INSIDE... New Principal .............. 2A Shop Local! ................ 3A Opinion ....................... 4A Obituaries ................... 5A Miss Gastonia ............. 6A Legion Baseball ........... 8A
Serving Belmont, Mount Holly, Stanley, Cramerton, and McAdenville | Volume 79 • Issue 31 • Wednesday, July 30, 2014
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Airport noise Is it affecting your quality of life? By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
It's a fact that CharlotteDouglas International Airport is growing by leaps and bounds, that it has created lots of jobs, and that it pumps millions of dollars into the local economy. But all that prosperity has come at a cost - noise from jets departing and arriving with greater frequency. Just because the airport is situated in Mecklenburg County doesn't mean those flights don't have an effect on people who live west of the Catawba River. As the crow, or the jetliner, flies Belmont is just nine nautical miles from the airport center and Mount Holly is just 10.3 miles away. Hazel Byrd moved back to Belmont after being aggravated by the loud sound of planes over her West Charlotte home, only to still
hear them here. “When I was in Charlotte they came over so low it cracked the ceiling and walls in my house,” Byrd said. “You couldn't watch TV. One night I got under the bed. I had cold chills. Now, I can still hear them going over.” Calvin McGuirt's home is just over nine miles from the airport and the increasing air traffic has gotten on his nerves as well. “The sound is a severe degradation in my quality of life,” he said. “It's sad you can't sit in your yard or work in the garden in peace. Those planes are the first things I hear in the morning and the last thing I hear at night. It is never ceasing.” One of the main reasons that air traffic noise is on the increase for citizens who live in our area is the new runway that opened in 2010 See NOISE, 7A
Goins on trial Former EG coach charged with felony sex crimes By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
The trial of former East Gaston High wrestling coach Gary Scott Goins continued last week. Goins, 46, was accused by three former wrestling team members of molesting them during the period 1998-2004. He was arrested in June 2013 after one of the members went to police. Goins was subsequently charged with 22 felony sex crimes including crimes against nature, indecent liberties with a child, statutory rape, and sex offense with a student. Jury selection and opening testimony took place July 14-18. Testimony continued Monday, July 21, with a second accuser taking the stand. The former wrestler declared that he went on a camping trip with Goins and other team members. He testified that he and other wrestlers were blindfolded and taken into the forest and told to perform a sex act but after they took off the blindfolds it was revealed to have been with a piece of food. Another team member said he had gone to the grocery store with Goins earlier that very day and the coach had selected hot dog weiners. Another team member that testified Monday did not
accuse Goins of abuse, but said he saw a photo in the former coach's desk that showed a wrestler in underclothes with makeup on his face. Tuesday saw more testimony. A witness said that the wrestling team traveled in a van dubbed the “war wagon” and that Goins would hit members in the head with his ring if they failed to follow rules. The witness also alleged that older team members would beat younger ones and that Goins coined a phrase “what happens on road trips stays on road trips”. The witness also alleged that Goins made him lie on a bed and then punched him in the stomach repeatedly. On Wednesday another former wrestling team member took the stand and alleged that Goins had met him in eighth grade and was 13 years old when the coach began inappropriate touching. The witness testified he lost count of how many times the incidents took place over a four year span. The same witness took the stand again on Thursday and described an incident in which Goins allegedly involved him in a suicide attempt on April 12, 2013 at Poston Park. Defense attorney Brent Ratchford declared the event not a suicide attempt, but an attack on Goins by the witness. The prosecution rested its case on Friday. Several times throughout the week, Ratchford urged the jury to keep an open mind and said parents and siblings were at practices and on road trips.
Art Duckworth from Apple Orchard Farm in Stanley serves customer Janet Kulick at the Mount Holly Farmers Market. The market has been a great success again this year. Photo by Alan Hodge
Farm fresh goodness By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
The corn and tomatoes are ready for picking and local farmers markets are bulging with fresh produce- and much more. Even the federal government is recognizing the important role that farmers markets play not only in local economies, but in nutrition as well. In fact, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has declared August 3 through 9 "National Farmers Market Week". Throughout the week, USDA will celebrate our nation's thousands of farm-
ers markets, farmers who make them possible and the communities that host them. The declaration was made via an official proclamation signed by Secretary Vilsack. This year marks the 15th Annual National Farmers Market Week recognizing the important role that farmers markets play in the agricultural and food economy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture began declaring National Farmers Market Week in 2000. "National Farmers Market Week is a great opportunity for farmers markets across the country to host special
events to showcase all the tremendous services they provide," said Secretary Vilsack. "Farmers markets play a key role in developing local and regional food systems that support family farms, and help grow rural economies. They bring communities together, connecting cities with the farms that support them and provide Americans across the country with fresh, healthy food." On the local scene, the Mount Holly Farmers Market has been around since 2006 and gets bigger every year. In 2012, the market was voted the third See FARMERS MARKET, 2A
Eddie Wilson – football, Hall of Fame officer By Kathy Blake Special to the Banner News
Eddie Wilson has always been in the Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame – as its founder, and as president, treasurer and secretary. So, when Wilson and the nominating committee were sorting through names last spring for the 2014 ceremony, the process was predictably routine – until the others asked him to leave the room. “We went through the names and I told them it sounded like a great slate, then they said, ‘We have one more name…’ and I had to walk out, then they threw my name out and voted on it,” Wilson said. “And I said, ‘No!’ I couldn’t believe it.” Wilson is inducted not only for his role with the Hall of Fame, but for his athletic performance – mainly with the Mount Holly High School football team, which won the Western state championship game in 1967, 26-20 over Glen Alpine. “Eddie Wilson was the heart of the championship team in 1967. He was a leader in every way,” said past Hall of Fame president and current treasurer Gary Neely. “Depending on the situation, he could be an encourager, or he could get in your face and issue a challenge. Eddie was the vocal leader that See WILSON, 7A
Stowe Family YMCA staffer Molly D'Avria is seen with some of the kids who took part in last week's Summer Feeding program in Catawba Heights. The weekly event combines a free lunch with learning and fun. Photo by Alan Hodge
Sun, fun & a free lunch too! By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Start with a free, nutritious lunch, add some book learning time, throw in some outdoor exercise, then stir in a healthy dose of kid camaraderie and what do you have? The Stowe Family YMCA summer feeding experience. Last week saw a group of about ten or so youngsters gather at Catawba Heights Neighborhood Park where they enjoyed sandwiches, spent some time socializing, did a science experiment, and had a story read to them by Mount Holly police Sgt. Kelly Hoyle.
