Serving Belmont, Mount Holly, Stanley, Cramerton, and McAdenville
Volume 78 • Issue 33 • Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Lakewood sculpture one of a kind
Contributed Photo
Artist Jan Craft is seen with the unfinished version of the sculpture she has created for the roundabout on Lakewood Road near Stuart Cramer High School. The piece will be 30-feet tall when stood on end. ALAN HODGE alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Right now, the new roundabout traffic circle in front of Stuart Cramer High on Lakewood Road in
Cramerton is growing a crop of grass, but soon it will sprout a beautiful, modern piece of public art. The sculpture is being created by artist Jan Craft of
Gastonia and will stand nearly 30-feet tall. It’s crafted of steel and will weigh nearly two tons. Cost of the sculpture is around $14,000 with another
$11,500 or so to actually install it. The Cramerton ABC Board is providing funding for the sculpture, and the Town of Cramerton is funding the installation. Work on actually getting the sculpture in place should begin soon with Custom Building Systems doing the work. Preparing the center of the roundabout will involve creating a reinforced concrete footing. As far as landscaping, members of the Cramerton Beautification Committee will pitch in for that phase. Lighting and irrigation will be installed after the sculpture is up. The hope is that the piece will be in place by the start of school on August 26. The sculpture is a big piece of work, but Craft brought a lot of experience to the Cramerton job. “I describe myself as being a metal smith because I work in different metals on different scales including jewelry, tabletop sculpture, floor size sculpture, and large scale outdoor sculpture,� she said. “I have
designs for furniture combining steel, glass and leather to start constructing soon. All my pieces are similar in concept whether it’s jewelry, sculpture or furniture, only the scale changes. I have a Master’s degree in Metals: Jewelry / Sculpture, from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Illinois. The school is known extensively, for its metals program. SIU-Metals program is well known in Europe, and has an exchange program with European blacksmiths and jewelers. My undergraduate degree is a BFA from ECU, Greenville, NC., which is also well known in the Southeast for a strong metals program. I did Special Studies/concentration at Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC., whose reputation for the works of professional craftsmen is second to none. I have taught jewelry design at Gaston College Art Dept. and Sacred Heart College, Belmont, which is now See LAKEWOOD, Page 6
Shane Trull: Sports teaches you about life By Kathy Blake When Shane Trull was in fourth grade, his friend Robert Seward handed him a basketball. Robert’s house had a goal, when most other kids’ didn’t. “And he had a paved driveway,� Trull said, “when everyone else had dirt. We’d play 2-on-1, and he was just a lot better than everybody else, and that certainly drove me to be better than him. “We played every day after school, and he taught me how to shoot, and everything else.� The lessons worked. Trull, 43, of Mount Holly, is a married father of three, but he still holds the East Gaston High School record for most points scored in a career (1,685). And he’s eighth on
Belmont Abbey’s all-time scoring list with 1,743 points (1988-92), even though he essentially played out of position as a senior. “It’s pretty amazing that the record’s stood (at East Gaston) since 1988, because I only had three years of playing. We could only play in 10th, 11th and 12th grade, and kids today get four years,� he said. “I try to go back to watch a couple of times a year. My jersey’s retired, so my kids enjoy seeing it there.� Trull is the son of Ty and Sandra Trull, who still live off Highway 27 in Mount Holly, in the same home as when Shane was born. “My mom was a stay-at-home mom, and she took me a lot of places and sacrificed a lot, for me to follow my dreams,� he
said. “I appreciate that. I still talk to my parents every day. We’re close.� Trull’s first basketball challenge came at Mount Holly Junior High, when there were 12 boys on the roster but only 10 uniforms. “The other two guys had to wear girl uniforms,� he said, “and I told myself I’d never be in that predicament.� At East Gaston, playing shooting guard and small forward, Trull set the record of most points in a season, with 750, and averaged 30 points per game as a senior. His highest game was 48 points against South Point in 1987 – in three quarters. “They played a box-and-one on me and it didn’t work,� he said. “That was a big rivalry.� He has a story or two
about his late coach, Jim Turpin, whom he greatly admired. His 10thgrade season, East Gaston was playing a tournament at Cherryville. “A guy jumped on me and broke my tooth, and it came out,� he said. “I went over to the side and handed it to Jim and said, ‘Hold this; I might need it later.’ And kept on playing.� When Trull played his last game, he said, Turpin hugged him at the end. “He said ‘thank you.’ He hugged me and just said
‘thank you,’� Trull said. “And after that, he never coached again.� Interest came from Tennessee, Wake Forest, UNCC and Xavier, as well as Belmont Abbey. See TRULL, Page 6
Belmont approves naming of Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park Acting on a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Citizens Advisory Board, the Belmont City Council has approved naming a new park that will be located on Catawba Street the Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park. Loftin, who was Belmont’s mayor from 1992-1997, was tragically killed in a car crash on the night of Feb. 22, 2012 that also took the life of his friend Donna Deitz. Loftin was a 1974 graduate of South Point High and graduated NC State in 1978 with honors and a degree in economics. He was a leader in the revitalization of downtown Belmont and was active in the Montcross Chamber, serving as its
president in 2001. He was also a board member of Holy Angels and involved in numerous other civic activities and organizations. He was employed by Pharr Yarns as Process Control and Engineering Manager at the High Performance Yarns I-85 facility. The park that will bear his name will be on the Catawba River near the Hwy 29/74 bridge and across from the Belmont Public Works building. The idea is for the park to be developed in three phases. The first phase will include land owned by the city on the Catawba River above 569.4 feet in elevation. The second phase will be construction on land managed by Duke Energy. The final phase will deal with the boat landing near the US 29/74 bridge on property not owned by the city. According to exhibits W.K. Dickson, Inc. presented to the City
Photo by Alan Hodge
This photo shows the spot where Belmont’s newest park will be located. The park will be named for former mayor the late Kevin Loftin. Council earlier this year, the park can include niceties such as a 250seat amphitheatre and outdoor classroom, a 30 space parking lot, a
restroom, a bus drop-off area, nature trails with interpretive signs, two fishing/observation piers, a na-
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Winter bow hunting approved in Reflection Pointe ALAN HODGE alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Thanks to a decision last week by the Belmont City Council, if someone is seen dressed in green and carrying a bow and arrows in the Reflection Pointe housing development off South Point Rd., it probably won’t be Robin Hood. The decision by the council to approve bow and arrow hunting in Reflection Pointe had its roots last April when a Reflection Pointe HOA representative gave a presentation declaring that deer were devastating flower beds and other landscaping in the community. The council took the complaint under advisement and also applied for and received approval to take part in the NC Wildlife Resources 2014 Urban Archery Season. The season will run Jan. 11-Feb. 15, 2014. About 30 other NC cities have an Urban Archery season. One portion of the proposed Reflection Pointe deer herd-thinning plan was not approved by the council. That part would have allowed at least one hunter in a group to carry a firearm to dispatch injured animals. The rules as approved by the council will allow for bow hunting from stands at four locations in the development. The stands must be at least 100 yards from a public road and the same distance from an occupied building or residence. The stand must be elevated so that arrows travel downward, the back of the hunter must be within 150 yards to keep from shooting in the direction of the road, there must be evidence that deer are in the area, there should be little to no visibility of the stand from a road, stands should be spaced out for safety and optimal coverage. Stands will be on the community’s common area. The stands will be put up before the season begins so that deer will be used to their presence and taken down after the season ends. In some locations, deer can be fed to allow the hunter to select the desired animal and make a good shot with the result as humane as possible. Cherryville Hunt Club President Scott Craine will coordinate the herd-thinning hunt. Craine is highly experienced and will carry insurance on the participants as well as issue a permit stating they are legally hunting. All hunters must have five years experience with bow and arrow and are subject to Craine’s approval. Jamey Jones, who is Belmont’s inspector for the Reflection Pointe development as well as a seasoned hunter and CPR certified, will work with Craine to set up a schedule for the hunters and stands. The hunters will sign in and out with the pair so that they will know who is hunting, when, and where they are. A sign-in board will be in put at the development’s gate near the power lines where hunters can sign in and out. The gate will be used to enter the hunting site and parking will be nearby. Vehicles used by hunters and parked in that area will have placards in place identifying them as such. Deer that are taken will be removed by the hunter. All deer taken will be used as food.
