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Volume 78 • Issue 24 • Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Stowe Park Special visits Belmont ALAN HODGE alan.bannernews@gmail.com
One of Belmont’s most beloved icons made a oneday appearance last Wednesday at the Belmont Historical Society museum where it was featured in a WBTV Carolina Camera shoot. The star of the show was the Stowe Park Special, a scaled-down locomotive that pulled several passenger cars on tracks at the park from 1951 until the late 1960s. The engine was built in 1951 by the Miniature Train Co. of Rensselaer, Indiana and supposedly made its debut at Stowe Park at the July 4, 1951 grand opening. A photo from that time shows Robert Stowe, Jr., Miss Belmont Novella Cloninger, NC Governor R. Gregg Cherry, and Harley Gaston Sr., getting set to take a ride on the train at the gala event. During its nearly two decades of service, countless thousands of kids- including this reporter- and grownups enjoyed riding the train on the 300 yards of miniature
Photo by Alan Hodge
See TRAIN, 6A
The fully restored Stowe Park train engine was trucked to the grounds of the Belmont Historical Society museum last week for a Carolina Camera TV segment. Seen with the engine are BHS members John Love and Bob Atterberry.
County budget Discover You hosts Teen Health Fair MH Council approves vote on hold By Alan Hodge
Alan.bannernews@gmail.com
The Gaston County Board of Commissioners met last Thursday and decided to postpone a vote on the FY2013-2014 budget until at least June 27. A public hearing during the meeting saw more than forty people voice opinions on a possible 5.4-cent tax increase. The county’s current tax rate is 83.5 cents per $100 of property. Gaston County Manager Jan Winters’ budget proposal would raise the tax rate to 88.9 cents per $100. The increase is mainly needed to deal with more than $100 million in debt from two school and college bond referendums that voters approved in 2006 and 2007. NC state law requires counties and municipalities to pass at least a preliminary budget by July 1. The commissioner’s June 27 meeting is scheduled for 6pm at the Gaston County Courthouse.
CDF awarded $5,000 grant The Mount Holly Community Development Foundation was recently awarded the Montcross “Forward Together� grant in the amount of $5000. This grant was made possible through the generosity of the Park Sterling Community Fund of the Community Foundation of Gaston County, Inc. and was authorized by the CFGC Executive Committee. The Foundation was excited to accept this award and appreciative to both the Park Sterling Community Fund and the Community Foundation of Gaston County for providing this support to the organization.
Farmers Market serving up fresh food and fun! Fresh food and lots of fun will be on the menu at the Mount Holly Farmer’s Market this summer. The market is open 8am-12 noon until the end of August at 130 S. Main Street in the heart of downtown. Items available include fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, fish, and seafood. Baked goods, flowers, and other items are also part of the scene. Music and cooking demos add to the festive atmosphere. See FARMERS MARKET, 6A
Caromont Health’s Discover You facility at the Mount Holly Municipal Complex was a beehive of activity last Friday during the Teen Health Fair event. Dozens of youths attended the fair including groups from the Bessemer City Boys and Girls Club, Gaston County Boys and Girls Club, Stowe YMCA, and the Teen Wellness Center. The fair was organized by Caromont’s Community Wellness Coordinator Holly Powell. The fair featured a dozen booths set up by divisions of CaroMont Health as well as several Gaston County health and wellness agencies and the Stowe YMCA. Some of the groups represented included Caromont’s Sports and Rehabilitation, Nutritional Services, Wellness Team, Cancer Services, and more. The Teen Wellness Center was also represented at the fair. That group is part of the Gaston County Health Dept. and has sev-
2013-14 budget By Alan Hodge
Alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Photo by Alan Hodge
Dozens of youths from as far away as Bessemer City went to the Caromont Teen Health Fair held Friday at Discover You in Mount Holly. The kids learned about proper eating and other health information. eral locations that can be accessed at www.gastonpublichealth.org. Display tables the teens perused at the fair featured a variety of information on subjects such as
how to make healthy menu selections at restaurants, the dangers of smoking, back health, and inexpensive ways to exercise using See DISCOVER YOU, 7A
Retirement? Who needs retirement? Raymond Karns says ‘not him’ Some folks can’t wait to get away from their job, but 71-year-old Raymond Karns of Belmont couldn’t wait to get back to his. The Karns chronicle kicked off when he moved from Pennsylvania as a teen and eventually ended up working at Ramsey Products in Belmont. After 42 years on the job, the last ten of which saw him in the role of foreman of the chain department, Karns retired in 2005 when he reached 62 years of age and began to pursue one of his passions, fishing, with a vengeance. Karns likes to tell fishing stories and one of his favorites revolves around a fight he had with a blue marlin that sounds like something out of Ernest Hemingway’s famous “Old Man and the Sea� novella. “When I started working at Ramsey, Stirling and Mac were in charge,� Karns said. “Bill, Ramsey’s current president, was in college. Back then Ramsey had access to a deep sea fishing boat. Occasionally, usually on a Friday, some of us would take off for the coast. We would go out sixty or seventy miles and fish, often for days at a time. One time, one of the guys hooked a blue marlin. He wanted me to reel ALAN HODGE
alan.bannernews@gmail.com
it in so I took over. I only weighed 140 pounds at the time and it was hot. It must have been 100 degrees. The other guys were fanning me as I fought the fish. What seemed like hours later, I landed a 12-foot, 247pound marlin. We had some good times.� During his retirement, Karns fished local lakes Raymond Karns and rivers as often as possible. But Karns was also passionate about his work at Ramsey, especially the chain division. “There have been so many different types of chain over the years,� he said. “Some of the newest ones are so small. I’ve also worked on a chain that weighed over 2,000 pounds.� So, after being retired for seven years, the debate in his heart and mind that pitted fishing and lounging against his love of working at Ramsey eventually came to a head- and Karns headed back to work at age 69. “My neighbor and I fished every day for several
The Mount Holly City Council met last week and approved the municipal FY2013-2014 budget. The budget includes a 3 percent COLA raise for city employees. Dependent healthcare coverage will be maintained at the present rate. One current part–time position in the Stormwater Department will be upgraded with the addition of benefits. See MH COUNCIL, 7A
More Duke lawsuits By Alan Hodge Alan.bannernews@gamail.com
The lawsuits concerning Duke Energy’s coal-ash storage procedures, especially at the now-closed Riverbend Steam Station on Mountain Island Lake near Mount Holly, keep coming. Last week saw The Southern Environmental Law Center file suit in Federal Court against Duke Energy for alleged pollution of Mountain Island Lake, the source of drinking water for over 750,000 people in the greater Charlotte area. The suit details how Duke Energy has allegedly discharged toxic metals and other harmful substances See DUKE, 7A
See KARNS, 7A
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■ OBITUARIES Dorothy Pierce Adams A homemaker Mount Holly- Dorothy Pierce Adams, 72, 110 Kem Lane, died Saturday, June 15, 2013 at her home. She was born in Anson County, daughter of Edgar a n d Ve r l a Funderb u r k Pierce. She was p r e ceded in death by her parents, four sisters, Lib Edwards, Margie Pierce, Mildred Jordan, and Fannie Price; and three brothers, David, James, and Robert Pierce. She was a homemaker and a member of Spencer Mountain Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband, William Robert (Bob) Adams; one daughter, Angie Hathcock and husband Randy of Mount Holly; one son, Chad Adams and wife
Robert Earl Goldsmith Gastonia – Robert Earl Goldsmith, 63 passed away Monday, June 10, 2013 at CaroMont Regional Medical Center. He was a native of Bervard, NC born January 12, 1950 to Robert and Ruth Keaton Goldsmith. Memorial services were held at 3pm Monday June 17, at Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home with Rev. Chuck Dalton officiating. Margaret McCraw
Whitney of Denver, NC; four grandchildren, Brittany and Jessica Hathcock, and Madison and Jake Adams; two sisters, Francis Thomas of Monroe, NC, and Wanda Jackson of Winnsboro, SC; two brothers, Winfred and Daniel Pierce both of Monroe, NC. A service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Adams was held at 2pm Tuesday, June 18, at Spencer Mountain Baptist Church, 135 Lowell-Spencer Mountain Road, with Reverend Chase White officiating. Burial followed at Forest-Lawn Cemetery West in Charlotte. The family received friends from 7-9pm Monday at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly. Memorials may be made to the Gaston Hospice, P.O. Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054. Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly served the family.
92, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at Belaire Health Care Center. She was a native of Gaffney, SC, born October 11, 1920 to Avery and Bessie Owens Towery. A Celebration of Life service was held at 3pm Thursday at Withers & Whisenant Funeral Home with Reverend Allen E. Lefler officiating. The family received friends from 2-3pm Thursday prior to the service. Burial followed at Gaston Memorial Park, Garden of Honor B section with Releasing of the Doves.
Sally M. Rankin Loving mother and grandmother Mount Holly- Sally McElveen Rankin, 95, a resident of Woodlawn Haven r e s t h o m e died on Sunday, June 9, 2013. She was wife of the late James O. Rankin and was preceded in death by nine siblings. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Mount Holly. She is survived by one daughter Gloria Perkins of Lincolnton; three grandchildren Allen Perkins and wife Lesa of Lincolnton, Liz Reeder and fiancé Jeff Baucom of Oak Island, NC, and Christina Neher and husband Blair of Richmond, Virginia; three great grandchildren Eric Perkins and companion Ashley Piercy of Lincolnton, Alex Perkins and wife Krysta of Fort Stewart,
Georgia, and Darian Perkins of Lincolnton; one greatgreat grandchild Genevieve Perkins. A service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Rankin was held at 2pm Thursday, June 13, at First Baptist Church, 201 Robin Road Lincolnton, with Dr. Stanley Spence, Rev. Wilson Rhoton, and Rev. Jason Bryant officiating. Burial followed at Hillcrest Gardens Cemetery in Mount Holly. The family received friends from 6-8pm Wednesday at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly and at other times at 1944 Salem Church Road, Lincolnton, NC. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Gaston County, PO Box 3984, Gastonia NC 28054. Condolence messages may be left at www.woodlawnfuneral.org. Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly served the family.
Forrest Lee Smith An avid fisherman Mount Holly- Forrest Lee Smith, 78, 106 Clegg Street, died on Friday, June 14, 2013 at h i s home. He was born in Lincoln County, son of G e o rg e Thomas Smith and Sarah Mary Jane Watts Smith. He was an avid fisherman and was retired from Charlotte Paint Company. He is survived by his wife Martha Jane Mauney Smith; three daughters, Barbara Hester and husband Butch of Mount Holly, Debra Smith of Mount Holly, and Sandy Woods and husband Danny of Belmont; two sons, Randy Smith and wife Ashley of Mount Holly and Drew Smith and wife Jessica of Mount Holly; one sister,
Cramerton to hold July 4th celebration
Gastonia – Margaret Lunette Towery McCraw,
■ CRIME
- POLICE
Charges filed after cycle-car wreck Charges have been filed in connection with a fatal motorcycle crash that took place at 12:48pm last Tuesday in Cramerton. Cramerton Police have filed charges of unsafe movement and misdemeanor death by a vehicle against William Vance Pool, 75, of Gastonia. Michelle Lee Day, 43, of Mount Holly died as a result of injuries in the wreck that occurred on U.S. 74 in front of the Burger King in Cramerton. Day was riding east on the highway when she collided head-on with Pool who was heading west and apparently turned left into her path. Pool was hurt in the wreck and taken to CaroMont Regional Medical Center but was released later the same day.
Contributed Photo
Cramerton was proclaimed a Purple Heart City during a ceremony last week at City Hall. From left to right are Mayor Ronnie Worley, Larry Rick, US Army; Mike Stubbs, US Army; Ron Wade, US Army; and Mike Moore US Army, all veterans of the Vietnam War and members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 634. The Town of Cramerton will hold a July 4th celebration on Saturday, June 29 from 6:30-9:30pm at the Town Center. The event will include live music by Bam Jazz, food,
fun and more. Fireworks will be launched from Goat Island Park at 9:15pm. For more information call Cramerton Parks and Recreation at 704-824-4231.
Storm damage
Hoyle Homestead gets grant The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution recently awards a $2,300 grant to the Hoyle Historic Homestead, Inc., to replace flooring in the historic home, located at 1214 Dallas-Stanley Highway near Stanley. Funding for the project was made possible through sponsorship of the
Major William Chronicle, NSDAR. “The Hoyle Historic Homestead is very appreciative that we will be able to replace the flooring as another component in our ongoing efforts to restore this historic structure,” said Robert Carpenter, board president. Photo by Alan Hodge
A severe storm lashed our area last Thursday with high winds, torrential rain, lighting, and hail. This tree on Belmont-Mount Holly Road fell victim to the violent weather and holed the roof of an apartment there.
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Margie Sain of Lincolnton; two brothers, Joe Smith and wife Faye of Vale, NC and J.T. Smith and wife Judy of Vale, NC; eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren. A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Smith was held at 2pm Monday June 17, at the Woodlawn Chapel of Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly. Entombment followed in the Hillcrest Chapel Mausoleum. The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Gaston County, PO Box 3984, Gastonia NC 28054. Condolence messages may be left at www.woodlawnfuneral.org. Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly served the family.
‘Summer of Shag’ theme for season’s Friday Night Live concerts Friday Night Live concerts will be held every other Friday evening in downtown Belmont through Sept. 6. Concerts run from 710pm, and South Main Street closes between the railroad tracks and Myrtle Street beginning around 2pm to set up for the event. The concerts are free, but there is a charge for concessions. For more details visit www.cityofbelmont.org. This summer’s series is themed the “Summer of Shag.” Performers will include: June 28, Voltage Brothers, featuring fireworks; July 12, Band of Oz; July 26, Spontanes/ Image; Aug. 9, Hip Pocket; Aug. 23, Coastline; Sept. 6, Ken Knox & Company (former members of Chairman of the Board). The U.S. National Whitewater Center just across the Catawba River from Mount Holly holds concerts each week throughout the summer. Thursday nights also feature a trail run beginning at 6:30 p.m. Bands that will be performing this summer include: June 20, Packway Handle; June 22, Rosco Bandana; June 27, Hollis Brown; June 29, The Broadcast; July 6, The Chemist; July 11, Town Mountain; July 13, Mipso; July 18, Holy Ghost Tent Revival; July 20, Common Foundation; July 25, Honey Island Swamp Band; July 27, Mike Strauss Band; Aug. 1, Paper Bird; Aug. 3, Overmountain Men; Aug. 8, Desert Noises; Aug. 15, Red Wanting Blue; Aug. 17, Lefty Williams; Aug. 22, Delta Moon; Aug. 24, Jesse Dee; Aug. 31, Charley Horse; Sept. 5, Tone Balzers; Sept. 12, Bob Margolin; Sept. 19, Sol Driven Train; Sept. 26, Humming House.