According to Molly D'Avria, Stowe Family YMCA director of advancement, the program is part of Gaston County Schools “Summer Feeding” endeavor whereby kids can meet at selected locations countywide, and get a free bag lunch as well as structured play and learning. “We started June 24 and will continue to meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 11:30am at the Catawba Heights location until August 13,” D'Avria said. “This is one of 49 sites in the county where the Summer Feeding is held. So far, we've served 76 See STOWE YMCA, 7A
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Redmond takes the helm at Bemont Middle School By Alan Hodge
“I want to reopen the Facebook page and start a Twitter account,” she said. Being in a new job can be challenging, but Redmond says the staff at Belmont Middle is making the
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Belmont Middle School has a new principal in Susan Redmond and she has hit the ground there, running. Last week Redmond was in a whirlwind of activity as she and staff were preparing for the upcoming Aug. 22 first day of classes. “I'm super excited to be here and to help prepare the students for high school and beyond in an ever-changing world,” Redmond said. A native of Delaware, Redmond came to Dixie in 1995 and graduated from Appalachian State University in 1999. Becoming an educator came naturally. “Both my parents were teachers,” she said. After ASU, Redmond went home for a month, then came to Gaston County Schools where she taught 4th grade at Robinson Elementary and 5th grade at Lowell Elementary. From 2003-2004 she was a full time student at UNCC, eventually earning a Master's degree. Other posts she's held with GCS included serving as a principal intern at Sherwood Elementary, assistant principal at Highland School of Technology, and principal at Beam Elementary.
Photo by Alan Hodge
Susan Redmond is the new principal at Belmont Middle School. A native of Delaware, she's excited about the chance to lead her students and staff in the coming years. "I've enjoyed every place I've been in Gaston County Schools,” she said. “But now that I'm here at Belmont Middle I hope to stay a long time.” Redmond is aware that her school was once Belmont High, and that the building has some age to it, but those are things she embraces. “There is so much character here,” she said. “This school is beautiful. I under-
stand why the citizens of Belmont are so in love with it.” One thing Redmond says she is looking forward to is celebrating the school's 75th anniversary. “We are working with the community to make it happen,” she said. On a more modern note, Redmond is thinking of ways for Belmont Middle to connect with folks via social media.
Chef Gina Guthries is seen preparing some delicious dishes using locally grown products at the Mount Holly Farmers market. Photo by Alan Hodge
most popular one in North Carolina and one of the top 20 nationwide. The Mount Holly Farmers Market is the brainchild of the Mount Holly Community Development Foundation. Its first year saw just three vendors, but that number has increased dramatically with 20 vendors taking part last year. This season has continued that trend. “We've had a great year so far,” said market board chairman Scott Griffin. “We've had over 21 vendors every week.” Showcasing local produce, flowers, and other homegrown foods is one of the market's strengths. Most of the items for sale are from a 75-mile radius of Mount Holly. Another neat feature of the Mount Holly Farmers
Market are the cooking demonstrations by chef Gina Guthrie. Local sponsorship is also important to the Mount Holly Farmers market. Sponsors have included Robert Black Insurance, Erie Insurance, Mount Holly Tourism Development Assoc., Riverbend Family Practice, and Carolinas HealthCare Systems. Grant money has come the market's way as well. Those funds have been given by the Community Foundation of Gaston County and two $2,500 Gold Leaf matching grants from the NC Dept. of Agriculture. A recent Saturday morning saw a lively crowd at the Mount Holly Farmers Market. Folks were eagerly buying vegetables, fruit, and other products. Art Duckworth from his Apple Or-
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An energetic and enthusiastic person, Redmond's policy at Belmont Middle is one of open arms. “My door is always open,” she said.
PUSH riders at Holy Angels
FARMERS MARKET: bringing farm fresh goodness
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transition a breeze. 'The staff has been very welcoming,” she said. “They are a close-knit, caring group of people who have been quick to offer help.”
chard Farm in Stanley had a table set up. Duckworth's experience at the market has been typical of the other vendors. ”It's been very busy, very good,” he said. Other farmers markets in our area include: Gastonia Farmers Market, 410 E. Long Ave., June-October: Tuesdays/Thursdays/Saturdays 7-1, November: Saturdays 8-12, December: 1st -2 weekends-Craft Faire, www. gastoniafarmersmarket.com. Cramerton Farmers Market: 119 Center St., Wednesdays 3:30pm-7:30pm, May through November, www. cramerton.org. Lowell Farmers Market: Second Ave. near Main St., Thursdays 4pm-8pm, May through November, http:// www.lowellnc.com/ LowellFarmersMarket.htm. Belmont Farmers Market: 6 N. Main St., Saturdays 8am – Sellout, May through November. Bessemer City Farmers Market, 125 E Virginia Ave.,Tuesdays and Saturdays 8am-2pm through October, www.bessemercity. com. Foothills Farmers Market (Shelby, Cleveland Co.): 111 S. Washington St., Wednesdays and Saturdays 8am12pm, Fridays 2pm-6pm, through November, www. foothillsfarmersmarket.com; and in Kings Mountain, Railroad Ave., Saturdays 8am-12pm, through October.
Photo by Alan Hodge
Staff and residents of Holy Angels welcomed Push America riders Friday. The group of bicyclists enjoyed lunch with the Holy Angels folks and other friends. On Friday a group of over twenty Journey of Hope riders from Push America arrived in Belmont on their bicycles around noon for lunch and a Friendship Visit with Holy Angels residents. The Journey of Hope bikers have visited Holy Angels annually - this was their 27th visit. It was just one of their stops during the 3,000-mile cross-country cycling event that raises funds and awareness on behalf of people with disabilities. The team of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity members averages 75 miles per day on their way from San Francisco to Washington, DC. Part of each day is spent with people with disabilities on the 64-day Journey of Hope. Members of the team come from colleges and universities around the country including Texas Christian University, University of Dayton, University of Colorado-Boulder, University of California-Berkley, Florida State University, and UNC-Chapel Hill. Holy Angels has had a long time relationship with PUSH America - having hosted the very first Give A PUSH weekend in 1989 where members of the fraternity from throughout the southeast gathered to help build Holy Angels' Push Place play area. They returned a few years later, for another Give A PUSH weekend and built Camp Hope, a recreation destination for Holy Angels' residents. In 2009 Holy Angels hosted a 20th anniversary Give A Push Weekend to refurbish the original project - Push Place. Most recently Push America held a Give a Push weekend in October 2011 to double the size of Push Place, providing both the funds and volunteers for the project. Regina Moody, Holy Angels President/ CEO, who currently serves on the Push America Board of Directors, said, "For the
team, the real journey will not be on a bike, but spending time with the people for whom they are riding." Push America was founded in 1977 with the hope of committing its members to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. The Journey of Hope covers 32 different states, cycling over 12,000 miles (there are three teams - North, South, and TransAmerica) combined. Solely comprised of members of Pi Kappa Phi it continues to spread a message of acceptance and understanding for people with disabilities. Holy Angels was founded in 1955 by the Sisters of Mercy, with the birth of a baby girl, Maria. It was the beginning of a much needed specialized service for children from Gaston, Lincoln, Cleveland and Mecklenburg counties as well as children from throughout the state of North Carolina. The private, nonprofit corporation located in Belmont provides residential services and innovative programs for children and adults with intellectual developmental disabilities with delicate medical conditions. The CARF accredited programs include Holy Angels Morrow Center, the McAuley Residences (Fox Run ICF/MR group homes (three six-bed), Belhaven ICF/MR group home (15-bed), Moody Place ICF/MR group home (15-bed), four community group homes, Little Angels Child Development Center, Great Adventures, Camp Hope, Cherubs Café & Candy Bouquet vocational program in downtown Belmont and, Life Choices, an adult day activities program offering living and learning opportunities. To learn more about Holy Angels, or to volunteer, call 704.825.4161 or visit Holy Angels' website at www.HolyAngelsNC.org
Journey of Hope riders arrived at Holy Angels for lunch on Friday hot but glad to be there. The group of cyclists made Belmont one of their stops as they traveled the country raising awareness on behalf of folks with disabilities. NATIONAL NIGHT OUT – Belmont police will hold their National Night Out on August 5 in Stowe Park from 6-8pm. The event will focus on crime prevention and awareness. Activities will include a K9 demonstration, free food and drink, a free bike raffle, and Nation Night Out poster drawing. STORY TIME – The Town of Cramerton Parks and Recreation will be having a Reading on the Green at the Town Center, corner of Eighth Ave. and Cedar St., Aug. 13 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm., with rain date of Aug. 20.
