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Serving Belmont, Mount Holly, Stanley, Cramerton, and McAdenville

Volume 78 • Issue 45 • Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Thanking those who serve Purple Heart recipient, For Tracie Rankin, Wade, recalls service service is a way of life ALAN HODGE alan.bannernews@gmail.com

ALAN HODGE

Like most wounded warriors, Ron Wade, 64, of North Belmont learned to make lemonade out of lemons- in his case, two lemons to be exact. A U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, Wade was wounded not once, but twice in combat. Taking a cue from those injuries, these days he’s a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 634, and with his colleagues works tirelessly to raise awareness of others who have been hurt in action by having cities, towns, and other entities recognized for their efforts on behalf of veterans. Wade’s story begins in 1967 when he joined the U.S. Army. The Vietnam War was heating up and Wade was sent to Fort Polk, La., for basic jungle training in the swamps there. “We would go out on night training exercises and you could hear the rattlesnakes,� he said. After basic, Wade soon found himself on a plane bound for Vietnam. “We left Seattle and flew to Hawaii to refuel,� Wade said. “The next stop was Cam Rahn Bay airport.� The airport was a popular target for Viet Cong attacks. “We got off the plane and prayed there

alan.bannernews@gmail.com

Contributed Photo

This picture shows Vietnam vet Ron Wade in 1967 when he entered the U.S. Army. would be no rockets,� he said. A few days in a rear base, then Wade was sent to the front. “They said get your stuff and go,� he See WADE, 5A

When most young, professional women get ready for work in the morning they usually put on a skirt or pants suit, but when 34year-old Tracie Rankin of Stanley dons her togs its combat boots and a camouflage North Carolina Air National Guard uniform with the stripes of a Master Sergeant on the sleeves. Rankin is making a career out of her service with the 145th Airlift Wing based at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and is glad she did. This year marks her 16th anniversary as a member of the unit. Rankin’s NCANG career has roots going back to 1997 when she was a senior at South Point High and joined the NJROTC program there. “The instructor was Ed Auten and he told me about an opportunity on the drill team,� she said. “So I joined. I enjoyed the drill competition between the schools.� After graduation, Rankin signed up for the Air Guard in Sept. 1997. She was sent to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas for basic training. “I had never been away from home before,� she said. “Basic training taught me a lot of things such as responsibility and completing tasks no matter how menial. I also

Contributed Photo

This photo shows NCANG Master Sgt. Tracie Rankin with stacks of bombs bound for bad guys. Rankin has 16 years service with the military and says it’s a great place for women to work. See RANKIN, 5A

Suspect sought in A glimpse of Belmont history attempted abduction By Alan Hodge

Alan.bannernews@gmail.com

By Alan Hodge Alan.bannernews@gmail.com

Cramerton Police have released a sketch of the suspect in last week’s McDonald Park child abduction attempt in McAdenville. The victim, a 10-year-old boy, told police a white male grabbed him and attempted to pull him into a wooded area. Police say the boy was able to get away from the man and find an adult for help. The suspect is described as a white male between 30 and 40 years old, weighing about 200 pounds with a muscular build, short, reddish-brown hair and a beard. It’s reported the suspect was wearing khaki shorts and no shirt. The victim told police the suspect was driving an older model, faded blue,

four-door Honda Civic or Accord. The suspect was last seen leaving in the vehicle in the Dixon Road area. If you have any information that may assist law enforcement in this case, you are asked to call the Cramerton Police Department at 704824-7964 or Gaston County Crime Stoppers at 704-8618000.

Veterans’ Day event American Legion Post 144 on Park Drive in Belmont will be having a Veteran’s Day event Monday, Nov. 11, at 11am. The welcome will be delivered by former mayor Billy Joye with presentation of colors by South Point NJROTC. The national an-

them will be by Randy and Ruth Robertson. Larry Norwood of Post 144 will do the POW ceremony. Ron Self, Post 144 commander, will give the American Legion welcome remarks. City of Belmont welcome will be by Mayor Charlie Martin. Joye will introduce the guest speaker Rev. Jeff Taylor of East Belmont Church. The Robertsonw along with Brenda Robinson will sing patriotic songs. Joye will deliver the closing remarks and Rev. Taylor the benediction.

Every month the Belmont City Council gets together and tackles challenges large and small. But that tradition goes back a long way. In fact, documents have come to light about a council meeting held nearly a century ago on May 26, 1916 that gives a glimpse into what sort of issues were facing the city in those days and how they were handled. Jack Page obtained the hand-written minutes from Margaret Gaston Bates, sister of Judge Harley Gaston, and daughter of city/county attorney and judge, Harley Gaston Jr. To begin with, in 1916, Belmont’s municipal leaders were called “aldermen� rather than council members. The only two men mentioned by name in the document are alderman A.C. Lineberger and mayor pro tem C.E. Tucker. One of the first acts that the aldermen undertook in their meeting was to expand the town limits from the railroad tracks up Main St. to the old Presbyterian Church site where the Stowe Mill Building is currently situated. Another bit of business saw the aldermen agree to hire a town clerk. The salary was set at $100 a year. Speed is relative to the times as another entry in the Belmont aldermen’s meeting shows. A hot topic was the decision to set the speed limit at 15mph in residential areas and at 10mph down-

Photo Courtesy Millican Pictorial Museum

This photo shows downtown Belmont during the time when the recently discovered minutes from a city alderman meeting were handwritten. Auto speed limits were one item on the agenda. town. The first car had come to Belmont a few years prior and was owned by George Howell, a boss at the Chronicle Mill. Others had followed, including a Cadillac owned by A.C. Lineberger. Records from a follow up meeting of the aldermen showed they took on several issues some of which sound familiar today. These included rubbish in the streets. However, more unusual topics included discussion of a circus coming to town, bills (posters) being posted, talk of a telephone office, and a

discussion of undertakers. Other topics the Belmont aldermen had on their agenda included furniture dealers, decayed fruits and vegetables lying about, the electric power company, oil agencies, a popcorn and peanut wagon, sewing machine salesmen going door to door, organ and piano salesmen doing likewise, soda pop wagons, and an uproar over folks spitting on the sidewalks. Another issue that the aldermen addressed was that of a “drawing Pond� at the Majestic Mill, but just ex-

actly what a drawing pond is was not explained in the minutes. Perhaps it had something to do with supplying firefighting water. A big fish the Belmont aldermen had to fry in 1916 was the issue of how the town would recover from the Great Flood that devastated many of the textile mills. Schools for the growing town were also a familiar topic on the aldermen’s agendas. Overall, the job of running Belmont these days is not all that much different that it was a century ago.

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■OBITUARIES Samuel Hudson Retired carpet salesman MOUNT HOLLY Samuel “Sam� Hudson, 70, 107 Sunset Drive, passed away Friday, November 1, 2013 at his home. He was born in Mecklenburg County, son of the late Edward Newman and Gaynell Hughes Hudson. He was a member of Tuckaseege Baptist Church. He was a retired carpet salesman. He is survived by his wife Judy Hudson; one son Jeffery Hudson of Charlotte; two step daughters Kris Hovis and husband Scott of Mount Holly and Kim Stallings and husband Bruce

Geraldo Lopez U.S. Army veteran MOUNT HOLLY - Geraldo Lopez , 78, of 151 North Main Street. He was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, son of the late Geraldo a n d Maria R o a Lopez. He was a US Army veteran and was a retired service technician with BellSouth. He is survived by three children Elizabeth Lopez and husband Jose Negron of Nicole Wright Loving mother, daughter, grandmother MOUNT HOLLYNicole Patrice Wright, 40, 112 Bentley Street, died on Tuesday, October 2 9 , 2013. She was born the daughter of Margaret Morris Wright of Mount Holly and the late Randy James Wright. In addition to her mother, she is survived by a son, Christopher Thomas Johnson and wife Malena of Cedartown, Georgia; siblings, Travis Hansel, Joseph Brandon Wright and wife Laura, Angela Marie Roark and Eric James Wright all of Mount Holly; four grand-

of Mount Holly; four grandchildren, Bradley and Sierra Stallings, Heather and Savannah Hovis. A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Hudson was held at 5pm Monday, November 4, at the Tuckaseege Baptist Church with Reverend Jason Marlowe officiating. The family received friends from 3:30-5pm Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73123-1718 or the Mount Holly CRO, PO Box 831, Mount Holly, NC 28120. Condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.woodlawnfuneral.org Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly served the family.

Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Yvette Lopez of Orlando, FL, and Phillip Lopez and wife Katie of Mint Hill, NC; two step children Linda Garcia of Orlando, and Louis Garcia and wife Elizabeth of Bellemead, NJ; one sister Ruth Lopez of West Palm Beach, FL; one brother Victor Roa of Arecibo, Puerto Rico; six grandchildren. Condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.woodlawnfuneral.org Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly served the family.

children, Hayley Alena Johnson, Khloe Renee Paige, Payton Lexus Paige, Jacob Anthony Jenkins. A service to celebrate the life of Nicole was held 7:30 pm Saturday Nov. 2, at the Woodlawn Chapel of Woodlawn Funeral Home. The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Sun Trust Bank trust account for Hayley Johnson, Routing number 061000104, account number 1000164714601. Condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.woodlawnfuneral.org Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly served the family.

Tracy Marie Fretz Parsons Loving wife, mother, grandmother “Greater Love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his familyâ€? John 15:13 ELIZABETHTON, TN Tracy Marie Fretz Parsons, 52, of Elizabethton, Tenn., beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt was received into God’s presence on Sunday, October 27, 2013, after she sacrificed her own life to save the lives of h e r daughter and grandson in a house fire. She was born on January 30th, 1961, in Medina, Ohio and had a great love of music and enjoyed playing her guitar, singing songs about her faith and walk with the Lord. Family meant everything to Tracy and Tracy meant everything to her family. She was preceded in death by her father Dale Fretz, her mother Audrey Coode and husband Bob and a precious nephew, Austin. She will be deeply missed by her husband, Bill Helen Nixon Member of New Faith Baptist Church BELMONT - Helen Frances Green Nixon, 82, of 209 Point Circle, passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2013. She was born in Gaston County, daughter of the late Horace and Viola Sanders Green. She was preceded in death by a son Barry Glenn Nixon and a brother Yates Green. She was a member of New Faith Baptist Church in Springwood (North Belmont). She is survived by her husband, Coleman Glenn Nixon; one daughter Debbie Nixon Howard of Rock Hill, SC; one sister, Regis Jones and husband Hudson of Mount Holly; four grandchildren, Ryan Duncan of Belmont, Jason Duncan and fiancĂŠ Alicia Schillaci of Chester, SC, Tim Bradley and fiancĂŠ Kayla Naniot of Rock Hill, SC, Tonya Cope

Parsons; children Rachel (Jared), Aaron (Heather), Esther, and Adam (Bethany); step-children, Stephanie (Eric) and Matt (Lisa). She treasured every minute spent with her precious grandchildren, Caira, Caden, Bailey, Hayden, Andrew, Hanna, Gage, Aiden, Callie, Harper and Aubree. She is also survived by her two younger sisters, Lori and Lois (Mark); nephews, Luke and Avery; along with many loving cousins and countless friends. The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2013, at Carter-Trent Funeral Home, 520 Watauga Street, Kingsport. A Celebration of Tracy’s life followed at 7 p.m., with Rev. Dennis Wilson, Rev. Steven Tilley, Pastor Randy Johnson and Rev. Sheldon Livesay officiating. Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, at Oak Hill Memorial Park, Kingsport, Tenn. You may send online condolences to the family by visiting www.cartertrent .com Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport is serving the Parsons family.

Carter-Trent Funeral Home and husband Randy of North Belmont; three great grandchildren, Jaycie Duncan, Mason Bradley, and Ethan Cope, and the expected birth of another great grandchild; and a number of nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Nixon was held 3pm Monday November 4, at the Woodlawn Chapel of Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly with Rev. Robbie Martin and Rev. David McClure officiating. Interment followed at Hillcrest Gardens Cemetery. The family received friends from 1-3pm Monday at the funeral home. Condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.woodlawnfuneral.org Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly served the family.

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Margaret Young Retired from Pharr Yarns BELMONT - Margaret Howard Young 84, 4108 Pine Street, passed away on Monday, October 28, 2013. She was born in Gaston County, daughter of E d n a Howard Parker. She was wife of the late Leroy Young. Mrs. Young was retired from Pharr Yarns and was a member of Lighthouse Full Gospel Church in Mount Holly. She is survived by two sisters, Shirley Ennis of Gastonia and Aileen Duncan and husband Sam of Gastonia; two brothers, William Pool and wife Brenda of Gastonia and Nick Howard and wife Frances of Cramerton, and numerous nieces

and nephews. A service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Young was held at 2pm, Thursday, October 31, at Lighthouse Full Gospel Church with Reverend Herman Winkler and Rev. Jerry Rhodes officiating. Interment followed at Berea Baptist Church Cemetery. The family received friends from 7-9pm Wednesday night at the church at other times at the home of Sherry Mayhue, 4126 Pine Street Gastonia. Memorials may be made to Lighthouse Full Gospel Church, 530 North Hawthorne Street, Mount Holly, NC 28120. Condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.woodlawnfuneral.org Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly served the family.

â– BELMONT POLICE Oct. 28: Brian Andrew Baucom, false report to police, arrested by Officer M. Kelske, 212 Nixon Rd. Oct. 30: Brandon Chad Ayers, possess/distribute meth precursor, arrested by Officer K. Wingate, 7008 Wilkinson Blvd. Oct. 30: Stephanie Antoinette Welch, DWLR, drug violations, arrested by K9 Officer K. Wingate, 7008 Wilkinson Blvd. Nov. 1: Jessica Jalain Hoover, poss. Stolen goods, poss. marijuana, poss. DWI, arrested by M. Kaiman, 6751 Wilkinson Blvd. Nov. 1: Randy Earl Hornback, failure to notify officer, arrested by Officer M. Kaiman, 6751 Wilkinson Blvd. Nov. 2: Dedric Jermaine Whittle, simple assault,

drunk and disruptive, arrested by Officer M. Kaiman, 603 Park St. Nov. 2: Richard Matthew Poole, attempt to fill a fraudulent prescription for controlled substance, arrested by Officer R. Cassel, 6750 Wilkinson Blvd. Nov. 2: Nicholas Alexander McAndrew, simple poss. marijuana, drug equipment/paraphernalia, poss/conceal, arrested by Officer M. Kelske, Main St. at Bi-Lo. Nov. 4: David Kirk Sellers, resist/obstruct/delay, arrested by M. Kaiman, Park St. at I-85 Exit 27. Nov. 4: Clifton Canipe Jr., failure to comply, arrested by Officer M. Kaiman, Park St. at I-85 Exit 27.