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â– BUSINESS
Montcross Chamber ‘Network After Work’ Four outstanding local businesses joined forces to host one of the year’s greatest “Network After Work� events at the historic Stowe Manor, 217 S. Central Avenue in Belmont Tuesday evening. Creative Solutions Special Events recently partnered with Stowe Manor to provide rental equipment for weddings, receptions, parties, business meetings and other events at the historic Belmont home. Over the past few months, they’ve been hard at work enhancing the facility and grounds,
and were ready to share what they have been working on. The evening included fabulous food, great dĂŠcor, yard games and live entertainment by Kevin Yeargin. “Network After Workâ€? provides an opportunity to make business contacts, and there is no charge to attend. Check them out online at www.montcrossareachamber.com, or call 704.825.5307, ext. 3, for information on upcoming Network After Work events.
Information shared at Entrepreneurs Roundtable Montcross Area Chamber Photo
GRAND OPENING – Co-owner Freddie Kanos cuts a ribbon, with partner Louie Politis to his left at the grand opening of Glenway Premium Pub Wednesday, May 29, at 55 Glenway Street in Belmont. Other staff members in the photo, along with Montcross Area Chamber members and friends, are: Stephanie Messer, Stephanie Villa, Ashley Ferrel, Neva Servido, Manager Kristen Wright, Sarah Gillespie, Kala Vestal, and Rene Stang. Chamber Past-Chair Timothy Roberts (left) and President Ted Hall are holding the ribbon. The Pub features an American traditional menu with burgers, sandwiches, seafood and vegetarian meals. Hours are Mon - Wed: 11 a.m. - midnight; Thu - Sat: 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.; Sun: 11 a.m. - midnight. For more information, call 704-829-7717.
Outstanding information was shared with current and future business owners at the Montcross Area Chamber’s Entrepreneurs Roundtable panel presentation and discussion Thursday, May 30, at the Kimbrell Campus of Gaston College in Belmont. Speaking is Walter Payne of ImageMark Business Services. Other presenters are Candi Lethcoe of Stress Free Home Care (center) and Melia Lyerly of Lyerly Agency. At left, is moderator Marc Burns of Techtheon Global Solutions. If you want to participate in future Roundtable presentations and other programs, or you’d like the Chamber’s help with a business you’re thinking of starting, email VP of Business Services Teresa Rankin at teresa.rankin@montcrossareachamber.com, or phone her at 704.825.5307, ext. 2. Montcross Area Chamber photo
Photo by Pat Rooney
Utility workers kept the intersection of Catawba and Glendale in downtown Belmont tied up for a couple of days last week as they replaced some poles. Traffic was rerouted Thursday but was back to normal fairly quickly.
Taylor is first to find the gnome Six-year-old Noah Taylor was the first winner in the Belmont Public Library’s Gnome Roam contest. The idea is that the gnome will be placed in various Belmont businesses over the summer and the kids will have to figure out where he is and retrieve him. Contributed Photo
CaroMont announces leadership promotions CaroMont Health has announced a series of leadership promotions. The move works to streamline the organization’s leadership structure in order to achieve financial and operational objectives. The three executives promoted are Kathleen Besson, Bonnie Faust and Donnetta Horseman. Kathleen Besson will now take the helm as Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Besson will oversee the implementation of much of the organization’s vision, policies and short- and long-term operational objectives for CaroMont Health, including CaroMont Regional Medical Center, CaroMont Medical Group, Courtland Terrace and Gaston Hospice. Bonnie Faust will serve as Vice President for Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer, effective July 1, 2013. Faust will lead the patient care team at CaroMont Health and will have the authority and responsibility for establishing standards of practice for services to include Nursing, Cardiopul-
Donnetta Horseman
Bonnie Faust monary, Pharmacy and Endoscopy. Her critical role will help to ensure the organization is evolving and growing efficiently within the health care industry. Donnetta Horseman was promoted to Vice President and Corporate Responsibility Officer. Horseman will maintain responsibility and oversight for Compliance, Information Security and Privacy for the organization and will assume responsibility over Risk Management. Her expanded role helps ensure Compliance receives full support throughout the organization and reflects the commit-
Kathleen Besson ment that operations of CaroMont Health and its subsidiaries are conducted with the highest degree of integrity.
Stormwater wetland being developed in Mount Hollly A stormwater wetland is being developed at Tuckaseege Park in Mount Holly. The wetland is in the area to the left of the dog park. Stormwater wetlands are mainly used to take pollutants out of the stormwater. Six different species of plants will inhabit
the wetland. As part of the project, a boardwalk will be installed on the back part of the wetland to bring the citizens closer to the wetland. Educational signage will also be installed to help explain the wetland, and the plant life. This project is being ad-
ministered by the City of Mount Holly, its stormwater committee, and the Gaston County Natural Resources Department. Funds are being provided by the NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation.
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Opinions...
“
Quote of the week... Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. ~ Theodore Roosevelt
”
Snakes, the fewer the better for me!
Alan Hodge Editor Herpetologists be darned– there’s few things I dislike more than snakes. I don’t know about you, but our area has got to have one of the highest concentrations of blacksnakes anywhere. Heck, there’s even a serpentine-like stretch of curvy, twisty, turny, pave in Stanley called Blacksnake Road. I have lost track of how many blacksnakes I have seen squashed in the road over the past few months. If there are that many flattened, just think of how many more are still gliding through the fields and woods. Blacksnakes glide in yards too. At home last Sunday one had left its cast-off britches near the heat pump. My neighbor spotted one in his yard. Probably the same one with a new suit of shiny black scales. I was cutting my mother-inlaw Carol Brendle’s grass a couple of weeks ago and a monster of a blacksnake came out of the
bushes and started up a tree by the back porch. He seemed to know exactly what was up there and the pair of mockingbirds that dive-bombed him to no avail did too- their nest with a tasty clutch of eggs. A few days later the whopper was on the back porch and Carol had a bottle of club soda in her hand to pour on fire ants but poured it on the snake to scare him away only he just looked at her as if to wonder where the whisky was to go with the soda. Several years ago we were sitting in the living room at home and the antique clock on the fireplace mantle was going tick tock tick tock and then it went clunk. We looked up and there was a big blacksnake climbing up it. I ran to get the BB gun but he went under the sofa. I called 911 and told the lady there was a snake in the house. She wanted to know how it got in. I told her he had not knocked on the door so I didn’t know. After a while a man in a white suit came armed with snake tongs and got the rascal out from under the couch and threw him in the woods. I thought men in white suits were going to have to take me away too. From time to time a blacksnake will get in my garage and lay on the rafters watching me watch him. I call him Elmer. He
keeps rats out which is a good thing but didn’t do much to get rid of the raccoon that got in and tore the place up. Sometimes I see Elmer go under the house where it’s cool. Under the house is ok but in the house is a no-no. There are lots of copperheads around here too. Copperheads are beautiful in a sinister sort of way. If you have ever seen one in dry leaves you can understand that God is the master of camo patterns. I have seen several copperheads in the yard and killed two. One I broke the hoe handle in half whilst bashing him with the blade. The other incident involved chickens. Once we had two chickens named Big Fred and Lil’ Wilma. They were game chickens and we got them from a guy that lived near Spencer Mountain that fought chickens and so you might say we saved them from a life of cock-fighting crime. We kept Fred and Wilma in a pen at the edge of the woods near the garage. One day I was down there and noticed Fred and Wilma acting kind of nervous and looking at my legs. About that time I felt something tickling my heels and turned around and looked and a big copperhead was sliding by brushing my flesh just as calm as you please. It was like one of
Sidewalk Survey Local residents were asked...
