BN_040914 by Community First Media

Gospel & Green Bananas.... 3A

INSIDE... Obituaries ............. 2A Police/Crime ......... 2A Opinion ................. 4A Sports................... 7A School News.......... 8A

Serving Belmont, Mount Holly, Stanley, Cramerton, and McAdenville | Volume 79 • Issue 15 • Wednesday, April 9, 2014

75¢

Racers take to the streets this Sunday The 2nd Annual Belmont Criterium bicycle race will begin at 12 noon on Sunday, April 13. Certain streets in downtown Belmont, including N. Main, will be blocked off from 7am to 7:30pm to allow over 400 participants to hold races for amateur as well as professional cyclists on a 0.67mile long course that will include part of N. Main,

Glenway, Davis,Kenwood, and Woodrow. A portion of S. Main near Stowe Park will be closed for a BMX exhibition. The Belmont Criterium is a partnership between the City of Belmont and the Belmont Merchants Association and is sponsored by Carolinas HealthCare System. For more information visit www.belmontcrit.org.

ARBOR DAY WINNERS – Mount Holly Middle School’s Seth Sturgis captured first place and Hailey Newman took third place in the Arbor Day Poster Contest. In the Gaston County Art Show, Kaylie Nelson earned second place in mixed media and Melissa Schleicher took second place in color drawing.

‘Victory Garden’ It all began with a blind date... idea is making McIntosh’s to mark 70 years of marriage a comeback 0By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com

At long last spring is here and many people's thoughts turn to gardening. But not everyone has access to a large piece of land on which to see their agricultural endeavors played out. That's where a concept from long ago is making a comeback. Back in World War II, the government urged folks to raise what were called “Victory Gardens.” Heeding this call, countless people tilled plots in backyards and on vacant lots where they raised vegetables for their kitchens and by extension helped the war effort. Jack Page of Belmont recalled the Victory Garden craze. “Early in 1942 our government planners began to publish all sorts of pamphlets and news releases aimed at moving our war effort forward,” Page said. “There was an air of panic to many of these tracts and it was apparent in looking back that some of the writers were being very basic in what they were writing about.” According to Page, the literature was interesting but not revolutionary reading. “The pamphlets on agriculture stated the obvious,” he said. “For example, one quote said 'many people will need help in planning and tending a garden'. They suggested that NC State or our local county agent could be of help. It was suggested that we might have commu-

nity gardens. The town was urged to scout out any empty lots and get the owner’s permission to use it for a community garden. A tool shed needed to be constructed to store tools, fertilizer, and insecticides. The local police could monitor the garden to make sure that produce was not stolen. However, free seeds formerly distributed by the county agent would no longer be available.” Page remembered other tips the government offered. “They further suggested that farmers should plant much larger fields and additional crops,” he recollected. “Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Sunday school classes could be recruited to help farmers in their efforts.” Page says local entities got in on the Victory Garden action as well. “A Junior Chamber of Commerce bulletin declared, 'Every pound of food produced at home is a help to the national and world food situation, because it releases a similar amount to the already strained commercial sources. We need an educational program that will hold losses and failures to a minimum. These new gardeners need to choose varieties that are tried and true.' One bulletin suggested that plans were needed for rodent control and for rabbit control. Also there was a need for experienced gardeners to oversee these efforts. No mention was made of where lumber, nails, and wire could be obtained,” said Page. In Belmont, as in many other Gaston and Cleveland county towns and mill villages, backyard gardens Victory type or not, had long been the norm for folks trying to inject some fresh produce into their otherwise See VICTORY GARDEN, 5A

ALAN HODGE alan.bannernews@gmail.com

“Beware of blind dates, you never know where they might lead you.” That's the advice 93-year-old Baxter McIntosh of Mount Holly gives out, but it's all in fun since one he went on back in the summer of 1943 led to marriage with his wife of 70 years, now 90-year-old Sally. Fact is, the McIntosh duo will mark those seven decades of holy and happy matrimony on April 22. The story began when Baxter, a native of Lucia, was in the Army and stationed in Mississippi. Sally, was working in Hattiesburg and the two met on the aforementioned blind date. After courtship, they were wed on April 22, 1944. “I got a three day pass so we could get married,” Baxter said. After the war and Baxter's discharge from the service, the McIntoshes came to Mount Holly where they rented an apartment on Catawba St. Baxter's father was in the construction business and in 1948 built the house on Glendale St. that they still call home. During his career, Baxter worked in the hosiery business until he retired in

1982, while Sally mostly stayed home and raised their three children, John, Debra, and Mark. Sally's talent at the sewing machine saw her make much of the family clothes as well as drapes for the house. Life's simple pleasures filled their spare time with Baxter playing golf and woodworking in Baxter and Sally McInt a little shop out osh on a date in 1943 . back, while Sally enjoyed yardwork. According to the McIntoshes, their The list of activities that Baxter and membership in First Baptist in Mount Sally have been involved in at First BapHolly has been a source of strength, tist is phenomenal. Baxter was a deacon spiritual guidance, and pleasure for as for half a century, from 1955-2005 and long as they've lived in town. was named deacon emeritus, the first in Before their marriage, Baxter was a the church. He also taught Sunday Methodist, but says Sally influenced school for many, many years. He served his “conversion”. on three pastor search committees. Sally “I married a better Baptist than I was a leader in the Women's Missionary was a Methodist,” he said. See BLIND DATE, 6A

‘Death Race’ is not for the faint of heart! By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com

When a person signs up for something called a “Death Race” they've got to have a pretty good idea it's going to be tough, but for Jason Colomb of McAdenville, that's exactly what he thrives on. Colomb, 37, and a native of Montana, is married and has two daughters. He is Health Promotions Coordinator for CaroMont Health. Last September, he took part in the Team Death Race that was held in the Green Mountains of Vermont near the town of Pittsville. The Death Race events are the idea of Andy Weinberg and Joe Desena and are designed to push participants to the limits of their physical and mental endurance- and beyond. The events are held over a three day period and involve over fifty hours of grueling and

at times diabolical exercises. Last year's Death Race had nearly 100 participants and only twenty finished. “I take part in this type of event because of the challenge,” Colomb said. “It's a race against yourself. It is hard, very hard, and changes your life. It teaches you not to sweat the small stuff.” Activities that Death Race folks take on vary from event to event, but during Colomb's 2013 adventure they included building a bridge of timbers and concrete, sitting as a group in an icy stream to create a human dam, and tackling the “Ultra Beast”- a 24-mile obstacle course. One of the most trying events that Colomb and his team tackled last September was one in which contestants had their legs zip-tied together, but one See COLOMB, 5A

Photo by Alan Hodge

Jason Colomb of McAdenville shows off a couple of awards he earned at his first Death Race last year. He will be taking part in another similar grueling event in June.

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■ OBITUARIES Frances Holland Skillful and dedicated musician MOUNT HOLLYFrances Kelly Holland, age 92, died Thursday April 3, 2014, in Charlotte. Mrs. Holland was born November 18, 1921 in Mount Holly, to the late Ernest Dexter K e l l y, Sr. and B u l a McInt o s h K e l l y. S h e graduated from Mount Holly High School in 1938, and received a Bachelor of Music degree from Greensboro College in 1942. On August 27, 1944, she married the love of her life, Thomas Holland. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother. Mrs. Holland was a skillful and dedicated musician who used her talents to enhance Christian worship. She had great respect for Johann Sebastian Bach when he wrote “Soli Deo Gloria,” to the glory of God alone. For Frances Holland, music was an integral part of her witness for Jesus Christ. Mrs. Holland was known for the quality of her musicianship. Her aptitude for music was apparent early in her life. She began playing for school chapel services in the fifth grade. At age 13, she played for worship services at the First United Methodist Church in Mount Holly. Mrs. Holland was a piano and organ teacher, organist, and choir director for over 50 years. Through the years, she continued her education on many workshop programs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, Montreat Music Conference, and Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. A few months ago, at the age of 92 years, Mrs. Holland played the piano for an hour at a reception at Sharon Towers retirement community. She loved to play the piano while her great-grandchildren danced to her music. Mrs. Holland served as the organist and choir director at the First United Methodist Church in Mount Holly for a number of years. In 1953, she moved to a similar position at the First Presbyterian Church in Mount Holly, where she served until her retirement in 1984. After her retirement, she substituted as organist at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. In 1959, Mrs. Holland was elected as the first woman dean of the Charlotte Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. She served as hospitality chairman for that organization for 22 years. She was certified as an organist by the Presbyterian Association of Musicians.

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At the Mount Holly Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Holland was a Circle Chairman and President of the Presbyterian Women of the Church. She also served on the coordination council of the Concord Presbytery. In 1960 and 1961, she was president of the Women’s Auxiliary of the North Carolina Pharmaceutical Association. In 1961, Mrs. Holland was chosen as Woman of the Year in Mount Holly. In 2007, she and her husband moved from Mount Holly to Sharon Towers retirement community in Charlotte. As a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, she also belonged to the Fellowship Sunday School Class and Susanna Circle. Her special hobby was sending cards and birthday greetings to many people. Mrs. Holland was preceded in death by her brother, Ernest Dexter Kelly, Jr. and her sister, Inez Kelly Kuhn. She is survived by her beloved husband of 69 years, Thomas Marshall Holland, of Charlotte; daughter, Camille Holland Carruth and her husband, Dr. Joseph E. Carruth, of Dublin, GA; son, Willis Marshall (Bucky) and his wife, Christine Hiestand Holland, of Columbia, SC; five grandchildren, Rev. Thomas Willis Carruth and wife, Shelly, Elizabeth Carruth Barfoot and husband, Adam, Carrie Lynn Holland, Lauren Anna Holland, and Craig Wellman Bode and wife, Karen; six greatgrandchildren. A memorial service was held at 12pm. Saturday April 5, at Covenant Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Joan H. Watson officiating. The family received friends following the service in the Fellowship Hall. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Music Dept., Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1000 E. Morehead St. Charlotte, NC 28204 or to Residence Assistance Fund, Sharon Towers, 5100 Sharon Rd. Charlotte, NC 28210. T.H. Robertson Funeral & Cremation Service is serving the family. www.throbertson.com.

