INSIDE... Zoning Changes......3 Opinion ..................4 Obituaries ..............5 Pigskin Picks..........9
Serving Belmont, Mount Holly, Stanley, Cramerton, and McAdenville
Volume 79 • Issue 37 • Wednesday, September 10, 2014
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GCS test Video challenge offered for CRO results up By Alan Hodge
alan.bannernews@gmail.com
More students in Gaston County Schools are achieving proficiency and more schools are making academic growth on the READY state accountability model, according to information released today by the North Carolina State Board of Education. For the 2013-2014 year, GCS had 78 percent of schools (39 of 50) to meet or exceed academic growth. Last year, the district had 63 percent of schools to achieve growth. Gaston County had 91 percent of high schools to meet or exceed growth this year. Growth indicates whether students achieve a year’s worth of academic progress for a year’s worth of instruction. Growth is reported in one of three ways: Exceeded Growth, Met Growth or Did Not Meet Growth. The state introduced the READY testing and accountability program last year. Under the READY program, the state tests, which students take in the spring, are more challenging and the standards required to reach proficiency and academic growth are higher. Last year, a student had to score a Level III or IV on the more difficult state tests to achieve proficiency. As a result, school districts across the state had lower scores. This year, the state adjusted the scoring scale and added a fifth level. Now, a student must earn a Level III, IV or V score to be proficient at grade level. “The bar was set so high in the first year of the READY accountability program that it was extremely difficult for students to earn a proficiency score on the end-of-grade and end-of-course tests,” stated Superintendent of Schools W. Jeffrey Booker. “The state realized this and reevaluated the levels for See SCORES, 7
Wreck on I-85 claims two lives The Belmont Police Department is investigating a traffic accident that resulted in a pregnant woman dying and another woman receiving life threatening injuries. The wreck occurred at 1:28 a.m. Sunday on I-85 Exit 27, when the vehicle went off the road and crashed into the Exit 27 sign while exiting I-85 South. The sign was made of concrete and metal. A passenger in the vehicle, Heather D. Lockard 21, 120 Farmwood Dr., Kernersville N.C., received life threatening injuries. Lockard, who was 7 months pregnant, was transported to Caromont Regional Medical Center where she died. The baby also died. The driver of the vehicle, Brenda G. Parrish 55, 303 E. Maryland Ave. in Bessemer City was transported to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Parrish suffered serious injuries and is listed in critical condition. At the time of the accident two toddlers were in the back seat of the car. Both survived. The children were transported to Caromont Regional Medical Center. One child suffered facial trauma and a broken wrist. Both children were in car seats at the time of impact. At this time the cause of the wreck has not yet been determined. The Belmont Police Department is being assisted by the North Carolina Highway Patrol in its investigation.
Recently, former Mount Holly mayor Bobby Black had an idea of applying the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge principal to help get food for the Mount Holly Community Relief Organization (CRO). He sent out an email to several folks in town to do a little creative thinking to see what might gel. There were lots of good and varied ideas, so it was decided just to pick something and get it going. A group went to Food Lion manager Travis Speagle and asked if a shopping cart could be set up with signs for the CRO in the lobby. The CRO is right next door to Food Lion. Speagle readily agreed to help. He already gives food items regularly to the CRO but was very happy to expand his support. The cart is a win-win for everyone. He sells more food; the donor has an easy task of delivery to the CRO and the CRO gets more food every day. A video was made of Black making an appeal to his FaceBook friends (of which there are more than 1,000), asking Mount Holly folks to either make a food or monetary donation to the CRO to help fill their shelves. Folks were asked to drop off food at the CRO, at Food Lion or at Blacks insurance office in downtown Mount Holly. So far the results have been wonderful. There have been several hundred pounds of
Photo by Alan Hodge
Mount Holly Food Lion employees Katie Luttrell and Chad Parkman are seen with some of the food that will be donated to the CRO as a result of Bobby Black's ALS-type challenge.
See CHALLENGE, 7
Council hears proposal for Memorial Plaza By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
“A great idea, but show us more details.” That's basically what the Belmont City Council told Dot Martin and Carrol Trull last week when the pair presented a plan for what they described as a “Veterans Memorial Plaza” in Stowe Park. A conceptual drawing that Trull produced and gave copies of to the council showed a masonry wall starting at one end of the park near the Fighting Yank statue and snaking its way along to the other end near the concession stand. Lights, colonnades, flower pots on pedestals, a large
double set of stairs, and commemorative engraved brick pavers also appear on the rendering. A splash pool rounds out the rendering. Martin had presented the drawing to the Parks and Recreation Citizens Advisory Board on August 25, and that body recommended approval. The plaza would represent each of the five branches of service- Marines, Navy, Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Folks could purchase memorial bricks for installation at $150 each. Martin said about 5,000 bricks would need to be purchased to float the project which would be privately funded and not interfere with the Parks and
Recreation Dept.'s current Capital Improvement Program projects. Martin enthused to the council concerning the plaza. “This will make Belmont the envy of all the towns around here,” she said. Martin declared Trull had approached her several months ago about the idea of a memorial plaza and they had gone to see a similar set up in Charlotte on Kings Drive. "It was awesome,” Martin said. Trull's remarks to the council focused on the area of Stowe Park where the proposed wall would go- right against the steep embankment where the Main Street sidewalk butts up to the park. “The bank is wasted space,” Trull said. Ron Foulk,who was heavily
involved in the Fighting Yank relocation, cautioned Trull and Martin on the financial challenges of such a project. “This is a worthwhile project, but a big undertaking.” Foulk said. “We are still raising money for the Fighting Yank.” Martha Stowe asked for more details on what would become of memorial trees already in the park. “The plaza is wonderful in theory,” she said. “But one tree has already been destroyed.” Richard Turner basically summed it up. “I like this plan,” he said. “But we need more details.” Therefore, the council voted to set approval aside for now so Martin and Trull can come back at a later date with more structural or schematic drawings and review from Public Works and the City Engineer.
Contributed Photo
DOUSED FOR ALS! – Caravan Coffee owner Vince Hill got doused to benefit ALS at last week's Alive After Five event. He had accepted the challenge for the soaking from Montcross Chamber president Ted Hall who received a similar drenching the week before. Doing the honors were Christina Moose and Neil Brock.
Photo by Alan Hodge
Carrol Trull and Dot Martin presented plans last week to the Belmont City Council for a Veterans Memorial Plaza to be built in Stowe Park. Council members deferred action on the project until more details could be provided.
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City of Mount Holly hosts city employee appreciation lunch
Hoyle Homestead open house is Saturday Photos by Alan Hodge
Mount Holly council member Carolyn Breyare (left) and Sole Patrol director Cheri Love doled out beans and barbecue at the city's Employee Appreciation Luncheon last Thursday.
Mount Holly Police Chief Don Roper (center), joined Officer Robert Ellison, (left), council member Perry Toomey, and Dept. Fire Chief Ryan Baker at the city's Employee Appreciation Luncheon.
The 23rd Annual Open House of the "Hoyle Historic Homestead" will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13, 10:00 am-2:00 pm. The Homestead is located at 1214 Dallas Stanley Highway, Dallas, NC. The Hoyle House is an excellent example of a unique German construction style. The house has corner posts, which are joined together entirely with pegs and in-laid with logs. The house dates back to the mid 1700's.
It is the oldest standing house in Gaston County and is listed on the National Register of Historic places. At the Open House this year there will be tours of the house, music by "Soldiers of the Cross", food for sale, many exhibitors such as the Belmont Historical Society, Mt. Holly Historical Society, Gaston County Museum of Art & History, Cherryville History Museum, Piedmont Fiber Guild, and much more.
