BN 032713 by Community First Media

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

Volume 78 j Issue 13 j Wednesday, March 27, 2013

75¢

Dr. Martin Murphy named Citizen of the Year By Alan Hodge Editor Alan.bannernews@gmail.com

Photo by Alan Hodge

Former Belmont Mayor Billy Joye (left) is seen presenting the Belmont Historical Society’s Citizen of the Year award to recipient Dr. Martin Murphy at last week’s awards banquet. Murphy was recognized for his many years of volunteerism.

Freightliner cancels layoffs By Alan Hodge Editor Alan.bannernews@gmail.com

Much to the relief of many in the Mount Holly area, the 400 or so layoffs that Freightliner announced earlier this year for its truck manufacturing facility there have been cancelled. The originals numbers called for 405 workers at the Mount Holly plant and another 80 at the Gastonia Components and Logistics facility to be laid off. The message that the layoffs won’t happen here came last week from Freightliner’s parent company Daimler Trucks North American. However, about 380 workers at Freightliner’s Cleveland, N.C. factory in Rowan County are still scheduled to lose their jobs effective April 8. Even so, that number is less than the 715 originally slated for layoffs there. The statement from Daimler Trucks said, “Although the industry is still performing below optimal levels, present order intake and industry leading market share gains have enabled

DTNA to reduce the impact of the potential adjustment.” The layoff reprieve is good news not only for Freightliner workers but the overall Gaston County employment picture–a scene that can use all the help it can get. Non-seasonally adjusted employment figures released last week by the NC Employment Security Commission for January showed the jobless rate in Gaston stuck at 11.1 percent- the same figure as January 2012. In Cleveland County, the unemployment rate has risen over the past twelve months from 10.9 to 11.3 percent. Lincoln County has held steady at 10.8 percent unemployment. Regionally, the CharlotteGastonia-Rock Hill unemployment rate increased to 10 percent in January 2013up from the December 2012 rate of 9.4 percent. The figures released last week showed North Carolina’s unemployment rate at 10.2 percent with every county increasing over December 2012. The national unemployment rate stands at 7.9 percent.

Lewis receives nomination to U.S. Merchant Marines When Dillon Lewis of Mount Holly graduated from East Gaston High last year, he had plans for a military career. Now, he’s one step closer to that goal with a recently announced nomination to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy from the office of U.S. Senator Richard Burr. Lewis was nominated after an application and interview process conducted by Senator Burr’s Academy Selection Committee, which is comprised of military academy graduates, veterans, and community leaders from across the state. Adding icing to the cake, Lewis also received nomina-

“Do something good for someone every day.” Those words by Dr. Martin Murphy at last Tuesday’s Belmont Historical Society’s annual awards banquet not only sum up his personal philosophy but pretty much formed the basis for his being selected as the group’s 2012 Citizen of the Year. The awards banquet and ceremony was held at Park Street United Methodist Church and attended by a large crowd of BHS members, as well as local dignitaries and Murphy family members. The event sponsor was

Wilburn Auto Body. Ted Hall from the Montcross Chamber kicked things off. ‘It is a tremendous honor to stand here,” Hall said. “The Belmont Historical Society has done a tremendous job preserving the history and heritage of our town.” Former Belmont Mayor Billy Joye had the pleasure to introduce Murphy when it came time to bestow the Citizen of the Year honor. “My job is easy,” said Joye, “because Martin Murphy has done many things to help people in Belmont and other areas. To me, he is the epitome of a good Christian man. He is a humble servant to his God, and a devoted servant to his fellow man.” As Joye alluded, Murphy’s vol-

unteer work has taken him from East Belmont to Honduras and a variety of place in between. Murphy has worked extensively with Habitat for Humanity and the Belmont Community Organization where he made food runs to and from the Metrolina Food Bank. A skilled carpenter in addition to his “day job” as a dentist, Murphy helped build or repair storm damaged houses in North Carolina, Mississippi, and Illinois. In addition, Murphy has pitched in at the BHS museum by helping keep the building and grounds tidy. He has also served as past chair of the Gaston County Board of Health and is a board member for Habitat for Humanity of Gaston County. See MURPHY, 3A

Belmont gets a taste of ‘Tinsel Town’ Hallmark Hall of Fame production filmed here to air late spring, early summer It’s 2,402 miles from Belmont to Hollywood but given the fact that a major made for TV movie was shot here over the past few weeks made it seem like a bit of Tinsel Town had landed. The filming that went on was in connection with a Hallmark Hall of Fame production entitled “Shuffleton Barbershop”. The Hallmark anthology series dates back to 1951 and bases it programs on dramatizations of plays, books, and in the case of Belmont, a Norman Rockwell painting of the same name that appeared on the cover of Saturday Evening Post on April 29, 1950. The story starts from that image to three men holding instruments in a small-town barbershop. The plot includes country and western

Photo by Alan Hodge

Film crews turned Belmont into a mini-Hollywood over the past couple of weeks while they were shooting a TV movie for the Hallmark Hall of Fame series. In this photo, equipment was being readied for a scene downtown. musician Trey Cole returning to his hometown and the barbershop where he got his

first haircut following the death of owner Charlie Shuffleton. During his visit Trey

will discover the power of forgiveness, especially See MOVIE, 6A

Gaddis turns the ordinary into beautiful music By Alan Hodge Editor Alan.bannernews@gmail.com

Give 86-year-old Bill Gaddis of Belmont a cigar box, some strings, glue, and a couple of screws and he can make beautiful music pour forth. Actually, Gaddis can take just about any type of scrap wood and use it as the basis for some of the most amazing stringed musical instruments you’ve ever seen. And he crafts them from scratch. “I don’t have any patterns except what’s in my head,” he said. “I saw a picture during the 1980s in a paper of a homemade fiddle and that’s

Bill Gaddis of Belmont handcrafts a wide variety of stringed musical instruments in his home workshop. Gaddis says the designs just pop into his head. Photo by Alan Hodge

See GADDIS, 5A

‘Boys Run Belmont’ The cameras are gone

but the mural remains

By Alan Hodge Editor Alan.bannernews@gmail.com

Dillon Lewis tions from U.S. Senator Kay Hagan and Congresswoman Sue Myrick. Currently, Lewis is enrolled at Greystone Prep School on the campus of Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas. Greystone is a one-year course to prepare candidates for nomination, appointment, and success at See LEWIS, 6A

If you released all the pent up energy in the fourth and fifth grade boys at Belmont Central Elementary at one time it would probably provide enough “go” to power a Supermarine Spitfire fighter plane. Now, thanks to a special afterschool program there, a group of lads are expending some of that propulsion in a positive manner. The program is called “Boys Run Belmont” and it provides not only a chance for the twenty or so participants to blow off steam by circling the on-campus running track, but to also learn positive character traits such as good sportsmanship and overcoming challenges. Boys Run Belmont was the brainchild of parent volunteers Laura Proud and Melanie Andrews. Proud’s son Ryan and Andrews’ son Austin both take part in it. Also on board for the birth of Boys Run Belmont and to provide positive male role models to the lads are assistant See RUNNERS, 5A

