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Volume 78 • Issue 32 • Wednesday, August 7, 2013
The vote is in... Fighting Yank to move ALAN HODGE alan.bannernews@gmail.com
The Belmont City Council gave its approval Monday night to a plan that will see the “Spirit of the Fighting Yank� WWII memorial statue moved from the campus of the former Belmont High School (now Belmont Middle), where it
has stood since 1946, to a new location across from Caravan Coffee in Stowe Park on Main Street. The vote was 4-1 with Martha Stowe casting the nay ballot. Stowe had made a motion to defer the vote until the next council meeting so more input on the statue’s move could be gathered, but her motion
was not seconded. Nearly two-dozen folks spoke, most of them eloquently, on the statue situation during the meeting’s public comment portion. Five opposed the move. Their main concerns seemed to be the threat of vandalism the statue might face in Stowe Park. That, plus a desire to
maintain tradition by keeping the Fighting Yank where he is now. Citizen Cindy Maxwell suggested a compromise by putting the statue on the grounds of City Hall. Keep Belmont Beautiful representative Judy Closson opposed the move to Stowe Park citing tree removal as an issue.
Most folks gave their endorsement of moving the Yank. Speakers in that vein included former Belmont mayor Billy Joye and 94year-old Pearl Harbor survivor Gene Reinhardt. Several members of American Legion Posts 144 and 180 were also on hand to support See STATUE, 4A
New tax laws What do they mean for you? By Alan Hodge Alan.bannernews@gmail.com
The new tax law signed by NC Gov. Pat McCrory on July 23 will bring changes to the way and amount that many Tar Heels render unto the state government, but how much those figures will change and who will take a hit is still somewhat up in the air. The fact is, the law is so new that many tax experts are still trying to sort it out. “I’ve read portions of it but still need to study it some more before I can offer advice to clients,� said Dot Martin of Dot’s Bookkeeping and Tax in Belmont. “It’s all so new.� McCrory and the GOPdominated General Assembly declare that the new law will help bring the state out of the economic doldrums by sparking job creation. Even though the nation is supposedly out of the Great Recession, North Carolina still has the fifth highest unemployment rate in America. “We’re moving toward action,� McCrory said. “People are hurting.� The new law brings an end to North Carolina’s three-tiered personal tax rates that had been in effect since 1921 and replaces them with a flat rate of 5.8 percent in 2014. A year later, the rate will drop slightly to 5.75 percent.
On the corporate side, the tax rate will fall from the current 6.9 percent to 6 percent in 2014 and to 5 percent in 2015. Any future drop will depend on the state achieving revenue goals. Other changes in the tax law will increase the standard deduction from $3,000 to $7,500 (for singles) but limit mortgage and property tax breaks. It will also eliminate certain personal exemptions. The annual August sales tax holiday that many parents take advantage of to buy back to school items will also be cut. Sales taxes will be placed on certain expenditures including movie tickets and service contracts. The sales tax on electricity will double. The estate tax will be eliminated and the cut made retroactive back to January 1 of this year. The new law will full exempt Social Security income from state income tax, allow full deductibility of charitable contributions, and keep the current child credit of $100 for those making $40,000 and increase the credit to $125 for those making under $40,000. Even though NC Republican legislators say the new tax changes will benefit everyone, such may not be the case. Depending on their incomes and circumstances, some retirees, and small
Photo by Alan Hodge
Scott Stevens and other workers from Long Foundation Drilling were trying to get things going again last week after recent floods made of mess of the new Cramerton bridge worksite.
Flood waters delay bridge work By Alan Hodge Alan.bannernews@gmail.com
In addition to flooding several sections of Cramerton and generally making a muddy mess, recent down-
pours have also played havoc with work on the new bridge being constructed over the South Fork River there. Work started last September on replacing the 1952
Dawson Bridge, named for textile magnate C. Claudius Dawson. The $1.4 million project is slated for completion in April 2014. Back in November, NCDOT official Mike Row-
land predicted the job would stay on schedule, but added the caveat “The biggest challenge will be the weather�. That challenge reared its head last week in the form of See BRIDGE WORK, 2A
Journey of Hope riders visit Holy Angels
See TAXES, 4A
Smith to be inducted into Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame By Kathy Blake Special to the Banner News
When a coach can lead his team into an arena, and the other schools’ competitors become silent and stare in awe as the team walks by, the program must be successful. “And that’s what they’d do,â€? said former East Gaston wrestling coach Doug Smith. “We’d walk into a locker room, and there would be 18 other teams there, and they’d just stop‌ and part‌ in silence as we walked by. Then they’d whisper, like, ‘There they are‌’â€? Smith saw it during the 13 seasons he coached East Gaston, from 1978 to 1991.
Photo by Alan Hodge
About two dozen Push America Journey of Hope riders visited Holy Angels on Friday. The cyclists were on their way to Charlotte from Spartanburg as they made their journey to Washington, D.C.