Cooking classes offered
LDN. All classes are held at the Lucile Tatum Ctr., 959 Osceola St., Gastonia. For more information, contact the instructor, Linda Minges – Linda.Minges@gaston gov.com
Gaston County Cooperative Extension is offering several hands-on cooking classes during September. Cooking with Seasonal Foods: Apples, Field Peas, Onions & Spaghetti Squash. Prepare simple and healthy dishes featuring locally-grown fruits and vegetables. Tues., Sept. 16 at 6-8pm or Thurs., Sept. 18 at 10am-12pm. Cost: $15. Pre-registration required. Home Canning: Apple butter- Learn how to safely prepare a variety of fruit butters. Participants will be guided step-by-step in making a fresh batch of apple butter. Tues. Sept. 23 at 6-8:30pm or Thurs. Sept. 25 at 10am-12:30pm. Cost: $15. Pre-registration required. Phone 704.922.2110 or email Susan.Bugg@gastongov.com 5 business days prior to class. Instructor is Linda J. Minges, MPH, RD,
Senior dance Sept. 12 The Gaston County Senior Center will be hosting its monthly senior dance on Sept. 12, at 7pm. The Country Bucks will be providing the musical entertainment. The cost is $4.00 per person, there will be no couple’s discount. For more information please contact Gaston County Parks & Recreation Senior Center at 704-922-2170 or visit the County’s website at www.gastongov.com. 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.
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Belmont Council approves zoning changes By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
At its recent meeting the Belmont City Council approved the rezoning of a 20.66 acre plot located at Cason St. and Centerview from General Residential (G-R) to Business Campus Development (BC-D). The property is on the opposite side of Woodlawn St. from the Oaks Commercial Commerce Center. The rezoning request was submitted by Alliance Real Estate III, Inc. whose parent company is Parkdale Mills. A likely outcome for the property will be use similar to that found in the Oaks. Regardless of its future, the property has an interesting history. In 1827 it was part of a 600 acre plantation owned by Robert Smith. Later it was owned by his son, John B. Smith. The 20 rezoned acres was also the site of two large textile mills that were demolished around 2005. The first mill was formed in 1919 and built in1921. It was founded by Belmont druggist R.B. Suggs and A.C. Lineberger. According to Jack Page, these two businessmen met with S.P. Stowe and Robert Lee Stowe and tried to work out a deal to get the mill started. "The Stowes backed out
so Suggs sat down and tried to think of a name for the business," Page said. “He decided to combine Lineberger's first two initials with himself and so it became 'A.C. and Me' or Acme.” The pair obtained investment capital from D.P. Stowe and was theirs was the first mill in Belmont to get off the ground with over a half million dollars in start up funds. A second Acme mill was built in 1928. During World War II, the Acme mills were busy. “I was in the high school band and we played at a ceremony where the Acme was given an “E” flag for exceeding its production quota,” Page said. Parkdale bought the Acme mills in the 1960s. The village that grew up around the Acme mills is mostly gone. Yates Abernethy currently lives on Hickory Grove Rd. but grew up in the Acme village. His father Everette began working at the mills in 1932 and retired 30 years later. As a young man, Yates worked there during the summer. “No one who worked in the mill made a lot of money,” he said. “But we were all happy and got along good. We bought our gro-
ceries on credit and rode the bus to Belmont or the P&N train to Charlotte since most of us didn't own a car. I lived in four different mill houses over the years.” In 2005, Parkdale donated one mill house to the Belmont Historical Society. In 2007 it was moved to the society's museum grounds and restored to pristine appearance. Period furnishings are inside. The toilet is on the back porch. Memories of the Acme mills and village, and the land where they once stood runs deep in North Belmont. “The Acmes were thought of as premiere mills,” Abernethy said. “I hated to see them torn down.”
Photo by Alan Hodge
This 1920 Acme mill village house was moved to the grounds of the Belmont Historical Society's museum on E. Catawba Ave. in 2007. It is decorated inside with period furnishings.
VA takes next step to modernize scheduling system Announces request for proposal WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Monday announced plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a new Medical Appointment Scheduling System; the next step in a series of actions VA has taken to replace its antiquated legacy scheduling system. The new system will improve access to care for Veterans by providing medical schedulers with cutting-edge, managementbased scheduling software. The RFP will be made public by the end of September 2014; eligible vendors will have 30 days to respond from the day of issuance. “We want this process to be open to all eligible vendors to make sure the Nation’s Veterans have the full benefits the innovative marketplace has to offer,” said VA Secretary Robert McDonald. “When we can put a solid scheduling system in place, this will free up more human resources to focus on direct Veterans’ care. As VA recommits to its mission of caring for Veterans and evaluating our actions through the lens of what serves them best, we know a better scheduling system is necessary to provide them the timely, quality health care that they have earned and deserve.” VA will issue a draft RFP prior to releasing the full RFP to maximize industry and stakeholder input. The solicitation will require a two-part demonstration of capabilities: a written proposal and a technical demonstration to scheduling staff. VA hopes to award the contract by the end of the calendar year. “VA chose a full- and open-competitive strategy to acquire a ‘commercial, off-the-shelf’ scheduling system,” said Stephen Warren, VA’s Chief Information Officer. “We want a
system that is user-friendly and tailored specifically for our Veterans.” Even as VA issues an RFP to replace the existing system, efforts are underway to make the current system easier to use for schedulers and Veterans. Among those enhancements: • VA recently awarded a contract to improve the existing scheduling interface, providing schedulers a calendar view of resources instead of the current text-based, multiple-screen view. This update is scheduled to begin roll out beginning in January 2015. • VA is also developing mobile applications to allow Veterans to directly request certain types of primary care and mental health appointments (scheduled to begin deployment December 2014). Another application under development will give VA schedulers an easier-to-use interface to schedule medical appointments (scheduled to begin deployment December 2014). • VA is also rolling out new clinical video telehealth capabilities in October 2014 to further enhance access to care. As part of the current RFP preparation process, VA is working with Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) to incorporate the groups’ feedback on requirements important to Veterans. VA’s VSO partners are currently reviewing user experience and business process documentation, and VA will continue to consult with VSOs as it works toward publishing its acquisition solicitation. VA’s acquisition process will comply with recently established legislative requirements related to the Department’s scheduling software.
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Opinions...
