09/06/2020
The WHS Newsletter issue of September 1, 2004; Mr. R.J. Rogers, Editor;
NEXT NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTORS: On our fair for everyone, alpha, rotational schedule the following friends are due to send their articles BEFORE 9/24/04: Jane Covington Clark, Ralph Coble, Janet Brasington Coffman, Butch Covington, Jane Coppedge Criswell, Richard &/or Jean Curlee Dabbs, John Dabbs, Frank Davis, Graham Davis, Ophelia Hildreth DeGroot, Lynwood &/or Diana Jenkins Drye, Libby Buff Dutton, Harold Eddins, Ralph Eddins. Everyone please be reminded, you can contribute at any time ON ANYTHING DURING YOUR ENTIRE LIFE: fun, serious, unusual happenings, memories, beneficial info -- all preferred to be "INTERESTING" readings for others, OR just "keeping in touch," informing our group of your situation. Please send as E-mail message, NOT as an ATTACHMENT, written the way you would like it to appear to reduce editing, and SHOW your WHS CLASS YEAR plus CURRENT CITY, and STATE residence.
IMPORTANT: Please strive to follow the Newsletter Guidelines that are now archived on our website on the first page of the 11/1/02 N'ltr that you can access using the current N'ltr Pass Word. If you are unable to access the Guidelines, please contact your editor at once. Thank you.
ANSON COUNTY NEWS: Your editor will extract news deemed INTERESTING for our group from The Anson Record for each month's Newsletter. WHSers living in/around Wadesboro are requested to provide worthy "inside scoop" amplifying local news, plus subjects, things of INTEREST that are not published. We are grateful they are in a position to easily perform this service, benefiting the majority of WHSers who are very hungry for local news. All WHSers are encouraged to send "news," including rumors, gossip, (nothing personal), they "hear" during LD calls or visits. The source of rumors or gossip will ONLY be shown in the Newsletter as "the grapevine sez," and/or "may/may not be true."
PEOPLE AND THINGS: '60er Hilda Gaddy Courter of Greensboro NC writes: Hello Fellow Tigers! It is always fun to get the latest edition of the WHS Newsletter...a little like waiting for the Student Prints to come out! I particularly enjoyed the piece by Jim Clark and his experiences in Korea, as I have a grandson serving in the Army over there. He is a cook, and has had some interesting tales to tell of his life in Korea...a bit different than it was back in the '50s for sure! Will and I have been busy lately with his parents who have moved to a retirement home here in Greensboro. They had lived all their lives in Johnstown, PA, and have found living in the South a bit of an adjustment. They still do not seem to appreciate grits, or greens, and a few of the other joys of southern life...yet! I am working on them! I am still enjoying retirement from the school routine, but I am substitute teaching from time to time to keep myself in quilt fabric. Will and I are able to travel during the fall, winter, and spring, now, not just the summer. If you love the ocean and don't get green at the sight of a big wave, you should check out the possibility of a Windjammer Barefoot Cruise. It is great fun, and the best part is it really is "barefoot"! Don't know how many of you get back home to Wadesboro to attend family reunions, but there are still quite a few that have been annual events for many years. The Niven family just had its 85th reunion this past May at the old Union Church "out in the country.” It is always fun to see who shows up, and to see whom you are related to. Last year a lady from my church here in Greensboro attended...we had no idea before that day that we were related. I can think of quite a few of my '60's classmates who are related to me, as well a couple of teachers, not that it helped me out in their grade books. It was always a good feeling, growing up in Wadesboro, and going to a small school where you knew everybody. We were lucky, weren't we? Just a reminder to those of you out there who have not registered to vote...perhaps you have moved recently and have forgotten to change your registration. Do it now! And, needless to say, vote in November! Thanks to all of you for taking the time to keep the rest of us caught up with your activities and for the funny, and sometimes sad, memories. Thanks, too, R. J. for getting this newsletter off and running.