By Alan Hodge Editor Alan.bannernews@gmail.com

In 1943 a writer named Betty Smith penned the novel “A Tree Grows In Brooklyn”. Now, in 2013, a tree has grown in downtown Belmont. In just a couple of days. On the side of the Nationwide Insurance building at 9 N. Main Street. And it’s made of paint. Actually, the Belmont tree is in the form of a spectacular mural done by Win-

ston-Salem artist Jennifer O’Kelly. The tree formed part of the backdrop for the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie “Shuffleton Barbershop” that was shot in downtown Belmont over the past several weeks. The great thing is, when the cameras have gone, the mural will remain. “The wall was just bricks and had a ‘heaviness’ to it,” O’Kelly said. “The mural will open and soften it up.” The mural features a large, spreading tree canopy See MURAL, 5A

2 Day Dentures at $498 per arch ~ Extractions start at $65 per tooth

Call us today at 704.263.4646 of Stanley

In-Network With Most Insurances Open Monday - Friday • Located on Hwy 27 South in Stanley - across from Food Lion

Page 2A

The Banner News

■ OBITUARIES Robert L. Heffner U.S. Army veteran BELMONT - Robert Lawrence Heffner, 71, died on Tuesday, March 19, 2013. He was born in Dallas Towns h i p Jan.18, 1942, son of the late Ernest a n d Bertha Wr i g h t Heffner. He was a US Army veteran where he served from 1960-1963. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carol Hartsell Heffner of Belmont; two daughters, Kimberly Gallivan and husband Paul of

Mary Francis Lindsey Owned the original South Point Grill in Belmont BELMONT - Mary Francis “Frankie” Hardin Lindsey, 81, died Sunday, March 24, 2013. She was born in Gaston County, daughter of the late Plato White a n d Georgia Jenkins Hardin. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a daughter, Kathy Lindsey Barkley; a great-granddaughter, Madison Rabun; two sisters, Rachael Jenkins, and Faith Shumaker; and one brother, James “Buck” Hardin. She was the owner-operator of the original South Point Grill in Belmont. She was a charter member of East Belmont Free Will Baptist Church and at the time of her death she was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church in Mount Holly. She is survived by four

Gastonia, and Denise Cloninger and husband Kevin of Bessemer City; one son, Jeff Dwayne Heffner of Belmont; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Heffner was held at 3pm Friday, March 22, at the Woodlawn Chapel of Woodlawn Funeral Home with Reverend Bruce Bradley officiating. Burial followed at Hillcrest Gardens Cemetery. The family received friends from 6-8 pm Thursday at the funeral home. Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly served the family.

children, Roger Lindsey and wife Joyce of Belmont, Diann Morris and husband Robert of Mount Holly, Jimmy Lindsey and wife Gina of Wisconsin, and Nora Lindsey of Belmont; one sister, Betty Norman and husband Jerry of Florida; eleven grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and four great great-grandchildren. A service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Lindsey will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 28, at the First Free Will Baptist Church, Mount Holly with Reverend Randy Arrowood officiating. Burial will follow at Gaston Memorial Park in Gastonia. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 p.m. on Wednesday at Woodlawn Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the First Free Will Baptist Church, 841 Noles Drive, Mount Holly, NC 28120. Woodlawn Funeral Home, Mount Holly is serving the family.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

the Kingsmen Quartet

Gospel groups at Music Fest Fri., April 12 The Kingsmen Quartet headlines the Gospel Friday night program for Music Fest 2013 on April 12 at the Joy Theatre in Kings Mountain. Inducted into the southern gospel music hall of fame and the Christian Music Hall of Fame, the Kingsmen started off 2012 with the top song on the southern gospel charts, “That’s all I need”. Men Standing For Christ - like the Kingsmen - was formed in the 1950’s

and continues the tradition of black quartet singing. Voices rise in rich fourpart harmony, accompanied from time to time by keyboard. Sharp-eared listeners will hear the roots of doo-wop and falsetto from smooth-voiced vocalists ranging in age from mid-twenties to mid-seventies. Darin and Brooke Aldridge will bring a style of country/bluegrass gospel that has been described as “Con-

temporary traditional”. They have been nominated for national and international music awards including Best Gospel Song and Best Gospel Group. Tickets for the Friday night show are $20, and are available at the Joy box office at 704-730-9408, the Kings Mountain Herald office at 704-739-7496, the Banner News office at 704-825-0580, or on-line at www.TicketsNC.com Friday’s show starts at 7:00 pm. Pictured is Angela Warren, Director/Owner at Preschool Connection, Inc. in Belmont and the Partnership for Children of Lincoln & Gaston Counties Board Chair, Adrian Miller. Warren was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for her commitment to early childhood learning and collaboration with the Partnership for Children of Lincoln & Gaston Counties in helping young children in our community reach their full health and education potential. Preschool Connection is a five star center and opened in 2001. Contributed Photo

Mount Holly Morning presented monthly Presentation focuses on the business comuunity

Archie T. Russell U.S. Army veteran STANLEY–Archie Taylor Russell, 82, 14621 Lucia Riverbend Highway, died Friday, March 22, 2013. He was born in Gaston County, son of the late Baxter Cornelius and Maggie Garrett Russell. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Annie Laura Henkle Russell; and three brothers, Glenn, Walter, and Fred Russell. He was a U.S. Army veteran and retired supervisor with Belmont Hosiery for 43 years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mount Holly. After retirement he was employed with Jones’ Brothers Grocery and Food Lion in Mount Holly. He is

Lola Hand Oscar D. Hand Sr. wishes to inform family and friends of the transition of

survived by a number of nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Russell was held at 2p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at The Woodlawn Chapel of Woodlawn Funeral Home, Mount Holly with Reverend Mitch Carlyle officiating. Burial followed at New Covenant United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Gaston Hospice, P.O. Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054. Woodlawn Funeral Home, Mount Holly served the family.

Locks of Love Gaston Day School seventh grader Steffi Voigt donated her hair to Locks of Love on March 16. Steffi lives in Charlotte and attends Gaston Day. She gets a thumb’s up for her Good Deed.