Contributed Photo
Doug Smith (on right) will be inducted into the Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame based on his outstanding career as wrestling coach at East Gaston High during thirteen seasons. He molded his athletes to be the best they could be. Come tournament time, as one newspaper columnist wrote, “He’d turn them lose to terrorize the rest of the state.� “There are probably 30 or 40 tournaments we won all through there (from 1978 See SMITH, 4A
On Friday, August 2, the Journey of Hope bikers from Push America arrived at Holy Angels around 12:30 p.m. (riding in on their bikes) for lunch and a Friendship Visit with Holy Angels residents. The Journey of Hope bikers have visited Holy Angels each year - for 26 years. This is just one of their stops during the 3,000-mile crosscountry 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 (Friendship Visits) on the 64-day Journey of Hope. 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 would return a few years later, for another Give A PUSH weekend and build 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
Cook stepping over to Stuart Cramer High By Alan Hodge Alan.bannernews@gmail.com
It’s only a small step geographically speaking from Belmont Elementary School to the new Stuart Cramer High, but for Glenn Cook, who was assistant principal at the former and will be assuming that role at the latter when it opens on August 26, it is a giant leap in his career as an academic administrator- and one he is looking forward to excelling in. A native of Belmont, Cook, 30, is married and has two daughters. He got his education locally at Belmont Central, Belmont Middle,
See HOLY ANGELS, 4A
See COOK, 4A
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Wednesday, August 7, 2013
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■OBITUARIES Joseph Rudisill Co-owner of Lowesville Automotive STANLEY- Joseph Hoke Rudisill, 75, a resident of Stanley Total Living Center, passed away on F r i d a y, August 2, 2013. He was born in Lincoln County, son of the late Joseph Solomon and Irene Hoke Rudisill. He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Dellinger Rudisill and a grandson Brandon Joseph Rudisill. He was co owner of Lowesville Automotive. He is survived by two sons, Terry Hoke Rudisill and wife Sandy of Lowesville and Shawn Anthony Rudisill and wife Jennifer of Denver; three grandchildren, Kerri Hester and husband Erik of Belmont, Michael Rudisill of Lowesville, and Joshua Rudisill of Denver; one great granddaughter, Kaisley HesClara Sue Anderson DALLAS – Clara Sue Cloninger Anderson, 83, passed away Saturday, August 3, 2013 at CaroMont Regional Hospital. She was born April 19, 1930 in Gaston County, NC to Wayne Leonard and Mary Lucille High Cloninger. She was a member of Westview Baptist in Bessemer City NC Funeral service was Tuesday, August 6, at 2pm at Westview Baptist Church with Rev. Jerry Millwood officiating. Burial followed at
ter; three sisters, Linda Goodson and husband Jerry of Lincolnton, Sybil Goodson and husband Jerry of Kannapolis, Patricia Hazelden and husband Eric of Aynor, SC; two brothers, Hugh Rudisill of Charlotte and Julian Rudisill and wife Alene of Iron Station. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mr. Rudisill was held at 6:30pm Tuesday, August 6, at the Living Word Ministries with Pastor Derrik Dellinger officiating. The family received friends from 5:00-6:30pm prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be made to Living Word Ministries, 1062 South Highway 16, Stanley, NC 28164 or 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.
Gaston Memorial Park. The family received friends one hour prior to services.
Montcross Chamber Photo
Entrance to the present Bisque Imports Building at 406 East Catawba Street that will be home to Catawba Antique Mall.
67,000-square-foot antique mall to open in East Belmont Big changes are coming to East Belmont with the pending relocation of Bisque Imports and the opening of Catawba River Antique Mall, with space for up to 400 vendor booths in the 67,000-square-foot former Majestic Mill building. Catawba River Antique Mall owner Emory Vandiver and General Manager C.J. Austin just announced the scheduled October 17 opening of the giant antique mall. Bisque Imports President D.J. Toal recently purchased the former
Belmont Spinning Mill in North Belmont and plans to move Bisque Imports into that facility. The historic building that will be home to Catawba River Antique Mall is 107 years old with high ceilings and maple hardwood floors. The address is 406 East Catawba Street, Belmont. The owners are now accepting vendors for the mall. Vendor information is available online at www.catawbariverantiquemall.com, or by calling 704-825-2383.
The website says Catawba River Antique Mall will feature a jewelry room, live auctions, vintage fashion shows and a designer resale boutique. Marketing material says the mall is the newest in the area and one of the largest and is located only one mile from I-85 and five minutes from I-485. Vandiver and Austin said they have fallen in love with the historic mill building that will be home to the antique mall and are eager to become a part of the Belmont community.
Patricia Marshall GASTONIA – Patricia “Patti Louise Marshall, 59 passed away Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at CaroMont Regional Medical Center. She was a native of Mecklenburg County, NC, born March 8, 1954 to the late Clarence Lester, Sr. and Thelma Lambert Marshall. All services are private.
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BRIDGE WORK: delayed by flood waters From page 1A floods that swept large amounts of tree limbs and logs as well as other debris into the bridge worksite. Water damaged construction equipment and generally made a muddy mess out of the place where guys from firms such as Long Foundation Drilling were trying to bore massive holes in the riverbed for the concrete bridge supports. Two large barges floating in the river are providing a platform for cranes and the drilling rig. The barges were
brought in on trucks, and then slid into the river. Steel posts driven in the riverbed hold the barges in place and let them rise and fall according to the water level. So far, one support has been completed and the hole bored for another. The third and final support is the one that crews were working on when the flood took place. Concrete supports for the ends of the 440-foot bridge are done. Long employee Robert Simpson and his colleagues were trying to get back up to speed last Thursday.
“We couldn’t work for three days because of the flood,� Simpson said. “The project is a little behind. The flood made a mess and we are trying to service our equipment and get back to work.� Simpson’s co-worker, Scott Stevens, was also struck by the power of the flood and its impact on drilling operations. “A lot of water came through,� he said. “It was pretty awesome.� Another driller, Brain Barth, lamented the fact that things were disrupted by the inundation. “We didn’t get nothing done this week,� he said.
