September 17, 2021 Coats Museum News
The year was 1988 and an US Senate panel was told by NASA’s James E. Hansen that the warming of the earth due to pollution creating the greenhouse effect has already started. Coming at the beginning of a particularly hot summer, his words had created alarm in the months ahead. In that same 1988 year, Budweiser was the top brand of US beer, selling 50.5 million barrels -just over a billion gallons. Wonder if that number is larger or smaller in 2021? (Dickson, Paul. From Elvis to E-Mail. Massachusetts: Federal Press, 1999, p 298).
The Daily Record Feb. 5, 1988 edition shared that CACC President Ann Jones and last year’s recipient had presented to Ruby Johnson the same award having been voted the Coats Woman of the Year. The community volunteer was instrumental in collecting and preserving local history for the Coats Library. Charles Ennis presented to his farmer friend, Jesse Ray Mann, the Farmer of the Year plaque. According to Ennis, Jesse Ray was an honest man who had served in the US Navy during WWII.
Question-what happened to all the Coats history that Mrs. Johnson collected? I do know that Linda Massengill presented the Family of the Year Award to Billy and Peggi Pope, owners of Pope’s Barn. Keith McLeod presented the Fireman of the Year to Charles Coats who was selected by his fellow firefighters. Ricky Ennis of the Coats Rescue Squad presented the Member of the Year Award to Quinton Byrd. Greg Fishel, chief meteorologist for WRAL was the guest speaker for the banquet.
Dr. Ann Moore resigned her position on the Harnett County Mental Health Board (Daily Record Feb. 5, 1988). Was Dr. Ann busy being a professor at Campbell University where she accepted nothing but the best from her students?
The CACC recognized Dura-Built, the second largest business of its type in the state, as the Business Focus of the Week. The business was owned and operated by Jerry McLamb. The company housed a 10,000 square foot factory –type building where engines were rebuilt. The company was located just off NC55, north of Coats behind the former Ma’s Grill(Daily Record Feb. 15, 1988).
The CACC focused on the Wiggins Paint and Drywall Co. of Angier Route 2. The Drywall business began in 1980 and the paint company a few years later. The company had experienced tremendous growth (Daily Record Feb. 24, 1988).
Robbie Ann Dew was to marry Jimmy Horton of Coats. The wedding was planned for Mar. 19, at the Full Gospel Revival Center in Dunn. Elsewhere two Harnett County men returned from a two-week tour of Brazilian farms. Phil Bradley and Kent Turlington stated that they had admiration for the Brazilian farmers’ toughness and work ethnic (Daily Record Feb. 26, 1988).
Mr. John R. (Buddy) Ennis, 58, of Coats had died on Tuesday. His services were held at the Rose and Graham Funeral Home in Benson. A son- Robert Ennis, and three daughters- Mrs. Ann Mann, Miss Kimberly Michelle Ennis, and Miss Sharon Dean Ennis, survived him. Jack, Bill, Tommy, Kathleen Lee, Josephine Rose, Olene Ennis, N-ell Moore, and Edna Gray were his siblings (Daily Record Feb. 26, 1988).
Mr. and Mrs. Wade Coats announced the engagement of their daughter Marilyn Coats of Raleigh to NC Rep Edgar Starnes of Granite Fall (Daily Record Feb. 29, 1988). Did you know that Danny, Dana and Marilyn are descendants of Preacher Tom Coats, the town’s founder?
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pope announced the engagement of their daughter, Kathy Roberts to Douglas Clark Johnson, son of Doug and Freda Johnson of Route 2, Angier. Both were graduates of Johnston Community College. The wedding was to be on Mar. 25, 1988.
Another Coats establishment was the Business Focus of the Week by the CACC. The McRay Stewart Trailer Park had spacious lots for 13 trailers on NC 55 (Daily Record Mar. 2, 1988).
Carson Gregory was a proud great-granddad. His grandson Trey Gregory and his wife in Florida were the new parents. Sue Holder Gregory, wife of the late Carson Gregory, Jr., was the grandmother. Congratulations to Michelle Byrd for making the NCSU Dean’s List (Daily Record Mar. 2, 1988). What is Michelle doing today?
Mr. and Mrs. James Lynwood Ivey announced the engagement of their daughter to Jeffrey Ray Dunn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dunn o f rural Dunn. Tracy was a 1985 Coats High School graduate and a 1987 WTCC graduate and computer operator for First Citizens Bank. Mr. Dunn was also a 1987 graduate of WTCC (Daily record mar. 4, 1988).
Shelia Lynn Stafford was chosen for the Bryan Scholarship to attend Campbell University (Daily Record Mar. 7, 1988). Shelia and her husband William Pope were recently voted the Best Attorneys in Harnett. Would you say the scholarship committee made an excellent choice in selecting Shelia?
The CACC was faithful in recognizing the Coats businesses as Business Focuses of the Week. They feted the Westbrook Plumbing Company. The business was located on Highway 55 and had been operating over 30 years by Tony Westbrook. His son, Franklin Westbrook, was vice president of the company (Daily Record Mar. 9, 1988).
