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Serving Belmont, Mount Holly, Stanley, Cramerton, and McAdenville

Busted! Arrests made in meth lab operation Three Belmont men and a Belmont woman were arrested on August 11, 2013 for their role in running a methamphetamine lab that was being operated in the Flowers Court neighborhood. Belmont Police Chief Charlie Franklin said the lab was discovered when Belmont officers responded to a call of a man being chased by three suspects armed with guns. “The officers responded to a call of someone being chased with a gun,� Franklin said. “When the officers finally located the victim they received information that the armed subjects had run into an apartment at Flowers Court.� Belmont officers with the assistance of the Mount Holly and Gaston County Police then went to the apartment in question. “At that time the subjects in the apartment were brought outside and the home was checked for weapons,� Franklin said. “Initially no weapons were found.� Belmont Police then obtained consent to search the home further from the apartment leaseholder. During that search police discovered items that led them to believe that a meth lab was being operated. “Once the officers saw what looked like meth paraSee BUSTED, 3A

Duke coal ash uproar continues

Meet Dinga, a real ‘Carolina’ dog

Photo by Alan Hodge

Sales of Cramer High “Storm� memorabilia were fast and furious following the ribbon cutting ceremony Sunday. The school colors of purple, silver, and black are striking.

School doors open! ALAN HODGE alan.bannernews@gmail.com

Photo by Alan Hodge

Jack Winchester of North Belmont is seen with his Carolina dog named Dinga. The breed is believed to be descended from Native America dogs that took to the swamps centuries ago. Winchester caught Dinga near High Shoals and the South Fork River there. ALAN HODGE alan.bannernews@gmail.com

Folks who visit Jack Winchester’s antique shop on Hickory Grove Road in the Springwood area usually do a double take when his dog named Dinga looks at them with her hypnotic, shockingly blue eyes. But once they hear what type of canine he believes she is, their fascination skyrock-

The back and forth between environmental groups such as the Catawba Riverkeepers and Duke Energy over the utility’s coal ash storage methods–particularly at the now-closed Riverbend Steam Station on Mountain Island Lake near Mount Holly–ramped up last week when both outfits issued statements taking the other to task regarding the accuracy and veracity of their claims. Duke Energy Senior Vice President for Environmental Health and Safety blasted the Riverkeepers in a lengthy statement and basically said concerns over coal ash storage were unfounded. “The Catawba Riverkeeper has expressed concerns about Mountain Island Lake’s water quality. We share that focus and dedicate significant resources daily to monitoring water quality across all the regions we serve,� said Allen. “Duke Energy began monitoring the lake in 1953, long before the Clean Water Act, and more than four decades before the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation was formed. Test results have always proven and continue to demonstrate the region’s drinking water supplies are safe. See DUKE, 4A

ets. Winchester says Dinga is a Carolina dog, and he’s not just talking about where her mailing address is. Carolina dogs are the “natural� dog of America whose ancestors came along with Native Americans across the Alaskan land bridge from Asia thousands of years go. Scientists have established that the Carolina dog is See DINGA, 3A

Students will burst through the doors of Stuart W. Cramer High School for the first time on Monday, August 26, but their entry was preceded Sunday by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for the public that brought over 1,000 folks to the brand new campus. Many, many local educators, civic leaders and politicians were at the event and all expressed glowing words

about the incredible facility. The keyword was “magnificent�. “Stuart W. Cramer High School is a magnificent campus that will serve Gaston County for many years to come,� stated Superintendent of Schools L. Reeves McGlohon. “Much time and energy went into planning the new high school. We gave careful thought and consideration to everything from road design and the layout of the building to how See SC HIGH, 7A

Belmont beauty queens Todd Hagans

Path cleared for MedPlex By Alan Hodge Alan.bannernews@gmail.com

By Alan Hodge Alan.bannernews@gmail.com

75¢

Volume 78 • Issue 34 • Wednesday, August 21, 2013

The Mount Holly City Council gave unanimous approval last week to a change in the Manual for Design in Downtown Mount Holly that will clear the path for construction by CaroMont Health to build a freestanding emergency facility on NC 27 across from the Municipal Complex. The text amendment would exclude freestanding emergency care centers, physician’s office, ambulatory care facilities, and outpatient facilities greater than 25,000 sq. ft. from the Manual for Design requirements. However, such facilities would still have to meet certain parking requirements, exterior walls on commercial and mixed-use buildings shall be finished mainly in brick, and vinyl or aluminum siding, particle board, corrugated metal, unfinished concrete block, false stone cladding, rough sawn wood, and synthetic stucco are prohibited from use. The CaroMont facility will be known as MedPlex and will be 37,000 sq. feet. It will cost about $25 million to construct. MedPlex will have 12 treatment rooms, a trauma room, and a resuscitation room. There will be diagnostic CT scans, ultrasound, and lab work. Gaston Emergency Services will use MedPlex as a substation. Groundbreaking for MedPlex will take place in September with construction to start soon after and a completion expected in spring or early summer 2015. The facility will serve a geographic area that includes 20,000 folks.

CaroMont has acquired about six acres of land for the project and hopes to add another 1.5-acre parcel to that. Robby Aull, principal and chief architect on the MedPlex job, says the look of the building will have plenty of red brick, glass, and metal trim in a style not unlike the textile mills that first put Mount Holly on the map. “This is a significant project,� said Richard Blackburn, CaroMont VP of Support Services. “I have no doubt this will make the NC27 corridor in Mount Holly take off and be a real boon to the community.� MedPlex will be an extension of CaroMont Regional Medical Center and will expand and provide easier access for emergency care to northeast Gaston County and northwest Charlotte residents. MedPlex will also fit in nicely with Mount Holly’s intent to improve the town’s “walkability�. Plans for the medical facility will include a 10-foot wide greenway on the property that will connect to the Carolina Thread Trail. CaroMont will also be building an 8-foot wide sidewalk along NC 27 and 5foot sidewalks along South Alexander and Elm streets. MedPlex has been in the works for several years and officials from the City of Mount Holly and CaroMont have met on occasion to tweak both the design and zoning regulations to get everything just right. CaroMont’s plan was also contested in court by rival Carolinas Healthcare who also had eyes on Mount Holly as an emergency hospital location, but CaroMont prevailed.

