March 8, 2024 Coats Museum News
The April editions of the Daily Record contained many stories filled with names and events connected to Coats and Grove area. For example, a crowd of about 50 people attended the open forum for candidates for the 19th District N.C. House seat. The questions were tough and to the point. Carsie Denning, Sr. asked how the candidates felt about legalizing drugs. All candidates opposed legalizing even though some expanded with explanations. Mr. Norfleet Gardner stated to the audience that “we deal with a legalized drug everyday-alcohol. Legislation won’t solve the problem-education will.” He said, Educating the children about the dangers of drugs was the most viable solution.”
When the candidates were asked about socialized medicine, Tim Morris said that we already had socialized medicine. He said that thirty-seven million people had no insurance. He stated that they are not rejected treatment. He went ahead to say we have socialized medicine in some form, just not for the working class.
H.L. Sorrell, Jr., Chairman of the County Board of Commissioners shared that he heard so many concerns about high property taxes. He asked the candidates, “Would you be willing to introduce legislation to up sales tax instead of the property tax for a revenue source?” Tim Morris said he feared that a higher sales tax would send customers out of the county to make purchases.
Other questions dealt with welfare and candidates seemed to agree that education and industry would solve many problems.
Who remembers Dan Ferrell? Dan and Donna Ferrell of Coats announced the birth of a son, William Kyle Ferrell on April 4th. The mother was the former Donna Frye. The paternal grandparents of Kyle were Dorothy and the late George Ferrell.
Chris Ennis, son of Don and Carletta Ennis of Coats, had been picked as the Daily Record prep star of the week. Chris was a four –year member of the Triton baseball team. He was effective as a pitcher and first baseman. The honor student was a Morehead Scholar nominee and was involved with the school yearbook at Triton (Daily Record Apr. 8, 1994).
Derek Wood, 27, had died on Friday from injuries from an automobile accident. He was an electrician with RMS Technology in Butner. He was husband of Shelia Whitman Wood and the father of Tabitha Lynn and Kelly Dawn Wood.
Other news from the April 14th edition of the Daily Record printed that Donna and Shane Ryals formed a team in Dynamite Detailing and had opened on April 4th behind the car wash on McKinley Street. It was in the same building with “D and D” Mini Storage. The Mixed Couples” class at The Coats Baptist Church had met at the home of Banks and Virginia Pollard. Twenty people had attended.
The Coats Town Board of Commissioners was quite busy in April of 1994. A “Beer Bust” had caused concern for the commissioners because of citizen complaints. The Junior Order campground was a public property and the town had no control over it. Tommy Williford was to be approached about the matter.
The town board also approved an application for Cindy Strickland to open a poolroom with a stringent lease. The board also approved a request that ACT be required to have only one parking space per employee, two handicapped and four visitor spaces.
Janet Young requested to have a mobile home on a lot on Clayhole Road. Another concern was from Marvin Johnson about the changing of the zoning from residential to industrial of land near the Senior Center that it not be used for anything that would detract from the value or appearance of the center.
The commissioners talked of the need for a town administrator to handle the vast amount of paper work. Concern was also expressed about workers using the lawnmowers while wearing shorts. These workers were under Tommy Williford. Marshall Woodall, the town attorney, said the weekend workers needed supervision due to town liability.
Discussion was held on the idea of selling the police department’s guns to the police officers. The board did not seem comfortable with the selling of the guns. Lastly, the board agreed to have legals printed split between the Daily Record and the Harnett Leader (Daily Record Apr. 14, 1994).
Farm Bureau Board membership was kept in the family. Rupert Parrish was honored for 25 years of service. Rupert’s father, Eddie Parrish, had served and now Rupert’s son, Keith Parrish, would take his dad’s place on the board (Daily Record Apr. 19, 1994).
Ada J. Chambers of Durham had died. She was sister of Dallas Jones of Coats. Was she not connected to the Alton Stewart family? Other people from Coats were touched by illnesses. Godfrey Beasley was home from Rex. Olene Byrd Ennis was recovering from eye surgery. Jeffrey Shearin had had surgery. He was son of Lee and Lisa Shearin. Thelma Denning was recovering from a fall. Mary Langdon, Leon Smith, Linwood Jernigan, Everette Williams and Garland Whittington had medical concerns.
Little Chelsey Godwin, daughter of Dell and Robin Godwin, gave her parents a scare. Chelsey became quite ill. Doctors and a CAT scan found a growth on her esophagus. She had immediate surgery and did well. Belle also mentioned that Bartley Cook was recovering from surgery (Daily Record Apr. 21, 1994).