Creating jobs in Gaston County subject of next Business Buzz Creating jobs in Gaston County will be the topic at the next Montcross Area Chamber Business Buzz breakfast on November 8, 7:30 – 9 a.m. in the auditorium at Gaston College’s Kimbrell Campus in Belmont. The subject is important here, because Gaston is the only county in the Charlotte region that has declined in jobs in the past 30 years. Appearing in a panel presentation will be Gaston County Economic Development Commission Director Donny Hicks, economist and economic development consultant Frank Warren of Kimley-Horn & Associates in Charlotte, and Gaston College President Dr. Patricia Skinner. Frank Warren previously conducted a study on creating office jobs in Gaston County, and he will address that topic. Donny Hicks will focus on creating industrial and manufacturing jobs, and Dr. Skinner will discuss Gaston College’s role in job creation and the Center for Advanced Manufacturing to be built at the college. Business Buzz is open to all Chamber members, friends of the Chamber and the public. The cost is $15 for members of the Chamber and $20 for non-members. Register online at www.MontcrossAreaChamber.com, or phone Deborah Ray Benton at 704-825-5307, Ext. 3.

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Wednesday, November 6, 2013

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911 tape of CVS shootout released

Photo by Alan Hodge

Belmont Police Chief Charlie Franklin led a press conference last week where portions of the 911 calls from the Oct. 25 CVS shootout and hostage situation were played for the press. By Alan Hodge Alan.bannernews@gmail.com

Belmont police summoned news media to headquarters last Wednesday and played about five minutes of 911 audio tape related to the Oct. 25 shootout and hostage taking at CVS Pharmacy on Wilkinson Blvd. The press conference was headed up by Chief Charlie Franklin who praised the 911 operator for his coolness during the ordeal. “He did a great job,” Franklin said. The tape begins when the first call to Gaston County 911 came just before 2am. The caller, store manager Heather Estes, was outside on her cell phone and the signal was bad. However, Estes was able to relay to the 911 operator that someone was in the store with a “shotgun”. Another employee, Michael Best, joined Estes outside. The suspect, Edward Russ, 46, of Gastonia was actually in the pharmacy towards the rear of the store armed with an SKS assault rifle and extra magazines of ammo. After a moment of silence in the tape, the 911 operator can be heard calling the store. Next, the answering machine offering options for dialing different departments can be heard. Then, soothing music plays for a few seconds and a male answers the phone. That person was store clerk 22-yearold Ryan Lennon. The 911 operator asks

Lennon if someone from there had called about a suspect with a gun. “I’m looking right at him, sir,” Lennon said. At that point, all hell breaks loose. Shouts and a fusillade of gunfire can be heard in the background as Russ and police exchange shots. According to Franklin, police got off about a dozen rounds and Russ two from his rifle. Miraculously, no one was hit. The next minute or two of the tape has Lennon’s panic-stricken voice yelling at police to get out. “Back up! Back up!” he says. “He’s (Russ) going to shoot me! I’m going to get shot if Belmont (police) is not gone!” At that point, Russ grabs the phone and yells, “You keep your damn police out of here or he’s dead. Understand?” The next thing Russ says is “I’m having a bad night. I’m not going to hurt this man if ya’ll stay out, OK?” Over the next six hours or so police negotiated with Russ. He finally let Lennon go about 4 am. Russ was arrested and charged with three counts of first degree kidnapping, two counts of assault on an officer with a firearm, two counts of attempted murder, one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon, and one count of communicating threats. His bond was set at $5 million. According to Franklin, Russ was looking for pills and took several while he was in the store.

Church fundraiser set for Nov. 8-9 Nov. 8 from 2-6pm and Nov. 9 from 8am-6pm at the church, 151 8th Ave., Cramerton.

BELMONT PARKS AND REC HOLIDAY SOIREE – On Saturday, Nov. 9, the J. Paul Ford Recreation Center will be transformed to a Holiday Shopping experience. From 3:00 to 6:00 pm, the Belmont Parks and Recreation Department and several local small business owners will partner together to create a unique and fun shopping experience to help you kick off your Christmas shopping season at the Holiday Soiree. There will be lots of free door prizes and refreshments provided for you while you shop! Fifteen small business owners will be represented. Don’t miss this intimate opportunity at the Recreation Department located at 37 E. Woodrow Avenue in Belmont to support local, small business owners while checking things off that holiday shopping list.

Gaston County office provides veteran’s services The Gaston County Veterans Services Office (VSO) was developed following World War II to assist veterans, their families and their dependents with the preparation and presentation of claims for all benefits to which they are entitled under Federal, State, and local law. The VSO assists this group with a variety of claims, including: North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs State Scholarships: Applications are made for these scholarships. Documents used to substantiate and complete the applications include birth certificates, a copy of discharge and scholastic report. Hospitalization: Complete application forms, make long-distance call directly to VA hospitals, and assist persons with any inquiries regarding non-receipt of proper dividend payments about government insurance programs, such as Champ VA and Champus. Travel to VA Medical Appointments: The VSO arranges for Gaston County ACCESS buses to provide transportation for veterans (and, in some cases, their caregivers) to the VA Medical Center in Salisbury and the VA Outpatient clinic in Charlotte. GI Loans: Assist with completion of necessary forms which are required to determine eligibility, answer questions and give advice on loans. Compensation and Pension Claims: Complete forms for applicants, assist in securing necessary docu-

ments to go with forms, explain and give advice. Insurance: Applications are completed for several different types of government life insurance and beneficiary designations. Assistance is also provided to veterans in determining their insurance needs. Educational Assistance: Complete necessary forms for veterans, give advice and information; assist spouses, surviving spouses, and children of veterans who may be eligible for these benefits. Appeals: Many veterans and widows are disallowed claims on first application,

“It was so much fun! My daughter and I are making it a tradition!” Cathy, Charlotte

and this office must assist with necessary forms and help obtain evidence for completion of an appeal on a former denial. Review of Discharge: Extensive work is required in completing proper review of discharge for a veteran who has received a lessthan-Honorable discharge. Other Activities: Assist veterans in obtaining license plates, wheelchairs and other prostheses; hunting and fishing license for severely disabled; clothing allowances; and special inquiries about non-receipt of checks, and incorrect ad-

dresses. All services provided by the VSO are free to veterans and the members of their families. For more information, please contact our office: The Gaston County Department of Veterans Services is located at 965 Roberts Drive, Gastonia. The phone is 704-866-3606. Email: VeteranServices@co. gaston.nc.us Office hours are 8:00am5:00pm, Monday thru Friday. “Drop-in” hours are 8:30am-11:30am. Appointment hours are 12:30pm-4:30pm.

“We were first timers, had four generations along, and had a wonderful day together. We’re already making plans to return next year.” Tracey, Myrtle Beach

“Thank you so much for another wonderful year of memories.” Cynthia, Summerville

“My first time was 1973 and I have been hooked ever since. Always love to eat strudel, and shop for handmade items.” Margaret, Sherrills Ford “I've been going with my mom since I was 3. We always visit the doll houses since this has been one of my favorites since I was a little girl. Now that I have my own daughter, I love sharing the same memories with her!” Jenny, Monroe

“I dragged my husband this year and he enjoyed it just as much as I did!” Linda, Winston Salem “I always get a cinnamon sugar twist. OMG they are so good!!!!” Samantha, Statesville

A holiday wonderland. A festive one­of­a­kind shopping experience. A family tradition. A whole lot of fun. Just a few descriptions from the millions of show guests who have, since 1968, kicked off their holiday season at the Southern Christmas Show. You’re invited to create your own memories, and fun, at the 46th annual show. Crafts • Great Shopping • Holiday Designer Rooms • Santa

Kate Reece Grice

Olde Towne Shops • Scrumptious Foods • Yuletide Entertainment Original Art • Gifts • Decorated Trees, Mantels and Doors

When the floods struck our area last summer, the fellowship hall at Cramerton Independent Presbyterian Church was inundated and badly damaged. Losses amounted to around $40,000 including a new oak floor that was destroyed. Now, author Kate Reece Grice, also of Kate’s Skating Rink, will be helping with the fundraising effort by signing and giving away copies of her works “Moments and Memories”, “Kat Tales”, and “With All My Heart”. Contributions to the church rebuild fund will take place at that time. The event is slated for

November 14­24 The Park Expo and Conference Center 2500 E. Independence Blvd. | Charlotte NC

Daily 10:00am to 9:00pm Except Sundays, Monday and Tuesday from 10:00am to 6:00pm Advance Adults $9.00 ($10.00 at the door) 20 or more in advance $8.50 Youth (6-12) $3.00

Order Tickets Online and Save! A Southern Shows Inc Production 800-849-0248

www.SouthernChristmasShow.com

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Opinions...

