Under the Powell Bill, Coats would receive $5,380 in highway funds (Daily Record August 28, 1956).
Schools opened in Harnett County with 13,000 students. The handsome new South Harnett School near Bunnlevel had lost its principal on opening day. Principal Simmons committed suicide after being unable to reconcile with his wife (Daily Record August 28, 1956).
The senior year had finally arrived for the Class of 1957. Surely it seemed that the junior play, “The Ghost Business,” was presented only yesterday. All the fun and hard work pulling off the banquet “Hitch Your Wagon to a Star” were fond memories. The time had come for them to elect Billy Langdon, president; Ted Penny, vice president; Phyllis Barnes, secretary; Becky Pope, treasurer, and Sue Page, historian for class officers of 1957.
Certainly they knew the importance of choosing class rings and publishing the high school yearbook, The Echoing Memories. They chose good leaders to make the yearbook one that shared the achievements and activities of the forty-four seniors of the “Class of 1957.” The yearbook co-editors were Jo Ann Stephenson and Delores Harmon. Billy Langdon managed the business of the annual and had depended on Boyd Clayton to assist him. The support staff was Joyce Faye Johnson, Curtis Mason, Jeanette Daniel, Janice Lewis, Pat Stewart, Becky Pope, Sue Page, Ted Penny, Pat McGee, Lea Johnson, Ethel Jernigan, Becky Johnson, Gwen Dixon, Helen Turlington, and Charles Willis. This job was to preserve a sentimental journey for 1957.
A task which had to be taken care of immediately in the school term was the selection of superlatives for the annual. Becky Pope and James Weaver were voted the “Best All Around”, and Elaine Jones and James Weaver were selected “Most Studious”. The class thought that Janice Lewis and Charles Willis would be “Most Likely to Succeed”. Onest Johnson and Janice Grimes were the “Most Popular”. Phyllis Barnes and Curtis Mason were the choice for “Most Dependable”; Becky Johnson and Boyd Clayton had the gift to make people smile and hence were elected the “Wittiest”. Sue Page and Frederick Beasley were always the “Friendliest”. Pat McGee and Charles Willis were the “Cutest”. Joyce Faye Johnson and Joseph Fish were voted the “Most Athletic”. The “Beau and Belle” were Billy Langdon and Dorothy Stephenson. When things became dull or routine, it was Ethel Jernigan and Bennie McLeod who came forth as the “Most Original”.
Class members of 1957 can you recall your class flower and the names of the mascots? According to the yearbook, blue and white carnations were the flowers and Gail Hawley and David Ferrell were the mascots.
With many tasks behind them, it was time to attend to other club matters. James Weaver was elected president of the Student Council; Jerry Huff was the vice president and Ann Godwin served as secretary. The “Spotlight” staff had prepared to write about the happenings in the school each month. Pat Stewart was editor and served with Joyce E. Johnson, Sybil Beasley, Jeanette Daniel, Delores Harmon, Ethel Jernigan, Vickie Lou Lee, Barbara Pope, Lea Joy Johnson, Jo Ann Stephenson, Sue Page, Joyce Jones, Barbara Stewart, Julia Ann Whittington, Janice Lewis, Bernie Mack Byrd, and Carson Gregory, Jr.
The FHA girls had elected Linda Parrish, Joy Dan Clayton, Norma Lee Johnson, Julia Whittington, Joyce E. Johnson, and Sybil Beasley to support President Joyce Faye Johnson and Vice President Patsy Byrd. In the FFA organization, Billy Langdon was vice president under Joseph Fish, president. Tony Pope, Donnie Dorman, Edward Stone and Carson Gregory, Jr. served on the slate of officers for 1956-57.
Ann Weaver and Jerry Peede won Mr. and Miss America of Coats School while Lois Jernigan Page crowned the Miss Coats High of 1957 (Echoing Memories 1957). Who was she?
We have had some interesting display items brought into the museum the last two weeks. Paul Parker donated a Coats Yellow Jacket cheerleader suit worn possibly by a little mascot. Stewart Akerman brought in Christine Parrish’s collection of graduation cards for the CHS Class of 1941 and a cotton sheet with Erwin on a label. Did the Erwin Mills weave sheets? Ann Lamm Beasley has given a variety of items belonging to her husband Godfrey Beasley who was not only an outstanding military officer and mayor of Coats but also a gifted artist. The visitors will be so impressed when these items go on exhibit in March.
The Coats Senior Center has been around for a long time and several of their members were involved in the creation of the Coats Museum. Not only that, but Mrs. Belle Williams’ “Notes from Coats” in the Daily Record and her granddaughter Rebecca Williams’ newspaper column “Coats Corner” were two of our sources for collecting Coats history. Jason and Rebecca, grandchildren of Belle and Thomas Williams, visited last Sunday bringing the bass tub made by Garry Williams for his dad Thomas to play in the Swinging Elders at the Senior Center. The bass tub and a baby picture of Thomas will be on loan to the museum.
Thank you goes to all of these donors and lenders of artifacts which enrich our museum exhibits. We also truly appreciate those individuals who continue to donate money for the operation of the museum. Among those is Mary Ellen Johnson Lauder who has given memorials for Herbert and McClellan Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Lauder, Sr., Annabelle Stewart, and Edward Turlington. Ann L. Beasley has remembered her brother, Hobert Lamm, and her classmate, H.A. Turlington, Jr. with memorials. Tommy Ennis brought by a memorial from his CHS Class of 1958 honoring the memory of their classmate Kenneth O’Neal. A final thank you goes to Juergen D. Schall for his 2015 contribution to the museum.
