Cherryville Eagle 3-16-23

Former Army “helo” Capt. Cody Spiker switching to fixed wing aircraft

His career move?

Leaves off flying for the Army to becoming a civilian airline pilot

by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info

Many little kids want to grow up to be, well, any number of things, most of which start out as firefighters, policemen or women, nurses, doctors; some even want to be cowboys or, in the case of Gen X-er kids, some Star Wars character or Sci-Fi person.

Even for guys like Capt. Cody Spiker, who said he remembered always want-

ing to be in the military, if you don’t count the time he wanted to lay professional sports.

Spiker, 31, is a retired U.S. Army helicopter pilot, who is now working on becoming an civilian airline pilot, said of his life in Cherryville, “My family moved to Cherryville when I was one, so I do consider myself a Cherryville native. My parents, Patrick and Jeanna, moved my sister, Katie, and myself here because they were looking for a safe place with good schools for us to grow up.”

He said that in my free

See SPIKER, Page 4

Kings Mountain couple trip the light fantastic during “Night To Shine”

Feb. 10 event, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, was held at Anthony Grove Baptist Church

by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info

The famed Cherry Blossom 5K and Bubble Run is scheduled for April 29

by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info

Officials, “Y” members and staff, and anyone who has ever run the now-famous Cherry Blossom 5K race and Bubble Run want everyone interested in running for a great cause to know… it is almost time for the big race to take place!

According to information received from Sarah Shriver, Marketing and Communications Director for the Gaston County Family YMCA, “The Cherryville Family YMCA is passionate about health and wellness and what being part of the community can do for your physical and mental health. We believe that everyone in the community should have a ‘Y’

experience through ‘Y’ membership and programs no matter their ability to pay.”

Shriver continued, “Cherry Blossom 5K sponsorships support ‘Y’ programs and services in the Cherryville community, including summer day camp and afterschool. In 2023, the YMCA is working to raise funds to strengthen the foundation of community by providing access to ‘Y’ programs and services, creating access to much needed financial assistance, and collaborating to provide access to programs while sustaining the YMCA throughout Gaston County. With your help we can better support our community.”

Shriver said this year’s race is presented by Piedmont Lithium, adding, “It’s spring and a great time to get outside. We are excited to get back together and challenge you to run or walk through the rolling hills of Cherryville!”

As it has always done in the past, this year’s race will begin and end at the First Presbyterian Church of Cherryville, which is located on the corner of See YMCA, Page 6

For handsome Chad Gunter, Jr., and his beautiful date, Katie Reese, dancing the night away among friends and family at the Feb. 10, 2023 Tim Tebow “Night To Shine” event, was a night they will never, ever forget. The event was hosted by Anthony Grove Baptist Church, located in Crouse, N.C. That said, it’s not every day a guy gets to take his best girl out, twirling her around to tunes meant to make you tap your toes and shake a leg, but

Over 100 students, along with their parents attended the ball, the school’s 14th non-consecutive FTB

by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info

There were princesses, princes, knights, and damsels galore at this years’ Cherryville Elementary Fairy Tale Ball.

Meeting with everyone in the school’s large gym/ sports court, the Royal Proclamation was read by Mayor H.L. Beam, III, of Cherryville, who read the decree, as follows: “Royal See BALL, Page 11

Feb. 10, 2023 was that “night of all nights” for the young Kings Mountain couple.

According to Tebow’s web site, “Night to Shine” is a “…complimentary event for people with special needs hosted by local churches around the world. The event is open to anyone living with disabilities, ages 14 and older. Although each event is a little bit different, some activities included are a red-carpet entrance, limousine rides, dancing, karaoke, gifts, a catered dinner, a Respite Room for parents and caregivers, a crowning ceremony where every honored guest will receive a crown or tiara, and more – Night to Shine is a celebration of God’s love for YOU, our Kings and Queens!”

Chad’s father, Chad Gunter, Sr. said his son is 23, and his girlfriend Katie See NIGHT, Page 9

Captain Cody Spiker, originally from Cherryville and a 2010 CHS grad, in his dress uniform, a.k.a. his “pinks and greens”

Captain Cody Spiker (center) and his men from F Co. 3-2 ‘Skymasters’, at an unidentified air base. (Photos provided)

Miss Katie Reese and date, Chad Gunter, Jr., posing right before heading out to dance the night away at their, “Night To Shine.” (Photo provided)

Kindergarten teacher Katy Beam’s class, with Principal Mr. Patrick Watson (far left, standing), Ms. Beam next to him, and Mrs. Ashley Long, her TA, and Cherryville Mayor H.L. Beam, III, standing at the right of the group. (photo courtesy of Southern Burst Photography)

■ OBITUARIES

■ POLICE

ARRESTS

Michael F. Lineberger

LAWNDALE – Michael

“Mike” Franklin Lineberger, 58, of Lawndale, passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at Atrium Health – Cleveland, Shelby.

Born in Catawba County, on Dec. 24, 1964, he was a son of Franklin Arthur Lineberger and Ellene Bingham Lineberger of Lawndale. He was employed by Westmoreland Printing as a graphic designer.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Cindy Short Lineberger; son, Steven Lineberger and Mysteria Herron of Cherryville; daughter, Laura Lineberger and Dyllion Costner of Lawndale; two brothers, Marcus Lineberger and

Tracy Riddle of Lawndale and Marty Lineberger and Bruce McKay of Spencer; sister, Paula Eaker and husband, Terry of Lawndale; two grandchildren, Michael Thomas Lineberger and Levi Darrell Costner; brother-in-law, Michael Short and wife, Lori of Hickory; niece, Abby Potter and husband, Shawn; and two nephews, Jesse Johnson and wife, Michelle, and Zion Short.

The family received friends on Thursday, March 9, 2023, from 2 to 3 p.m., at Stamey – Tysinger Funeral Home.

The funeral service was be held on Thursday, March 9, at 3 p.m., in the Stamey – Tysinger Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jerry Lail officiating. Burial followed the service in the Cherryville City Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, at www. stjude.org.

A guest register is available at www.stameytysingerfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stamey – Tysinger Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Inc., Fallston, N.C.

Wave of rural nursing home closures grows amid staffing crunch

The problem could deepen as pandemic-era government assistance dries up and care facilities struggle to compete

by TONY LEYS

Kaiser Health News

WAUKON, IA – Marjorie

Kruger was stunned to learn last fall that she would have to leave the nursing home where she’d lived comfortably for six years. The Good Samaritan Society facility in Postville, IA, would close, administrators told Kruger and 38 other residents in September. The facility joined a growing list of nursing homes being shuttered nationwide, especially in rural areas.

“The rug was taken out from under me,” said Kruger, 98. “I thought I was going to stay there the rest of my life.”

Her son found a room for her in another Good Samaritan center in Waukon, a small town 18 miles north of Postville. Kruger said the new facility is a pleasant place, but she misses her friends and longtime staffers from the old one. “We were as close as a nice family,” she said.

The Postville facility’s former residents are scattered across northeastern Iowa. Some were forced to move twice, after the first nursing home they transferred to also went out of business.

Owners say the closures largely stem from a shortage of workers, including nurses, nursing assistants, and kitchen employees.

The problem could deepen as pandemic-era government assistance dries up and care facilities struggle to compete with rising wages offered by other employers, industry leaders and analysts predict. Many

2-23: Richard Trenton Thornburg, 35, 113 Pine Ave., Cherryville; felony possession of methamphetamine and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. $2,500 secured bond.

2-27: William David Sisk, 40, 5029 Old Pine Ln., Cherryville; one count each felony WSOJ/probation violation from Lincoln County. No bond type/amt. listed on report.

2-27: Collette Roy Blackwelder, 58, 505 Spring St., Cherryville; one count misdemeanor simple possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. Summons/cited for drug violation.

3-3: Jonathan William Walls, 33, 248 Devenny Rd., Cherryville, was arrested at 4509 Red Apple Dr., Gaston County, by GCPD officers on one count of simple assault.

3-3: Joey Tyler Somerset, 31, 1311 Wildale Ln., Lincolnton; one count each misdemeanor DUI, displaying fictitious registration plate, and possessing stolen property.$5,000 secured bond.

3-3: Takisha Diane Hamrick, 37, Streets of Cherryville; WSOJ (financial card) and one count misdemeanor WSOJ (possessing stolen property). $10,000 secured bond.

3-4: Dana Marie Burleson, 41, 118 Angie St., Cherryville; one count misdemeanor possessing marijuana up to ½ ounce. Summons/cited for drug charge.

3-4: Breanna Lavarr Crawford, 25, 2846 Crawford Ave., Bessemer City; one count felony possession of marijuana; one count each misdemeanor simple possession of Schedule II and IV controlled substances; 2nd degree trespassing; and injury to personal property. $2,500 secured bond.

3-5: Gregory Dean Young, 56, 706 E. Marion St., Shelby; WSOJ (Cleveland Co.). No bond amt./ type; subject taken into custody and transferred to Cleveland County.

INCIDENTS

reports larceny from his residence by listed suspect who took his SS card and a passport w/o owner’s permission. Case is active and under further investigation.

3-3: GCPD officers report a new investigation into a drug/narcotic violation and at 1284 Shelby Hwy., Cherryville.

3-3: On Oct. 19, 2022, GCPD officers reported further investigation into a disorderly conduct/disturbing the peace incident at 103 S. Chavis Dr., Cherryville.

3-3: CPD officer reports DUI, displaying fictitious license plate, and possessing stolen property by listed suspect who displayed listed tag and drove while impaired. Seized: registration plate ($28), and oner blood draw kit. Closed/cleared by arrest.

3-3: CPD officer reports WSOJ’s served on listed suspect who had outstanding warrants. Closed/cleared by arrest.