“

Yours, Ours, Others

Quote of the week...

If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.

Alan Hodge Editor Last week was Halloween and Thanksgiving is still several weeks away but already the bombardment of Christmas catalogs has started. I got a catalog the other day full of toys for kids. The stuff in it was a far cry from the amusements we had when I was a youth. That included things like Lincoln Logs. Erector sets, EZ Bake Ovens, and the king of them all, slot car tracks. Side items at Christmas then included a model airplane or two, a gift box with cheese, weenies, and crackers, and James Bond 007 cologne that smelled like concentrated polecat spray. Of course these goodies were a big step up from what my mom and her Great Depression generation might get at Christmas which was a sock with some nuts and an orange, and if they were real lucky a stick or two of candy. Fast forward to Christmas 2013 and what today’s youth is told by marketing gurus they cannot live without and what parents are pressured to buy or else feel like failures. One of the first things that caught my eye in the catalog was a tousle headed little girl about five years old wearing a pair of stereo headphones and groovin’ up a storm. Nothing wrong with that–except the price, which was just shy of $200. On the next page was a lil’

�

W. Clement Stone

Christmas... what happened to Lincoln Logs & EZ Bake Ovens? lad with his phalanges firmly gripping a Playstation setup. Oh, how his eyes were filled with glee. Oh, how the parental pocketbook will howl at the $399.95 price tag. The makers and marketers of handheld devices are hitting the kiddie market hard this Christmas and the catalog reflected this. On one page we see a little girl sporting horn-rimmed eyeglasses for a studious look as her thumbs are poised on the keyboard of her smart phone. Someone’s wallet will be smarting too when they fork out the advertised price of $400. And what little boy can resist the urge to have a helmetmounted camera on their head as they pedal their bike along. That was in the catalog as well with a tab of $199.95. There are some cheaper toys in the catalog I perused. One was a battery-powered miniature motorcycle that was listed at $185.00. Another was a doll dreamhouse that’s only $159.95. Yet another was a doll-sized sports car that was a paltry $179.95. In addition, there was an electric 4-wheeler for ages “3 and up� for $119.95. Another aspect of the “toy� catalog that struck me was the number of weapons, especially guns, being offered. I wondered what message this sends to kids. Some of the more aggressive ones included a Zombie Strike Hammershot pistol, a Mega Centurion rifle, and a Rapidstrike Blaster. Various other implements of pretend mass destruction included laser swords, a bow and arrow set for girls named “Heartbreaker� and rubber knives. On the other hand, the catalog did have some of what I would term more traditional stuff such as crayons and lots of

stuffed animals. You can’t go wrong with stuffed animals- except one whose body contained an LED TV set for $200. Then we have Barbie of the exaggerated body and bleached blonde hair. She and her accoutrements occupied several pages of the catalog. Good ol’ Barbie has been around for decades, but I sometimes think her artificial standards make little girls who don’t match up to them feel left out. On a brighter note, the catalog had a section devoted to mini-musical instruments for kids. One ad had a little chap strumming a hound-dog shaped electric guitar. Another featured a tot tinkling the ivories on a cat-shaped keyboard. Yet an-

other pictured a boy in his PJs beating the daylights out of a drum. Christmas morning jam session I reckon. But lo, and behold! Turning the catalog pages I found a set of Lincoln Logs! It was hard to tell from the photo is they were made of plastic or the wood that we gnawed like beavers back in the day, but there they were and only $17.50 for the kit. Bouyed by that discovery, I carefully scanned the catalog some more and found an Erector set much larger and more magnificent than any I recalled. OK, so it was $49.99 but inflation, like rust, never sleeps. Maybe I should not have “picked on� the marketers and toy catalog makers so hard for

The American jobs crisis By Glenn Mollette Guest Editorial

pushing their wares at the kids. But they know that the children will quickly begin begging their parents for every item in its 50+ pages and with so many budgets tight again this year, I think it’s kind of unfair to put the adults under such pressure. Maybe we need to back up and punt on Christmas and instead of indulging in overpriced “stuff’ that will be played with for a couple of weeks or maybe even a month, turn some of that attention and cash flow to those around us for whom a simple baby doll or toy truck would be a blessing. I think that act of sharing would be a good Yuletide lesson for kids that will last them a lot longer than a $200 set of headphones.

It’s not a purple Camaro, it’s a ‌

On any given day, Congress debates cutting entitlement programs versus strengthening them. Programs such as food stamps and supplemental nutrition for women, infants and children are part of the debate. Free lunch programs feed as many as 60% of children in some impoverished counties. Thousands of Americans rely on Supplemental Security Insurance to provide assistance based on financial need. This pays monthly amounts of $710 for an individual or $1,066 for a qualifying couple. Many Americans are surviving on unemployment insurance benefits of approximately $330 a week. These are not long-term survival plans. Many more struggle to hang on until age 62 to receive the minimum social security benefit. Over 120 million people rely on some type of government assistance. Another 50 million have relied on government assistance in the last 10 years or will in the next five years. What has happened to us? Do Americans love living on food stamps, WIC benefits and receiving minimal SSI checks in the mail or other forms of government help? The answer is no. Many of

My high school dream was to get my driver’s license. When I turned 17 (yes, that is the age in “Joisey� to get your permit) I was at DMV. The difference there is that you only have your permit for a month and then they give you a driver’s Tony Marciano license. A few weeks later, I was facing the energy shortGuest Editorial age of 1974. If you’re old enough, you’ll remember the gas lines. My job was to get gas for my dad’s car and then walk to school. I had my license but wasn’t allowed to use the family car. This happened in my senior year of high school. By late April, the gas restrictions had been lifted but school was almost over. I never had the chance to take my high school “crush� on a date where I drove. A few years ago the movie Transformers comes out. The teen drives a 1970 yellow Camaro with black racing stripes. It has Cragar mags and rumbled from a great V8. I was

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James Wall I think it’s sabotage.

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Wednesday, November 6, 2013

WADE: Purple Heart recipient recalls service

■ MEDITATION

From page 1A

Unload your emotional baggage

Rev. Angela Pleasants First United Methodist Church, Mount Holly

I never learned the secret of packing light. I marvel at people who can get everything into one overnight bag. I usually have a bag over my shoulder, one in each hand, and one hanging around my neck. I am usually a fast walker until I am carrying my baggage. There are other problems that arise when I carry too much baggage. My back and shoulders become stiff. I experience a high level of anxiety and irritability. My thoughts are consumed with

my baggage. By the time I reach my destination I am depleted and exhausted. There were times in my past when I was consumed with emotional baggage. I experienced the same symptoms. I was irritable, plagued with anxiety and physical aches. Emotional baggage can cause stress that affects us physically, mentally and spiritually. Emotional baggage also affects our relationships. When the baggage is not dealt with we place it at the feet of our loved ones. When wounds are left unhealed we begin to wound others. Holding on to emotional baggage only hurt us. When we allow bitterness, unforgiveness and anger to dwell in our heart we are allowing others to exert power over our emotions. In order to heal from our emotional baggage we must release the root of bitterness from our life. It is through

Jesus we can be set free from emotional baggage. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19 NASB. Jesus has been anointed for the specific purpose of giving us a new start through divine deliverance. I wonder what Jesus saw the day he read the Isaiah passage. I am sure he saw broken and oppressed people before him. I am sure he thought about us who would come centuries later with the same oppression. “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:21 NASB. Receive your healing today from your emotional baggage.

