South Point Athletes Honored 7A
Serving Belmont, Mount Holly, Stanley, Cramerton, and McAdenville | Volume 79 • Issue 13 • Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Ella Brooke Bowen, 4, of Belmont was enjoying some quality time with daffodils and a wooly worm on a recent warm day. She’s the daughter of James and Courtney Bowen, granddaughter of Chris and Connie Atkins.
75¢
Celebrating St. Joseph’s By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Photo by Alan Hodge
Erick Euler of Troop 56 FUMC Belmont, is seen being presented his Eagle Scout plaque by Police Chief Charles Franklin. Euler built bridges at Rocky Branch Park for his project.
Euler earns rank of Eagle By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
“He took on a man-sized project and did a man-sized job,” That’s what Belmont police Cpl. Doug Huffstetler had to say about 17-year-old Erick Euler and his Eagle Scout project building bridges at the new Rocky Branch Park biking and hik-
ing trail on Woodrow Ave. A member of Troop 56 based at First United Methodist Church in Belmont and a student at South Point High, Euler and his helpers hauled sections of phone pole weighing hundreds of pounds into the forest to make the basis for the bridges. They faced swarms of ‘skeeters, mud, and heat to do the work. See EULER, 8A
Good news as cases of TB decline in county, state By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
One of man’s oldest diseases, tuberculosis, is still with us today, and even though the number of Gaston and Cleveland county cases have fallen over the years, other places on the planet still suffer terribly from it. Tuberculosis is a communicable, potentially deadly disease that usually affects the lungs but can attack other parts of the body as well. It is spread when a person with an active case of TB exhales the diseasecausing bacteria, which is in turn inhaled by someone else. In 1980, the state was third highest in the nation for its TB case rate. By 2012 it had dropped to 29th highest. March 24 commemorates the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch told a small group of scientists at the
University of Berlin’s Institute of Hygiene that he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus. It was called a “turningpoint in the story of a virulent human infectious disease.” At the time of Koch’s announcement, TB was raging through Europe and the Americas, causing the death of one out of every seven people. Today tuberculosis causes the deaths of about 1.7 million people each year, mostly in the Third World. Remembering this, World Tuberculosis Day was marked on Monday, March 24, to build public awareness about the global problem of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate it. World Tuberculosis Day began In 1982, on the onehundredth anniversary of Koch’s presentation, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) proposed that March 24 be proclaimed an official World TB Day. This was part of a year-long centennial effort by the IUATLD and the World Health Organization (WHO) under the theme “Defeat TB: Now and Forever.” World TB Day was not officially
Worshippers got not one but two chances to step back in time last week in Mount Holly. The events were services held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church- the oldest still standing original Catholic church in North Carolina and the fourth Catholic house of worship built in the state. The 171-year-old church, originally constructed in 1843 to serve local Irish Catholic miners and their families, holds services twice a year- on St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day. Last week, these days were on Monday and Wednesday. On Monday, a group of members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians attended a ceremony that honored the original 19th century parishioners as well as the first priest there, Father T.J. Cronin. Though Cronin died of yellow fever
Photo by Alan Hodge
Father David Kessinger OSB from Belmont Abbey conducted the St. Joseph's Day Mass last Wednesday at the 1843 St. Joseph's Church in Mount Holly. Father Kessinger is seen at the church's original altar. before the building was completed, he is buried in the church cemetery out front.
Wednesday saw St. Joseph’s Day Mass held at the church. Despite dreary weather, a capacity crowd of
several dozen folks filled the church’s original pews. Heavy coats were the See St. JOSEPH’S, 8A
Annual ‘Walk for AIDS’ is April 5 By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Saturday, April 5 the 21st Annual Walk for AIDS will step off in Belmont at 10am from the Sisters of Mercy campus. Registration begins at 9:30am. The event raises funds for House of Mercy as well as awareness of AIDS. Located on the Sisters of Mercy grounds, House of Mercy was started in 1991 and has provided care to over 300 low-income men and women with AIDS who are unable to care for themselves and face homelessness. The annual Walk for AIDS event raises over 80 percent of House of Mercy operating expenses. The Sisters of Mercy support House of Mercy administrative costs, but other expenses such as food, medication, and 24-hour compassionate care is paid for by Walk for AIDS contributions. Last year, over 350 participants walked the event’s three-mile route through downtown Belmont. The goal for 2014 is to raise $36,750. Participants can walk singly or raise teams. A Walk for AIDS t-shirt will be
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Team (top fundraising team) led approximately 350 participants during last year's House of Mercy 20th Annual Walk for AIDS. Banner News file photo given to the first 300 participants who raise $50 or more. Donations are taxdeductible and need to be turned in by April 5. Make checks out to House of Mercy and mail to House of Mercy, PO Box 808, Belmont, NC 28012. Note “Walk for AIDS” on the memo line. New this year is a “Virtual AIDS Run” open until April 1.
House of Mercy will announce fundraising totals for the 2014 Walk for AIDS and Virtual AIDS Run at the picnic following the event. For more details and to get forms or make donations online visit www.houseofmercy.org. or www.Facebook.com/houseofmercync or call 704825-4711 ext. 3.
Scouting out the (Banner) News This group of Cub Scouts from Pack 503 based at Christ United Methodist Church in Gastonia paid a visit to the BannerNews office last week to see how a community, weekly newspaper is created. From left: Tristan Peyton, Grayson Harrington, Michael Sparks, Tristan Blair, Jack Holeman, Joshua Sells. Photo by Alan Hodge
See TB, 5A
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Wednesday, March 26, 2014
The Banner News | banner-news.com
■ POLICE
■ OBITUARIES Allen C. Smith Devoted father W I N S TO N - S A L E M Allen Crawford Smith, 56 of W i n stonSalem passed a w a y after a lengthy illness on Sund a y , March 9, 2014. He was born in Greensboro, NC on November 13, 1957. He was the Kathleen "Kat" Smith Loved serving God and her family MOUNT HOLLY- Kathleen Horton Smith "Kat", 96, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2014. She was born April 28, 1917 in Indian Trail, N C , daughter of the late William Lee and Mary DeLina Horton. Kathleen was the oldest member of Tuckaseege Bap-
son of Sara Beth Crawford Smith and the late Thomas H. Smith, Sr. of Charlotte. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with degrees in Engineering Technology and Electrical Engineering. He later attended North Carolina State University and the University of Iowa graduating with a Master’s Degree in Computer Engineering. He worked at Duke Power and later left engineering to be a dedicated stay-at-home Dad. He is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 20 years, Catherine Watkins
DDS, MS, PhD; daughter, Christine Smith; and son, Daniel Smith. He is also survived by his mother; brother, Thomas H. Smith Jr. of Charlotte; sister, Teresa S. Carpenter of Garner, NC; niece, Keni C. Johnson of Florence, SC, and nephew, Eric Carpenter of Raleigh. Allen’s primary life focus was on his family. He devoted his time to raising his children, researching his family history and working outside on the Smith family property in Belmont, NC. He collected old radios and televisions and could fix any-
thing mechanical or electrical. Services were held on Friday, March 14, in Winston-Salem with burial in Evergreen Cemetery in Belmont, NC on Saturday. Memorials may be made to the Memorial Educational Fund for Christine and Daniel Smith at Wells Fargo Bank on 3375 Robinhood Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106. Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.
tist Church where she served as Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday school teacher and choir member for many years. She retired from American & Efird Mills where she worked in the sewing lab. Kathleen loved and served God, family, and friends throughout her life. She is survived by two daughters Diana Smith Carey of Wilmington, NC, and Kathy Smith Trull of Mount Holly; four grandchildren, Dana Carey Altman and husband Paul of Raleigh, Brian Carey of Wilmington, Emily Trull Bradley and Patrick Trull
both of Mount Holly; four great grandchildren, McKenna Boyd and Walker Bradley of Mount Holly, Michael and Blake Altman of Raleigh along with many nieces and nephews. Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband George A. Smith, infant daughter Mary Deloros Smith, seven brothers and four sisters. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Smith will be held 2pm Saturday March 29, at the Woodlawn Chapel of Woodlawn Funeral Home in
Mount Holly. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Lincoln County, 107 North Cedar Street, Lincolnton, NC 28092. Condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.woodlawnfuneral.org Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly is serving the family.