T.H. Robertson Funeral Services

Robert "Bill" Hudspeth Survivor of WWII 356th fighter squadron MOUNT HOLLY – Robert Edward Hudspeth Jr, 90, 4716 Hickory Grove Road, died Monday, March 31, 2014 at Gaston Memorial Hospital. Bill w a s born in Gaston County, son of the late Robert Edward Hudspeth and Sulla Hudspeth. Bill was preceded in death by wife Sudie Cloninger Hudspeth, and an infant daughter, Wanda Kay Hudspeth. Bill is survived by two sons, Tim Hudspeth and his wife Susan Rhyne Hudspeth of Fayetteville, PA, and Paul Hudspeth and his wife Susan Stone Hudspeth of Hendersonville, NC; one grandson, David Hudspeth of Asheville, NC, and sister Colleen Hudspeth of Mt Holly.

Bernice Zander Loving mother and grandmother BELMONT – Bernice McKinney Zander, 98, passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2014. Bernice was born March 7, 1916 in Morrisvale, WV. She was daughter of William a n d Elizab e t h McKinney. She resided most of her life in Akron, Ohio. After graduating from Hammel Business College, she was employed for many years as a legal secretary. She was a member of The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Mount Holly. Mrs. Zander was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years Lee Louis Zander, her mother and father, and her brother Robert McKinney. She is survived by her son Bruce and his wife Judy of Belmont, grandsons and grand daughters in law Scott and Tonya Zander of Belmont and Dennis and Candy Zander of Mount Holly.

Bill was a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church, a survivor of WWII 356th fighter squadron in England, recipient of a one million mile safe driving award from Texaco, and a beloved member of the community. Dad passed away peacefully surrounded by family. We miss you dad. A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Hudspeth was held 11am Thursday April 3, at Hickory Grove Baptist Church with Reverend Tom Kinman officiating. Interment followed at the church cemetery. The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Gaston County, PO Box 3984, Gastonia NC 28054. Condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.woodlawnfuneral.org Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly served the family.

Great grandchildren Daniel, Cassidy, Patrick, John, and Tabetha Zander. Great great granddaughter Lorelai Zander. A committal service was held 12:30pm Saturday, April 5, at North Myrtle Beach Memorial Gardens in South Carolina. A celebration of life service was held 2pm Sunday, April 6, at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Mount Holly with Reverend Cuttino Alexander officiating. Visitation followed the service at the church. The family would like to thank the Hospice nurses and staff for their dedication to Bernice. Memorials may be made to the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 110 South Main Street, Mount Holly, NC 28120 or to Hospice of Gaston County, PO Box 3984, Gastonia NC 28054. Condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.woodlawnfuneral.org Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly, NC is serving the family.

Russ accepts plea bargain in 2013 CVS shootout By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com

Last Oct. 25 was a day folks at CVS Pharmacy on Wilkinson Blvd. in Belmont will long remember. That's because a hostage situation and shootout took place there. Now, the person accused of committing those crimes will be spending at least a decade cooling off in prison. Last week saw Edward Scott Russ, 46, of Gastonia accept a plea bargain in connection with crimes

he was charged with that initially included two counts of attempted murRuss der. He pleaded guilty last week to three counts of kidnapping, two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm, and one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon. Superior Court Judge Robert Ervin sentenced Russ to 10-13 years in prison. The evening of the

CVS episode, Russ had gone into the store about 2am. He was armed with an SKS assault rifle. Inside the store were three employees and a customer. Russ went to the pharmacy department and took a couple of prescription meds. After receiving a call that someone was in the store with a gun, Belmont police arrived on the scene. Officers went in the store and exchanged fire with Russ, a total of 14 rounds, but no one was hit. After the gunfire, police retreated back outside and began negotiating with Russ who had let everyone go except one clerk who he was holding hostage. Around 7am Russ put down his weapon and gave up peacefully. At his sentencing, Russ apologized for his actions and said he was having a “bad night” the evening of the incident.

Hudspeth sentenced By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com

A plea bargain will see Belinda Strange Hudspeth, 45, go to prison for 14-17 years for the accident she caused on Feb. 8 that took the life of Lavon Ramsey, 75, as she walked to see a friend on Perfection Ave. in North Belmont. Hudspeth was texting while driving and also on prescription medicines when her SUV veered off the side of Perfection, struck several trash cans, a fence, a mailbox and then Ramsey, knocking her into the street. She died a short time later. On Monday, Hudspeth pleaded guilty to second de-

gree murder and parole violation and received her sentence. She had originally been charged Hudspeth with murder, texting while driving, DWI, driving without a license and parole violation. She was on parole at the time of the accident for a previous DWI. She had an arrest record going back to 2005 for a variety of offenses including possession of drug paraphernalia and obtaining property by false pretense. In 2009 she was convicted of trafficking heroin, and DWI. In 2012 she was arrested for probation violation.

K-9 Officer Dinky retires On March 3, 2014 Gaston County Police Department K-9 Dinky retired after 7 years service as a member of the Department’s K-9 Team. K-9 Dinky, a 9 year old Belgian Malinois, had been with the Gaston County Police Department K9 Team since 2007 and was teamed with Officer R. L. Waldrop. K9 Dinky was certified as a police dog through the American Police Canine Association. He was certified in obedience, apprehension/handler protection, narcotics detection, area searches, tracking, article searches, and building searches. During his tenure, K9 Dinky was responsible for

152 K9 related arrests, conducted 108 tracks and located 46 individuals. He was also responsible for seizing $91,976 in illegal narcotics. In retirement, K9 Dinky will reside with his former handler Officer R. L. Waldrop.

■ BELMONT POLICE Apr. 1: Robert Major Belk, OFA, DWLR, expired tag, arrested by Officer B. Pickert, CVS parking lot. Apr. 2: Vertis Lee-Reese Mixon, felony larceny, arrested by Officer K. Seigler, Keener Blvd. Apr. 3: Jamie Lee Dellinger, poss. Marijuana, poss. Drug, arrested by Officer R. Berry, 505 N. Main St. April 4: Kendra Rachshell Bruton, assault with deadly weapon, communicate threat, trespass, arrested by Officer R. Berry, 208 Garrison St. Apr. 4: Michael Anthony

Duckworth, larceny by employee, arrested by Officer B. Pickert, 701 Hawley Ave. Apr. 4: Courtney Dion Rice, OFA, DWLR, arrested by Officer B. Pickert, NC273 and US74. Apr. 4: David Bryan Hough, intoxicated and disruptive, arrested by Officer K. Seigler, 314 Greenwood Ave. Apr. 6: Ronald Dale Meeler, OFA, arrested by Officer M. Kelske, Tucker St. at Brook St. Apr. 6: John Carl Padgett, DWLR, arrested by Officer M. Kelske, Fourth St. at Church St.

Upcoming classes at DSBG Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden has several activities lined up in the coming weeks. Horticultural Highlight Walk, led by Garden staff – Every Saturday in April, 1 p.m. Topics vary week-to-week. These walks are free with Garden admission. Papercrafting, instructed by Suzanne Patz, Stamp and Paper Artist - April 13, 1:15 – 3:15 p.m. This class requires a $5 materials fee and is $18 for Garden members and $22 for non-members. Birding Walk, instructed by Garden volunteers - April 9 – 10 a.m. Scout for seasonal birds. These walks are free with Garden admission. Digital SLR II – Metering, instructed by Dave Kelly, DEK Photography - April 26, 9:30 a.m. – noon. This class requires a digital SLR camera and is $40 for Garden members and $46 for non-members. To register for a class, please visit www.DSBG.org or call 704-829-1252.

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Ospreys at home in Tuckaseege Park By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com

There's love in the air at Tuckaseege Park and it has wings. It also has talons as long as your finger and a beak that can shred flesh like a knife. The romance in question comes in the form of a pair of ospreys that have nested on top of a light pole at the park's baseball field for the past several seasons. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The ospreys have been using the same nest for about five years,â&#x20AC;? said Mark Jusko, Mount Holly's recreation superintendent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They came back to it a couple of weeks ago and will stay until fall.â&#x20AC;? Ospreys add to their nests each time they raise chicks. The nest at Tuckaseege Park is the size of several bushel

baskets. The ground underneath the nest is littered with sticks and twigs that have been either dropped or removed as the birds freshen up for the chicks that they hope to raise in it. The location, on top of a pole and flood lights, doesn't seem to bother the pair at all. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They even stay at the nest when baseball games are going on.â&#x20AC;? When they aren't watching action on the diamond, the birds catch fish in the Catawba River which is just a few hundreds yards away. A recent day saw the pair carry their catch to a nearby power pole and enjoy it. The ospreys are proving to be a draw to Tuckaseege Park. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lots of bird watchers have been coming to see them,â&#x20AC;? Jusko said. Besides the birds, there's other exciting stuff going on at Tuckaseege Park. Photo by Alan Hodge

City of Mount Holly Recreation Superintendent Mark Jusko cranes his neck to look at the nest a pair of ospreys have returned to for the fifth year at Tuckaseege Park. The birds don't seem to mind the lights or baseball games that take place below their abode.

One of them is a new boardwalk and observation deck sandwiched between the woods and a wetlands area. The boardwalk is part of the walking path that meanders around the park and down by the river. The wetlands area has been planted with a variety of water-loving vegetation and is home to frogs and other aquatic life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The boardwalk is about 140 feet long,â&#x20AC;? Jusko said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The wetlands area serves two purposes, it helps control runoff and also provides a natural habitat.â&#x20AC;? According to Jusko, the walking trail will eventually link up with the planned greenway and downtown Mount Holly. Other amenities that have been added at Tuckaseege Park in the recent past include two picnic shelters, benches, playground equipment, a dog park, and more. With more and more folks deciding to call Mount Holly home, Jusko sees the park growing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will keep expanding,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the afternoons the parking lot is full.â&#x20AC;?