A non-flood related factor that also caused bore crews some headaches was the fact that ‘junk’ including pieces of rail car were on the river bottom from days gone by. The bridge being out has impacted not only businesses in Cramerton, but will cause some students, staff, and parents to take a circuitous route to the new Stuart W. Cramer High which will open for classes August 26. “We are doing our best under the circumstances,� said Simpson. “Thankfully, the water went down fairly fast.�
â– BELMONT July 31: Richard Louis Theriot, fugitive warrant, arrested by Officer M. Stroupe, 2418 Jackson St. Aug. 2: Corrine Katherine Spain, cruelty to animals, arrested by Cpl. M. Harris, 115 Pratt St. Aug. 2: Nichole Leigh Pennix, communicating threats, arrested by Cpl. M. Harris, 100 Alice St. Aug. 3: Sean Vincent Hughes, assault on a female, communicating threats, arrested by Officer B. Herndon, 76 Belmont Ave. August 3: Tammy Michelle Saunders, larceny shoplifting, trespassing, ar-
POLICE
rested by Officer R. Berry, 701 Hawley Ave. August 3: Danielle Michelle Messick, larceny shoplifting, arrested by Officer R. Berry, I85 Southbound Exit 27. Aug. 4: Jamie Edward Derberry, DWI Alcohol and/or drugs, arrested by Officer B. Herndon, 205 Glenway St. Aug. 4: Killian Patrick Connick, larceny shoplifting, DWI Alcohol and/or drugs, arrested by Cpl. E. Mason, Hawley Ave. Aug. 5: Atiah Samiah Hadi, DWLR, arrested by Officer K. Wingate, Oak St.
6 North Main Street Downtown Belmont, NC
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
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Photo by Alan Hodge
Mount Holly Historical Society volunteers Roy and Christie Vogel are seen with part of the new display about the Mountain Island Manufacturing Co. at the group’s museum on Main St. Photo at left courtesy of Millican Historical Museum.
New display to highlight the Mountain Island Mill ALAN HODGE alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Being of Northern extraction, Mount Holly Historical Society members Roy and Christine Vogel knew little about the local textile industry when they moved to Mount Holly. But that didn’t stop them from helping create one of the group’s most important displays yet at its museum on Main St.- a collection of items and information associated with the Mountain Island Manufacturing Co. complex. The Mountain Island Manufacturing Co. operated on the Catawba River from 1848 until 1916 when it was basically swept away by the Great Flood. The main building was five stories tall and made of locally produced brick. There were
also warehouses and other structures associated with the complex. As with most other textile mills, there was a village nearby where workers lived. Landholdings connected with the mill totaled 1,100 acres. The mill produced a variety of textile products including sheeting, yarn, wool for blankets, and twine. It also made a type of cloth called Alamance plaid. Helping the Vogels and other volunteers on the project was museum display designer Irene Morris of Asheville who has also done work for venues such as the Levine Museum. “I take on one special project a year which I choose based on potential community impact, community support, and in the case of the
Mount Holly Historical Society, exceptionally motivated volunteer support staff,� said Morris. “I was extremely impressed with the initiative shown by volunteers Roy and Christine Vogel, which convinced me that the Historical Society could bring to life a well composed exhibit that would benefit the entire town of Mount Holly for years to come. It was my privilege to be involved with this project.� The Vogels and other MHHS volunteers appreciated the expertise that Morris brought their way. “Working with Morris makes this the Mount Holly Historical Museum’s first professional display,� said Christine. And what a display it is. As you enter the museum room,
the first thing that catches your eye is a large reproduction on the wall of the Mountain Island Manufacturing Co. logo. There’s also a storyboard showing the chronology of the mill’s operation as well as diary excerpts from employee Jim Parker who worked there from 1897-1901. Another gem in the display is the actual bell that once tolled the shifts at the mill. The bell was from Troy, New York, dated 1873, and is all that remained after the 1916 flood. It was found a couple of miles downstream after the waters subsided. Smaller items on a table in the display include bobbins and spindles of the type used in the mill. There are also household items such as bottles, iron stove parts, and an ax head that John Anger of
Mount Holly dug near the mill village site. In addition, there’s a notebook with a five-page detailed history of the Mountain Island Manufacturing Co. that folks can read. “It’s a hands on table,� said Roy. There’s room for growth in the display room and it will eventually include artifacts and information about other mills in the Mount Holly area including A&E. “We want our community to bring us artifacts from the mills,� said Christine. In the meantime, the Vogels as well as the rest of the Mount Holly Historical Society thank the city council for making the museum building available and showing support for the work that goes on there.
Illinois workers donate to Mt. Holly CRO These workers and managers at the McDonald’s restaurant in Gilman, Illinois found out that the Mount Holly Community Relief Organization needed food for its clients and chipped in $210 for the cause. Contributed Photos
Big Red Booster Club drive As a new school year approaches please become a Big Red Booster Club member to support all the athletes of South Point High School. The Big Red Booster Club membership drive is Saturday, August 10 from 10am-12noon in the South Point football stadium. Memberships, hospitality and parking passes for football, super raider memberships and red raider apparel will be available. Watch the football team on the practice field and meet new raider fans! If you have any questions please visit bigredboosterclub.org or contact Rhonda Van Pelt at 704-460-1658.