See LOFTIN PARK, Page 3
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Wednesday, August 14, 2013
■OBITUARIES Julius C. O’Daniel Jacksonville, FL- Julius C. “J.C.� O’Daniel, age 77, formerly of Belmont, passed away on August 6, 2013 at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital. A native of Gaston County, he was a son of the late Archie a n d Gladys Sexton O’Daniel. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Cindy Leigh O’Daniel; an infant son; sisters, Sara Fram and Joyce Sipes. J.C. was a 1955 graduate
of Belmont High School where he excelled in football and baseball. He proudly served in the U.S. Army and retired from AC Delco, a division of General Motors. He formerly owned and operated First Coast Auto Parts Warehouse in Jacksonville. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years this month, Sheila Stowe O’Daniel of Jacksonville; son, Scott O’Daniel of Jacksonville; granddaughter, Alexis O’Daniel of Jacksonville; brother, Boyce O’Daniel and his wife, Helen of Belmont; motherin-law, Polly Lowe of Belmont; brothers-in-law, Keith Lowe and wife Tobey of Belmont and Ron Fram of Michigan as well as many nieces and nephews.
A service celebrating J.C.’s life was held at 3:00pm, Friday at the Bumgardner Chapel of McLean Funeral Directors, Belmont. The Reverends Max Pendleton and A. A. Bailey officiating. The family received friends from 1:30 – 3:00pm prior to the service. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials in J.C.’s name may be made to Holy Angels, P.O. Box 710, Belmont, NC 28012. Share condolences with the family online at www.mcleanfuneral.com. McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont served the O’Daniel family.
McLean Funeral Home
Zona Mae Perkins Mount Holly- Zona Mae Jones Perkins, age 89, a resident of Stanley Total Living Center, formerly of Mount Holly died Saturday August 1 0 , 2013. She was born in Catawba County, daughter of the late Manson and Lillian Drum Jones. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Rev. Norman Ballard Perkins, a daughter Linda Mae Smith and a sister Ruby Dean Buff. She was a homemaker and a member of Goshen Freewill Baptist Church.
Russell arrested, Gillem accused of sexual exploitation facing charges By Alan Hodge Alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Gaston County arrested 20year-old Justin Alan Russell of 5130 Clearwater Lake Rd. last week and charged him with not only allegedly having sex with a 13-year-old girl, but also helping a 12-year-old boy heist a lawnmower. Mount Holly Police Chief Don Roper said his officers took the first stab at taking Russell into custody. “Our officers did attempt to serve the warrant but did not locate him,� said Roper. Gaston County Sheriff Office records show Russell was charged with misdemeanor larceny, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, probation violation, rape/sex offense statutory. According to Gaston County Police, Russell allegedly had sex with the girl on June 7. He is more than six years older than her. On July 21, Mount Holly Police say Russell encouraged and helped the boy steal a lawn mower from a residence. Russell has been arrested
four times previously dating back to January 11, 2012 when he was locked up on charges of attempting to obtain property by false pretense. On February 9,
Justin Alan Russell 2012 he was arrested and charged with larceny, conspiracy, and defacing a public building. On September 11, 2012 he was charged with hit and run failure to stop and injury to real property. On January 19, 2013 he was arrested and charged with speeding, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of Sch. IV.
of minor By Alan Hodge Alan.bannernews@gmail.com
Benjamin Patrick Gillem, 35, of 113 Burns Mitchell Dr., Belmont, was arrested last Thursday and charged with five counts of seconddegree sexual exploitation of a minor for allegedly downloading five videos containing child pornography on June 15, 2013. Gillem was an employee of the City of Belmont Water Dept. at the time of his arrest. According to Belmont City Manager Barry Webb, as soon as the department head was informed by police of the charges, Gillem was put on immediate suspension and following that, a written ter-
mination notice was issued. Gillem was arrested at his home without incident by Gastonia police, with assistance from Belmont PD, and placed under $1 million bond in the Gaston County Jail.
She is survived by four daughters, Sandra Gay Hartsell and husband Larry of Mount Holly, Sherry Dean Wilson and husband Don of Oakridge, Tennessee, Norma Lee Martin of Mount Holly, and Rebecca Diane Mullery of Denver; one son, Norman Stephen Perkins and wife Becki of Stanley; one brother, Jessie Jones of Cherryville; three sisters, Ocie Lee Turbyville of Maiden, Gay True Reynolds of Denver, and Gloria Jean Dale of Newton; ten grandchildren; twenty-two greatgrandchildren; and five great great-grandchildren. The family would like to offer special thanks to the nurses and staff at Stanley Total Living Center for their care and compassion, and most especially To Dr. Ken-
neth Edel. A service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Perkins was held at 1pm Tuesday, August 13, in the Chapel of Woodlawn Funeral Home Mount Holly with Rev. Mike Wilson and Rev. Jason Hartsell officiating. Burial followed at Hillcrest Gardens Cemetery. The family received friends one hour prior to the service. Memorials can be made to the Stanley Total Living Center Alzheimer’s Fund P.O Box 489 Stanley, NC 28164. Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly is serving the family.
■BELMONT Aug. 5: Atiah Samiah Hadi, DWLR, OFA, arrested by Officer K. Wingate, Oak St. Aug. 5: Charles Bernard Caldwell, larceny shoplifting, warrant for arrest, arrested by Officer R. Cassel, 701 Hawley Ave. August 5: Keesha Bonita Harris, larceny shoplifting, arrested by Officer R. Cassel, 701 Hawley Ave. Aug. 6: Cory Daniel O’Connor, larceny, arrested by Officer M. Kaiman, 701 Hawley Ave. Aug. 6: Ronald Stephens Jr., drug violations, arrested by Detective A. Pullen, 201 Chronicle St.