Register for a free box of summer reading books each month when you come. This event is sponsored by Gaston Literary Council who believes that literacy enriches the quality of life for individuals and the community. ARTS IN ALLEY – Downtown Mount Holly on the second Friday of the month now - August from 5:30 to 9 pm in the Summey Building back parking lot. This event features a handcrafted artisan market with approximately 30 vendors, as well as music, wine and food.
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Grants being accepted for Impact Fund The Belmont Community Impact Fund, established Fall of 2013 is now accepting grants for their 2014 Grant Cycle. The Belmont Community Impact Fund was created through a grant from the Community Foundation of Gaston County in 2013. The Impact Fund is to function as an unrestricted fund with people from the Belmont community serving as the “board� of the fund. Belmont’s Fund board members are: Chair, Bill Toole; Allison Cottingham; Jim Dobies; Curtis Gaston; Cavan Harris; Shuaib Lakhany; Jonathan Logan; Ron Lovelace; Angie Wheeler. The board members are part of the Belmont Community and have a clear focus on the needs in their community and will create visionary leadership. “We are excited to see
what kinds of projects folks in Belmont will be submitting. Maybe it will be in economic development, a piece of public art in a community public place, or historic preservation. We know Belmont is full of creative people with great ideas, and we are certain there are really good projects out there that need just a little bit of money to kick-start something that will be really good for the community. Whatever the projects, we hope the projects will create a community focal point, be functional, long lasting and have broad community appeal,� stated Bill Toole. Grants will be accepted from charitable organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in Belmont. “The Community Foundation is excited to provide the initial funding for the
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Belmont Community Impact Fund. This fund will enable Belmont citizens to enhance their community in partnership with the nonprofits that serve the area,� said Ernest Sumner, Executive Director. Please email Elizabeth Patton at ebiggerstaff@cfgaston.org for a copy of the grant application and guide-
lines. For questions, contact the Belmont Community Impact Fund at 704-8640927. Applications are due to the Foundation no later than Friday, Aug. 29, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. The Community Foundation is located at 1201 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, 28054.
Bridge dedication Aug. 9 The new C.C. Dawson bridge over the South Fork River on Lakewood Rd. in Cramerton will officially be dedicated on Saturday, Aug. 9 at 10 am. The event will feature speeches, a ribbon cutting, and attendance by members of the Dawson family. The bridge will be closed for about an hour for the ceremony to take place. Construction of the new bridge took over a year and half and was hampered by numerous weather and construction delays. The barricades came down two weeks ago and drivers immediately began using it. The new bridge replaced one built in 1950 and is named for C.C. Dawson, a textile leader who came to Cramerton in 1908 fresh out of NC State's Textile School and rose to become general manager of Cramerton Mills.
The home of Mark and Barbie Stokes, 4013 Hanks Creek Lane was chosen as a Keep Belmont Beautiful June Yard of the Month.
School supply drive Aug. 1 American Legion Post 180 will have a school supplies donation box at the Grill Sgt. booth at Friday Nite Live, August 1 at Stowe Park. Saturday, August 9, Post 180, 418 Lincoln St., will be having a back to school fish fry fundraiser. Plates are $8, chicken, tilapia, croaker of your choice with slaw and baked beans. A drop off box will also be on site for school supply donations. Wednesday, August 20 from 3-7pm at Post 180 school supplies will be given out. For more information call 704-825-7834 or 704-6486040.
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Opinions...
“
Yours, Ours, Others
�
Quote of the week
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.� ~ Albert Einstein
War and Peace...
I went flying but two wheels never left the ground
too much of one, not enough of the other Most everyone on the planet who has access to news is aware of the terrible and cowardly shooting down of the Malaysian airliner over the Ukraine and the loss of all 300 folks on board. Now the warring factions in that part of the world are fussing over who will get the dead bodies. Sick. Last weekend Sharon and I made a pilgrimage to Love Valley, the site of the 1970 rock festival I attended as an 18year-old kid. While we walked through town and I visited the place where my pal Brutus and I had camped amongst the other flower children, and then gazed down into the ravine where the sound stage had been and where a rodeo arena is now positioned, I smiled to myself at the three days of love, peace, and music that had taken place there 44 years ago. But then I came home and turned on the TV and was awash in the sight and sounds of the Ukrainian uproar and the gosh awful goings on in Gaza got in my head and the pleasant and dreamy thoughts of earlier in the day were squashed flatter than a slow turtle creeping across a busy road. I tried to think back across the years and came to the conclusion that if human beings spent as much time and money on constructive and cooperative things rather than on ways to kill and maim each other then what a wonderful world it would be. Think about all the millions of folks who have been killed in wars throughout the ages and if their young lives had not been lost what contributions they might have given to civilization. Last week marked the 153rd anniversary of the Battle of Bull Run, the first major engagement of the Civil War. Who could have figured at that time that over 600,000 Americans would perish before that conflict was over. For the South, the death toll was 25 percent of the males between 16 and 35 years old. If you took the total losses North and South as a percentage of the overall population, in today's numbers it would work out to 3 million dead or missing. Winston Churchill said wars come
about when politics fails. It fails a lot. In the Middle East, the people have Alan Hodge been at each Editor other for thousands of years. Like black ants and red ants they hate each other. Ironically, it's called the Holy Land. And what about Iraq? Those people are just like kids who fight constantly and behave when the parents are around but go at it again when said parents go out. America was the parent there, keeping the natives apart like a referee in a giant brawl, but now we are gone and they are back to their old hate-filled ways. Same thing in Afghanistan. The people there do not know how to live in harmony and I am afraid that as soon as we leave, they will go on about the business of shooting each other just like no American soldier had ever set foot on their dusty nation. Right now, things are relatively calm in Southeast Asia. But that area has had its share of turmoil and in the late 1960s and early 1970s while lots of folks in the USA were sporting peace symbol t-shirts and such truck the war in Vietnam was going full blast. Then there's Russia. I saw a commentator remark that relations between the USA and that nation were at Cold War lows. I think the Russian folks in general are for peace and prosperity, especially considering what they have gone through over the decades, but it's their leader Vladimir Pootin' who poses a problem. He's about as cold a character as has walked onto the world stage in quite a while. Where are we heading in this world? Peace and cooperation among the nations? Oh, wouldn't that be loverly. But I am sad and afraid that we are only going to see more of the same old same old thing. War and dee-struction.