Walk for AIDS raises $35,566 House of Mercy, a nonprofit residence in Belmont, serving low-income persons living with AIDS, held its 21st Annual Walk for AIDS on Saturday, April 5. Approximately 300 persons participated in the walk on a beautiful spring morning to raise AIDS awareness and funds to benefit House of Mercy. Stan Patterson, President and CEO, welcomed participants and introduced guest speakers Maggie Baucom, House of Mercyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Board Chair, and Sister Jill Weber, also a member of the Board. Both spoke about the impact House of Mercy has made with the help of community support. House of Mercy has been home to 306 men and women living with AIDS. Members of Sacred Souls Community Church sang the National Anthem to kick off the 3 mile walk. Following the walk through historic downtown Belmont, participants gathered on the House of Mercy grounds for a picnic lunch. DJ Buddy Love provided music and inspiration for dancing. Stan Patterson announced $35,566 was

donated to support services at House of Mercy. Prizes were awarded to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, top fundraising team for raising over $5100, and to Scott Cloninger, top individual fundraiser, for raising over $1600. South Charlotte Mercy Associates was 2nd place fundraising team; St. Gabriel Catholic Church was 3rd place fundraising team. Madeline Yap was awarded 2nd place for individual fundraiser. House of Mercy extends a heartfelt thanks to all who helped in this effort. Sponsors providing financial support for the event include Sisters of Mercy of the Americas (South Central Community), Gilead Sciences, RK T-Shirts, CaroMont Health, MetroGraphics, Wells Fargo, and the Newton Family in Memory of Doug Newton. Also providing financial support are Beam Electric Company, Catawba Heights Animal Hospital, Cherry Bekaert LLP, St. Mary Catholic Church and media sponsors Q-Notes and WSGE 91.7 fm radio. For additional information and photos see www.thehouseofmercy.org.

Photo by Raquel Bushnell

Walk for AIDS participants filled Main St. in Belmont on Saturday. Over $35,500 was raised to benefit House of Mercy.

Gospel music event returns to Kings Mountain April 12 Gospel at the Joy, a benefit for the Green Banana Project charity, returns to the Joy Performance Center on April 12 with Darin and Brooke Aldridge headlining the evening's entertainment. Also returning from last year's event is Men Standing for Christ, a 20 member group founded in 1956 in Charlotte. The 13:13 Worship band will open the show. Generous sponsorship funding from Summit Place of Kings Mountain, Alliance Bank, and the Kings Mountain Herald will make it possible for all proceeds from ticket sales to go directly to the charity. Three different styles of Gospel music will be presented. Darin and Brooke Aldridge, one of five finalists for the 2013 International Gospel Recorded Song of the Year, will perform songs in a quartet style that is influenced by traditional and contemporary origins. The couple from Cherryville will be joined by

bandmates Dwayne Anderson and Becky Buller. Darin and Brooke have released five albums, a DVD, and have hosted a bluegrass variety TV show since they began touring nationally in 2010. Men Standing for Christ preserves and performs a style of gospel music that uses multi-part harmonies passed down through generations of African American churches and camp meetings. The powerful emotions and energy expressed in their music reveal why many people consider this style of music to be one of the forces that influenced both rhythm and blues and rock and roll. 13:13 Worship Is an exciting contemporary Christian band whose members came together in the youth program at Flint-Groves Baptist Church in Gastonia. The group was invited to compete at the 2013 Liberty University Battle of the bands and finished 3rd out

of 250 bands. All 5 members will be attending college next year. The show will start at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $20 advance, $25 at the door and are available at the Box Office, KM Chamber Office, the Kings Mountain Herald, or by phone at 704 4727762. For more information contact Rick Dancy at 704 472-7762 or at artistservices@live.com. About The Green Banana Project: The Green Banana Project, Ltd. is a charitable organization established to solicit donations and distribute those funds to people and organizations where we can encourage Hope in peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives in Gaston and Cleveland Counties in North Carolina. It is a non-partisan enterprise and does not represent or promote any religion or political position. The board considers requests for funding for medical assistance, and other projects that prove their worth.

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Opinions...

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Yours, Ours, Others

Quote of the week... Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.

â&#x20AC;?

Henry Ford

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not much better than a day spent fishing!

Alan Hodge Editor At last the first harbingers of spring are really, really here and that means folks who love fishing are getting their rods and reels ready for action. On the local front, the fact that the City of Belmont has purchased the boat ramp and parking lot behind Dale's Superette on the banks of the mighty Catawba River means more and better access to the water and the fishies it contains. Within Dale's store, minnows swim in nervous circles in their holding tank, perhaps sensing their fate. The worms in plastic containers slumber blissfully, but they too will have a reality check on day soon. As for the catfish â&#x20AC;&#x153;stink baitâ&#x20AC;?, well, not having even a rudimentary brain, it just........stinks. Down the South Point Road, the venerable Hot Hole fishing spot is heating up. Just beyond the Hot Hole, the Duke Energy boat ramp and parking lot is filling up with trailers that have unloaded their sparkling bass boats and other watercraft. Caution! I have been told that a flock of buzzards hangs out there from time to time and eats windshield rubber moulding and vinvyl upholstery like it's going out of style. Near Mount Holly, the shoreside fishing area near Mountain Island Dam has seen action pick up with folks angling for cats, bass, bream, and crappie.

I used to fish quite a bit, mostly surfcasting. Few things can compare with standing in the surf at Hatteras Point with a storm churning the water and the sky all purple-black on the horizon and fish jumping out of the surf trying to elude the big blues chasing them and then you heave your rod and throw the cut mullet bait on your hook out to the breakers and if you are lucky a red drum will grab it and suddenly it feels as if a cement block is on the line and after a fight it comes up into the foam where the beach is and the cement block has turned into a lovely fish all coppery colored on the back and snow white on its belly and a black circle mark on its tail fin. But you can get in trouble with fish it you don't give them the respect they deserve. Once I spent a couple of days in jail for gigging fish in Lake James. Actually, I was only 16-years-old and just barely old enough to be locked up and was not doing the gigging but just riding in the boat with the gigger, Benson â&#x20AC;&#x153;Claudeâ&#x20AC;? Casey, a guy that worked with Benson named â&#x20AC;&#x153;Boo-Booâ&#x20AC;?, Benson's 14-yearold son Terry aka â&#x20AC;&#x153;Toe-Moeâ&#x20AC;?, and another kid named Richard Prichard. The gigging scenario was played out on Easter weekend 1968. The action was- we went out on Lake James about midnight in a little boat and BooBoo was manning a spotlight that he shined in the clear water and Benson was doing the gigging. What? You don't know what gigging is? It is simply put, stabbing the spotlight blinded fish with a spear with prongs on the end. Gigging is illegal so don't do it. But back to Lake James. When we returned to shore

around 2am the game wardens were waiting. We were taken to jail in Morganton. That little jailhouse is now an art gallery. In 1968 it was just a two room facility staffed by Barney Fife's twin. Benson took a little wrench he had in his pocket and tried to unbolt the metal window in our holding cell but Barney busted him. We were then taken to a real jail in Lenoir. I spent two days in a cell with a crazed hillbilly who had gotten mad at his wife and the TV set and thrown them both out the front door of their abode. The food menu in the Lenoir jail was fried baloney and cold yellow grits. I was

skeered straight. Well, almost. But that was then and this is now and since Sharon and I have a beach trip planned I got out the old surf rod and reel last week and took a rag and can of WD40 and shined away the dust and mild corrosion on it and put on some new line and have it ready for action as in the old days. I can barely wait to sit on the pier at Myrtle Beach drowning bloodworms or soaking cut mullet and feeling the pier sway under me and looking at the sea and not really caring if I catch a thing except some salt water relaxation which I sorely need. Taking someone fishing is a

Gospel and Green Bananas

Wendy Isbell Publisher The Green Banana Project is sponsoring its second music festival at the Joy in April. This year it's a Gospel Festival on Saturday April 12 with Darin and Brooke Aldridge fem Cherryville and Men Standing For Christ from Charlotte returning. They will be joined by the 13:13 Worship Band, five college-bound Gastonia musicians combining their talents as a contemporary Christian band. The Green Banana Project is a non-profit started by Ron and myself in May 2012. It was licensed by the state on his birthday that year. His plan was to provide various means of instilling hope into the lives of people who, like us, faced some difficult times and uncer-

tain futures. We settled on the Rotary Club's backpack project, sending food home on weekends with school children in Kings Mountain and Grover schools; Relay for Life in Kings Mountain, Belmont and Cherryville since we have papers in all three towns; and possibly supplying incidental medical equipment for cancer patients whose insurance does not cover. Our first GBP fundraiser was an Ice Cream Crank-off during Beach Blast in 2012. Just like a chili cook-off but with ice cream! We plan to continue this annually. A Music Festival in the Fall

To the Editor,

Sidewalk Survey

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was next on our list but Ron died in September of 2012 and plans were set aside. Then Rick Dancy got in touch with us through Rick Hord. The April date and Joy venue were worked out and the 2013 inaugural event was a huge success. We have high hopes for this concert as well, and for contributions during the year to help encourage folks to look far enough ahead to 'buy green bananas' - and know the world will look brighter when it's time to eat them. Our contact information is at greenbananaproject.org, or call 704-466-8475. Better yet, pick up a card at Gospel Fest April 12!

Letter to the Editor

Have you ever heard of Relay for Life? Have you ever noticed those folks that wear the Survivor or "I am Hope" tshirts? Have you ever been curious of what it is all about? Have you ever noticed and thought- that doesn't have anything to do with me I don't have cancer. But actually....it Q: What do you think about Duke Energy moving coal ash does. We have all in some way, from Riverbend Station to the Charlotte Douglas airport? shape or form been touched by cancer. Whether it is our self, a family member, a friend, coworker, or a friend of a friend of a friend. It does touch us in some way. A family member is in the hospital facing surgery. A co-worker is out due to treatments. A child is far away from home in a hospital fighting for their life. A person stands above a grave with tears streaming missing that loved one. Donna Watts Danny Adkins Tanner Hawkins Jeff Lee Relay for Life is the main â&#x20AC;&#x153;It's just moving the prob- It's ok if the situation is I don't have an educated It's not a very good idea. fundraising arm of the Amerilem from one place to an- better and its away from opinion on the subject yet. can Cancer Society but it is other.â&#x20AC;? the water.