'64er Jim Bynum/Cary/NC writes: Thinking back on Wadesboro and all the wonderful people there that we all grew up with, I tried to think of something special. To me that is hard, I guess because of so many good thoughts, so many special memories. I remember when we were real young going to Twin Valley Country Club for dances. (I know I stepped on a lot of toes.) I remember going to school and carrying my lunch and the milk man bringing the small bottles of milk. I also remember in the second grade one of our fellow students bringing a Popsicle and putting it in his desk. When it was time for lunch he started crying because it was gone. (Funny how they melt when you are not looking.) I remember playing little league baseball when the parents had time to come out for practice and for the games. I remember the wonderful teachers that guided us. They weren't just teachers, they were people we knew and respected and also loved a lot. I remember the churches in Wadesboro. I went to the First Baptist Church but was allowed to go to the other churches with my friends. One thing about that, I have always liked to sing and I will tell you right now Billy Roberson cannot carry a tune in a bucket. I remember being in the Wadesboro Marching Band and the trips we took going everywhere we could to be in parades. (One trip I will not forget is the one to Wilmington for the Azalea Festival Parade when I rented a motor scooter and was run over by a car -- not such a pleasant thought.) I remember '64er Chip Pigg, and I would ride our horse and pony to Mr. Charlie Jenkins store for a drink and candy. I can remember we drank RC Colas because Coke had gone to 7 cents. One of my favorite things about W'boro was walking (in my case running) in your neighbor's house without calling first, and in most cases you were welcome. Once, my brother, '62er Jerry and I were run off by Mr. Charlie Pigg. It was a Christmas Morning and we went to see what they had gotten for Christmas. It was only Two O'clock in the morning (I think Santa was still there). The neighborhood cookouts were wonderful and my favorite was the homemade ice cream. I could go on for quite a while, and I could probably write a page or more on most of these remembrances. I think the WHS newsletter is good and I will try to write more real soon.
'52er Buddy Liles/Oak Island/NC writes: Along about my junior or senior year, a youngster with good looks and blond hair reported out for football practice. The reaction by those of us who had been on the team for a year or so was the same as it was when each of us had first reported out for the team. We could not wait to tackle him so hard that it would mess up his hair. The only difference with me was that my introduction to 'Tiger Football' was to line up across the scrimmage line facing '48ers R. J. Scott and 'Itchy' Heavner, both of whom were returning veterans from the Championship Team the previous year. Back then I had some hair too, and believe me, they messed my hair and made me ache all over, but this fellow, '55er R. J. Rogers, was unshakeable. He got knocked down, but he got back up. He took all the kidding and kept smiling. I didn't keep up with him after graduation, but I understand that he continued the 'Tiger' tradition. Then, a couple of years ago, '52er Billy Coble told me about the WHSers. I just could not grasp the concept, but did contact R. J. who has tried to help me with computers, Internet, E-mail, as well as my writing skills. Now, I eagerly await each month's newsletter and usually see someone whom I intend to contact. (Don't always get around to it, but hope they understand that my intentions are good.) I'm sure some of the readers may think that I am on some type of ego trip. But, honestly, most of my writings have been the result of continual encouragement from R. J., from teaching me how to include the article rather than 'attach' it; to correcting my grammar and editing my articles, his efforts have not only helped with my contributions to the newsletter, but have encouraged me to continue to pursue some serious writing. We are all very lucky to have someone who puts this much effort and time into something which is too often 'thankless'. I just want to say Thank You, R. J., I'm proud to know you.
'52er Bill Coble/Charlotte/NC writes: During my WHS days, I was not big and tall enough to qualify for Coach Shelton's elite football team. Many of my friends were in the same group. However, during high school, we all had fun at school and during the weekends most of my friends did the same thing such as cruising the block in town and cruising the "Curb-In" and "Bowman's." Occasionally, we would visit Rockingham. After graduation in '52, Doug Sellars, Jackie Cockman, Jack Jenkins and myself went into the Air Force at the same time. Jackie and Jack attended basic training together. Doug and I attended basic training together. I have not seen Jack Jenkins since August 1952 (52 years). Doug is in Alabama and returned to Wadesboro for our 25th High School reunion in 1977. Jackie returned to Wadesboro, with his wife, after service and attended Wingate College 1956/57. He moved back to in Indiana in 1957. I used to keep up with him with his late brother, '51er Harold Cockman. After attending Wingate College I move to Charlotte. I spent 42 years in sales with Westinghouse Electric Corporation and General Electric Company and retired from GE, January 1, 2000. We '52ers celebrated our 50th WHS Reunion in W'boro at Sullivan Place, May 18, 2002.