When I was a kid, I loved to ride a bike. I learned to ride on a 20 inch bike. My sister bought our neighbor’s 26 inch, one speed bicycle. Tony Marciano She never rode Guest Editorial it so I did. I loved riding that bike so much I broke the frame. I thought I’d get a new bike but my dad had a different idea; he welded it back together. Finally at age 16, I got my first new bike. It was a 26 inch, 10 speed with ram’s horn handle bars. I still have it. I haven’t ridden the bike in over 30 years. When my wife and I learned she was pregnant with our first child, we put our bikes away. Today, it hangs on the wall; remembering times when I jumped on a bike and I could “fly�. That was until a few weeks ago. A group of us decided to do a fun trip and go to the Virginia Creeper Trail. I’d heard about the adventure of the trail. This was going to be my first run on it. We rented the bikes and were taken up the hill. After being dropped off, we pedaled the first 20 yards. After that, we were on the famous downhill run. We went a few miles and stopped at the first rest area to catch up with everyone. One member was having trouble getting their 2 year old grandson back into the tow-behind buggy. While watching this unfold, the 15 year old in our group took off. Then I took off and his 11 year old brother took off behind me. The three of us were racing down the Creeper Trail. I completely forgot about the group. While I have never been good at sports, I found myself being the athlete on the trail. I was passing
Sidewalk Survey Q: What have you been doing for fun this summer?
most everyone. The older brother was far ahead of us, so I kept close tabs on his younger brother. At one point we stopped and checked if we could see anyone from our group. We couldn’t. All the while I was traveling down the hill, I couldn’t stop playing the song by the Cowsills (yes, remember that group from the late 60’s) “We Can Fly�. The lyrics are, “Hey, you on the ground, take a look up and see what we've found, nothing to tie us, bluebirds come up to guide us, when you're beside me we can fly, oh, we can fly, we can fly, hey, everyone on the ground let's fly.� (If you remember that song, I won’t tell anyone how old you are.) All I could think about during the entire run down the Creeper Trail was that I was flying. I was no longer in my “50’s�. I was 10 years old again, riding my sister’s 26 inch bike down the hills of my town “flying� as I did so many years ago. There is something lousy about growing up. It’s that you grow up. When I was ten, the biggest responsibility I had was to make sure the tires on my bike were properly inflated. That was it. But, with adulthood comes myriad responsibilities. You have to pay the mortgage, mow the lawn, change the oil in the car, etc. You do those things and the world applauds you for being responsible. Yet the child you once were becomes a distant memory of someone who was but got lost becoming an adult. This summer, let me encourage you to be the kid you once were. You never hear said at someone’s funeral, “He always changed the oil in his car every 3,000 miles�. You will hear things such as “He loved life. Age was only a number, not who he was and not how he lived.� What was the thing you enjoyed doing as a kid that you haven’t done longer than you want to remember. This weekend, be a kid again. If it was a bike, get on one and “fly�. Just remember to sing along with the Cowsills while you keep two wheels on the ground.
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The Banner News PO Box 589 Belmont NC 28012 or email: alan.bannernews @gmail.com Tony Ware Not too much fun just working
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Wednesday, July 30, 2014
■ OBITUARIES Roxie Jane Thomas GASTONIA – Roxie Jane Helms Thomas, 92, passed away July 26, 2014. Visitation was held one one hour before the Celebra-
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■ MEDITATION
tion of Life Service at 1 pm July 29, West Cramerton Baptist Church, 5006 Wilkinson Blvd. Interment followed at Gaston Memorial Park.
Talks over coal ash disposal continue Is Charlotte Douglas still an option? city exploring a possible project at the Charlotte airport. We are focused on The coal ash stored at finding solutions that protect Duke Energy's Riverbend the environment, minimize Steam Station on the banks community impacts and of Mounmeet regtain Isulatory land Lake requiren e a r ments, Mount which are Holly is still being back in finalthe news. ized.” MounT h e tain Isidea of land Lake An aerial view of the coal ash pond using the is the at Duke Energy’s Riverbend Steam coal ash source of Station. File Photo at the airdrinking port as water for nearly a million underlayment for runways folks in Mount Holly, Gas- came up several months tonia, and Charlotte-Meck- ago, but the was left dead in lenburg. the water. The original proLast week members of posal was to have it placed the City of Charlotte staff in lined pits. Charlotte's asagain spoke with Duke En- sistant city manager Hyong ergy about a renewed Yi said last week that the prospect for moving River- possibility of a liner ripping bend coal ash to Charlotte open would be too chancy Douglas International Air- and would create a major port to be used as fill dirt. disruption to aircraft operaExact details of what city tions. staff proposed have yet to be “The risk is there,” he revealed, said. However, Duke Energy It's estimated that more spokesperson Scott Sutton than 4,000,000 tons of coal had this to say about the ash are stored in ponds at talks. Riverbend. Ideas for getting “We do not have any- it to the airport range from thing to add to what was trucks traveling down NC16 shared at the Charlotte City to putting it on rail cars. Council Environmental Statewide, there are Committee meeting yester- 100,000,000 tons of coal ash day [July 24] by the Assis- stored at Duke's power gentant City Manager,” Sutton erating facilities. said. “We continue to exMeanwhile, the NC Genplore a variety of options for eral Assembly continues to coal ash management at our haggle over what regulaRiverbend Station. As part tions will be put into law reof this process, we are still garding coal ash and who doing due diligence with the will oversee its disposal. By Alan Hodge
alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Rev. Angela Pleasants First United Methodist Church, Mount Holly
Statistics are reporting a decline in most of the mainline denominations. Therefore, planning is going into programs to promote church vitality. Over the past fifteen years of pastoring I have watched our denomination focus upon church growth. We promoted Open Hearts, Open Doors, and Open Minds. We then launched into Re-think Church. Currently we are promoting “Church Vitality” and mis-
sional networks. As someone with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Research it fascinates me to watch the planning and promoting placed on church vitality only to see the membership continue to decline. No one has really asked my opinion but I will share with you the readers whom I call friends. If we want to know the essence of church vitality we can go no further than the book of Acts of the Apostles. What brought the church alive in the first century? “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NKJV. Inspired by the Holy Spirit the Apostles preached and witnessed to Jesus Christ. If you read Acts they