POLICE
Aug. 8: Benjamin Patrick Gillem, sexual exploitation of minor, distribute material, arrested by Officer M. Elizondo, 113 Burns Mitchell. Aug. 8: Judith Lynn Armstrong, DWI alcohol and/or drugs, open container, arrested by Officer K. Wingate, 29/74 East. Aug. 10: Amanda Jill Mallett-Penteris, poss. Sch. II, III, poss. of marijuana, arrested by Officer R. Cassell, 318 S. Main St. Aug. 10: Lynda Rankin Schott, simple physical assault, arrested by Officer M. Stroupe, 225 Sixth St. Aug. 11: Kristina Ann Elliot, DWI, alcohol and/or drugs, arrested by Cpl. J. Pierson, 29/74.
Benjamin Patrick Gillem
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Banner-News.com Several members of the DAR helped the children and staff of Crossnore School, near Grandfather Mountain, celebrate the school’s 100th anniversary by taking part in a Field Day that included dunking a teacher and other games and food. From left: Betty Burdette, Snow Campaign Chapter, Fountain Inn, SC; Jane Whippo, William Gaston Chapter; Janet Smitherman, William Gaston Chapter; Eva Ann Via, William Gaston Chapter; Nancy Coe Hall, William Gaston Chapter; Joan W. Smith, Martintown Rd. Chapter, North Augusta, SC.
McHenry events in Gaston County Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10) held two events in Gaston County on Monday, Aug. 12. Congressman McHenry went on a walking tour of businesses in downtown Mount Holly that morning. Later that evening, the Congressman held a Town Hall meeting for constituents of Gaston County at Gaston College in Dallas. Congressman McHenry toured downtown Mount Holly's businesses to meet the owners and employees to discuss what he can do to help their small businesses grow and succeed. The tour was led by members of the
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Mount Holly Chamber of Commerce and began at Stanton Enterprises, 125 East Charlotte Avenue in Mount Holly. At the Town Hall meeting, Congressman McHenry gave an update on recent legislative activity in Congress and what to expect in the coming months. Town Hall meetings are an opportunity for constituents to share their thoughts on the issues about which they are concerned. The meeting was held in the Myers Auditorium at Gaston College, located at 201 Highway 321 South in Dallas. Additionally, the congressman’s staff was available at the Town Hall to meet privately with constituents who have issues with federal agencies including Social Security, Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Internal Revenue Service. “Policies implemented in Washington have a tremendous impact on the daily lives of citizens of Western North Carolina. I welcome the opportunity to speak with my constituents and address their individual concerns directly,� said Congressman McHenry, who maintains a Gaston County district office in Gastonia.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Belmont drive-in reopens ALAN HODGE alan.bannernews@gmail.com
After many months when its huge silver screen was empty and weeds instead of vehicles filled its dirt lot, the venerable Bill’s Belmont Drive-In at 314 McAdenville Road reopened Friday night to an enthusiastic group of movie fans. The first films to flicker across the screen included “Grown Ups 2� and “Elysium�. The Belmont Drive-In is one of fewer than ten such establishments left in North Carolina. The nearest one currently in business is in Bessemer City. There’s another in Shelby. During the heyday of drive-in theaters in the 1950s, there were around 200 operating in the state. There was even a drive-in theater in Catawba Heights at the corner of Beatty Rd. and Belmont-Mt. Holly Rd. The Belmont Drive-In was purchased by Bill and Peggy Lawing in 1983 and was often packed with patrons seeking the unique experiences that only that form of entertainment can provide. The Belmont Drive-In had some big media exposure when it was featured in “Our State� magazine in 2010.
Photo by Alan Hodge
The Belmont Drive-In reopened Friday night after many months of down time. Patrons enjoyed a double feature and plenty of snacks. Unfortunately, both Bill and Peggy have passed away, she in January 2010. Their three children continued to try and keep the operation going, but ran into several technical and financial difficulties as the years rolled by. Film showings were sporadic for a while and finally stopped last year. Currently, son David Lawing is trying to get the drive-in back in the swing of things after folks, hungry for a movie and snacks in the comfort of their vehicle,
have been clamoring for months to see it revived. The Belmont Drive-In’s Facebook page has several enquires and remarks regarding the re-opening posted on it. According to its website, www.belmontdrivein.20meg sfree.com, admission to the Belmont Drive-In is $10 per carload- no checks or credit cards accepted. The snack bar has soft drinks, burgers, hotdogs, fries, candy, nachos, chicken nuggets, and of course, popcorn. Outside food is not allowed. The
gates open no later than 7pm and the films roll at dusk. Movies will be shown on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Laser pointers are prohibited as are grills and glass containers. Kids are allowed to play in the lot before the movies start. Blankets and chairs are to be placed in front of vehicles not at the side. Large vehicles and vans have a designated parking area. Sound for the films is obtained by dialing 90.3FM on the car radio.
National Guardsman honors Belmont dentist By Sarah Gibson Master Sergeant Jeff Young of the National Guard returned home from overseas two weeks ago with an unusual gift for his dentist: an American flag flown by troops during two combat missions, one helicopter rescue, and an unmanned vehicle mission. He presented the flag to Doctor Blaine Rudisill in thanks for his international assistance with dental issues during Sergeant Young’s seven-month tour of duty in Afghanistan. Sergeant Young was stationed as a heavy equipment supervisor in Bagram Air Base’s civil engineering department, and was tasked with servicing vehicles and keeping the airfield running smoothly. “That was our sole mission,� Young stated, “To take care of the airfield and make sure it stayed open.� Bagram is the busiest defense airport in the world, with an average of 955 incoming and outgoing flights a day. It is also one of the most dangerous, enduring smoky air, frequent rocket attacks, and water that is not always safe to drink. The water was at the root of Sergeant Young’s problem, a gum infection that the military “didn’t want to fool with�. Rudisill advised Young regarding treatment,
sent him antibiotics from America to insure the condition didn’t worsen, then promptly set to rectifying it once Sgt. Young was back on American soil. Young showed up to the first day of his dental treatment with flag in hand and presented it to the doctor, who “couldn’t believe it.� The second day of his treatment, Young brought cashmere scarves from the Middle East to the rest of Dr. Rudisill’s staff, all women, who were delighted by the gifts. Rudisill was humbled by the gesture and insisted he hadn’t done anything to deserve it besides “doing the best job I can in this profession.� But Young insisted that his actions had gone above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Young knew his professional friend would appreciate the token because “he admires what I do. I’ll be 54 in September and he can’t get over someone my age volunteering to go over there.� The sergeant has been in the National Guard since June 1984, longer than some of the men who worked under him have been alive. He explained that he feels a patriotic duty to serve despite his age, a duty that was shaped by growing up during the Vietnam era and
Contributed Photo
NC National Guard MSgt. Jeff Young is seen presenting Belmont dentist Dr. Blaine Rudisill with a flag and other military memorabilia from his recent deployment to Afghanistan. being exposed to President Kennedy’s famous “ask not what your country can do for you� speech. “That’s why the flag is so important to me,� Young
said. “No matter where you go, you always have a piece of home with you. I actually carry a small one in my pocket wherever I go, for that little bit of home.�
145th Airlift Wing returns from MAFFS mission Members from the 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard, Charlotte, returned home from Boise, Idaho, Thursday, Aug. 8. One NCANG C-130 aircraft equipped with a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System deployed to Boise to support the U.S. Forest Service in fighting wild land fires in Idaho and Oregon along with one C130 aircraft with the support staff. USFS directs the use of MAFFS resources when deployed anywhere in the country. MAFFS initially activated June 11 to assist in fighting forest fires in Southern Colorado. To date, MAFFS aircraft have flown 208 sorties and made 186 drops on fires in Arizona, Oregon, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, California, Nevada and Colorado discharging 455,631 gallons of fire retardant. MAFFS is a self-con-
tained aerial firefighting system owned by the USFS. MAFFS modules are loaded into the cargo bays of military C-130 aircraft. Following USFS lead planes, military aircrews can discharge 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant from the MAFFS modules along the leading edge of a forest fire in less than five seconds and cover an area a quartermile long by 100 feet wide. Once the load is discharged, ground crews at a MAFFS tanker base can refill the modules in less than 12 minutes. An interagency DoD and USFS program, MAFFS provides aerial firefighting resources when commercial and private air tankers are no longer able to meet the needs of the Forest Service. The military AEG exercises control over MAFFS resources at the direction of the USFS.
