Do you remember these Hamlet times?
Hamlet’s Annual Pet Parade. The sawdust pile behind John Williamsons Pinecroft Miss Hida’s (Cato) dance recitals Smiley at Green’s Grill Henry who delivered groceries for Lile’s Grocery in his pickup. Brought them into your kitchen for you. Joule Cooter Weatherly Wingate Williamson Dentist giving out coupons for free ice cream cone at Mabry’s Drug store if you were good for him Special trains to the State Fair in Raleigh The ice storm in the late 60’s – almost a week with no power and downed Pine trees everywhere The Pixie Pantry on US 177 owned by Prentice Taylor Old phone booth at the Seaboard Hotel 1 cent candy and 5 cent cokes at Harrington's Dunlap's Grocery Store Bishop's Pond Bradshaw's #2 The Pantry Dr. Womack and his puppets at First Presbyterian Church A & P store's dish give away Goodwyn's Gas Station Playing ball on Bauersfield Street at the Lindsay's Merry-go-round at Convenience Corner Sneaking into closed Boyd lake and finding very old McCall's and Cosmopolitan magazine which I still have. They were dated from the 50's and 60's. Being able to ride my bike all over town. Riding on the CSX trains that went past my home all hours of the days and nights. Taking my husband to see the railroad museum for the first time. I went there a lot as a kid. I loved the model of the town and train. R C Cola plant on Hamlet Ave next to Crump's gas station. Class of '67 "Three Musketeers" - Barbara Millikin, Beth Tilghman, and Emilie Stone Class of '67 - Willie Brown, Bill Stroupe, Alan Howe, Clint Sullivan, all lost too soon. Miss Jackson's 8th grade class - bless her heart... Glee Club practice with Michael Howe - what a hoot!! The HHS Sandspur newspaper The Juniorettes, "children" of Madeline Jones, leader of the Hamlet Women's Club Hi-Y and Y-Yeen Initiations First Methodist Church and the Sunday night MYF meetings John and Lib Tilghman of Cherry Street in Pinecroft, Best of the Best! Building the "Trojan Horse" float in Betty James' driveway Birmingham's after school Class of '67 Mr. and Miss HHS, Richard Stone and Diane Ballard, and still together! Slow dancing at the VFW Hut Hernando's Hideaway, scene of the Senior Prom for Class of '67 French classes with Mrs. Gamble Algebra classes with Mr. Ray Shaw Trig classes with Coach Oldham Latin classes with Mrs. Gordon Riding horses in Stewart Gordon's driveway Riding the Seaboard on Mama and Daddy' passes Louis McCaskill's score on the SATs - highest to date in '66 Mr. Haltiwanger, Principal, HHS, from Mom's (Lib Brown Tilghman) time in '38 to retirement in my time (Beth Tilghman Plunket) in the 1960's First loves - Willie Brown, 1st grade; Ronnie Reynolds, 5th grade; Randy Boyette, 10th grade Carpooling to Pembroke for college summer school with Sammy Williamson and John Bill Brittingham Kay's and Gaddy's 1969 Hamlet High School Chorus starting out on risers wearing robes with stoles to sing Beethoven and stripping down to tie-dye and body paint to sing “This is the Dawning of the Age of Aquarius’ from Hair to a standing ovation followed by an encore. Dry-cleaning delivered at the front door by Ed ____? Groceries delivered to the back door by ________? Piano lessons at Mrs. Uzzell’s house in Pinecroft. Sitting on the front stoop to watch the last of the thunder storm that had wiped out electric service in Pinecroft. The smell of rain on hot pavement during a summer storm. Sandspurs and stinging nettle and the bare feet of summer. The aurora borealis in the sky over the summer garden. The tile floor, tables and chairs, and wonderful smells of the ice cream counter at Mabry’s Drug. Dr. Garrison’s office for shots and checkups. Mrs. Bauersfeld, substituting that day, asking, not if I was as smart as my sister Deborah, or my cousins Sherry, John, Savannah, or Susan, but, was I as smart as my Uncle Sterling?!? Micajah Pickett McCaskey Coach telling my skirt was too short – on a dress my mom had made for me. Assembly in