'56er Reece Robeson/Ocala/FL (wrote this as a personal message to your editor who gained Reece's OK to share it): I always "closely look" over each newsletter with the thought, of course, that I will receive "mind awakening" tidbits of information. The 8/1/04 newsletter article by '47er Jim Clark stirred the memory of that day when '46er Bobby Blackwelder and '48er "Coot" Huntley were killed. I remember a few of us got into someone's car, went out to that field near the airport and viewed the small plane that had crashed and killed our two friends. His article also stirred memories of my experiences in Vietnam. Then there was the article by '61er Anne Beachum Causey talking about being "amazed" of classmates accomplishments which reminded me of a conversation you and I had about so many classmates from W'boro who had done well. The article by '55er Jo Ann Curlee Bowman about the "Great Crayfish Adventure" stirred the recollection of the stream behind our beloved WHS and how it was so filled with those 'now' delicacies. I spent many hours catching crayfish in that stream. '53er Bill Ballard's article made me recall I went to school in Polkton before coming to Wadesboro. I remember playing baseball in Polkton on a somewhat unimproved field across the road from Polkton School and looking forward to playing for the school in a few years but we moved to Wadesboro in late 1950. Wadesboro was a large town to me and it scared me. I had never lived in a town that had more than 150 people in it and Wadesboro was so big! I don't think I ever got over the initial shock of Wadesboro's size. Then there was the entry by '56er Nancy Lineberry Cathcart. I had forgotten she had taken Mechanical Drawing. I also took Mechanical Drawing but alas, I do not remember if the girls were in the class the year I took it. However, my grandson took Home Ec in his High School and was the only boy. Of course his high school had about a thousand in the Senior Class so I am sure there were probably 80 to 100 girls in his Home Ec class. I asked him, "Jason, why did you sign up for Home Ec?" He looked at me sheepishly and said, "Peep, the class is full of girls." So you see I could simply read over the newsletter in a mindless fashion and not find it too interesting. However, a little thought along with the reading normally conjures up many memories. Like all tools there is benefit in its proper use.
'60er Martha Tice Carpenter/Wadesboro/NC writes: I wonder how many of you have heard of S. O. S. at Ocean Drive Beach, SC. S. O. S. stands for “Society of Stranders.” Thousands come and s**g dance on and off for two weeks in April and two weeks in September. My husband and I have been attending since back in the 80's. It's fun to watch even if you don't s**g. In the spring there is a parade which consists of s**g clubs from several states. Some clubs are on floats. S. O. S. has grown over the years. We always see '60er David and Mary Allen who now reside at the coast. P.S. The oldest s**gger is 92.
'58er Johnnie Coble/Charlotte/NC writes: Thanks to all for the wonderful articles and memories each month and thanks to the “RJR Webmister” for holding the gates to our memories. I can remember back to what wonderful teachers we had at Wadesboro Schools. My third grade teacher was Mrs. Blackwelder, whose husband passed away during the school year and she was pregnant and we had a couple of substitute teachers for three months when her baby was born. (Hold on, I’m going somewhere with this.) When the school year ’48-‘49 was about to end, Miss Dunlap’s 4th grade class played their “tonets” and how I wanted to be promoted to Miss Dunlap’s class and play a “tonet”, because I have always loved music; (ask '54er Peggy Teal Smith or her Aunt '44er Ruth Kiser Hill about my quest for music as a child). Well, when I started 4th grade I was placed in Miss Edwards class, second floor, back left classroom, no “tonet”, but I was introduced to a teacher who knew how to teach spelling and geography. And in her classroom, for the first time in my life, I saw “National Geographic” magazine. In an issue was the exploration of the Grand Canyon and the Columbia River, and when offered a chance I would return to that magazine, and all my life since then have I wanted to see the Grand Canyon! In September 2001 my wife and I had reservations to go to Arizona and see Sedona and the Grand Canyon, but then the 9-11 tragedy! In September 2003 I finally got to Arizona and, WOW, words cannot describe the awesomeness of the Canyon and how that 4th grade memory returned. I wish I knew the year and issue of that magazine and could include it with my own photographs of my Canyon fly-over, standing on the rim, and of the vastness, and see a bald eagle land 20 yards away. Oh, for just one day to go back and tell all my teachers what an inspiration each of them were to me -- even Miss Massemore, who paddled my hand with a ruler in first grade for sharpening a color crayon in the pencil sharpener; (I had never seen a sharpener before that day).