Contributed Photo

This architectural rendering shows how the MedPlex emergency health facility will look when it is completed on Hwy. 27 near Hwy. 273 in Mount Holly. It will feature a dozen rooms and diagnostic capabilities among other services.

Special to the BannerNews

Belmont teenagers Lyndsey Stephens and Rachel Abernathy have at least three things in common. They are 17 years old. They are seniors at South Point High School. And, they are Gaston County’s newest beauty queens. Stephens captured the Miss Gastonia 2014 title and Abernathy was crowned Miss Gaston County 2014 to conclude the annual Miss Gastonia Scholarship Pageant held Sunday, August 11 at Gaston College. They will receive a $1,000 scholarship and other prizes and represent Gastonia and Gaston County in next summer’s Miss North Carolina pageant. Jordan Gallagher, 21, a senior at Wingate University, was the first runner-up and received a $300 scholarship. Ashton Laney, 17, a student at Lincoln Charter High School, was the second runner-up and won a $200

Lyndsey Stephens Miss Gastonia 2014

Rachel Abernathy Miss Gaston County 2014 scholarship. See BEAUTY QUEENS, 5A

HUD grants awarded By Alan Hodge Alan.bannernews@gmail.com

The US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently awarded over $48 million in grants to NC Public Housing Authorities and both Belmont and Mount Holly got a nice slice of the pie. Capital Fund grants are awarded each year to the nation’s approximately 3,100 public housing agencies through a formula that considers number, type and age of units in a community. Eligible uses for this funding include development, financing and modernization

of the public housing units as well as management improvements at the public housing authority. Mount Holly’s public housing, the Rollins and Holly Hills apartments, is run by the Statesville Housing Authority whose COO is Darbah Skaf. “Each year HUD allocates funding to Public Housing Authorities under the Capital Fund grant,� Skaf said. “This grant is use for repairs and renovation to public housing units. In the past few years, Mount Holly has used the money to See HUD, 6A

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Open Monday - Friday • Located on Hwy 27 South in Stanley - across from Food Lion

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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

■OBITUARIES Hedwig “Oma� Aiken A native of Austria CHARLOTTE- Hedwig Stiller Aiken (Oma), 85, a resident of Peak Resources Assisted Living in Gastonia, formerly of Charlotte, d i e d Monday, August 1 2 , 2013. She was born in Salzburg, Austria. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harlan Aiken, and a daughter, Karen A. Szymurski. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Mount Holly. She was a hospice volunteer. She is survived by a Eugene G. Langford U.S. Army veteran MOUNT HOLLY- Eugene Gerald Langford, 76, 5035 Park Creek Drive, died Sunday, August 1 8 , 2013. He was born in R u i doso, N e w Mexico, son of the late Dennis Estill and Dollie Mae Dufur Langford. He was a U.S. Army veteran and was a retired technician with Bell South. He is survived by his wife, Juanita Winchester Langford; one daughter, Teresa Lynn Irvin and husKeith Pennington A member of the Mount Holly Rotary Club, Jaycees, and Lions MOUNT HOLLY- Keith McCoy Pennington, 84, 203 Madison Drive, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2013. He was son of William J. and Ellen McCraw Pennington. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Betty Jean Messer Pennington. He was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, former member of the Mount Holly Rotary Club, Mount Holly Jaycees and Mount Holly Lions Club. He is survived by one

granddaughter, Denise S. Connett and husband Jason of Belmont; two greatgrandchildren, Amber and Alyssa Hampton; siblings and extended family in Salzburg, Austria. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Aiken was held at 6 pm Monday, August 19, at the First Baptist Church, Mount Holly with Reverend Dr. Kendell Cameron officiating. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association by visiting www.alz.org/ donate. Woodlawn Funeral Home, Mount Holly is serving the family.

band Danny of Roxboro, NC; two sons, Gerald Wayne Langford and fiancĂŠe Barbara of Gastonia, and Raymond Eugene Langford of Alamogordo, New Mexico; two brothers, Robert Langford of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Wayne Langford and wife Leanita of Roswell, New Mexico; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The family received friends on Tuesday, August 20, from 2-4pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly. Woodlawn Funeral Home of Mount Holly is serving the Langford family.

son, Daniel Keith Pennington and wife Lori of Carrboro, NC. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mr. Pennington was held at 3pm Saturday, August 17, at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd with Reverend Cuttino Alexander officiating. The family received friends from one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be made to the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 110 South Main Street, Mount Holly NC 28120. Condolence messages may be left at www.woodlawnfuneral.org. Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly served the family.

â– BELMONT Aug. 12: Crystal Marie Manomai, larceny shoplifting, arrested by Officer F. Bollinger, 701 Hawley Ave. Aug. 12: Clifton Wade Strickland, poss. Sch. IV, arrested by Officer M. Elizondo, 7220 Wilkinson Blvd. Aug. 13: Rodney Robinson, larceny shoplifting, ar-

Joe Milton Beatty U.S. Army veteran MOUNT HOLLY- Joe Milton Beatty, 75, 2379 Stanley-Lucia Road, died F r i d a y, August 1 6 , 2013. He was born in Gaston County, son of Victor Olin and Alda Elizabeth McIntosh Beatty. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, James, Don, and Gilbert Beatty. He was a U.S. Army veteran, a lifetime member of the New Covenant United Methodist Church, a member of the Stanley American Legion Post, and the Mount Holly VFW Post. He retired in 2002 as Finance and Credit Manager for Carolina Tractor and Equipment. After retirement he enjoyed raising cattle. He is survived by his wife, Sherrill Grimes Beatty; one daughter, Kelly Wheeler and husband John of Mint Hill, NC; one son, Rob Ronald Ray Loving husband and father MOUNT HOLLYRonald Sherrill Ray Sr., 69, of 108 Greentree Drive, passed away on Wednesday, August 14, 2013. He was born in Asheville, NC. He is survived by his w i f e Joann Ray; six children, Ronald S. Ray Jr. and wife Loretta of Stantonsburg, NC, Deborah Ray Ford of Asheville, Cherlyn Ray Bradley of Pikesville, Revonda Ray Wolfe of Charlotte, Ronald D. Ray and wife Tracy of Bessemer City,