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STATUE: to move to Stowe Park
HOLY ANGELS: visited by Journey of Hope riders
From page 1A From page 1A moving the statute. “I hold the statue in high esteem,� said Joye. “I couldn’t think of a better place for it than downtown in the park.� The drive to get the statue moved to Stowe Park was started several months ago by State Farm insurance agent Art Shoemaker who became concerned about the statue being vandalized and in a place where few folks could see it. He was later joined by Bobby Brown, who is active in the Belmont Historical Society. The pair took their idea to many local civic and veterans groups as well as city officials and built up a grassroots campaign of support. Shoemaker gave the council a quick review of his plans during the public comment session. “Looking at the statue in Stowe Park will give a somber and peaceful feeling,� he said. “It will enhance the beauty of our city.� The logistics of the statue’s new location in Stowe Park will have it placed in a location across from Caravan Coffee and about 6-8 yards from the
Photo by Alan Hodge Art Shoemaker took his three minutes of public comment time at Belmont’s City Council meeting Monday to give a quick recap of plans to move the Spirit of the Fighting Yank statue. sidewalk. Landscaping, a paved pavilion, flagpoles, benches, lighting, and security cameras will complete the set-up. About $10,000 will be needed for the job of relocating the statue and costs associated with preparing the site. The money will be raised by private donations. The NC National Guard will bring in heavy equipment to prepare the site and move the Fighting Yank to its new home. Shoemaker says the job could be done by Memorial Day 2014 and that a grand unveiling ceremony will take place.
TAXES: what do the new laws mean for you? From page 1A business owners, as well as families, might see their taxes increase. People in higher tax brackets could receive some of the highest cuts. Taxpayer Frank Fullam of North Belmont was at the Center of Knowledge on Hickory Grove Rd. (aka Rollins Service Station) and had this to say about the tax scale. “A flat tax sounds good but the rich should pay on what they draw,� he said. “They always get a break.� The earned income credit tax break for low-income wage earners will expire after 2013 returns are submitted next year. Tax breaks for adoptions and businesses that hire unemployed veterans will be reduced. Other New Laws In addition to the tax law rework, the General Assembly also passed a variety of bills before heading home. One of the most controversial, SB306, repealed the Racial Justice Act that allowed death row inmates to appeal if there was evidence of racial bias in their case. Other criminal justice laws that were passed included HB 813, which makes selling synthetic cannabis illegal, SB530, which makes selling electronic cigarettes to minors unlawful, and SB20 that gives limited immunity to drug users who seek medical help for someone who is overdosing. In the area of health care, the General Assembly passed SB4 that blocks the implementation of a state health insurance exchange under the Affordable Care
Act- aka Obamacare. The bill also stops the state from adding more low-income folks to the Medicaid rolls. In a blow to the proposed Garden Parkway, HB817 cancelled construction of turnpikes in Currituck, New Hanover, and Gaston counties. The unemployed felt a sting with passage of HB4. This new law cuts unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to a sliding scale of 12 and 20 weeks, and also decreases the maximum amount of benefits per week. On the education front, HB44 means the state will shift from funding textbook learning to funding digital learning. HB 146 and SB243 require students to learn cursive writing and memorize the multiplication tables beginning in the 2013-2014 school year. Other miscellaneous laws that were passed included HB219 that replaces the words “illegitimate� and “bastardy� with “out of wedlock� in NC laws. Also, HB829 will allow restaurants and grocery stores to fill growlers with beer. HB19 will boost protection against protesters at military funerals by keeping them 500 feet away for two hours before and after the event. Lastly, HB830 names the several new NC state symbols including the megalodon shark tooth as the state fossil, the possum as the state marsupial, and the whirligig as the state toy. A full listing of activity by the NC General Assembly as well as information on sessions and legislators is available at www.ncga.state.nc.us/
of Directors, stated, “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 and continues to spread a message of acceptance and understanding for people with disabilities. Holy Angels was founded in 1956 by the Sisters of Mercy - beginning 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 Bel-
mont, NC, 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 (15bed), Moody Place ICF/MR group home (15-bed), four community group homes, Little Angels Child Development Center, Great Adventures, Camp Hope, Cherubs CafĂŠ & Candy Bouquet (vo-
cational 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, please call 704.825.4161 or visit Holy Angels’ website at www.HolyAngelsNC.org
SMITH: to be inducted into MH Sports Hall of Fame From page 1A to’91). We had a lot of kids that did a real good job for us,� Smith said. As members of the SouthWestern 3A Conference from 1978-79 through 1984-85, the Warriors won five conference titles and were co-champions twice. In 1980-81, they were 10-2 overall and 7-0 in the conference, and were undefeated – at 14-0 overall – in 198182. East Gaston joined the Tri-County 4A Conference in 1985-86 and was cochampion its first year. The team won the conference title every year afterward, until joining the MEGA 7 4A in 1993-94. Smith’s teams went undefeated in conference matches in ’87, ’88 and ’91, and went 20-0 overall in 1990-91. “The best memories from those years are probably our state championship teams, but there were some really great years for the wrestling program,� Smith said. “We had great people; great individuals.� Two of them, Eric Helms and Shad Ellis, recorded more than 100 wins. Smith, 57, is from the Riverbend area of Mount Holly, a neighborhood that produced Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame members Bruce and Wayne Bolick (2011, baseball, football) and
Larry Hartsell (2012, baseball, football). He played football for two years at Mount Holly High School, and was defensive player of the year as a sophomore, before changing sports at East Gaston, which opened in 1972. “Those of us who are small, we just migrated toward wrestling,� he said. Steve Williams coached the Warriors’ first team, in 1973, and won two conference titles before leaving in 1976. Wrestling was a developing sport at the time. The team practiced on folding panel mats. There were only about six other teams in the conference. Smith competed one year in, he said, at 155 pounds in maybe 11 matches. “The sport was still growing, to be honest with you,� he said. He wrestled intramurals in college – he received his bachelor’s in education from Western Carolina in 1978 and has a degree in physical education and certification in social studies from UNCCharlotte. In the fall of 1978, he took his talents back to East Gaston, to coach – and teach social studies. His greatest influence, he said, was his former football coach at Mount Holly High, the late Delmer Wiles. “He set me in motion quite a bit, with the things he did, as far as teaching me what you need to do to excel,�
Smith said. Smith left coaching in 1991, and retired from teaching in 1998. He owns Awards Express, in the Shuffletown area of Charlotte, and has a dozen employees working to make trophies, plaques, t-shirts and other items for sports teams. An assistant coach, Kirk Wells, had a business and Smith joined in as a hobby, “And it blossomed from there,� he said. He and his wife, Toni, have two boys, ages 11 and 5, and a girl, 7. He coaches the five-year-old in t-ball. But in his office, behind all the business agendas and work essentials, is a pile of clippings from newspapers, some yellowed with age. He has a copy of the Flaming Arrow, the East Gaston student paper, from April 1990. The whole front page is wrestling, the state championship matches from that February at the Greensboro Coliseum. “I’ve been to every Hall of Fame banquet except maybe one or two over the years,� Smith said. “I’m very honored now to be a part of it.� Tickets to the seventh annual Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame banquet are $20 and available at Charlie’s Drugs and from committee members. The event will be held Saturday, August 17 at 6pm at the Mount Holly Municipal Complex.
