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KIMG^ MOUMTWn MIRROR
Vol. 90y No, 39, Thursday, May 17, 1979
HGRMD
15c
‘A Tremendous Job’
Cleaning Campaign Continues
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rrOMMcINTTBE
. .8TI1X. A NIOE OUY—H»1 Bni^ftiid, above with his sunt, Mrs. Eunice
Oody, gnw up In Kings Meuntsln and got his first acting role oft-
Broadway at age 30. Kings Mountain has always been his “anchor”, he
said this week as he came home tor a visit with relatives. He Is the “nice
guy” In most of the television and stage roles he portrays.
KM-Born Actor
Hal England Is
Still Nice Guy
By ELIZABETH STEWART
gtatl Writer
With ISO In hU pocket a 30-yearH>ld
Southern boy from Kings Mountain
hitched a ride to Washington. D.C.
and took a bus to New York where
the fact that he talked “funny”
landed him a part In an off-
Broadway pUy.
That was nearly 37 years ago and
last week the actor came home
again.
Hal England, who grew up on
Fulton Street, woriied at the old Oora
cotton mill, graduated from KMSHS
In 1960 and went to college at
Carolina where he got the acting
bug, is still the “nice guy” he depicts
In most of the television and stage
redes he has portrayed during the
past quarter century.
His success story was hard work
tor a young man who aspired for a
serious acting Job on the stage to
become several years ago
America’s top commercial actor
with a record of more than 300 on-
camera commercials to his credit.
"Being an actor Is, frankly,
w>miithing of a drudge to some
people-having to get up at an
ungodly hour and then work most of
the day, so that when you finally
Ntumhome, It’s all you can manage
to drop Into bed after eating a hasty
meal”, said Harold, whom Kings
Mountain TV viewers can Identify
with “your personal banker from
Wachovia”, a hanking commercial
which airs In the South, as a vllUan
In “Mod Squad”. “CharUe’s
Angels”, and “Wonder Woman”,
among other episodic spots, as a kid
actor In “Dobla OUlls” and In his
first movie, “Hang Em High”.
Hal will portray the father of the
ninaway girl In “The Runaways”
this Fall on TV and starts filming
next week for a nsw pUy, “MobUe
Home”, which opens In Studio Oty
(Hollywood) June l In which he
plays a Texas salesman for Lone
Star Ice Oream Go. who puUs his
trailer up to an auction and marries
a “chubby lady” for her new carlna
play he describes as a ‘ ’Who’s Afraid
c( Virginia Wolfe” plot.
Bhigland, wrho visited briefly at the
home of his aunt; Mrs. Eunice Oody
In Kings Mountain last week, said
that "finally after a dosen years In
Hollywood he has unpacked his bags
and bought a house.”
He has decided he will stay.
HU mother, Mrs. Irene England,
and sUter and family live about two
miles from him In CalUomla and he
U guest star for numerous televUlon
shows, works a busy schedule In
plays and on the screen.
“It’s a different life style In
Hollywood”, said Harold, who found
It hard to get used to. “It never
occurred to me not to make It”, said
England, as he relaxed In hU aunt’s
home on Westover Road and talked
about hU career.
“I had no Interest, Initially, In
films, and had never done a com
mercial. I had learned self-
dUclpUne on the stage-and was used
to going to classes every day and
working hard. I arrived In LA and
tound people lying on the beaches,''!
was scared to death by thU new life
style. I soon learned that
everybody’s got a script In the back
seat of hU car. It’s the Industry”,
said England.
“Kings Mountain was always my
anchor. My folks were here until
Mother and Dad (Mr. and Mrs. W.F.
England) moved to Los Angeles tour
years ago and Dad died a year ago.
Hollywood was always my dream. I
had never seen a play before I got to
New York except Saullne Player
productlona at the high school and
Flat Rock performances wiiere I
was an apprentice tor a couple
summers. An actor’s life U a full
time Job and while my Southern
accent helped me In some areas It
was a handlcto[> In others. They told
me 1 looked the part of an average
lawyer or doctor, a nice guy, boy-
next-door type, but I tound out If
they really like you they’ll tailor a
part around the accent” as In a
recent example on the “Lou Grant”
television show where Hal played
Lou’s Southern son-ln-law.
Working an “eplaodlc” guest-star
circuit week-to-week Is both
challenging and exciting, aays Hal,
who reporta that guest stars are
treated “fantasUc”. Actors have
their own furnished trailers and
chairs with their names on them, to
(Turn to page SA)
Kings Mountain’s Palnt-Up,
<3ean-Up, Flx-Up Campaign has
been extended through May 36.
The city board of commissioners,
after hearing progress report from
Chairman Norman King, voted to
extend the clean-up campaign to
allow cltlsena to continue what
Oomm. King termed a “tremendous
Job In cleaning up unslghUy areas of
town”. Comm. King reported that
attention Is being directed to
trimming of trees on Llnwood Rd.
and Yoiic Rd. as weU as Individual
properties In all six voter districts
and In the downtown area.