What is your favorite summer fruit or vegetable and why?
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Yours, Ours, Others
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Ethan Cantaloupe ..because it is juicy and tastes good
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those scenes in cowboy movies where a rattler gets in a cowpoke’s blanket and you can see the sweat popping out on his face but he knows not to move and brothers and sisters, I stayed motionless too until he cleared my feet. Then I ran to the house and got my Colt .44 cap and ball revolver and ran back down the hill and by now the copperhead was stretched out along the edge of the garage and I opened a galling fire on him and at the first round Freddy Boy and Wilma did double back flips. You might not think a chicken can do a double back flip but they can. Then I took the dead copperhead and pitched him in the cul-de-sac and later some
women were talking a stroll and I saw them stop suddenly and slowly creep over to see if it was dead or alive. That was pretty funny. To wrap this snake story up, I never cease to be amazed at people who want them as pets. Once my nephews had a pet snake and it went missing. Later, my sister was rummaging through a heap of their clothes tossed carelessly on the floor, and guess what dropped out? Yep. The long lost snake. Needless to say, no more snake-pets. I’m sure all of you have snake stories good, bad, or indifferent. One thing is for sure, when it comes to close encounters of the snake kind, the fewer the better for me.
Privacy is no longer an option By Glenn Mollette Recent news about cell phone giant Verizon is a bit disconcerting. Every phone record of every Verizon customer is now an open book to our government. Can we not call mom without it being the government’s business? Is there no such thing as “personal” anymore? Alarmingly the answer is no. No one wants a terrorist living next door. We do not want people roaming our country looking for lives and buildings to destroy. Our FBI, CIA and military intelligence must be commended and praised for their efforts to prevent heinous acts from happening in our country. However, our liberty is at risk when anyone from the government can show up at any time and search through our homes, invade our personal property, invade our banking account information, go through our mail and family picture albums, or go through all of our computers to see every web page we’ve ever browsed. The books we read at the library, our newspaper subscriptions and what we bought at the grocery store is nobody else’s business. I hear the argument “If you aren’t hiding anything then what do you care?” I care because, as a United States citizen, it is an invasion of our liberty. One invasion leads to another. The loss of freedom is slowly eroding in our country. The government is supposedly protecting you. Then one day we wake up in fear of making a move without government permission. Any invasion of our personal lives or privacy should go through proper channels and the legal process of being granted an investigative search warrant. In this scenario papers would have to be filled out explaining why such a search is necessary. Authorities who do such random searches must be held accountable for any damage done to the citizen’s home, family pictures, files, computers, clothes or any item that has been touched or mishandled in anyway. Authorities who search without just cause should be responsible for dry cleaning bills, carpet cleaning, painting and the purchase of new electronics if any of the electronics
are damaged. If the suspicions end up true and the raided house ends us revealing someone who is plotting to hurt others then that changes the scenario. Those who search should never be allowed to destroy someone’s home and leave it in a state of disaster. When someone is suspected as being a threat to hurting anyone or suspected of being a terroristic threat to a community or our nation then of course everything must be done to determine what is going on and every precaution taken to save lives. The truth of the matter is that if the FBI invades a person’s home and does a search and they find 50 guns it doesn’t mean anything. Many people collect guns. If the person has told people about his plans to shoot people at the movie theatre or if he has written threatening stuff on Face book then the authorities have every right to take his guns, investigate and arrest him if they find documented facts. The Patriot Act was established after the 911 attacks. We will never forget the heinous crimes committed against our country. The question is this, “Has the patriot act made us safer as a nation? The Patriot Act has given the government more freedom to invade any person’s privacy in Any Place, USA, but has it made you safer? Do you feel safer because of the Patriot Act? Since the Patriot Act there have been countless episodes of violence that the new law has not prevented throughout the states. Military base shootings, office shootings, campus shootings, movie theatre shootings and more. For every terroristic act that has been stopped we celebrate as a country and thank those involved in preventing it. The Patriot Act needs to be edited. Our citizens should only have to fear criminals and terrorists, not government officials with a license to violate our civil liberties. There should be a compromise and a system of checks and balances that protect the freedom of Americans as well as keeping us safe. (Glenn Mollette is the author of’’ America issues; Every American has an opinion,’’ plus hundreds of other stories, articles and books.)
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â– LIFESTYLES
â– MEDITATION
Thomas recognized for Eagle Scout project in Stanley
Whose church is it?
Contributed Photo
Boy Scout Micah Thomas was recently recognized by the Town of Stanley for painting dozens of fire hydrants for his Eagle Scout project. With Micah are Interim Town Manager Heath Jenkins (left) and Mayor Frank Guida. Micah is a member of Troop 49 based at First United Methodist of Stanley. His parents are Cynthia and Phillip Thomas.
Branch, Uhrhammer to wed in October
WBTV’s Kristen Hampton went to the home of Art Cozart (left) of Stanley to work on an upcoming Carolina Camera segment on his “CUP ART� work. The show will air on Friday, June 21 at 9pm.
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Branch of Belmont announce the engagement of their daughter Amy Meleah Branch to Robbe John Uhrhammer, son of Leesa Pankratz of Larkspur, Colorado and Daryl Uhrhammer of Shakopee, Minnesota. The future bride graduated from Central Piedmont with an Associates degree in Health Science. She is employed as a dental hygienist at Oak Ridge Dental Arts in Belmont. The future groom received a Bachelor of Science in Economics at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. He is employed as an associate trader at Advisors Asset Management in Charlotte. An October 2013 wedding is planned and the couple will live in Mount Holly.
Brother and sister Hannah and Cameron James were enjoying a bike ride in downtown Belmont last week with their grandmother Cheryl Durand. Hannah is also an accomplished horse rider and has been featured in Gaston Alive with her steed.
