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SNAP Back In Time takes a look back at newsmakers from yesteryear.

Friday, Jan. 30, 1981

Norwood Celebration

The town of Norwood, population 1,784, was gearing up to celebrate its 100th birthday with a week of activities in the spring. Volunteers were led in planning by Mary Frances Young and Bill Turley.

Mayor Dwight Smith had already proclaimed Feb. 11 as a legal holiday in the town, the day when it would officially turn 100.

The town’s main activities would be April 26 to May 2.

Unemployment

Stanly County had an unemployment rate of 5.8 percent in December, up from 5.7 percent in November. The state average was 6.5 percent in December.

Second In State

North Carolina Federal Savings & Loan in Albemarle was the second largest savings and loan association in North Carolina, according to figures released by the North Carolina Savings & Loan League.

North Carolina Federal Savings & Loan Association had total assets of more than $333 million at year end of 1980, an increase of more than $71 million in total assets as compared to year end 1979, when the association was the fifth largest in the state.

Brown Lung

The Ephraim Lowder Memorial Chapter of the Brown Lung Association had established its office at 160 North First Street (the former location of Lefler Funeral Home). All active and retired mill workers who suspected that they have breathing problems were invited to stop by the office for a screening test to determine if they have a problem.

According to figures from the U.S. Department of Labor, there were 35,000 disabled from Brown Lung Disease and 84,000 workers who had some stage of the disease.

Remembering Noah

Delane Noah, lead-off batter, center fielder and one of the key performers on Albemarle’s American Legion Junior baseball team that advanced to the finals of the 1944 Little World Series in Minneapolis, had died Monday in Indianapolis.

Following his American Legion days, he signed a professional contract with the Dodgers organization and played pro ball in El Paso. He was also a veteran of World War II.

During the 1944 season, in which Albemarle had a 32-8 record, Noah was the second leading hitter, having 46 hits in 144 trips to bat.

Albemarle lost in the final game 3-2 to Cincinnati, but Noah was named to the All American Legion team, along with teammates Ed Gibson and Frank Little, by the sportswriters in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Center Theater

The Center Theater on West Main Street in Albemarle ceased operations on Tuesday. The theater was owned by the Stewart and Everett chain in Charlotte. Projectors and other equipment were being removed from the theater Thursday for shipment to Charlotte. The building was owned by Dr. Whitman F. Smith of Albemarle.