A new book is out that captures, in words and photographs, some of the most admired and loved products ever to be made in Henderson – the Corbitt truck.
Tar Heel Treasures: Richard J. Corbitt and the Corbitt Motor Co. is available for purchase now, and Corbitt truck enthusiast Kenneth Stegall said the book is the result of several years’ work by its author, Richard Gabrick.
Stegall is archivist, treasurer and webmaster for the Corbitt Preservation Association. He was a guest on Monday’s TownTalk and had nothing but praise for the book, which contains several hundred photographs of the buggies, automobiles and trucks that rolled off the production lines at the factory just off Dabney Drive. He called it “the most complete edition that you’ll be able to get your hands on” about the different types of vehicles that rolled off the production lines in Henderson for more than 50 years.
“It’s amazing to have it in your hand after about 5 or 6 years of preparing for it,” Stegall said. His role was to send photographs and to make sure the photos were properly credited, he said.
“We’re proud now that it’s done,” he said, adding that the author also is pleased with the result.
At one time, Corbitt was the largest truck builder in the South, and cranked out those behemoth workhorses used in World War II.
But when the war ended, so did the government contract. And $12 million was a lot of money to leave on the table in the 1940’s. That, along with the fact that other truck manufacturers were moving to diesel engines, stalled the meteoric ascent that Corbitt had enjoyed during its heyday.
“When the war ended, we were still in the gas truck business,” Stegall explained. “Nobody really wanted a gas truck any more…we just couldn’t get the diesel engines that others were able to get.” And with nobody left in the Corbitt family to carry on the brand, the choices were slim: either shut it down or try to sell, he said.
The company halted production in 1955, and only one other truck was completed – using leftover parts – and was titled in 1960. That vehicle is still in existence, Stegall said.
The factory that began producing horse-drawn carriages in 1899 also went on to produce a variety of vehicles that include trucks, horseless buggies, automobiles and tractors.
“Between 1899 and 1917, we were building buggies, cars AND trucks in Henderson,” Stegall said.
A self-proclaimed Corbitt enthusiast since the age of 13, Stegall said he’s learned a lot as he contributed to the book project. “We continue to learn so much,” he added. The internet has helped others who live far away from the Corbitt “epicenter” of Henderson and it’s helped immensely to gather more information about vehicles that still exist – some tractors are still being used in Brazil, he said.
And Stegall has a hunch that the company produced more automobiles than what is known about. “I think 100 automobiles is a rally low number,” he said.
He’d love to get his hands on production documents, but none have surfaced so far. Stegall remains optimistic, however.
Take the fairly recent attic discovery of a trove of photographs headed for the trash. The photos were rescued and donated to the Corbitt Preservation Association, and more than a few ended up in Gabrick’s book – with proper credit.
“It’s amazing that people kept them and I’m so glad that they did,” he said.
“I look forward every day to find that picture that I’ve never seen.”
To request a copy of Tar Heel Treasures, call Stegall at 252.432.6476 or email him at gjammer35@aol.com. The book costs $42.95.
If you need it shipped, the total price is $48.33. Visit https://corbitttrucks.com/bulletin-board/ to learn more.
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SportsTalk: J.F. Webb Prepares For Vance County
/by Scout HughesSportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th
J.F. Webb Head Football Coach Keionte Gainey joins Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue on SportsTalk to talk about the Warriors preparation for this Fridays game against Vance County.
Vance County will host J.F. Webb on Military Appreciation Night for Week 11 of the 2024 season on Friday, November 1st and you can hear all the action on WIZS 1450AM, 100.1FM, and online at wizs.com with pregame starting at 6:50 p.m. and kickoff thereafter at 7:00 p.m.
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Home And Garden Show
/by WIZS StaffOn the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536
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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 10-30-24 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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TownTalk: More Treats Than Tricks in Granville This Halloween
/by WIZS StaffGranville County Tourism Development Authority Director Angela Allen has some advice for folks gearing up for a lively holiday season – buckle up! The ride is just beginning in Oxford and across the county.