I was reminiscing with a friend about our first years in the ministry. We mourned over one of his early stories. It was a story of a church split down the Rev. Angela Pleasants middle. The feud came to a cliFirst United Methodist Church, max at a church meeting whereby leaders were throwing Mount Holly keys at one another and blaming each other for destroying “their� church. After reflecting on that story and reading a book another friend and colleague let me borrow entitled, Who Stole My Church, by Gordon MacDonald I began to work through this question, “Whose church is it?� In Matthew 16:13-20 Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do men say that I am?� They give various answers. Then he asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?� [Emphasis mine]. Peter gives a proper response saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.� There has been much debate over the meaning of Jesus’ words to Peter. It is not so much what Jesus built the church upon that intrigued me as much as it is these words Jesus spoke, “I will build My church.� And it says in Ephesians 1:22-23 NKJV, “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.� Therefore, we see that it is Jesus’ church whereby he is head over all things to the church. In these passages we learn that Jesus is the head of the church and we are his body. Jesus gives the church life and direction. As a result God desire to express his mission through us. When we care a great deal about our local church there are times we become possessive to a fault. We must always keep before us Jesus is the head of the church and has a mission for the church. There are various ways we live out that mission. A divided church does not glorify God. It is through the body of Christ working together that God’s glory is made known in the world.
Soccer Camp set for July 15-19 The City of Mount Holly Parks and Recreation will host a 2013 summer soccer camp with Challenger Sports, providers of the USA’s most popular soccer camp. The weeklong British Soccer camp will be held July 15th – 19th at the Gene Hawkins Field at Tuckaseege Park, 105 Sports Lane, Mount Holly, NC 28120. Challenger’s British Soccer Camp is more than a week of drills and skills. For further information or to register please visit www.challengersports.com
For All Your Medication and Pharmaceutical Needs . . .
Turn To Your Hometown Pharmacy
ALLEN DRUG Open: M-F 8am-6pm Saturday 9am - 1pm
Photo by Alan Hodge
220 S. Main St. • Stanley NC (beside The Woodshed)
704.263.4876
Fellowship & Faith
) " &) () *' NC Highway 273 704-827-9846 *' #%' " ) % () *' 312 W. Glendale Ave. 704-827-2726 ) , )( *' % % 122 Tomberlin Rd. 704-827-4225 #%' " &%()%" 230 W. Charlotte Ave. 704-827-0968 & " &) () *' 324 N. Lee St. 704-827-5526 %##*$ )- ' () $ ""%,( & 2560 Stanley Lucia Rd. 704-827-5881 %+ $ $) $ ) ) % () 110 Underwood Dr. 704-820-0603 # "- %'( & $) ' 1013 W. Charlotte Ave. 704-827-7656 '() &) () *' ) %""300 S. Main St. 704-827-2481 '() ' "" &) () *' 841 Noles Dr. 704-827-7461 '() ' ( -) ' $ *' 133 S. Main St. 704-827-0521 '() $ ) ) % () *' 140 N. Main St. 704-827-4855
%( $ ' "" &) () *' 1300 W. Catawba Ave. 704-827-3076
) $ &) () *' 339 S. Hawthorne St. 704-827-4320
' &) () *' 300 Westland Farm Rd. 704-827-8600
, %+ $ $) $ ) ) % () 14514 Lucian Riverbend Hwy. 704-827-4468
'+ () # *' % % 707 Westland Farm Rd. 704-822-8033
, '%+ $ &) () *' 1104 Old NC 27 Hwy. 704-827-0822
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%') $ &) () *' 1304 N. Main St. 704-827-6141
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()%' ) %$ " + ' $ 804 W. Charlotte Ave. 704-820-0954
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+ + " '$ " % ) %""826 W. Charlotte Ave. 704-827-2999
+ $ )$ (( $ ()' ( 541 Costner St. 704-827-0004
*) ' $ *' % ) %% & ' 110 S. Main St. 704-827-4751 %$ &) () *' 1951 Stanley Lucia Rd. 704-827-9224 ) %""- *' % % 208 Rankin Ave. 704-827-8596 ) %""- %" ( &) () *' Hickory Grove Rd. 704-827-2013 ) %""- $) %() " %" $ (( 406 Scott St. 704-827-8201
Featured Church of the Week Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church "% # %$ ) % () 1117 Old NC Hwy 27 704-827-8826
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+ , &) () *' 105 Pine Rd. 704-827-3856
) $) %$- % * ' ) %$ " ) %" *' 108 Horseshoe Bend Beach Rd. 704-827-8676
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%$ &) () *' 740 Rankin Ave. 704-827-5181
) *" *' 1529 Old Hwy 27 Rd. 704-827-5851
()+ , ' ( -) ' $ *' 1020 W. Catawba Ave. 704-827-2026
Notice
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TRAIN: Stowe Park Special visits Belmont From page 1A track that P&N Railroad laid at the upper level of Stowe Park. Belmont native Ron Helton, who currently lives in Georgia, worked at Stowe Park as a teenager and was one of the train drivers. “I recall driving the train quite a bit during the years I worked at Stowe Park,� he said. “A ride would consist of making about three times around the track. There was a horn that we would sound at the appropriate time. There was a tunnel on the upper end of the park and a bridge on the lower side. The train was stored in the tunnel at night. There was a fueling station in the tunnel. “A local mechanic maintained the engine. I cannot remember his name, either a Mr. Austin or Abe Fuller. Robert Stowe would stop by and operate the train occasionally. We used to wash it like a car with soap and water.� After Stowe Park closed, the train went to the City of Belmont and was later purchased by Lane Adams, who currently works at Belmont General Store. In 2007, Adams donated the train to the Belmont Historical Society. “I was glad to give it to them,� Adams said. “They will help preserve that part of the history of Belmont.� After having received the train, BHS member Joe
Lewis stored the engine in his garage for a time, then moved it to Austin’s Body Shop in Belmont where the restoration process began. Guys who spent countless hours disassembling, sanding, welding, painting, and refurbishing the engine’s mechanical systems included Adams, Lewis, Jimmy Austin, Bob Atterberry and John Love. The job was completed in 2010. And did someone mention money? The guys footed most of the bills for the project, but had help in the form of donated time and materials from folks like Tim Gaston, Guy Smith, Harold Ramsey, Tim Gaston, Harold Russell, Ken Summey Guy DeCladio, Max Lockeridge, and Pace Recycling. The end result is simply stunning. The engine is painted in original gloss black, gold, and red colors with “Stowe Park Special� on the side. The four-cylinder Wisconsin air-cooled engine has been rebuilt and the electrical wiring replaced. Chrome parts shine like new. The dashboard has new instrumentation. There’s even a Belmont High School Class of 1957 sticker in the cockpit. Overall, the engine looks like it just came off the factory floor. The BHS doesn’t have a place to display the engine, so it’s being stored at a location in Stanley owned by At-
terberry. But plans are underway to construct a fitting home for the engine on the BHS museum grounds. “We are hoping to build a replica of the Belmont railroad depot and have the engine on display in it,â€? said Love. “We are taking donations at the museum for the project. Make out the checks to ‘Train Depot Fund’.â€? The logistics of last week’s visit to the BHS museum by the engine was handled by Rick’s Body Shop who had the engine transported on a flatbed wrecker driven by Eddy Russell. “When I was bring the engine to the museum people on the road were taking pictures of it and waving,â€? he said. “It was cool.â€? As for Carolina Camera host John Carter, his reaction to seeing the restored Stowe Park Special is pretty much what everyone else who has laid eyes on the black and red beauty says. “Oh wow, that is really something!â€? Look for Carter’s Carolina Camera report on the BHS museum and the Stowe Park Special on WBTV, Friday, June 21 at 9pm‌.and be ready to say “Wow! That’s really something!â€? yourself. PS If anyone would like to share their memories of Stowe Park in its heyday email them to me here at Alan.bannernews@gmail.co m.
