The State Port Pilot
James M. Harper, Jr.
Editor
Ed Harper
News Editor
Advertising Manager
Box 548
Southport. N. C. 28461
Telephone 457-6473
Second Class Postage paid at Southport and other mailing offices.
Subscription Rates:
$4.00 a year in Brunswick County
$5.00 a year elsewhere in United States
Ante Up Or Get Out
As this is being written, the Board
of Commissioners for Brunswick
County has had two meetings since
they received their reply to the
ultimatum they delivered to the
Board of Trustees at Dosher
Memorial Hospital demanding that
the chairman of the board be fired.
No action was taken on the request
for funds at either meeting, so it
would appear reasonable to assume
the commissioners are determined
to stick by their demand.
The appeal for emergency funds
was made to the commissioners
because under its charter the
hospital is a joint venture of the
County of Brunswick and the City of
Southport. The Board of Aldermen
for the city approved a contribution
of $10,000 to the hospital, with no
strings attached.
Now it would appear to us that the
commissioners no longer feel
financial obligation for the existing
hospital and plan to give all of their
support that the hospital charter be
amended and that the county be
relieved of any further 'respon
sibility for Dosher Memorial.
This would not be like giving away
some valuable property or in
vestment, for over the years support
from the county to the hospital has
been both meager and grudging. It
might be that to be able to get this
burden off their back would come as
a relief to the members of that
board. So if they are not going to
help keep the existing hospital
functioning at as high level of
efficiency while a new hospital is
being planned, constructed and
staffed, we submit that it would be
well to step out of the picture and
leave the job to those who through
the years have demonstrated a
willingness to help make this
medical facility a place which has
rendered valuable service to
literally thousands of Brunswick
County citizens.
The legislature is in session, so a
bill to amend the charter of the
hospital can be quickly prepared
and passed. As for the token $200 per
month paid to the hospital last year
by Brunswick County, we promise
there will be no difficulty in picking
up this tab from donations of private
citizens who feel that Dosher
Memorial Hospital is too valuable to
be phased out through financial
neglect.
Mr. Bert Frink
Most of his friends didn’t know
that his given names were David
Bertram. They called him Bert, or
Mr. Bert, depending upon the age
differential; but in either case the
name was spoken with affection.
The late Mr. Frink was held in high
esteem by all who knew him.
We do not wish to obscure the
memory of this man who was our
friend by writing a lot of stock
phrases about him. His life was a
testimonial to the theory that a man
can earn respect, lasting friendships
and financial secruity through hard
work, honesty and a concern for the
well-being of his fellow man. Also,
that he can earn immortality
through his children and his grand
children when he has implanted in
them these principles.
Mr. Bert was a plain-spoken man,
and whether he was for you or
against you there never was any
doubt about where he stood.
In thinking back over the years we
have known him, we are convinced
that this world can well use more
men of his caliber.
Letter To The Editor
To The Editor:
It’s too bad, but our first
letter to the editor since we
moved to Southport in June,
1972, has to be one of com
plaint. We regret this because
we agree with the early ex
plorers who called the
Carolina coast '‘the goodliest
land.”
The house we bought and
liked from the start and now
occupy is in the 600 block of
Fodale Avenue. The weather
was dry when we moved in
and the realtor assured us
that the property was well
drained.
Imagine our distress when,
in September, our septic
tank started to overflow and
heavy rains turned our front
yard into a lake. We com
plained to the city and
county. Officials agreed to
improve the drainage.
Nothing happened. Then, in
November, a construction
firm decided to cut a new
street through wooded
property about 100 yards
downstream, thereby closing
off our only drainage ditch.
Meantime, just before
Christmas, we left town to
spend the holidays with our
(laughter in Virginia. When
we returned on New Year’s
Eve, the house was
surrounded by water, the
septic tank was flowing into
the crawl space beneath the
house — and, worst of all the
furnace stopped, literally
drowned out. Two of our
neighbors had the same
trouble.
City officials had the
drainage ditch reopened.
This lowered the water level
little more than one inch. It
was not possible to have the
furnace restarted.
We and some of our neigh
bors sought the advice of an
attorney. Through him we
petitioned the city council for
relief and council directed the
city manager to “provide
immediate relief.” City
crews took steps to deepen
the drainage ditch and the
water level was lowered to a
point where our fur nance
could be put back in
operation. But that could not
be done until Jan. 26 — and
January was cold!