The Mount Holly Chamber’s Mount Holly Morning presented by Carolinas HealthCare System program is held each month and offers a diverse array of presentations focused on issues crucial to the Mount Holly business community. Mount Holly Morning is held the second Friday, every other month. For April, the featured speaker will be North Carolina Secretary of Commerce, Sharon Decker as she discusses the state of the region’s economy. The program sponsor is Carolina WorkWear and it will be held April 5 from 7:30 - 9:00 am at the American & Efird CSC Building, 22 American St., Mount Holly. Tickets are: Member Price: $10, Non-Member Price: $15. Seats are limited so please register at www.gastonchamber.com The Mount Holly Chamber is a division of the Gaston Regional Chamber.

Gaston College to host SciVisit Day, Arts Festival his mother, Lola Hand, from this life to the eternal at 8 AM, Wednesday, March 20, 2013 the first day of spring.

Gaston College has scheduled the upcoming events: SciVisit Day for Middle and High Schools students: Gaston College will host SciVisit Day on Friday, April 12, from 9 a.m. until 12 noon

Oceanfront Beach Complex - Myrtle Beach

Sleeps 6, main level, ocean view, fully equipped, 1,100 ft. of beach. Minutes from Barefoot Landing, Broadway at the beach, shopping and entertainment. Book now for excellent rates! (704) 813-2137 or (704) 864-4697 bwhite3712@aol.com

at the Dallas Campus. This is a hands-on, interactive event for middle and high school students interested in the fields of science, technology, engineering, math and medical careers. Students will learn about STEMM educational opportunities and career paths available at Gaston College through a variety of experimental learning activities, demonstrations and the use of the “iPod” concept. For more information, contact Heather Woodson at 704.922.6311 or Woodson.heather@gaston.e du. Textures and Tones Arts Festival: The second annual Textures & Tones Arts Festival will be held from April 15 -20, with an array of arts events and activities, such as the Charlotte Jazz Orchestra; On Q productions with a

Blues play; poetry readings and workshops; Slam Charlotte with spoken word poetry; musical groups including the Academia Nuts and Gigi Dover and the Big Love; an original play written by one of our own, Jefferson Fortner; art exhibits of professional and student work; and many more activities. The new activities for this year’s festival will be a Saturday afternoon fair, featuring children’s art activities; three bands, including Ken Knox & Company (formerly performing as The Chairman of the Board); participatory games and dance activities; art vendors with their wares for sale; food vendors; and much more! For more information, call Alicia McCullough, CoChair of Textures & Tones Arts Festival at

704.922.6459 or email McCullough.alicia@gaston.edu . Introduction to Lean Manufacturing: Experience first hand, the power of Lean Manufacturing in this interactive four-hour course April 16. Learn how to apply the principles and practices in your organization. Discover how to reduce waste and remove non-value-added activities, resulting in a more efficient work environment. Gather an understanding of 5S, Value Stream Mapping and how a Lean Culture will benefit your business. This 4-hour course will be held on Tuesday, April 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Room 206, Dalpiaz Student Success Center, Dallas Campus. Full tuition for this class is supported through the Productivity Enhancement Customized Training Budget.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

The Banner News

Page 3A

ACC Barnstorming Tour tickets on sale On Thursday April 18, the ACC All-Stars will appear in Charlotte for a basketball game at the Mosack Athletic Center on the campus of Providence Day School. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roster includes Dukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s All-Americans Seth Curry and Mason Plumlee along with teammate Ryan Kelly, UNCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dexter Strickland, NC Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Scott Wood and Richard Howell, and Wake Forestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s C.J. Harris. This is the first time in Barnstorming history that the roster includes starters from ALL four schools, and six AllACC or Honorable Mentions. Tickets are now on sale at the following locations: â&#x20AC;˘ Providence Day School â&#x20AC;˘ Charlotte Christian School â&#x20AC;˘ Medical Center Pharmacy (Gastonia) General Admission tickets for the game are only $12 presale, but $15 at the door on game day. There will also be a limited number of VIP tickets available for $50. VIP

tickets include front row reserved seating to the game, an autograph/photo session after the game, as well as a post game reception with the ACC All-Stars. Fans are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance because a sell-out crowd is expected, and many tickets have already been sold online. To order your tickets online, visit or by phone at 704-246-3816. Doors open at 7:00pm and the game start at 8:00pm. Players will be available following the game for a limited autograph session. Local high school seniors and recent graduates will be playing against the ACC AllStars. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House and Providence Day School. The ACC Barnstorming Tour is sponsored and promoted by The Sumner Group. *Follow us on Facebook at ACC Barnstorming Tour and on Twitter at ACC Barnstorming

Photo by Alan Hodge

The kids at First Presbyterian Church weekday school in Belmont got a surprise last week when the official Beatrix Potter character Peter Rabbit hopped all the way from England to see them. Peter made his visit courtesy of Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens.

MURPHY: named Belmont Citizen of the Year

Students can help fight prescription drug abuse Prescription drugs are 2nd most abused drug among teens North Carolina high school students can help fight prescription drug abuse and overdose deaths by entering a video contest sponsored by Attorney General Roy Cooper and the NC Department of Justice. To educate young people about the dangers of prescription drug abuse, Cooper is partnering with the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, the North Carolina Parent Resource Center, and the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Institute on Substance Abuse to sponsor a student video competition. Cooper is asking students to create public service announcement videos on the topic of teen prescription drug abuse. All students enrolled in grades nine through 12 in North Carolina are eligible to enter. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Prescription drug abuse is a silent killer thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on the rise, especially among young people,â&#x20AC;? Cooper said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re asking students to help us fight this epidemic.â&#x20AC;? More than 130 students entered the contest last year. Last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winning videos are available online at ncdoj.gov and YouTube. Data from North Carolina and other states demonstrate that prescription drugs kill more people than illegal drugs (See HHS 2007 Study â&#x20AC;&#x201C;The Burden of Unintentional Poisoning in NC). Approximately 1,000 people died in North Carolina last year from overdosing on prescription drugs, according to preliminary data from the NC Division of Public Health. Nationwide, fatal drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death due to unintentional injury, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The intentional abuse of prescription pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants and sedatives to get high is a growing concern, particularly among teens. Among people ages 1217, prescription drugs are now the second most abused drug, behind marijuana. Though overall teen drug use is down nationwide, there are troubling signs that teens view abusing prescription drugs as safer than illegal drugs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Young people need to know that prescription drugs can be every bit as dangerous as street drugs when you misuse them,â&#x20AC;? Cooper said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By participating in the Stop Rx Abuse contest, students can educate each other about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and hopefully prevent tragic overdose deaths.â&#x20AC;? The student video competition runs through April 26. More details including the contest application are available atncdoj.gov. Information on the contest has also been sent to high school principals statewide. The student whose video is judged to be the best will win an Apple iPad, and the runners-up will receive an iPod Touch and an iTunes gift card. The winning video will also be featured on the website for the NC Department of Justice. To participate in the contest: 1. Produce an original video and upload it to YouTube. 2. Send an email to stoprxabuse@ncdoj.gov that includes a link to the video, your name, grade level, and school name. 3. Complete the application and release form (available at www.ncdoj.gov) and mail it along with a transcript of the video to: Prescription Drug Abuse PSA Competition; NC Department of Justice; 9001 Mail Service Center; Raleigh, NC 27699-9001.