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 â&#x20AC;˘ Fax (704) 825-0894 Office:128-C N. Main St. â&#x20AC;˘ Belmont, NC 28012

good thing. Especially if that someone is a kid. You don't even need to buy the stuff to do it with. Gaston County Parks has a program where you can check out a rod and reel at Dallas Park just like a library book. Taking a kid fishing not only gets them out in the fresh air, it teaches about them about nature and also offers a chance for some one-on-one conversation and not of the jailhouse variety. So, here's wishing everyone that is chomping at the bit to go fishing good luck. Who knows, maybe that trophy catch is just around the next bend.

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much more than that. Here are some of the things that I as a member of the East Gaston Relay for Life have learned personally about Relay for Life, not in order of their importance. Relay is yes, a fundraiserwhile much of the money raised goes to help fund research for a cure there are other things that money helps. There are programs set up such as the "Look good-feel good" where there are people who help cancer fighters -look good- through wigs, scarves, make-up. There are phone numbers and web sites set up with people manning them to offer information and assistance. There are rider programs that get the fighter back and forth to doctor visits and to get their medicines. This to name just a few examples. Relay is in itself educational. Often times the monthly meetings will have a See LETTER, 5A

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Wednesday, April 9, 2014

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South Point UMC bake sale

■ MEDITATION One of my favorite episodes of The Andy Griffin Show was the episode entitled “The Loaded Goat.” What do you do with a goat full of dynamite? The construction engineer told Rev. Angela Pleasants Andy if the goat First United Methodist Church, fell over he would Mount Holly explode. Therefore, everyone in the town, especially Barney, became overly anxious trying to keep the goat calm. How would you respond with a load of dynamite ready to explode? I assure you we would not stand around marveling over it. Christians have something within them like dynamite but much more powerful. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” Acts 1:8a NKJV. The disciples were overly anxious about political concerns of Israel. They wanted to know when Jesus would restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus responded to them by saying it was not for them to know times or seasons. Their main concern was to continue the mission Jesus began on earth.

Today, we are to fulfill that same mission. We fulfill this mission by witnessing to our faith in Jesus Christ. We often feel inadequate to serve in ministry. I sometimes hear people exclaim, “I am not gifted enough to serve or talk to others about my faith.” When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. He brings with Him everything we need to live into God’s mission. The fullness of the Spirit is essential for our Christian life and ministry. There are times we grieve Him by not being obedient. Our disobedience is often caused by fear. What if the Holy Spirit has me looking foolish? What if He awakens me at 2:00 a.m. to write a devotion? What if people reject my witness? I challenge you to submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit. He brings with Him power which is ability and strength we need to fulfill God’s mission. “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11 NKJV. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead resides within every believer. Cultivate a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led heart and mind and watch the TNT results of your life unfold.

LETTER

Relay for Life is not just a fundraiser. The people that join together to form teams, to form an event become much more than that. They become family. They know the survivors, they know the caregivers. A bond is formed and strengthened by the caring hearts that attend and work toward a common goal. They work together, they share, they fight for the life of those affected. They laugh, they cry and they pray together. They work together to raise money for the ACS in the hope of finding that cure, of finding the ways to prevent, of creating more birthdays and celebrating lives and hope. Relay is not just a cancer thing-- it is a community thing. Because cancer touches us all. On May 9-10, 2014 the East Gaston Stanley- Belmont Relay for Life event will take place at the Methodist Church of Stanley's Walking track known as Common Grounds. This is at 5481 Hickory Grove Road, Stanley, NC. The Second Annual 5K run will take place on the grounds. Early sign ups are now taking place online at www.racingtoes.com. Find the 'events' link, the scroll down to 5K for Relay at common Grounds and sign up there. We will also have sign ups early that morning at the event. The Survivor Dinner registration will begin at 4:30pm with the meal beginning at 5. The Survivor Lap will begin on the track at 7pm. Through the night there will be live bands, food and activities for the entire family. New teams are still being accepted.

from page 4A guest speaker. The speaker will share information on other Relay events, the programs offered, how the money is spent, of the things offered by the American Cancer Society and of the many ways to battle a terrible disease. To name just a few. Relay offers the fighter/survivor a chance to meet some of the people who are fighting for them. It offers them the chance to meet other survivors and know that when it may feel as if they are alone- in truth they are not. Relay through the year has teams that put on fund-raising events that allow fighter, caregiver, and others a chance to come together, to have some fun and to support Relay but participating in whatever the event at that time may be. Whether it is a barbecue, hot dog or candy sale. Whether it is a car show, a motorcycle run or golf game. Relay offers the community at large a chance to come together in an event that goes through the night. An event filled with fun and laughter, where more than a few tears are shared. It offers music, song and dance. It offers demonstrations. It offers challenges. It offers those attending a chance to donate, to purchase items in various ways with the money going to Relay, to purchase raffle tickets on some interesting items where all are winners. Relay, the winning ticket purchaser and those who were able to donate even that one dollar.

The South Point United Methodist Women of Belmont will sponsor their BiAnnual Hotdog and Bake Sale, Saturday, April 12 , 9am-2pm. Dine-In or CarryOut. The church is located off South Point

Rd, Hwy 273, just past the Belle Meade Subdivision. Church will deliver locally for orders of 8 or more. Call 704-825-4019 before 10AM for deliveries. Proceeds to be used for mission projects.

COLOMB: ʻDeath Raceʼ not for faint of heart From page 1A person had his hand tied to another's leg. This odd-looking, and no doubt odd-feeling arrangement of men then had to hop ½ mile to a tree where a school schedule was attached. They had to memorize the schedule as best they could and hop back to the start when they have to recite the info. Woe to those whose memory failed them...they had to do it all over again. Then there are the “burpees”. This type of calisthenics is similar to the squat-thrust, except Death Race folks must do themhundreds of them- wearing 50-pound packs. Sleep is hard to come by

in the Death Races with challenges going on until the wee hours of the morning. One challenge lasted until 2am and had Death Racers roped together and trekking in the dark and rain. “It's an exercise in agony,” Colomb said with a smile. This summer's Death Race will be another set of surprises and pain. “The organizers try to get you to quit,” Colomb said. “They test you to the limits.” So, how does a person prepare for a Death Race? For Colomb, his routine involves Crowders Mountain. State Park. “I go to the park three or four times a week,” Colomb

said. “I run up the mountain with a 50-pound pack.” Other methods Colomb uses to tune and tone his body and brain includes Crossfit workouts and chopping wood. “You don't need a gym membership to stay in shape,” he says. “You can get a great workout in your backyard.” Even though he knows it will be tough, Colomb is rarin' to go back to Pittsfield in a few months for another Death Race episode. “It's great fun,” he said. “But it's not for the faint of heart.” To find out more about the Death Race, and to sign up if you dare, visit www.youmaydie.com.

VICTORY GARDEN: making a comeback From page 1A bland and unhealthy diets of pork, cornmeal, and molasses. “Many, if not most, mill houses had kitchen gardens in the back yard,” said Page. These mill workers were not many years away from their farms in the mountains, or from farms all across western North Carolina. They already knew how to farm and garden. They already had wheel hoes, garden spades, rakes, and other tools. They just kept up what they had been doing. Neighbors helped each other, because many husbands had been drafted.” Affluent folks in Belmont wanted to get on the Victory Garden bandwagon as well. “Up town, patriotic fervor induced some families to plant a Victory Garden in their backyard,” Page said. “For some it became a social status symbol. A June 30, 1943 Belmont Banner Society column stated, 'Mrs. Ralph Abernethy has a very pretty Victory Garden'. There seemed to be some element of competition involved. What was planted? Favorites seemed to be lettuce, green beans, peas, okra, squash, peppers, onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Most plots were too small for corn, but if space was available, it was a popular item. Belk-Matthews Store in downtown Belmont on June 30, 1943, ran a large advertisement in The Banner announcing a special sale of quart fruit jars, rubbers, and lids all for 74 cents a dozen. The Gaston County Extension Agency provided a canning service. All a person needed to do was to prepare the vegetables or fruits ready for preserving and they were placed in tin cans at a minimum cost.”

As the war continued, the enthusiasm waned and the victory garden efforts became a thing of the past, however, many families continued to plant their gardens for years afterward. These days, with rising food costs as well as concerns over what chemicals are being sprayed on or added to vegetables, folks are revisiting the Victory Garden concept. Steve Alsop who lives near Mount Holly has founded an organization called Victory Garden Connection that's designed to be a source for stories and information about Victory Gardens past and present. “History has provided us with an excellent business model for local food production,” Alsop says. “A simple 1940s concept of identifying 'slacker' land and matching it with neighbors and families to learn and work the soil. Today we have a mass of talent with the education, tools of the trade, and love of the soil who are willing to share with land owners to provide an unhealthy country with better food resources and options.” The stories that folks can share who had Victory Gardens in WWII are part of the plan. “The compilation of Victory Garden and War Garden stories is very important to us,” Alsop said. “The individuals who lived and worked the gardens are now in their late 70s and older. It's critical that this history be captured and recorded for future generations.” A link to the past and present, Alsop's Victory Garden Connection is bringing the generations together in a way that's good for mind, body, and soul. For more information, go to www.VictoryGardenConnection.org.

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

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Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Rankins’ honored for service Pastor Gary Rankin and his wife Joy were recently honored for 35 years service at Craig Memorial Baptist Church in Stanley. The Rankins began their ministry there on April 1, 1979. In addition to the plaque, the church also gave a barbecue lunch in their honor.