Kenneth Summey U.S. Navy veteran
Elizabeth “Liz” Stevens and Katherine “Kat” Stevens both of Charlotte, an aunt Elizabeth Guin of Mount Holly and cousin Louise Austin of Charlotte. A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Summey was held at 2pm Saturday March 22, at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Mount Holly with Rev. Cuttino Alexander officiating. Interment followed the service at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Charlotte. The family received friends from 7-9pm Friday at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly. Memorials may be made to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 110 South Main Street, Mount Holly NC 28120 or to Novant Hospice of Charlotte, 324 N McDowell St, Charlotte, NC 28204-2217. Condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.woodlawnfuneral.org Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly served the family.
Brian
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CHARLOTTE- Kenneth Bennett Summey, 81, 1331 West Pointe Drive, passed away on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. He was born in Gast o n County. He was p r e ceded in death by his wife Frances Carver Summey and his mother Ethel D. Summey. He was a US Navy veteran of Korea. He was President of Park Manufacturing Company Incorporated in Gastonia. He was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Mount Holly. He was a member of the Belmont Historical Society and the Charlotte Antique Auto Club. He is survived by one daughter, Nella S. Stevens and husband Joe of Charlotte; two granddaughters,
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Belmont Police Mar. 18: James Hutchins Jr., larceny shoplifting, arrested by Officer J. Barnes, 701 Hawley Ave. Mar. 18: Steven Alonzo Long, drug violations, poss./conceal, paraphernalia, poss. Less than ½ oz. Sch. IV, arrested by Officer K. Wingate, Poplar St at Johnson St. Mar. 20: Patric Quinn Clinton, 2nd degree trespass, arrested by Officer K. Wingate, 7008 Wilkinson Blvd. Mar. 20: Joshua Matthew Mullins, larceny shoplifting, DWLR, fail to wear seatbelt, arrested by Officer K. Seigler, 6441 Wilkinson Blvd. Mar. 20: Matthew Marvin White, FTA, DWLR, arrested by Cpl. B. Herndon, 6441 Wilkinson Blvd.
- CRIME Mar. 21: Beverly Elizabeth Laney, larceny shoplifting, FTA, arrested by Officer J. Barnes, 701 Hawley Ave. Mar. 21: Daniel Brian Hullender, larceny,trespassing, arrested by Officer B. Bingham, 701 Hawley Ave. Mar. 22: Robert Victor Waldrup, RDO, arrested by Officer M. Kelske, 200 Caldwell Farm Rd. Mar. 22: Richard Douglas Waldrup, identity theft, OFA, DWLR, operate vehicle tag revoked, arrested by Officer M. Kelske, 200 Caldwell Farm Rd. Mar. 22: Denia Lucero Valle, larceny, arrested by officer B. Bingham, 701 Hawley Ave. Mar. 22: Jesus Salvador Flores, larceny, arrested by Officer B. Bingham, 701 Hawley Ave.
Hall facing charges Lincolnton – A Stanley man turned himself in to authorities March 18 on sexual assault charges. Tyler Jordan Hall, 19, 7680 Sifford Road, Stanley, just across the line in Lincoln County, is charged with one felony count each of Crime against Nature, Indecent Liberties with a Child, and First Degree Sexual Offense. Detectives with the Major Crimes Unit began investigating the case on February 18, 2014 after receiving a report from the Lincoln County Department of Social Services. The inci-
dent allegedly o c curred in November of 2013 at the s u s p e c t ’s Hall home. The victim is an 11 year old male. The suspect was a family acquaintance. A Lincoln County magistrate set bond at $90,000 secured and scheduled a first appearance in Lincoln County District Court on March 19, 2014.
Nealey charged with theft A Stanley woman has been charged with allegedly stealing money from her employer. Officers met with a loss prevention officer for Dollar General Store at 1299 Highway 16 South on March 22 regarding theft of money from the store. The loss prevention officer told deputies that an employee, Marcia Haggins Nealey, 41, 215 Lin Mar Drive, Stanley, had been taking money from the store’s deposits for personal use since about Thanksgiving. A total of $9,574.86 is involved. Nealey admitted tak-
Nealy ing the money and was transported to the magistrate’s office where she was charged with Larceny by Employee. She was released after posting a $5,000 secured bond.
Fellowship & Faith
Church Service Directory 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
Grace Baptist Church 300 Westland Farm Rd. 704-827-8600
New Covenant United Methodist 14514 Lucian Riverbend Hwy. 704-827-4468
Harvest Time Church of God 707 Westland Farm Rd. 704-822-8033
New Providence Baptist Church 1104 Old NC 27 Hwy. 704-827-0822
Hickory Grove Baptist Church 3717 Hickory Grove Rd. 704-827-3939
North Main Baptist Church 1304 N. Main St. 704-827-6141
Jehovah’s Witnesses 1736 Kelly Rd. 704-263-0199
Restoration & Deliverance 804 W. Charlotte Ave. 704-820-0954
Lighthouse Full Gospel Church 530 N. Hawthorne St. 704-827-1442
Revival Tabernacle of Mt. Holly 826 W. Charlotte Ave. 704-827-2999
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
Featured Church of the Week East Belmont Baptist Church Shiloh Ame Zion Methodist 1117 Old NC Hwy 27 704-827-8826
Tuckaseegee Baptist Church 511 Tuckaseege Rd. 704-827-4301
Springfield Freewill Baptist 220 Park Terrace Dr. 704-820-0193
Way of the Cross Baptist Church 238 Lanier Ave. 704-827-8111
Ridgeview Baptist Church 105 Pine Rd. 704-827-3856
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
Second Baptist Church 740 Rankin Ave. 704-827-5181
St. Paul FHB Church 1529 Old Hwy 27 Rd. 704-827-5851
Westview Presbyterian Church 1020 W. Catawba Ave. 704-827-2026
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
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The Banner News | banner-news.com
■ BUSINESS
Meet three of the MH CDF members
Some of Watson Insurance’s 70 employees gather to be recognized for 80 years of service. Photo submitted
Watson Insurance honored Watson Insurance Agency was recognized by the Mayor and Council of the City of Gastonia on March 18 for 80 years of service in North and South Carolina. The proclamation was read by Gastonia Mayor John Bridgeman. Watson Insurance opened its doors in 1934 by founder Thomas Craig Watson, Jr., and from humble beginnings above Gene’s Soda Shop in downtown Gastonia to its present head-
quarters in 1987, the agency has grown from offering insurance door-to-door to a presence online including free mobile app for smart phones. The company has grown to 70 employees, four offices, including one in Belmont, and representation of over 30 of the largest and most financially sound carriers in the country. “We certainly have moved into the 21st century with our attention to the de-
mands of the fast-paced, Internet driven marketplace,” said agency president Thomas C. Watson, Jr. “But we have proudly maintained our commitment to our mission of providing the best possible insurance service in the most efficient manner through our entire 80 years.” In addition to Gastonia and Belmont, offices are also located in Lake Wylie and Lincolnton. Visit Watson Insurance Agency at www.watsoninsurance.com.