the gym for an apology from the perpetrators who had written on the gym roof. Daddy sitting at home on the couch following some tragic accident on the line. My mom giving rides to all the kids at Fairview Heights Elementary School in her new Volkswagon bus, the bus also used to transport many a little league team and Civil Air Patrol group. Pop Nettles’ taxi service. The mournful sound of the wrecker the night of the runaway train. Kindergarten with Mrs. White, Mrs. Conner, and Kitty Benoy at the piano including ‘Gay Nineties Review’ and ‘Babes in Toyland’ graduations. Hamlet High School Chorus singing in the choir loft for Michael Craddock’s funeral. Grocery shopping at The Colonial Store. Reverend J. B. Willis at First Baptist Church, followed by Rev. Ben Broadway. Christmas Parades Being on the playground when JFK was assassinated. Standing in the cafeteria line for those delicious homemade meals. Driving in the middle of the night to deliver ‘lunch’ to the North Yard. Saturday afternoon double features, Westerns, at the theater, filled with 7th, 8th, and 9th graders. Bill West’s Esso Service Hamlet City Lake Fishing From Adirondack Chairs Sitting In Lake Pernell Mcgirt’s Fish Bait Shop Old Cocoa Cola Bottling Company On ’74 Hwy. Hamlet Yankees Semi-Pro Baseball Army Manuvers Between Fort Bragg And Fort Campbell Ky. Hamlet Nursing School Western Auto Phil Farmer Hamlet Ballpark At Hwy 38 Rea Express Office & Calvin Farmer Z.V. Pate Inc. Stewart Gordon Furniture Pa Coggins At Hamelt Gin And Supply Webb’s Fish Camp Weejuns Piano lessons with Miss Effie Reade Westcott Pop Nettle's Taxi Service delivering groceries from the Colonial Store. Late night phone calls from the railroad's "Extra Board". 25 cents a gallon gas. Free train rides with dad's Railroad Pass. Forest fires threatening the evacuation of Hamlet. "A little bird told me." Dee’s House of Charm Doug Gray Jim Shaw Mike Carnes Tommy Rabbit Ears Melton Lewis Page Doug PawPaw Haynes summers at Boyd's Lake getting ice from ice plant getting in Saturday matinee at Hamlet Theatre with bottle caps circling Hub Grill with friends Hamlet Red Ram pep rallies every Friday in gym Bradshaw's burgers and fries Tastee Freez ice cream Sleddin' on Clay Hill? Crow's Grocery Randy Brook's dad and the Christmas Parade songs Recycling glass soda bottles for cash! Carl “Bubba” Martin….and his many pranks Reese Bicycle Shop Irene’s Beauty Shop Toady Brigman(Ex Fire Chief and coach of the World Famous “Braves” along with the previously mentioned “Doodle Beck” Slow dancing to “Hey Paula” at Bobby’s Canteen back in the ‘60’s Winnie Sapp and her black Studebaker. Still driving at age 87 but no longer in a Studebaker Apple Pie & cheese at the Hub Grill Angus Byrne, Brick Mason on Oak St. Story Time at the Hamlet Library Saturday AM Buttercup Ice Cream Winn Dixie grocery store on Main Street Hill Atkinson's pool hall Kurt Stubbs (Stubbs Groc.) apple truck on corner of 74 & 38 in the fall - Paul Ridges (cook) @ Greene's Grill - Dirt race track Johnny Greene's Seaboard Review Bag Ladies Ma Crofton and her cafe.Her home was close to the old Hamlet Hospital, and she had a constant stream of visitors to stop by and talk about the "old times". I believe she knew all the Hamlet residents by their first name. "The famous Hamlet 'Love Train' " Dr. Roy Adams, dentist Mrs. Sarah Bell in the office at Hamlet Hospital and with W.D. James Inc. Kitty Adeimy, Carol Clark, and Martha Bell Mimi Garrison Susie Powell Mrs.Margie's and Mrs.Patsy's Nursery School School started in the fall. The Monday after Labor Day. Summers seemed like a long time Doodle Beck Mrs.McLaughlin Piano Teacher Miriam Taylor Herbert and Mary Helen McManus D.A.Knight and the water department Esteen Turnage, his woodworking and his Bible Ben Pedersen, his cowboy hat and his Bible Johnny Gainey Arthur Hendricks Homebuilder Maceo McEachern Moon Mullins and Charlie Ash All those Roscoe boys All those Wheeler boys All