Holder and wife Kristie of Indian Trail, NC; one brother, Wayne Beatty and wife Peggy of Mount Holly; four grandchildren, Paige Wheeler, Caleb, Sydney, and Olivia Holder; and a number of nieces, nephews, greatnieces, and great-nephews. A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Beatty was held at 3pm. Monday, August 19, at New Covenant United Methodist Church with Reverend Tony Smith and Reverend Wade Childers officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. The family received friends two hours prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be made to the Building Fund, New Covenant United Methodist Church, 14514 Lucia-Riverbend Highway, Mount Holly, NC 28120 or to the Harris Hospice Unit, P.O. Box 33549, Charlotte, NC 28233-3549. Woodlawn Funeral Home of Mount Holly is serving the family.

and Jessica Ray of Fort Mill, SC; two stepchildren, Dion Pryor of Mount Holly and Marcus Pryor; one sister Shirley Petrie. A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Ray was held 11am Saturday, August 17, at the Woodlawn Chapel of Woodlawn Funeral Home with Reverend Clayton Burch officiating. The family received friends from 68pm Friday, August 16, at the funeral home. Condolence messages may be left at www.woodlawnfuneral.org. Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly served the family.

George “Tommy� Leming

Cecil Reneau, Sr.

GASTONIA – George “Tommy� Thomas Leming, Jr., 61, passed away Monday, August 12, 2013 at CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia. He was a native of Gaston County, NC born July 5, 1952 to Pearl Hearms Lunsford and the late George Thomas Leming Sr. Memorial service was at 3pm Thursday, August 15, at Walnut Grove Baptist Church, Dallas.

GASTONIA – Cecil H. Reneau, Sr., 87, passed peacefully Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at CaroMont Regional Medical Center. He was the son of the late James A. and Effie Wishon Reneau. The family received friends 6-8pm Thursday, August 15, at Withers & Whisenant Funeral Home.

Blvd. Aug 16: Jeffery Scott Martin, larceny, arrested by Officer B. Bingham, 120 Caldwell Farm Rd. Aug. 16: Aaron Demetrius Mackey, drug violations, equipment paraphernalia, possessing concealing, speeding 70/45, arrested by Officer K.

Everything you need

Cathy Story Fravel, beloved teacher, known to generations of Mt. Holly seventh graders as simply Ms. Story, lost her long and courageous battle with lung cancer on August 8, 2013. It was a battle fought with her special brand of grace. Ms Story began life as the long anticipated and much loved child of Dan and Clarice Hardin Story in Greensboro, N.C on October 29, 1943. Though she was an only child, Cathy grew up with her cousins, the Burke clan, from Gibsonville N.C. Cousins Etta, Abby and “Tootie� were only the first of a life long extended family that spanned multiple generations and extended from the Rocky Mountains to Southport, N.C. Ms. Story’s first year at Mt. Holly was 1972. She was one of the “original five� who were first year teachers, but who quickly became seasoned veterans. It was a turbulent, but gratifying time that formed bonds and friendships that never faltered. Though one by one, the “original five� left Mt. Holly, Ms. Story remained until she left to care for her cherished mother. Ms. Story’s quick wit, in-

Wingate, 7304 Wilkinson Blvd. Aug. 16: Brittany Nicole Guffey, attempt to obtain property by false pretense, drug violations paraphernalia, arrested by Officer K. Wingate, 701 Hawley Ave. Aug. 16: Danny Alven Laney, OFA, arrested by Officer K. Wingate, Woodlawn St. Aug. 17: Henry Fairley Laney, simple poss. marijuana, arrested by Officer K. Wingate, Woodlawn St. Aug. 17: Crystal Roberta Johnson, larceny, arrested by Officer M. Hall, 6402 Wilkinson Blvd. Aug. 17: Michelle Lavecchia, communicating threats, arrested by Officer R. Berry, 4 N. Main St.

Sept 19 – 8:00 PM Carolina Brass; From the elegance and grace of beautiful classical music to the hard driving sound of a big band, Carolina Brass will sweep you off your feet. “Carolina Brass puts it all together performances with rhythmic drive and gorgeous lyricism, all with classical virtuosity and dynamic personality.� WGBH Boston. Music from classical to jazz. Oct 28 – 8:00 PM Carolina Pro Musica: The Court of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II The Viennese court of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II (r. 1619-37) was the center of a rich music culture. The Hapsburgs looked to Italy for their composers and performers. Works from the imperial court were the earliest to incorporate Italian innovations of dramatic and melodic inventiveness. Nov 7 – 8:00 PM Jones Maruri Duo - cello and guitar. Based in Spain, the noted duo of cellist Michael Kevin Jones and guitarist Agustin Maruri present a concert of music from the baroque to contemporary periods including Schubert’s “Sonata Arpeggione�. Dec 6 – 8:00 PM Holiday Concert. The college choir and instrumental students

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1392 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia, NC • 704.862.6022

fectious humor and indomitable love of life were matched only by her love for her students. She never tired of recounting stories from each year’s class and never forgot one of her “kids� names. Nothing pleased her more than being able to call up and say, “You’ll never believe whose child I have this year�. Her lifelong work as a teacher fostered a brighter future for many. Her belief that hope is a wonderful thing to give a child never waivered. After leaving Mt. Holly, Ms. Story retired to Southport, N.C. with her husband, Phil Fravel. Her life and days were full. She volunteered for 15 years at the Southport Visitor Center and at the Dosher Memorial Hospital until her health forced her to resign. In the words of the poet, Maya Angelou: “Your friendship is one of my dearest possessions. I treasure every moment of our friendship and the ties of love that weave our separate lives so closely together.� Ms. Story will be missed tremendously by all whose life she touched. A memorial service will be held at 11a.m. on Saturday, August 24 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Southpoint, N.C. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the American Cancer Society, the Lower Cape Fear Hospice & Life Care Center, or any charity of choice.

Arts at the Abbey 2013-14 schedule Belmont Abbey College has announced its Arts at the Abbey schedule for the coming performance season.