Death came and took Grace Penny Carroll, 80, of Route One, Coats. She was born on Oct. 2, 1913 to the late Joseph H. Penny, Sr. and Louella Lassiter Penny. She was a member of the Swing Elders and the Coats Baptist Church. She was a retired nurse of 30 years and had worked at GHH. She was survived by two children- James Robinson Carroll, Jr. and Penny Carroll Friar. Her living siblings were Nell Penny Williams, Joe H. Penny, Jr., Edwin Penny, and Howard L. Penny, Sr. (Daily Record Apr. 27, 1994).
Some readers may not know that GHH stood for Good Hope Hospital in Erwin. It was a very popular medical facility that was opened in 1912 and for many years was the only hospital in Harnett County. It closed its doors in February of 2006 as the hospital that served the area so faithfully.
Christy Wilson directed the Coats Baptist Choir in “You Got to Be Joshin’ Us”. A packed house enjoyed the children’s recital. Politics a plenty was in Coats. Belle in her “Notes” told her readers that there was still time to quiz the candidates. That’s what a large crowd did at the Senior Center for Norfleet Gardner, candidate for the 19th District of NC House. Commissioner Sorrell had raised the hogs that Mr. and Mrs. Bill Howard and son, Andy, had cooked for the barbeque. Lots of folks and dignitaries enjoyed the event. Elsewhere Max Matthews had been available at the Coats Community Building to discuss his goals as a candidate for Harnett County Sheriff (Daily Record Apr. 28, 1994).
Election Day had arrived and Tyrus Powell was pictured at the polls bright and early to cast votes for his selected candidates (Daily Record May 3, 1994).
Dr. Linda Robinson had been selected to serve on the First Citizens Bank Board of Directors in Coats. She was a physician specializing in a family practice in Coats. The Coats native was married to Fred H. Robinson and was mother of three children (Daily Record May 4, 1994).
We are so excited to have a new volunteer at the museum. Betty Wolfe, a retired Coats Elementary School teacher, will join the other Thursday volunteers in giving tours, filing, copying and performing all the others tasks that pop up each week. Welcome aboard, Betty, your enthusiasm was refreshing.
The April editions of the Daily Record contained many stories filled with names and events connected to Coats and Grove area. For example, a crowd of about 50 people attended the open forum for candidates for the 19th District N.C. House seat. The questions were tough and to the point. Carsie Denning, Sr. asked how the candidates felt about legalizing drugs. All candidates opposed legalizing even though some expanded with explanations. Mr. Norfleet Gardner stated to the audience that “we deal with a legalized drug everyday-alcohol. Legislation won’t solve the problem-education will.” He said, Educating the children about the dangers of drugs was the most viable solution.”
When the candidates were asked about socialized medicine, Tim Morris said that we already had socialized medicine. He said that thirty-seven million people had no insurance. He stated that they are not rejected treatment. He went ahead to say we have socialized medicine in some form, just not for the working class.
H.L. Sorrell, Jr., Chairman of the County Board of Commissioners shared that he heard so many concerns about high property taxes. He asked the candidates, “Would you be willing to introduce legislation to up sales tax instead of the property tax for a revenue source?” Tim Morris said he feared that a higher sales tax would send customers out of the county to make purchases.
Other questions dealt with welfare and candidates seemed to agree that education and industry would solve many problems.
Who remembers Dan Ferrell? Dan and Donna Ferrell of Coats announced the birth of a son, William Kyle Ferrell on April 4th. The mother was the former Donna Frye. The paternal grandparents of Kyle were Dorothy and the late George Ferrell.
Chris Ennis, son of Don and Carletta Ennis of Coats, had been picked as the Daily Record prep star of the week. Chris was a four –year member of the Triton baseball team. He was effective as a pitcher and first baseman. The honor student was a Morehead Scholar nominee and was involved with the school yearbook at Triton (Daily Record Apr. 8, 1994).
Derek Wood, 27, had died on Friday from injuries from an automobile accident. He was an electrician with RMS Technology in Butner. He was husband of Shelia Whitman Wood and the father of Tabitha Lynn and Kelly Dawn Wood.
Other news from the April 14th edition of the Daily Record printed that Donna and Shane Ryals formed a team in Dynamite Detailing and had opened on April 4th behind the car wash on McKinley Street. It was in the same building with “D and D” Mini Storage. The Mixed Couples” class at The Coats Baptist Church had met at the home of Banks and Virginia Pollard. Twenty people had attended.
