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Guess the Date
By Marie Craig
I enjoy reading the old newspapers online at www.newspapers.com (a paid subscription) or online at our library’s History Room free Website, https://www.daviecountync.gov/1162/Local-History-and-Genealogy. I’ve used all of these in writing my 12 history books about Davie County. These are the newspapers that have been printed in our county. The Davie Times (1880-1903), The Davie Record (1899-1956), Mocksville Herald (1912), Mocksville Enterprise (1917, 1921-1956), Davie County Enterprise Record (1958-current), Erwin Chatter (1944, 1945, 1952-1954), and Cooleemee Journal (1906-1970). Some of these are also on microfilm in the History Room.
As I’ve read through these old articles, I’ve realized that not much changes through the years. From 1921-1956, there were two papers printed.The Davie Record catered to Republicans and the Mocksville Enterprise was for Democrats. During election time, they listed only their own candidates and not the opposing party. There were snide remarks about the other party in both papers. That seems familiar in our current time. These two newspapers merged in 1958, and luckily, we see both sides of politics now.
As a test for you, I will include three articles that I’ve read and you are to guess the date. I’ll put the answers at the end. Don’t peek.
No. 1: “The House will soon tackle the tariff bill and may reduce it a dozen times, but our people will not realize it. But if they will abolish the internal revenue and pass the Blair bill, our people would be benefited at once. Hon. John S. Henderson is still exerting every effort to rid us of this curse, and be it said to his credit, though it seems a fruitless task, he works as though inspired with an assurance of success at every new effort.”
No. 2: “The Home Demonstration Club will have their annual Christmas party on Friday evening, Dec. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Mrs. W.M. Click on Erwin Street. Each member is to bring a covered dish, and a Christmas gift to be exchanged with other members.”
N. 3: “Semi-annual pension checks for Confederate war veterans and their widows which total $2,482.50 have been received by C.B. Hoover, clerk of superior court, from the state. Mr. Hoover requests that all recipients of the checks please arrange to get them immediately at his office, since he is anxious to have them delivered before Christmas. According to the pension list there is only one Confederate veteran living in Davie county. His name is P. A. Miller and it is stated that he was a member of Co. B., 1st Battalion, Junior Reserves from Yadkin county. There are 15 class “A” widows who receive $150 each; one veteran who receives $182.50 and one class “B” widow, Mrs. Sallie P. Hodges, who receives $550. The class “A” widows include Mary F. Anderson, Clara A. Bowden, Lina B. Clement, Fannie Dunn, Sallie Odell Foster, D. R. Frost, Lou F. Furches, Nancy Glasscock, Rebecca Jane Hendrix, L.D. Johnson, M. C. McClanton, J.A. Potts, Alice Seaford, Elizabeth Smith and Sarah L. Turner.”
Answer 1: Davie Times, June 18, 1886; Answer 2: The Cooleemee Journal, Dec. 13, 1956; Answer 3: The Mocksville Enterprise, Dec. 15, 1938.

Well Done
By Gaye Hoots
I attended the birthday celebration for a classmate, Charles Crenshaw, and was amazed at the crowd of more than 300 honoring him. He taught and coached hundreds of kids, as did his wife, Patsy Davis Crenshaw, an Advance girl. Charles deserved the accolades, but I was surprised by the large turnout, including classmates, educators, business owners, and community members who have positively impacted our community to express our appreciation.
Our class was blessed to have many educators and coaches, including Grimes Parker, who contributed so much to the youth of our county. Several of these were present to help Charles celebrate. They touched the lives of so many kids in a positive and supportive manner. I am the same age as Charles, and my personality and life goals were impacted by my teachers and coaches. I was employed as a special education aide at Shady Grove School before attending nursing school, and I have fond memories of the kids I worked with and probably learned more from them than they did me.
My children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter have all been students at Shady Grove, representing four generations of attendance. I am grateful to each of the teachers and coaches who contributed. You all took papers home to grade, gave free time for PTO meetings, ball games, and other school activities, and bought supplies with their own money while taking care to obtain help for the students who did not have funds for lunches and other needs.
Charles coordinated our class reunions and informed us about life changes and events, which made our class one of the most cohesive. I am proud of each classmate and of their efforts and achievements, as well as of celebrating the accomplishments of their children and grandchildren. They keep our community, county, state, and country strong. We see negative and divisive messages in the news daily, such as that the US is going to hell in a handbasket. We are not!