“
Yours, Ours, Others
Quote of the week Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work
�
to change a small portion of events, and in the total; of all those acts will be written the history of this generation. ~ Robert Kennedy
Pets... our comforting companions There's no doubt that folks love their pets. At any time of the day, dogs galore can be seen on the sidewalks of Belmont Alan Hodge sniffing, pulling at Editor leashes, sizing one another up, getting into scuffles, grabbing tidbits, eyeballing pedestrians, doing what dogs do. Notice the green can in front of City Hall complete with black bag/gloves. You know what it's for. But not every dog owner does. I read some startling statistics the other day. Turns out that the amount of money needed each year to provide basic health and nutrition to developing nations is $13 billion. The amount spent on pet food in the U.S. and Europe each year is $17 billion. The total amount that folks spend on their pets in the U.S. exceeds $56 billion each year. That's more than the entire gross domestic product of Croatia. Poor Croatians. People aren't the only beings with pets. I saw a show the other day where a big monkey had a little monkey for a pet. The big monkey shared its food with the little monkey who did its job by keeping the big monkey company and amused. Another segment on the show was about a cat who had a talking parrot as a pal. They would roughhouse. The parrot got too rough and nipped the cat on the nose with its beak. The cat latched onto the parrot and the parrot got the drift and hollered “Let Go!� and the cat did. My grandmother Edna Willeford had an aviary in her backyard in Mount Holly. She raised canaries. Dozens of them at a time. Her house had a lot of bird cages and each one had two or
three canaries. It was over 50 years ago but in my mind I can still see and hear those little yellow birds singing up a storm. We often had parakeets when I was growing up. Once we had one named Peetie that we would let come and go in and out of his cage at will. He knew the flight pattern inside the house by heart. By and by a lady named Annie Cherry came to iron some clothes. She set the ironing board up in the living room- right in his flying zone. She commenced to ironing and whistling. Peetie heard the whistling and decided to investigate. He banked around the dining room like a P51 Mustang and flew straight into Annie's hair. Peetie's claws tangled in her locks. He flapped and squawked. She hit the floor flopping like a tuna fish and screaming at the top of her lungs. Peetie got loose and flew to his cagebreathless. Annie got up, pulled her dress around straight, and went back to ironing. Most everyone has had a cat. Yes, cats, the single gal's salvation. My mom Dot had a blue Maltese named Jo-Jo. This feline was also known by a variety of other names such as Pockee, Jigwee, Jocki, and Get Out of the Trashcan. Jo-Jo was huge, he could stretch up and claw the top of the kitchen counter when he was ready for his vittles which was constantly. Jo-Jo's favorite food was canned shrimp. If he didn't get it fast enough he would bite your leg. Once a stray cat came into the yard and proceeded to whup on mom's other cat Amber-stache. It was named such because of a tan stripe under its nose. Amber-stache was also called Little Weasel because of its rather shy personality. Anyway the stray cat was wearing Amber-stache out and Jo-Jo must have been feeling chivalrous because he rushed over and threw himself on the stray cat like a ton of bricks and proceeded to tear about half its fur off. Jo-Jo my hero Amber-stache was heard to say. Sharon had a white poodle named
GiGi that lived to be about 20 years old. I called it Goo Goo, Coo Coo and several other names that can't be printed. GiGi was a master of psychological warfare. When it came time for a trip outside to use the restroom, GiGi would rush out, get it over with, and rush back in. However, if we were leaving to go somewhere, GiGi would tippy toe around the yard, sniff every blade of grass, and stall for as long as possible. When Hurricane Hugo came, we crawled under the 100+ year old dining room table made by one of my Loftin ancestors and tried to sleep on quilts. The next morning, I woke up to a funky smell. It was GiGi's breath. She had joined up during the night- and her snout was about three inches from my
Letter to the Editor
Is there hope for the homeless in GC? I first learned about As One Ministries and met Angela Dreher in early March, 2009. I had agreed to be part of a task force to plan the renovation of the building donated to As One by Mr. Joseph Grooms, Jr. It was to become As One’s new homeless services day shelter. As I heard about all this organization did for the homeless with its limited facilities, I wanted to learn more and see its work firsthand, so I agreed to volunteer one day a week. Initially, the clients were skeptical of me. They were accustomed to seeing eager, well-meaning volunteers come once or twice, but then never return. It was understandable that they didn’t trust anyone other than Angela and a few regular volunteers. After I had been there a month, one day as I worked at the front desk, a male client stopped and asked me, “How much are they paying you to be here?� I answered that I wasn’t being paid; I was volunteering. The man said, “No way, you’re not coming here if nobody’s paying you.� I said, “Yes, I am.� He asked why, and I told him I just wanted to help out. He
Sidewalk Survey Q: What can the US do about ISIS terrorist group?
Lou Gable Whup the s*it out of them
Steve Long “It's not just a US problem it's a world problem
Peggy Helms It's a world problem but the terrorists need to pray for forgiveness
BannerNews Periodicals postage at Belmont, NC 28012 USPS 049-700 by CF Media Postmaster, send address changes to: P. O. Box 769, Kings Mountain NC 28086 Phone (704) 825-0580 • Fax (704) 825-0894 Office:128-C N. Main St. • Belmont, NC 28012
face. On the flip side of the pampered pets coin are those poor cats and dogs that folks pitch out and that end up begging for scraps or in the animal shelter or flattened on the road. Every time I see those commercials on TV asking for ASPCA money or something like that and the cats and dogs on the screen have big watery eyes and sad looks I turn it off because I can't be God and snap my fingers and end such suffering. A lot of people are suffering too. In conclusion, pets can be a great comfort and company to people and I guess that's why we keep them, and feed them canned shrimp even when they don't deserve it.
Willie Ford I agree it's a world problem not just the US
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again asked, “And nobody’s paying you?� I laughed and said, “No.� Then I pointed up to the sky, and said, “Maybe someday, He will remember that I obeyed and did something I felt He wanted me to do.� The man looked at me funny, shook his head, and went on his way. That homeless man must have told other clients about our conversation. Soon afterwards, I noticed that when I spoke with them, and asked how they were doing, instead of just answering, “Ok� and moving on, they began talking with me. I would listen to them with respect, hear their stories, encourage and pray with them, and over time, we began trusting each other as any friends would. I learned that most homeless people want the same things each of us wants, love and respect. Most of the homeless are so, because they have experienced some major problem in their life which ultimately led them to losing everything. Most homeless people just want a hand up, not a hand out, to try and get back on their feet, to be able to work productively and proudly again, and to regain their dignity. Many people have pre-conceived notions about the homeless. Just this past weekend at a social gathering in my neighborhood, several folks who know I volunteer at As One, told me they were sorry to hear of the day shelter’s closing. They commented that Angela and As One had done a good job. That has been a common response from numerous individuals, businesses, and churches. The response that As One has heard only a few times is, “How can we help?� At our neighborhood gathering, an honest discussion began about the homeless. Some folks voiced their opinions that most of the homeless are frauds, just looking for a handout. Others insinuated that “those folks� brought it on themselves by doing something wrong, so it was their own fault. I didn’t hear any new opinions that I hadn’t heard before. It See LTE, 7
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■ POLICE Belmont Police Sept 2: Ronald Ehlert Jr., larceny shoplifting, arrested by Officer K. Seigler, 701 Hawley Ave. Sept. 3: Clarence Leroy Loftin III, parole and probation violations, arrested by Officer K. Hall, N. Main St. Sept. 4: Heather Dawn Dake, larceny shoplifting, arrested by Officer K. Seigler, 701 Hawley Ave. Sept. 5: Eva lane Kirkpatrick, poss. less than ½ oz. marijuana, drug violations equipment/paraphernalia, arrested by Officer K. Hall, 2008 Castleton Ct. Apt. B. Sept. 5: Jesus Rosas, poss. less than ½ oz. marijuana, arrested by Officer K. Hall, 2008 Castleton Ct. Apt. B. Sept.5: Joshua Andrew Gillespie, give malt beverage to underage persons, arrested by K. Hall, 2008 Castleton Ct. Apt. B. Sept. 5: Timothy Austin McGinnis, poss. less than ½
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■ OBITUARIES oz. marijuana, arrested by Officer K. Hall, 2008 Castleton Court Apt. B. Sept. 5: Samuel Matthew Maxson, order for arrest, arrested by Officer M. Stroupe, 505 N. Main. Sept. 5: Candace Layne Owens, larceny, poss. Sch. IV, arrested by Officer M. Kaiman, 6438 Wilkinson Blvd. Sept. 6: Brice Kelby Cooper, felony probation violations, cash compliance, failure to appear, arrested by Officer J. Barnes, 701 Hawley Ave. Sept. 7: Laura Rose Todd, aid and abet DWI, arrested by Officer M. Kelske, I-85S at Exit 27. Sept. 7: Keith Andrew Alrick, DWI alcohol, arrested by Officer M. Kelske, I-85 at Exit 27. Sept. 7: Teresa Lynn Broadway, fraud unauthorized use of conveyance, arrested by Cpl. E. Mason, 6500 block Wilkinson Blvd.