On Jan. 19, the regional
Teachers Are Feted By PTO
The Southport Elementary
School Parent Teachers
Organization sponsored a
Teachers Appreciation Day
last Friday giving the
teachers a brunch in the
elementary school cafeteria.
The PTO provided mother
substitutes for all the classes
so that all teachers could
attend.
Mrs. Bagley, the school
secretary, and Mr. Burns, the
school principal were also
invited. Those in attendance
from the PTO were Mrs.
Carolyn DeOre, Teacher
Appreciation Day Committee
chairman; Mrs. Charlotte
Hart, PTO secretary; Mrs.
Charline Petty, PTO
president; Mrs. Claire Mc
Neill and Mrs. Mary Nor
wood.
The teachers were given
Valentine corsages made by
Southport Florist and
refreshments were served.
sanitarian of the state board
of health inspected our
property. He declared the
situation violated all state
health laws. He recom
mended that our house and
those of our immediate
neighbors be tied into the city
sewage system. He stated
that if this had been done
when the houses were built,
the cost would have been no
more than the installation of
private sewage systems.
It is now Feb. 18 and we are
still living in what amounts to
a cesspool. But we love
Southport. We have put down
our roots here. We hope that
action soon will be taken to
correct the situation. Or must
we seek another “goodliest
land?”
Mark and Margaret Con
naughton
To Tne isaiior:
Quite often I am reminded
ot tne touowing, which at this
particular time in Brunswick
County with much squabble
regarding present and
proposed hospital facilities
seems quite appropo.
As 1 recall, the writer was
someone named Anonymous,
the title was HORSE SENSE,
and it went something like
this:
A horse can’t pull while
kicking. This fact I merely
mention. And he can’t kick
while pulling, Which is my
chief contention.
Let’s imitate the good old
horse And lead a life that’s
fitting; Just pull an honest
load, and then There’ll be no
time for kicking!
Let the chips fall where
they may!
Sincerely,
Jackie H. Stephenson
Something To Crow About
14
^incbczfon^
About Books By Dorothy Davis
Hie following books were
given in memory of Mrs.
Eula Carr Davis:
Harold and Vickie Aldridge
gave THE HOUSE OF
KURAGIN by Constance
Heaven; Mrs. Annie R.
Weeks - ON THE NIGHT
OF THE SEVENTH MOON
by Victoria Holt; Mrs. Rachel
C. Rook - ALOHA MEANS
GOODBYE by Naomi Hintze;
Mrs. Josie N. Smith — THE;
MIRACLE AT ST. BURNO’S
by Philippa Carr; Clinton and
Lorraine Bellamy — SPEAK
TO ME OF LOVE by Dorothy
Eden;
Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Russ
and Jimmy — THE
ATHELSON’S by Jocelyn
Kettle; Linda and Jane
Brittain —TO SERVE THEM
ALL MY DAYS by R.F.
Delderfield; Les and Mary
Bellows - A MARRIAGE OF
CONVENIENCE by
Elizabeth Rossiter; Mrs.
W.Carlton Price - GENTLE
GREAVES by Ernest
Raymond;
Kathryn Savage — A
GAME OF STATUES by
Anne Stevenson; Carol C.
Hendricks — WEEP AND
KNOW WHY by Elizabeth
Ogilvie; Mickey and Pete
Hart - THE GAY
GALLIARD by Margaret r 4
Irwin; Mr. and Mrs. Henry ‘
Schulze - IRONWOOD by __
Jennie Melville.
John D. and Doris O’Daniel
donated THE
NEEDLEWORK BOOK by
Wanda Passadore; Ed and
Marie Royal and Charles
Swan — DECOUPAGE by
Dorothy Harrower; Hannon
and Florence Templeton —
THE DREAM HOUSE
ENCYCLOPEDIA by Hub
bard Cobb; Ed and Toni
Oliver - AMERICAN FOLK
PAINTING by Mary Black
and Jean Lipman;
John and Jessie Swan —
THE LETTERBOOK OF
ELIZA LUCAS PINCKNEY,
1739-1762; Mr. and Mrs. A.E.