At the grassroots level, we are the strong foundation of this country. Our ancestors’ blood stains the soil of this country, starting from the Revolutionary War, and we have lost family members on foreign soil fighting for our freedom. Everyone who showed up for Charles, each of our classmates, and all the others from our school system, for over 80 years, has contributed to our strength. We may be referred to as the common people, but we are also the people with common sense. We and our successive families are the tax base that keeps the wheels turning, and we appreciate the value of a dollar and understand the problem of our national debt.
We take care of our families, friends, neighbors, and church communities. I just watched the church service from Calvary West, a dedication and commitment service to the children of church members. My granddaughter presented her nineteen-year-old daughter and her one-year-old medically compromised daughter to symbolize her and the church community’s commitment to raising these children to serve God. Their commitment has helped to sustain Tiffany’s family over the year since Mia’s birth. I got a photo of Annie, Tiffany, Jaden, and Mia during the service. Our strength comes from God.
Another example of the willingness of our community to help came this week. Tiffany returned home with Mia from a day spent at Wake Hospital, where she had a procedure that required extra monitoring. Mia is especially sensitive to heat and has difficulty regulating her body temperature. The air conditioning had gone off, and after checking the breakers, Tiffany began phoning businesses that were now closed, asking for help. Even though it was after business hours and cutting into their family time, three of them responded: K and W, Chilton, and Topline, all offering to come then. K and W were the first to respond, arrive, and repair the air conditioning.
These are the people our community is made up of. Good people are willing to lend a helping hand. We may cringe at the headlines we see decrying our country, but we know our strength. Congratulations to Charles, and thanks to everyone who celebrated with him in person or other ways. Well done to each of you and all our educators, nurses, volunteers, civic leaders, church members, and to the families who do their best to raise strong families. Well done indeed.

Pure Joy
By Julie Terry Cartner
“Please, Sir, Which way to the waterfall?” The young boy looked at us with undoubting trust. He knew we could tell him what we needed to know.
Looking to ensure his family was close by, and that they were okay with this conversation, we answered with smiles almost as big as his. “That way,” we said, pointing to the left.
“Thank you,” he chortled, and turning left, he skipped down the correct path surrounded by his loving family, his chubby little boy legs moving him forward as fast as he could go, his smile, sparking eyes and enthusiastic wave telling the story. This was the epitome of absolute joy. We exchanged glances with the family, all of us sharing in this magical moment, our delight in his joy almost a palpable thing.
It was a moment, a brief encounter, and something that would never happen again. But that one moment, only a few seconds long, would be indelibly imprinted in our memories forever.
My husband and I had just finished hiking the 3km waterfall loop of Glenariff Forest, [Gleann Aireamh, Valley of the Ploughman], in Northern Ireland, a gorgeous hike with spectacular views from the very top where we’d enjoyed a picnic lunch, then a steep hike down through a lovely forest, blooming wildflowers and unbelievable views. The hike was steep, and my fervent hope was that the other side would be gentler going up! The first waterfall, Ess-na-larach, or Fall of the Mare, is a 35-foot waterfall thundering its way down a rocky path in the forest. With well-defined trails and bridges, the view of this waterfall was everything I could have hoped.
After soaking up the scene for some time, we continued down the path to the sister waterfall, Ess-na-crub, Fall of the Hooves, a gentler, but equally scenic waterfall. This one, unsurprisingly hoof-shaped, had streams of water coming down from all sides of the entire arc. To add to the fun, a group of young men had apparently challenged each other to get in the water. The day was cold and rainy, and the Gleanariff River was far colder. We caught them after they had jumped in, and the good-natured fun of the group now blue with cold and shivering uncontrollably, was entertaining to watch.
From this waterfall the path turned uphill, and thankfully, the trek back to the top was both gentle and gorgeous, so, before we knew it, we had returned to the top of the trail. A bench had been placed near the summit, so we sat down to enjoy the view, and perhaps, possibly, catch our breath. I honestly didn’t think the day could get any better.
That’s when the little boy, probably around four years old, came running up with his question. A great day became even greater. His manners were impeccable. His trust that an adult would be able to tell him what he needed to know was heartwarming. The obvious protection and love that came from his family was inspiring. But the smile, the unadulterated joy that came from the child, a child who was clearly loved, protected, and treasured, was the pie’ce de re’sistance. All children should have that knowledge that they are loved, safe, and cared for. All children should carry that wealth of joy within them. And hopefully, they should grow up to be young men and women who can enjoy the innocent, good-natured fun of challenging themselves to take a dip in a scenic waterfall.
And, when they do, they unconsciously share it with those around them. Our day will always be one of those perfect memories because a four-year-old with a beautiful smile, a generous heart, and soul filled with laughter shared his joy with us.