RANKIN: for her, service is a We R Forgiven way of life From page 1A learned about how to follow and how to lead.” After basic training, Rankin went to tech school to learn the job she currently performs in the logistical supply department. “I make sure NCANG units across the state have the supplies they need,” she said. “That can be anything from night vision goggles to test equipment for the aircraft. Everything has to be ordered, inventoried, and sent where it needs to go.” Rankin’s job isn’t just about pushing buttons on a computer; when the need arises, she gets hands on. “It can involve lifting equipment and actually loading it on vehicles,” she said. “I have to be physically ready.” Rankin’s work with the NCANG has let her see the world beyond Stanley- including a flyover of the Great Pyramids in Egypt. “I’ve been to Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Canada as well as all over the U.S.” Rankin’s days on the drill team and the spit and polish discipline it taught her still

Page 5A

upcoming events pays off. She’s a member of the NCANG honor guard and takes part in military funerals as well as other ceremonies. Another thing she enjoys doing in uniform is visiting places like nursing homes. As far as she’s concerned, Rankin sees the NCANG as a win-win when it comes to combining a home life with a military career. “I get to be in the military, yet come home at night,” she says. Even though she can retire in about eleven years, Rankin isn’t through climbing the NCANG ladder. “One of my goals is to be Wing Command Chief,” she said. “That’s the top enlisted leader on the base.” As far as her advice for other girls, or guys, thinking of putting on a U.S. uniform, Rankin thinks it a good idea. “There are great opportunities for women in the military,” she said. “The chances for advancement are just as great for women as for men. I would tell them the combination of education, travel, benefits and the citizen-airman concept is hard to beat.”

The gospel quartet We R Forgiven has a variety of events scheduled during December. Worship Service, Sunday, December 1st at 11am, V.O.E. Family Worship Center, 826 Stanley Spencer Mtn. Rd., Gastonia; First Baptist Church, Hickory CDC/Preschool Christmas Program Friday, December 6th at 5:30pm, 339 Second Ave. NW, Hickory, free admission; First Baptist Church, Hickory, Senior Adult Christmas Dinner, Friday, December 6th at 6pm 339 Second Ave. NW, Hickory, charge for meal; “Country Kitchen Christmas” Tuesday, December 10th at 6pm, at The Country Kitchen, 116 E Main St, free concert; We R Forgiven concert Friday, December 13th at 5pm, Stanley, Senior Adult Christmas Dinner, Stanley Community Center, 113 E College Street, meal and concert free for Stanley Senior citizens; Christmas at Friendly’s with “We R Forgiven” and “Carroll Cooke and Determined”, Friday, December 20th at 5pm, Friendly’s of Stanley, 119 N. Main Street, free concert.

said. “My job was to carry a backpack radio. It was heavy and made it hard to cross streams. You had to grab a rope and try to hold your head above water.” Wade’s unit, 1st Battalion, 15th Regiment, 1st Division “Big Red 1”, was sent to a rubber tree plantation in an area known as the Iron Triangle and the shooting soon started. “It was about 1am and we were sleeping when the mortars starting coming in,” he said. “We dove into the bunkers. A round hit on top and another one in front of the bunker and I got shrapnel in my back and shoulder. It broke into three pieces. One is still in me.” That was Wade’s first Purple Heart. The second one nearly killed him. “We had another fight and the Viet Cong opened fire on us from every side,” he said. “I never heard so many weapons going off at one time in my life. I was near the captain and an RPG hit between me and him. The explosion picked me up and threw me back about ten feet. It killed the captain. My leg felt like it had been hit with a hatchet.” Wade’s injuries included broken legs, a broken arm, destroyed knee, and fingers nearly severed. “My fingers were hanging on by strips of skin,” he said. Wade recalled lying on the jungle floor watching the battle unfold. “B-52s were dropping bombs and helicopter gunships were attacking,” he said. After months of rehab, Wade recovered from his wounds. More or less. Years passed and he spent a considerable amount of time just sitting in the house watching TV. “The house was smothering me,” he said. “Then I found out about the Military Order of the Purple Heart.”

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Photo by Alan Hodge

Twice-wounded Vietnam vet Ron Wade spends a lot of time these days forwarding the cause of the group he’s a member of- the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 634. At the invitation of his brother-in-law and MOPH Chapter 634 member Larry Rick of Cramerton, Wade began attending meetings. “We have close to 150 members in the chapter,” he said. “We get together and share stories and fellowship.” But Chapter 634 is about a lot more than just reliving old battles. Wade and the other members work hard to get out and raise awareness of other wounded veterans by having places proclaimed Purple Heart Cities. They also had CaroMont Regional Medical Center named as a Purple Heart Hospital. Plans are to have Panther Stadium and the Carolina Panthers named a Purple Heart Stadium and Team. So far, Chapter 634 has had every municipality in

Gaston, Lincoln, and Cleveland counties so designated. Mount Holly Streets and Solid Waste Director Mike Santmire led the way in getting his town named a Purple Heart City. Belmont soon came on board. “We are leading the nation in recruiting cities,” Wade said. According to Wade, Chapter 634 works as a unit. “I don’t want to take the glory,” he said. “It’s a team effort.” What’s next for Chapter 634? “We want to reach out to all wounded veterans, but especially to those injured in Iraq.” Interested? Call Wade at 704-813-9330 or email him at RWADE1@carolina .rr.com.

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Church Service Directory Fellowship & Faith

MT. HOLLY

Bethel Baptist Church NC Highway 273 704-827-9846

Burge Memorial Methodist Church 312 W. Glendale Ave. 704-827-2726

Catawba Heights Church of God 122 Tomberlin Rd. 704-827-4225 Cbc-Memorial Apostolic 230 W. Charlotte Ave. 704-827-0968 Chapel Baptist Church 324 N. Lee St. 704-827-5526

Community Christian Fellowship 2560 Stanley Lucia Rd. 704-827-5881 Covenant United Methodist 110 Underwood Dr. 704-820-0603 Family Worship Center 1013 W. Charlotte Ave. 704-827-7656

First Baptist Church-Mt. Holly 300 S. Main St. 704-827-2481 First Free Will Baptist Church 841 Noles Dr. 704-827-7461

First Presbyterian Church 133 S. Main St. 704-827-0521 First United Methodist Church 140 N. Main St. 704-827-4855

Goshen Free Will Baptist Church 1300 W. Catawba Ave. 704-827-3076

Mt. Sinai Baptist Church 339 S. Hawthorne St. 704-827-4320

Harvest Time Church of God 707 Westland Farm Rd. 704-822-8033

New Providence Baptist Church 1104 Old NC 27 Hwy. 704-827-0822

Grace Baptist Church 300 Westland Farm Rd. 704-827-8600

Hickory Grove Baptist Church 3717 Hickory Grove Rd. 704-827-3939 Jehovah’s Witnesses 1736 Kelly Rd. 704-263-0199

Lighthouse Full Gospel Church 530 N. Hawthorne St. 704-827-1442 Living Witness Ministries 541 Costner St. 704-827-0004

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd 110 S. Main St. 704-827-4751 Macedonia Baptist Church 1951 Stanley Lucia Rd. 704-827-9224 Mt. Holly Church of God 208 Rankin Ave. 704-827-8596