Vintage Nest expands into new home After two years on Central Avenue in Mount Holly, The Vintage Nest has relocated to larger space at 127 S. Main Street. The Vintage Nest specializes in handpainted furniture and chalk paint and offers many other items. Owner Jeff Lee and daughter Margo are shown here. Hours are Wed. - Fri. 10-6; Sat. 10-4. More information at 704.827.3355, and online at www.the-vintage-nest.com.
Bob Mageau, a dedicated Foundation volunteer, is starting his 6th year on the Board of Directors. Bob graduated from Saint John’s University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and have been in retail management for over 25 years. Mageau Bob was born and raised in NYC and met and married his wife, Pilar, in New York. “Shortly after we married, we talked about where we would like to raise our family. We wanted a city that was a better quality of life and more laid back but one that was also close to a thriving downtown. Mount Holly fit the bill. We are within 25 minutes of downtown Charlotte, and since we moved to Mount Holly seven years ago we have seen our city rapidly grow but with a controlled growth environment created by our cities leaders. I first became involved with the Foundation when I met some of the board members at a city council meeting. We talked about the goals of the Foundation and their mission (to advance the health, general welfare and prosperity of the Mount Holly Area) which is the reason why my family moved here. By working on the Events committee, Beautification committee, Membership committee and just by walking around Mount Holly I have met so many great citizens and leaders in Mount Holly. I have seen so much collaboration among the different agencies, from the Foundation, CRO, city council, mayor, city management, chamber of commerce... this is part of which makes Mount Holly special.” Lee Beatty, a native of Mount Holly and the founding Chair of the MHCDF Board of Directors, is serving this year as Chair of the Greenways Committee. Lee, a family physician for 33 years, is a graduate of Mount Holly High School, Duke University and Wake Forest University. He is the Medical Director of Riverbend Family Practice, which opened here in 1997. Lee’s resume is impressive and includes: Co-founder of South Point Family Practice
in 1981; Assistant Professor for UNC School of Medicine and faculty member of Family Medicine at Carolinas Medical Center from 1991 to 1997. In his spare time, Lee enjoys Reading (mostly history), guitar, song writing. He is also a co-author of a history book “Images of America: Mount Holly”. His Beatty foundation accomplishments include: Founding Chair of MHCDF Board of Directors; Served as MHCDF Board Chair twice; Chair of Greenways Committee; Former chair of Downtown Revitalization Committee and Communications Committee. Lee says he is, “Active in Foundation to promote health of Mount Holly. The health of a community is directly related to its prosperity and its opportunities for sustaining an active life.” Shannon Gowen, joined the Board of Directors this year. Shannon graduated from UNC Charlotte with a BS in Mathematics and will be graduating with a Master’s degree in Information Systems this coming July. Shannon is a Support Escalation Engineer for the Microsoft Corporation. Shannon and her husband, Jason, moved to Mount Holly a year Gowen before they got married because this is where they wanted to start their married life together. Shannon, along with Jason, have worked several years with the Community Image committee and presently are the sponsoring gardeners for the Hwy 273 Gateway Signage garden. When asked why she joined the Foundation, Shannon stated, “I joined the Mount Holly Community Development Foundation because I wanted to be a part of a group of people who are eager and committed to improving their community.” Shannon has graciously accepted the appointment to Chair of the Community Image Committee for the Foundation.
Photo by Montcross Chamber
Improvements underway at boat ramp
“YOU KNOW, WE REALLY
Photos by Alan Hodge
City of Belmont worker “Cowboy” shows the new gate and rules sign he and his Public Works colleagues installed last week at the boat ramp area behind Dale's Superette. Other improvements to the property that the city recently bought will include gravel, lighting, trash cans, new boat docks, and police patrols.
County K-9 team seizes 1.5 kilos of meth in traffic stop Three people were arrested last Wednesday when a K9 unit indicated the presence of narcotics in their vehicle. The 2003 Chevy Malibu, pulled over by Gaston County Police on I85
during a traffic stop, was driven by Juan Lopez of Houston, Texas. Passengers Gabriela Garcia and Benito Hernandez are from Winston Salem. When searched, approxi-
mately 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine were located in a hidden compartment in the car. All three suspects were arrested and charged with numerous felony drug related offenses.
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Wednesday, March 26, 2014
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Opinions...
“
Yours, Ours, Others
Quote of the week... Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.
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The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.
Thomas A. Edison
Have you tried farmin’?
Alan Hodge Editor I come from a long line, a very long line, of farmers. First there was my g-g-g-g-ggrandfather John Smith who came from Ireland to the South Point area where he commenced farming in 1773– interrupted by a period when he fought in the Revolutionary War. His son David, who was a child when the family arrived here, also grew up to be a farmer. David's son Robert, my g-g-g grandfather, bought 600 acres from the Catawba Indians in 1827 that encompassed Catawba Heights and most of North Belmont to the South Fork River. A reference I found in a 1945 Belmont Banner called this the “Smith Plantation�. Anyway, Robert's son John Benny Smith, my g-ggrandfather inherited 60 or so acres of this land in Catawba Heights and farmed it until he died in 1903. This property went to my g-grandfather Walter V. Smith who ran a dairy farm there until he died in 1945 and eventually my grandfather Sinclair Smith farmed it until he passed away in 1971 and we sold it to the Catawba Heights Baptist Church. You would think with all that farming heritage in my blood I would be good at it, but I am
not. I have tried backyard gardening on numerous occasions, but had crop failure nearly every time. My first try at farmin' was a patch o corn at the edge of our woods. The cornstalks grew and grew and I tended them daily. They got real big and little cobs appeared. The yellow tassels on the cobs swayed in the breeze like a Dutch gal's hair. But one day a terrible hail storm came along and flattened every cornstick to the ground. I went outside and saw my corn-kids beaten to a pulp. I busted out cryin' on the spot. Later, in a calmer state of reflection, I pondered how my ancestors, and a lot of other folks past and present, would have lost not just a backyard agricultural amusement as I had done, but their very means of survival as well if their crop had been destroyed by bad weather. By and by I got the urge to grow some cotton. A man at the Cotton Ginning Days event gave me some seeds and I dug up a little patch in the backyard and planted them. Cotton can grow in some pretty poor soil and mine is like red concrete. But the seeds worked and soon cotton plants came up. The plants made lovely cream and purple flowers then they made green bolls and the bolls turned brown in October and popped open to reveal cotton. That was a success but the next year when I gave cotton farming a go it rained a lot and the plants were spindly and the crop a failure. So now I limit my farming to three tomato plants and a couple of chili pepper plants. We grow these beside the house next to great-grandfather John Benny Smith's original 1829-
1903 tombstone that I have propped up against the foundation and I have to think it makes a nice effect, the growing, spreading 'mater vines against the white marble stone from long ago. The rewards of backyard gardening and farming, when the crop is successful, can be magnificent. If it be corn, then the payoff is the day when the first cobs are harvested and put in a pot of boiling water and “biled� until tender. Then the steaming cobs are taken out and smeared with butter and sprinkled with salt and pepper and speared on the ends with those little corn-
cob-shaped holders and then you lift the hot cob to your lips and blow and when you think it's cool enough plunge your teeth into the corn goodness and gnaw a while and when you get the first bite swallowed you wipe your mouth with a napkin or even the back of your hand or shirt sleeve. Or if it's the first tomato of the season you pluck it from the vine and cradling the red orb in your hands you head for the kitchen and grab a big ol' butcher knife and a jar of mayo and a couple of pieces of white bread and some salt and pepper and you slice the “termater� and pile some slices on the bread (already smeared with the mayo and salt and peppered), and slap the lid on the sammich
and take a big bite before the juice makes the bread soggy and then after you swallow the tangy, salty, peppery, mayo-ey gob you take the aforementioned napkin or back of hand or sleeve to your lips and savor the taste of summer. I think everyone should try their hand at backyard gardening/farming. Maybe your crop will be abundant, maybe it will get mashed down by hail, maybe you will smile with happiness to see a bunch of vegetables waiting your hand, maybe you will boo-hoo when the whole thing is destroyed in an instant of capricious weather. In any case, backyard gardening and farming is like love...better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all.