FARMERS MARKET: fresh food & fun From page 1A The Mount Holly Farmer’s market goal is to provide Mount Holly and Gaston County with fresh, locally grown foods raised in sustainable ways by local, hardworking growers. In 2012, the Mount Holly Farmer’s Market was voted the 3rd most popular market in North Carolina and in the Top Twenty nationwide in the mid-sized category. Special, upcoming events at the Mount Holly Farmer’s Market include: June 22, live music and Carolinas HealthCare System on Nutrition; June 29, Kid’s Day and Chef
in Residence Gina Guthrie; July 6, 4th Annual Everyone Parade and Ice Cream; July 13, Chef in Residence Gina Guthrie of Bocca Felice; July 20, Peach Day and Live Music; July 27; Chef in Resi-
dence Gina Guthrie; August 3, Melon Day; August 10, Tomato Day and Chef in Residcnce Gina Guthrie; August 17, Live Music; August 24, Live Music.
Gaston Museum Drop-In Camp Gaston County Museum, 131 W. Main St., Dallas, will host its third Drop-in Day Camp of the year Thursday, June 27 at the museum. The theme of this year’s Drop-in Day Camp is “From Cotton Fields to Textile Mills.� This program is free and open to children 5-12 years old and runs from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Participation is limited to 45 campers per week; call the museum at 704-922-7681 to preregister and ensure a spot for your camper.
Classified Ads FREE ADS! Have something to sell (under $100) or give away? Just fill out the form below & run your ad for FREE!
Homes For Rent/Sale MOBILE HOMES AND APARTMENTS FOR RENT IN KINGS MOUNTAIN-Prices starting at $100/week. Call 704-739-4417 or (evening) 704-7391425. (tfn) MOBILE HOME FOR RENT – 3 BR, 2 BA. 246 SCISM ROAD, KM. Great for an elder couple. 704734-8693. (6/19 & 26)
704-739-5064. (6/19).
Public Auction H & D STORAGE, 314 East Gold Street, Kings Mountain will hold an auction on 6/20/2013 at 12:30 pm for 4 units. Call: 704-7396334. (6/19/13)
Wanted to Buy CASH ON THE SPOT! Will buy tools or building full of merchandise, or pictures, or anything of value. (704)300 – 0827 or (704)300 – 7676. (6/19)
- Ad Deadline-
LOWER PRICES! LOTS in Gaston, Cleveland & Cherokee Co., some with water & septic, owner will fin with low DP. Call Bryant Realty 704-5679836 or w w w. b r y a n t r e alty.org. (6/19)
Noon Friday
CRAFTSMAN RIDING LAWN MOWER/ TRACTOR for sale. 46� cut, 21HP platinum engine, 5 cutting heights, tight turn. Only used 1 summer, stored indoors - excellent (new) condition. Includes dumping trailer. $1,300. Call 980-329-2840 (tfn) FLOOR TILES for SALE – 6 Boxes. 12� x 12�. Cream Color. Cost: $30.00. Call: 704739-5072. (6/19) AM - FM STEREO TAPE RECORDER CD PLAYER for SALE – 2 Speakers $65.00. Call: 704739-5064. (6/19) WEIGHT LIFTING SET with BAR for SALE – Cost: $50.00. Call: 704 –739- 5072. (6/19) CHILD SIZE GUITAR for SALE – Almost new. COST: $65.00. Call: 704-739-5064. (6/19) BLUE PAINTED BIRD HOUSES for SALE – Ready to Hang. Cost: $5.00. Call: 704-739-5072. (6/19) SANDBOX with COVER for SALE – Cost: $20.00. Call:
Street, off Requa Road, Cherryville. Aquarium, woodworking equipment, home gym, bicycle, something for everyone.
Help Wanted DRIVERS, CDL-B: Great Pay, Hometime! No-Forced Dispatch! Moving Freightliner Trucks out of Mt Holly/Cleveland, Tow vehicle A+. TruckMovers.com, 1-877-606-7083. (5/29,6/05,12 &19)
Yard Sale
Land For Sale
Misc. For Sale
urday, June 29th, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. inside the American Legion building on East Gold Street sponsored by the Legion Auxiliary for benefit of veterans projects. Big selection of household goods, clothes and more too numerous to list. 2 KM FAMILY YARD SALE - 802 Cleveland Ave., Sat, June 22, 7am-12pm. Furniture, clothes, household items & more. CHERRYVILLE YARD SALE -- Saturday, June 22, 2013, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., 112 Hidden Valley
MOVING SALE – Gold Run Sub-Division., Kings Mtn., Sat., June 22nd. 8 am. Rain or Shine. 125 Lucky Strike Drive. Glassware, Depression & Franciscan, small appliances, furniture, grill, smoker, file cabinets, old cameras, luggage, Christmas items and much more. KM YARD SALE – 611 Hillside Drive, Sat., June 22nd. 7 am. Furniture, books, household items, clothes, shoes and toys. If rain: Sale under carport. KM YARD SALE - Sat-
Legals STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF GASTON NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS Having qualified as Executrix of the Estate of ALEE JOYE, aka: ALEE HORTON JOYE, aka: ALEE VIRGINIA HORTON JOYE , deceased, of Gaston County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 29th day of August, 2013, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 29th day of May, 2013. Lawrence W. Davis, Executor ESTATE of: ALEE JOYE, aka: ALEE HORTON JOYE, aka: ALEE VIRGINIA HORTON JOYE , 1 Battery Pk. Greenville, SC 29615 BN10535 (5/29,6/05,12 &19/13)
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF GASTON NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Jeanette Waters Stalvey, deceased, of Gaston County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 19th day of September, 2013, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 19th day of June, 2013. George Ronald Stalvey, Administrator ESTATE of: Jeanette Waters Stalvey 109 Julia Ave. Belmont, NC 28012 BN10537 (6/19, 26, 7/03 & 10/13)
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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
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DUKE: the lawsuits just keep coming
MH COUNCIL: approves 2013-14 budget
From page 1A
From page 1A
from coal ash in unlined lagoons into Mountain Island Lake, the Catawba River, and groundwater at its Riverbend facility for years, in violation of its water pollution elimination permit and state and federal laws. This suit, filed in United States District Court in Charlotte on behalf of the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, follows a suit brought in Mecklenburg County state court by North Carolina against Duke Energy. That suit was filed on May 24, in response to a 60-day Notice filed in March by the Southern Environmental Law Center and the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation setting out their intent to bring suit against Duke Energy for its illegal pollution of Mountain Island Lake. The Federal Clean Water Act allows citizens to sue a polluter when the state has filed suit but has failed to enforce a standard or limitation that restricts water pollution. In the state court proceeding, North Carolina did not enforce a provision of Duke Energy’s water pollution elimination permit that forbids Duke Energy from allowing substances removed by its coal ash lagoons to enter groundwater or Mountain Island Lake. North Carolina also did not enforce the provisions of the permit and the Clean Water Act that prohibit coal ash pollution from the facility entering Mountain Island Lake through contaminated ground water. “North Carolina has not sought to enforce two of the strongest legal grounds for stopping Duke Energy’s pollution of Mountain Island Lake,” said Frank Holleman, senior attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center. “We