The Coats Town Board of Commissioners was quite busy in April of 1994. A “Beer Bust” had caused concern for the commissioners because of citizen complaints. The Junior Order campground was a public property and the town had no control over it. Tommy Williford was to be approached about the matter.
The town board also approved an application for Cindy Strickland to open a poolroom with a stringent lease. The board also approved a request that ACT be required to have only one parking space per employee, two handicapped and four visitor spaces.
Janet Young requested to have a mobile home on a lot on Clayhole Road. Another concern was from Marvin Johnson about the changing of the zoning from residential to industrial of land near the Senior Center that it not be used for anything that would detract from the value or appearance of the center.
The commissioners talked of the need for a town administrator to handle the vast amount of paper work. Concern was also expressed about workers using the lawnmowers while wearing shorts. These workers were under Tommy Williford. Marshall Woodall, the town attorney, said the weekend workers needed supervision due to town liability.
Discussion was held on the idea of selling the police department’s guns to the police officers. The board did not seem comfortable with the selling of the guns. Lastly, the board agreed to have legals printed split between the Daily Record and the Harnett Leader (Daily Record Apr. 14, 1994).
Farm Bureau Board membership was kept in the family. Rupert Parrish was honored for 25 years of service. Rupert’s father, Eddie Parrish, had served and now Rupert’s son, Keith Parrish, would take his dad’s place on the board (Daily Record Apr. 19, 1994).
Ada J. Chambers of Durham had died. She was sister of Dallas Jones of Coats. Was she not connected to the Alton Stewart family? Other people from Coats were touched by illnesses. Godfrey Beasley was home from Rex. Olene Byrd Ennis was recovering from eye surgery. Jeffrey Shearin had had surgery. He was son of Lee and Lisa Shearin. Thelma Denning was recovering from a fall. Mary Langdon, Leon Smith, Linwood Jernigan, Everette Williams and Garland Whittington had medical concerns.
Little Chelsey Godwin, daughter of Dell and Robin Godwin, gave her parents a scare. Chelsey became quite ill. Doctors and a CAT scan found a growth on her esophagus. She had immediate surgery and did well. Belle also mentioned that Bartley Cook was recovering from surgery (Daily Record Apr. 21, 1994).
Death came and took Grace Penny Carroll, 80, of Route One, Coats. She was born on Oct. 2, 1913 to the late Joseph H. Penny, Sr. and Louella Lassiter Penny. She was a member of the Swing Elders and the Coats Baptist Church. She was a retired nurse of 30 years and had worked at GHH. She was survived by two children- James Robinson Carroll, Jr. and Penny Carroll Friar. Her living siblings were Nell Penny Williams, Joe H. Penny, Jr., Edwin Penny, and Howard L. Penny, Sr. (Daily Record Apr. 27, 1994).
Some readers may not know that GHH stood for Good Hope Hospital in Erwin. It was a very popular medical facility that was opened in 1912 and for many years was the only hospital in Harnett County. It closed its doors in February of 2006 as the hospital that served the area so faithfully.
Christy Wilson directed the Coats Baptist Choir in “You Got to Be Joshin’ Us”. A packed house enjoyed the children’s recital. Politics a plenty was in Coats. Belle in her “Notes” told her readers that there was still time to quiz the candidates. That’s what a large crowd did at the Senior Center for Norfleet Gardner, candidate for the 19th District of NC House. Commissioner Sorrell had raised the hogs that Mr. and Mrs. Bill Howard and son, Andy, had cooked for the barbeque. Lots of folks and dignitaries enjoyed the event. Elsewhere Max Matthews had been available at the Coats Community Building to discuss his goals as a candidate for Harnett County Sheriff (Daily Record Apr. 28, 1994).
Election Day had arrived and Tyrus Powell was pictured at the polls bright and early to cast votes for his selected candidates (Daily Record May 3, 1994).
Dr. Linda Robinson had been selected to serve on the First Citizens Bank Board of Directors in Coats. She was a physician specializing in a family practice in Coats. The Coats native was married to Fred H. Robinson and was mother of three children (Daily Record May 4, 1994).
We are so excited to have a new volunteer at the museum. Betty Wolfe, a retired Coats Elementary School teacher, will join the other Thursday volunteers in giving tours, filing, copying and performing all the others tasks that pop up each week. Welcome aboard, Betty, your enthusiasm was refreshing.