3-4: CPD officer reports possession of marijuana up to ½ ounce by listed suspect who possessed narcotics. Seized: 21.30 grams of marijuana. Closed/cleared by arrest.

3-4: CPD officer reports possession of marijuana; simple possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; simple possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance; and service of a criminal summons on listed suspect who possessed illegal narcotics. Seized: 101.70 grams of marijuana; 0.50 dosage units of Clonazepam; and 1 dosage unit of amphetamine. Closed/cleared by arrest.

3-5: CPD officer reports WSOJ on listed subject who was accused of shoplifting at Walmart. Closed/cleared by arrest.

WRECKS

2-24: A vehicle driven

by David Alan Anthony, 62, 102 S. Rudisill Ave., Cherryville, exited the McDonald’s parking lot and collided with a vehicle driven by Jerry Dale White, 53, 1445 E. Main St., Cherryville, which was traveling west on Church Street. The damage to the truck trailer was on its left side (wheels). No injuries reported. Est. damages to the Anthony vehicle: $5,000; to the White vehicle: $200.

2-24: A vehicle driven by Ryley Addison Brown, 22, 112 Plumtree Dr., Kings Mountain, was making a left turn onto Church St., and collided with a vehicle driven by Linda Louise Anness, 75, 162 Brown –Watterson Rd., Cherryville, that was traveling west on Church Street. The injured were treated at the scene by GEMS. Est. damages to the Brown and Anness vehicle was $3,000 per vehicle. The Anness vehicle was towed by KT Towing to KT Towing. Ms. Brown was cited for expired registration.

2-26: A vehicle driven by Hesham Amin Musi Shahbin, 37, 503 W. 6th St., Newton, stopped at the stop sign and while exiting the parking lot of the Cherryville Walmart, located at 2505 Lincolnton Hwy., collided with a vehicle driven by Nancy May Savoy, 78, 3892 Cat Square Rd., Vale, who was traveling north on Bud Black Road. Collision happened on the Savoy vehicle’s right side. The Savoy vehicle then lost control after contact and collided w/a tree. Mr. Shahbin was cited for failure to yield right of way. The injured from the Savoy vehicle were treated at the scene by CFD and GEMS and transported to CaroMont Hospital, Gastonia. The Savoy vehicle was towed to Sawyer’s Towing, Lincolnton, by Sawyer’s Towing,

Lincolnton. Est. damages to the Shahbin vehicle: $3,000; to the Savoy vehicle: $9,000.

2-26: A vehicle driven by Luann Beam Sellers, 68, 502 E. Academy St., Cherryville, was turning from First St., onto Depot St. when it collided with a vehicle driven by Kenya Alexis Swinson, 27, 1677 Gray Fox Rd., Iron Station, which was stopped at the stop sign at Depot Street. No injuries reported. Est. damages to the Sellers vehicle: $3,500; to the Swinson vehicle: $1,500.

2-27: A vehicle driven by Joel Reese Brown, 67, 832 Kenwood Rd., Cherryville, left the ACE Hardware parking lot and attempted to cross the roadway (Lincolnton Hwy.) onto to Dick Beam Rd., when it made contact with a vehicle driven by Christopher William Weaver, 34, 3015 Polkville Rd., Shelby, which was making a left turn onto Lincolnton Hwy. No injuries reported. Est. damages to both vehicles: $1,500 (per vehicle).

3-4: A vehicle driven by Robin Lee Starnes, 53, 1110 Baxter Rd., Cherryville, made contact in the rear with a vehicle driven by Brittany Nicole Edwards, 25, 5471 Triangle Cir., Hickory, which was stationary in the Taco Bell drive-thru line. The Starnes vehicle then continued moving in a forward direction, coming to a stop after making contact w/a fixed object ( a metal pole). No injuries reported. Est. damages to the Starnes vehicle: $1,500; to the Edwards vehicle: $500. The Starnes vehicle was towed to R & M Motors by KT Towing.

A Natural Alternative To Traditional Cremation

care centers that have managed to remain open are keeping some beds vacant because they don’t have enough workers to responsibly care for more residents.

The pandemic brought billions of extra federal dollars to the long-term care industry, which was inundated with covid-19 infections and more than 160,000 resident deaths. Many facilities saw business decline amid lockdowns and reports of outbreaks. Staff members faced extra danger and stress.

The industry is still feeling the effects.

From February 2020 to November 2021, the number of workers in nursing homes and other care facilities dropped by 410,000 nationally, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Staffing has rebounded only by about 103,000 since then.

In Iowa, 13 of the 15 nursing homes that closed in 2022 were in rural areas, according to the Iowa Health Care Association. “In more sparsely populated areas, it’s harder and harder to staff those facilities,” said Brent Willett, the association’s president. He noted that many rural areas have dwindling numbers of working-age adults.

The lack of open nursing home beds is marooning some patients in hospitals for weeks while social workers seek placements. More people are winding up in care facilities far from their hometowns, especially if they have dementia, obesity, or other conditions that require extra attention.

Colorado’s executive director of health care policy and financing, Kim Bimestefer, told a conference in November that the state recognizes it needs to help shore up care facilities, especially in rural areas. “We’ve

2-26: A Cherryville woman reports burglary and B&E and larceny after B&E by unknown person(s) who broke into her residence. Est. value of stolen/recovered items; $1,985 (misc. tools, TV, hobby/sports items, and shoes/clothing). Case is active and under further investigation.

2-27: A CPD officer reported unnamed/unlisted subject had two (2) WSOJ’s for probation violation (outstanding warrants). Closed/ cleared by arrest.

2-27: A CPD officer reports simple possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (one dosage unit of Oxycodone 5mg.) by listed suspect who possessed listed narcotic pill. Closed/cleared by arrest.

2-28: A Cherryville man

had more nursing homes go bankrupt in the last year than in the last 10 years combined,” she said.

In Montana, at least 11 nursing homes – 16 percent of the state’s facilities – closed in 2022, the Billings Gazette reported.

Nationally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reported recently that 129 nursing homes had closed in 2022. Mark Parkinson, president of the American Health Care Association, said the actual count was significantly higher but the federal reports tend to lag behind what’s happening on the ground.

For example, a recent KHN review showed the federal agency had tallied just one of the 11 Montana nursing home closures reported by news outlets in that state during 2022, and just eight of the 15 reported in Iowa.

See WAVE, Page 3 WAVE

Today, having choices at the end of life’s journey is more important than ever. Choosing the proper way to honor a loved one is not an easy task. There are many emotional, personal, and spiritual issues to consider.

Now there is a new alternative to traditional burial and flame-based cremation. Aquamation is a water-based natural process that gently returns your loved one remains to its natural ash form.

What makes Aquamation special is your ability to honor and memorialize your loved one in any way you deem appropriate. This includes a hosting a reception, personal memorial tribute, destination memorial, burial, scattering at a sacred place, and others.

Offered By

Marjorie Kruger visits with son Dan White in her new room at the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society nursing home in Waukon, Iowa. Kruger transferred to the Waukon facility in September 2022, because Good Samaritan was closing its Postville, Iowa, home, where she lived for six years.

(photo by Tony Leys/KHN)

Cool things coming up at Cherryville Branch Library!

by TRACI POLLITT Branch Manager Gaston County Public Library, Cherryville Branch

LEGO Club – Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m.

Family Storytime –Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.

Teen Anime Club –

Thursday, March 16 at 4:30 p.m.

Chessmates – Monday, March 27 at 4:30 p.m. CLOSED FOR EASTER

HOLIDAY – Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8

Cherry Blossom

Festival – Saturday, April 22 (branch closed)

The Cherryville Cherry Blossom Festival is returning! To say we’re excited about participating would be an understatement. So much has happened since our last festival appearance, way back in 2019.

We will have our tent set up downtown with the other vendors and this year we'll be bringing the library with us. Thanks to LEAP, we have the ability to create new patron accounts, access current

Mark

accounts, check out items, place holds for patrons, and more. While we can’t bring our entire collection, we will bring a good selection of books for checkout. Because the library will be mobile that day, the branch itself – the building – will be closed. Cherryville staff will be manning the tent and anxious to see everyone! We’ll bring other things as well such as brochures about Summer Reading and Friends of the Gaston County Public Library items for purchase. Mark your calendars now.

“March Madness” has hit the library! We’re hosting our own tournament here at the library: ‘Clash of Characters’. We have ballots here in the library for those who want to support their favorite children’s book characters. We’ll also be posting the matches on our Facebook page. We can’t wait to see who wins! Will it be the boy wizard or the big, blue, groovy cat? Voting started this Monday and will continue through the week of April 3. The ultimate winner will be an-

The Best Relationships Start With Trust

The Cherryville Cherry Blossom Festival is returning! So much has happened since our last festival appearance, way back in 2019. We will have our tent set up downtown with the other vendors and this year we'll be bringing the library with us, so stop by and see us!

(photos by Michael E. Powell/The Eagle/CF Media or provided)

nounced on Monday, April 10. Good luck to all the characters!

Finally, we want to remind everyone that we have switched phone providers. We are experiencing some issues with this change, and

From Page 2

Demand for long-term care is expected to climb over the next decade as the baby boom generation ages. Willett said his industry supports changing immigration laws to allow more workers from other countries. “That’s got to be part of the solution,” he said.

The nursing home in Postville, Iowa, was one of 10 care centers shuttered in the past year by the Good Samaritan Society, a large chain based in South Dakota.

“It’s an absolute last resort for us, being a nonprofit organization that would in many cases have been in these communities 50 to 75 years or more,” said Nate Schema, the company’s CEO.

The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, the full name of the company, is affiliated with the giant Sanford Health network and serves 12,500 clients, including residents of care facilities and people receiving services in their homes. About 70 percent of them live in rural areas, mainly in the Plains states and Midwest, Schema said.