The Halloween fun cranks up with downtown Oxford’s “Spooktacular” beginning at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. Kids in costumes can collect treats from participating merchants and businesses throughout Williamsboro, College, Hillsboro and Main streets.
“As the candy starts to give out, you can transition to Main Street for family activities,” she said. There will be vendors and more along Main Street to continue the festivities until about 8 p.m.
The towns of Creedmoor and Butner also will have trick-or-treat activities available. Visit downtown Creedmoor from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to get treats from downtown merchants. The town of Butner will host the first “Track-n-Treat at the Butner Athletic Park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For all those who like scary stuff, you’ve still got time to get tickets to the Granville Haunt Farm. They’ll be open on Halloween from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and then again on Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2. Check the website for times and prices.
Other activities include:
Check out all the things going on across Granville County at www.visitgranvillenc.com.
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The Local Skinny! Morse Clinic Ribbon Cutting
/by WIZS StaffVance Recovery’s new 7,000 square-foot facility on West Andrews Avenue was officially welcomed Monday afternoon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local business leaders and county and municipal officials. But for now, the clinic will continue to provide services at its 510 Dabney Drive location.
Clinic owner Dr. Eric Morse and Program Director John Mattocks look forward to being able to welcome patients to the more spacious clinic by mid- to late November.
Morse’s MOUD approach – Medications to treat Opioid Use Disorder – helps individuals overcome addictions to street drugs like heroin and Fentanyl.
Mattocks told WIZS back in September he would love for people plagued by addiction to be encouraged and celebrated for choosing the MOUD approach instead of coming to the clinic as a last resort.
Vance Recovery is one of nine – soon to be 11 – clinics owned and operated by Morse, a nationally acclaimed leader in the field of opioid treatment and recovery programs. He said at the ribbon-cutting that Vance Recovery was the second of the clinics to open – in 2013 – and will be the largest once it occupies its new space at 932 W. Andrews Ave.
“We’re really excited about being able to treat even more people,” he said. “The Fentanyl epidemic is killing a lot of people.” He said he appreciates the local partnerships that Vance Recovery enjoys, from the City of Henderson to Maria Parham Health, Granville Vance Public Health, Daymark and others.
Although Vance Recovery currently is fully staffed, there are plans to add staff and be able to serve more clients. During a walking tour of the new clinic, Morse said, “Because we have more space, we’ll be able to have more counselors and grow. So that’s a really important thing.”
Vance Recovery staffs a medical provider, at least one, Monday through Friday. Morse said, “We don’t like for anybody to have to wait to see the doctor. If you need to be seen that day, you should be seen that day. And if we need to increase our doctor time, we’ve got other doctors who can give more.”
Also, Morse said there are usually at least four nurses working.
Morse now owns the clinic’s physical space and will be leasing to providers who are like-minded so there will be co-location to help more people. Morse said, “So any of our patients that need that higher level of care, they don’t have to go anywhere else, they’re going to be here anyway to dose but they can also get more intensive counseling.”
Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott said, “We already know the challenges we have in our community,” adding that patients who come to Vance Recovery also “get that hope and stay alive.”
Margier White, a member of the H-V Chamber board, said Vance County is fortunate to have the clinic in the community, which provides support not only to the addicted individual, but also to family members. White said she has had family members who have died from addiction, so having a clinic like Vance Recovery in the local area is “near and dear to my heart.”
Dr. Shauna Guthrie, GVPH medical director and chief medical officer at Maria Parham Health, said, “Vance Recovery has been an excellent partner for the hospital, for the health department,” and other agencies who provide services to patients with addiction.
Guthrie said people with opioid use disorder “often feel forgotten, neglected, ignored.” Having a shiny new clinic shows them, she said, that they are NOT forgotten, neglected or ignored because they have “a really nice place to go for care.”