Letter to the Editor To The Editor: It’s Red Cross Month and we would like to recognize our Everyday Heroes who reach out to help their neighbors when they are in need. These everyday heroes are our volunteers who help disaster victims get on the road to recovery. They give blood to help someone in the hospital. They brighten the day of an injured service member in a hospital far from home. They take our classes and step forward to help someone having a heart attack or to save a drowning child. March is also a great time to become part of the Red Cross. It’s easy. Household members can work together on a preparedness plan. People can sign up to take a class or volunteer their time. They can give blood or make a financial donation. The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year in this country. It provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families; collects and distributes about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and trains millions of people in first aid, water safety and other life-saving skills every year. Here in the Carolina Piedmont Region, we assisted over 900 individuals and families affected by fires and other local disasters, provided services to more than 1800 military families and trained over 21,000 people in lifesaving skills. And, people from this area donated nearly
335,000 units of blood. Red Cross Month is observed in dedication of everyone who supports our mission. We are grateful to people for their generosity which enables us to continue our work, and encourage everyone to become an Everyday Hero during Red Cross Month by helping their neighbors. Daughtry Hopper, Community Chapter Executive Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln Counties
Is your child safe... from identity theft? By Attorney General Roy Cooper Parents work hard to keep their kids safe, but there’s a potential threat to your child’s future you may not have even thought of: identity theft. While many adults are aware of the threat of identity theft and the need to protect their personal information, they may not realize that children can also be victims. Though most children don’t yet have credit reports, they’re still at risk for having their identity stolen. If identity thieves See IDENTITY THEFT, 9A
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Letter to the editor...
Q: what do you think happened to the missing Malaysian airliner?
Do you have questions or concerns about what’s happening in your community? Are there good things happening in your neighborhood? Did you like a story? Let us know in a Letter to the Editor. We welcome your comments*! Send us your Letters to The Editor at: The Banner News P.O. Box 589, Belmont NC 28012
Richard Thomas It was hijacked and fell into the ocean
Tom Thorpe The captain took it down
Jimmy Austin I like to think it is on the ground somewhere
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Wednesday, March 26, 2014
TB: disease is on decline in county, state cian after Hippocrates, defined phthisis as the “ulceration of the lungs, thorax or throat, accompanied by a cough, fever, and consumption of the body by pus.� The tuberculosis epidemic in Europe, which probably started in the 17th century and which lasted two hundred years, was known as the Great White Plague. Death by tuberculosis was considered inevitable, being the principal cause of death in 1650. The high population density as well as the poor sanitary conditions that characterized most European and North American cities created a perfect environment for the propagation. In 2008, evidence for tuberculosis infection was discovered in human remains from the Neolithic era dating from 9,000 years ago, in a settlement in the eastern Mediterranean. This finding was confirmed by morphological and molecular methods; to date it is the oldest evidence of tuberculosis infection in humans. Some authors call tuberculosis the first disease known to mankind. Signs of the disease have also been found in Egyptian mummies dated between 3000 and 2400 BC. Evidence indicates that hospitals for tuberculosis existed in Egypt as early as 1500 BC. An Egyptian medical document, from around 1550 BC, describes a pulmonary consumption associated with the cervical lymph nodes. It recommended that it be treated with the surgical lancing of the cyst and the application of a ground mixture of acacia seyal, peas, fruits, animal blood, insect blood, honey and salt. The Old Testament mentions a consumptive illness that would affect the Jewish people if they stray from God.
From page 1A recognized as an annual occurrence by WHO’s World Health Assembly and the United Nations until over a decade later. In the fall of 1995, WHO and the Royal Netherlands Tuberculosis Foundation (KNCV) hosted the first World TB Day advocacy planning meeting, an event they would continue co-sponsor over the next few years. In 1996, WHO, KNCV, the IUATLD and other concerned organizations joined to conduct a wide range of World TB Day activities. By 1998, nearly 200 organizations conducted public outreach activities on World TB Day. During its World TB Day 1998 news conference in London, WHO for the first time identified the top twenty-two countries with the world’s highest TB burden. The next year, over 60 key TB advocates from 18 countries attended the threeday WHO/KNCV planning meeting for World TB Day 1999. Today the Stop TB Partnership, a network of organizations and countries fighting TB, organizes the Day to highlight the scope of the disease and how to prevent and cure it. Tuberculosis has a long history and has gone by many names. The term phthisis first appeared in Greek literature around 460 BC. Hippocrates identified the illness as the most common cause of illness in his time. He stated that it typically affected individuals between 18 and 35 and was nearly always fatal,leading him to forbid physicians from visiting victims of the disease to protect their reputations. Although Aristotle believed that the disease might be contagious, many of his contemporaries believed it to be hereditary. Galen, the most eminent Greek physi-
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But that was then and this is now. In North Carolina in general, and Gaston and Cleveland counties in particular, tuberculosis cases are few and far between these days. Nonetheless, a close eye is kept on the disease by health officials. According to Steve Nelson BA, BSN, RN, MPH, Tuberculosis Control/Communicable Disease with the Gaston County Health Dept., local education plays a role in the fight against TB. “We have no county wide TB education program that is in place,� said Nelson. “However, our department has conducted TB training with our Emergency Medical Services staff as well as with the student nurses that train in our clinics. Our department as well as our TB Provider, Dr. Harish Marisiddaiah, have educated various medical office staff upon request. We also do individual patient education for all of our clients.� Statewide in North Carolina, there were 335 cases of tuberculosis in 2008, 250 cases in 2009, 296 cases in 2010, 244 cases in 2011, and 211 cases in 2012. Gaston County reported four cases in 2008, one case in 2009, two cases in 2010, no cases in 2011, and three cases in 2012. In Cleveland County, there was one TB case in 2008, one in 2009, one in 2010, and no cases at all in 2011 and 2012. “TB is a small problem when the numbers are considered,� said Nelson. “But the impact of even one case is significant. In 2013 one person with active tuberculosis exposed 35 other persons. Fortunately, only 12 of the 35 were infected.� Thanks to decreases in county cases like these, North Carolina overall has improved its ranking in the nation regarding
TB. Medical professionals reporting cases of TB are also an important weapon in the fight against the disease. “All doctors and medical offices, etc. are required to report active TB disease,� Nelson said. “Active TB disease is reportable to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. They report via a phone call or fax. Frequently, the person is a suspect (with some signs and symptoms); and then after the evaluation is complete, it is determined that there is no active disease present. They are not required to report positive PPD tuberculin skin tests; but they do refer their clients to the health department to be evaluated by chest x-ray to be sure that the client does not have active disease. “We recommend preventive therapy to those who have latent TB infection (the non-contagious kind); and the client can choose to receive preventive treatment or not. We offer these services free of charge. Latent TB infection is defined as a person with a positive PPD skin test with a negative chest x-ray and no reported symptoms of TB disease.� There there is prevention. “There is no prophylaxis available to prevent a person from being infected with tuberculosis,� said Nelson. “But there is drug therapy that a person can take for either 4 months or 9 months to reduce that risk of a person going from infection stage to active disease stage. In many countries of the world newborns are given the BCG vaccine. But research has found that it only protects from severe TB disease like TB meningitis and Miliary TB.� An old disease that pops up infrequently in our area, TB is nonetheless a malady that bears keeping an eye on.