LOFTIN PARK: work underway Continued from Page 1
ture center, parking for 24 boat trailers, a 7,000 sq. ft. playground, boat slips, a kayak ramp, and picnic shelters. The timeframe for the park would see designs completed in 2013 and construction starting in 2014. Cost of the park is estimated at between $1.5-1.8 million. However, that cost does not include the planned marina. Moulin said some changes could be made to the plan to adjust for the marina. One option would be to eliminate the amphitheater. Some “site work� on the park’s 15-acres off Old NC 7 and Catawba Street is already underway. On May 1, 2012, the city contracted with Wells Farms and had 30 goats released whose job it was to eat up the kudzu and weeds where the park will be situated. Loftin’s name had come up during discussions on naming the Brook Street Soccer Complex that is currently under construction. However,
the soccer park was named for Ebb Gantt, one reason being the Parks and Recreation facility naming policy. Guidelines in the policy suggest that the name of a park facility could reflect its location, an outstanding feature of the facility, a nearby subdivision, a local historical event, group or person. Another qualifying factor for park facility naming in the policy is a deceased person or group who contributed a significant amount to the purchase or development of the park or someone whose service to the park system as a whole was noteworthy. However, naming a cityowned facility after a person who has died cannot be considered until a full year after they have passed away. At the time of the soccer complex naming, not quite a year had passed since Loftin’s death. In addition to Loftin’s, other names that were considered for the river park included Brewer Park, All Mills Park, Belmont Mills Park, Belmont River Park, and Belmont Aberfoyle Mill Park.
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Wednesday, August 14, 2013
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Quote of the week... To change what you get you must change who you are.
Alan Hodge Editor Well in just a couple of weeks the doors to dozens of local schools will fling open and the halls that have been somewhat quiet over the course of the summer will once again be filled with the clamoring, squabbling, shuffling, hurrying, and sweating bodies of thousands of students as they rush to and from classes and engage in their social and intellectual….. intercourse. If you do not count the kindergarten my sister and I got expelled from (“don’t bring those blondeheaded little devils back” the owner had told our mom), I began my own educational experience at East Belmont Elementary School. The school is no longer there and I am barely here but it stood at the corner of Catawba and Park streets where Park Street UMC now is. My first grade teacher was a certain Mrs. Page, the mom of Jacko Page. She was a nice lady as I recall because for the first week of school she softened the transition from civilian to scholastic life by giving us newbies graham cracker cookies and orange soda pop. But, that could only last so long since I am sure she was probably paying for the rations from her meager teacher salary and suddenly the treats came to an end and I and my classmates knew that we were now in real school “for the duration”. Jumping to another school subject. Last weekend was the final tax free holiday in North Carolina since the General Assembly voted to stop the practice of having a couple of days near the start of school when folks could buy certain items such as computers and school clothes and the like without paying state sales tax on the stuff. Well, Sharon took advantage of the state one last time and got one of those IPad things and my pal Calvin and I went to a local big box store here in Belmont (guess which one) to get a wireless router thing and inside the store were droves of moms and kids attacking the school supply section and on one table was a heap of shoes and it looked as if barefoot cave-folk had assailed it looking for their first footwear. I mean, the boxes were torn open and shoes were scattered all around and some had fallen on the floor as if they were trying to escape the scene only they didn’t have any feet or legs to help them carry out the get-a-way. But back to the school-theme proper. One thing I recall most about going back to school after summer vacation was hitting the cafeteria following weeks of home-fare at the noon hour. The first thing about a school cafeteria that you notice is
Back to school the aroma. It used to be a combination of grilled cheese sandwiches, vegetable soup made from leftover vegetables, and sheet cakes smeared with chocolate icing. Some kids who carried their lunch from home in metal lunch boxes with Barbie or GI Joe on them had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches but I saw a TV show the other day that stated more and more school cafeterias were banning peanut butter and jelly sandwiches because of nut allergies but that is now and that was then for better or worse. The school lunchroom can sometimes be a place of high drama – like when someone drops their tray with a loud crash. We used to cheer loudly when that happened but I guess that’s frowned upon now as much as the game of dodge-ball. I had a teacher in fifth grade at Shamrock Gardens Elementary in Charlotte who made us eat at least a bit of everything on our slop-tray. One fine day, collard greens appeared on the bill of fare. A kid in my class sought to dodge the collard green curse by drinking about half the milk in his carton and stuffing the greens in there when he thought Rollins wasn’t looking. But nothing escaped her steely gaze and just when he thought he had gotten away with his scheme she made him open the carton and eat the soggy milk/greens slosh in front of everyone. Of course he threw up much to the screams/guffaws/OMGs of all in the vicinity. Rollins also used to take me out of class every day and shake me and asked me through clenched teeth why I could not stop staring out the window or fidgeting or talking to the other kids but she could not have known at that time the characteristics of a budding literary genius. Ha! Lastly, and I am sure you are glad, another start-of-school flashback I have is of the transition from junior high to high school. This was a time fraught with perceived danger. Back yonder we attended junior high from 7-9th grade and as 9th graders we would have had a year as the “top rail” to the underlings but once on a high school campus the situation was reversed and as the old saying goes (one my wife hates but here it is honey) “top rail on de bottom now” and we were immersed in a world where some of the upperclassmen had beards and the upperclasschicks were really grown up as their sweaters attested and so we, who were once übermen were now the underdawgs, darted from shadow to shadow and slid along the walls of the hallways not daring to throw our puny selves into the main channel where folks like Juniors and manly/womanly Seniors trod with impunity. Oh well, such was the impact starting school had on lil ol’ me, but I am sure that many students in this day and time will be feeling and seeing many of the same things as school is somewhat universal or as the ancient Egyptians were wont to say “A boy’s ears are upon his back”.