'55er Coleen Huggins Carter/Whitefish/MT writes: I read everyone’s articles and I ask myself, “What do I remember?” I remember my friends, where I lived, the town, and school, but certain incidents seem to escape me, for some reason. It can't be that I am getting old!!! I will share a few memories that come to the fore front: '57er Barbara Faulkner’s mother, Chris, was one of my mother’s best friends. There was hardly a week went by that we weren’t over at the Faulkner’s for one reason or another. I think Chris thought she was the mother of us all. On the days that we went right over from school, Chris would make us baloney and tomato sandwiches with tons of mayonnaise. Oh, how I looked forward to those sandwiches. It is still one of my favorites. Then we would try and entice Barbara to play the piano for she was so talented, and I was SO JEALOUS! The first date I ever had in my life was with '55er Bradley Tyson. Sorry, Bradley, that I’m telling this! I lived on West Wade Street and Bradley asked me to go to the movies. While in the movies he tried to hold my hand. I was scared to death. I didn’t know what to do, so I refused. I’ve felt bad ever since. You can hold my hand any time now, Bradley and I would be extremely proud. Then I got older, moved up to the next grade and fell madly in love with a drummer, (no name mentioned). I took up drums in the band just to stand next to him. He never gave me a second glance in two years. Once a group of us went over to a friend's house and played “Spin the Bottle.” My turn landed on the “Un-named.” I was so excited. We went into a closet -- it was dark, and my heart was beating rapidly. I was waiting for that precious kiss, lips upon lips. He grabbed my hand for a brief moment and then RAN OUT! So much for love! Then the band had to march in a parade in Raleigh. It was bitter cold and the march was over a mile. I darn near froze. Needless to say, I gave up drumming. It simply wasn’t worth it. Now don’t think I am promiscuous, but youth does play on the emotions.
MEMORY TRIVIA SESSION: Our Newsletter group has substantial membership from the '40s, '50s, and '60s classes Therefore, to ensure that everyone can participate, Trivia Questions/Answers should be submitted specifying for which decade, or as broad, general questions (but *not* just for one or two classes, please). On some questions it's also helpful to WHSers if you'll include, i. e., "During the 40's, 50's and probably longer," OR such as, "in 1954 through 1957 and probably or possibly before and after those years." Trivia questions should be reasonably easy so that almost everyone/the MAJORITY, should readily remember, having been exposed to the answers, without head scratching, studying, or will simply just not remember. Using those criteria, will you help provide some questions with answers for the next Newsletter? OK, ready with pencil and paper? No peeking ahead for the answers!
1. In the late sixties, the "full figure" style of Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe gave way to the "trim" look, as first exemplified by British model ____________________ . (Fill in her name.)
2. Sachmo was America's "ambassador of goodwill." Our parents shared this great jazz trumpet player with us. His name was ______________________.
3. On Jackie Gleason's variety show in the sixties, one of the most popular segments was "Joe, the Bartender." Joe's regular visitor at the bar was that slightly off- center, but lovable character, _________________. (The character's name, not the actor's.)
4. We can remember the first satellite placed into orbit. The Russians did it; it was called _______________.
5. What takes a licking and keeps on ticking? ____________________.
FEATURE STORIES -- Four of 'em . . . .
AN UNUSUAL EXPERIENCE by '59er Fairfid Caudle/New York/NY: On July 8, 2004, I was very fortunate to have an invitation to attend an Afternoon Party in the Garden of Buckingham Palace, given by the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh for the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (the Royal Society of Arts, or RSA), which this year is celebrating its 250th Anniversary. The Queen is Patron of the Society and The Duke of Edinburgh is President and Honorary Life Fellow. Throughout its life the objectives of the Society have been "to embolden enterprise, enlarge science, refine arts, improve our manufactures and extend our commerce" I have been quite honored to have been elected as a Fellow of the RSA, which is why I received an invitation to this event. Fellows are selected based on their records of achievement and their potential for aiding the Society in furthering its objectives.
The event began as the front gates to Buckingham Palace were opened just before 3:00 p.m. After checking the identity of each visitor to assure that it matched security information submitted earlier, RSA Fellows and their guests entered the Palace Grounds, passing through the Palace Courtyard into the ornate, red-carpeted reception rooms of the Palace. Here could be seen a number of portraits as well as displays of china. Upon going through the entrance to the Garden, guests could choose to sit at the tables and chairs set out before the tea tents or to explore the gardens. At 3:30 p.m., tea was served in the Main Tent, where guests could choose from a large variety of small tea sandwiches, iced cakes and petites fours, and tiny scones with jam and cream. The tea was delicious and hot. Two bands, situated at opposite ends of the gardens, alternated in providing a mix of popular music and show tunes. At 3:40 p.m. the Yeo-men of the Guard arrived, resplendent in their uniforms (they are the Queen's ceremonial bodyguard). Fellows and their guests were also dressed for the occasion, with ladies adorned with an astonishing variety of hats while many men wore Morning Coats and Top Hats. Here and there one could also see persons wearing National Dress or Uniform. The National Anthem announced the arrival of Her Majesty, the Queen and Members of the Royal Family at 4:00 p.m. As they entered the Garden, guests were asked to form a Lane through which the Queen and Royal Family could pass. The Queen, dressed in a Wedgewood blue coat and hat, made her way slowly down the Lane. Several RSA Fellows and guests (alas, I was not among them!) had been selected to be presented to her and she shook hands and spoke with them in turn.