Photo by Alan Hodge

Members of the South Point High Boys and Girls State summer program were recognized at last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Belmont Historical Society awards banquet. Students from left: Summer Parks, L.J. Mendoza, Hayden Ray, Hannah Dellinger, Ethan Beal, Dylan Fox. With the students are from left, BHS President Gary Cannon, Citizen of the Year Dr. Martin Murphy, his wife JoAnn Murphy, and Montcross Area Chamber President Ted Hall. From page 1A In accepting his Citizen of the Year award, Murphy seemed surprised by all the attention directed his way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am truly amazed that all these people came here tonight,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not a leader but a great follower. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be noticed out front, but do my work and go home.â&#x20AC;? Murphy went on to thank his family, especially wife JoAnn, for their support over the years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We started dating in ninth grade,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She is a wonderful lady, wife, and mother.â&#x20AC;? Murphy also mentioned the influence his mother had on him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My mom was an inspiration for helping people,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She told me what a wonderful thing it is to do something for others.â&#x20AC;? A lifelong Baptist, Murphy shared a bit of his faith as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;God has always been there for me,â&#x20AC;? he said. Part of the eveningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities was the recognition of Sister Bernadette McNamara, and the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church All Male Choir, who were given Belmont Unity Day Humanitarian Awards. The choir, who has been performing for a quarter century, entertained banquet

Photo by Alan Hodge

The Mt. Pleasant Baptist All Male Chorus was given a Humanitarian Award at last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Belmont Historical Society awards banquet. Members include Valentino Burroughs, Sam Riddle, Marquis Forney, Warren Moses, Charles Grier, John Moore, Charles Stowe, Hubert Grier, Sam Forney. goers with a medley of tunes including â&#x20AC;&#x153;God Bless Americaâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jesus Loves Meâ&#x20AC;?. On hand and recognized at the awards ceremony were students from South Point High that had attended the Boys and Girls State summer

camp at Catawba College where they learned about government. The students were sponsored by American Legion Auten-Stowe Post 144. Also recognized was Spencer Wiles who was given a Most Valuable Player

Award for his Post 144 baseball excellence. Guest speaker for the event was WCNC-TV personality Ramona Holloway who referred to Belmont as â&#x20AC;&#x153;8.2 square miles of friendlyâ&#x20AC;?.

Cramerton ABC Board sets meeting dates The Town of Cramertonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ABC Board will hold meetings at 1 p.m. at Town Hall located at 155 North Main Street on Sept. 24, Oct. 29, Nov. 19, and Dec. 31. The Town of Cramerton does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you need an auxiliary aid or service or other accommodations in order to attend or fully participate at this meeting, please contact the clerkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office at 704-824-4337 as far in advance of the meeting as possible so that your request can be considered.

For All Your Medication and Pharmaceutical Needs . . .

Turn To Your Hometown Pharmacy

2 OFF your next visit

OUR STAFF HAS OVER 95 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE!

to Just Cuts

6513 W Wilkinson Blvd in Belmont

Mon-Fri 9am-8pm Sat 9am-4pm

(704) 825-6099

ALLEN DRUG

MANAGER/OWNER

Present this Coupon and Receive

STYLISTS

We now do color, hi-lites & perms

Meet Your Friends at Charlieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Open: M-F 8am-6pm Saturday 9am - 1pm 220 S. Main St. â&#x20AC;˘ Stanley NC (beside The Woodshed)

Mon.-Fri. â&#x20AC;˘ 7:00AM-7:00PM Sat. â&#x20AC;˘ 8:00AM-4:00PM Sun. â&#x20AC;˘ 8:00AM-9:30AM

704.263.4876

Page 4A

The Banner News

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Opinions...

“

Yours, Ours, Others

Quote of the week... For I remember it is Easter morn, And life and love and peace are all new born.

Americans without adjectives

Spring has sprung Just like I am currently at that awkward age and circumference in blue jeans between “even” numbers in the waistband when a 34 is but a distant memory and a 36 gets slack after a few wearings and have to be hoisted up constantly, so too Mother Nature is at the crossroads between winter and spring and she is dragging everything, human beings included, along for the ride. This seasonal shift was made apparent to me last week when I was sitting in Rita’s restaurant in Catawba Heights awaiting my scrambled aig and grits and bacon and toast and staring out the window looking at the playground and church across the road where once there was a lively drive-in movie establishment, and all at once two girls about 12 years old came in and while I was clad in a sweatshirt and A2 flying jacket they had on t-shirts and shorts and flip-flops and their lil’ legs were so thin and white they looked like cigarettes but the cold did not seem to bother them in the least. This same principal was exhibited last Sunday when the temps were in the high 70s and Sharon and I got the Honda motorcycle cruiser thing out of its winter slumbers and went on a ride to Tony’s in Gastonia for a couple of hot dawgs. While riding along through McAdenville I spotted several folks basking on their front porches in what I considered to be summer attire and seeing them either stretched out on lounge chairs or merely sitting with eyes cast squintingly towards the warm rays of the early springtime sun I could not help but be reminded of similar behavior this time of year exhibited by groundhogs and chipmunks and other furry creatures. The winter/spring transition also provides many excellent examples of the will to live in plants and animals. Daffodils are blooming like mad and buds on bushes and trees are filling out and getting set to burst open in a way not unlike my old size 34 jeans when I began fattening up last year. The big difference is something beautiful will come of the buds when they outgrow their husks. Sometimes the spring flowers have to fight to live. There is a little patch of crocus flowers near the bird feeder at home and the birds peck the ground around its base and the crocus flowers take a beating from bird beaks but still bloom in spite of all the hardships they face. There is a lesson in that if you care to think about it. The birds are feeling a stirring in their loins this time of year, if they have loins, but the idea that is entering their bird brains is to reproduce. We have a couple of birdhouses in the yard and each spring I keep my fingers crossed that blue-

”