SPHS scholar athletes South Point High School’s spring sports teams excelled in the classroom as well as on the field. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association Scholar Athlete program recognizes varsity teams and individual athletes for their excellence in the classroom. To be an individual scholar athlete, the athlete must have a 3.5 weighted GPA for the designated semester. Individual Scholar Athletes - John Jack Abrams, Sanval Ali, Jordan Alston, Alexis Altizer, Adam Andrew, Lauren Andrews, Dakota Bartish, Nolan Beaty, Zach Brewer, Cora Bridgeman, Sarah Burns, Lance Cahill, Dalton Conner, Garrett Davila, Tim Davila, Tyler Davis, Olivia Devine, Logan Edgerton, Ryland Etherton, Samantha Everhart, Joseph Flynn, Cydni Fowler, Brittany Franks, Steven Fulcher, Ryan Furukawa, Zane Galloway, Deonte Gaston, Sierra Ghorley, Garrett Gibson, Rachael Gordon, Blair Griffin, Jaelin Griffin, Clay Gwaltney, Tylik Hall, Victoria Harris, Jordan Hicks, Matthew Hicks, Corey Hodges, William Hoppe,
Constantina Hug, Kendrick Icenhour, Landon Isaacs, Alli Jackson Bilal Jaliawala, Dan Johnson, Tanisha Johnson, Kayla Karr, Hannah Keel, Sam Killen, Kelsey Kinnett, Karl Mark Kowalewski, Zain Lakhany, Thomas Lawing, Alexa Leach, Yale Loucks, Morgan Mahaffey, Hunter Marett, Thomas Matthew, Aaron Maudlin, Zakia McDowell, Cole Merrill, Allison Moody, Destiny Moore, Tanner Muse, Neeral Patel, Maxwell Neisler, Katie Nencetti, Miles Neyen, Myiah Nueman, Trevor Pace, Allison Parker, Yash Patel, Susannah Pennington, Derek Perry, Morgan PersgardHowe, Brianna Powell, Jenna Rayfield, Zacc Romano, Julianna Rose, Darion Ruff, Grace Russell, Mason Secrest, Savannah Shaney, Morgan Stachnik, Taylor Stachnik, Nick Stafford, Haley Stewart, Haley Stockton, Hannah Stockton, Hayley Straing, Austin Strenkert, Robert Telsrow, Rimal Ternanni, Bailey Thomasson, Quincy Walker, Sam Watson, Thomas Will, Brent Williamson, Nolan Wilson, David Austin Wise, Holly Withers, Aurora Zeimer.
had only one message, Jesus Christ life death and resurrection. It is through Christ alone that we are saved. “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.” Acts 4:33 NKJV. When Jesus Christ was proclaimed thousands were convicted and repented thereby receiving Christ into their heart. They in turned became witnesses of Jesus Christ. This was so powerful the enemies of the cross did not try to stop the fellowship among believers nor their caring for one another. The one thing they tried to stop was preaching in the name of Jesus Christ. Church vitality is about
the Holy Spirit coming alive in our hearts and moving throughout the body of Christ. Could it be we do not see church vitality today and the conviction of hearts because we have taken Jesus out of the message? Are our sermons more focused upon storytelling, political correctness, or “how to” messages we pick up from Dr. Phil or Oprah shows. Have we deviated so far from the gospel truth of Jesus Christ? Just a thought from a lowly preacher in Mt. Holly, North Carolina – maybe we need to get back to the plain message “For God so loved the world He sent His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NKJV.
Applications being taken for MH Impact Fund The Mount Holly Community Impact Fund is a charitable fund started by the Community Foundation of Gaston County to address identified needs in the Mount Holly Community as determined by a committee of Mount Holly residents. The members are: Chair, Reeves McGlohon; Alexis Arnold; Bill Buff; Sue Camacho; Ashlyn Glass; Reggie Graham; Danny Jackson; Lauren Shoemaker. Reeves McGlohon stated, “Our community is excited about the possibilities that will be opened up by the Mount Holly Community Impact Fund grants. We appreciate the Community Foundation for making these funds available and look forward to receiving creative proposals that will make a positive difference in Mount Holly." The Fund will operate as an unrestricted fund with grants going to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations. A major focal point of the grant process is directed towards projects that would be visible in the Mount Holly community and would have a reasonable likelihood of kick starting a larger community response
to a community need that is not currently being met. In regard to the amount of funding available, the Community Impact Fund Committee has at its disposal a total of $10,000. The actual amount for awards can be the entire amount or in increments based upon the application being considered. The deadline for accepting applications is Aug. 29, 2014. Final decisions on grants awarded will be made by Oct. 1, 2014. For more information regarding the grant application process or other pertinent questions, contact Reeves McGlohon, Committee Chairman, at 704-366-3812 or by email at reevesmcglohon@gmail.com.
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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
Page 6A
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
The Banner News | banner-news.com
Christina Benedict crowned Miss Gastonia Four young women won crowns Saturday night, July 26, at the conclusion of the Miss Gastonia Scholarship Pageant. The competition held at Stuart W. Cramer High School featured 17 contestants. The winners were Miss Gastonia Christina Benedict, Miss Gaston County Mackenzie Church, Miss Gastonia's Outstanding Teen Payton Calvert, and Miss Gaston County's Outstanding Teen Jessica Clifford. They will represent the Gaston region in the 2015 Miss North Carolina Scholarship Pageant. â–Ş Benedict is the 18year-old daughter of Stephen and Elena Benedict of Belmont. She is a 2014 honor graduate of South Point High School and plans to attend Wake Forest University this fall where she will major in Spanish and chemistry with a focus on pre-dentistry. For the talent competition, Benedict performed a piano selection titled "River Flows In You." Her community service is Habitat for Humanity. â–Ş Church is the 20-yearold daughter of Eddie and Daria Church of Kannapolis. She is a senior at UNCChapel Hill studying to
become a pediatric physician assistant. For the talent competition, Church presented a tap dance to "Can't Hold Us." Her community service is titled "PAUSE for the Paws in Your Life," and focuses on proper care for animals and responsible pet ownership. â–Ş Calvert is the 16-yearold daughter of Clif and Beckie Calvert of Cramerton. For the talent competition, she performed a tap dance to "Swing." Her community service concentrates on helping underprivileged children. â–Ş Clifford is the 15-yearold daughter of Lisa Clifford of Maggie Valley. She performed a dance to "Sparkling Diamonds" for the talent competition. Her community service promotes the importance of animal rescue. Other award winners for Miss Gastonia and Miss Gaston County were first runner-up Ashton Laney and second runner-up Erika Duckworth. Ashlyn Calvert won the swimsuit award and shared the talent award with Christina Benedict. Kaitlyn Smith won the congeniality award. In the Outstanding Teen competition, Mollie Holli-
Photo courtesy Todd Hagans
The Miss Gastonia Scholarship Pageant winners were (left to right) Miss Gastonia's Outstanding Teen Payton Calvert, Miss Gastonia Christina Benedict, Miss Gaston County Mackenzie Church, and Miss Gaston County's Outstanding Teen Jessica Clifford. field was the first runner-up and tied for the talent award with Payton Calvert. Jessica Clifford won the physical fitness award. The pageant theme was "Time to Celebrate," and the show featured the contestants competing in talent, interview, swimsuit/fitness, and evening wear categories. A highlight was a guest appearance by the reigning Miss North Carolina Beth Stovall, who will
represent the state in September at the Miss America pageant. Young women ages 17-24 who live, work or attend school within a 100mile radius of Gastonia were eligible for the Miss Gastonia Scholarship Pageant. The Outstanding Teen competition was open to girls ages 13-16 from across the state. More than $59,000 in cash and inkind scholarships were made available
to the contestants. Belmont Abbey College, Cleveland Community College, Gardner-Webb University, Gaston College, and Paul Mitchell - The School in Gastonia provided in-kind scholarships. The Miss Gastonia Scholarship Association sponsored the pageant. For more information, visit www.missgastoniapageant.com.
