Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
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704-484-1047 www.shelbyinfo.com Our 40th Year • Issue No. 32 • August 10, 2023 "In GOD We Trust" An award winning 1957 Chevy 150 Sedan has an amaz- ing story - as do other vehicles entered in the 2023 Hot Nights Cool Rides Car Show in down- town 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 Hollifield and his wife Frances Randall Hollifield, 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 chil- dren, including Sharyn. Although the family lived in Charlotte 50 years, they never forgot their Rutherford County roots and came back often for visits. "Her (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 paint- ed and restored vehicles for a liv- ing (Skipper restored it during the Covid years. Her dad passed away before it was fin- ished). "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. "It came full circle," Sharyn said. Her siblings are proud that their brother-in-law was able to restore the car and it's a pre- cious family memory. "My husband did all the work. He brought it back to the 50s style. Not the Hot Rod, but the original look with the seats recovered," she continued. "It was a labor of love to get it back to where it was," Sharyn continued. The Johnsons drove the car to Catawa from Charlotte last week for a cruise-in. Their son- in-law is a dentist there and they decided to take car for a ride. "It is an old-fashioned town, fountain drinks, an old Rexall Drug, like the one in Spindale where I spent summers with my aunt and uncle (Dan and Helen Simmons)." "The car show (Hot Rides Cool Nights) was one of the first car shows we went to last year," Sharyn said. "I won the award - the Jim Wantuch Memorial Award. It was so special. We just had the best time." Roger and Myra Moore also received the same trophy last year for their 1954 Chevy Truck 5100. "We are enjoying this car. We don't trailer it to car shows. We drive it. " Sharyn is looking forward to coming back to Forest City August 18 and 19 and the couple plan to stay overnight Friday after the Cruise-In. "Forest City is a beautiful place. Downtown is perfect, flow- ers are beautiful, the old town clock, the old small town feel and it's just a beautiful place to have a car show. This is where our family was when we visited our grandparents. It has a spe- cial meaning to us because this is where our parents grew up," she said. There were plenty of cousins, aunts and uncles who live in Forest City, Bostic, Sunshine, Spindale, Tryon and Alexander Mills. We love coming back here," she said. Now retired, Sharyn and Skipper have a pick-up truck and a Buick when not driving the award-winning Chevy. 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 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. Skipper and Sharyn Johnson's son, Adam and his family, in the Chevy at a Hollifi eld family reunion last year in Sunshine. The restored 1957 Chevy 150 Sedan. Every car has its story — owner shares town, family connections M, M, The 31st annual Hot Nights Cool Rides in Forest City begins Friday, August 18 with a free cruise-in at the Park on Pavilion Square (POPS) beginning at 6pm with music by Ocean Blvd Band. Saturday, August 19, car registrations begin at 9am and continue until noon. Cost is $30 per vehicle.There will be plenty of food vendors, restaurants are open and stores are also open for shopping. An awards ceremony begins at 7pm for the more than 400 cars competing in one of the largest car shows in the Southeast. Plenty of parking off Main Street. Bring a chair. Stay all day. 2023 2023 Local High School Varsity Local High School Varsity FOOTBALL FOOTBALL SCHEDULES SCHEDULES SEE PAGE 5 ©Community First Media Community First Media HUGE SALE ALL REMAINING MOWERS IN STOCK ALL REMAINING MOWERS IN STOCK PRICED AT OUR LOWEST PRICE EVER! PRICED AT OUR LOWEST PRICE EVER! 356 E. Main St.,Lawndale 704-538-0508 Mon-Fri 7:30am-6pm • Sat 8am-4pm mainstreethardwareinc.com WE NOW SELL WE NOW SELL DEER CORN DEER CORN EASY EASY FINANCING FINANCING AVAILABLE AVAILABLE $ 8,450 8,450 ONLY ONLY $ 8,250 8,250 ALL GEORGIA ALL GEORGIA BOOTS BOOTS IN STOCK IN STOCK 20 20 % OFF OFF THRU AUGUST THRU AUGUST