Shortly after The Queen arrived, it began to rain and there was a blossoming of umbrellas. Despite the rain, however, the party and the music continued. While some sought cover under the various tents and other shelters in the garden, many stayed in their chairs under their umbrellas to watch the passing scene. As the rain ended, guests began to venture further into the Garden to enjoy the trees and flowers, particularly those of the Rose Garden. One striking sight was a huge, imposing Waterloo Vase made of marble. It had originally been intended to be a memorial to Napoleon's victories, but, at some point after Wellington won the Battle of Waterloo, it was covered instead with illustrations of Wellington's victory. The gardens themselves cover some 40 acres and include a lake (3 acres) which provides a refuge for water birds. Within the calm of the gardens it was not at all apparent that the bustling city of London lay just beyond its boundaries.
Finally, at 5:50 p.m. The Queen and Members of the Royal Family departed and the National Anthem signaled the end of the festivities. RSA Fellows and their guests left through several exits but many chose to depart as they had entered, through the main entrance to Buckingham Palace. From conversations heard as people departed, it was clear that this afternoon had been a memorable occasion. It certainly was one for me, as well as being the only occasion in recent (or even dim) memory for which I have worn a hat!
THE WAY WE WERE -- Life in The Country, by '60er Stokes Clarke, Murrysville/PA: I've read a lot in the newsletter about life in Wadesboro during the '40s, '50s and '60s, and enjoyed every bit of it, reliving my own memories through those of fellow WHS graduates, some of whom I know and some I have never met. Thanks to all of you.
I lived my first ten or so years outside Ansonville - the "country" by anybody's standard. Life in the country was quite a bit different from life in the city of Wadesboro. Many of my friends didn't have electricity in their homes. We didn't have indoor toilets or running water in our house until I was about seven. I remember the outhouse well -- it could get pretty cold in January and we were always a little nervous about what might be lurking inside! An old hand pump at the well was our only source of water. Cooking was done on a wood burning stove. One of my earliest memories is our cook, Anna Lee, letting me scramble eggs standing on a chair by that old stove.
Fuel for the stove was "stove-wood" -- delivered by a log truck full of pine slabs. A log truck was distinguishable by several characteristics: it had to be missing at least one door, it had to have bald tires covered with red mud, and there could be no area on the cab larger than one square inch without a dent. Fenders were optional. All lights had to be broken, including the brake lights. Here's how it worked: Step 1: The truck would come, the driver would pop the clutch a few times until the load shifted off the back and the cab was about ten feet off the ground. Now the driver pulled out from under the load and the front end of the truck bounced eight or ten times as he left, leaving us a big pile of pine slabs about 20 feet long. Step 2: Someone brought a tractor with a power-take-off on the side of the engine, a long belt, and a saw blade about thirty inches in diameter with no guard of any kind. OSHA would have died an early death from apoplexy at that scene. Anyway, the slabs were cut into pieces about eighteen inches long and thrown onto the woodpile. We carried in some wood, lit the fire, and that's how we cooked, a method much more primitive and time-consuming than merely turning on the gas, but the aroma of bacon or ham frying in an iron skillet and biscuits baking in the oven, mixed with a little wood smoke ... it just doesn't get better than that!
When I was seven our house burned to the ground while I was in school in Miss Annie Jane Lee's second grade class. The image of that lonely chimney standing sentinel over the smoldering ruins is as vivid today in my mind as it was on that day. About the only recognizable shapes were that old wood stove and some bedsprings. They speculated that the fire came from a faulty fireplace chimney.
We moved into the old Ross house in Ansonville and stayed there while a new house was built on the original site. Nobody had lived in that house for years. There was no central heat, and our wood stove was replaced by a new electric range. I'm sure we had nothing at that point in our lives -- everything was burned in the fire -- but, due in large measure to the generosity and support of neighbors, I don't remember feeling poor. Those months were another adventure of exploring the old house and the nearby barn and the attractions of downtown Ansonville. O. E. Ross Dry Goods (I have never figured out the difference between dry goods and the implied wet goods) and the Hendley's ice plant and store were favorites. Remember the machines for RC Cola that kept the drinks in those little tracks submerged in cold water?
We had two dogs, a collie named Laddie and a "pot-licker hound" named Pootum (for obvious reasons). I don't how we got away with that name in our proper household! On Sunday mornings we went to the Methodist Church, which was right down the street. In the summer the windows and doors of the church were left open to keep things cooler. Occasionally, during a service we'd hear a panting sound and looked down to see Pootum right beside the pew. Someone would have to miss what I'm sure was an utterly redemptive sermon to take Pootum home. I usually volunteered for that duty.