the Hamlet Nortons Campaigning for Dr.Bill in his bid for Senate seat Riding your bike to the library for summer reading Roland Altman and his big family The last time Mr.Caskey came to a basketball game at the HHS gym. The crowd stood, applauded and the game was stopped until crowd sat down. Students were allowed to get out of school to attend his funeral. Sissy Cashion and friends climbing the water tower and later being a contestant in local beauty pageant. Mike Pruden designed her dress. Claudia Chandler first runner up in Miss North Carolina Pageant. Michael Howe All the Pete’s Howe’s in Hamlet Robbie Pait and his Rambler Picture day at school Margaret Greene Stewart Brenda Putnam and her Southern Home and creative parties. She is missed Ruth Land and her Southern charm. She and Miss. Emily were at same charm school Hoot-n-Holler Mr.Tudor and the A@P Mr.Gillis and the Colonial Store All the times cars ran into the Bradshaw home on the corner of Spring Street Mr.Caskey and his temper and the speed of light Mr. Brooks and those bug collections. Hobo Frye bus driver Record shop on Hamlet Avenue Christmas parades when it was cold and there were real floats All the Terry crowd on Hwy 74- Kampus Kourts Vacation Bible School for a whole week Eddie Hughlet and his touchdown going the wrong way Mitch Greene wearing her cape and nurses cap walking to work at Dr.Queens Dr.Queen and his bow tie Prentice Taylor and his politickin” Dr.Bill James. Senator, doctor, dad, strong opinions and a Tarheel. Hamlet’s biggest dreamer for health care. Mrs. Butt and her Vicks salve for her throat Mrs. Pait on the intercom with the daily devotion Margaret Smart, talented musical lady and devoted mother. She is sorely missed. David Freeman and his railroad talk Mrs. James home in the woods behind the nursing school Janet James Lindsey and her smile and kind words Carroll Garner and his stories Rev. Scott Turner and 2nd Baptist Church Gilbert Maples and his strong faith Robert Keeter, Hobby Cato, Skipper Allen, Mr. Hampton and drivers ed Mary Kay Ollis, girls gym coach Walking home from school, no cars to carry us around The original exclusive members of The Benedict Club Mr. and Mrs. John Boney Sr. Gordon Monroe, baseball leader and follower George Whitfield and his many talents Louise Stone and her soft spoken grace Lackey Furniture Store Land Furniture Store- long ago on Hamlet Ave. Dr.Pearce and his fine wife, Lois. No better people could you find Nell and Martin Brown The Land Twins Going to the movies at the Opera House. Fred Kirby made an appearance on a Saturday morning Brenda Booker throwing her baton up into the stands at the football game Cheerleaders singing Hoorah for Hamlet Earl Yates, football star Maypole Dance Mr. Meacham at the post office Mr.Meacham at the barber shop Doc and Ruby Smart Speedy Wallace Papa Joe Allen and Snowball Robert Short and his weejuns. He is missed Adelaide Browns beauty shop Mrs.Kelly’s Store Mrs. Connie’s cloth shop| Marion Ormsby and her children’s shop Jack Kendall Candy Kitchen Going home for lunch Mrs.Hatfield and the lunchroom Mrs. Hughelet and the HHS library Cruising Tom and Sarah’s and ordering a “Zip” Nelson and Jane White The cost of the birth of a child $125 Sarges fried chicken Mrs. Neimyer and her glasses Ricky Rhinehart. Gene Tyson, Charles Tucker and Bill Griggs Clint Sullivan Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Garrison Coachman and Four Hamlet News Messenger and Roger Simmons Bus Station on Hamlet Avenue Dr.Willis Lois Pate and her artwork Woodrow Gunter and his hat The Shantellas- Carroll Riggans was the lead singer. Members were Willard Page, Tommy West, Tommy Tew and Bobby Killian The Grab Hallums Furniture Store, Joe Ward Robert Demay Company on 74 Sarah Belle Holmes and Coca Cola Martha Killian and her Southern roots Steen Watch Repair Dentist would come to school and work on students teeth Mrs. Cowan’s home.finest receptions and parties in town