Huntley - THE MORAVIAN
POTTERS IN NORTH
CAROLINA by John Bivins,
Jr.; Preston and Irene
Bryant - CAPE COD by
William Berchen and Monica
Dickens; Jimmy and
Amaretta Prevatte — GONE
ARE THE DAYS by Harnett
T. Kane;
Gertrude Y. Loughlin —
SHARE MY PLEASANT
STONES by Eugenia Price;
Mr. and Mrs. M.M. McHose,
Jr. - WILD FLOWERS OF
AMERICA by H.W. Rickett;
Worth B. Ward — LIVING
FLOWER ARRANGE
Not Exactly News
Following a week when the weather was frigid,
mild, rainy then cold again, we discovered Sunday
that a snowdrift behind Trinity Methodist Church
had survived the seven days since last Sunday,
when all services were cancelled because of the ice
and snow ... During a half-time conversation
between Keith Jackson and Bill Russell Sunday
afternoon a group of kids stood in the background
and jumped up and down and made faces. To us
this was a sad commentary on priorities, so far as
these youngsters were concerned. It would seem to
us they would have wanted to come closer and
stand quietly to hear every word these important
men were saying. In later years it would be much
better to be able to recall the time they heard Bill
Russell say something to Keith Jackson than to tell
their grandchildren how they made a nuisance of
themselves on national TV when they were kids.
George Parker is looking around for another
Little League baseball diamond. There are plans
for a six-team league here this summer and even if
they are able to get two diamonds laid out at
Taylor Field they still will need one more ... Also
in prospect is an entry in the softball industrial
league next summer. Something will have to be
worked out to take care of these players. We have
a feeling that sports events are a healthy outlet for
youthful energy, and they provide good en
tertainment for fans.
This is the last week when shell oysters maybe
gathered and sold in this area. Better make
arrangements to get up with the oyster man ...
The camellias got it again, what with a one-two
punch from 20-degree temperatures during the
past ten days ... The Julie Andrews Hour is the
best show on the air this season and we are glad it
has moved to Saturday night.
Two Southport couples left Monday for Florida,
seeking a surcease from sleet and snow and sub
freezing temperatures. They are the L.T. Yaskells
and the Jim Porterfields, who are visiting
relatives. Already down there and thereby
escaping last week’s wintry blast were the Ray
Hons ... We hear our friend Rice Gwynn has sold
his store and farm property in and around
Longwood. He is the best bird hunter we ever saw
and has killed more than his fair share of quail. On
the other hand, no man in Brunswick County ever
has done more to assist Mother Nature in her
program of propogation of wildlife.
MENTS by Margaret
Davis; Jimmy and
Kay Barnes — AMERICAN
HERITAGE HISTORY OF
ANTIQUES FROM THE
CIVIL WAR TO WORLD
WAR I:
Dr. and Mrs. Fred M.
Burdette - TWO HUNDRED
YEARS OF AMERICAN
BLOWN GLASS by Helen and
George McKearin; G.W. and
Lena Fisher — ASTRONOMY
by Fred Hoyle.
Paul Merritt and Fran
Moore donated BUT
TERNUT BILL AND LIT
TLE RIVER, BUTTERNUT
BILL AND THE BEAR,
BUTTERNUT BILL AND
THE TRAIN, BUTTERNUT
BILL AND THE BIG
PUMPKIN by Edith McCall:
Neil and Elizabeth Birch —
BUTTERNUT BILL AND
THE BEE TREE, BUT
TERNUT BILL AND THE
BIG CATFISH, BUT
TERNUT BILL AND THE
BEAR, BUTTERNUT BILL
by Edith McCall; Mr. and
Mrs. Grover A. Gore —
BLAZE FINDS FORGOT
TEN ROADS AND THE
RUMBLE SEAT PONY by
C.W. Anderson; Davey,
Susan Herring and children
— COWBOY SAM AND BIG
BILL, COWBOY SAM AND
MISS LILY, COWBOY SAM
AND FLOP, COWBOY SAM
AND DANDY and COWBOY
SAM AND FRECKELS by
Edna Walker Chandler.
Ti]
And Tide
It was February 16,1938, and it was dead winter. The Pilot
that week, in an attempt to warm everyone’s spirits, ran a
picture of three Southport lovelies (Leila Hubbard, Mercedes
Watts and Lois Jane Bussells) decked out in swimming gear,
enjoying the warm water of a Ft. Caswell pool. The fame of
the hot springs at the fort has been spread through the up
state newspapers, and great numbers of people were coming
to enjoy the healthful, refreshing and warm waters.