POLICE

rested by Officer K. Wingate, 701 Hawley Ave. Aug. 14: Ramon Dimitrick Wilson, domestic criminal trespassing, arrested by Officer R. Berry, 39 Flowers Ct. Aug. 14: Timothy Joe Stevenson, fugitive warrant, arrested by Officer M. Kaiman, 6751 Wilkinson

Cathy Fravel Ms. Story ~ She loved her Mt. Holly students

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present music for the season with carols for all to sing. Feb 6 – 8:00 PM Poinsett Piano Trio The ensemble has performed across the United States, and taken International tours to New Zealand and Germany. Their program will include Faure Trio, Op. 120 and Brahms Trio in B major, Op. 8. Feb 25 - 8:00 PM Music for flutes and more. Hannah Blalock, harpist, joins Sam P. Stowe III, flute. The Gardner-Webb University Flute Ensemble also performs. Belmont Abbey and Gardner-Webb faculty member Stowe will be featured in the Debussy Trio for flute, viola and harp. March 31 – 8:00 PM Carolina Pro Musica: St. Petersburg during Catherine the Great From the 1750s on, the Imperial Court looked to Italy for inspiration in cultural matters. Italian-born Chapel masters including Galuppi and Paisiello also wrote musical entertainments. They had a lasting influence on young Russian composers who trained abroad. Experience old St. Petersburg. May 4 – 3:00 PM Spring Concert. Abbey music students close out the college year with a variety of choral and instrumental selections both sacred and secular.

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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

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Revisions made to Grand Hall use By Alan Hodge Alan.bannernews@gmial.com

The Mount Holly City Council has adjusted the policy for table and chair use and pricing at the Municipal Complex Grand Hall. The city owns 35 tables that are eight feet in diameter as well as 300 folding chairs. The tables and chairs are popular items for functions held in the Grand hall including public and private events such as forums and weddings. Tables cannot be rented without chairs, but chairs can be rented without tables. Neither can be used until all applicable fees are paid. The fees are $10 per table and $4 per chair. Applicants are responsible for

setup. All events have to conclude by 11pm with the tables and chairs stacked and folded by midnight for the north end of the Grand Hall and 1am for the entire space. Linens are the responsibility of the applicant. There will be a $200 refundable damage deposit required at the time of rental. Any costs over this amount to repair damages to the tables and chairs are the responsibility of the applicant. Civic organizations located within the city limits of Mount Holly get a fifty percent reduction in the table and chairs rental fee. Decorations for the tables and chairs must be pre-approved by the city’s Event Coordinator. Thanks to the recent revisions approved by the council, certain organi-

zations in Mount Holly are going to be exempt from paying for rental of the tables and chairs. The exemptions are for one event per calendar year. These organizations include the Mount Holly Community Development Foundation, the Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame, Mount Hollydays, Mount Holly Optimist Club 8th grade dance. As for certain other groups that use the Grand Hall, City Manager Danny Jackson explained their situation regarding the tables and chairs and that they won’t be charged either. “The Black History Committee, SpringFest Senior and Community Dinners are exempt because they are more directly related to the City of Mount Holly.� he said.

NEW LOCATION: Carlton Rouse (left) and Art Shoemaker were in Stowe Park looking over the location where the Fighting Yank WWII memorial statue will be put when it is moved from its current spot in front of Belmont Middle School. Rouse is president of Rouse and Associates Landscape, Hardscape, Irrigation, and Lighting and will be in charge of getting the Yank’s new placement ready. Photo by Alan Hodge

BUSTED: Arrests made in meth lab operation From page 1A phernalia in the house they backed out and we secured a search warrant,� Franklin said. The Belmont Criminal Investigations Division (CID) along with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations and the Gaston County Police Department executed the search warrant. During the search police found over 300 grams of David methamphetGubanez

amine with a street value of over $24,000. The search also uncovered a significant amount of equipment, Ronnie chemicals and Chastine the precursor over the counter medication needed to manufacture methamphetamine. “We found a fully operational lab at this apartment,� Franklin said. “They had everything they need there to produce a significant amount of meth.� Belmont Police charged

the following people: Ronnie Chastine 52, David Gubanez 23, Tyler Crossley 20, ShiAnn Choup Shi Choup 19. All of the suspects were residents of 15 Flowers Court in Belmont. The group was charged collectively with over 24 felony drug counts including Trafficking Methamphetamine and Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Methamphetamine. Chief Franklin was grate-

ful for the help he received from G a s t o n County Police Department, Mt. Holly Police DepartTyler ment and the Crossley North Carolina SBI. “We couldn’t have done what we did without their help,� Chief Franklin stated. “The whole operation was a good example of excellent cooperation between law enforcement agencies. I’m glad we got that junk off the streets.�

DINGA: A real ĘťCarolinaĘź dog From page 1A part of a branch of canines that includes the Chihuahua that have no DNA roots in Europe. Ancient ancestors of the Carolina dog may have been hanging out with humans over 30,000 years ago. But somewhere along the line, some of the Carolina dogs left their Native American masters and high-tailed it to swamps and other remote locations where they reverted to a life in the wild and where some of their descendents are said to live today- and that’s where Dinga and Winchester’s story begins. “I was near the South Fork River at High Shoals and saw her run across the road and a Lumbee Indian was with me and we caught her,â€? Winchester said. “When I put a collar and leash on her she rolled and screamed like an alligator. After a month I took her back to the river and she got loose and I had to chase her for hours before I caught her again. After two months I took her back and she never ran off again. She’s the best dog I ever had.â€? Winchester says he has no idea how old Dinga is, but she’s been at his house for three years. Features that Dinga shares with the Carolina dog, and other wild dogs such as Australian dingoes and the Canaan dog, are short hair with a tan coat, large, pointed ears, a ruff of fur around the neck, and a curly tail. Dinga’s eyes are what really grabs you. They are almost

white they are so blue and have a piercing quality about them that is stunning. “People come to the store from as far away as Morganton and Monroe to see Dinga,� said Winchester. Not long ago, Winchester bred Dinga with another Carolina dog from South Carolina. Several of the pups cavort in Winchester’s back yard now in a wild and exuberant manner. Unfortunately, the “daddy� dog got his leash caught in the fence and expired after the pups came into the world. “He hanged himself when he found out he had five young’uns,� Winchester said of the incident. Gaston Day School headmaster Richard Rankin and Winchester have formed a friendship based on their mutual interest in the Carolina dog. Rankin has written a paper on the subject and has his own Carolina dog named Tuck that he got from a breeder in South Carolina. Based on several experiences and research, Rankin believes that it’s possible several other Carolina dogs are living in the High Shoals/Hardin area near where an Indian village was located in the 1500s. “Around Thanksgiving 2011 I was driving back from Lincolnton on US321 and as I crossed the bridge over the South Fork I saw what looked like a Carolina dog on a deer carcass,� he said. “I circled around and got within 20 yards of the dog. I called Jack and told him

