Cotton to towels - New distribution center filled orders fast

Fifteenth in a series

 

By Norris Dearmon

For the Kannapolis Citizen

In 1972, Cannon Mills began construction of a new sheet distribution center in Kannapolis, at a cost of more than $25 million. 

The new facility would contain more than 840,000 square feet of floor space. It had three floors above ground and one-and-a-half floors below ground. All four floors were accessible from ground level. The sub-basement contained all shops, machine shop supply, engineering, drafting offices and the research and development department.

The multimillion-dollar sheet center was an impressive addition to the Plant 1 complex. The center was to be used primarily as a sheet storage facility, designed to permit an increase in the company’s distribution capacity.

The first floor was used mainly for palletized sheet storage. Rolls of greige goods and sheets and towels designated for export shipment were also stored there. Five loading docks facilitated the handling of goods and the shipment of full truckloads of sheets.

The second floor was for filling sheet orders and for sheet storage. With the advent of so many different sheet fashion items, proper storage was necessary to satisfy customer needs. At the time the center was constructed, all of the space was not specified. The extra space was to provide storage as needed for expansion of both sheets and towels.

Prior to the new center, sheets, pillowcases and some towels were stored in the cotton warehouses. The picking location was in the old distribution center, built in 1915. When all sheet functions were moved to a new center, then more space was available for towel storage.

With the use of the new facilities, more room was also available for storing cotton, which was an integral part of the Cannon operation. Cannon stored thousands of bales of cotton in its warehouses for the company’s own use and for sale to other manufacturers.

The new center permitted a new way of packing the sheets. Customers had complained about the heavy weight of large cases of sheets. At the new center, newly produced sheets could go to a packaging department, where the sheets were packed into various “put-ups,” such as one dozen or half a dozen per case. Then they could go to the first floor of the old distribution center to be palletized into standard quantities and sent to the new sheet distribution center by the in-floor tow-line, to be stored until picked for shipment.

The three storage floors of the new sheet distribution center contained approximately 1,400 steel racks each. Each floor would hold approximately 23,000 pallets, for a total capacity of about 69,000 pallets of sheets and pillow cases. The added capacity allowed the company to ship orders to its customers more quickly than before.

The center had an elaborate sprinkler system, with heads located above and in the center of the storage racks to provide maximum fire protection. Smoke curtains, another unique feature, were spaced at regular intervals and extended about 3 feet down from the ceiling to help confine smoke to one area so it could be removed quickly by exhaust fans in the event of a fire. The curtains would also help channel the water from sprinklers more effectively to the fire area.

Personnel changes were made when the center was put in operation. Rudolph Hall was appointed overseer of sheet distribution on the first shift, and Marshall Brooks was appointed overseer of the second shift. Doug Brines was to serve as second-shift assistant superintendent of towels and sheet distribution. John Jolmes was appointed overseer of towel warehousing and sheet and towel loading.

Needless to say, the new sheet distribution center was a state-of-the-art facility. Delivery of the products was uppermost in the minds of those in sales and production. Most customers wanted their goods delivered as soon as possible. The center was able to meet the deliveries in a more timely fashion than ever before. The Cannon brand was again a leader in satisfying customer needs.

•

Norris Dearmon is a local historian and member of the Kannapolis History Associates. 

Letters to the Editor

Lew Davidson for Cabarrus County School Board  

 

I have known Lew Davidson for 26-plus years and find him to be very fair in all of his dealings with subordinates as well as superiors. I worked with Lew and for him. I also had the privilege to be on his team that won a prestigious award for performance excellence using the criteria of the national Malcolm Baldrige Award.  

Lew expects every one on his team to give at least 125 percent. At the same time he is putting out 150 percent. His workday just starts after 12 hours. He is a very dedicated individual.

If Lew tells you something, you can count on it to be the truth, even if it hurts his position.

 A vote for a person of Lew’s caliber will give our kids and grandkids a chance to have the opportunity to receive the finest education available for our county school system.

In addition to his willingness to take on the responsibility for building new needed schools and ensuring cost effective educational excellence, Lew made the following statement and means every word: “Kids come first.”  

— Hank Robson

Kannapolis

(Robson is the grandfather of a Northwest Cabarrus High School student.) 