The many Ballard boys Sammy Williamson and his drawings of castles. He sold candy before school in the supply room. Mrs. Fincher, mgr. of Roses. Who swiped the cabbage candy? Only Linda Bankhead knows ?? Listening to music on the juke box upstairs at Boyd Lake and dancing on the wooden floors. Sneaking across the street to Bradshaws. Mr. Bradshaw helping you hide. Colie Milson throwing spit balls in study hall Hobby Cato’s orange blossom car Frog and the Hub. Phyliss Hodges crowned Homecoming Queen on football field during halftime. She left us too soon. Porthole Norton and Linda Bankhead spotlight dancers on Kilgo’s Canteen. Everybody expected Porthole to do his famous “dirty dog”. He did us proud. A true gentleman’s performance. He could have put on a show. He is missed. Those were the days. Rosalie Graham arranging for HHS couples to be on Kilgo’s Canteen in Charlotte. Saturdays at 12 noon. Ethelda and her hand- picked group. Bullwinkle’s picture suddenly appearing on the roof of the gym. The assembly that followed by the artists in crime. Field trips to the Buttercup Ice Cream plant. We could eat any of the ice cream they were making. Tom and Sarah's Apple Pie w/cheese at The Hub Draggin' Main Friday night dances in the gym after the football game Aberdeen Lake Shaggin' upstairs at Boyd's Lake Mrs. Bauersfeld doing The witches scene from Macbeth... Blowing your horn driving under the underpass on Spring St. Y-Teen initiation Washington Ave .kids digging tunnelsRiding your bike to South Carolina to get fireworks. Sledding on Clay Hill Johnny Green's dancing school on Saturday Mornings Walking to you friends/neighbors house to spending the afternoon. Front porch visits on a spring Sunday, after church and lunch, of course. Standing in line around the corner at Hamlet Barber shop, waiting to get into the Saturday afternoon matinee... Sandlot baseball Swimming at Boyd’s Lake Coach Whitfield's wind sprints. Sliding down the pole at the old fire station. Hamlet High milkshakes at Birmingham's Green's Grill for Sunday lunch Seaboard Festival Fireworks at the City lake July 4th Bradshaw's Purity Cafe Coach Bubba Martin Ricky Fetner (always a smile) we miss you Ruby & John's HUB GRILL Fayeteville Street School (Grasshopper College) Judy Bankhead crowned Homecoming Queen. Jimmy Rassette was her sponsor on that Friday night, Oct.30th, 1964-65 season. Sandra Bolch was voted Homecoming Princess on this same homecoming weekend. Her sponsor was her high school sweetheart, Lowery Ballard. Nanny Farmer and her moo-moos. Bill Black and his cigar Hobby Cato and Diane Honeycutt have auto accident during the 64' school year. Diane is in hospital with injuries. Leonard Rea Service Station When we listened to records on the Hi-Fi Kenny Robertson,Woody Gunter,Lowery Ballard, Mike Jacob and Keith Nash picked as -Rams of the Week- during the 1964 football season.Coach Caskey had the best of the best Nookie Quinn, Herbie Long were stars on the -7th and 8th grades- Midgets team. Dr.Giles and Judy Cloninger Grace Phifer, prim and proper. Fine lady Girls wore skirts or dresses to school. Boys wore their shirts tucked in. No questions asked. Ellis Atkinson, Toby Brown, Steve Meacham Arlo Caulder Toby Brown, WKDX dj and friend to all Ricky Carnes and buddy Carolyn Caulk Donnie, Ronnie Crooke and Richard Brown William Duer Frye Johnny Jackson, Mike Craddock, Billy Newman, Sherrill Ormsby . They are missed. Short's TV Repair Greggettes Clontz Beauty Shop Going to Crawford's Lake on hot summer day. Roger Stewart, Tommy Mauldin, Eddie Hughlet, Johnny Wilke, Chaneyball, Jimmy Quinn. Hamlet buddies with stories to tell. Mrs. Esther Terry at Hamlet Hospital falling up the stairs changing classes at HHS bonfires on the school grounds to celebrate homecoming Roland Altman and his large family Red Ram stuffed animal awarded as prize for magazine selling The Trailways float in the Christmas parade Dr. Bill seeing patients, regardless of