there’s definitely another wild dog in Hardin.� Rankin followed up on his first sighting and hunch, and on Christmas break 2011 interviewed several folks in the area to see if anyone else had spotted what might be Carolina dogs in the wild. He even placed game cameras in the woods near the South Fork, but came up empty. “I filmed raccoons, possums, and other things but no Carolina dogs,� he said. Rankin got a tip that someone in the High Shoals/Hardin area had trapped two wild dogs, but they had been turned over to Animal Control and put down. He heard another story about a pack that had frequented the Hardin landfill that fit the general description of Carolina dogs. So far, Dinga and Tuck are probably the only two “tame� Carolina dogs in our area. But despite the fact that no wild ones have been one-hundred percent for sure located near High Shoals and Hardin, they both remain convinced that the banks of the South Fork there are likely the haunts of this rare breed that once shared the land with the Indians who lived on that ground centuries ago. As the pair puts it– “That’s our story and we’re sticking with it.� Intrigued? More information on Carolina dogs can be found at www.carolinadogs.com, www.carolinadogbreed, or at the Carolina Dog Rescue and Conservation Project at www.cdrcp.org.

Belmont street projects

Photo by Alan Hodge

Cooler weather last week had crews that are carrying out several street improvement jobs in Belmont in high spirits. These guys were widening the sidewalk at Main and Myrtle streets. In Belmont the NCDOT will be resurfacing Catawba Street from the intersection of Main Street to the intersection of Wilkinson Boulevard and Park Street (Hwy 273) from Catawba Street to Wilkinson Boulevard through August. The streets will remain open, but will have lane closures and traffic control. The work will include restriping Catawba Street to include shared use bicycle lanes. NCDOT will also add crosswalks to the intersection of Catawba Street and Park Street. The City of Belmont resurfaced Myrtle Street from the intersection of Central Avenue at Belmont Middle School to the intersection of Main Street at Stowe Park in

July. This project included widening the sidewalks at the intersection of Myrtle and Main Streets and installing crosswalks on the three sides of that intersection that currently do not have them. The City will be adding brick pavers to the southeast and southwest corners of the intersection of Myrtle and Main Streets to match the northeast and northwest corners. The City parking lot beside Garibaldi Realty will also be resurfaced. The City Council has awarded the contract for this project to Blythe Construction, Inc. Please contact public works director David Isenhour at 704-825-0506 if you have any questions about these projects.

Photo by Alan Hodge

Belmont Abbey students Robert McCullough and Josh Ault were welcoming returning folks and giving directions to the dorms and other campus locations last Friday as their fellow college mates were coming back for another year of school.

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Page 4A

DUKE: coal ash uproar continues

■ MEDITATION

From page 1A

Preparing Our Inner Garden

Rev. Angela Pleasants First United Methodist Church, Mount Holly

The past few years I have learned the basics of gardening. I give thanks to Langston Denny and Jeff Kaylor for sharing their professional gardening skills. It amazes me the tender care we must give the soil as we prepare to plant seeds that will yield a harvest. I remember planting my first tomato plants. I thought I could just plant them in the ground and leave the rest up to nature. One day I went out to inspect my plants. I noticed they were replanted in a new position. Mulch

was placed around the vines along with some cardboard to hold everything in place. I discovered Mr. Kaylor came over to tend the ground. He said I had the plants too close. They needed room to expand. The mulch was added to enrich the soil. If I had planted the tomato plants among weeds and thorns they would not have given me a harvest. The ground needed to be and enriched. broken Preparing our heart is like gardening. The heart is the totality of a person. It is where our inner thoughts and will resides. “Break up your fallow ground, and do not sow among thorns.” Jeremiah 4:3 NKJV. God realized the lack of sincerity in Israel’s repentance. They had not been broken by their sins. They were trying to sow seeds in a thorny heart. Therefore, seeds were not able to take root. Israel was

told to circumcise their heart. “And some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.” Mark 4:7 NKJV. As I learned in gardening the condition of the soil determines the growth. How are we preparing our heart for spiritual growth? We too must begin with a circumcised heart. It begins by recognizing our sinful nature and our need to repent. We must turn from a life of disobedience to a life in line with the will and Word of God. “And he said to them, ‘he who has ears to hear, let him hear!’” Mark 4:9 NKJV. Preparing the soil begins with a broken and humble heart before the Lord. It also begins with hearing the Word of the Lord. To hear the Word means attending to, believing and aligning our lives with God’s Word. Happy gardening!

praisals at this program.

compete in the 7th annual Summer Sizzlin’ at Caravan in Belmont? Grilling will start Sept. 13th with judging and awards on Sept. 14th. Come by Caravan Coffee Bar to pick up and submit your application by September 10th. This is a non-sanctioned event that uses KCBS Rules. This event is not open to Professional teams and individuals. The public is invited to come out Saturday the 14th to support your favorite team and taste the best of Belmont. We also need your vote for the “People’s Choice” Award. Sampling should be available after 11 am. Awards ceremony at 1:00 p.m. This will be a fun filled family event. For information call 704-8297711.

■ BRIEFS Gaston Museum Coffee with a Curator On Saturday, August 24, the Gaston Museum of Art and History, 131 W. Main, Dallas, will have a special edition of Coffee with the Curator, from 1-2 PM. During this program, Curator, Stephanie Elliott will identify objects and provide preservation assistance on pieces brought to the museum by visitors. If objects are too large please bring photographs. During this program, object donations to the museum will also be considered. There is no appointment needed for this program and it is free and open to the public. Please note – there is a three item limit per person and there will be no monetary ap-

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Mt Moriah Church Ushers Program Mount Moriah Baptist Church, 110 Lincoln St., Belmont, will be having its annual Ushers Program, Sunday, August 25 at 3pm. The event will feature guest speaker Rev. Sharon Collins, pastor at New Canaan Baptist Church, Gastonia. Everyone is welcome. For more information call the church at 704-825-2046.

