From The Randolph Guide - Dec. 30, 1959
Plans to expand Asheboro's city limits westward were put on hold with the petitioning for an election. The Asheboro Board of Commissioners was set to hold a public hearing today, during which they were expected to adopt the annexation measure. However, petitions signed by 144 residents, about 20 percent of the estimated registered voters in the area, called for an election to decide if they want to be part of the city. In the event the board decides at today's public hearing that the petition meets the required number of signatures (15 percent), it would seem unlikely that an election would be held before early summer. City Manager John J. Gray Jr. said that no petitions had been received objecting to annexation of the souther section, which would take in the old airport property, Asheboro Municipal Golf Course, a number of retail firms and the General Electric plant.
The sale of 1960 motor vehicle license plates will begin for Randolph County residents on Saturday, Jan. 2. Jack Fetner, local branch manager of the Carolina Motor Club, said the tags will be on sale at a new location, a building next to Vestal's Amoco Service on US 64 just west of Asheboro. Fetner said citizens must have their license renewal cards before plates can be issued. No special numbers can be reserved and sales will be expedited if the correct amount of money is ready, including a $1 driver training fee. Checks will not be accepted. Plates for Randolph County will begin with CL 3701 and continue through CM 8700. Asheboro city tags can also be purchased for $1 each during the same hours at the Motor Club office. Motor vehicles must bear the new 1960 license tags by midnight, Feb. 15.
The Asheboro Friends Meeting congregation will move into their new building at the corner of East Kivett and South Main streets on Sunday, Jan. 3. The last meeting at the old church was held last Sunday. The new building contains an auditorium with seating for 350 in the downstairs section and 50 in the balcony. In the basement of the education building is the fellowship hall to be used for the opening of Sunday school. The kitchen is also in the basement.
There are 23 Sunday school rooms, a pastor's study and library. The minister, the Rev. Bascom Rollins, will use the theme, "The True Foundation of the Church," for the opening service. The old church, located on Hoover Street, was built in 1915, but the meeting was organized two years earlier in 1913 with 17 charter members. The group met in other churches and the local armory until the Hoover Street meetinghouse was built. There are two charter members still living Ð Mrs. Nettie Lewallen and Mrs. Fannie Johnson. Both were present at the last service in the old building.
Open house was held at the homes of three members of the Little Gate Garden Club. Mrs. G.W. Hayworth Jr., Mrs. T.R. Farlow and Mrs. Sam Current opened their homes for a Christmas decorations tour by club members on Friday, Dec. 18.
Frederick R. Bird, sonarman seaman, USN, of Worth Street, Asheboro, was graduated Dec. 11 from sonar school at Key West, Fla.
- Compiled by Larry Penkava from the archives of The Randolph Guide