Mt. Holly Noles Baptist Church Hickory Grove Rd. 704-827-2013 Mt. Holly Pentecostal Holiness 406 Scott St. 704-827-8201

New Covenant United Methodist 14514 Lucian Riverbend Hwy. 704-827-4468 North Main Baptist Church 1304 N. Main St. 704-827-6141 Restoration & Deliverance 804 W. Charlotte Ave. 704-820-0954

Revival Tabernacle of Mt. Holly 826 W. Charlotte Ave. 704-827-2999 Ridgeview Baptist Church 105 Pine Rd. 704-827-3856 Second Baptist Church 740 Rankin Ave. 704-827-5181

Featured Church of the Week Hickory Grove Baptist Church

Shiloh Ame Zion Methodist 1117 Old NC Hwy 27 704-827-8826

Tuckaseege Baptist Church 511 Tuckaseege Rd. 704-827-4301

St. Anthony of Padua Traditional Catholic Church 108 Horseshoe Bend Beach Rd. 704-827-8676

Wesley Chapel Holiness Church 324 N. Lee St. 704-827-1993

Springfield Freewill Baptist 220 Park Terrace Dr. 704-820-0193

St. Paul FHB Church 1529 Old Hwy 27 Rd. 704-827-5851

Way of the Cross Baptist Church 238 Lanier Ave. 704-827-8111

Westview Presbyterian Church 1020 W. Catawba Ave. 704-827-2026

Page 6A

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

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■ SCHOOLS Ida Rankin Elementary Fall Carnival costume contest winners

PreK winner Austin Mendoza

First grade winners Cohen Truelove, Lillian Grippin and Alivia Foster

PreK winners Grace Adkins and Azara Cansler

Kindergarten winners Claire Casciani, Emma Coffey and Anna Broome

Second grade winners Gabrielle and Alex Marsh, Carter Fraley, Tris Truelove

Third grade winners Abigayle Wrenn, Mika Chaney and Hayden Ellis

“Life as it Happens”

Fourth grade winners Joseph Lybrand, Isabella Peterson and Nyla Reeves

Meet Your Friends at Charlie’s Mon.-Fri. • 7:00AM-7:00PM Sat. • 8:00AM-4:00PM Sun. • 8:00AM-9:30AM

Life As It Happens, an original musical, will be performed for three nights on Nov. 14, 15, 16, at 7:00 p.m. in the East Gaston High School auditorium. Written and directed by senior Blake Moran, the musical tells the story of Alex Simms, an insecure high school student who dreams of becoming a famous pianist or artist. His grandmother, teacher, and friends help him build his self-confidence as he navigates a difficult school year. Moran proposed writing and producing a musical to Mrs. Harris, theatre arts instructor, when he was a sophomore. Harris encouraged his endeavor, and the play has been through multiple revisions over the past two years. The result is an ambitious product for a high school student. Moran has written a two act play and has composed both the lyrics and score for the many songs in the play. The cast features Issac Black as Alex, Gabe Hutson as Seth, Becca Easterling as Liza Simms, and Catera Beane as Mrs. Alice Shaw, as well as many other talented students. Tickets for the show are $5 and will be available at the door. East Gaston High School is located at 1744 Lane Road, Mount Holly.

PC-Tablet-Legos robotics-Zoomy Microsc Terminology-Skills-Functional NOT COMPUTER “PLAY TIME” R OU L Y BUT A “FUN” AND T O K AS CHO S C E TECHNOLOG CD PR OR CTOR E D I R OU T AB

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“Mr. Bill” Celebrating 15 Years in 2013!

Text or call: (704)880-0705***Email: bw@bwasap.com Web site: www.bwasap.com*** Mr. Bill d/b/a CompuChild

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

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Page 7A

South Point goes 11-0 On Friday night the South Point Red Raiders ran over and through an South Point 48 overmatched North GasNorth Gaston 10 ton Wildcat squad on their march to a state championship. 1 2 3 4 Final The Red Raiders beat SP 21 13 0 14 48 the Wildcats 48-10 on NG 0 0 0 0 0 their way to another conference championship and an unblemished 11up by putting other players 0 record. in skill positions. Tanner With the North Gaston win South Point has now Muse ran for 72 yards off 3 won seven consecutive Big carries. He also broke loose South Conference titles on a 58 yard TD in the 1st quarter. Senior fullback since 2007. The Big Red Machine Tyler Bray had a quiet night overwhelmed the Wildcats as other players carried the on both sides of the ball. The load. The 6 foot, 190 pound “Red Bone” offense gener- runner had 77 yards off of 5 ated 442 yards of total of- carries. He also had a big run for 59 yards. fense. South Point quarterback The Red Raiders defense Jaquan Brooks put up some stymied the North Gaston offense. The Wildcats were solid numbers for Big Red. able to generate 330 yards in Brooks ran for 183 yards off total offense but were kept of 20 carries. He had one from the end zone most of score on the ground and one the night. The Red Raiders through the air when he hit defensive line and line- Diontrea King on a 29 yard backer core once again 4th quarter strike. King had another score crushed an opponents running game. The Wildcats earlier in the night with a 3rd had a meager 56 yards on quarter run from 20 yards out. the ground. One Red Raider player The Wildcats did what they could to hit South Point that normally does not see the only way they could, significant time stepped up through the air. The Wild- and showed what he had. cats were 25-50 for 274 Tyler Hall ran hard for Big yards. But the Red Raiders Red. Hall had 69 yards off also snared two picks. One of 11 carries and a 4th quarpick came from defensive ter touchdown. With home field advanstandout Deion Jones. The Red Raider offense tage for the 2013 playoffs all played like they were gear- but assured South Point will ing up for another playoff now sit tight and see who their first playoff opponent run. South Point mixed things will be.

BOX SCORE

Photos by Annie Jenkins

Page Elementary first grader Ava Beaver won first place in the BannerNews Halloween Spooky Coloring contest.

Reagan Garrison, a 5th grader in Ms. Cayton’s class at Ida Rankin Elementary, was one of the first place winners in the Spooky Story contest.

Richard Lauer, a sixth grader at Belmont Middle School, got second place in the BannerNews Spooky Story contest.

GCS conferences set

Skyler Rosini, a sixth grader at Belmont Middle School, took home third place in the BannerNews Spooky Story contest.

The first semester designated elementary and middle school Parent-Teacher Conference date is Thursday, Nov. 7, 1-7 p.m. at each Gaston County elementary and middle school. Teachers are available to speak to parents between 1-7 p.m. To schedule a conference, please contact your child’s school. This is a great opportunity to let our parents know how well their

child is doing in school and to offer suggestions that parents may use at home to help the child. Elementary/middle school nine-week report cards will be distributed and our test scores for grades 38 will be released by the state. Early dismissal for students is at noon (12:00). This is a Professional Learning Day for high school teachers.

ZOMBIE RUN – Belmont Parks & Recreation held its first Zombie Run at the annual Halloween Bash at Stowe Park on Saturday October 26, 2013. The Belmont Abbey Athletic Dept. provided the Zombies from their Cross Country and Track & Field teams and the Humans (participants) were attendants of the Halloween Bash. Everyone had a great time either running from the Zombies or chasing Humans. Contributed Photo

HAPPY HALLOWEEN – These kids from First United Methodist Church in Belmont were foraging for candy on Halloween when they stopped by the BannerNews office and made a haul. Photo by Pat Rooney

CaroMont to host ‘Honor Flight’ film CaroMont Health and Gaston Hospice will host a viewing of the movie “Honor Flight: One Last Mission on Veteran’s Day,” on Monday, November 11, at Stuart W. Cramer High School, 101 Lake Road, Belmont, at 6:00 p.m. The viewing is free and open to the public. Honor Flight is a heartwarming movie following four WWII veterans on the Honor Flight journey to the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.