■BRIEFS RED CROSS MEETING – American Red Cross volunteers are invited to attend a meeting on Saturday, March 29th from 911am at the Charlotte Police & Fire Training Academy located at 1770 Shopton Road, Charlotte. The purpose of this meeting is twofold. Volunteers will get Disaster Services Program Manager, Marge Gray, and other assorted Disaster Services leaders will be on hand as well. The ARC would like an opportunity to talk about Disaster Services needs and opportunities. A lot of things have changed in the last year in Disaster Services and the ARC has lost contact with many of its disaster volunteers. This is an effort to not only reestablish those relationships but to introduce the ARC to other volunteers that might not be aware of opportunities to help during times of disaster. The event is open to all volunteers and if you know someone that might like to volunteer bring them along. EASTER PAGEANT – The Miss Gastonia Scholarship Association will sponsor the Miss Easter on Parade Pageant Saturday, April 5 at 3pm at the Cherryville Community Building, 106 South Jacob Street, Cherryville. Girls ages 0-19 years from Gaston, Cleveland, Lincoln and surrounding counties may enter the pageant. For information and an application, call (704) 827-7277 or visit www.missgastoniapageant.com. The deadline to enter is April 1. RELAY AT THE LAKE – The third annual Relay At the Lake fundraiser will take place April 12 from noon until 5pm at the Gaston County Wildlife Club, 3200 South Point Road, Belmont. The event will benefit the American Cancer Society. There will be a silent auction, a car show, corn hole, hamburgers and hot dogs for sale, nachos and desserts. There will be a raffle for a Kindle Fire, and a 50/50. Also on hand the one and only Johnny B, DJ from Carolina Beach Party and WSGE Gaston College Radio. For more information, contact Robin Buchanan, 704-913-4170 or CRUZON50@aol.com.
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Wednesday, March 26, 2014
â– LIFESTYLES Briarhoppers at GC Museum
ANGEL BOWL – The 22nd annual Angel Bowl to benefit Holy Angels took place Saturday at Liberty Lanes in Gastonia. Over 200 teams took part including Wells Fargo Belmont main branch staff Mary Brown, Russell Anderson, Sharon Hodge, Zarrin Fulwood, Racheal Winck, and Ellie Acheson. Photo by Alan Hodge
The Kings Mountain Herald presents
Gospel at the Joy April 12
2014
Saturday April 12 • 7pm
The Gaston County Museum of Art & History is presenting Music at the Depot: Winter Concert Series at its renovated train Depot located at 205 West Main Street in Dallas. This performance will take place March 28 from 7:00- 8:30 p.m. featuring the WBT Briarhoppers. Tickets can be bought in advance for $10 or purchased the day of the show for $15. Purchasing tickets in advance is strongly encouraged since seating is limited. Advance ticket information is available by contacting Jason Luker 704.922.7681 x 105 or Jason.luker@gastongov.com. Or, order online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com. In 1934, a potential advertiser called WBT's Charles Crutchfield to ask if the station had a hillbilly band to help advertise its products. Telling a fib, Crutch said "Yes," which led to the birth of the WBT Briarhoppers. The name comes from WBT announcer Bill Bivens who, during a hunting trip with “Crutch�, was startled by a rabbit jumping out of a thicket, and Bill yelled, "Look at that briarhopper!" At that moment, Crutch found the name for his hillbilly band. The original band members were Johnny McAllister, Big Bill Davis, Don White, Thorpe Westerfield, Clarence Etters, and Jane Bartlett. The band kept going through the years by adding new musicians. Today, Tom Warlick, Alana Flowers, Hannah Flowers, Dillon Flowers, Donnie Little, and Little Ellie Flowers keep the band alive with their stage show including the old Briarhopper songs, new songs, and the original scripted commercials of Peruna, Kolor-Bak, Zymole Trokeys, and Radio Girl Perfume! The band is proud to be the longest-continuing bluegrass band in the world.
Arts Council sponsors artists The Gaston Arts Council will be working at upcoming events to give local artists more exposure. As Entertainment Sponsor for the Gaston Regional Chamber’s Annual Oyster Roast at the Gaston County Museum of Art & History, 131 W. Main Street, Dallas on April 4 at 6pm, the Gaston Arts Council will present the Shu Band as the entertainment for the evening. As the sponsor of the Children’s Zone for the Belmont Criterium at noon on April 13 in downtown Belmont, the Gaston Arts Council will present the following artists: Carl Childs, Sigrid Hice, Stacey Smith, Jeaniene Dibble, Jacquelyn Dunford and Wanda Meekins. Some of the artists are members of the Gaston County Art Guild and Art By J. The Academy of the Gifted will also be participating to provide activities for aspiring performing artists. Each artist will present an interactive art exercise or activity for children of all ages. The Children’s Zone will be located in the Stowe Building parking lot, 100 N. Main St., Belmont.
Arts at the Abbey As an extra on the Arts at the Abbey series the newlyformed Carolina Catholic Chorale will present a Lenten devotional Adoramus te, Christe Monday April 7, at 8PM in the Belmont Abbey Basilica on the campus of Belmont Abbey College, Belmont NC. The program features fourteen polyphonic settings of the text sung as responses to the Stations of the Cross.. The text of Adoramus te, Christe is taken from an antiphon from Good Friday which is translated as We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee: because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world. Settings include those by Renaissance masters well suited to the acoustics of the Basilica. Admission is Free. Donations are gladly accepted. Information: www.bac.edu or 704-461-6813.
Park St. UMC event April 5 Park Street United Methodist Church, 120 Park Street, Belmont, will sponsor the program Mandela's South Africa: A Journey toward Justice, Saturday, April 5, from 10 am to 1 pm. Doug Hamilton, leader of the Belmont Community Bible Study, and Rev. Gary Richardson, Pastor of Park Street, will be the speakers. Bring a bag lunch. Snacks, desserts and drinks will be provided. There is no charge.
• Darin & Brooke Aldridge Quartet • Men Standing for Christ • 13:13 Worship Band
BMX bikes, riders coming to Belmont The Darin & Brooke Aldridge Quartet will highlight the Saturday night event!
Men Standing for Christ, above, and the 13:13 Worship Band (at right) will perform during Saturday night’s event.