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Wednesday, July 30, 2014
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WILSON: football, Hall of Fame officer
NOISE: is it affecting you?
From page 1A
From page 1A
every team needs.” Wilson, 64, grew up watching ballgames, or playing sandlot ball at his family’s country home. He took up summer baseball with the Mount Holly recreation program, when he was old enough. As a seventh-grader in 1962, he tried football, playing left guard on a 13-andunder midget program team of eighthgraders. It was his first introduction to football, and it ended with a national title. “It was the first organized program I ever participated in, the YBMC – Young Business Man’s Club – sponsored by FlintGroves Mills out of Gastonia. Earl Groves, out of his pocket, had started a football team (in the 1950s), and I got the privilege to be part of it,” he said. “They sent a driver around to the little towns in Gaston County to pick up football players, and you tried out for the team.” The sanctioned program was part of a national organization, and Wilson’s team, the Little Orangemen, won the county and state titles, then traveled to Valley Stream, N.Y., on the west end of Long Island, to play in the Liberty Bowl – the national championship for Pop Warner football. They won. “They put so much emphasis on discipline, respect, honor and determination – all the principles you would expect a young man to display. Plus, they emphasized academics, and no one on the team could play if you had less than a B average,” Wilson said. “So you not only had to play the sport, but you had to play the books as well. It taught you that there’s more to athletics than just playing the game. “They taught us there was more to life than livin’ on a mill hill and runnin’ wild and quittin’ school.” Wilson grew into a defensive back role in eighth grade, and made his high school team as a freshman. By his sophomore year, he was starting – a role usually saved for seniors. “I started on offense and defense, as a blocking back on offense and as a linebacker and nose guard on defense. I was probably only about 150 pounds, but I was the lead blocker for the tailback and fullback,” he said. “My junior year, I continued to play blocking back, and it was a 5-4 defense, so I played like a cornerback.” As a senior, and a little bigger at about 175 pounds, Wilson said he moved to safety on defense, continued to play offense, and added 0some punt returns. “Your objective was, you wanted to play every minute of every ballgame,” he said. “Coach (Delmer) Wiles, he was such a great coach. He was a drill instructor in the Marines, and he demanded respect. And you couldn’t help but respect him. The example he gave you with his life was impeccable. “You worked as hard as you knew how to work for him, to prove yourself not only to yourself, but to him. It was about giving 110 percent.” In 1967, as a senior, Wilson set a Mount Holly High School record for points scored – 118 – and also led all scoring in Gaston County. He was named Gaston County’s football Back of the Year. “That ’67 team, we had the best coaching staff, and we were in shape,” Wilson said. “Synergy is when the sum is greater than the
and that is oriented north/south, beside and parallel to I-485. Aircraft departing this runway are often directed to turn west or northwest after takeoff. This takes them over Belmont and Mount Holly at a relatively low altitude. A typical day can see as many as 700 departures, making Charlotte-Douglas the sixth busiest airport in the nation. But at least a measure of relief from the noise could be on the way- depending on where you live. Charlotte-Douglas is in the process of redrawing its noise exposure map. This will be the first update since 1998. In addition, homeowners in certain cases may be eligible for free storm doors, windows, and insulation based on the amount of jet noise they hear in their dwellings. So far, over 1,000 homes, six churches, and three schools have received the noise insulation. Charlotte-Douglas has hired Landrum and Brown consultants to come up with a new map that shows what areas around the airport are most affected by takeoff and
whole, and even though we didn’t look like we were that strong, when you put us together, we were stronger than you could imagine. “It was all because of Coach Wiles and Joe Spears, who was the assistant coach. We were just strong.” “Coach Wiles had named Eddie to be one of the captains,” Neely said, “a role that Eddie worked hard to fulfill. He also led by example in the way he ran his sprints, and in the way he blocked, tackled and carried the ball. … That ’67 team had a slew of outstanding players, but Eddie Wilson was the one teammate that we could not have won the championship without.” Wilson played three years of high school baseball and two years of Legion ball for Belmont Post 144. He received scholarship offers to play baseball at Belmont Abbey and football for Gardner-Webb and LenoirRhyne, but decided to follow some friends to Western Carolina and try for football. “Later in the summer, my tuition was due at Western and I sold my car to pay my tuition,” he said. “After that, I got a full scholarship. I won the Veterans Affairs Scholarship, and I was a walk-on at Western and played freshman ball.” The problem with Western, however, was that Cullowhee was too far from Wilson’s high school sweetheart. He left after a year and came home. He and Sheila were married in January, 1970 – they’ll celebrate their 45th anniversary next year. Their son, Brian, was born in 1974. Wilson switched to Gaston College, played some pro ball with the Gaston Patriots, and went to work for Duke Power in Charlotte as a junior engineering assistant. He moved up through the company and spent the last 15 years at the Allen Steam Station in Belmont, as Supt. of Administration before retiring as Human Resources Manager in December 2001. “I just want to thank the Good Lord for giving me the life that He has. It’s been a great ride up to now, and I give Him the praise and glory for it,” he said. “I was one of seven children, and I was brought up in a Christian home. We had all the necessities – a Christian environment, and love. I give my mom (Margie) all the credit.” The eighth annual Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame banquet will take place on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 6 pm in the Mount Holly Municipal Complex. Tickets are $20 and available at Charlie's Drug, Bobby Black Insurance, and from committee members.