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 10-29-24 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Cooperative Extension with Wykia Macon: October and November Events
/by Bill HarrisListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
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TownTalk: New Corbitt Book – ‘Tar Heel Treasures’
/by Laura GabelA new book is out that captures, in words and photographs, some of the most admired and loved products ever to be made in Henderson – the Corbitt truck.
Tar Heel Treasures: Richard J. Corbitt and the Corbitt Motor Co. is available for purchase now, and Corbitt truck enthusiast Kenneth Stegall said the book is the result of several years’ work by its author, Richard Gabrick.
Stegall is archivist, treasurer and webmaster for the Corbitt Preservation Association. He was a guest on Monday’s TownTalk and had nothing but praise for the book, which contains several hundred photographs of the buggies, automobiles and trucks that rolled off the production lines at the factory just off Dabney Drive. He called it “the most complete edition that you’ll be able to get your hands on” about the different types of vehicles that rolled off the production lines in Henderson for more than 50 years.
“It’s amazing to have it in your hand after about 5 or 6 years of preparing for it,” Stegall said. His role was to send photographs and to make sure the photos were properly credited, he said.
“We’re proud now that it’s done,” he said, adding that the author also is pleased with the result.
At one time, Corbitt was the largest truck builder in the South, and cranked out those behemoth workhorses used in World War II.
But when the war ended, so did the government contract. And $12 million was a lot of money to leave on the table in the 1940’s. That, along with the fact that other truck manufacturers were moving to diesel engines, stalled the meteoric ascent that Corbitt had enjoyed during its heyday.
“When the war ended, we were still in the gas truck business,” Stegall explained. “Nobody really wanted a gas truck any more…we just couldn’t get the diesel engines that others were able to get.” And with nobody left in the Corbitt family to carry on the brand, the choices were slim: either shut it down or try to sell, he said.
The company halted production in 1955, and only one other truck was completed – using leftover parts – and was titled in 1960. That vehicle is still in existence, Stegall said.
The factory that began producing horse-drawn carriages in 1899 also went on to produce a variety of vehicles that include trucks, horseless buggies, automobiles and tractors.
“Between 1899 and 1917, we were building buggies, cars AND trucks in Henderson,” Stegall said.
A self-proclaimed Corbitt enthusiast since the age of 13, Stegall said he’s learned a lot as he contributed to the book project. “We continue to learn so much,” he added. The internet has helped others who live far away from the Corbitt “epicenter” of Henderson and it’s helped immensely to gather more information about vehicles that still exist – some tractors are still being used in Brazil, he said.
And Stegall has a hunch that the company produced more automobiles than what is known about. “I think 100 automobiles is a rally low number,” he said.
He’d love to get his hands on production documents, but none have surfaced so far. Stegall remains optimistic, however.
Take the fairly recent attic discovery of a trove of photographs headed for the trash. The photos were rescued and donated to the Corbitt Preservation Association, and more than a few ended up in Gabrick’s book – with proper credit.
“It’s amazing that people kept them and I’m so glad that they did,” he said.
“I look forward every day to find that picture that I’ve never seen.”
To request a copy of Tar Heel Treasures, call Stegall at 252.432.6476 or email him at gjammer35@aol.com. The book costs $42.95.
If you need it shipped, the total price is $48.33. Visit https://corbitttrucks.com/bulletin-board/ to learn more.
Click Play!
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 10-28-24 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Rebuilding Hope, Inc. Project Roll On
/by WIZS StaffThe staff at Rebuilding Hope, Inc. has announced that its application office will be closed from Wednesday through Friday of this week so the driveway and parking lot can be repaved.
This is a project that has been needed for some time, according to Randolph Wilson. The nonprofit organization’s Project Roll On fundraiser has been going on for several months now, culminating in the paving project that will take place later this week.
Visit www.rebuildinghopeinc.org to learn about the programs and services offered at the 414 Raleigh Rd. location or to make an online donation.