COOK: named asst. principal at new Stuart Cramer High From page 1A and South Point High schools. He graduated from Appalachian State in 2005 and taught at Robinson Elementary for four and a half years before assuming the assistant principal post at Belmont Central in 2010. When the chance came to apply for the Cramer High assistant principalship, Cook put the job on his radar. “It was on my wish list and in my prayers,� he said. According to Cook, one reason he was interested in Cramer High was the chance to work with principal Audrey Devine. “I had heard great things about her,� he said. “She is a
Everything you need
The quality of the Cramer High facility itself was another thing that Cook found attractive. The school features state-of-the-art equipment and technology in classes as varied as welding and culinary arts. “When I walk into this school I am in awe of the Photo by Alan Hodge Glenn Cook will be assuming the role of opportunities that will assistant principal at Stuart W. Cramer students have,� he said. “I High when it opens August 26. don’t know how a great administrator and I student can’t find their niche hope to soak up some of her here. We have something for knowledge.� everyone.�
Cook plans to take an active role in steering students towards their educational goals and dreams. “I especially want to encourage them to be learners,� he said. Cook also sees his role at Cramer High as a continuation of the work he did at Belmont Central. “I tried to ignite a love of school in the students at Belmont Central,� he said. “Now, at Cramer High I can give the kids a last push towards college.� He also sees the chance to reach a great number of students with that philosophy. “I love my role as an administrator,� he said. “For every teacher I can help, that can touch the lives of 30 or more students.� Overall, Cook sees his new job at Cramer High as that of helping guide students towards success in and after school. “I want to help develop leaders and help kids find their path,� he said. “I want them to further themselves in whatever they want to do.�
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Wednesday, August 7, 2013
â– MEDITATION
God watches over us I love the Subaru commercial of the father and daughter. It is her first day Rev. Angela Pleasants riding a school bus. The First United Methodist Church, nervous dad and daughter Mount Holly wait in anticipation for the bus. As the daughter gets on the bus she looks back once more at her dad. In the next clip the dad is racing alongside the bus in his Subaru to check on his daughter. She is laughing with a friend and enjoying herself. I get emotional every time I see that commercial. It reminds me of similar stories my mom would share with me when I started school for the first time. As a child we find comfort in knowing our parents are always watching over us. As teenager we don’t like to admit it as much but we still found comfort in knowing. Now as an adult I live away from my family but I still feel the comfort in knowing they are watching and caring for me. There are times I encounter life’s challenges but I know I can reach out to my family anytime and they are always there. Sometimes our family is watching us and we are not even aware. My mom said there were times as a kid she would peep through the classroom window to make sure I was alright. I never knew her eyes were upon me. There are times in our spiritual life it may seem our load is so heavy we don’t see any relief. We pray long prayers and fast, but it still seems heavy. We begin to wonder if God hear our prayers and see our plight. “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.� Psalm 34:15, 17-29 NKJV. God is a watchful God and his eyes and ears are always attentive. God is close to the brokenhearted. There are times God is working in the spiritual that we have yet seen in the natural. Stand firm and trust in his word that he will deliver us. Praise God always. Glorify and trust his grace.
Blues out Back set for August 9 Gaston County Museum, 131 West Main Street, Dallas, will host the performance of David Holt & Josh Goforth, as part of their 15th Annual “Blues out Back� free summer concert series on Friday, August 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the lawn behind the museum. This performance is sponsored by Facet Foundry and Brooks Insurance. Four-time Grammy Award winner David Holt is a musician, storyteller, historian, television host and entertainer, dedicated to performing and preserving traditional American music and stories. He is host of public television’s Folkways, a North Carolina program that takes the viewer through the Southern Mountains visiting traditional craftsmen and musicians. Combined with rising acoustic music star and Grammy nominee, Josh Goforth, they will join together to bring to life the joy and spirit of traditional Piedmont Blues. Josh is descended from many of the old-timers David learned from in the late 1960s in Lonesome Mountain, NC. For David, combining forces with Josh is making a full circle. Blues out Back is held the second Friday of the month from May until September. The museum encourages folks to bring along blankets, lawn chairs, and a picnic for an evening of great music with friends and family.