landing noise. The study to draw the new star-shaped map will take about a year. The measurement scale the study will look at will average night and day decibel levels with 65 and above being considered excessive. A ten-point penalty will be added for excessive decibel levels between 10pm and 6am. Charlotte-Douglas wants input from citizens concerning the new noise map. It has scheduled the first two of six workshops, one on July 30 at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg West Service center at 4150 Wilkinson Blvd. and the other on July 31 at Steele Creek Presbyterian Church at 7407 Steele Creek Rd. More meetings will take place in the near future. Folks can visit a website with the airport's noise map update as well as information about public meetings and other related news at www.airportsites.nert/CLTNEM. To file a complaint related to Charlotte-Douglas aircraft noise visit charmeck.org/city/charlotte/airport/aboutclt/pages/n oiseprogram.aspx. Anyone interested in discussing aircraft noise com-
plaints with the federal government can contact the FAA Aviation Noise Ombudsman. The Noise Ombudsman serves as a liaison with the public on issues regarding aircraft noise. If you have a specific question, comment, concern or complaint contact the Noise Ombudsman and provide the following: your name; your address; a thorough description of your noise issue; the times and dates you are experiencing the noise disturbance; the type of aircraft that are generating the noise; whether or not this noise issue is recurring; documentation of every official you have contacted regarding the issue. The best way to contact the FAA Aviation Noise Ombudsman is by sending an email. These messages can be efficiently distributed to the appropriate subject matter experts to 9-AWANoiseOmbudsman@faa.gov. If you would prefer to call and leave a voice mail at 202-267-3521 or send in a letter through the mail to Federal Aviation Administration, Aviation Noise Ombudsman, AEE-2, 800 Independence Ave. S.W. Washington, DC 20591.
STOWE YMCA: providing fun & a free lunch From page 1A lunches at Catawba Heights.” The program is free and kids up to 18-years-old can show up and take part. “We chose the Catawba Heights park because it is close to a neighborhood and apartments and kids can walk here,” D' Avria said. “Participants can eat lunch and take part in active games like tag and limbo. They also play word games like Mad Libs and read.” Catawba Heights Wesleyan Church, next door to the pocket park, has partnered with the Stowe Family YMCA in the program. Mount Holly police chief Don Roper stopped by to check out the fun and food. “This is awesome,” Roper said. “It's a great way for us to connect with the community.” Sgt. Hoyle read the kids a story about trees. “I love doing this,” she
Stowe Family YMCA staffer Molly D'Avria is seen with some of the kids who took part in last week's Summer Feeding program in Catawba Heights. The weekly event combines a free lunch with learning and fun. Photo by Alan Hodge said. “I would like to see the program expanded.” As for the kids, they were having a great time chowing down on ham sandwiches and chatting. “It's fun to be with my friends and play limbo,” said four-year-old Hailey Johnson.
Eleven-year-old Dustin Auten agreed. “Coming here is something fun to do this summer and I'm learning about science too,” he said. For more information on the Stowe YMCA Summer Feeding program, contact D'Avria at 704-822-9622.
Classified Ads Home for Sale or Rent MOBILE HOMES AND APARTMENTS FOR RENT IN KINGS MOUNTA I N - Pr i c e s starting at $100/week. Call 704-739-4417 or (evening) 704739-1425. (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.br yantrea l t y . o r g . (7/02,09,16 23 &
30/14) Miscellaneous for Sale HOT DOG CART FOR SALE – NSF Approved with 5 x 8 enclosed trailer. Recently inspected with a 100% grade. $2,500.00 . Call: 704-730-1069. (7/30)
Yard Sales - Ads due by 12pm Friday 5 FAMILY YARD SALE – KM Armory on Phifer Rd. Sat., Aug 2nd. 7 am – 11 am. Rain or Shine. Household items, clothing and much more. KM FAMILY YARD SALE – Sat., Aug. 2nd at 301 E.
Parker St., 6 am – Until. A little bit of everything! Something for everyone. GET RID OF ALL T H AT S T U F F ! YARD SALE ADS ARE ONLY $10! G E T YO U R S I N BY 12pm FRIDAY KM YARD SALE – Sat., Aug. 2nd at 802 Cleveland Ave., 7 am – 12(noon) Furniture, Clothes and Miscellaneous items. KM YARD SALE - Sat., Aug. 2nd at 1818 Bethlehem Church Road, (pass truck stop, left at Dixon Church – 1st house on the right) 7 am – Until. Dishes, sweaters, blankets, clothes and etc. Voice Lessons
Experienced Vocal Instructor now enrolling for Summer and Fall lessons in Kings Mountain. Call Michael at (980) 833-2848 for details or visit clawsonmusicstudio.c om. (7/16, 23, & 30) Help Wanted REGIONAL DRIVERS with CDL- A Concord or Kings Mountain, NC domicile HOME EVERY WEEKEND! full medical/dental/vision call Jim 855-842-8501. (7/23 & 30) Drivers: Dedicated Lanes! $2000 Sign-On Bonus! Average salary $60k - $65k. Excellent Comprehensive Benefits! No-Touch get
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Legals
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF GASTON NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS Having qualified on the 7th day of October, 2013 as Administratrix of the Estate of Michael Allen Greene, 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 Amanda Denise Gibson, Administratrix, on or before the 16th day of October, 2014, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 16th day of July, 2014. Amanda Denise Gibson, Administratrix Estate of Michael Allen Greene 1125 Ferrell Grove Rd. Gastonia, NC 28056 BN10579 (7/16, 23 30, & 8/06/2014)
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Wednesday, July 30, 2014
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â– SPORTS
Red Raider Tyler Bray college bound
Braves wrap up 2014 campaign By Art Shoemaker Special to the Banner News
The Gaston Braves entered the Area IV finals with a sparkling 24-1 record. After sweeping three opponents– Rutherford County, Cherryville and Asheville–the team played a very strong Shelby team for the Area IV championship. American Legion teams across the state are grouped in areas based on their location. Area IV covers from Monroe to Asheville, and has 18 teams competing to qualify for the NC American Legion Championship being played in Lexington beginning July 25. Shelby, as expected, proved to be a very strong opponent. They are not only an excellent ball club, drawings players from all Cleveland County Schools, but they also have a strong fan base, and play their home games at Veterans Field in Shelby, which is home to the National American Legion Baseball World Series. Aaron Biggerstaff started on the mound in the opening game. He pitched well until tiring late, and Matt Grimmett came on and closed the game for the Braves. Both youngsters pitched well enough to win, but bat support was lacking as the Braves dropped a 6-0 decision to Shelby in Game 1. Game 2 of the series shifted to Shelby. Playing before a large and enthusiastic crowd, the team gave it their best. However, another win was not to be. The Braves played much better in this game, losing 5-3. Alon Smith toed the rubber for our locals and pitched well, but encountered control problems
and was replaced by Zach Hollar, who pitched well in finishing the game on the mound. Lending hitters in the Shelby game were Aaron Mauldin and Christian Hilty. Both Shelby and the Gaston Braves had earlier qualified for the state tournament in Lexington, as the top two teams in each area of the state were awarded a berth in this tourney. It should be noted that the Shelby series was played without two of the Braves' starting players, as will be the case in the state tournament. Derrick Perry will attend Liberty University on a baseball scholarship and was required to report to school in early July. Braves' leading hitter Adam Andrew suffered a hairline fracture to his foot, in the Asheville series, that has sidelined him for the rest of the season. These were two huge losses to the team. But in giving Shelby credit for their victories, they played better, and as a result, are Area IV champions. As the state American Legion state tournament began Friday in Lexington the Gaston Braves squared off with two-time defending state champion, Wilmington Post 10. Although they had lost two key players, the Braves were up to the task and prevailed by the score of 4-3. Zack Hollar started on the hill and was very impressive. With the score tied in the seventh inning, coach King brought Matt Grimmett in to finish the game. Grimmett held Wilmington at bay and was the winning pitcher. The Braves scored the game’s winning run on a passed ball in the eighth inning.