~Alice Freeman

birds find them first. The poet Shelly said “the bluebird carries the sky upon his back” and their song is always a signal that spring is Alan Hodge here at last. SomeEditor times chickadees beat the bluebirds to the houses, but I don’t run them off, they need a home too. This year we have a pair of broad wing hawks nesting in the woods and they screech and soar constantly. Lawd, I wish I could fly like that. The other day I was staring out the bathroom window at them and they were in the top of a huge poplar tree and all at once they both launched themselves and came down towards the house like a pair of Stuka dive bombers and at the last instant before they hit the window they swooped up screeching and were gone as if to say “we see you, Alan, so how about shutting the bathroom window blinds”. The winter/spring transition produces a tidal wave of customers at home improvement stores and oh, how they rush home with new string trimmers, lawn mowers, sacks of fertilizer and grass seeds and mulch, and leaf blowers. Verily I say, the hills do ring with the roar of powered lawn equipments! The winter/spring transition turns peoples’ minds to outdoor activities. I swear this year our canoe will go in the water again for the first time in a long time. Other folks get off on camping but having slept on the frozen ground with nothing but a blanket or under a leaky shebang in driving rain doing campaigner style Civil War reenacting I now prefer my camping to be in a hotel room with snack and ice machines down the hall. Finally, The poet T.S. Eliot pretty much hit the nail on the head regarding the shift from winter to spring and its trials, tribulations, and triumphs in his 1922 piece “The Waste Land”. Here’s my favorite part and I hope you like it too. “April is the cruelest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull roots with spring rain. Winter kept us warm, covering Earth in forgetful snow, feeding A little life with dried tubers. Summer surprised us, coming over the Starnbergersee With a shower of rain; we stopped in the colonnade, And went on in sunlight, into the Hofgarten, And drank coffee, and talked for an hour.”

Lately I’ve seen opinion columns in newspapers, tv talk tidbits, emails and posts on Facebook that say a lot of white voters don’t like President Obama because he is black. If either Beauford Burton side of this debate is about race then President Guest Editorial Obama is guilty of bringing that to the forefront of his campaign and administration. In February 2012 President Obama initiated a program called African Americans for Barack Obama. If you didn’t see it, you can find it on youtube. You’ll be able to see the video where he states “we are greater together than we ever could be on our own.’’ By saying that, he seems to be trying to convince a segment of citizens that he is bound to them by virtue of color, and that, in my opinion is a divide and conquer strategy. I hope the people of all races, color and ethnic background recognize it as such. All of directly, or by way of our ancestors, except for the American Indian, came from some other country and continent, but we’re all Americans now. There’s certainly nothing wrong with knowing your heritage or having pride in it if you want, but once you accept citizenship here you should be American without adjectives. I have a lot of friends of different skin and ethnic background. I served in the military with them. I’ve worked with them and I socialize with them. Some are Democrats (much to my chagrin), some Independents and some Republicans. I’m proud to have them all as my friends; I believe they will see President Obama’s effort as a self gain ploy as I hope everyone does. So, why did President Obama align himself as African American instead of American? It’s obvious to me he thinks he’s smarter than his target as a whole and that he can count on their vote by pretending to be bound by a special DNA connection. He certainly hasn’t earned their votes because he hasn’t reduced their unemployment rate, nor has he improved their standard of living; as a mater of fact, he hasn’t done that or any amerifan except for himself and some campaign contributors, and oh yes, his White House staff. If I remember his campaign speeches before elected President he was going to be the glue that truly pulled us together. Very recently, in one of our area newspapers a lady wrote she thought a lot of negative comments about President Obama were due to him being African American. I countered that notion by saying many of us would love to see someone like Allen West, Condoleezza Rice, Dr. Ben Carson or Thomas Sowella President. I don’t like Joe Biden, Harry Reid or Nancy Pelosi either, so the only prejudice I see I have is against liberal socialist. Look at the President’s successes or failures on their own merit, but evaluate them as Americans without adjectives.

Solve a Mystery A: The two ladies in the March 15, 2013 edition of the BannerNews “Solve a Mystery” are on the left: Irantha Ives and on the right, Helen Marie Smith.

Sidewalk Survey

45¢ forum

Local residents were asked...

Letter to the editor...

What do you think about the movie filming in Belmont?

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

Carol Wertz – I thinks it’s great they are doing it here

Teri Wilson – I think it’s fantastic

Reagan Wilson – Can I be in the next one?

BannerNews Periodicals postage at Belmont, NC 28012 USPS 049-700 by Gemini Newspapers, Inc. Postmaster, send address changes to: P. O. Box 769, Kings Mountain NC 28086 Phone (704) 825-0580 • Fax (704) 825-0894 Office:128-C N. Main St. • Belmont, NC 28012

Debbie Thompson – It’s great for the city

or e-mail us at: alan.bannernews@gmail.com

must be signed and include address and phone number. * Thank you letters are required to be placed as paid personal notes.

Wendy Isbell - Publisher

Mail Subscription Rates Payable in Advance.

wendy.kmherald@gmail.com

All Prices include 6.75% NC State Sales Tax.

Alan Hodge - Editor alan.bannernews@gmail.com

Gaston & Cleveland County Other NC Counties Outside NC

1 Year $30.00 $35.00 $50.00

6 Months $19.50 $22.50 $39.00

Pat Rooney - Sales Coordinator Lisa Zyble - General Operations Manager Graphics & Composing Manager Wayne Conner - Business Manager Kathy Reynolds - Circulation/Classified

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

The Banner News

Page 5A

RUNNERS: group is about more than exercise From page 1A principal Glenn Cook and Belmont’s assistant city manager Adrian Miller. “We wanted an after school program that let the boys have a positive outlook towards exercise and health,” Proud said. “Boys Run Belmont means the participants will be learning and stretching, not running home to video games.” Part of the learning Proud mentioned involves character development. “Running teaches them how to endure and come out on top,” Proud said. “It’s like the EOG scholastic tests they take each year. You might want to give up when you come to a hard question, but you persevere.” Cook sees the Boys Run Belmont program as a way to let chaps who might not otherwise be on an athletic field have a chance to participate in races and relays after school. “Not all kids can or want to play football or baseball,” he said. “Boys Run Belmont is a sport anyone can do that wants to.” Miller takes time out from his busy schedule to work with the lads. “I have been lucky enough to take a late lunch break to run with these

Photo By Alan Hodge

Parent volunteers Laura Proud (left) and Melanie Andrews give the “go” signal to members of the Belmont Central Elementary School “Boys Run Belmont” group. The guys meet twice a week after school for running and lessons in character building. young men at Belmont Central on Mondays and Thursdays,” he said. “They are a great group of guys, and it’s fun to watch them improve their running but also to socialize outside of the classroom. Belmont Central has a very strong Girls on the Run program, but we did not have anything organized for boys. Boys Run Belmont will provide the opportunity for these young men to mature and to get physical activity after school.” As evidenced by the speed with which they propel themselves around the Belmont Central track, and the look of sheer joy on every face, the Boys Run

Belmont guys are having a great time. “It’s really fun, good sports,” said fourth grader Conner Johnson. “They teach me the right way to breathe when I run so my side doesn’t hurt. I have also learned how to be a good sportsman.” Johnson’s classmate, Carter Broome also relishes his Boys Run Belmont experience. “We learn and have a good time at the same time,” he said. Another Boys Run Belmont volunteer is South Point High freshman Zak Hamam whose mom is Belmont Central teacher Lynn

Hamam. “I enjoy helping the kids with the program,” he said. “I try to be a positive role model.” The Boys Run Belmont program is held twice a week, weather permitting, and then will have a grand finale at the end of May when the boys take part in the Belmont Police Department annual running event. In the meantime, donations for Boys Run Belmont are always needed. Checks can be made out to Belmont Central Elementary with Boys Run Belmont in the “for” line. Call the school at 704-825-8479 for more information.