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Gaston student pays homage to forgotten art forms By Sarah Gibson Special to the Banner News
Gaston College is currently featuring artwork by Michael D. Merritt, a student who is using his talents to bring attention to the work of American designer Louis Comfort Tiffany and ekiyoe, traditional Japanese printing. Merritt has been making art as a hobby his whole life, but became fascinated with Tiffany’s work in the 9th grade, when he began to research the artist at his local library. Tiffany rose to prominence at the turn of the twentieth century due to his elaborate glasswork, the most memorable of which were his signature lamps, typically featuring Wisteria, dragonflies, and other natural motifs. These lamps were painstakingly assembled from “the little pieces that were broken off and left on the floor� of the stained glass studio, Merritt stated, and due to the labor-intensive nature of the craft, handmade stained-glass lamps are a rarity in the 21st century. Merritt was enamored by Tiffany’s designs and began to sketch his own lamps, a pastime that has yielded numerous unique and lovely paintings. Merritt uses India ink, oil pastels, and acrylics to replicate the whorls and hue gradients found in stained glass. In addition, Merritt has recently become interested in the work of Ando Hiroshige, a Japanese artist known for his colorful wood block prints.
Photo by Sarah Gibson
Self taught artist Michael Morris is seen with some of his works that are on display at Gaston College Belmont campus. Hiroshige’s work typically depicts rural scenes and was a popular art form in Japan in the 18th century. Making one print involved numerous artisans, colorists, and publishers, and the style eventually fell out of favor due to the difficulty of the process. Merritt has sought to pay homage to the form by painting scenes commonly found in ekiyo-e prints, such as river crossings and mountains, as well as producing a trio of Geisha portraits in the traditional style. “They’re just not made anymore,� Merritt stated regarding the ekiyo-e prints and Tiffany lamps. “It might be of interest of people to research
them.� Merritt, a soft-spoken and unassuming Belmont native, made the paintings solely for his own enjoyment until Jody Mosteller, the Gaston College’s librarian, became aware of his work. “He showed me a picture one time and it just knocked my socks off,� Mosteller said. She arranged for his paintings to be displayed at the library, where the public can currently view them. When asked about his
feelings about having his artwork featured, Merritt said, “I hope people will enjoy them. It’s something different you don’t usually think about or see.� Merritt is grateful to the college for this opportunity as well as the impact studying there has had on his life. He encourages everyone to “further their education and benefit their resume in life,� as well as educate themselves on these art forms, which are, at least for the moment, not entirely forgotten.
Thanks for reading the Banner News... ‘your hometown newspaper’
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Wednesday, August 7, 2013
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Ready for a ? n o i t a c a v
You could
Win a Weekend in the smokies Register at these locations: In Kings Mountain: • Body Junction • Dellinger’s Jewel Shop • Summit Place of Kings Mountain • Kings Mountain Herald In Cherryville: • Carolina Care Cottages • Sellers Service Center • Cherryville Eagle In Mount Holly: • Brightstar Grill • Robert Black Insurance • William Gary & Associates In Gastonia: • Badcock & More Furniture In Belmont: • Belmont General Store • Simonetti’s • The Banner News
Spend three days and two nights in a spacious Smoky Mountain Cabin that sleeps up to six people. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, relaxing living space and full kitchen. Close to the national park and to all the attractions, restaurants, and shopping of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Contest Rules: There aren’t many. Just register at any of the participating businesses listed above. Entry forms and a box are located in each business. Enter as often as you like, but please limit entries to one per store visit. One winner will be drawn from all entries. Prize is limited to cabin rental only. Dates are subject to availability and must be approved by the cabin owner. Drawing will be held August 30, 2013. Chances of winning are 1 in ? But odds are a whole lot better than the Power Ball... And it costs nothing to try.
Brought to you by these businesses who appreciate you... their customers! ! #
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Sellers Service Center Owner, Garon Sellers Cherryville
Belmont General Store Art by J • L&B Produce
6 North Main St., downtown Belmont
704.825.0114
Dellinger’s
Jewel Shop 6432 Wilkinson Blvd. Belmont 704-825-5555
112 W. Mountain St., Kings Mountain
704.435.3324
704-739-8031 www.dellingersjewelshop.com
Carolina Care Center & Cottages 1392 E. Franklin Blvd. Gastonia 704-862-6022
205 Madora St. Mount Holly 704.827.0212
111 Harrilson Rd. Cherryville
Your One Stop Body Shop! 309 S. Battleground Ave, Kings Mountain 704.739.4088
20+ years
William K. Gary & Associates, Inc. 124 S. Main St., Mount Holly
704.827.3151
Banner News
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
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Photos by Alan Hodge
Cramer High JV football runner Darnell Johnson rounds the curve as coach Ben McMillan looks on during last week’s practice sessions.
Stuart Cramer JV football preps for opening season
The Gatorade jug was a popular spot for Cramer High JV football players during their practice last week. The team is known as the Storm and they sweated up one too.
Cramer High JV football player Logan James took part in the team’s first practices last week. Coach Ben McMillan and his assistants gave the chaps a vigorous workout.
IDEAL HOME. IDEAL EXPERTS. IDEAL LIFESTYLE. Charlotte’s Largest Home Improvement Event
Stuart Cramer High football coach Ben McMillan is seen giving his linemen some instruction during last week’s first practice sessions.
Kids Fishing Day is August 17 Gaston County Parks and Recreation will be hosting a Kid’s Fishing Day on August 17 from 8am till 10am at South Fork River Park off Hickory Grove Rd. in North Belmont. GC Parks and Recreation is a member of the NC Wildlife Commission's Tackle Loaner Program (TLP). The Tackle Loaner Program operates just like a library. Anglers of all ages may
register at the Gaston County Parks Office or at South Fork River Park on August 17 to receive a tackle loaner ID card, which allows them to check out a rod and reel. Anglers under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian complete the registration form. After returning the loaner rods and reels, first-time participants under 16 years of age will receive a free mini-
tackle box containing hooks, bobbers, sinkers, and a stringer. A limited number of poles will be available for checkout during the Kid’s Fishing Day. For more information, please contact GC Parks & Recreation at 704-922-2160 or visit the County’s website at http://www.gastongov. com/departments/parks-recreation.