43rd Citizens’ Police Academy session to begin September 23 The Gaston County Police Department is currently taking applications for the 41st Session of its Citizens’ Police Academy. This Citizens’ Police Academy will be presented in eight sessions to be held on Tuesday evenings from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Class dates for this session are September 23, October 7, 14, 21, 28, and November 4. The graduation ceremony will be held on November 11. One Saturday morning session will also be held for the Emergency Response Team and Hazardous Devices Team demonstration. The Citizens’ Police Academy will introduce participants to the various functions of the County Police Department topics to include Crime Scene Search, Vice, Criminal Investigations, Recruiting, Emergency Response Team, Marine Unit, Crime Analysis, K-9, Patrol, Communications Division, Animal Control Division, School Resource and the Hazardous Devices Team. Participation in the Citizen Police Academy is free and is open to adults and high school juniors and seniors. Applications can be picked up at County Police Headquarters located at 420 W. Franklin Blvd. Gastonia or online through the department’s website at www.gastoncountypolice.org. Applications will be accepted through September 22. For more information, contact Sergeant Josh Hamlin at 704-866-3320 or email at jhamlin@gcps.org
Stress management class Nutrition Series: Stress Management, instructed by Nutritionist Tracey W. Fox – Sept 11, 10:30 a.m. – noon. Is stress sabotaging your good health? Learn techniques and strategies on how to use nutrition to better cope with life’s little headaches before they become bigger problems. The class will take place at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. The class is $15 for Garden members and $20 for nonmembers.
Deborah Parker Loving wife and mother GASTONIA – Deborah Cornwell Parker, 60, 671 Seapark Circle, Gastonia, passed away on Saturday August 30, 2014. She was daughter of the late Clyde B. Cornwell and Inez Cornwell Ferguson. She was preceded in death by three sisters Peggy D e r berry, Mary Jane Cornwell and Barbara Huggins. She was an Evangelist and a member of Message of Love Church in Belmont. She is survived by her husband Steve Ray Parker; three children, Stephen Skidmore and wife Crystal of Ranlo, Trina Skidmore and fiancé "Haire Bear" Alan Haire of Belmont, Tim Skidmore and wife Crystal of Dallas; one sister Frankie Cornwell Sneed and husband Art of Belmont; ten
Virginia Poston-Crump Owned Ginny’s Kiddie Korner in Lowell CRAMERTON - Mary Virginia Link Poston-Crump, 83, passed away at her home Wednesday, September 3, 2014. She was a native of Rowan County and the daughter of Floyd a n d Sadie Kepley Link. Vi rginia was a lifelong member of Lutheran Church of the Holy Comforter, Belmont. After retiring from Belmont’s Belk-Matthew Retail Store, Virginia opened Ginny’s Kiddie Korner in Lowell where she was the owner and operator during the 1980s. She is survived by her husband, Roy Edward Crump of Cramerton; son, Charles Donald Poston and wife, Glenda of Mt. Holly; daughter, Linda Poston Smith and husband, Steven of Belmont; grandchildren, Carson Poe and wife, Theresa of MA, Lorna Poe of
grandchildren, Chase and Emily Burns, Jacob, Isaac, Alexis, Timothy, and Jackson Skidmore, Sierra and Alex Shrader, Brandon Ballard; one great grandchild Sophia Grace Burns. A service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Parker was held 2pm Thursday, September 4, at the Message of Love Church, 306 Pearl Beatty Road, Belmont, with Reverend Frankie Sneed and Reverend Jeff Johnson officiating. Burial followed at Evergreen Cemetery in Belmont. The family received friends from 7-9pm Wednesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Crystal Skidmore, 5100 Pasco Place, Gastonia NC 28054 to help defray funeral expenses. Condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.woodlawnfuneral.org Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly, NC served the family.
Gastonia, Megan Poston, Raeanne Criscio, Seth Poston and Zakary Poston all of CT; three great-grandchildren; brother, Walter Thomas Link of Salisbury; sister, Leah Beatrice Link Dagenhart of Mooresville. Visitation was 5:307:30pm, Saturday, September 6, at McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont. A Celebration of Life Service was held at 3pm, Sunday, September 7, at Lutheran Church of the Holy Comforter with Pastor Micah Kearney officiating. Interment followed at Evergreen “A Quiet Place”. In addition to her parents, Virginia was also preceded in death by her first husband, Charles Evans Poston. Memorials may be sent to Gaston Hospice, P.O. Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054 or Susan G. Komen Foundation www.komen.org McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont served the family of Ms.Poston-Crump. Condolences may be sent to www.mcleanfuneral.com
Elizabeth Anderson Served with the American Red Cross during WWII PANAMA CITY, Fl – Elizabeth Ann Stowe Anderson died peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of August 28, 2014, at her home in Panama City FL. She w a s born on August 1 0 , 1919 to Samuel Pinckn e y Stowe, Sr. and Ethel Patrick Stowe of Belmont NC. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers Charles T. Stowe, Sr., and Samuel Pinckney Stowe, Jr. Ann graduated from Belmont High School and from Hollins College in Roanoke, Virginia. She served with the American Red Cross in England during World War II. In the mid-1950’s she moved to Jacksonville, FL and was an active member of South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church where she served for 25 years as Director of Children's Work. Following retirement she remained as active as ever in leading the Senior Adult Ministry (SAM’s Club), organizing craft days, driving the church bus on Sunday mornings for shut-ins to attend worship, creating the first Chrismon tree for the church, and volunteering for The Sanctuary on 8th Street (a very abbreviated list). Ann served on the board for St. Augustine Presbytery's Camp Montgomery. In gratitude for the renewed gift of life following recovery from heart surgery in 1996, she donated and continued to support the High Ropes Course at the Camp. She loved life, enjoyed camping and crafts, and was an avid reader. Her greatest joy in life
was time spent and trips taken with her two sons and their growing families, all surviving: Frank, married to Cindy with children David and Tori; and Joe, married to Gloria, with children Patrick (married to Amber), Carrie, and William. In the summer of 2013 Ann moved to Panama City to be closer to Joe’s family. She loved her new home and her pool, but above all she valued the new friendships she formed in the short time she had at her new church home, Grace Presbyterian of Panama City. Ann was blessed to spend her final few days at her home. This gift would not have been possible without the outpouring of caring and compassion shown by the dedicated staff of Emerald Coast Hospice of Panama City. The family requests that memorials to Ann be directed either to Grace Presbyterian Church Grace Cares Ministry, or to Emerald Coast Hospice. Ann’s funeral service was held Sunday, August 31, at 2:30 PM at Grace Presbyterian, Rev. Dr. Gary Cecil officiating. Interment of her ashes, beside the graves of her mother and father, was September 4 at 11 AM, in Greenwood Cemetery, next to First Presbyterian Church, in Belmont, NC, Rev. Samuel P. Warner officiating. Local arrangements are entrusted with McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont. A favorite scripture for Ann was Psalm139:14, "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.”