Question-did you realize that there were that many rural businesses located on NC 55 in Coats? I do know that there was some additional news made in March that was relevant to Coats folks. The Coats Woman’s Club met at the home of Margaret House. Glenda Denton and Jo Ann Pope were co-hostesses. Linda Massengill was president and welcomed Christine Akerman as a new member to the organization. Ellen McRay spoke on Drug Prevention in Harnett Schools (Daily Record Mar. 11, 1988). Who remembers Ellen McRay? Where is she today?
The Coats residents claimed the NC27 change was adverse to businesses in the town. Since the local government had not been notified of the change, they had requested a public hearing on the matter with DOT. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Byrd of rural Coats announced the engagement of their daughter, Lisa Byrd, to David Fitchett of Dunn (Daily Record Mar. 17, 1988).
Edna Ennis had vacationed in Florida with Marjorie Whittington. Mrs. Helen Carroll had celebrated her retirement from Wrangler (Blue Bell). The celebration took place at Pope’s Barn. Several of her co-workers and family helped her celebrate.
Someone a bit younger than Helen was also having fun. Terry Dibella was enjoying baseball at Pembroke. Friends most likely enjoyed hearing about Lane Gregory’s trip to Wales where he spent ten days with some friends he had met several years ago (Daily Record Mar. 23, 1988). How many of you automatically thought of Lane’s Seafood and Steakhouse when you read the words Lane Gregory?
The question of NC 27 was unresolved. Possible routes were being suggested by Coats officials (Daily record Mar. 25, 1988).
Mr. and Mrs. Lee Ray Raynor of the rural Benson announced the engagement of their daughter, Sandra Jane, to Luther Graham Bass, son of Jackie Bass of Dunn. The bride-elect was a 1985 graduate of South Johnston and Graham was a 1987 graduate of Triton High School. She was self-employed at the Family Hair Center and Graham operated the Bass Country Store (Daily Record Marc. 25, 1988).
A sincere thank you goes to Mary Ellen Lauder for remembering Beanie Langdon Ennis, Genevieve Sorrell, Annie Lee Johnson, and Thurman Garriss with memorials to the museum. Mary Ellen, the volunteers appreciate your various ways of supporting the town museum. A thank you also goes to H.L. for remembering his friend Ed Bain with a museum memorial. Ed was a good supporter of Ma’s Grill where he never failed to share his great sense of humor with H.L. and me when ran into them when eating there.
The year was 1988 and an US Senate panel was told by NASA’s James E. Hansen that the warming of the earth due to pollution creating the greenhouse effect has already started. Coming at the beginning of a particularly hot summer, his words had created alarm in the months ahead. In that same 1988 year, Budweiser was the top brand of US beer, selling 50.5 million barrels -just over a billion gallons. Wonder if that number is larger or smaller in 2021? (Dickson, Paul. From Elvis to E-Mail. Massachusetts: Federal Press, 1999, p 298).
The Daily Record Feb. 5, 1988 edition shared that CACC President Ann Jones and last year’s recipient had presented to Ruby Johnson the same award having been voted the Coats Woman of the Year. The community volunteer was instrumental in collecting and preserving local history for the Coats Library. Charles Ennis presented to his farmer friend, Jesse Ray Mann, the Farmer of the Year plaque. According to Ennis, Jesse Ray was an honest man who had served in the US Navy during WWII.
Question-what happened to all the Coats history that Mrs. Johnson collected? I do know that Linda Massengill presented the Family of the Year Award to Billy and Peggi Pope, owners of Pope’s Barn. Keith McLeod presented the Fireman of the Year to Charles Coats who was selected by his fellow firefighters. Ricky Ennis of the Coats Rescue Squad presented the Member of the Year Award to Quinton Byrd. Greg Fishel, chief meteorologist for WRAL was the guest speaker for the banquet.
Dr. Ann Moore resigned her position on the Harnett County Mental Health Board (Daily Record Feb. 5, 1988). Was Dr. Ann busy being a professor at Campbell University where she accepted nothing but the best from her students?
The CACC recognized Dura-Built, the second largest business of its type in the state, as the Business Focus of the Week. The business was owned and operated by Jerry McLamb. The company housed a 10,000 square foot factory –type building where engines were rebuilt. The company was located just off NC55, north of Coats behind the former Ma’s Grill(Daily Record Feb. 15, 1988).
The CACC focused on the Wiggins Paint and Drywall Co. of Angier Route 2. The Drywall business began in 1980 and the paint company a few years later. The company had experienced tremendous growth (Daily Record Feb. 24, 1988).
Robbie Ann Dew was to marry Jimmy Horton of Coats. The wedding was planned for Mar. 19, at the Full Gospel Revival Center in Dunn. Elsewhere two Harnett County men returned from a two-week tour of Brazilian farms. Phil Bradley and Kent Turlington stated that they had admiration for the Brazilian farmers’ toughness and work ethnic (Daily Record Feb. 26, 1988).