■ EASTER

BELMONT’S ANNUAL FLASHLIGHT EASTER EGG HUNT on will be held on March 28. Approximately 750 participants and spectators are expected to show up for the event in Davis Park. Equipped with their baskets and flashlights, children scurry trying to fill their baskets with eggs. These are not your average Easter eggs, some are filled with candy and several luck winners will find the prize eggs. The Easter Bunny will visit Davis Park arriving around 7:15pm. The hunt begins at approximately 7:30pm for the 35 yr. olds and 8:00pm for the 6-8 year olds. This event has been a huge success for the City of Belmont and the Parks and Recreation Dept. put in a lot of time to prepare for it. This year, South Point High School’s Occupational Prep Class instructed by Ms. Mobley assisted with filling the eggs. EASTER EGG HUNT IN STOWE PARK – New Life Baptist Church will be having an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 30 from 11am-3pm at Stowe Park in Belmont. EASTER PAGEANT SET FOR MARCH 30 – The Miss Gastonia Scholarship Association will sponsor the Miss Easter on Parade Pageant Saturday, March 30 at the Cherryville Community Building, 106 South Jacob St., Cherryville. The pageant begins at 10:30 a.m. and is for girls 0-19 years who live in Gaston, Lincoln, Cleveland and surrounding counties. All contestants receive a tiara. Proceeds benefit the Miss Gastonia scholarship fund. For more information and to receive an application, call (704) 827-7277 or visit www.missgastoniapageant.com.

GADDIS: turning the ordinary into music From page 1A

MURAL: work of art remains after filming From page 1A in shades of green. There’s a rope and plank swing painted hanging from one of its branches. “I call it a Sound Tree,” O’Kelly said. “It’s supposed to represent the positive, soothing sounds of nature that the leaves make when the wind blows.” The mural took O’Kelly over 30 hours to complete. She started with a sketch, and then began painting. Once she got the lower part done, she moved a two-level scaffold into place and clambered up and down it with cans of paint, brushes, and rollers. “I’m honored Belmont was accepting of the idea and let me do the mural,” O’Kelly said. Jonathan Taylor owns the Nationwide building that O’Kelly painted. “She did a great job and I really like it,” Taylor said of the mural. “Anything that brings something positive to Belmont I am happy to let happen. It’s part of the effort to bring new business to Belmont and also make it a mini-Hollywood.” Neil Brock operates the Nationwide agency where the mural is painted and was pleased with O’Kelly’s work as well. “It’s amazing how fast she did it,” he said. “It adds a lot of color to downtown and is quite impressive. O’Kelly brought a lot of talent and experience to the Belmont mural project. She’s from Fort Worth, Texas, and lives in Winston-Salem where she has

Photo By Alan Hodge

Winston-Salem artist Jennifer O’Kelly is seen working on the mural she painted on the side of the Nationwide Insurance building in downtown Belmont. The mural was in connection with the Hallmark Hall of Fame move that was shot there recently. a studio. “My mom is an artist and dad is a landscape architect,” she said. “My work is a nice blend of the two.” According to O’Kelly, she did her first mural at age 15 at a Fort Worth dance studio in exchange for lessons. She’s done several murals pro bono as part of a program by Lowe’s and the Forsyth County school system where elementary and middle schools in low income areas are “spruced up” with artwork. “Lowe’s gives money for the materials and assistants and I work for free,” she said.

O’Kelly has also done murals at the Children’s Home for at-risk youth in Winston-Salem. “I painted a mural of superheroes in the arts and sciences to inspire the kids,” she said. Much of Kelly’s other work is outdoors in nature, like the Belmont mural. “I like to paint big,” she said. After the Belmont job, O’Kelly returned to her design studio in WinstonSalem to get set for more projects. She not only does murals outdoors and in public buildings, but creates them in homes as well. Photos of O’Kelly’s work is on her website okdsmuse.com.

EVENTS

how I got started in this mess.” The workshop in the home he shares with his wife Dorothy is a sunny spot in the basement and scattered in it are instruments both finished and under construction. The collection includes dulcimers, bass fiddles, guitars, banjos, a hammered dulcimer, mandolins, a lyre, a banjo made from the aforementioned cigar box, a fiddle made from a can, and a Japanese stringed instrument shaped like a small square guitar called a shamisen. The instruments are made of all types of wood and can take as long as six months each to build. “Mostly its scrap wood from cabinets and such,” Gaddis said. “A lot of the instruments are made of pine, but one is made from bamboo and another from a rare Japanese wood called palmonia.” Gaddis also does “instrument rescue”. One case is a large bass fiddle he found in a barn. “The bottom was rotted and I had to fix that as well as thirty-two cracks in the top,” he said. When Gaddis is done

building or rebuilding an instrument, they tend to join his collection, but on occasion he lets one go. “Sometimes I sell one,” he said. “But not very often.” Gaddis’ creative talents aren’t limited to the field of musical instruments; he also crafts other items of wood including a kid’s high chair with an inlaid teddy bear design done in contrasting woods. Gaddis keeps a potters wheel in his shop and has been known to turn out some interesting wares in that medium as well. “Our daughter Donna Craig got me interested in pottery,” Gaddis said. “We took some lessons at Gaston College.” In addition, Gaddis keeps busy by playing in a band called the “Possum Hunters” that performs for senior citizens at various venues including the East Gaston Adult Day Care Center in Catawba Heights and the Gaston Adult Center on Hudson Blvd. Even at the age of 86 years, Gaddis is proof positive that the combination of a fertile imagination, an inquiring mind, and busy hands keep old age away.

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

Tuckaseege 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

Notice In order to accommodate the number of churches in our communities, we will print two alternating lists of churches each week. If you don’t see the church you’re looking for, be sure to check next weeks paper.

Page 6A

The Banner News

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

â&#x2013; LIFESTYLES Engaged

Meg Barron and Michael Cooper Mr. and Mrs. Charles Auld Barron of Belmont announce the engagement of their daughter, Margaret Louise (Meg) to Michael Burdine Cooper, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Burdine Cooper of Greenville, S.C. Meg graduated with honors from Clemson University in 2008 with a degree in Visual Arts. Michael is a 2002 graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Business Management and is the vice-president of Middle Market Banking at TD Bank. The couple will celebrate their marriage October 26, 2013, at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Greenville.