The civic club was still hard at work trying to invent
history; the N.C.S.U.S.U.S.D. of 1812 was planning to erect a
monument commemorating the American effort in the war
of that date (1812); and the Riegel Paper Company was
starting to restore forests with pine seedlings. A walkway
was being planned for the Shallotte River bridge, which the
local school children had to cross twice daily; and The Pilot
had added another feature: “The Saying of Dorcas, the
Philosopher.”
It was Washington’s Birthday, 1943, and a cold spell had hit
the county that Monday. The Rev. R.S. Harrison was, in open
meetings throughout the county, explaining the use of Ration
Book ll. There was to be a county-wide meeting of the
AWSOCD to establish a local ground observer corps. It was
advertised that travel to the meeting would not be considered
pleasure driving.
All Southport motorists had been asked, then told, to black -
out a portion of their headlights in accordance with dim-out
regulations. Almost $8,000 worth of Series “E” war bonds
had been sold in the county during the last month; Mrs.
Ressie Whatley had held a Valentine party; and the Sunday
School classes of Southport were making and selling
“warsages”.
It was Wednesday, February 18, 1948, and the North
Carolina Little Symphony had been in the county for three
performances. And they had stayed over long enough to be
seen camped all over the front page of the Pilot that week.
One picture of the conductor, Dr. Benjamin Swalin, and his
wife, another of the entired ensemble as it appeared to the
local audience.
The Russ food market of Shallotte was offering a prize of
merchandise to the customer who suggested the best name
for the establishment; W. Memory Ward of Makatoka had
slaughtered a hog a few days before which dressed out at 808
pounds (including 270 pounds of lard); and Amos Walton was
again seeking the Democratic nomination for Register of
Deeds.
Art Newton, an Art Newton painting, and a Mrs. Art
Newton photo all made the front page of The Pilot of
February 18,1948. He was painting background scenery for
the Baptistry at Antoich Baptist Church. Sharon Methodist
Church was sponsoring an oyster roast; the Southport
churches were observing World Day of Prayer in a union
service; and a group from Leland had held religious services
at the county jail.
According to the headline in this issue, “Whammy Seen As
Aid To Patrolmen.” The Whammy was new then, the hapless
motorist who was prone to speeding was thenceforth and
forever more doomed. It was tournament time in Brunswick
County, and the Leland and Bolivia teams were regarded
tops in both divisions. Herman Sellers was building a shrimp
boat; Bill Oberjohn had found a half-pound mussel shell at
Sunny Point; and the county offices were to take
Washington’s Birthday off.
The Southport Board of Alderman had made a clean sweep
of their appointees to the board of trustees of Dosher
Memorial Hospital, and the editor had had something to say
about the bad manners — if not bad judgment — that had
been used by the city fathers. The city also was planning a
repair job on the boat-loading ramp at the foot of Howe
Street.
James C. Bowman, Southport attorney, was serving as
president of the Southeastern North Carolina Beach
Association and had presided over the annual banquet
session; Southport was to play host to the Brunswick County
Basketball Tournament; and the unusual appearance of the
Aurora Borealis here had resulted in three false alarms to
the Fire Department in one night.
A capping ceremony for a graduating class of Gray Ladies
at Dosher Memorial Hospital was the front-page picture in
The Pilot for February 20, 1963. The Second Annual
Washington’s Birthday Fox Hunt was to begin the next day.
Oyster season had been extended to March 15 because of
the unusually bad weather that winter; three Southport girls
were the latest entrants in the forthcoming Miss Brunswick
Pageant; and Leland would host the County Cage Tour
nament that year.
Five years ago this week tests were being made in the
Southport area to determine if the soil could provide
sufficient load-bearing qualities to accommodate the
proposed CP&L nuclear power plant. Borings would be made
as deep as 600 feet.
Construction of the Trinity Methodist Church educational
building was underway; a measles innoculation clinic
sponsored by the Health Department was being held at the
Southport High School gymnasium; a county wide meeting
was to be held to discuss the possibility of a school bond
issue; the City of Southport had received a $9,200 grant for
planning assistance; and the best site in Brunswick County
for a shopping center was identified in the Not Exactly
column as the US 74-76-17 intersection at Leland.