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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 Ebenezer United Methodist Church Shiloh Ame Zion Methodist 1117 Old NC Hwy 27 704-827-8826
Tuckaseegee Baptist Church 511 Tuckaseege Rd. 704-827-4301
Springfield Freewill Baptist 220 Park Terrace Dr. 704-820-0193
Way of the Cross Baptist Church 238 Lanier Ave. 704-827-8111
Ridgeview Baptist Church 105 Pine Rd. 704-827-3856
St. Anthony of Padua Traditional Catholic Church 108 Horseshoe Bend Beach Rd. 704-827-8676
Wesley Chapel Holiness Church 324 N. Lee St. 704-827-1993
Second Baptist Church 740 Rankin Ave. 704-827-5181
St. Paul FHB Church 1529 Old Hwy 27 Rd. 704-827-5851
Westview Presbyterian Church 1020 W. Catawba Ave. 704-827-2026
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Wednesday, September 10, 2014
South Point breaks slump beats Shelby 44-39 By John Wilson john.bannernews@gmail.com
Front row, L-R: Michael Auten, Sierra Ghorley, Haley Stockton, Aurora Ziemer, Morgan Mahaffey, Kayla Karr, Jenna Rayfield, and Rachel Henninger. Back row L-R: Nick Stafford, Max Neisler, Sam Killen, Allison Moody, Brittany Franks. Not pictured Brianna Powell, Kati Scruggs, and Phillip Telsrow.
SP scholar athletes honored To emphasize the importance of academics in the athletic program the South Point athletic department established the South Point Academic All Conference Red Raider team. This team recognizes those who were All Conference in their sport but who have also maintained high academic standing during their sports season. Two teams are recognized each year: one for the fall sports season and one for the winter and spring sports season. Prior to the August 29 home football game versus Lincolnton South Point recognized its Academic AllConference team for the 2013-14 winter-spring sports seasons. To receive this award the scholar athlete must be named an All Conference player; maintain a 3.5 unweighted grade point average during that sports semester; incur no infractions; and have no more than 5 ex-
cused absences. Those recognized were: Michael Auten – a senior All Conference in wrestling. His parents are Todd and Tabitha Auten. Brittany Franks – a sophomore All Conference in swimming. Her parents are Corky and Amy Franks. Sierra Ghorley – a sophomore All Conference in softball. Her parents are Matt and Jennifer Ghorley. Rachel Henninger – a sophomore All Conference in swimming. Her parents are Rob and Kelly Henninger. Kayla Karr – a senior All Conference in track and field. Her parents are John and Beverly Karr. Sam Killen – a sophomore All Conference in tennis. His parents are Craig and Mary Ann Killen. Morgan Mahaffey – a senior All Conference in softball. Her parents are Mike and Terry Mahaffey. Allison Moody - a junior All Conference in softball. Her parents are David and
Donna Moody. Max Neisler – a senior All Conference in golf. His parents are Lee and Lisa Neisler. Brianna Powell – a junior All Conference in softball. She is the daughter of Neil and Dana Powell. Jenna Rayfield – a senior All Conference in swimming. She is the daughter of Todd and Laura Rayfield. Kati Scruggs – a freshman at N. C. State University was All Conference in swimming. She is the daughter of Don and Jeanette Scruggs. Nick Stafford – a freshman at Belmont Abbey was All Conference in golf. He is the son of Todd and Alicia Stafford. Haley Stockton – a sophomore All Conference in soccer. She is the daughter of Chris and Tina Stockton. Phillip Telsrow – a senior All Conference in golf. He is the son of Sam and Sharon Telsrow. Aurora Ziemer – a sophomore All Conference in track and field. She is the daughter of Brian and Kay Ziemer.
Warriors use bye to adjust By John Wilson john.bannernews@gmail
The East Gaston Warriors will use their week three bye to tweak a few things. After the bye the Warriors will face off against the Linconton Wolves. The season is still early but the Warriors are 0-2. Coach Joyce acknowledged that the Warriors needed to work on a few things if they hope to get their first win. "We turned the ball over to much," Joyce said. "We had about four turnovers a game. We need to do better." Despite being 0-2 Joyce things the Warriors have the tools to get things going. Joyce is pragmatic and honest in his assessment. "We haven't pressed the panic button," Joyce said. "We have played some qual-
ity opponents in East Lincoln and Kings Mountain." In the game against East Lincoln the Warriors were plagued by fluke plays and bad weather. If anything could go wrong it did. The ball just seemed to bounce the Mustang's way. "Against East Lincoln we played well enough to win." Against Kings Mountain the warriors were dominated in the early part of the game and never really recovered. "Against Kings Mountain we needed to make adjustments earlier," Joyce said. "That was on me. We didn't make the right adjustments until half time. In the second half we came out and played well defensively." In gauging the warriors weapons arsenal Joyce likes what he has in the armory. Offensively were doing fine," Joyce said. "We need to get Tyler Spurling and Austin Woods more
East Gaston Warriors
Coach Joyce touches." The big men on the offensive line have garnered some respect from their coach. "Our offensive line is playing sound." Joyce added. For the Warriors to win the play at the quarterback position needs to improve. So far junior Alex Adams is a work in progress. At time he shows talent. But so far
this season he has also developed a knack for giving the ball away. Coach Joyce feels Adams will improve. "Alex has 4 or 5 turnovers," Joyce said. "We are trying to get better. He looks good at times. He still needs to grow some." Adams has people to work with. Bailey Crane is a solid deep threat receiver. The Warriors offensive backfield is solid with Woods, Spurling and fullback Dontavis Walker. "Walker and Spurling are good at different things," Joyce said. "We use both at one point or another." On the defensive front the Warriors just need to stay tough. This year's defense is by far better than last year's. But the East Gaston defenders need to remember to play smart football. They need to
Going into last week's game against Shelby things were looking bad for Raider Nation. The Golden Lions were 2-0 and South Point was 0-2. The Red Raiders were in a slump. They had not yet figured out how to put it all together to pull out a win. It turned out that there was no need to panic. South Point had 3 runners go over 100 yards as the Red Raiders got back on track. South Point beat Shelby 4439. In preparing for the game, head coach Mickey Lineberger knew what needed to be done. the Red Raiders needed to look inside to find the solution to their problem. "We challenged our kids all week," Lineberger said. "Shelby was the #1 2A school in the state. I'm pleased with how the team played. We rose up. We handled the adversity." The adversity Lineberger spoke of was the Red Raider's uncharacteristic 0-2 start. "We didn't have a good off-season," Lineberger said. "We were used to winning. Our work ethic was off. We were missing people in the weight room. We were not as strong as we had been." Against Shelby, the Red Raiders played well across the board. "We had great effort in all three phases." Lineberger added. "Our offense, defense and special teams played well. It wasn't perfect but it was a good effort." Defensively the Red Raiders bent but they never broke. They gave up 363 yards of total offense. They also generated a turnover. "Our defense was determined," Linberger said. "We hit people. We played the way the Red Raiders are suppose to play. Blue collar football." Lineberger liked the way that the Red Raiders attacked the Shelby ball carriers. From a defensive stand point this was probably the
BOX SCORE 1st 2nd 3rd 4th SP 12 13 7 12 44 GL 15 0 14 10 39 Red Raiders best game. "We had eleven players swarming to the ball," Lineberger said. "We were physical. We hit Shelby. It was a good team effort and we came out on top." The defensive highlight of the game had to be a Tanner Muse interception. In the 2nd quarter Muse picked off a Golden Lion's pass and streaked 80 yards for a TD. On the offensive side of the ball the Red Raiders running attack exploded. The Red Raiders pumped out 473 yards on the ground. South Point's offensive performance was primed by the play off the offensive line. The Red Raiders won the battle in the trenches. "That is the best our offensive line played all year. "Lineberger said. Several players had break out games "Offensively Jaquan Brooks, Tanner Muse and Ryland Etherton stepped up." Lineberger stated. "All of them had over 100 yards." The South Point trio ran well. Ryland Etherton had 19 carries and a team high 142. Brooks put up 141 yards on 22 carries. Muse carried 8 times for 105. The addition of Muse into the offensive mix is something coach Lineberger wants to explore further. "We have him at wing back," Lineberger said. "We move him around. We need to get the ball in his hands." South Point only had one pass completion. But that play was big. "Jeffery Pearsall had a 74 yard touch down," Lineberger said. "He also had about 80 yards rushing." This week South Point has a bye. Next up for South Point will be a home game against AC Reynolds