Schema said many frontline workers in nursing homes found less stressful jobs after working through the worst days of the covid pandemic, when they had to wear extra protective gear and routinely get screened for infection in the face of ongoing risk.

Lori Porter, chief executive officer of the National Association of Health Care Assistants, said nursing home staffing issues have been building for years. “No one that’s been in this business is in shock over the way things are,” she said. “The pandemic put a spotlight on it.”

100 West Main St. Cherryville, NC 28021

230228-1074151668

Porter, who has worked as a certified nursing assistant and as a nursing home administrator, said the industry should highlight how rewarding the work can be and how working as an aide can lead to a higher-paying job, including as a registered nurse. Care industry leaders say that they have increased wages for front-line workers but that they can’t always keep up with other industries. They say that’s largely because they rely on payments from Medicaid, the government program

we ask for everyone’s patience. If you cannot reach us, please keep trying! That new phone number is (704) 769-8190. In-person visits are also good! Stop by and see us at 605 E. Main Street. Our public service

for low-income Americans that covers the bills for more than 60% of people living in nursing homes.

In recent years, most states have increased how much their Medicaid programs pay to nursing homes, but those rates are still less than what the facilities receive from other insurers or from residents paying their own way. In Iowa, Medicaid pays nursing homes about $215 per day per resident, according to the Iowa Health Care Association. That compares with about $253 per day for people paying their own way. When nursing homes provide short-term rehabilitation for Medicare patients, they receive about $450 per day. That federal program does not cover long-term care, however.

Willett said a recent survey found that 72 percent of Iowa’s remaining nursing homes were freezing or limiting admissions below their capacity.

The Prairie View nursing home in Sanborn is one of them. The facility, owned by a local nonprofit, is licensed for up to 73 beds. Lately, it has been able to handle only about 48 residents, said administrator Wendy Nelson.

“We could take more patients, but we couldn’t give them the care they deserve,” she said.

Prairie View’s painful choices have included closing a 16-bed dementia care unit last year.

Nelson has worked in the industry for 22 years, including 17 at Prairie View. It never has been easy to keep nursing facilities fully staffed, she said. But the pandemic added stress, danger, and hassles.

“It drained the crud out of some people. They just said, ‘I’m done with it,’” she said.

Prairie View has repeatedly boosted pay, with certified nursing assistants now starting at $21 per hour and registered nurses at $40 per hour, Nelson said. But she’s still seeking more workers.

She realizes other rural employers also are stretched.

“I know we’re all struggling,” Nelson said. “Dairy Queen’s struggling too, but Dairy Queen can change their hours. We can’t.”

David Grabowski, a professor of health care policy

hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday and Saturday.

So…Happy Spring to all of our faithful friends and readers!

at Harvard Medical School, said some of the shuttered care facilities had poor safety records. Those closures might not seem like a tragedy, especially in metro areas with plenty of other choices, he said.

“We might say, ‘Maybe that’s the market working, the way a bad restaurant or a bad hotel is closing,’” he said. But in rural areas, the closure of even a low-quality care facility can leave a hole that’s hard to fill.

For many families, the preferred alternative would be inhome care, but there’s also a shortage of workers to provide those services, he said.

The result can be prolonged hospital stays for patients who could be served instead in a care facility or by home health aides, if those services were available.

Rachel Olson, a social worker at Pocahontas Community Hospital in northwestern Iowa, said some patients wait a month or more in her hospital while she tries to find a spot for them in a nursing home once they’re stable enough to be transferred.

She said it’s particularly hard to place certain types of patients, such as those who need extra attention because they have dementia or need intravenous antibiotics.

Olson starts calling nursing homes close to the patient’s home, then tries ones farther away. She has had to place some people up to 60 miles away from their hometowns. She said families would prefer she find something closer. “But when I can’t, I can’t, you know? My hands are tied.”

(KHN [Kaiser Health News] is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation).

KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.)

your calendars now as Your CBL’s “March Madness” has hit the library! We’re hosting our own tournament here at the library: ‘Clash of Characters’.

SPIKER

From Page 1 time now, he enjoys, “… hunting, hiking, working out, messing about on the farm, and leather work.”

The Cherryville High School grad (2010) began his march toward a career in the military while at CHS, he said recently.

Said Spiker, “I joined the N.C. Army National Guard in May of 2010, my senior year of high school.

I enlisted as a Military Police Soldier and served in the 211th MP Company in Clyde, N.C. I conducted One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Leonard Wood (Missouri).”

He continued, “OSUT is Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (specific job training) combined. My OSUT lasted well into the fall semester of 2010, so I had to delay college until January 2011. I attended Appalachian State University and earned a BS in Political Science. While at App, I enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Corp. I also served as a Resident Assistant for three years in University Housing. I have always wanted to fly.”

Spiker noted he remembers when his father brought home their first desktop computer, it had Chuck Yeager’s ‘Air Combat’ on it.

“I loved that game,” he said, adding, “My interest in aviation grew during Mr. Gilbert’s technology class at John Chavis Middle School. In his class, there were different modules that the class broke up into groups to work on. I chose the balloon and aviation modules as soon as I could. We made paper balloons, paper airplanes, small gliders with toothpicks and cardstock, and even got to

use Microsoft Flight Simulator. Other activities in the Boy Scouts of America also fostered my interest.”

Cody elaborated on his earlier statement about wanting to be in the military,

“As far back as I can remember, I knew I was going to serve in the military, except for that time in first grade when I was going to be a major league baseball player. I chose the Army because I felt it gave me the best opportunity to fly and to lead. Believe it or not, the U.S. Army has a large Aviation Branch. I did everything in my power at App to earn an Active Army Aviation assignment. I commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in August 2014. I began the Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama, in January 2015, followed by 18 months of rigorous flight training.”

Spiker said he began flight training, known as Flight School XXI (FSXXI), on the TH-67 Creek or Bell 206 Jet Ranger, where he learned basic flying skills, stage field operations, and instrument flight. He then flew the OH-58 A/C in Basic Warfighter Skills training.

Said Spiker, “In this course, students learn to plan tactical routes, navigate, and use terrain flight to mask the aircraft from enemy threats, for example, flying ‘nap of the earth’. I then chose my, ‘Go to War,’ airframe. I chose the venerable UH-60 Blackhawk. In FSXXI, I flew the UH-60 A/L/M variants in an abridged version of the previous training structure.

“Following FSXXI, I was stationed at Hunter Army Airfield, 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), Savannah, GA, where I served as an Assistant Operations and Platoon Leader. While in the 3ID I had the honor of lead-

ing Soldiers in combat from Jalalabad Army Airfield (FOB Fenty) an d Camp Dahlki (FOB Shank). I also deployed to Romania with 3ID for Operation Atlantic Resolve, a NATO operation in place to deter eastern aggression.”

Cody said he was promoted to Captain in 2019 while still in 3ID. Between 3ID and Korea, and in the midst of the COVID-19 scare of 2020, he noted he attended the Captains Career Course at Fort Rucker, AL.

“In late 2020 I was stationed at Camp Humphreys, 2nd Infantry Division (2ID), Korea,” he said. “I served as my Battalion’s Logistics and Supply Officer before taking command of the only U.S. tactical air traffic control (ATC) company the Republic of Korea (South Korea), F CO, ‘Skymasters’. At any given time, I was responsible for the training, health and welfare, and fitness for duty of around 50 Soldiers. Our responsibility was to establish and maintain ATC procedures in remote and austere environments along with other responsibilities, should hostilities initiate from the north. I also served as a MEDEVAC Pilot in Command, providing Aerial MEDEVAC coverage for NATO forces in the Republic of Korea.”

Life after the military Spiker said he separated from the Army in November 2022. In January 2023 he received a Conditional Job Offer from Frontier Airlines as a First Officer under their Rotary Transition Program (RTP).

“Following my transition from rotary wing to fixed wing, I will begin full time with Frontier. I will be

the junior pilot in the cockpit, or second in command.

I am conducting my RTP at Infinity Flight Group, a partner of Mercer County Community College, in Trenton New Jersey. I already possess a Commercial Instrument rating for rotary wing, and a Private Pilot’s License for single engine land airplanes. I will be earning my Commercial, Multi-Engine, and Instrument ratings at Infinity,” he said.

When asked if it was harder to transition to fixed-

wing aircraft than a rotary aircraft, Cody answered, “Yes and no. The physics and principles of flight do not change. What changes is/are the vehicle/vehicles and the way you interact with it/them. Aviation is a cerebral field that uses a great deal of the brain’s processing power while you are learning. Because of my prior flight experience, some of my brain’s onboard systems are already running efficiently. I am not saying it will be a ‘cake walk’, because there is much to learn and in a short period of time. I am confident though, having done it before, that I will have no problem completing this flight school successfully.”

As for where he will be working out of (Charlotte, or another airport), Spiker said, “Unfortunately, Frontier does not have a base in Charlotte. The airline in-

dustry operates on a seniority basis for scheduling and choosing your home base. I won’t know until I officially begin working for Frontier where I will be based. I am hoping for Tampa Bay, Florida. It isn’t too far, by airplane at least, and I like the climate and area. I own a house in Cherryville and will maintain it. My family and roots are here, and I have a beautiful piece of property in the country.”

As for any future plans, Cody said, “I do want to start a family someday, but I have no immediate plans. The busy lifestyle of the Army has kept me moving almost every year for the past decade, and now while I am building a foundation in a new industry, I am focusing on my career. I have much to do in the next few months.”

Cody Spiker in his “helo” flight helmet, complete with its Appalachian State University patch on there!

Gary Sinise (Lt. Dan, from “Forrest Gump”), who does so much for America’s military veterans, recognizing them for their daily sacrifices. Sinise has his own foundation by which he helps veterans and their families. (photos provided)

Capt. Cody Spiker receives a regimental banner/flag from another soldier in this photo.