In addition to racing bicycles and their riders whizzing through the streets at high speed, the upcoming April 13 Belmont Criterium will also feature bikes attaining high altitudes and turning upside down in the air- all on pupose. Spectators at the Criterium will be thrilled at the fact that the city has secured the nationally known King BMX Stunt Show to perform on race day. The group will be setting up ramps and other obstacles that will allow riders to launch their BMX bikes into the air where they will perform a variety of amazing stunts including loops. The BMX show will be at a location on S. Main St between the railroad tracks and Mill St.
"
Joy Performance Center, Kings Mountain, NC A Gospel Music Extravaganza sponsored by:
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Tickets can be purchased at the Joy Performance Center Box Office, KM Chamber office, the Kings Mountain Herald, or at TicketsNC.com
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â– SPORTS
South Point honors winter athletes
South Point High School held its annual Winter Sports Awards Banquet on Monday, March 17th. Men's Basketball: Deonte Gaston – Varsity MVP; Diontrea King – Varsity Best Defense; Brandon Reeves – Varsity Best Offense; Clay Julen – Varsity Coach’s Award; Trevor Pace – Raider Team Award; JR Scipio – Hustle Award.
Swimming: Michael Lewis – Men’s Most Valuable Swimmer; Blake Tolley – Men’s Coach’s Award; Alex Gutkowski – Men’s Most Improved.; Olivia Devine – Women’s Most Valuable Swimmer; Brittany Franks – Women’s Coach’s Award; Caroline Hyde – Women’s Most Improved.
Cheerleading: Kaleigh McDonald – Varsity Most Improved; Hannah Broome – Varsity Coach’s Award; Kimberly Svetlick – JV Coach’s Award; Victoria Harris – JV Spirit Award.
East Gaston Warriors
Women's Basketball: Haley Stewart – Varsity MVP; Hannah Moss – Varsity Best Defense; Morgan Coker – Varsity Co-Most Improved; Asia Jackson – Varsity Co-Most Improved; Blair Griffin – Sportsmanship Award; Alli Jackson – Varsity Co-Coach’s Award; Chrissy White – Varsity Co-Coach’s Award; Alexis Whitfield – JV Best Offense; Haley Stockton – JV Best Defense. Not Pictured: Alexis Whitfield, JV Best Offense
Wrestling: Michael Auten – Most Valuable Wrestler; Tyler Grigg – Rookie of the Year; Tyler Davis – Coach’s Award; South Point Wrestling team – Most Improved.
WRESTLING MOST IMPROVED –FRONT ROW – Michael Auten, Adam Nguyen, Tyler Grigg, Luke Karagias, Tyler Davis; BACK ROW – Isaiah Carter, Payton Graham, Noah Calhoun, Michael Hayes, Connor Owensby; NOT PICTURED – Stephen Carriker, Christian Stephens, Barry Alverson, Marcus Sox
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Page 8A
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
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EULER: earns rank of Eagle From page 1A “My father Bruce is the main reason why I choose to do it because both of us enjoy mountain biking together,� said Erick. “ For my Eagle Project, I wanted to do something that all of Belmont could enjoy. My father told me that Rocky Branch was in need of mountain bike bridges to expand its trail system. Since we both enjoy mountain biking I thought this would be a great way of helping the community. I met up with the trail coordinator for Rocky Branch, Cpl. Doug Huffstetler and together we worked out the details of the project and what we needed to do. It turned out to be a lot more then I thought it would be. But in the end when everything was done I am very happy with my project. It makes me feel good when someone comments on how nice the two bridges are and knowing I was part of it.� One of the bridges is 54feet-long and made up of three sections. Another one is a single 34-foot span over the creek that winds through the park. The 34-foot phone pole weighed 800 pounds and took ten helpers to move into place. A total of ten poles of different lengths were used. About 700 pounds of cement, treated planking, and ten pounds of screws also went into making the bridges. Lowes donated the cement and lumber, and the City of Belmont the poles. Planning to final completion took three months. Work in the woods actually building the bridges took 85 hours. Bruce is proud of Erick for not only completing a
Boy Scout Troop 56 member Erick Euler is seen on one of the bridge supports he and his collegues placed at Rocky Branch park as part of his Eagle Scout project. very difficult project, but earning his Eagle Scout rank as well. “I was very proud that he decided to take on and finish the project,� Bruce said. “I really never doubted that he could do it or finish it. Erick is the type of person that once he puts his mind to something he completes it.� Bruce also gave Erick kudos for the way he carried out the task. “I think he did a super job in the management of all phases of the project,� he said. “He worked very well with the coordinator, volunteer adults and his fellow scouts. There were a few times that he was physically and mentally tired of the project, but he stuck with it and finished it. He completed something he can be very proud of. It was especially nice during the construction of the bridges that he would be working on the bridge and a rider or hiker would come by and express their appreciation for the work he was doing and sometimes offer to help. As a parent it is a nice feeling that something your child did will have such a lasting
effect on the community. Erick could have easy gone a much easier route to complete his Eagle Scout Project but he didn’t and for that, we are very proud of him. It is especially nice for me because I mountain bike and now every time I ride the Rocky Branch trail I see the results from his hard work and it makes me think of him and his accomplishment.� Erick was given his Eagle Scout Award during the most recent Belmont city council meeting. It was presented by Belmont Police Chief Charlie Franklin. Erick’s parents, members of Troop 56 and Scout master Kirk Setzer were in attendance. “As far as Erick completing and earning his eagle rank in scouting we could not be prouder,� said Bruce. “This is something that as a scout myself, I did not earn but wish I had. Both his mother and I, can’t be happier that he earned it. With all the other distractions that a 17 year old faces, he put them aside and earned the highest rank in scouting. Once again we are very proud of him.�
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Many members of the 1843 St. Joseph's Catholic Church are buried in its cemetery including its firsr assigned priest T.J. Cronin.
St. JOSEPH’S: church celebrates namesake From page 1A clothes of choice for most of the attendees. The church has no heat and even though it was cold, the worshippers didn’t seem to mind. Wednesdays’ temperature of around 50F was better than that during the St. Patrick’s Day service when it was barely above freezing- inside and outside the church. Father David Kessinger OSB from Belmont Abbey conducted the St. Joseph’s Day Mass. The congregation sang several tunes including “Eat this Bread� and “How Firm a Foundation�. Knights of Columbus member Don Holler from Queen of Apostles Catholic Church was on hand Wednesday in his K of C uniform and greeted folks at the door. Holler talked about the role his group has been playing in helping keep St. Joseph’s Church from deteriorating. “We did a major cleanup of the grounds two weeks ago,� Holler said. But the main caretaker at St. Joseph’s for the past two decades has been Carl Heil. Now 82-years-old, Heil has spent countless hours restoring and maintaining the church as its official/unofficial caretaker. He is also the historian for St. Joseph’s and has been recognized in many publications including Our State magazine and the BannerNews for his work. “A lot of good people like the Knights of Columbus and others in the community have been helping me,� Heil said as he sat on one of the original pews. “They are wonderful people who care about St. Joseph’s church.� In addition the pews, nearly everything about St. Joseph’s except the roof, shutters, and a few other things date from its original construction. Even though the 1841 St. Paul’s Catholic Church in New Bern was the first church Catholic church built in North Carolina, a fire destroyed much of the original building in 1947. The fact that St. Joseph’s is nearly all the same as it was in 1843 lets it claim the title as the oldest original Catholic church in the state. St. Joseph’s was built to serve the Irish miners who were in Gaston County looking for gold. They had come here to work for an Italian gent named Chevalier Riva de Finola and prior to the church’s construction had used his home as a place of worship. After de Finola met with financial setbacks, he moved out of the Gaston County and the miners were without a place to worship. Thus was born the need for a Catholic church near what would eventually be Mount Holly. A driving force behind the building of St. Joseph’s was Father Cronin who started a fundraising effort for the church’s cost which was estimated at $400. Father Cronin had come to Gaston County from Charleston, S.C. A “circuit preacher�, he traveled a wide area, including Gaston County, depending on the hospitality of others as he spread the gospel. Around 1841, one of the Irish miners, William Lornegan, donated six acres of land that would be the site for St. Joseph’s. The church was finished, debt free, in 1843. However, Father Cronin had passed away in 1842 in Salisbury before he could see St. Joseph’s built. His body was later brought to the Lornegan plot and he was the first person interred in what would be the St. Joseph’s church cemetery. Next on the St. Joseph’s scene was another
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Carl Heil, 82, has been the caretaker for over 20 years at the 1843 St. Joseph's Catholic Church near Mt. Holly. He has spent countless hours caring for the building and grounds but wonders who will take over when he is no longer able to do the work.