Mr. John R. (Buddy) Ennis, 58, of Coats had died on Tuesday. His services were held at the Rose and Graham Funeral Home in Benson. A son- Robert Ennis, and three daughters- Mrs. Ann Mann, Miss Kimberly Michelle Ennis, and Miss Sharon Dean Ennis, survived him. Jack, Bill, Tommy, Kathleen Lee, Josephine Rose, Olene Ennis, N-ell Moore, and Edna Gray were his siblings (Daily Record Feb. 26, 1988).
Mr. and Mrs. Wade Coats announced the engagement of their daughter Marilyn Coats of Raleigh to NC Rep Edgar Starnes of Granite Fall (Daily Record Feb. 29, 1988). Did you know that Danny, Dana and Marilyn are descendants of Preacher Tom Coats, the town’s founder?
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pope announced the engagement of their daughter, Kathy Roberts to Douglas Clark Johnson, son of Doug and Freda Johnson of Route 2, Angier. Both were graduates of Johnston Community College. The wedding was to be on Mar. 25, 1988.
Another Coats establishment was the Business Focus of the Week by the CACC. The McRay Stewart Trailer Park had spacious lots for 13 trailers on NC 55 (Daily Record Mar. 2, 1988).
Carson Gregory was a proud great-granddad. His grandson Trey Gregory and his wife in Florida were the new parents. Sue Holder Gregory, wife of the late Carson Gregory, Jr., was the grandmother. Congratulations to Michelle Byrd for making the NCSU Dean’s List (Daily Record Mar. 2, 1988). What is Michelle doing today?
Mr. and Mrs. James Lynwood Ivey announced the engagement of their daughter to Jeffrey Ray Dunn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dunn o f rural Dunn. Tracy was a 1985 Coats High School graduate and a 1987 WTCC graduate and computer operator for First Citizens Bank. Mr. Dunn was also a 1987 graduate of WTCC (Daily record mar. 4, 1988).
Shelia Lynn Stafford was chosen for the Bryan Scholarship to attend Campbell University (Daily Record Mar. 7, 1988). Shelia and her husband William Pope were recently voted the Best Attorneys in Harnett. Would you say the scholarship committee made an excellent choice in selecting Shelia?
The CACC was faithful in recognizing the Coats businesses as Business Focuses of the Week. They feted the Westbrook Plumbing Company. The business was located on Highway 55 and had been operating over 30 years by Tony Westbrook. His son, Franklin Westbrook, was vice president of the company (Daily Record Mar. 9, 1988).
Question-did you realize that there were that many rural businesses located on NC 55 in Coats? I do know that there was some additional news made in March that was relevant to Coats folks. The Coats Woman’s Club met at the home of Margaret House. Glenda Denton and Jo Ann Pope were co-hostesses. Linda Massengill was president and welcomed Christine Akerman as a new member to the organization. Ellen McRay spoke on Drug Prevention in Harnett Schools (Daily Record Mar. 11, 1988). Who remembers Ellen McRay? Where is she today?
The Coats residents claimed the NC27 change was adverse to businesses in the town. Since the local government had not been notified of the change, they had requested a public hearing on the matter with DOT. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Byrd of rural Coats announced the engagement of their daughter, Lisa Byrd, to David Fitchett of Dunn (Daily Record Mar. 17, 1988).
Edna Ennis had vacationed in Florida with Marjorie Whittington. Mrs. Helen Carroll had celebrated her retirement from Wrangler (Blue Bell). The celebration took place at Pope’s Barn. Several of her co-workers and family helped her celebrate.
Someone a bit younger than Helen was also having fun. Terry Dibella was enjoying baseball at Pembroke. Friends most likely enjoyed hearing about Lane Gregory’s trip to Wales where he spent ten days with some friends he had met several years ago (Daily Record Mar. 23, 1988). How many of you automatically thought of Lane’s Seafood and Steakhouse when you read the words Lane Gregory?
The question of NC 27 was unresolved. Possible routes were being suggested by Coats officials (Daily record Mar. 25, 1988).
Mr. and Mrs. Lee Ray Raynor of the rural Benson announced the engagement of their daughter, Sandra Jane, to Luther Graham Bass, son of Jackie Bass of Dunn. The bride-elect was a 1985 graduate of South Johnston and Graham was a 1987 graduate of Triton High School. She was self-employed at the Family Hair Center and Graham operated the Bass Country Store (Daily Record Marc. 25, 1988).
A sincere thank you goes to Mary Ellen Lauder for remembering Beanie Langdon Ennis, Genevieve Sorrell, Annie Lee Johnson, and Thurman Garriss with memorials to the museum. Mary Ellen, the volunteers appreciate your various ways of supporting the town museum. A thank you also goes to H.L. for remembering his friend Ed Bain with a museum memorial. Ed was a good supporter of Ma’s Grill where he never failed to share his great sense of humor with H.L. and me when ran into them when eating there.