Crusaders men’s soccer fall to Brevard
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The Belmont Abbey men's soccer team endured a 2-1 loss at Brevard on Saturday. Junior midfielder Declan McQuillan gave the Crusaders a 1-0 lead in the 52nd minute, but the Tornados scored two unanswered goals to secure the win. Brevard improves to 2-0-0, while the Abbey falls to 01-1. After a scoreless first half in which the Tornados outshot the Abbey 7-3, McQuillan gave the Crusaders a 1-0 advantage in the 52nd minute with his first goal of the year. The lead stood up for five minutes as Brevard quickly answered. Robert Ferrer gathered a rebound off the right post and tapped in the score into an empty net to pull the Tornados level. The match stayed even for the next 17 minutes until Brevard surged ahead on a Sergi Monso marker in the 74th minute. Brevard outshot the Abbey 15-10 and attempted all three corner kicks in the match.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
CHALLENGE: issued LETTER TO THE EDITOR From page 4 to benefit CRO From page 1 food and goods that can be attributed to Black's video challenge. “A lot of food came in and a lot went out too,” said CRO staffer Peggy Putnam. “We are grateful for the response and hope it keeps coming.” Food Lion employee Katie Luttrell said that at least three buggies of groceries have been filled up. “People can still donate,” she said. “The cart is in the front of the store.” Other challenges have since emerged. Rev. Angela Pleasants of the First United Methodist Church in Mount Holly challenged her congregation to donate $25 in cash or goods to the CRO. She is forgoing her "wants" to help meet the "needs" of others. Churches have been challenging other
churches. Neighbors have been challenging neighbors and so on. The results have been great but the needs are growing too. Black sees the effort as ongoing. “The challenge has created a unique way for people to donate food, paper products, and money for the CRO,” he said. “The need for money and food has always been mentioned over the years, but I tried to think of a “fun” yet challenging way to make people give. Food Lion was very cooperative in placing the grocery cart in a visible spot. If every person in Mount Holly just dropped one can in the food cart or drop one can by the CRO, the shelves would be overflowing. I hope the challenge will continue to be passed along and create a continuous stream of food.”
SCORES: GCS test results up From page 1 proficiency to better identify the students who are performing at grade level, above grade level, and below grade level.” In the past, proficiency standards only addressed what students needed for success at the next grade level. Now, the standards focus on whether students are on track at each grade level for high school graduation and college and/or the workforce. Here are highlights from the 2013-2014 test results: Under the READY state accountability model that features three scoring levels for academic proficiency, Gaston County Schools has more students scoring at or above grade level. Academic growth has increased: Gaston County has 39 schools that met or exceeded growth for 2013-2014 com-
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pared to only 30 schools last year. In Gaston County, 91 percent of high schools met or exceeded academic growth. Eight high schools exceeded growth; Among the elementary schools (grades 3-5), New Hope, Belmont Central and W.A. Bess had the highest proficiency rates. Belmont Middle and Cramerton had the highest proficiency for middle schools (grades 6-8). The Highland School of Technology had the highest academic proficiency in the county (92.0 percent) and ranks among the top schools in the state for proficiency. Because last year’s results are based on two levels of proficiency and this year’s scores are based on three levels, the scores from 2013-2014 should not be compared to the 2012-2013 results.
could make one wonder whether the greater Gaston community has lost its compassion for the poor and homeless among us. I don’t believe this is true. I believe that people still want to help their neighbors in need. However, we apparently haven’t spent enough time educating the public about homelessness. It’s a no-win situation. The folks who actually help the homeless are working long hours, often in crisis mode, and have no time to educate the public about homelessness. So I want to give you a few examples of what I have learned about our local homeless population while helping at As One during the last five and a half years. I also shared these with my neighbors. In general, the public is around homeless people all the time but just doesn’t recognize them as homeless. The majority of homeless people don’t advertise that they are homeless, but a few do. Some of As One’s clients serve you in local restaurants. Some of them wash your cars. Some of them are your children’s classmates. About 10% of the homeless are mentally ill and considered chronically homeless and cannot care for themselves. Another 5% have become comfortable being homeless. The remaining 85% of people who become homeless did nothing wrong, but circumstances caused them to lose everything. One of those was my friend who had been a manager at a local fast food franchise. He became ill with heart problems requiring surgery, which aggravated multiple other health problems. By the time he left the hospital, he had lost his job and home. He walked out of the hospital as a homeless man, and learned from other homeless folks how to survive on the streets. These new friends led him to As One. With As One’s initial help, he is now living self-sufficiently on his own. One Thursday when I was volunteering at As One, a mother came in, asking if we could help find clothing for her 18 year old son, so he could take part in his Ashbrook High graduation ceremony on Saturday. He needed dress pants, shoes, and a shirt and a tie to wear. I learned that the father had not yet found work over a year after losing his construction job, the mother had a disabling heart problem and could not work, and for the past 3 months, the parents, upcoming graduate, younger brother, and small family dog had been living in the compact family car. Each day, the dad rode a bicycle collecting tin cans to redeem for money to buy gas for the car. I was determined that the entire family would get to see the oldest son graduate. With help from people at churches and elsewhere, the entire family had a hotel room to stay in the night before graduation, so they could get a good night’s sleep, bathe, and have a good graduation experience. The hard reality is that it took months before the family was able to have a safe, secure place to live. Another summer day, a 60+ year old lady showed up at As One, expecting us to tell her where she could sleep that night. She had just been evicted from her apartment. For the last 20 years she had been the full time caretaker for her disabled husband, who had recently died. Without his disability check, she was unable to pay the rent. Someone had told her to go to
As One. We told her there wasn’t a place we could send her for the night. All the places that house women were full. Another homeless lady at the shelter invited this woman to join her in the woods where she slept. One thing I’ve noticed over the years about the homeless is that for the most part, they look out for each other, and depend on one another. They all know what it is like to have nothing. If someone has a need, and another one can help, they immediately do so without question. They know they have one another’s backs. It may be a coat, hat, gloves, socks, a few dollars, or food. The homeless must live in the moment. We could all learn from them. I am proud to be a friend of the homeless. They have taught me more about faith, life, and how we should treat each other, than any other experience. I am becoming a better person because of lessons I’ve learned while serving the homeless at As One. Each time I see a client become self-sufficient again, and witness their personal transformation, I see a glimpse of God at work. It is an awesome thing. I feel sorry for all the folks who don’t get involved with the important things of this world. You are missing out. Many other local agencies have spoken publicly about the negative impact that As One’s day shelter closing will have on them; they recognize the unique, valuable services that As One provides. I told my neighbors that we are still believing the Gaston County community will rally and step up to make financial and leadership commitments that will enable As One to re-open its day shelter services. We also need respected business leaders to join our Board of Directors. It currently takes a minimum of $20,000 a month to properly staff and operate the day shelter.
