Rutherford Weekly

An award winning 1957 Chevy 150 Sedan has an amazing story - as do other vehicles entered in the 2023 Hot Nights Cool Rides Car Show in downtown Forest City. The teal Chevy, owned by Sharyn Johnson and husband Skipper, was Sharyn's family car a long time ago and after its use, the car sat in a barn off Bostic Sunshine Highway for over 20 years. Purchased by Sharyn's dad, James Hollifi eld and his wife Frances Randall Hollifi eld, both who grew up in Rutherford County, it was the family car until 1973. That was also the last time the car was inspected. The couple met in Forest City on a blind date. Her mother, Frances from Caroleen, was a seamstress at a dry cleaners in Forest City and also did alterations for the public. James grew up in Sunshine where he and his wife lived until his job took him to the Charlotte area where the couple raised their children, including Sharyn. Although the family lived in Charlotte 50 years, they never forgot their Rutherford County roots and came back often for visits. "He (daddy) bought the car new in 1956. He ordered it from L.C. Cook (Chevrolet). It still has the original plate and tag" Sharyn said. She also has the title. Before her dad's passing, he put the car in Sharyn's name, knowing it could be restored by her husband Skipper, who painted and restored vehicles for a living (Skipper restored it during the Covid years. Her dad passed away before it was fi nished). "All my family, brother and sister, grew up with the car. We learned to drive with this car," Sharyn said. They look family vacations to the beach and Washington, DC in the car. "When my sister and I got to high school, the car was looking so bad. We wanted a new car, we were embarrassed to be in that car," Sharyn said. "Now it brings us a lot of pride and joy." When Skipper decided to restore the Chevy he maintained the car's original color, original interior and upholstery work. Continued on page 2. ISSUE NO. 32 • August 10, 2023 ISSUE NO. 32 • August 10, 2023 • • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 ©Community First Media Community First Media 356 E. Main St., Lawndale 704-538-0508 Mon-Fri. 7:30am-6pm • Sat. 8am-4pm mainstreethardwareinc.com Locally Owned & Operated MULCH, GRAVEL, SAND, TOP SOIL BY THE SCOOP! MULCH, GRAVEL, SAND, TOP SOIL BY THE SCOOP! GREAT PRICES! GREAT PRICES! DID YOU KNOW WE HAVE ALL BOOTS IN STOCK ALL BOOTS IN STOCK 20 20 % OFF OFF THE MONTH OF AUG THE MONTH OF AUG 2000 SERIES 2000 SERIES COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL MOWER MOWER 60 INCH CUT 60 INCH CUT ATTN LANDSCAPERS: ASK ABOUT OUR VOLUME DISCOUNT! NEW - 52 INCH 2000 SERIES 24.5 HP...PRICED TO SELL $ 7,599 7,599 $ 8,450 8,450 ONLY ONLY $ 8,250 8,250 N.C. TRACTOR & FARM SUPPLY 299 Railroad Ave., Rutherfordton • 828-288-0395 Mobile: 828-429-5008 • mf1dpshehan@gmail.com SALES • SERVICE • PARTS IF YOU BUY ANYWHERE ELSE YOU WILL PAY TOO MUCH! IF YOU BUY ANYWHERE ELSE YOU WILL PAY TOO MUCH! PROUDLY SERVING RUTHERFORD, CLEVELAND, GASTON, LINCOLN, POLK COUNTIES AS THE AREAS HOMETOWN MASSEY FERGUSON DEALER. Great Selection Great Selection Our 31 st Year • Over 25,000 Weekly Readers Article by Jean Gordon; photos contributed . Hot Nights Cool Rides will Hot Nights Cool Rides will soon roll into Forest City soon roll into Forest City Every car has its story — owner shares town, family connections M, 7 M, 7 A dozen cars started one of the largest car shows in the Southeast Some folks in the Southeast plan their vacation and weekend get-aways around the Hot Nights Cool Rides Car Show. "A man called me the other day from New Jersey and was coming down for vacation and wanted to check the car show dates fi rst," said Ray Pittman, who was instrumental in organizing the fi rst car show in Forest City 31 years ago. "It's always the third Saturday in August," he said he reminded the caller. Pittman handed the responsibility of the car show to others years ago because he got a little burned out and it was time for some "younger folks to take over." However, his stories of the fi rst show remain fresh. Pittman recalled the fi rst endeavor to bring classic cars to Forest City. "The fi rst car show we had 12 cars," Pittman said. "They were owned by local guys who fi xed them up, nothing like the mega dollars spent on cars these days," he said. Pittman was a member of the Forest City Merchants Association 31 years ago and owned Western Auto, when merchants realized their supported June Jubilees and arts and crafts festivals just weren't successful anymore in bringing people to downtown. "That kind of system was burning out. People complained we didn't get enough customers," Pittman continued. "I said, 'let's start a car show', to which the merchants responded "Fine, start one," he said he was told. The rest of the story is monumental. In Pittman's early days of organizing the car show, the merchants association was totally responsible for expenses. "We made it work" he said. After a couple of years, the town joined hands with others to help sponsor the show and recoup some of the expenses. Later, the food court, T-shirts and music became a part of the car show's success. "Every year a different T-shirt, then trophies, then we had 30 classes of cars. It really started growing, too when we brought in some judges," he said. Pittman said sponsors would offer monetary gifts to attendees and people could win $50 in gifts. "This has become a real good community draw from the outside," adding that Hot Rod magazine once featured the show, along with other publications. Melissa Cantrell is among dozens of Forest City volunteers/merchants looking forward to the 31st year. "I got involved almost from the beginning. I enjoy being with the people. "Rutherford County has numerous people involved in investing in all these old cars and I just enjoy getting out there with all the people. Most people are so thankful for this car show. One person told me he enjoys seeing old friends. One told me although he and a friend are in different car classes, 'we can still sit together at the car show'." Cantrell has always been a visible supporter of the show and counts the days until August 18. Her husband and son are in the business of restoring cars and she's always enjoyed that facet of their lives. "I do not regret getting involved, but it's not about me," Pittman said of the fi rst car show. "The merchants made it work. Because of all that, today the proceeds go to a charity or another form of need...They would come in with volunteers, quite a few people that manned all this, and then the carriage rides were stirred up," he said. Pittman recalled bringing the Night Moves band for many years. "They brought the beach music that really set it off," he said. Although not hands-on in planning the show, he's thankful to a number of sponsors, the Town of Forest City, Rutherford County Tourism Authority and others for bringing one of the best car shows in the Southeast to Forest City. Pittman also named the car show. "I was sitting at home one night trying to think of what we could call the car show. "Well it was Hot Nights...and they were Cool Rides" and so the show was named. The 2023 show will be on August 18 and August 19 when more than 400 classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, Model T's, hot rods and other types of vehicles wheel into town for one of the largest car shows in the Southeast. There will be a free Cruise-in Friday night with Ocean Boulevard at the Park on Pavilion Square, plenty of food, fun, and music all day Saturday. OUR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL EDITION OUR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL EDITION The award winning 1957 Chevy 150 Sedan outside the family home in Sunshine. The 1957 Chevy sat in the shed at the home-place of James Hollifi eld in Sunshine for about 20 years. Ray Pittman Melissa Cantrell (left) and other volunteers.

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