Caravan Summer Sizzlin’ competition

Monitoring near Charlotte’s drinking water intake downstream from Riverbend Steam Station consistently finds arsenic levels at less than 1 part per billion. That’s 10 times below the state surface water standard. It’s also less than the lowest amount laboratory instruments can accurately measure. The same is true for other trace metals, such as cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel and selenium. Coal ash is less than 1 percent trace metals, but we are required to test for them routinely. Water quality and drinking water supplies in Lake Norman and Lake Wylie are similarly well protected. We’ve invested millions to upgrade to even cleaner ash storage methods at larger stations as technology has evolved. We continually work to balance the needs of customers, delivering reliable, affordable electricity and investing prudently to meet and exceed all regulatory requirements. Riverbend has been portrayed in recent years as a looming menace. Nothing could be further from the truth. The employees who operated the station for more than eight decades did so with dedication to safety, environmental stewardship and operational excellence. Retiring Riverbend hasn’t eliminated the Riverkeeper’s rhetoric about its ash basins, now pointing to wet spots and small amounts of seepage that contain very low levels of these ash constituents as reasons for grave concern. Since Riverbend’s retirement, barely a trickle of water returns to Mountain Island Lake from the plant’s ash basins. With Riverbend’s retirement comes the decommissioning and demolition of the plant and the closing of its ash basins. As milestones develop, we’ll keep the community informed. We appreciate the riverkeeper’s interest in closing the ash basins properly. We couldn’t agree more. To that end, Duke Energy is hiring additional technical experts to perform scientific and engineering studies to recommend the most appropriate closure method. Because each plant site is different, the engineering solution needs to be customized. Once we have the data to support the right decision, we’ll submit the Riverbend ash basin closure plan to the state as required by the station’s permit. The plan will be technically sound. It will comply with federal and state regulations to protect air and water. And it will be the best fit for Mountain Island Lake to continue effectively protecting its water quality for generations to come.” Catawba Riverkeeper Executive Director Rick Gaskins, fresh from a presentation to the Gaston County Board of Commissioners on Duke’s coal ash situation, refuted Allen’s assurances. “The key points are that the illegal discharges from the ash ponds into a drinking water reservoir are more than an a minor technicality and they are adversely affecting

Calling all backyard grill masters. Are you ready to

CHERUBS HOSTS CHAMBER – Montcross Area Chamber members and friends filled Cherubs Cafe and Cherubs Candy Bouquets and overflowed onto the sidewalk along North Main Street in Belmont during Network After Work on August 8, 2013. The Holy Angels organization sponsored the event to showcase Cherubs Cafe, a vocational program for people with special needs. In the photo are (from left, front row) Holy Angels President and CEO Regina Moody, with Mike, Amy, Katie, Eileen Peters, Rebecca Musser and Ted Hall. On the back row, are Bobby Ransom, Brian Herre and Emily Carpenter. For more information on Cherubs Café, call 704-825-0414. For Cherubs Candy Bouquets, call 704-825-0418. (Montcross Area Chamber photo)

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the water in the reservoir and the water going into the water system for several towns,” said Gaskins. Duke’s characterization of the seepage flow as “barely a trickle” is disingenuous. Jason Allen Catawba River- Duke Energy Senior keeper’s measureVice President for ments suggest that Environmental Health the largest illegal and Safety seeps discharging into the reservoir amount to about 400,000 gallons per day, but Duke’s internal estimate seems to be much higher. In Duke’s own documents, they estimate that leakage and evaporation from the ash ponds total about 1 million gallons per day. The seepage is so significant that Duke has had to construct concrete channels for the waste stream because it was eroding the earthen dikes. The illegal seepage is impacting water quality. Testing by Duke University found that that the arsenic levels build up to unsafe levels in the sediment layer at the bottom of Mountain Island Lake and periodically erupt into the lake. Mecklenburg County has measured periodic spikes in the arsenic levels in the lake water. We know that the arsenic is reaching the water systems because the level of arsenic in the filter sludge at the water treatment plans downstream from Duke’s coal ash ponds is much higher than at other water plants in the basin. The North Carolina Attorney General has characterized the illegal discharges from the Riverbend ash ponds as a “serious danger to the health, safety and welfare of the people of the State of North Carolina and a serious harm to the water resources of the State.” Duke and other utilities have recognized the need to phase out the unlined ash ponds at other facilities on the Catawba River, but is proposing to allow millions of tons of coal ash waste to remain in perpetuity in unlined, leaking disposal units on the banks of Mountain Island Lake, which is the primary source of drinking water for approximately 860,000 people in Charlotte, Gastonia, Mt. Holly, Pineville, Matthews, Mint Hill and other areas. Duke’s former CEO (Jim Rodgers) admitted in an interview that Duke will eventually have to clean up the ash ponds and we are simply asking that the ash be removed from the banks of Mountain Island Lake and stored in a lined landfill. Duke frequently pats itself on the back for using 20st century technology (a dry lined landfill) to store coal ash as some of its facilities and yet it seems content to use 1st century technology (digging a hole in the ground and filling it with waste) on Mountain Island Lake, which is the source of drinking water for approximately 860,000 people.” And the debate goes on.

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Fellowship & Faith

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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Page 5A

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Local legends inducted into MH Sports Hall of Fame The Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame annual banquet and induction ceremony took place Saturday, Aug. 17 in the Grand Hall at the Mu-

nicipal Complex. A large crowd enjoyed dinner, conversation, recollections of fame and fun on the field and in the gym and saw seven

worthy folks/teams inducted into the Hall of Fame. Inductees included: Sarah Nixon - Community Spirit Award, 66-67 Hawkette Jan

McKeller (seen with coach Joe Speers), former East Gaston wrestling coach Doug Smith, basketball standout Charlie Drumm

(seen with Aaron Suttenfield), another basketball star Shane Trull, 1940s Hawkettes Faye Roberts Stroupe, Rachel Wilson

Jackson, and Lois Herring Parker (seen with Gary Neely), and football star J.B. Thompson (represented by his son Gene Thompson).

66-67 Hawkette Jan McKeller pictured with coach Joe Speers.

Gene Thompson represented his father, J.B. Thompson.

Former East Gaston wrestling coach Doug Smith.

Sarah Nixon received the Community Spirit Award.

Basketball star Shane Trull.