appointment, by who looked the sickest in the waiting room Gilbert Maples and his prayer of commission and omission. A fine Christian man and a good father Loree White and Marlene riding bicycles all over town. Loree was a fine lady Melva Hamilton Richard Conder and his tree watching Crowell Poplin and his burg. worn out truck. He is still doing ceramic tile work Wayne Gilmer Hamlet High's smartest graduate Mrs. Butt's comment the day President Kennedy died. He will be re-elected now ! We feel sure she was a republican. The Debate Club Being invited to an event with friends, getting all ready and they didn't pick you up. Not a funny joke, was it? Myrtle Stogner and home economics Lewis Laundromat Mrs. Kelly's Store (across from Legion Park) Walter Millikin selling cars in his backyard and his straight back chair. Sweetie Pedersen Candy Kitchen on West Hamlet AvenueCabin at Ledbedders Lake 1960-62...Freddy Avett, George Cox, O.W. Altman, Harold Donaghe, Mike Harris Being able to thumb from Hamlet to Ocean Drive OD 1961 one or two were sure to catch a ride and make it in 3-4 hours, add that third person and it took for everrrrrrrrrrr...O.W. Altman, George Cox and Harold Donaghe. Atkinson's Pool Hall John Coltrane- an American jazz legend- Hamlet's claim to fame. Marilyn and Carolyn Grooms- HHS twins Alice Fay and her Colonial Store tennis shoes Greg Warnock and Clint Sullivan riding their motorcycles. Mary Alice Boggan riding shotgun. The Longwood Park Gang. The Brigman's, The Greene's, Fussy, Carol, Eddie Huguelet, Brenda, Richard & Skipper Allen, Harold Donaghe, Winfred & Harold Pence, Jimmy & Roger Stewart, Glenn & Lynn Austin and their sisters, Robbie and Freddy Hassler, Myrtle Allice Porter Nolan's Grocery Store at Longwood Park and their little Red Studerbaker delivery truck. Jackie Booker, the blonde bombshell Chaneyball Chavis Alan Jones. A great mind and successful HHS graduate. He left us, too soon. Harry Bruner and his horses and his tragic end Sandra Black, Diane Folger, Sherry Dawkins, Christine Keziah, Diane Wheeler, Marlene Lamont Hoorah for Hamlet, hoorah for Hamlet, someone's in the stand shouting hoorah for hamlet. 1-2-3-4, who you gonna' stand for? Hamlet that who, rah rah rah. Ma Greene Tom Wicker The Doll Cooper Shop Stone's Texaco Hamlet News Stand Fitzgerald's Bryson's Men Shop Martha Richardson, Dr. Garrisons nurse Red and White Food Stores-Lackey Street Bruce Brown and his corvette Freddie Jolly and his hand-painted Coca Cola policeman sign seen on Hamlet Avenue. He did a great job!! What an artist. Jeffrey MacDonald, famous Fort Bragg killer, out- patient doctor at Hamlet Hospital in the 60's Jake Covington, Hamlet supporter and businessman. He helped many people in need. The last owner of the Terminal Hotel. He was apart of the Billy Bathgate movie, sweeping the front porch. Loyal Second Baptist Church member and devoted to his community. Ila Graham Cassie Williamson Myrtle Ruth Wright Chaulk and her sister Ethel Mitchell. Ballard Distributing Company Jean Singletary and her Rainbow Girls Hamlet Gin and Supply Samuels Service Station Tug Jones Madeline Jones Waltzing Ilene Gunter Neimyer Funeral Home The Ideal Shop The Jot-Em-Down Store in Longwood Park run by the Ralph Peele Family Mary Kay Shop Jamie Herndon Sonny Greene and the post office Sanitary Dry Cleaners home delivery Louis Graves Mrs.Hunter Land, her crowning glory-her white hair and her cucumber sandwiches Midge Simmons and her horses Roger Simmons and the Hamlet News- Messenger John Williamson Fine furniture from Fred Lackey Mrs. Shaw, Dr. Bills right hand nurse Emma Lee Utter, hair dresser and high school beauty Buster Warr Andrea Turnage, her majorette boots and Rodney John Fowler and the HHS band Mrs. McGuirt and the Presbyterian Church Hughelet's Jewelry Store window with pictures of homecoming candidates Effie's Ormsby's Photo Studio Rex Howell Dr.Red Arnold
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