have brought this suit to make sure that the people who drink the water from the Lake, live near the Lake, and enjoy the Lake have the strongest legal protection from Duke Energy’s pollution.” In addition to the federal court lawsuit, on June 6 the Southern Environmental Law Center and the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation filed to intervene in North Carolina’s state court lawsuit, in order to ensure that enforcement action is fully prosecuted at the state level. “The Catawba River and the communities that depend upon Mountain Island Lake deserve the strongest protection from toxic pollution of the region’s drinking water reservoir,” said Rick Gaskins, executive director of the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation. The SELC and Catawba Riverkeeper say only a leaking 80-foot tall earthen berm on a peninsula into the lake separates millions of tons of coal ash in unlined lagoons from the drinking water reservoir. They claim the berm is leaking numerous streams of contaminated water into the lake and that Duke Energy even constructed channels to illegally assist some contaminated flows into the drinking water reservoir. The environmentalists also declare that monitoring data shows Riverbend’s unlined lagoons have contaminated the groundwater at the site and flowing into Mountain Island Lake for years. The claimed pollution includes arsenic, cobalt, boron, barium, strontium, manganese, zinc, and iron. Testing by the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation indicates that Duke Energy is discharging arsenic into Mountain Island Lake in concentrations at least twice the applicable
standard, cobalt at 52 times the standard, manganese at 128 times the standard, and iron at 27 times the standard. However, Duke Energy emphatically denies any wrongdoing. “North Carolina has initiated an enforcement action against the Riverbend Steam Station, and we believe the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation will not successfully maintain this citizen suit,” said Duke spokesperson Erin Culbert. “We believe we have diligently complied with the plant’s water discharge permit. Some amount of seepage is necessary for an earthen dam’s structural integrity. The volume of ash basin seepage is extremely small and has negligible impact to the overall water quality in Mountain Island Lake. As part of modernizing our power plants, the Riverbend Steam Station retired April 1. Duke Energy has been clear that we fully intend to close the ash basins across North Carolina at our retired coal plants once those are no longer needed. Riverbend’s are no exception, and we’ll be undertaking tremendous, site-specific due diligence to determine the appropriate closure method that will provide long-term water quality protection. The ash basins provide an important stormwater management function for the site and will need to continue operating for a limited time during initial decommissioning work. We will submit a closure plan one year prior to ash basin closure as required by NCDENR. Groundwater sampling at Riverbend’s ash basins finds elevated levels of iron and manganese only. These are common to North Carolina soils and pose no health risk to drinking water.”
class took on of making Valentine cards for military veterans in the VA hospital. “Making these Valentines made me feel proud of myself because I really liked helping the veterans,” Kira told the council. “Hopefully they smiled when they read them.” Another MICS student, rising sixth grader Jackson Rhinehardt, described the project he and his classmates did of cleaning up the cemetery at the corner of Catawba and Hawthorne near Mount Holly Middle School. The cemetery was overgrown with weeds and had more than its share of trash. Two busloads of MICS kids worked for several hours clearing and grooming the plots. “It was very hard and dirty work,” Jackson told the council. “But it is our responsibility to give back to our community and it was work I was proud to do.” Mount Holly resident Curtis Alexander, who helped organize the cemetery cleanup, took advantage of the public comment portion of the council meeting to praise the MICS kids. “They came out and did a great job,” Alexander said. “It was very heartwarming.” However, Alexander also took the council to task regarding what he felt was a disparity in how the city maintained the cemetery across the street versus the one, containing many African-American graves, that he and the kids cleared. “The city should step up to the plate and keep both cemeteries clean,” he said. “If you clean one you should clean them both.”
There will be no increase in utility rates and the tax rate will remain at 53 cents per $100 of valuation. The General Fund stands at $9.4 million for FY2013-2014- a 2.6 percent increase over last year. Thanks to increased collections, Mount Holly is looking at a 5 percent increase in general fund revenues. The Utility Fund FY 2013-2014 budget is approximately $5.3 million- a 2.1 percent increase over last year. “All of the city employees played a tremendous part in preparing the budget,” said City Manager Danny Jackson. “The Department Heads have worked real hard and have been very cooperative and sensitive to the budgetary constraints that we all have to endure. A special thanks goes to Jamie Guffey, assistant city manager, and Africa Otis, finance officer, for their diligent oversight during the budget process.” The council meeting also saw the presentation of a proclamation honoring Ernest “June” Stowe for his many years of service on the Planning and Zoning Board. Stowe served from May 8, 1989 until his death on December 29, 2012. He was also a US Army veteran of the Korean War. Another presentation at the council meeting saw students and representative from Mountain Island Charter School describe special service projects they had been involved in recently. First grade student Kira Smith addressed the council and told about the project her
DISCOVER YOU: hosts Teen Health Fair From page 1A elastic bands. One table gave out samples of granola mix while the one beside it showed just how big and bulky an extra ten pounds of fat is in and on the human body. Another table offered teens the chance to try on “drunk goggles” and then attempt to walk a straight line, thus illustrating the dangers of drinking and driving. On the lighter side, a Zumba exercise leader had teens twirling and dancing up a storm to the beat of some rockin’ music. Caromont representative Dallas Paddon said the firm
has a policy of sending Zumba coaches to employee stations in-house and elsewhere encouraging folks to leave their cubicles and take an exercise break. “It’s important to get moving during the day,” she said. Discover You, 420 East Central Ave. Mount Holly, is an interactive health and wellness center, and a great way to learn more about how to move, eat, and live. Focused on health promotion and wellness, Discover You offers an experience that is informative, engaging, inspirational and fun for children and adults. The 5,000 square foot,
state-of-the-art facility offers 17 highly energizing and interactive health exhibits that will create awareness about the many choices people make daily and how these directly impact a person’s health and well-being. After experiencing the fun, educational exhibits Discover You has to offer, visitors will be motivated to reflect on the connection between mind, body and spirit, as well as making lifestyle changes to enhance their health and quality of life. Call 704-855-8894 or visit www.discover-you.org for more information.
KARNS: Who needs retirement? From page 1A years, but he passed away and I got bored,” Karns said. “I was working part-time but they had plenty of work at Ramsey so I went back fulltime.”
Karns’ co-workers were glad to see him coming in the door every morning just like he had for over four decades. Kim Flowers was his boss when he left and was waiting when he returned. “It was so sad when he retired,”
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she said. “But we were so happy when he came back.” Flowers says Karns is not only a great employee who has an old-fashioned work ethic combined with a willingness to learn new skills, he also brightens up the place.
“He is a very positive person who makes the best of any situation,” she said. “He makes everyone feel good and gives the workplace a family feel.” As for Karns, now that he’s back on the job at Ramsey Products, it
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will be a spell before he goes back to spending his days fishing. “I plan to work as long as my health is good and they want me to work,” he said. “Ramsey is a good company. I love fishing, but you get tired of that too.”