On Friday nights there were black and white movies of the Two Gun Troubadour in a dirt floor "theater" in Ansonville, quite a step down from the plush digs of the Ansonia! As nearly as I can recall, it was the same movie every week, but we were nonetheless inspired to new diligence in protecting the world from outlaws with each viewing.
When I drive by day-care centers today I'm struck by the sight of those kids confined in a fenced-in enclosure with what appears to be 40 or 50 other "prisoners". At about 5 o'clock each afternoon one of the parents picks them up in an expensive SUV and takes them home to houses that cost upwards of half a million. It would appear that these children have everything, but which childhood would you choose? What on the surface might have looked like a disadvantaged existence for us was in fact a childhood filled with endless adventure and freedom to imagine and explore in a community that knew and protected all of us.
MY FIRST JOBS IN WADESBORO By '60er Sam Harrell/Marietta/GA: I think my first work for pay began in about the fifth grade or so when the dreaded Wednesday afternoon arrived and my Father had the afternoon off (remember when retail stores closed on Wednesday?). His objective was to get me to mow the yard so he could go fishing. I think my pay was 25 cents after some discussion about family responsibility and pitching in, but this was a great supplement to a weekly allowance of 50 cents (.15 Ansonia, .10 movie snack, .10 BB's for Red Ryder carbine, .05 savings in Mason jar bank, .05 anything and last, .05 church collection plate --sometimes that was tough but I didn't want anything bad to happen to me).
My official business career was launched in about the 6th grade when '59er G. B. Snuggs decided to spin off the West Wade/Rutherford Street portion of his Charlotte News paper route and give it to me. This was before the days of plastic bags and we had to roll the papers with rubber bands after Amos Pigg, the distributor, dropped off the wire bound bundle of papers at our houses. A couple of army surplus knapsacks mounted on my bike held the rolled papers and with hands black from ink I would set off bringing the latest afternoon news to the masses. In looking back, this also provided my first exposure to job benefits from customers. Miss Edna Gray regularly held on to a dessert sample from the day's lunch at The Tea Room. Ada Gaddy had her beauty shop upstairs and in addition to the wonderful scents of customers getting hair styles done and redone, usually had a cold Coke and a few minutes of conversation for me. Nancy Lee Burns had her shop on the corner and when Big Charlie was there, he was good for a few minutes of sports talk and he also tipped me each week. The primo benefit came when delivering to the Ansonia manager's office when he would let me spend some time in the theater catching part of whatever was playing. Yep....I just propped my bike on the wall and it was right there when I came out. (I never knew what a bike lock was. Try that today.) Another job benefit for the news boys was when Amos Pigg, who owned South 52 Drive-In, would pick us up (me, G. B., I think Johnny Short, and others I can't remember) on a Saturday afternoon and take us to the Drive-In where we had access to concessions and free movies. That sure beat medical coverage at our ages. I think that was to make up for those rainy days of putting papers either in mailboxes or behind doors to keep them dry. I do remember that it cost 30 cents a week for the Charlotte News and it was my first experience with accounts receivables as we hoped to find our weekly customers at home or at work on Saturdays to collect that whopping 30 cents.
Later work experiences included working with '61er Blake Ratliffe, Jr., at H. B. Allen Co. Our bosses were Mr. Carter, Chauncey Stahl, and Blake Sr. Mr. Carter's rules were simple: no sitting, find stuff to do if there were no customers to wait on, count change accurately and speak plainly to the customer. Next came working for Mr. Jim Forlaw at his hardware store, along with Bob Atkinson, and this started a still existing fascination with hardware’s and all of the gadgets, widgets, and stuff that live there. This environment was a bit less structured than H. B. Allen and I still remember some of the best laughs that I have ever had. (We all remember those Satur- days in the 50's brought big crowds to the streets of Wadesboro for shopping and just walking; before Wal Marts). I had obtained a novelty item made of rubber that looked like evidence of someone being sick. Bob and I laid this on the sidewalk and then stood inside the door and laughed as people parted just like the Red Sea. We got even more creative when we realized that a half cup of water added to the sidewalk caused more confusion and terror.