Pacing the Braves at the plate was Aaron Mauldin with three hits, and Christian Hilty and Tanner Muse chipped in with two hits each. This win advanced the Braves to face Davidson County in game two. Once again the Braves took care of business in defeating Davidson 7-4. Alon Smith pitched well for 5 2/3 innings. Tyler Price and Matt Grimmett both did a good job in relief with Grimmet credited with the win. Leading Gaston with the sticks was Mitch Painter and Adam Hudson, who both were 2-4 in the win. Controversy came into play as the Braves were scheduled to play High Point in the finals of the winner’s bracket. However, through an unknown source, Shelby, who lost to High Point who supposedly played the game with an ineligible player, filed a protest. The National Legion office upheld the protest, giving Shelby the win. All area commissioners in NC ruled that the ineligible player could no longer play, but High Point was still declared the winner and could continue to play. However, as stated above, this ruling was overturned. Instead of playing a Sunday night game, due to this ruling, the Braves' game was pushed to a Monday game. And win or lose in this game the Braves will be involved in two games on Monday. Final results of the outcome of this tournament will be reported in next week’s edition of the Banner.
Mount Holly 10u All-Stars go to state championship
Contributed Photo
West all-star and South Point Red Raider Tyler Bray eluded an East squad defender at the 2014 North Carolina East-West All-Star game. Bray ran for 26 yards and caught two passes off 32 yards. The game ended in a 10-10 tie. By John Wilson john.bannernews@gmail.com
Tyler Bray has weaved, bulled and run his way into South Point football lore. In the words of Red Raider head coach Mickey Lineberger, Bray is "one of the best football players I have ever coached." Last week Bray played his last high school football game. He was selected to be a member of the West squad in the North Carolina East-West All-Star Game. The game, held at Greensboro's Jamieson Stadium, was a fitting sendoff for the most prolific runner in South Point football history. Bray led the West squad with 13 times for 26 yards. He also snagged two passes for 32 yards in the game. For many ball players the end of a high school career is the end of the line. But not for Bray. Early next month he will head to LenoirRhyne University to begin his collegiate career. In a recent interview with The Banner News Tyler talked about all things football. How was the North Carolina East-West All Star Game? Good, it was a tie. At the end of the game the West came back. How old were you when you first started playing football? I was 6 years old. What was your first team? The McAdenville Dolphins!
Photo courtesy Twelve Stones Photography This year marked the first appearance for the Mount Holly 10-under baseball team in the NC Dixie Youth State Tournament. The tournament was held in Eden, NC. With only two weeks to raise the money, many local businesses stepped up to sponsor the team. The team, coaches and parents also worked together to raise funds for the trip to Eden. On the Fourth of July, at the intersections in front of Food Lion in Mt. Holly, the people
gave very generously. The following day, team members and family stood in front of Wal-Mart and again the donations were excellent. On one occasion, an older gentleman came up and talked to the boys and said he was on the first All-Star team in Mt. Holly in the 1950’s. He gave them a $100 bill. The Gastonia Grizzlies also allowed the team to sell 50/50 tickets to the fans to help with the fundraiser. In the end it was enough money
for the entire trip. Opening ceremonies began July 18 with 16 teams represented. Mount Holly's first game was July 19 with a win against North Stanley 5-2 and the second win against Fairmont was decided in extra innings 6-5. Mount Holly lost to eventual champion Hope Mills National team and finished with 2 wins, 2 loses. Also, Mount Holly was awarded the Ken Britt sportsmanship award for the tournament. The team is proof that hard work and
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great coaching pays off. This was a great experience for all the players, coaches and families. Even though Mount Holly didn’t win the championship the team and families walked away victorious and made memories to last a lifetime. Coaches included Stacey Hall, Jason Farmer, and Shane Trull. Players included Logan Agosta, Parker Agosta, Liam Brady, Brian Clingerman, Landon Farmer, Julian Hall, Trevor Hall, Kyle Hatcher, Quinton Harte, Jack Matz, Drake Trull, Drew Wofford.
How did you end up at running back? Well, I was an offensive lineman. I wore #65. I was a pulling guard. It was during my Pee-Wee year. We needed a running back. So Coach Vic Redman put me at running back. Did anyone inspire you to play football? My family! My family is big on football. My brothers played and my sister was a cheerleader for McAdneville. It was a family thing. What was your most memorable South Point Game? There were so many. But I would say in 2012 the second round playoff game against Crest. I broke the Gaston County rushing record. Would you have a least memorable game?
Tuesday, August 5th, 6pm @ The Country Kitchen in Dallas. NC. Check our website For additional events
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The Concord game last year. I got my head busted. I got stitched up and went back in. What has football taught you? To be a leader, on and off the field. It has taught me to care about more than just myself. Who taught you the most about football? That would be Vic Redman, my Pop Warner coach. How did you end up wearing #42. I was wearing #22. But when I was in high school a senior had that number so in a way #42 was close to it. Do you have a favorite player, college, pro? Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) I've been told I kind of run like him. How did it work out that you ended up at LenoirRhyne? I never really understood the college recruiting process so I got into it late. Carolina asked me to walk on. I also got a work out at LenoirRhyne. After the work out I signed a letter of intent to go there. Do you know how they plan to use you? I've been told they will red shirt me. I have a lot to learn. What do you hope to major in at LenoirRhyne? Exercise Science. What is your fondest football memory? Mars Hill, going to summer camp with South Point at Mars Hill. OK, what about your stats? How tall are you? 6 foot. Weight? 195. And your 40 time? I would say 4.51
Parks & Rec sports sign-ups Belmont Parks & Recreation Department is holding registration for: Youth Girls Volleyball for ages 9-15 now - Aug. 9 at 12 noon on a first come first serve basis. Youth Soccer for ages 315 now - Aug. 9 at 12 noon on a first come first serve basis. Adult Soccer now - Aug. 22 on a first come first serve basis. Signups will be taken at the recreation dept. located at 37 East Woodrow Ave in Belmont for all teams. For more information please call 704-901-2070, email gaguirre@cityofbel mont.org