 

Hateful lies about Larry Kissell won’t help Hayes

 

If I get one more piece of junk mail or see another ad from Robin Hayes telling his hateful lies about Larry Kissell, it’s going to be hard for me not to go wash that man’s mouth out with soap.

In my 79 years, I’ve never seen such a nasty election. I’ve known Larry Kissell all his life.

 I can’t believe how many people come up to me and ask if Hayes’ claims about not paying workers have something to do with Kissell’s 27 years as a mill worker or his years as a school teacher. Of course not. Hayes is claiming that Larry’s hiring of contract workers instead of full-time employees for his campaign for Congress is somehow illegal. It’s not only a lie, it’s a dirty shame that a lie is all Robin Hayes has to talk about after 10 years in Congress. 

People need to know that the FCC prohibits these TV stations from taking down those ads, even though they are full of lies.

 Robin Hayes should be ashamed of himself for calling Larry Kissell a criminal. Larry paid a late fee of $205 for filing a campaign report a day late back in 2006. Robin Hayes should know the authority he will ultimately have to answer to for his deceptions holds far steeper penalties.

 — Doris Parsons

Biscoe

 •

Letters policy: The Citizen wants to hear from you. Keep letters to 300 words or less, and please include your name, daytime phone number and address. Here’s where to send them: 

Mail: Kannapolis Citizen

P.O. Box 720

Kannapolis, N.C. 28081

Fax: 704-933-3453

E-mail: kannapoliscitizen.com.

That poor Jeff Gordon

By Cathy Elliott

Special to the Citizen

At the end of the race at Martinsville Speedway on October 19, I heard these words spring from the lips of an actual human, with my very own ears: “That poor Jeff Gordon.”

Say what? You have got to be kidding. Surely I didn’t hear that right. Gordon had just finished fourth in the race and moved up one spot in the driver standings.

It seemed ludicrous to me that anyone, anywhere, under any circumstances, could ever feel sorry for this particular driver.

Much like Pigpen in the old “Peanuts” cartoon series, Jeff Gordon seems to move through life surrounded by a constant cloud of dust. The difference is that Gordon’s cloud is made of gold dust.

In an arena known to be the most competitive in all of professional sports-the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit-Gordon has thumped 42 other teams in the head four times during his career to win as many series titles. That ranks him third on the overall championship list, behind Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, Sr., who each earned seven titles.  Even if Jimmie Johnson manages to accomplish the nearly impossible feat of winning a third consecutive title this season, Gordon will still be one up on him.

Part of NASCAR’s 50th anniversary celebration in 1998 was a comprehensive list of the sport’s 50 all-time greatest drivers. The 26-year-old Gordon made the list. That’s a great accomplishment, but just so there would be no question as to whether he deserved such an honor, Gordon went on to win the championship, his third, that same year. Then he followed it up with a fourth title in 2001. Jeff Gordon likes a lot of icing on his cake.

With 81 career Cup Series wins, Gordon ranks sixth on the all-time win list. Two more victories will tie him with Cale Yarborough for fifth. Three more wins would tie him with Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison for third place.

Gordon is included on Sports Illustrated’s list of the 25 richest American athletes. Not the richest NASCAR drivers, mind you, but the most financially successful athletes in all of sports. Some of the other names on the list are Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, and some guy named Tiger. I think he may be a golfer.

You can probably understand now why my first reaction to that overheard comment was to say something along the lines of, “Yeah, cry me a river for that poor Jeff Gordon.”

But then I thought about it, and I kind of understood where the guy was coming from.

In life, there is a distinction to be made between things that you do, and things that you are. For example, we do know how to ride a bicycle, but Lance Armstrong is a cyclist. We do write, but Pat Conroy is a writer. Some of us do play the guitar, but Eric Clapton is a guitarist.

And make no mistake about this. Most of us do drive cars, but Jeff Gordon is a racecar driver.

There is a quality every NASCAR competitor seems to have indelibly stamped on his or her personal DNA. Appropriately enough in this instance, it is often referred to as … drive.

It is desire and determination. It is the unwillingness to accept anything less than the ultimate prize, and the utter inability to give anything less than your personal best.

So while four championships are great, five or six would be even better, and eight would be best of all.

If Gordon does tie Allison and Waltrip for third on the winners’ list (my money’s on him), second-place David Pearson (105 victories) just might start looking a little squirmy, if you know what I’m saying.