AUGUST 23-25 The Park Expo and Conference Center 2500 East Independence Blvd. Charlotte, NC
Register online for a $1000 shopping spree! Save $2 Off at the gate with this Ad* *Up to two adult show time admission(s) with this ad. Not valid with any other discount.
Rethink. Remodel. Restyle.
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IDEAL Cooking Stage IDEAL Remodeling Stage NARI Parade of PlayHomes
A Southern Shows Inc. Production
www.SouthernIdealHomeShow.com
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Wednesday, August 7, 2013
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■ LIFESTYLES
■ BUSINESS Jonas Brothers visit Belmont
Yards of the Month Keep Belmont Beautiful has announced the following Yard of the Month winners for July. Kim and Mitch Love, 22 Poplar Street
Photo Courtesy Nancy Nance
The Jonas Brothers musical group was in Belmont last week checking out the former Second Fiddle consignment shop on Main Street where they might open a restaurant. During their visit they stopped at several downtown locations including Cherubs café.
The String Bean wins award
Angela and James Congelli, 910 S. Main Street
Sandy and Clay Lemons, 5100 Samuel Pinckney
Contributed Photo
The String Bean Restaurant in Belmont was recently given a Wine Spectator magazine 2013 Award of Excellence and was one of less than 20 establishments in the Charlotte region to be so honored. The String Bean held a large gathering to celebrate the announcement.
Gaston honored by Rotary Denise and David Brown, 6305 Minnie Pruett
Belmont BoJangles, 6450 Wilkinson Blvd.
Brock re-appointed to board of opticians Bill Brock of Belmont has been reappointed by Gov. Pat McCrory to the NC State Board of Opticians. His term will begin at once and run until June 30, 2016. Brock is also current chairman of the Board of Opticians. Brock was previously on the board under Gov. Bev Perdue. He is a U.S. Army veteran of the Viet Nam war. He is married to the former Kathy Hines of Mount Holly and has two sons, Eric
and Paul. Brock has been an optician for over 30 years. He is a 1982 graduate of Durham Technical Community College where he earned an AAS degree in opticianry. He also earned a bachelor of business administration de-
gree from Montreat College. In December 1983 he earned his NC optician’s license. Brock served on the NC Optician Association Board for seven years including his final year as secretary/treasurer. He was also president of the Metrolina Opticians Society. In 1991, he began the first in-state apprentice optician review course at CPCC. In 1992 he was given the H.J. Ridgeway Award.
Belmont Rotarians paid tribute last Wednesday to the late Harley B. Gaston, Jr., a former club president who also was a founder and president of the Belmont Chamber of Commerce, now operating as the Montcross Area Chamber. Mr. Gaston, who passed away on Dec. 31, 2011, at age 82, practiced law in Belmont for 30 years and was a District Court judge for 15 years, also serving as chief judge. He served eight years on the Gaston County Board of Commissioners and was vice chairman and chairman of the board. Among many other honors, he was Belmont’s Man of the Year in 1968 and received North Carolina’s highest honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2006. (Montcross Area Chamber photo)
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) 704739-1425. (tfn)
Land For Sale LOW DOWN PAYMENT. PRICES REDUCED! LOTS in Gaston, Cleveland & Cherokee Co., some with water & septic, owner will fin with low DP. Call Bryant Realty 704-567-9836 or w w w. b r y a n t r e alty.org. (8/07)
Misc. For Sale DIABETIC SHOES size 8.5. Still in the box. $40. Call: 704-4584851. (8/07/13) HARMONY ELECTRIC GUITAR for SALE. Black & White. $65.00. Call: 704739-5064. (8/07) VARIOUS FRAMED pictures $1-$25. Call: 704-458-4851. (8/07/13) HOBO INTERNATIONAL TOTE for SALE. Black flat with handle like attaché. $50.00. Call: 704-734-1603. (8/07) SAUNA SUIT – Kathy Smith size L-XL.
Brand new $15. Call: 704-458-4851. (8/07/13) CHILD SIZED GUITAR for SALE with gig bag. $65.00. Call: 704-739-5064. (8/07). MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS for SALE: YAMAHA TRUMPET and CASE in eexcellent condition. $300.00. Also, CLARINET and CASE for SALE. $100.00. Call: 704482-6858. (8/07) CHILD’S SANDBOX with cover for SALE. $20.00. Call: 704-739-5064. (8/07).
Yard Sale - Deadline Noon Friday KM HUGE YARD SALE – 704 Sandhurst Drive (Crescent Hill section). Sat., Aug. 10, 7 am – until. Name brand clothes (baby – adult), printers, household items, Christmas items, tools, PS3, paintball gun, and much much more! Great deals! Rain no sale. KM YARD SALE – 109 Lakewood Dr. (Woodbridge Subdivision) Sat., Aug. 10. 7 am – 12 (noon). Dining room set, TV, microwave and much more. HUGE YARD SALE, remodeling & redecorating. Sat., Aug. 10, 7 a.m. until. Inside if rain. 106 Castlewood Dr., Kings Mountain. Comforters, dishes,
collectible dishware, household items, girls bike, Christmas & much more. KM YARD SALE-806 Williamsburg Ct. Sat, Aug 10, 7 a.m.12 noon. Household items, clothes, shoes, furniture, wall décor. YARD SALE/FLEA MARKET/BACK TO SCHOOL SALE at 1658 Cherryville Rd., Cherryville, 1.6 miles from Waco stoplight, toward Shelby, past Chicken Hill (inside the fence). Clothes: 3 for $1, shoes: 50 cents. Lots of items under $1. All proceeds go to liver transplant patient Scott Patterson.