BLIND DATE: leads to 70 years of marriage From page 1A Union (WMU), and formed the Flower Committee and Bereavement Committee. Together the McIntoshes chaperoned many youth trips to places like Chicago and San Antonio. Their membership in the Vagabond Travel Club saw them join other First Baptist friends on jaunts to places as far away as Nova Scotia and California. “We went places I never thought I would see,” Sally said. Overall, Baxter and Sally's three score and ten years together are a remarkable achievement and so it's natural to wonder how they managed it. Actually, they say the formula is pretty simple. “By the help of the Lord, good friends, and a good church,” Sally said. Baxter looks at it this way. “It's not fifty-fifty,” he said. “It takes one hundred percent from both. We always tried to respect and love each other and with the Lord's help we have made it this far.”

Baxter McIntosh

Sally McIntosh

A celebration of Baxter and Sally's 70th anniversary will be held on Sun-

day, April 27 at First Baptist Mount Holly. Friends are welcome.

SURPRISE ME RIBBON CUTTING – Surprise Me gift shop owner Poochie Dotson prepares to cut the ribbon on Tuesday, April 1, at a celebration of the business's third anniversary and relocation to larger space at 140 N. Main Street in Belmont. The Montcross Area Chamber coordinated the event. Belmont Mayor Charlie Martin is beside Poochie, and she is surrounded by Surprise Me staff members, family members and Chamber members and friends. After the ribbon-cutting, Surprise Me joined with four neighboring businesses to host a Chamber “Network After Work” reception. A huge crowd of Chamber members, friends and customers turned out for the event. Representatives of the sponsoring businesses are (bottom photo – front row, from left) Bill Vowell and John Williams of IDropped, Dick Cromlish of School Resources, Poochie Dotson of Surprise Me, Dodie Huffman of Image Gallery, Sandra Cromlish of School Resources and Harvey Eden of Global Recruiters Network. On the back row, representing the Chamber are Board Chairman Brad Thomas, left, of Creative Solutions Special Events and Chamber President Ted Hall. All five business are located in the building at 140 N. Main Street, though Image Gallery is moving down the street to the former Surprise Me location at 132 N. Main Street. (Montcross Area Chamber photos)

Holy Angels selected for Leadership Award

Photo by Alan Hodge

Baxter and Sally McIntosh of Mount Holly will have their 70th wedding anniversary on April 22. They met on a blind date when Baxter was in the Army during World War II.

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Gaston Together: Communities of Excellence has announced that Holy Angels, Inc. has been selected as the winner of the 2014 Community Leadership Award. According to Selection Committee Chairman Robert Browne, “Gaston Together is proud to honor Holy Angels for their longstanding commitment to Gaston County. In addition to the dependable, roundthe-clock care for children and adults with intellectual developmental disabilities, they have been an active and important corporate citizen in Gaston County. Through staff service in civic organization leadership roles, they have raised awareness and advocated for the individuals and families they serve.” The award will be presented on Tuesday, April 29, at 6pm at the Gaston Country Club. Amy Burkett, Manager of WTVI–PBS Charlotte, will emcee the event. 2014 Gold Event Sponsors are Duke Energy, PSNC Energy, and Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund. The Community Leadership Award is presented annually to an organization whose work has made a significant impact on improving the quality of life in Gaston County. It recognizes the ideals reflected in Gaston Together’s mission of collaboration and creative problem-solving. Some past winners include Operation

Playground, Run For the Money Campaign, the Mt. Holly Community Development Foundation, Gaston Family Health Services, and Hope 4 Gaston. Last year’s winner was the Carrie E. and Lena V. Glenn Foundation. Each year, the winner of the Community Leadership Award receives a sculpture commissioned by Gaston Together. This sculpture is the “Circle of Caring,” an original piece of artwork designed by renowned artist Dr. Graham Weathers. Special recognition will also be given this year to Gaston Youth Connected for their work to significantly lower the teen pregnancy rate in Gaston County. They will be presented with the Circle of Excellence Award. Gaston Together will also honor the finalists of their third grade, “Proudest Kid in Gaston County” Essay Contest as well as announce the 2014 county-wide winner. This contest is open to all third graders in the county in both public and private schools and is sponsored by the Gaston County Education Foundation. The essays are written by third graders following their “Pride in Gaston” Traveling Tour field trip which takes place in the fall of the school year. This year’s tour included visits to Holy Angels in Belmont, the Gaston County Courthouse and Gaston College in Dallas. The field trip was devel-

oped by Gaston Together as a community pride building program for young students, and designed in partnership with Gaston County Schools to coincide with the third grade study of the community. The corporate sponsors of the 2013 tour were CaroMont Health and WalMart. Program Partners were Charlotte Paint Company, Inc., Tindol Ford-Lincoln-Subaru, PSNC Energy and PNC Bank. Formed in 1997, Gaston Together: Communities of Excellence is a grassroots, organization non-profit committed to improving the quality of life in Gaston County by bringing people and resources together to address our most pressing community needs. Its mission is achieved through the principles and best practices of collaboration, facilitation, promotion and the anticipation of possibilities. Current initiatives include: Gaston Vision 2020 (our county’s quality of life vision for the year 2020), Gaston Community Healthcare Commission (building a healthy community), Gaston Clergy & Citizens Coalition, Leadership Development and Facilitation Services. The Community Leadership Awards event is open to the public. For ticket information on the event, please call Gaston Together (704867-9869, ext.111).

Dropout rate decreases again for GC schools A report from the State Board of Education and N.C. Department of Public Instruction indicates that Gaston County Schools’ dropout rate decreased again. Gaston’s rate is 1.61 for the 2012-2013 school year, which is lower

than the district’s 2011-2012 rate of 3.43. Gaston’s dropout rate is below the state rate of 2.45. Gaston County Schools is one of five school districts in the state with the largest threeyear decrease in the dropout

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rate for grades 9-13. The school district’s dropout rate represents the number of students who dropped out of school during the 2012-2013 school year. Programs such as Operation Roll Call, which is a joint partnership with the Gaston County Police Department that addresses truancy, contributed to the dropout rate’s decline. The following information provides the Gaston County Schools dropout rate for the past seven school years for grades 9-13. Gaston County Schools is one of five school districts in the state with the largest three-year decrease in the dropout rate for grades 913: 2012-2013 – 1.61 dropout rate; 2011-2012 – 3.43 dropout rate; 2010-2011 – 4.46 dropout rate; 2009-2010 – 4.43 dropout rate; 2008-2009 – 5.60 dropout rate; 2007-2008 – 5.69 dropout rate; 2006-2007 – 6.29 dropout rate.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

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â&#x2013; SPORTS

Mountain Island lacrosse team falls to Fort Mill

Dylan West ( Orange) taking a shot on goal. Mountain Island Lacrosse is in its 2nd season in Belmont. They lost to Fort Mill 8 to 2.

Will Jurchak (Orange) of Mountain Island lacrosse is showing some good defensive skills in the game against Fort Mill.

Sports scores Belmont Middle stomps Gaston County Schools sports teams had a busy schedule last week. Scores from local games included: Varsity baseball South Point 12, Stuart Cramer 2 in five innings â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Logan Edgerton had, Aaron Mauldin had two hits and a home run. Edgerton picked up the win for South Point. Forestview 11, East Gaston 6 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; East Gaston took a 3-0 lead in the second but Forestview came storming back with seven runs in the top of the third to stay unbeaten. Forestview starter Garrett Sutton pitched the win. Varsity softball Forestview 2, East Gaston 1 in nine innings â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Rebecca Jarvis had two runs and Heather Inman game-winning RBI led the offense. Varsity girls soccer Piedmont Community Charter 2, Moun-

tain Island Charter 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Emily Lands had 8 saves, and Courtney Williams and Carson Cabiness each scored a goal. The Lady Patriots host Covenant Classical on Thursday. Gaston Day 2, Statesville Christian 0 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; McKaley Boston scored twice and Morgan Whitesides had an assist in the winning effort. JV baseball East Gaston 9, Forestview 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Kyle Truett picked up the win in relief for the Warriors. Middle school baseball Mount Holly 8, Belmont 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Zach Adams had the complete-game win with nine strikeouts while Landon Helton, Austin Cook, Justin Moster, and Alex Koch led the offense. Middle school girls soccer Belmont 4, Mount Holly 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Natalie Robinson had two goals, Ally Adams one goal, Sophia DeMark one goal and Zoe Bourque one assist led Belmont on offense.

Gaston Christian Ladies down Covenant Day 11-0 Gaston Christian rolled over Covenant Day 11-0 in their softball game last week. GCHS's offense was led by MacKenzie Hill (3-3, double, triple), Gabbi Wilson (23, homerun, 3 RBIs), Sarah Adams (2-3, double, 2 RBIs), and Faith Wilson (2-3, double, 2 RBIs). Madison Ramsey collected the shut-out win with 9 strikeouts. In another game last week, Gaston Christian beat Southlake Christian 8-4. Lauren

Stanley Middle 8-0

Adams (Grand Slam homerun, 4 RBIs), Alanna Freeman (2 hits, 1 RBI), Faith Wilson (double), and Caroline Moore (1 hit) led the Gaston Christian offense. Pitcher Madison Ramsey had the win with 8 strikeouts. Also, Gaston Christian played Hickory Grove Christian but lost by a tally of 1-0. Leading hitters for GCHS were Gabbi Wilson (2 hits) and Tiffany Cobb. Pitcher Madison Ramsey had the loss.

Coaches â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Send us your scores, photos & stats! to alan.bannernews@gmail.com

South Point Red Raiders Player of the Week

Belmont Middle Lady Kicker #9 Natalie Robinson shoots past Stanley Middle defenders during a recent match up. Belmont won 8-0.

Abbey pitcher Rumburg throws first no-hitter Belmont Abbey freshman pitcher Aaron Rumburg threw the first no hitter of his 18 years as he carried a perfect game with two outs in the ninth to lead the Crusaders to a three game sweep of North Greenville last weekend. Belmont Abbey won Friday's opener 8-3 and swept a doubleheader by scores

of 11-3 and 7-0. Belmont Abbey improves to 16-23 overall and 7-11 in Conference Carolinas. The Crusaders did not use one relief pitcher in the three game series as Cody Stull, Parks Smithey and Rumburg all pitched complete games, spanning 25 innings. Rumburg, a freshman

from Forestview High School in Gastonia, retired the first 26 batters he faced and was just one out away from a perfect game before he hit shortstop Colton Grant on a 1-0 pitch. Rumburg threw 97 pitches, 67 for strikes as he fanned seven. He moved his record to 3-2 with the outstanding performance.