Letters to the Editor Opposed to moving the Fighting Yank I oppose the moving of the Fighting Yank from its present location at the corner of Myrtle and Central Avenue. The statue was first planned to be located at the intersection of Main and Catawba. For some reason it was decided not to be put there and it was placed on the campus of Belmont High School as a memorial to former students who lost their lives in World War II. The Belmont High School Senior Class of 1947 helped raise funds for the base of the statue to be located on their campus. The gun, the head have been removed through the years and have been restored after vandalization. Please do not disturb the statue which has been in its place for all these years. Bill Craig, member of Belmont High School Class of 1947
To those concerned about moving the WWII monument: My wife, Jo Ann, and I are aware that the monument honoring the WWII soldiers has been in its current location for a very long time. I pass by it most every day but I do not see it anymore. It is just part of the background of the Middle School. Many of our new citizens and young people probably are not aware of it or its meaning. We believe that moving it to a new location on Main Street will give an opportunity to renew the history and meaning of this soldier. There are so many people and activities that take place down town now. It will be seen also by the many visitors that partake
of the new venues that are now in our town. We hope that the wonderful monument will be relocated so that even we will be reminded of the great sacrifices made by others for our freedom. Thank you, Dr. Martin Murphy Jo Ann E. Murphy
Statue needs to stay The statue honoring World War II soldiers needs to remain in its place on the campus of the school whose students, shortly after World War II, helped raise money to place it there as a memorial to the valor of people of World War II. People who drive along Central Avenue daily see it. Those who return to their hometown are happy to see it in place. Students of Belmont High School, Belmont Junior High, Belmont Middle School have looked at, and look at, the statue and have opportunity to remember. The statue is a monument that needs to remain in its place where more of the young of today can readily see it and learn more of their heritage. Is there any value in raising money to move the statue? I think not. I can think of many better ways to spend money. Citizens really missed the statue when it was defaced. Moving won’t keep it from being vandalized. We need to invest time, talent, money $$ in helping citizens to value the past, live in the present, and think of the future. The statue is yet on Belmont School grounds. Let it remain there! Wilma R. Craig, former teacher at Belmont Junior High School
” ~ Vernon Howard
WWII “Fighting Yank” Statue
The Citizens Committee working for the relocation of this honorable memorial to the downtown Main Street location thank you for your fair coverage of the debate that surrounded the relocation of the “Fighting Yank” Statue. In this letter to the editor we would also like to thank the Mayor and City Council for the fair and open hearing on this matter. We are grateful for the manner in which the business of the discussion was done with dignity and respect. We additionally thank the council for their approval to accept this statue back in the hands of the citizens of Belmont. This allows the process of the movement to the new more prominent location to begin. The committee further would like to thank the individuals and organizations that have given their support by letter or voice to bring this message to the attention of our community. Thanks to you all. The Belmont City Council has now granted permission. We respectfully ask those who stood with a counter opinion in the presentation of the debate, to now join with us to help make this work focus on the honoring of our veterans who served to protect our freedom with their sacrifices and even their lives. The real work is just beginning. Thanks to you all. Respectfully submitted, Citizen Committee for Relocation WWII Memorial Statue Art Shoemaker/Bobby Brown, co-chairmen Art Shoemaker, State Farm Insurance, Belmont, NC Bobby Brown email, bobgail@carolina.rr.com
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Sidewalk Survey Local residents were asked...
What do you think about concealed weapons in Jeremy Canipe – It depends bars and restaurants? if elderly and kids are in there
Brandon Canipe – It could be good if safety is maintained
Jason Williams – Weapons and alcohol are a bad mix.
Anthony Gibson – It’s a real bad idea.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
â– MEDITATION Dealing with temptations
Rev. Angela Pleasants First United Methodist Church, Mount Holly
When I am training I try to abide by the demands of my coach. I do fairly well until I am with friends and sharing a delicious meal. Last week I spent time in Cherokee North Carolina having dinner with friends. They often chide me about being too small so they enjoy placing second helpings in front of me. I was doing well until they brought out the peanut butter pie. Anything dealing with peanuts is a weakness. I tried to picture my trainer and all the push-ups I would endure. I even sent him a text message asking for help. Alas, I succumb to the pressure and indulged in the peanut butter pie. Does this story sound familiar? At some point in our life we are plagued by temptations of various sorts. How do we deal with temptations? “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself again the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience
of Christ.� II Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV. There is a Chinese Proverb that says “You cannot keep the birds from flying over your head but you can sure keep them from building a nest in your hair.� Our mind is like a fortress. Thoughts will come, but we should not cleave to thoughts that contradict the life of Christ. “Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs].� Romans 12:2a AMP. To conform to the sinful age is to allow it to change us into its pattern of living. We are to cast down those things that exalt itself against the knowledge of God. The mind is where we make our choices. Therefore, we should allow our mind to be transformed by the Holy Spirit toward the things of God. When our inner thoughts are changed according to the leading of the Holy Spirit and God’s word an outward transformation takes place. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.� Philippians 4:8 NKJV.
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Community Day of Prayer August 17 The Churches of Belmont have scheduled a Community Day of Prayer on Aug. 17 at 11 a.m. In light of the tragedies and disasters including the Sandy Hook Elementary and Columbine shootings, as well as the Oklahoma tornadoes, many communities have experienced manmade and natural disasters that have devastated their communities. We have also seen how the unwavering faith in each
community is what truly got everyone through the trials.The Lord has and still continues to stir in the hearts of lay people from various denominations throughout the Belmont area to have a Community Day of Prayer before the 2013-2014 school year begins. This will consist of groups of believers from all areas of the Belmont community joining to pray that He will strengthen the faith of this community,
safety for the schools, emergency workers/police, guidance for our leaders and for lives to be enriched, encouraged and changed by our Lord Jesus Christ. Over 40 local churches have been contacted to join in prayer on Saturday, Aug. 17 at the locations outlined below.This event includes all denominations, as we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. The locations identified as prayer sites are:
Belmont Central School, Gaston College-Kimbrell Campus, Page Primary, Belmont City Hall-Main Street, North Belmont Elementary, Belmont Police Station, Belmont Middle School, Belmont Fire Department, South Point High School, New Hope Volunteer Fire Dept., Stuart W. Cramer High School, Belmont Life Saving, Belmont Abbey College.