1940s Hawkettes Faye Roberts Stroupe, Rachel Wilson Jackson, and Lois Herring Parker pictured with Gary Neely.

BEAUTY QUEENS: Stephens, Abernathy earn Gaston titles Stephens, whose talent and swimsuit awards earned her an additional $200 in scholarship money, presented a jazz dance to “Life of the Party� for the talent competition. Her community service teaches elementary and middle school girls about confidence, self-esteem, respect and inner beauty. Stephens is the daughter of Craig and Windy Stephens of Belmont. She plans to attend UNC-Charlotte and pursue a career in pediatric oncology. At South Point, Stephens is a Beta Club member, enrolled in honors classes, and received the highest math average award. She also serves on the student council and as a cheerleading captain. Stephens enjoys teaching dance and gymnastics to preschool children and serves as a volunteer at Carolinas Medical Center. Abernathy is the daughter of John and Dixie Abernathy of Belmont. She presented a Broadway jazz dance to “Look at Me Now� for the talent competition. Abernathy would like to attend Wake Forest University to major in international law. Her community service focuses on providing school supplies for children. At South Point, Abernathy is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Spanish Club, Interact Club and Bible Club. She won third place in the regional moot court competition and is a three-time recipient of the scholar-athlete award. This summer, she participated in a mission trip with the youth group from Unity Baptist Church. In the Outstanding Teen portion of the pageant, Jordan Adcox, 15, won the Gastonia title and Hannah Seagle, 14, won the Gaston County title. Adcox also won the physical fitness award and Seagle claimed the talent award. This coming year, the four winners will make public appearances, promote their community service projects, and support the Children’s Miracle Network, which is the pag-

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eant program’s national charity. They also will spend time preparing for the state competition. The Miss Gastonia Scholarship Association sponsored the pageant, which is an official local preliminary program of the Miss North Carolina and Miss America organizations. For more information or to schedule an appearance, visit www.missgastoniapageant.com.

Basketball standout Charlie Drumm pictured with Aaron Suttenfield.

Public invited to EG High ribbon cutting East Gaston High will have a ribbon-cutting and opening ceremony for its refurbished football stadium at 7pm prior to the start of the August 23, 7:30pm game against East Lincoln. The public is cordially invited.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Anniversary

HUD: grants awarded From page 1A update handicap units for the elderly, upgrade the electrical system, bathroom and kitchen repairs, parking lot, siding, doors, windows etc. Generally, for the health and safety of the units and family.� Belmont’s public housing falls under the Gaston Housing Authority (GHA) that operates the Flowers Court and Myrtle Terrace apartments. Myrtle Terrace is a 32-unit senior low-rise (twofloors) located at 55 West Myrtle Street. Myrtle Terrace was constructed using a Rural Development loan. Flowers Court is a 50-unit family development located at 51 Flowers Court. Flowers Court was constructed as a conventional public housing development. Gary Foster of the GHA says the grant money will be put to good use for the comfort of its residents. “The Belmont Housing Authority will replace central HVAC units in six of its apartments,� said Foster. “This is a multi-year replacement that started in 2010 and is scheduled to be completed in 2016.� The grants are provided through HUD’s Capital Fund Program, which provides funding annually to all public housing authorities to build, repair, renovate and/or modernize the public housing in their communities. The authorities use the funding to make

Page 6A

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large-scale improvements to the housing such as new roofs or to make energy-efficient upgrades to replace old plumbing and electrical systems. “Housing authorities in North Carolina count on this funding to maintain and improve their public housing for many families, especially the most vulnerable – our seniors,� said HUD SE Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr. “HUD is currently taking bold steps to preserve this affordable housing.� Over the past 75 years, the federal government has been working and investing billions of dollars in developing and maintaining public and multifamily housing – including providing critical support through the Capital Fund grants. Still, the nation continues to lose approximately 10,000 public housing units annually, primarily due to disrepair. In 2011, HUD released Capital Needs in the Public Housing Program, a study that estimated the capital needs in the public housing stock in the U.S. The study found the nation’s 1.2 million public housing units are facing an estimated $25.6 billion in large-scale repairs. Unlike routine maintenance, capital needs are extensive improvements required to make the housing decent and economically sustainable, such as replacing roofs or updating plumbing and electrical systems to increase energy efficiency.

Pages celebrate 60 years Jack and Gearl Dean Page of Belmont celebrated 60 years of marriage on August 19. On Sunday, Aug. 18, their three children, spouses, and their grandchildren gathered at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville for a champagne brunch. Jack and Gearl Dean also spent a couple of days exploring the Asheville area with family.

Above: The Pages now. At right: The Pages on their wedding day, August 19, 1953.

Rep. McHenry visits Mount Holly/Belmont – Twenty-four Mount Holly business and community leaders met with 10th District U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, seated in the center, for breakfast in Mount Holly on Monday, Aug. 12, 2013. At the meeting, hosted by Stanton Enterprise/McDonalds and coordinated by the Montcross Area Chamber, Congressman McHenry addressed taxes and spending, getting the economy growing and creating jobs and responded to a variety of questions on topics including the new health care law, mortgage financing and immigration policy reform. After the breakfast meeting, Congressman McHenry dropped in on businesses in downtown Mount Holly and visited Discover YOU. In the afternoon, he toured the Short Run Pro business in Belmont and met owners Scott Toal and D.J. Toal, brothers who were named this year’s outstanding entrepreneurs by the Montcross Area Chamber.   Â

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) HOUSE for RENT in KM – 3BR/1BA with parent suite or 4 BR/2BA. Well built house in nice area with large lot. In East School District with great access to I-85 & Senior Center. Totally renovated, clean hardwoods, gas central H & A, oven & stove, large laundry room & wrap around deck. 1 yr. minimum lease w/ credit veritication & 1 mth. deposit. 704-739-1569. (8/21 &28) HOUSE for RENT in CHERRYVILLE - 2 BR, 1 BA, central heat and A/C. Includes stove, refrigerator, washer, dryer, and storage building. $450 per month. Deposit required. References required. Call (704) 435-8750 and leave message. (8/21 & 28, 9/04 & 11) HOME for RENT -partially furnished 3 BR, 1 BA home on Black St., Cherryville. Stove and refrigerator. Deposit and refere n c e s . $400/month. (704) 435-6995. (8/21) BELMONT AREA – Nice 2 BR/2 BA, 2 story house. 1,800 sq.ft., 1 ½ acre lot. Stove, refrigerator & dishwasher. Screened in porch. Large deck. Heat pump. Riverside Dr. No Pets. $950 rent, $950 deposit. 704591-2861. (8/21)