Is there Hope for the Homeless in Gaston County? From page 4 The Mission of As One Ministries is to provide daytime shelter, supportive services, referrals, and housing opportunities in order to assist Gaston County’s homeless adults, youth, and families with returning to self-sufficiency. We provide these services through community collaboration in an atmosphere of dignity, hope, and unconditional acceptance. I am publicly challenging everyone in Gaston County to help As One serve our local homeless citizens, to get back on their feet and become the best they can be. We need donations to fund the organization. We especially need sustainability partners to commit to make regular on-going donations. A pledge form can also be found online at the links below. A decision as to whether the day shelter will reopen will be based on total commitments received by September 12, 2014. Donations can be made at As One’s website: www.AOMofGastonia.org or at www.gofundme.com/wwwaomofgastoniaorg or mailed to As One Ministries, Inc. at 809 West Airline Ave., Gastonia, NC 28052. Beth Montgomery Belmont
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Legal STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF GASTON NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS Having qualified on the 2nd day of October, 2014 as Executor of the Estate of GENEVA HOUCK SKELTON 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 Charles Dennis Joye, Executor, on or before the 16th day of December 10th, 2014, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 10th day of September, 2014. Charles Dennis Joye, Executor Estate of Geneva Houck Skelton 1192 Moores Chapel Rd.., Charlotte, NC 28214 BN10580 (9/10, 17,24 & 10/01/14)
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Wednesday, September 10, 2014
REUNION– Former Bank of Belmont employees gathered recently at the home of Pat Hamrick to celebrate the 91st birthday of Harriet Armstrong (center). The group enjoyed a luncheon, recollected good times at the Bank of Belmont and the close relationships they had with customers and each other. Contributed Photo
Gaston Day School 4th Annual Fall Festival Oct. 4 The Gaston Day School Fall Festival has become an annual tradition for GDS
families and the Gaston community. This year's event will kick off at 10am and run until 3pm, on Saturday,
Oct. 4 on the Gaston Day School campus, 2001 Gaston Day School Road. In addition to the annual favorites of horse rides, face
painting, games and the dunk tank, this year will include the Euro Bungee, 65' Fun Slide, and 32' rock climbing wall. Wristbands can be purchased in advance for $25 (or $30 at the door) and include unlimited games, rides, and lunch. Tickets for individual rides or games will be available for $1 each. The festival will also include local vendors selling flowers, jewelry and crafts, as well as the raffle of over a dozen themed baskets and artwork from GDS Visual Arts instructors. This year's proceeds are earmarked for enhancements to the Visual Arts Department. More information and advance wristband purchases can be made on-line at: www.gastonday.org/pam ygds1
Summer Concert
WARRIORS: use to bye From page 6 generate turn overs when possible and keep the other teams offense on the bench. The defense needs to make quicker adjustments and the players need to focus on their assignments. Joyce has used the bye to regroup some. "It was an easy off week," Joyce said. “We watched film and scrimmaged some." The home game Lincolnton will be tough. The Warriors will have to gear up to stop a potent rushing attack. Coach Joyce hopes the preparation pays off. "We are going to do
Alex Adams something different against Lincolnton." Joyce said. Overall Joyce likes the progress his team has made. He is addressing the areas that need to be addressed. But in the end the East Gas-
to adjust
ton staff knows everything relies on the players. As is the case with all teams if the players don't produce the scoreboard will reflect. But Joyce shows no sign of worry. Coach Joyce thinks this group is special. "We have a great group of kids," Joyce said. "Great seniors, good juniors. A great group. They have some size and speed. We just played some good teams." The attitude around the East Gaston locker room is relaxed. There is no doubt the Warriors believe in each other. They just need to put it all together and bust out a win.
Gaston County Museum will host the performance of Big Ron Hunter, as part of their 16th Annual “Blues out Back� free summer concert series on Friday, Sept. 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the lawn behind the museum. This performance is sponsored by R&R Powder Coating & Brooks Insurance. Blues out Back is held the second Friday of the month from May until September. The museum encourages folks to bring along blankets, lawn chairs, and a picnic for an evening of great music with friends and family. For additional information about this program, please contact Jason Luker, Programs Coordinator, at 704922-7681 ex 105 or at Jason.Luker@gastongov.com
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Master Gardener’s meet Creating a functional rain garden
The Gaston County Extension Master Gardener Group welcomes the public to their Sept. 18 program at 10am. The lecture will be at the Citizen’s Resource Center, 1303 Cherryville Hwy (NC Hwy 279), Dallas. Michael Jones, a well-known horticulturist, will speak on the topic of “Creating a Functional Rain Garden.� Jones has a BS and MS from Auburn University. His career includes more than 35 years with four major colleges and universities in horticultural research. As owner of Michael Jones Horticultural Services, Jones specializes in design and training. The program will provide step-by-step instructions for building a cost-effective and practical rain garden. Topics will include rain harvesting, sizing, location, plant selection, construction and maintenance. The public is welcome to attend this one-hour program at NO COST. Please contact Barbara Linster at balinster@yahoo.com or 704-674-0860 if you have any questions.
DSBG September classes Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden celebrates September with classes that include yoga, digital photography, seed collection, stress management and more. Upcoming classes in September include: Yoga in the Garden, instructed by Simply Yoga of Belmont staff – Sept. 13, 20 and 27. 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Reduce Stress, strengthen, relax and enjoy the balance yoga can bring to your life in a beautiful Garden setting. Learn how to connect breathing to yoga postures and proper alignment for your body. Class is suited for both beginners and seasoned practitioners wishing to learn more. Please bring your own yoga mat. This class is $5 for Garden members and $15 for non-members. Horticultural Highlight Walk, led by Garden staff – Sept. 20, 1 p.m. Join professional horticulture staff as they take you on a custom tour of the Garden. Guides will highlight what’s in bloom, seasonally relevant gardening tips and behind-the-scenes details. Each walk is a unique experience. These walks are free with Garden admission. For more information or to register for a class, please visit www.DSBG.org or call 704-829-1252.
Linebergers • Linebergers
MUSCADINES Pumpkins! Gourds!
Linebergers Hwy. 275 E., Dallas 704.922.8688 Hours: M - Sat 12pm - 5:30pm
Linebergers • Linebergers
Linebergers • Linebergers
Gaston Day Annual Fall Festival, Oct. 4
Linebergers • Linebergers
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Page 9
The Banner News | banner-news.com
Enter our 2014 Pigskin Picks Football Contest for a Chance To Win $50 Games are listed in each advertisement. Pick the winner and write that team by the corresponding number on the entry blank below. Drop the entry blank by the office in Kings Mountain, Cherryville or Belmont or send by mail for delivery by Friday at 5pm.
Last Weeks Winner was ...
Thomas Stevens of Cherryville! Parker’s BP Amoco
Thomas missed 2 and was closest to the tiebreaker
Congratulations to Sandy Pardo, our 8-27 winner!
Week of September 12
Name___________________________
Gas • Tires • Batteries • Service
1.______________________________ 2. _____________________________ 3.______________________________ 4.______________________________ 5.______________________________ 6.______________________________ 7.______________________________ 8.______________________________ 9.______________________________ 10._____________________________ 11._____________________________ 12._____________________________ 13._____________________________ 14._____________________________
Address_________________________
1. KANSAS VS. DUKE
2. NC STATE VS. SOUTH FLORIA
Take a step back in time to a good, old fashioned store...