Immigration prayer vigil August 19 A prayer vigil to advocate for the passage of comprehensive immigration reform will be held Monday, Aug. 19 at 7 pm. in the convent chapel of the Sisters of Mercy at 100 Mercy Dr.,
Belmont. Sister Rose Marie Tresp, Director of Justice, encourages all interested persons to join in prayer and solidarity that the U.S. Congress enact an immigration bill which
creates an earned path to citizenship, promotes family unity and protects workers and refugees. Guest speakers include Belmont Mayor Richard Boyce and Sister Jane Hot-
stream, president of Sisters of Mercy - South Central. For more information contact Sister Rose Marie Tresp at 956-324-7057 or rtresp@mercysc.org.
Lego Camp was held at the J. Paul Ford Rec. Center. There were two different camps this summer: in June the 5-8 year olds did the Super Hero Academy, and August the 8-11 year olds did the Mining and Crafting camps.
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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 Hickory Grove Baptist Church Shiloh Ame Zion Methodist 1117 Old NC Hwy 27 704-827-8826
Tuckaseege Baptist Church 511 Tuckaseege Rd. 704-827-4301
Springfield Freewill Baptist 220 Park Terrace Dr. 704-820-0193
Way of the Cross Baptist Church 238 Lanier Ave. 704-827-8111
Ridgeview Baptist Church 105 Pine Rd. 704-827-3856
St. Anthony of Padua Traditional Catholic Church 108 Horseshoe Bend Beach Rd. 704-827-8676
Wesley Chapel Holiness Church 324 N. Lee St. 704-827-1993
Second Baptist Church 740 Rankin Ave. 704-827-5181
St. Paul FHB Church 1529 Old Hwy 27 Rd. 704-827-5851
Westview Presbyterian Church 1020 W. Catawba Ave. 704-827-2026
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Wednesday, August 14, 2013
LAKEWOOD: sculpture one of a kind From Page 1 Holy Angels. I am represented in galleries nationally and internationally. My work has been published in “Metalsmith”, “American Craft”, “The Anvil’s Ring”, “Korean Metals- featuring New directions in American Metalsmithing”, all of which has international circulation. I have been designing custom jewelry pieces for clients for decades. I enjoy having the freedom to create something completely different from anything you would see anywhere else, from a variety of materials. I have been working in the Metals field since graduating from high school.” Craft described how the Cramerton sculpture came about. “The Cramerton piece was the idea of the Beautification Committee,” she said. “Cathy Young on the committee contacted me with an idea and a sketch. It was a simple sketch. We talked of having the piece represent the man for whom the new high school is named, Stuart Cramer. The roundabout is 80-feet in diameter and this called for a monumental piece to be noticeable. We decided the basic concept would start with using the initials ‘SC’. I used that concept and designed the piece with an abstraction of those letters. The two pieces of metal are eight feet wide and taper to 18 inches. This, and the curving shape give it a dramatic form and dimension. The silver tone metal welded on the stark black metal gives a nice contract. I appreciate the Beautification Committee and town council giving me this exciting commission. The people of Cramerton have shown so much excitement and positive feedback on the sculpture being a part of their community.” Young thinks the collabo-
ration with Craft is a winwin. "The Beautification Committee is thrilled with the sculpture,” she said. “Jan is a wonderful artist with an amazing portfolio,
you to the beatification committee members for their work in improving the appearance of Cramerton,” Worley said. “The sculpture is one of a kind and will become a landmark in Cramer-
Contributed photo
This conceptual image shows how Jan Craft’s sculpture will look when erected in the Lakewood Road roundabout near Stuart Cramer High. we are blessed to have her living right here in Gaston County. This sculpture should be commissioned at ten times the current cost, something our little town could never have afforded. Jan’s commitment to art and our shared desire to make public art accessible to this area resulted in this labor of love. Asking people who say they ‘don't get art’ to be willing to think outside the box and trust the desire of people who ‘do get art’ in supporting this venture was not an easy task. The elected officials were brave enough to do something that isn't traditional and really took a leap of faith. Jan is small in stature but big in talent and heart. The sculpture is beautiful and will be something to encourage people to see things differently." Young also says that plantings such as flowers around the sculpture will includes lots of purple, reflecting the Cramer High school colors. Cramerton Mayor Ronnie Worley thinks the sculpture will become a landmark. “First let me say thank
ton. Ms. Chambers is a very talented artist. My hope is in the future when people see this work of art they will instantly recognize it in Cramerton.” Cramerton Town Commissioner Tammy Lawrence feels the sculpture will not only be visually pleasing, but make a statement as well. "Cramerton aspires to be a place where people want to live and want to visit,” Lawrence said. “I'm hoping a strong public art piece like this will break the trend of sameness in most small towns and give Cramerton a sense of place and identity much like what we did with developing the one and only Goat Island. Public art can help shape the quality of life for people in a community by offering a form of expression that embodies a community’s spirit. It represents a sense of community pride and brings people together. We as the town of Cramerton just hope this public art attracts people to our community who bring a broad array of talents and experiences, further enriching it.”
The Teen jazz large group of "Glamorous Life" from Barbie's Encore Dance Productions in Mt. Holly recently won Overall First Place Grand Champion honors at Dance Machine National Dance Competition in Wilkesboro, NC. They competed against over 40 different studios from the southeast for this award. Barbie's Encore Dance Productions is celebrating its 15th year of operation this year. Located in at 121 North Main St. in downtown Mt. Holly, they offer dance classes in tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, clogging, hip hop, pointe, cheer, breakdance and tumbling for ages 2-adult. Registration is Sat. Aug. 17 10:00 - 1:00. For more information, or to register online for dance class for the upcoming year, please visit www.danceforbarbie.com
TRULL: Sports teaches you about life From Page 1 Trull averaged about 16 points as a freshman under coach Kevin Eastman, now a Boston Celtics assistant, and 20 as a sophomore and junior, before switching to center as a senior. He scored 597 points in 1989-90, and 481 in 1990-91, including 36 points at Kennesaw State that November, and, following Eastman, played for Rick Scruggs (1989-91) and Joe Gallagher (1991-92, and later with the Philadelphia 76ers). “I was playing the 5-spot most of the time (as a senior), going up against guys
about 6-10. But I don’t’ regret going to Abbey. It’s a great school, and I got a great education,” said Trull, who’s 6-7. “The stands were always full. I had grown up going to all their camps and stuff, and I was a homebody so I had the best of both worlds. I was on a full ride, but I was 10 minutes from the house.” He had a chance to play pro ball overseas, but Trull went to work for Parkdale Mills in 1993 – and still works for them, in sales. He and his wife, Connie, have twin 13-year-old daughters, Laura and Lexi, who play basketball, softball and vol-
leyball, and a son Drake, 9, who Trull said is “just getting into sports. We’re a sports family.” He coaches them, some. “I think they’re more excited than I am about the Hall of Fame,” he said. “Sports teaches you a lot about life in general. It was a lot of dedication, and a lot of hard work.” Tickets to the Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame are $20 and available at Charlie’s Drugs or from committee members. The event will take place Saturday, August 17 at 6pm at the Mount Holly Municipal Complex.