LEWIS: Nominated for Merchant Marines From page 1A a U.S. Federal Service Academy. The Merchant Marine Academy is located at Kings Point, New York and is a federal service academy that educates and graduates licensed Merchant Marine officers of exemplary character who serve Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marine transportation and defense needs in peace and war. With 95 percent of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s products transported over water, these leaders are vital to the effective operation of our merchant fleet for both commercial and military transport during war and peace. Academy graduates abide by the motto â&#x20AC;&#x153;Acta Non Verbaâ&#x20AC;? - deeds not words, and are leaders that exemplify the concept of service above self. The BannerNews spoke with Lewis in Texas by phone regarding his desire to serve the nation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been my dream since I was a freshman at East Gaston to serve in the military,â&#x20AC;? Lewis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While I was a junior I heard of the Merchant Marine Academy and was nominated but not appointed the first time I tried to get in. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why I enrolled at Greystone Prep. Acceptance to the Academy is based a lot on academic credentials and I think attending Greystone will help my chances.â&#x20AC;? Lewis is a top student at Greystone and is also a member of the rifle team there. By some slim chance, if

Lewis misses his appointment to the Merchant Marine Academy this round, he plans to enter the U.S. Navy straightaway. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will know soon if I got the appointment,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I join the Navy, I plan to go into the Sea Bees then try out for the SEALS program.â&#x20AC;? The Navyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sea Bees got their name from the acronym CB, or Construction Battalion. A Navy SEALS team took out Osama Bin Laden. Lewis credits his time in the East Gaston NJROTC program as having gone a long way in shaping his character. â&#x20AC;&#x153;ROTC matured me beyond my years,â&#x20AC;? he said. His ROTC instructor at East Gaston was Major Rich Bourgois. Lewis is the son of James Lewis and Melonie Abernathy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dillon is not your typical 19-year-old,â&#x20AC;? Abernathy said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most teens that age donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say they would die for freedom. He has lofty goals. No mother wants her son to be a Navy SEAL, but I will do whatever I can to help him achieve his dreams.â&#x20AC;? For other teens thinking of joining the armed forces of our nation, Lewis has this advice based on what he learned during his years at East Gaston ROTC. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think it can be a very rewarding experience,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It taught me honor, respect for others, and the discipline needed to succeed in life.â&#x20AC;?

HOW TO REACH US Contact the Banner by coming by the office at 128-C N. Main St.; call 704-8250580, fax 704-825-0894 or Email alan.banner news@gmail.com

Discover Timeless Treasures !' $( & % '& " ' & %'*"% ) %,' ! ! '* ! %& -) +# ! ""' & ) &' %' ! ' "!'

Spring is here and vegetation of all types, including these beautiful trees and bushes at First Presbyterian Church in Belmont, are blossoming in wild profusion. Photo by Alan Hodge

CaroMont wins Healthiest Employer award What do you get when you remove deep fryers from the kitchen and replace them with ovens, decrease the price of healthy foods and increase the price of unhealthy options and introduce yoga classes, guided walks and stress management workshops for employees? You get healthier. Recognized for the aforementioned and its mission to be a leader in promoting individual health and vibrant communities, the second place 2013 Healthiest Employer Award for large business this year goes to CaroMont Health. Friday, March 15, a crowd of about 300 gathered uptown to celebrate recent accomplishments at the Charlotteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Business Journalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Healthiest Employer Awards Luncheon and health expo. Among those present to receive the award on behalf of CaroMont Health was Jerry Levine, Chief Medical Officer, Andrea Serra, Vice President of Health and Wellness and Debbie Bellenger, Health and Wellness Director. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This achievement is the result of our incredible team of employees,â&#x20AC;? said Serra. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because of our employeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; persistence, dedication and inspiration that we are on the road to achiev-

Contributed Photo

CaroMont Health recently received a second place award for Healthiest Employer 2013. Jerry Levine, Chief Medical Officer, Andrea Serra, Vice President of Health and Wellness and Debbie Bellenger, Health and Wellness Director accepted the award on behalf of their firm. ing our goal of a healthier lifestyle.â&#x20AC;? In 2010, CaroMontâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nearly 4,000 employees began their journey to health and wellness. Today, when you walk into CaroMontâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cafeteria, employees and visitors really have no excuse when it comes to choosing healthy meal options. The colorcoded food program easily signifies the healthiest meals and the Weight Watchers point system serves as a

Closed Mondays

B&B Antique & Artisan Mall 3209 W. Franklin Blvd. â&#x20AC;˘ Gastonia NC 28052 !"* "% "% ' &

lance. The center is free to employees and is offered for a nominal fee to families, and is also open to the community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The journey to health and wellness is just that, a journey,â&#x20AC;? said Serra. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a marathonâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;not a sprintâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to the finish line, and our eye is on the prizeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to make CaroMont Health and Gaston County a healthier place to live.â&#x20AC;?

MOVIE: brings taste of Tinsel Town to Belmont From page 1A towards his father. Danny Glover is starring in the film in the role of a retired barber and was in Belmont last week for shooting. The character Trey is played by Austin Stowell. During the Belmont work, film crews set up lights, cameras, scaffolds, and a stage downtown as well as at several other sites including the Belmont General Store, Seven Oaks Farm, the old Belmont Federal Savings and Loan office, and the circa 1920 Lineberger House currently owned by Griffin and Grace Keel. Shuffleton Barbershop itself was recreated in the former Margaretâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beauty Salon on N. Main Street using barber equipment from Doug Brewerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shop in the Belmont General Store and other props.

Lane Adams is manager of Belmont General Store and has been in the middle of the action from the start of filming. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been exciting and fun seeing what all goes into making a movie,â&#x20AC;? Adams said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The movie people have been very nice.â&#x20AC;? A large mural connected with the movie has been painted by WinstonSalem artist Jennifer Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Kelly on the side of the Nationwide Insurance building, across from the Belmont General Store. Nationwide owner Neil Brock is also active in the Belmont Merchants Association and feels like the film has brought a boost to local business. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has definitely had a positive impact on downtown,â&#x20AC;? Brock said. Randy Byers, location manager for the Hallmark Channel, has been at the forefront of the Shuffleton Barbershop project and had good things to say about

Kyraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kloset Our Hours: Tues-Sat 10am-5pm Sun 1pm-5pm

guide for patrons following this nutrition program. Since the health revolution began, there are more employees at a healthy weight and less obese now than two years ago. Health and fitness is also significant to employeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wellness. Formerly Cardiac Rehab, the enhanced CaroMont Health and Fitness Center offers over 40 cardio and strength training classes each week all the while under the clinical surveil-

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Consignment

Now taking Spring & Summer Items. Call for appointment.