East Gaston Warriors

Stuart Cramer Storm

Player of the Week

Lucas Reel

Laydaza Burris Softball

Baseball

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â&#x2013; SCHOOL

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

NEWS

Gaston Day presents â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Godspellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; April 10-13 Hippies, flowers, face paintâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;all commonly associated with Stephen Schwartzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Godspell. Substitute business executives, briefcases, and paperâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;lots and lots of paperâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and you have Gaston Dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s modern take on the 1970s musical. A fast-paced show, the play depicts various parables in an improvisational, humorous fashion as the cast transforms its board room set into a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beautiful Cityâ&#x20AC;? and, ultimately, the setting of Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crucifixion. Godspell features an ensemble cast led by junior Zach Mitchell as Jesus. Senior Mason Farmer takes the stage in his twenty-first Gaston Day production as John the Baptist/Judas. Fellow seniors Bailey Fleeman and Porter Yelton join Farmer in their final performances as GDS students. The showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s musical score includes crowd favorites such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Day by Dayâ&#x20AC;? and features

solos by eight of the thirteen cast members. Director Holly Mason, Musical Director Milette

Oden, Technical Director Andrea DeFrancisco, Choreographer Erin Sharpe and several parent volunteers

comprise the showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creative team. In an effort to avoid the typical costumes and set design, they first

The Kings Mountain Herald presents

Gospel at the Joy April 12

2014

Saturday April 12 â&#x20AC;˘ 7pm â&#x20AC;˘ Darin & Brooke Aldridge Quartet â&#x20AC;˘ Men Standing for Christ â&#x20AC;˘ 13:13 Worship Band The Darin & Brooke Aldridge Quartet will highlight the Saturday night event!

hatched the contemporary concept while brainstorming ideas. Guest Artist Brian Letchworth added the paper

choreographyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;or â&#x20AC;&#x153;paperographyâ&#x20AC;? as he dubbed itâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; that serves as the connective tissue throughout the show. For the third year, Gaston Day Thespians will compete in the annual Blumey Awards, a contest that highlights and promotes high school theater throughout the greater Charlotte region. Last year Yelton received the Student Critic Award, which was co-sponsored by the Charlotte Observer. Additionally, Mitchell and junior Jessy DeFrancisco participated in the awards show. Godspell is appropriate for viewers of all ages. It runs April 1013,Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30 and Sunday afternoon at 2:30. Tickets are $10 for children/students and $12 for adults. To reserve tickets, email Gospelltix14@ gmail.com.

GC schools â&#x20AC;&#x201C; good news Gaston County Schools had three middle schools participate in the North Carolina Students at Work Week program, which promotes career opportunities and connects students with business leaders. Career and Technical Education (CTE) students from Bessemer City Middle School and John Chavis Middle School spent time with business representatives from the State Employees Credit Union. CTE students from Cramerton Middle School visited PSNC Energy for a tour and demonstration. The programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal is to help students understand the relevance of education to career readiness and success.

place award in the robot performance category, which qualified the students to participate in the state tournament. At the RoboGASTON event earlier this month, the team took first place in robot performance and qualified for the western regional competition.

North Belmont Elementary hosted its Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Fair, which showcased the work of students from all grade levels. The children displayed projects, participated in experiments, and enjoyed time with classmates, teachers and parents.

The following South Point High School students earned a proficiency ranking at the DECA state marketing competition in Greensboro: Sean Chaudhry, Tyler Potter, Clay Julen, Wesley Davis, Marshall Stine, Emily Bain, Madison Canterberry, Carson Potter, Bilal Jaliawala and Bailey Thomasson. Additional awards were presented to Madison Canterberry, Carson Potter and Tyler Potter in the apparel and accessories

The Kiser Elementary robotics team participated in the First Lego League regional competition last fall. The team captured a first-

South Point High School student Nadean Coufal won the Belmont Optimist Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual essay contest and will compete at the district level for a $2,500 scholarship. Students Thomas Matthew and Kayla Booth received runner-up honors. The students wrote about the topic, How Dreams Lead to Success.

See GOOD NEWS, 10A

ESTATE TAG SALE Men Standing for Christ, above, and the 13:13 Worship Band (at right) will perform during Saturday nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event.

% !! % %$

% " %$

" # &

Joy Performance Center, Kings Mountain, NC A Gospel Music Extravaganza sponsored by:

Proceeds to benefit

!!!

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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

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Page 9A

The Banner News | banner-news.com

Classified Ads FREE ADS! Have something to sell (under $100) or give away? Just fill out the form below & run your ad for FREE! Home for Sale or Rent MOBILE HOMES AND APARTMENTS FOR RENT IN KINGS M O U N TA I N Prices starting at $100/week. Call 704-7394417 or (evening) 704739-1425. (tfn) MOBILE HOME for RENT. 2 BR & 2 BA. Very nice & clean. KM area. $435/mo + Deposit. References required. Also 2 BR House for rent. Call 704-739-5319 for more information. (tfn) 2 BR, 1 BA APARTMENT for RENT in KM. Central Air & Heat. Stove and Refrigerator included. $500/mo + deposit. Call: 704739-5245. (3/19tfn) Office Space

ONE ROOM OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT AT 600 YORK RD/HWY 161 S. COMPLETELY REMODELED, LOTS OF PARKING. 704-487-9907. (tfn)

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) Wanted to Buy

I BUY CARS. $200 $5,000. CALL: 704-524-3387. (4/02 &09) CASH ON THE SPOT! Will buy tools, old toys, furniture or building full of m e r c h a n d i s e, pictures or anything of value. Will also buy musical instruments. Call: 704300-0827 or 704-300-7676. (04/02 & 09) Misc for Sale

FIREWOOD for SALE – 12” to18” long. One load left. $50 – Delivered, $40 – Picked Up. (4/09, 16 & 23) Yard Sale - Ads due by 12pm Friday -

MOVING SALE: Sat. 4/12, RAIN or SHINE, 7:30 am-2:30 pm, 1103 Requa

Road, Cherryville. Furniture, clothes, kitchen/household items, gas grill and much more! 2 FAMILY YARD SALE: Sat. 4/12, 8 am - until. East Gold St. Wesleyan Church, KM. Lots of baby items & clothes, household items, large size adult clothes. KM YARD SALE – Sat., April 12th. 7:30 am – 1:30 pm. 906 Monroe Ave, Km. Furniture, Household and Kitchen items, Vintage and Collectibles. Everything must be sold-Come and make your best offer. Help Wanted

APPLICATION for a NAIL TECHNICIAN. Room for rent. Call: 704739-9142 if interested. (4/09) DRIVERS: CDL-A. FT, Immediate Work! Charlotte Area. 1+ Yrs Exp - Current Medical, Good Work History. For Fastest Results Apply at: w w w. i n n o v a tivedrivers.com or leave msg: 1855-221-4904. (4/09,16, 22 & 29)

Legal NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE MOUNT HOLLY CITY COUNCIL The City of Mount Holly City Council will hold a public hearing on April 14, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. at the Mount Holly Municipal Complex, located at 400 East Central Avenue. T h e purpose of this hearing will be to consider an application, submitted by Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, on the question of annexing the following described non-contiguous territory, requested by petition filed pursuant to G.S. 160A-58: BEING a portion of that property containing the Mountain Island Dam and Hydro facilities and being located in Riverbend Township, Gaston County, NC and being more particularly described as follows: TO LOCATE THE POINT OF BEGINNING commence at NCGS Grid Coordinates N = 582154.3333 and E = 1409384.3310; said grid coordinates being also located on the easterly bank of the Catawba River in a southwest boundary of the

property owned (now or formerly) by Crescent Resources, Inc. as described in Deed Book 1598 at Page 489 and Deed Book 3146 at Page 175 (Mecklenburg County Registry); thence crossing the River S. 71-19-34 W. 656.97 feet to a point on the westerly bank of the Catawba River at NCGS Grid Coordinates N = 581374.9684 and E = 1410492.3466; thence along the westerly bank of the Catawba River the following two (2) courses and distances: (1) N. 34-32-43 W. 476.50 feet to a point; and (2) N. 51-54-56 W. 533.39 feet to the POINT OR PLACE OF BEGINNING; thence from said point of Beginning N. 40-10-36 E. 356.33 feet to a point lying within the Catawba River in the Gaston-Mecklenburg County line; thence with the Gaston-Mecklenburg County line N. 61-29-02 W. 281.16 feet to a point in said County line; thence S. 6519-02 W 1,577.62 feet to a point in the westerly boundary of Mountain Island Lake; thence S. 23-5218 W. 360.47 feet to a concrete

monument; thence S. 73-36-39 E. 547.44 feet to a point; thence N. 71-01-21 E. 534.95 feet to a concrete monument; thence N. 79-4634 E. 284.00 feet to a concrete monument; thence N. 25-31-06 E. 441.61 feet to a concrete monument; thence N. 40-10-36 E. 148.88 feet to the POINT OR PLACE OF BEGINNING containing 22.77 acres, more or less, as shown on that map entitled “Duke Power Company Addition to Mountain Island Steam Station” prepared by the Duke Power Real Estate Department and dated January 9, 1991, last revised June 10, 1993, reference to which survey is hereby made. All interested parties are encouraged to attend the public hearing where an opportunity to be heard will be given. For more information, please call the Planning Department at (704) 827-3931. BN10563 (4/02 & 4/09/2014)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE MOUNT HOLLY CITY COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION The City of Mount Holly City Council will hold a public hearing on April 14, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. at the Mount Holly Municipal Complex, located at 400 East Central Avenue. The purpose of this hearing will be to consider an application, submitted by Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, for consideration of rezoning the following described non-contiguous territory, requested by petition: BEING a portion of that property containing the Mountain Island Dam and Hydro facilities and being located in Riverbend Township, Gaston County, NC and being more particularly described as follows: TO LOCATE THE POINT OF BEGINNING commence at NCGS Grid Coordinates N = 582154.3333 and E = 1409384.3310; said grid coordinates being also located on the easterly bank of the Catawba River in a southwest boundary of the property owned (now or for-

