BN 112713

Page 1

75¢

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

Volume 78 • Issue 48 • Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Slavery, combat, a Civil War

Holiday events Parades Local communities will be kicking off the holiday season with a round of Christmas parades as follows: Belmont Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 4pm

East Gaston students produce memorable, historic film ALAN HODGE alan.bannernews@gmail.com

Over the decades there have been some memorable films such as “Gone With the Wind� and “The Red Badge of Courage� shot using the Civil War as a backdrop. Now, East Gaston High seniors Billy Kaskay and Lanie Summerlin, with a little help from their friends, have written and produced a War Between the States flick that's bound to get a lot of attention as well when it makes its You Tube debut on December 1. The hour-long film they made is called “A Nation Divided� and examines the attitudes of its characters regarding issues such as slavery and the horror of combat before and during the Civil War. Kaskay, who wrote the script, says the idea for the movie came to him in a burst of inspiration in response to an assignment for his U.S. history class last year. “I started working on it in November 2012,� he said. Kaskay realized he was

going to need help with his production and brought Summerlin on board. “It started small but became so much more,� said Summerlin. Another job Summerlin did was poking around vintage clothing stores and thrift shops looking for period costumes to use in the film. Kaskay bought a fake beard and stovepipe hat for the character of Abe Lincoln and some Union and Confederate caps for the “extras�. Kaskay's research also included doing a lot of reading on the Civil War era. Locations for the shooting included the historic Hoyle House on DallasStanley Rd. and the Old Dallas Jail. Another location was a field on Airport Rd. near Stanley where Confederate soldiers had actually camped before being sent on the railroad to boot camp in Raleigh. The actual filming brought more students into the production. “The technical part was a See FILM, 4A

Toy donations... ever wonder where they end up? By Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com

It's that time of year when local charities and other agencies collect toys for needy children. But where do those toys end up and how can folks who donate gifts be sure the goodies end up under the tree of a local boy or girl? The Belmont Community Organization has been helping folks since 1936 and that includes Christmas gifts for needy kids. In 20122013 the BCO ensured that 269 kids in 118 families got Christmas toys. The BCO uses the angel tree method of toy collection and distribution where folks fill out a form listing their child's sizes and “wish list� then return it to the BCO where a “patron� picks it up, buys the gift(s), and takes them

back to the BCO headquarters on E. Catawba Ave. BCO director Paula Wilkerson explains what happens next. “Once the gift bags are returned, we call the parent and they come pick it up,� she said. “We do it this way due to limited storage space.' The BCO already has 184 angel forms filled out with all of them having been “adopted�. “Due to the generosity of the community we have never had a problem getting our angels adopted,� said Wilkerson. All of the information relating to the BCO angel tree project is documented to protect the identity of the kids and the givers as well. “It is carefully documented,� said Wilkerson. “We track everything that comes in.� To make sure that the BCO toys go to local kids, the BCO tracks angel tree applications using address information provided by the client and a map of its service area. The Community Relief See DONATIONS, 4A

Mount Holly Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 4pm Cramerton Thursday, Dec. 4 at 4pm Stanley Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 3pm McAdenville, ChristmasTown USA, celebrated the start of the Christmas season with their annual parade Saturday. It was a little chilly but blue skies prevailed for the event. See more photos on page 5A!

Reidy honored as she bids GC schools farewell ALAN HODGE alan.bannernews@gmail.com

Gaston County Schools held a reception last week at the Central Administration Office on Osceola St. to honor former Belmont resident and retiring Chief Communications Officer Bonnie Reidy. The event was packed to the gills with Reidy's well wishers and colleagues who stood in a long line to shake her hand, hug, and say goodbye. Several dignitaries were there including Gaston Schools Board of Education Chairman Kenneth Lutz, Gaston County Principal of the Year Terry Usery, former GCS Superintendent Edward Sadler, and current Superintendent Reeve McGlohon. “I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with students, outstanding teachers, principals, parents, school board members, su-

Photo by Alan Hodge

Gaston County Schools held a reception last week for retiring Chief Communications Officer Bonnie Reidy. Seen with Reidy are her interim successor former Cherryville Eagle editor Todd Hagans (left) and retiring GCS Superintendent Reeves McGlohon. perintendents, and others who want to make Gaston schools the best in the nation,� Reidy said. “I have been given many opportunities over the years and am thankful.� A true Southern lady, Reidy had been the face and

gracious voice of GCS since 1996 when she was named GCS Communications/Public Information Director. In 2005 she assumed the role of Chief Communications Officer. Her career with GCS stretches back to 1976 See REIDY, 4A

Booker named next GCS superintendent The Gaston County Board of Education unanimously appointed Deputy Superintendent of Schools W. Jeffery Booker as the next superintendent of Gaston County Schools. The Board announced the appointment during Monday night’s regular meeting. Booker will become superintendent on January 1, 2014 when L. Reeves McGlohon retires. Booker, 50, joined Gaston County Schools in 2009 as Deputy Superintendent for Operations. His yearly salary will be $180,000. Gaston County Board of Education Chairman Kenneth R. Lutz, Jr. stated, “The Board of Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Deputy Superintendent Jeff Booker to serve as the next Superintendent of Gaston County Schools. With knowledge and expertise in finance, educational facilities and program management, Mr. Booker is a visionary leader who will move Gaston County Schools forward.� A graduate of the University of Virginia’s prestigious McIntire School of Commerce,

Booker has a concentration in finance and additional coursework in management and leadership. He has a North Carolina Real Estate license and is a Certified Cash Manager. Prior to joining GCS, Booker served as assistant vice pres- W. Jeffery Booker ident of Carolinas has been named the HealthCare System next superintendent in Charlotte from of GCS. He will begin 2005-2009 and prin- working in the posicipal of LWA Associ- tion on January 1, ates in Cramerton for 2014 nine years. LWA Associates is a professional firm that specializes in management of educational facilities. LWA was a consultant for the $2.5 billion Higher Education Bond program passed by N.C. voters. During that same period, LWA

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See BOOKER, 4A

Tree lighting On Monday, December 2 at 4:30 p.m. the lights will be turned on in McAdenville at Legacy Park. On the night before the Belmont Christmas parade each December, the Chamber coordinates a tree-lighting ceremony for Belmont in front of City Hall. This years tree lighting will take place December 2 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Singing this year will be the Youth of Christ Choir from Hood Memorial AME Zion Church. In one of his final official acts, retiring Mayor Richard Boyce will light the tree. Keep Belmont Beautiful will provide refreshments.

The spirit of the holidays abounds As night falls across Belmont this holiday season, guests will find themselves surrounded by the warm glow of Christmas lights and small-town charm. From the organic and elegant displays of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden's Holidays at the Garden to the thousands of flickering bulbs illuminating McAdenville, visitors will discover wonder and awe at every turn. Arrive in Belmont this holiday and experience a bit of seasonal nostalgia while creating memories and beginning new traditions. "Holidays in our town are quite the 'can't miss' attraction," said Jim Hoffman, Director of Marketing for Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. "The welcoming environment coupled with the lights blanketing our community warm the spirit just in time for Christmas." From Nov. 22 to Dec. 31, the sights and scents of winter will envelop guests at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. With a cup of hot cider in hand, enjoy the annual Holidays at the Garden to feature favorites such as a 16-foot tall tree comprised entirely of live orchids and the half-million LED lights sparkling across plants, trees and pathways. Also brightening guests' garden adventures this year is a See HOLIDAY SPIRIT, 5A

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