The next several years brought work experience for Bill Smith at his full service Shell Station on the corner of West Wade and Rutherford Street. Saturdays found us washing 30-40 cars and when it was hot, you wanted to try for drying duty outside instead of washing in the bay. '60er Larry Jones and I were the mainstays here and Bill taught me things about cars that I still value today. Gas was about .25/gallon with frequent price wars that saw it drop to single digits. (I thought about that today when I filled up for $29.) The high school years wrapped up with another fun work experience at B. C. Moore's in the basement, driven by the desire to get away from full service station work in the winter. '63er LeGrand Bennett, Jr., and '60er Connie Buff (Snuggs) joined the WHS force there and I'm sure we all still have memories of fun times and of complete families coming in before school started to buy overalls, flannel shirts, boots, shoes, etc., for the entire year. After WHS graduation there were a few more summers of work in Wadesboro at the courthouse drawing maps and at West Knitting Warehouse, again with G. B., but time was marching on and the jobs became more serious, and less fun. G. B. was in ROTC at Wake Forest and I was in ROTC at N. C. State. Vietnam was heating up and we were growing up, not knowing if we would have to go and fight in a strange war.
Recently I was talking with a friend who also grew up in a small town about our first work experiences and how they differed from what teens experience today. We worked for, with, and served families of our classmates. There was no doubt about our performance because everyone involved knew our parents and would report any deficiencies. We had to be able to talk plainly, to make change without a cash register telling us how much was due back, and I never ever remember being told when my "scheduled break" was, or when my "scheduled lunch" was. That depended on the work load and the customer demands. I also never remember being handed an employee handbook with my job description. It was an honest and trusting world (remember my bike outside the Ansonia). It was fun -- you saw your friends working, shopping, and in high school. Everyone looked forward to getting off for a Saturday night date, even if we had been standing up all day. And ...remember, a buck or so got you a great sandwich and soft drink at Parson's or Fox and Lyon's when you did get a break.
I sail with a friend from New York. He reps a line of women's clothing and one of his accounts is B. C. Moore's. He told me about taking his elderly father with him on a road trip to Wadesboro and Cheraw to call on Moore's. His Dad has spent his entire life in New York. After leaving the area to head back to Atlanta, his Dad commented, "Well, it may not be the end of the world, but you can see it from there." After hearing this, I commented to my friend, "For those of us that are from there, it was the beginning of our world, and a pretty good one at that." He was quiet for a while, then he said, "You know, I think you are right, and I'm envious!"
A SPECIAL MEMORY: '58er Clayton Burns/Jasper/GA writes: The time is approximately the last of February 1958. Excitement abounds in W'boro as the conference basketball tournament begins on Thursday of this week. The Tigers are second place in the conference standings, but have an excellent chance to win it all on Saturday night. Could this possibly be the week for the Tigers to win the first basketball championship in the history of our school?
I remember going to Mr. Bowman's math class on Monday morning. '58er Anne Braswell sat behind me, and punched me to ask a question. "What are all those red spots on the back of your arms?" In amazement I saw what she was talking about, but had no answer. Someone said it might be the measles, and then began to examine my brother, '58er Charlie who had the same spots. We asked to be excused, and headed toward the office of Dr. Davis. He took one look at us and confirmed measles. We related the importance of the upcoming tournament, and he directed us to go straight to bed, and not get up until Wednesday afternoon. We then called Coach Sellari who wanted us to follow the orders of the good doctor. Two days later we called Coach Sellari to confirm that we felt OK, and ready to practice Wednesday afternoon. We drove to Rohanen, which was the site of the tourney, and practiced shooting shots in preparations for Laurinburg, who was our opening game opponent. It's funny sometimes what you can remember. My first shot against Laurinburg was so far off that the ball missed the basket by two feet, but kissed off the glass right through the hoop. I remember running down the court hoping our fans would just think the shot was pure. We beat Laurinburg by about fifteen points, and would then play the winner of the Rockingham-Sanford game. Somehow Rockingham won which set up the championship pairings. We had slaughtered Rockingham twice during the regular season, but you never took the Rockets lightly.