The 50 greatest NASCAR drivers of all time? How about the top 10, or the top five? 

It is unlikely that Gordon this year’s Sprint Cup Series championship. He has an outside chance, at best, at this late point in the Chase. He will don his designer tuxedo and make a charming speech at the awards banquet in New York City, but you can bet it will gall him that some other driver is hoisting the trophy at evening’s end. He will consider what would constitute a banner year for plenty of other racers to be just not good enough. He will present a gracious face to the public–yet another thing he does remarkably well–and then he and his team will head back to the shop to puzzle and ponder and problem-solve until the 2009 Daytona 500 rolls around and they can give it another go.

Like that elusive brass ring on the old carnival carousels, perfection is something we all know we cannot reach. But as we grow and progress and our arms get longer, we can come a whole lot closer with each attempt, and we never stop trying.

Jeff Gordon’s arms have grown longer and stronger with the passing years, and have embraced a great many accomplishments along the way.  On our own individual roads to success, we could do a lot worse than to emulate his driving style, both personally and professionally.

After thinking it through, I’ve decided I’m sticking with my first reaction. That poor Jeff Gordon? I don’t think so.

Playoffs are now for NWC

By Bill Kiser

Kannapolis Citizen

While most teams won’t get into a postseason mindset for another two weeks, Northwest Cabarrus head coach Rich Williams already has the Trojans thinking like a playoff team.

Why? Because Northwest faces a “win or go home” scenario over its final two games in order to earn a berth in the state playoffs, beginning with Friday night’s game against East Rowan.

Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Mustang Stadium in Granite Quarry.

The Trojans (4-5, 2-5 North Piedmont Conference) snapped a three-game losing streak last week by beating Carson 21-7. The win was also Northwest’s fourth of the season, making them playoff eligible.

However, Williams would like to improve the Trojans’ chances with wins in their last two games — hence, the playoff mindset.

“We told our kids before the Carson game that our playoffs started (last week),” Williams said. “We’ve got to keep winning if we want to keep going. That’s the kind of mindset we’ve got for our kids and for our team.”

Yet it was the Cougars that went ahead early in last week’s game, taking advantage of an intercepted Arrick Hincher pass to set up Shawn Warren’s 1-yard TD run to put Carson up 7-0.

But Northwest put the ball in the hands on sophomore running back Calvin Nelson, and he came through with 190 rushing yards and two touchdowns — a 7-yard run in the second quarter that tied the score, and a 77-yard dash in the third for the Trojans’ final score.

It was the third 100-yard game for Nelson this season and his third two-TD effort, and increased his team-leading totals to 783 yards rushing and six touchdowns.

“We finally put together a complete game,” Williams said. “Our offense finally scored some points, and we put our running game together. … Calvin normally doesn’t start for us, but he had a really good game. He’s probably our fastest back.”

Northwest also scored when Jonathon Wallace — who opened the season as the Trojans’ starting QB, but was replaced by Hincher three games ago _ hit Graham Wright on an 18-yard TD pass with 2:58 left in the first half to put NWC ahead for good.

Defensively, while NWC gave up 104 rushing yards to Warren, it also forced two Carson turnovers that set up the Trojans’ last two touchdowns.

Northwest will need a similar effort against the Mustangs (1-8, 0-7), who have lost their last seven games.

East Rowan — which lost to North Iredell 21-7 last week — runs a version of the “flexbone” offense, keyed around quarterback Trevor Monroe, running back Quentin Sifford and wideout Ben Decelle, who is also a threat on kick and punt returns.

“We’re definitely going to have to play assignment football,” Williams said. “Everybody’s got to take their man and their gap assignment, because if they don’t (East) can make you pay for it.”

However, Williams isn’t putting Friday’s game in the win column just yet.

“We can’t take anybody lightly,” he said. “We’ve got to play well and not make mistakes, and score points. If we can do that, then we’ll be fine because our defense has really played well in just about every game.

“But our offense has to continue to execute. They had some success (last week), and hopefully that will continue.”

Wonders on win streak

By Bill Kiser

Kannapolis Citizen

Even thought A.L. Brown has a nice winning streak going and remains in contention for a conference title, the Wonders coaches aren’t ready to say the team is playing at its best.