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missionary, Father J.J. O’Connell who conducted the first Mass there soon after the building was completed. Though he still continued his circuit riding duties, Father O’Connell would still swing by St. Joseph’s as often as possible to hold services. In 1844, Father John Griffin came to St. Joseph’s. He would later become the bishop of Chicago. Other priests that served St. Joseph’s in the 19th century included Father L.P. Connell(1861-1865), and Father A.J. McNeil (1865-1870). Father O’Connell returned to St. Joseph’s from 1870-1877. These days, St. Joseph’s is a mission of Queen of the Apostle’s Church in Belmont. Before its restoration, St. Joseph’s went through decades of neglect and was even used at one time as a hay barn. In 1965, Father James Keenan of Queen of the Apostles raised money and had the roof repaired and a paint job done on the church. After that repair, St. Joseph’s went through another decade sans maintenance. In 1974 Francis Galligan of Gastonia led an effort to set things right once and for all. With $15,000 raised from donations by the Knights of Columbus, Belmont Abbey College, Sacred Heart College, the Boy Scouts, and many individuals, St. Joseph’s was restored inside and out. In addition to the church building itself, one of the most important parts of the site is the statueof St. Joseph himself that overlooks the cemetery. The statue stood for 75 years at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Asheville and arrived in Mount Holly in 2001. It weighs 1,600 lbs. On Nov. 2, 1975, St. Joseph’s was rededicated by Rev. Michael Begley, bishop of Charlotte, and the Rev. Abbot Jude Cleary, of Belmont Abbey. More than 250 people attended the ceremony. In 1979, St. Joseph’s was named a National Historic Site by the US Dept. of the Interior and that same year a NC Highway Historical marker was erected in front of the church and cemetery. Both Catholic and non-Catholic groups can tour St. Joseph’s with an historian. Call 704-825-9600 at least three days in advance to make arrangements.
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Wednesday, March 26, 2014
IDENTITY THEFT: is your child safe? From page 4A
at HYPERLINK "http://www.annualcreditreport.com" annualcreditreport.com. If your child has no credit report, the credit bureaus won’t have records for him or her. If there is difficulty locating your child’s credit report when you try to check it, your child most likely doesn’t have one, which is good. But if your child does have a credit report, review it carefully. Request a fraud alert from the credit bureau if you spot anything on your child’s report that shouldn’t be there. If your child has a credit report but there isn’t anything troubling on it, it’s probably a good idea to freeze it to prevent problems. You can get a HYPERLINK "http://www.ncdoj.gov/ProtectYourself/2-4-3-Protect-Your-Identity/Protect-Yourself/Freeze-YourCredit.aspx" security freeze for free online under North Carolina law. Parents or legal guardians can only freeze existing credit reports. You can also take simple steps to protect your child from becoming a victim of identity theft. Take extra care with documents that contain your child’s personal information. Store them somewhere safe and never carry your child’s Social Security card in your wallet. If someone requests your child’s Social Security Number, ask why it is needed, whether or not it’s truly necessary and how it will be kept safe.
get your child’s Social Security Number, they can apply for loans, file for government benefits, and open fraudulent bank accounts or credit cards in your child’s name. A child whose identity has been stolen and misused may not know it until he or she becomes an adult and tries to get a loan for school or take out a credit card. By then, the damage may be done, leaving your child with a bad credit report just as they’re starting out on their own. Know the warning signs that your child’s identity may have been stolen. Watch out for: Letters from the IRS saying your child owes income taxes. Collection calls and bills for services your child didn’t apply for or receive. Your child gets turned down for government benefits because their Social Security Number is already in use with another account. Spot any signs that your child is a victim of identity theft? Take action immediately. Check with one of the three major credit reporting bureaus to see if your child has a credit report. Credit bureaus don’t usually keep files on children under age 13, but in some rare instances a child may have a legitimate reason to have a credit report. You’re entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the three agencies
Page 9A
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South Point clobbers Ashbrook By John Wilson john.bannernews@gmail.com
If there were any kids in the stands wanting see what great batting looked like this was the game to see. South Point's Tanner Muse put on a one man hitting clinic. Muse's heavy bat coupled with some solid pitching from Logan Edgerton and Garrett Davila helped the Red Raiders stomp the Ashbrook Greenwave 9-0. Going into the game South Point was coming off a sloppy 63 win over Hunter Huss. There was little doubt that despite the win there was work to be done. Head coach Jason Lineberger confirmed there was nothing sloppy about Big Red's win over Ashbrook.
"We played well," Lineberger said. "We pitched well. Against Huss we had 5 errors. We had none against Ashbrook." As for Muse, he was basically a wrecking ball at the plate. Lineberger was happy with the performance of his junior outfielder. "Muse was the highlight of the offense." Muse's numbers were nothing sort of stunning. Against the Greenwave Muse belted in two home runs, a grand slam, and an impressive seven RBI's. Derek Perry and Grant Tilley rounded out the Red Raiders' top batters. Each chipped in a hit a piece to help Big Red. Coach Lineberger put two pitchers on the mound to face Ashbrook.
Logan Edgerton started the game off. He pitched 3 innings. In relief Garrett Davilla cleaned things up. Davilla pitched the remaining 4 innings. Both pitchers pitched good games and combined for a shut out. Lineberger liked what he saw from his pitchers. "They pitched well," Lineberger said. "They only surrendered one walk and had about 12 strike outs between them." Coach Lineberger hinted that he will continue to rotate different pitchers into the game depending on who they face. "We are going to use multiple pitchers for awhile." The Red Raiders are now 5-2 on the year and are undefeated in conference play.
GC ladies win 2, lose 1 The Gaston Christian varsity softball team played East Rutherford during the recent Invitational Tournament. The final score was East Rutherford HS 11, Gaston Christian 6. Lauren Adams (1 hit, 2 RBIs), Faith Wilson (1 hit, 1 RBI), and Gabbi Wilson (1 hit) led the offense. Madison Ramsey gets the loss despite 10 strike outs. In another game the score was Wesleyan Christian 6, Gaston Christian 4. Tiffany Cobb (3-3, home run, 2 RBIs), Madison Ramsey (2-3),
and Alanna Freeman (Homerun, 2 RBIs) led the offense. Madison Ramsey gets the loss but also had 8 strikeouts. vs First Assembly In another game, the score was Gaston Christian 2, First Assembly/Concord 1. Lauren Adams (2 hits, double), Alanna Freeman (home run, 1 RBI), Gabbi Wilson (home run, 1 RBI), Sarah Adams and Faith Wilson (1 hit each) led the GCHS offense. Pitcher Madison Ramsey had
the win with 13 strikeouts. Gaston Christian is now 4-2 overall, 2-0 in conference. vs. Southlake Gaston Christian Varsity Softball defeated Southlake 11-1 in their recent matchup. Sarah Adams (2 hits, Homerun, 4 RBIs), Alanna Freeman (double), Tiffany Cobb (1 hit, 2 RBIs) led the GCHS offense, while Madison Ramsey got the win with 8 strikeouts. Their record is now 4-0 (conference) and 5-2 overall.