merly) by Crescent Resources, Inc. as described in Deed Book 1598 at Page 489 and Deed Book 3146 at Page 175 (Mecklenburg County Registry); thence crossing the River S. 71-19-34 W. 656.97 feet to a point on the westerly bank of the Catawba River at NCGS Grid Coordinates N = 581374.9684 and E = 1410492.3466; thence along the westerly bank of the Catawba River the following two (2) courses and distances: (1) N. 3432-43 W. 476.50 feet to a point; and (2) N. 51-54-56 W. 533.39 feet to the POINT OR PLACE OF BEGINNING; thence from said point of Beginning N. 40-10-36 E. 356.33 feet to a point lying within the Catawba River in the GastonMecklenburg County line; thence with the Gaston-Mecklenburg County line N. 61-29-02 W. 281.16 feet to a point in said County line; thence S. 65-19-02 W 1,577.62 feet to a point in the westerly boundary of Mountain Island Lake; thence S. 23-52-18 W. 360.47 feet to a concrete monument; thence S. 73-36-39 E. 547.44 feet to a point; thence N. 71-01-21 E. 534.95

feet to a concrete monument; thence N. 79-46-34 E. 284.00 feet to a concrete monument; thence N. 25-31-06 E. 441.61 feet to a concrete monument; thence N. 40-1036 E. 148.88 feet to the POINT OR PLACE OF BEGINNING containing 22.77 acres, more or less, as shown on that map entitled “Duke Power Company Addition to Mountain Island Steam Station” prepared by the Duke Power Real Estate Department and dated January 9, 1991, last revised June 10, 1993, reference to which survey is hereby made. Also, the Mount Holly Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on consideration of this rezoning on April 7, 2014 at 6:30 PM at the Mount Holly 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 Department at (704) 827-3931. BN10564 (4/02 & 4/09/2014)

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

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

First Freebie Second Freebie

Third Freebie

217767 and 175022, from I-3 (PID 175022) and R-1 Gaston County to H-1 Heavy Industrial. Also, the Mount Holly Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on consideration of this rezoning on April 7, 2014 at 6:30 PM at the Mount Holly 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 Department at (704) 8273931. BN10565 (4/02 & 4/09/2014)

Also, the Mount Holly Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on this matter on 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 Department at (704) 827-3931. BN10568 (4/02 & 4/09/14)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE MOUNT HOLLY CITY COUNCIL The City of Mount Holly City Council will hold a public hearing on April 14th, at 7:00 P.M. at the Municipal Complex, located at 400 East Central Avenue. The purpose of this hearing will be to consider adopting a Stormwater Ordinance as Chapter 23 of the City of Mount Holly Code of Laws as authorized under G.S. 160A-459 and the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permit. All interested parties are encouraged the public hearing where an opportunity to be heard will be given. For more information, please call the Planning Department at (704) 827-3931. BN10566 (4/02 &4/09/14)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE MOUNT HOLLY CITY COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION The City of Mount Holly City Council will hold a public hearing on April 14th, at 7:00 P.M. at the Municipal Complex, located at 400 East Central Avenue. The purpose of this hearing will be to consider amending the Subdivision Ordinance to coincide with the Land Development Guidelines and application/submittal requirements, letter of credit requirements and placing multifamily developments under the authority of the Ordinance. Also, the Mount Holly Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on this matter on 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 Department at (704) 827-3931. BN10567 (4/02 & 4/09/14)

Enjoy the news any time with a subscription to: COPY DEADLINE: Friday before the issue date at 2pm Mail copy to: Kings Mountain Herald • PO Box 769 • Kings Mountain NC 28086

www.Banner-News.com Call today! 704-739-7496

Page 10A

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

The Banner News | banner-news.com

Springfield Elementary January Students of the Month

Character Trait, Good Judgment - Kindergarten: Hailey Prospt, Noah Kirkland, Christian Bedfard, Daniel Horne, Zoey Button, Matalida McDaniel, Dalton Rogers, Cassie Harris, Anna Rowland, Lilli Canipe, Wesley Schuner, Hope Gross, Christopher Newell, Jadien Wilson, Zachery Murks, Jaymison Robinson, and Joseph Smith.

Character Trait, Good Judgment - Second Grade: Willie Sheridan, Rebecca Hunter, Reagan Luckadoo, Emma Ramsey, Destanii Stroupe, Mason Horton, Lailah Kovach, Kailee King, Olivia Robinson, Sam Butler, Peyton Adams, Kiersten Sadler, Agathan Taylor, Davanee Crisp, Avamarie Carpenter, Kaleb Bailey, Mackenzie Helms, and Emily Gilbert

Oratorical winners

Character Trait, Good Judgment - First Grade: Lucas Michael, Loren Dove, Taylor Ann Nolan, Myron Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Banner, Lewis Davis, Mahikya Bickell, Isaac Jones, Brianna Pleasant, Kahla Jefferies, Addison Griffen, Noelle Hamid, Patrick Spake, Lillie Miller, Austin Healy, Aleigha Lowery. Absent from photo: Angel Synder and Logan Masters

Gaston Day Sophomores Nana Boateng (L) and Claire Lamadrid (seen with Troy Carter of Optimist) were awarded gold and silver medals at the club level for their speeches in the Optimist International Oratorical Contest. The competitors wrote and delivered speeches on the prompt of "How My Passions Impact the World." Lamadrid spoke on how her love of biology and the Spanish language have combined in her efforts to create programs encouraging younger students to get involved in science and engineering. Boateng spoke about how her family background

and encouragement to dream big have led her to leadership roles in school

and helping others to develop a sense of international awareness.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Expo Saturday April 26 â&#x20AC;˘ 10AM - 6PM Sunday April 27 â&#x20AC;˘ Noon - 5PM

The following South Point High students picture left to right back: Zach Mosteller, Grant Johnson, West Russell; front, Lauren Andrews, Logan Hobson, and Lauren Fussell, took part in the 50th Belmont Optimist Oratorical Contest held at Foursquare Church March 27. Gold 1st place West Russell and Lauren Fussell; Silver 2nd place Grant Johnson and Lauren Andrews; Bronze 3rd place Logan Hobson and Zach Mosteller. First place winners will advance to Re-

1893 Remount Rd, Gastonia

Presented By

gionals on April 27. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of these students did an excellent job in their presentations and the members of our organization have no doubt that these students have a bright future ahead of them. Belmont Optimist carries the motto of Optimist International â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bringing out the Best of Kidsâ&#x20AC;? and this program is one of our most treasured. For many years it was organized by our late member John â&#x20AC;&#x153;Redâ&#x20AC;? Painter, whom we miss very much.â&#x20AC;? stated Rhonda Van Pelt, Oratorical Chair.

GOOD NEWS: from Gaston County schools From page 8A marketing, retail merchandising, and sports and entertainment marketing categories. Carson Potter was named a top ten national finalist in the retail merchandising category and Marshall Stine was recognized as a representative on the state officers nominating committee. Rhonda Van Pelt is the DECA adviser.

Win a

Fun! FREE

ADMISSION

Jacob Konecny, a second grade student at Catawba Heights Elementary, submitted a joke to Boy's Life Magazine published by the Boy Scouts of America, and it was chosen for publication.

Food Giveaway Entertainment Exhibits & More!

Co-Sponsored By

Stanley Middle School

Rankin Elementary sponsored the Shamrockinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for Rankin 5K Race and Fun Run to raise money for the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PTA. The Rankin Elementary student council organized the Hand in Hand â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Together We Can fundraiser and collected $9,562.07 for the Holy Angels organization. School counselor Chinatti Toure and teacher Katie Johnson supervised the fundraising efforts.

XNSP85984

Family

$500 Cash

participated in the Pennies for Patients fundraiser and collected $4,300 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Stanley Middle eighth grader Everett Stone won the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spelling bee for the third consecutive year.

" $# $! ! # ! " a division of

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Belmont Middle School sponsored the Angel Bowl fundraiser and collected $1,167.15 for Holy Angels. Belmont Middle captured second place awards in the countywide Battle of the Books and Math Elite competitions. The Belmont Middle eighth grade band received a superior rating at the Wingate University Music Festival. Carrie Lineberger is the band director. Belmont Middle student Jessica Helton won the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spelling bee. Denaujay Littlejohn took second place and Grayson Dunbar earned third place. William Peace University Dean's List â&#x20AC;&#x201C; William Peace University, a private fouryear university located in downtown Raleigh, is proud to name its 2013 Fall Dean's Scholar List. The following students maintained a 4.0 GPA and earned an A in each course for the fall semester: Mary Cloninger of Gastonia; Abigayle Gronstal of Belmont; Christin Karabatsos of Gastonia.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

â&#x2013; AREA

Page 11A

The Banner News | banner-news.com

EVENTS & HAPPENINGS

Stuart Cramer High to present â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;13â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Stagestruck Players and Stuart Cramer High will present the musical â&#x20AC;&#x153;13â&#x20AC;? April 1013 at the school's L. Reeves McGlohon Auditorium. Music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn, produced and directed by Chuck Stowe. General admission is $10, children through grade 5 is $5. Times: April 10, 11, 12- 7pm. April 13 matinee at 2:30pm.

are offering rabies vaccinations at a reduced rate of $8 per vaccine. Call your veterinarianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office to find out if they are participating and how to take advantage of this offer. These prices are valid from April 14-26 at participating offices; other veterinary office fees may apply. For further information contact Captain W.S. Melton, Jr. at 704-747-1508 or Ms. Samantha Dye, Gaston County Health and Human Services, at 704-853-5200.