That’s why Brown’s final two games — including Friday night’s home game against Porter Ridge — are so important, as the Wonders look to improve their play heading into the state playoffs

Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Kannapolis Memorial Stadium.

Brown (7-2, 5-1 South Piedmont Conference) has won four consecutive games after posting a 21-6 victory over Hickory Ridge last week. The win also leaves the Wonders one-half game back of Anson County in the league standings.

While A.L. Brown had problems getting its running game going _ despite two rushing touchdowns, the Wonders finished with a season-low 65 yards — its passing game made up for it. Jamill Lott threw for 134 yards and one touchdown (a 42-yarder to T.J. Johnson) on just 5-of-13 completions.

Lott also had one of Brown’s rushing TDs, a 

9-yard run midway through the second quarter that staked the Wonders to a 14-0 halftime lead. The other score came on Travis Riley’s 1-yard run nearly four minutes earlier.

Developing their passing game will be a key for the Wonders over the remaining weeks, according to offensive line coach Todd Hagler, to take the pressure off their ground game.

“We’ve got to get a lot better offensively,” Hagler said. “We’ve got a lot of people taking the run away, so we need to develop our passing game a little bit better. If we can throw it, we can do pretty good.

“We’re pleased with the win … but we need to be able to throw the ball a little bit better when teams are going to load up the box like they did last week.”

Defensively, while Brown gave up 136 passing yards (and Hickory Ridge’s only TD), the Wonders took away the Ragin’ Bulls’ ground game, holding them to a season-low minus-29 yards rushing.

Still, according to defensive coordinator Noah Lyon, Brown’s defense can play even better.

“We didn’t break but one time, but we’re still not where we need to be,” Lyon said. “We would mess up some, then make a big play. We’ve got to get past that — we’ve got to get to where we don’t mess up and give up a big play. But if we can make a big play every now and then, that’d be fine.”

The Wonders’ defense will face another pass-oriented team in Porter Ridge (3-6, 2-3), which snapped a five-game losing streak by beating Parkwood 9-7 on Monday night.

“We’re probably going to face this the next couple weeks,” Lyon said. “They run it some, too. … When you do things that get more people looking for the pass, that’s when they like to run it.”

And Brown’s offense will go up against another defense that will stack the line in an attempt to shut down its rushing game.

“They’re sound fundamentally,” Hagler said. “They’ll put eight people in the box. They’re not going to beat themselves — they’re going to make you beat them. They’ve been getting a little bit better every game.

“We’re going to challenge our receivers in practice, to run good routes and catch the ball when it’s thrown to them. Jamill’s got to do a good job reading the defense, and up front we’ve got to be able to protect him because they’re going to commit to stopping the run.”

 

 

 

Church briefs

Trunk or Treat 

MOORESVILLE — The public is invited to the Trunk or Treat party Sunday, 5-7 p.m., in Prospect Park at Prospect Presbyterian Church, 9425 W. N.C. 152.

There will be moon bounces, a petting zoo, hay rides, games and a soup and sandwich supper.

The actual Trunk or Treat activity, when costumed children walk from car to car, collecting candy and other goodies, begins at 6:30 p.m.

Everything is free.

Prizes will be awarded for best decorated trunks for those who wish to give out candy.

For more information, call 704-664-1514.

• CHINA GROVE — Highest Praise Family Worship Center, 1700 Bostian Road, is holding a free community event, Trunk or Treat, Oct. 31, 6-8:30 p.m.

There will be candy for kids, a cake walk, pumpkin painting and hayrides.

 

Blackwelder Park 

Blackwelder Park Baptist Church, 2299 N. Main St., will hold its annual Fall Festival at “The Park” Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m., with fun for all ages. 

The event includes inflatables and cake walks.  There will be a drawing for a $50 gas card and other prizes.  

The public is invited to  enjoy popcorn, candy apples, hot dogs, fountain drinks and candy. Admission is free. 

Call 704-932-4266 for more information. 

 

Chicken dinner

North Kannapolis Methodist Church, 1307 N. Main St., will host the second “BockBock@The Rock” barbecued chicken fundraiser Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The dinner includes half a Port-a-Pit barbecued chicken, slaw, baked beans and a roll.

Raffle tickets will be sold for $2 each for a framed and matted Cannon Mills print by photographer Chad Mitchell.