Help Wanted
an opening for a CDL Driver for local delivery of propane gas in the Gaffney area. Must have X Endorsement, good driving record and be able to pass DOT physical and drug test. Excellent benefits, 401k, insurance, sick pay, uniforms. Apply in person at 3802 Cherokee Ave in Gaffney from 8-5, (864) 489-8577. (8/07) 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. (7/24,31,8/7 &14)
GAS DRIVER NEEDED - Freeman Gas has
FREEbies Name ___________________________________________ Address _________________________________________ City _________________________ State ____ Zip ________ Phone _____________________ • Giveaways or Items Priced Up to $100 Only • Price Must be Included in Ad • Ad(s) Must be Printed on Order Blank • No More Than 3 Free Ads Per Week
• Must Include Phone Number • Start Ad with Name of Item • Only Free Animals Accepted • One Item Only Per Ad • Maximum of 10 Words Per Ad • Not to be Used For Businesses
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Legals STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF GASTON NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Archie Taylor Russell, 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 24th day of October, 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 24th day of July, 2013. Larry E. Henkle, Executor ESTATE of: Archie Taylor Russell 146 Rollingwood Dr. Stanley, NC 28006 BN10544 (7/ 24, 31, 8/07, 14/2013)
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Third Freebie
COPY DEADLINE: Friday before the issue date at 2pm Mail copy to: Kings Mountain Herald • PO Box 769 • Kings Mountain NC 28086
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Zebras, and chimps, and dinosaurs?
County budget approved Gaston County commissioners finally approved a budget last week that includes a 3.5-cent increase on the tax rate but keeps spending the same for its departments. The county’s new tax rate is 87 cents on every $100 worth of property. The budget was approved in a 4-3 vote. Tracy Philbeck, Joe Carpenter and Chad Brown voted against the plan. Allen Fraley, Mickey Price, Jason Williams and Tom Keigher voted for it. County employees will not receive a raise. The tax hike will cover debt from education bonds and compensate for lessening state lottery money. Education bonds approved in 2006 and 2007 referendums left the county owing around $98,000 in this budget year. The state lottery money withheld amounts to around $1.6 million. The largest item that needed covering was $1.2 million to open and operate the new Stuart Cramer High School in Cramerton. The board also approved around $70,000 for a resource officer for the school. Another big expense was $170,000 for maintenance on Gaston College’s Kimbrell campus in Belmont.
A day trip to the NC Zoo has all that & more! The North Carolina Zoological Park is located in Asheboro in Randolph County, in the Uwharrie Mountains near the geographic center of the state, approximately 75 miles west of Raleigh. On a bright June day, PR Mgr Rod Hackney led a tour to the food prep facility at the North Carolina Zoo. The workers prepare veggies and some fish for various animals, working from a shipment of five tons of frozen fish, fresh bottles of cow’s blood for the vampire bats , and live mealworms and crickets. Inside the Zoo, Hackney pointed out the rocks and boulders for the under-construction children’s play area, where Cristal McGee was finishing the rock. She also does a large amount of the finishing in the park. Frank Valadez was constructing the wire mesh and rebar base in the new, top-ofthe-line polar bear exhibit.
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Next was the dinosaur exhibit, which Rod said helped to draw their largest crowd in 2012. The dinosaurs are built by Billings entertainment in Texas. They are computerized and air pressure creates their movement. This is a great part of the Zoo to see! The gorilla exhibit has some pretty rare items: 10month old baby gorillas Apollo and Bossama, and another due any day. The gorillas eat an all vegeterian diet and are fed by workers who throw the veggies from platforms overlooking the exhibit. Open seven days a week, the zoo is a dazzling natural habitat park with 1,600 North American and African animals; 53,000 plants from two continents; a huge collection of public art; five miles of walking trails; and presents multiple opportunities to ‘connect’ with wildlife.
School supply giveaway The East Belmont Church of God, 320 E. Catawba St., will have a free school supply giveaway event on Saturday, Aug. 17 from 7am-1pm. Free school supplies and free food and drinks while they last. For more information call 704-825-8845.
Benefit concert Aug. 24
Photographs by Bill Ward
Local gospel groups We R Forgiven and Parables of Christ will take part in a special benefit concert on Saturday, August 24 at 5pm at Heavenly View Baptist Church, 1000 Shady Retreat Lane, Iron Station. To kick off the benefit weekend, spaghetti dinner plates will be sold all day on Friday, August 23 for $5 per plate including spaghetti, garlic toast, and salad. For more information, contact Steve Dixon at 704-735-8905 or tmsdixon62@hotmail.com.
Gaston College meets success goals Gaston College has successfully met 2013 performance measures for student success. During the 2011-12 academic year, Gaston College exceeded baseline measures above the 70% percentile in GED Diploma Passing Rate, Developmental Student Success Rate in College-Level English Courses, First Year Progression, Licensure and Certification Passing Rate, and College Transfer Performance. (See Chart Attachment) “Each year we set higher expectations for ourselves,� says Dr. Skinner, President of Gaston College.
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PARK YOUR BARK
Off Hwy. 216, between Kings Mtn. & Cherryville, next to Midway Lakes II 704
734.1020 Doug & Kathy Toomey
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We don’t lock the door & leave at night - we live on the property so your dog has round the clock care!
Call us today to see how your business can be listed in our Service Directory!
704739-7496 • 704825-0580 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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Wednesday, August 7, 2013
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