Specialty Sodas ~ Glass Bottle Drinks Ice Cream ~ Greeting Cards ~ Novelty Gifts
C & C Heating & Cooling
Phone__________________________ Tiebreaker: Bessemer City vs. Stuart Cramer
Total number of points in the game___ Clip and Mail to: Pigskin Picks Football Contest, The Kings Mountain Herald, PO Box 769, Kings Mountain, NC 28086. All entries must be received by mail at The Herald office no later than Friday. Or they may be taken to The Eagle office, 107 1/2 E. Main Street, Cherryville; The Bannernews office, 128-C N. Main St., Belmont; or The Kings Mountain Herald office, 700 E. Gold Street, Kings Mountain no later than 5 p.m. on Friday.
Inc. Tire
t. kee S o r e in . Ch 227 S s Mounta King 39.0193 704.7
911 East Church Street • Cherryville, NC
Open 24 Hours a Day - 7 Days a Week! Thank you for your business 5. georgia vs. south carolina 6. lenoir rhyne vs. va. state
3. louisville vs. virginia 4. EAST CAROLINA VS. VA. TECH
_______________________________
Poochie Dotson Owner
7. GARDNER WEBB VS. VA. LYNCHBURG 8. CHARLOTTE VS. NC CENTRAL
Scott Keuthan Manager
Your local
expert
140 N. Main St., Belmont NC phone 704.825.1116 fax 704.825.1121 Mon-Fri 10am-6pm • Sat 10am-4pm www.belmontsurpriseme.com
Owner & Operator:
11. cherryville vs. north gaston
Bobby Childers
J&B Automotive 502 York Rd. Kings Mountain
Minor Repairs • Brake Repairs • A/C • Timing Belts NC# 9507
N.C. State Inspections
704-739-1043 9. kings mountain vs. east rutherford 10. bessemer city vs. stuart cramer
Š2012 Š2012 Products Products underwrit underwritten ten bbyy Na Nationwide tionwide Mutual Insur Insurance ance CCompany ompany and Affilia Affiliated ted CCompanies. ompanies. Home Offic Office: e: CColumbus, olumbus, OH 43215. 43215. Subject Subject ttoo underwriting guidelines, rreview, eview, and appr approval. oval. Products Products and disc discounts ounts not aavailable vailable ttoo all per persons sons in all states. states. PPaid aid endor endorsement. sement. AAccident ccident FForgiveness orgiveness is an optional feature. feature. Nationwide, Nationwide, Na Nationwide tionwide Insur Insurance, ance, and the Nationwide Nationwide frframemark amemark ar aree servic servicee marks of Na Nationwide tionwide Mutual Insur Insurance ance CCompany. ompany. ADP ADP-7007-NC -7007-NC (0 (07/11) 7/11)
12. EAST GASTON VS. LINCOLNTON
Carolina Care Center & Cottages “Let our family take care of your family�
111 Harrilson Road, Cherryville 1516 N. Cansler St. Kings Mountain
Jamie Carrigan 704-739-5116
13. FOREST VIEW VS. EAST LINCOLN
Contest Rules 1. The games listed by number in each advertisement correspond to the lines in the entry blank above. Some advertisements may contain more than one game. Simply write on the corresponding lines in the entry blank which team you think will win. 2. At the bottom of the entry blank is a Tiebreaker. In the space indicated, guess the total combined number of points that will be scored by both teams in that game. 3. A $50 prize will be awarded to the entrant (one winner only from combination of the Herald, Eagle, and Banner News) with the most correct predictions. In the event of ties, the tiebreaker will be used to decide the winning entrant. In the event the tiebreaker does not break the tie, the prize will be split.
704.435.4161 Judy B. Beam, Administrator, Dr. T.R. White, Medical Director
14. SHELBY VS. RS CENTRAL
if postmarked no later than 5 p.m. on Friday or brought by The Eagle office at 107 1/2 E. Main Street, Cherryville; The Herald office at 700 E. Gold Street, Kings Mountain; or The Bannernews office at 128-C N. Main St., Belmont, no later than Friday at 5 p.m. 6. Limit one entry per person, per envelope. Must be 18 years old to enter. All entries must be on blanks clipped from The Eagle, The Banner News or The Herald. No photocopied entries will be accepted. 7. No purchase necessary. Stop by one of our offices to clip out an official entry blank. 8. All entries become the property of Community First Media 9. Winners will be contacted as soon as the contest is judged and prize money may be picked up at our Kings Mountain office located at 700 E. Gold St., Kings Mountain NC 28086.
4. In the event games are postponed, they will only count in that week’s contest if they are played within that week’s contest period. The contest period cover games from Friday through the following Thursday.
10. Employees of Community First Media and their families are ineligible.
5. Entries may be mailed to The Kings Mountain Herald at PO Box 769, Kings Mountain, NC 28086
11. All judges decisions are final.
www.Banner-News.com
Page 10
The Banner News | banner-news.com
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
E Corps ribbon cutting – E- Corps Environmental Learning Center (ELC) at 604 South Main Street, Mount Holly, held a ribbon cutting and grand opening last week. The ELC will be open Monday and Wednesday from noon - 8 pm, Tuesday and Thursday from 3 pm - 8 pm. Drop by the center, call at 704-601-5083, or check it out online www.ecorps.org. Contributed Photo
CaroMont starts renovation project
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CaroMont Health officially marked the commencement of construction for a 10,000 square-foot renovation of the existing Emergency Department at CaroMont Regional Medical Center. The project aims to enhance emergency medicine offerings in Gaston County and continue to improve patient experiences. Employees, business people and community partners gathered to celebrate the ceremonial groundbreaking on Tuesday morning at the hospital in Gastonia. “The renovation project at CaroMont Regional Medical Center reflects our longstanding commitment to provide state-of-the-art health care in a high-touch, patient-friendly environment,� said Doug Luckett, President and CEO at CaroMont Health. “We are excited to make these enhancements to improve emergency services; they will benefit our patients, community and our employees well into the future.� When completed, the $16.5 million project will create more space for a larger waiting area, four private triage rooms and a care transition area to provide
more comfort for patients and their families. The new space will also feature a pediatric care space with a separate waiting area and treatment rooms to care for the unique needs of pediatric patients. These enhancements support CaroMont’s commitment to improving patient flow and expediting care for patients. The growing need for emergency care is evidenced by the nearly 100,000 people who visit CaroMont’s Emergency Department annually, making it one of the busiest emergency facilities in the state. The last renovation of the Emergency Department was in 1999 and was designed to serve approximately 60,000 patients a year. “We have been meeting with our community over the last year to get input about how we can improve our patient services and experience,� said Luckett. “We have been able to incorporate this feedback into these improvements to make care more convenient, patientcentered and efficient for our residents.� The renovation is expected to be completed in 2016.
1st annual Basketball Tournament, YMCA Mary Francine Crawford Arroyo will be hosting her 1st Annual Basketball Tournament at the YMCA in McAdenville on Sept. 27 from 10am-1pm. All proceeds raised will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Arroyo was born and raised in Belmont when most of her
family currently resides. She wants to get the word out there for not only this particular cancer but for them all, also all survivors and what she likes to call "Thrivers" are encouraged to attend as there will be a special ceremony to honor them. For more information call 704-862-8229.
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