Proceeds from  fundraiser and raffle will benefit the church sanctuary restoration.

Hot dog roast

First Presbyterian Church in Kannapolis plans an outdoor Hot Dog Roast behind the church on Sunday.

Activities begin at 4 p.m., and include pony rides, a moonwalk, inflatable play area, pumpkin decorating, face painting, a hay ride and games for older children and teens. An informal worship service around the fire will be at 6 p.m.

The Kannapolis Fire and Police departments will provide vehicles for children to inspect. Hot dogs will be provided,along with marshmallows at 4:30. Participants should bring their own lawn chairs and roasting sticks. A grill will be provided for those who do not wish to roast hot dogs over the fire. Meat-free hot dogs also will be available.

The worship service will include singing camp songs and familiar hymns and choruses. There will be special music by the Kidz Khoir.

For additional information, call 704-938-4623 or visit www.FirstPresb.org.

 

 

 

Jeffrey Rinehardt

CONCORD — Jeffrey Paul Rinehardt, 45, Concord, died Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008.  

Born June 4, 1963, he was the son of Jerry Wilson and Gayle Ledbetter Rinehardt of Concord. He was employed by Duke Energy for more than 22 years and was a third- degree Mason. 

In addition to his parents, survivors include his wife, Katherine Parker Rinehardt; sons Taylor Wilson and Dylan Lee Rinehardt, of the home; brothers Gregory Scott Rinehardt, Richlands, Va., Matthew Lynn Rinehardt, Blacksburg, Va., and Jonathan Mark Rinehardt, Florence, S.C.; and grandmother Katherine Ledbetter,  Concord.

A service was held Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008, at Westford United Methodist Church, conducted by the Rev. Jeffrey Rushing and missionaries B.J. and Kristene Diggins. Entombment, Carolina Memorial Park. 

Memorials: Good Samaritan International Outreach, 6160 Breezy Lane, Concord, NC 28025. 

Wilkinson Funeral Home is assisting the family.

C.L. Menius

CONCORD — Charles Lucky “C.L.” Menius, 83, died Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008, at his home.

Born Jan. 7, 1925, he was the son of the late Neal and Icie Costner Menius. He was a graduate of Evans College in Concord and had worked at Cannon Mills Co. for more than 30 years. He was in the restaurant business for 11 years and was a real estate broker in Holden Beach. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving   from 1943 to 1945. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Avis Poole Tino Menius, whom he married in 1945.  

Survivors include daughter Renee Hogan, Salisbury; sons Arnold Tino, Kannapolis, and Tony L. Menius, Holden Beach; brother Bobby Menius, Biloxi, Miss.; and sisters Marcelle Helms, Holden Beach, and Atha Hendrix, Concord; seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. 

A service was held Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, at Whitley’s Funeral Home, conducted   by the Rev. Brenda Newman. Burial was private. 

Memorials: Hospice of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.

‘Weegie’ Stark

CONCORD — Elouise “Weegie” Stark, 57, 62 Skipwith St., died Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008, at Avante at Concord. 

Born Oct. 22, 1950, in Cabarrus County, she was the daughter of the late Walter Stark and Pauline Grissom. She attended Cabarrus County Schools and was a member of First Primitive Baptist Church. 

Survivors include brothers Walter, Dennis and Anthony Stark, all of Concord; and sisters Shirley Parks and Nancy Ford, both of Kannapolis.

A service was held Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, at New Birth Christian Center, conducted by the Rev. Alexander Porter. Burial, Rutherford Memorial Cemetery. 

Lamb Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Timothy Roseman

SALISBURY — Timothy Bradford Roseman, 51, Terrell, died Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, at Rowan Regional Medical Center.

Born April 24, 1957, he was the son of William B. and Judy Little Roseman. He was a graduate of A.L. Brown High School and Catawba College. He owned Roseman Rentals.

He was preceded in death by step-mother, Doris Roseman.

Survivors, in addition to his parents, include daughter Mallory Roseman, Mooresville; son Adam Roseman, Terrell; brother Joey Roseman, Kannapolis; and fianceé Cindy Stewart.

A service was held Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, at Whitley’s Funeral Home Chapel. Burial at a later date.

Memorials: American Cancer Society, South Atlantic Division, 6000 Fairview Road, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28210.

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