The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these!

The other day, during worship, we celebrated the Lord’s Supper. Serving the bread and the wine is one of the great joys of being a pastor. I understand that Christ is ever present with us. But in the Holy Meal, we have the opportunity to receive a supersaturated, real bit of Christ. Our bodies and souls are nourished for the next leg of our Christian journey. For most of us the Meal is a time

to be drawn closer to Christ. It is a time of meditation, reflection, and repentance. But the other day, I experienced something a bit different. After serving the congregation in the Sanctuary, I made my way to the nursery. Knocking on the door, I was welcomed by my three-yearold son. The somber reverence of the sanctuary was replaced with a spirit of celebration. My three-yearold immediately asked if he could have some. My oneyear-old made a B-line for me, flapping his arms in excitement. One young parish-

The Spec

I have enjoyed the animated film, Horton Hears a Who which is about an elephant named Horton who lives in the Jungle of Nool. He hears a tiny yelp coming from a floating speck of dust which entices him to chase after the speck and place it on a pink flower. Later, he discovers that the little speck contains the city of Whoville and its inhabitants, the Whos. Unfortunately, the other animals can’t hear the Whos and a Kangaroo wants to get rid of the speck. In fact, the Kangaroo tries to destroy the speck by throwing it in beezlenut oil. Horton does everything he can to protect the inhabitants of Whoville. In the end, they are saved and safe, because of all the elephant did for them. After watching the movie, I thought about the similarity between the Whos and humanity. We can do many things; at times we appear to be strong and mighty. However, even in our strongest moments we are fragile; a natural disaster, an animal or a disease etc. can destroy us. Psalm 103:14 (AMP) says, “For He knows our [mortal] frame; He remembers that we are [merely] dust.”

Mighty God

The blessing of having a Creator who is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, is that we have someone who hears our every cry and moan. LIke the elephant in the movies, God knows where we are and is fighting to protect us and provide for our every need. Even when others ignore us or aren’t aware of our existence, we have a loving Father who is concerned about us. Isaiah 41:13 (AMP) “For I the LORD your God keep hold of your right hand; [I am the Lord], Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’ The Lord wants us to be fully persuaded that he loves us and nothing is too big or difficult for him. To tap into this revelation, we must train ourselves to zero in on how big our God is instead of focusing on our problems and weaknesses. Psalm 121:1-4 (ESV) says, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.”

PRAY THIS PRAYER: “Father you are great and mighty in power; your understanding has no limit. Who can comprehend the thunder of your power? You are the rock of my strength and refuge. Though an army encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arises against me, even in this I am confident. Thank you for your faithfulness to me. Although I am small and weak, you are the strength of my life. You keep me in the embrace of your loving Presence and see me through every difficulty and challenge. Forgive me for making the issue in my life bigger than you. Nothing is too hard for you. I love you. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

Danyale Patterson would love to hear from you! Contact her at www.danyale.com to share a testimony, send a prayer request, or book her to speak.

Eastern Star 156’s BBQ Chicken meal is March 17

ioner started tugging on my robe. Even the most timid of my little congregation made cautious steps towards me. I was swamped with happy faces and outstretched hands. I served them repeating the ancient proclamation of our faith “The Body of Christ, The Blood of Christ.” Our savior was received with joy and smiles. One little one let out a moan of satisfaction –“HMMM”! Mathew 19:14 is right, “The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” How many of us who have long moved out of the nursery still have that kind of joy and yearning for the bread and wine? How many of us come to the table in celebration for

the love and True Presence of Christ our Lord? If not, why? In just a few weeks we will celebrate the Paschal mystery at Easter. I don’t know of many churches that refrain from having the Lord’s Supper that morning. So, I challenge everyone to reclaim the joyful, celebratory faith of our youth. I challenge everyone to come to the table smiling, maybe even arms flapping with excitement over the real presence of our resurrected Lord Jesus Christ! I challenge all to come to the table and celebrate the love God has for you! And God bless you!

Cherryville Chapter 156 Eastern Star will have their BBQ Chicken plates for sale on Friday, March 17, 2023 at the Cherryville Community Center from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. The

plates are $12 and are for drink with eat-in only. All proceeds go to maintenance projects and charities. Pleas come by and enjoy some great BBQ chicken

CHS 1968 55th reunion is May 20

The 55th Year High School Reunion for CHS, Class of 1968 and friends will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 6 to 6:30 p.m. (Social Time), with dinner at 6:30 to 7 p.m., at the American Legion Post, 215 N. Pink St., Cherryville, NC, 28021. The cost is $25 per person.

Cherryville Area Places of Worship

Please send money to confirm attendance by May 1, 2023. Make checks payable to: CHS Class of 1968, and mail to: Libby Brackett, 108 S. Rudisill St., Cherryville, NC, 28021. For questions, please call Mr. Glenn Burgess at (704) 435-5278, or Mrs. Libby Brackett at (704) 435-3368.

Anthony Grove Baptist Church 100 Anthony Grove Road Crouse, NC 704-435-6001

Bess Chapel United Methodist Church 6073 Flay Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-7969

Bethlehem United Methodist Church 6753 NC 182 Highway Cherryville, NC 704-435-1608

Blessed Hope Baptist Church 3357 Fallston-Waco Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-8530

Body of Christ Fellowship Center 405 S. Cherokee Street Cherryville, NC www.bodyofchrist7.com

Calvary Way Holiness Church 1017 Second Street Cherryville, NC Pastor Clifton Morgan Cherryville Church of God 810 East Main Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-2275

Cherryville Missionary Methodist Church 318 W. Ballard Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-6934

Emmanuel Baptist Church 1155 Marys Grove Church Rd Cherryville, NC 704-435-5764

Fairview Baptist Church 415 South Mountain Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-4299

First Baptist Church 301 East 1st Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-3796

First Church of the Nazarene 301 North Elm Street Cherryville, NC 828-838-2428

First Presbyterian Church 107 West Academy Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-6064

First United Methodist Church 601 N. Pink St. Cherryville, NC 704-435-6732

First Wesleyan Church 800 North Pink Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-6069

Free Saints Chapel Church 813 Self Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-0949

Gospel Way Baptist Church 3904 Tryon Courthouse Rd. Cherryville, NC 866-356-3219

Legacy Church 805 Self Street Cherryville, NC 704-457-9615

Living Word Ministries 306 East Academy Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-3213

Marys Grove United Methodist Church 1223 Marys Grove Church Rd Cherryville, NC 704-435-5544

Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church 235 A.W. Black Street Waco, NC 704-435-8842

Mt. Zion Baptist Church 112 Mt. Zion Church Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-9636

North Brook Baptist Church 7421 Flay Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-4471

Oak Grove AME Zion Church 542 Flint Hill Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-3687

Oak Grove Baptist Church 219 Tot Dellinger Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-3053

Revival Tabernacle 1104 Delview Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-4073

Rudisill Chapel AME Zion Church 417 South Mountain Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-5621

Second Baptist Church 201 Houser Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-9657

Shady Grove Baptist Church 3240 Tryon Courthouse Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-9605

St. John’s Lutheran Church 310 West Church Street Cherryville, NC 704-435-9264

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church 1203 St. Mark’s Church Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-5941

Victory Life Assembly of God 1655 Shelby Highway Cherryville, NC 704-435-5539 Waco Baptist Church 262 N. Main Street Waco, NC 704-435-9311

Washington Missionary Baptist Church 1920 Stony Point Road Waco, NC 704-435-3138

Word of Faith Ministry 306 Doc Wehunt Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-5560

Zion Hill Baptist Church 3460 Zion Hill Road Cherryville, NC 704-435-3355

DANYALE PATTERSON

YMCA

From Page 1 Academy and Mountain Streets (107 W. Academy St.), before heading northeast towards Cherryville Elementary School. Shriver said they runners “…will celebrate together at the finish line with music and snacks!”

The race is slated to be held on Saturday, April 29, starting with the 9 a.m. 1-Mile Bubble Run, followed by the 10 a.m. 5K Walk/Run. It goes without saying this is a dog-friendly event, noted Ms. Shriver, who added, “Dogs are welcome! Bring your pup and let them get in on the exercise and fun! Dogs must be kept on a fixed-length leash. The first dog to cross

At the Cherryville Family YMCA 5K even pooches can get into the act, exercise, and maybe even get a “Top Dog” tag! This runner’s critter is putting him through his paces… or is the other way around? (Eagle/CF Media file photos by Michael E. Powell)

Everybody’s favorite ‘Y’ race host, Butch Boyd; all smiles (as usual) as he waited for all the runners to arrive back at their start point.

the finish line will receive a Top Dog tag!”

There is a fee associated with the race which is as follows: 5K participants –$25; and Bubble Run participants – $15. All must register by April 14 to get their race tee-shirt, said

Shriver. As for the 1-Mile Bubble Run, Shriver noted, “We are adding some BUBBLE-RIFIC fun to the 1-mile race! Come out with your kiddos – both young and young at heart – and run through bubbles at the

beginning and end of the race! Bring some bubbles with you! We would love to add as many bubbles and

smiles to the race as possible.” So far as awards are concerned, Shriver noted

trophies will be given to the top male and female runners and medals will be given to the top three males and fe-

males ages 9 and under, and in 10-year increments, for all registered for a timed race. First dog to finish gets a “Top Dog” tag. All Cherryville Family YMCA proceeds from the race will benefit the Cherryville Family YMCA Annual Giving Campaign which provides access to ‘Y’ programs and services for individuals in need of financial assistance as well as sustaining the ‘Y’ in Cherryville. Shriver said the ‘Y’ is passionate about community and what being part of a small group can do for your spirit.

To learn more about the YMCA’s Cherry Blossom 5K and Bubble Run sponsorship opportunities, or for more information or to sponsor, please contact Molly D’Avria at mdavria@gastonymca.org.