Kids from Mount Holly Second Baptist Church PreK class visited the folks at East Gaston Adult Day Care Center on Halloween morning. Also in attendance was Sampson, the Great Pyrenees dog in his jailhouse suit. Photo by Alan Hodge

MOLLETTE: The American jobs crisis From page 4A the poor are actually working jobs but can’t make enough money. We did this to ourselves in America. In some cases we pushed our jobs out and in other cases we simply let them slip through our hands. Mexico, China and India are delighted to have our jobs and our money. Americans left behind try to figure out how to buy groceries, pay rent and afford tanks of gas. Government money will run out. It’s a matter of time before Congress will cut back on food stamps and WIC, along with cutting Medicare and Social Security payments. We should oppose these cuts until the jobs trend is reversed. However, the load has become backbreaking for a government that has been financially broke for a long time. We can solve these problems: To bring jobs back to the U.S., Congress must ease the tax burden on American corporations. We should cut the tax rate from 35% to 15% for corporations that

bring 70% of their jobs back home. Corporations that keep jobs overseas should continue to pay the higher rate. Some of the mega corporations have utilized loopholes to pay much smaller amounts of tax while most corporations pay the high tax. We must make the tax simpler and make it reasonable for all corporations. Unions must use common sense. The day and time when unions could hold employers hostage by making exorbitant demands have passed. Employers can simply close the doors and move their operations to Mexico leaving workers and unions behind. Give a $10,000 tax credit to people who cease relying on Supplemental Security Insurance and Social Security disability and get back into the workforce. Although many are genuinely unable to do any type of work, many more can do some type of work. Give this credit over three years Allow students to attend the first two years of community college tuition-free if they maintain a GPA of 3.0. Student

loans would be cut in half. Many 65 - 80 year old retired professors would enjoy working for adjunct, contract pay and would bring a wealth of knowledge with them. Raise the minimum wage to $9. Cut the corporate tax on one end so

that corporations can provide more pay on the other end. Approximately 50 million Americans live in poverty while another 50 million are not far from the poverty line. Many Americans living in poverty are working, but

East Gaston Warriors

the jobs don’t pay enough and they are forced to rely on government assistance. It does not have to be this way. We don’t have to be poor and in debt, America can bounce back. To change the face of America, we must

make progressive and aggressive changes. At this stage of our economy we need to change the face of Congress. They’ve had their chance. Most of them have been in Washington too long and have made it all about them and not about Americans.

South Point Red Raiders Player of the Week

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Page 8A

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

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Classified Ads FREE ADS! Have something to sell (under $100) or give away? Just fill out the form below & run your ad for FREE! Home for Sale or Rent MOBILE HOMES AND APARTMENTS FOR RENT IN KINGS M O U N TA I N Prices starting at $100/week. Call 704-739-4417 or (evening) 704739-1425. (tfn) WOODBRIDGE AREA – 3 BR, 2 ½ BA House for rent. Newly restored. Den with fireplace. $1,200/mth. Reference required. Call: 704-4180910. (11/06 &13) 1 & 2 BR APARMENTS for RENT. Also, 2 & 3 BR HOUSES and COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES are available for RENT. All are in KM. Call: 704466-9331 or 704553-0345 for further information. (11/06 & 13)

Land for Sale LOW DOWN PAYMENT. PRICES REDUCED! LOTS in Gaston, Cleveland & Cherokee Co., some with water & septic, owner will fin with low DP. Call Bryant Realty 704-567-9836 or www.bryantrealty.org. (11/06) Wanted to Buy CASH ON THE SPOT! Will buy tools, furniture or building full of merchandise, pictures or anything of value. Will also buy musical instruments. Call: 704-300-0827 or 704-300-7676. (11/06/13)

(P/up Truck Chev. S-10) $50.00 /load. Call: 704-4353970. (11/06) 2 CEMETRY LOTS for Sale in Hillcrest Garden in Mt. Holly. $2,400 for both lots. Call: 423-260-3475. (11/06) MICHELIN TIRE for SALE – P225/60 R 17. Good Condition. Call: 704739-5570. (11/06) Help Wanted DRIVERS: Start up to $.41/mi., Home Weekly or Bi-Weekly, 90% No-Touch, 70% D&H. CDL-A 1yr. OTR exp. Req.

ULTRAFORCE STAFFING SERVICES

Miscellaneous for Sale

Job Fair Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013

AERATOR 30� Pull behind LAWNMOWER for Sale - $30.00 or O.B.O. Call: 704-7395570. (11/06) CRAFTSMAN 3/8� DRILL w/charger for Sale - $5.00. Call: 704-7395570. (11/06) FIREWOOD for Sale – Oak Seasoned.

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877-705-9261. (11/06/13) DRIVERS: CDL-A, FT/PT. Work Next Week! Charlotte Area. 1+ Yrs Exp Current Medical Good Work History. For Fastest Results Apply at: w w w. i n n ova tivedrivers.com or leave msg: 1888-206-3752. (11/06 &13) Drivers: Excellent Money & Benefits! Home Weekly, Newer Assigned trucks, Lots of Miles. CDL-A, 2yrs Exp, 25yoa. Debra: 855-204-6535. (11/06)

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Legals 2. The City Clerk is hereby directed to publish this Resolution of Intent once a week for four successive weeks in The Banner News, or another newspaper of general circulation in the area. 3. The City Clerk is further directed to transmit by registered or certified mail to each owner of property abutting upon those portions of Elm Street, Hill Street, Hermes Avenue, and Wilson Street a copy of this Resolution of Intent. 4. The City Clerk is further directed to cause adequate notices of this Resolution of Intent and the scheduled public hearing to be posted as required by G.S. 160A299. Upon motion duly made of Councilperson Bishop and duly seconded by Councilperson Toomey, the above resolution was duly adopted by the City Council at the meeting held on October 14, 2013, at the Mount Holly Municipal Complex. Upon a call for a vote the votes were unanimous in the affirmative. BN10552 (10/23, 30/2013 & 11/06, 13 & 20/13)

RESOLUTION OF INTENT A RESOLUTION declaring the intention of the City Council of the City of Mount Holly to consider the closing of portions of Elm Street, Hill Street, Hermes Avenue, and Wilson Street. WHEREAS, G. S. 160A-299 authorizes the City Council to close public streets and alleys; and, WHEREAS, the City Council considers it advisable to conduct a public hearing for the purpose of giving consideration to the closing of those portions of Elm Street, Hill Street, Hermes Avenue, and Wilson Street, as shown and described in a certain Petition filed by Caromont Health Inc. and others dated October 10, 2013. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council that: 1. A public hearing will be held at 6:30 PM on November 25, 2013, in the Mount Holly Municipal Complex to consider a resolution closing those portions of Elm Street, Hill Street, Hermes Avenue, and Wilson Street described in the Petition.

FREEbies Name ___________________________________________ Address _________________________________________ City _________________________ State ____ Zip ________ Phone _____________________ • Giveaways or Items Priced Up to $100 Only • Price Must be Included in Ad • Ad(s) Must be Printed on Order Blank • No More Than 3 Free Ads Per Week

• Must Include Phone Number • Start Ad with Name of Item • Only Free Animals Accepted • One Item Only Per Ad • Maximum of 10 Words Per Ad • Not to be Used For Businesses

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COPY DEADLINE: Friday before the issue date at 2pm Mail copy to: Kings Mountain Herald • PO Box 769 • Kings Mountain NC 28086

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704739-7496 • 704825-0580 The Banner News, Cherryville Eagle and Kings Mountain Herald are not responsible for errors in an advertisement if not corrected by the first week after the ad appears.

