John V. Wood was born in Smithfield NC and co-authored, "Weird, Wacky and Wild, NC Trivia".  He has been involved in broadcasting and journalism for over 20 years. He has written for numerous newspapers and magazines over his career, earning himself a regional Emmy Award in the process.

Smithfield Trivia:

"Welcome to Smithfield - Hometown of Barry Foote, major league baseball player and coach."

Foote, a catcher, played 10 years in the major leagues. He made it to the World Series as a backup with the New York Yankees, striking out in his one at-bat, against the Dodgers' Steve Howe in 1981.

The Dodgers' connection runs deeper. Barry Foote's father, Amby, a former pitcher in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization, once went to spring training with Jackie Robinson. In 1948 and '49, Amby Foote played for Smithfield in the Class D Tobacco State League.

Today, at 83, Amby Foote is an assistant coach for the baseball team at Smithfield-Selma High. Barry Foote was in the school's first graduating class, in 1970.

Barry Foote wore No. 9, the only retired number on the baseball team, the only major leaguer in school history until the Dodgers called up Jerry Sands, another Smithfield/Selma High School graduate.