The Cherryville Family YMCA, located at 215 N. Mountain St., in Cherryville, is a non-profit organization committed to helping you live a balanced, healthy life in spirit, mind and body. The new 5,700 square foot Mountain Street location offers accessible multispace parking lot, spacious restrooms and showers, community coffee area and attached group exercise space to bring the YMCA mission to life. You can call them at (704) 4459622.

A close-up of the

Radio DJ Larry Wright, with Lake James Entertainment, did the DJ work and spun the tunes for the 2022 Cherryville Family YMCA 5K Run.

2022 Cherryville Family YMCA First Place medals, handed out after the 2022 race.

Lady Ironmen softball team get a win and a loss at home last week

The CHS Lady Ironmen softball team picked up a win and a loss last week as they took on the Lady Jaguars of Forestview on Tuesday, March 7, followed by a game at home against the visiting Robbinsville Lady Knights on Thursday, March 9.

In the non-conference matchup between the Lady Ironmen and the Lady Jags, the CHS ladies won by a score of 5-1.

Coach A.J. Henley said the winning pitcher in this game was newcomer Raylei Gidney.

Henley noted his leading hitters in the Forestview game were Emma Proctor (2-4), and Laila Davis (2-4).

Against Robbinsville

In another non-conference matchup, the CHS ladies lost to the Lady Knights of Robbinsville on March 9, at CHS Field by a mercy-ruled score of 14-4.

Coach Henley noted the losing pitcher was Lady

leading CHS hitters in this game. The CHS ladies were scheduled to play an away conference game against

Shelby on Tuesday, March 14, then are scheduled to be back home on Thursday, March 16 versus Stuart Cramer and Friday, March 17

CHS men’s golf team win first conference match

by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info

According to one of their coaches, Chad Cash, the Ironmen men’s golf team opened up non-conference play last week and senior Blake Tedder was medalist at Lincoln Country Club with a -2 round of 34.

Coach Cash also noted that on Monday, March 6, the Ironmen had their first conference match at Woodbridge.

“They won the first conference match by nine (9) shots over East Gaston,” said Coach Cash. The match was a conference match and CHS beat everyone on that Monday. East Gaston was

nine shots back, said Coach Cash. CHS is the defending conference champs from last year, noted Coach Cash.

On Monday, March 13, the men’s golf team played at Cherryville Golf and Country Club, then will be away at Woodbridge against Burns on Monday, March 20.

Baseball Ironmen lose to Mountaineers; win against the Mustangs

Two recent matchups keep CHS men busy battling solid non-SPC 1A/2A opponents

Last week’s two non-conference matchups – one a loss, the other a win – helped keep the 1A Ironmen on their toes, a fact Coach Heavner said he likes as it helps his assistant coaches and his men see what they can do against

teams the caliber of the 3A Kings Mountain Mountaineers and the East Lincoln Mustangs, a team the Ironmen used to play, but don’t anymore, as a rule.

The Kings Mountain game, moved up last week due to possible inclement weather, was played at Fraley Field, and wound up being a squeaker of a loss (2-1) to the visiting Mountaineers.

The Ironmen squad got

two (2) hits, and their hitters in this one were Will Heavner, who went 1 for 3, with an RBI, and catcher Will Fowler, who was one for four.

Against East Lincoln

The Ironmen traveled to Denver, N.C. on March 9, for this away non-conference game and won it by a score of 6-3. The big knock of the night in this one was by Will Fowler, who blasted a three-run

home run.

Coach Heavner used three pitchers in this game, with Eli Newsome getting the win. The other pitchers Heavner called on in the battle were seniors Chase Miller and Collin Robinson.

The Ironmen took on the Shelby Golden Lions in an away conference game of Tuesday, March 14, and will play an away non-conference game against the

Lincolnton Wolves on Wednesday, March 15. They will be home at Fraley against the Golden

Lions on Friday, March 17. (Additional info and stats by Danny Eaker)

Lady Ironman Taylor Digh waits for her pitch against the Robbinsville pitcher at last week’s game at CHS Field. (photos by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media)

This Lady Ironman is playing just off first base and looking for a good hit from a teammate to move her around the bases.

It looks like it might be a strike against the CHS Lady Ironmen batter at last week’s loss to the visiting Lady Knights of Robbinsville.

Blake Tedder, and Patrick Bowman. Coaches (not pictured) are: Timmy Flemming and Chad Cash. (photo by Jhoan Alfaro for the Eagle/CF Media)

The 2023 Cherryville Ironmen baseball team and their coaches at Fraley Field. (photo by Jhoan Alfaro for the Eagle/CF Media)

2023 Ironmen Baseball Schedule

NIGHT

From Page 1 Reese, is 25. They are both from Kings Mountain.

Said Chad Sr. recently via email, “They attended the Tim Tebow Night to Shine event in Crouse, N.C., at Anthony Grove Baptist Church, on Feb. 10, 2023, and this event (took) place worldwide! As you can see, these two young people, who both have Down Syndrome, wore classy, matching, purple outfits.”

Mr. Gunter continued, “When they arrived, they walked a red carpet with many on-lookers clapping and cheering, giving them the special treatment they deserve. All the participants were given the royal treatment.”

Chad Sr. noted the two young folks danced the evening away to the music played by a live DJ, and the floor even cleared, he said, for them to dance to Michael Jackson’s epic tune, “Thriller.”

Additionally, Mr. Gunter noted they had delicious snacks and refreshments and got to ride in a luxurious stretch limo.

“Moreover, they had their pictures made in a photo

booth. Each boy was given a crown and each girl was given a tiara,” he added.

Chad Gunter, Jr. said of his “Night to Shine” memory, “I had the best time at the prom. Katie is the love of my life and I gave my heart to her.”

For her part, Ms. Katie Reese said, “I had a great time, and my favorite (part) was the music and dancing.”

Katie’s mother, Diane Reese, noted, “I was impressed with the obvious amount of time and effort put in by the volunteers.

LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF GASTON

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having qualified on 8th of February, 2023 as Executrix of the Estate of FRANCES THOMAS HUFFSTETLER, deceased, late of Gaston County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned, Theresa H. Tate, Executrix on or before the 8th of June, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said estate to please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 8th day of March, 2023.

Theresa H. Tate, Executrix

Estate of Frances Thomas Huffstetler

177 Ravines LN Spartanburg, SC 29301

CE (3/08, 15, 22 & 29/2023)

LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF GASTON

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF CYNTHIA SHULL PRUETT AKA CYNTHIA SUE PRUETT

Having qualified as Executrix of the Estate of Cynthia Shull Pruett aka Cynthia Sue Pruett, 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 at 106 North Cherry Street, Cherryville, North Carolina, on or before the 1st day of June, 2023, 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 1st day of March, 2023.

Shully Pruett Cloninger

Executrix Counsel for the Estate:

PALMER E. HUFFSTETLER, JR.

ATTORNEY AT LAW

106 North Cherry Street

Cherryville, NC 28021

Telephone: 704-435-4907

CE (3/01, 08, 15 & 22/2023)

LEGAL NOTICE

Having

as Executor of the Estate of Alfred Wayne Foster, deceased, late of Gaston County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to the undersigned Executor on or before the 2nd day of June 2023 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment.

This the 1st day of March, 2023.

Thomas Shilo Canipe

311 Long Creek Road

Bessemer City, NC 28016

C. Andrew Neisler, Jr, CLONINGER & NEISLER ATTYS

P.O. Box 515, 300 E. King Street Kings Mountain, NC 28086

CE (3/1, 3/8, 3/15, & 3/22/2023)

The event was well organized – from the red carpet, the DJ, the food; to the limo rides. The participants were made to feel special with an abundance of attention. I felt honored to be in attendance and experience the outpouring of love for our special ones. There was lots of fun and smiles that night.” Chad Gunter, Sr. said, “I had a great time! I am very thankful to see my son and other people with special needs having a blast in a safe environment. I really appreciate Tim Tebow, the host of churches and the many volunteers who made this event possible.” Chad Jr.’s

LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF GASTON

NOTICE OF EXECUTOR

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of IRIS FOUCHE’ STURGIS deceased, late of Gaston County, hereby notifies all persons having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 11th day of June, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 8th day of March, 2023.

Anna S. Renfro, Executor Estate of Iris Fouche’ Sturgis c/o John H. Griffing Griffing Leazer, PLLC Attorneys for Estate 518 S. New Hope Road Gastonia, NC 28054

CE (3/8, 3/15, 3/22 & 3/29/2023)

mother, Robin Gunter agreed, adding, “I just want to say ‘thank you’ to all that made February 10 a special night for my son, Chad, and his girlfriend, Katie. They wore big smiles the entire evening! I am thankful to Tim Tebow and Anthony Grove Baptist Church for this great local event, and love you with my whole heart!”

How to volunteer next year…

On Feb. 9, 2024, there will be another event and to volunteer, go to the group’s web site, Night to Shine at https://www. timtebowfoundation.org/ night-to-shine/, and check out their information.

Tebow’s organization and the Night to Shine

event, as the site said, “… requires the help of thousands of volunteers across the globe and is a wonderful way to connect with and serve your community of people with special needs! From serving as a guest’s buddy or member of the red-carpet paparazzi, to keeping the enthusiasm up on the dance floor or serving food, there is something for everyone. To volunteer at Night to Shine, you will register and receive a background check through your local host church location. Once registered, your local host location will provide you with the necessary information and training you will need to serve.

Mr. Chad Gunter, Jr. and his “Night To Shine” date, Ms. Katie Reese are ready to head out to the “Night To Shine” event, held Feb. 10, at Cherryville’s Anthony Grove Baptist Church. (photos provided)

a limo! Katie Reese and Chad Gunter, Jr. were all smiles as they headed out to the “Night To Shine” event, held Feb. 10, at Anthony Grove Baptist Church.

interested apply in person at 203 Lee St, Shelby NC.

