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We love our readers! Volume 87 • Issue 20
• Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley
Thursday, May 20, 2021
Bill Bridgeman of Mt. Holly loves old houses By Alan Hodge
a degree in design. “I started doing drafting and design for an architect,” said Bridgeman. “Sometimes that took me to job sites where I learned how to do restoration construction work. I always had a problem
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Bill Bridgeman of Mt. Holly rarely meets an old house he doesn’t love. In fact, he’s taken that attraction, combined it with considerable, real-world, architectural restoration skills, and made a career out of preserving and repairing old houses and other historic structures in our area. Bridgeman developed his interest in vintage architecture in an interesting way. “In 1974 when I was in sixth grade my dad looked at an old house in Easley, S.C.,” he said. “It was my first memory of seeing one.” That scene, plus the fact that his mother owned an antiques store, planted a seed in Bridgeman that grew into a passion. The next step in his career path took Bridgeman to Winthrop University where he got
with tearing things down.” Over the years, Bridgeman has done some important projects in the name of architectural preservation. In Huntersville, he took on restoration of a home known as See BILL, Page 4
Following CDC guidance on face masks, Gov. Cooper lifts more COVID-19 restrictions
Bill Bridgeman of Mt. Holly loves restoring and repairing old homes and other structures for future generations. Photo by Alan Hodge
Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. shared an update last Friday on the state’s COVID19 progress. Throughout the pandemic, state officials have taken a data-driven approach and have been guided by the science in making decisions. Following yesterday’s guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion (CDC) that fully vaccinated individuals can safely do most activities without wearing a mask or the need to social distance from others, the state will remove its indoor mask mandate for most settings. Additionally, the state will lift all mass gathering limits and social distancing requirements. These changes went into effect as of 1:30 PM May 14. See GOVERNOR, Page 4
Kenan Fellowship gives North Belmont teacher an opportunity to focus on STEM skilled in “Never stop learning” is a teaching common motto science, inthat applies to tegrating North Belmont technology, Elementary and supportSchool teacher ing and fosVanessa Hairtering more ston. student-led, This sumproject-based mer, Hairston learning,” is taking on an said Hairinternship that ston. “It also she says will help her bewill offer a come an even lens for me to Vanessa Hairston better teacher show students for her students. She will how what they are learning in participate in the “Spurring the classroom applies to the Innovation in Manufacturreal-world setting.” ing” program at Cornerstone The professional develBuilding Brands in Gaffney, opment opportunity is made S.C. “This experience will available through the Kenan THE RIBBON IS CUT - The third section of the Mt. Holly Greenway was officially opened last Saturday with a ribbon cutting in Photo by Alan Hodge allow me to become more See FELLOWSHIP, Page 4 River Park. Numerous dignitaries as well as interested citizens showed up. See more on page 5.
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