Candlewyck at Gaston Rabies Clinic Saturday Museum Saturday

This Saturday, April 12, staff from the Gaston County Health & Human Services Department and the Animal Control Division of the Gaston County Police Department will offer free one-year rabies vaccines to the first 200 cats or dogs of Gaston County residents in line. The event is being sponsored by the Gaston Humane Society. North Carolina law requires vaccinations to prevent rabies for all dogs or cats over 4 months of age. Vaccines will be administered from 9-11 a.m., or until supplies run out. The event will be held in the parking lot of the Social Services Division, 330 N. Marietta St. Only one-year vaccinations will be provided; no three-year vaccine will be available. As an added convenience, Animal Control personnel and volunteers will be on-site to complete the paperwork for owners to receive a license tag for pets vaccinated that day. One-year licenses cost $10 with proof of petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spay/neuter (letter from vet or receipt that surgery was performed) or $35 for non-spayed/neutered pets, payable by cash or check. License tags do not have to be purchased that day, but must be purchased from Animal Control within ten (10) business days to avoid late fees. Mail-in forms will be available for those who wish to pay later. The drive-through rabies vaccination event is in conjunction with the Gaston County Spring Rabies Clinic, a two-week period when veterinarians around the county

Gaston Museum, Dallas, Music at the Depot Spring Concert series will feature Candlewyck on Saturday, April 12th from 7-8:30pm. Tickets can be bought in advance for $10 or purchased the day of the show for $15. Order on-line at BrownPaperTickets.com. Purchasing tickets in advance is strongly encouraged since seating is limited. For ticket information contact Jason Luker at 704.922.7681 x 105.

Staff-student basketball game Saturday at SCHS Stuart Cramer High in Cramerton will be the site of an exciting â&#x20AC;&#x153;Test Drive Through the Stormâ&#x20AC;? event on Saturday, April 12 from 1pm-6pm. The day will include academic and athletic merchandise for sale, concessions including popcorn, chips, and candy, as well as face painting. There will also be performances by SCHS chorus students at 1:30pm, 2pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 4:30pm, and 5pm. SCHS theater students will showcase a selection from the musical â&#x20AC;&#x153;13â&#x20AC;? at 5pm. In the school gym, SCHS basketball players will take on staff at 3pm. Half/half

tickets are $1 winners not required to be present to win. Outside activities will be ongoing throughout the day and will include cornhole games and tournaments. Keith Hawthorne Ford will have vehicles on hand and donate $20 for each test drive. All proceeds to benefit SCHS academic and athletic booster clubs.

Easter egg hunts THE GASTON COUNTY MUSEUM in partnership with the Town of Dallas will host an Easter Egg Hunt at Cloninger Park on April 13. Thousands of eggs will be placed around the courthouse for kids ages 10 and under. The egg hunt begins promptly at 1:30pm. Bring your Easter baskets and join museum staff afterwards until 3pm for fun activities including games and crafts at the Gaston County Museum. MOUNT HOLLY PARKS AND REC will host a Toddler Easter Egg Hunt on Wednesday April 16 at 10am at Tuckaseege Park. The free event will be held rain or shine and is co-sponsored by the Mount Holly library. ALEXANDER MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH, 208 S. Main St., Belmont, will have an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 19 beginning at 10:30am. All children and their families are invited. There is no cost. There will be a prize drawing for stuffed Easter bunnies and other prizes. A hot dog lunch will be served after the egg hunt and drawings. For more information contact Teresa Rowell, 704-825-0190 at dweeze@bellsouth.net. RIVERSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH, 171 S. Main St. Cramerton, will have its annual Easter Egg Hunt and car show on Saturday, April 19, from 10am-2pm. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt for ages babies - 13 yrs old, old and classic cars on display, lots of eggs to find, free food, hotdogs, pizza, drinks, Cakewalk, lots of fun for all, prizes to be given away, music and more.

Call 704-824-3182 for more information.

Agape Feast On April 17, Maundy Thursday evening, First Presbyterian Church, Belmont, will have a special Agape Feast with Communion in the Fellowship Hall. The Feast is worship with a fellowship meal as part of the service. The Feast had its origin in the early church when people often gathered in homes to worship, dine together, and celebrate Communion. The meal will be a sit-down, covered dish dinner with the food placed on the tables family-style. Meat and beverages will be provided, and each participant family will be asked by the elder responsible for their table to bring either a side dish or dessert. With this in mind, reservations should be made by Friday, April 11 by contacting the church office at 704-825-3357, or making a reservation on the church website, so the elder for your table will have plenty of time to contact you. All baptized Christians are encouraged to come to the Feast. A nursery will be available for infants and toddlers. The Sanctuary Choir will present the Cantata â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Suffering Servantâ&#x20AC;? beginning at 6:30 pm in the sanctuary. A separate program for children in kindergarten through 2nd grade will be provided. You must make reservations for your children to attend this program. Following the Cantata at approximately 7:00 pm, participants will go together to the Fellowship Hall where the worship service will continue.

Ebenezer yard sale Ebenezer United Methodist Women will hold a yard sale at the church, 120 Belmont Mount Holly Rd., on Saturday, April 26 from 7am-1pm. Spaces may be rented for $15.00. Call the church at 704-827-3366 Mon.-Thurs 9am-1pm for more information. Breakfast biscuits, hot dogs and hamburgers will be sold.

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Want to see your business listed here? Call Annie! 704825-0580 The Banner News is not responsible for errors in an advertisement if not corrected by the first week after the ad appears.

Page 12A

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

The Banner News | banner-news.com

ÂŠ 2014 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 30, No. 17

Project MERCURRI Launches

stronauts, university scientists, NFL and NBA cheerleaders used kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; help in collecting microbes from shoes, cell phones and the places where kids live, go to school and play. It is part of an international Citizen Scientist project that will study microbes and map the different kinds of microbes on Earth. In March, some of the microbes traveled to space and are part of experiments on the International Space Station to study the effects of zero gravity on microbes.

Kids around the world swabbed for microbes at major sports arenas, movie theaters and other places where large groups of people gather. They even swabbed the bases at the home field of the San Francisco Giants.

On Christmas Day in 1900, Frank Chapman, an officer in the Audubon Society, decided to organize his friends to count birds. He didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know it then, but citizen science was born. Citizen science asks people everywhere to observe or collect

C. something â&#x20AC;&#x201D; birds, frogs, flowers, even microbes. This information, or data, is sent to trained scientists to analyze. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like giving scientists thousands of eyes and hands to observe and collect information for their studies. And for kids and adults, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a chance to connect with the outside world in a real, meaningful â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and often fun â&#x20AC;&#x201D; way.

What are microbes?

How will microbes perform in space? UC Davis grew microbes from samples collected at sporting events and other interesting sites across the country. Microbes that impressed them on Earth were blasted into orbit for a zero-gravity growth competition. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll track what bacteria grow the fastest in space, and compare these stats to the microbial MVPs observed in the same growth competition on Earth. To keep up with the latest on Project MERCURRI, visit SpaceMicrobes.org

Microbes, sometimes called microorganisms, are tiny living things. They are so small they can only be seen with a microscope but they are all around us â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and ON us, too. Many microbes are helpful, but some can cause illnesses. Here are some common microbes as seen through a microscope. Do the math to identify each of them.

8+8+4=

7+7+7=

5+5+8=

15 + 3 + 1 = H.

18 = Salmonella

19 = E. coli

20 = Influenza

21 = Lactobaccilus casei

Salmonella is a bacteria found on chicken and turkey that can make you sick if not cooked properly.

E. coli is a bacteria that lives in your gut. Some strains are required for good health, while others can make you sick.

Influenza is a virus that can give you the illness commonly called â&#x20AC;&#x153;the fluâ&#x20AC;? for short.

This important member of the microbial community in the human gut and is found in probiotics, such as yogurt and kefir.

Standards Link: Visual Discrimination: Find similarities and differences in common objects.

Project MERCURRI microbes were collected from all over the country. Healthy Hunt Look through the newspaper to find: â&#x20AC;˘ 3 things that are good for your health â&#x20AC;˘ 5 words that describe how you feel when healthy Standards Link: Health: Students recognize healthy practices.

These microbes came from the practice field of the Oakland Raiders.

This microbe came from a residential toilet seat.

This microbe came from a keyboard at WHYY-FM radio, Philadelphia.

This microbe came from a cheerleader practice mat in Apopka, Florida.

A student collects microbes from second base at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif.

But wait! Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s much more! Project MERCCURI is only one of thousands of different Citizen Science projects going on worldwide. To find out about other projects go to www.scistarter.com.

This microbe came from the set of KARE 11 Morning News Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Microbe photo credits from left to right: DSM/ESA, Malka Halpern, Alex Alexiev, HansN, Alex Alexiev.

Find the words in the puzzle. Then MICROBES look for each word in this weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kid Scoop stories and activities. SWABBED PROJECT G S A E C What S N E IisCit? Cochineal Extract is Found in Many Candies... CITIZEN M N D A T A R I T S SCIENCE Oil Gum Y I K N Y E T C P T EFFECTS STRAINS O A C N R I E A C C Dried Bug BodiesARENAS Spice G R I R Z J C R O E YOGURT U T S E O E S E M F COMMON R S N R D B A N M F SPACE If you guessed Dried Bug Bodies you were right! SICK T T P S E Y E A O E Actual bugs make an appearance in our food all year long. What was once disguised TINY G D E B B A W S N A on the ingredient label as an artificial color now must be properly listed as Cochineal DATA Extract or Carmine. Read those ingredient labels! Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognized identical EYES words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns. Standards Link: Visual Discrimination: Find similarities and differences in common objects. Scientists look at things very closely. Look closely at the images below. Each one comes from one of the pictures on this page. Can you figure out where each of these photos is from?

This weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s word:

ANALYZE The verb analyze means to study or examine the structure of something. Scientists analyze the results of experiments. Try to use the word analyze in a sentence today when talking with your friends and family members.

Micro Adventure

Healthy Helps Find ads or articles in the newspaper that promote a way to help fight infections or disease. Paste these on a sheet of paper. Write the illnesses each is supposed to prevent. Discuss the productsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; claims. ANSWER: To get to the other slide.

Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Students evaluate the effectiveness of words to persuade the reader.

â&#x20AC;Ś taking time to appreciate the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural beauty.

Imagine that you and a friend were suddenly the size of a microbe. What would you see? What would you do?

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