(828) 308-0378 1131 W. Charlotte Ave. Mt. Holly, NC 28120 om vpweb.c skloset. ra y .k www

Belmont. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been an absolute pleasure working here,â&#x20AC;? Byers said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The entire Belmont community has warmly embraced us and the filming went very smoothly. The city government, police, and local merchants were great to work with as well. We will definitely consider coming back to Belmont in the future.â&#x20AC;? According to Byers, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shuffleton Barbershopâ&#x20AC;? is slated to air sometime in late spring or early summer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can check the Hallmark website for details,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shuffleton Barbershopâ&#x20AC;? is the second film shot on location in Belmont over the past few months. The other was a production titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Evergreen Christmasâ&#x20AC;? that used the same vacant lot downtown that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shuffleton Barbershopâ&#x20AC;? crews had as a staging area. Naomi Judd was featured in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Evergreen Christmasâ&#x20AC;? film.

Name the River Park Applications for nominated names will be accepted until 5:00pm on May 3 at City Hall. Applications are online at www.cityofbelmont.org or can be picked up at Belmont City Hall or the J. Paul Ford Recreation Center. 03/27/13c

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

The Banner News

Page 1B

LADIES BASKETBALL - Ashley Mull – MVP; Haley Stewart – Varsity Best Defense

South Point athletes honored South Point High School held its annual Winter Sports Awards Banquet on Monday, March 18th. Awards were presented for Wrestling, Varsity and JV Cheerleading, Men’s and Women’s swimming, Varsity and JV Men’s and Women’s Basketball. Listed below are the award winning athletes and their sports. Wrestling: Trent Ballard – Most Valuable Wrestler; Michael Hayes – Coach’s Award; Stephen Carriker – Most Improved Swimming: Nick Yorick – Men’s Most Valuable Swimmer; Matt Hodges – Men’s Coach’s Award;Will Allen – Men’s Most Improved; Emily Howe – Women’s Most Valuable Swimmer; Natalee Clayton – Women’s Coach’s Award;Lindsey Anthony – Women’s Most Improved

MEN’S BASKETBALL – Row 1, L-R: Dan Johnson – Varsity Hustle Award: Deonte Gaston – Varsity MVP. Row 2, L-R: Tyler Bray – Varsity Best Defense; Eli White – JV Best Offense; Yale Youcks – JV Best Defense

Men’s Basketball: Deonte Gaston – Varsity MVP;Tyler Bray – Varsity Best Defense; Dan Johnson – Varsity Hustle Award; Eli White – JV Best Offense;Yale Loucks – JV Best Defense Women’s Basketball: Ashley Mull – Varsity MVP; Haley Stewart – Varsity Best Defense; Morgan Woods – Varsity Coach’s Award; Blair Griffin – Varsity Players Award; Jordan Bryant – JV Best Offense; Kiriyana Coleman – JV Best Defense Cheerleading: Andi Bone – Varsity Coach’s Award; Hannah Whitesides – Varsity Most Improved; Riley King – JV Coach’s Award; Cierra Payseur – JV Spirit Award

SWIMMING – L-R: Will Allen – Men’s Most Improved; Nick Yorick – Men’s Most Valuable Swimmer; Matt Hodges – Men’s Coach’s Award

WRESTLING – L-R: Stephen Carriker – Most Improved; Trent Ballard – Most Valuable Wrestler; Michael Hayes – Coach’s Award At right: CHEERLEADING – Row 1, L-R: Andi Bone – Varsity Coach’s Award; Hannah Whitesides – Varsity Most Improved. Row 2, L-R: Cierra Payseur _ JV Spirit Award; Riley King – JV Coach’s Award

EG downs Charlotte Catholic in Gaston Christian softball update Mega 7 Conference match-up Falls to Southlake

By John Wilson John.bannernews@gmail.com

The East Gaston Warriors baseball team traveled down I-485 to Charlotte to face the high-powered Charlotte Catholic Cougars in a Mega 7 Conference match up. When the dust settled, the Warriors walked away with a 10-4 victory and found themselves tied with Catholic for second place in the Mega 7. The Warriors improved their record to 4-5 over all and now have a 3-1 conference record. Head coach Randy Sellers was happy with the effort his team put forth against Catholic. “They were undefeated in conference play,” Sellers said. “I stressed to the team that we had to play well if we hoped to beat them and get into second play in the conference. This was a big win.” The Warrior victory was a result of an explosive 5th inning where East Gaston slammed in seven runs. The inning started with the Cougars up 2-1. When the Warriors came up to bat the onslaught began. The Warriors started the inning off with a base hit. While trying to execute a bunt East Gaston capitalized on a Catholic error and put another runner on base. With two runners on base

Chase Hannifin went to the plate. “We were looking at bunting when they committed an error,” Sellers said. “Then Chase hit a triple and drove in two runs. After that we had several other hits. Hannifin and Sawyer McGraw went two for three. We got a lot of hits. It was a real team effort.” When the inning ended the Warriors had put up seven runs. The Cougars could only muster one run of their own. From a defensive standpoint East Gaston played a good game. Senior righthander Matt Grimmett got the start for East Gaston. According to Sellers, Grimmett and the Warriors defense had a solid game. “Matt scattered them,” Sellers said. “He pitched a complete game. The defense played well. We kept runners from scoring when they got on base.” Now that the Warriors are tied for second in the Mega 7 they need to remain sharp if they hope to overtake first place Olympic. This week the Warriors will start a two game home stand against West Meck and Berry. Coach Sellers is going to make sure his players keep things in perspective. “We need to maintain our focus,” Coach Sellers said.

“Everyone needs to know that we can’t just show up and expect to win games.” Box Score East Gaston 1 0 0 0 7 0 2 10 CC 0110101 4

Gaston Christian School’s softball team fell to Southlake Christian last week by a close score of 8-7. Leading hitters for GCS were Alanna Freeman 3 for 4 (one home run, 2 RBIs); Faith Wilson 2 for 4 (one homerun, 1 RBI); and Madison Ramsey 2 for 3. Defeats First Assembly

East Gaston Warriors

Gaston Christian girls’ softball recently defeated First Assembly-Concord by a score of 10-0. The winning pitcher was Madison Ramsey with eight strikeouts. Leading Hitters-Sarah Adams—3 for 4 (2 doubles, 2 RBIs); Samantha Mecimore—2 for 2 (one double, 1 RBI); Ashley Moore— 2 for 3 (one double, 1 RBI); Gabbi Wilson— 2 for 3. Gaston Christian’s record is now 5-3.

South Point Red Raiders Player of the Week

Player of the Week

Ashley Mull Basketball MVP

Kristen McAndrews Softball