D I R E C T O R Y

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

MARCIANO: ItĘźs not a purple Camaro... From page 4A hooked. Somewhere in the movie it changed from a `70 Camaro to a 2010 Camaro – also yellow with black racing stripes. There he was driving this car with his high school sweetheart sitting alongside him. I was smitten by the car. I also wanted a yellow Camaro to drive my wife around. I pleaded with my wife to let me have this car for my “midlifeâ€? crisis. She laughed and said no.

Page 9A

The Banner News | banner-news.com

My family knows that the yellow Camaro is still my fantasy. One day, my wife and daughter were driving and saw a purple car pass them by. I got a text from my daughter that said, “Dad, take a look – a purple Camaro�. I was grateful for the picture of the car. Then I looked much closer. There was something wrong with the car. The car had the same lines as a Camaro – long hood, short trunk deck and “coupe� type roof line, not like the current Mustang fastback. While it

looked like a Camaro, I realized it wasn’t a Camaro. It was a Dodge Challenger. Do I text her back and correct her? Dale Carnegie in his book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People� talks about being at a dinner party when the host makes a quote that she says is from the Bible. Dale corrects her and says it’s from Shakespeare. His friend kicks him under the table and says, “Dale you know it’s from the Bible�. Later Dale asks his friend why he did that when they both knew it was from Shakespeare. His friend replies you may be

correct but you would have put a “wet blanket� on the evening. I knew my daughter was so excited to send me a picture of my fantasy car – even if it was purple. I looked at the picture and almost replied with, “Maria, it’s not a Camaro, it’s a Challenger�. What good would that have done? I would have been right and the joy my daughter experienced would have been dashed. I would have stolen that special moment she was enjoying. I am committed to my relationship with her. It has been said that rules without relationships

leads to rebellion. I think Jesus demonstrated this so well when he encountered the women at the well at mid-day. He didn’t initially confront her with her sin. He started off by saying, “Can I have a drink of water�. It was from that simple start He impacted her life and that of the village. I need you to help me keep this our secret. If you see her, don’t tell her it’s a Challenger. Between her and me, it’s a purple Camaro. I’ll be back in two weeks. Until then, live well my friend.

Football Contest Enter our 2013 Pigskin Picks Football Contest for a Chance To Win $50 Games are listed in each advertisement. Pick the winner and write that team by the corresponding number on the entry blank below. Drop the entry blank by the office in Kings Mountain, Cherryville or Belmont or send by mail for delivery by Friday at 5pm.

Last WeekĘźs Winner was...

hingagency you value hin Auto-Owners Insurance and your local independent Secure.Ž Se have been a winning combination since 1916. We’ll work with you to insure your home, auto, business and life and keep everthing you value Safe. Sound. Secure.Ž

Mark Ward of Mount Holly Mark did not miss any & won the tiebreaker!

ds

E

Due to the contest deadlines and the postponements of the Bessemer City v Highland Tech and Forestview v Hunter Huss games until Monday, these games were not counted in the football contest this week..

Week of November 8, 2013

Name___________________________

1.______________________________ 2. _____________________________ 3.______________________________ 4.______________________________ 5.______________________________ 6.______________________________ 7.______________________________ 8.______________________________ 9.______________________________ 10._____________________________ 11._____________________________ 12._____________________________ 13._____________________________ 14._____________________________

Address_________________________ _______________________________ Phone__________________________ Tiebreaker: LSU vs Alabama

Total number of points in the game___

12696 (09-11) (09-11)

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Your local Clip and Mail to:

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502 York Rd., Kings Mountain Pigskin Picks Football Contest, The Kings Mountain Herald, PO Box 769, Kings Mountain, NC 28086. All entries must be received by mail at The Herald office no later than Friday. Or they may be taken to The Eagle office, 107 1/2 E. Main Street, Cherryville; The Bannernews office, 128-C N. Main St., Belmont; or The Kings Mountain Herald office, 700 E. Gold Street, Kings Mountain no later than 5 p.m. on Friday.

704-739-1043 Owner & Operator:

‘Family owned and operated - come in and experience the difference! Bobby Childers

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NC# 9507

704.739.4721 • 129 Mountain St. Kings Mountain

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• Arts & Gifts • Antiques • Treasusures in Time

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“Both located in Downtown Bessemer City�

Otis’ Merchandise Gallery ‘Gently used furniture & consignments’

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Contest Rules 1. The games listed by number in each advertisement correspond to the lines in the entry blank above. Some advertisements may contain more than one game. Simply write on the corresponding lines in the entry blank which team you think will win. 2. At the bottom of the entry blank is a Tiebreaker. In the space indicated, guess the total combined number of points that will be scored by both teams in that game. 3. A $50 prize will be awarded to the entrant with the most correct predictions. In the event of ties, the tiebreaker will be used to decide the winning entrant. In the event the tiebreaker does not break the tie, the prize will be split. 4. In the event games are postponed, they will only count in that week’s contest if they are played within that week’s contest period. The contest period cover games from Friday through the following Thursday.

5. Entries may be mailed to The Kings Mountain Herald at PO Box 769, Kings Mountain, NC 28086 if postmarked no later than 5 p.m. on Friday or brought by The Eagle office at 107 1/2 E. Main Street, Cherryville; The Herald office at 700 E. Gold Street, Kings Mountain; or The Bannernews office at 128-C N. Main St., Belmont, no later than Friday at 5 p.m. 6. Limit one entry per person, per envelope. Must be 18 years old to enter. All entries must be on blanks clipped from The Eagle, The Banner News or The Herald. No photocopied entries will be accepted. 7. All entries become the property of Gemini Newspapers, Inc. 8. Winners will be contacted as soon as the contest is judged and prize money will be mailed to address on the entry blank. 9. Employees of Gemini Newspapers, Inc. and their families are ineligible. 10. All judges decisions are final.

Page 10A

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

The Banner News | banner-news.com

School Happenings ...

South Point High School

Above: Ms.Mobley’s class harvesting sweet potatoes outside in the garden. At left: Ms.Mullis is showing some students how to use a butterfly net. Top right: Katie Scruggs, Garrett Gibson, Jase Hanaifins, Carter Hoppe, and Quinn Barnette are excited for the next cross country victory Bottom right: South Point Varsity Soccer were victorious over Stuart Cramer 3-2.

Photos by Roberto Aragon/SPHS DATES TO REMEMBER 2013 - 2014

Mrs. Mobley’s class enjoys working in the Hospitality Section for the Booster Club.

HS Professional Dev.

November 7

Fall Production The Tales of Edgar Allan Poe

November 8

Falls Sports Awards

December 2

Belmont Christmas Parade/ Early Dismissal

December 3

Financial Aid (FAFSA) Night

December 10

Chorus Concert

December 16

Band Concert

December 19

First Semester Exams

January 13

Beginning of Second Semester

January 23

Military Ball

February 7

Miss South Point Pageant

February 15

Mr. South Point

March 7

Winter Sports Awards

March 10

High School Parent Conferences

Students supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month sponsored by the Varsity and Junior Varsity Volleyball teams.

Report Cards

March 13

Theatre Production

TBA

Early Dismissal HS Professional Dev.

April 3

Chorus Trip

April 9 - 13

Spring Break Holiday

April 21 - 25

NJROTC Field Trip

April 30 - May 4

AP Exams

May 5 - 15

Prom

May 9, 8:00 pm

Clarion Day/Senior Picnic

May 16

Band Concert

TBA

Chorus Concert

May 22

Spring Sports Awards

May 27

Academic Awards

May 29

Second Semester Exams

June 3

Baccalaureate

June 8

Graduation

June 14, 9:00 am

Brought to you by:

Savings & Loan

210 Park St., Belmont • 704.825.9861

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