AUTOMOTIVE SHOP HELPER.

Automotive experience needed. 704-445-0970.

WE NEED TRUCK DRIVERS.

Get Out of the Cold and Work in Florida! $1000 sign-on bonus** + relocation assistance.

Burnsed Trucking, a leader in refrigerated trucking of seafood, needs drivers for both local and the Eastern seaboard!

We need drivers now as we continue to grow. Must have 2 yrs. experience and good driving record. (Bonus paid after 6 mos. employment) Work 3-5 days per week with full-time pay and home every week. Daily per diem in addition to pay. Must drive in teams. Contact us today! Visit us online: www. burnsedtrucking.com (772) 4672620 burnsedvp@gmail.com

BUSINESS SYSTEMS ANA-

LYST (Bessemer City, NC):

Process finance and sales planning systems that support sales proforma and sales budget. Resumes to: Maureen Brennan, HR, Bud Antle, Inc., 2959 Monterey-Salinas Hwy, Monterey, CA, 93940.

TIRED OF WORKING 5, 6 OR EVEN 7 DAYS A WEEK? Get

Started in light duty health care today! Work 3 days one week and 4 days the next. One on One Care, Inc. serving Cleveland County since 1995 with 8 licensed facilities in Shelby is growing & hiring for approximately 50 positions. Veterans, Retirees, college students, teachers, and aides are encouraged to apply. Do you have experience as a Personal Care assistant? No experience? No worries, we provide training as well as CPR, NCI and Medication administration.

CNA’s are encouraged to apply.

Positions available- Professionals with a 4 yr degree in Human Services or teaching full time, starting pay with no experience $36,500 yearly. Paraprofessional Staff FT/PT 8am-8pm or 8pm8am, 36 hours one week, 48 hours the next. Starting pay with no experience $24,500 yearly.

Paraprofessional staff with more than 3 years experience. Starting pay $26,500 yearly. Hours are as followed: 8am-8pm or 8pm-8am, 36 hours one week, 48 hours the next. 3 Days one week and 4 days the next week. Part-time positions will be filled after full time positions have been met. Other positions and hours available as well. 1099 positions available for experienced staff. Pay differs per contract. Apply in person at 203 Lee St in Shelby, NC Monday thru Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm

HAVE A CLEAN DRIVING RE-

CORD?. AA UNITED CAB COM-

PANY is hiring qualified individuals for driver positions. “Must Pass Drug Test & Physical”. Call (704) 482-7000

PART-TIME YOUTH MINISTER. Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, Forest City, NC is seeking a parttime Youth Minister. Send resume to Mountvernonforestcity@gmail. com or mail to 2676 Hudlow Rd., Forest City, NC 28043 (828) 4295228 ejw9738@gmail.com

NOW HIRING LANDSCAPERS FOR FULL TIME YEAR ROUND EMPLOYMENT. Must have

FOR SALE

NEW BATTERY MOBILITY

SCOOTERS Spring Tune

Up with new batteries. Code 10 for 10% discount. Call Scooterman John to make your unit perform well. Batteries installed from $199. (704) 951-4224 mobilityservices07@ gmail.com

FOR SALE

WATER TOTES, 275 GALLON $75. Burning barrels 15. Solid top plastic or metal barrels $12. Feed

TRAILER-BUY-SELL-TRADE!

WANT TO BUY WANT TO BUY 2 USED TIRES.

painting, plumbing, tile, etc. Need a hand for a day or two? Give me a call. Professional quality work, affordable prices. 828-980-1823 or email jacksoncorbin71@gmail.com

WILL CLEAN HOUSES AND BUSINESSES. Reasonable rates. Call or text me at 704419-9016 or email me at sgacsa@aol.com 0

FMB ALL SEASON LAWN SER-

VICE. Services: mowing, mobile detailing, fleet, cleaning, excavating. Owner Eric (704) 692-7521

REASONABLE RATES LAWN SERVICE. Mowing, trimming, edging. (704) 472-4737

D&D LANDSCAPING. We cut yards, Trim bushes, haul of trash ETC. Give us a call. Very reasonably priced! Serving Cherryville, Vale, Lincolnton area 704-5301237 or 704-974-4056. (704) 9744056 daniel.edens2@gmail.com

DILL PLUMBING. Specializing in well pumps, water heaters & small repair. Licensed and insured. 37 years in business. 828817-1327.

CLEVELAND COUNTY GA-

RAGE DOORS. Summer Tuneup Special, $69.95. We will check all your equipment lube, make sure it’s working correctly. We repair broken doors. Also offering new installations. 704-477-9119 or 704-472-9367.

YARD BUDDY. Outdoor work such as trimming bushes, small trees, spraying weeds, gutter cleaning. General property cleanup. No grass cutting or leaves. Serving Shelby & Cleveland County. (980) 295-0750

EB MOBILE MECHANIC. I will come to you to repair any car, lawnmower or tractor. Honest & reliable. (704) 300-2332

RETAINING WALLS, PAVERS, GRADING, DEMOLITION, site cleanup, ponds, fencing, maintenance, irrigation, landscaping, pruning, planting, excavator work. 828-453-8113.

YARD SALES

CLEVELAND COUNTY

ESTATE SALE/HOUSE CLEAN OUT SALE. Thursday, Mar 16th, 5pm-7pm. Murray Riding Lawnmower, trailer, tools, furniture, dishes and more! 2408 McCraw Road, Mooresboro, NC 28114

SPRING CLEAN-OUT GARAGE SALE. Sat Mar 18th, 8am-3pm. Rain or Shine. Furniture, appliances, games, bedding, books, shoes and more, 205 Moriah School Road, Casar, NC 28020

ANTIQUES

UNIQUE ANTIQUE STATION. Tues.-Sat. 11am-4pm. Farm House Decor, Antiques, Collectibles, Vintage Toys, Hot Wheels, Jewelry, MORE. 985 US 74 Business Hwy., Ellenboro. Find us on FB. 828-382-0075.

FOR SALE

DINING ROOM SUITE with 6 chairs, 2 leafs, china cabinet, buffet, 2 upholstered chairs & 1 barstool. All for $400 or OBO. All good condition. Call for details

704-834-9848.

USED CAMPER TOPS: BUY/ SALE/TRADE. Various sizes and styles. 828-980-0788 or 828286-8674.

HORSE QUALITY HAY FOR SALE. Call (704) 487-6855

BURGUNDY LEATHER COUCH, CHAIR, OTTOMAN. Also new seedeater. 704-692-6729.

TROY-BILT LAWNMOWER. 21 in. cutting deck, self-propelled mower, very good condition, rarely used. $200. 704-473-9321

4 PIECE COCHRANE DEN

FURNITURE. Cochrane den furniture-sofa, chair, oversized chair & ottoman, includes pillows. Very good condition. (828) 429-9172 dtwebb63@ gmail.com

BLACKSTONE GRIDDLE. Model 1934, good condition. $185.00. Please call 518-321-5662.

BROWN TOP MILLET HAY. 4x5 rolls, no rain. $55 each. (980) 241-9010

STEEL BUILDINGS (OPEN OR FULLY ENCLOSED) 14 on Display. 12’ Wide to 40 EVEN 60 Clear Span. “We do Grading, Gravel, Concrete” TURN KEY! J Johnson Sales, 2690 221South, Forest City, NC (828) 245-5895

C65 CHEVROLET DUMP TRUCK. 14’ bed, good tires. No CDL needed. Haul graves, first. Work For Yourself. $2,850. Call anytime. 704-718-9651, (704) 284-1694

ITEMS FOR SALE. $50 Singer Sewing Machine. $50 Sewing Machine Cabinet. $25 Small Cedar Wardrobe (704) 739-5072 wwwhetstine@aol.com

WE’VE GOT THE KNIVES &COINS! Jake’s Knives & Coins located at 1008 S. Lafayette St., Shelby. Call 704-600-6996 (980) 295-5568 NEW CAR SHED FOR THE NEW YEAR! Single Car $288 Down from $89 month. Double $395 Down from $123.45 month. J Johnson Sales, 2690 221South, Forest City, NC (828) 245-5895

TRAILERS, LAWNMOWER TRAILERS, Flatbed Trailers, Enclosed Trailers, Horse and Cattle Trailers, Saddlery. Check our prices and quality before you buy. Bridges Riding Equipment. Boiling Springs, NC. 704-434-6389, (704) 4730867

WANTED: OLD AND NEW AMMO. Reloading supplies. Call 828-245-6756 or cell

COMPASS SPORT, PRISTINE

CONDITION, $695. Compass Sport, standard mobility chair, good inside and outside the home. 18” x 20” seat. Comes with manual, charger, warranty and delivery. Call Scooterman John (704) 951-4224 mobilityservices07@gmail.com

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS with Scratch Pads! Press Room Printing. 704-482-2243. (704) 538-5788

PROFORM T23 WALKING

TRACK. FREE. 704-692-0413

TRAILERS, TRAILERS! DUMP

TRAILERS, GOOSENECK, DECK OVER, EQUIPMENT, ALL PURPOSE TRAILERS, CAR HAULERS. Cash, Finance, Credit Cards, Rent to Own (No Credit Check) J Johnson Sales, 2690 221South, Forest City, NC (828) 245-5895

E-Z GO GOLF CART Runs on gas. Turn signal, lights, horn, fan, radio, new charge. Electric dump bed. New battery. $5,500. 828248-2184.

OLD GAMBLING MACHINE $125. Would make a good man cave piece. (704) 300-1818 kim_ hopper@bellsouth.net

2 JANITROL COMMERICAL SHOP HEATERS Propane, 125K BTU. Can hang or sit. $300 for pair. Will sell separately. 704487-0550.

OFFICE ITEMS AND OFFICE

FURNITURE. Must sell! Excellent condition. Going out of business sale. Call for appointment to view: 828-429-7768.