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Mount Holly Art and Music Fest Downtown Mount Holly will be the site on September 28, 2013, for the sixth annual Mount Holly Art & Music Festival (formerly Autumn on Main). Not only does the festival have a new name this year, it will also have extended hours as well as two stages with some of North Carolina's top bands, and food vendors to feed the hungry crowds. In March of this year, the Mount Holly Tourism Development Authority asked the Events Committee of the Mount Holly Community Development Foundation to make this event the largest festival ever offered by Mount Holly to the region and gave them enough seed money and matching grants
to make it happen. The Mount Holly Community Development Foundation, the Mount Holly Tourism Development Authority and the City of Mount Holly have announced this year's title sponsor, Wells Fargo. Stage Sponsors this year are Carolinas HealthCare System and Duke Energy, along with Silver sponsors, American & Efird, Gaston Alive, PSNC Energy, Robert Black Insurance and Bronze sponsors, On Track Yoga, McDonalds, Mount Holly Chamber of Commerce, and Time Flies Country Store. The Mount Holly Merchants also made donations and will be working during the festival to make the event a success.
This year, the festival will be held from 11am to 10pm. An Artists' Garden will be located in the Riverbend Family Physicians' parking lot on South Main Street and artists will exhibit and sell their works, ranging from paintings, pottery, woodworking and photography, among other media until 6pm. This year, the festival will have two stages: a main stage and an acoustic stage. The acoustic stage will be under a tent on South Main Street near Glendale Ave, and is a great place to relax, have lunch and enjoy an intimate music experience from local performers: Stepside Deluxe, Dirty Grass Soul and The Over Mountain Men with David Childers. Our Main Stage will feature four great bands. At noon, a jazz and R&B guitarist, James "Tootie" Hogan and his band will perform. At 3pm, there will be dancing in the streets as Coming Up Brass ushers in the afternoon with Carolina Beach, soul, rock, and rhythm and blues oldies. At 6pm, Big Daddy Love begins our evening music with a unique and natural blend of rock, roots and grass. The headliner band for the festival is Acoustic Syndicate, a rock/folk/bluegrass band, which will perform at 8pm. Bring your chair, find your spot on Main Street and sit back and enjoy all the music on the Main Stage. Regional wineries, food vendors and beer sales as well as local restaurants and bakeries will be available during festival hours so your food and beverage needs will be covered. For music schedule or more, visit the website: www.mounthollyartsfestival.com
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
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Graduation rate up for fourth year – highest rate ever reported Gaston County Schools’ cohort graduation rate increased to 81.2 percent in 2013, the highest four-year graduation rate ever reported for GCS, according to results released today by the State Board of Education. This is up from 77.8 in 2012 and 75.4 in 2011. The cohort graduation rate is the percent of ninth graders who entered high school in 2009-2010 and graduated four years later in June 2013. Gaston County Schools’ average graduation rate climbed to 81.2 from 77.8 last year. The four-year graduation rate is above 90 percent at five of nine high schools: Cherryville, Forestview, Gaston Early College, Highland and South Point. Highland has the highest
rate with 99.3. East Gaston’s 2011-2012 rate was 76.4 percent. For 20122013 it increased to 79.9 percent. Since the State Board of Education released the first cohort graduation rate in 2005-2006, GCS high schools’ average graduation rate has improved 13.1 points from 68.1 in 2006 to 81.2 today. Some students require a fifth year of high school in order to complete graduation requirements. The district’s five-year cohort graduation rate for the students who entered the ninth grade in 2008-09 and graduated in June 2013 was 80.4, up from 78.2 last year. The graduation rate is not the same as the dropout rate, which is the number of
students who dropout in a given year. Superintendent L. Reeves McGlohon said, “This is Gaston County Schools’ highest graduation rate ever and the fourth consecutive year that our rate has increased. We’re definitely pleased that our graduation rate continues to improve each year. This is what we are looking for – the continuous steady increases.” McGlohon added, “We applaud our school staffs, students, parents and support personnel who work together to ensure our students stay in school and graduate. Our goal is for every student to be successful, and we intend to continue doing everything possible to ensure this happens.”
John Wendell, meteorologist from WCNC, came to give a program at the Belmont Gad-Abouts meeting in July.
Gaston Schools Orientations, Open Houses Orientations and Open House events for local schools will be at the following times: August 15; East Gaston High – Freshman Orientation, Last Name A-M; 9:00-11:00 a.m., Freshman Orientation, First Name NZ; 1:00-3:00 p.m.; W. C. Friday Middle – Sixth Grade Orientation, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Parent Academy, 9:00-10:00 a.m.; Mount Holly Middle – Sixth Grade Transition Camp, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; South Point High – Freshman Camp, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Parent Session, 11:0011:30 a.m., Auditorium. August 19: Holbrook Middle – Sixth Grade Transition Camp- Preparing the Pride, 1:00-5:30 p.m., Parent Academy,
6:00-7:30 p.m. August 20: Costner Elementary – Kindergarten Orientation, 5:30 p.m.; Kiser Elementary – Fifth Grade Orientation, 5:30 p.m., Fourth Grade Orientation 7:00 p.m. August 21: Holbrook Middle – Open House, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; Pinewood Elementary – Kindergarten Orientation, 6:007:30 p.m.; Springfield Elementary – Kindergarten Orientation, 5:30 p.m., First and Second Grade Orientation, 6:30 p.m.; Belmont Central Elementary – Open House/Meet the Teacher, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Second Grade Orientation, 6:30 p.m. August 22: South Point High, New Student/Open House 6:30pm.
Photo by Alan Hodge
Cousins A.J. Hill (left) and Marcario Brandon were in Belmont last week and decided to wear their Carolina Panther’s gear. They did a little scrimmaging on the sidewalk and said they hoped to see a game at Panther Stadium this season.
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Belmont Athletics is holding registration for an open adult soccer league and, brand new for fall of 2013, a 30 and older adult soccer league during the month of August. The Belmont Adult soccer started in the fall of 2007 with the YMCA. Belmont Athletics had two teams and YMCA had two teams. Now the league is formed by just Belmont Athletic teams and the number of teams in the league have varied from 8 to 12 per season. There are two seasons per year one in the fall and one in the spring. The seasons normally last 10 weeks. Open league is played on Saturday afternoons and the 30+ league will be offered on Sunday afternoons. For more information you can go to www.leaguelineup.com/belmontsoccer or call Gil Aguirre at 704-901-2070. Open Adult Fall Soccer and 30+ Adult Fall Soccer; Register Aug. 1-30; Fee: $35 individual in city, $40 individual out of city, $275 per team in city, $325 per team out of city; Must have six players that live in the city limits of Belmont to qualify for the in city rate. Signups taken on a first come first served basis.