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posit. References required. Also 2 BR House for rent. Call 704739-5319 for more information. (tfn) 2 BR, 1 BA APARTMENT for RENT in KM. Central Air & Heat. Stove and Refrigerator included. $500/mth + deposit. Call: 704739-5245. (3/19 – tfn) 3 BRS, 2 Full Baths, Brick Home for rent in KM. Laundry room, Kitchen appliances furnished, carport, sits on 3 plus acres. NO INSIDE PETS. $800/mth. + $800 deposit. Call: 704-4450445. (3/26) 2 BRS, 1 BA Home in Cherryville for RENT with range, refrigerator, Central Heat & Air, laminate and tile floors. Rent $550/Deposit $550. (704) 7324762 or goods o n r e a l t y. n e t . Please contact me with price and more information. (3/26 & 4/02) For Rent – Cherryville - 3BR, 2BA brick home, 215 Mountain Street. Appliances. Refe r e n c e s . $600/month. (704) 435-6995. (3/26) Rental House -Black Street. 3BR, 1BA just remodeled. Appliances. Available now. References. $460/month. Partially furnished. (704) 435-6995. (3/26) Land for Sale CREDIT NO PROBLEM, OWNER WILL FINANCE
with LOW DOWN PAYMENT, lots in Gaston, Cleveland, Rutherford and Cherokee Co., some with water & septic. Call Bryant Realty at 704-5679836 or www.bryantrealty.org. (tfn)
on Friday evening. Mail check to P.O. Box 1343, Kings Mountain, NC 28086. All funds go toward the Scholarship awarded to a deserving High School Senior. (3/26 &4/02)
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE MOUNT HOLLY CITY COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION A public hearing before City Council will be held on Monday, April 14th at 7:00 PM at the Municipal Complex, located at 400 East Central Avenue, Mount Holly. The purpose of this hearing will be to consider rezoning 0.11-acres of land, located at 229 South Hawthorne Street, Parcel ID # 124127 from R-8 Single Family to O-I Office & Institutional, as submitted by Dr. Andrew Oblinger. Additionally, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the rezoning on Monday, April 7th at 6:30 PM at the Municipal Complex. All interested parties are encouraged to attend both hearings where an opportunity to be heard will be given. For more information, please call the Planning & Development Department at (704) 827-3931. BN10562 (3/262014 & 4/02/2014)
Kings Mountain Women’s Club will hold an indoor Attic Sale on Saturday, April 5th , rain or shine. Many vendors and great buys for everyone will be offered. Sale will take place Saturday, 8 am to 12 (NOON) at 109 East Mountain St, Kings Mountain. Table spaces are available for rent for $10 per table with vendors setting up
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF GASTON NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS Having qualified on the 20th day of February as Executor of the Estate of Mildred Grier Rutherford, deceased, of Gaston County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned Charles W. Rutherford, Executor on or before the 12th day of June, 2014, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment. This the 12th day of March, 2014. Charles W. Rutherford Executor Estate of: Mildred Grier Rutherford 134 Jim Grier Rd, Belmont, NC 28012 BN10561 (3/12,19, 26 & 4/02/14)
FREE PERSIAN CAT to a good home. Female, Spayed, 4 or 5 years old. Named Fancy. Moving and can’t have animals. Contact me at 704-648-6026. Giveaway FREE PIANO. Poor condition. Call: 704-435-1393. Yard Sale
Page 10A
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
The Banner News | banner-news.com
Š 2014 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 30, No. 15
Have you ever noticed that the wings of birds and planes are curved?
A curved wing is called an airfoil.
Because of the curve, air rushing over the top of the wing has farther to go than the air under the wing, so it moves faster. Faster-moving air has a lower pressure, so the wing is lifted by the higher air pressure below.
ong before there were airplanes, people dreamed of flying. Courageous dreamers like the Wright Brothers made the dream a reality. The first pilots were always testing the limits of speed, distance and altitude.
When Amelia was a young woman, it was not considered “ladylike� to become a pilot. Very few women had ever learned to fly. But Amelia was raised to be her own person and to follow her heart. In 1920, she paid $1 for a 10-minute ride in an airplane. “As soon as I left the ground,� she wrote later, “I knew I myself had to fly.� Little did she know that she would become one of the world’s most famous pilots.
Amelia Earhart set many flying records. As a crew member of the Friendship Flight in 1928, she was the first woman ever to fly across the Atlantic. Four years later, Amelia flew her own plane across the vast Atlantic Ocean alone. Where did she land? Follow these instructions and use the map to find out. Take off from Newfoundland. Travel 2 spaces east. Move 1 space north. Fly east 2 spaces and land safely on the island in the lower left side of that space. Where are you? ANSWER: Ireland.
One pilot also challenged the role of women. Her name was Amelia Earhart.
Standards Link: History/Social Science: Students use map skills to determine location.
Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Textual reading; Genre: Biography.
Amelia Earhart and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt once left a dinner party and took a night flight above Washington, D.C. – in their evening gowns!
Help this plane find its way through the stormy sky.
Amelia wanted to be the first person to fly around the world. In 1937, she took off from Oakland, California.
Find something in todayĘźs newspaper that rhymes with each of these airplane parts: Tail
Window
Near the end of her journey, all contact was lost and Amelia Earhart was never heard from again. Some say she crashed. Others think she landed on a South Pacific island and stayed there the rest of her life. The story of her disappearance remains a mystery. But it is the story of her life that inspires others to great courage. She blazed new trails in flying, shaping advancements in flight that we enjoy today. Standards Link: History/Social Science: Students understand the contributions of famous Americans.
Nose Wing
Wheel
Standards Link: Phonemic Awareness; Recognize and produce rhyming words.
Find eight silly things that don’t belong in this airplane’s cockpit.
Find the words in the puzzle. Then look for each word in this week’s Kid Scoop stories and activities. Standards Link: Visual Descrimination: Find similarities and differences in common objects.
This week’s word:
COURAGEOUS The adjective courageous means brave and spirited.
Standards Link: Visual discrimination: Classifying objects by common characteristics.
Read the three biggest news stories on Page One of the newspaper. Is each story a new news event or a continuing one? What do you think will happen next? Do you think any will be in the history books years from now? Standards Link: Reading Comprehension.
Flying alone is a very courageous action.
Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognized identical words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.
Try to use the word courageous in a sentence today when talking with your friends and family members.
A Tribute to Courage Amelia Earhart said, “Honor is the foundation of courage.� Look through the newspaper for someone you think is both honorable and courageous. Write a letter to the editor recognizing the person for these traits. ANSWER: Airplane.
Standards Link: Writing Applications: Students write formal letters and descriptive narratives.
Who is the woman you most admire? Explain why.
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