In other actions at Monday night’s
regular commission meeting, the
board:
-t-awsu'ded to the second lowest
bidder, Allison Fence Co. of
Rotary Run
Set Sunday
More than 800 “runners” 'will
participate Sunday In the first an
nual Kings Mountain Rotary Club
Run which begins promptly at 8 p.m.
from West School.
The event features three different
categories; a one mile fun run; a 8.1
mile run (6,000 meters) and a 6.3
mller (10,000 meters). All three runs
will begin at the starting point at the
same time and finish back at the
starting point on W. Maountaln St.
Bronxe, gold and silver medals
will go to the first three finishers In
all-age categories and Rotary Run
T-shirts will be given to sill con
testants.
Entry forms are available at all
banking and savings and loan In
stitutions and at all schools In the
city. TTie entry foe Is 16.
Runners are coming to Kings
Mountain from as far distant as
Raleigh.
ChsUrman Chsirles F. Mauney said
that the event la drawing record
entries and enthusiasm.
Msuiney said the three and six
mllers will start at the forward
position, approximately 100 yards
ahestd of the one-mllers. “We will
request the slower or average
runners to allow the faster runners
to go to the front”, Mauney said,
"We feel this will help prevent In
juries.”
Chalrnuui Mauney eald that 70
entries, most of them from out-of-
town, have been registered to run In
Sunday’s event suid that more are
expected. He encourages all Kings
MounUln area cltlsens, from age six
and up, to participate, adding, "lots
of people from Kings Mountain have
never been Involved In a run before
and may think this is something for
people who have trained or have
been running In maratiums. This Is
not the ease. Sunday’s event Is a
"fun” event for every member of the
family.”
Cltlsans can enter on Race Day by
reporting to West School.
Charlotte, fencing contract for Little
League fields at cost of $16,838.00
after the low bidder, American
Fence Co. of Charlotte, declined and
forfeited bond. Mayor John Moes
said that woric on the two little
league fields had been delayed
because of the contractor who
wanted the board to negotiate for a
higher cost than was first let
because the bidder hsul failed to
include some other figures. Attorney
George Thomasson said American
Fence Co. Is precluded from further
consideration, even upon re-
advertlslng, because of a new
statute which prohibits him from re-
advertlslng under those conditions.
-(-Following two public hearings,
adopted ordlnsinces to extend the
corporate limits and annex the
properties of James Hamrick and
Buddy Barnette on Waco Rd., about
eight and one-half acres, upon
petition of owners. Attorney George
Thomasson stipulated that accurate
tax maps accompany the or
dinances, noting that "rock piles and
persimmon trees” which are now
listed as boundaries do not ac
curately give description.
-f Appointed James P. Camp and
Raymond Garris as new patrolmen
on the Kings Mountain Police
Department.
-(-Refunded $36 to Mrs. Louise P.
Alexander for tax overpayment.
-(-Transferred funds in the
Community Development Block
Grant Budget for 1878-76 to Davidson
and Deal St. Parits totaling $8,000 for
continuing Improvements. The
funds were originally earmarked for
mini-park acquisition where land la
not yet available.
-f-Agreed to allow Southern Bell
’Tel. Co. to continue Installation of
underground cable as far as Falla St.
with stipulation Bell Is to replace
Sidewalks and continue negotiations
for work along Mountain St.
The board recessed for an
executive session to discuss per
sonnel matters at 8:80 p.m.,
reconvening at 9:16 p.m.. Mayor
Moss reporting tht the “an em
ploye’s request was discussed and
the personnel committee will so
advise him.”
Board OKs Program
Kings Mountain District School’s
Vocational Program for the coming
year, approved Monday, Is expected
to cost $340,000 with anticipated
expenditures at $131,411.
The Board approved also the
employment of a supportive person
for disadvantaged students and
several changes In the vocational
program at Central and KMSHS,
upon recommendation of Director
Myers Hambright and members of
the Vocational Education Advisory
Committee.
At Central School, Director of
Instruction Howard Bryant
said a Personal Services component
will feature nureing, health care,
cosmetology, grooming and sewing
with shop lab moved to KMJH where
five career exploratory areas will be
available to students In lab which
r^te each 33 days, said Bryant. At
KMSHS, Shorthand U, Office Oc
cupations I, Personnel
Management, Fashion Mer
chandising, Salesmanship and
Advertising will be additional
subjects and Msirketlng n will be
dropped. Because of small
enrollment, welding will be com
bined with another course.
A system-wide expanded program
for Exceptional Children was
outlined by Jo Bralley and received
approval of the bosird for the 1679-80
school term. Ms. Bralley said that 30
teachers will lead the program for
the handicapped and gifted child In
the eight plants of the system.