734.1020 Doug & Kathy Toomey
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The Banner News, Cherryville Eagle and Kings Mountain Herald are not responsible for errors in an advertisement if not corrected by the first week after the ad appears.
D I R E C T O R Y
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2008 Jeep Patriot 2006 T%&oyota y T a acom acoma
a mo #k13095b $15,485 or $239 $
2007 Jeep Compass Limited 201 ! 1 Kia %$", # " ' Soul %&
$11,995 or $189 a mo #kx1277
2007 Toyota Toyota y Yaris a 2004 $9,995 or $ $149RAV4 a mo #k13184a %& 2012 Mazda 2
2007 Buick Lucerne $14,888 or $219 a mo #ak626 %& 2010 Honda Accord
2008 Saturn Aura Hybrid a mo #k13126a $17,888 or $269 ! # " ' %$", %& 2006 Ford Escape p
$9,888 or $ $149 a mo #ak625a
2009 Ford Fusion 2008 Mitsubishi
%& Eclipse Convertible
a mo #ak624 $15,888 or $239 2008 Kia Sorento %$", ! # " ' %& 2010 Honda Civic
$14,888 or $224 a mo #kx1273a
2007 2010 Ford Jeep Ranger Wrangler
" ' %&
a mo 36,453#MILES $23,565 or $265 #AX760
2007 2009 Buick ToyotaLacrosse Venza e
%&
57,500 Miles $19,494 or $288 a mo
#B12029A 2012 Mazda 2
%& Element !
2008 Honda 36,107Honda Miles $17,888 2010 Civicor $265 a mo #G12081A
%& !+
2010 Fusion 2007 Ford Cadillac CTS
%$", ! # " '
$266 a mo 16,433 Miles $17,995%&or
#G13029B
2008 Sportage 2009 Kia Cadillac SRX
%$", ! Miles # " '
$216 a mo 92,664 $14,495 %& or #X1355A
2007 Nissan Murano S 2008 350 %& %$", !Lexus # " '
84,008 Miles $17,995 or $266 a mo #C13032A
2008Lincoln Mercury Mariner 2010 To own MKZ %$", !Miles # " ' $22,375 or%&$329 a mo # 17,600 C13025B 2006Ford Toyota Tacoma 2007 Ranger %&
or $207 a mo 60,424 Miles $13,895 #B13020A1 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse %$) &( " 2008 Ford 2500
%&
! 73,242 Miles $29,995 or $438 a mo 2006 CRV EX #C13043B $ *$ &
%& 2000 Lincoln To own Car LTD T $8,995 or o $125 a mo #X1363
2008 Honda Accord EX %$", ! # " ' %$", %& 2007 Mer cedes-Benz E class only 72k miles only $19,995 #HA751 2010Saturn HondaAura Accord 2008 Hybrid
! 43k miles,%&only $12,995 #HA766 2008Honda Lexus Accord 350 2008 EX
# " '
%& only 58k miles, only $16,995 #HA769 2007 Compass 2005Jeep Nissan 350Z Limited only 60k miles, $12,495 # H784 %& 2007 2008Nissan HondaMurano ElementS only 34k#miles, $14,995 " ' %& #HA790 2010 Accord Crosstour N PLOHV FHUWLÂżHG 2008 ZG (; Pilot RQO\ EX-L
%& #H12138A 2007Nissan Mercedes-Benz E Class 2007 Maxima SL %$", ! # " ' %$", %& 77k miles, $14,995 #H12219A 2008 curyVenza Mariner 2009Mer Toyota only 70k miles, $15,495 # " ' %& #HA795 2010 Ford Fusion only 47kAccord miles, $14,995 #HA796 2010 Crosstour * %$", ! # " ' &( 2008 Ford F-150 %&
only 25K miles, $19,495 #H13020A 2007 F150 2001 Chrysler o own & +
%&T Country $6,995 #H13136A 2010 Ford Edge %&
1WT 1 WT ++PXGPVQ PXGPVQTT[[ % %JCPIGU JCPIGU & &CKN[ CKN[ 5 5GG GG # #NNNN 1W WTT 7 7UGF UGF % %CTU CTU ++P P 2 2GTUQP GTUQP 1T $ 1T $TQYUG TQYUG 1 1PNKPG PNKPG #V 9 9YY 4QIGTUCWVQI YY 4QIGTUCWVQI ITQWR %QO TQWR %QO # #PF PF % %NKEM NKEM 1 1P P 1WT 1 WT 2 2TG 1YPGF TG 1YPGF 6CCCD D &QPĹ‹V & QPĹ‹V / /KUU KUU 1 1WT WT 2 2QRWNCT QRWNCT Ĺ?Ĺ?8GJKENGU 8GJKENGU 7 7PFGT PFGT ĹŽ ĹŽ 1PNKPG 1 PNKPG 5 5GEVKQP G E VK Q P
ROGERS USED ROGERS USED V VEHICLE EHICLE AD A DVA VAN ANTA TAGE PLLLAN AN 1WT DGVVGT RTQITCO YCU FGUKIPGF HQT PGY originally and now we have one for all used vehicles as well Ĺ’ [GCT QH (4'' OCKPVGPCPEG Ĺ’ 2KEM WR FGNKXGT[ YKVJKP C OKNG radius Ĺ’ .QCPGT XGJKENGU Ĺ’ 5JWVVNG UGTXKEG Ĺ’ 0GY QYPGT IKH V DCI Ĺ’ #NVGTPCVKXG VTCPURQTVCVKQP RQNKE[ Ĺ’ .KHGVKOG TQCFUKFG CUUKUVCPEG Ĺ’ 0KIJV FTQR GCTN[ DKTF UGTXKEG HQT QWT EWUVQOGTU EQPXGPKGPEG Ĺ’ JQWT VQYKPI Ĺ’ 0KVTQIGP HKNNGF VKTGU Ĺ’ OQPVJU (4'' 4QCFUKFG #UUKUVCPEG
o flat tire assistance o delivery of gas or other fluids o towing Q LWOR UVCTV o lock out service
Ĺ’ OQPVJU 4QCF *C\CTF 2TQVGEVKQP Ĺ’ 9#44#06; 'XGT[ RTGQYPGF XGJKENG EQOGU YKVJ VJG TGOCKPFGT QH HCEVQT[ warranty or our exclusive Rogers %GTVKHKGF RTG QYPGF YCTTCPV[ HQT OQPVJU QT OKNGU 1. Maintenance includes 3 Oil & ďŹ lter changes and 3 Tire rotations, only redeemable at Rogers Auto Group and only on the new vehicle purchased, expires 1 year from date of purchase. 3. Provided on every vehicle with nitrogen ďŹ lled tires. 4. Lifetime roadside assistance available with upgraded premium oil change service. 7. By appointment. 8. Limited powertrain wertrain backed by Zurich
Monthly payments are based on 720 beacon score or better. 75 month term @ 3.99% does not include tax tag or dealer fee’s. Not all will qualify see Rogers for further details.
4425 East Dixon Blvd US 74 Shelby, NC 28152 (704) 406-8100 www.rogerskia.com