TRACTORS, EQUIPMENT, RIDING MOWERS, GARDEN TILLERS, GO-KARTS. Ready to mow. All in excellent condition. Can deliver, 30+ years experience in repair work. 828-9800853, 704-476-9383.

DEER CORN, 50 POUND BAG. $11. 55 gallon drum $65 in your drum. Callahan Farms. Cletus: 704-300-5341; Steve: 704-4728865; Todd: 704-692-1627

FOR SALE. $5.50 a bale. Call 980-295-8808

GARDEN TILLING SERVICES AVAILABLE Tractor with 6’ rototiller. Within 40 miles of Shelby. No job too big or small. (704) 692-4079 YANMAR YM1900 DIESEL WITH SCRAPEBLADE Small diesel tractor lift and pto work good. (704) 692-3884 FOR SALE: 4X5 HAY BALES. Never rained on. $45 to $50. 828305-2679 HONEY BEES FOR SALE. Some of the best bees available. This years swarms, new frames, new wax. $120-$150. Call/text Jackson Corbin, 828-980-1823. FESCUE HORSE HAY FOR SALE. 4x5 Round - $70, Square$8. 704-692-6325 FREE AGED HORSE MANURE Aged horse manure. Great for gardens. (828) 447-0652

WANT TO BUY

WANTED: SMALL AMC CAR. Like Gremlin, Spirit, Hornet, Javelin or AMX. Call or text. (828) 243-6486

I have ‘99

pickup, been wrecked, has some good body parts, has good 360 engine. Does not run, Parts only. (704) 300-1818 kim_ hopper@bellsouth.net

WANT TO BUY. ATV’s, Pop-Up Campers and Small Travel Trailers. Call 828-429-3935.

CASH FOR YOUR CAR. Running or not, title or no title. Call Charles Dellinger at Red Road Towing. 704692-6767, (704) 487-0228

PETS & LIVESTOCK AKC BLACK LABRADOR RETRIEVER MALE. I have a 11 weeks old male black Lab ready for his new home. Up to date on vaccinations and dewormed. Super sweet disposition. $500. Call or text 704-473-6114. (704) 4736114 amyashley27@yahoo.com AKC STANDARD POODLE PUPS. Dark chocolate, M/F, Serious inquires only. Ready March 23rd. 704-692-1185. Auctions

EQUIPMENT-TRUCK AUCTION FORD Diesel Dump&FlatBed-Trucks,

BALL

From Page 1 Proclamation: Hear ye, hear ye, one and all, Welcome to the Fairy Tale Ball. All may enter the royal Kingdom of Cherryville Elementary, that’s right; Whether wolf, princess, giant, fairy, bear or knight! Before we commence with our royal to-do, We have a few sovereign rules to review; No slippers shall be left on the castle stairs, No climbing the beanstalk nor Rapunzel’s golden hair! No eating other’s porridge nor interrupting birthday feasts, Neither stealing mermaid’s voices nor turning prince’s into beasts! No leaving a trail of breadcrumbs on the castle floor;

“All poisoned apples and spindles shall be left at the door! Sword fighting and casting spells will not be allowed! Neither flying on magic carpets in this majestic crowd! No huffing and puffing by big, bad wolves, Nor chasing grandmothers and wearing their clothes! And one more rule, the most important of all… Have a grand time at your Fairy Tale Hall!”

Teacher’s Assistant Ashley Long said the school’s Fairy Tale Ball started about 14 years ago.

“The teachers collectively decided to start it here using ideas from previous schools,” said Mrs. Long. “We did stop it for a couple years due to COVID, but started it back last year when COVID restrictions were lifted.”

Mrs. Long said the school has five kindergarten

CLASSIFIEDS CONT’D

FROM PAGE 10

PETS & LIVESTOCK

DYSARTS WOLF KENNEL. Celebrating 50 years of breeding wolf-hybrid puppies. Puppies available from parents on-site. 75% Wolf, 25% Shepherd. $400 each. www.dysartswolfkennel. com. Facebook at Dysart Wolf & Sheperd Kennel. 828-429-0053, 828-748-9238.

FULL-BLOODED GERMAN

SHEPHERD PUPPIES. 9 weeks. No papers. Parents on site. Black&tan & solid black. Ready now. Also 2 black&tan, 14 weeks old. 828-748-9614, 828-460-8187.

classes which are taught by Debra Spangler (assistant, Lisa Avery); Elizabeth Lubert (assistant, Jenny Emerson); Katy Beam (assistant, Ashley Long); Lori Hughes (assistant, Kim Holtsclaw); and Jessica Willis (assistant, Deana Datolli). The school’s principal is Mr. Patrick Watson. Said Mrs. Long, “It was the Mayor’s first Fairy Tale Ball reading the proclamation and it was Mr. Watson’s first Fairy Tale Ball. He loved it and thanked us all for all of our hard work putting it together.”

For his part, Mayor Beam said, “It’s always fun and exciting to visit East Elementary. They have such a great staff and the kids are

PETS & LIVESTOCK

MILL-SEC K9 Rottweiler puppies available. Fully imported international champion lines. ACK registered. $1500. Three year health guarantee. 828-755-7335.

TOY AND MINI AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS. Male and female, assorted colors, some blue-eyed. Shots, wormed, fully vetted. 828289-6756.

so disciplined and well behaved.”

Long noted the five classes have 20 kids each and not all the students attended.

“Very close to 100 (children) attended. We split it up with two classes at 8:30 a.m., two classes at 9 a.m., and one class at 9:30 a.m.,” she said. Long added the “…main costumes for girls were Cinderella and Elsa (from the animated movie, “Frozen”); boys would have been Prince Charming. Almost all parents attended to see their children dress up.” Long also noted the school does not have a contest with the FTB.

As with every welldone event, Mrs. Long said,

PETS & LIVESTOCK

FULL BLOODED POMERANI-

AN PUPPIES. Pomeranian puppies for sale 3 males $1100 each 2 females $1800 each health guarantee vaccines and deworming up to date 10 weeks old. Parti colors. If interested contact me at 803-526-8962 email: lwhitaker68@yahoo.com

“Decorating is a hard job and takes many hours to do. Lisa Avery, myself, Jenny Emerson, Kim Holtsclaw, Stacie Day, and volunteer, Hannah Garrett, put it all together. Mackenzie Auten created the new Cinderella and Prince Charming standups for our photo props which were amazing! The children loved them!”

Long continued, “The Fairy Tale Ball starts with a snack of cake, chips, and punch. The proclamation is read and they dance after they finish their snack. We teach the box step the week before the ball so they know how to dance with their friends. We also have the ball during our time when See BALL 2, Page 12

FOR RENT

CLEVELAND COUNTY

MOBILE HOMES FOR RENT.

In Shelby, NC. 1 to 3 bedrooms renting from $695.00 to $850.00 per month. Call Today 704-5548861. frontdesk@kluttspropertymanagement.com

CHIHUAHUA PUPPIES 5 gor-

geous male puppies. 7wks old $350ea Dewormed, no papers Please message if interested (704) 860-2647 lacyorlucy@ gmail.com

CHOCOLATE LAB FEMALE. 8 weeks, shots UTD, great disposition. Champion Bloodline. AKC. $900. 704-914-8241, KM. Mention this ad for discount.

2 MALE TOY POODLES. 1 black, 1 chocolate. CKC registered. $1000 each. (828) 289-8844

PUPPIES FOR SALE. AKC registered German Shepherd puppies. 5 females, 4 males. Ready in March. $1,000. Taking deposits. 839-400-1723.

FREE TO GOOD HOMES. 2 female CKC Registered German Shepherds, 3 & 4 years old. Will make good guard dogs for fenced in area. For more info. (704) 466-

3135

AKC/CKC REGISTERED BOXER PUPPIES. Total price $800. READY TO GO! 1st shots and 2nd deworming. 12wks old. 2/M 4/F Location: Shelby,NC (704)

477-3900

DOG KENNELS 5X10, 10X10, 10X20. Dog Houses, Tops for Kennels. “Delivery & Setup Available” J Johnson Sales 2690 221South, Forest City, NC (828) 245-5895

CONTURNIX QUAIL $5 Quail Chicks $3 ea. Quail eggs $6 per doz. Bob Whites $8.00. Hatching Eggs. 704-476-9943 (704) 4769943 jw28178@gmail.com

CARS & TRUCKS

MILL-SEC K9 OBEDIENCE

TRAINING. Starting at $50 individual or $500 for 12. Rutherford County area. Board and train options available. 828-755-7335.

CKC BICHON FRIZE PUPPIES.

Two females ($3,000 each). One male ($2,500). Now taking deposits. Ready 3-15-23. Shots, medical exam. Serious inquiries only. 828-748-6563, 9am-7pm, leave message.

DACHSHUND PUPPIES. I have

2 girls and 3 boys purebred miniature Dachshund pups. They will be ready to go March 8th, parents on site $400! (704) 974-4056 daniel.edens2@gmail.com

AUSSIEDOODLE PUPPIES. AussieDoodles are a mix of an intelligent and eager to please Poodle with the loyal, energetic, and also intelligent Australian Shepherd. This designer dog breed is an active puppy with a hypoallergenic luxurious coats that sheds very little. These pups for sale are 10 weeks old, energetic and smart, and ready to make the best newest member of their “forever family.” Each puppy is $900. All pups are sold with a one-year health guarantee and are always up-to-date on shots and worming. We are located in Mt. Olive, one hour east of Raleigh and one hour west of Wilmington. Call Dennis at 919-223-1894 to schedule an appointment to see the puppies. (919) 223-1895

1976 INTERNATIONAL SCOUT II, ONLY $8500 FOR BOTH. Buy 2 for the price of one! Both are 1976 models. One is automatic and the other stick shift. Both need restored, or great for parts. White one was running when parked two years ago. (704) 3001818 kim_hopper@bellsouth.net

low miles, $12,000. (704) 300-9223 1992 BUICK RIVIERA. Classic Buick Riviera in good condition. Another motor was installed about 6 years ago. The mileage on this motor is 65000. Transmission is good.