Resource teachers will be employed
at all schools and four new employe
positions were approved by the board
at the noon meeting. Mrs. Jane
Shields, former North School
teacher of exceptional children who
has worked In the regional
education office In Albemarle for the
past year, will rejoin the faculty ae
full-time Co-ordlnator of the
program. Ms. Bralley will serve as
school psychologist and
diagnosticians were employed for
Central, Senior High, Junior High,
and Gifted and Talented K-e. Mrs.
Eilelds will assume her new duties
July 1.
Ms. Bralley said that Increased
funding allows the system to eiqpand
"this most Important program”.
Reporting on the status of school
transportation, iMiry Allen noted
that "our critical times are behind
us and we’ve had our upe and do»Tj
this year but I see a change In
student attitudes sutd look forward to
a good year. Overall, we have a good
group of bus drivers. We have
relieved some drivers this year
because of Infractions of the law and
driving records and we are now
replacing our senior bus drivers and
getting ready for the new year.”
Allen reported no incidents of
vandalism of buses during the past
two weeks and said that vandalism
has depleted the repair budget this
year. He Invited school board
members to attend an awards
luncheon for bus drivers on May 34th
at noon at Cattletown Steak House.
Mr. Allen also reported on a
variety of capital Improvements In
progress at the various plants. In
cluding fertilization of all lawns and
athletic fields smd reseeding of the
lawnatCentral School; expansion of
the student parking area for 86 more
cars behind the stadium; repairing
of minor sewerage problems at
Bethware school; completion of
Insulation project at Bethware and
acousUcal tUe at West Cafeteria and
at multi-purpose roonu at East and
West; air-conditioning of Grades 4-6
Building and Cafeteria at East;
ordering of a room-divider for the
new building at West School for
classrooms; took bide for acoustical
treatment of celling at Bethware In
the old cafeteria, which will house a
reading lab, and In the Senior High
shop area; treated and painted lines
at the stadium for the track team
and other Improvements costing
$2,000 which wlU enable the local
track tesim to host track meetings
next year; ordered Ubrary furniture
for East School library and com
pleted landscaping at Ad
ministration Building. A major
landscaping project Is also un
derway at KMSHS, said Allen.
In other actions;
-(-heard report of compliance with
state Immunisation stsindards. With
a total of 1,108 Incomplete or missing
“shot” records of students four
months ago, Supt. William Davis
said that now only two student
records are incomplete with
progress underway to complete
them.
-(-okayed Mrs. Jack White’s
request to offer summer school
classes at West School.
-(-delayed until the board could
survey the facilities, decision to
allow KM Improvement Association
to use the old Compact plant for
(Turn to page 8A)
Two More Charged
Two more Kings Mountain men
have been charged with conspiracy
to commit larceny and accessory
before the fact In the alleged theft of
a large quantity of textile goods
from Gurney Industries in Gastonia.
Gastonia City Police arrested Jim
Thompson, 44, and Mark McDaniel,
36, both of Kings Mountain on
’lUesday. Bond was set at $6,000 for
McDaniel and $3,000 tor Thompson.
Charged earlier In the week were
John AUen Whitley, 43, of Gastonia,
a guard at the plant; Ray Mims
Raines, 38, and Robert Williams
Eng, m, both of Kings Mountain.
Det. Sgt. T.H. HarraU said the
Initial arrests were made as two of
the men returned to the plant In
Gastonia Sunday morning and while
officers were questioning Whitley,
who had called police at 4:80 a.m. to
report he was robbed by five men In
ski masks.
Police have recovered $100,000
worth of the goods reportedly stolen.
Association To Meet Friday
The annual meeting of the
Cleveland County Voter
Registration Association will be held
Fri., May 18, at 7:80 p.m. at Bynum
AME Zion Church.
At this general membership
meeting new officers will be elected
tor the coming year.
Membere and Interested cltlsens
are Invited to attend.
Junior High Open House Held
. .MOTHER OF YEAR-BIr. aiM Sirs. Ben F. Bsaas.
above, are pictured at Central United Methodist Qinrch
where Mrs. Beam was honored on Sunday morning as
“Mother of the Year” In a special Mother’s Day
program. Mrs. Beam was presented a medallloa and
honored at a Mother-Daughter banquet Monday
evening.
Kings Mountain Junior High
School Invited parents of present
seventh grade students to attend
Open House at the school ’Tuesday
night.
It was an opportunity for Incoming
as well as present students of the
Junior High and their parents to tour
the school facility.
According to a school spokesman,
the program was planned to allow
tor a smoother transition between
schools.
Ladies Night Set Saturday
Annual ladles night banquet of
Falrvlew Lodge 888 AF-AM wlU be
held Saturday night at 7:80 p.m. at
Masonic Temple.
Tribute will be made to the widows
of deceased Masons at the banquet.
Rev. Riusell Fitts, former pastor
of Bethlehem Baptist Church, will
give an entertainment program.
T^rry Hlpps Is Master of the lodge.