Parks & Rec hosting free Kid’s fishing day Saturday, Aug. 17 Gaston County Parks and Recreation will be hosting a free Kid’s Fishing Day on Aug. 17 from 8am till 10am at South Fork River Park, 4185 Mountainview St, Gastonia. This will be the perfect opportunity to introduce your kids to fishing. Gaston County Parks and Recreation is a member of the NC Wildlife Commission's Tackle Loaner Program (TLP). The Commission created the Tackle Loaner Program to introduce North Carolinians, especially children, to fishing and to encourage novice anglers to continue developing their angling skills. 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 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 registra-
tion 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. Tackle loaner ID cards can be used at other participating sites in North Carolina, but rods and reels must be returned to the original loaner site. We will have a limited number of poles available for check-out at South Fork River Park during the Kid’s Fishing Day. For more information, please contact please contact Gaston County Parks & Recreation at 704-922-2160 or visit the County’s website at http://www.gastongov.com/departments/parks-recreation. Gaston County strives to make its programs, services, and activities accessible to all. If you will require an accommodation we request that you contact our office at least 5 days before the event.
Free workshop open to the public Free workshop – Have you heard the call of Soul? You are invited to an in-depth exploration of past lives, dreams, and Soul Travel, with free Spiritual Experiences
Guidebook and audio CD. The event will be Sept 20, 11am-1pm, Gastonia Main Library, 1555 E Garrison Blvd.
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John Wendell, meteorologist from WCNC, came to give a program at the Belmont Gad-Abouts meeting in July. Photo Belmont Parks & Rec
Belmont board openings
Featherstone and Suggs wed Aug.10 Leah Michelle Featherstone and Scott Edward Suggs were married August 10, 2013 at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Suggs, Belmont, with Tom Marsh officiating. The bride is the daughter of Thomas Featherstone of Gastonia and Sandra Featherstone of Cramerton. She is employed by Gaston County Schools. The groom is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Suggs of Belmont. He is employed by the State of North Carolina. Leah was given in marriage by her father. She wore a royal blue, strapless, chiffon, floor length dress.
She carried a bouquet of yellow daisies and blue carnations. The Maid of Honor was Rebecca Massey of Gastonia. Bridesmaids were daughter Madison Faile of Belmont, Judy Mauldin of Gastonia, and Mary Beth Barrett of Belmont. Best Man was brother Robby Suggs of Clemmons, S.C., sons Aaron Suggs of Gastonia, Cody Suggs of Pembroke, N.C., and Chris Suggs of the home, Belmont. A dinner was given by Dr. and Mrs. Robert Suggs at their home on the lake. The couple will reside in Belmont.
Reid High dedication Sept. 7 The Reid High School Class of 1956 Alumni Association and the Belmont City Council will have a dedication ceremony for the Reid High School commemorative marker on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 11am at the corner of Sacco and Cedar streets. All Reid High alumni classes are invited to take part. Each class is invited to set up tables and share in the fellowship after
the ceremony. Contact Joanne B. Holmes at 704596-3515 for more information.
The City of Belmont has openings on the Planning and Zoning Board and also on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Applications will be taken until Aug. 21. Applications are available online or at City Hall. Please call Shyrl Hansil at 704-825-5586 of you have any questions.
BCO news The Belmont Community Organization helped 216 families in July: distributed 11,183 pounds of food to 120 households (fed 338 people); paid nine water bills; paid 16 Duke Energy bills; purchased medicines for four clients; paid rent for two clients; provided clothing to 97 households and gave furniture and house wares to 53 households. As the BCO works to assist clients in need, please help with these things it currently needs: macaroni & cheese, grits, pasta sauce. Questions? Give BCO a call at 704.825.4526.
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6513 W Wilkinson Blvd in Belmont ! ! ! ! (704) 825-6099
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SOMERSET C o u r t
“We buy salvage cars & trucks�
Gaston, Lincoln & Cleveland County’s On-Time Electrician!
“It’s all taken care of...�
Assisted Living
Mac’s Auto Parts
All Private Rooms
3038 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia
Medicaid Rates & Private Pay Accepted
Used parts for most makes & models!
401. W. Academy St., Cherryville
704-445-1554
Mc Lean
!
Funeral Directors !
704.861.0676 or 704.861.1331
Gaston 704.865.9669 Lincoln 704.736.4229 Cleveland 704.481.2985
Belmont - 704.825.5301 www.mcleanfuneral.com
Does your dog need a vacation too? Dog Boarding • Doggy Wash 159 Sellars Rd. Kings Mountain
A Family Tradition Since 1957 %% /)!+ (" !&!,!*/ (*$ 1 *('0! 1 * '#,! 1 * %! Locally Owned & Operated by Ron & Cathy Ledbetter
oodlawn Funeral Home
101 Oak Grove St. Mt. Holly, NC 28120 704-827-1801 NOW OPEN!
(%$-#%%! ./ #' ""# ! % ', 1615 W. Dixon Blvd. • Hwy 74 By-Pass - Display/Sales Office www.riverhillmonuments.com
704-481-1198
PARK YOUR BARK
Off Hwy. 216, between Kings Mtn. & Cherryville, next to Midway Lakes II 704
734.1020 Doug & Kathy Toomey
www.parkyourbarkllc.com kvathome@hotmail.com
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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Classified Ads FREE ADS! Have something to sell (under $100) or give away? Just fill out the form below & run your ad for FREE!
Homes For Rent/Sale MOBILE HOMES AND APARTMENTS FOR RENT IN KINGS MOUNTAIN-Prices starting at $100/week. Call 704-739-4417 or (evening) 704-7391425. (tfn)
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 704567-9836 or w w w. b r y a n t r e alty.org. (8/14)
Wanted to Buy CASH ON THE SPOT! Will buy tools or building full of merchandise, or pictures, or any-
thing of value. Will also by musical instruments. (704)300 – 0827 or (704)300 – 7676. (8/14)
Yard Sale - Deadline Noon Friday MOVING and TAG SALE. Sat., Aug. 17th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Furniture, household, misc., at 208 Harrilson Road, Cherryville, N.C. KM YARD SALE AT 238 Landry Drive ( Hall Crossing). Sat., August 17th. 7 am – 12 (Noon). Wood playground set, Elliptical trainer, TV, Oak Table, Bunk bed frame, Toy Gator Tractor, Tandem Bike, Toys, Bikes and Clothes. KM YARD SALE – 602 Princeton Dr. (near High School) Sat., August 17th. Household items, boy’s clothes (18 mths. – 4T) and a few toys.
Help Wanted DRIVERS, CDL-B: Great Pay, Hometime!
No-Forced Dispatch! Moving Freightliner Trucks out of Mt Holly/Cleveland, Tow vehicle A+. TruckMovers.com, 1-877-606-7083. (7/24,31,8/7 &14)
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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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COPY DEADLINE: Friday before the issue date at 2pm Mail copy to: Kings Mountain Herald • PO Box 769 • Kings Mountain NC 28086
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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.
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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
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