OCEAN LAKES, BIG DISCOUNTS. On Spring & Fall Weeks. 7 houses, 3 ocean front, some with golf carts. Call Tammy Patterson, 704-418-4756. BEACH RENTAL: Beautiful Oak Island, NC. 3BR, 2BA house. Near beaches, restaurants. Close to Wilmington, Myrtle Beach. 828-744-9191.

SCENIC RIDGE COUNTRY CAMPGROUND. Cherryville, NC. Cabins. RV Spots, Daily Weekly, Monthly, Seasonal Sites. (704) 435-0938

OCEAN LAKES MYRTLE BEACH. Cottage N34. 2 bedroom, 2 bath, den, kitchen, dining, covered deck, near country store. Call Dorcas, 803-718-2659.

REAL ESTATE

CHEROKEE CO., SC

27.47 ACRES WITH 2 STREAMS. Located off Grady Drive, Blacksburg, SC. $5500 per acre. 864-492-5588. (864) 4925689

CLEVELAND COUNTY

CLEVELAND COUNTY. 1144 E.

Stagecoach Trail, Lawndale, NC.

1.97 Acres with 3,000 sq ft building. Zoned Rural Agriculture. Can be used as Auto Dealer, RV Dealer, Auto Parts, Lawn and Garden Retail, Grocery, Convenience/ Gas, Used Merchandise, Miscellaneous, Retail, Restaurant. (828) 453-0828

RUTHERFORD COUNTY 20 + ACRES WITH TRAILER. Bostic. Also 13’’ 4 lug tires with lug nuts. 16’’ and 17’’ tires available. 828-412-2237.

2&3 BEDROOM TOWN HOMES. Townhomes located in Shelby, NC. We are currently accepting applications for our waiting list. Rent is based on income (and some expenses are deducted). Please visit us today at Laurel Hill Apartments 1526 Eaves Rd., Shelby NC or call for more information 704-487-1114. Equal Housing Opportunity. EXCELLENT LOCATIONSHELBY. 1 bedroom apartment with kitchen, dining, living room & bath. Stove & refrigerator. Furnished or unfurnished. Second floor. No smoking or pets. Not HAP eligible. Heat & water included in $600 mo. (704) 487-5480

MOBILE HOME FOR RENT.

2BR, 2BA, stove, refrigerator, washer/dryer, quiet neighborhood, just remodeled in Shelby. 704-313-7357.

HICKORY CREEK APARTMENTS FOR SENIORS. (62 and older), disabled (50 and older). Shelby. Now taking applications for waiting list. 418 East Warren Street, Shelby. (704) 487-6354

OLD FARM HOUSE. Semi-Private in the Country. Lawndale, NC. Outside Animals. 4 bedroom, 1 bath, W&D. Sec. Dep/Ref required. (704) 538-7661

ONE PERSON ONLY. Small mobile home rental, $500 month, $400 deposit. No W/D hookup. No pets. Oak Grove area. Background check requires. $30 non-refundable Application Fee. Call for appointment between 9am and 6pm at (704) 734-5820

MOBILE HOMES & APARTMENTS. In Kings Mountain. Please Call

Cherryville Elementary Kindergarten teacher Debra Spangler’s class having a blast and posing for their photo at the school’s Fairy Tale Ball last week. (photos courtesy of Southern Burst Photography)

Cherryville Mayor H.L. Beam, III, reading Royal Fairy Tale Ball Proclamation at last week’s event, held at Cherryville Elementary.

Teacher Assistant Mrs. Ashley Long with a smiling, beautiful little Fairy Tale Ball princess, resplendent in a red velvet gown and gold crown.

Ashley said Ms. Mackenzie Auten created the new Cinderella and Prince Charming amazing stand-ups for the Ball’s photo props. (photos courtesy of Southern Burst Photography)

BALL 2

From Page 11

we study Fairy Tales in the kindergarten curriculum.”

School Principal Patrick

Watson, who probably enjoyed the ball as much as the kids, said, “I would like to thank our kindergarten teachers, teacher assistants, and front staff office for working so hard to provide the kinder-

garten Fairy Tale Ball to our students and parents. Thank you to Mayor Beam for participating. (It was) a wonderful chance to celebrate a great school year with our parents and students.”

National Vietnam Veterans War Day March 29th

We live in the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.

All Thanks to You and the Service You Gave!

God Bless You!

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 100 Tryon Resolves Daughters of the American Revolution

These two gorgeous little Fairy Tale Ball princesses with their hair all in colorful beads are having a ball dancing at last week’s Cherryville Elementary Fairy Tale Ball.

Mrs. Long noted the students were taught the box step the week before the ball so they knew how to dance with their friends, just like this cute pair of youngsters.

2023 dates for St. John’s Mobile Food Pantry

Cherryville Area Ministry, who is a partner with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, recently noted upcoming 2023 new dates for their Mobile Food Pantry.

St. John’s Lutheran Church, of Cherryville, will be hosting the Mobile Pantry in the Dixie Street Parking Lot on the following dates: April 3, May 1, June 5, and July 3 (this date is pending).

Organizers said food supplies distribution starts at 10 a.m. on the listed days and goes on as long as supplies last.

The truck will arrive by 9 a.m. for set up. Churches who will have volunteers coming to assist have been asked that all volunteers please arrive by 9 a.m.

There is a $500 transportation fee that goes to Second Harvest that is paid by the partner agency or the hosting organization. As you may notice there has been an increase for the transportation fee. The increase is due to the supply/demand issue that Second Harvest is currently experiencing. They are not receiving as much donated food as they have in the past. So in order to fill the trailers, they are having to purchase food. This, in re-

turn, has increased the cost to host a mobile pantry.

Churches or organizations who would like to host or co-host one of the four mobile pantries please let organizers know. We can split the cost among churches/organizations if needed.

Second Harvest provides 12 pallets of food items to be distributed that day. This will feed around 250 people. The truck should arrive around an hour before distribution so volunteers can set up.

This is a community event and volunteers are from various churches and organizations. Please consider volunteering for this outreach ministry.

For more information, please call Barbara at

Cherryville Area Ministry, Barbara McDaniel or Kim Eaker for more details on how you can help by volunteering or to help sponsor the transportation fee. Please let your church members or your organization know about this outreach ministry and that we would love for them to be part of this.

For more information about these dates and how to go about getting food from the MFP, or to volunteer, please call Ms. Barbara McDaniel at (704) 435-9264; Ms. Kim Eaker at (704) 472-6901; or Ms. Barbara (CAM) at (704) 435-3816.

By JIM MILLER Editor

Donating Your Body to Science

Dear Savvy Senior,

I am interested in possibly donating my body to science when I pass away. What can you tell me about this, and what would I need to do to set it up?

Getting Old

Dear Getting, If you’re looking to help advance medical research, and in the process, eliminate your funeral and burial costs, donating your body to science is a great option to consider. Here’s what you should know.

Body Donations

Each year, it’s estimated that approximately 20,000 people donate their whole body, after death, to medical facilities throughout the country to be used in medical research projects, anatomy lessons and surgical practice.

After using your body, these facilities will then provide free cremation and will either bury or scatter your ashes in a local cemetery or return them to your family, usually within a year.

And, just in case you’re wondering, your family cannot not be paid for the use of your body. Federal and state laws pro-

hibit it.

Here are a few other things you need to know and check into, to help you determine whether whole-body donation is right for you:

• Donation denial: Most body donation programs will not accept bodies that are extremely obese, or those that have infectious diseases like hepatitis, tuberculosis, H.I.V. or MRSA. Bodies that suffered extensive trauma won’t be accepted either.

• Organ donation: Most medical school programs require that you donate your whole body in its entirety. So, if you want to be an organ donor (with the exception of your eyes), you probably won’t qualify to be a whole-body donor too.

• Religious considerations: Most major religions permit individuals to donate both their full body and organs, and many even encourage it. If you are unsure, you should consult with your pastor or spiritual adviser.

• Special requests: Most programs will not allow you to donate your body for a specific purpose. You give them the body and they decide how to use it.

• Memorial options: Most programs require almost immediate transport of the

body after death, so there’s no funeral. If your family wants a memorial service, they can have one without the body. Or, some programs offer memorial services at their facility at a later date without the remains.

• Body transporting: Most programs will cover transporting your body to their facility within a certain distance. However, some may charge a fee.

How to Proceed

If you think you want to donate your body, it’s best to make arrangements in advance with a body donation program in your area. Most programs are offered through university-affiliated medical schools. To find one near you, the University of Florida maintains a list of U.S. programs and their contact information at Anatbd.acb. med.ufl.edu/usprograms. If you don’t have Internet access, you can get help by calling the whole-body donation referral service during business hours at 800-727-0700.

In addition to the medical schools, there are also private organizations like Science Care (ScienceCare.com) and Anatomy Gifts Registry (AnatomyGifts.org) that accept whole body donations too. Some of these organizations will even allow organ donation because they deal in body parts

as well as whole cadavers.

Once you locate a program in your area, call and ask them to mail you an information/registration packet that will explain exactly how their program works.

To sign up, you’ll need to fill out a couple of forms and return them. But you can always change your mind by contacting the program and removing your name from their registration list. Some programs may ask that you make your withdrawal in writing.

After you’ve made arrangements, you’ll need to tell your family members so they will know what to do and who to call after your death. It’s also a good idea to tell your doctors, so they know your final wishes too.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.