Saturday night we walked into the gym while the consolation game was being played. We heard a tremendous roar and it seemed all of W'boro was there clapping, cheering, and yelling for the Tigers. Coach Sellari was simply great, and devised man-to-man strategy which would put extreme pressure on their team. '58er Lloyd Griffith was chosen to guard their star, Melvin Gibson, who had scored 33 points on Thursday in their win over Sanford. Lloyd was fast, experienced, and smart, and was certainly up to the task. The game was never close as Lloyd held Gibson to three points, and Charlie, Donald Scott, and I scored most of the points as we buried our over-matched opponent. Wadesboro fans were delirious, and it seemed as though we had won a world title. We had, at long last won the coveted championship. Members of that team were '58ers Charlie and Clayton Burns, Donald Scott, Lloyd Griffith, Dalton Beachum; '59ers Grover Smith, Foyle Hightower, Vic McGee, Jack Brower; '60ers Alan Baker, Sammy Harrell, Charles Shelton, and Kenny Huggins. '59ers Peanut Taylor and J. W. Grice were the managers. I also remember going back to W'boro to meet our dates, Ann Warren and Carol Raye. We drove to a secret place on the Wadesboro golf course, and continued to celebrate. I can't remember whether either Ann or Carol caught the measles!!! This was truly a very special week to remember. Every time I see the movie, "Hoosiers," I say to myself that I've lived that very dream. What a wonderful memory----
WADESBORO/ANSON COUNTY NEWS: Citing problems securing project financing, Elite Foods has informed the Anson County Board of Commissioners they have abandoned their previously announced plan to construct a poultry processing plant on U.S. 52 just south of Morven that would have employed 110 people. A sign has been placed at the big curve in W'boro that reads: "Shop Historic Uptown WADESBORO. Antiques. Collectibles. NC Pottery. Gifts. Right At the Light."
Former Anson County tax collector, Belinda Scales, has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the County, the County Manager, and each of the County's seven Commissioners individually. As previously reported, the Scales matter occupied much of the county commissioners time between August and March. Scales was fired by a 5-2 vote at a March 3 meeting. Commissioners Harold Smith and Ross Streater opposed the firing. Now, Streater cited his voting record on the matter and said, "I can understand being sued as part of the board, but individually being sued, I don't understand that part." Sources theorize the lawsuit may be discrimination against females and blacks, but have noted Scales was replaced by a black female and the county has other black department heads.
Polkton's first-ever free outdoor festival, Polkton Fun Day, will be held Sept. 4, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., featuring a host of amusements including children's activities, food, music and more. Wadesboro's 2004 edition of People Fest is Saturday, October 9. This year's annual outdoor event will include a county fair, the Piggy Lane Barbecue Contest, and the Arts and Heritage Festival.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: W'boro/Anson 911 emergencies services HAS changed from route addresses to street addresses. Thus, there's a number of out of date addresses on our WHS web site. Mail with the old address is now being "returned to sender." It's YOUR responsibility to update YOUR personal address and bio info. Also, Class Representatives listed below ARE responsible for updating the address, phone number, (not the bio info), on non E-mailers and/or E-mailers that are not Newsletter members.
WHS CLASS REPRESENTATIVES/RESPONSIBILITIES: '40 Ruth Waddell Hickman, '41Herbert Burns, '42 Helen Gaddy Hamden, Billie Rivers Allen, '43 Annabel Allen Stanback, '44 T. D. Burns, '45 Bill Beck, '46, '47 Cliff Harkey until Cliff gains '47er, '48 Tim Lake, '49 Dot Lookabill Tyson, Hank Wall, '50 Fetzer Mills, '51 John Ratliff, '52 Bill Coble, '53 Jim Short, '54 Anne Tice Morris, '55 R. J. Rogers, '56 Nancy Lineberry Cathcart, '57 Margaret Eddins Robeson, '58 Bob Tice, '59 Jim Taylor, '60 Peggy Smith Heavner, '61 David Hill, '62 Lila Willingham Lancaster, '63 LeGrand Bennett, '64 Barbara McKinney Gaddy, '65 Glenda Goodman McKinnon, '66 Barbara Bean Ridenhour, '67 unassigned.
ANSWERS TO MEMORY TRIVIA SESSION:
1. In the late sixties, the "full figure" style of Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe gave way to the "trim" look, as first exemplified by British model ____________________ . Twiggy.
2. Sachmo was America's "ambassador of goodwill." Our parents shared this great jazz trumpet player with us. His name was ________________. Louis Armstrong
3. On Jackie Gleason's variety show in the sixties, one of the most popular segments was "Joe, the Bartender." Joe's regular visitor at the bar was that slightly off- center, but lovable character, _________________. (The character's name, not the actor's.) Crazy Googenhiem.
4. We can remember the first satellite placed into orbit. The Russians did it; it was called _______________. Sputnik
5. What takes a licking and keeps on ticking? ____________________ - A Timex watch.
YOUR NEWSLETTER PARTICIPATION -- REMINDER: The purpose of this Newsletter is to provide a simple method for keeping in touch, and your participation is necessary and required. With everyone working together we CAN make "WHSers News" an enjoyable, interesting, worthwhile project. Since you've just NOW read this Newsletter, why procrastinate? Why not NOW send your contribution for the next issue while you're thinking about it? Otherwise, please tie a string around your finger, and mark your calendar, to send it BEFORE 9/24/04.
Thank you for your cooperation and SUPPORT. Best Regards, R. J.