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. (8/21)

Misc. for Sale WING BACK CLAW FT. CHAIR for SALE – very good condition. $30.00. 704739-3313. Call 9 am – 9 pm. Leave message or call back. (8/21) OLD ANTIQUE DESK for SALE - $30.00. Call: 704-739-5064. (8/21) 2 PIECE COMPUTER DESK for SALE – 5’ 8â€?- Length, 2.6â€?Height, 2’6â€?- Width. Corner Desk = 4’1½ - Length, 2.5 “– Height. Good condition with drawers. $50.00. 704-739-3313. (8/21) 3 ROUND BATHROOM SINKS for SALE - $20.00 each or OBO. Call: 704739-5064. (8/21) KEYBOARD PSR220 36 W – 25 B Keys $95.00. Call: 704739-5064. (8/21)

Public Auction NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE - Thursday, Aug., 29, 2013. 10:00 am at Cherryville Self Storage, 300 W. Main St., Cherryville, N.C. Notice is hereby given that various items of personal property are being sold pursuant to the assertion of a

lien for unpaid rent, at the self storage facility. Rain date: Aug. 30, 2013. UNIT 121 – Heather C. Treadway, Dallas, N.C.; UNIT 128 – Patrick M. Davis, Lincolnton, N.C. (8/21/13)

Yard Sale - Deadline Noon Friday KM YARD SALE – 1003 Joanne Ct., (Mountain Manor), Sat., Aug. 24th. 7 am – 1 pm. Girl’s clothes, baby clothes, toys, basketball cards and lots more. 3 KM FAMILIES YARD SALE – 806 Williamsburg Ct., Sat., Aug. 24th. Furniture, clothes, yard tools, Home dÊcor, and etc. KM GARAGE SALE – 123 Earney Rd, Sat. Aug. 24th. 7 am – 12(noon). Clothes, Housewares and etc,

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. (8/21,28, 9/04 &11)

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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

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STUART CRAMER: High School opens its doors! From page 1A the school will meet the needs of students, staff and the community.� In addition to McGlohon, other speakers included the school’s new principal Audrey Devine, as well as members of the Board of Commissioners, Board of Education, and an upcoming Cramer High student. Everyone who spoke mentioned not only the magnificence of the facility, but also the spirit of cooperation among builders, architects, and county officials that saw the school rise from ground that had once been a golf course. In addition to the ribbon cutting and dedication, two other segments of the ceremony were of special interest. In a surprise announcement, it was declared that the 1,500-seat Stuart Cramer High auditorium would be named the L. Reeves McGlohon Auditorium for the soon-to-retire superintendent. Also, School Board Vice Chair Jeff Ramsey presented a plaque to John Scott Cramer, great grandson of Stuart Cramer himself, in honor of the fact that the school would bear his name. Several other Cramer relatives were on hand at the event. After the ribbon was cut, folks fanned out across the campus and through the building soaking up the,

The Storm kickers held their opening game before a good crowd Monday night in their new stadium. The Storm fell to the Mountaineers of Kings Mountain 3-1. Photo by Jim Zyble well, magnificence of the finest edifice to high school education in the state. The school is the first brand new campus for Gaston County Schools since the opening of Edward D. Sadler, Jr. Elementary School in 2004. It is the only newly-constructed high school opening in North Carolina for the 2013-2014 academic year. Engineers and construction workers spent the past three years transforming land once used as a golf course into the Stuart W. Cramer campus, which occupies more than 90 acres off Lakewood Road and Wilkinson Boulevard in Cramerton. The spacious, modern school building will

house 1,200 students and alleviate overcrowding at East Gaston and South Point high schools. Work at the site began after a groundbreaking ceremony in September 2010. Crews moved more than 700,000 cubic yards of dirt to prepare the land for the 268,000 square-foot building, athletic fields, access roads, parking areas, and pedestrian trails. The state-of-the-art facility is a three-story, brick and glass building complete with a 1,500-seat gymnasium, 1,500-seat auditorium, media center, dining area, auxiliary gym and weight room, the latest computer technology and communication systems, performing arts

On stage with other dignitaries, Cramer High’s new principal Audrey Devine officially cut the ribbon at the school’s grand opening ceremony on Sunday afternoon.

area for band, chorus and drama, career and technical education areas, and other amenities. The campus includes two miles of pedestrian trails that will connect to the future Carolina Thread Trail. The building has 570 doors, and it took more than 185,000 bricks – enough if laid endto-end to stretch from Gastonia to Charlotte – to build the school. This year, the school will house ninth and tenth graders only. The junior and senior classes will be added over the next two years. The first graduating class will receive diplomas in 2016. Citizens, school representatives and community leaders provided input about the school name, which was chosen by the Gaston County Board of Education. The school is named in memory of Stuart W. Cramer (1868-1940), who was an inventor and mill engineer and contributed significantly to the success of the cotton mill industry. Cramer is credited for the term, “air conditioning� and collaborated with James Duke in establishing Duke Power Company. A committee of students selected the school colors, which are purple, silver and black, and the mascot, which is the Storm. The Board of Education appointed Audrey Devine to serve as the school’s first principal.

Photos by Alan Hodge

Cramer High cheerleaders Ariel Leatherwood and Jennifer Piercy were greeting folks and giving out programs at the school’s ribbon cutting ceremony. A $175 million bond referendum, which citizens overwhelmingly approved in

After the ribbon cutting, folks toured not only the Cramer High classrooms but the 3,000 seat stadium as well.

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100 S. Main Street, Stanley

704.931.4352 www.ouruniquecreations.com

Nationwide Insurance and Financial Services 124 S. Main St. Mount Holly

November 2007, provides funding for the new high school.

Meet Your Friends at Charlie’s 20+ years

Mon.-Fri. • 7:00AM-7:00PM Sat. • 8:00AM-4:00PM Sun. • 8:00AM-9:30AM

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

Page 8A

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

The Banner News | banner-news.com

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! ! #

!!! "

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

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